Battle Scars

Posted on Mon Mar 16th, 2026 @ 2:55am by Captain William Abernathy & Lieutenant Commander Elyse White & Lieutenant K’Var

1,077 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Forgotten Wounds

As the USS Arcadia dropped out of warp, a switch to impulse engines. They hummed as the Federation starship steadied itself at the coordinates the Klingons had transmitted. Before them was a silhouette rested against a pale nebular haze, a Klingon D7 battlecruiser in waiting. The hull brandishing several disruptor arrays, posturing unmistakably as a redator at rest.

Captain Abernathy knew the coordinates were correct from the center seat. He could order them to yellow alert, but they were told to meet the Klingons here. "I was expecting... a less armed welcoming party." He turned slightly in his Captain's chair with a swivel, turning to Communications. "These coordinates were correct?"

"They are definitely correct, sir," Elyse replied before adding, "I hate to say it, but just like we are cautious of them, they may be of us too. A battleship is hardly out of the question. From my training with Intel as well, you often find that there are more tactically minded and intel people in ships like that than anywhere else too. If the information is that important, would you not want to protect it too?"

Abernathy nodded. "That is a valid point, Commander. We're here with a Constitution class, not exactly unequipped to handle them." He turned, "Lieutenant K'Var," keep up at green conditions, but be ready. "Tactical assessment?"

K’Var gave a nod from the tactical station “this could quickly turn into a very tense situation. I do think we should be able to hold our own if need be, sir.”

Abernathy turned to face forward once again. "Lieutenant Leighton, plot a defensive course. I want an avenue for retreating in case this goes south."

As if on cue, stations began to come alive, notifying the Arcadia crew that the Klingon battlecruiser recognized they had arrived. The silent standoff was ending. The Klingons were acknowledging them, not with disruptors but communications.

"Sir, we have an incoming message," Elyse called out.

"Main viewscreen" Abernathy directed.

The bridge of the D7’s command deck resolved into view. It was dark. Lighting was low. At the center stood a broad shouldered Klingon commander, one side of his face a lattice of scar tissue and a deep void where an eye should have been.

Recognition came almost immediately. It cut like a sharp blade.

The Klingon’s lip curled. “William Abernathy.”

Abernathy did not flinch. “Commander.”

The scarred warrior leaned forward slightly. “You still draw breath, qu’bogh.”

“And you still stand,” Abernathy replied evenly. He quickly terminated the channel from his Captain's chair, and stood abruptly. "White, transmit message to the Klingons. Technical difficulties... stand by."

Elyse raised a brow. That wasn't technical difficulties. Nonetheless, she nodded acceptance and relayed the message, "do you want me to get them back, or just give them static for a minute?"

"Statatic" quipped Bill. He began to pace a bit, thinking. Muttering something to himself. Lieutenant Commander White was Chief Communications Officer and for the tome being, Bill's Acting First Officer. Static was not a solution to the problem. It was a stall tactic at best.

Elyse nodded, feeding static over the Comms. She lowered her voice asked, "are you going to keep me in the dark? What's going on?"

Abernathy looked at White. "I gave that Klingon those scars. Before the War, the battle of Donatu V. Several Federation starships defending a Donatu V from orbital bombardment, I commanded the Onondaga then. We were first to respond to the distress signal."

"I took his eye, and sent him and any Klingons still standing back to the hell they came from. Of course they would send him. Of all Klingons they could send, its the one that has a personal vendetta."

“We are here for you sir” K’Var was trying to give her superior a vote of confidence.

Elyse shook her head, a somewhat amused look on her face, "perhaps it's time for a drink with a Klingon-- forgiveness and moving on and so on."

Bill Abernathy planted himself back in his Captain's chair. "White, re-establish a connection with the Klingons. K'Var, be prepared in case this goes south."

The Caitian tactical office had her hands ready to bring up shields and weapons “aye.”

Elyse stalled for a moment to allow Abernathy to compose himself before stuttering the Comms back into place so that it looked like they weren't lying.

Abernathy composed himself, steadied his breathing, and took a resolute posture in his Captain's chair. "Those days between our two people have past. We're not the warhorses we once were. We're explorers now... diplomats. Honorable warriors."

“Today,” the Klingon growled, “we fight together, not each other.”

“For the children aboard that transport,” Abernathy said, meeting his one good eye. “We are allies. What can the Klingons tell us about the situation with our transport?"

“Stand by for data, Human" the Klingon bore teeth. “Your transport entered the site of a great battle, but the battle field is plagued with mines.”

Abernathy leaned forward slightly. "From the war? We don't have any record of a fight happening in that sector. Commander, give us some time to review what you've transmitted to us. Match our speed and course for the time being. Arcadia out."

Abernathy looked to Elyse White to close the channel.

Elyse nodded, cutting the Comms. Something didn't feel right, but she trusted the captain, she had to.

If White didn't feel right, Abernathy felt completely disturbed. He stood from the Captain's chair and looked at White. "Strange bedfellows," he prefaced. "White, K'Var, thoughts? Concerns?"

"Perhaps a mere unease that we are doing business with the Klingons," White replied honestly, "but something just-- something doesn't seem too right."

"Agreed," replied Abernathy. A sound of the Comms console notifying them the Klingons had sent over the information had caused Bill to make his next move. "White, send that to the briefing room. I will review it there. I want a select meeting in fifty minute. Lieutenant K'Var, youll accompany me. White, I want you there as well. Please request Walker, McDonald, Hunt, and the Counselor."

"Yes, Sir," Elyse acknowledged before sending a message out to the relevant people and places. Once done, she locked the Comms and wandered down to the briefing room.

“Aye, Captain” Lieutenant K’Var acknowledged and stood ready to accompany the Captain.

"Lieutenant Leighton, youll have the bridge again. Continue to match course with the Klingons. Any sign of trouble or deviation in course, notify me."

 

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