Historical Revisions

Posted on Sat Mar 28th, 2026 @ 11:20pm by Captain William Abernathy & Lieutenant Commander Elyse White & Lieutenant Commander Sabastian Walker & Lieutenant Commander Oscar McDonald MD & Lieutenant K’Var & Lieutenant Lanna Alexander

2,000 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Forgotten Wounds
Location: USS Arcadia | Deck 14 | New Briefing Room

After spending nearly and hour reviewing the information the Klingons provided, Abernathy was holding another meeting, a selective one. Captain Abernathy stood at the head of the table, one hand resting on the back of his chair. The image shifted at his command, revealing the jagged scatter of blinking markers that represented the minefield.

“Starfleet records listed the region as clear,” he began, voice steady. “No defensive emplacements, no prior hazards logged in navigational records, no anomalies of concern. That Transport is sitting in a minefield. Up until now, that was speculation. The Klingons have essentially confirmed it, and rewrote a chapter in our history in the process."

Bill changed the image to a Federation starship. "The Klingons are taking credit during the war for taking out one of our MIA starships."

Walker sat near the end of the table drinking coffee and making notes. He tried to keep himself from muttering that the Klingons take credit a lot for things they didn't do.

“Do we have definitive proof that the Klingons actually did this?” Lanna asked from where she sat. “They may have claimed to, but did they really?”

"We do not have proof that the Klingons destroyed it, but they are taking the credit, and provided some information that I have been working with Starfleet Command to confirm. The USS Medjed was a Saladin class starship, officially, she was a simple frigate on a standard patrol near what the Klingons were considering the border. We didn't receive a distress signal, nothing."

Abernathy looked at the single nacelle starship being displayed. "The Klingons said during their attack on the Medjed, it deployed mines. They lost a a few ships, but they destroyed the Medjed."

Bill changed the diplay to the red dots. "The evidence of mines out here would seem to validate their story. Starfleet Command was able to get Starfleet Intelligence to declassify some information. The Medjed was carrying a payload of mines wgen it disappeared. They were heading for the Klingon boarder to deploy them. We now believe the Klingons caught them before they reached their coordinates. They dumped their payload out here trying to flee the Klingons."

“Which probably seemed a better idea at the time,” McDonald sighed. “Damn mines are the devils work…Regardless of who put them here, we have the same problem.”

Elyse nodded along, agreeing with McDonalds. "Equally, I suppose by shedding the load, if someone has been following them, then they would have been blown to pieces-- smart," Elyse shrugged a little, "I'll chase Intel, I'm sure there are still people I know on the base."

Bill changed the image to an up close detailed look at a Federation mine. "Given the era and what the Klingons have been willing to provide us, that Federation transport is trapped in Pandora's box at the moment. We're looking at blade mines, experimental for us at the time, designed to cut into a starships hull with ease."

"Those are the secondary threat" quipped Captain Abernathy. "Our primary obstacles are blackout mines that are live, probably what caused the Antares type Transport to end up in this predicament to begin with. Tactically lethal, our blackout mines were designed to disrupt navigational sensors. Neither of these were Federation in design. We acquired them to use against the Klingons."

Relaxed in her chair K’Var was listening to the crew “this is a tricky situation. I’m assuming the mines are not programmed to avoid a Federation Starship?”

"It did not help the Bright Horizon. So, working theory would be they are not programmed to distinguish us from the Klingons, or anyone else for that matter" noted Bill. "This is going to be surgical work. I believe Lieutenant Poe and Commander Walker are correct in that pur shuttles are going go be our best bet weaving into the thick of it."

“Do you think there’s any chance the Klingons will turn against us once our joint venture is over Sir?” Lanna asked concernedly.

"Lieutenant White?" Bill turned attention over to his Chief Communications Officer. "Where do we stand on our relations with the Klingons?" They were on decent terms, aiming for peace, but things were so tense.

"I mean, the Klingon sense of humour is not Starfleet's cup of tea, but we're tolerating each other as best as we can," Elyse replied, "on paper, sure, were on decent terms. The optics though-- the federation and associated worlds and so on aren't exactly enthusiastic."

"Lieutenant K'Var, worse case scenario. If they turn on out, do we match up against a D-7 battlecruiser?"

Lieutenant K’Var considered the question for only a few seconds and then gave her response. “While the D-7 battle cruiser can be a formidable opponent. I do believe our defensive systems are capable.” The Tactical Officer’s voice changed slightly “if the D-7 is equipped with a cloaking device the Klingons will gain a significant advantage over the Arcadia, sir.”

Sabastian chimed in, "D seven you say? That is the best news I've heard all day." An evil grin crossed his face. "I know of a way we can cause a pulse that will disrupt at D-7 cruiser enough that we may be able to fire on them. The recovery is quick but we can either take out the shields or phasers they would still have photons but... might help some and I've been quite anxious to try it."

Captain Abernathy took in the information from his three officers. Communications, Tactical, and Engineering. Everyone was uneasy about working with the Klingons, anticipating Bill's worst fear, betrayal. "I want us to be as prepared as we possibly can. Commander Walker, focus some effort on running simulations regarding that pulse. I'd like to have it up our sleeve should we need it, but I do not want to have to need it. We're going to have to set our differences aside, trust the Klingons have honor not to stab us in the back out here."

“Captain I’d like to increase the security presence in vital areas, with your permission sir” K’Var suggested to the man in charge.

"Increase it at your discretion, Lieutenant" replied Abernathy.

Walker gave a nod. "Aye Sir. I can get the simulations started right away. May I ask if you've had time to consider Mr. Poe's mapping idea. I have his plans for the probe modification but I see some flaws that you may not like the solutions to."

"Yes, I have reviewed and agree to committing resources towards it, and I already am prepared to use shuttles. So, what else do you have for me, Sabastian?"

"Just that, shuttles. While we can use them the mapping team...may be at an increased risk and Poe insists on piloting the shuttle himself."

"He may insist, but that does not mean that he will be permitted to do so," Elyse interjected, stepping into the role of acting XO, "is he 'qualified' to do so? Equally, whilst it may be his idea, there are lives at stake."

"Qualifications wise he is a pilot but casting the net of these mini probes and mapping out the field is tricky. While we may be safe his life is in danger." He studied Elyse. It seemed that the Captain picked a good XO. Perhaps he wasn't needed here. Another point on his list for leaving the ship. He silently added it. He'd said his peace. As far as talking he was done. Why try?

Elyse nodded, "captain, I am sure that he is a wonderful pilot, and this was his idea, but the man strikes me as rather... Young. I agree that age and experience does not equate being a good pilot though. Perhaps someone younger may be an idea because of reaction times alone, but I would be cautious."

"Age, beauty, experience... we are all Starfleet Officers. If Counselor Alexander volunteered to pilot a shuttle, I would trust her no more or less than I would Poe. So, my concern won't be about age nor rank. My concern will simply be that we hardly have a science department. Poe is Acting Chief Science Officer. If he is in that mine field and something goes wrong, we will need a dependable science department to help us aboard the Arcadia. I believe he's most effective here aboard Arcadia."

Bill looked at Lanna. "Not that I am recruiting you to pilot a shuttle into a minefield."

“I certainly hope not!” Lanna added with a smile. “Besides I’m roped to the ship for the next few months anyway.”

Sabastian rained in his smile. He'd be damned if he let Poe on a shuttle and so far the CO agreed and so did White. Either way Poe was staying on ship. Sab put away any further thoughts on why he was so protective of the young officer.

"If he would like to live vicariously through someone piloting the shuttles, he is more than welcome to be on the bridge to watch his plan unfold," Elyse offered.

Bill nodded in agreement. "He's going to have to." The Captain shifted his attention to medical. "Doctor, are your physicians and nurses ready for trauma care. Not knowing what we're walking into here as far as injured. If they or we hit any additional mines we could have a small war zone of care needed."

“As ready as we can be,” McDonald assured him. “We have some new staff who are still finding their feet but I’m confident they will do what is needed and we have enough experienced hands to support them.”

"Let's unpack any additional medical equipment we have, or move redundant machines to Cargo Bay 1. I'll task Karri
with consolidation, have the cargo moved to bays two, three, and four. We will utilize one as an auxiliary Sickbay and recovery ward."

McDonald nodded, “we took on additional supplies at the starbase so we have enough to go around.”

"Walker," Bill said swiftly. "I want those shuttles prepped and reinforced. Do what you can you give their shielding a little extra boost, even if it means pulling power from their weapons systems. I want them to withstand a beating if need be."

"Aye Sir." Sabastian made notes on his Data Pad. "They'll be strong."

Captain Abernathy looked at Lieutenant Lanna Alexander. "Counselor, I don't want you to physically exert yourself, but if you would not mind taking over the logistics of temporary childcare. We know there are children on that transport, some who's parents may be injured or worse. Do what you can for them once Dr. MacDonald clears them from Sickbay."

Lanna nodded. “I can do that Sir, I’m used to children.” She smiled warmly. “This is going to be frightening for them, so I’ll see what I can do to keep them entertained.”

Bill was pleased with the response. "Counselor, feel free to coordinate with Jynx. I am sure we have plenty of food in storage for impromptu banquets, things in case an Admiral stops by. I'd rather we use it for our young guests instead of it going to waste reclamation."

“I’ll check the food stores Sir, see what we have to spare for hungry young people.” Lanna smiled.

"Sorry, if I may interrupt, Jynx is no longer on board, sir. She was a civilian anyway, but I'm sure that whoever is in charge in hospitality will be more than welcome to assist," White commented.

"Well, shit" commented Bill. "When all this is said and done, I need to really get up to speed on personnel. Jynx or no Jynx, get into the good stuff, Lanna. Hospitality is yours for the time being."

“Then I’ll make sure to do a good job.” Lanna grinned.

"Alright Folks, we know what we need to do. Let's get to the transport, figure out this minefield, and get the hell out of there without taking damage, or as close damn to it as we can. Dismissed."

 

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