You're Where? - Part II

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

1,333 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Chicken Run
Location: Main Arboretum
Timeline: MD01

[PREVIOUSLY]

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."

[CONTINUED]



Brianthe folded her arms across her chest. "You are not in charge here. I am. I asked for her help and she came. Now, if you have a problem with that, I will file a formal request with Lieutenant Blackwood to ask for her to be assigned to the arboretum when I need help."

Paula had locked the first two levels and dimmed the lights to get people to leave, but she decided she needed to stay here with Bri until Cannon left.

Ace looked at Bri extremely confused. All that came out of his mouth was, "But she's engineering. I'm Ops. This is what I do...."

"Yes, but she has some cross-training. Besides, she helped me out earlier. So, when we had to lock down, I called her. As the assistant chief of operations, your time is far too valuable to help me lock down access panels." Bri hoped he would see the logic behind her words. There were a lot more important places for him to be than here. And she wasn't quite ready to talk to him about how he used the arboretum while she was on the planet.

There was a ping on Brianthe's PADD, and a message was there, it was from Matilda.

"Sorry I couldn't stay to deal with Ace. I was about to punch him and that wouldn't have been good. I have some drones looking like bumble bees that are going through the Jefferies tubes for the Arboretum. They have been set to make certain unwanted rascals of the creature kind can't get inside. Also here is the code for you to control them if you would like-Matilda

Bri casually looked at her PADD, then replied to the text. "Thanks. As long as they don't cause problems with the real bees, you're fine. Thanks."

"Yes, Ensign Cromwell has some cross-training, which still makes me her supervisor. No doubt that ping was from her, in her small act of insubordination." If she's lucky enough to have me in the bedroom again, she's going to get a severe spanking. The exasperated Assistant Chief Ops Officer told Bri logically, "Even if my time is 'more valuable' elsewhere, by the time that either of us were to call anyone else here, we could be done with the task at hand. So, let's get to it."

"And what is the task at hand?" Bri asked. "The Ensign is helping me search the access areas, and Paula and I have locked the entrances to all areas of the arboretum. What else are we missing because I don't want to keep you from your more important work." She didn't mention the three ducks she'd rescued. She'd take care of those herself. Later.

Paula just stood where Ace could see her, her arms folded.

Is Bri being difficult for a reason? Ace wondered. He pointedly looked at Paula, gave her a wicked grin, and then turned back to Bri. "You said that we need to lock down access panels. So, let's get that done and make certain that no undesired runaway animals can get into here. The less places that the animals have access to, the better, while this is sorted."

"They have to be locked down from outside the arboretum, not inside," Bri reminded him. "And I currently have a number of bumblebees checked the access areas, so I need to make sure they can get out when they're done." Bri wondered why he wasn't going to the promenade where he was likely needed more. They didn't have bumblebees, did they? She would have to ask Matilda.

"Speaking of bees," Ace started, "what bee is up your bonnet?"

"Paula told me what you did during the Cardassian Occupation, and Matilda and P'ril came here and restored the arboretum." She took a deep breath. "Who gave you permission to take charge here? This is not your territory. It's mine and Paula's."

"Take charge?" Ace asked confused. "What in the world are you talking about? During the Occupation, I was doing nothing more than keeping the arboretum safe! For you! You weren't here and I was trying to protect it, even when the Cardassians came in. I saved Paula more than once despite her lack of gratitude!"

Paula stomped over to Ace. "You did what? The arboretum was never in danger from the Cardassians. We were in danger from you. I told Bri all about your antics with the torpedoes."

"Torpedoes? What in the world are you talking about? Now you're going insane. I dragged your butt out of here when the Cardassians attacked and tried to get you to safety. We got attacked God knows how many times on our way down to the torpedo bay and I dragged you down to launch torpedoes. That certainly was not from here."

"You, and wanting to reroute the torpedo controls," Paula said. "And that stupid trek up the ladder when I was perfectly safe here to begin with."

Ace stared hard at Paula, his voice turning into a growl. "So, you get upset with everyone over every idea that they have? Remember, we were under attack by the Cardassians and I was thinking about places where they would not go to find things if things turned extremely sour. I didn't actually do anything that resulted in something bad, unlike your mother and father."

That was all Brianthe was willing to put up with. "Out." She pointed to the door. "Matilda gave me the help I requested, and your help is not needed. Therefore, I would like you to leave. Now."

The Assistant Chief Operation Officer's eyes grew big. "But..." he started. Whatever this feeling was, Ace did not like it. He could not recall ever having it before. Matilda clearly did not do everything because he already tossed her out on her ear and now Bri was doing the same to him? Whatever for? Telling Paula that she was the most ungrateful and horrible human being that he had ever met? They were the same rank, but this was her territory. Damn it! "But Bri..." he started again, completely at a loss of how to explain any of his thoughts to her. Why in the world did Bri make him act so differently than normal? It was the same on their date. Blasted woman!

"Because Paula is my assistant. When I'm not here, she is in charge. I will not have you or anyone else belittle her in my presence. The arboretum has been secured, and you have other places that need your help. So, I would like you to leave. Now."

Ace scoffed in Paula's general direction. The woman was unbearable and ungrateful. And her in charge? Hardly.... She must just be loving this. Unsufferable woman. Once again, Ace's voice seemed helpless. "But...." His shoulders slumped and he turned around slightly, as he dejectedly said, "Fine..." and slowly started to drag himself from the area.

Bri felt sorry for Ace. He looked so dejected. When this current crisis was over, she, Paula and Matilda would have a long talk. But for now... "Thank you for coming to help." She owed him that much. "Good luck rounding up the animals."

Upon hearing the "good luck," Ace straightened slightly. He did not turn back towards Bri, but he waved his hand in an "understood," or "thank you" gesture and said, "Thanks. Always something...."

---

A post by

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
Engineering
Deep Space 5

 

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