Randal Shayne

Despite some characters’ appearance to the contrary, uniforms can’t stay on forever. At some point, they’ve got to come off, which means, generally, that something else goes on. Some will, of course, value the freedom their off hours permit to express themselves through their attire, or at least enjoy the comfort of less formal clothing. Others prefer the simplistic- why go to such lengths when a t-shirt and jeans would be more efficient? Some my prefer garb of a religious or cultural nature- Vulcans appear to enjoy an affinity for flowing robes and the like. What kind of clothing would your character wear off duty?

There's no getting past it; the United Federation of Planets has got style. Every live-action show has made some change to uniform audiences were introduced to in the 1960s. Often, it's a complete departure from precidented looks, and other times, its merely a subtle shift, but whether you prefer the utilitarian jumpsuit of Enterprise, or the "Monster Maroons" of Star Treks II-VI, it's likely that you have a favorite. Which of the uniforms, in your opinion, looks the best? Give us your vote, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below! A big thank you to Lieutenant Kayla Drex for this poll idea!

They might be heroes to us, but it’s easy to believe that our characters have dreams just like their writers. It’s not too far a stretch of the imagination to believe that those dreams might take a similar form to common fantasies in our daily lives. Who hasn’t wondered what it would be like to fly, or blast away at the bad guys with laser sight? Even with phasers and replicators at their disposal, the occasional dalliance with the impossible is only human. Which superpower would your character want for a day?

Hug?

"Deanna, take the helm!" And thus, the four scariest words in Star Trek history were spoken. It can be a challenge to master a single position on a starship, both in and out of character. Despite sharing similar uniforms, engineers, doctors, security officers and the rest of the senior staff have wildly different responsibilities. All of this comes with the implicit reminder that, someday, whether they're ready or not, an officer may be asked to take over the duties of a fallen comrade or a temporarily unavailable one. With that in mind, what second duty speciality would you be most interested in having your chracter try out? Give us your vote and let us know in the comments section below!

Doctor, doctor, gimme the blues! Medical professionals are steadfast parts of any Star Trek series, Just as captains and first officers have their distinctive personalities, the series’ doctors are a varied and fascinating bunch, each with their own specific skills, weaknesses and quirks. Sometimes even their sense of medical ethics goes against what is generally accepted, such as with Drs. Phlox and Russel. Of course, part of healthcare is choosing which doctor you feel most comfortable with. With that in mind, this week’s poll asks you which Star Trek doctor you’d feel most comfortable being treated by. Assume time differences are not an issue. Would you prefer the irascible but caring Dr. McCoy? Perhaps the enthusiastic Dr. Bashir fits your image of a desirable medical practitioner. Give us your vote, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

It’s been accepted that, following the conclusion of his missions in space, Captain Jonathan Archer ran for and won the presidency of the nascent United Federation of Planets. Though the specifics of his term are almost non-existent, in both alpha and beta canon, one can assume that he faced it with the same relative attitude as he faced his challenges in space. That got me thinking. We know the Federation survived after Archer’s service, but other captains held in high esteem might have filled the role in a similar fashion, using their own experiences and personalities to guide the Federation into new and uncertain territory. This week’s poll asks you which of the five original captains do you think would make the best president? Was Archer preserving it as he did sufficient to earn your vote, or do you feel that Jean-Luc Picard’s reserved, dignified nature would lend itself more effectively to a politician's office? Maybe Katherine Janeway’s appreciation for the scientific and unexplored would contribute to the furtherment of Starfleet’s missions, and usher in a new age of discovery.

There are some unspoken rules of life that seem to hold true wherever one goes. Gas station sushi is a risk. Towels are inordinately valuable for any situation. And great leaders of any cause tend to have a beverage of choice. Such is true for many of the Starfleet captains we’ve grown to know and love. We have seen the great Jean-Luc Picard indulge in a cup of Earl Grey on occasion, Benjamin Sisko frequently sip on raktajino, and Captain Kathryn Janeway’s obsession with coffee approaches legendary status. Whether facing down the Dominion or trying to get across a hostile quadrant of space, drinks help fuel Starfleet and those that drive it. This week’s poll asks for your character’s favorite drink. Do they enjoy the bitter flavor of black coffee? Are they more of a tea drinker? Maybe they enjoy something else completely. Whatever the case, give us your vote, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Captains must demonstrate astonishing qualities. They must be balanced, loyal, committed, educated, capable, and a million other things. But when it comes down to it, a captain must be decisive. Their actions, more often than not, affect hundreds, if not millions of people. While the rationale that leads them to a given decision is important to consider and reflect upon, the consequences of what happens next, both in the short and long term, may not be considered. An ongoing point in Voyager’s plot was the various and mixed feelings people often expressed regarding Captain Janeway’s decision to destroy the Caretaker’s Array, and strand Voyager in the Delta Quadrant. The reasoning behind her decision has been debated at great length, but her choice still stood, for better or for worse. The consequences of these actions had enormous ramifications. In the position of Captain Janeway and Voyager, would you have destroyed the array? This will be a simple yes/no question; while you are encouraged to explain yourself, the goal here is to see what you would do with all the consequences of the decision possible. In that split second, how do you react? Give us your vote, and let us know in the comments section below!

I am proceeding with extraordinary caution. Though I am hopeful, I don't dare keep my expectations high. Of course, knowing I have y'all here helps.

It’s almost impossible to divide the vast variety of personalities in the world into relatively solid, distinguished chunks. There will always be wiggle room, and ways to break the mold. I myself was skeptical about the Myers Brigg test when I first heard of it; the claim that a simple test could categorize me into one of sixteen subgroups was difficult to take seriously. Nevertheless, I attempted it, and was quite surprised at the accuracy of the results. It wasn’t too long before I began to wonder how my 118 character would fair on such a test. This, by extension, led to curiosity regarding the results of my comrades in quill. So this leads us to this week’s question; what Myers Brigg category would your character fit into? For those unfamiliar with the test, or unsure of the results, there’s a surprisingly enjoyable free test available online that can be found here. I would strongly recommend answering the questions as your character would for maximum effect. For those of you that already know your character’s category, let us know in the comments section below!

@Quentin Collins III; giving this fleet a good name since the day he started. ((Interior. Faculty of Classics. Cambridge University. Cambridgeshire, England)) Note: This takes place shortly before The Slow Blade Penetrates the Shield. Angelique: Now I know exactly what you are all thinking. “Well, she certainly doesn’t LOOK like a witch!” ::A nervous but genuine laugh broke out amongst the lecture hall. It was always better to try and disarm them first. Catch them off balance. Something she had grown quite adroit at during her long years in academia. Everything about her presentation today was designed to charm. From her burgundy colored tweed suit to the loose curls her thistled hair hung in around her shoulders, she aimed to make the best possible impression on the “stuffed shirts”, as her beloved referred to them. Jamison wasn’t particularly thrilled about the idea of her living in England for the incoming weeks, on loan to the college’s Classics department to help inventory a newly discovered cache of texts, thought to be stolen from the archives of St. Thomas Aquinas. But he wasn’t about to keep her from her books or from teaching new students. Any more than they could have kept their son away from the stars.:: Angelique: Trust me, I have heard it all before. And I’m sure the things I didn’t hear were twice as bad. But here is the question I pose...what if I was? ::the expected Murmur of dissension rattled the room. And the wolfish smile that usually accompanied it from her came as well.:: Angelique: think about it. Truly, think. We will in wondrous times. I look around this room and see a world of academia idealized. Races and creeds from behind the very fold of space now sit among us and learn of us just as we of them. We enjoy a society free of the ugly prejudices of before. A wealth of food for every table. All of this? At one time? Thought impossible. ::he raised her hands in contrition and crossed downward on the stage.:: Angelique: Now I know what you thinking here now as well. “You mean to tell us love gives you the power over matter?! Poppy[...]!” My husband has given me all forms of this argument I assure you. ::more laughter and a wider smile from the Professor. Time to finally reel them in.:: Angelique: but I, like you all, have seen incredible, groundbreaking things. Things that decades ago would have been indistinguishable from magic. I myself have stood upon a leyline and felt it’s charge. I have walked upon the moors of Loch Loroma and cast bones in the moonlight. We cannot be so close minded as to Ignore the mysteries that still await for us here in the hidden parts of the world. Angelique: how can we call ourselves Scholars if we are not willing to seek out the knowledge beyond knowledge? That is what I intend to seek here with you. Now if you’ll allow, I would like to give you a bit more background as to my “school” of thou- ::she never finished the sentence. In its stead a vision pierced though her skull, sending her eyes rolling into the back of her head and her frame bucking at the knees.:: ::Quentin. He was far away. Further than he had ever been from her. Blood coats his hands. The metal god looms underneath him. The frightened keepers hover above the Bird of Prey. She tries to reach for him but he fades. Further still, The Eyes fix on her son. Calling for him again and again and again and again and again and again.:: ::When she awakes, she realizes she’s crying. The assistant given to her by the university, Lucie, stands in front of her, clearly also shaken.:: Angelique: My boy...something’s happened...to my boy. ::is all she manages.:. END PROFESSOR ANGELIQUE BOUCHARD-COLLINS PROFESSOR OF PARAPSYCHOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY EMERITUS SALEM U. BANGOR, MAINE As simmed by LT jg. QUENTIN COLLINS III SCIENCE OFFICER U.S.S. EAGLE NCC-74659 E239512QC0

To be made a captain in Starfleet is to be recognized with trust, respect and appreciation. Despite a variety of episodes in which our heroes encounter less scrupulous colleagues, for the most part, Captains Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway and Archer performed their duties with honor, dedication and courage. Emphasis on the "for the most part." Even the best of us slip up or do something we regret from time to time. The pressures of commanding a starship and protecting ones crew can lead to a variety of ethically grey areas. No captain has been immune to this. Captain Kirk’s (somewhat understandable, if not commendable) bigotry toward Klingons was well documented. Captain Picard’s strict and uncompromising adherence to the Prime Directive lead to deep, lasting consequences on several occasions, and on one occasion, his refusal to order his tactical officer to donate blood to a Romulan doomed said Romulan to a slow and painful death. Captain Sisko was the first to engage in conspiratorially illegal actions, which included becoming an accessory to murder and a blatant violation of the Prime Directive. He was also responsible for utilizing a weapon of mass destruction on a civilian Maquis population. Captain Janeway’s decision to destroy the Caretaker’s array left the entire crew of Voyager stranded in an unfamiliar quadrant, and her obsession with exploration brought incalculable danger into their midst. Captain Archer’s often entitled attitude underlied actions with potentially disturbing implications, such as his refusal to give an entire civilization the cure to a mortal disease, and a desperate attack on an innocent alien vessel when diplomacy failed. Horatio Hornblower summarized it best when he said, “each of us may find a maggot in our past that would happily devour our future”. It seems clear our captains chose to move forward with their lives after these incidents, and maintained their strong moral compass. That said, which captain do you believe was the most morally dubious? Give us your vote, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Congratulations to you all!

It can be difficult to imagine a Starfleet that is even more advanced than what it is today. Already, ships can fly at preposterous speeds, massive arsenals can be unleashed, and vast starships can be protected from seemingly anything that can be thrown at them. Humanity has proven that collaboration can bring about an age of prosperity and progress hitherto undreamt of. Even now, that progress continues, highlighted by the introduction of the Warp XV engine and the designing of new vessels at the hands of our Advanced Starship Design Bureau. Even so, it seems that despite our capabilities, there are a plethora of mitigating factors that can throw crews for a loop. The shields are never quite strong enough, or are easily circumvented. Phasers, though powerful weapons, barely put a dent in some of the stronger foes the fleet has faced. Ships are constantly suffering from hull breaches, explosive decompressions, and rocks being blown out of consoles. The list goes on and on. Fortunately for us, the research division of Starfleet is always in motion, bringing new and better technologies to our fingertips, but they need your help! Your experiences in space are absolutely vital, and they want to hear from you. With that said, this week’s poll asks you to name the area of technology you want Starfleet R&D to study most urgently! Do you think our ship designs and materials need to be advanced? How about our weapons? Perhaps amenities aboard need improvements- nothing like a holodeck failure to take you out of the moment! Or maybe you want to fly past even Warp XV. Give us your vote, and let us know in the comments section below!

Starfleet has always been about exploring, and looking for similarities among differences, and embracing that which is unknown. As a result, from time to time, Starfleet officers are offered a rare opportunity- the chance to serve, in a temporary capacity, aboard a ship or instillation from another power. This is a truly special opportunity- representing the best of the Federation, while working on bridging cultural divides, is a prospect suited to only the finest officers. Naturally, your characters would all qualify (wink). So the question I have for you is this; what alien service would your character be most interested in joining? Would the confined, barren darkness of a Klingon warship suit their fancy? How about the spartan interiors of a Jem’Hadar beetle? Perhaps you’d prefer to serve with a species not listed below? Give us your vote, and explain away in the comments section!

Congratulations! Starfleet Command has seen fit to request and require you to take command of the illustrious USS Insert-Overly-Used-Starship-Name-Here. This is a proud moment for us all, but the challenges are just beginning. Your first command decision must be the selection of a crew from scratch, and what crew selection could begin without bringing on an executive officer? You have a variety to choose from; each is willing to serve under you. Spock, a half Vulcan, is renowned for his effective performance and coldly logical approach. Will Riker maintains that devotion to duty, but appreciates much more informal surroundings. Kira Nerys, a former Bajoran freedom fighter, is known for her quick temper and tough-as-nails constitution. Chakotay, though having resigned previously from Starfleet to fight with the Maquis, is a kind soul wrapped in a stern countenance. T’Pol, a Vulcan woman, has begun to explore her emotions, and attempts to integrate them into her otherwise uninhibited reasoning. This week’s poll asks you to name your choice. It should be a decision that reflects your personal idea of what a first officer should be, and how you’d want yours to behave and look at situations. Give us your vote, and let us know your reasoning in the comments section!

Shayne isn't quite as brave, but just as happy to leave the fancy getups to all of y'all.

LtCmdr Pavlova: "No" and other long-winded responses I chuckled.

Not even Starfleet officers can be brilliant at everything. The years upon years of schooling Academy cadets undergo are grueling to be sure, but, upon graduation, the vast majority of new ensigns are qualified for one department alone. Beyond the fact that the education required to succeed as an officer on a Federation starship or facility is extraordinarily demanding, cadets almost always have some sort of personal preference that helps them decide what path they want to pursue. Skills, goals, and demeanor all have a bearing on what service the ensign will end up providing. This week’s poll asks you to name the department or position that your character would be least adept at. Would their brawny, combative nature make a career in the medical department a struggle? Perhaps their dislike of violence would lead away from the security team? Give us your vote, and let us know in the comments section below!

Ah, that most pervasive of internet staples. It seems that every show and every character has been featured on these loose personality organizers at least once, and Star Trek has been of particular focus. Though I personally believe that trying to shove an entire individual into nine categories is all but impossible, the struggle to pick between separate and distinctive parts of a personality can lead to some fantastic insight. This week’s poll asks you what alignment your character would best fall under? Are they a chaotic individual, striving for good? Perhaps they have a more detached personality, and appreciate lawfulness over all else. Whatever you decide for your character, give us your vote and explain away in the comments section below!

((OOC: I cackled at work. Confound your ability to make me laugh, Mr. @Quentin Collins III!)) ((Interior. DECK 2. SCI Lab 1. After SB281)) ::It had been and long and thankfully boring day of specimen inspection for Ensign Quentin Collins. As was Science Officer protocol after a ship engagement, all of their current experiments and stowed research materials had to be inspected and uncatalogued in case of damage or containment failure. So far they had only lost a rack of fungus for a study Mr. Terumak had been cultivating and Quentin wasn't going to be the one to tell him. But it was steady work and welcome to boot for Collins. Especially after the fiasco that was getting his books back on the 281.:: Collins: oO Not exactly our best moment...Oo ::He winced, closing up another cold storage and marking it "INTACT" on his PADD. God, what if it interfered with the upcoming awards ceremony. What if it just cost him rank?:: Collins: oO is my career over before it even starts? Oo ::The chirp of his comm jolted him from the edge of melancholy.:: Anders: =/\= Commander Anders to Ens. Collins. =/\= ::Just what he needed. He tapped his badge, setting the PADD down on a nearby work table.:: Collins: =/\= Collins here, Commander. What can I do for you?=/\= Anders: =/\= I was wondering if you had a few minutes to stop by Crypto, I am having an issue that I could use your help with. =/\= ::He felt himself brighten. Crypto was the flash new designation that lab up on the Bridge had now. He had done a quick duty shift in there, but he hadn't seen it since CMMD. Anders had moved in and put it to the actual purpose it was built for. If anything it would be worth just a look around.:: Collins: =/\= Absolutely, Commander. I'm on my way.=/\= ::The line cut and Collins turned toward the main doorway of the Lab. He started to step forward, but saw the unmistakable frame of Mr. Terumak. The spiky Tellarite was in the middle of resetting a workstation, damaged in the ship contact. Quentin sighed quickly and stepped in time. Might as well go ahead and rip this bandage off now. He slipped in next to the petty officer on his way to the doorway and cleared his throat. After his instinctual huff when realizing who was talking to him, he continued his work.:: Terumak: Yeesir? Collins: I need you to finish up the materials inventory, Commander Anders needs me upstairs. ::He said pushing the PADD into the crewman's hand. He took it and started to look it over, surely scrolling for his mushrooms.:: Also, your mushrooms are dead. ::He started to look up to Quentin but he had already started stepping toward the door. Quentin heard only a sad scoff as he stepped.:: Collins: ::Calling over his shoulder:: I'm so sorry! When you mourn we all mourn! ::The silence of the corridor was a tonic.:: ((Interior: DECK 1. CRYPTO)) ::All awkwardness from his last encounter was blasted away as soon as he stepped into the lab. It was like a whole other compartment. Somehow sharper and keener, as the equipment gleamed and warbled silently, gathering intel. He instantly spied Commander Anders hunched over one of center consoles. He approached and stood at a loose attention.:: Collins: Commander. How may I assist? ::Maybe a touch formal, but it was better safe than sloppy.:: Anders: I am trying to get the sensors from all the different science departments to link with the Cipher so that it can analyze all data in an extreme situation and for some reason it will not stay linked. It will start the sync and then bump off. ::Quentin furrowed his brow.:: Collins: Well, that's frustrating. ::He motioned toward the console:: May I? Anders: RESPONSE ::Collins nodded and stepped up. Keying in his access codes, he quickly acclimated himself to the new streamlined interface. the Commander really had done a number in here and it was a sight to behold. Even better to actually work with it. He pulled up the synchronization reports and confirmed the Commander's assessment. But even more curious...:: Collins: It looks like all the labs' data streams have linked properly, but something keeps weighing down the whole sync Anders: RESPONSE Collins: I know, stating the obvious, right? Let me try and isolate the specifically unpaired system and then we can work from there. ::He pulled up all the available data streams to CRYPTO. The sheer amount of information was staggering. Almost intoxicating. But even it seemed to miss something to Quentin...:: Collins: Wait... Anders: RESPONSE Collins: I think I have something, sir. ::He tried to access Astrometrics and the computer blerped a denial.:: There we go! It's Astrometrics. My guess is the main scope arrays haven't been updated since you set up shop Anders: RESPONSE Collins: We can try to reboot remotely, but I'm guessing to get you and Astrometrics fully paired we would have to restart the whole eyeglass. But that's not really my school of thought as it were. ::As if by magic, Mr. Hayley stepped into the space.:: Collins: Ah! Mr. Hayley. Perfect timing! Anders/Hayley: RESPONSE TBC ENSIGN QUENTIN COLLINS III SCIENCE OFFICER U. S. S. EAGLE NCC-74659 E239512QC0

If there was a single recurring character that (at least at first glance) seems to embody the very antithesis of Star Trek’s sweeping vision, it would be Quark. The scheming, capitalistic, sexist Ferengi is truly despicable from the very beginning of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and shamelessly displays his materialistic mindset at every turn. Even so, over the course of seven seasons, Quark managed to work his way into the hearts of viewers. His development throughout the series is undeniable and one of the many treats audiences were able to enjoy. What was once a mostly shelved idea for a villainous species was given life through Quark and his fellow Ferengi characters. His popularity is best exemplified by the numerous episodes that had Quark as a focus. Though some of them were truly malignant (looking at you, “Profit and Lace”) the vast majority were effective, meaningful, and often hilarious. This week’s poll asks which Quark moment or episode you found most enjoyable! Give us your vote and let us know your thinking in the comments section!

Ah, @Chloe Waters, you never disappoint.

OOC: This brutalized my feels. IC: ((Kayla's Quarters, time signature: immediately after the mission concludes)) ::Kayla walked around her quarters, reflecting on how completely different her life had been than she expected since joining Starfleet. She wasn't complaining really - The Eagle was incredible, as was the crew. She was glad that this latest mission was over. She'd found the whole situation exceedingly unsettling. ::As she picked up the delicate teacup with steaming oolong from the replicator, her console beeped, alerting her of an incoming transmission. Kayla walked to the small desk, sat down and tapped to complete the connection. To her surprise, it was the face of Michael, one of her brothers, that filled the screen. His customary rakish grin was not in place however. Its absence told Kayla immediately that something was wrong. Very wrong.:: Michael: Hey, K. Drex: Hi, Mikey. What's wrong? Michael: Can you come home? It's Mom. She's ... she's not doing well, K. ::It was like a punch to her gut. Kayla felt the breath leave her lungs, and wasn't sure she had the strength to refill them. Forcing herself, the breath came in a shudder as her vision blurred with immediate tears. Michael was not one for exaggeration or drama.:: Drex: ::choked with emotion:: Michael, what do you mean? I just saw Mom last Christmas. She was fine. Michael: I know, K. She's not sick. There was ... an accident. The doctors stabilized her, but they ::he paused for a steadying breath:: ... they say she doesn't have long. Drex: What? Michael, no! Please tell me this is a VERY bad joke. Michael: I wish I could, sis. I so wish I could. ::now openly crying:: Can you come home? Now? Drex: ::also crying:: of course. I'll leave as soon as I can arrange a shuttle. Oh God, Mike.... Momma. Michael: I know ... send me a message when you know when you'll be arriving. I'll make arrangements for you on this end. Drex: mkay. Thanks for telling me, Michael. Love you. Michael: Love you too, sis. ::The connection was cut. Kayla felt as though the inertial dampeners had just failed catastrophically. The whole room spun. She clutched the edge of the desk for support. Her left hand caught the saucer of her teacup. piping hot oolong tea poured out onto her hand. Swearing loudly, she picked up the delicate china cup and hurled it across the room. As it shattered against the far wall of her quarters, the sound seemed to give voice to her heart breaking into seemingly too many pieces to ever be repaired. ::Kayla collapsed onto the floor by her desk and sobbed for what felt like an eternity. Eventually though, she was able to compose herself enough to tap her badge. She knew her voice would sound raw and muddy, but that didn't matter now. The only thing that mattered was getting to Earth ... before it was too late.:: Drex: =/\= Drex to Commander Oddas =/\= Oddas: =/\= Oddas here =/\= Drex: =/\= Sir, I've just received news from home. My ... my mother is dying. I need to get to Earth as quickly as possible. =/\= Oddas: =/\= My Condolences, Lieutenant. :: pause :: Take the time you need and keep me apprised. =/\= Drex: =/\= Thank you, Commander. =/\= ((timeskip: on the transport ship back to Earth)) ::She sat with her head against the wall of the long distance shuttle, drifting in and out of sleep. She hadn't slept properly in days. Not since the communication with Michael. Any time she closed her eyes, she saw her Momma's face. She was so pretty. Far too young to die. ::Kayla didn't even notice the tears sliding silently down her cheek now. It had become the new normal to be crying. As sleep took her briefly, she continued crying. The tears continued into her sleep - into her dream. ((dream)) ::Kayla was about 6 or 7 years old. It was dark - nearly 10 o'clock at night, and little Kayla sat at the end of the family dock, crying by herself. Leanna, her Momma, walked to the end of the pier, and without saying a word, sat down next to the sad child.:: Leanna: What's wrong, Sparks? Drex: Phillip and David were teasing me because I'm puny. ::The look on Leanna's face was like a lioness, turning on another animal that messed with her cub.:: Leanna: Do you know why they tease you, Kayla? Drex: No. They say it's because I'm a runt, and that I - Leanna: ::cutting Kayla's words in mid-sentence:: Stop. They tease you because you're bigger than they are. Drex: ::looking at her Momma through confused, tear-puffy eyes:: That's silly. I'm not bigger than them. Leanna: Not physically maybe, but look at me, Sparks. ::She lifted the little girl's chin gently so the child's watery eyes met her own, which to Kayla's surprise also had tears in them. Leanna: You are the biggest person I've ever known. You have a universe inside you - a universe of excitement, curiosity, possibility, hope, love, compassion, and beauty. That's what they see when they see you. Whether they know it or not, they see what you can become, and they can't figure out how all that can fit inside such a little person. Drex: Really? ::sniffing:: Leanna: Really. And it's what I see too, but I know better. I know you're going to do incredible things. Everywhere you go, every person you meet, everything you touch will be touched by your universe, and you know what? This universe will be better for it, baby girl. ::Kayla broke into new tears, but this time it was tears of love for her Momma. The one who showed her her universe.:: ((shuttle)) ::Kayla awoke to the gentle touch of the Betazoid co-pilot's hand on her shoulder. He had been very kind to her this trip, being able to feel her pain.:: Nolan: We're nearly to Earth. I thought you would want to collect your things so you can be off more quickly. Drex: ::wiping her tear-stained face:: Yes. Yes of course. Thank you, Mr. Nolan. You've been very sweet. ::Nolan inclined his head slightly, indicating the compassion he'd shown was the least he could do for her, and walked back to his chair at the front of the shuttle.:: ::Kayla took a deep breath and looked around the cabin. She hadn't even opened her bag during the flight. She walked to the small head in the back of the cabin and closed the door behind her. She let cool water run over her hands into the sink basin. That was life, she supposed. You can try to hold onto it, but the harder you cling, the more slips through your fingers. Maybe it was best to just try to enjoy every moment as best you could. There was never a way to know when it would stop flowing. ::She splashed her face clean with the refreshing water, patted her skin dry, and went back to her seat.:: ((Leanna Marsh-Drex's bedside (timeskip: 239604.29))) Drex: Momma? Dr. Antares: She's sleeping now. I'd like to wait to wake her until the rest of your family is here. Drex: Of course, Doctor. Michael: ::putting a comforting arm around his sister:: You alright, K? Drex: No, Mikey. I'm not. Michael: Yeah ... Me either. ::They sat in silence, hardly looking away from the peaceful face they'd known all their lives. Within the hour, The rest of the family had congregated around the bed. Gulliver sat by the head of the bed. He hadn't been able to speak more than a few words of welcome to his children. They all shared his pain.:: Dr. Antares: If you're all ready, I can wake her now. ::Dr. Gulliver Drex - the brilliant scientist - merely nodded and scooted slightly closer to the bed containing the object of his love for so many years.:: Leanna: ::her eyes slowly fluttered open and looked at each of their faces:: Well, darn. I guess this is it, huh? Drex: Momma ... I love you Leanna: Oh baby, I will always love you. I'm so proud of the woman you've become. Don't ever forget that. You are going to do so many great things. I just know it. ::One by one, Leanna said her final goodbye to her family. The tears flowed freely from all of them. Gulliver looked at his children, silently asking for a moment alone. They quietly got up and left the room. In the hall, the five children held each other, holding each other up. ::When they re-entered the room, Leanna had passed. Gulliver was sobbing, his face buried in her hair. Kayla and her brothers moved as one to his side, embracing him, and crying with him.:: NT __________________________________ Lieutenant Kayla Drex Chief Science Officer USS Eagle, NCC-74659 Image Collective Writer ID: E239510KD0 Science is life, art is soul, love is home Wiki: Kayla Drex