Scrambled Eggs - Part I

Posted on Tue Feb 17, 2026 @ 3:17am by Lieutenant JG Brianthe Oaxaca & Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon

1,354 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Chicken Run
Timeline: After the Marine Ball

Ace woke up in his bed alone. While this had been happening ever since he got upset with Matilda, it still did not suit him. Even before Matilda, he often had someone there. It was more comfortable that way. There were more pillows to hold onto. Just thinking that put a smile on Ace's face. However, knowing that he only had one that rested under his head, quickly turned the smile to a much more stoic look.

The morning routine went along. He brushed his teeth, showered, and dressed. Things with Paula had not gone as he hoped but at some level was better than he could have expected. The ball, well, it was what it was. However, after some time, it became obvious that his heart was not in it.

Thinking about the situation, he decided that maybe he should meet with someone to improve his mood. So, he hit his combadge and said, =^= Hey, Bri. It's Ace. Want to catch some brunch? =^=

Brianthe was still on the station. She spent most of her time in the arboretum now--especially during the Marine Ball when she was concerned that a couple of Marines might drink too much and decide to visit the arboretum. It wasn't that they weren't welcome. It was that she wanted to be sure they had supervision if they did come. They could injure the plants or themselves if they weren't in control of their faculties. When her combadge chirped, she thought it was Alanna asking if she wanted a ride down to the planet. Instead, she was surprised to hear Ace's voice. She fully expected him to be sleeping off a late-night rendezvous. "Umm..." Did she want to see him? Or, rather, did she have a reason why she couldn't? "Sure. Where do you want to meet?"

Ace scratched his head and thought. =^= I think there's a place called the Broken Egg on the promenade. Want to try that? Say, 15 minutes? =^=

She thought over her list of what had to be completed before lunch. "Okay. See you in fifteen minutes." At least she didn't care how she looked. If he didn't like that she had dirt on her uniform, it wasn't her problem.

Ace made his way to the Broken Egg. It was a small restaurant, just a nook in a small corner of the promenade. Inside were about a dozen tables, mostly sitting two people per table. There were a few people at tables, eating and chatting merely. When he got there, he waited for Bri to show up. When she did, Bri could see that Ace's eyes were clear and he did not seem to be showing any signs of fatigue from the previous night. He caught the site of her uniform and smirked. He teased her lightly. "Good to see you. I guess you beat the plant, because you made it here."

She shrugged as she sat across from him. "We're replanting a section of the arboretum. So, why the brunch?"

"Why not?" Ace asked. "I haven't seen you since you went down to Pangaea and then when you came back, well, we never got together. So, I thought we could have brunch together and catch up, especially since you were not at the Marine Ball to dance with last night. No dance partner equals lots of sleep," he concluded, his statement turning into a chuckle.

"Paula and I were concerned that some would try to continue the celebration in the arboretum afterwards. Drunken Marines and plants aren't always a good combination. Besides, I wasn't interested in dancing. It was a nice, quiet night."

Paula.... Ace thought to himself. What was he going to do with that woman? "I suppose that would be possible, but Paula could have deterred them on her own." She could deter anyone or anything on her own. She has the personality of harmonic imbalance on a warp drive. He focused his eyes on Brianthe's eyes. There was no glance downwards, as one might expect from Ace. "I'm glad that you had a nice night. Did you do anything besides sit in the arboretum?"

"There's always more to do in the arboretum than just sit. We potted some plants and made plans for a new area of the first level."

Ace did not know what to say to that. Something just felt off with Bri and he could not put his finger on it. Luckily before he opened his mouth, a man in a white chef's apron appeared and handed the two of them menus. This was clearly a one man show. With a deep baritone voice, he said, "Let me know if you need anything, even if it is not on the menu." Ace thanked him and indicated that he was fine for now. "And the lady?"

"Nothing now, but I'll be ready to order in a few minutes. Thanks." She smiled at the waiter before turning her attention to the menu. Once she decided what she wanted, she asked Ace. "How have you been doing?"

"I've been doing fine." He shook his head. "That's not true. The entire animal and purple goo issue had me working overtime and that was exhausting. I would rather not work that hard. It ruins the opportunity for dancing, but I have not had a suitable partner since you went planetside. How were things down there. What did you get up to?"

"Botany. I have several gardens, a grove of trees, and a forest to take care of. It keeps me busy." She shrugged. "There are some things that grow better on a planet than a starbase."

"Not that I'm a botanist, but I would have to imagine that natural soil and nutrients which are replenished by the planet are likely better than transported soil and hydroponics," Ace replied with an apologetic shrug. "I got a C in biology, though...."

"Yes, and no. You can control the weather, weeds, and insects better on a ship or station. But you do need to take a more hands-on approach. At the same time, it's nice to feel a real breeze and walk for hours in the woods. You can't do that here." She shrugged. "I'm fortunate to have both."

"I suppose that you will have to take me for a walk on the planet, then," Ace concluded. "I could use a break from this place. After the last incident, I do not think I want to see purple, goo, or anything sparkly for a bit." He thought for a moment and said, "By the way, I want you to know that I apologized to Paula for my comments the other day."

The man in the apron came back. "Are you ready to order?"

Bri had been about to tell Ace she knew of his conversation with Paula--or Paula's opinion of it, anyway. But she was happy to be interrupted by the waiter. "I'd like an omelet with cheese, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, and spinach, please. And a glass of hibiscus lemonade."

"What sort of cheese would you like in that omelet, ma'am?"

"I'd like Swiss, Mozzarella, Provolone, and mild Cheddar, please," she said, smiling.

"Very good, ma'am. And for you, sir?"

"I'll have an omlette as well. Swiss cheese, mushrooms, and sausage, please. Also, perhaps a hot chocolate?" Ace asked.

The man replied, "Of course. I will have your orders completed shortly." He then left, leaving Ace and Bri to their own devices again.

Ace smiled and since Bri had not responded, said, "Well, anyways, i know you like her and it was not my best moment, so, well, I thought you should know." He scratched the back of his head with a slight grimace on his face.

"If it makes you feel better, she doesn't like you, either." Brianthe couldn't help smiling. "But then, you both know that, so it's a moot point." She paused. "What I would like to know is why you don't want Ensign Cromwell helping out in the arboretum."

(To be continued...)

Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon
Assistant Chief of Operations
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant JG Brianthe Oaxaca
Botanist
Deep Space 5 & Pangae

 

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