Science Debriefing

Posted on Tue Feb 24th, 2026 @ 3:04am by Captain William Abernathy & Lieutenant JG Aiden Poe

1,051 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Forgotten Wounds

ON:

Captain William Abernathy traversed the corridor with confidence and determination, and a small dose of swagger that came with age and experience. The briefing had ended, but there were more parts and pieces that needed to be handled. Typically something he would have passed onto his First Officer, but under current conditions, Bill was shouldering everything until he determined an Acting First Officer. He proceeded to one of the science labs where Lieutenant JG Aidan Poe was presently located. "Lieutenant," Abernathy addressed him. Bill took a step back immediately. He knew hugging was a common response from Poe, something Lieutenant Richard Friendly from Human Resources may need to work with Poe on in the future. "Poe, I need to speak with you pertaining our current mission to bring you into the loop. Seeing as we do not have a Chief Science Officer at the moment."

Poe smiled. "Captain! Sounds good. I just finished the last two months of reports or rather putting them together. This department was a mess! Still kind of is. BUT I will get her running." He motioned toward the Chief Science Officer's office. "I've invoked squatter's rights and taken the office until we get a permanent chief."

"Professor McEntyre returned to academia. From what I gathered, he was far more a thinker than a doer. You can have the office for the time being. You are still quite young, learning, and new to Arcadia as am I. We are going to rely on you for our science needs during this mission, but I am giving departmental oversight temporarily to Doctor McDonald. All the science branches and personnel will report to you directly. Your reports will however be reviewed by Doctor McDonald."

"Well that sounds fair. Been trying to meet him." He sighed. "So how can I help?"

"We are responding to a Federation distress signal. There's a disabled Federation transport carrying civilians. They have seemingly found themselves in the middle of a mine field, one that does not appear on any of our star charts. I will transmit the transports coordinates to you when I get back to my console. Do some research of the area, see if you can find anything. Additionally, I need you to ready a dozen caution buoys for deployment around the perimeter of that mine field."

"Yes sir. May I um...make a suggestion?"

"You won't make full Lieutenant otherwise, Poe. I need officers that have suggestions to make. What is it?"

"I have some engineering background, my minor actually also worked on demining project in my final year. I may be able to ID them if you're okay with it I want to send a sensory probe that won't disturb the field but maybe able to help us map it. I can adapt a small level 3 probe for that."

"Run it by Commander Walker. If he approves, add that to your list of work" said Abernathy. He was not about to unilaterally approve the young officer's idea, Sabastian Walker was already walking the corridors an emasculated man over the First Officer duties being temporarily from him. His melodramatic soprano cries were even giving the eunuchs of Angel I second hand embarrassment.

"I can do that." He smiled. "Can I also talk out of step for a second?"

Abernathy nodded. "Momentarily, yes."

"I'm SOOOOO Happy to be here. Thank you so much for having me on the ship. This has been my dream ship since I first heard she was being build I just feel like....I won some sort of lottery."

Abernathy also took a moment to take a step out of duty and expectations. "Just be careful, Lieutenant. Some lotteries are good to win, but others..." he shook his head. "I am glad you want to be here. We will both be getting acquainted with the crew. There's a party being held by Lieutenant Alexander in the holodeck. Typically for senior officers, but nobody's going to throw you out if you pop in later."

He gave an excited squeal. "I will be there with bells on!" He gave a little shuffle. "This is so exciting!" He paused and blushed. "And you're a cool Captain! My previous posting...he put me in the brig for three days for talking too much."

"I find airlocks far more effective," replied Bill. He smirked. "Transporters are a good alternative. They can hold a person's pattern indefinitely in theory of course."

His eyes bugged out. "Okay...." He stepped back. "I run fast. Think I should be good." He sighed. "Now off to Engineering. I'll let you know what the Commander says and will submit my written plan to you both." He smiled. "Besides I heard Engineering is the place to be...at least for now." He sighed. "If you can believe the lower deck posts."

"Be careful what you read on those things" stated Abernathy. "Practically a ship version of tabloids."

He laughed. "True they have an unofficial senior officer calendar for sale....I don't know how accurate that is but some of those pictures are spicy!" He put a hand over his mouth. "Crap you didn't hear that from me sir."

"Manipulated and manufactured images undoubtedly," Abernathy replied. He shook his head. "I can assure you, Lieutenant Commander Walker did not pose for that calendar, and those were very liberal artistic enhancements. I've seen his biceps. Those aren't them."

He laughed. "I've also seen them at the pool last night...and I'm going to stop talking before I dig myself a brig night." He flushed. "Sorry I talk a lot. But with respect to science I will have caught up on all reports in an hour and have them on your desk and this mapping project I shall go talk to Commander Walker. Last time I was down there they were all listening to an old Earth song and dancing... well he wasn't but the team was. I like the music." He laughed.

"Walker will dance one day. Its just not right now "

He shrugged. "I get that. It's hard loosing a mate." He sighed. "Well my cool Cappy I should get back to work. I'm joining the lower deck book club tonight and don't want to be late for the first meeting!"

"Enjoy, Poe," replied Abernathy. He gave a parting nod.

OFF:

 

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