You're Where? - Part I

Posted on Sun Oct 26, 2025 @ 2:12am by Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon & Lieutenant JG Brianthe Oaxaca & Ensign Matilda Cromwell & Civilian Paula Pendergast

1,263 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Chicken Run
Location: Main Arboretum
Timeline: MD01

Brianthe was already in the arboretum when she was informed that a large number of animals were loose on the station. Her first thought was to find a safe place for them in a cargo bay with hay and feed to keep them safe while they were rounded up. Then she realized she had to lock down the arboretum first. "Paula, help me close and contain the arboretum. I'll take the lower two levels, you get the upper two. None of the animals get in."

"On it," Paula said, hurrying past Bri to get to the upper levels.

Bri went to her office and locked all the doors and access areas so no one could get in without the right codes, but left the main doors for people to get out. Then she made a general announcement that broadcast to every area of the four levels, asking patrons to make their way out as the arboretum was closing.

Once that was done, she tapped her combadge. "Oaxaca to Cromwell. I'm locking the arboretum. Care to come take a look and make sure we don't have any way the animals can get in?"

"On my way, Bri." Matilda already having been going in that direction. The announcement of the animals having gotten loose that was a concern of hers. She knew what could happen if animals like goats, sheep and alpacas got into the Arboretum. "I am here."

Bri smiled. "Good. Paula is locking down the top two levels. I've locked down the bottom two, but I have no idea if there are any places small enough for an animal to get in. That's why I need your help."

By the time that Ace made the flight down, he had calmed slightly. However, his eyes widened when he saw Matilda talking to Bri. This was not good! Those two should never have anything to do with one another. Bri was, well, Bri! And Tilly was well, a good time, though she somehow seemed to stick around a lot longer than probably she should have. Damn them both! Worse, yet, though, was Paula was there. Talk about trouble.... Ace decided to stare down Tilly first, firmly stating, "Cromwell, I gave you an order. Don't make me throw your ass in the brig."

He then gave Bri a broad, stupid grin, and said, "You're back! Good to see you again. We need to secure the Arboretum against this flock that might be heading this way."

"Yes. That's why I asked Matilda to help me," Bri replied calmly. She wasn't sure if his grin should concern her or not. "And why would you throw her in the brig?"

"Because he thinks he owns this place," Paula said, stomping past him to double check that the locks on the upper levels were secure. She paused and turned to Tilly and Bri. "Ensign Cromwell, when you're done here, let me know. Or, better yet, you and Brianthe can both join me." She glared at Ace. "You can leave."

"Bri outbids you, Ace." Matilda firmly stated. "Along with Paula." her arms had crossed over her chest as she looked at him in defiance. "And there is something you really need to know, Lieutenant Cannon, No one and I mean No one dictates to me where I can or can't go. What you did was overstep your so called boundaries." She turned to Paula and Brianthe. "Okay, I'm ready to help out," she said turning her back to Ace.

Ace explained to Bri, "She's disobeyed a direct order, that's why. And no, Paula, I don't think I own the Arboretum. I've been keeping it safe as I promised. I should also remind you, Paula, that you have no authority over myself nor over Ensign Cromwell."

He then walked in front of Matilda, so she could not avoid seeing him. "I have overstepped nothing, and you will report to Ops immediately. Lieutenant Oaxaca and I are of the same rank and I'm the Assistant Chief Operations Officer. You are in Ops." Under his breath he muttered, "Don't make me write you up."

"I need to know this, Ace. And I am in engineering and I answer to P'ril. Did you make it an order that I was to stay away from the Arboretum? A place where Everyone can come here and enjoy the natural side of things? Because if so, it wasn't allowable. And I was asked by Bri to come help. And you can write me up for all I care. This needs to be taken care of and you can either just continue flapping your lips and have me leave when my help, is needed Of which I am not going to obey your order. I am going to what Brianthe had asked me. This mess" gesturing with a finger between her and Ace. "Can be dealt with after this emergency is over."

With that Matilda stalked away to start checking areas where animals could possibly find themselves in.

Once again, Ace stepped in front of Matilda. "On duty, my name is Lieutenant Cannon, Ensign Cromwell." He emphasized the rankings. "Any problems in the Arboretum are under the direct control of ops, not engineering. So, this is MY problem, not yours, and I will deal with it. So, if you are saying that you are going to disobey a direct order, then you will leave me with little choice but to call security. So, I ask you, Ensign, once again, to please follow my directive." He did not have to say please and at some level it made him cringe that he did. However, Tilly had already outed their extended fling in front of Bri and that deserved its own sort of punishment, which, if she obeyed his order, they could sort out then. If she didn't, whatever they had was over. How could they recover from that?

At this moment, Matilda had a true urge to out and out punch Ace. The man was being overbearing and she had answered Bri's call. Her fists clenched then unclenched. Oh, and now she had some more information where Bri and Ace were concerned. He was besotted by Bri, Bri wasn't interested in him.

A tone of ice as she said to Ace. "Of course, Lieutenant Cannon." And if looks could kill he'd be dead many times over.

She turned to Bri, "It looks like I am needed elsewhere, and I need to report to Lieutenant P'ril." an apologetic smile towards both Paula and Bri. Besides, Matilda did have an idea on how to check for unwanted critters in the Jefferies tubes. And it needn't be done here.

In a quick movement she was right in front of Ace her eyes narrowed. "Oh, and one other thing, Lieutenant Cannon, this area is for public use and don't ever, ever forbid me to come to this place again. You do not own it." With that statement, Matilda left not waiting for any answer from him.

Matilda had a small smile, as she left the Arboretum there was a cute operations officer whom she knew she could get some help in initiating her plan. He seemed to have a thing for fiery redheads as well, besides Ace Cannon. She messaged him, "Hey Wolf its Cromwell-I need a little bit of help, and I'm headed on my way to main operations let’s talk."

(To be continued...)

Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon
Assistant Chief Operations Officer
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant JG Brianthe Oaxaca
Botanist
Deep Space 5

Paula Pendergast
Botanist
Deep Space 5

Ensign Matilda Cromwell
Engineer
Deep Space 5

 

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