Morning Watch
Posted on Fri Aug 7th, 2026 @ 4:18am by Captain Elijah Rutherford
Edited on on Fri Aug 7th, 2026 @ 5:16am
1,128 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Orcrist Mission 2: The Long Watch
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: MD001 0500
The viewport framed the planet Orodanga like a living painting. The ready room was bathed in the light reflected from the world below. Its sun shone brightly upon the metallic dust suspended in the atmosphere, creating a shimmering blend of amber, bronze, and copper that contrasted beautifully against the softer hues of blue.
Elijah stood lost in thought as he gazed toward the Ithenite world. His left arm rested across his chest, supporting his right elbow while his hand cupped his chin. For a few precious moments, he simply admired the view. It was peaceful, and he allowed himself the luxury of enjoying it before the responsibilities of the day reclaimed his attention.
The gentle chime of the small grandfather clock, handcrafted in Scotland and subtly enhanced with modern technology, drew him from his reverie.
He glanced toward it, watching the quiet sway of its polished brass pendulum before noting the time. There was still an hour before Alpha Shift began. Those quiet moments before the ship awakened were among the ones he treasured most.
Turning from the view, Elijah walked over to his desk, running his hand along the edge as he most often did, caressing the satin finish of the hand crafted desk. He's had it since his first time as a captain.
A momentary pause before he sat down, looking around at his now fully completed ready room. A smile lit up his eyes, the room was now feeling more like a 'home'.
He pulled his chair out from behind the desk taking a seat, glancing once more towards Orodanga, before he unlocked the drawer,which contained his personal journal.
Gently and carefully Elijah pulled out a leather bound journal, a metallic and wooden pen case, an inkwell and a small wooden box.
He ran his fingers along the leather cover of his journal, then opened it up. He opened it up to where there was a blank page.
Reaching over he picked up the pen case, inside was a quill pen, Elijah took the time to run his fingers along the feather giving a smile, then unstoppered the ink.
And he began to write, the quiet sound of the quill scritching across the paper filled the silence of the Ready Room. When he was done, he used the ponce sand, which was used for blotting ink, shaking it back into its container.
After making his entries, in the journal, Elijah called out "Computer, begin Captain's log."
Then he read aloud for the computer to make a record.
"We've come to the end of our journey to bring Rystix to his home. The USS Lumin arrived safe and sound as well."
"Abner had asked to stay with Rystix plus he wished to get to know the Ithenite people. He was fascinated in wanting to know more."
"Deela, the Ithenite Ambassador was grateful for us taking her home as well. As to the hospitality that she had been shown and talks with her, she came to the decision that the Ithenites will be rejoining the Diplomatic Corps though there will be continued talks to the breaking down of comunications."
"T'seng who had been strongly connected to Rystix had been asked if she wished to stay with him. She declined as she felt she still had a calling as a diplomat and to be amongst the stars. She will be staying on the Orcrist. "
Elijah leaned back in his chair as he continued reading from his journal.
"We've got some new crew members for the Orcrist. I'll comment upon them at a later time."
Elijah paused the recording for a moment, picking up his tea cup to take a drink to moisten his throat before continuing on.
"On a personal note, Jasmine had expressed interest in doing some exploring of the Ithenite world and meeting some of the people there, especially since there hadn't been nuch interaction with them. She had spent time with Deela just to get to know the ambassador and learned some of the basics of the planet. Jasmine became enchanted with the planet and the people. "
A fond expression played across his face, Elijah having an amused tint to his voice.
"I feel that Jasmine had become enchanted by the the land and even the sound of the forest which glittered in the sun due to the metals that saturates the world. I wouldn't mind doing that as well. Perhaps we will get the time to go explore."
There was a chirp that caught his attention as his entry had come to an end.
It was a communication from Star Fleet wanting his attention.
He made an addendum to his entry. "It looks like Star Fleet is wanting my atteention and from what the message reads, we may have to wait to explore Orodanga at a later time. This is Captain Elijah Rutherford signing off, for now."
The journal was now closed, Elijan put it away, along with the quill pen, the inkwell and the blotting sand.
On the other side of the viewscreen was the image of.
"Admiral Adler?" Elijah being rather surpised.
"Myranda" she first said, then gave Elijah a rather firm gaze. "Elijah how are things."
Her upfront way seemed to always catch Elijah by surprise and she is someone whom he still hasn't figured out her pattern.
"We have dropped off Rystix." Elijah began, to answer her question.
She cut him off before he could say anything further.
"I will read it in a report." Myranda giving a slight smile.
"What I am calling about is that there is something that StarFleet wishes you to investigate. Since you are already in the Beta Quadrant, there is something we wish you to investigate. "
She steepled her hands as Myranda continued.
"Federation Cartographic Buoy C-17. It ceased transmissions one hundred and twelve years ago and has unexpectedly resumed broadcasting. Investigate and determine the cause. The coordinates are being sent to you now."
Elijah was taken aback by this, after getting Rystix back to his home this assignment seemed just run of the mill but if Star Fleet wished it to happen then it was his duty to accept.
"Yes Admiral we'll go investigate." Elijah responded.
With a bit of a smile Myranda closed communication.
Elijah sat back in his chair, it wasn't that he looked for glorious assignments but a cartography buoy? One couldn't always be expecting exciting assignments. and it was his duty to go where he was being sent. Still though--
Elijah turned towards where the Ithantie Planet could be seen, well, perhaps they can make a stop coming back from this assignment.
The clock on the wall chimed once softly, the day was already starting, and they had somewhere to go.
Captain Elijah Rutherford
CO
USS Orcrist
RSS Feed