New Arcadians

Posted on Sun Jan 11th, 2026 @ 11:01pm by Lieutenant Commander Sabastian Walker & Lieutenant JG Aiden Poe & Captain William Abernathy

1,955 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Shore Leave - Starbase 1
Location: Earth, Shuttle Depot
Timeline: Current

ON:

Aiden stood watching the shuttles lift off. His was set to go shortly there was one more person to come. A fellow Arcadian. He was excited and wondered who it could be. The person was important enough to hold the shuttle but he wondered if it was the Captain him or herself. He hoped not he was a mess of excitement and was constantly told that he was much. The last thing he wanted to do was upset the new CO.

December on Earth. It was still a sight to beholden to, weather modification and control technology aside, there were many that appreciated a more 'natural' winter especially if they didn't cluster in the warmer or tropical climates. Bill Abernathy was a native son to the Boston area along the north eastern coastline of the North American continent. He came dressed for the slight chill, jacket worn over his uniform with a steaming mug in hand, hot mulled cider.

Bill approached with admiration for the old shuttle depot, Federation industrial architecture. A shuttlecraft was waiting for him, and Bill wasn't going to delay them any longer. Abernathy had found the designated shuttle, hatch open and awaiting him was a young officer. "Edgar?" he said to the man after taking a sip to warm up his mouth and awaken his speaking abilities. The cold had a way of silencing people. "Parents missed an opportunity" he added, knowing the man's name was unfortunately not Edgar Allan.

Aiden turned around smiling. "Hello! Well yes I was named for him but sadly not fully." He smiled. "Are you heading to the Arcadia?"

"That's me," replied Bill. "Joan of Arcadia, except not as good looking, and a little on the scruffy side." He gave a pleasant enough nod and extended his hand. "William Abernathy, Captain."

Poe gave a little clap and then ignoring the hand pulled the man into a hug. "Fellow Arcadian!!!!"

Aliens thought Bill. He was not the physical embracing sort, and was more focused not splashing hot mulled cider on the man than to act of receiving nor reciprocating the hug. He just put his free arm around the man and gave him a pat on his back. "Alright, Lieutenant. Best we separate before we trigger a HR investigation."

He laughed as he pulled back. "Well you knew I was a lieutenant cause of my uniform but I can't see yours let me see if I can guess. You have this cool older dad look with a touch of stern yet loving so to me you look like security, right?"

"That was another life ago, son." Bill unzipped his jacket slightly to show the uniform color peaking out underneath. "Lost the 'red shirt' in the yesteryears. Its been the Command division for a moment now." He stiffened his posture a bit. "Loving? That is between my wife and I, now, Arcadia? Shall we get this shuttle well above sea level?"

"Oh! Captain! I'm so sorry I didn't know I..." As he stepped back he tripped flaying a little only to be caught by the pilot.

"That's three Lieutenant. I can't believe that you are where you are if you are falling over this much." He held out his hand to the Captain after he righted Poe. "Captain I'm Ensign Tobin I'll be your ride to Starbase 1. Commander Walker will greet you when you arrive."

"Thank you, Ensign," Bill said settling in, taking a seat and sipping his mulled cider. "You'll have to excuse Mister Poe. He has a bit of a telltale heart. He wears those emotions at the ready."

Bill looked around the shuttle interior. "Poe, what are you? A Counselor?"

Tobin snorted. "Good one sir."

Poe, who'd turned bright red said, "No sir. I'm the Anthropologist Alien Archaeologist and Historian." He paused. "OH! And the acting assistant chief science officer."

"Perfect," Bill reached for a nearby PADD and queued up the Arcadia manifest. "Science Department is rather scarce, Poe. We may be on a hunt for some science officers."

"Yes sir! Until then I promise to science the hell out of the department!"

Tobin grinned shaking his head as he brought the shuttle up from the ground. "Captain you have nerves of steel."

"No, Ensign. That steel you are seeing is just age and experience. When you spend several years dealing with tensions along the border, you have to quickly learn to hold your cards close and stare down death's barren sockets."

He snorted. The rest of the trip was relatively simple with Poe's excitement making an appearance when they left Earth and his unending facts about the history of Earth and Starbase one filling the silence of the ride. As they pulled into the base shuttle bay Tobin turned around leveling Poe with a look. "Lieutenant no disrespect but if you try the hug thing you did with me and I am certain tried on the Captain with the XO you will find yourself on the wrong end of an air lock. Friendly warning."

Poe huffed. "The hot guy who came to give me the orders said he'd lost someone close if anyone needs a hug it's him."

Tobin looked at the Captain. "Your science officer had a short run sir."

"He was an academic" countered Abernathy. Bill had skimmed through the previous Chief Science Officer's personnel file. "Border defense, exploration... Arcadia's mission portfolio doesn't fit this McEntyre fellow. The stars are a long way from the comfort of lecture halls."

"Indeed. Well gentlemen this is where I kick you off the shuttle. Back to Earth I go."

Poe shot up. "We're here!" He grabbed the Captain's shoulders. "We're here sir!"

Abernathy had been drawn into the PADD, looking over the ship's manifest, and studying the personnel. Time had slipped on by as it usually did when Bill was focused. "Ah, excellent. Good flying, Mister Tobin. That was one of the smoothest shuttle trips I've taken in a while." Bill started gathering up his stuff. "Hail the Starbase and request docking coordinates. Poe, grab your things."

Poe smiled. "GOT THEM!" He bounced in his seat. "This is so exciting! The Arcadia!"

Bill respected the man's enthusiasm, but did not match it. He was far more reserved, less expressive, and generally a composed individual. Poe was still green around the gills, young and not too distant from his academy years. Bill, on the other hand, was far enough removed that retirement was on the horizon. "Indeed, the Arcadia awaits us, Poe."

He gave a little squeal. "I can't wait. I'm so excited. I've wanted on this ship since it was commissioned."

"Why This one?" asked Abernathy. "A constitution class I understand, but why the Arcadia and not the Constitution or Enterprise?"

He flushed red slightly. "Um... you are going to think this is crazy but when I saw her...she felt like destiny, like home. Those other ships they are the same class but none of them feel...epic."

Abernathy was not looking for an 'epic journey' when he was assigned to the USS Arcadia to replace Commander Kelly Kerrigan. He knew his expertise and experience were highly sought for the ongoing Gorn conflict, but if the last few years of his career went along peacefully uneventful, he would not protest. "Interesting."

He shrugged. "Probably sounds stupid."

Before Abernathy could respond the shuttle door opened and a tall man with molten silver eyes walked in. Poe's mouth dropped open and he grabbed Abernathy's arm. "WOW," he whispered.

"Indeed it is" Abernathy replied.

Sabastian walked in and glanced slightly at the man in blue and then his eyes fixed on Abernathy. "Captain Abernathy, I presume."

Behind him a slight pretty woman, a yeoman walked in smiled. "Hello Travelers welcome to Starbase 1!" She paused then went on. "I'm Yeoman Casey and this is Lieutenant Commander Walker the Arcadia XO."

Something in Poe kicked in. His usual default when nervous and meeting new people. Like with the Captain, his hug setting was activated. "Commander Walker! Hello!"

Sabastian's eyes widened he stepped back just as Poe's outstretched arms came towards him. Yeoman Casey saw it too and she stepped in front of the XO and grabbed Poe in a hug intercepting him.

"Lieutenant Poe! So good to meet you." She pulled back and grabbed his hand. "Come on then. There is a lot of work in Science and stuff that needs to be done. Excuse use gentlemen." She pulled the science officer along and out of the shuttle.

Sabastian let out a sign of relief. "She has earned a promotion and raise." He turned back to the CO. "You didn't toss him out of an airlock. I am impressed."

"I try to not airlock eager young officers, the paperwork is a nightmare" commented Abernathy. "Walker, my condolences" said Captain Abernathy. He did not specify to what he was referring to out of respect for the man's privacy. "I appreciate you keeping everything running while Commander Kerrigan decided to take reassignment."

Sabastian congratulated himself on not flinching at the condolences. He sighed. "Thank you sir. I promise my ...." He hesitated before continuing, "loss will not interfere with my work."

"You came back to Arcadia, Commander Kerrigan was reassigned, and you have been here ensuring the upgrades are going smoothly as Acting Captain. Walker, you are due for some time off. You have barely sought any personal time, leave or otherwise."

"With all due respect, Captain. I do not need it. All I have left is my job and I will do it to the best of my ability. I was trained by Starfleet to do my job and that is all my life is now Sir...." he paused. "Well that and avoiding overly enthusiastic crew."

Abernathy wanted to explain his viewpoint, that he had been in Sabastian's boots before. "You are dedicated to the uniform, Commander. What can you tell me about our upgrades?"

He gave a nod. "There are several upgrades that have yet to go online. Engineering wise the engine power has been boosted for thruster engagement. We can get them online and active faster and go faster. Also warp has been stabilized a little. Helm ops have new features that allow us to run several scenarios at once during any dicey situations. Also tactical power has been updated. Stronger torpedo's, more phaser bank powers and we've even gotten defense shuttles." He paused. "We've got an upgrade to our rec decks and were able to upgrade several senior officer quarters with a few personal touches to make things better for them."

Sab's lip twitched. "We also got you a new chair with a site to site transporter in case of emergency."

"Excellent, and any concerns on your part?" Asked Abernathy.

"I do have a few with respect to the new tactical array. I think speaking at the Engineering Chief the integration process is...less then optimal and has flaws that could hurt us in the long run. I would recommend keeping it off line until my staff and I can ensure it won't backfire. The station is pushing to have it online in three days but I would recommend against it. They wish you to make the final call."

"I would prefer my first trip out as Captain of the Arcadia doesn't require a single shot fired," replied Abernathy. "Proceed with your recommendations, Commander."

"Aye Sir." He picked up the CO's back that had been offloaded. "I will walk you to your quarters unless you wish to stay on the station for a few days?"

"I hate stations, Commander. They don't move" he added with a grimace. "We're explorers, are we not?"

"Indeed. Allow me to walk you to your quarters then."

OFF:

 

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