Spotlight: The Kaetini

The Kaetini, also known as the Warriors of the Great Mother, is a Caitian paramilitary order, a company of select individuals who have achieved individual acclaim for acts of heroism in defence of Caitians or others, or in defence of the Motherworld.

History:

The Kaetini was created approximately 1289 AD (Terran calendar), during the time of the Exodus. The race we now call Caitians originated on another planet, Ferasa Prime. A century prior to the Exodus, a group of genetically-augmented Ferasans seized control of their planet, suppressing their female-centric social and religious societal structures, and instituting a eugenics program,  including sterilisation, enslavement and Augmentation of select cubs.

A large group of pureblood Ferasans managed to escape their planet in a series of space arks to find a new home. These vessels were capable only of sublight speeds, and there were no interstellar powers in the Quadrant at this time, but the time dilation effects of near-relativistic travel allowed the escapees to traverse many light years within their lifetimes, eventually settling on an uninhabited Class-M planet in a system identified on Terran starcharts as 15 Lyncis, approximately 178 light years from Earth.

The years following First Landing on the planet they would call Cait were arduous; technology was very limited, with the majority of the space arks being deployed as orbital protection in the event of pursuit from the Ferasans. To help keep cohesion among the many settlements, an order was formed: The Kaetini, the Warriors of the Great Mother, promoting virtues such as courage, compassion, honour, self-sacrifice and perseverance, often acting in a law enforcement capacity for isolated communities around Cait, providing information and defence.

Like their Terran counterparts the Knights of the Round Table and the Samurai, or the Klingon Dahar Masters, legends regarding their abilities and exploits proliferated over the subsequent centuries, even as the Caitians grew in numbers and technology, reaching levels approximate to what their ancestors possessed on their former homeworld. In more modern times, the numbers of Kaetini have diminished, but their influence on Caitian society persists.

Organisation:

The Kaetini are not an organised army, employing uniforms, ranks and barracks. They are spread throughout the Caitian peoples, in all strata of life: soldiers, parents, doctors, teachers, artists, butchers, cooks, cleaners, musicians and many others. They can be male or female, young or old, and rarely advertise who they are (their identities are kept in a Registry in the Temple at T’Grerish Nein, accessible only by the leader of the Temple, Mistress Nvell, and a select few).

They do not receive a salary or stipend, but often are awarded custom-designed ceremonial swords, forged from the hulls of the original space arks, and treated using methods forgotten by all except those at T’Grerish Nein, to maintain a constant nanosharpness that allows the blade to easily cut through flesh, bone and many materials.

Requirements:

One cannot petition to become a Kaetini (such an act would be seen as lacking in humility), or purchase membership into it; potential members are always sponsored by others, who are vetted and decided upon by Mistress Nvell. The requirements are simple:

• They must be proficient to the Seventh Tier in the Caitian Martial Art of K’Gressir, an unarmed combat focusing on the use of claws (Note: there are Twelve Tiers in K'Gressir, but proficiency in the higher tiers does not automatically guarantee membership as one of the Kaetini).

• They must have performed multiple heroic acts in the defence of the Motherworld, or of Caitians or children/cubs, often at risk of their own lives. It can be performed on- or off-world, and performed within a military or non-military capacity (many serve with distinction, but not all will be seen to have served above and beyond the call of duty)

• They must demonstrate a knowledge of Caitian history, principles and ideals, in their words and ideals.

While every member of the Kaetini has naturally been Caitian, there is nothing specifically requiring that they have to be Caitian.

                                             

Purpose:

The Oath of the Kaetini is thus:

‘I am Kaetini: a Warrior of the Great Mother. 

I am Her Eyes, and I am Her Ears. 

I am Her Teeth, and I am Her Claws. 

I am Her Purr, and I am Her Roar. 

I will defend the Living, and I will avenge the Dead. 

And I will give my life to protect the Motherworld and her people.’

What this means in everyday life is open to interpretation. Many do not operate in occupations where heroism is required on a daily basis, but still act in such a way that demonstrates Caitian principles, often teaching it to others and serving as role models, which has proven to be valuable in more modern times, with Cait a member of the Federation.

However, it is often rumoured that this secret society will be more formally assembled, should the Motherworld fall under occupation from any outside power...

(Many thanks to the wonderful artists of the amazing artwork here, who inspired me)