Rahman and Rivi Vataix

I thought you would have been impressed by my mention of Rahman's braided chignon. Sounds like a pastry...

Pretty please?

Speaking of dirty, I almost thought you were going to have Raissa passionately kiss the Voice for the transfer given the mention of the Voice's "working lips" and all. Instead... (Ensign King later went to write in his diary.)

Somehow, I don't think you were the only one.

Oh Garak... I loved how he respected and could work with our Starfleet heroes but was always still a proud Cardassian who enjoyed mocking Starfleet and the Federation just the same.

Too bad you can't quote awkward silences... ...or CAN YOU?

Welcome to SB118!

Haha. Right there in the job description.

Congratulations and welcome!

Yay! Fun fact: we are closer to First Contact then we are to the premier of Star Trek in 1966!

Scan away! Even a doodle on a napkin is fine (though we might ask you to redraw it on a piece of paper)!

This is why I love simming.

Every guy on the Garuda just looked up and said, "Wait, are you talking about me?"

Watch to the end.

((Peppalexan Jungle, somewhere in the distant past)) ::Two more weeks had passed since Ki Shandres and Tristam Core had joined him in temporal exile, two weeks during which any hope of rescue had long since departed. They were lost in the past. Exactly, how far into the past, they couldn’t know. None of them had the kind of equipment that could reckon such things. Regardless, no one was coming for them.:: ::Saveron’s medical tricorder at least allowed them to identify which of the local life forms were safe to eat, and once they had identified sufficient of the plant life to provide a balanced diet, he again eschewed meat. Shandres on the other hand seemed to find some relief or distraction in the mental and physical exertion of hunting down the local wildlife.:: ::And Core... wasn’t coping. At all. Saveron had tried to speak with the man, but the Vulcan was no Counsellor; neither was the erstwhile Intelligence Officer. Core was a trained Engineer, and the only Starfleet technology here was that which they had brought with them. They each brought their equipment to the man to fix, but it was only a sop and Saveron didn’t doubt that Tristam knew it. The Vulcan could only hope that in time the man would come out of his funk and realise that basic engineering principles could still be applied to their present situation to greatly increase their comfort and chances of survival. In the meantime he examined the local plant life for medicinal properties conserved their first aid supplies as best they could; he foraged for food, meditated and kept watch when the others required sleep, sleeping briefly when they woke. They all needed to watch out for each other if they were to survive on this strange world. :: ::None of which changed the fact that they were stranded thousands of years before they were born.:: ::A major concern in their situation was food; that morning Saveron set off in one direction to search for edible plants and new plant samples to analyse; Shandres set off in another, spear in hand, looking for something to hunt. Core they left, fiddling with his tricorder again.:: ::The Vulcan was digging industriously at a patch of plants with broad leaves and large tubers which his tricorder assured him contained nothing toxic to Rodulans, Betazoids or Vulcans, when something he had never expected to happen again happened; his comm. badge chirped.:: ::Grey gaze scanned the surrounding jungle as he automatically tapped his badge; nothing happened but then he had not really expected it to. Had Core rigged up some sort of relay system, or had their lost hope actually come true? He looked up and around, listening carefully, but he heard nothing. He was quite some distance from their cave. Collecting the tubers that he had already unearthed, Saveron turned and headed back the way he had come, determined to get to the bottom of the chirping comm. badge.:: ::He hadn’t gone far when he felt a familiar shift, a familiar pull, that he never expected to feel again; a transporter lock. How they had managed it, this far back in time, he couldn’t begin to guess. Perhaps, of all of them, Tristam might know; but Core was back at the cave. Dropping his digging stick and tubers to reduce the number of patterns the transporter had to lock on to, he could only hope that the battery and signal from his comm. badge were strong enough to create that lock.:: ::But they weren’t. The lock didn’t engage. He could feel the pull of the transporter, see the occaisional blue sparkle as the field tried to form, but they were far in the distant past, and it was no doubt some piece of Engineering genius that had even allowed the signal to get this far. Perhaps it was too far. He realised that hope had been illogical as the field failed, the pull faded. That which they had known was still true.:: ::He was about to bend and retrieve his tools and food when a sharp whine in the air heralded the sudden, sharp pull of the transporter, a field so strong it hurt, far more powerful than standard regulations permitted. Somehow they had boosted the power. As the whine intensified and the blue sparkles obscured his vision, it felt as though he were being pulled apart. The draw of the transporter field encompassed all his senses and thoughts, more drawn out and strained than any normal transport. For a moment it seemed to encompass his entire existence....:: ::...until, several lifetimes later, the field faded, a past few sparkles lingering, as the humid jungle was replaced by the warm tones of a Galaxy class’s Transporter Room. Familiar faces registered in his peripheral vision as the Vulcan bent double, hands on his knees, drawing in a deep breath as every cell in his body seemed to settle back together again after a moment of existential uncertainty longer than the age of the universe. :: ::...until several lifetimes later, the field faded again, the moment gone, the jungle of ancient Peppalexa still lush and blue-green about him. He took a deep breath and waited, but the pull did not come again. A last ditch effort, and it had failed. They were stuck here after all. The truth had never been any different.:: ::Familiar voices, familiar faces. He straightened up and there was Commander Rahman at the helm of the rescue efforts with the Engineering team, and about him Core and Shandres, as emergency medical staff rushed into the transporter room. Indicating that he needed no immediate aid, Saveron made his way carefully from the transporter pad, and turned to find the paramedics lifting Shandres who looked decidedly ill, a bleeding bite on his leg.:: ::Bending to pick up his stick and tubers, Saveron bid a final, silent goodbye to his friends and the life he had known, and made his way back to the cave. Core was there, and with the strangest news. His Away Team, those who had met with the Seperatists, had been here, had come to rescue them. The transport had begun, but whilst it had locked onto the Away Team, it had failed to make a lock on those who had been stranded. Perhaps their patterns were too temporally distorted?:: ::Walking with the retrieval team, Saveron helped monitor Shandres’ condition on the anti-grav stretcher, ignoring his own dishevelled and scratched up state as he applied a compression bandage to man’s affected leg. He couldn’t even begin to guess what had bitten Ki, but he swabbed the bite site, collecting the venom for analysis.:: ::Shandres wasn’t at the cave. After a brief discussion, Saveron and Core set out to look for him. He’d set off in a westerly direction and his trail wasn’t too hard to follow. If the man was lucky the transporter would have locked onto the third member of their party, and all they would find would be his lastest kill; if he was unlucky then he was still stuck with the rest of them.:: ::Once in Sickbay they were able to get Shandres hooked up to IV fluids and, as the paralysis progressed, Saveron initiated holographic respiration assistance, keeping the man’s blood oxygenated whilst the venom analysis ran. The instant the analysis was through he ran the antidote algorithm and a few minutes later a very precious vial emerged from the medical replicator.:: ::Shandres was already dead when they found him, and whether that made him lucky or unlucky was something that Saveron would meditate on, for a great many years. Stretched out on the ground his form was far more rigid than mere rigor mortis should have made it; the toxin contained some sort of paralytic agent. At least the end would have been relatively swift. Saveron carried Shandres silently back to the cave, listening vaguely as Core spoke rapidly and largely non-sensically about the engineering behind biobed scanners.:: ::Applying the hypospray to Ki’s neck, Saveron watched alternately his patient and the screen with the output from the bioarch as the Betazoid’s oxygenation levels began slowly to rise, his LDH level to stabilise and his raised liver enzymes began to fall. His face took on a healthier, less grey tinge. Recovery would be slow but steady; given a few days Shandres would be as good as new.:: ::They buried Shandres at the back of the cave, with his uniform and comm. badge and what ceremony they felt was appropriate.:: Saveron: May your katra, freed of physical bonds, find its way home. ::With Shandres’s health stabilising, Saveron turned the man’s care over to the nursing staff, settling himself into a chair nearby. His intention was to update the man’s files but, most uncharacteristically for the Vulcan, he fell asleep in the chair. One of the nursing staff surrepticiously scanned him with a medical tricorder and, finding nothing amiss save marked fatigue, pulled a blanket over his lanky form and left him there.:: END Lt. Cmdr Saveron Xenobiologist USS Garuda

((Palace of Her Majesty Virah-Latyi, Myla-Rothra City, 15,000 years ago)) :: As Ryan continued to recite, Chythar was trying hard to stay relaxed. He was remembering to breathe slowly. As he inhaled, he tensed and held his muscles which he released upon exhale. oO This is a really bad idea.... Oo :: ::The room began to grow quiet.:: King: If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, ::pause:: ::With a wave of her flaps the Queen moved in toward Ryan, inching closer a look of impatient anger in her face as the level of her voice began to raise. Closing the distance surprisingly quick, her sinewy neck lowered until it sat squarely in line with his.:: King: oO She’s going to eat me. Oo ::softly:: Where's the peck of pickled peppers that Peter Piper picked? King: (If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,) ::pause:: Tura-Fe: ( I think you've made your point, Human King. ) ::Tru-Dar-Orr nodded his agreement. Clicking in his water voice, he turned to Tura-Fe.:: Tru-Dar-Orr: ::water voice:: ( On that we can agree. ) King: ...Davenport, turn the UT back on… Virah-Latyi: Interesting. What was that he spoke? :: It was actually a tongue twister, but tongue twisters were harder to describe than poetry. Surely a civilization like theirs must have some sort of a bardic aspect to it, so CD tried to explain with a bit of an exaggeration. :: Skyfire: He just recited a poem in our native tongue. Which sounded presumably like nonsense to you. Much as your words first sounded to us. Male Peppalexan: I don’t believe this trickster for a second… King: ::Bowing:: I speak the truth your Majesty. ::Leaning his head back, Ryan snapped his neck around in an attempt to shake out his mane of long hair, emulating the neck flaps of the Peppalexans.:: Who are you that would question my integrity? ::The tall Peppalexan moved from the dais where the throne sat slowly, taking a moment to size up the young Ensign, he replied icily. Tru-Dar-Orr: I am Tru-Dar-Orr, First Minister to Her Majesty. And you, my foul smelling trickster are a liar. :: The queen seemed to shoot a displeased glance toward her first minister, though exactly what the emotion was Chythar had no idea. :: Skyfire: Since our weapons demonstration failed, he felt it necessary to demonstrate our technology in another way. Our current communication seemed like a prime example. If there is to be any blame for Mr. King's actions, I accept full responsibility. Tru-Dar-Orr: Weapons, you say? You bring weapons with you? :: as he turned to Virah-Latyi :: Your Majesty, it would appear that these. Outsiders come with ill intent. :: The conversation seemed like it was getting worse. Given the events of the last four hours, Chythar was starting to doubt that he would get out of this alive. Especially after Ryan pulled his little stunt with the tricorder. :: (( Flashback -- moments earlier )) ::As a spear was placed on the ground and the guard backed away, CD locked gaze with the ensign.:: Skyfire: Go ahead, Mr. King. Lowest setting you can. :: Ryan frowned as he moved forward, hands raised to grab the device from the guard. Raising the phaser to eye-level, and there was a dull beep. He closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. The battery was dead. He pressed the button on the phaser as the room filled with the sound of gasps.:: King: ::to Skyfire.:: Dead battery, thankfully. :: CD's eyes narrowed slightly at Ryan, but didn't go into the man's head. The look that was conveyed spoke volumes: 'Do not lie to me.' His gaze shifted back to the surrounding crowd and forced himself to relax. :: ::The noise in the chamber began to die down as they realized nothing had happened. And then the noise levels reached new heights. ‘Liars. Tricksters. Do not believe them!’:: :: CD's eyes narrowed slightly at Ryan, but didn't go into the man's head. The look that was conveyed spoke volumes: 'Do not lie to me.' His gaze shifted back to the surrounding crowd and forced himself to relax. :: ::The noise in the chamber began to die down as they realized nothing had happened. And then the noise levels reached new heights. ‘Liars. Tricksters. Do not believe them!’:: King: If you would allow us to prove ourselves in a different way? We can communicate through the most excellent device my colleague ::motioning to Davenport:: holds in his hand. But what about when we turn that off? Skyfire: :: under his breath :: Please don't do anything stupid... ::Virah watched as they fiddled with something upon the items that bedecked their bodies.:: Virah-Latyi: What is that device? ::To her there was no answer, rather the man who had attempted to win her favour with compliments spoke to his companions before to her, and when he finally did, his words were no longer comprehensible.:: King: ::to Skyfire and Davenport:: (This should be fun.) (( End Flashback )) :: The one Chythar barely recognized as Tura-Fe , a creature of historical artifacts and finds. Much like their own Ian Dunross aboard the Garuda, this XY chromosome being was a man of science. :: Tura-Fe: Your Majesty, if I may? Virah-Latyi: You have my leave, Tura-Fe. Tura-Fe: I urge you to consider their words. I have examined the relics my entire career. The ones they bring now... it is unmistakably of the same origin. :: Chythar's hearing must have been affected by the knock on the head. Relics? What relics...? :: Skyfire: oO We weren't here before! Oo :: The First Minister seemed agitated. His tail and neck fins shifting to a fiery shade of purple. :: Virah-Latyi: Your relics? Tura-Fe: Please, just have a look at- ::The captain of the guard clicked his tongue.:: Je-San: That's enough, Tura-Fe. Tura-Fe: No, it's not enough. These creatures are perhaps the greatest discovery in the history of our Kingdom. :: Pandemonium erupted. The entire audience chamber seemed up in arms about the status of Skyfire's team being considered a discovery. CD thought it was strange. Then, there were alarms that echoed throughout the chamber. :: Soldier: Captain! ::to Virah-Latyi:: Your Majesty! Je-San: ::annoyed:: What is it? Soldier: Fire falls from the sky! Skyfire: oO Sky...fire....? Oo :: Tru-Dar-Orr’s mouth curled again. He turned his neck to look to the southeast as a large fireball descended toward the city below, a menacing black trail of smoke in its wake. Pandemonium broke out for a brief moment as those in the audience chamber began to panic.:: Je-San: Protect the Queen at once! :: She was surrounded by guards no more than two seconds after he gave the order. :: Tru-Dar-Orr: ::His voice booming:: Silence in the Chamber of Her Majesty! ::Turning to Je-San:: Do your job, get the Queen to the protected rooms under the Palace! Virah-Latyi: Wait… ::The large ball of fire come to rest just outside the city's walls, far off in the distance. The ground shook beneath them, throwing courtiers, tapestries and plush pillows throughout the Chamber.:: ::Je-San turned back to the creatures, seething with anger.:: Je-San: Are you responsible for this? oO Think fast, CD. Think fast. Oo Skyfire : No, we are not. Tru-Dar-Orr: Of course they are! They have rained fire down from the sky. Tricked us with their “weapons.” A true predator lays in wait for the moment to strike when least expected. Distractions. Tricks. ::pointing a taloned hand at Skyfire:: We are tired of your lies. Skyfire : On my life, I am telling you the truth: we are not responsible for this. I suspect the same phenomenon that sent us here is the one that brought down this oO Think fast. Use a word. Oo fireball. King: First Minister, our leader speaks the truth. We have not done, nor is it in our people’s nature to rain fire down from the sky. ::nodding to Skyfire.:: Though the unfortunate naming coincidence isn’t lost on me. ::Shouts erupted from the Chamber as the assembled Peppalexan’s fear and anger grew.:: Soldier: Your Majesty! It has landed on the outskirts of the city. It is some kind of sea-faring vessel from the sky! Tru-Dar-Orr: An invasion force perhaps? Your Majesty, we must ride out to meet them in battle before it is too late! ...And we should bring these ::motioning to King, Davenport and Skyfire:: things to witness the destruction of their allies. ...And to pay for their deceit. Davenport: ::raising his hand:: Excuse me, but doesn’t that seem like a bit of an overreaction? :: Skyfire just stood there in silence, trying to come up with a response. He was spared from having to come up with one once the queen spoke again. :: Virah-Latyi: Silence. Tru-Dar-Orr, reassure the people that all is under control. Jen-San, take some soldiers and assess the damage. Tru-Dar-Orr: Of course, ::Bowing in formal supplication, his flaps prostrated.:: your Majesty. Davenport: And what are you to do with us? :: He nodded his thanks now that the ministir and guard captain were given something else to do. Otherwise he kept his silence, for dead docs weren't much fun or use to anyone. And he quite liked living, thank you very much. :: Virah-Latyi: Our *guests* are to remain with me. Tura-Fe, you also. You mentioned some relics, let us see them now. :: There was a long pause of what seemed to be hesitation from the historian, who seemed almost reluctant to obey. Chythar thought to himself oO Well, what are you waiting for? Oo as he glanced at Tura-Fe, but said nothing. :: Virah-Latyi: I believe I commanded you to do my bidding. :: Those who had been given other things to do took their leave, and the guards formed what Chythar thought was a kill circle around the primary, waiting to kill anyone who threatened her life. Despite how much training he was given in the art of combat, he didn't like it. :: Virah-Latyi: Tura-Fe, lead. ::She paused, then added.:: Virah-Latyi: Skyfire...walk with me. :: The guards did allow him access into their little circle with a bit of reluctance. CD's mind started to scream oO TRAP! Oo and he quickly clamped down on that in order to maintain his exterior calm. He allowed the neutrality to come into his voice with a practiced ease. :: Skyfire: Of course, your majesty. ::As Tura-Fe led the small procession, Virah held back a bit to converse with man who, despite the attempts by one of the others, seemed to be the leader.:: Virah-Latyi: Tell me truthfully, is this of your doing? :: The million credit question. Was the Garuda capable of creating these anomalous rifts they seem to have fallen through? No. Was it his fault that they they transported into a subspace fracture? No. Meaning it was an external influence that caused this to happen. And he was blameless. :: Skyfire: On my life, I swear it is not so. ::She cast a sidelong glance at him.:: Virah-Latyi: I believe you. :: He looked visibly relieved. All that tension he'd been holding since Ryan's stunt with the tricorder seemed to vanish away, thus making him relax. He wanted to hug his puppy. And wanted to get the hell out of here. In one piece. :: Skyfire: I am glad to hear it. :: He paused, and attempted to read her features as his forehead creased in worry. :: You seem concerned, Your Majesty. Care to discuss it? Virah-Latyi: I have had these dreams. I used to have them long ago, but they faded and with them my memory of them. When I was told of your coming, however, they returned and they have done so every night until I finally realized I must see you. :: He was interested, and though not a psychologist, he knew the power of dreams. Or rather, he had some basic idea because of the fact it was a required medical class. Many Terran figures were psychologists and thought up amazing things about REM sleep. :: Skyfire: Me, specifically? You have my attention, Your Majesty. Virah-Latyi: There was a woman who seemed to be of the same species as you, even about your height. She had long, dark hair. It...waved, like the water does and her eyes were as green as my gills. :: He thought about that long and hard, and was silent for a few seconds as he tried to think which of the crew, specifically which of his patients, matched that description. His brows arched for only a moment in surprise as he attempted to figure out who she meant. :: Skyfire: What was her name? Virah-Latyi: Name...her name was… ::She paused there as she tried to recall.:: Virah-Latyi: I believe it was...Al-Or-Uh. :: Another second passed before his eyes widened. He wasn't the only one being transported through time -- she'd met Alora DeVeau. Oh man. He had to wake up from this hellish nightmare, soon. And then get checked out by the shrink to see if he was crazy. Again. :: Skyfire: Alora....You met one of my crew mates. Virah-Latyi: Did I? Are you certain? Skyfire: I can't be sure until I see... :: He paused, swallowing his fear. :: ...the relics. Tura-Fe: ::looking back:: Your Majesty... Virah-Latyi: Ah, we have arrived. Perhaps you will have an answer awaiting you inside. :: As they arrived at the great circular antechamber where all the "relics" had been placed, there was a giant rectangular table in the center with various items. All metallic. Gleaming like they were shiny new, or maybe slightly corroded. Things that Chythar recognized immediately: a tricorder, a type II phaser. a box of tools...? oO That looks like an engineering kit... Carter? Oo He continued staring at the objects for a moment longer before his attention was retrieved once more. :: Davenport: :: Whispering:: There’s something off about this place… King: ::quietly:: Ummmmm… :: He walked over to another set of tables, numbering three. This time, each one looked more like a stone slab which almost reminded him of the layout of an autopsy theater. oO Suppress that thought, doc. Just do your job. Oo He realized also that the personal effects of each of the three cadavers had been kept with the bodies, presumably for archival purposes. And as he took a good look at the skulls, he began to sweat a little from nervousness. His face nearly went white as a ghost, and he swallowed hard. :: Skyfire: I know them.... :: Three skeletons. Three uniform colors: red, gold, and teal. Three species: Betazoid, Rodulan, and Vulcan. One thing was for sure -- the remains weren't recent... but that still didn't explain how they got here. :: TBC === Lieutenant Chythar Skyfire Chief Medical Officer Temporally Displaced

Romulans extend invitation to Federation President Bacco for state visit By T'Vas Stardate 239203.18 After the destruction of Romulus (pictured) and Remus in 2387 by the Hobus supernova, factions within the Romulan Star Empire have been battling for legitimacy, with Rator III's claim emerging as the strongest. RATOR III — The new Imperial Senate of the Romulan Star Empire has invited Federation President Bacco to give an address before the legislative body in what would be an historic occasion. Foreign affairs analysts see the move as an attempt by the new Senate on Rator III to secure its legitimacy as the rightful successor to the original Imperial Senate that was destroyed on Romulus by the Hobus supernova in 2387. If President Bacco accepts, it would be the first visit to the Romulan Star Empire by a sitting Federation president in nearly a century. Rightful HeirThough historically known as the Empire's "Second System," a nod to its economic and strategic importance after Romulus, Rator has been fighting both a political and military campaign against other Romulan worlds that have made similar claims to become the next capital of the empire. "Certainly, a state visit by the Federation President would go a long way in not only sending a message to the Romulan people but also to the interstellar community that Rator III is truly the new Romulan capital," said Thilene Herskoya, who served as security advisor to former President Jaresh-Inyo. "It also, though, puts the question back on President Bacco and the Federation Council: whom do we finally recognize as the legitimate head of the Romulan Star Empire?" In the wake of the Hobus supernova, that question was tabled as the Federation focused its efforts on providing relief aid to the Romulan people directly. While certain factions within the empire took the opportunity to begin military campaigns to seize greater control of the remaining Romulan systems, Rator III has continued to rule as a stable source of government for the bulk of the empire that remains firmly under the control of the Imperial Navy and the Tal Shiar. Romulan PoliticsBoth the Romulan military and the Tal Shiar have consolidated considerable power since the destruction of the original Senate, and some insiders believe that the new Senate on Rator III owes much of its success to the support of one of the organizations—or both. Others suggest the possibility that the new Senate is nothing more than a figurehead legislative body. Regardless, the Imperial Senate on Rator has become more emboldened in its actions and rhetoric, most notably after a string of military victories last year against Rator III's most prominent challengers that culminated in the surrender and execution of two other self-proclaimed Praetors of the Empire and the lifelong imprisonment of the members of Achernar Prime's legislative body who had earlier disputed Rator's claims and declared themselves as the true successors to the original Senate. Construction on Rator III of a new imperial capital city, to be known as Rihan, has since begun this year. FNS Home • FNS Data Feed• FNS on FB

((One Week Later, Myla-Rothra City, Tura-Fe and Je-San’s residence)) ::The past week had been a crash course in living like an animal in a petting zoo. Ryan scowled and nodded as yet another ‘friend’ of Tura-Fe bid him and his colleagues a farewell. King, Skyfire and Davenport had ‘enjoyed’ the hospitality of their reptile hosts and captors for far too long and the young Ensign was starting to show the wear and tear. Try as he might, the old racial prejudices he had learned on Cestus were threatening to bubble up. Though the reptile-like Peppalexan’s had for the most part been friendly and well-meaning, he was simply tired of being around aliens that were seemingly advanced yet culturally stunted. Ryan had spent most of his time saying nothing and only chiming in to inquire on the well-being of his away team companions. That did not deter Tura-Fe however as she hosted people for breakfast, lunch and dinner in their well apportioned home. On more than one occasion he had seen an opportunity to spring an escape. He thought the aliens entirely too trusting for having allowed Skyfire and the elusive Davenport to still carry their tricorders. He would never would have allowed such a thing and suspected that had Je-San had his way, he would of taken them back immediately.:: Tura-Fe: I just spoke with the court messenger. You’ve been granted reception with Her Majesty tomorrow at sunrise. Skyfire: I see. :: He mulled that over, then ran a hand along his face, noting he had to shave again. :: That's helpful. Thank you. King: An -- audience? ::Ryan suppressed a scoff:: How is your monarch selected? ::One of Je-San’s men snickered.:: Guard (NPC): Don’t be too excited. She may not believe your fanciful tale and decide to simply execute you. ::To her credit, Tura-Fe registered her displeasure with the guard. Ryan simply turned to stare down the guard..:: King: On our worlds, it is said that those killed unjustly come back as spirits and haunt those that have wronged them. I will ensure that you never enjoy a peaceful nights sleep in your ‘nest’ again. ::Ryan felt the slightest hint of satisfaction as the guard’s tail wiggled and his neck flaps registered hint of pale purple.:: King: oO Hopefully that gave him some indigestion Oo Skyfire: Don't worry, gentlemen. We have nothing to worry about. King: I hope so. ::Ryan took his seat on the gold and white carpet he had claimed for his own since they arrived and considered their next steps..:: Skyfire: I'll be honest with you, gentlemen. I honestly don't know. We haven't been informed if Commanders Valen or Bakari are alright, only that they were being treated. Making me the highest ranking officer in this little...troupe...of temporally displaced travelers. And in about twelve hours, give or take two, we get to explain our situation to the queen and hope she doesn't decide to kill us. King: That is assuming that Bakari and Valen are still alive. We have not received visual confirmation, just words. I’m not inclined to trust ::motioning to the guard:: captors. Have you been able to ‘feel’ their presence at all? Skyfire: Not from what I can tell. :: He paused, his eyes closing for a moment. :: I haven't...I don't know if they are even conscious. I've been trying to avoid using it because of the temporal displacement. Might cause more harm than good at this point. ((Sunrise, the following day -- Palace )) ::Ryan marched quietly into Her Majesty’s chamber. There were tapestries laid out in brilliant colors with wondrous depictions of war and the greatness of the domain of the Queen. As they proceeded with the guardsmen, Ryan saw the last in the series of tapestries and paused for a moment. A grand Peppalexan warrior stood in an empty jungle, holding wrapped in their tail a device as they were surrounded by other Peppalexans in stances of supplication. Ryan stopped a moment to look. He felt the butt of a weapon against his back as the same guard he had threatened the day before had the joy of kneading it into his back. A moment later he stood in front of a throne in the audience chamber. The bronze and gold-like metal gleamed as pillows in deep indigo, purple and teal spread like a wave around them. What could only be classified as the Queen’s entourage laid around her throne as she presided over the room in all her glory.:: King: ::mumbling:: Is this a palace or a poorly decorated brothel? Skyfire: I hope so too. If this doesn't work, we could all be doomed. ::As they came to a halt fifteen feet from the throne, Chythar knelt as a supplicant before it, an old custom he recalled from Earth's time. With a glance to his compatriots, he motioned for them to do the same. Ryan shot a glance at his superior officer and then complied, moving forward and standing a half inch behind Skyfire. He bowed deeply and then rose up, a full smile on his face.:: King: Your Majesty. ::She had been given word of the strange visitors, but as it was indicated they seemed to be no threat, Virah-Latyi perched upon her throne. As they sifted into the chamber, she watched them as they strode forward, noting their interest in the tapestries that adorned their walls. Her head lifted slightly. While she’d had no part in the making of those tapestries, she was proud of them, for they told some of the most important stories of her people. Their colours seemed to dance in the light that streamed in from the large windows that were interspersed in between each of them. Unlike the other Peppalexans with the ebony hue, her skin shone a glimmering, deep violet as she sat, bathed in the sunbeams that filled the room. A rich, almost velvet green revealed itself as her skin flaps flared in response to the one who initiated a kneeling position. :: Virah-Latyi: Who are you? ::Ryan turned to look around the room. The stone was heavy and yet the feeling of the room was light, it’s open windows providing plenty of natural sunlight that shined beautifully on the central figure in the room, the Queen. But it was the audience of onlookers that interested Ryan more. Four entryways to the front each had a pair of guards in what he could only assume was traditional regalia. Tufts of long red bird feathers adorned their heads as they held menacing spears. The warriors never looked anywhere but directly ahead.:: King: oO Impressive. Oo Skyfire: Your Majesty. My name is Doctor Chythar Skyfire. These are my companions, Ensign Ryan King... ::as he motioned with his hand to Ryan:: ::Ryan turned around and snapped to attention.:: Skyfire: ...and Andrew Davenport. ::as he motioned to Andrew.:: Our companions, Lieutenant Commander Masfiri Bakari and Lieutenant Commander Valen Carys were apparently injured and being treated by your physicians. Virah-Latyi: I see. ::She paused, a good couple of minutes inching away as she studied them each in turn.:: Virah-Latyi: I must admit that what I have heard is difficult to believe, but I am not unwilling to consider such possibilities. You were invited here? Skyfire: We were invited by the Pepplaxian government, yes. ::There was a brief moment of silences as if he were attempting to formulate words, then he expounded.:: Skyfire: Our team was transported to the surface, outside the city. Our captain probably believes we are lost or dead because we did not arrive when we were supposed to. Virah-Latyi: When. You are from the future - our future? Skyfire: This planet's future, yes. ::Out of the corner of his right eye, Ryan noticed a shadow. Turning, it grew bigger as another Peppalexan entered the chamber. Flapping its neck fins in a brilliant display of ruby red, the Peppalexan bowed quietly and stepped on the dias to the right of the Queen.:: Male Peppalexan: This is all very interesting. And yet there is no proof of any of it. ::She rose then, the verdant hue peeking out from the skin that fanned from her body as she moved. She descended the two steps of the dais upon which her throne sat. From either side, two guards immediately flanked her, creating a sort of box about her as she closed the distance between her and the aliens.:: Virah-Latyi: How do I know you speak the truth? What proof have you? King: ::Ryan paused a moment.:: Your Majesty… ::pause:: Skyfire: I have pictures of what your species will look like in our time. Aerial photographs of your planet. Virah-Latyi: Do you? King: ::Turning to Davenport quietly.:: What if we yank the UT for a minute? NPC Guard: And these weapons? ::indicating the tray of phasers one of their escorts was carrying:: Skyfire: I can demonstrate their power on an inanimate object of yours. A weapon you won't mind donating to science. ::Ryan stood straighter in that moment. Stunned that he may be forced to show off the firepower the away team had brought.:: oO What is to stop them from killing us and using these weapons to conquer their planet? Oo King: ::Speaking in a whisper to Davenport.:: Shut off the UT in your tricorder on my signal. Guard: I am not certain of its purpose. King: You misunderstand the items design, sir. ::A smile crept on his face.:: Your majesty ::Ryan pointed to the phaser in the guards hand:: this device is simply what we call a phaser. It acts as a remote to power on or power down devices like the ones my colleagues are using. ::Ryan could feel the sweat pooling at the back of his neck as he turned to his colleagues. He turned and winked at Skyfire. This would either be the best ruse since Kirk’s Corbomite Maneuver or he’d go down in Peppalexan history as the keystone cop. Skyfire: :: looked to Davenport :: Please take my tricorder from your bag, Mr. Davenport. ::Ryan watched as Skyfire took the tricorder and presented it to the Queen.:: ::Skyfire turned it on and made sure to keep his hands where the queen and the guards could see them as he pulled the visual records, making sure to mute the audio files. They didn't need to hear any of it. Just see the pictures. :: Skyfire: This is what the planet's surface looks like in our time. These visual records were given to me before we arrived here, by our Captain. King: ::King observed the soft clicks among the assembled audience. The humans must of made good theatre.:: You lead a great people, your Majesty. ::The queen’s dark gaze flicked back to King but she remained silent as a guard inched back and indicated that she should do the same.:: ::As a spear was placed on the ground and the guard backed away, CD locked gaze with the ensign.:: Skyfire: Go ahead, Mr. King. Lowest setting you can. King: ::Ryan frowned as he moved forward, hands raised to grab the device from the guard. He could eyes on him as he grabbed the phaser and saw the now familiar face of Je-San staring icily at him. The male Peppalexan who had joined earlier and spoken only once remained near the throne, eyeing the situation coolly. The phaser felt cold to the touch as Ryan examined it for any damage. The thought crossed his mind that he could take out quite a few of the guards in the room, or even set it to overload and chuck it at the Queen and her entourage. And yet he knew the ramifications on him and the Away Team could not allow him to do that. His instinct was to escape but natural intuition had to give way to rational thought in that moment. Raising the phaser to eye-level, Ryan programmed on the battery. And then heard the dull beep. He closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. The battery was dead. He pressed the button on the phaser as the room filled with the sound of gasps.:: King: ::to Skyfire.:: Dead battery, thankfully. Virah-Latyi: Dead...bat ter ry? ::The noise in the chamber began to die down as they realized nothing had happened. And then the noise levels reached new heights. ‘Liars. Tricksters. Do not believe them!’:: Skyfire: :: quietly :: It would seem that time has had a negative effect on our weapons. King: : ::Taking a deep breath, Ryan bowed.:: Forgive us your Majesty. It would appear that our remote device is weak in comparison to your most excellent weapons. This must be due to your divine protection. ::The man’s comment caused Virah’s flaps to flutter slightly, but again, she made no utterance in response to him.:: King: If you would allow us to prove ourselves in a different way? We can communicate through the most excellent device my colleague ::motioning to Davenport:: holds in his hand. But what about when we turn that off? ::Nodding to Davenport:: ::Virah watched as they fiddled with something upon the items that bedecked their bodies.:: Virah-Latyi: What is that device? ::Ryan turned to the Queen as she continued to speak. The language a garbled mess to him.:: King: ::to Skyfire and Davenport:: This should be fun. ::Ryan turned to her Majesty:: King: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. ::pause:: A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. ::pause:: ::The room began to grow quiet.:: If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, ::pause:: ::With a wave of her flaps the Queen moved in toward Ryan, inching closer a look of impatient anger in her face as the level of her voice began to raise. Closing the distance surprisingly quick, her sinewy neck lowered until it sat squarely in line with his.:: King: oO She’s going to eat me. Oo ::softly:: Where's the peck of pickled peppers that Peter Piper picked? ...Davenport, turn the UT back on… Virah-Latyi: Interesting. What was that he spoke? Skyfire: He just recited a poem in our native tongue. Which sounded presumably like nonsense to you. Much as your words first sounded to us. Male Peppalexan: I don’t believe this trickster for a second… King: ::Bowing:: I speak the truth your Majesty. ::Leaning his head back, Ryan snapped his neck around in an attempt to shake out his mane of long hair, emulating the neck flaps of the Peppalexans.:: Who are you that would question my integrity? ::The tall Peppalexan moved from the dais where the throne sat slowly, taking a moment to size up the young Ensign, he replied icily. Tru-Dar-Orr: I am Tru-Dar-Orr, First Minister to Her Majesty. And you, my foul smelling trickster are a liar. ====== Ensign Ryan King Security Officer U.S.S. Garuda

Condolences from the Engineering Department of the USS Garuda.

Ensign King, making friends with the natives.

Congrats and welcome!

Unrest continues on Inox as citizens demand reform By Reza Kardgar Stardate 239203.03 Martial law has been declared in Grand Karra City, the capital of Inox. INOX SYSTEM — Demonstrations have continued on the non-aligned planet Inox, with anger at the government at an all-time high after a prominent official was cleared of corruption charges last month. Four weeks after Commissioner Ureshn Kilas was cleared of allegations that he had tampered with last year's parliamentary elections, protesters show no signs of backing down as they clashed with security forces. "We will not have our voices silenced," said Beja Nyuanin, a former professor at Grand Karra University who has since become one of the most prominent leaders among the demonstrators. "The people demand justice! They demand a government looking out for Inox instead of their own coffers." Nyuanin cites the government's failure to secure stronger ties with other trading partners besides the Federation, which has led to rampant unemployment in the wake of the Federation Transport Union strike. The nearest major power to Inox is the Tholian Assembly, but the infamously xenophobic species has so far kept minimal contact with Inox. Still, numerous other minor systems lie in reach of Inox's shipping lanes, but the Federation itself refuses trade with several of these systems in protest of practices such as child labor and outright slavery that remain common. Given Inox's dependence on Federation trade, the planetary government has been reluctant to upset its major economic partner by pursuing new business relations with these systems. "They are nothing but lap dogs of the Federation, sick with corruption," said protester Tesin Muri about the planetary government. "And like diseased animals, they must be destroyed." The Inoxan government has assured both the populace and foreigners that the demonstrations are under control, but as outbreaks of violence continue across the planet, martial law has been declared in several cities including the capital of Grand Karra City. The Federation Diplomatic Corps has issued a travel warning, advising all Federation citizens to exercise caution if visiting the planet and to consider postponing non-essential travel. FNS Home • FNS Data Feed• FNS on FB

Congratulations to Liani of the USS Apollo-A who has been selected as the Featured Bio for March 2015! Her bio is linked for this month on the main page as well as on the contest page and the recent changes page! Our featured nominee for March is Udas of the USS Constitution-B. Check out these great bios and more at the Featured Bio Contest page! And if you think someone should be recognized, submit your nomination for the next round today!

Hostile intelligence discovered within Genesis CloudStardate 239202.21 MENTHAR CORRIDOR — While surveying the largest protomatter cloud ever discovered, the USS Garuda found itself fending off a botanical infestation controlled by a hostile intelligence within the cloud. “One minute, I’m working on a diagnostic, and then the next, I see ten engineers struggling to break free of the vines coming out of the machinery,” said Petty Officer Angeline Loupaz, an engineer aboard the Garuda. The sudden infestation appeared overnight. The Garuda had been ordered to investigate the Genesis Cloud, which had been discovered by the Qilin Project. Initial sensor readings were off the scale of any previously found protomatter deposits. The survey would also be a diplomatic mission that hoped to rebuild trust and understanding between the Federation and the Community, a species native to the Menthar Corridor comprised of a collective consciousness that uses plant-like forms to communicate. Representatives of the Community came aboard the Garuda to witness standard Starfleet scientific procedures and evaluate the crew. By all accounts, the survey itself was a success as an engineering team headed by Garuda’s chief engineer Lt. Cmdr. Tristam Core and operations chief Lt. Cmdr. Mei’konda constructed a specialized shuttle dubbed the Robert Ballard to explore the volatile protomatter cloud and collect samples. “We had to be very careful,” explained Lt. JG Danielle Vistain, a shuttlebay ops engineer. “Protomatter is highly unstable. Even the slightest disturbances from a ship or shuttle’s systems can cause it to ignite. Rather than strip an existing shuttle bare, we decided it’d be easier to use spare parts to build an entirely new craft.” Expertly piloted by Lt. Kaitlyn Falcon, the shuttle returned safely with the valuable data, and alpha shift retired for the night. Yet things slowly grew amiss in the early hours of the morning. As drastically growing plants began spreading across the ship, the Garuda’s chief science officer Lt. Alora DeVeau went missing. “I knew something was wrong when she left her office a mess,” said Lt. JG Alif Lepore, a quantum biologist. “This was an important mission, what with the Community reps and the Diplomatic Corps watching so closely. Lt. DeVeau is always meticulous about her work.” Additional reports of other missing crew members came in, including that of one unfortunate crewman who had been dressed as Santa Claus for a department Christmas party. The children would have to wait a little bit longer for their presents as the crew soon found themselves battling a shipwide plant infestation. From small houseplants to the large trees of the ship’s arboretum, it seemed all plant life aboard the Garuda was being affected somehow by the protomatter, growing exponentially in size. Worse, it was apparent that the plant life exhibited hostile behaviors as crew members struggled against slithering vines attempting to capture them. Finally, DeVeau reappeared, her body having been taken over by an alien influence. Holding hostages in the arboretum, she announced to the Garuda’s commanding officer Captain Cassandra Egan Manno that she was speaking on behalf of the Kindred, an intelligence that resided within the Genesis Cloud. Its intent was to capture the crew and use their bodies to escape the protomatter cloud. However, Egan Manno had a plan. The shuttlecraft Ballard was secretly piloted by remote back into the center of the cloud. Then, during Egan Manno’s direct meeting with DeVeau in the arboretum, the captain revealed the shuttle would ignite the entire cloud if the Kindred did not comply. The Kindred were defiant, and the captain gave the order, destroying the cloud and bringing the crisis to an end. As the Garuda’s crew began cleaning up the mess, the mission left many reflecting on the chaos. “We lost a lot during this mission. I’ve only been here a short time, but I can tell this mission has left a mark on ship and crew,” said Ensign Ryan King, a security officer. “I myself am suffering from premature hair loss—though the nurse assures me it’s only temporary. I’m willing to make my sacrifices to continue the Federation’s mission though—and as long as my hair grows back. The nurse tells me it will with the gel…” Others weren’t sure how they were going to explain this to their friends and families. “I know no one back home’s going to believe me,” said Loupaz. “I hate plants.” FNS Home • FNS Data Feed• FNS on FB