From: Christine Fontaine
Date: Sun, 02 Mar 1997 19:27:33 -0500
Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE: LtCmdr Ledoux Reports
SD 90302.1921
MD 01.1200
Scene: En route to the bridge
Lieutenant Commander Catherine Ledoux was headed towards the bridge, a firm
hold on her volatile emotions. As she mentally prepared herself for the
encounter with either the Captain or the Executive Officer, the vet tried to
recall the only other time she had reported aboard a starship.
With Rich's jacket still wrapped around her shoulders, Catherine cast her
thoughts back, struggling to recall the proper protocol to be exercised in
such circumstances. When she had arrived aboard the REGENT, accompanied by
her new friend, StarWander to-Vallrisa and her two Siamese cats, Catherine
had been advised to report directly to the REGENT's First Officer, another
Sivaoan, Commander Sunbright to-Ennien. Without pausing to deposit Whiskers
or Dawn in her quarters, Doctor Ledoux had headed straight for Commander
Sunbright's office. As her mind contined to drift, Catherine remembered that
day, that now seemed buried in the long-ago past.
<< begin flashback >>
"Ensign Catherine Ledoux, reporting, Commander Sunbright to-Ennien,"
Catherine had spoken, feeling like she had said those words a thousand times
in the past few weeks.
"Welcome aboard, Ensign Catherine Ledoux," replied the First Officer
as she stood up to greet the doctor. "Glad to have you aboard!" Her
tail curled cheerfully and her whiskers and ears arched forward.
Catherine was about to speak when her two Siamese, evidently excited at
what seemed to them to be a much larger cat, suddenly pulled thier
harnesses out of her hand and proceeded to jump onto the Commander's
desk. Excited by the scent of the Sivaoan, they began rubbing their
cheeks against the Sivaoan's fur, trying to mark her with their scent.
Catherine looked at her two cats nervously. Oh, what hadn't she brought
the cats to her quarters first! She began to blush, stammering an
apology to the Commander, "I'm so, so very sorry Commander Sunbright
to-Ennien," she said, remembering to use the commanders full name, "I
think my cats have had a bit too much excitement lately, and I apologize
for their behaviour."
Catherine stood there nervously, terribly afraid that her cats had
committed a faux-pas. *This is not a good way to make an impression on
your First Officer,* she thought, *I don't know what she must think of
me, but it can't be anything good.* Catherine was beginning to get
anxious, and wanted to reclaim her cats, but she was too embarrassed.
Sunbright's prehensile tail lifted the two felines to better perches
on her shoulders. "Don't worry, Ensign Catherine Ledoux," she said as
she noticed the scent of concern from the human. "It is quite common
on my world for children to climb on adults as your cats are doing
with me," her tone was warm, and Catherine was left with no doubt
about the First Officer's feelings about the actions of Whiskers and
Dawn.
Catherine gave a sigh of relief and relaxed.
Sunbright's tail looped tighter. "I see that you know a little of
Sivaoan customs," Sunbright continued in acknowledgment of the
doctor's use of her full name.
"Yes, I met Captain StarWind to-Vensre at ALB, and her son also came
aboard the Regent with me." She had enjoyed learning about Sivao and
her customs from her new found friend.
"Yes, I saw his name among the new personnel we are taking on. I
would be honored if you would call me just Sunbright." Dawn chose
that moment to begin cleaning the larger cats ear, so Sunbright
diverted her attention for a moment to the returning a few licks to
the smaller feline.
"Thank you, Sunbright," Catherine replied, "I am honoured,"
The vet smiled. "And please, call me Catherine."
Sunbright's tail looped as she replied, "thank you Catherine."
The two cats finally decided that they were satisfied with their
investigation of the Commander and returned to Catherine, meowing for
her attention. Catherine looked down at them momentarily, then
returned her attention to Sunbright. That only made them try harder
to get their owner's attention.
Catherine looked at Sunbright long-sufferingly, then turned her
attention to the cats for a moment. "Hush, Whiskers. Hush, Dawn," she
said as she picked the two cats up. They continued meowing at her
pleadingly, but quieted down somewhat.
Sunbright's tail looped into a tight helix, showing her amusement.
"It looks like your cats are about ready to settle down and stop
traveling," she said understandingly. "Why don't you take them to
your quarters and get settled in. Then meet your staff in Sickbay.
Dr. Duprey, Dr. Seval and the others are excellent physicians."
"Thank you, sir," she said, relieved that the First Officer seemed to
understand and wasn't upset about the cats.
"And you might want to see about some physicals for the crew. I
believe that most of the senior staff are overdue."
"Aye, sir," Catherine replied, thinking about what Admiral Nicholas
had said in his office. "Umm. I think the Admiral wanted me to tell
you something, something about not having to treat you for more than
furballs?"
Sunbright's tail fairly leaped into the tightest helix Catherine had
ever seen a Sivaoan's tail get into. It looked like she was about to
burst. Sunbright, for her part, knew exactly what the Admiral was
saying and was pleased by the compliment. "He would never forgive me
if I didn't go see him before we left Epsilon and meet the new Base
Commander."
Catherine didn't see what was so funny, but since the Commander didn't
explain further, she'd have to see is she could find out later. The
literal interpretation didn't make complete sense.
"Anna will show you the way to your quarters. She's our computer.
Anna?"
[Yes, Ensign Ledoux, please follow the lighted panels in the
corridors,] said Anna's voice.
<< end flahsback >>
Giving her head a little shake, Catherine drew herself back into the
present. There was no sense in thinking about the REGENT, for that was in
the past. She was now Chief Medical Officer of the USS CHESAPEAKE and a
Lieutenant Commander as well. It was about time that she started acting
like one.
A few errant curls had tumbled loose when Catherine had shaken her head and
she hooked them behind her ears, her long, elegant fingers trying to set
everything back in place. Taking in a few deep breaths, Catherine drew her
composure around herself like a cloak, seeking to envelop herself completely
with a veneer of calm, quiet competance.
As she stepped off the turbolift onto the bridge Catherine finally realized
that she was still wearing Rich's flight jacket. Face crumbling, Catherine
scrambled to regain a fragile hold of her elusive emotional control.
Although her sapphire eyes were unnaturally bright with unshed tears,
Catherine managed to keep them from spilling over.
Taking in another set of deep breaths, Catherine's sparkling blue eyes
scanned the bridge, seeking out either the Captain or the Executive Officer.
Finally her eyes alighted upon the object of her search: three solid
golden pips, the rank insignia of a Commander.
Cautiously approaching the man who she assumed to be Commander Brennan, the
CHESAPEAKE's First Officer, Catherine forced herself to breathe slowly, to
retain her calm and composure. Coming to a halt next to the Commander,
Catherine waited until he was finished with his current task, then timidly
presented herself.
With her eyes fixed firmly on the deck beneath their feet, Catherine spoke
in a quiet voice. "Lieutenant Commander Catherine Ledoux, Chief Medical
Officer, reporting for duty, sir."
Respectfully submitted,
Chris Fontaine
Lieutenant Commander Catherine Ledoux, DVM
Chief Medical Officer
USS CHESAPEAKE
<< NRPG >>
Takako: Well, I actually got Catherine a little further along the road to
reporting... Anyhow, here's one vet, reporting as ordered! :)
Other than that, just some more insight into Catherine's past...
Expect a sickbay post tomorrow, after which I'll have Catherine getting
ready for the Officer's dinner...
'til later,
Chris - back to the books...
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