Third time the charm??
Posted on Sun Mar 15th, 2026 @ 4:04am by Captain Elijah Rutherford & Ensign Pearl Bijoux & Ensign James Pullard
1,924 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Mini Mission-Adjustments [USS Orcrist]
Location: Ready Room
Elijah was catching up on paperwork. He had called for the meeting of the fighter pilots, just to get a read from them as well as Hayter. It was going to take some work to find a sort of even ground to stand on with the man. He picked up his mug of tea to take a sip of it, before resuming his note taking.
From the bridge a hail came over the comm. == Captain, you have a call from Admiral Mathewson with Command sir. ==
Elijah put down his black tea mug on his desk and answered.
"Send it on through." What was it about Admirals wanting his attention. First it was Admiral Myranda Adler now it was Matthewson. It seems that he had caused some waves when he went to bat for Captain Hayter.
He waited for the viewscreen to open and see Admiral Matthewson.
Elijah waited for the Admiral's image appear.
"Greetings Admiral what can I do for you?" Elijah having a bit of a smile.
"Good afternoon Captain. Hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"No sir not at all. Just going over paperwork." He commented, Elijah moving his padds to one side.
"Well I won't keep you too long. Just letting you know I'm sending you a new officer. One with Operations experience, a crack pilot, even a little diplomatic experience under his belt. You can plug him where you see fit, or spread him around to keep him busy."
"What is his name sir and will he be arriving on the ship soon?" Mentally, Elijah was wondering if he was now getting a reputation for being someone's second chance.
"He should have wrapped things up on the station and should be there shortly. The name is Ensign James Pullard".
"Ensign Pullard. And you want me to meet him personally." Elijah remarked as he thought this was supposed to be a part of his XO's job.
"What is the situation?" he asked of the Admiral, as he was curious.
The fact that the Ensign's father had called in a favor was nothing the Captain needed to know about. That was between one Admiral and another. "Situation? Nothing...currently. He's got a few rough edges but with a Captain and Commander with similar service backgrounds and the fact that Commander Braxton was also the son of flag officer I felt that the two for you could relate better than another assignment. Hopefully some time on the Orcrist might take some of the rough edges off.
"How you handle it is up to you. Take him under your wing...let your XO deal with him...that's up to you, but he's coming. Transferring his files now. Matthewson out."
Elijah stared at the now dark screen, shaking his head. That makes two admirals he's had to deal with.
...Earlier...
[Starbase One - Brig]
James had his feet under the sink station and was finishing up his sit-ups when the security field on his cell. But he finished his set before hugging his knees and looking to the guard.
Looking down at the man that was now a former prisoner, tossing a case for his personal effects and a uniform in bunk. "Times up."
"Glancing at the uniform as he stood. "What's that?"
With a contemptuous nod, "Your uniform Ensign." Tossing a padd onto the clothing, it tinking, as it hit the communicator. "You have orders...Ensign. Get cleaned up and changed. You can leave your jumpsuit with Lt. Ross before you leave."
Not long he was strolling through the station. Jim had taken his time, walked through the stations huge bio dome, enjoying the green and the almost fresh air. After that he got a decent meal at a replimat before making his way to the docking bays.
Glancing at the padd again he chuckled at the name of the ship he'd been assigned to. As he approached the gantry he saw a cute mocha skinned woman standing duty at the passage leading from the station to the ship.
Walking up to her he handed over his PADD with his best smile. "Hi, My names Jim, here to check in and report aboard."
"Ensign Pullard." Pearl taking his padd to check to see if all was correct on his papers. "Okay, that looks sufficient." she frowned slightly. "I need you to hold out your hand though." she added, pulling out a scanner for him to place his hand upon it.
Placing his hand on the padd. "I never served on a Akira class ship before. Maybe you could show me around sometime?"
Pearl watched as the padd gave out a ping of he was in the clear.
"Hmmnn, me? No I am not part of the tourism department on the ship That would be the Diplomatic department." Pearl giving a firm nod.
"Ensign Earl Crawford can direct you there." Pearl putting the padd scanner away.
Motioning towards the ensign who was nearby.
"If you will follow me, sir." Crawford motioning him to follow after.
Still looking at her he tapped two fingers to his head, "Yes ma`am...See you around."
"So Crawford, where to?"
"This way--" Crawford responded with a smile. "She's easy on the eye isn't she." he commented leading the way.
Spinning him self around to get another look as they walk down the gantry, "That she is." Giving her a nod as he smiled.
Turning himself around, "Say she isn't attached or anything is she?"
"She's involved with someone, the Chief Engineer. Sorry to disappoint, but she came on the ship with a significant other. Made a few of us disappointed." Crawford responded.
"Well here you, safe and sound at the Captain's ready room. See you around Pullard." Crawford remarked.
Jim had frowned as the news, and had replied with an off hand comment about her not being married yet. That had gotten a good laugh as they continued on their way. He noticed that they hadn't gone to a departmental area or XO's office and upon reaching the bridge he had let out a huff. "Thanks."
Once by himself he scanned the bridge, a few of the crew giving him a casual glance. Speaking to no one he pressed the chime. "Well better get it over with..."
[Ready room]
Right now Craig was busy with his kids. He hoped that they were having fun. Jasmine went to take their kids on an outing while he was stuck for now doing his work as a Captain.
The chime sounded and he called out, "Enter!"
Of course the doors would open while he was in the middle of a yawn. Taking the strap off his shoulder he entered and place his padd on the Captain's desk. "Ensign James Pullard report as ordered."
"Please come in, have a seat." Eljah motioning towards the chair in front of the desk.
He picked up the padd to read over what was on it.
"Interesting, I do have a question for you. What would make an Admiral call me on your behalf?" lowering the padd to look at Jim.
Jim lifted his eyebrows. "Let me guess, Matthewson?"
"Yes, Matthewson." Elijah giving a firm nod.
"Figures. He's good friends with my father," his voice edged with attitude, "Vice Admiral Horacio Pullard. Between the two of them... Well lets jus say my father does what he needs to protect his precious reputation."
"i see and, its something that makes you chafe under that sort of scrutiny. Where were you before you arrived on my ship?" Elijah asked, he was curious.
He huffed a bit with a smirk, "The stations brig. I got into a... misunderstanding at this dive bar and one thing led to another, but hey Christmas dinner wasn't too bad."
"Well that is good, about the meal." Eljah stated, "It sounds to me like you have a problem with your father. Do you?"
Jim stood there silently for a moments, "He just won't leave well enough alone. Seems to think that Fleet duty will shape me up."
"Have a seat." Elijah motioning towards the chair once more.
Breathing out his nose with a subtle huff Jim lifted his leg over and dropped into the chair. Lifting his hands and letting them drop into his lap waiting for 'the speech'.
"Now where to put you, that is the question I have right now. Was there any interests that you had when you went into Academy? You got through the Academy which shows you have brains and talent. " Eijah commented.
Not the talk he had been expecting but maybe that was yet to come. "Well as you can see from my record I've worked Ops, and I'm one of the best pilots you've probably ever seen."
Elijah gave out a little bit of a chuckle, "I know a few who can claim that as well. One of them is my former chief helm officer, S'anra. She can certainly claim that and so can I" giving a bit of a grin. "There is another, named Phyllis D'Lar, Sorceress is her nickname."
Well well, this might be an assignment he could actually enjoy. "Sorceress huh? Let me guess; because her piloting was magical?"
Elijah stated, "Is magical. She still has that skill. I am quite certain that she can and will fly circles around you." a bit of a chuckle. "Believe me, I would know."
"Sounds like a challenge. Is she on the ship?"
"Yes she is." Elijah grinning from ear at what seemed to be interest from Ensign Pullard.
While he still chaffed at the idea of having to punch a clock and have to deal with the whole chain of command thing, he did like the idea of being able to get back into a cockpit. Maybe that was reason enough to tow the line this time. Time would tell. "Well sounds like this will be an interesting assignment sir."
Looking out the window he grinned and looked back to the Captain, "Once we get away from all the prying eyes will have to set up a race or something."
Elijah gave a brief smile at Pullard's words. He did wonder though just how well the crew members of the Orcrist will mesh together.
Jim's head twisted slightly as the Captain smiled. Deciding he'd let that suggestion marinate for a while he returned back to the question of his placement. If he could get a rotational assignment he could not only stay proficient with his piloting but get an inside track with the running up the ship itself. "Back on the subject of my assignment. If I may ask, could I work Ops and rotate through the flight crew?"
Elijah turned from the window, to look at Pullard. "We'll give it a try, sound good?" to him there did need to be some testing of this newest arrival. His mind went to Hayter what would happen when Pullard and he met.
"Sounds good. I can check-in with Ops and then check in with the Flight Chief to get that rotations set up with them both."
Elijah nodded in agreement, "Your thinking is spot on. You are dismissed, and welcome aboard the USS Orcrist."
Jim rose from his seat with a nod. If the rest of the senior officers were like the Captain he might actually have found an assignment he could enjoy. As long as his father could keep his nose out of things.
"Thank you, Captain."
Captain Elijah Rutherford
CO
USS Orcrist
Ensign James Pullard
Ops & Flight
RSS Feed