Jalana

Congratulations and welcome to the Fleet!

((Sickbay - Back offices - USS Constitution-) ::His eyes snapped open, and his body pitched backwards gasping for a breath of air that he didn't need. In the moments it took for his program to realign itself from maintenance mode into full power mode, Mark felt his entire holographic body shake. His visual imputs hadn't fully rebooted and all he could see was phaser fire, all he could hear was the horrific, murderous scream of Vrin Dakrevi as she died. His hands clenched, and his body tensed as his program tried desperately to reassert logic and clarity to his matrix. Too bad no one ever told Mark Two that logic and sentience rarely went together. When all was said and done, his legs had given out from underneath him; not from malaise, but from memory. A reaction that was engrained from the human thoughts imprinted on his psyche and manifested through sheer power of thought. His form flickered slightly as his mind tried to sort out where he was and what was happening. This was sickbay. It was dark. He was alone. Limbs quavering, Mark slowly regained his feet and pulled himself to a standing position. What now? Holograms weren't supposed to be afraid, and they most certainly didn't have nightmares. Technically he didn't even sleep; but his downtime data processing and automatic maintenance cycles had a curiously similar effect; a chance for his subconscious mind to wander. While the computer part of his being was occupied with standardized base processes, the human imprint on this program, that what gave him sentience was allowed to wander freely. And lately it always seemed to wander into dark areas. Frustratingly enough Mark was very ill-equipped to deal with such terrors. He was born into a strange world where his predecessor had been a murdering monster of a program; and where the chief engineer of the ship he was activated on had been on a mission to deactivate and delete him. From there it had been a strange and often terrifying ride into the unknown. Worse he had the life experience time-wise that amounted to little more than an infant; but the mental processes of a fully grown adult. A standard EMH had little problem with this dichotomy. Without frustrating emotions and human memories the time from activation to current was merely considered 'run time.' But for Mark it was a constantly frustrating mix of impulses that he could barely keep up with. He found himself pacing in the darkened back offices until a shred of light pierced his vision. Valis: Mark? Is that you? Are you back there? ::he waffled on his response for a few seconds before sputtering out:: Mark Two: Uhm, yes? I was going through my maintenance cycles... Valis:: with a chuckle:: you mean you were sleeping? ::Mark cracked a smile. Of anybody, Valis was one of the people who most frequently referred to everything he did in 'living people' terms:: Mark Two: Yeah, sleeping. ::he ventured towards the light.:: ::The big blue Bolian orderly took a step backwards:: Valis: Whoah, Mark, you look like you seen a ghost! Mark Two: ::he blinked. Could his holographic body really register such physical changes? Then again he wasn't particularly surprised, his holographic form registered some pretty strange things when stress was concerned.:: I, uh... maybe? ::Valis canted his head at the hologram, his hairless brows furrowing in confusion at the weak tone:: Valis: Maybe? ::beat:: Mark, are you alright? Mark: ::Clearly lying:: Yep, fine! Good! In one piece, see? Never better! ::He headed past Valis and towards the door.:: ::The big blue orderly sighed and caught the holo-doc by the arm:: Valis: Mark, get back here. ::He fixed an even gaze at the wide blue holographic eyes:: You're a terrible liar. Tell me what's really going on. ::Mark's lower lip trembled as an all-too-human blush rose up from his neck to his cheeks:: Mark Two: I..I..I... ::meekly:: nothing! ::The usually cheerful Bolian had just about had enough, as he dragged Mark towards the light as if to emphasize his displeasure with the one-two punch of 'see my face, this is an angry face' coupled with the reminder that Valis was six inches taller than Mark:: Valis: Nothing my [...], Mark. You're been strange for weeks. Stranger than normal. What is going on? ::Mark flopped backwards like a ragdoll as he was pulled. It didn't hurt - it never did. Ok, wrong. It did when phasers were involved. Or at least the closest thing that holograms could equate to pain (and it was horrible no matter what). But this was just physical movement. The sentient EMH wavered in his stance, his brain clicking through the possibilities. Did he admit to his trouble? He couldn't lie - that much was wholly clear. His skill at lying was terrible. That left either the admission of the truth or keeping his mouth shut. How could he possibly admit that he was a hologram that had nightmares and hangups about a dead serial killer? Would they reprogram him? A mechanical lobotomy? Laugh at him? Disbelieve him?:: Valis: Tell me. ::He repeated in a tone that was altogether too serious.:: Mark Two: ::Mark's mouth dribbled open and words started to pour out like water down a child's slide in the middle of a monsoon:: So back when Dakrevi stabbed Sorenson I went in and I know you told me not to and you were so right, but I wanted to help and I wanted to be useful so I tried to stop her from killing people again, but she was terrible and said she lived to kill so when we came out I told the security people to shoot her and she said she would kill me and I said I was a hologram and they should still shoot, and so they did, but they shot me as well as her and the smell was awful like burning flesh and teeth and stuff and the phasers hit my core matrix and internal emitter and disrupted it and it felt awful and I can't feel pain but it was awful and I can't forget it and every time I do my maintenance cycle it all comes back and I can't forget it! ::Mark didn't need to breathe and his torrent of words made that especially clear. Valis took a step back, dropping the EMH to the ground and blinking slightly:: Valis: So... you mean... you're having nightmares? Mark Two: ::in a tiny voice:: yes. ::Valis sighed a world-weary sigh.:: Valis: Go see a counselor. Mark Two: They don't make holographic counselors. Valis: ::furrowing his bald brows:: Sure they do. Go to the holodeck and call one up. Mark Two: ::He took a step back, throwing his hands in the air:: But those are still counselors programmed to, you know, counsel humans! Living things! Not holograms! Valis: ::Through clenched teeth:: Mark, nightmares are a living-thing reaction. Go see a counselor. Mark Two: ::He slumped backwards with a undefined little whine:: I can't. At least not now. Valis: Why not? Mark Two: Because the holodecks are all offline because of the repair issues. The only reason I'm still running is because I have an isolated power source. ::It was Liani's last blessing she gave to him, the ability to control when he could be turned on and off, separate from the ship or anybody else's command:: ::Valis scratched his head, thinking the situation over. In his mind things like this were very simple: have problem? Get help.:: Valis: Then go see a real counselor. You know, a living breathing one. I'm sure someone will see you. Mark Two: Really? Valis: Yes really. ::He pulled Mark out of the darkened room and into the lights of the main sickbay.:: They counsel crew members. Last time I checked you were a registered EMH, and therefore a crew member. ::The lanky blonde hologram wavered on his feet, shifting back and forth, unwilling to move from his firmly planted position:: Mark Two: Are you sure? Valis: ::Turning, his voice pointed:: Are you scared? Mark Two: ::flustered:: Well... yes. Valis: Do you want to get better? Mark Two: ... yes Valis: ::no nonsense:: Then do it or I will make the appointment for you. ::Mark let his jaw drop in a very nice impersonation of a petulant child that just got caught with their hand in the cookie jar:: Mark Two: I can do it on my own... ::Valis smirked. Mark was a chaotic intelligence, but a fairly easy one to manipulate. He had all the naiveté and gullibility of a child, which made him fairly easy to navigate around.:: Valis: Ok, do it. ::He pointed at the computer panel:: Do it now. ::Mark sighed and plodded over. Valis had played him well and now he was stuck. The counselor request process was startlingly easy - possibly because most people hated seeing counselors so they deliberately removed any roadblocks to making an appointment. It was over almost before it began.:: Valis: When's the appointment? ::he was quick to ask:: Mark Two: Tomorrow at 1400... ::Looking back in a jerky manner:: Uhm, why do you need to know? ::He trailed off, feeling like he had been duped.:: Valis: Because I'm going to make sure you go. ::Mark sighed and let his shoulders slump. He didn't want to go; he really didn't - but now Valis was going to make him accountable for going.:: Mark Two: ::irritated and sarcastic:: Thanks. ::A frown:: Valis: ::Brightly:: You're welcome - that's what friends are for! ~*~ tbc ~*~ pNPC Mark Two Emergency Medical Hologram Mark II USS Constitution-B Simmed by: Wyn Foster

Don't hate me Tony, but this made me laugh a little more than it should have lol

Glad to hear. You're welcome

Depends where the idea comes from I think. Like if you get inspired by something that is fine.. if you copy a picture 1:1 it would be not very creative. Though like for example.. recreating something but in the star trek theme with your own twist, is okay. If that makes sense.

I can't wait to see your entries

I totally voted for Picard in Doctor Who

It is that time. Be spooked, wear costumes, get candy from everywhere. That is how most celebrate Halloween! But how do we integrate Halloween into Star trek? That is what we want to see from you! This is a one month long Halloween Graphic Contest! Show us how Star Trek celebrates! Go spooky, go costumy, go drowned in candy or howling at the moon? The possibilities are endless, just as the ways to celebrate the spookiest night of the year! We will crown a lucky winner the mad king and a lucky Runner up the Mad prince, with special Halloween Graphic Contest Badges! Here are the rules: The theme must be included, it's the challengeThe submitted work has to be done by you. You can use stock images and the like and put them together, but the final work does have your stamp on it.Any kind of graphic style is allowed. You can paint, use 3D renders, mix different source images, make collages, animations, draw, manipulate photos, make a video etc. as long as the final work is completely yours.Everyone can submit one piece of workThe image must be within the Star Trek Universe, how you show that is on you.Please add your name (your primary character which we identify you with) in the lower corner as a signatureImage size: At least 600*450 pixel and staying in these proportions (either horizontal or vertical, by your choice)Submission deadline is October 31st To submit the image, start a new thread in this contest forum, that way we do not have to dig for it If you have any questions, please pose them in this forum thread. We are looking forward to your submissions and your creativity!

Any comments or questions to the 2015 Halloween Graphic Contest can be placed here.

We have our winners for the Autumn Graphic Contest!!! The theme was "The dark subconscious mind" and our contestants have shown us their interpretation of the theme. We had great entries and because we have no people- or world category in this one (again), we combined these and have two winners and two runner ups! The winners of the Autumn Graphic Contest are... Drumroll please! Iniko Mpeba - A Long Time Ago and Ayiana Sevo - Entombed Our Runner ups are: Toni Turner - The Fear Within and Daniel Cain - VengeanceCongratulations to all four of you and thank you for everyone who has been participating in the contest. As always it was no easy decision! Iniko, Ayiana, Toni and Daniel, you can find your badges here. Thank you also for our judges, relentlessly breaking their heads about their votes: Selene Faranfey, Tyler Kelly, Maxwell Traenor, Raissa Moonson and myself. Keep your eyes peeled for a special Halloween Edition of the Contest very soon! Stay creative!

Judging is commencing and results are going to be announced soon!

Yeah I had to as well. Support is really helpful when it comes to that, as long as you have some data to give them to prove it's your account.

I laughed a little too hard!

You could upload the image in the wiki. After that right click and copy the image URL (in firefox it is "Copy image location" instead). Then make a new post in the contest forum and above the text box here, is a little icon that looks like a picture. Click on that and paste the image URL you copied before into that window. Press okay and it is in your post

It is a solo thing, sorry. But the contest is for all levels of experience, so please feel free to try and put your idea into a graphic, we'd love to see it

Thank you, Ann

Since I am facilitator of the contest, I am not going to enter this for judging etc but for the sheer fun of it. But the theme was so awesome I just had to do an image for it and would LOVE to share it with you guys. Jalana's biggest fear.

Can be anyone really, as long as it is Star Trek universe We used our own characters for posing the questions, because many people might have an easier time identifying with them, than with a random person. But the theme is free for interpretation.

Congratulations everyone and welcome to the fleet

I would LOVE to see more spin-offs and more series and movies of Star Trek. And I think I'll have to follow the Guinan web series, i LOVED her character. It might not be canon, but I honestly don't care. If Paramount doesn't give her more background I take what we get.

We are proud to present you a new round of the "Starbase 118: Graphic contest". In this contest we recognize the amazingly talented artists we have among our membership. If you like to be artistic at any level, join in the fun. The theme of this round will be a little different than the others, a little... darker. "The dark subconscious mind". What monsters lurk in the dark secretive minds of our characters? Fears, secrets, desires and more! This can be anything. Use it as character building, to think about it if you have not yet, show us the dark subconscious mind of your character! SUBMISSION GUIDELINES The theme must be included, it's the challengeThe submitted work has to be done by you. You can use stock images and the like and put them together, but the final work does have your stamp on it.Any kind of graphic style is allowed. You can paint, use 3D renders, mix different source images, make collages, animations, draw, manipulate photos, make a video etc. as long as the final work is completely yours.Everyone can submit one piece of workThe image must be within the Star Trek Universe, how you show that is on you.Please add your name (your primary character which we identify you with) in the lower corner as a signatureImage size: At least 600*450 pixel and staying in these proportions (either horizontal or vertical, by your choice)Submission deadline is September 22ndTo submit the image, start a new thread in this contest forum, that way we do not have to dig for it Now of course you might wonder what you have from all this, apart from a lot of fun and being able to show off your artistic side. The winner and runner up will receive a badge for his forum signature/Wiki pageThe winners will be announced in the news on the websiteWe will build a gallery page of all entries with special featuring of the winners, and display the images on our Deviantart pageAnd the winner will also receive an IC surprise, which we don't want to spoil.Yes, you read that right, winners - plural. To include everyone, we differ between two categories: People: creation of characters, aliens, merging of people with backgrounds, scenes etc.World-building: creation of planets, landscapes, ships, galaxy scenes, technology etc.Each category will have its own winner! Eager to get started? Your mind full of images that want out? Well then ready, set, GO! Please make sure to use the "Autumn" Prefix from the drop down menu when you submit your entry. Thank you If you have any questions, please post them here. Who knows, someone else might have the same.

Questions, comments or other discussion about the contest? Post here!

With a little delay we have our winners for the "Summer Graphic Contest"!!! The theme was "Spirit of Star Trek" and our contestants have shown us their interpretation of the theme. We had great entries and because we have no people- or world category in this one, we combined these and have two winners and two runner ups! The winners of the Summer Graphic Contest are... Drumroll please! Antero Flynn with his "Legacy of the Federation" Entry and Kali Nicholotti with her "We are Starfleet" Entry Runner Ups are: Toni Turner with the entry "The Spirit of Star Trek Lives" and Cynthar Skyfire with her "Tribute to Starbase 118-OPS" Congratulations to everyone, you had great entries and it was as always a hard decision. You can get your winner and runner up badges here in the Wiki. Thank you also to the judges for this round: Shelther Faranster, Nathaniel Wilmer, Maxwell Traenor, Raissa Moonsong and yours truly Jalana Rajel. Again congratulations and thank you for participating. The next theme will be announced shortly, keep your eyes open!

I hope so too

The contest has ended, results will be released as soon as possible. Thank you all for participating.