Two For The Price Of One

Posted on Sat Sep 19th, 2026 @ 5:03pm by Lieutenant Sornax & Captain William Abernathy & Lieutenant Commander Sabastian Walker

1,801 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Echoes in the Triangle
Location: Deck Four, Captain’s Office

Having settled into his quarters and taken a nice shower after his journey by shuttlecraft to the Arcadia, Sornax was in a fresh uniform and ready to report in. It was nearing the end of Alpha shift, and the young Denobulan scientist made his way to the Bridge, only to be told upon arrival that the Captain was hosting office hours currently. “Just my luck,” he thought to himself before offering a nod of thanks to the crewman who had informed him and made his way back to the turbolift and then back to deck four. Along the way, he quietly went through what he had read up on the ship's command team and also its most recent encounter with a Klingon battleship that had apparently betrayed the Arcadia during a joint rescue mission.

“Just like the Klingons to be so treacherous,” he muttered, recalling his own most recent encounter with them. For a brief moment, he was glad he had not been aboard the Arcadia yet during the mission, less recent experiences possibly clouding his own actions and reactions during it. Perhaps he really did need to talk with a counselor after all. And with that thought finished, the turbolift came to a halt and opened, revealing the deck he had started off on. Stepping out and onto deck four, he went in the opposite direction of where his own quarters were located and made his way to where the Captain's quarters were. On the Constitution-class starship, the Captain's Office was adjoined next to his own quarters, convenient.

Upon reaching the office, Sornax took note of the small comm panel next to the door, the door currently set to require admittance from its occupant before opening. Stepping forward, he pressed the chime button and waited.

Sabastian, who'd just woken a few days prior and was still on temporary desk duty, sat with Abernathy, trying to convince him to let him back full time. Was he ready? Physically, no, but he was so tired of having things taken away. He needed to be out and about, back to his duties. Just as he was about to launch into it, the door chimed. He let the Captain call at the entrance and turned slightly at the new face that entered. It appears that Del has another Denobulan to play with.

Captain Abernathy glanced toward the door as the chime interrupted Sebastian Walker’s latest argument.

“Come in," Bill said in a strong tone. He was not angry nor agitated, just slightly deprived lately.

The doors parted, revealing a young Denobulan in a fresh uniform. Abernathy recognized him immediately from the personnel transfer notice that had crossed his desk earlier that week.

“Lieutenant Sornax,” he said, offering a welcoming nod. “I assume you’ve come to report aboard. I hope you've found your quarters hospitable."

His attention briefly shifted toward Sabastian. The First Officer had been making a compelling case for returning to full duty, though Abernathy remained unconvinced that wanting to return and being ready were necessarily the same thing, but he sympathized with Walker. Sabastian had a certain drive.

“Commander Walker and I were just discussing his return to active duty,” Abernathy added, with the faintest hint of amusement. “He seems determined to convince me that Starfleet regulations concerning recuperation are merely guidelines and formalities,” scoffed Bill.

Abernathy looked at Sabastian before he returned his attention to Sornax.

“Come in, Lieutenant, and welcome to Arcadia.”

He gestured toward the chair opposite his desk.

“I understand you’ve been assigned to our science department. You’ve arrived at an interesting time, to put it mildly. We're short in the department, and it has been without an actual Chief Science Officer since before my arrival as Captain.”

Sornax stood quietly at the entrance at first, listening as the Captain spoke. He had not invited him in yet, and judging by the conversation the Captain was having with the First Officer told him he may have arrived at an awkward time. In fact, it was quite the interesting timing; it seemed as though the two appeared to be discussing a matter not at all dissimilar to what he had just gone through. Before he could ask if he should come back later, Abernathy invited him in.

Taking the chair opposite Commander Walker, the Denobulan handed over the PADD he was carrying that contained his transfer orders and personal file to the Captain and then sat down. “Thank you Sir, sir. It’s a pleasure to be aboard such a wonderful ship. I must admit, part of the draw to the Arcadia was the very fact that such a ship was without a Senior Science Officer. I was quite surprised, to be honest.”

Looking over to Walker, he offered a nod to the officer. “Commander, can I ask why you’re off duty? Does it have to do with the conflict you all just had with the Klingons? I don’t mean to pry, but I just spent six months in rehab due to a Klingon attack myself. I find it ironic if that is the case for you.”

"They questioned me rather vigorously and did not like my answers. I came out of a coma just two days ago." He looked at the captain. "And I'm fine. I'm walking, eating, and ready to take back my position." He didn't add that one was wrongly taken. He really did have to figure out how to let that go.

"The Klingons made a real muck of things," stated Abernathy. "Though this latest situation seems to have been isolated and done by a small faction, I have to question how deep the rot goes within the Empire. Taking Commander Walker was one matter, but our Security Chief was also injured in the rescue operation."

Bill shook his head. "That too will take time. Our Chief Medical Officer is departing for retirement. The vacancy is Science was not ideal. Our Previous Chief Science Officer was an academic. He departed when I arrived. I believe he found life aboard a starship to be a little too exciting."

“Sounds like the Klingons, alright. In my case, they simply were acting paranoid and thought the ship I was on was involved in espionage. I’m not sure if it’s rot, Captain, or if we’re dealing with an extremist sect of houses operating independently of the High Council. Then again, perhaps that is what you mean by rot.” The Lieutenant added, as he processed the fact that the Security Chief was also injured in the encounter. This ship seemed to be having a rough go of it, more so than he had been aware of.

Walker listened. "Um...before you take your post, there is something you should be informed about." He knew that Denobulans were usually open-minded, but...he wasn't sure with this one.

Sornax raised his brows at the comment from the Commander, curious what had given him pause. “Lay it on me, as the humans say. I’m all ears, Commander.”

"Poe... the department Alien Archaeologist/Anthropologist has been doing your duties, and he'll have a report for you. Great officer, but um...he is a hugger. He will hug you. Please don't judge him."

"Yes," Abernathy said in agreement. "Poe is unusual and rather touchy. I know Denobulans tend to be more receptive than, say, a Vulcan, but if there are issues, we can address them with Human Resources."

Sabastian waved his hand. "He is harmless, just a...loving soul." There was a pause. "I envy his ability to love the world and not fear or distrust it. We could all learn from him."

“Ah, the Junior Lieutenant from Xenex. I’ve tried my best to familiarize myself with the senior staff and my team as well. I’ll admit the most I know right now is that many who are in the Federation are refugees, I believe. Correct me if I’m wrong, however.” Sornax responded as he processed the unique detail about his team member.

“As for his propensity to be close to others, I doubt it will bother me, but I will make it clear that he needs to ask first, given the professionalism expected from officers. Not every person or culture welcomes close contact, especially in work environments. Mostly it’s something unique to my species as you’ve implied. And as for Human Resources, I assume that’s your role, Commander?”

"At the moment I'm a Chief Engineer...once I get my XO role back, then yes." He smiled.

“Well, Commander, if there is anything I can do to assist you, please let me know. I have been in your shoes.”

Walker gave a nod.

"Commander Walker," Bill said, looking at the man. "My Second Officer is recovering from a Klingon blade nearly piercing her heart. Had it not been for it happening during transport back to the ship, I may be looking for a replacement Security Chief. The fact of the matter is, I cannot put Lieutenant Commander White in the position of Acting First Officer for much longer. Communications is her thing."

Captain Bill Abernathy took a deep breath. "You are reinstated to active duty as First Officer of the USS Arcadia effective immediately," he clarified. "Lieutenant Sornax, welcome aboard. I wish it were under better circumstances, but I appreciate that you have hit the ground running."

Walker seemed to exhale all his stress. "Thank you, sir."

Sornax listened quietly as more details of the encounter were explained to him. Hell, the Senior Staff has taken a beating in that encounter. He has a gut feeling that his workload was going to be a bit heavier than normal for the time being. That thought passed, however, once the Captain spoke up and reinstated the Commander to full duties. He gave a polite nod to Walker and then focused his attention on Abernathy.

“Thank you, sir. I’ll get checked in with medical and then get right to work, meeting with my staff and take an assessment of the Science Division. With your leave, sir.”

Captain Abernathy gave a nod. "Of course, Lieutenant. Check in with medical and take your time to get acquainted with your staff."

"Aye, Captain, will do," Sornax replied before standing up and offering his hand to him, and then afterwards to Commander Walker. Once the exchanges were made, the Denobulan made for the door with a smile on his face. He may have arrived at an interesting moment aboard the Arcadia, but one thing was for sure: he arrived in order to take over his own department, and the future had never looked brighter.

OFF:

Lieutenant Sornax
Chief Science Officer

&

Lieutenant Commander Sabastian Walker
Executive Officer, Chief Engineer

&

Captain William Abernathy
Commanding Officer

 

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