Segolene LeMarnix

Congratulations to you all, and welcome to the fleet!

Thank you!

I would like my entry entered into the Ongoing Worlds contest for me signed as Vid-Lotilja.

I had been pacing up and down the big house office, which was belonging for ages to my beloved. ‘Beloved?’ I thought to myself. I never truly loved him, so why am I lying to myself and everyone else about having loved him. 'He was true Rihannsu; pretentious, vain, sadistic and self centered. I mostly had good life with him and I respected that, but I never loved him. So why am I calling him beloved, I’m owner of everything, matriarch of the family, there’s nothing to lose if I admit it, except maybe the devotion of our children. Yes, that will always keep me from admitting the truth.’ “Where are they, why there are no updates from the team? They should be back already.” This was just another of easy missions, get in the lab, steal the information from computer, erase everything and burn all the samples they have. Nothing new, nothing different than 100 previous actions we did. ‘Only difference is I’m not there because of stupid flu.’ I was always there, because I knew there is no way I can cope with waiting and lack of information. I can’t cope with inactivity and now my legs hurt from pacing up and down the office, though I should be resting in my bed. “They are probably celebrating the success and forgot to turn the comm. system on.” Halisa was my nanny, helping hand and secretary for over 50 years. She always knew what to say to make me feel better, how to get me out of trouble and hold me together when I was losing my mind over whatever stupid problem occurred in my life since my arrival to household of Rihannsu, Rendet Ter’th. As always her comment made me smile and calm down a little. Was it her age, my respect for her or her soothing voice? No matter what it was it was always working. “Halisa, my dear.” How many times I wanted to ask her what she is still doing with me. She earned enough for cozy retirement and really don’t need to cope with nervous and panicking me all the time. ‘I will never ask her that, I can’t live without her.’ She’s my anchor in this rough Universe. Halisa rise from a sofa and hugs me. As already mentioned, she always knew best thing to do to make me feel better. Rendet never knew how to treat me. He was never good in treating anyone, so why would I be any different than others? “What bothers me is how hard it was to get the information on this lab. We never had so much trouble obtaining whatever we needed. What if...” Halisa hugged me harder shushing me. “Then you’ll figure out how to save them. But first wait to get the information from them, without inventing that worst case scenario. You should lay down a little or this flu will get worse and you’ll have to stay behind and wait next time all over again and be as jumpy as now.” “No, I have to be here when they call...” For the call that never arrived. I was right, it was a trap and my most trusted people were sitting in Federation prison. First news I received arrived whole week later... whole life later... Kolari, my first officer and trusted friend got 140 years in Federation high security prison. Hubin, his only child will join him for 120 years. Gailu and Raala, Ferengies in my team got both 120 years, but they were to return and by the agreement between Federation and Ferengi Alliance serve their time in prison on Ferenginar. Ondu Kussi, our good doctor. Bajoran I bought out from Syndicate. Always like a puppy, caring and loving. Young and innocent... 120 years in penal colony. T’Lun, shady Vulcan, quiet and dangerous demolitions specialist and gadget master. Invaluable member of the team. Even when we couldn’t buy the codes to get into the facilities she was always able to crack them and get us in. She got 140 years in high security prison, still she’s probably the only one who will ever see her family again. Before I could read all the information in first message, new one arrived. Sent by unknown sender. Probably one of the messages from the people I pay for information, no need to open it now. I don’t have team to continue my revenge run. Revenge... They killed Rendet Ter’th, my “not so” beloved husband... Why am I doing all this? Faces of my trusted people flew in front of my face. Sudden realization that they would never be assigned prison time if they revealed the person in charge makes me tremble. They revealed nothing; they protected me to the end. I screamed in rage and impotence. Romulan woman entered the office attracted by my screaming. “Halisa, help me. Tell me what to do!” I’m tossing the padd with a message in her direction. “What can you do?” She asked as calm and logical as always. “I don’t know Halisa, I don’t know. I can’t leave them to rot in prison for me.” Can I? If I do that it will be as I accepted Romulan ways. Did my life as a Romulan servant, wife, matriarch turned me in that. Have I lost heart or can I be saved. I’m 264, a lot for many, but young for El-Aurian. It is not how I was razed; it is not what I was destined for. Or maybe it was my destiny, maybe I had to live all the hardships to can handle this in the way best for my family. “I’ll make you raktajino, Lotte. Whatever you decide, it requires lot of thinking to can make good decision.” I just nod, though she already left the office. Second message... I have to open it. Why the feeling I have to open it when I know there’s no way I will gather team in time for it to be important. I’m still opening the message. ‘You can save your people if you surrender and confess your crimes. When you respond to this message it will open the channel to the negotiator who has permission to accept the deal deemed best for everyone. We’ll be ready whenever you call.” Halisa entered office and run to me aware that something is badly wrong. I’m trembling, rather shaking violently. “What’s wrong?” I’m showing her a message and again as always end in her bear hug. I’m crying, first just tears falling down my silent face then sobbing and shaking turning into a cry, scream, desperation. I wanted to save my people, my family. So why am I so afraid now? It’s Federation; they are weak and too nice to be vicious. I can deal with them... can I? I’m afraid. No, I’m frightened and my body knows that... I’m shaking and crying unstoppably. Halisa is carrying me to the sofa, covering me with soft blanket. As warm and soft as it is, it’s not helping me to feel any warmer. My chest hurts from hyperventilating; my eyes burn from tears and body hurts from emotional rollercoaster. “Leave me; I don’t want to be disturbed. Don’t let anyone in till I call you.” Halisa bowed and left the office. Three days later, after lot of tears, fear and changing my mind over and over again I made my decision. “Halisa, gather my children and Commanders, I made the decision.” Waiting for them to gather I took a shower and changed in fresh clothes. Three days in same clothes in closed office made me smell worse than lab dump. Refreshed and in clean clothes I brushed my hair and returned to the ventilated Office. Of course, as always and with everything Halisa took care of that. Speed with which everyone arrived was fascinating. “As you all know last action of my secret team you all knew everything about was a setup.” Her team was not public thing, but Romulans behaved as Romulans and she was getting information on who investigated the team from T’Lun regularly. Even her sons rather investigated it, than to ask her directly. “My people decided to keep quiet and save me, but I can’t leave it that way. Lab and factory to can work properly needs our connections in Orion Syndicate. Orions hold family to the highest regard and if I let my people, who are as much my family as you are to rot in prison when I can save them, would surely destroy respect we have in their orders and make further cooperation impossible. This is not up for debate, I made decision to surrender and I’ll negotiate terms as soon as you all leave the office. Dismissed!” As always they accepted my order and left the office, but as soon as the doors closed the discussion started and it obviously was not friendly since I could hear them yelling at each other for some time. It made me chuckle, actually. I will have to ask Halisa what it they were so passionate about was. I made a good point explaining my decision to my family, it was not my personal real reason, but my family needs strong and logical matriarch and not emotional mother who can’t leave her people to hang for her. Less they need an El-Aurian fed up with life among Romulans. Now the message... Negotiations took the best of me, after two days I was drained and almost ready to give up, when they came up with best offer ever. My people will be pardoned but have to stay out the Federation Space. My 120 years in high security prison was changed into service in Starfleet. After the Academy I will have to serve for at least 50 years in the Fleet before I can ask discharge from service. I can’t leave Federation space till my full 120 years of fine pass, but I will be allowed to travel freely throughout the Federation Space. Fair deal? No, not really. Two of my sons are serving in Romulan Military. They can’t visit me and I can’t visit them. After finding them fight who will be taking me there I decided to go in Family yacht. They escorted me to the Neutral Zone, both, with their whole fleet. I kissed Tapaul and Takath and beamed from Family yacht to Starfleet vessel waiting for me in Neutral Zone to take me to my new life... Lieutenant JG Vid-Lotilija Ph.D. Chief Science Officer USS Apollo http://goo.gl/A9TZT ~Newsletter Team Facilitator~ People say you can't live without love... ...I think oxygen is more important!

Welcome to you both, congratulations on your graduation and good luck in your travels!

((USS Apollo - Sickbay)) ::Pierce saw the look of distaste briefly cross Barne's face as she shipped him off to Emma. It wasn't unusual from crew to prefer a human doctor over a holographic one, no matter what skin it wore. That said something about the human condition, that a race who frequented holodecks as a means of near-perfect escape were not comfortable with that same pre-programmed concept touching their outsides and insides. It was a small relief that Emma understood the feelings that most humans had towards their digital counterparts.:: ::The EMH caught a glance from the doctor that she had taken to understanding was a means of non-verbally requesting someone's presence. She had seen the same look pass between couples numerous times, although those seemed to be looks more of anger than of a medical nature.:: Barnes: Thanks Bones. Nothing like a walking computer to play with your mind. ::Emma gestured for Barnes to sit down.:: Emma: Despite your concerns, I am perfectly suited to the task at hand. Barnes: Oh very funny. So what are you doing, EMMA? ::The comment hadn't seemed particularly funny. The idea crossed through Emma's central processing unit that this could be a side effect of the encounter that Hugh Barnes had undergone just hours before, but it was an idea that fizzled out just as quickly.:: Emma: We will be examining you to find if you share any of the same neuro-degenerative symptoms as Johnson and the Nelson crew members. Barnes: Been listening in again have we?. The only problem I've had is a short recurring dream, nightmare, vision or whatever about the last time I saw my wife alive. Emma: I suppose what I was doing could be called eavesdropping, though my hearing was finely tuned within this program to aid in medical procedures. Barnes: If you say so EMMA. Is this going to take long? Emma: Not particularly. ::The neural scan began moments after Barnes' head hit the bed. He was very tense, but as the moments passed he calmed down and the sine wave emerged. There were high levels of activity in the brain stem – not enough to imply that the patient was having waking dreams or hallucinations, just that his lower brain function was up and he might be more prone to wild imaginings.:: Barnes: All clear EMMA? Am I fit or just slightly mad? EMMA: Whatever happened on the ship seems to have stimulated some of the memory storage in your brain. Should you experience vivid flashes during waking hours or have serious trouble sleeping, please let someone in Sickbay know. However, you appear to be free from all the other ailments plaguing the Nelson's crew. ::Ramos's swelling seemed to be going down. Pierce eyed the counselor with trepidation. Too many of the staff were operating below what was considered safe, but she realized the drive to work was strong in the whole crew, especially now with a pseudo-crisis on their hands.:: Pierce: How does that feel now? Ramos: Hmm? Oh, right. It's... better. Pierce: I'm sorry about before. The impact was deeper than I thought. Ramos: It's alright. No harm was done Pierce: ::smiling:: I should hope. ::Satisfied that everyone in Sickbay was either in slow recovery or at least not getting any worse, Sidney took a minute to take a deep breath and pause. The room was quieter than it had been in a while.:: Barnes: Bones. ::Pierce turned to look at the security chief.:: Barnes: About the problem we were discussing about the Borg, if you want to continue, how about over dinner? Pierce: ::startled:: Dinner? Of... of course. I'll try to clear some time as soon as it's possible. Barnes: Anytime that suits you. Just let me know. ::With that, Barnes turned and went to check in with Neebo, leaving Pierce leaning against the bed. Suffice it to say, this would be her first interpersonal interaction with a stranger in a long time, outside of medical facilities and active duty. There was lots of potential for terror. For example, the tone of the evening had been left blank. Would this be a chummy dinner with wry jokes in the mess, or would this be a philosophical discussion over a fine wine? Too much of the nature of human interaction was overwhelming to Sidney even after her years in Starfleet. Too many years among Betazed mindgames.:: ::Doctor Pierce hadn't moved or said anything for a few moments. Her lack of movement was particularly noticeable within the confines of a still Sickbay. Emma strode over and gave her a soft touch on the shoulder. The other woman jumped.:: Pierce: ::small gasp:: I'm ... I'm so sorry. Emma: Are you alright, Sidney? Pierce: Yeah, I was just... ::making a circle with her hand mid-air:: miles away, you know? Emma: ::looking concerned:: Miles away. The distancing of one's mind from one's body. Pierce: Your programming has some baffling detail. Emma: For this version of the Emergency Medical Holographic program, the coding engineers felt it was best for me to have a sub-routine dedicated to the vernacular of various races so that nothing would be misunderstood or taken out of context. ::Pierce chuckled a little bit.:: Pierce: What did your scans of Barnes pick up? Emma: That he is fairly healthy, that his hallucinations were brought on by the same issues as everyone else, but that he will manage. I believe it is time we started working on a treatment. ::They both moved to sit down in Pierce's office. There were nearly ten different bio-scans to examine, plus a partial readout of the creature's energy signature and scraps of the Nelson's medical record. Emma began plotting symptoms and comparable diseases while Sidney placed healthy brain and bio-scans side-by-side for comparison.:: Pierce: ::murmuring:: We need to silence the primal functions to get rid of hallucinations, we need to stifle the paranoia, and we need to get that rogue energy signature out of their systems. Emma: Bio-feedback loop. Pierce: Would amplify the issues, assuming the nervous system will continue to act like a short-circuiting power relay. Anti-psychotics. Emma: Medication will not solve the problem, only temporarily allow respite from the symptoms. ::Pierce got up out of her chair. She had been fidgeting as she thought anyway; the pacing was merely an extension of that. She crossed the room ten, twenty, thirty times before finally sighing and sitting back down. There was something. Something that could combine all of this. She frowned.:: Pierce: If all the problems are neuro-chemical in nature, why not just... have the body fight it off? Emma: Unlikely - this is not a virus or bacterial infection. The bodies of our patients do not have the anti-bodies to fight off an infection of this nature. Pierce: It's not an infection, more like... a hormone imbalance. I've been coming at this all wrong. It's not a neuro-toxin, like something that has been added to the body's existing chemicals. ::She stood up, walking out to into the room.:: It's a sine wave, or a pulse that disperses the ability of a subject to think and act rationally. What if we just... fought back? Reached into our mind and re-balanced our own leaning towers? Emma: Elaborate. ::Sidney's mind was firing rapidly. She struggled to get all of her thoughts in one place. This is how every breakthrough in an essay had been, every game won, every right word in the right ear; like firecrackers going off just behind her eyes.:: Pierce: What if we put the body to sleep, keeping them and everyone else safe from physical harm. We then move everyone into a REM state and let their brain sort out what is wrong with them. Emma: Using the processor to assess the damage and repair it. Interesting. There would be great risk of harm. They could awake as a different person. Pierce: I don't know. Do you think the human body would knowingly harm parts of itself in sleep? Most of the time spent dreaming is an attempt by the higher functions of the brain to get everything right. If we're in a pleasant dream we might try to stay there, otherwise everything is about waking up and setting things straight. We put them to sleep, we let their minds go. We get everyone back. ::They looked around the room at the cluster of injured bodies. Pierce let out a slow stream of air.:: Pierce: ::quietly:: Any volunteers? Lt JG Pierce Chief Medical Officer USS Apollo also simming for PNPC EMH Mark III "Emma" USS Apollo

Fixed. Last 4 posted sims are Round 13 by the calendar: Lt Commander Ben Walker - Moving On; Rick Rawden & Gypsy Hawker: Are We Going To Be Alright ?; Lt. LtCmdrs Isaac Green and Jaxon Mc Ghee *Unexpected Events* and Lt. Jg T'Mhin: Moments.

Welcome to the fleet and Happy Simming!

Welcome to the fleet and Happy Simming!

Posted June 12. - should be round 11, not round 10.

Welcome to all, congratulations on your graduation and good luck in your travels!

That's what I was asking for, thank you for confirmation.

Why don't you set the page as unchangeable or just partially changeable (once a year) with rules and list (with links) to previous winners? Thank you, Admiral Wolf, for finding it (thank you for everything you're doing so we can have more fun). I made the search, but opened 20 random posts and gave up too early. Now to point to the second part of my question. How much is too little and how much is too much to add from answer into the original sim? As I already mentioned, questionable may be what is not enough, what is enough and what may be considered too much of narration that should be included into original post from the response. What if the responding sim contains thorough explanation why the character responded in such a way? Should that be included or just the dialog of the tag?

I was told that sims with open tags can't be posted for "Top Sim Contest", but I checked rules and couldn't find anything in current rules or older versions I could find or even older anything about that rule. Was it maybe a part of the "Top Sim Contest" webpage which is not working? http://www.starbase118.net/members/events/topsims/ If that rule is accurate, what I see as yes, because I have seen only one open tag in all the sims that were posted since I joined I have a question concerning that. If the sim has open tags originally, what is proper procedure about including responses? What may be questionable here is the amount of narration that can/should/is not right, to be used from the sim responding to the one which is going to be submitted. What if the responding sim contains thorough explanation why the character responded in such a way? Should that be included or just the dialog of the tag?

Congratulations and enjoy yourselves, that’s what it's all about.

Welcome to the SB118, it's great to have you. I hope you will find it as interesting and fulfilling as I did.

Basically it's just every two months, so Jan/Feb, March/Apr, May/Jun, etc. Usually the exact dates for each round are set at the beginning of the round. Mar/Apr is just finishing up and the judges are working to determine the winner. Once the winner is chosen, that winner will select the next round's theme -- so we don't actually have a theme at this very moment. Once the winner chooses the next round's theme, then the facilitator (as of today, that's now Cmdr. Aron Kells, FO of SB118 Ops) will set up the next round and announce the exact open/close dates of each round. But we don't post the exact dates for each round, as it's mostly determined by the judges finishing up, getting the winner to choose the next theme and so forth - a lot of person-dependent situations that require some flexibility. Does that answer the question? Perfect, incredible, thank you!

I sincerely hope I finally managed to distinguish this two. As The Top Sims Contest has it's schedule - doesn't this one has it, too? It says for March/April 2012 Writing Challenge: Beginning Date: Tuesday, March 6th Ending Date: Saturday, April 22nd So this one is over and what is interesting is next one, right. So is there schedule for it posted anywhere or are those dates figured for each round from ... some other rule?

As some of you may know, Captain Tallis Rhul has resigned from the fleet. As such, we've had to find a new facilitator for this team. We have a volunteer, and we're just ironing out some details at the moment. The judging should occur, and the next round should start, on schedule if all goes according to plan And I feel like facepalming myself for asking wrong question, again! I need schedule and it is what I'm looking for.

Any news about the voting and start of next round?