We all need to eat sometimes

Posted on Sun Oct 4th, 2026 @ 7:46pm by Senior Chief Petty Officer Sethan MD & Crewman Patrick O'Malley & Lieutenant Commander Lin Yue

1,496 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: Mess hall

With Zhi still on duty, Sethan had dressed the girls and headed out of their quarters. For a moment he just stood in the corridor, one hand on the anti-grav stroller, the other firmly holding a little girl by the hand. He was still off duty, the captain's orders had been quite clear. Yet the young Vulcan seemed at a loss, not wanting to remain stuck at home.

Mneiha tugged at the hand that held hers. "Daddy, I'm hungry... can we go to uncle Paddy? I want pancakes..."

Direction decided, Sethan smiled at the girl. "Mess it is," he agreed.

Patrick looked up as the small family entered the mess. He knew straight away what the oldest child would want, and for children he did make an exception as no other adult was tolerated in his kitchen. No other but a chef in the unlikely event he wasn't available. It was widely known across the ship that the captain's chef was highly possessive of the small cooking area behind an elaborate counter.

"Want to help me make pancakes?" He asked as he gestured for Sethan and the younger child to find a table. "I'll have a steward bring you a chair for the little one so she can get out of the stroller."

Mneiha smiled brightly at the prospect and looked towards her father for permission. "Just be careful," Sethan warned as he settled Saeihr into the special seat before taking a seat himself. He pulled out a PADD to read up on reports and gave his youngest child her toy to be entertained while they waited.

Lin entered the mess hall, rubbing at her shoulder as she rotated it slowly, trying to work out the persistent ache that had settled there. It had been lingering since her workout earlier—and, perhaps more significantly, since she'd found herself under the Captain's watchful eye throughout the session. She rolled the shoulder once more, wincing faintly before letting her arm fall back to her side.

The noise of the mess was as one would expect but something that caught her immediate attention was the presence of Children. She had no idea that Saratoga was a family vessel. Perhaps she could persuade her fiancée to join her in that case.

She stopped at the counter, close enough to hear the chef asking one of the children if they wanted to help make the food. Her own intention was simply find a drink, some fruit and stop for a bite to eat. She scooped up her selections and found an empty table.

At the sound of footsteps, Sethan looked up and smiled at the new arrivals. Mneiha came running from the kitchen with a plate that contained a large pancake. "For you and Saeihr," she beamed the looked towards where her father was looking. "Oh hello...do you want a pancake too?" The four year old called over.

Lin took a seat and watched the interaction. The playful nature of the adults attending them, the exuberant joy the child was displaying... It was nice to see that Starfleet was once again allowing children and families back on board their starships. It had seemed a lost form once the Galaxy Class and Nebula Classes became less and less favoured in the fleet.
She started to eat her food but watched with amusement.

Not receiving an answer, the child walked over to the woman and tugged at her sleeve. "Do you want a pancake too? I made daddy a plain one but chef might want to do something with cheese too if you want? I'm getting an apple pancake."

"Oh, I'm sorry" Lin placed her mug on the table before smiling at the young girl. "I didn't realize you were speaking to me. Yes, I would very much like to try one... What's your name? I'm Lin Yue".

"Mneiha," the girl answered then pointed at the Vulcan male and the infant. "My dad and my sister Saeihr." She smiled brightly at the woman. "You should join us and I'll go tell chef Paddy that you want one too. We have all the toppings on our table."

"Oh I wouldn't want to intrude on your family time" Lin started to say to the young girl but started to redirect as she noticed one of the adults moving towards them. "You have a beautiful family."

Sethan had gotten up and knelt at his daughter's side. "Why don't you go help Paddy with the lieutenant's pancakes?" He suggested mildly, before turning to the woman. "Thank you. I am Sethan, and you are welcome to join us. I'm not expecting my husband as he's on duty, so you're not really intruding. Especially not if you're invited and I believe Mneiha did exactly that?"

“Commander Lin Yue, Chief of Security,” she introduced herself, offering a polite smile as she inclined her head in greeting. “I’ve only just arrived, so I’m still getting to know everyone and finding my place aboard.”

Her expression softened with a hint of amusement as she glanced around the room, taking in the unfamiliar faces and the quiet rhythm of a crew settling into their routines. “I really should be making my way to the bridge” she admitted, “but I still have a few minutes before I’m expected there.”

With that, she gathered up her drink and food, carefully balancing everything in her hands before moving alongside Sethan toward their table. She walked with the calm confidence of someone accustomed to elegance and grace when faced with unfamiliar environments or situations, though there was a trace of curiosity in her eyes as she took the opportunity to learn more about the people she would soon be working alongside.

“Besides,” she added with a small smile, “it’s probably better that I meet a few of the crew before I spend the rest of my time buried in reports and operational briefings.”

She settled into her seat, placing her meal down and giving Sethan her full attention, ready to enjoy the brief moment of conversation before duty called her away.

"You are always welcome to sit with us," Sethan smiled just as Mneiha deposited a large cheese pancake in front of her. The little girl waited, watching her expectantly to hear a verdict.

Lin graciously tried the pancake before her, taking a small bite and allowing the flavours to settle. The gentle sweetness of the pancake itself blended surprisingly well with the rich, savoury taste of the cheese, creating a combination she hadn't quite expected to enjoy as much as she did.

"It's good!" she declared between mouthfuls, already taking another bite.

The little girl beamed at her with pride. "I'll go help Mister Paddy with another," she declared happily.

As she darted off, Sethan cast the woman a grateful smile. "Thank you for indulging her."

"Isn't that the primary responsibility of any Security Chief?" Lin asked, a lighthearted smile playing across her features. "To ensure the happiness and wellbeing of the crew—and any civilians unfortunate enough to find themselves under her protection."

She watched the young girl dart away, her expression softening as she followed her with her eyes. There was a warmth behind the joke, a quiet satisfaction in seeing the child so carefree.

"I thought that was safety and security," Sethan smiled, "either way you playing along has made my daughter very happy. And she's very caring and protective towards her sister so I'm sure the next one is for her even if she won't be able to consume it." He gestured towards the infant. "She isn't able to properly chew food yet as she's still teething."

Lin glanced towards the infant, her expression softening as Saeihr shifted contentedly in her seat. "Then I suspect her sister will have to take care of the eating on her behalf," she replied, a faint smile touching her lips. "Although judging by Mneiha's enthusiasm, I doubt she'll consider that much of a burden."

She looked back towards Sethan, her smile lingering for another moment before she glanced towards the time displayed on the nearby terminal.

"I should probably leave you to your family, though. I believe I have just enough time to make the bridge before anyone notices their Chief of Security has been distracted by pancakes."

Lin rose from her seat, collecting her drink and PADD before offering Sethan a polite nod.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, doctor. And please thank Mneiha for the pancake. It was very good."

With that, Lin turned towards the exit, allowing herself one final glance back towards the kitchen where the little girl had disappeared. There was something unexpectedly comforting about the scene—a family sharing an ordinary moment aboard a starship, surrounded by the quiet hum of life and duty.

Perhaps, Lin thought, she was beginning to find her place aboard the Saratoga after all.

Sethan watched her go, a smile lingering before his attention returned to feeding the infant.

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