New Futures: New Assignment & New Home

Posted on Tue Nov 25th, 2025 @ 5:05pm by Colonel S'er'in'e & Samanthia Akiashiro

1,516 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: The Hand That Rocks The Babe
Location: Sol-3 -> Dreadnought

Samanthia relaxed in bed, watching the sky outside brighten on a new day. She listened to the soft sounds of the tropical birds and the quiet before she had to get up herself. She glanced over at S'er'in'e side of the bed and noticed he was not there. She knew he awoke early to get in his morning exercises without the distractions of family. Even Mariah was still asleep in her room at this time.

She smiled at having a family once more. A Mate to share the bed with. Daughter to raise. She stretched, pushing the blankets down off her with her feet, content. ~~Maybe we can stay here would be fine. And Ser could get assigned to the local garrison. ~~ She thought, sitting up, letting cool morning air caress her skin as blankets and bedsheets pooled around her waist as she turned, sliding her legs over the edge of the bed.

S'erin'e had occupied this early time with a run, an effort to return himself to some measure of shape following his downtime. He knew it would be some effort to revert to his ideal physical form but time and dedication to sure effort would easily facilitate this given the natural traits of Caitians. He returned home in a robe, opting to run a ways away from the residents where they were staying so that he could do so free of clothing and running akin to the feline he was, without fear of disturbing anyone of causing alarm should anyone see a large predator running loose.

The doors opened to home and S'erin'e walked in just as he'd finished catching his breath, the familiar and welcome scents of his family returned to sooth and calm him. He was not sure if anyone would be awake yet given, they were enjoying some time away from duty and requirements and sleeping in was definitely an option. He walked to the Kitchen to get himself a glass of water while his keen ears listened for movement or sound.

She paused upon hearing water running from the direction of the kitchen. Smiled as she let the simple sundress fall into place and padded barefoot to the kitchen, pulling her long hair out from under the dress and letting fall freely down her back.

"Hey Love..." Loud enough to be heard. Soft enough not to startle S'er'in'e. "How was your run?" Gently wrapping her arms around him from the back, while letting his tail free movement between her legs. Enjoying the moment of bonding.

"Refreshing." S'er'ine replied, holding still while she held him for balance reasons, his hand resting atop hers as she hugged him. "There were few individuals about, so I was able to attain a good work out." His tail coiled about her knee, the warm feel of her against his back, that known comfort and stability, that element that was his world. "How is our little one?"

"Looking content. Softly purring and still asleep." Samanthia spoke, releasing the hug and stepping back to allow him the freedom of movement. "But soon will be awakening."

She moved to the fridge once released from his tail. "Anything on where you'll be posted next?" Listening as she opened the fridge door, looking over the contents to help decide what going to be for breakfast.

S'er'in'e was about to answer when the door chime sounded, he was not expecting anyone yet his protective nature roused as he eyed the door. Walking towards it and pressing the button it opened to reveal a human male, aged, dressed in red with gold trim, a flag officer.

"Colonel." Lucian spoke. "I hope I am not interrupting. I'm Commodore Lucian Marshall. I've taken over command of the Dreadnought. I am heading to the ship shortly but I wanted to meet you first."

S'er'in'e listed to the man and his opening words, the loss of the Admiral stung even still, a tender wound to a Homeworld that only time would heal. Not to be rude, S'er'in'e invited the Commodore in. "May I introduce my Mate, Samanthia." His arm out towards where she stood by the kitchen counter.

"A pleasure ma'am." Lucian spoke. He knew some of Caitian culture, enough at least for a basic understanding that those they call Mate, the male will go to the ends of the planet to protect them. "I'd offer my hand, but I don't want to break culture."

"No worries, Commodore Marshall," Samanthia spoke softly with a soft smile. "Please have a seat and forgive our attire. I'll bring refreshments." Looking at Lucian, "Coffee...."

"Mommmmaaaaa! Weeeare my sandals!" Came the plaintive cry from a youngster from the hallway interrupting Samanthia's offer of refreshments.

"Excuse me," Samanthia scurried from her position to intercept their daughter. "On your own for refreshments. Family." And she disappeared from view.

"Ma'am." Lucian spoke watching her leave to tend to the child then turned his attention back to the Caitian before him. "Colonel, I understand that you were assigned to the Dreadnought in a liaison capacity. I would invite you to continue such a post however I would understand should you need time or decline given recent events."

S'er'in'e thought about what the Commodore had said, recent events indeed, the loss of the Admiral would cause ripples on the Homeworld and no doubt stir up resentment for Caitians leaving the Homeworld for off-worlder influences. Those with white fur were respected, almost treasured and the Homeworld had lost one such feline recently. "Thank you, Commodore, I must present your request to my Mate."

"Of course." Lucian knew that on Cait it was an exceedingly matriarchal society, the females were the dominant gender. While Samanthia looked Human, the towering feline before him came second to her.

"A moment please." S'er'in'e excused himself and sought out Samanthia, who was tending to their daughter. Entering the room as silently as any feline he spoke. "My Mate, the Commodore has asked if I wished to continue my posting aboard the Dreadnought. As Elder, where we go, is up to you, do you wish to return?"

Samanthia looked up at her mate, pausing in helping Mariah. The wanderlust flared within her as she looked thoughtful at having heard on the news what had happened also. Her decision to place her family in the path of danger. But then anywhere could be just as dangerous. She smiled willing to take that chance. "I'd love for you to take the assignment. It would be a new experience for Mariah. If it got too dangerous, we could send Mariah to your parents or mine to be raised."

"I could open a bar onboard. I'm sure there is plenty of unused space aboard the Dreadnought for me to use while Mariah is in school." Samanthia finished up with Mariah dressing and led her back to the common room.

S'er'in'e followed the ladies back into the common room. "My apologies for the delay Sir, I accept your offer."

Lucian watched the trio return to the common room from which he was admiring the decor. It was strangely comfortable, relaxing with rather large sitting pillows clearly aimed towards S'er'in'e's comfort mixed with conventional human furniture. He smiled seeing the adorable Daughter walk in with her parents. "Excellent. The ship is currently taking on supplies and minor repairs; I hate to put a rush on you but if you could report on board by day's end that would be a great benefit. I hope that is not too inconvenient?"

S'er'in'e looked to his Mate, to see if that was possible.

"If you got room for a privately owned Dunabe type-11 long range shuttle?" Samanthia gave a nod to S'er'in'e as she spoke to Commodore Lucian. She watched Lucian. "We'll even offer you a ride. I'll have to let my parents know we're leaving for a new assignment on short notice also."

Mariah eyes wide as her cat ears flickered between her parents' voices and the strange man in fleet uniform speaking.

"I'm sure we can make arrangements for storing your shuttle on board ma'am. Thank you for the offer though but I am needed at Headquarters before I board the vessel, last minute requirements." Lucian looked up at the towering feline. "Thank you Colonel, for accepting to stay on board."

"Commodore." S'er'in'e spoke as he met the Human's gaze.

"Well, I won't keep you, a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it in." Lucian mentioned, smiled at the pair of them only for it to get wider at the young observer at Samanthia's knee.

Mariah gave the stranger in uniform a brief showing of her sharp felinish teeth in a soft smile. Eyes twinkling in merriment with ears perked.

"We'll make it. Even if we have to do a warp jump to catch up and land." Samanthia's eyes sharpened and a smile at the possible challenge of a boarding in warp. She stood up, letting Mariah scamper off into the kitchen in search of breakfast.

"Excellent." Lucian smiled, nodded to the Colonel, then made his exit, leaving the pair to pack and prepare.

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