MED Ensign Csirr Velekh
Posted on July 15th, 2017 by Csirr Velekh

Csirr clenched and unclenched his paw repeatedly around the strap, his overstuffed bag slung haphazardly over his shoulder. The busy sounds of life in the city doing nothing to distract him from what lay ahead.

This was it.

He stood staring at the chrome shuttle before him, destined to take him and other Ensigns to a Starbase where he would wait to be delivered to his new placement: the U.S.S. Atlantis. His stomach fluttered at the thought; his first off planet placement. A sense of anticipation had consumed him the moment he got the letter informing him of his new position. He couldn’t wait! Or could he? Oh gods, what if he messed up bad? Like, bad bad? Like, really, really bad?

Csirr dropped his bag in frustration and sat down hard in the grass, propping his head up on his furry fist. His tail flickered anxiously.

“I’ve really gotta stop this…” He mutters to himself, using his free hand to pick at the green tufts.

He was to be, officially, an operations officer, but was informed that he would be working in the medical department due to an undisclosed absence. His eyes raised skywards and praised any of the gods who had listened to his prayers. He was good with technology, really good, but medicine had been his dream ever since he was just a kit. When he first joined Starfleet Academy, he had studied a major in Engineering and a minor in Physics, not thinking he was good enough to enrol in the medical courses. On his graduation, aged 22, a call from his mother persuaded him to try. He couldn’t thank her enough. He stayed on at Starfleet studying medicine and graduated again aged 28. Now 29, after a year of field work planetside, he was ready for the big leagues.

Speaking of field work…

“Oof!” Csirr made a surprised sound as he suddenly lurched sideways, a heavy weight on his side telling him he had been tackled by something small and strong. He rolled with the hit, reducing any injury he may have received by hitting the ground to a small bruise. Arms moving on instinct, they curled around his attacker’s middle and pulled, pinning them to his chest.

A giggle. He could feel the vibrations against his torso and looked down.

“Jehla?” The big brown eyes of the young Haliian girl stared at him, her scrunched nose further defining the ridge between her eyes.

“You’re panicking, stop it.” She sniffed disdainfully, flicking Csirr on the nose. He recoiled.

“Hey!” His outcry only made her snicker as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I’m gonna miss you, Zi…” She buried her head in his neck, mumbling. “Though I hate to admit it, you’re the best doc I’ve ever had.” He looked down, concerned at the wetness he felt through his shirt, before wrapping his arms around the child.

“I’m going to miss you too, J.” He gave her a small squeeze. “You’ll see me again. Can’t get rid of me that easily, no matter how hard you try.” She giggled through her tears.

“I did try really hard, didn’t I?” She looked up at him. When they had first met, Jehla had hated him on sight and tried any and every way to get rid of her new doctor. However, over the year they had spent together, her attempts grew more and more half-hearted. Now she had to say goodbye. “I don’t want you to go…” She whispered, eyes shining. Csirr brushed a strand of brown hair from her face and smiled.

“I have to go, Sweetie. I’ll call you and your brother as often as I can, but I have to.” He glanced up, seeing the older Haliian in question.

“I got a call about an escaped pest?” His gruff voice softened by the twinkle in his eyes.

“Yeah, I caught him.” Jehla poked Csirr who swatted at her playfully.

“Not him,” Asiht stepped forward and lifted his sister by the waist off Csirr, allowing him to stand up and brush himself off. “You!” Jehla squealed and giggled as he swung her around. Csirr gave a lopsided grin and hefted his bag over his shoulder once more. Asiht allowed Jehla to climb on his back, Csirr distantly making a connection to Caitian children clinging to their mothers. “You off now, ya big fur-ball?” Asiht grunted.

Csirr nodded, his short time spent with Jehla completely easing his worries about his first placement. “All packed up.” He gave a weak grin as he slapped his bag. Okay maybe not completely, but it was close. Asiht stepped forward, tugging Csirr into a hug and ruffling his dark fur. As he pulled back, Jehla tucked Csirr’s loose curls behind a twitching ear.

“Thanks for everything you’ve done for us this past year, Csirr. You save Jehla’s life more times than I could count.” Csirr glances at the small child clinging to her big brother.

“I wouldn’t of had to if she stopped jumping out of stupidly tall trees and various roofs.” He gave her a pointed look, making her giggle once more. He returns his look to Asiht and giving a small grin. “Thanks for letting me stick around.” Asiht ducked his head in acknowledgement and glanced away, a light pink dusting gracing his cheeks. He cleared his throat.

“Yeah, yeah. Now scram, you overgrown house cat. Off with ya, or it’ll leave and you’ll be stuck here.” Asiht motioned to the shuttle. Csirr snorted, shifting his bag and standing to attention, giving a mock salute.

“Yes, Sir!” He winked and waved off the siblings, his mind now at ease as he steps closer and closer to the new chapter in his life.

He resolves to remember the feel of Terran grass under his feet as he pauses before turning and waving at the siblings, who animatedly wave back. Csirr enters the craft, nose wrinkling at the grated floor of the craft and deciding to slip on his regulation boots. He glances out of the window as he straps himself in between a Vulcan and a very animated Ferengi, watching as Asiht walks away, Jehla glancing back and waving one last time as they disappear to the busy swarm of people. The engine of the shuttle roars to life as the last few stragglers arrive, the heavy door shutting with a hiss. Chatter of the other ensigns flood the air around him, all talking with an air of excitement and nerves as Csirr looks down at his paws. His right thumb traces the pad of his left hand before they squeeze shut. Csirr takes a deep breath, looking up with determination in his eyes.

U.S.S. Atlantis, here I come.