Trellis Vondaryan

September 6, 2017

Welcome T'Karra!

August 31, 2017

Garak. Plain, simple Garak.

August 30, 2017

The days are growing shorter. School is in, or just about to be, in session once again. Which means summer is almost over. But the News team has been as busy as ever! Here's a recap of what they've been up to this month. Thanks for the continuing support.

The Federation News Service posted seven monthly vessel reports;
Between them, LtCmdr. Shayne & LtCmdr. Valdivia generated four new Polls of the Week;
LtCmdr. Traenor wrote one Top Sims Contest post, unfortunately the last for the contest;
LtCmdr. Jorey also had the last post for his contest, about the Featured Bio Contest;
Capt. Rahman posted twice, the article about monthly post totals and recruiting for the FNS;
Cmdr. Blair contributed the article about the Academy applications/graduates;
Cpt. Taybrim wrote a Chat Reminder and another article in the Writing Workshop series;
Capt. Nugra contributed an article on Publicity;
Lt. Rosek directed us to listen to the new Podcast;
LtJG. Ji-hu wrote two, once a Species Spotlight and another Writer's Workshop;
and Admrl. Wolf wrote numerous articles, including interviews, chat reminders, the promotions article, and the article about reorganizing OOC activities.

Thanks to everyone for varied articles! Let's fall into September (pardon the pun) and make it even better.

August 23, 2017

Congratulations! Welcome to the fleet!

August 14, 2017

Well done! See you around the fleet!

August 10, 2017

((USS Gorkon – Deck 7 – Sickbay))

:: Mek'Tuk swaggered into sickbay with a wide grin. The swagger was nothing new and the grin was often common but it had been a permanent feature since he'd received his orders to join the Gorkon. This was the third ship that he'd served on since leaving the Empire and joining Starfleet and it was by far the most powerful and, perhaps more importantly, it had an excellent name.::

::His previous assignments were on the USS Salem and USS Des Moines. He'd joined the Salem as a member of its SAR - Search & Rescue – team before transferring to the Des Moines as a Ranger medic. Initially, Mek'Tuk had been dismayed when he joined his first ship and discovered that it was an Ambassador class. Mek'Tuk was a warrior and wanted nothing to do with Ambassador's or their private vessels, so it had come as a pleasant surprise when he was informed that the class was actually a Heavy Cruiser. It was certainly old but it was still strong and powerful, befitting his presence. He'd seen far older birds-of-prey service the Klingon Houses to deadly effect.::

::He'd enjoyed his time on the Salem so much that when it came time for a new assignment he had requested a transfer to her sister ship, the USS Des Moines. It just so happened that the Des Moines held a platoon of Starfleet Rangers who here short a medic, and as Mek'Tul was trained as both healer and warrior he was a perfect fit. He considered himself truly favored by the ancestors.::

::Now he had again been assigned as a Ranger as its Medic, but this time on the USS Gorkon. Mek'Tuk's It was this news that had given birth to his wide grin.::

:: Often Starfleet had a strange fascination with giving its ships weak names. Why would anyone name a ship, for example, Stargazer? Who wanted to spend there entire time aboard ship gazing at stars? Even for Starfleet, there must be a limit to such fruitless endeavors. Then there was the Enterprise and while every Klingon respected the name, even those who had fought the vessel, the respect was due to the reputation. They respected the fighting spirit of Kirk, the sacrifice of Garratt and the honor Picard. They did not respect the meaning of the name. As far as Mek'Tul could figure out the name's meaning had something to do with a monopoly of business, like it should be crewed by Ferengi.::

::But with the Gorkon, Starfleet had gotten it right. It was a magnificent name, taken from the Klingon battle fleet commander and later Chancellor who had brokered alliance between the Federation and Empire, only fitting that Mek'Tul serve on her. When Mek'tul had gotten an opportunity to see the ship class his grin had widened to the point that his face barely contained it. It was a Sovereign-class battle cruiser… officially Starfleet called it an Explorer, but Mek'Tul was no fool and in a Klingon fleet it would have been listed as a Battle Cruiser. It was the prestige of his new assignment that caused Mek'Tul to be in such high spirits when he entered the sickbay. However, he did not get far before he was confronted by a member of the medical team.::

EMH: Please state the nature of the medical emergency?

:: The doctor looked at Mek'Tul and not seeing any injury, suggested.::

EMH: Are you here for a physical?

:: Mek'Tul chuckled.::

Mek'Tul: Indeed Doctor, I'm ready for my physical! :: He announced loudly.:: Shall I disrobe here or in your private quarters?

:: Mek'Tul tugged at his belt for effect and the human blanched.::

EMH: Private quarters? I am a doctor, not a cheap date!

:: Mek'Tul Roared in laughter.::

Mek'Tul: Of course not! There will be blood wine first!

:: The Human took a step back.::

EMH: First, No alcohol is permitted aboard the USS Gorkon. Secondly, I am the ship's Emergency Medical Hologram and I do not have personal quarters. :: Another step back.:: If you are not injured I must insist that you leave.

Mek'Tul: Hologram? No alcohol? What kind of Klingon ship is this?

EMH: The USS Gorkon NCC-82293, is a Federation Starship under the command of Fleet Captain Quinn Reynolds. The nearest Klingon vessel is two light years in that direction.

:: The EMH pointed his finger in the direction of the sickbay exit. Mek'Tul shook his head in resignation, Starfleet continued to be a very strange place.::

Mek'Tul: It would not be called a battle if it was easy.:: Mek'Tul said philosophically with a shrug to the confusion for the hologram.:: I am not here for a physical, phantom of the lower deck. I am due to report to the Chief Medical Officer.

:: He reached for a Padd and handed it to the hologram.::

Mek'Tul: I am Petty Officer 3rd class Mek'Tul, Son of Kortok, House of Tenalor. I am a Ranger Medic and when not on duty with the 451st, sickbay nurse.

EMH: Sickbay Nurse? :: The hologram looked at the Padd with a look of shock.::

Mek'Tul: Indeed, Siren of the Sickbay. Now, where is the Chief Medical Officer?

EMH: The position of Chief Medical Officer is currently vacant.

:: Mek'Tul frowned. He withdrew his Mek'leth blade from its holster and scratched his ridges with it.::

Mek'Tul: Who activated you?

EMH: You can't have a sword in the sickbay!

:: Mek'Tul stopped scratching his ridges and looked at the hologram in confusion.::

Mek'Tul: Sword? Do you mean my Mek'leth? It's fine, consider it my scalpel. I am Nurse but, I am a Ranger Medic first.

EMH: Scalpel? You can NOT perform surgery with THAT.

Mek'Tul: What is the alternative? A Bet'leth? :: Mek'Tul scoffed.:: Don't be ridiculous, the balance would be all wrong. :: Mek'Tul place the blade back in its holster.:: Now, who activated you, Poltergeist of Deck Seven?

EMH: Ensign Yiggtissi activated me.

Mek'Tul: I assume Ensign Yiggtissi is a member of the medical team?

:: The EMH nodded.::

Mek'Tul: And where would the brave Ensign be now?

EMH: I am a Doctor, not a secretary.

:: Mek'Tul squinted his eye's, showing anger for the first time.::

Mek'Tul: Have you considered a career change to intelligence.

:: The EMH huffed at that.::

EMH: I believe he is on the Bridge with Ensign Wakefield, another member of the ship's medical team.

:: Mek'Tul hummed and looked around the empty sickbay. Clearly, most of the staff were on leave or off duty.::

Mek'Tul: Very well. I shall return at a more convenient time.

:: Mek'Tul turned to leave.::

EMH: Wait.

:: Mek'Tul turned back with a raised eyebrow.::

EMH: Could you deactivate me?

:: Mek'Tul nodded firmly.::

Mek'Tul: I could.

:: With that, Mek'Tul turned and exited the Sickbay. Leaving the sulking Hologram behind him.::

=/\=

PNCP

Petty Officer 3rd Class Mek'Tul

451st Ranger Medic

USS Gorkon

Simmed by

Ensign Sera zh' Aella

Engineering Officer

USS Gorkon

V239107TZ0

August 6, 2017

Welcome to the fleet, Ensign! Glad to have you aboard.

August 3, 2017

Summer is in full swing in the northern hemisphere. America celebrated a birthday, cyclists toured France and a 36-year old Swiss man won a record 8th Wimbledon title. What a great month. Oh, yeah, our great writers continued to contribute to the News team. Thanks to everyone.

Thanks to the Federation News Service for their continued contribution of the eight monthly vessel reports;
Between them, LtCmdr. Shayne & LtCmdr. Valdivia generated four new Polls of the Week;
LtCmdr. Traenor wrote two Top Sims Contest posts;
LtCmdr. Jorey had two Featured Bio Contest articles;
Capt. Rahman once again posted the article about monthly post totals;
Cmdr. Blair contributed an article about the Academy applications/graduates;
Cpt. Taybrim gave another article in the Writing Workshop series;
Capt. Nugra gave an explanation of Trekobabble and its uses;
and Admrl. Wolf wrote numerous interviews, the chat reminders -- and the trivia chat winner, the promotions article, and, quite importantly, the plea to support Net Neutrality (go sign the petition if you haven't already).

Thanks to everyone for your excellent articles! Let's see what August has in store.

July 30, 2017

Quote

The barkeep - McAnally, commonly called Mac...

Someone's a Jim Butcher fan.

July 30, 2017

Welcome! Look forward to seeing you around. Congratulations!

July 26, 2017

Trellis talks to his family on a regular basis, but they aren't members of Starfleet and live on Vissia. I've simmed them on occasion. He's also got a bit of a surrogate family with one of my PNPCs.

July 24, 2017

I'm oddly more excited about The Orville, Seth Macfarlane's new sci-fi show, than Discovery. The former has more of a Trek feel to me, while the new one feels much like the JJ-verse movies. And my biggest complaint about those was that they felt like action films that happened to be set in space and were coincidentally named Star Trek.

July 24, 2017

Congratulations, Ensign! See you around!

July 21, 2017

((USS Gorkon, Deck 9, 'Sto'Vo'Kor' - Main Crew Lounge))

::Sera stood at the bar having just received her second 'Red Giant' from the old Klingon barman. She'd been reluctant to order any of the synthol drinks having never been a fan of it but after speaking with Mek he'd convinced her to try the bright red beverage. One reluctant taste had turned into many long gulps as the rich flavors hit her, she'd finished it quickly and ordered a second much to the Klingon's roaring delight. She'd spoken with Mek while starting on the second drink and enjoyed his company, but he was soon called away to other patrons leaving Sera to swirl the drink with her straw alone. She looked around the bar and then the many tables in the lounge hoping to find a friendly face, while she did see many familiar faces they were ones that Sera hadn't socialized with before off duty and she was reluctant to join them for the first time uninvited. She decided that it would be best to finish her drink and return to her quarters or perhaps visit the holodeck when she saw someone at a corner table of the lounge that she hadn't expected to see on the Gorkon.::

:: Sitting by herself, reading a padd and drinking what looked like coffee was one of her old Academy instructors, Chief McMann. The Chief had been an instructor on a number of her third and fourth year engineering courses and now her she was on the Gorkon, tunic on the back of her chair engrossed in the padd. The Chief had given Sera a number of dressing downs during her stay at the Academy, most of those had been due to Sera's poor performances in a team exercises or her lack of ability to 'think outside of the box'. But Sera and deeply respected her and tried to take on her advise improving in those areas enough to get her grades up to a respectable level. After contacting her parents, the Chief had been one of the first people she informed that her final exam on the USS Centris-A had been a success. Sera almost skipped over to the Chief's table with her drink in hand.::

zh'Aella: Chief McMann, can I join you.

::Leigh looked up to see a smiling female Andorian over her table holding a colorful beverage. Leigh looked at the familiar, and broadly smiling, face for a moment attempting to recall a name, it took her a moment to make the connection between the face of an old student and one of the names in the mission reports. Perhaps she should have made the connection sooner but she had no idea how common the Andorian surname was and she did make the connection after a few moments. She smiled widely as she fully remembered the former Cadet and gestured to one of the empty seats at her table.::

McMann: Please do. But it's Warrant Officer now. :: She reached behind her and tapped the tunic that was resting on her chair.:: Or just Leigh, in the lounge.

:: Sera sat and placed her drink to her right.::

zh'Aella: Congratulations on the promotion, Leigh.

:: Leigh hadn't wanted or expected the promotion to Warrant Officer. Perhaps she should have realized it was a possibility, she had completed the warrant officer course. But that had been years ago and she had since completed a multitude of courses when she was chasing a command level NCO position. Still, now she was a warrant officer there was no point in complaining about it so she politely accepted the compliment.::

McMann: Thank You Sera. :: She paused for a moment.:: Is it okay to call you Sera in here or would you prefer Sir?

:: Sera was astounded that the human had to ask, hearing a former academy instructor address her by her first name only caused her smile to grow.::

zh'Aella: Of course Sera is fine! I was surprised to see you in here, aboard the Gorkon. How long have you been aboard?

:: Leigh tried not to chuckle at the enthusiastic response.::

McMann: Just a few days. I'm still getting up to speed.

:: She gestured to the padd and the two empty cups of coffee.::

zh'Aella: It's good to have you onboard.

McMann: Thanks. Speaking of congratulations, I've been reading reports from the Gorkon's last mission. :: She gestured to the padd.:: Well done on uploading Federation Standard to the Keepers.

:: Sera grimaced at that and swirled her drink around its glass using the straw.::

zh'Aella: That could have gone better. The upload wasn't complete and I personally couldn't understand half the things they were saying.

:: With gaps in their language, the robotic spiders had improvised by filling the gaps with other words. The improvised words caused confusing and humorous sentences in equal quantity.::

McMann: From what I've read it was enough to understand each other's intentions.

zh'Aella: Maybe, but I'm looking forward to working on equipment that doesn't walk around on eight legs and isn't obsessed with sauce.

:: While the last word confused her, Leigh nodded in agreement and finished off her coffee.::

McMann: I can understand that.

:: Sera took another sip of her fruity red drink.::

zh'Aella: I imagen the schedule is still up in the air with all the new people, but do you know which engineering shift you will be on?

:: Sera asked hoping that they would be on the same shift.::

McMann: Actually, I'm not assigned to Engineering. I'm the ship's Boatswain.

zh'Aella: Bosun? :: Sera frowned and her antennae lowered.::

::Leigh nodded still with a pleasant smile.::

zh'Aella: Well… I'm sure it's only temporary.

:: Leigh tried not to curl her mouth in distaste at the comment but kept quiet. She hadn't been excited at being promoted to Warrant Officer, but that was because she was chasing the final NCO rating. Since coming aboard and taking stock of her responsibilities she realized that the role was the type of new challenge that she wanted and having a very junior officer, even one she was acquitted with, talk disparagingly about the position did not fill her with fuzzy feelings. But Leigh was a professional and she realized that the Ensign had simply made a [...] pas, she could forgive that. And she answered while forcing herself to keep the smile on her face::

McMann: It's a new challenge.

zh'Aella: You're a professional. :: Sera agreed with a nod.:: But I can have a word with Lieutenant Stoyer about getting you transferred.

McMann: Oh?

:: Sera was looking at her swirling drink as the warrant officer spoke and she didn't notice the small change in her facial expression, the smile was now gone.::

zh'Aella: Of course. :: Sera sipped again and looked up.:: I certainly don't understand the logic of making you Bosun.

:: Leigh's eyes narrowed and she had to fight not to have her temper ignited, she knew the Ensign meant well but the junior officer had gone too far::

McMann: I'm qualified.

:: She said it firmly and turned her attention back to her padd, hoping that would be the end of the conversation. It wasn't.::

zh'Aella: Yes, but you're a strange choice.

:: Leigh looked over the top of the padd, eye's borrowing into the Andorian like daggers.::

McMann: How so?

:: She shouldn't have asked, she knew she shouldn't have. But the masochist part of her was taking over.::

zh'Aella: You were instructing at the academy and now you're running a maintenance team. It would make more sense to have you in Main Engineering.

:: Leigh placed the padd back down.::

McMann: Are you suggesting that there is something wrong with being the ship's Boatswain?

zh'Aella: Well…

:: The single, poorly chosen, word caused Leigh's temper to flare.::

McMann: Perhaps you would care to visit a few of the Bosun Mates aboard the Gorkon and explain to them that they have made an error by not being assigned to engineering?

:: Sera's antennae straightened in surprise at the heated accusation.::

zh'Aella: No, no, the position is fine. I just meant that you….

McMann: Perhaps I can't be trusted to plan the daily maintenance schedule?

:: The Warrant Officer's voice had risen causing a couple at a nearby table to look in their direction. Sera for her part was confused at what was happening, she'd only meant to compliment the older woman but the situation was getting out of hand::

zh'Aella: Of course not! I'm just saying that you would be far more valuable in Main Engineering.

::Leigh took a deep breath, closed her eyes and then slowly released the air through her nose in a long puff. She forced herself to remember that she was talking to an officer and not a cadet. She reminded herself that while off duty, she could not get away with openly insulting an officer no matter how slighted she felt.::

McMann: Respectfully Sir, my experience in Main Engineering is limited. I was however, a chief in damage control central and a shuttle bay chief. The skills gained from those positions are a good fit for my current assignment. General ship maintenance is very important, wouldn't you agree Sir?

::Leigh added emphasis on the last words and the Andorian blushed a dark shade of blue.::

zh'Aella: Yes.

::Leigh nodded at the comment and returned her attention to the padd but she was no longer reading it, just looking at it while trying to keep control of her irritation. They sat in uncomfortable silence for what seemed like long minutes before Leigh spoke again.::

McMann: You'll have to excuse me sir, I have a meeting scheduled.

::It was a lie.::

zh'Aella: Yes of course. :: Sera said as the Warrant Officer rose and put on her tunic.:: Um…. Good day, Warrant Officer.

::Leigh carefully collected her padd and empty coffee cups as she readied to leave.::

McMann: Good day, sir.

:: The words were devoid of any emotion, they could have come from a Vulcan and Sera's shoulders slumped forward as the Warrant Officer left.::

zh'Aella: oO Sorry. Oo

=/\=

Ensign Sera zh' Aella

Engineering Officer

USS Gorkon

V239107TZ0

&

PNCP Warrant Officer Leigh McMann

Boatswain

USS Gorkon

July 20, 2017

((Dropship Neal Adams, Earth orbit))

Jumpmaster: One minute to jump!  On your feet!

::As one, the marine unit rose to their feet.  Well, a marine unit and one Starfleet Commander.  Ever the thrill seeker, Alucard had called in a favor with an old friend of his and joined this platoon during a night orbital jump exercise.::

::The gear was heavy.  In addition to a field pack, weapon, and parachute, each jumper carried an expendable heatshield.  All told, each man and woman carried nearly their equal in gear.  This made the hold of the Neal Adams a very cramped space.  The jumpmaster held up a hand and made a fist.::

Jumpmaster: Thirty seconds!

::The deck vibrated as the platoon turned in unison to the opening ramp at the rear of the hold.  Beyond the blue shimmer of a forcefield they were treated to the blue and green curve of Earth far below.  It was deceptively small, and ALucard knew it would soon be growing much, much larger.::

Jumpmaster: Rows one and three jump!

Alucard was in row three.::

::He shuffled along behind the Marine in front of him until he faced the permeable force field.  His helmet seemed to amplify the sound of his own pulse until that seemed to be all he heard.  He took one deep breath, held it, and allowed himself to tilt forward.::

::It was like someone had put a thick pillow over the world.  Before, his world had been full of sound.  The clunk of boots on the deck, orders being shouted across the hold.  Now, even the comm chatter seemed to have been muffled, and Alucard was left with his own breathing as he soared toward the big marble below.::

::He free-fell for several minutes.  It was an absolutely amazing experience to watch the clouds drifting below, and the lights of the low orbit satellites and ships blinking as they zipped by.  Soon though, he had to activate his boot rockets to establish control prior to re-entry.  His descent flattened out into something akin to a logarithmic curve as he brought his flight path to a shallower angle.::

::Ahead was a familiar sight.  The USS Gorkon in all of her glory.  Like a ballet dancer she gracefully sailed above the planet below, the rake of her struts and saucer always giving the impression of forward motion. He’d seen that sight many a time from the [...]pit of a shuttle, but from the little bubble of protection that was his jumpsuit she looked much bigger.::

::He tipped his ankles to change his flight path, when was he going to have another chance like this?  As he got closer, he applied reverse thrust and slowed down, falling behind the platoon slightly.  He cruised across the forward section of the saucer, so close that he was able to reach out and touch it.::

::The eyes of some of the ships inhabitants grew huge as he flew by their windows.  He waved to some as he went, but mostly he just kept his arms wide, like some sort of cosmic angel, and flew on. The Gorkon was more than just a ship to him. It was a home, and a friend. Every scratch, every dent in the hull told a story as he passed. There was where a bit of the hull had buckled when they'd rescued the Tharsis on their first mission. And there, that was where they'd had to patch in some salvaged hull to replace a bit that had been lost during a fight with the alternate universe Dominon. It had been painted since, but in his minds eye he could still see the miss matched metal.::

::All too soon, he’d crossed the ships midpoint just forward of the Bridge and continued on toward the his re-entry point.  Soon, he’d have to perform a roll and activate his shield.::

::But until then he’d just enjoy the fall.::

=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=
Commander Alucard Vess
Unassigned
USS Gorkon
Deputy Facilitator – Featured Bio Team
C238601TB0
=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=

July 17, 2017

Great job! Welcome to the fleet.

July 11, 2017

(( Dining Chamber, Gallant Runner ))

Sandra: He does look taller. They must be slipping something into that replicated food they serve on those ships.

Walter: See? I told you--I swear he took on at least an inch and a half.

Hawkins: They don't put anything in our food mom, and I--

::He stopped in mid-sentence when his dad started to laugh. His mother grinned and tucked her bottom lip under her teeth, giving Hawkins a poke between his ribs. The Gallant Runner, a small-sized cargo vessel, sported a quaint dining room that seemed to collect more decorations and memorabilia every time he saw it. His parents proudly displayed various trinkets and curios from the extensive list of worlds they visited and species they'd traded with.::

::Being here made a swirling pool of warmth simmer in his belly. It was hard not to reminisce when you stood on the ship you were born on.::

Hawkins: ::A sloppy smile:: All right, you got me. So where is this mysterious guest you said will be joining us for dinner?

Sandra: Don't worry, they'll be here in time. Let me go and check on a few things, and let you two talk.

::As his mom left through a hatch, Walter gestured to one of the seats and strode to the wall cabinet. Hawkins sat himself in the sturdy, ergonomic dining chair as his father brought a small bottle of dark red liquid and two small glass goblets. He filled them and slid one towards Hawkins before taking his seat at the table. Hawkins smiled and took the glass, sniffing it before taking a sip.::

Walter: I figure this may be the last time you get to enjoy the real stuff for a while.

Hawkins: Thanks, dad. Synthehol just isn't the same.

Walter: I imagine. Well you seem so different, Frank. More confident. I guess serving out there in the frontier forced you to do some growing up, didn't it? From Ensign to Lieutenant Commander in a matter of months.

Hawkins: That's an understatement. There's no way I could have seen that coming. Most people wait years.

Walter: I'm proud of you, young man. But that's not all that's different about you.

Hawkins: Well, I've seen some things. I learned a few details that made it--it made it hard to sleep at night.

::Walter nodded in slow motion, merging his lips into an uneven line while his thick eyebrows descended over his eyes like black ice slipping down the side of a porthole. He drank from his goblet and slid his thick fingers onto Frank's forearm, squeezing it.::

Walter: Whatever it is, you can talk about it. I'll listen.

Hawkins: That's just it. I can't. I can't talk about it, not to anyone. I wish I could. God, dad, I wish I could.

Walter: ::Another squeeze:: It's a heavy burden. And that's why you requested a transfer out of the Gamma quadrant?

::Hawkins used his thumb and middle finger to rotate the goblet a few times before picking it up for a swig.::

Hawkins: Partly. ::Pause:: Mostly. And to be closer so I can visit you and mom when I get leave, if it turns to we can arrange it like we did this time.

Walter: Oh, we'll arrange it. Don't worry about that, home will always be there for you Frank.

::The hatch swished open and his mother walked in with a giddy smile hiking the corners of her mouth up. When she stepped inside she slipped to the right. And stepping through after her was the person Frank never thought he'd see again. He lost control of his body for a moment, half-rising with his glass held loose in his hand. His mouth opened but something stuck in his throat--she was that stunning.::

Rachel: Hello, Frank.

::Hawkins managed to regain bodily control, setting his glass down. He stood up fully and his chair swiveled around as he bumped it with his knee, stepping away. The flesh on the back of his neck flashed hot and his eyes kept focusing on her the more he studied her face..::

Hawkins: Why... I mean hello. Why didn't you tell me you were coming?

Rachel: I thought it would be a nice surprise.

Walter: ::Rising:: Excuse me, we better check on the food.

::His parents exchanged knowing smiles and slipped out of the room.::

Hawkins: I can't. I can't believe how much you've--how amazing you. Rachel, I never got a chance to... what have you been doing ever since I left for starfleet?

Rachel: Searching, I guess. Looking for my place, somewhere I belonged.

::When she walked towards him, it was as if the room began to shrink and fade away into the background like a veil of mist obfuscated it.::

Hawkins: Did you--find it?

Rachel: Remember when we talked about running away together? To the--

Hawkins: --Vedimin cluster. My God, I haven't thought about that since--

Rachel: --and exploring the Vedimin temples, step by--

Hawkins: --date. It was on the 5th, and you were wearing that silver--

Rachel: --we could still do it--

Hawkins: --and I dropped my... wait, what?

Rachel: --never stopped thinking about you.

::They were both older now, and there were those tiny differences you notice when you reconnect with someone after so long. Her smile had changed: it was somehow more reserved. Those things he remembered were still there, like the way she kept touching the pendant hanging from her necklace. He realized with a start it was the one he'd given her, in what seemed like a lifetime ago.::

::The people they once were, they were phantoms of a sort. Composed of fragmented memories that became hazier every time he thought about them. Was he a phantom that she'd held onto?::

Hawkins: I think about us often, to be sure. Maybe not often enough. Life on a starship is busy, busier than I could have imagined.

Rachel: We could still do it. I never--I never met anyone, not anyone important.

Hawkins: ::[...]ing his head to the left:: You're being serious. ::A smile and a half-chuckle.:: Just drop everything and run off together?

::Her smile slackened, and refreshed, then slackened again. Like she was trying to stay happy in the moment, to stay positive. Her eyes darted downward, then back up to his face. He felt as if his response hurt her, and his excitement at seeing her took a backseat.::

Rachel: Is that so ridiculous?

Hawkins: No, not at all. It's not ridiculous--it's not ridiculous Rachel. It's just so--I have a career now. Responsibility.

Rachel: You used to hate that word. I guess you're--a very different person now. So very different.

::And now he hated it even more. He took her hands in his, enclosing them.::

Hawkins: I still care about you. Think about you. But I can't just give up what I've worked to hard to achieve.

Rachel: I know. It was stupid of me to think you would. Stupid and selfish.

Hawkins: Don't say that. We'll always have what we shared. And I can still see you, from time to time.

Rachel: As friends.

Hawkins: Is that... so ridiculous?

::She smiled at him and kissed the big knuckle of his middle finger.::

Rachel: No, not at all.

July 5, 2017

Congratulations! Excellent job!

July 1, 2017

Amazingly, the community has just celebrated its 23rd birthday! That's a testament not only to FltAdmrl Wolf's initial vision but to all of our dedication, hard work, community and fun! Let's keep working hard so we can be here for another 23 (or more) years:

To that end, congratulations to Admrl. Renos on not only winning numerous awards (especially the Great Bird Award) but also for coordinating the annual Awards Ceremony and writing the amazing four days of the Awards Ceremony;
Thanks to the Federation News Service for their continued contribution of the eight monthly vessel reports;
LtCmdr. Shayne & LtCmdr. Valdivia create engaging content with their five Poll of the Week articles;
Lt JG. Choi Ji-hu contributed an article to the Journal of Starfleet Corps of Engineers;
LtCmdr. Traenor got in two Top Sims Contest articles;
LtCmdr. Jorey had a Featured Bio Contest article;
Capt. Rahman submitted the article about monthly post totals;
Cmdr. Blair contributed an article about the Academy applications/graduates;
Cpt. Taybrim wrote two Chat Reminder articles;
and Admrl. Wolf as always is the backbone with his eight articles, including the announcement of Commander Whittaker's promotion (congratulations!), the latest thanks to our donors, an interview, the Anniversary post and others to create excitement for the Awards Ceremony.

Thanks to everyone for your excellent articles!

June 28, 2017

Well done, everyone!

For the winners from the Za, I am extremely proud of you all.

When Femi Cattan first started, coming to us straight from the Academy, she had barely seen any Trek and knew little of the world. Now she's constantly throwing out bits of info only a true fan would know. It's been great to see that dedication and growth, and especially the creativity she brings to the character.

Alex Williams does a lot for the ship OOC. I'm glad to see those contributions getting recognized. IC he's recently created a species for first contact and has managed to make them at terms interesting, terrifying, laughable and frustrating. Truly the mark of a good, well thought out species.

I really wish we could have seen more of Ruwon's dinosaur. That was a sneaky and dangerous thing to introduce, yet a lot of fun. It really kept all of us on our toes for the rest of the mission. Well done.

Kheela Rhani keeps showing interesting peaks at their background. An Orion who grew up on Luna and (maybe) crashed a few small fighters? I want to know the stories behind these tidbits of info!

I don't know everyone on Ops who won, but I do know it's a great place to write.

Theo definitely deserves the Pathfinder award. Even though I was already established as staff on Ops when he became FO he still showed great dedication to helping me fit into that role. When new people came aboard he reached out personally both IC and OOC. It's great to see that level of dedication to everyone, new and experienced players alike.

Flynn's playboy persona belies a deeper character, one who continually surprises everyone with just how devious he (and the other characters he writes for) can be. My character, for example, landed a girlfriend because of him. While that's not devious, per say, it was unexpected.

Taelon's Trek knowledge is evident in the character's background on the bio and then seen even more in sims. That the writer also played a Romulan on the Za also shows that fact. Not everyone would feel comfortable writing as a traditionally antagonistic race to Starfleet, but Taelon/Ruwon managed it admirably.

I'm happy that Trel'lis has shown a great portion of her life and backstory. She always made allusions to her past, so it's great to see that past fleshed out more and awarded.

Mirra's dedication to sass is legendary. That she was awarded both the Silver Palm for boosting morale and the TOSMA for dedication really go hand in hand. Her sims always have a lighthearted element to them, no matter how serious the situation. It's great to see that sort of wit rewarded.

Congratulations everyone! I hope I can tell stories about a lot more of you at next year's awards.

June 28, 2017

Congratulations!

I've not had the pleasure of writing with James, Lee, Ann or Rich, but I've been around long enough to see their names scattered throughout the fleet in various projects. My ability to edit wiki pages definitely wouldn't be as good without Rich's fantastic guides.

I miss Tony's enthusiasm and wit. I would have loved to see what his plans for the Za included had he stayed around. Hopefully he can come back some time in the future and bring another new, strange ship to the fleet.

As for Jamie, I cannot say enough good things. I first met her on my first day in Ops. From the start I could tell she loved Sal, the crew, Ops and the whole universe. Jamie definitely brings Ops to life with humor, dedication and a lot of fun. Every character is unique and 3-dimensional. Being privy to that alone has helped me grow as a writer fleshing out my own characters.

All the awards were richly deserved. Congratulations to all the winners.

June 28, 2017

Welcome! Glad to have you! Come join the festivities.

June 28, 2017

What will Discovery really be about? Well, two ships, that's for sure. And the first human to attend the Vulcan Science Academy: http://ew.com/tv/2017/06/26/star-trek-discovery-storyline/

This could very well be a new, exciting take on the franchise.

What I'd love to see, though, is Trek from a different point of view altogether. Maybe a whole episode/series/season from a Klingon perspective, or Romulan. How awesome would that be, to explore the familiar Federation from an outsider perspective?

June 27, 2017

1 hour ago, Sal Taybrim said:

Nothing ruins the gravity of mortality more than a dead character magically coming back to life after they're been pronounced dead and mourned.

Right, no Miracle Max "mostly dead" for Sal!

But I do agree, it should be meaningful and useful to the plot somehow.

June 25, 2017

5 hours ago, Mirra Ezo said:

Always a barrel of laughs.

I can hear the Motley Crue song now...

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