Reflection

Posted on Wed Aug 29, 2018 @ 10:57am by Lieutenant Colonel S'er'in'e

Mission: Falling Star
Location: Marine Deck
Timeline: MD34 || 13:00 Hrs

S'er'in'e was seated within his office looking over routine documentation regarding those under his command, updates of medical conditions from the away mission, notifications on certificates or grading achieved by those seeking qualifications. At the time the world around him faded beyond his point of attention, he wanted to get things done and filed, neat and orderly. Gently with his large hand on the surface of the table he flexed his claws over and over, almost as if a human were rapping his or her fingers against it only he didn't want to mark the table, or dull the tips of his claws.

He was just about to finish one particularly uninteresting report when he was notified that a encoded subspace communication from the Homeworld. At first he wondered if his parents were trying to contact him, it would be unusual for them to do so. "Thank you, I'll take it in my office."

He routed it to his table that held the holographic system. He stood, made himself presentable and then activated the connection. Before him stood a Caitian female, golden of fur dressed in regal clothing of the Pri'arch's court with the white mask of appointment, a near total mask to hide her face, protection mostly from others to hide her identity. "Elder." He bowed and stayed there.

This was a rare honour. While the Pri'arch was the religious figurehead of the Caitian people, her court were one of the most secretive. Admission was by very stringent selection. Once selected however was a bliss, everything provided, care, food, clothing and in return they worked with the Pri'arch and her will and duties. In exchange they give up everything of their old life, family, belongings, even her name and simply become 'Elder'. "Rise." Her soft voice spoke.

"You honour me, how may I serve?" S'er'in'e remembered the teachings about Elders. By appointment Elders spoke as if the Pri'arch was speaking through them, orders were never questioned, authority never forgotten.

"News reached the Pri'arch of your visit to the Homeworld." The Elder spoke.

"Yes Elder." S'er'in'e knew he had to treat very carefully, the Pri'arch's Court was not one to take lightly.

"You brought a Human female with you." The Elder spoke, framed by the view behind her of her office.

"Yes Elder. Kasia Petrova." S'er'in'e replied. "She wished to see our world. We obtained leave from duties and attended."

"We are displeased that you did not visit the palace." The Elder spoke.

"My sincere apologies, our time was very limited, our duties demanded our return promptly for operational requirements." S'er'in'e replied knowing that displeasing the Pri'arch was not soon forgotten.

"Explain your relationship to the Human Female?" The Elder asked.

"She is my Mate, she claimed me as per our customs and ways." While Kasia had wanted things to be equal between them, his answer was still technically truthful.

"To think that a Human Female is worthy of you, the arrogance, the presumption, we are not amused." The Elder spoke now frustration seeping into her tone. "We could have sought a worthy Mate for you, someone to suit your gifts."

S'er'in'e's gaze dropped, he knew she was right, it would have been easy to select a suitable female for him but he wanted Kasia, Kasia was his Mate now.

"Have you bonded?" The Elder asked, a nod gave her answer. "Have you mated."

"No Elder." S'er'in'e replied.

"Then there still might be time." A silence, uncomfortable and cold lingered. "You should have stayed on the Homeworld where you belonged, you need not have left and subjected yourself to the dangers others put you in."

"Is it wrong Elder to do something that is bigger than one Caitian? To be something more, to others, protect others?" S'er'in'e asked.

"No it is not, but you forget what you are, the importance you have to our Caste. You have put the needs of others above that what should matter most to you." The Elder spoke in a commanding voice, clearly one practised. "It seems that you have forgotten that, fear not however. We do not blame you, you have been exposed to the lesser ways of other cultures for some times. We will help rectify that."

S'er'in'e stood in silence, unsure what to say, confused at how to feel that his life shared with one was being put at risk by the demands of another. "We will be in touch warrior, heed my words." Then the channel closed and S'er'in'e was left feeling numb, worried, uneasy.