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Rahman and Rivi Vataix

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Posts posted by Rahman and Rivi Vataix

  1. This scene was originally written through seven individual sims by @Sky Blake and @Evan Delano: "Working on a day off" (Blake), "Best Guess" (Delano), "Blakonian inquisition" (Blake), "Speculation and Suspicion" (Delano), "Her modern man" (Blake), "Balanced” (Delano), and "Not used to it yet" (Blake). It is presented in its completed form below.

     

    ((Astrometrics, USS Veritas))

    ::Stellar cartography had become second nature once Sierra had kicked her training off way back when. While she was waiting for the duty shift to change, for Sick Bay to be ready for her, for the captain to have had a reasonable amount of caffeine, she asked the cartography assistant for use of primary lab.::

    ::There was a tingling sensation in the back of her skull when she'd heard the doors to the lab open.::

    Delano: Hello, Commander. 

    :: Evan was in the middle of his evening rounds when he was called down to astrometrics. After the Antor II mission, the senior staff had agreed to reduced work loads for most of the crew, at least for a while, which meant that most nights, as Evan was going through his end of day checklist, much of the ship felt practically abandoned. :: 

    :: Of course, as surprised as he was to receive the call, he was more surprised by that person’s identity. He’d known Commander Blake was due back on board - he’d personally arranged for her new quarters - but he’d expected the captain to make some kind of formal announcement once their former first officer had returned to Veritas. Perhaps that would still be coming. :: 

    ::Sky glanced back over her shoulder before turning fully to face her visitor.::

    Blake: Lieutenant. ::She greeted.:: It's good to see you again. 

    :: Evan nodded, offering a professional smile as he stepped into the room and accessed one of the center consoles. :: 

    Delano: And you, Commander.

    Blake: I'd heard you'd taken a commission again. Welcome back to the Starfleet fold. 

    Delano: Thanks. And welcome back to Veritas.

    :: Evan resisted the urge to tug at the collar of his uniform and instead kept his fingers busy by starting a diagnostic. :: 

    Delano: I hope you don’t mind me doing a little work, since I’m here. I’ve been wanting to run a level 2 diagnostic on the sensors for a few days. :: beat :: How was your time away? 

    Blake: I was sent back to Shadow's Edge, actually. I'm part of the ranger division now - though I'm on my own until such time Starfleet sends a specific commander for me to report to, other than Rahman of course.

    ::Rangers, though trained to work and survive on their own, technically came in groups of four or more. But given that Starfleet resources and officers were at a stretch with border protection on the *other* side of Tholian space - combine that with the Cardassians and the neutral zone, what few rangers there were, given that they were only a relatively new division of Starfleet, had their hands full elsewhere. Sending a whole Platoon wasn't possible, and sending them one by one would take months, if not years, for the platoon to come together. 

    ::Evidently, her time on Shadow's Edge wasn't all for naught, for a Rangers unit was indeed being set up, with Shei'saur reporting additional officers following in their footsteps. Or, more accurately, two officers had been sent to Meridian (not far enough along the Mother Road to be helpful, in the Brekkazoid's humble opinion) following Sky's request for additional support within the Shoals. They'd be there in about six months, assuming they weren't asked to turn around and go back after only two months travel following some ridiculous fleet-wide emergency. To which they'd also be late for.

    ::The Shoals acted like a double edge sword in that regard.::

    :So long as she was on Veritas or in the vicinity of Veritas, Rahman was her commanding officer.::

    :: Evan nodded again. The computer was doing its thing: running the Veritas’ complex array of sensor palettes through an automated calibration procedure and a range of diagnostic tests that would show even a slight misalignment. When he was satisfied it wouldn’t need additional input from him - at least for a few minutes - the operations officer refocused his attention on Blake. :: 

    Delano: Given what we’ve just been through on Antor, I imagine the captain will appreciate having a ranger on board. Are you hitching a ride, or are you planning to be around for a while? 

    Blake: Until such time there's a unit for me to report to, I'm here on a more permanent basis. Which brings me to why I called you here.

    :: She gestured towards the large screen at the center of the room, where a course towards the Mother Road was being displayed just shy of Antor. ::

    Blake: I'm actually following two suspects from a pirate attack back on Shadow's Edge that slipped through the Edge's border security. They were headed towards Antor, but no Marshal outpost in the area found the vessel I was tracking - not that they've reported, at least. It's entirely possible that they jumped ship or headed in another direction, but . . . I don't know.

    :: Evan stepped towards the screen and away from his working console. :: 

    Delano: I’m not surprised you’ve lost them. Everything’s so slow out here - same reason we can’t get a solid lead on Jilor. 

    :: He turned to her and raised an inquisitive eyebrow - a Vulcan mannerism he’d picked up during his time on Seheik. :: 

    Delano: Are you looking for my input? 

    Blake: Well, next to the general staff, you're most experienced here in the Shoals - I was hoping I could borrow your insight. The survivor of the attack wasn't willing to divulge his smuggler routes, and I can't figure out where supposedly pirate killers would run off to towards the Mother Road. The only place of importance I can think of is Outpost 3, but the place is a wreck right now. It's of no use to any outlaw faction in its current state.

    Delano: Hm. 

    :: Evan crossed his arms over his chest as he examined the sectors displayed on screen as Sky stepped back just a bit, out of his way. There really wasn’t much to see. :: 

    Delano: Well, I know there’s at least one class-M world between Antor and Shadow’s Edge if you decide to fly direct and avoid the Mother Road. I can’t remember the name of the system… 

    Blake: You're suggesting they're not concerned with travel times.

    :: The display shifted to show the star system in question. It was a binary star system with 16 planets and several hundred smaller dwarf planets and asteroids. :: 

    Delano: There it is. The Lucian system.

    ::More importantly, a star system she was unfamiliar with.:: 

    Delano: As I recall, Starfleet made first contact with the natives about 30 years ago - a few months after the Lucians broke the warp barrier. We received a polite but cold reception. And, as far as I know, we’ve never been invited back. Rumor is that the Lucians are quite xenophobic. 

    Blake: Tholians would get along with them well. ::She muttered.:: Could marshals at least find them?

    Delano: Well, if your pirates managed to get into the system without being detected, they’d have plenty of places to lie low. Proximity to the Shadows and the fact that Outpost 3 isn’t exactly up to spec would probably be an added bonus. 

    Blake: Essentially hidden from view. ::She sighed.:: 

    Delano: That’s my best guess. Of course, if I’m right, I’m not sure what you can do about it. The Federation doesn’t have a formal relationship with the Lucians, and any probe or starship we send into their system would almost certainly be seen as a threat. 

    Blake: Even if I wanted to, we'd have to wait for confirmation from both the Coalition and the Diplomatic Corps for the go-ahead, and I don't see that happening. It's a waiting game from this point on. 

    Delano: Sorry, Commander. Wish I had better news for you. 

    Blake: No, this is good. I appreciate it. If I can coax some marshals at least *around* that area, they might be able to catch them for me. ::Her hand scrubbed at her cheek, taking a deeper breath.:: Also means I'll have to ask the guys on Outpost 3 to start sensor sweeps when they're able, lest they become a target once they're up and running again.

    ::Tristam Core was probably going to love that just as much as he will putting the small station back together from nothing with only a handful of Ketar V construction workers and a sole security officer working with him.::

    Delano: That’s probably a good idea. After Antor, I’m not sure anything out here is safe. If we’re lucky, things will die down for a while, but I wouldn’t count on it. 

    Blake:::shaking her head:: It's been a busy few months. But now that we're leaving what I call 'familiar territory', it's just going to get more hectic. We had a bad political rap when we arrived and started Operation Safe Harbor, let alone now, after what happened at Antor. 

    Delano: Even among the Reya-Laialara, Starfleet’s reputation is… well, somewhat tarnished compared to the way it’s viewed through the rest of the Federation. 

    :: He shrugged. :: 

    Delano: It’s hard to blame them. Starfleet’s presence out here has been minimal for decades. A lot of people feel like they’ve been abandoned. And as hard as Veritas has been working to make things better, one ship seems like a token effort.

    :: The conversation died for a moment, and Evan looked up from the diagnostic results he’d been skimming to see Blake looking at him with an expression he couldn’t quite read. :: 

    Blake: Lieutenant, I have a question that I've been pondering since the crew's change over.

    :: His eyebrow crept up before he could stop it. :: 

    Delano: I’ll answer if I can.

    Blake: Why didn't Veritas know you were in the area? I know you ceased to report in, but . . . any resource in the area, we could have used. I'm not sure I understand why Federation Security kept you hidden from us.

    :: His expression tightened as he thought back to the double life he’d led for almost a year. Disgraced Starfleet officer looking to find some kind of emotional balance between his Vulcan and human halves. And, a Federation Security agent, secretly spying and reporting on an insular, allusive, possibly dangerous religious sect operating in one of the most inaccessible parts of the quadrant. In the end, his conscience had got the better of him and he'd made the decision to stop spying, joining the Reya-Laialara in his heart months after he'd joined them through words. He'd only reestablished contact with the Federation when one of the Shadow's Edge pirate factions stole a cargo bay full of photon torpedoes. :: 

    Delano: Honestly, I don’t know. Though I have my suspicions. 

    :: Evan had his suspicions about most things. Whether intuition or subconscious deduction, he couldn't say. Nor could he say how many of these thoughts were accurate. :: 

    ::She frowned a little.::

    Blake: If you don't mind my prying . . . ?

    Delano:  It might have been a matter of jurisdiction. Federation Security operates independently of Starfleet, maybe they didn’t want Veritas involved. Or maybe it was just a security thing - keeping the people who knew about my assignment to a minimum. ::beat:: Captain Carrero might have known. 

    Blake: Possibly.

    ::If Carrero had known, the likelihood was that she'd at least inform Zhou - the crew had to separate on numerous occasions to get the job done. It wasn't necessarily a tactic Rahman employed today, nor would Sky recommend employing it after Carrero's death, but the assurance was everyone (or, at least, the command pair) was in the know of all that was happening in the area.

    ::Zhou had been clueless about Delano being in the Shoals, to the point where Tai had even attempted to press her for information about Delano to either set his mind at ease or to fuel the growing irritation at a flawed system. 

    ::It had been easy for Sky to compare Delano to herself, if only in certain areas. And though she had absolutely no right to pry or question Rahman's confidence in Delano, or Delano's relationship with the ship's XO, that Mei'konda seemed comfortable and confident around the Vulcan had been enough to set Sky's mind at ease. She'd spent much of her time on Ornara operating under the idea that one's relationships with others primarily defined their personalities and capabilities - this assumption hadn't failed her yet.::

    :: Evan rubbed the back of his neck, feeling somewhat awkward at bringing up the late captain. He knew a number of her former crew were still sensitive about her murder. :: 

    Delano: My only other guess is that maybe there was some kind of political element. In my initial briefing, I got the impression that the assignment was being made at the request of someone from the Vulcan delegation to the Federation Council, though it was never expressly stated. 

    ((Flashback))

    Blake: You never explained to me how you perceive emotion.

    ::Liquid brown eyes glanced at her as he set Ayden down, lingering briefly on the baby before turning to her fully. It was a strange question of hers, of which, up to this point, had remained unanswered despite their relationship. She allowed herself to be gently led out, returning to the lounge with the man.::

    Sabor: I'm not sure I understand the query. 

    Blake: Vulcans are logical, yes?

    ::He coughed, covering what would likely have been a smirk at the child-like question.::

    Sabor: All humanoids are capable of logic, that is correct.

    Blake: Including the V'tosh ka'tur?

    ::There was a split second where Sabor hesitated, his eyes considerably sharper as they gazed upon her and his hand stilling in it's place around a glass, before he recomposed himself. There was recognition in the name, that Sky could feel, and though usually allowed her a certain amount of access to his psyche, for that brief moment, she'd been cut off from him entirely. 

    ::Was this Sabor's display of fear?::

    Sabor: You've been reading. 

    Blake: I'm sorry if it's-

    Sabor: It's fine. But I can't claim to know the inner workings of their . . . "understandings". I personally don't see logic as a choice one can make. For example, logic dictates one shouldn't put their hand under boiling water. Does that mean a Vulcan of the V'tosh ka'tur would burn themselves under such water to defy logic?

    Blake: Isn't that more 'self-preservation' then 'logic'?

    Sabor: One might argue that self-preservation could be considered rudimentary logic that requires little to no understanding to implement.

    ::She could tell now that this particular debate would only go round in circles until one of them gave up. Probably her.::

    Blake: So why do Vulcans insist that emotions are *not* logical if all humanoids feel, and are capable of logic.

    Sabor: Emotions cannot be *explained* by logic. That doesn't mean that emotions are not logical.

    ::The corners of Sky's lips perked up.::

    Blake: Is this a personal belief, or one shared by all Vulcans.

    Sabor:::after a heavy breath:: I support the notion that all Vulcans may have their own philosophy not shared by others - which, unfortunately, is not a sentiment one will find among regular temple-goers. But there was a time where mind-melds were considered taboo and were suppressed by a single group. This . . . may be the case today regarding logic.

    Blake: So Vulcans are susceptible to minority suppression.

    ::He eyed her with a minor frown, handing her a glass of water.::

    Sabor: Drink.

    ::Ah, so *this* is where the conversation would end - at the notion that his people's society wasn't perfect. Sky smiled, accepting the glass and watching him fondly as he walked away to check on Faith.::

    Blake: I feel like I'm being suppressed! ::She called after him with a sarcastic tone.::

    Sabor: If I ever attempt to suppress you, my wife, you'll know.

    ((End flashback))

    ::Her first interaction with a Vulcan since waking up had been with her bondmate, whom held his own beliefs and felt comfortable expressing them whilst not in the purview of other Vulcans. The second he did so, he would have been held under scrutiny of his peers. 

    ::That a Vulcan delegation may have asked for Federation Security to spy on other Vulcans put the part of Sky that still held Sabor's mentality close on edge.::

    Blake:::muttering:: Minority suppression.

    :: The commander’s eyes looked unfocused for a moment, as if she were deep in thought or memory. :: 

    Delano: What was that, Commander? 

    :: The woman’s normally sharp expression came back into view as she leaned against the console and crossed her arms. :: 

    Blake: Sorry - it was a  . . . debate I once tried to have. ::She paused.:: Is it wrong of me to ask what they were hoping you'd find?

    Delano: I don’t mind sharing what I know. :: beat :: Why do you ask? 

    Blake:::nodding:: Well, historically, 'majority' Vulcans meddling in a separated factions affairs isn't usually taken very well. Forgive the conspiracy theory.

    :: Evan nodded his agreement. :: 

    Delano: When I went in, I don’t think most in the Federation knew much at all about the Reya-Laialara. They did know about the Romulans that were associated with them, however, and I suspect that’s what they were most concerned about. Some kind of subversive activity - either by the group as a whole, or just the refugees that have settled in Seheik. :: He shrugged. :: Every time I sent in a report, the messages I got back asked for more details about the infrastructure. What kind of weapons did they use? Did they have any ships? How was the settlement defended? They didn’t seem willing to accept that the Reya-Laialara really are pacifists. I thought they were being unreasonable, but… well, there was Lenik. 

    ::There was a moment of quiet between them, marked by the steady thrumming of the ship’s warp core and the occasional beep from one of the consoles.:: 

    Blake: Just means I'll add it to the list of things we have to worry about later, anyway. For now, pirates are the priority. If political unrest happens, then hopefully the diplomatic corps are prepared for that kind of challenge.

    Delano: I hope so too. I’m not sure how much more ‘unrest’ the Coalition can handle right now. If Jilor wants an independent Shoals, I’m starting to believe he’s closer to that goal than most of us have thought. 

    Blake:::with a smirk:: Is that your formal assessment?

    :: Evan shook his head and offered a thin smile. :: 

    Delano: Just a hunch, Commander. 

    ::Silence fell once again, Sky turning back to the display.::

    ::He had planned to leave it there, but as another nearly awkward quiet passed between them, Evan felt the impulse to press on and explain.:: 

    Delano: A few kilometers from my father’s house on Vulcan, there is a large field of narrow standing rock formations. On top of many of these columns are boulders that have remained perfectly balanced for thousands, perhaps millions of years. And yet, each year blowing winds or shifting sands manage to cause just enough change to disrupt the balance, causing a few of these rocks to fall. When we’d go walking through that area, I used to get this horrible anxiety if I spent too long staring up at one of those pillars - convinced that the massive stones on top could fall at any moment and crush me. Lately, the feeling I get about the Shoals is almost the same. 

    ::A shot of adrenaline flew through her system, just from his imagery. But when she met his eyes again, his smile returned, still weak but with a hint of genuine humor behind it. :: 

    Delano: I didn’t mean to get all doom-and-gloom on you, Commander. 

    Blake: You wouldn't be the first one to try it around here. But paranoia won't keep us warm at night, Delano. 

    Delano: The only point is that I think we’re standing on dangerous ground. I’d say that we need to be careful, but in this case, that would be stating the obvious. Of course, there's also a chance that being too careful is just as dangerous as being reckless. 

    Blake:::she sighed.:: Starfleet can't add more officers into the area without hurting their resources and their political stance with the Marshals, but they can't pull us out because the Coalition will throw the argument that they're being ignored around. It's bad enough we're being pulled in five different political directions - first by Shadow's Edge, now by Antor.

    ::And Antor had been far more damaging than the young governor of Shadow's Edge. When they'd entered the Shoals, the reception had been icy because until they'd started shouting at the top of their lungs, Starfleet hadn't ever lingered around the area before - and some of the locals were getting concerned that, despite having asked for Starfleet to be there, they were stepping on toes. They weren't wanted because the locals had wanted to do this for themselves.

    ::Now, they weren't wanted because they were causing threats. From pirates, of all players.::

    Delano: I'm starting to wonder if this is just what living in the Shoals is like once you've been here long enough. 

    Blake: We've been here long enough. I'm not getting used to it yet.

    ===

    Lieutenant Evan Delano
    Operations Officer
    USS Veritas

    &

    Lt. Commander Sky Blake
    Ranger
    USS Veritas

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  2. So I shared this on chat and folks really liked it, so I thought I'd share it here, too. I found this website/personal project some Trekkie made of trying to create an online Star Trek map, taking into account the Star Charts book and other sources. You can explore it here:

    http://startrekmap.com/

    It has location search, zoom and pan like Google Maps, and some other neat features all packaged in a LCARS interface.

    It also makes me want to someday have us create our own Google Maps-like feature where we can show the Star Trek universe as simmed in the StarBase 118 universe (for instance, there is a Starbase 118 on the startrekmap.com but it's in a difference place from where we put our venerable station. I've seen other fictional maps that use the Google Maps presentation style such as:

    https://quartermaester.info/

    https://towerofthehand.com/maps/westeros.html

    http://lotrproject.com/map/

    But I have no idea how to do anything like that. Does anyone have any technical skill or knowledge about this?

    • Like 2
  3. The ever helpful ship's computer to the rescue. No judgment. Just assistance when you need it:

    Quote

    Walker: Computer, please locate ship's doctor's on this PADD, as well as Lieutenant Danni James.  Provide a route that does not intersect current pathing to Conference room. 

    Computer: Acknowledge. 

    :: As Luna grabbed the set of crutches, she began the justification process.  Obviously she was stable enough to move if there were no doctors watching her.  And equally obviously, if there were crutches present.. she needed to exercise to get full mobility back.  So she was simply following doctor's orders as she would imagine them providing to her.  And the Captain would want her input for the debrief.  As for Danni.. no.. she was way too deep to get out of that yet.. and so long as her wife didn't simply transport her site to site.. she was probably safe for a few minutes.

    1

     

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  4. 5 hours ago, Quinn Reynolds said:

    I really wish they'd put A Final Unity on GOG. :(

    I wish with all the old adventure games they'd go further even and do remastered versions. With today's graphics, you could even change the format from a point and click adventure to a full third or first person adventure with the original audio...

    Also, BOTF deserved a sequel with all the different eras once Activision had the complete license briefly. Sigh... ah well. Maybe Discovery can help revitalize the Trek gaming scene. Voyager brough us Elite Force after all. It's actually quite disappointing how little the Kelvin universe has given us in terms of ancillary media.

    • Like 2
  5. First, I want to thank everyone for the kind words sent my way. It is truly humbling not only to read them but also to be in such company as the others honored this year. So, I'd like to share my own memories and praises for my fellow recipients.

    @Renos, the fact that you've been both awarded this year the highest "admiral"-level award and named only the second person thus far to receive the group's highest award the Great Bird Award says it all about your contributions to this community. This very awards ceremony is only possible thanks to your tireless efforts to not only do the job because it has to be done but to do it well! You are meticulous in your work, planning events such as these or running the academy with the precision of a military general (or admiral I suppose, appropriately enough!).

    But you're also not just interested in doing the job as it's always been done but figuring out if there are ways to improve. You don't seek the facilitator roles you've often found yourself in for the sake of the title or recognition. You do so because the group has needed a leader on these efforts, and you've stepped up to ensure it can continue to prosper. Ironically, despite how close we've now worked with each other starting with that first enthusiastic message I received from you when we were both Lt. Commanders getting ready to launch the Featured Bio Contest together and the countless OOC conversations we've since shared, we have yet to sim together! We must rectify that at some point, perhaps in this next year before the 2018 ceremony! Congrats again, my friend!

    @Toni was my academy instructor (back when she was a commander) AND she was the first person I sent my first feedback about how StarBase 118 might consider doing things while still as a cadet! So I suspect she always knew I was going to be one to stir things up long before some of those other things @FltAdml. Wolf mentioned happened later! :P I deeply respect how she has been able to command Embassy for the past several years and not only just lead it but driven her crew to thrive on such an unconventional setting for a Star Trek sim group. The consistently high activity level, interesting missions, and unbridled enthusiasm of her crew are all testaments to her fine leadership.

    @Sal Taybrim I feel like you could write a book on how RPGs work (and if you have, let me know so I can pick up a copy). I've always been impressed with your insight into how this game of ours works and your ability to see and understand the things that aren't so obvious but are key to running a successful group and ensuring everyone is having fun. You understand that while our pastime involves writing, it's not *just* about writing and that as you've said many times, a good writer might not necessarily be a good simmer. There's an entirely separate skillset needed to be the kind of simmer that others want to write/play with and another set of skills needed to successfully sim in a command role IC and OOC. I hope our group is able to incorporate that insight you bring to this community into how we operate and how we teach others to sim and lead.

    @Brell, I haven't been able to sim or work with you as much as I'd like, but from what I've seen so far in the academy, we're very lucky to have you among the training team staff. I can see why James was so excited to have you come aboard as a deputy commandant, and congratulations again on your promotion. Your enthusiasm, attention to detail, and energy will serve both you and our group well for hopefully many years to come!

    Finally, @Tony (Kells-Solzano-EM) well, I've already said quite a bit in my official presentation, right? You already know how much our friendship means to me, so I think I'll just share with everyone else that having my character (Joseph Washington) punch your character (Aron Kells) in the face was one of the highlights of my time here, and for everyone out there that enjoys Captain Rahman, you can thank Tony for helping convince both her and her writer to give it a shot since originally she was destined to always just be an engineer. Though both she IC and I OOC weren't sure if it would work (her more explicitly), I think Tony and I have both learned that no matter how much we may think another type of character may seem to make more "sense" for command purposes and other utilitarian reasons, ultimately, it's important that you write for the character you most enjoy because it comes through in your writing that you're having fun, and that is vital for a captain to show to his or her crew so they can feed off of that enthusiasm.

    Congratulations again to all!

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  6. Congratulations to all our new veterans, especially those who've marked a decade of simming with the fleet (wow!). It won't be long before we have to start creating even higher milestones, and that's just amazing and wonderful when you think of the average lifespan of most online groups and activities (including large commercial endeavors such as MMORPGs) and compare it to what everyone here has helped build over the last two decades as a shared pastime! Sim long and prosper!

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  7. Quote

     

    @Mei'konda: Is the shielding interfeering with your scaans?

    Greyson (@Skyfire) : I can't tell. They may've sealed it from the inside, and there doesn't appear to be a way to open it from here. ::shrugs, unclips tool kit from belt, glances through it:: Not sure I can without cutting a hole in it.

    Tuk (@Trel'lis) : That would take too long and we don’t have the luxury of time. Combined phaser blasts may work faster, especially at their highest settings. Something like a blowtorch.

    Mei'konda: Riight.  Setting siixteen, everyone. Let’s not mess around.

     

    So clearly, Mei'konda, Greyson, and Tuk haven't reviewed what NOT to do with a sealed door based on horror movies...

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  8. [Ed. note: The nomination below is stitched from several sims to present the completed scene.]

    ((Bridge, USS Veritas)) 

    Delano: Given how large a problem piracy has become in recent years, it’s not uncommon for freighters to employ smuggler's techniques to protect valuable cargo. I wouldn't assume anything nefarious.

    ::It was a good point, and one that Roshanara surmised Delano had come to trust from his time here in the region thus far.::

    ::Still, their chief engineer had her doubts.::

    Walker:  With all due respect?  I'd not assume the reverse either.  And I'd say odds are better than even at least one of them was working with the pirates.  

    Sepek: ::controlling his excitement:: Captain, it seems the warp trail heads to an area where the tetryon fields are more dense and active, but then cuts off. I'm assuming that this area is the Shadows?

    Blake: Every pirate gang from one end of the Shoals to another knows that we are *all* blind in there. 

    ::Mei'konda scratched his chin, deep in thought.::

    Mei’konda: We’re probaably better equipped than most shiips to operaate in the Shadows.  Most shiips don’t haave Starfleet sensors and the combinaation of durability and maneuverability that the Veritas class has.  Still...

    Delano: Unless we know exactly what we’re looking for, I’d advise against entering the Shadows. 

    Blake: By the time we reach the Shadows, tracking them will be ten times harder. But last time we tried going after them, we had a good idea where one of their haunts. 

    Walker: If we have the locations where they were, it’s possible we could use the warp trails to verify where they were going.  A lot better than going in with blinders on… ::She chuckled softly to soften the statement.:: 

    Blake: Reports suggest Veritas got called away before the crew could investigate further. I wouldn't personally know - I was on my personal leave.

    ::There was a lull in the conversation, and Evan sensed a measure of frustration from the gathered officers. First Lenik. Now, likely, the Kos’karii. And they still weren’t any closer to bringing justice to Captain Carerro’s killers.::

    ::Mei'konda turned towards Roshanara.::

    Mei’konda: I thiink we should interrogaate the Klingon, as soon as she waakes up.  If she would taalk, she might have all the informaation we need.  Up to date guidance chaarts, information on their fleet’s strength… it’s just a matter of getting it from her.

    ::Roshanara nodded. Warp trails as Sepek noted only went so far. The best place to look for where to go next wasn't out in space but down in sickbay.::

    Rahman: Agreed.

    Mei’konda: We could offer her plenty in return.  Supplies, mediciine, a small pre-fabriicated house of her own on one of the colony worlds, or baack in Federation space… I mean, if she’d want any of that.

    ::Delano chuckled softly. When someone looked at him, Evan just shrugged.:: 

    Delano: You think she’d owe us one for saving her from certain death. 

    Blake: Maybe not a house on the colony worlds. Something tells me the Coalition would gladly set us on fire for that.

    ::Roshanara leaned against the worktable with both arms, looking first to Walker and Sepek.::

    Rahman: Continue to prepare the ship and the Falcon for the warp tow. Ensign Sepek, you'll be working with Commander Walker.

    Walker: We’ll get the Falcon ready to soar again Captain.  ::chuckling:: Or at least be dragged with her wings open. 

    Sepek: Understood captain.

    ::The captain then glanced over to Evan, Blake, and Mei’konda.::

    Rahman: I want you-

    ::She stopped when her gaze met Delano’s.::

    ::In that moment of hesitation, Evan knew exactly what she was thinking. He averted his eyes.:: 

    ::Given how the man's previous interrogation of a prisoner had turned out, she decided to keep him away from a similar situation.::

    Rahman: ...Commanders Blake and Mei'konda to head to sickbay and see if you can get our "guest" to talk.

    Blake: We're bribing her?

    Mei'konda: If it works, I suppose.  Yes, Captain.

    Rahman: Feel free to offer incentives for her, but... 

    ::She thought of the suggestions Mei'konda had made earlier about what they could offer the Klingon.:::

    Rahman: ...don't be afraid to use the stick with the carrot.

    ::A shorter prison sentence was also an incentive after all.::

    Blake: We'll see.

    ::The Caitian shook his head.::

    Mei'konda: We won’t be.  Of courrse.  Good cop, bad cop, riight?

    ::Good. They all had their tasks.::

    ::Well, except...::

    Rahman: Let's get some answers. Dismissed.

    ::As the other officers split off to their duties, Roshanara and Delano remained at the table.::

    ::She looked to him.:: 

    Delano: Shall I return to my quarters? 

    Rahman: You should feel free to continue offering your insight, agent... on the bridge.

    Delano: But not in sickbay. Or the brig. 

    ::The accusation in his voice wasn’t really fair, but the bitterness Evan felt was getting the better of him. That look she’d given him had been a visceral representation of all the frustration he’d felt about Starfleet since he’d left the Invicta.:: 

    ::What he’d done had ultimately saved the president’s life. But even that consolation wasn’t enough to make him feel good about what had happened. And, perhaps worst of all, a part of him would still be tempted to do it again, if the circumstances were the same. He’d grown so much in the last year, but a part of him feared he was still unworthy of the uniform he’d put aside. Perhaps that’s why it had felt so uncomfortable. And why he’d chosen the civilian clothing now.::

    ::She took a breath.::

    Rahman: ...let's go to my ready room.

    :: Evan nodded, pausing just long enough to save his work and log off his partition. :: 

    Delano: After you, Captain. 

    ::She led the way as they walked off the bridge into the small office.::

    ((Captain’s Ready Room)) 

    :: She didn’t waste time once the doors were shut behind them. She turned, and faced him with that stern captain’s expression he’d seen a few times since he’d come aboard. :: 

    Rahman: You had further questions, agent?

    ::The man in front of her took a long breath before he spoke.::

    :: Evan bit back a sarcastic response and instead focused on the imagery exercises the Reya-Laialara often employed to control strong outbursts of emotion. He saw himself on a mountain. He could feel the wind and the cold, and see the clouds below, but he did not need to do more than acknowledge they were there. :: 

    :: He took a deep breath, then spoke in a measured tone. :: 

    Delano: I understand why you don’t want me interrogating a prisoner. If not for the Ross incident, then there would still be the simple fact that I'm not here in an official Starfleet capacity.

    ::She crossed her arms. He was right, although the matter was not quite as simple, actually. His capacity as a part of Federation Security might have privileged him to participate in the interrogation. The simple fact was the "Ross incident."::

    ::She didn't say anything just yet, and so he continued.::

    Delano: What concerns me is that you weren't willing to let me down there, even with Blake and Mei'konda in the room. 

    ::She looked up at him. "Even with Blake and Mei'konda in the room," Delano stood at an impressive 191 cm, with the physicality to match his height. Standing here now in her ready room, he towered over her, with the top of her head barely reaching his shoulders.::

    Rahman: You find that unreasonable?

    Delano: No. And I don’t blame you for being cautious.

    :: A part of him did blame her, and he suspected she would be able to recognize that small lie for what it was. Still, he was trying not to, and he hoped that counted for something. ::

    Delano: I just… I'm not sure I can be aboard this ship if every time something like this comes up, you look at me like I've just kicked your favorite puppy. 

    Rahman: Nonsense.

    ::She kept her gaze on him.::

    Rahman: You didn't kick a puppy. You assaulted a prisoner during an interrogation. I don't see any reason to place you in a position where that situation may occur again--and neither did Captain Kells, if you recall.

    ::She hadn't meant that last point as a jab, just a reminder that her hesitation to let him near a prisoner wasn't unprecedented.::

    ::But it still felt a bit harsh. She took a deep breath herself.::

    Rahman: I respect that you feel differently. And as we discussed after your court martial, I am willing to move forward since what happened with Ross. But it would be negligent of me to not take some precautions in light of what happened.

    ::She could see--and sense--the earnest frustration he was feeling.::

    Delano: I am what I am. But, I've come a long way, if that matters. ::beat:: At the settlement, I felt like I was in a place where I could be myself without the pressure of always living up to this impossible Starfleet standard.

    ::The frustration he’d been feeling was bleeding into his voice, but he took a few measured breaths and let it slide down the mountain, acknowledged but not in control.::

    Delano: I’m sorry, Captain. I'm not angry at you. I honestly thought I was passed this whole Ross thing. But whenever it comes up there's just this raw, gordian knot of emotion I can't seem to untangle. Not when I'm face to face with it, anyway. ::beat:: Maybe keeping me out of that interrogation was the right call. 

    Rahman: You took an oath to uphold that standard. One that your colleagues did as well. And up until what happened back at Astrofori One, you *did* live up to that standard. Why is it impossible now?

    ::She frowned, genuinely interested in wanting to know more about what was behind that sliver of vulnerability he was showing her now.::

    :: Evan looked back at her, blue eyes betraying his own uncertainty. :: 

    Delano: I don’t know. ::He finally admitted.::  But Ross wasn’t the first time I’ve lost control. In some ways, I can’t help but think this was inevitable. 

    Rahman: Did those at the settlement help you come to terms with what happened?

    Delano: In some ways. I never denied responsibility for what happened - that’s why I pleaded guilty. But, the Reya-Laialara helped me find a way to have control without resorting to a traditional Vulcan philosophy of stoicism and unfaltering logic. 

    Rahman: You already know this, but perhaps it would help to talk with a counselor.

    Delano: Perhaps. :: He agreed. :: I’ve worked with counselors in the past. 

    ::He left it at that, though the idea of sitting down with Raissa made him uncomfortable for some reason. He’d do it. But it wasn’t something he was looking forward to.::

    ::She nodded.::

    Rahman: I know. There is no magical fix. And even the ones we love can feel helpless when they're not sure what they can do to make things better.

    Delano: Sometimes there’s nothing they can do. For whatever it’s worth, I still appreciate the thought and effort. 

    ::She leaned back against the edge of her desk, looking down for a moment towards Delano's shoes.::

    Rahman: Maybe keeping you out of that interrogation was the right call, but maybe it was also unfair to you. You took responsibility for your actions, and you accepted the consequences.

    Delano: I tried.  

    ::She raised her head back up to look at him, her arms still crossed in front of her.::

    Rahman: I was telling your fiance when he first stepped aboard this vessel and walked through that door, asking to join the mission to find you... I told him about how even after you and I had agreed to try to work on moving forward together, I was disheartened to see first you and then him leave. I felt sorry again for having ever known Harrison Ross and for having asked you to conduct that interrogation.

    ::She had asked Delano to interrogate Ross because she'd been wary of her own ability to do so without being compromised. It was one of the few decisions in her career--like when she'd first invited Tristam to join her research--that had haunted her long after.::

    Delano: It’s… a complicated situation. And I’m sorry for putting you through that. At the time, it seemed like leaving Invicta - and taking this assignment with Federation Security - was the best thing I could do to help you and the crew get past it.  

    Rahman: Yet despite what we told ourselves in that last conversation, we obviously have not moved on.

    ::Taking a breath, the captain straightened, then took a step towards him. Evan felt the urge to stand up straighter and tuck his hands behind his back. He resisted the latter.:: 

    Rahman: Only you can answer this question: how do you feel? How much have you changed? If you were back in that interrogation room with Ross as the man you are now, would things have happened differently?


    ::And of course, could she trust him? But that question remained unsaid.::

    Delano: Honestly, Captain, I don’t know. I want to believe that it would be different. But… 

    ::He paused, looking her in the eye. Finally, he resolved to be as open as he could about this. :: 

    Delano: We needed the information Ross had. Lives were at stake. The integrity of the Federation itself was at risk. ::beat::  I let my anger and frustration take charge back in that cell. I’ll regret that for the rest of my life. That said - all emotion aside - there’s a part of me that can’t help but think that the end justified the means. 

    ::She shook her head slightly. But he already knew what she was going to say. She’d said it at his court martial.::

    Rahman: You know very well my thoughts on that line of thinking.

    ::Though he remained motionless, she could sense the emotional maelstrom that lay behind that cool Vulcanoid exterior.::

    ::He took a carefully measured breath, allowing him a precious moment to collect his thoughts and to allow the emotion behind his voice to settle from boil to simmer.::

    Delano: And, maybe that’s why I don’t belong in that uniform anymore. I’m not sure that I ever did. 

    Rahman: That’s not what your academy instructors thought. It’s not what Captain Kells or I thought.

    ::She raised her eyebrow at him.::

    Rahman: And it’s not what your fiancé thinks.

    Delano: I don’t think Mei’konda understands. He wants me to ask for you to reinstate me and give me a permanent posting here on Veritas

    ::She looked back at him earnestly.::

    Rahman: What do you want?

    Delano: I think… maybe I just need some time. We still haven’t figured out exactly how the Reya-Laialara are connected to Lenik, the Kos’karii, and Captain Carrero’s death. Until that’s resolved, I’ll help out however I can. Whether that means putting me at a station on the bridge, or keeping me below decks until you need me for something is your call. 

    ::The captain seemed to consider that, though her body language made Evan think she was still somewhat uncomfortable with the direction the conversation had gone.::

    ::She nodded, her arms still crossed in front of her.::

    Rahman: I appreciate that. You and Commander Blake are the two most experienced individuals among my senior staff when it comes to this region. From what I gather, this isn’t just a short-term assignment, so I would value your expertise beyond just the current mission.

    Delano: What would that mean exactly?

    Rahman: We’ll work out the specifics later, but for now, you may consider yourself a bridge officer.

    Delano: I’m up-to-date on most of the Veritas specs. With the exception of what’s classified. 

    ::The captain’s hands went to her hips.::

    Rahman: I trust a refresher course in starship operations isn’t necessary?

    ::Evan suppressed a small chuckle, if only because he wasn’t 100% sure it was a joke.:: 

    Delano: No, Captain. I think I’ll be fine. 

    ::There was a momentary calm between them and Evan found himself straightening his posture.:: 

    Rahman: Just focus on your job, and I think a path will reveal itself. Whether that’s back to Starfleet or to something else… well, only God or whomever you wish to attribute your fate knows.

    Delano: I’ll… try not to disappoint you. 

    ::She looked at him for a moment, standing before her in his civilian clothing. And then, she took another step closer to him still, plucking the combadge from her chest and placing it over his left breast. After she finished adjusting it, she took a step back and looked back up at him.::

    Rahman: Consider that a bit of a nudge towards one direction.

    :: Evan placed a hand on the warm metal, his fingertips finding the familiar points. :: 

    Delano: Thank you, Captain. 

    ::And finally, for the first time in a long while, she smiled at Delano.::

    Rahman: Dismissed, agent.

    ===

    Agent @Evan Delano
    Special Advisor, USS Veritas
    Writer ID: T239007ED0

    &


    Capt. @Roshanara Rahman
    Commanding Officer, USS Veritas
    Writer ID: I238705TZ0

    • Like 1
  9. @Evan Delano:

    :: There was a momentary calm between them and Evan found himself straightening his posture. ::

    Rahman: Just focus on your job, and I think a path will reveal itself. Whether that’s back to Starfleet or to something else… well, only God or whomever you wish to attribute your fate knows.

    Delano: I’ll… try not to disappoint you.

     

    Heh, Evan knows which higher power he really needs to worry about... Her Majesty will be pleased.

    • Like 1
  10. Quote

    @Skyfire

    Greyson: And there's also the matter of the refractory fields. I couldn't maintain transporter locks on anyone and communications went dead until we had a shuttle down there. It was disrupting visuals as well, and everything came back as a burst of static.

    Walker: Yeah, that wasn’t a normal jammer, I know I’ve never seen anything like...

    :: Both the captain and chief engineer shared the same goofy derp smirk for a moment. Carter couldn't help but wonder if they adopted that habit from being friends for so long.::

     

    1

    RahmanDerp.jpgLunaDerp.jpg

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Poor Greyson...

    VeritasDerp.jpg

     

    • Like 3
  11. From Moonsong:

    Quote

    Rahman: =/\= Rahman to Veritas. =/\=

    ::Apparently the Captain had been found. Still a bell around her neck could be useful. A nice silver one perhaps.::

    She should! At least present it as a belated birthday present. :P

    Quote

     

    :: In the end, Evan had opted to wear the uniform Mei’konda had replicated for him. It fit more snugly than Evan remembered, though he was relatively certain that the discomfort he felt was psychological. He’d spent the better part of his adult life in a uniform. Why should it suddenly seem so ill-fitting? ::

     

    1

    That's how I felt after the holidays...

  12. ((Bridge, USS Veritas, 0900 hours))

    :: Mei’konda hadn’t gotten much sleep.  It was hardly his first experience in assisting a starship’s departure on a mission, but this was the first time he’d felt this combination of excitement and anxiety.  Excitement, because it’d been a year since his last deep space assignment.  Anxiety, because of what was going on with Evan. ::

    :: He hadn’t had as much time to get to know the Bridge crew as he would have liked, but as he understood it, he’d have the better part of a month to get to know them while the Veritas traveled to Shadow’s Edge.  Being limited to Warp 5 was going to be interesting.  He’d settled at the Operations console, logged in, and spent the better part of the morning chatting quietly with Lieutenant Maravosh, the helmsman, as well as reconfiguring the console to his exact preferences. ::

    :: The Caitian’s ears rotated as the turbolift door slid open.  He didn’t have to look in order to recognize Rahman’s footsteps, but still turned his seat and bobbed his head toward her. ::

    Rahman: Notify the station we are heading off on our way to Shadow's Edge.

    Blake: Aye, Captain. Flight plan logged. Esperance is standing by.

    :: Rahman’s eyes turned toward him. ::

    Rahman: Final pre-departure systems check please, Mr. Mei'konda.

    Mei'konda: Final pre-depaarture systems check.  Aye, Captaain.  

    :: Spinning his chair briskly back around, Mei’konda let his hands dance across the ops console as he began the automated level five diagnostics that would supplement the more intensive ones that the crew had been running, in preparation for departure.  One by one, major systems blinked green on his screens.  Moments later, he heard the telltale whistle of a shipwide announcement, and the Captain’s voice. ::

    Rahman: =/\= All hands, this is the captain. We are making way for Shadow's Edge. You've all done an excellent job getting the ship ready during this difficult transition.  We're going to find answers, I promise you. =/\=

    :: Tradition.  The Captain preparing the crew for this mission.  Considering what had happened to their previous commander, certainly a smart move. ::

    Rahman: Departure check?

    Mei'konda: All systems reporting nominaal, Captaain.  The Veritas is ready for depaarture.

    Rahman: All right, get us underway, Commander Blake.

    Blake: Standby for clearance from Esperances Ops.

    :: Mei’konda glanced toward his right, where the Lieutenant was working through the departure procedures.  He remembered being at the helm.  It was a lot to keep track of. ::

    Maravosh: Star Station Esperance confirms we are a go for departure.

    Blake: Engage thrusters. Steady away from station docks.

    :: Mei’konda’s ears perked and rotated as the Veritas began to move slowly away from the station.  For a moment, he was surprised.  On the Garuda, his human crewmates hadn’t been able to pick up the sound of maneuvering, and on the Invicta, engine sounds were muffled completely, often replaced with something natural played through the hull.  But the Veritas was very different.  Less well insulated, much more power for her mass.  She wanted to MOVE.  He was starting to understand the attraction of a smaller, tougher ship. ::

    Rahman: Ahead to Shadow's Edge, warp... ::She raised an eyebrow.:: five.

    Maravosh: Warp five, confirmed.

    Mei’konda: Full power traansferred to navigaational sensors.  Tetryon fields chaarted.  It doesn’t look liike there is anythiing out of the ordinaary in our path.  At least… not for the Shoals.

    Blake: The Mother Road's current trajectory has been confirmed, but we'll need an additional check once we get into Coalition space. Long range sensor calibrations will likely be required with drifting from the road. All departments are green.

    Rahman: Engage.

    :: Stars streaked in front of them, Mei’konda instinctively leaned back in his seat, and let out a short breath.  They were on their way. ::

    =========

    Lieutenant Commander Mei’konda

    Operations Officer

    USS Veritas

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