Kat On the Prowl

Posted on Wed Sep 17th, 2025 @ 7:07am by Lieutenant Katya Davi

1,156 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: On the Trail
Location: Kat's Dance Studio
Timeline: In Transit

Kat spent most of her free time on the Adelaide checking all the nooks and crannies of the ship. Between the original blueprints, her tricorder, and a lot of trial and error, she found every hidden and concealed compartment on the ship.

The ones that were the best disguised in the most out-of-the-way places, she kept for the crew so they could stash any equipment that would flag them as Starfleet, or anything they simply didn't want found while they were on assignment. Those compartments couldn't be scanned or accessed unless you knew what to look for.

Because she could, Kat made those hidden compartments less obvious and harder to open. Several would only open by pushing one or more indentations or flip the right latch. It was partly for a challenge and partly to keep herself busy. If she was busy, she wasn't thinking and right now, she tended to do too much thinking.

Other concealed compartments were in places more likely to be found by pirates and other smugglers. Some were left as they were, while others were disguised as access panels to conduits and junctions. They, too, couldn't be scanned. Kat figured if the Adelaide was searched and those compartments found, whoever they were would stop looking for more hidden compartments. There were more secret spots than she thought a ship this size would have, but she considered that a bonus. She even put a few older parts and supplies there too look good.

There was one particular hidey hole she chose for her personal use. It was a 2x3 meter room with a small cubby that was just big enough for her costumes. It already had a sound buffer and wasn't far from the room she'd chosen for her quarters. With the sound proofing, it was perfect for a dance studio. She wouldn't bother anyone when she practiced at night—and she didn't have to worry about someone coming for help while she was in costume.

Because she felt guilty about taking the space, she moved her office into a smaller room. She thought about using her quarters, but she needed somewhere to clean equipment and takes things apart. That was likely to get messy. Kat also knew that if she used her quarters, she'd end up with parts spread across every surface—including her bed—and end up sleeping in her studio.

One night she couldn't focus on work or dance, so she pulled a chair up to the mirror she used to check a new routine, or to record and watch her performances. "Computer, record personal log."

"Recording."

"Katya Davi's personal log number…" She paused. "Oh, I have no idea. It's my first one on the Adelaide, so we'll say number one."

She sighed. "Not an auspicious beginning. I can honestly say this is the first time I've ever fallen hard for my commanding officer. I don't recommend it. I mean, it's not something I ever set out to do. It just, sort of…happened. But nothing is going to come of it because the captain doesn't get involved with people under his command and I'm not about to chase after him. That would be both wrong and embarrassing."

She ran a hand over her face. "Computer, pause log." Did she really want to say that in a log that someone might hear? Not that Rhu didn't already know. She had a problem keeping her mental shields up full time and he'd picked it up. That was when he told her his policy. That he hadn't transferred her on the spot said he either didn't have time to replace her or was desperate for crew. Probably a bit of both.

She got up and paced the tiny room for a few minutes. Then sat back down. "Computer, delete the part about the captain and resume log." She waited for the beep and continued. "Captain Tyree has been teaching me a Betazoid form of martial arts which uses fighting forms and telepathy. I've never seen it before, but I didn't grow up on Betazed, either. I think it could prove useful at some point. It's also helping me practice my mental shielding. It tends to short circuit when I get emotional or flustered.

During the day I've been fixing the ship and making upgrades where I can. It's a slow process and we don't have all the supplies we need. Not yet, anyway. When I'm not working or training, I'm also dancing. It helps me keep limber." She waved a hand behind her. "This is my studio. It's not much, but it gives me some privacy when I practice at night. It's also soundproof, so I won't bother the others. I'm teaching myself burlesque. I now have a full costume, including mask, headdress, and fans. When I'm in my costume, I don't recognize myself, which is good because I really don't want anyone to see what I'm doing. I'm not doing anything bad. It would just be…awkward." And embarrassing. "I also like to sing when I'm doing repairs, but I can't do that here as the Addy's too small, so this works for that, too."

She looked over her shoulder to the bowl of popcorn on the floor in the corner. "We have occasional movie nights because there are no holosuites or recreational areas on the ship. I found an industrial popcorn popper and ice cream maker before we left Empok Nor. My office has a small popcorn popper, too. Besides being good exercise, it balances out all the popcorn and ice cream."

"We also have communal meals and take turns cooking. I've been working on some of my mom's old recipes and I've looked up ones I've always wanted to try."

She paused and looked down at herself. She was still wearing her dark purple leotard. "This is for some of my dancing. I've been recording my practice sessions so I can see where I need to improve. Most of the recordings are deleted, but I'm keeping the best ones to document my progress. When I get back to the Valiant, I'll transfer them to my personal computer. I don't think anyone will find them, but if they do, they won't recognize me with my feathers. No one's likely to look for them anyway." She sighed again and ran a hand over her hair. "I should call this Ramblings of Lady Luckless. Maybe I can work that into a routine…" As long as she didn't twist her ankle again. "Okay. That's enough for tonight. Computer, end log."

She stood and stretched, then moved the chair back to its corner and began to tidy up as she sang, "What a perfect relationship!
I can't see him, he can't see me,
He calls me "Mom," he thinks I'm sixty-three…"

A post and log by

Lieutenant Katya Davi
Chief Operations Officer - USS Valiant
Mechanic and Communications - USS Adelaide

 

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