Rahman and Rivi Vataix

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

I always picture Quinn having a very... sophisticated manner of speaking, so this made me snicker:

Psh... And, yes, that's how he sits on the bridge. Learns from the master:

Outbreak of Anchilles fever spreads as vaccine supplies run outStardate 239202.12 SELOS SYSTEM — The death toll from an outbreak of the highly contagious Anchilles fever on Selos III has reached 800,000 with health officials warning that the figure could top one million within a matter of weeks. Anchilles fever is an often fatal illness that attacks both the respiratory and nervous system. There is no specific cure, and treatment is mainly supportive. It affects all age ranges but is particularly deadly among children and the elderly. Though a vaccine has been developed against the infection, it is extremely rare and unable to be replicated easily for mass distribution. With the Federation Transport Union strike, shipments of the vaccine have dwindled, and doctors have urged government officials to seek aid in resupplying hospitals and clinics, which are being overrun with millions of patients infected with the debilitating disease. Adding further woes is the lack of easy transportation of foreign healthcare workers to Selos III in light of the strike. "We need more help," said Dr. Tenya Koqi, head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Royal University Hospital in Bersai, a coastal city hit particularly hard by the outbreak. "More of the vaccine, more people—even just basic hospital supplies. This isn't going away anytime soon." Starfleet Medical has dispatched two hospital ships, the USS Mercy and the USS Sabin to the system, which should arrive by the end of the month. Health experts have called on the Federation Council to divert additional ships to help transport shipments of the vaccine from more distant suppliers, but Starfleet Command has its hands full with the ongoing crisis at the Prometheus Station in the Piktar system. The Royal Congress, the governing body of Selos III, has sought out help from its neighbors, but with a lack of the vaccine to inoculate doctors and nurses, few are willing to send personnel directly to the outbreak zones. Still, some healthcare workers have decided to go on their own, despite their governments' objections. "There are children dying every day in pain from this awful disease," said Raenot Shenu, a critical care nurse from nearby Merinas IV. "I know the risks. We all do. But if we don't go, who will?" FNS Home • FNS Data Feed• FNS on FB

FNS Situational Briefing: 239202.07 Stardate 239202.07 From demonstrations on Inox to a blackout on Earth, the FNS Situational Briefing brings you the top stories happening now across the quadrants. 1: Demonstrations after Inoxan official cleared of corruption charges INOX SYSTEM — Protests and demonstrations have broken out across several major cities on Inox after a high-ranking government official was found not guilty of a dozen corruption charges. In a lengthy and highly publicized trial in the Inoxan capital of Grand Karra City, Commissioner Ureshn Kilas had been charged with tampering with last year's parliamentary elections to ensure that candidates fielded by various business associates of Kilas were secured victory. Political unrest has been building for the past few months on this non-aligned planet located between Federation and Tholian space, with many citizens unsatisfied with high unemployment and poor services provided by the government. With the ongoing Federation Transport Union strike, most of Inox's trade network with the Federation has effectively been shut down, leaving thousands more out of work. 2: Shuttle crash takes the lives of a dozen Vulcan researchers VULCAN SECTOR — A shuttle crash has taken the lives of twelve Vulcans, most of whom were leading researchers on their way to a medical conference on Casperia Prime. "It's just a terrible loss for the entire scientific community," said Dr. Mohit Singh of the University of Betazed. Among the dead are Drs. Rukann and T'Nes of the Vulcan Medical Institute, who last year were awarded the Carrington Award in a rare joint presentation for their extensive research focusing on Tuvan syndrome. 3: Power failure in Melbourne still ongoing EARTH — A massive power failure in Melbourne, Earth, has yet to be resolved as millions of residents continue to sit in the dark. The lights first went off in the Australian city of 12 million late last night and was blamed on a faulty power relay, but city officials have been unable to pinpoint the exact location. While some residents have taken the occasion to host impromptu celebrations and barbeques, others expressed frustration at the inaction of local politicians. Power outages have become a recurring problem in the area, mostly due to local wildlife becoming entangled in the city's aging infrastructure. Efforts to control the population of roving echidnas and wombats in particular have been hampered by strict species protection orders in place. 4: Teachers on Trill protest after controversial politician arrives to give speech TRILL — Teachers of the Southwestern District Public Schools have protested Education Minister Roza Mett's visit to a local elementary school to give a speech on education reform. "How dare she!" declared Bretha Taz, a music teacher at two of Southwestern's secondary schools. "She who has never taught a day in her life thinks she can just waltz right in here with all the answers. I'd like to see her survive five minutes in a classroom, let alone a whole school year!" Among the controversial proposals put forth by Minister Mett are plans to employ the use of more holographic technology in classrooms to "supplement" the lack of specialized teachers. Opponents argue that the plans are a way for the Education Ministry to bypass contract renewal negotiations with the Teachers' Association. 5: Drought continues on Niwa IV NIWA SYSTEM — Farmers have been hit hard by a historic drought, exacerbating ongoing woes from the Transport Union strike. Although government officials report the weather system is in perfect working order, an unusual convergence of weather patterns have overwhelmed the system. "It could be a lot worse," said weather systems engineer Rhewao. "We're lucky enough that it's just confined to the Eastern Plains." Those affected by the drought, however, aren't feeling particularly fortunate. With thousands of shipping containers sitting idle for the past several weeks, the agriculture industry was already in a delicate position. Director of Agriculture E'qae-Lan warned citizens earlier this week that fifty more farms would be shut down as the Transport Union strike continues. FNS Home • FNS Data Feed• FNS on FB

True story: once dated this girl back in college who said, "So we need to talk." Without thinking, I blurted out my immediate reaction. "Uh-oh." I think it only strengthened her case.

Congratulations to Kael Thomas of the USS Columbia who has been selected as the Featured Bio for February 2015! His 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 February is Tyler Kelly also of the USS Columbia. 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!

Terra Novan Kevin Steiner makes long-rumored presidential bid officialBy Reza KardgarStardate 239201.29 TERRA NOVA — In an unsurprising announcement, Terra Novan councilman Kevin Steiner officially announced his candidacy for the Federation presidency. "We are at a crossroads, my fellow citizens," said Steiner from his home in Logan City on Terra Nova, as his wife Adelise sat beside him. "We can continue on a path of diminishing influence and power on the interstellar stage, where our allies will no longer be able to count on us and where our own worlds continue to suffer from foolhardy policies that ultimately benefit no one. Or we can consider the possibilities." "Ladies and gentlemen, when I was growing up, being in the Federation meant something. It was a promise. A promise that you could grow up to achieve your dreams. That if you worked hard and helped to better the world around you—and even other worlds around you—you could secure a good life for you and your family." "Inherent in that promise was a calling. A call to serve, a call to look out for one another. That call is why millions of you join the ranks of Starfleet, the Diplomatic Corps, the Merchant Service, and the Peace Corps. Even more of you give back in your own time, volunteering or through your private careers. That call is why I came to the Federation Council twenty years ago: to make a difference and ensure a better future for my children and yours. And that call is why I want—why I hope—to lead the Federation forward as your next president." Late to the Party Reactions to Steiner's announcement were mixed. While some praised the councilman's speech as one of the elder statesman's finest, others were not so impressed. "I think he realized he was getting left in the dust after the buzz about Ambassador Ventu and then Chief Administrator Narala that he felt rushed to make a 'me, too' statement," said Professor Samit Blutan of the ShiKahr Institute, who pointed out several places where the councilman seemed to stumble over his own words, most noticeably with his final statement. "It's also a bit strange for him to pit himself as this Paris outsider challenging Bacco when he even acknowledged in his speech that he's been on the council for two decades," added Blutan. "His campaign manager needs to find a single, coherent narrative they intend to use in the election and stick with it." Steiner's speech was noted by other commentators to be light on specifics. "It was a competent announcement," said Churok, FNS columnist and former press secretary for President Ra-ghoratreii. "Yet if Mr. Steiner has aspirations of leading the Federation into the 25th century, he will require more than platitudes and flattery to the citizenry." "He talked about possibilities," said Guqatwa, an Ariolo civil engineer who watched Steiner's announcement along with several others gathered at a bar on Fillandia. "I kept hoping for the possibility he'd say something meaningful in such a long-winded speech." Still, Steiner's supporters, and those who have been upset by President Bacco's handling of recent crises such as the Federation Transport Union strike and the rising tensions between the Federation and the Klingon Empire in the aftermath of the Hobus supernova, were energized by the possibility that Bacco's time in office could come to an end. "I'm tired of hearing every day about how another transport was attacked or how one of our colonies was raided out there, while Bacco tells us how we owe it to our interstellar neighbors that they can get back on their feet," said Ropp Tehalo, a musician on Althos IV. "I want a president who understands we can only help others get back on their feet when we're securely standing on ours first." FNS Home • FNS Data Feed• FNS on FB

Ion storm cripples StarBase 118 Stardate 239201.23 TRINITY SECTOR — An ion storm has wreaked havoc withStarBase 118’s systems and sent a civilian freighter crashing into the starbase’s strategic ops tower. Disaster struck less than a day after Cmdr. Leo Handley-Page took command of StarBase 118 Ops with his brand new crew of intrepid officers. An ion storm hit the starbase, crippling sensors and transporters throughout Ops. The issue would have been routine, but the ion storm caused a cascade failure in the SS Cerberas, an approaching civilian freighter. The Cerberas lost control, crashing into the strategic ops tower and trapping survivors both on the crippled ship and in the tower. “I never saw anything like it,” said Talaxian diplomatic aide Shrax. “This ship just kept getting bigger and bigger until ‘boom!’ The whole place exploded in noise and fire. It was terrible.” Starfleet teams immediately mobilized, with a medical rescue team led by chief medical officer Lt. Cmdr. Velana working to rescue those trapped in the strategic ops tower and an away team led by Lt. Cmdr. Sal Taybrim approaching the Cerberas by shuttlecraft to evacuate the survivors before the Cerberas lost all life support. Meanwhile, the crew remaining at Ops searched for answers on why the Cerberas was so badly affected by the storm. Photo by the FNS. USS Albion model by Lt. Cmdr. FNS Home • FNS Data Feed• FNS on FB

:-| ::snicker:: XD

Starfleet mobilizes response to "the greatest threat to the quadrant since the Dominion War"Stardate 239201.22 PIKTAR SYSTEM — Following the discovery of massive rifts in subspace, Starfleet is mobilizing an immediate and large-scale response as countless Federation citizens’ lives are in danger. Ships from across the fleet will be joining in the response to find a way to stop the rifts and protect those in the path of destruction. In a press conference from Starfleet headquarters in San Francisco, Fleet Admiral Tristan Wolf described the situation as the “greatest threat to the quadrant since the Dominion War,” and advised citizens that the crisis requires a response of almost the same magnitude. “We are mobilizing all available resources to deal with this threat to Federation citizens,” he said. “I want to assure everyone that we will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of those in the path of these anomalies.” The cause of the rifts is still under investigation, but anonymous sources have forwarded reports of a catastrophic accident aboard Prometheus Station in the Piktar System. The station is a research and development facility for the Starfleet Sciences and Technology Division and houses over one thousand scientists and personnel. FNS Home • FNS Data Feed• FNS on FB

Largest protomatter cloud discoveredStardate 239201.20 MENTHAR CORRIDOR — One of the densest known clouds of protomatter has been discovered near Deep Space 10, and the USS Garuda has been dispatched to survey the finding. Dubbed the Genesis Cloud, a reference to the 23rd century terraforming project that had used protomatter at its core, the cloud was first identified by the Qilin Project. “The numbers are literally off the scale,” said Dr. Eloise Wancata, a researcher with the Qilin Project. “If we put the measurements of previous protomatter collections next to the Genesis Cloud, you wouldn’t even notice them.” Starfleet, eager to return a sense of normalcy to the troubled region after the recent terrorist attack by the Maquis Reborn, has assigned the USS Garuda to investigate the cloud, which is eight hours from Deep Space 10 at warp. For their actions during the crisis aboard Deep Space 10, the Garuda crew were awarded the Silver Star, and the ship’s first officer Nia Calderan was promoted to commander and named Federation Ambassador to the region. The crew spent much of the aftermath of the Maquis attack helping the station rebuild and reconnecting with their own loved ones. Several crew members attended a charity bazaar for the reopening of Room 7, a local bar and club. With the upcoming scientific mission, Starfleet also hopes to reconnect with the Community, a species native to the Menthar Corridor comprised of a collective consciousness that uses plant-like forms to communicate. Starfleet had previously encountered the Community during their dispute with their long-term enemy the Myr Luuk. The Federation Diplomatic Corps hopes a demonstration of a standard scientific survey to visiting delegates from the Community will help pave the way for renewed relations between the Federation and the Community. FNS Home • FNS Data Feed• FNS on FB

Bahaha, I think we have a new comedic duo aboard.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Federation Transport Union Strike The Issue The Federation Transport Union, citing continued Nausicaan pirate attacks and Klingon raids that have killed dozens of transport crews, is currently on strike. All shipping and transit runs have been suspended, including those of 812 major shipping carriers. The Transport Union argues that President Nan Bacco and the Federation Council have not done enough to protect the shipping routes, particularly those connecting the outer colonies to the core worlds. President Bacco, who unsuccessfully attempted to avert the strike late last year, has pledged aid to the outer colonies during the strike although the details have yet to be revealed. Meanwhile, Starfleet has responded to the pirate attacks with Operation Safe Harbor, but its effectiveness is inconclusive, with many calling for additional resources to be put into the effort. Read more about the crisis: President Nan Bacco assures colonists relief aid as Transport Union strike continuesEditorial: Maronida Shiir gives her take on Transport Union strikeAs with all FNS stories, your comments on the current situation are welcome below. FNS Home • FNS Data Feed• FNS on FB

President Nan Bacco assures colonists relief aid as Transport Union strike continues By Reza Kardgar Stardate 239201.16 ESPERANCE -- Federation President Nan Bacco has assured colonists that relief aid will be provided as the Federation Transport Union strike entered its third week, but those in the outer colonies are doubtful of the president and the Federation's convictions. "The Federation does not back out of its obligations," said Bacco in a speech from the Palais de la Concorde in Paris, Earth, earlier this week. "I want to assure all our citizens, particularly those colonists now affected by this strike, that we stand with you, and help is on the way." In a major blow to the Bacco administration, the Federation Transport Union voted to go on strike on the eve of 2392. All shipping and transit runs were immediately suspended, including those of 812 major shipping carriers. The president had met with Transport Union leaders before the vote, delivering a last minute appeal to avert the strike, which had been called for by union members after the latest Nausicaan pirate attack left 24 dead. "Too little, too late," said union member Captain Chana, who operates his own transport ship. "Every day, people are dying out there, and what is the Federation Council and the president doing about it? Nothing." Growing Discontent Last year, the Colonial Coalition, a group of seven historic Federation colonies that line one of the most distant borders of the Federation, submitted an open letter to the Federation Council, criticizing the increase in foreign aid, particularly after the Hobus Supernova and the destruction of Romulus and Remus in 2387. The Colonial Coalition called instead for greater resources to be spent on the Federation's member worlds and colonies. "For too long, we have been told by our leaders that we have a duty to protect those in need and comfort the downtrodden," they wrote. "They ask us to empathize with the plight of the Romulans, the Cardassians, and even the Vaadwaur, who attempted an invasion of the Federation, killing over a thousand civilians and Starfleet personnel on Deep Space 17 alone. Yet what of our leaders' duty to serve the people who elected them? Each of them have sworn an oath as a civil servant to uphold the Federation Charter, a document which promises 'in the equal rights of members of planetary systems large and small' and 'justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of interstellar law .' Judged by that standard, then our leaders have failed us, and we implore them to refocus their empathy on their own people." Meanwhile, Terra Novan councilman Kevin Steiner, who has made no secret of his intentions to challenge Bacco in the upcoming presidential election, has led the charge for Starfleet to divert from other tasks and directly assist the outer colonies. "It just doesn't make any sense, now does it?" Steiner asked rhetorically in an interview with FNS reporter Vian Nova. "We have private citizens risking their lives in their own ships just to ensure supplies can get to their homes, while this president and Starfleet Command continues to send our most advanced ships halfway across the galaxy looking at nebulae, black holes, and protomatter clouds. Where are our priorities?" Although Starfleet launched Operation Safe Harbor, an anti-piracy effort, last year to provide additional protection along major shipping routes, colonists have complained that too few ships have been assigned to the task force, and the ones that havemany of which haven't been upgraded since the Dominion War, nearly two decades agoare too slow. The colonists' frustration is shared by some members of Starfleet who have been assigned to the operation. "It's always the same story," said Lieutenant JG Faryul Nishal, a nurse aboard the USS Montreal. "We get a distress call in the area, and by the time we get there, the pirates have fled like palukoo into the crevices. We need more ships out here or faster onesor both, honestly." Neither is likely to happen, however, at least according to one Starfleet insider. While Starfleet Public Affairs officer Commander A.J. Ciaravolo reassured journalists in San Francisco last month that reports of a personnel shortage were "exaggerated," Professor Uehn, who recently retired after teaching history for forty years at Starfleet Academy, claims that recruitment is at its lowest levels in decades. "Young people have many more options now if they want to see the stars or venture away from home," she said. "Civilian starship technology has just accelerated in the past decade alone. If you want to fly on the fastest or most advanced ship out there, it's not necessarily a Starfleet one." Novel Ideas With fewer applicants to the academy, some commentators have suggested lowering admission standards, but Starfleet Command is reportedly reluctant to do so. "Frankly, I don't think they have much of a choice," said Dr. Keahvon of the Cerberus Group, a San Francisco think tank. "With all of the recent humanitarian crises and natural disasters that have occurred, Starfleet is already stretched pretty thin as it is. We're looking at a fleet smaller than it's ever been since the 2330s." One revolutionary solution, scoffed at by many critics earlier when it was suggested last year by business tycoon Tyson Holt, is for the Federation to begin employing private starship operators to augment Starfleet operations, or in some cases, take over those duties entirely. Holt argues that not only could private contractors perform the same jobs as Starfleet, but they could also do them better. "A good friend of mine, Mona Agrawal, operates a small fleet of transports out of Esperance. Been at it for twenty years," said Holt from his corporate offices on Coridan. "And you're telling me she doesn't know the area just as wellif not betterthan some outsider riding in on some museum ship with an arrowhead on the side?" The transport union strike might just give Holt the opportunity to test his idea. Shortly after President Bacco's assurances to the colonies, the Palais de la Concorde reportedly held a holo-conference with Holt himself. Holt declined to comment on the nature of their conversation. Whatever the solution, those left beyond the reach of Starfleet and the Federation's core worlds urge that the president and council members work quickly. "At the end of the day, we're Federation citizens, too," said colonist Eth'nalli, a school teacher on Ketar V. "We deserve the same protection and attention as any other citizen in the Federation." Reporting for the Federation News Service from Star Station Esperance, with additional reporting from Sol Sector FNS correspondent T'Vas. FNS Home • FNS Data Feed• FNS on FB

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Haha, I imagined a silly "Bop!" sound when the mango falls out. Like the sound when you open a fresh can of Pringles.

There was actually a similar discussion in this thread: Federation relations with other major powers From that, a new Factions page has been set up on our wiki. The goal is to make it like the CIA World Factbook with up to date information about each power and their current relationship with the Federation/political info, etc. In addition to the diplomatic guides, there's a blank for Starfleet Intel reports, etc. It's up to everyone to help contribute of course to make it complete. As for the Romulans, I prefer to think that while the loss of Romulus and Remus was a blow,it's not as if every single Romulan world was destroyed. I think there's certainly a fight now for a new direction, but I'd liken it to well what if the US lost DC or even the East Coast. The rest of the US wouldn't immediately dissolve (or at least, I hope it wouldn't...)

Lt. Cmdr. Mei'konda, earning his pay. Tough gig when you're serving aboard a ship with mischievous plant-loving science officers.

Congratulations to Raj Blueheart of the USS Atlantis who has been selected as the Featured Bio for January 2015! His 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 January is Rendal Rennyn also of the USS Atlantis. 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!

Siege of DSX ends as Maquis leader escapes Stardate 239112.28 MENTHAR CORRIDOR — Starfleet and Cardassian forces have wrestled back control of Deep Space 10 from the Maquis Reborn, but the perpetrators remain at large. "The terror is now over," said DSX security officer Lieutenant Lidia Ivanova. "It's up to us—Federation and Cardassian—now to help rebuild and remain resilient." Following the bombing of Deep Space 10's main medical center and assassination of the station's Cardassian CO Gul Tolas Dajhul by Nikael Kalre and the Maquis Reborn, the crew of the USS Garuda worked quickly to regain control of the situation before Kalre's imposed time limit for his demands—that the Federation release all remaining Maquis prisoners—ran out. With Captain Cassandra Egan Manno and the Garuda herself away on an emergency mission, first officer Lt. Cmdr. Nia Calderan took charge as acting CO of the station. The crew had been isolated into several areas, and of utmost priority was releasing the station from the ongoing quarantine lockdown. However, though it was now suspected the Maquis Reborn were involved with the timing of the quarantine to execute their attack, Dr. Chythar Skyfire nonetheless still needed to find a cure for the illness that was spreading among the station's Cardassian population. Judging the matter to require desperate measures, Dr. Skyfire tested the antidote on himself first before beginning to treat the Cardassians. A small group led by Lt. Cmdr. Msafiri Bakari was trapped below in the engineering levels of the station. Cut off from communications, Lt. Cmdr. Tristam Core and Lt. Juanita Sanchez, chief engineer of the recently recovered USS Mercury, devised a plan to use an EMP to knock out the Maquis Reborn's bombs throughout the station. They found a surprising new ally as well: the station's indigenous cyborg spiders, who managed to release the station from the lockdown. In a sealed dining area with air running out, Lt. Cmdr. Mei'konda and Lt. Evan Delano discovered a way out, but tensions were beginning to flare among the civilians as the Starfleet officers swept the area for any remaining Maquis traps. Negotiations with the Maquis proved fruitless, and Calderan ventured with a small team into the Arachnid Dome to get additional assistance from the cyborg spiders. Meanwhile, the Maquis Reborn departed the station, taking Commander Valen Carys with them. Kalre delivered one last message to the station's inhabitants and the Federation, declaring that their lives had come at his mercy and that his ultimate goal had been to display the ineffectiveness of Starfleet to stop him and other threats facing Federation citizens. Before he and the Maquis escaped, he urged those listening to consider what he had said and encouraged them to join the Maquis Reborn's cause. The crew, however, could not trust Kalre's assurances that all was now well, and so the engineers triggered the EMP, which effectively disabled the bombs but also disrupted the medical staff's equipment, much to their frustration. Meanwhile, Calderan and her team, along with science officers Alora DeVeau and Tarsii Asmara, made contact with the spider queen to work together to resolve the situation. When the Garuda and Captain Egan Manno returned to DSX, the situation had changed. A Cardassian gul was dead. A new terrorist group had emerged. While the long, eventful day was finally over, it was clear that its ramifications would be felt a long time to come.