Ilene Torza

((Bridge)) ::Ashley was not happy about the way the meeting had gone, but not for what they were doing. The ship needed repairs, that was a given, and the cloak would surely help if they were right about where they were, but it was the fact the only two asked to give their estimation of where the ship had ended up were of the same opinion right from the start. It didn't seem fair that any opposing viewpoints were even considered, especially Hugh's, who had said they were back in the Alpha quadrant, 600,000 km’s from DS9. Of course, she was on his side, he was her husband for the gods' sake, and the fact his word was totally discounted got the fiery little redhead's dander up to the point she got up and walked out of the meeting as soon as it was over without saying anything to anyone.:: ::Red faced, she tapped her commbadge:: Boles-Barnes: ::barking:: =/\= Commander Boles-Barnes to Crewman Kumiko Yokoi.. come to the Bridge immediately! =/\= Yokoi: ::surprised by her tone:: =/\= Alright, on my way. Yokoi out.=/\= ::Seething, Ashley continued to check on all the security teams to see that they were in place, trying to calm down.:: Boles-Barnes: oO It's not fair. Hugh works his tail off for the ship and THIS is the thanks he gets for it? He deserves more consideration than that. Oo Then it hit her... the real reason she was upset. She didn't want to be in the Delta Quadrant or in the vicinity of the Borg. Had it been just her and Hugh to worry about, she could cope, but there was the child she was carrying to consider, and she was scared for it.:: ::Tears welled in her eyes, her emotions getting the best of her..:: Boles-Barnes: oO How can I protect the baby when I'm not sure I can protect myself. He will be lost forever in some hellish Collective. No, not my child, not Hugh's son, NOT our baby. Oh please, get us out of here. I DON'T WANT to be here. Oo ::Breaking down into full blown tears, she ran to Hugh and wrapped her arms around him, unmindful of anyone else on the Bridge.:: Boles-Barnes: ::crying inconsolably into his chest:: Take us home, Hugh! Just take us home! TBC PNPC LtCmdr Ashley Boles-Barnes Chief of Security USS Challenger SIMed by LtCmdr Toni Turner XO-COO USS Challenger

I just wanted to suggest that you read the submission rules regarding what needs to go in the title and subtitle bars when you submit.

I just want to give credit where its due. "A Look at History" was a joint post between Karynn Ehlanii and Ethan Brice. I believe its correct on the original entry but missing an author in the voting.

Hey Par... if you have any questions about being a counselor (or any other concerns) feel free to PM me, IM me, or head on over to the counseling Duty Post areas. I've been serving as a counselor on the USS Ronin since October, and I love it! I'm excited to see another one joining the fleet. Welcome!

I just wanted to add in the tags that somehow got left blank... -------------------------------------------------------------------- ::Just then, a chirping sound rung from Jack's chest.:: Reed: =/\= Reed to Kolk =/\= ::Jack glanced at Jarod with a twinkle in his eye, to which Jarod just rolled his own.:: Jack: =/\= Kolk here. Where are you, Sarah? =/\= :: Sarah smiled to herself.:: Reed: =/\= Seattle, would you believe. I'm in the Aerospace Station. =/\= Jack: =/\= Already? I thought you were supposed to give me a shout before you beamed to my side of the planet. =/\= Reed: =/\= Supposed to is very different from wanting to. ::she grinned:: Of course, I could leave and come back later if you like… =/\= ::He laughed.:: Jack: =/\= No, no. Don't go anywhere. I'm on my way. =/\= Reed: =/\= I'll be here. Reed out. =/\= ::The line closed, and Jack smiled widely at Jarod.::

I agree that SIMs should be rated/voted for primarily on Merit - and that good SIMs from other ships are probably being missed/ignored. I've never voted down a SIM simply because it wasn't from my ship - nor has anyone I talk to on a regular basis. Although my rating may be affected by who submitted a SIM (as in self-nomination), its always been consistent and my final vote has never disqualified a SIM simply because of who wrote or submitted it. AND in the spirit of trying to catch those good SIMs that go unrecognized, I've been reading at least one other ship consistently and nominating SIMs from that ship that I believe showcase good writing. However, like Salak, I refuse to nominate my own SIMs, even if I think they're stellar SIMs and probably belong in the contest. Often this has resulted in what I believe are good SIMs going relatively unnoticed. However, I think this is a small price to pay since sometimes a SIM I think is good really is [...] (and vice versa). My hope for this contest would be that everyone would be more concerned about nominating SIMs from others than they are about nominating their own and that this contest would be a way to get more people from every ship involved in the forums.

The rules state you can enter your own SIMs but some people frown on doing so.

((Myers' Quarters)) :: Materializing in Myers' room, Hella struggled with the inebriated Marine to get him to sit down on his bunk so she could take off his new boots. How many times before had she had to play nursemaid to one of the Shadows to keep them from getting in trouble with deMarc... Countless. And although Myers was not one of her men anymore, she had a fondness for him that she couldn't deny, although she had denied it plenty of times to him and to others.:: Hella: Nice boots, Myers. :: Drystan yawned, rather loudly and watched what she was doing with a casual, questioning lifted eyebrow. Why was she taking his boots off and how had they got in their so quickly?:: Myers: Hey... Hey.... They're my new boots! You... you can't be nickin' 'em already! Hella: ::laughing a little:: Don't be silly. You can't sleep with your boots on. You don't want to scuff the shiny new toes, do you? oO He's drunk so that will make perfect sense to him. Oo Come on now, behave. You'll thank me for this in the morning. :: Straddling the calf of his leg, she turned her back to him and tugged at the heel of his boot, but it wouldn't budge.:: Hella: ::glancing over her shoulder at him:: You could help, you know? I'll hold on tight to your heel and you push my back side with your other foot. ::He followed instructions, but Hella ended up prone on the other side of the room, she looked up at him. Brushing back the hair that had fallen over her face, she gave him a dirty look.:: Hella: Dammit Drystan, I said PUSH not SHOVE! ::Getting up off the floor, she returned to him, realizing he had passed out. She sighed, then took on the task of making him more comfortable. Successfully managing to remove his boots and socks, then his pants and shirt, she maneuvered him to the center of the bed, and covered the skivvy clad Marine to the waist. Taking a moment to catch her breath she sat down on the bed next to him.:: ::Gazing at his handsome face, she thought of how peaceful he looked. She loved the man, but it seemed her past actions toward him had been so distasteful, he couldn't reciprocate those feelings. Laying her hand on his bare chest, it move to the rhythm of the steady motion of his breaths.:: ::Quietly, tears misting her eyes, she spoke to him while he slept.:: Hella: I wish I could make you forgive me, but I can't, but then, you can't stop me from loving you either. TBC JP by.... PNPC 1st Lt. Drystan Myers Demolitions Expert SMFC Detachment USS Challenger Played by Major Heath West and PNPC 1st Lt. Hella Shadow's Platoon Leader SMFC USS Challenger Played by LtCmdr Toni Turner

That was my thought. At least last time they told us why... My other thought was that perhaps he just forgot to put a Runner Up?

Congratulations Jhen Is there a runner-up for this round? (just out of curiosity)

No.... its always been until 5/11 which is next Sunday.

This is a beautiful Joint Post by Toni Turner and Andrus Jaxx (PNPC Tripinski) with a line filled in by Danzia. Unfortunately there are typos, so I cannot give it 5-stars. Otherwise, it is a beautifully written tribute to their fallen comrade. Well done, both of you!

((Observation Deck, DS24)) ::It was early in the evening, the room had filled with officers, all in their dress whites. The entire Starfleet Staff of DS24 was in attendence. Many of the shop keepers and station residents turned out as well. Trip sat quietly in the Admirals office. He looked through some holo-images of the two of them together on Shinraka, Earth, and on the Challenger. Trip looked down at the floor and sighed. His eyes filled with tears, as the first one streamed down his face he wiped it, then looked up.:: Trip: God speed, Admiral. ::Trip walked out of the office and headed to the Observation Deck. It was one of the Admirals favorite places on the station, there was a beautiful view of the planet, space, and the ships. As he walked in he seen the many faces, frowns, and tears. As the room got quiet he moved to the podium.:: Trip: Good Evening... I'd like to thank you all for coming to this memorial service. The following is the Starfleet approved eulogy that is recommended in cases like this... "We are here to honor the moemory of name-goes-here. Rank, Surname was a fine officer, a credit to Starfleet, and sterling representative of the blank race. Space exploration is a dangerous task. Rank, Surname knew this, and yet he, she, or it, did not let that deter him, her, or it. We can be thankful that we had the privilege of working with Rank, Surname, and will forever honor the name of our fallen comrade." ::Trip sighed:: I cannot tell you the number of times I have heard or delivered that eulogy. Filling in the proper blanks, embellishing slightly where I could. And I have congratulated myself after each one...telling myself that I did honor to the name of the dearly departed. Death has blended into death. We have lost more good men and wonem than I can count. Their faces blur before us, and I have come to realize that we cannot honor their names when we cannot remember them...that we cannot honor the words of our nice, safe eulogy...when they are merely words. How many have we lost? How many have we cared about? While we are busy exploring the unknown wonders of space, we must not lose touch with exploring the wonders of each other. We must always make time for one another, because we dont know how long we'll all be around. I will always regret haveing taken for granted someone who sacrificed himself without a second thought. Because even the death of one of us, diminishes us all. Admiral Henry "Jazian" Anderson loved the Federation. He left his life...his world to protect it. He had a great career, one he placed before himself at every turn. He was always there to offer what support he could. And now we must offer that same support to each other. Look to the man or woman next to you...we have all taken the same oath. All of us are willing to give up our lives for the greater good...I would like to think that Admiral Anderson would laugh ::smiles:: Saying..."I beat you to it." There are many here who knew the Admiral...and a few who didnt. If you are one who did not, you truly do not know what you have missed. He was a great man...please join me in a moment of silence. ::Trip bowed his head and waited a few moments. He then looked up and sighed.:: I will now turn things over to Lieutenant Commander Toni Turner, Cheif Operations Officer, and Second Officer of the USS Challenger.... ::Trip walked away from the podium and gave Toni a slight smile as they passed.:: Turner: I come here today to honor the memory of Admiral Henry Anderson as representative of the Staff and Crew of the USS Challenger and as an admirer of his selflessness and sensitivity to the needs of others. He was a man of great insight, and a man of good deeds. In that vain, I give you the words of a 20th Century Earth poet, Merrit Malloy. I believe in my heart that the Admiral would say the same to you all. When I die Give what's left of me away To children And old men that wait to die And if you need to cry Cry for your brother Walking the street beside you And when you need me Put your arms around anyone and give them What you need to give me. I want to leave you something Something better Than words or sounds Look for me In the people I've known or loved And if you can't give me away At least let me live on in your eyes And not on your mind ::As Toni left the podium, Trip went back up.:: Trip: Lieutenant Commander Danzia, Cheif Medical Officer, USS Challenger.... Danzia: :: softly :: You were the wind on my sea, Jazian. :: a little more loudly :: All of us here have chosen to leave our worlds and walk amongst the stars. It can be a lonely path, but even so, many of us find a person with whom we can share the deepest parts of ourselves. I don't stand here as a StarFleet officer. I stand here as Jazian's mate. We love often, and we love rarely...something few not of our kind understand. I carry within me a part of his soul and a part of his life...and he has taken a part of me with him. We both knew that was likely to happen...just not like this. He did his duty, no matter how hard it was. I must do mine, but I -will- miss him, even as I have to carry on. I know, though, that he will return to love and laugh again, even if our two souls never again touch. Good journey, Jazian. ::As Danzia finished, Trip made his way back to the podium.:: Trip: Honor Guard...Ten-Hut. ::The Honor Guard folded the Federation Flag and handed it to Trip.:: ::Trip stepped down from the podium and walked over to Danzia, he handed it to her, as he whispered.:: Trip: ::whispering:: If you ever need anything...I am here. ::Trip stepped back and gave Danzia a smile then walked out of the Observation Deck.:: Lt. Commander Toni Turner, COO & PNPC Lt. Bobby Tripinski, DS24 As SIMed by: Andrus Jaxx

What? ::shakes head:: no... just basic neurological disease. Stroke, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, etc. Details and that sort of junk. Nothing like that...

Well, I had a couple ideas kicking around in my head but neither materialized into a story - especially since I'm studying to retake a test that has kicked my rear TWICE this year. ::shudders:: Ick. Does anyone understand Neuro by any chance? Good thing I don't want to go into neurology. Anyway, Good luck to all of you. Since I'm not entering, I'll try to read your stories soon-ish. I'll be back for the next round... I hope...

We (at the Ronin) are trying! Unfortunately SIMming has been somewhat slow the last couple of days too...

I'm just checking... I have a week and a day to post to the contest, right?

I echo what Jack said and add something else I really liked: I like the way you juxtaposed the buildup of the ship's problems with the child in the orphanage. The mix was probably my favorite part of the whole piece. Nice job, Ethan!

This is a good SIM. In it we get to see a bit of Clack's internal thoughts. I'm intrigued enough to want to find out what is medically wrong with him. There are a few tense-issues in the first paragraph that make it hard to get into but the rest is a nice, solid SIM. I like how you point out that a task as simple as tapping a com-badge can be difficult for Clack in his condition. Nice job.

Overall a solid post. I like the way you two tackle the philosophical discussion of war and peace. There were some typos, so it's not quite a 5-star SIM, but it was certainly well-done. Nice job of balancing dialogue, thoughts, and feelings.

This is a pretty good SIM. I really like the way we get to see inside Ensign Illium's head, especially when he's presented with a problem. I've been racking my brain to figure out why I don't absolutely love it and I think the answer is formatting. The extra wide gaps and spaces can be really distracting and take a little bit away from the overall SIM. To fix this, its often helpful to check the spacing both while you're working on your post and when you transfer it to email or to the Yahoo form, to make sure its not getting all wacky. However, I thought your reaction to a challenging situation was a very good one. Nice Job, Ensign Illium. Its a post to be proud of.

Just as a general request for those of you rating SIMs (myself included) - could you take a few moments to provide some feedback at the bottom of the SIMs. As an entrant, I'd kind of like to know what you liked and what you didn't, and why you rated it the way you did. Just remember to use the comment method specified in the contest rules Thanks!

I agree. I think you'll be seeing a lot more from all 3 ships (Ursa Major, Ronin, and Indy-A) once the joint mission is done.

::little dance:: YAY!

Toni - I'd love to see the Challenger's quality SIMs. I honestly believe that you guys have a lot of really great SIMs. Both Jack and Jay simply said that they'd prefer it if SIMs were submitted by someone other than the author being judged in the contest as a way of "pretesting" the quality of the SIM. Neither of them said that your SIMs weren't welcome. My only comment on any of your SIMs so far was that the one SIM in Round 1 was good, but in my opinion not the best (ie not THE Top SIM). As for this SIM, I haven't had time to fully mull it over to come up with any comments (although I'm not entirely sure that any comments I make would be welcome, regardless of their nature), but an overall rating of 4 is nothing to sniff at. Nor is it in any way saying that this SIM is not a quality SIM.