A Good Nights Sleep

Posted on Tue Apr 4, 2017 @ 8:55am by Lieutenant Colonel S'er'in'e & Lieutenant JG Mar Megara

Mission: An Orion to Die For
Location: Sickbay

S'er'in'e had found that 6 months of sleeping on the floor to be the norm now even with a bed that was next to him. Even now he awoke laying on the floor with a sheet blanket over him as coverings. He had learned the hard and unfortunately, painful way that standard beds do not support his weight and size without utterly collapsing.

Having been rescued however he needed to rebuild his life and return to a form of routine, a routine impossible to achieve if he was unable to sleep comfortably and properly.

Just like before S'er'in'e decided to head to Sickbay to obtain a detailed medical scan which he could provide operations to create for him a suitable matress and also a more sturdy bed to hold him. He was still having to ask for directions from crew and the computer but he managed it and walked into Sickbay hoping someone were to see him.

To be honest, it would be very difficult to miss such a large being even without the striking fur. Meg's first thought upon seeing him enter Sick Bay was, what a beautiful creature! Then she remembered that he was, in fact, a person and not just a beast. Perhaps not any sort of beast at all. But, then, most people were beasts in some way or another, so...

Never mind! He required assistance. She hurried over. "Hello," she greeted him as she approached. "I am Doctor Mar. How may I be of service?"

"Doctor." The customary bow as his ways demanded. "You are aware that I was held in captivity for the last 6 months, with only a floor to sleep on. I find myself doing the same even now, while I would very much wish to sleep in a bed I am afraid federation standard beds will not support my weight or long enough for my physical size." S'er'in'e explained the predicament he was in.

"I was hoping that you would have time to conduct a scan of my skeletal structure so that a new mattress can be fabricated to support me and provide a comfortable sleep." The frame he knew operations could make easily to support his weight.

Meg's eyes brightened at that. It was something other than a physical! Oh, good! "Of course!" she responded. "Right this way." She led him to one of the two reinforced bio beds, designed for the few species that tended to be larger and heavier than others. These two were capable of supporting a full ton without the slightest movement or shifting. It should be enough; he didn't look like he was anywhere near even half a ton. "If you'll just hop up here and lie down, we can get started," she told him.

S'er'in'e sat on the edge and slowly laid down being mindful of his tail and not to crush it under his weight. On his back and looking up at the lights above he waited patiently to be told what to do next. He was actually looking forward to being able to sleep on something more comfortable that solid floor.

Meg readied the full body scanner and positioned it at his feet. This was a fairly simple process, but it took several minutes. First the full body scanner would provide the base for the information, then the tricorder would further fine tune the scans so that it was exact down to the millimeter. They would be used by ops and engineering to design the perfect bed for the patient. Most officers didn't get this sort of treatment, but this was a special circumstance. Keeping a close eye on the scanner as it started working, she settled onto a stool to keep him company. "I do not believe I have ever met a Caitian before," said Meg. "I have seen them, but never met one. You are a Caitian, are you not?" she added, suddenly worried that there may be more than one feline species out there.

"I am." He replied. "There are many Caste types on the Homeworld, from warriors to artisans, farmers, leaders. I am from the Sha'le'et Caste, of warriors. The females of my Caste have the honour of serving our Pri'arch, our spiritual leader and ruler of us all."

"Fascinating," replied Meg. "Although, I confess I do not know what any of it means."

"It would take time to explain." S'er'in'e knew having had to do so a few times over the years to friends and those that wanted to know him beyond a rank and name.

Meg grinned, thinking of her own situation. Half Bajoran, half Klingon, raised on Earth, well versed in two different martial arts. It was a simple story, but it took a long time to explain the why behind it all. "Yes, I can understand that," she replied. "Perhaps sometime, I may learn about your culture."

"As you wish." S'er'in'e replied laying still for the scan to do its thing. "I hope I am not inconveniencing you with this request?"

"Of course not," Meg assured him. "It is my job, after all. what sort of doctor would I be if I refused?"

"Of course." He replied knowing that a small moment like this would enable him to sleep on a bed instead of the floor in the corner like he did the night before and since getting on board.

She checked the scanner and made a minor adjustment to it. "Do you have any hobbies?" she asked, deciding that if they were both stuck here for several minutes, they may as well entertain themselves by talking.

"Horticulture, literature, painting, music and cooking." S'er'in'e replied listing off but a few of his interests. "Though I have learned that most species do not eat as much as I would in a single sitting." A smile rose on his face remember his first ever dinner at the Academy, He made enough to feed the entire dorm.

Meg grinned. "I imagine, with your size, you must eat at least twice what everyone else eats," she agreed. "But, horticulture; what sorts of plants do you like best?"

"A typical Caitian dish is far larger then those of Humans for example, on it one might expect several pounds of fish and assorted ingredients though when with company I will reduce it to a smaller meal and eat again once everyone has departed." He paused but only briefly. "Flowers, from the Homeworld."

"I love flowers," she replied with a smile. "There goes my father, rolling over in his grave once more. A Klingon who likes flowers!" She laughed, a lovely throaty chuckle that bubbled easily from her mouth. "Who ever heard of such a thing?"

"I once heard a Klingon quote Shakespeare on Earth during my Academy days. My Instructor at the Academy for self defence year 2 was part Klingon and he didn't drink at all. Was still foolish enough to spar with me, lost part of his finger as a result." A smile grew on his face. "I served with a Klingon before in the Marines, a large brute of a man. I remember him charging a door in a training simulation, the door opened as he got there because he didn't check it if was locked. He slammed into the wall damaging the holodeck. He put it offline for 2 days while it was repaired."

Meg laughed again. "Oh, I think I would have loved to see that!" she replied. "But, none of those is quite like enjoying a flower. Even Shakespeare is widely appreciated by almost every species. Cardassians even! But, flowers... they have no use. Except, of course, bringing a smile to my face."

S'er'in'e smiled. "Flowers always have a use, they are pleasing to the eye, the fragrance they give, colours they present. Each flower has a purpose that is nurtured from seed to growth, yes they wither and die but the effort one puts in is reward by the blossom when it matures."

"A verse worthy of Shakespeare," she said as she checked the scanner once more. "Are all Caitians so poetic?"

"I am not nearly as competent as some of our younger males who never cease to try and entice a female's company." S'er'in'e replied. "I have been off the Homeworld long enough to lose touch on many things.

"Caitian females must have very high standards," she replied, smirking, "because I am already enticed."

"They do, they are responsible for the continuation of the Caste, they pick only the strongest of males to become the Mate. I would guess some cultures would consider that selective breeding. I excluded myself by leaving the Homeworld, many females would view me as impure now, an unpleasant title but I would surmise an accurate one."

"Impure!" exclaimed Meg, slightly indignant. "What a strange concept. If you are impure, what must they think of someone like me?" she added with a cheeky grin.

"They would never view you as equal however you are a female and afforded all the same rights and traditions. For example though you are obviously not Caitian I still bowed when you approached me. I do the same to all females." He explained.

"It is good to know that chivalry is alive and well, even if only on Cait," she replied as the full scan completed and she prepared to take some more exact tricorder readings. "You should give classes; I know some men who could use a lesson in respect."

"Unfortunatly the lacking skills of some people dont provide a suitable reason to reeducate them." S'er'in'e mused between them.

"You are probably right," she agreed. "Never mind. I will simply have to spend a lot of time with you and perhaps they will get the hint."

"I believe they would be more intimidated by me than learn anything Doctor." He smiled again knowing it was a similar reaction he incited from most that meet him.

She laughed again. "Probably," she admitted. "But, at least I would get to spend time with easily the most handsome man aboard this ship." She added a wink and another cheeky grin.

"Your words are most kind Doctor." S'er'in'e replied as he lay there for the scans to finish. He ignored the reference to 'Man' as he was not one, male yes bet over the years he understood that many people and species would view him as 'Man'.

"Is it considered kind if it is true?" she asked with that same cheeky grin, comparing her first tricorder scan with the full body scan.

"Of course." He turned his head slightly to look at her better. "Considering what I am and look like, handsome if far from the minds of many when they first see me."

Meg paused in her scans to look him square in the eye, an expression of the utmost seriousness on her face. "You. Are. Beautiful," she informed him. "Never let anyone tell you any different." She gave him a serious nod and resumed her scans.

"As you say Doctor." Resigning himself to the words of the Doctor about how he looked.

"You sound as if you do not really believe me," she said, raising her eyebrows as she moved the tricorder to his shoulders.

S'er'in'e sat up no doubt ruining the scan she was taking. "Ever since i left the Homeworld and joined Starfleet people have been wary of me, they judge me on what I look like and not who I am. I understand that I intimidate people, considering what I am and look like, my size I expect it but I have done things in the term of my service that I am not proud of, the things I've done to survive or protect others." S'er'in'e paused.

"When I was rescued from my cell I went to find the one being who had for 6 months tortured me every day. I cornered him in his office. I became what people fear, I didn't just hurt him, I hacked and slashed at him. I tore him down until he was on the floor already in the throws of death but that wasn't enough. I caved his face in with my jaws." S'er'in'e continued to explain.

"Tell me Doctor, where is the beauty when I do that?"

Meg looked up at him a bit sadly, but with a determination that made almost no sense given the situation. "It is justice," she replied. "Or karma, whichever you prefer. Either way, justice and karma are beautiful in their own way. A bit messy, si, but beautiful all the same." She gave him a gentle smile. "I fear you have forgotten that I am Klingon. And Bajoran. And I was raised among humans. All three races have a love of justice. Mercy is admired, it is true, but justice is loved. Now," she added, turning a bit stern. "Lie back down. I shall have to start that scan over."

S'er'in'e laid back down, in his mind it was not justice, it was revenge and to accomplish that he murdered a man viciously, brutally. "I apologise."

"No need," she assured him gently, resuming the scans. "I was not offended." But, it was unclear if she meant by his tale or the ruining of the scans.

They spent the remainder of the scan in relative silence, Meg only speaking to instruct him to move this way or that. When she was finished, she told him it was okay for him to sit or stand, compiled the scans into a detailed analysis and saved the information to a PaDD. "This should be everything you will need," she told him, handing it over with a friendly smile. "If there is anything else I can do for you, just let me know."

S'er'in'e stood, arranged his uniform and accepted the offered PADD. "Thank you Doctor." A customary bow of the head and he departed. Overall a pleasant experience, far better than the previous scan he had for the same reason to be sure.

Now he headed to Operations.