Rahman and Rivi Vataix

A little nod to continuity with the music...

I feel like T'Lea and Raissa could have their own Law and Order spinoff... Oh dear, I think I just gave Mandy an idea for her next video.

Narala leads post-debate polls as election draws near By Reza Kardgar Stardate 239212.11 PARIS, EARTH — As citizens across the Federation prepare to head to the polls next week, Nimbus III Chief Administrator Narala tops the latest polls following the FNS presidential debate. “After skipping the Berengaria Caucus, Narala needed to hit it out of the ballpark, and boy did she do it,” said Professor Emil Arbelaez, chairman of political science at Pike City University on Cestus III. “It seems this election cycle, voters are looking towards greater representation from all corners of the Federation, and Narala’s message of inclusiveness for all members, not just the core worlds, really struck a chord with the audience.” Indeed, as of stardate 239212.11, Narala leads the FNS poll with 35% of the vote. Right behind her is Councilor Kevin Steiner of Terra Nova with 30%, and tied for third place are Ambassador Lily Ventu and Trill Chief of Staff Anari Kthria at 15% each. Coming in last is Axanar Governor Adellia Vor, with 5% of the vote. “The Vor Campaign is in crisis mode right now,” said political adviser Matthew Broteivach. “Despite all of her accomplishments in her own system, she wasn’t able to connect with voters in the wider Federation, and frankly, I’m not sure she has any time left to do so.” Debate highlights candidates’ differences The debate last week (full transcript available here) was the final chance for voters to get a look at all five of the major candidates on one stage before the election period begins. In a civil discussion that ranged from foreign policy to the dispute between the United Earth government and the Federation regarding the New Zealand penal settlement on Earth, the candidates quickly distinguished themselves from one another as they answered the questions from FNS moderators Maronida Shiir and Churok as well as direct questions from the audience. In addition to promoting a more egalitarian approach to Federation administration, Chief Administrator Narala answered a question about potential low voter turnout, again pointing to a disconnect between voters and the politicians that are supposed to represent them. “They have a right to feel that way. If the people feel they don’t have a connection with me or my fellow candidates, then it’s our job to rectify that problem,” she said. “However, I can’t fix what I don’t know about. I can’t speak for the others, but I believe it is up to the voters to alert me to their concerns—I’m not an all-knowing being. I’m one person, prepared to take on an extraordinary role, and part of that role is being prepared to listen to the citizens of my charge. I am prepared to achieve the desired outcome of their issues for the citizens of my charge.” Councilor Kevin Steiner, as he has throughout his campaign, again stressed the importance of a strong Starfleet to secure the Federation’s prosperity against the growing and competing interests of neighboring powers. When asked about how to balance Starfleet’s dual roles of defense and exploration, Steiner clarified his view on the connection between both mission objectives. “Here’s the issue: Starfleet’s mission of exploration and defense are inherently linked to one another. When our Starfleet is weakened, we are unable to engage in bold missions of exploration. We simply do not have the number of ships to do so!” he said to audience member Rho Falcon, who had asked the question. “Every ship we have to pull from the frontier to help in patrol duty or to assist in anti-piracy operations is another ship that isn’t out there exploring strange new worlds.” However, Steiner received the most applause following a question from moderator Churok, who asked the councilor what his view on holographic rights were. In an unexpectedly poignant reply, Steiner brought up the example of the android Data. “Nearly three decades ago, a judge ruled that an android—an artificial lifeform created by a man—had the right to choose its—his own destiny. That he was not merely property,” he said. “That android since went on to become one of the finest officers in Starfleet. Now, we are talking about holograms—another artificial lifeform, created by man—that have displayed similar sentience as that android.” “It’s time we acknowledge once and for all that what truly defines a person goes beyond their physical form, whether flesh and blood, tripolymer composites, or light and force fields. I fully recognize the rights such lifeforms are owed by the Articles of Federation, and I believe I am not alone.” In contrast to Steiner’s approach to foreign policy, Ambassador Ventu stressed peace and understanding towards those beyond the Federations borders and even those who sought to do harm to the Federation, such as the Maquis Reborn. “We will not quell the violence with more violence,” she said. “Terrorism has always been used as a tactic to goad our baser instincts, to have us lash out in fear—both back at them and at each other. The answer lies in vigilance. We must remain vigilant—to guard against impending threats, of course—but also against those who would infringe on our way of life, whether they be the Maquis Reborn or those in power.” When questioned by audience member and Starfleet commanding officer Selene Faranfey about whether vigilance alone was enough to defeat an enemy that had managed to pull off highly-sophisticated attacks, the ambassador acknowledged the seriousness of the threat and what particularly troubled her. “[The Maquis Reborn] do have many resources to draw upon, both in terms of personnel and matériel, and that is worrying to me,” said Ventu. “It is worrying precisely because it means that there are many people out there who feel they have no one else to turn to, that the Federation has failed them, and that they must resort to violence.” However, the ambassador remained firm on her message of understanding as the ultimate solution. “To those who say that they use violence against us and so we must use violence against them, I say that they are not our teachers,” said Ventu. “We must understand the Maquis Reborn. We failed to understand the Maquis, and to find a diplomatic solution, and that ended in the deaths of their majority at the hands of the Jem’Hadar. As your president, I will not allow this violence to continue—because I will get to the root of why it is occurring and proceed from there.” Excellency Kthria was asked to describe in more detail how her radical proposals for sector-level governance of the Federation could be a solution for piracy. “The main goal of sector-level administration is to coordinate responses, but for something like piracy, especially by rogue houses, a sector government could collaborate to efficiently place patrol routes and automated sensor platforms to decrease reaction time and enable placed ships to respond faster,” she explained. “Ultimately, though, we may have to resort to a solution that Earth did: fleets whose only job was to hunt out and destroy piracy. I would rather keep that as a last resort, however.” Kthria was likewise skeptical of Ventu’s plan to handle the Maquis Reborn. “Ambassador Ventu, while I applaud the sentiment and largely agree that adding more security can devolve into security theatre and a curtailment of rights, I am also cognizant that many of the attacks of the Maquis Reborn are due to security lapses in Starfleet and Federation day-to-day operations,” she said. “In addition, people who have embarked on a path of terrorism will require actual force to defeat.” When asked about the dispute between United Earth and the Federation over the future of the New Zealand penal settlement, Governor Vor expressed sympathy for Earth officials who wanted more of a say in the administration of a facility on their own land but stated that the proper path towards a solution was working with the Federation, not around it. “If the United Earth government has an issue with the original agreement signed in 2346, then the appropriate channel is to open new dialogue between the Federation and themselves, not attempt to usurp the agreement through their own internal legislation,” said the governor. “I needn’t remind the United Earth officials that as with all such treaties and agreements, they are bound by interstellar law to honor them unless amendments have been made between the two parties.” When pressed on whether the Federation itself being the one to enforce such laws represented a conflict of interest, Vor disagreed. “Again, if United Earth wants to have a conversation about the penal settlement—or any other issue—then they should do so, with the Federation,” she said. Citzens react After the debate, those in attendance seemed not to have been too surprised by the candidates’ responses, but Chief Administrator Narala appeared to have benefited the most from the exposure. “I have to admit, I hadn’t really known much about her or what she’d done for Nimbus III,” said Jan Wahler, a mechanical engineer from Hekaras II. “But I found myself nodding over and over whenever she spoke. She definitely won my vote!” Like Excellency Kthria, others were equally skeptical about Ambassador Ventu’s peace and understanding first approach towards the Maquis Reborn. “I don’t know what world the ambassador is living in,” said Hishama of Rigel IV. “These people are terrorists. They aren’t going to be swayed by an outstretched hand but a charged phaser rifle. Diplomacy only works if you have some teeth to back it up with.” When asked about whom he was going to vote for, Hishama said he still hadn’t made up his mind. “I like Steiner. If we had listened to him twenty years ago, maybe things would have turned out a lot differently,” he answered. “That said, he’s also been in Paris for decades. I’m not sure if Kthria’s proposals would really work, but hey, maybe it’d be good to shake things up.” In the final days of their campaigns, all candidates have begun a final push, rallying voters across a dozen worlds. Councilor Steiner is expected to give a speech at the University of Betazed tonight, and Ambassador Lily Ventu will be attending a dinner with returning Starfleet members coming home from Operation Safe Harbor. Excellency Kthria and Governor Vor will be visiting Andoria and Ktaris respectively. Finally, after some had questioned whether she was even eligible to run for the presidency earlier this year, Chief Administrator Narala appeared to be enjoying her new status as the front-runner following the debate, smiling widely as she greeted supporters on Bolarus IX. “We are many, but we can be one!” she yelled out to cheers, repeating her call for Federation unity during the debate. The 2392 Federation presidential election period begins next week. FNS Home FNS Data Feed FNS on FB

The candidates have spoken, and now it’s your turn. Who do you think won the FNS presidential debate? VOTE NOW! A full transcript of the debate is included below the poll.

Candidates prepare for final debate By T'Vas Stardate 239212.05 TELLAR PRIME — The five leading candidates in the 2392 Federation presidential race will take the stage at Gral University for the final debate of the election cycle. As the election draws near, Federation citizens will get one last look at all of the candidates together on one stage: Ambassador Lily Ventu Chief Administrator Narala of Nimbus III Governor Adellia Vor of Axanar Federation Councilor for Terra Nova Kevin Steiner Trill Chief of Staff Anari Kthria The debate will be hosted by FNS political contributor Maronida Shiir and FNS columnist Churok and will cover foreign policy, domestic and social issues, and questions directly from the audience. Join us this Saturday on stardate 239212.05 at 7pm London/2pm New York/11 am San Francisco through our live data feed!

Yeah, that sounds like the little rascal all right. I can already see Lidia's disapproving stare. Misha: But mama! Cookie!

((School rooms, USS Invicta)) ::Alora hovered outside the door to Saavok’s classroom. There was no window for her to peek in at the students and their dark, petite teacher. She was early, that she had to admit, so her impatience was unwarranted - as was her nervousness. Or was it? Despite a lack of obvious telepathy, Alora was usually fairly adept at reading people. Vulcans, however, were among those who were not so easily understood as they held their emotions easily in check. Saveron somehow seemed a little more available, even before they had officially begun their romantic relationship. Perhaps it had been because of that fleeting mental contact they had shared during their exploration of virtual Vulcan. She had an enjoyed a similar contact with Saavok, but even so, she couldn’t predict the child’s reaction. He had yet to say anything, but that didn’t mean the child did not harbour emotions about recent developments. Her thoughts were interrupted as the doors slid open with a sigh and children spilled from within. As the flurry of bodies rushed out, Alora straightened and waited for one in particular.:: Alora: Sochya, Saavok. ::Her greeting was accompanied by the ta’aland she continued conversing in Vulcan, her translator already disabled.:: ::Saavok looked up as Alora greeted him, and automatically responded with the same gesture. He was becoming accustomed to her as a presence in his life.:: Saavok: Sochya, Alora. Alora: Mind if we talk? Saavok: I have no objection. ::Alora motioned down the hallway with a flick of her hand, then spurred her feet into motion.:: ::The young Vulcan obediently followed, falling into step with the Terran scientist.:: Saavok: What subject did you wish to discuss? Alora: If it’s all right, I’d rather do it in private. Wherever you are comfortable. ::Her quarters, his, it didn’t matter to her.:: ::That earned her a raised eyebrow for a moment, then Saavok seemed to consider the question more seriously.::Saavok: My father will not be home for another hour. May I come to your quarters? Your plants are interesting. Alora: Sure, that’s fine, though many are still recovering. ::At least a couple of the African Violets had started blooming again. Alora walked alongside the child, keeping pace with him. Rather than wallow in silence as they walked, she at least continued pleasant conversation.:: Alora: Did you have a good class? Saavok: It was not disagreeable. ::He allowed. He wouldn’t say that he found it particularly fascinating either.:: Alora: What did you guys learn today? Saavok: The class studied basic mathematics; I had matrices from my distance classes. Then we investigated some early Terran literature. ::Which was interesting because it was different.:: Tasnim learned not to delve into other people’s thoughts without asking. Alora: Wait..Tasnim learned how to delve into other people’s thoughts? I didn’t realise she was telepathic. Did the teacher teach her that? Saavok: Tasnim is half Betazoid. My mother taught me basic mental self defence; I will learn more when I am older. Alora: Oh! ::Alora knew Vulcans were touch telepaths, but she hadn’t thought about how early mental training must start, though it made sense. They came to a stop when they arrived at her quarters and the computer bleeped, but the doors didn’t open. Since the doors had been replaced, Alora no longer had to pound them just to get them to open. In a way, it seemed to take away some of their personality. Ah well.:: DeVeau: Come on in. ::She actually waited for the child to enter before she did so herself, and the doors hushed closed behind her. It was cool compared to the quarters the child was used to sharing with his father, but warmer than most Terrans might like. As a child of the South, she did tend to prefer warmer weather, even though it got awfully cold in Japan sometimes. Also, it was better for most of her plants.:: DeVeau: Have a seat. ::Alora lowered herself onto the couch and patted the space beside her.:: ::Saavok obediently settled himself onto the couch, his PADD in it’s case on the floor below his dangling feet. He looked at Alora expectantly; judging from her behaviour that this was a serious matter.::Saavok: What is it that you wished to discuss? DeVeau: Okay...so...how do I ask this. Um...so, you know your father and I, we’re courting right? Saavok: Affirmative. ::The little Vulcan’s blank expression was entirely unhelpful.:: DeVeau: Well, what I want to know is… ::No no she had to ask in a Vulcan way. Child or no, communication might be aided if she used terms they tended to use. DeVeau: Are you agreeable with this arrangement?Saavok: I find the arrangement agreeable. ::He used the same convoluted grammar that his father did. He also had the same grey eyes, which were watching Alora carefully.:: Saavok: You considered that I might object? ::He asked after a moment.:: DeVeau: I considered it as a possibility. I’m not telepathic - well...not in the usual sense of the word - and while I care about you bunches, I don’t know your thoughts about me. ::She leaned over to cross her arms over her knees.:: But you’re his son and I want you to be okay with this. You’re too important not to be considered in the equation. ::His not being okay with it wouldn’t really change anything between her and Saveron, but she had hoped the child would be amenable to the idea.:: ::The little Vulcan gave the matter serious consideration.:: Saavok: I find your presence and company agreeable. ::He said eventually.:: You are an interesting person and… you seem to find us equally interesting. ::Not everyone found Vulcan idiosyncrasies particularly tolerable.:: Saavok: My father finds your company agreeable. ::He added thoughtfully.:: He has been… more centered, since you became ko-ri’telsu. ::The word meant an unbonded female partner.:: DeVeau: Wow...I don’t think I’ve heard that term in forever. Saavok: It is not in common usage. ::He admitted. Such arrangements were relatively rare in Vulcan culture.:: The Nel Gathic term is ‘t’aehtlu fheigh’. Will you Bond with father? DeVeau: ‘T’aehtlu fheigh’? Bond...well, I don’t know. It’s a bit early for that, don’t you think? ::Not that Alora opposed the idea, but she also didn’t want to move too fast.:: Saavok: It means ‘desired one’. It is the equivalent Nel Gathic term. I do not know, I am unfamiliar with Terran courting rituals. Since Surak, Vulcans have traditionally been preliminarily bonded as children, to become bonded mates as adults. The practice is becoming less prevalent however. DeVeau: Are you bonded? Saavok: I am not bonded. Neither were my siblings. My parents were and they… were not fully compatible. ::Which perhaps explained why their children weren’t.:: DeVeau: I see. ::Alora leaned back into the embrace of the couch and pondered the question a little further before she expanded on her previous answer.:: DeVeau: At this point, I would like to, but not necessarily right now. It’s something I can see for the future. Maybe sooner, maybe later. I think...I think we’ve both been hurt and we need to make sure we’re both sure before we take a step like that. Does that make sense? ::The little Vulcan gave this some thought.:: Saavok: Affirmative. ::He decided.:: It is preferable to determine that one’s relationship is agreeable to both and will remain so. ::The boy was acutely aware of the effects of the breakdown of their relationship on both his parents.:: ::Alora was pretty darn sure it would remain so for her, but there was no sense in rushing things. Saveron also needed to be certain - and she would not lock him into something where he had doubts.:: DeVeau: You’re right. It’s better in the long run that way. Well, I’m glad you’re okay with it. You’re his son, I didn’t think it would be right to leave you out of things. Saavok: I appreciate your consideration. ::He said gravely.:: You… said that you had also been hurt. ::He observed after a moment.:: ::He had wondered how Alora viewed his own presence but she had just told him. Admittedly in a very alien way, but never-the-less making it clear that she found his own presence agreeable.:: ::How much should she tell him? While Saavok was a child, he was a Vulcan child and more mature than most children his age would be. However, that didn’t mean he had to be privy to the details of what had happened. For a moment, she pondered what to say and finally simply stated,:: DeVeau: There was...a boy before. Our relationship did not end well. I think that’s probably all I should say about it for now. ::Even if he had been an adult, she still wasn’t comfortable divulging too much information.:: ::Saavok considered this for a moment, then nodded. He was not familiar with how Terrans conducted their interpersonal relationships, but he understood that a relationship could end badly. His parents were a prime and personal example. Clearly such was not something restricted to his own species.:: ::But how did Terrans do such things?:: Saavok: What are the Terran conventions? Will you ask S’Rel and Teron also? DeVeau: Has your father said anything to them? Saavok: I do not believe that father has spoken with them yet on the subject. Perhaps, like yourself, he wishes to see how the relationship will progress. ::Alora nodded slowly. It was so easy to fall into the idea of plunging forward and it felt good to be with Saveron. Obviously he cared for her as much as she did for him. However, diving headfirst haphazardly into something so serious could lead to a detrimental outcome, and that was the last thing Alora wanted.:: DeVeau: I’ll admit, I didn’t think to ask them. Mainly because they are grown, they have their own families, and thus are no longer a part of their father’s household. That is not the case for you and so our relationship has a direct impact on you. Saavok: That is true. It has not been a detrimental impact. ::Far from it, from the little Vulcan’s point of view. Having spent the first six years of his life with his mother, he had still felt an immediate connection with the man who was his father, a man to whom he was so very similar. Born after the breakdown of their relationship, he had never known his parents when they were together, but he had seen his mother’s contentment with Serok. He wanted something similar for his father.:: ::Alora was intriguing in herself. Saavok’s exposure to aliens had only begun three years ago, and he didn’t get to know many adult aliens closely. She was one of the exceptions and an insight into Terran nature and culture. He was aware that there were marked differences in both psychology and physiology. Some of them his father had tried to explain.:: Saavok: Alora, how old are you? ::He asked suddenly.:: DeVeau: Twenty five. ::Alora had no qualms about sharing her real age, unlike some women. Still, the question was not one she had expected from the child.:: DeVeau: Why do you ask? Saavok: I am aware that many other species mature at a faster rate than Vulcans; it is still an unusual concept. You are younger than my siblings. ::And from a Vulcan point of view, almost too young to mate.:: DeVeau: How old are your siblings? Saavok: Teron is thirty Terran years, S’Rel is twenty-eight. Naarin would have been twenty-three. I am eight. DeVeau: And your father is…. Saavok: Father is sixty-six. DeVeau: Ah that’s right. ::It was quite the age difference and for some it might have been a concern. Not so for Alora. A smile tickled her lips.:: DeVeau: Well, I always did have a thing for older men. ::That earned her a blank look of the same type that the boy’s father gave her when he was trying to work through something that she’d said that didn’t quite make sense to him.:: Saavok: What is, ‘a thing’? ::He asked eventually.:: ::She couldn’t help but giggle although Alora did her best to stifle it as much as possible.:: DeVeau: I’ve always found older men to be more attractive. ::Although the one guy she’d been with prior had been far closer to her age, but Alora wasn’t going to return to that topic.:: ::Saavok’s first impulse was to ask what the logic was behind that statement, but if there was something that he was learning about aliens it was that, when it came to personal preferences, there often wasn’t any. Misha hadn’t been able to provide him with a logical reason for his preference for sugary foods, but was quite adamant about it. He’d also become cross with Saavok when the young Vulcan persisted in asking. So although the child opened his mouth to frame the question he quickly shut it again. So be it.:: ::Instead he considered the whole situation thoughtfully.:: Saavok: So what happens now? ::It was hardly the most logical or well structured question; at the end of the day he was still just a child and, although he liked Alora, he was aware that such things fell well outside many conventions.:: DeVeau: What happens now is we keep spending time together with the purpose of finding out whether or not we want to spend the rest of our lives together. ::Honestly, she had a hard time imagining a future without Saveron, but there she was trying to rush things again. Time would tell, and there wasn’t a hurry. She was young and while Saveron wasn’t exactly a teenager, he wasn’t old for a Vulcan either.:: DeVeau: Sound okay to you? ::The little Vulcan considered this statement.:: Saavok: I have no objection. ---------------- PNPC SaavokVulcan ChildUSS InvictaR238802S10 & Lt. Alora DeVeauScience OfficerUSS InvictaM239008AD0

All joking aside, I think it's hilarious and hope the awkwardness continues!

Shortly thereafter...

Oooo! "Saveron and Alora, sitting in a tree. H-O-L-D-I-N-G! First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes..."

((Holodeck 3, USS Invicta)) ::The north American forest was an interesting environment, and one that Saveron had not experienced before. The trees were larger than any he had ever seen, much of the undergrowth outcompeted for light and thus the walking wasn’t difficult. The pair wandered through the soft, dappled light as a breeze stirred the leaves and occasional hints of movement gave away the native fauna.:: ::Saavok had run ahead somewhere, pursuing a small creature that Alora had identified as a ‘squirrel’. He appreciated new environments as much as his father, but expressed that appreciation with rather more enthusiasm. When they were not amongst others Saveron tolerated his son’s bouts of energetic exploration without comment.:: ::He was content to follow behind, walking sedately at Alora’s side, appreciative of her company. It was a state that had only grown since that evening in the ravine, a level of uncertainty had vanished. That she appeared to find his company as agreeable as he found hers made it easy to relax and simply spend time together.:: ::As they strolled through the underbrush of the forest, their foot falls punctuated with gentle snaps of twigs and various plant matter beneath, it was difficult to keep her hands to herself. While Alora had no ambitions to get too intimate so early in their relationship, the desire to touch was still acute. Yet, she didn’t want to offend. Touch was such a sensitive subject to Vulcans. In truth, it could be with Humans, though in a different fashion. So, she refrained from reaching out for his hand, although her fingers longed to thread with the warmth of his. She stopped herself whenever she found the desire to reach out and simply place a hand on his arm. This wasn’t anything particularly unusual, she’d been doing it since the first time they’d shared mental contact, but it was becoming increasingly more difficult - especially now they’d revealed their affection for one another.:: ::A smile of amusement crept over her lips as Saavok delved into the depths of the forest. Her hand twitched, but she kept it at bay. To fight the temptation, Alora clasped her hands behind her - a motion which allowed her some insight into why the Vulcans took such a common stance around others.:: ::The movement caught Saveron’s eye and he glanced over at his companion. That wasn’t common body language for her, indeed it was something that he might do himself. Excessive time in Vulcan company, or indication of some other factor?:: Saveron: Are you comfortable? ::He asked.:: ::The environment they were walking through was quite wild and did not make for the easiest of strolls, for all that it provided an array of experiences for the senses.:: DeVeau: I’m comfortable. ::Alora assured him. She wasn’t uncomfortable, she was just having a difficult time reigning in her desires, as innocent as they were. She flashed a smile over at him, then turned away to focus on forging onward. DeVeau: You? Saveron: Affirmative, I find the environment interesting. As, clearly, does Saavok. ::The last was said in a slightly dry tone. When a few moments of silence passed between them he tried again.:: Saveron: I ask because you have adopted a stance that I have not observed you use before. ::He saw no reason not to speak plainly.:: DeVeau: Stance? Saveron: You have your hands clasped behind your back. DeVeau: Oh. ::It was true. Alora was not inclined to keep her hands in such a manner. That had been spurred by her desire to make sure she didn’t do something he didn’t like.:: DeVeau: I just don’t want to...inadvertently touch you when you do not wish it. ::Saveron paused in his long-legged strides and turned to look at Alora more carefully, clearly considering her words. Alora went on two more steps before she too stopped and twirled about to face the Vulcan.:: Saveron: You are extrapolating based on Vulcan social etiquette. ::He guessed.:: DeVeau: Yes. I’m trying to keep from doing anything you might find...disagreeable. Saveron: You need not; I would have no objection. ::Quite the opposite, though as ever cultural constraints kept him from expressing that; personal wants were not logical. After a moment’s consideration he held up his hand, two fingers extended as he had in the ravine, though this time he did not offer it to her.:: Saveron: You may make invitation with this gesture at any time, and I will not refuse. ::She studied the Vulcan and the gesture he made, then stepped forward and extended her own two fingers. She knew what such a gesture meant among Vulcans and it was their way of showing affection. Yet it quite didn’t run the gammit of what she wanted. Still, the touch was enjoyable, even desirable and she tilted her smile upon him as their fingers came into contact with one another.:: ::Reaching out, Saveron did not make the same firm contact he had before but rather tapped his own two fingers momentarily against Alora’s. The result was a mere flash of mental contact, a brief sense of the other and their uppermost thoughts, mostly just their presence.:: Saveron: Such contact is acceptable in public. ::He explained.:: ::The smile faded and she glanced down at her fingers, then let them drop to her side, her expression fallen.:: DeVeau: I see. I’ll...try to keep that in mind. ::The disappointment was stark on her features; it might almost have been comical did it not cut him more than he cared to admit. They came from two very different cultures and whilst many things ran easily between them, sometimes they came up against some convention that did not.:: Saveron: You do not find such agreeable? ::The fingers that had enjoyed the quick caress rubbed lightly and briefly against her thumb as she pondered how to answer.:: DeVeau: I find it… ::No, not it, a lack of it. She considered the question, and finally set upon the path to an answer by asking one of her own. DeVeau: What are we? ::Saveron deduced that this was not a time for stating the blindingly obvious.:: Saveron: I do not understand the context of the question. ::He said carefully.:: DeVeau: I mean...we’re more than just friends, right? What we did, what we shared...we’re a couple? ::Doubts weaseled their way into her thoughts at any opportune moment, especially when no official conversation had taken place to establish specific boundaries..:: ::Now he understood; she was questioning the nature of their relationship.:: Saveron: I would consider that status eminently agreeable, if you would. ::Sometimes words could be incredibly awkward.:: DeVeau: I was kind of hoping...yes, I would find it most agreeable. ::More than just agreeable, but at times she felt perhaps matching his terms was the best way to communicate with him at that particular moment.:: DeVeau: But… ::She trailed off.:: Saveron: But you are not satisfied by my actions. ::There was no accusation in his words, rather he was voicing a conclusion to which he had come. He had known that they had a huge cultural barrier between them; it seemed that they were up against it once again.:: Saveron: Then tell me what you want, or show me. oO Do not make me guess, I do not have the same script that you do. Oo ::He was reminded acutely of their awkward holonovel experience.:: ::Tell him or show him? Both? And yet she was trying to avoid unpleasantness.:: DeVeau: I want to touch you. But I don’t want to annoy you, or make you uncomfortable, or offend you, or… ::Or any number of things that would be considered ‘disagreeable’.:: Saveron: You will not. ::He spoke gently, finding her sudden agitation disagreeable, more so than anything she might have done. He understood that patience, flexibility and an open mind were necessary if they were to be close. Such was no burden.:: Saveron: Did I not invite your touch? ::He asked rhetorically.:: I can only show you Vulcan social conventions, you must teach me Terran ones. I do not object to learning. All I ask is your patience. ::As he had before.:: Together we can find what is mutually acceptable. ::There was a moment of reluctance, but Alora stepped through and drew even closer to the Vulcan. She offered the two fingers extended. Then, when he joined her, she unfurled her hand and clasped his in her own. Gently and silently she urged him to open his hand fully, then laced her fingers between his, her palm resting against his. She smiled as her pale skinned hand pressed gently against his more verdant one, then lifted her gaze so that her emerald eyes locked with his silver.:: DeVeau: I want to hold your hand...but I don’t know if you would find that acceptable. ::The initial contact brought the mental contact that they’d previously shared, and his thoughts betrayed nothing but calm curiosity and the steady surety of his growing affection.:: ::However as Alora teased his fingers open Saveron drew in a sharp breath and clamped down on some of his thoughts, even as his high cheekbones flushed decidedly green. As she wound her fingers through his he let that control slip just a little. He didn’t find the contact disagreeable at all; quite the opposite.:: :::There was now a hint of more confidence in the telepathic connection they shared. Tendrils of her thoughts wound their way to gently caress his mind in a manner that suggested experience in reaching out to a telepath to some extent. Desire was a pale hue that tinted the very edges even as she silently prompted him for an explanation.:: ::His mind welcomed the touch of her thoughts, responded in kind as their thoughts wound about each other. It was their hands he had difficulty with. After a moment he clasped his other hand to hers, sandwiching her slim hand in between his two larger palms, to stop her playing with his fingers any further. Tones that were far from logical had begun to tinge his thoughts.:: Saveron: That is an intimate gesture. ::He explained carefully, his words echoed in his thoughts.:: We have very sensitive hands. ::There was a timbre to his voice that hadn’t been there before.:: ::She hadn’t been there on 83 Leonis II when the flash-burn to his palms had felled him as readily as a kick in the nuts.:: DeVeau: Do you wish me to not touch you? Saveron: I have no objection, I simply wish you to understand. That which I demonstrated earlier is what is acceptable in public for that reason. ::He tried to think of a way to explain.:: Saveron: Professor Bakewell once tried to explain certain Terran activities to me. His words were ‘There’s a polite smooch on the cheek and there’s Olympic-grade tonsil hockey’. ::His PhD supervisor had been both a mentor and a friend.:: This is how Vulcans kiss. ::There was a twitter of giggles at the words, made more humourous by the way they were spoken and who uttered them. That laughter was fleeting, however, as she paused to consider his statement a little more carefully.:: DeVeau: Humans...when we care about someone, we tend to hold hands. It is an outward sign of our affection, as well as a way to maintain close contact without being indecent. ::A hint of amusement coloured Saveron’s thoughts and he raised their entwined hands slightly..:: Saveron: Amongst Vulcans this would be considered very indecent. ::She hadn’t considered that. Alora was aware of the sensitive nature of a Vulcan’s hands, but what was considered socially acceptable had eluded her.:: DeVeau: So I should not hold your hand in public. Saveron: I would find that preferable, though I have no objection to brief contact. ::The finger-to-finger touch that was often colloquially referred to as the ‘Vulcan Kiss’ flashed briefly in his mind.:: DeVeau: But in private? Saveron: In private you may do as you will. I have no objection. ::Far from it.:: DeVeau: But not in front of Saavok. Saveron: Preferably not. We do not keep our children ignorant but neither do they require a practical demonstration. ::He said dryly.:: ::There was another soft giggle, but as the boy was not currently in sight, Alora kept her grasp on Saveron’s hand.:: DeVeau: It’s going to be hard. Saveron: What is? ::He asked gently.:: DeVeau: Not touching you. It’s...I guess it’s an automatic response, automatic desire for humans when they care about someone. ::That drew a warm, wordless response from his thoughts. Behind that mask of emotional control he cared for her, with all the strength of his people’s emotions.:: Saveron: I would not be offended if you did. ::He said gently.:: Only other Vulcans might. ::The rest of the crew probably wouldn’t realise what effect that gentle touch had on him.:: DeVeau: Straasik. He’s an engineer I met when working on finding the Treasure Sprite. He might get offended. Saveron: Possibly. ::Or he might be more cosmopolitan, working amongst aliens.:: DeVeau: So...when dealing with humans, I guess you have to fend off any sort of social touch. Saveron: That is why I usually adopt the stance that you did earlier. Terrans particularly are inclined to casual contact. ::Alora nodded, though not all physical touch among humans was considered casual.:: DeVeau: Particularly the shaking of hands. Saveron: In some things, one must be prepared to compromise. ::He allowed.:: ::He shook hands with people who had his respect.:: DeVeau: Are you...sensitive elsewhere also? ::That earned her a long look and an amused tone of thought.:: Saveron: Nowhere currently visible. ::He said dryly.:: ::Alora had to admit, she’d plunged right into that one. The comment set her cheeks aflame, but she could not hold her thoughts back from pondering where and what exactly - which only caused the colour to deepen.:: ::The green on Saveron’s cheekbones had begun to fade but it flared up again as, through their linked hands and minds, he followed the direction of her musings. And as attractive as he found Alora there were directions he was not yet ready for the relationship to go.:: ::The sense of relief that emanated from Alora at that thought was, perhaps, more intense than one might have expected. It was clear that she was not quite ready to travel that road yet by any stretch of the imagination - even if she didsuccumb to certain wonton thoughts.:: ::In that then they were agreed. Perhaps a change of subject was advisable.:: Saveron: Let us find my son, before he finds that squirrel. ::He suggested.:: DeVeau: Good idea. We might have to rescue the squirrel. ::And it would help provide a distraction from temptation.:: ::As they set off through the forest again, Saveron kept hold of Alora’s hand.:: END A JP by Lt Cmdr Saveron SO and CMO USS Invicta R238802S10 and Lt Alora DeVeau Chief Science Officer USS Invicta M239008AD0

Congrats and welcome to the fleet!

LOL!!!! At least he's learned when to keep his mouth shut. In this case anyway. ;-) He's been properly trained. ::Rahman and DeVeau share high fives.:: Core: :-|

((The Pocahantas)) Alt!DeVeau: Il y a les ténèbres. Il n'est pas sécuritaire. Nest pas sécuritaire! ::The utterance was soft, but still audible in the confines of the ships cabin. Although spoken aloud, they were done under the influence of sleep as Alora muttered in between the unconscious whimpers that punctuated her slumber.:: ::He looked over at the sleeping woman with a slight frown. He recognized the sound of the language but not the words. He could have used the translator but he decided not to bother. For all he knew, she was spouting all her secrets. He had secrets of his own. Far too many. With a sigh he turned to the comm and sent out a signal. It did not take long to get a response. The voice was female.:: Woman: =|= You again? Lobo: ::smiles:: =|= I need a favor Woman: =|= You always need a favor Lobo: =|= You owe me, love. Woman: ::audible sigh:: =|= What is it? Lobo: =|= Medical. Woman: ::a touch of anxiety could be heard:: =|= Again? Bran, you have got to stop doing this. There will be a time I cant fix you up. Youve barely recovered the last time. The nerve damage to your face You could have lost your eye Lobo: ::chuckles:: =|= Easy, Soop. Its not for me. Woman: ::Another sigh.:: =|= Another stray? Really Bran Lobo: =|= This one is worth a lot. ::pause:: Shes Ronin. ::There was silence for a long moment.:: Woman: =|= Are you sure? Lobo: =|= Im sure. ::Another moment of silence followed by a long sigh.:: Woman: =|= How far out are you? Lobo: =|= Ill be there in a couple of hours. Woman: =|= How serious? Lobo: =|= Broken arm, leg and ribs, single gash on her forehead. Possible internal damage but no other bleeding I can detect. Woman: =|= All right. Well be waiting. Lobo: =|= Thanks, Soop. ::With that he closed the comm. He leaned back in his seat and this time letting out a sigh of his own. Absently, he ran a hand over his face, pausing over the scar. He had allowed Soop to save his eye and knit the skin, but he didnt allow her to take the time to heal the rest of the damage. He had been in a hurry at the time. Then he discovered the advantage of it among his own kind. The perception of who he was and what he did changed. It made things easier and harder at the same time. It was a choice. His choice.:: Alt!DeVeau.: Who is she? ::She had awoken to the burning sensation in the pit of her stomach that had become far too familiar over the years, even if it wasnt constant. As she had drifted awake, shed caught most of the conversation with whomever it was he called. Soop?:: ::He turned the seat around to face her, and eyebrow lifted in inquiry.:: Lobo: Someone I know. ::All right, fine.:: Alt!DeVeau: Who do you plan to sell me to? Its not as if the Ronin can afford to buy me back. You plan to hand me over to the Dominion? If so, you should have just left me there, they already had me. ::Alora doubted they would treat Lobo kindly should he try to do so.:: Lobo: So it doesnt matter. The Jemhadar arent the only ones buying. ::Her eyes fluttered shut again and she attempted to take a deeper breath, an action that resulted in rasped breathing. Even doing that was too difficult still. Alora focused her attention to that sensation, then her eyes flew open.:: Alt!DeVeau: Somethings wrong ::Strangely enough he didnt move.:: Lobo: Do you want something for the pain? Alt!DeVeau: No. Somethings...somethings wrong. Somethings ::How could she explain it? Honestly, Alora didnt quite understand it herself, the strange sort of warnings she seemed to get. Unfortunately, because she was unaware of the route they were taking or his plans, she wasnt sure how to get him to understand.:: Alt!DeVeau: Where are we? Somethings coming ::He glanced at her with a frown then he turned back to his console, scanning the area around his ship. Just because something sounded weird or unbelievable didnt mean he wouldnt listen. He would have been dead long ago if that had been the case.:: Lobo: Something like what? Alt!DeVeau: I dont know. I cant explain...its just ::She paused. Would he believe her? The only person shed truly confided in was Raissa.:: Alt!Alt!Alt!DeVeau: I get these...feelings sometimes and they generally mean something bad is going to happen. Lobo: Always? Alt!DeVeau: Always get them or always bad? Lobo: The latter. ::Alora shifted, her eyes darting toward the screen that afforded a view of the outside. There was nothing there, but that didnt mean something wasnt coming. If she had a feeling, she knew it would happen eventually. Her heart beat rapidly against her chest and she struggled to sit up, a feat that was impossible between the pain and her inability to use her hands.:: Alt!DeVeau: Turn around...turn around, go a different way, do something! ::Before he could react to her advice, a ship rippled into existence. Immediately, a light flashed and the vehicle they occupied rocked against an impact.:: ::Lobo swore with such creativity the air almost turned blue as a side effect. ::The ship rocked with another blast and Alora cringed. As a third one hit, the reaction of the ship was enough to cause her to tumble out of her cot. Her teeth drew blood as she bit down in order to keep from screaming in agony. Even with that, a half scream, stunted in her attempt, made its escape.:: ::Outside the ship shifted around and took position on the Pocahontas left flank.:: ::Lobo was still swearing and cursing a blue streak. His hands danced over the board, proving he was a skilled pilot. The Pocahontas abruptly flew backwards. The with equal abruptness dropped straight down. He didnt fly in any particular pattern and that was what kept them from being hit again.:: ::Lobo was almost as fond of his ship as he was his life.:: Lobo: I dont have time for this crap ::Neither did she. Alora emitted another groan and a strangled cry. If she were rattled again in such a violent fashion, she wasnt sure shed be able to remain conscious.:: ::The ship corkscrewed and spiraled, straining the inertial dampeners to the limit. A quick scan of the immediate vicinity gave him what he needed. Oort Clouds on the edge of solar systems were amazingly handy. Better than asteroid fields. Another shot just missed them and the Pocahontas dived into the debris of broken comet.:: ::Although her eyes scrunched closed as she attempted to deal with the pain, they flew open as she managed to choke out.:: Alt!DeVeau: Keep going! ::She wished she could see, but the roiling in her stomach eased with whatever action hed taken. With another violent twist, Alora heaved, unable to withstand the nausea that welled up from within even with an empty stomach, then suddenly fell still and limp.:: ::Lobo ignored the smell. He was completely focused on his piloting. The scans had told him what kind of ship was after him. In this galaxy there were pirates and there were Pirates. Unfortunately he had [...]ed off the latter on more than one occasion which explained the bounty on his head.:: ::His hands tightened around the manual controls of the his ship, his eyes glued to the screens as he twisted and turned through the debris like a crazed dancer on hallucinogens. He slammed close to the edge of a chunk, blasting it, sending up a billow of plasma and debris her dove through, then swinging up he dropped his ship underneath the ledge, letting the debris and fire mask the sight of him. Once there, he shut down all his power except for passive sensors and his jamming system that would mask the lifeforms on his ship. He leaned back and shook the circulation back into his hands.:: ::With a sigh he got to his feet to deal with his passenger. He reinserted her onto his bed and then dealt with the mess she left behind on the floor.:: Lobo: Im starting to wonder if youre worth all this. Alt!DeVeau: Probably not. ::Alora managed a smile, though in her present state, it shone weakly at best.:: Alt!DeVeau: Sorry for the mess. ::Though, really, why was she apologising? She guessed shed always been brought up to be polite. After a few moments in an attempt to catch her breath and calm her heart, she managed to find her voice once more.:: Alt!DeVeau: What now? ::He straightened up, his arms crossed as he stared down at her. His face was devoid of expression as his dark eyes glimmered with intensity.:: Lobo: That is a good question Jettisoning you would be the quickest. Alt!DeVeau: Dont like that option. ::Honesty, considering everything, Alora was amazed at her calm. Maybe she was simply in too much pain to get worked up.:: Lobo: So you dont like something? ::What did that mean? Aloras eyes fluttered shut as nausea twirled with dizziness.:: Alt!DeVeau: You never answered my question. Lobo: Which one? Alt!DeVeau: From earlier. When you were...so...insistent. About fear. Lobo: Thats true. I didnt. Alt!DeVeau: Well? ::Conversation. If nothing else, it helped, whether to bear with the pain or the situation in general, she couldnt say, but she just needed to keep talking. A smile touched his lips for a moment.:: Lobo: Yes I did say I would tell you, didnt I? Alt!DeVeau: Yes. Lobo: I lied. ::He reached up over her head to his medical supplies and withdrew a hypospray.:: Alt!DeVeau: I guess...I shouldnt be shocked. Lobo: Yet you are Alt!DeVeau: Not really. Is this...how you treat all the girls? Or am I just...lucky? Lobo: No, this is how I treat fools Alt!DeVeau: A fool? ::He sat down on the edge of cot, the hypospray in his hand.:: Lobo: Somehow in this nasty little universe we live in, you think you can survive on ignorance, illusions and high morals. ::pause:: Which pretty much tanks your value beyond having that all stripped away once. ::If he expected a response, he was to be disappointed. Alora simply lay there and gazed up at him.:: Lobo: So my idea of stealing you from the Jemhadar is becoming one of my poorer choices in hindsight. Alt!DeVeau: I guess were both fools, then. TBC ========= Alora DeVeau (alternate) as simmed by Lt. Alora DeVeau Chief of Science, USS Invicta M239008AD0 & Lobo as simmed by Lieutenant Raissa Moonsong Chief of Counseling, USS Invicta G239107RM0

"Welcome to the Invicta, Avandar folks! Don't ask me about the captain... or the rest of the crew. I just work here."

Subspace relay network disruption leaves billions cut off from wider Federation By T'Vas Stardate 239211.07 Aging infrastructure such as subspace relay stations badly in need of repairs and upgrades was blamed for yesterday's outage. MONASH SECTOR - Several worlds and outposts across the Monash sector were cut off from the Federation subspace relay network temporarily before communications were quickly restored. "There was a short outage in the network due to a faulty subspace relay station that led to a cascade failure, but the problem has been resolved," said Iris Kena, general manager of sector operations, to reporters outside the Federation Civic Center on Ramsol III. Residents first noticed the disruption at 07:41 FST yesterday, when com signal errors began logging across several media networks. "I'm trying to catch up on the Olympic hockey qualifier when the whole transmission cuts off just as Pascoe is about to score!" complained Theriss Min, a chemist and resident of Daltan II. "Don't tell me who won! I heard they're going to replay it tonight." Though there have been occasional disruptions in the network over the past few years, yesterday's outage was the largest yet. Communications network officials blame outdated equipment and poorly maintained subspace relay stations. Reinvesting in aging infrastructure has been a priority for the outgoing Bacco administration. Legislation to upgrade communications and transportation systems across the Federation was passed by the Federation Council last year, but the much needed supplies and workers were delayed during the Federation Transport Union strike. "With the strike over, they can get started working again in full upgrading the system," said Frajaan, director for Global 7, the largest media network on Ramsol III, "but the truth is we needed those upgrades long before the strike." "The problem is so do the sectors around us," he added. Starfleet Command assured reporters that no Starfleet operations were affected by the outage, which lasted approximately three hours. FNS Home FNS Data Feed FNS on FB

Dear Ops, Thanks for making your FNS stories fun to read. Sincerely, Rich

Congrats and welcome to the fleet!

Here's another article speculating about the possibilities of TV vs movies for Trek, with this amusing graph:

Television lends itself to a different kind of storytelling than summer blockbuster movies, though, with more time allowed for character development/exploration, world building, and (assuming it follows current TV trends) season(s)-long story arcs and threads. If one judged prime Trek from just the first ten movies (and especially the TNG films), you wouldn't necessarily think they were from the same franchise that gave us stories like "The City on the Edge of Forever" or "The Measure of a Man."