Captain on Deck

Posted on Sun Mar 29th, 2026 @ 3:15am by Captain William Abernathy & Lieutenant Commander Sabastian Walker

1,446 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Forgotten Wounds
Location: USS Arcadia | Deck 19 | Shuttlebay

ON:

On Deck 19 of the USS Arcadia was the starship's shuttlebay where Captain Abernathy found engineering teams buzzing about with focus and controlled urgency, the cavernous space was alive with the echo of heavy boots hitting the decking with each footfall. A sharp hiss of pressurized tools was routinely providing a chorus. Six Class F shuttlecraft sat in a precise line along the deck on either side, their hulls open in places as engineering teams swarmed over them running diagnostics, reinforcing plating, recalibrating thrusters for the kind of flying no pilot ever wanted to do twice... right into the heart of darkness, straight into the devil's nest of mines.

Captain Abernathy was not one to strut. He walked, slowly and precisely, examining the shuttles. Then he paused, taking it all in. This wasn’t a simple routine preparation. It was wariness made visible with every panel checked twice, every system tuned for survival in a place designed to kill. It was crucial that these men and women were doing their work far above normal expectations as the lives of those selected to pilot these shuttles dependent on every nut, bolt, and seam to be properly fabricated and reinforced.

A nearby crewman dressed in an engineering jumpsuit sealed an access hatch with a metallic clang. Another had just adjusted a sensor pod, muttering about interference patterns. The word minefield hung unspoken in the air, understood by everyone present. Flying into a minefield was like sticking your hand directly into a hornets nest.

This was not going to be about if anyone got stung; it was about how badly the pilots would be.

“Captain on deck,” a startled engineer announced, and the activity shifted just slightly. Everyone was more focused.

Abernathy moved down the line of shuttles. Bill's gaze lingered from one shuttle onto the next as they each underwent modifications. Shield emitters were being rigged to extended beyond standard tolerances. Deflector arrays had been reconfigured, their geometry altered to disperse proximity triggers. It was meticulous work. Personal work. It was damn necessary work. These sensors needed to be a like hairpin triggers, notifying the pilots at a moments notice.

At the far end of the bay, Lieutenant Commander Sebastian Walker stood beneath the open hull of the lead shuttle, sleeves rolled, hands deep inside a junction panel. Bill Abernathy noticed that Sabastian didn’t look up immediately, issuing a quiet correction to an ensign beside him before finally stepping back. Sabastian was seasoned, too seasoned to be distracted by the Captain being on deck.

"Commander Walker," Bill said addressing the man, his hand now resting on the bow of one of the shuttles. Abernathy admired the Iolaus. "I thought I would stop by to check on the shuttles" explained Bill.

"So far so good. We started with shields. They are, thanks to some borrowed ideas from the Andorian fleets, a bit stronger. About five times the norm. Weapons are being upgraded now and I've had my men add extra life support systems just in case they are taken out and then the secondary ones are as well. Trying to give the shuttles the best I can to give the crews the best chance. The mapping probes are also being calibrated but that will be a few hours more."

Captain Bill Abernathy gave a nod of approval. "Good work, Commander. I have been reviewing personnel files, trying to find the right six candidates to pilot the shuttles into the minefield. As much as Poe has undoubtedly been pushing for me to reverse my decision, I am sticking by it. His place is aboard the Arcadia. You've been First Officer. You know the crew" prefaced Bill.

"I am still looking for options, but at the moment I am leaning towards Hunt, Leighton, Karri, and Patel...and two more that I have not yet decided."

He gave a nod. "All the correct choices in terms of success." He paused. "I can add four names. Junior Grade Forest from my department, one of the best, Henderson from ops, Thol, my second in command here but he's more valuable on the ship and then there is myself."

"Good," Bill replied. "I am glad to hear you still have a death wish" added Abernathy as he looked around at the shuttles. "Thol will take Engineering. I want you and Forest with the other three piloting the shuttles into the thick of it. The three of them can concentrate on the transport. You and Forest can work on trying to disarm mines. If you cannot, do what you can to chart a clear course to and from the transport."

He gave a nod. "I can do that. If I take the smallest of the shuttles out first I can relase the map probes and use them to map out a safe route to the transport and then while they are loading I can begin the clear if possible. Forest should be lead to and from to ensure shuttles get there safley."

Bill took a few steps back and looked at the shuttles. Six of them. He then looked back at Sabastian. "Six F class shuttles. They look all uniform.to me, Commander. Nevertheless, go for it. You get pick of the litter."

"Actually....there is one more shuttle...or rather a shuttle like um...thing..."

"Thing?" Bill looked curiously.

He motioned the captain. "I brought this along when I joined the crew. Two person shuttle tiny but can do the job." He motioned the captain to follow and they walked to the end of the bay. He stood infront of a tiny little craft that looked barly space worthy. "She looks like crap but she'll fly and she's upgraded."

"Then you can take your... dinghy out there" replied Bill. "That frees up another shuttle then, and another seat for a pilot. Each of those shuttles holds a pilot and six passengers. We should take women and children off the transporter first."

"Agreed. I'll need to make way for them I suggest I launch an hour before the other shuttles."

Bill crossed his arms. "Alright, and I expect you to come back alive, Commander. No recklessness out there. Keep the heroics simple."

"No heroics. I need to make a path." He paused. "Sir, permission to speak freely?"

"Has that stopped you in the past?" Bill smirked. "Go ahead, Commander."

"Keep an eye out on Poe. He wants to do this really bad and I don't want him near any of the shuttles."

Captain Abernathy scoffed. "If he so much as tries to touch a shuttle, I'll toss him into the brig until we are back safely. I would recommend all pilots check shuttles before disembarking for stowaways."

"Oh they will. Trust me." He sighed. "Sorry I'm...he's capable. I know he is but..." How could he explain why he was so adament about Poe not going. "He's young. I don't want to see him hurt."

"Kids do stupid, foolish, and brash things. Even when they wear the uniform... especially when they wear the uniform" commented Bll. "I understand what your concern is."

"Okay then." The world needed more sunshine and Aiden Poe was that. "If I ask you to look into something for me would you?"

Bill nodded. "You have my word. What do you need me to look into?"

"Well two things but I'll settle for the first." He paused. "Poe's family has been reaching out to him and he had an anxiety attack just getting a coms from them. Can we figure out a way to get them to stop contacting him. He's had...a rough life and I don't want to see him hurt." He sighed. "And the second thing is...is there a way to annul a marriage one one spouse has died?"

Captain Abernathy took a deep breath. "If Poe does not want to hear from them, he will need to inform us of that. We can certainly make arrangements. As for your own predicament, Sabastian? Post mortem annulment. Tricky. Complex, but I may know someone that can offer some legal advice."

"If I make it back. I may take you up on that." He looked at the little shuttle. "I'll get her ready and we'll leave an hour ahead of the rest of the shuttles."

"Not if. You are coming back, Commander. That is not just an expectation. That's your Captain's orders" said Bill.

"I'll do my best." He sighed. "Well I'll get back to work then." He paused. "Thanks Captain."

Captain Abernathy gave a nod. "As you were. All of you. Carry on" he said as he headed back from the point he entered.

 

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