Testing the Medication

Posted on 11 Aug 2026 @ 3:04pm by Lieutenant Ryan Collingway
Edited on on 11 Aug 2026 @ 4:33pm

390 words; about a 2 minute read

///Mess Hall///

Ryan sipped a cup of coffee in the mess hall, reading the letter from Starfleet Academy.

ATTN: Lieutenant Ryan Collingway, USS Arawyn.

Your application for the advanced leadership program has been approved. I have attached twenty-eight modules to your profile. Each module includes an introductory video, written assignments, in-person assignments accessible from your holodeck, and a final test. You will be required to score 90% to pass each module.

Thank you for your interest in this assignment.

Sincerely,
Professor Adam Jenkins
Starfleet Academy

Ryan skimmed through the modules. Between this and the holodeck scenarios Commander Boren wanted him to go through, this was guaranteed to keep him busy.

Busy was good right now. He finished his coffee. Before he went back to work there was one thing he wanted to test out.

///Feline Care Community Center///

The community center was small, but pleasant, generally used for when people were on temporary assignments elsewhere or on away missions. At the moment there weren't too many cats around. A few crew members had been away on a survey mission to an asteroid. Ryan had thankfully missed that one-and the dermatitis issues that came with it. But there weren't too many officers away overall.

"Lieutenant," the receptionist asked. "How can I help you?"

Ryan smiled, holding his toolbox. "Just fixing a faulty light. That's all."

"Oh right-that was reported a while back. Thanks for looking into it."

"No problem. It was on my way to engineering anyway."

As Ryan worked on replacing the light, he felt something rub against his pant leg. He looked down, and saw a black cat with golden eyes looking at him.

"MEOW?" the cat inquired.

Ryan bent down and gave the cat some affectionate scratches. She immediately flopped down, showing her belly.

"That's a trap, Lieutenant," the receptionist laughed. "Missy! Stop distracting the Lieutenant."

"Aw, she's not so bad," Ryan said, scratching her tummy and avoiding her attempts to grab his hand with her claws. He was finally seeing the appeal of cats.

And he only felt the faintest tickle in the back of his throat. Ordinarily he would be screaming for allergy medication at this stage.

Satisfied, Ryan completed the minor maintenance work and nodded at the receptionist. "Have a good morning."

"You too, Lieutenant," the receptionist returned.

Lieutenant Ryan Collingway
Acting Chief Engineer
USS Arawyn

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