Let's Clear The Air

Posted on Mon Apr 27th, 2026 @ 6:32pm by Lieutenant JG Aiden Poe & Captain William Abernathy

1,024 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Forgotten Wounds
Location: Briefing Room
Timeline: Current

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They were going to get Sabastian back. That was all that mattered. Poe kept focus on that as the room filed its way out. Abernathy had asked him to stay behind. He got a glare from Eli telling him to behave. He knew enough to do so, but that still didn't make him less mad at the Captain.

Bill had requested Poe to stay behind for several reasons, namely because it did not take a Betazoid to read between the pulses of emotion. "Poe, I cannot begin to put into words the emotions that I understand you are going through right now. As your Captain, I have to make sure you are still fit to carry out your duties. You probably aren't. Counselor Alexander would likely recommend that I relieve you so that you may process everything. It's been a rollercoaster."

Before Poe could protest, Bill spoke up. "I'm not. I won't. Your belief that something was wrong, and your resistance to accepting that Walker was gone, is the only reason we can mount this rescue mission rather than return to port with these civilians and a bittersweet sensation. So, I am going to ignore my better judgment and keep you on active duty; however, we do need to address the elephant in the room. You have a right to be pissed at me."

Relief at the Captain's words about not taking him off duty washed over him only to turn into confusion at the elephant remark. He hadn't heard that phrase before so he took it literally looking around for the elephant. "Um...okay...but I don't see an elephant sir." He looked again. He walked over to a chair and sat down. "As for the angry part...I....I...I am." He stuttered. "Eli tells me I shouldn't be cause Earth people don't believe in feelings and dreams like Effrosians and my people and others. I...I...tried to no be upset I...will try harder but you should have listened. I could have gone then you would not have to come back for me. I'm not important like he is."

"No," replied Abernathy. "Humans in particular do not usually invest as much belief in dreams, feelings, and premonitions" added Bill. "What you don't understand, Lieutenant, is that we would be returning for anyone. You are no less important to this crew or to Starfleet."

He shook his head. "No. It's okay. I'm just what's the phrase, small cut potatoes? I think that's the phrase. I...I'm used to people not listening to me. I'm sorry I'm mad...I'm not sure why I'm so angry."

"Lieutenant, I would be angry too if I believed something bad and preventable was going to happen to my life, and nobody was believing it. Then, add that the Klingons lied to us?"

"I guess that makes sense." He paused. "Why would they take him? Will they hurt him?"

Bill Abernathy grabbed a mug of mulled cider he had resting on an end table. He walked towards an observation area. Blackness greeted him. "Klingons are difficult to assess. They are aggressive, blunt, not as calculating as other adversaries that the Federation has encountered, but they are motivated by power and control. They feel compelled to expand their territory to grow their empire. Will they hurt him? Probably."

The Captain turned around. "They will want to inflict pain, Poe. They will push him to the point of breaking, but they took him alive. They captured him. That tells me that they will not kill him. What they will do would be use him. Even if we did not uncover this abduction, they would reveal they have him eventually for some gain. He's intended to be a hostage, a bargaining chip."

Poe's eyes filled with tears. He shook his head. "You promise we'll get him back?"

"Poe, I promise that I will try," replied Abernathy. "I can't guarantee anything other than I stand by this crew and our efforts will be relentless."

Poe gave a nod. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course you can, Poe." Abernathy waited to see what he wanted to ask.

"Can I help in getting him back? Well...two questions. Secondly...I...have these dreams sometimes. I have been wrong once before but only once. Am I not allowed to tell you anymore and if I do will you listen?"

Abernathy nodded. "We will need to assess the situation when we do track down the Klingons. If there is a way to utilize you in recovering him, yes. As for your dreams? I want to hear them. I may not be able to fully place my faith in them, but I will listen."

He gave a nod. "Okay." There was a pause and he genuinely felt bad. "I'm sorry I'm mad." He said. In his life he was so used to apologizing for his feelings, thoughts. It came naturally. He was the kind of person to take offense not give it.

"Well, I recognize that I am a stubborn old man that struggles to accept feelings and things that aren't as tangible as I want them to be, but that should not prevent me from trusting what you believe is true."

He smiled. "Okay." He stood up and walked over to Abernathy. "Thanks Captain." He leaned down hugging the older man.

Bill had known Poe long enough to anticipate the embrace, but he still refused to yield to it. Poe hugged him, Captain Abernathy just placed his hand awkwardly on the young man's back. "Boundaries, Lieutenant Poe. Boundaries. Lieutenant Richard Friendly from Human Resources isn't too fond of overt expression of affection."

"Well maybe he needs more hugs," Poe said drawing back.

"Or maybe he received too many," replied Bill. "Either way..." Bill took a step back, still holding onto his mug. "Let's get back to finding where that Klingon vessel was heading, and ideally cut it off before it reaches its destination."

"Okay! And for the record there is NO such thing as too many hugs."

Bill just took a sip of his cider. Oh there is he thought.

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