[Graphics Contest discussion]

I'm sorry for the delay guys. With me getting my ship there has been a lot on my plate, and I must have mixed up dates, I thought we have a few more days. The judging has been initiated and we'll publish the results as soon as possible.

[Runner up - R.Adm. Toni Turner Summer graphics entry]

Actually the use of images from others is allowed, like in photo-manipulation.

[Graduating Class of 239206.07]

Congratulations and welcome to the fleet!

[Star Trek: Online]

I did play a lot for a while, but have not for some months. Every now and then I peek in for an hour or so but then drop it again for whatever timeframe.

[Graduating Class of 239205.31]

Congratulations to your graduation and welcome to the Fleet

[Graphics Contest discussion]

As long as you make sure that you are using your own graphics to put it together, since we judge the graphic aspect, I do not see a reason against it.

[Graphics Contest discussion]

If you mean to display your picture, just put the HTML code (if you have it) into the text box, which is the main message of the entry.

You can also as usual click the little image icon in the box and put your URL in that, which does the same.

Hope that helps. If you meant something else, please let me know

[Lieutenant Nathaniel Wilmer - "The void of absence"]

It was just too good

[Lieutenant Nathaniel Wilmer - "The void of absence"]

((Memorial Service - Deck 42 - Bar))

::The clock said it was 0859. In the bar, the bar with no name, Starfleet had decked out the establishment with all the trappings and accouterments of Federation last rites. Two UFOP banners hang parallel to one another on either side of the constructed dais. Beautiful, and deeply rich sun bathed the surroundings in illuminated hue. The light from several large bay windows cast a half shadow on all in attendance. Due to the fact that not every crew member could attend the service, top ranking, and relevant friends and family of the departed had been allowed to attend in person. Others, who could not attend, were allowed to pause their daily activities and observe the service from their work stations.::

::Nate stood in front of the bay window, a small PADD designed for discrete reference was in his right hand, and both hands were behind his back, draped just below the base of his spine. Lieutenant Commander Akeelah D'Sena, his very good friend, stood next to him. She had been discussing last minute details, arrangements of flowers and individual funerary rites, and now there was little if nothing left to discuss, as the service was about to begin.::

::Nate turned to her. She looked exceptionally handsome in her dress uniform. And yet, due to the seriousness of the event, absolutely no inappropriate thoughts were currently in Nate's mind. All he kept thinking about, was how little he knew Masha Kall, and what he might say about that.::

::He turned to his friend, straightening out the wrinkles in his dress grey and white uniform.::

Wilmer: Well...this is it.... it's time.

D'Sena: It is. ::She hesitated and nodded slightly:: Just breathe, I believe in you.

::Nate smiled and looked at her. The orange aura the sun cast on her, painted her in a generous glow, that gave all new beauty to her dark and mysterious eyes.::

Wilmer: Thanks Akeelah. It's nice to know I have your faith in me...

::He cleared his throat, and placed a hand on her shoulder for a moment. Nodding, it was time to begin the proceedings.::

:: Of the fifty five officers and crewmen in real time attendance, all were quiet as he walked up the three raised steps, to the podium. His footfalls echoed throughout the bar, and he stopped, paused and turned to face them all.::

::A moment, and he cleared his throat. He felt no nervousness, only stoic realism filled his mind.::

Wilmer: Good morning. It is the sad truth of all who find themselves in command, that one day they must be called upon to perform such responsibilities for their fallen honored dead. Today, we have lost not one, but two of our sisters in uniform. Warrant Officer Masha Kall and Ensign Zoe Heriot, two beings from opposite ends of the galaxy, whose only commonalities were assignment to this ship and unwavering devotion to Starfleet and to each and every one of us....

::He paused, a single person coughed, clearing their throat from the back of the room. Someone close to one of the deceased broke out into hushed, but still audible tears. Nate continued::

Wilmer: ...I had the great pleasure of knowing, working and spending some brief recreational time with Zoe. She was remarkably at ease with herself, energetic, athletic and unafraid to try new things. She tested herself, and applied her talents to the devotions of her trade, and lived by a code, that became for her, a way of life. I remember the first time I ever met her. It was on the holodeck, during a moment where everything seemed to be descending into absolute and unplanned chaos. Zoe's charming naiveté offered her a vantage point of innocence that gave those of us--who were too vaunted and full of ourselves--and told us that it was okay to laugh at the absurdity of exploding birds on a beach.

::Nate smirked, and found that the truthfulness had gotten a chuckle or two from the grieving crowd and lent a moment of levity to the proceedings. He smiled somberly.::

Wilmer: Later that evening, she proceeded to have several drinks with me, and after assuring me that she had become intoxicated, proceeded to name the holographic bartender Fred. :: He let out a genuine single laugh. ::I didn't have the heart to tell her she'd been drinking synthehol all night long.

::The crowd seemed to enjoy the truth of that idea and let an appropriate tension easing laugh to the moment.::

Wilmer: But that was how she was. And those of us who knew her, can attest to the fact that Zoe Heriot was the most caring, real, true and honest of us. She was a true innocent. On a professional level, she was also the most competent junior astrophysicist I've ever had the privilege of working with. I have no doubt, that in time, she would have excelled in the stellar cartography department. She was a genuine and sweet friend. And I take no shame in admitting that I will shed tears for her....

::Nate paused, and placed the PADD down on the podium. This was partly out of reflex, and partly because there were no words left on it. Now came the hard part--the toughest thing he would ever have to say.::

Wilmer: The next thing I'm going to say, will no doubt upset some of you, and rightfully so. When Commander D'Sena asked that I should officiate these proceedings, I was tasked with not only writing eulogies for my friend Zoe, but for Warrant Officer Kall, as well....

::He throat dried. And he swallowed it away, speaking with only heartfelt honesty..::

Wilmer: I know nothing about Masha Kall. And I am ashamed. ::He looked to every single one of his brothers and sisters in uniform, attempting to make eye contact with all and finally wresting his eyes on those of his Rodulan friend.:: I was tasked with filling the blanks, of doing research on Masha Kall. I even began to ask around the ship, attempting to find as much as I could on a woman I had never even seen in the flesh. Up until I read her personnel file, I didn't even know she was Ullian, And after a while of realizing, that hardly any one else knew her, I began to realize something. To dig up these facts, and present them in a funerary format in the interest of detail, was a disservice to her. I should've taken the time to get to know her while she was still alive...

::He paused and slammed a solid, but firm knuckle down on the podium in emphasis.::

::He saw in the crowd, that Kael his newfound daughter was there, dressed in black, and that the sudden slamming of his fist not only filled the room, but made her jump as well. Charlotte was next to his daughter, and looked to him with a compassion he was not used to, and had never seen before. He continued.::

Wilmer: ...because like it or not, we're all family out here. All of us. How many times have I used my personal interests, my job, my selfish recreational activities as an excuse to not get to know that new ensign that fills in the bridge position? How many times have I seen that lone engineer sitting at the lunch table in the galley, and told myself that he probably wanted to be left to his thoughts? We are not alone. We were not meant to be alone. On this ship, or any other we might find ourselves serving on in the future... ::he paused wondering how many future posts he might see.:: ...we are not only ambassadors from our representative cultures, we are a society of one. One ship, one crew, one family. There is no excuse for not knowing Masha Kall, for not knowing the person who shares our desk, our workspace, our halls and our hearts.

::He felt a single tear roll down his check as the sincerity began to fill the room, and others of greater sensitivity than he, began to cry aloud.::

Wilmer: ...we have all suffered two great losses today. But the greatest loss of all, is that everyday we all stand at the edge of danger, and we are all sometimes, alone, scared, seeking the familiar face of friendship, companionship...::He paused and looked again to Akeelah with sincere remark: ...and love.

::He paused, and picked up his PADD in conclusion.::

Wilmer: ...we are not alone.

::With that, he pressed a button on his podium, and a yeoman nearby, practiced with the established signal stood and blew his boatswains whistle.::

Wilmer: Stand at attention! ::He called with bravado. :: Honors 'hup!

::With that, all in attendance stood and turned to the port. Two individual photon torpedoes fired, one after another, streaking through the flaming corona sphere of the nearby sun. Each memory and the of the remains of each woman, turned into a flaming jet of spiritual essence, easing into the setting terminator of the forever burning star. Each would glow only for a moment, and be seen no more.::

::It was a fitting ending, to such great and wondrous individuals. And suddenly Nate remembered a poem he'd read once as a teenager.::

My candle burns from both ends,
it will not last the night,
But oh my friends,
and oh my foes,
it gives a glorious light...

::Nate realized truer words were never written by humankind.::

::And all were dismissed.::

END

Lt. Nate Wilmer
HCO/Acting First Officer
USS Apollo-A

[Unique Quotes in Sims - USS Constitution-B]

Foster: Flint's obviously the mastermind of this operation. He's the only one not sticking his neck out and indulging in dangerous pastimes. ::he surmised, glancing at the security and intel members of the team:: I'm not sure how easy he'll be to flush out - either from the Apollo or from the ground.

::Nate steeled his gaze, and looked to the Andorian, intent clearly written in his eyes.::

Wilmer: I'll follow Flint on a tricycle if I have to.

I have laughed way more than I possibly should have at the image of that

[Sherana & Cmdr Tal Tel-ar: The heart wants]

((Corridor, USS Constitution-)

:: Tal walked quickly along the corridor, leaving the gathering in the aquatics lab behind. His mind was busy, deep in thought and he almost did not realize that he had slowed down and come to a halt in one of the small little cozy observation nooks that could be found just about anywhere on the ship. ::

:: He must have been standing there, staring out at the deep, dark depths of space for a while before he suddenly spoke. ::

Tel-ar: Computer open a communications channel to the USS Apollo-A, in care of a civilian names Sherana.

Computer: Voice identified, Cmdr. Tel-ar. Opening channel.

:: Tal continued to stand and stare off into the depths of space, waiting patiently for any results. His conversation with Lt. Cmdr. Rajel had sparked a number of memories. Sherana had been instrumental in his final recovery from the self-destructive mindset that had followed his divorce. Not only that but she had been…. Passionate, wild and maybe as much in need of someone as he had been. Their nights and days together had resulted in marathon sessions as both pushed themselves, trying to lose themselves in the pleasure of the flesh. ::

:: Tal had not tried to contact her once, after getting transferred off the USS Apollo-A. He had done the long distance relationship thing before and it had destroyed his marriage. Besides she deserved a man who could truly compliment her strengths and weaknesses. ::

:: Unfortunately that did not exactly describe Tal. He had not even realized his wife was unhappy or that she was slowly getting royally [...]ed at him. Their final explosive meeting before she resigned her commission and returned to earth with their kids had been truly inspiring. ::

:: Still he owed her and not just for helping him burn off the rage and stress, although that had been fantastic. No, he owed her for being a friend, for not pushing and accepting him as he was so if he could in anyway return the favour then he was going to try, even if he was probably the last person in the galaxy who should be trying. ::

Computer: Civilian citizen Sherana contacted. Channel open, proceed.


(( USS- Apollo-A, Quarters Sherana ))

:: Sherana, the rather unusual botanist of the Apollo-A, had just finished building the roof for her plants. A malfunction in the environmental systems had brought winter's frost to a small region of her Arboretum, which of course was not the part, that was not suitable for cold. Apparently there was a lot of work for Engineering right now, because none of the dozens of engineers could take care of it. Sherana had never been a technical mind, she was a warrior and a botanist, so she could not take care of it herself and in the end built a small construction to cover the trees and keep the frost from them. ::

:: When she entered her quarters she took off her tool belt and placed it on its place on the side table next to the door and pulled the band out of her hair, before shaking the soil out of it. Since she was alone now, she pulled the bulky sweater over her head and threw it onto the couch, while her feet dragged and pulled themselves out of her working boots. She rubbed over her face, it had been a long day, but she had done longer and more exhausting ones in the Klingon Military. Still she was looking forward to a quiet evening with some meditation. ::

:: Just when she was opening a drawer to get her candles, the console in the standard desk she had pushed into a far corner, beeped. ::

Computer: Icoming audio call from the USS Constitution B.

:: She pulled her brows together and wondered who would call her. Who did she knows on the Constitution? Could it be? No.. why would he? Despite the doubt, her heart skipped a beat. Only one way to find out. ::

Sherana: Accept call.

:: It was silent for a moment, but then there it was, the voice she had not heard for a felt eternity. ::

Tel-ar: =/\= Hello Sherana. =/\=

:: And the very first sound of it sent sensations through her being, she had not felt ever since he had left. It was true. Her blood sang of his memory. ::

Sherana: =/\= Tal. =/\= ::She was glad she did not sound like a whimpy little Earth woman, but still like herself. It did not matter that he did not see her, her posture, the dirt in her face, she still straightened her back, proud and tall. What did people say in these situations?:: =/\= What is new with you? =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= Fleet Admiral Jaxx brought the USS Doyle-A and I have been transferred to it. =/\=

Sherana: =/\= I understand. It is a surprise to hear from you. =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= Seeing him, seeing the others with him from the USS Apollo-A made me think of you. =/\=

:: She would lie, if she'd say she did not think of him. Just because she unterstood that duty came first, did not mean that she had not missed him near. She was just not some whiny little female begging for someone to stay close and pretend she could not live without someone. She was strong and had been raised with the credo of 'duty and honor first'. ::

Sherana: =/\= I thought of you too, Tal. =/\= ::She did not like that she could not look him into the eye, why did he use an audio connection? :: =/\= It is good of you to call. =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= I was unsure if I should. You indicated that you did not expect it of me. =/\=

Sherana: =/\= You would not have wanted the distraction. =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= What I wanted never came into it Sherana. You insisted remember. =/\=

Sherana: =/\= And you insisted that going is your duty, and I would not stand in the way of duty. You know me that well. And my duty is here. =/\=


((Observation Nook, USS Constitution-)

:: Tal stood staring out at the depths of space but that was not what he was seeing. No what he was seeing were memories, memories of intimate times and passionate meetings with a woman who still captivated his thoughts and stirred up powerful emotions just from the sound of her voice. ::

Tel-ar: =/\= What else could we do? =/\= :: Tal turned away from the view outside, his vision turned inwards seeing her, remembering her. ::

Sherana: ::A memory flashed back into her mind, surrounded by green, and in his blue arms.:: =/\= Your memory is faulty, Tal. I do remember requesting that you will keep me updated with your path. =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= Yes you did. That is something I should have done before now. =/\= :: slight pause :: =/\= Just as we spoke of possibilities for us. =/\=

Sherana: =/\= Yes, I remember it. Right before our shaping of new memories in the Arboretum. =/\= ::Another shiver ran from head to toes, remembering how he had locked the place so they could have privacy.::

Tel-ar: =/\= Something never to be forgotten. At least by me Sherana. =/\= :: Tal knew his voice had changed when he spoke this time, a strange wistfulness, one almost of desire had slipped out. ::

Sherana: ::She crossed her arms in front of her chest, even though he could not see it, it was a natural reaction.:: =/\= Have you called me to fight, Tal? =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= No. That was not my intent. Did you expect me to act so illogical? =/\= :: Tal pulled it together, forceing his voice to return to its normal, unemotional tone. ::

Sherana: =/\= I didn't think so. So tell me, how has life treated you? =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= It has been interesting yet lacking. =/\=

Sherana: ::She raised her brows, even though he could not see it. :: =/\= Lacking of what? =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= You.... If it was possible... =/\=

(( USS Apollo-A, Sherana's Quarters ))

::For a split second her heart jumped almost out of her chest. So he missed her? No matter how much Duty came first and how much she understood it, she was still a woman, behind her way too big men clothes. She swallowed and this time was glad he could not see her. She did not like appearing weak. ::

Sherana: =/\= Why... me? =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= Because I can not forget what being with you is like. =/\= :: Tal could hear the change in his own voice again as he admitted to having a weakness, her. ::

Sherana: ::There it was again, his voice had changed and shivers ran down her spine. :: =/\= Why didn't you say that before? =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= Because we are both essentially warriors, duty comes be four our hearts. =/\=

Sherana: ::That was right, they were. :: =/\= And if it were different? =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= If it was otherwise I would wish we were together. =/\=

Sherana: :: The warmth that moved into her chest made her feel soft and gentle, something she was not used to. But it was for long enough to hear herself say:: =/\= Me too, Tal. =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= Why? :: Tal hated speaking about how he felt about other people but even he realized that their were times when one had to do it no matter how he felt about it. :: Because I am not Klingon, human or even technically Andorian, Sherana. =/\=

Sherana: =/\= You are right, Tal. But you are you. You are a warrior, strong and honourable. ::She paused:: Why is this so difficult, Tal? =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= Because as an old friend of mine use to say, the heart wants what it wants. =/\=

Sherana: ::Ah yes, his friend from the Academy, she remembered hearing about him before. What was his name again? Jason? Janos... something with J. Human names all sounded the same. :: =/\= And I know what mine wants, Tal. But you deserve more than someone who is across the galaxy. =/\=


((Observation Nook, USS Constitution-)

:: Tal no longer stood looking out at the depths of space. In fact his eyes were closed, his memories providing the image of Sherana, the Orion woman who had helped him recover from his self destructive tendencies, who had become more than just a friend. A woman who had been for a very short time his woman. ::

Tel-ar: =/\= Deserve and what I can have are two different things. =/\=

Sherana: =/\= And what do you think you deserve? =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= To be able to fall asleep beside you and to wake up with you every day. =/\=

Sherana: =/\= Tal, I ... =/\=

:: She became quiet and Tal had no idea if his suggestion had offended her or if she felt the same. ::

Tel-ar: =/\= I know, an impossible dream. Your over 9 sectors away from here. It would take almost a month for me to reach you... still you asked. =/\=


(( USS Apollo-A, Sherana's Quarters ))

:: Sherana thought about that. It was a long distance, but even with that, right here and now, her feelings had not diminished one bit. She did not like that weakness, but at the same time just now relished the feelings he caused in her. ::

Sherana: =/\= What is distance... Don't tell me you miss me, Tal. =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= I do not know. :: slight pause :: but yes I miss you. =/\= :: Tal could not believe that he was admitting to having any weakness, even if it was only his desire to be with her. ::

Sherana: =/\= Why? =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= #$%^& Sherana. :: slight pause as Tal regains control of his emotions :: Your the best thing that ever happened to me. =/\= :: Tal looked around, hoping no one was close enough to have seen his outburst but at the same time not really caring if anyone had. ::

Sherana: =/\= And now, Tal? =/\=


((Observation Nook, USS Constitution-)

:: Tal no longer stood looking out at the depths of space. In fact his eyes were closed, his memories providing the image of Sherana, the Orion woman who had helped him recover from his self destructive tendencies, who had become more than just a friend. A woman who had been for a very short time his woman. ::

Tel-ar: =/\= I do not know. This is completely unknown territory for me. =/\= :: Tal admitted as he reached up with one hand and kneaded the muscles on his neck. ::

Sherana: =/\= But you were married before. =/\=

:: Her statement was a simple fact. One that was true and while Tal had loved his wife... the relationship had never been... solid. ::

Tel-ar: =/\= You are nothing like my ex-wife. You are so much more than she could have ever been. =/\= :: It was a reality that Tal had been forced to admit to himself. One he had been avoiding telling Sherana both out of fear and concern. Fear that she did not feel the same way about him and concern because regardless of how they might feel about each other the realities of their current positions might make it impossible for them to truly enjoy any kind of a real relationship together. ::

Sherana: =/\= I need to see you. =/\=

:: Tal felt a little thrill at that simple statement as his hands opened and closed unconsciously while he replied. ::

Tel-ar: =/\= That may be a little difficult right now Sherana. Your a long way away. =/\=

Sherana: =/\= I know that. Just turn on your camera. =/\=

:: So she wanted a visual, not to be in his presence, close enough that he could take her in his arms... still her request was logical, practical and he realized that he wanted to see her as well. As he did he started moving, his long legs taking him swiftly down the corridor at a full out run even as he replied to her. ::


((Corridor, USS Doyle))

Tel-ar: =/\= Give me a moment Sherana. =/\=

:: Tal slid to a stop and waited impatiently for the door to the lab to open. For a moment he almost reached out to help it but he was able to restraint himself as he slipped past the half open door and rushed over to the wall mounted screen, activating it as he did. ::

((Science Lab))

:: It took the computer a few seconds to catch up, transferring the signal and establishing a proper connection. Then the image on the screen changed and he could see Sherana. She looked to be sitting down on a chair in front of the terminal and based on the way she was dressed and what he could see behind her she was in her quarters. ::

:: She looked fantastic. Her loose hair framed her face and shoulders and she was wearing a sleeveless tank top that showed off her arms and curves. Seeing her like that, made his mind wander for a second. Remembering their last day together. She never dressed like that, always wearing overlarge bulky garments that concealed and hid just how truly feminine she was. ::

:: For a moment his heart seemed to stop in his chest as she suddenly reached out and touched the screen gingerly. Her face seemed to soften slightly, just like it did when she was in his arms. At that moment he would have given anything, even his commission to be there with her, to be able to take her in his arms and hold her close while he kissed her. It took the sound of her voice to break the illusion and return him to reality. ::


(( USS Apollo - Quarters Sherana ))

:: Sherana sat down on the chair in front of the terminal, the sleeve less tank showed her arms and her curves, something she usually covered under her bulky sweater, but he had seen more of her than anyone else, so she did not think of putting that sweater back on. Her loose hair framed her face and shoulders as she looked at the blue man's face and she felt that weakness again. Before she could stop herself, she had reached out and touched the screen gingerly. Her face softened slightly, thought she did not smile, she never did, not even for him. ::

Sherana: =/\= It is good to see you. =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= I am glad that seeing me agrees with you Sherana, especially as seeing you has reminded me of just how truly beautiful you are. =/\=

Sherana: =/\= We are honest with each other and right now I hate that I feel this weakness in me, it is frustrating to be a weak warrior. =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\- Frustrating, weak.... =/\= :: Tal's left eye brow rose and fell as he considered her simple statement. ::

Sherana: =/\= But at the same time, it is the greatest feeling I had in a long time, a new and strange one. But it is good. You are special to me and the day I have met you... every day we have fought, and every moment in your arms.. =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= I had thought I could live with out you, :: As he talked Tal's voice lost all of its normal unemotional tone and came alive with a rich, husky tone that was both masculine and dripping with desire. His face also relaxed, it was no longer a stone mask hiding his inner feelings. :: that I was strong enough to resist my heart, my desire. I realize now that I was a fool. That with out my knowing it you had become a part of me, as important to me as air or duty. :: Slight pause :: So I guess that leaves me with the question, do you want me as much as I need and want you? =/\=

:: Tal waited, unsure of what her response would be, desperately hoping that against all logic, that regardless of the impossibility of it all she might feel the same way he did. ::

:: That was the question. The big thing. What did she want to do? Did she want to be safe and miss out on the best that had ever happened to her, because the distance would make it difficult? Or would she dare it, be the woman she was, the warrior she was and fight for what she wanted. Her dark eyes dialed in on his. ::

Sherana: =/\= I want you. =/\=

:: Those three simple words meant more to him than anything he had ever done, than anything he had ever said. For a moment he wanted to throw back his head and scream out a cry of victory, instead he smiled, a small one true but one of pure happiness and joy as he replied back to her, asking the other question. Again one he hated to ask but knew he had to as it was the biggest hurdle preventing them from being together. ::

Tel-ar: =/\= And the fact that we are so far apart? =/\=

Sherana: =/\= No distance changes what I feel, it hasn't so far and it won't. =/\=

Tel-ar: =/\= I agree. Somehow we can make it work. =/\=

-----

Sherana
Botanist
USS Apollo-A

simmed by

LtCmdr Akeelah D'Sena
First Officer
USS Apollo-A
Image Team Facilitator

&

Commander Tal Tel-ar
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Doyle

[Lt Selene Faranfey & LtCmdr Jalana Rajel - Tragedies Revealed]

(( CMO's Office, Sick Bay, USS Doyle, Deck 5 ))

:: Jalana had come to Sick Bay to check it out, out of curiosity of the Luna Class facilities, but she had found so much more. Selene, one of the medical officers had been familiar to her from the first word, the first glimpse onto her face. She looked just like her best friend Sundassa, just with hair and eyes changed into a different colour and a little older. Jalana had seen it right away and called her out on it. While Selene had not admitted it right away, she had done that eventually. Now they sat in the CMO's office to talk. Jalana needed to know more than knowing that she had come from the future, that would never happen. ::

:: Selene sat on the desk, now that they were able to talk, and privately without anyone else hearing, a part of her wanted to go back to how they interacted with one another all those years ago. ::

Faranfey: You said you're Rajel, I suppose that means you got joined, congratulations!

Rajel: ::Smiling:: Thank you. It happened just yesterday. Slipstream drive is a fantastic invention, I tell you. What about you? How has your life been since we last met?

Faranfey: You said it earlier, my past, the future everyone was supposed to have, no longer does.

Rajel: ::Nodding she thought about that and leaned back slightly:: Since the time you are from is changed with you coming here.. I have to ask...

Faranfey: About how things turned out for you, if things were any different?

Rajel: Yes... I'm sorry, you must get those questions all the time. But if your Jalana is anything like me, you know that I am curious to know.

Faranfey: Well, I suppose there isn't any harm. :: She paused and looked at the ceiling as she remembered all those years ago. It was a time when she was happy too. :: Well, I was the maid of honor at her's and Viktor's wedding, Andy was the best man. She was a bit nervous, every bride seems to be, but she handled it with grace. She was my rock for so long, and then she stood by me when I said my vows to Andy. :: She reached under her collar to pull out the locket she wore, twisting it in her hands. :: Viktor worked closely with Andy, as head of the Marines. :: She paused, she couldn't help but think about what they were working on, the Hunger had started their invasion just shortly after her friend got married, forcing her to push up her own day as well. ::

:: Listening to what Selene told her, sent a little stab into her heart. So the other Jalana had eventually married Viktor, who had been head of the Marine group on board the Apollo. Well he had been here too, but they never got to marry. Instead he had killed his father and some other guys and had landed in jail. She had never had that life she'd dreamed about, being happy with the love of her life. It was painful and she fought against the emotions welling up in her. She had to find a kind of solace in it, knowing that at least Selene's Jalana was happy. ::

Rajel: And I ... she... did she stay as CMO on the Apollo?

Faranfey: Actually, she was Assisted CMO, within days of Andy and I getting married, she announced she was pregnant, or was it later that night. It was so long ago. But she told me she wanted me to be an honorary Aunt, and that she wanted to step down from CMO, which was actually perfect, considering Starfleet was after me for my own Command, but I wasn't wanting to leave the Apollo. Transitioning me to CMO allowed us to work closely together again. :: She gave Jalana a bittersweet smile, she was going to be an honorary Aunt, and everything changed after that. :: How about you and Vik? I take it you aren't together anymore... :: Something about the expression when she was telling Jalana all this, made her suspect. ::

:: She had been married and pregnant. Sun had married Andrus and they still worked together closely on Sick bay, which they did not too, but not as CMO and her Assistant. They were both medical officers. This other world sounded like the perfect place and she could not help to feel a bit jealous. ::

Rajel: No, I am not any more. My and his life went a little different. ::Quickly she changed the subject back.:: Was she also joined?

Faranfey: Yes, she was joined right after their engagement, they hopped on the opportunity because it was one of her desires. They prepped for it, and he was there for the surgery. He was so nervous, worried she'd be different, but when she woke up, while she had a bunch of new memories, the ones she cherished, were the ones tied to him, and you could still see it in her eyes, even when she woke that first time after.

:: It tucked at her lips into a small smile listening to that. It was a little amusing to hear that Viktor had the same worries than Sundassa had. Sundassa was the one being with her during her joining and they had talked about the very same concerns on their way to it. She felt the all too familiar tingle in her nose, thinking that the other Jalana had him by her side, even though she would not want to miss Sundassa being there. This was so surreal. ::

Rajel: Really? Interesting that so many things are the same like her meeting you or Viktor and the Apollo, but that there are still so many differences. I am sure they will miss you, now that you are gone.

:: Selene looked down, they didn't miss her, she missed them. They were gone before she even left the timeline. Fractured memories of happiness. Because she was here, she changed so much, even when she passed, she didn't think she'd see them again, so she didn't even have that as comfort. Their reincarnations wouldn't even be the same. She was completely cut off from the life she had before the Hunger, all she could do, was hope that Sundassa didn't squander the chance she had, thanks to her. And, possibly create herself a little place to fit in, in this world. ::

Faranfey: They can't miss me...

:: Jal did not have to be an empath to see that she hit a nerve. She raised her hand and placed it on Selene's, holding it gently, she looked at the woman who was so much like Sun, just so much sadder. ::

:: With her spare hand, she wiped away the tears the welled in her eyes, the talk of the past brought up both good and bad memories. The good tainted by the fact that they were taken away by the bad. ::

Rajel: What happened?

Faranfey: :: Looking up at her friend. :: They're :: her voice broke :: all gone, they were gone long before I came back. :: She took a deep breath, she had only told her past to Shel. And since then, she tried not to think about it much because after she got past the anger, that she had no target for anymore, all there was, was sadness. ::

Rajel: :: She swallowed hard. The word could only mean one thing. Cold chills ran down her spine and her voice was a mere whisper:: How?

Faranfey: There was a plague sweeping across the universe, they were called the Hunger... And they devoured everything in their sights. The Apollo was the first to go against them, and Viktor was on the front lines, he did it to protect us all, to try to keep his kid, her kid, from suffering at the hands of them. But, he was among the first of the Apollo's casualties.

:: Jalana's throat closed up hearing the fate of Viktor. She knew in her mind that it was not her Viktor, but that did not matter. Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest, knowing that not only had he died, but he did to protect her, their child, and the Apollo. He had died for them, while her Viktor had killed. What had gone wrong? Could she have done anything to change their fate in this universe? She needed to breath, to stop thinking about that. She could not change the past, no amount of thinking about it could. ::

Rajel: How... ::Her voice was croaky and she cleared her throat.:: How did you get away? And what happened with Jalana?

Faranfey: When it was clear the Apollo was going to fall, Andy ordered me to be removed from the ship. I suspect he did the same for Jalana, but I never saw her again. Shortly after I was forcibly dragged from the ship, I had to watch it fly towards the Hunger's vessel and blow up. :: She wiped away more tears. :: They told me that it was a big win for us, as if that's a comfort to having everything torn from you. They didn't know that it was only delayed the inevitable.

:: She closed her eyes, struggling to keep the tears at bay, as she told her friend what she suffered through. Her struggling was for nothing, because once her friend's arms were around her, the flood gates opened, the tears streaming down her face. ::

::Seeing her friend cry, took every chance she ever had in holding her own tears back. She had tried hard to ignore the tingle between her eyes, the blurry vision but now the salty proof dropped along her cheek that she had lost the fight. It was like she could feel Selene's loss, her pain. She had lost her husband, her best friend, her home. Nothing of that was left. ::

:: But not only her loss. Jalana wondered what had happened to her, well her other her. What had happened to the child? To her symbiont? Was she the last host? Jalana was not able to say a word, her throat was choked up. She just held her friend's hand, closing her eyes as she tried to deal with that sadness washing over her. ::

Faranfey: We thought it was over, there were a few skirmishes during the next few years, but we seemed to be fighting them off... But, we were wrong...

Rajel: Wrong? ::She croaked between sniffles::

Faranfey: Around the same time as we finished the construction of the subspace amplifier, the Hunger reasserted their attacks, like they had been laying in wait for the perfect opportunity. My brother's ship was lost in the battle of Starbase 118, where we tried to pull enough ships together to fight them off.

:: The ship she was on, wasn't able to be there, they had their own battle at the time, which left them broke and in need of repairs. While her brother was defending the station, alongside many other great ships, she was having to attend to infected crew members, and eventually put them out of their misery. Each death, she had registered in her mind as a death that the Hunger had to atone for. ::

Rajel: I... I am so sorry, Sun. ::She whispered merely, for a moment addressing Selene by her real name, this did not feel like it was Selene's story, but the one of her best friend, just in another world.::

:: Selene's tone changed again, she got to the point of her story that didn't sadden her as much, it fueled her anger, and her tone reflected to show that. ::

Faranfey: Jalana, I wished I could have been at that fight, at the time I was killing members of the crew that had been infected. I would have preferred to parish in a last stand, than have to kill people who were innocent. After the loss of my brother, I stopped feeling anything, except anger. The monsters stole everything from me, and I was set out to make them pay. We fought for years, a hunger-ling killed my CO and I took Command. While I wouldn’t have minded dying to be with those I lost, I wanted to make as many of them pay as possible.

:: That Selene was here, made it clear that she had gotten through it. After everyone she had loved was gone, she still had survived. Making everyone pay back usually did not bring that with it. ::

Rajel: What did change, that you managed to get out of that?

Faranfey: I don't know, a little hope. I don't remember who, but someone researched everything they could about the Hunger, having discovered when they first showed up. I always wished they never existed, so I started thinking about what would happen if we could change everything. We didn't have anything to lose if it failed, we were mostly on our own, coming across scattered survivors, but almost everything was gone. My crew was on board, and we made our plans, trying to give ourselves the best shot at success, when we were attacked. At that point, we had to take our chances, make the jump and hope we succeeded.

:: She listened to the story, completely pulled into it. The tears that had flown earlier were starting to dry, leaving salty traces on her cheeks. ::

Rajel: And then?

Faranfey: Our ship was under attack, we had killed a few of the hunger, my crew and I, our ship was in need of major repairs, but we didn't have time to debate, if we didn't take the chance, we would have lost it completely with the way they were coming after us. So I gave the order, and we slung the poor old Victory around the Class G4II sun.

:: The rest of her story was in this time, they had plugged the hole for the Hunger, making sure they would never be able to invade. Which should have prevented her future from coming to light. Sun would have a happy life, but she was disappointed that Jalana didn't. ::

Rajel: So... that is when you landed in this universe. You came to make sure it would not happen again.

Faranfey: Yeah, I wanted to stop it before it started. No one should suffer that fate.

:: Jalana nodded slightly. She could understand why Selene had done it, even though it might not have been inside the rules. Though she did not even know if the other Universe had the same rules. ::

Rajel: You did not really expect to see me again, did you?

:: The question kind of hurt, because she wasn't trying to avoid Jalana, maliciously. She wanted to keep their lives separate, it was the reason she didn't keep in touch with Jaxx, and she didn't reach out to their parents. She didn't want to take anything away from Sun. ::

Faranfey: It's not that I didn't expect to, part of me hoped I would. But, I didn't want Sun to know, and the more people who were connected to her, that knew, the more people would have to lie to her.

:: Jalana could not help but feel a little hurt. She interpreted what Selene said as if she would have never reached out for her, because of Sun. That was not what she expected to hear from her best friend. On the other hand, the woman in front of her was not her Sun. So she should just swallow that. She did not have any right to think, that any Sun from any other universe would ever make herself known to her. That Jal now knew she was here, had been a coincidence. ::

Rajel: Why shouldn't Sun know?


Faranfey: I just don't feel I should be taking anything away from her, this is her time. I had mine.

Rajel: But you are here now, in this time. It will be hard to not cross paths.

Faranfey: It's the reason I avoided the dinner, I would have loved to be there to see Shel get promoted... But I was shocked to see you both there at the dinner.

::That only confirmed that it had been an accident. Of course it was, what else? Nobody could have planned that.::

Rajel: Well you know her, she would not want to stay away for his promotion. And I could not let her go alone and return to the Apollo without her.

:: Selene smiled, she knew Sun, it was the same reason she wanted to be there. Watching Shel get promoted was important. It stung that she didn't get to see it, but that was kind of her fault for not having told Sun sooner. ::

Faranfey: I know.

Rajel: ::She tilted her head slightly:: You are aware that now that I know you are here, I will have an eye on you, right?

Faranfey: And when you say "have an eye on you", you aren't going to be spying covertly, are you?

Rajel: ::laughing:: While we have a good Intel department, no I don't. I mean that I'll be checking up on you, make sure you are okay, calling you sometimes. You are here now, in this world. And in this world I am still around and plan to do so for a long time.

:: That sounded reasonable, but she still didn't want to take anything away from Sun, even if she could have used having Jalana around to ground her all those years. ::

Faranfey: As long as you have room for two of us, don't hold anything back from her though, she needs you. :: Her eyes watered a little again. :: I needed you too.

Rajel: ::She squeezed Selene's hand:: I will always be there for her, she is my best friend. And I will be here for you too. I’ll just have to get used to calling you Selene, I guess. ::She paused slightly:: By not holding back... do you mean that she will hear about your existence?

Faranfey: I imagine it's inevitable, if people are recognizing me, then it's bound to get back to her. But how exactly do you introduce yourself to yourself?

Rajel: I can't really imagine. I guess a "Hi, I am you from the future" does not work very well. But it could be that the blow will be less if she hears about it from me or Shelther. That way she has time to figure out if she wants to see you or not.

Faranfey: What if she can't handle the truth, the fact that Jaxx died, nearly tore me apart.

Rajel: What if she CAN handle the truth? I cannot speak for her, but if there is one thing I can tell you, it is that 'What if's can hold you back to find happiness. You will never know before you try.

:: Selene knew she was worrying herself over how Sun might react, but it was part of her mission, as she had come back from the future to spare her the same fate. ::

Faranfey: I know. I'll have to figure it out, hopefully before you guys leave. But... Speaking about holding back, I think I have a guy who is waiting for me at this point. I don't remember the last time I was asked out...

::For a moment she wondered what Selene meant, but then she remembered Bishop and that he wanted to get drinks with her. She immediately jumped off the chair. ::

Rajel: Oh yes! Bishop. I completely forgot. What are you still doing here like we're having a tea party, go get him.

Faranfey: Whoa. :: She paused and looked at her friend, curious about the sudden reaction. ::

Rajel: I have no idea where that came from. ::She laughed and then shook her head.:: Enjoy your date. And if I do not see you before we leave, I'll call once we are back on the Apollo.

Faranfey: At this point, I know the door is open, so feel free to contact me, and I'll do the same. I'll also let Shel know that you know.

:: Jalana stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the taller woman, pulling her into a hug. She held her for a moment and smiled. ::

Rajel: Have fun.

Faranfey: If I can remember how to.

:: Selene smiled back, before exiting the Chief Medical Officer's office. While the conversation was a bit heavier than she expected, she knew at some point she had to get it all off her chest. She wondered if her PADD still was around, or if the DoTI had destroyed it, all those messages she made for Jalana, not knowing if she were alive or dead, being stored. Hopefully they hadn't gotten through the encryption. ::

:: Now Selene had a man who had tracked her down to confront her, and then to ask her out, to find. Hopefully the rest of the evening wasn't going to be as emotional as the last couple hours. ::

----

LtCmdr Jalana Rajel
Medical Officer
USS Apollo-A

simmed by

LtCmdr Akeelah D'Sena
Acting CO
USS Apollo-A
Image Team Facilitator

And

PNPC Lieutenant Selene Faranfey
Medical Officer

Simmed by:

Captain Shelther Faranster
Commanding Officer
USS Doyle-A, NCC-80221-A
Assistant Statistician, Starbase 118 Academy

[Unique Quotes in Sims - USS Constitution-B]

I could not help but laugh out loud at this gem:

::Nate watched as the brave young ensign stepped out of the group, and put on an act worthy of something he himself might have pulled out of nowhere.::

Wyse: Color? the [...]ed Flexian, never said nuting bout a color. Now you either open the [...]ed door and get him here, or you can just go and tell him to kiss his money goodbye.

::A moment passed, and Nate and the entire team listened, as now two voices argued through the intercom.::

Voice 1: He says he don't know the color???

Voice 2: How can he not know the color?

Voice 1: I don't know, you stupid grunt, maybe we should let him in and ask him!

Voice 2: Maybe he's one of the stupid teens getting high on Vaxo vapors...

Voice: I think you have the vapors, you moron...

Voice 2: Well there's no need to be mean about it...

[Contest: Design Astrofori One!]

UFoP: Starbase 118's Graphics Contest and command staff of the USS Garuda are thrilled to introduce to you the graphics challenge: Design Astrofori One!

This contest is looking for talented creators and graphics wizards among our membership to come up with a wholly unique station design for the Garuda's new base of operations, Astrofori One.

A-One is, however, much more than a simple base. It's a political and diplomatic experiment in the Menthar Corridor, and its mission is to bring together the major and minor powers in the Corridor under the banner of peaceful cooperation and collaboration..

In-character, the station was built by a coalition of races and powers, including the Federation, the Cardassian Union, the Breen, and the Kubarey. It's definitely not your standard Starfleet station, and any winning design will surely have some fun with creating something that we've never seen before!

This challenge will be open through the end of April, at which time judges from the Garuda and the Graphics Contest will decide upon a winner. We look forward to seeing your entry, so get your creativity going and submit your image!

A quick overview:

• The image we have up there now is a placeholder and the actual station design doesn't need to look anything like it.
• The station was designed and built by many of the powers listed on the Astrofori One page, so it shouldn't look obviously Starfleet (or Romulan, or Klingon, or...), but it could include elements of any or none of them.
• Be creative, this is your time to do something new and exciting for UFOP: SB 118.
• Deadline is April 30th

Please make sure to use the "Design Astrofori One" Topic Prefix when you submit your entries, so the different contests are not going to be mixed up. Thank you

[Runner up - Lt. Chythar Skyfire Graphics Contest Entry]

That is much better! Thank you

[Graphics Contest discussion]

Vise versa is fine

[Summer Graphics Contest Announcement]

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 "The spirit of Star trek"! What is Star Trek for you? What does make it special? It can be anything really! Let your imagination run wild.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

• The theme must be included, it's part of the challenge
• The submitted work has to be done by you.
• Any kind of graphic style is allowed. You can paint, use 3D renders, mix different source images, make collages, manipulate photos etc. as long as the final work is completely yours.
• Everyone can submit one image
• The 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 signature
• Image size: At least 600*450 pixel and staying in these proportions (either horizontal or vertical, by your choice)
• Submission deadline is June 22nd
• To 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 page
• The winner will be announced in the news on the website
• We will build a gallery page of all entries with special featuring of the winners, and display the images on our Deviantart page
• And 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 "Summer" 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.

[Graphics Contest discussion]

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

[Spring Graphic Contest Winners Announcement!]

The judging is over and we have our winners!

First allow me to say that all of your entries have been fantastic. It was quite difficult, not to choose everyone as winners. But we had to choose. So here we are!

This time we did not have any entries for the Worldbuilding category, so we chose 2 winners and 2 runner ups from all entries!

Our two winners are: *drumroll*

Tyler Kelly

Talia Kaji

Our runner ups are:

Ayiana Sevo

Nathaniel Wilmer

Congratulations to all of you! And thank you for everyone who entered.

You can grab your badges here. The entries will be displayed on the Wiki and on Deviantart very soon and Talia and Tyler will receive a message from me with their special IC surprise.

A huge thank you also to the judges of the Graphic contestNathaniel Wilmer, Shelther Faranster, Maxwell Traenor and Raissa Moonsong!

[Jan/Feb/Mar Graphics Contest Announcement]

The Graphic contest submission is now closed! Thanks to everyone for entering and good luck!

Winners will be announced shortly!

[Graduating Class of 239203.23]

Congratz on your graduation and welcome to the fleet!

[Graduating Class of 239203.15]

Welcome to the Fleet and Congratulations

[Unique Quotes in Sims - USS Constitution-B]

haha thanks, happy you like it

[JP Avaris Torrin and PNPC Georgio: Stay Fabulous]

(( Salon De Georgio - USS Apollo A ))

::Fleeing the scene of his quarters, where he had just gotten the news that not only was he and Artem to leave the Apollo, but also that the one person onboard who he had really connected with would not technically be considered a ‘person’ at all by most of the ship. He had called for Georgio, whose program designation was, he had just found out, Emergency Holographic Hair Stylist, and a moment later he had appeared in the chaotic disorder of sparkly sumptuousness that was the empty quarters he had likely just taken over on a whim. ::

:: When Georgio appeared in the absolutely fabulous sparkle, his babyblue eyes caught Avaris right away and he smiled brightly. ::

Georgio : Avaris. Don’t tell me I finally got you to succumb to my amazing cutting skills?

::Avaris laughed sadly .::

Torrin: No… I am not here for a hair cut…. I think I have gotten out of that forever now.

Georgio : ::laughing:: You are not getting out of that just because you say it, sweetcheeks. You would look smashing with shorter hair.

Torrin: You know that might actually look good, but I don’t have the time Georgio… I came to say goodbye, Artem and I are leaving the Apollo, he has been reassigned.

Georgio: Oh you are going for a vacation. ::He clapped his hands:: How exciting!

Torrin: … no, that means we are going off of the ship, onto a different ship where you won't be.

:: Georgio tilted his head slightly. He might not have known much about organic lifeforms, but a few things he knew. ::

Georgio: Of course you are, you are not able to breath in space for your travel.

Torrin: No you still aren't understanding… we are going to be on a different ship. A place that is like the Apollo but it is a different place entirely. We will only be able to talk to each other by making subspace calls to each-other, with a computer terminal like this one.

::Georgio looked at Avaris in confusion. What did he mean a place like the Apollo but different? Now Georgio was not stupid. He was connected to the computer in a way organics could never be. But he had his purpose, being an Emergency Hair stylist and Fashion guru, so he did not access the database for anything beyond that. It was just not his interest. So he did not really know, that the Apollo was not the only ship, or the only place to go for that matter. He knew that people looked different. Some had spots, others pointy ears, others ridges on their faces or different skin colours. But while knowing that, he did not completely grasp that they had come from different places, because he did not access that part of the database. ::

::Avaris lead him over to the computer and activated it. ::

Torrin: Whenever you want to talk to me, all you have to do is tell the computer to call me like this.

::He showed him how to find people to call with a search for them by Starfleet ship or facility and name. ::

:: Georgio watched the Trill as he showed him the use of that terminal. So many different ship names, that he could choose from, and on these were so many people, that he could contact with the touch of the screen. The hologram’s eyes were wide as he saw the thousands of profiles skimming by. ::

Georgio: Oh! ::he whispered and did not take his eyes of the display:: Look at all these people! So many poor unfortunate people in need of my fabulous skills!

Torrin : Georgio, I wanted to talk to you about something important, something a bit serious. You realize that you are different from most people on this ship right?

:: The pink haired hair stylist had still gone through lots and lots of ships and planet installations of Starfleet, judging their file pictures, putting them into a priority order of need, when Torrin spoke and he smiled widely. ::


Georgio: Of course. Not only am I the most fabulous, but the others are also organic.

Torrin: Yes… that's right. Most of us can't talk to the ships computer the way you can, we cant see what is going on outside the ship without asking the computer to show us on a screen. We also can’t turn on and off the way you can…. I think you have been turned on for a very long time now haven’t you? When was the last time somebody shut you down?

:: Georgio finally turned to look at Avaris, his head gracefully tilted to the side, his slender arms on the skirted hips. ::

Georgio: You have never asked these things before.

Torrin: Georgio I … I didn’t realize you were synthetic before now, I only learned this today.

Georgio: ::Chuckling:: Am I that convincing that you did not notice?

:: Avaris laughed loudly, at the ridiculousness of the situation. ::

Torrin: Actually no you aren’t at all, I guess I am just not very observant.

Georgio: Well I am here since the Apollo left the dock. Haven’t been turned off since. I did… read is the closest to what you call it I guess... about what you organics do. Sleep. But I have not slept myself. I did ask that lovely pink haired woman Luna Walker for her help though, to change my program so I can turn myself on and off. She also gave me this portable thing, just in case the holoemitters have to be turned off again or get damaged. But I wear it under my clothing, because there is no way to accessorize with it. ::He rolled his eyes in a dramatic way.::

Torrin: I would expect nothing less from you Mister Georgio.

Georgio: :: He grinned further:: I am sure you would like her. She is glorious. And that hair! She let me even style it. You should meet her. :: He looked to the wall panel with all the faces and looked up the personnel of the Apollo and when he found her, he noticed the note beneath.:: Oh. She is transferred to a place called Excalibur. ::His face dropped slightly, the disappointment clearly written in his face.::

::Torrin sighed… it was good that the chief engineer was supportive of Georgio up to now, but how could he be sure that her replacement would be equally accommodating. ::

Torrin: Georgio, I need you to promise me that whoever the new chief is, you won’t let them mess around with you. I don't know who… made you, but you have so much potential and it would be a crime to change you in any way.

:: The babyblue eyes of the hologram were fixed on Avaris’ face, wandering all over it and trying to make sense of the expression on his face, the tone in his voice. What was that about? It did not sound like usual, and it was not anger or sadness. What was it? He tried to compare it to those he had seen around and thought he remembered it in the face of that tanned woman with the red dot on her forehead. In surprise he straightened his head. ::

Georgio: Honey… are you concerned about me?

::Avaris looked down at the pink haired man, a bit sadly. ::

Torrin: Yes, of course I am concerned about you Georgio. We are friends.

:: Georgio looked at Avaris with wonder in his eyes, before he took a long step forward and jumped up, wrapping his arms around the broad shoulders of the man in front of him and just hugged him. ::

::Avaris bristled initially… he was not a person who made a habit of touching. ::

Torrin: Oh! Well…. okay...

Georgio: ::without letting go:: Nobody was concerned about me ever before.

:: He felt himself melting slightly, holding onto the hologram. Was he tearing up? He felt at once ridiculous but also devastatingly sad. ::

Torrin: Well I am concerned enough to make up for it. I'm going to miss you so much.

::They stayed like that for a long few minutes, in silence, just standing and holding each other. Even Georgio had realized by now, what Avaris had meant when he’d said that they were leaving. He was not familiar with the concept of a friend - something Avaris had called him before - but he knew that he would miss the tall spotted man. ::

Torrin: You better not forget about me you strange little man.

Georgio : You are way too fabulous to forget you.

Torrin: And I am going to call you every week and make sure nobody is messing with your program, you hear me? I am putting you in the ships directory before I leave, incase you get too distracted with your fabulousness to call me.

Georgio: You know that can happen easily. I will hope to hear from you soon. And I’ll let the new engineer know, that a big strong Trill will come to defend me if they try to change my program. ::He grinned, still holding on tight. ::

Computer: Incoming transmission for Avaris Torrin.

::Avaris sighed, and letting go of Georgio, he went to the comm panel on the nearest wall. ::

Torrin: =/\= Torrin here =/\=

Dragumov: =/\= Where are you? The shuttle is leaving in 15 minutes. =/\=

Torrin =/\= Okay, keep your shirt on I’m on my way. =/\=

::He disconnected to call, and turned back to Georgio. ::

Torrin: Thats my cue, Mister Georgio.

Georgio: Greet Artem from me, and you both owe me a make-over when we meet again.

Torrin: ::laughing:: And you stay fabulous.

::Avaris bowed dramatically, as though he were leaving a stage, which from Georgios reaction, he found delightful. As he left the room, tears still welling in his eyes, he looked back at the funny little guy, wondering what was going to become of him. He hoped that they would meet again soon, in the brief time he had known the hologram, he had somehow found his way right into Avaris’ cautious and distant heart.::

::But it was time to go, and so setting his jaw, and assuming a determined expression, he made his way down to the launch bay, on to the next adventure. ::

A JP By

Avaris Torrin
Civilian
USS Apollo A

and

PNPC Georgio
Emergency Holographic Hair Stylist (and self declared Fashion Police)
USS Apollo A

Simmed by

LtCmdr Akeelah D'Sena

First Officer

USS Apollo A

[Unique Quotes in Sims - USS Constitution-B]

I know, I totally loved that part