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There was one of these for the Victory and I seen other ships with a simular topic, so here is a new one for a new ship, who wants to be the first to put up a funny Quote from one of the crew??

Another great opening of Act 3 of our plot, this time from @Nera Ay who marvels at a rare experience he's having (floating through space tethered to two other officers). Ensign Nera Ay - Out in the Cold of Space

Brilliant opening here from @Taelon who goes into Act 3 of our mission torn apart by fatherly worries. Lt.JG Taelon - Old Fears Borne Anew

I chuckled a few times during this sim, so better to share all of it than just standalone quotes. Standish fumbles over his words whilst enjoying a drink with Tahna Meru, and it's so endearingly funny (and well written!). @Russell Standish has been with us now for a few months, and it's been a joy to see both Mike and the character Standish meld in with the ship over time. Ensign Russell Standish -- Smoking Leaves

In the Sto'Vo'Kor lounge, @Samira Neathler and @Tahna Meru discuss their pets and what provisions to put in place in case they become assimilated. Sami suggests making sure that Tahna's pet has a unique signature stored on the ships computer, so that the pets can be easily traced if allowed to roam somewhere. Lt. Commander Samira Neathler - Flying pets

In this wonderful solo sim, @Jo Marshall encounters her brother Bear in Sunder Peak, one of many haunts on the asteroid Nassau in the "Johnson Timeline". With theirs being a rocky relationship, they try to navigate a slightly tense conversation, making somewhat of an accord out of a very dire situation. It's a beautifully written sim that gives us insight into the Marshall family and how they're faring in a Borg dominated galaxy. Commander Jo Marshall - Truces Made of Stars and Silence

Here's an engrossing, descriptive and yet sombre sim from @Vylaa. Lt Vylaa zh'Tisav: The Sending (google.com)

@Samira Neathler this one hurts❤️‍🩹

Really enjoyed reading this sim by @Ayiana Sevo. As always, full of interesting references and glimpses into the characters past. 💚 Lt. JG Toran Sevo - Death Before Assimilation (google.com)

@Vylaa (along with Gnaxac and Doz, and Stoyer's fancy flying) have had me cackling through the Borg crisis.

A lovely, touching sim from @Vesela Pace, with scientific expertise and emotional depth. I loved seeing Pace pull herself together and carry on with saving lives.

I do love this sim. It underpinned the feelings going on for @Doz Finch in that moment; the inevitability of time and the human experience of loss, as well as the friendship between Doz and Meru. Beautifully written, as always! -- ((Corridors, USS Gorkon)) After leaving the library, with a last and quick glance towards her most dear friend Tahna, Doz found herself in the corridor, its walls imbued by the red alert and the passing silhouettes of officers hurriedly going to their stations and duty posts. To her right and further along, she could see Vylaa already making headway having departed moments before her, the woman's soul no doubt torn to shreds by the reality that her children were now desperately unsafe, and even more dismally, on borrowed time. An officer passed her by, dropping one of his many PADDs, and she knelt down to pick it up for him, the pinches of her cheeks rosy and smiling, his the same in gratitude. She’d known that feeling well for quite some time. Living on borrowed time; as soon as she had turned sixty, it had been as though an invisible clock had started to tick. The inevitability of time…the inevitability of being Human…and the inevitably of being Doz Finch. She was sure of it, you see, because once there was no one else for the universe to take away from her…who else could it take but her? Another officer, this time a Caitian, lost her balance along the wall but was held up just in time by the diminutive engineer who waited with her, until she had gathered enough confidence to carry on. As she began her journey towards the nearest turbolift, her pace a tad slower than some of the others, thoughts coursed through her mind. About how cruel and deeply unfair it was. All of the loss she had gone through. All of those she had loved. Family, friends. As if she was constantly being tested by something…unknown. Something callous. It had to be callous to repeatedly strip a person down and expect them to carry on with their Humanity. And many often couldn't carry on. Confusion from a junior scientist this time, who had wandered out of a holodeck suite with a pale expression, hand shakily gripped around a cocktail. She couldn’t have left him standing there. Not in that state. So instead she stood with him, hand on his shoulder, and for the next few minutes explained what was going on and what he should do next. She thought next about how much Tahna had unintentionally helped her. How she’d properly introduced her to the Prophet’s…maybe even reintroduced faith into her life, assuming that she’d ever had it to begin with. She had gone through so much, you see, that the idea of a benevolent anything felt puerile. Who could have faith in a universe that could so willingly bombard a singular soul with so much grief? It had been a miracle that she hadn’t turned morose, frankly. Well, part-miracle anyway. Her intention had always been not to become that way. Time was ticking. Her colleagues would probably start wondering where she had gotten to. Before reaching the turbolift, she paused next to a viewport…to take one last look. And as she did, everything around her disappeared. The blaring alerts. The shuffling officers and the swooshing of doors. And she just stared. Silent, still, with her arms flat to her sides. Into a galaxy ruled by Borg. Into the face of a universe that had taken so much from her. Alone. Fin - End Credits -- Lieutenant Doz Finch Assistant Chief Engineer USS Gorkon NCC-82293 C239809SH3

And here's another one. ((Sickbay, Deck 7, USS Gorkon)) When one imagines the first few days serving aboard a Federation Starship, there are a number of expected possibilities. Years worth of mission reports and galactic adverts creating a specific impression. Schemas, the psychologists would call it. Ay expected he’d have time to explore the ship, meet his new colleagues, and familiarise himself with his duties. From there, they’d have simple diplomatic missions, or survey a newly discovered planet, maybe explore the ruins of a lost civilisation. A temporal event ranked low in his expectations for his first few days. A temporal event that flung the ship into an alternate timeline where Starfleet was nothing but dust or an unrealised idea, and the Borg squatting over the known universe like a great cyborg deity…..well, that just seemed so ridiculous that it was barely worth considering. And yet, that was precisely the situation they found themselves in. One ship, against a collective larger than anyone could have ever envisioned. The crew was nervous, unsure of what their future would entail. It was obvious for anyone to see, and really, who could blame them for it. Academy training can only cover so many possibilities. Ay could hide away from the world in his quarters, the equivalent of burying your head in the sand to escape an oncoming sandstorm. Or he could do what he trained for, what he was good at. Practice medicine, assist the crew with ailments major and minor, and do his small part to help get everyone back home. And if needed, replicate a belaklavion or guitar and keep morale up. It was this resolve which kept him going. With that resolve held tight and spread through his body, he stepped through the sliding doors into sickbay, alongside Ensign Solkon, a vulcan who, like himself, had only recently been assigned to the ship's medical staff. The first thing Ay noticed as the doors opened was the Romulan standing on the other side, evidently in the middle of cataloguing something. No Starfleet uniform, or sign of rank. oO A Romulan, a Vulcan, and a Bajoran walking into the doctor's office…..there’s a joke in there somewhere Oo Taeval: Ah, Ensigns Solkon and Nera, I presume? Our new doctors. ::His welcome smile was threadbare, dimmed by circumstance.:: I’m Taeval, I’m a physician’s assistant here. The smile was appreciated, strained as it was. Little things like that made a difference. Solkon: Greetings, Taeval. I am certain we shall work well with one another. Nera: I agree ::offering a wide grin:: Pleased to meet you Ay was aware of the differences between the Vulcan’s and Romulans; one logical and calm, the other passion and fire. Both studious though, and unnervingly intelligent. He suspected he’d enjoy working with them. Taeval: Our acting chief is Lieutenant Tali Namura. ::There was a knowing look in his green eyes, as if there was an inside joke the pair would soon be in on.:: She’s in a meeting with the senior staff, but that should finish soon. Solkon: That is good. I am certain there is much to do, especially given the current situation. I am certain she shall be able to direct us on the best course of action. Now there was an interesting look. There was something there, more to Lieutenant Namura than what Taeval was saying. A curiosity, which would no doubt be solved when the meeting concluded. Nera: Well, I for one am more than happy to get started ::glancing around the sickbay, taking stock of the room:: Taeval took a moment to inspect Ay and Solkon in turn; it was a measuring, seeking look. It reminded Ay of being back home, in the Jolan Facility. It was the type of look he’d come to expect from the monks, like they were weighing you. Taeval: How are you holding up? Our current situation is a lot for anyone to take in. Solkon, in true vulcan form, did not reply immediately, instead approaching a nearby cabinet and picking up a tricorder. He seemed to be formulating his answer, applying the perfect amount of logic to it. Solkon: It has been a…difficult adjustment, I will admit that. But we must not let it dictate our actions, nor let it overwhelm us. We must think and act rationally. I trust that the senior staff will see it the same way. Whatever caused this new timeline to form can be undone. All we have to do :: he put the tricorder back in the closet and closed it before turning back to face Taeval :: is to keep the crew well enough to make that happen. Do either of you have any pre-existing experience with the Borg? Nera: No first hand experience with them, just the same briefings everyone else got at the Academy. Ay walked to a nearby workstation and leant against it, folding his arms across his chest. How was he holding up? He was standing, ready to work, which had to count for something. But there were still so many great unknowns about this. Was Bajor standing defiant, or had it been assimilated. Did it even exist? He took a moment to consider his family, those he thought of as family at least. Prylar Bani, the woman who raised him, the children at the orphanage he’d helped school. His sister Ateh, missing for so many years now. Perhaps in this timeline she wasn’t missing. Perhaps she was out fighting the Borg this very minute. She’d always had the adventurous spirit, Starfleet was her dream. Or perhaps she simply didn’t exist, like so much else. There were a million unanswerable questions, that each lead to even more. Following any one of those mental pathways for too long would drive anyone insane. Nera: It’s a lot to take in. No Starfleet or cavalry coming to the rescue, it’s all on us ::smiling again to present an outward appearance of confidence:: All we can do is perform our duties to the best of our abilities, and keep the crew breathing. Even here, I trust the Prophets are watching. Taeval: Response Pushing off from the workstation Ay made his way to a biobed, running his hand over the fabric. Nera: How are we doing for supplies? Solkon/Taeval: Response Nodding, listening to what was being said, he continued examining the biobed, extending the sensor array then retracting it. Fully functional, as he expected. Biobeds often had their own little quirks he’d found; some smooth, some a little jittery. The more you familiarised yourself with the quirks, the easier the job became. Nera: Are there any pressing medical concerns? Solkon/Taeval: Response Tags/TBC Ensign Nera Ay Medical Officer USS Gorkon G240106NA2

I like how some of our newer Gorkonites give us an insight in their family life. ((Astrometrics, Deck 17, USS Gorkon)) Vesela’s mouth opened and closed like an Elaysian Giant Koi, and she was relieved that Taelon spoke next. She knew her first day would be emotional, but she had no idea that it would also involve getting stuck in a new timeline with Borg. Taelon: You – um, you look better than before, Miss…? Sevo: Lieutenant Commander Ayiana Sevo. Mission Specialist by occupation, scientist by trade. Pace: And I’m Ensign Vesela Pace! Very new here, just graduated, happy to be here despite… everything. She mentally kicked herself. She wished she could stop making poorly timed jokes, but that day would obviously not be today. Although it was always nice to meet other scientists! She was glad Lieutenant Commander Sevo had joined them. Taelon: Ah, Taelon – nice to meet you both. I just transferred, so – this is, um, hopefully not the norm…? Pace: Well, Starfleet is all about exploring, but I agree that I was… not entirely prepared for the mission to take this particular turn. The two younger officers looked to Sevo hopefully. She had been there much longer than both Vesela and Taelon, who had only been there for about a standard Earth day now. It somehow felt like much longer. Sevo: ::She smiled, trying to put the two at ease.:: Well, I won’t lie and tell you this is an isolated incident – it’s not. We’ve had our fair share of galactic emergencies and encounters, but just as many good things, too. Remember, when you put on those uniforms – ::she pointed to the pair:: – you accepted the risks of being in Starfleet. This is one of them. Vesela’s grandmother’s voice rumbled in her mind. Why go to Starfleet and put yourself in harm’s way? Elaysia has stars in the sky just like everywhere else! Keep your head out of the clouds, Vesela. The stars aren’t going anywhere. She looked at her science blue uniform and bit her lip. oO This is why. In Starfleet, differences can be made. People can be helped. Entire timelines can be helped. Oo She had joined Starfleet to study science. Now, she was discovering that it was also to help others with her discoveries and skills. Even though she was scared out of her wits right now, she knew she wasn’t alone. The Gorkon would fix this because that’s what Starfleet does. And she would see her family again. She realized her eyes had gone misty again and shook her head. Pace: S-sorry, I was just thinking about… ::Beat.:: Well, about how we can get out of this, I suppose. Sevo: I know it looks daunting right now; even impossible. How can one ship make a difference and change everything? It’s not the ship; it’s the crew on it. We make the impossible possible. Taelon: I hope you’re right, Commander. Pace: Although, from what I’ve seen so far, there’s no other crew I’d rather be stuck in a Borg-dominated universe with… so there’s that at least. Sevo: ::Ayiana took a sip of her coffee and smiled again.:: You’ve no idea. This crew is my family. You do anything for family. Vesela understood that feeling well. She was glad that this crew seemed to be so tight-knit. Family was incredibly important on Elaysia, which her grandmother had accused her of forsaking. Here… maybe she could find another way to ground herself now that Elaysia was… Sevo: It may look daunting right now, especially if you’re right out of the Academy. ::She nodded to Pace.:: Remind me to tell you about *my* first day on the Victory sometime. Vesela watched Taelon’s eyebrows raise. She had no idea first days in Starfleet were so apparently dangerous! Taelon: It was, um, instructive, I take it? Vesela was always the bluntest of her siblings. She continued to be blunt at Starfleet Academy. Pace: What happened? Sevo: Extragalactic horrors bent on eating everything. Talk about “trial by fire.” Taelon: Extragalactic – ::A pause; he’d been typing as he listened, but now stopped that completely as he tried to imagine. Had he heard of such things? Hard to tell; for all his memory, the ranks of ‘horrors from beyond the stars’ had more creatures in it than he’d prefer (which was none).:: That’s, ah, quite something to face. Pace: That sounds horrifying! ::She paused, wondering whether to ask about the data that they’d gotten from the extragalactic creatures. While cell biology was one of her specialties, cell biology also had a place and a time, which was probably not now. She could scour the database later.:: Well, I’m glad you’re here with us on the Gorkon now, that first day probably helped prepare you for anything! Sevo: The point is, we’ll get through this. We’ll get broken and banged up, but we’ll get back up and try again. Just remember your training, and if you have any questions on anything, feel free to ask around. Taelon: Thank you, Commander. Pace: Thank you, Commander, this has been helpful ::Beat.:: and calming. It’s been nice to decompress a bit. Sevo: Response Taelon went back to work, and Vesela watched for a moment before going back to her station as well. Time to get back to work. The faster they worked, the faster they could find answers hopefully. The green planet still glowed almost malevolently on her screen. She took a few more minutes just to stare at it. As Taelon had said before, these Borg were different from their Borg. This was a brand new timeline, so they had plenty of time and potentially even Commodore Johnson’s help to become something new. Taelon: Mmm. They’ve been here for some time, certainly. Enough to have stripped most of the surface. Look, here — The big display of New Cyndriel zoomed into a spot on the northern hemisphere and they could see the Borg influence on the planet in detail. Vesela almost wished the sensors weren’t as top-of-the-line as they were. Sevo: Response Taelon: If we overlay the planet’s scans from our timeline, you can see — ::He had the computer do so; the contrast was frightening. Where they now knew Borg had littered the surface was a pine forest, a village, a beautiful lake — all now rendered dull and black-brown. The Borg had drained the lake, stripped the trees, and now what was doubtless a drone center sat where the village once had.:: They’ve had plenty of time to get settled in, but haven’t stripped the planet completely. Vesela hadn’t ever thought she would see the Borg’s destructive abilities first hand, but there they were on screen for the three scientists to see. She shuddered at the sight. Pace: That would put the estimate closer to 13 to 15 years then. That they’ve been like this. Sevo / Taelon: Response Vesela stared at the screen a few moments longer, then wondered aloud. Pace: If they were going at the Borg’s normal pace. In this timeline though, it seems as though they’ve had no resistance. Or… ::She paused, hoping that this was wrong. She willed this new universe to prove her wrong.:: resistance stopped early on. Could these Borg be slower now that they seem to be present almost everywhere? Vesela wished that there were signs of life, but at least they might have the element of surprise against the Borg if they weren’t expecting resistance. Sevo / Taelon: Response — Ensign Vesela Pace Science Officer USS Gorkon (NCC-82293) G240106VP4

And another great sim, this time from @Lina Dahlquist ((Lina’s Quarters, USS Gorkon)) The two halves of the door closed behind Lina with the usual hissing sound as she arrived in her quarters. She went straight over to her bed, on which she had already neatly folded her uniform ready for her next shift. She had contacted her superiors as soon as she had left the library and had been ordered to report to the security office. But first she had to change out of her civilian clothes into her uniform. When she zipped up her fresh uniform jacket shortly afterwards, she noticed that a small signal lit up on her personal computer, indicating that she had received a message. Astonished, she walked over to her small desk. Who could have contacted her? Perhaps it was a positive message. She could have really used one of those, even if she was now better able to hide her sadness about the situation. Now that she had completely closed her jacket, she activated her computer and froze. It was a message from her mother, with whom she had only recently re-established contact. However, a glance at the time index told her that the message had arrived shortly before Johnson's time jump. Lina stared at the message like a mouse at a snake in front of her. She stretched out her index finger to play the message, but hesitated briefly before doing so and withdrew her finger again. A deep breath followed as she tried to calm her rapidly pounding heart. She had tried not to let this situation get too close to her. She had succeeded with her father. Although she didn't exactly begrudge him being a Borg drone in this timeline either, she didn't care, at least to some extent - which frankly also scared her a little. But it was different with her mother. Could she bear to look at a message from her mum who she didn't know how she was doing in this timeline? Whether she was well or whether she was perhaps somewhere as a Borg drone.... oO No! Oo Lina tried not to even allow the idea of it. But it was hopeless. Once you've had a thought like that, you couldn't erase the image from your mind. She felt tears rolling down her cheeks and clenched her hand into a fist, which she hit lightly on her desk several times. It was a mixture of sadness, despair and incredible anger at Commodore Johnson, who had not only betrayed Starfleet and the Federation, but had also committed an unprecedented crime by changing the timeline the way he had done. Right now, since she didn't know anything more precise yet, she could still hope. Hoping that the Borg hadn't destroyed everything. Hoping that the Federation and other Starfleet ships still existed and that they were still putting up resistance somewhere. Hoping that her mother was still around in this time-line. And, of course, hoping that they could undo all this - make it right again. She closed her eyes and saw the picture of her mother by her little childhood bed. She had pulled her blanket up under her chin and her mum was giving her a kiss. The words of her mum echoed in her mind. "Everything will be all right." Yes, everything was going to be all right. Now she said these comforting words from her mother to the still unplayed message. "Everything will be all right, Mum. We'll take care of it." Without playing the message, Lina ended the session on her computer and made her way to Commander Aegam's office. --- Ensign Lina Dahlquist Sec/Tac Officer USS Gorkon D239009VD0

((Chief Science Officer’s Office, Deck 17, USS Gorkon)) ((One Day After)) She had avoided her quarters for as long as she possibly could. There was plenty of work to be done. She had combed through Johnson’s file, and then again, and again. Learned all she could about the technology at his disposal. Separated projects that might help them survive this new timeline, and ones that might have to be put on hold to help the Gorkon survive. Hopefully, this would all be fixed soon. But…they really couldn’t know that, and she wanted to be prepared for the worst. She checked in on her friends aboard the ship, and the crew in her department. How are you managing, do you need a moment or an assignment to focus on, how’s your support network, do you want to talk, have you seen a counselor yet, here, have a biscuit. We are going to fix this. If she stopped working, stopped helping everyone else, she would start feeling. Rok’s meals were set to replicate automatically, so she’d managed to stay busy and away from her quarters for nearly a full day. When she awoke slumped over her desk, shoulder stiff and aching from an unexpected nap, she finally conceded, and made the dreaded march up to deck two. ((Tahna’s Quarters, Deck 2, USS Gorkon)) Rok brushed up against her leg as soon as she entered her quarters, purring softly. The tortoiseshell feline fluffed her feathers and stared at Meru with her one good eye. Tahna: I know, I know, I’m sorry. She scooped the cat up, gently scratching between her wings, just where the cat liked it. Rok rubbed her head against the Bajoran’s chin. Tahna: There, tesha tah. I know I’ve been gone too long. Really, the cat was as introverted as Meru herself, and set up to be alone for much longer if needed. That didn’t stop the scientist from feeling guilty. As tempting as it was to fix another raktajino, take the cat with her back to her office, and keep working, Meru reasoned she was no good to anyone (especially in such a dangerous universe) if she didn’t at least try to sleep. So she gave Rok an apology treat, one she’d bought way back on Andoria (hell, Andoria…), and headed through the arch to her bedroom, rolling her sore shoulder. At least her bed would be more comfortable than her office desk. At least… Her eye caught on her desk, and she froze. Her father’s painting hung there, her family home and kava fields vibrant and alive. They were all gone now, razed, maybe turned into a Borg stronghold. Had Bajor even existed without occupation for a little while? A holophoto of her and Ena on holiday adorned the desk, but she could barely look at it, or the photos of her family. Had Ena, Ren, Tara, had they ever existed? Was it better if they hadn’t? Her uncle, her parents…she knew how hard they’d fought to be free on Bajor, she knew what they’d sacrificed, how they’d suffered. And now she closed her eyes and saw them all, everyone she’d left behind. Everyone she’d failed. Dead, or covered in cybernetics. Or both. And that was just the people she knew and loved. There were trillions of people out there, gone, because one tiny ship had failed to stop another. Maybe if she’d worked faster, been better…maybe… She wanted to scream. She wanted to scream, and rage, and cry, and curse the universe and the Prophets and herself. She wanted…she wanted… Her knees buckled and she hit the floor, hands clasped over her mouth, helpless to stop the silent sobs wracking her body, the pain in her chest, the nausea. She’d always imagined the worst thing that could come of being in Starfleet was some horrible death for herself. Oh, how wrong she’d been. How naive. Rok brushed up against her side, the tiniest little lantern in the darkness. Meru gathered the cat into her arms and, finally, let herself mourn. -- Lt. Commander Tahna Meru Chief Science Officer USS Gorkon (NCC-82293) G239801TM4

The Gorkon away teams are currently navigating a secretive station laced with hidden traps here there and everywhere, and in this really fun sim from Vylaa we get to see some of that action in a whole load of cool descriptions and dialogue 👏 Lt Vylaa zh'Tisav: Bada Boom. Big Bada Boom (google.com)

@Bryce Tagren-Quinn is back with some evocative descriptions and some lovely El-Aurian perspective.

@Jo Marshall's lovesick Kero Rix is a delight to read, but more importantly, I have a new life goal of being arrested on Betazed now.

I love the worldbuilding @Vylaa has been doing during shore leave on Andoria, and with Vylaa and her family. This series gave some particular insight into Andorian culture, and Vylaa's feelings about it. Part 1: Public Display of Affection Part 2: Cotton Candy Galaxy Part 3: It Ain't Easy Being Blue

Another great sim opening our latest mission. I love the way this sim flows and how it instantly mashes together the often juxtaposed subjects of science and faith. That and we get a stream of thoughts pouring out from Sevo, who wonders during the journey what it must be like from the Prophets point of view, which I thought was a really interesting point to make. Brava! 👏 Lt. Commander Ayiana Sevo - Rite of Passage (google.com)

An amazing sim from our newly minted Lieutenant Commander @Tahna Meru! I love the style, the delivery, the tone. All of it. So well done and a perfect introduction to our new mission. Setting the scene but doing so entirely from the characters perspective. I'm taking notes! ✍️ Lt. Commander Tahna Meru - Fear and Wisdom Are Brothers (google.com)

This is a two-parter sim from our amazing @Tahna Meru! Making the most out of a rare opportunity in which her Bajoran character gets to visit Deep Space Nine, this sim threads together Meru and her mother Yavarel, with beautifully written narration and tension filled dialogue. I know this has been a labour of love for @Tahna Meru, so a huge well done for getting it out and giving us more of Meru! Lt. Tahna Meru - We’ll All Be Here Forever (Part I) (google.com) And part ll Lt. Tahna Meru - We'll All Be Here Forever (Part II) (google.com)

@Doz Finch has a gift for dialogue and is such a fantastic storyteller. I can't wait to read more! Fantastic work! 👏

The tension, the yearning, the stifling of emotions. A brilliant sim from @Bryce Tagren-Quinn in what has been a fascinating story to read during this shore leave. Also kudos to @Tahna Meru too! I'm hanging on by a thread in every sim. 👏 Ensign Bryce Tagren-Quinn - Of Realities (google.com)