Caught--

Posted on Sun Sep 28th, 2025 @ 3:37am by Lieutenant Cadence Tyree & Captain Elijah Rutherford

1,956 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Mini Mission-Adjustments [USS Orcrist]
Location: USS Orcrist-Various
Timeline: MD 002

Elijah had a smirk when he made his escape from medical, leaving Lily to answer any questions the new CMO may have. She knew more about the crew than he did, therefore she was better suited

Elijah put his hands in his pockets, whistling a tune of perceived innocence which sounded much like Peter's theme from Peter and the Wolf, quite p!eased with himself.

Cade made his way along the corridor, intending to check in at Medical to see if they needed a hand before he went to explore the ship more. Seeing a figure making their way toward him, he moved to the side as he caught sight of the stripes, Cade paused and felt the Orchrist's CO surface thoughts brush at him.

"Excuse me, Captain. We haven't had a chance to meet yet. I'm Lieutenant Tyree....with the Counseling department."

~Blast, not got away scot free. Oh well~ He had a lift of his lips amused by his situation. "Well now, pleasure to meet you but how about we take the conversation away from medical, I just escaped. Care to go scout out the kitchen with me? I'd like to see if it stocked with real supplies."

Nodding Cade turned and fell in along side. "Yes sir. And my apologies . I probably should have asked if you wanted to be noticed," Cade said with easy banter. "Some CO's don't. But I fear I don't know the signals yet."

A quick glance at Cade, and Elijah chuckled, "Ah Betazoid, I guess my thoughts were a bit loud?" giving a grin "Nah its okay, I made my escape from medical so its okay. I had been meaning to meet with you, and thank you for helping out with my kids. My wife spoke to me about the little adventure."

"No thanks needed, Captain," Cade said with amusement in his voice. "I'd categorize it more of a delaying action." As they padded down the corridore, booted feet scuffing on the carpeting, Cade continued, "If I may, you have a lovely wife and beautiful children sir. All of that and a starship must keep you busy."

"Thank you, I don't quite know what she saw in me, I asked her once and she just laughed." Elijah having a twinkle in his eyes. "She said I make her laugh and that is why she keeps me around."

His eyes went sober, "She and the kids keep me sane, she also told me, that I wasn't allowed to leave her and the kids behind anymore. "

"Nice to have a ship where that works," Cade said. "Are they adjusting to being aboard? I imagine there must be some bumps...including for yourself, sir."

"Well the quarters are maybe slightly smaller than on the Majestic, but its doable and they are bigger than my ship, the one before the Majestic."

They had arrived at the turbo-lift, the doors opening for them to step inside. Elijah gave the level to where they were going.

When the doors closed, Elijah continued.

"Nebula Class Ship. The USS Nightstrike not truly large enough for my family. I'm sure it could have worked, but I am glad that I stood my ground and kept Jasmine and the kids off that ship."

A flicker of strong emotion flashed through him, Elijah recalling how badly damaged his ship was, and part of the damage was where his family could have been.

Pain, grief, anger, and determination.

He shook his head to clear the thoughts from his mind.

Cade felt the strong wave of emotion, but didn't probe. Instead he said, "If I might ask sir, what are you escaping from? You seemed to be enjoying being furtive. And if I'm part of something, I probably should be aware of what?" The counselor kept his tone light and cheerful.

"Oh I have flights of fancy of being a Rogue Captain. The Majestic was at another station, I had S'anra fly the Majestic from that station to DS9 While the rest of the crew were all back onboard, and asleep. Told her that we were stealing our ship." giving a laugh. "She said we weren't as we did have clearance but I found the thought amusing."

"Ahh," Cade said, with some understanding. Glancing over his shoulder he asked, "But this time it was from medical? Are you running from a rabid doctor or maybe nurse?"

Stepping into the turbolift.

"Well the new CMO he doesn't seem to be rabid, Doctor Lily Marlow, she was my Assistant CMO on my ship the USS Nighthawk. A very determined woman."

He leaned up against the back of the turbolift as it swept them to the level for the Prancing Pony.

"She was the Chief Medical officer on the Majestic. She ended up stepping down from that position. I was surprised that she had. She did explain her reasonings, and I couldn't fault her for that. " he frowned slightly.

"I am worried about her in truth." Elijah folding his arms across his chest.

"Sir?" Cade asked, quietly, prompting. "Department head jobs do take a toll. Maybe she's seeking a balance for herself?"

"That could be possible, she though is quite capable. She did tell me that it was due to what happened on Adna Station. And that she felt the need to step back from that duty and address some issues. Though once the change was made, it seemed that we'd not been able to keep a CMO. Went through two more. Now though we have a new CMO and I hope that he lasts longer than the other two."

The lift stopped the doors opening up on Deck Five.

'Adna Station?" Cade queried. "As to changes in staffing, that is the fluid nature of such a large bureaucracy as Star Fleet. Stepping off the lift a pace behind the Captain, Cade decided this was an excellent chance to take the measure of Orcirst One.

"Adna Station, a so called place for RnR. Run by Holograms, and the AI according to reports had been run by an AI named Adna who went a bit insane. And wanted to be a real person." Elijah shook his head "As if that were possible.--"

They stepped inside the Prancing Pony and Elijah led the way into the back. Right now the place was quiet. The kitchen basically empty.

"Ah good I have the place to myself." Elijah giving a grin.

That was when the head chef came out from the back.

"Captain?" the man seeming to be shocked to see Elijah there.

"Hello, I am going to be checking on supplies and making something to eat. " Elijah having a bit of a smile.

"Well now sir, go right ahead, and welcome to the kitchen." The chef replied, "You will find that everything is well stocked, with fresh ingredients."

Elijah just beamed, "Thank you-"

"Morgan. Chef Morgan. I'll go back to my office and finish up my paperwork."

Elijah was pleased, this one had all the earmarks of being a good fit for the Orcrist.

"Can I make you something, Cade?" Elijah putting on an apron, before he started gathering the items he wished to use. " I was thinking of making some Mongolian Beef, with some Noodles."

Cade watched the exchange between the Captain and chef with some fascination. He was getting a window view of his new CO close up and that was invaluable. "Sir, I'll just have what you decide to put in front of me," Cade replied. "My mother always told me it was better to let a master craftsman work."

It could be seen that Elijah was in his element when it came to prepping food.Chow mein noodles were put to boil,the vegetables were diced and sliced.Meat sizzled upon the stove, being placed in a wok. The Mongolian sauce was whisked together, and added to the wok.

The savory scent wafted its way through the kitchen.

Chef Morgon had come out from his office, placing a finger to his lips catching Cade's attention, in his hands were place setting for two people.

"There's a break room just off to the side, if you and the captain wish to avail yourselves of it. Don't think you want to be mobbed if someone happened to come in for a meal." having leaned in softly whispering in Cade's ear.

Cade tapped the side of his nose with a conspiratorial nod to the chef and accepted the table settings. Leaving the captain to his prep, the counselor explored until he found the break room and chose one of the center four person tables. The table settings were simple and it didn't take him long to wander back to the kitchen where he watched Rutherford Chef.

"I'm not much of a souse chef," Cade said after a few minutes and planting himself strategically, near the end of a work table. "But is there anything I can do sir?"

"yes please!" Elijah realizing that the noodles were done and his hands were busy stirring the other food in the wok. And he didn't have two extra hands of his own.

"Cade if you don't mind straining the noodles and putting them in the other wok there. I'm putting you in charge of the noodles, there's cabbage and the oil. And flavoring if you so desire." Making this dish can need two people, he had forgotten that.

Dubiously, Cade approached the cone shaped pot pan and thought the process through. Oil would have to go first, so he picked up the pre-measured oil and added that. It began smoking almost immediately. Since the Captain hadn't given him direct instructions, he added the cabbage and found a long handled spatula that let him move the cabbage about to fry the vegetable briefly.

Then, worried he'd over-cook the veg, he strained the noodles and got them into the pan. The resulting steam bath enveloped him and he could feel his skin tingle in response.

Smiling tightly, he asked, "Second degree burns go with the dish, sir?"

Second Degree burns? Elijah turned his head, his eyes widening "What the devil? "

He swiftly moved the meat off the burner, forgetting to use the hotpad, burning himself.

A few choice expletives issued from his mouth, before Elijah turned to Cade.

"Get to medical, and get that checked out!" he growled.

Chef Morgan came from his office to see what was happening, only to meet the baleful look in Elijah's eyes. He quietly retreated back into the officer to wait out the storm.

Stinging from the implied rebuke more so than the steam burns, Cade secured the pan and burner. "Yes sir. My apologies for ruining your dish."

Then he turned on his heel and left, planning to treat himself:

A dermal regenerator for the wounds and medicinal cognac for the rest.

Elijah was pissed at the whole situation, he hadn't any clue that Cade didn't know how to cook. He pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes, then caught the scent of burning noodles. The burned cabbage and noodles stunk up the kitchen. Barely remembering to grab a hot pad he moved the wok to the sink, running water inside. The water sizzling.

He turned to see if Cade was still there, and realized the man was gone. He looked around that wreckage of the food, gave a sigh. He made a mess in more ways than one. Elijah was a bit irritated even more at himself. He was acting like a fledgling Captain.

At least there was one mess he can clean up, the other he'll have to deal with later.

---

Captain Elijah Rutherford
CO
USS Orcrist

Lieutenant Cadence Tyree
Counselor / Fired Souse Chef
USS Orcrist

 

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