Meeting with the Admiral

Posted on Thu Nov 5th, 2026 @ 9:44pm by Captain Erik Norsgaard & Lieutenant JG Caitlyn MacRae

1,055 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: The Invisible Hand
Location: Admiral Schofield's Office | Starbase 11
Timeline: MD009 - 0800

Minutes continued to tick by as Lieutenant MacRae impatiently waited. Aware of eyes on her back as she abandoned a shockingly uncomfortable seat and tried to distract herself with a detailed study of the artwork which broke up the unimaginative grey walls. Behind a desk, one of Admiral Schofield’s staff was prioritising stacks of reports and adjusting the Admiral’s schedule as the current meeting overran.

Hardly surprising, given the audience and subject matter.

Indeed, it was something of a miracle to secure a brief meeting with Schofield today. A feet she believed was only possible because Erik had made the request. And Schofield liked Erik. So by extension, so did his staff. Whereas Caitlyn had a reputation for being a little more volatile when she crossed paths with the Admiral. Albeit the last time they had been downright cordial. It made her shudder just to think of it.

Finally the doors to the Admiral’s office opened and a line of officers filed out. Stepping aside offering a few collective ‘sirs’ in acknowledgment, she realised she was feeling sick to her stomach as the exodus came to an end and the staffer announced, “you can go in, Lieutenant. They are waiting.”

Taking a deep breath, she nodded, moving forward and reminding herself that she wasn’t doing this alone. Indeed, as she entered she saw Erik first, while Schofield was mid sentence. “Admiral,” she offered, “thank you for making some time for us, sir.”

It was perhaps too respectful given her history but she decided it was better than earning his wrath in the first few seconds.

Schofield flashed her a look of annoyance and dropped his gaze for a moment, trying to get back what he was saying, and another look, equally annoyed when he failed to recall. "Well, since you've interrupted me," he said to Caitlyn, "I suppose we'd better get on with whatever it is." He flashed a look at Norsgaard who had risen to his feet. "This involves you too I suppose?"

"Yes, Sir," Erik said at once. "We didn't want to take up any more of your time than was necessary but Lieutenant MacRae both felt it was important that you be given a heads up."

"Oh, very well," Schofield said as he sat down in his seat and gestured for them both to sit in the chairs provided. "Get on with it then."

Cursing the woman for telling her to go in too soon, Caitlyn flashed Erik an apologetic smile. Hopefully he could manage to save the situation because clearly she wasn’t. Perhaps she should have brought Minx…. No, she was trying to be better and playing on the man’s allergies was not the way to go.

“Aye sir,” she offered as she sank into one of the seats. Deciding it was better for her to continue taking any of Schofield’s annoyance she spoke up. “The Captain and I wanted to make you aware of our intention to pursue a relationship.”

"A relationship," Schofield repeated and then again, "a relationship."

"For what its worth, I've check the regulations," Erik said. "There's nothing that strictly prohibits it and we've spoken about what it would mean professionally. On the job, I'm the Captain and she's the Second Officer. Same as always. And we'll observe priority of life no matter what."

"Thorough as ever, Captain," Schofield said. "And you Lieutenant? Do you agree with this?"

Caitlyn nodded, “yes sir. We have discussed this at length and maintaining the boundary between personal and professional is a priority for both of us.”

She may have been mistaken but she could have sworn a look of skepticism in Schofield’s eyes when she mentioned professionalism. And no way he doubted Erik in that regard.

Schofield grunted in response and steepled his fingertips as he considered. "Not outside of regulations," he said after a moment. "But there will be a six month review. As long as priority of life is maintained, without deviation, I'll grant you permission." He paused for a moment, eyeing them both, "it's to your credit that you told me up front. I would have found out about it anyway and if that had happened, this conversation would have gone in an entirely different direction."

"Thank you, Sir," Erik said. He could imagine, having dealt with any number of Starfleet personnel over the years, how many disgruntled individuals he'd known over the years and wouldn't have put it past any of them to go running if he thought he could a superior officer in trouble.

Caitlyn nodded, yet stayed silent. Six months seemed unnecessary but on balance, a compromise and better than an outright refusal. She glanced at Erik with a look which conveyed both relief and a desire to get out before she said or did something to antagonise the man. “I appreciate you have a busy schedule, sir… with your permission I can go and let you both finish whatever it was I interrupted before?”

"You're dismissed, Lieutenant," Schofield said and then turning to Norsgaard, added. "You as well, Captain. I think we're all clear on what needs to be done."

"Aye, Sir," Norsgaard said. He followed Caitlyn out of the door and didn't speak until they were well away from the Admiral's outer offices where even the ears had ears. Once they were safely on the promenade, he said. "Well, you were saying something about a vacation?"

Caitlyn laughed, more from relief that the whole worry of telling Schofield was over. “Indeed I did,” she assured him. “Transport leaves in three hours so we have time to change, check packs and if needed, the captain can push back departure an hour or two. She’s an old friend and says the schedule is more a guideline anyway.

“So I guess it depends on when you are ready to escape all of this for a few days?” She smiled up at him. “Because I cannot wait.”

"Then let's get to it," Erik said as he lengthened his stride a fraction, walking faster in the direction of his ship. "The sooner we're packed, the sooner we are out of here."

“You definitely do not need to tell me twice!”

---

Captain Erik Norsgaard
Commanding Officer
USS Thunderbird

and

Lieutenant Caitlyn MacRae
Second Officer
USS Thunderbird

 

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