Etan Iljor

Yup, @Arys is going to fit right in!

This is beautifully written ❤️

The way I not only knew the reference but could hear Bea’s voice. Bless you @Yalu

Totally accurate.

This is absolutely stunning and beautifully written @Talos Dakora and Adri’s relationship really jumps off the page and you can tell how much he cares for her. Love this ❤️ (Chief's Office - Intel Suite - Deck 16 - USS Excalibur-A) It had been a few days since the Senior Staff's return from... wherever CloQ had sent them and Talos' sleep schedule had improved marginally. The random bouts of anxiety that the rogue Q would appear and reveal that this was all just one more layer in their game had become less frequent, but weren't gone entirely. He was sitting at his desk with his nose buried in a report when someone barged through his door unannounced. Halfway through an annoyed head-raise-to-scowl maneuver, he felt her presence and immediately replaced it with a warm smile. She stopped on the other side of his desk and he had the distinct impression that he was about to be roped into some mysterious errand for the second time in as many days. That said, the last time had turned out rather enjoyable and he hadn't ever found himself regretting a moment spent with Adriana Morgan. A.Morgan: Talos. Let's go. It was clear that he wasn't being asked to join her, rather he was being informed that he was now going with her to... wherever. He cracked a wry smile and quirked an eyebrow. Dakora: Am I allowed to ask where we're going? There was a sense of urgency to her thoughts, but for the most part, she seemed keen on keeping her intentions to herself. A.Morgan: You'll see. Come on. Even if he'd wanted to argue, and he didn't, the grin and the look she hit with would've brought him on board anyway. He set the padd he'd been using down and rose from his seat to follow her out the door. Dakora: I guess, I'll just follow you the- Just as the doors to the Intel Suite closed behind them, she took his hand and tapped her badge, cutting him off before he could finish his sentence. A.Morgan: =/\= Computer, initiate site to site transport, Morgan Alpha Nine Seven Tango.=/\= He laughed and shook his head, as he prepared to let himself be transported to wherever she had planned. After all of his paranoia and anxiety that CloQ would appear and maliciously take him away from everything that was familiar once again, he found it odd how unconcerned he was about letting her take him wherever she pleased. It made sense though, considering that wherever she was, was exactly where he wanted to be. Dakora: ::Smirking.:: See you on the other side... Still holding hands, he met her gaze just before they disappeared into shimmering light. ((Observation Deck, Deep Space 224)) When they reappeared it took him a moment to get his bearings. The surroundings were familiar; The walls were dominated by large windows and the black floor was polished to a reflective sheen. This was one DS224's observation lounges, but rather than facing the docking area, like the one where he'd met Adri, this one faced out towards the black void that was the ever-present backdrop of their lives. Clearly, some kind of event was happening as there was a larger crowd than the usual gaggle of people that congregated in these spaces and someone had set out a table of refreshments and hors-d'oeuvres. He turned to Adri curiously, wondering if she was ready to reveal why she'd brought him here yet. A.Morgan: It's about to start. Watch. Right on cue, a magnificent spatial phenomenon began to blink, flash and dance sending long beams of colored light pulsating away from its center. From their position, right in front of the big picture windows, it looked like the universe itself was putting on a show for them. He put an arm around the woman next to him and pulled her in tight by his side as they watched; only taking his eyes off the spectacle to commit the memory of her face, dressed in wonder and contentment, bathed in the light of the pulsar to his memory forever. Dakora: ::Quietly:: Holy strokes. This is... ::He let out an involuntary sigh of contentment.:: Amazing. A.Morgan: Response? He nodded towards the phenomenon- Pulsar? Quasar? He wasn't sure, what exactly this type of anomaly was called, but it was undeniably gorgeous. Dakora: How long is it going to last? A.Morgan: ? As their emotions intertwined and tried to imitate the dance of the cosmos in front of them, he wondered why he hadn't come to her sooner. As their relationship progressed, he was still occasionally finding old holdouts within him, little seemingly innocuous habits that were like tiny barriers to letting himself accept that he was in a relationship and he was happy. After the traumatic experience of being thrown through time, he'd sort of retreated into himself. He'd tried to internalize what they'd been through and work through it on his own. Realizing how much better he felt already after only a few minutes with Adri was a rather stark reminder that he wasn't alone in the universe anymore. He took advantage of their telepathy, so that they didn't disturb any of the other viewers. Dakora: ~I don't think I realized how much I needed this. ::Beat:: I needed you. The fallout from the stuff from CloQ has had me in a kind of bad place, lately.~ A.Morgan: ~? TAG/TBC ======//////======> LtJG Talos Dakora Acting Chief Intelligence Officer USS Excalibur-A O238811CD0

Congratulations and welcome to the fleet!!! Can’t wait to see you around

Famous last words…….

@Yalu’s not wrong, either.

Awww thank you! I had so much fun writing this!

*laughs in Drag Race*.

Congratulations on passing your cadet exam and welcome to our wonderful community!

This is simply superb. @Vitor S. Silveira has written one of the most emotionally affecting posts I've seen since I've been here. Bravo! -- ((CloQ’s Realm)) They were taken. Again. And this time to the Lions Den itself. Confronting CloQ Vitor stood his ground opening his heart to the creature, explaining his thank you that appeared to have caught the powerful being by surprise. Silveira: It made me again realise how I need to improve. To better myself so I can help my Commodore, my comrades. ::Vitor's smile widden:: My family. So your failed entertainment was another growing process for me. Because… Vitor tilted his head and opened his arms, waving them around. Silveira: I mean, someone as powerful as yourself at least has to serve some purpose. If it wasn’t for that you were insignificant. That must have struck a nerve with CloQ. He began to tower over Vitor menacingly. It looked like a fantasy tale, where the powerful wizard rose against the insignificant mortal that took his stand against him. Jor shot Vitor a look of incredulity. Vitor wasn’t sure how CloQ was going to react, but he offered Jor a reassuring smile and a nod. CloQ: Insignificant? I? How fundamentally ridiculous. I will show you how insignificant you are, you little worm. You pustule, you snivelling little gnome. CloQ’s angry tirade almost brought Vitor a smile. If it wasn’t the concerns he now had about them. Tiberius: Sil, please stop. Calmly Vitor stood his ground. Speaking with a neutral tone he was serious. Most likely dead serious, as he looked up into the entity's eyes. Silveira: My apologies if you consider my words an insult. That was not my intention. But truly for someone with your sort of skills, even you have to admit serving to help a mere mortal is a bit desapointing. CloQ apparently ignored his words. CloQ: I have quite enough of you, Vitor Silveira. Yes, I know your name. I know EVERYTHING. I know everything about you and your life. More, in fact than you do. ::they pressed their watch, freezing time around them. The away team was conscious but they could not move:: I could take years off your life, my friend, leave you a babe, mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms, or I could advance you through time, skipping over every painful interaction that you will have and leave you a frail, old man. Or perhaps, Vitor, I could warp you to that delicious agony you have yet to experience - the moment when you are assimilated. But no, that would be a spoiler. No, instead, my friend. I will allow you to grow again, to “better yourself” all over again. Remember your encounter with the Iconian? Let’s send you back then. You’ll still remember everything that’s happened since, but that trauma will be as fresh as the day you stepped out of that coma. CloQ pressed down on something of his watch. Vitor was frozen in place. A feeling he knew all too well. But he kept his defiance as CloQ returned to human size again and took Vitor’s face in their hand. CloQ: Tell your nightmares CloQ says hello. And with that CloQ and his realm were gone. ((USS Excalibur-A, The Round Table - Present)) They were back. Vitor felt the cold back in his body, due to his short attire. He could hear the familiar voices around him. He knew where he was. He knew when he was. He knew with whom he was. But part of him wasn't here. He was back in time, space… And fear. In the background as a distant echo he could sense the motion of the Round Table and his comrades. But he couldn't move. Like before his body didn't followed his mind. He was trapped like when he woke up. He hit the ground. Like a fallen statue. But he hardly felt any pain. Only entrapment. Like a weight all over him. A immeasurable pressure pinning him down. Suffocating. Vitor was fully conscious. Totally aware of what was happening. But ignoring it for the turmoil of surprise, fear and panic. Back then, when he finally woke up, he sensed the Doctors and Nurses around him. Now even his senses were blurry and he didn’t knew who was around him. He wasn’t sure what they were doing to him He fought for control. For movement. Trying to move. Breath. Something. Every time he failed his anxiety raised. He lost track of time. He was close to give in to panic. But he kept going. He kept fighting. He kept still. Bloqued. Frozen. Trapped. He panicked. He screamed. He jumped. He fought. He cried. He gave it one last desperate jolt in the middle of the panic and terror now set in his mind. He jumped moving his hands, looking around. Crawling away from the others, from anyone as his mind and body still weren't yet in sink. Crying, shaking as if he was in a place below zero, he saw the shapes of his comrades. He raised his hand begging. Silveira: Help me… Any: ? TAG/TBC Lt. Vitor S. Silveira Tactical Officer USS Excalibur-A, NCC-41903-A O238907VS0

Thank you to everyone involved in another amazing awards season!

You may have to get in line before Iljor! 😁 Congratulations everybody. You are truly the best of this fleet and I am honoured to be writing with you!

This little gem from @Karrod Niac: It's giving:

This brought me so much joy!

@Addison MacKenzie’s savagery is on a whole other level.

Congratulations and thank you for every thing you do. @Sal Taybrim I had the pleasure of writing with you for two years and your faultless guidance, your steady hand and your outlook on life inspired me then. It continues to inspire me now. I can’t wait for another opportunity to write with you and/or benefit from your wisdom. @Jo Marshall I’m never not in awe of you everything you do. Words really don’t quite define just how incredible you are when you turn your hand to something. Just like Sal, you’re an inspiration to me and you’ll forever be one of my all time favourite humans! @Kali Nicholotti I remember the first time I wrote with you- I was Starstruck in a way because to me you are a living legend in the fleet. I find your prose breathtaking, I find your ability to juggle so many plates at once and still remain dedicated to the Excalibur and to the fleet to be wonderful. Im forever grateful that I get to write with you and that you encourage me to think outside of the box.

Relatable content!

Not me quoting my own work here. I really smiled when I saw @Sleepy Tiberius’ reply to this. It was really heartwarming!

Congratulations to everybody who has won an award! You truly deserve all of the platitudes- you’re an inspiration to al of us!

Big love and gratitude to both @Jo Marshall and @Genkos Adea for their hard work organising this years awards ceremony and for being fabulously British!

Congratulations to all the winners! You are all so creative, iconic and inspirational. I’ve been with this group seven years and I am never not amazed by what you all contribute! Also want to say a big thank you to whoever nominated me for the Nebula Bar- I’m really touched and honoured! ❤️

It’s giving “classy Cornish sailor” and quite frankly, I am so here for it!

This really tickled me! 😆