Scrambled Eggs - Part III

Posted on Tue Feb 17, 2026 @ 3:22am by Lieutenant JG Brianthe Oaxaca & Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon

1,360 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Chicken Run
Timeline: After the Marine Ball

[PREVIOUSLY]

"Why?" Ace asked, completely bewildered.

"Is this about Matilda and the arboretum?" she countered.

[CONTINUED]

"Yes and no," Ace admitted. "It just seems that when I ask a woman not to worry about something or not to do something, they do it. It is almost as if it is a talisman that guarantees a woman will do it. Is it spite? Curiosity? Just a contrary disposition? I mean, in Matilda's case, I told her I had the Arboretum was under control and what was the first thing she did? Go and insert herself where I told her that she was not necessary. If I told another woman, for example, that, say, I didn't want her looking in my drawers, I could almost guarantee the moment I left the room, she would. It just makes no sense to me." He looked at Bri sincerely and said, "I can't imagine that you would do any of that, but then again, maybe I'm wrong. You trust most men as far as you can toss them."

"That's true. But the answer isn't as black and white as it seems. With Matilda, for instance, Paula and I asked her to help us. It wasn't to override your authority or step on your toes." Although Paula not wanting Ace to step foot in the arboretum was part of it. "So, telling her not to go somewhere we asked her to come to was giving her conflicting orders. Yes, you are her superior, but I am in charge of the arboretum. I have a right to ask whomever I want to do repairs. So, she chose to follow my orders over yours. The arboretum was not under control and we did need her help." She smiled mischievously. "Now, looking in your drawers could be out of spite or curiosity and you'd have to ask the woman in question."

"You are under a mistaken assumption. She had never been to the arboretum when I told her of my care of it." He then caught her mischievous look. "Why exactly are you giving me that look, though?"

"I've been told that, in Earth's military history, the rule was, follow the last order first. Besides, I don't believe you have the right to decide who can and can't work in my arboretum. Besides, I've already put in a request to have her work with us on a semi-regular basis."

"You do remember that she's underneath me, right? I make the duty rosters, not the Chief. So, ultimately, when it comes to my staff, I do." He sighed heavily and said softly and sincerely, "But if you want her, fine. I'm not going to stand in the way. Alright?" He took another bite of his omellette and said, "Not going to lie, though, I don't like that she's preferred over me. I rather enjoy the challenge. Also, I still want to know what that look was for...."

"It was the thought of you having to ask one of your paramours why they were looking in your drawers," she admitted. "But to go back to your question, I admit that women are generally more curious than men. If we're told not to do something, we want to know why."

"I have not had that many lovers lately. Just two since you left," Ace admitted slightly shyly. "Matilda, and then Naomi, after I broke it off with Matilda and just so you know, it was a disappointing as I expected it to be with Naomi." He shrugged nonchalantly before turning to the topic of women's curiosity. "Now, when it comes to women and curiosity, isn't that how Adam fell? Eve's curiosity over the apple from the snake's temptations? Then Pandora and her box, releasing all evils? And what was that about curiosity and cats?" He shook his head and chuckled. "What was that about not learning from history?"

"Those who do not learn from history are destined--or doomed--to repeat it," Bri replied. Then she shook her head. "I think Naomi was disappointing because she flirts with you every time you go to Giuliani's. She's too eager. I think you like a bit of a challenge. Or at least someone with a little fire, not a puppy who will follow you anywhere. Naomi's nice enough, but she's definitely not your type."

"And yet you pushed her on me at every opportunity at Giuliani’s before we went out dancing," Ace answered, sticking his tongue out at Bri. "Honestly, Bri, how desperate do you think I am?" He laughed before saying, "I'm not certain that I want to hear your answer to that." He laughed even more freely after that statement.

"Maybe it was more her wants than yours," Bri replied, laughing. "I feel sorry for her--not because of you, but because she seems like she could use a break." She paused. "That didn't come out right. It's obvious she likes you. I just wondered if the two of you might...get along."

"Well, it is rare that I don't get along with a woman in that way," Ace answered. "You probably think that's rather egotistical of me, but it has been my experience." He shrugged nonchalantly. "Though, barring new women coming onto the station, Naomi's likely all I'm going to get for the foreseeable future." His face fell, as he said that. "What about you? Anyone on the horizon? Still trust men as far as you can throw them, hopefully present company excluded...?"

She thought for a minute. She'd met several men, but meeting someone was a far cry from someone on the horizon. "I trust many men. That's not the same as wanting a relationship with any of them." She raised an eyebrow at Ace. "With a station this size, surely you haven't met every woman."

Ace shrugged. "Maybe not, but I'm pretty sure that I've met most, if not all the ones that might be interesting." He thought for a moment and added, "Unless you know something that I don't...."

"I know a lot of things you don't," she teased. "But I do not know most of the people on the station. However, I'm sure there are some lovely ladies around." She took a moment to finish her omelet while she waited for his reply.

In his devil-may-care attitude, Ace answered, "Maybe if you get out once in a while, you would see or hear of them. But that said, my streak has been somewhat miserable lately. So, I probably should figure out what's wrong and you could tell me all those things that I allegedly don't know that you do." He gave Bri a smart, playful sneer. He instantly regretted it after he said it. "As long as you don't try to make me a botanist."

Bri laughed. "No chance of that. I won't try to fix you, either. As you said, I have enough problems of my own." She wiped her lips to make sure they were clean and set the napkin on her plate. "Thank you for your company. I enjoyed brunch."

"Me too," Ace answered. "Besides, what's to fix?" he asked with a winning grin. "Aren't I just perfect as is?" He smiled at Bri even more ridiculously at the last question.

That just made Bri laugh. Again.

Pleased that his mission had been accomplished, Ace asked, so, "Friday night? Dancing? If neither one of us has a date? Give us both something fun to do?"

Bri paused. She liked dancing, and she and Ace were kind of in a stable place--as friends only. "Let me see what is on the schedule. I don't have a date, but I might have to be on the planet. If I'm not, then okay." She just hoped she wouldn't come to regret it.

"Hey, I'm a no commitments type of guy. Totally get it," Ace told her reassuringly. "We'll keep in touch with each other and make the call closer to that time."

Bri gave him an enigmatic "Yes" and smiled.

A post by

Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon
Assistant Chief of Operations
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant JG Brianthe Oaxaca
Botanist
Deep Space 5 & Pangaea

 

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