Jalana

((Message handling subroutine, LCARS, USS Constitution-B)) LOG: 239808.12, 11768 messages processed, 134 identified as spam or fraudulent, 245 with incorrect addresses (rerouted), 12 undeliverable; 11 sender notified. ERROR: Cannot deliver message "Quantum Tunnelling Event Danger." Recipient record corrupted. Recipient rank: Lieutenant Commander. Recipient name: corrupted. ERROR: Cannot notify sender of message failure. Cannot record match sender; "Dr. Hfie" at High Energy Particle Systems (Starfleet laboratory, Earth). Note: possible partial match; Eyra Hfie, PhD (particle physics); DECEASED, 239304.11. Evaluation: unlikely, no indication of time-delay delivery. Disregard. ERROR: Cannot deliver message. Retracing message route. ERROR: Message origination route trace failed: mismatch of identification serial number on subspace relay Alpha-54-Bravo-112. ERROR: Message header corrupted. ERROR: Message signature corrupted. SEARCHING: message content. ERROR: message corruption, estimated 89%. ANALYSIS: Attempt message reconstruction. PROCESSING. RESULT: Message partially reconstructed. Reconstruction confidence: low. MESSAGE: [...] do not [...] error in Higgs [...] calculation[/calculator] [...] ANY CIRCUMSTANCE [...] consequences. [...] import[/importance] [...] fix this and try [...] until then [...] before. I owe you [...] MESSAGE END. ANALYSIS: possible phishing attempt–threat of danger, identity theft of expert, corrupted message, mismatch of metadata. CONCLUSION: Delete message, send metadata to Starfleet for operational security. Noted in ship communications log. MESSAGE DELETED. —— LCARS Message Handling subroutine as simmed by Lt Commander Lazarus Davis Chief Science Officer USS Constitution-B IDIC team member ASDB team member C239510LD0 (he/him, character) (they/them, writer)

(( Cetacean Labs, USS Constitution-B )) If anyone who didn’t frequent Cetacean Ops happened by, they would think the ship was at red alert or something was wrong given the gray blur that darted up and down the length of the tanks. A blur of dolphin energy that barrelled past fish, coral, kelp, and other dolphins alike and one traumatized eel that had spent two solid minutes in a vortex of dolphin excitement as Sarek zoomed around the tanks. Eventually the gray streak settled in one area upon spotting a familiar face and he bumped his nose up against the transparent aluminum and wiggled his left fin at a confused and amused looking Tann. Ilix: Well someone’s excited. ::He smirked:: Sarek: Sarek excited! Sarek got to speak to Zindee and is invited to visit planet! Sarek gets to swim in another ocean!! Being Ambassandoor is the bestest! The Tandaran’s brow raised slightly and his smirk only widened at the exclamation from his aquatic friend. Ilix: Ambassandoor? The dolphin nodded his head rapidly and swam in a loop before settling to stare at his best friend with his right eye. Sarek: Yes! Pod mother knows Sarek and is letting Sarek go to mating ritual! He couldn’t help but chuckle. Ilix: Wedding. Mating rituals are something different for most people and rarely involve spectators. ::He said dryly:: I’m glad you’re happy, Sarek. And that you get to go on an away mission. The dolphin was swimming in slow circles and bobbing up and down until he heard his friend say that last bit. He pressed his snout up against the tank and stared at Tann. Sarek: Wait…only crew go on away missions. Is Sarek part of crew? Tann couldn’t help but give the dolphin a confused look. Ilix: I suppose so. If you’re an Ambassandoor now that would make you part of the crew. Sarek just stared at his best friend for a moment then the speakers were filled with a cacophonous wailing of excitement. He swam up to the surface, for air and breached quite high, startling a researcher before diving back down to his friend. Sarek: …of crew! Today is second bestest day of Sarek’s life!! ::He squealed:: Ok, he just had to know. Ilix: Second? What’s the first? The dolphin looped around and looked at him with his left eye this time. Sarek: Meeting pod mother is bestest day and always will be!! ::He pressed up against the tank:: Because pod mother already knew Sarek! Chirps, pops and other excitable dolphin noises flooded the other side of the tank causing Tann to chuckle. Ilix: I’m glad you’re so happy, Sarek. Sarek swam up and wiggled his tail at Tann a moment. Around the tail, snuggly wrapped was a small band that was fitted to his tail in such a way that even his swift swimming couldn’t dislodge it. Sarek: Sarek finally got a shiny!! It’s only for Sarek to go to planet, because Sarek was told this helps crew keep track of Sarek. ::He looked at Tann:: It is only tempourairy! But Sarek don’t mind, cause Sarek is finally special like crew and has a shiny! He swam slowly in circles bouncing and bobbing around as he gleefully showed off the transporter armband that had been modified to fit on him and for underwater use. Ilix: I’m proud of you, Sarek. I have to report for my shift, but I’ll drop some tuna up above before I go. Sarek squealed and nodded to his friend. Sarek: By bestest friend Tann! Sarek will tell you all about wed-ding! ::He waved a fin at his friend:: ((Timeskip- A few minutes)) Several minutes passed before another one of the crew sought him out. One of the Cetacean Ops friends approached the glass. T’Ral: Greetings, Sarek. ::He gave the dolphin the customary Vulcan greeting:: Are you prepared to beam to the surface? The dolphin swam up to the Vulcan and nodded playfully. Sarek: Yes!!!! Sarek is ready to be Ambassandoor!!! A brow was raised as one would expect. T’Ral: Fascinating. ::He nodded:: Very well, we are beaming you down along with our Xindi guests. So you are aware, we are unable to beam you directly into the water as of yet, so we will be required to beam you in the air above the surface. ::He looked at the dolphin:: Or you can wait until we have deployed the buoys to facilitate a more accurate beaming. Sarek: Sarek not want to wait! Can you beam Sarek way in the sky!!! Sarek hasn’t been in the sky before! The Vulcan shook his head slightly. T’Ral: We are going to beam you as close to the water as possible. We cannot send you down to high above, without potentially injuring you. Sarek: Sarek want to be beamed as high as possible!!!! Pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa….. As he exclaimed his pleading he swam back and forth in circles. Sarek: ……eeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee There was an audible murmur from the Vulcan as he raised a hand. T’Ral: I shall inform them to beam you as far as is safely possible from the water’s surface. Will that suffice? Sarek: …..eaassseeee….Oh, yes, Sarek is okay with that!!! Thank you, TeeRal! TeeRal Bestest Vulcan!!! T’Ral: As always, your praise is appreciated if unwarranted. I am merely doing my job. ::He tapped the shiny on his chest:: =/\= Cetacean Ops to Transporter room two. We are ready here. As per request, please transport Sarek as high as is safely possible above the surface of the target area. =/\= Sarek scooted up against the tank staring at his bestest friend and waited impatiently. He had been told before that for them to beem him down to the surface he would have to remain still. Transporter Chief: =/\= Understood. Standby, I’m locking onto the transporter band now. Setting transport coordinates to several meters above the target site. =/\= ::There was a too long pause:: =/\= Energizing. =/\= Sarek bobbed a little in place and then he felt this strange, funny tingling sensation along his whole body. The water lit up with a blue shimmering light. It was like what he’d seen when the guests had come aboard. He was doing it! He was boldly going where no dolphin had gone before!!! ((Several meters above the ocean surface, Daaka)) The weirdest sensation he’d ever felt concluded with that blue shimmer fading away and the first thing he noted as the last bits of that light disappeared was the lack of buoyancy. Sarek saw sky, all around him and water everywhere as far as he could see below him! Sarek: Sarek is in the sky!!! Sarek had been told that the shiny they gave him would also let him still communicate with his shipmates attending the wed-ding. Gravity of course was instant the moment the transport cycle completed and the dolphin dropped out of the sky many meters above the water. As graceful as he was in the water, out of it in the sky all he could do was flail around while he flew. Sarek: Sarek can fllllyyyyyyy!!!!!! ::He exclaimed with his mouth open wide and fins and tail flapping wildly yet majestically:: The pops and clicks that rambled from him were but a drone in the air as he fell straight towards the water and hit the surface in the most exquisite of splashes. Bubbles rushed up from the impact and his exuberance before he darted back up to the surface and breached as high as he could. The happiest dolphin in the universe at that moment! Sarek splashed back into the water, which felt strange. It was hard for Sarek to describe how it felt. Thicker and almost itchy. It felt like how the water did sometimes whenever the eels in the tank got all upset. Efluvian/Nimo/Fyen: response (optional) ================================================================ Sarek The smartest Dolphin/Ambassandoor As simmed by Lieutenant JG Lystra Tactical Officer USS Constitution-B NCC-9012-B SB118 Podcast Team Writer ID: A239410TR0 https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Lystra

Yep pretty much that!

This subject line... I knew I was doing something wrong. I need to melt more feet!

HAHAHA

New scale for happiness. Are you happy, or are you Sarek not asking for extra tuna happy?

Sweet Sarek!

Now I really want to see like laminated pictures glued to the helmets.

I swear Talia could make the kids believe that

Man I can't wait that people will listen to me

Congratulations everyone! Very well deserved

Congratulations to all of you. I am so proud of everyone, you all are doing amazing work and it's such a pleasure to be working with you! @Sal Taybrim @Jo Marshall @Kali Nicholotti I'm so bloody proud of you guys I've had the chance to write and/or work with you guys. You've been a constant since I joined or have gotten one through the years. The support we give each other, the random chats and brainstorming we share make my days brighter and better. I'm happy to call you my friends. Thank you for all the hard work you are doing, it makes the world of a difference! ❤️

Congratulations everyone! Brilliant achievement!

(( Crew Lounge - USS Constitution-B )) Like an imperious statue, Senior Commander Nugra stood in front of the large bay window of the Crew Lounge staring out into space, arms folded behind his back, unmoving as if he was a Gorn made of stone. His only good eye stared out at the stars. Shedet had only stopped by the Crew Lounge to look for Ohnari (who was probably hiding) when she saw him. The Orion girl had a history with this damnable lizard. It all came home when she had been given her cadet pin and the fact that she was back on track to become an officer. It all started with him. Noting that Talia was not here, Shedet made to quietly leave but did not get a step out of the room. Nugra: Do you have a moment, Cadet? oO kelfa. Oo He must have saw her in the reflection of the glass or smelled her. Gorns had a strong sense of smell. With the Orion swear world ringing in her mind, she turned back towards him. He still was still, not having taken away his gaze. Of course, she could have told him no and walked away. Just like she did when he asked her to carry his vss'Kot dagger. But the girl knew she could not keep running away from him. Shedet had to face him. Shedet: ::neutral:: Of course, Senior Commander. Walking slowly but pointedly to his side she turned to face him and crossed her arms, blue eyes searching the scarred face. The patch with the stylized spider was facing her so she couldn't see the predatory glint of his eye. It took a moment for him to speak. Nugra: I wanted to congratulate you on earning your position at Starfleet Academy. That is no easy feat. Shedet: ::coolly:: Thank you. Do you have a problem with that? The Gorn paused which Shedet felt was way too long. Nugra: No, I do not. My opinion does not actually matter but if it means anything to you, I was wrong in how harsh I was with you back then. I should have tempered my response in punishing you, then you may have never given up your pips. Was...was the lizard apologizing? Any sort of decorum left Shedet's mind. Shedet: Are you apologizing to me? Cause if you are, it's a poor job of it. For the first time, he moved turning to face her and Shedet jumped in surprise. Now that turquoise eye was focused on her. Nugra: Yes. I apologize. There are many things I wish I could undo. You, my unreliability with Kaji, not being there for my daughter--- Had the Gorn's voice shook at the mention of Iria? Shedet knew the girl, had seen her fight back in her Victory days. She remembered that it took a team of security to take her down when a poison caused her to loose control. Shedet: Is Iria alright? Nugra: ::sigh:: She is alright. Returned to the Dryarian a few days ago. I learned something that has made me re-think a lot of things. The cadet kept her mouth shut. She was going to avoid prying because they did not have that type of relationship. Is anything, it was antagonistic. But he continued. Nugra: Do you remember Janel Tarna? Shedet: Cute trill who kept screwing up everything he touched? Yeah. Heard he went to Unity Station. Nugra: ::nods:: yes. Where he was murdered by Iria. Well, that was NOT what Shedet was expecting. She opened her mouth a few times to say something but nothing would come out. All that was there was utter shock. Her mind raced but nowhere in particular. Shedet: I'm sorry. Nugra: Thank you but it is something I have to deal with. I was not there for Tarna. I even blocked his request to return to the Symbiosis commission due to the possible encounters with...the Extinction-one protocol. Memories flitted across her mind which Shedet did not even give a chance to re-surface. She knew what that was and that needed to stay buried. Shedet: Well, there was a good reason. Nugra: But I wonder if I took the time, I could have somehow made it work. The issue was not either, I did not take the opportunity to even try. And like that, I gave up. I quit. I resigned. The ex-pirate had not been there for when the USS Victory had been decommissioned but she had heard that Captain Nugra had stepped down from command and had vanished within the bureaucracy of Starfleet. A rising star among ship Captains and then gone without a trace. Shedet did feel for him. Having been left behind as his peers had surpassed him. Many retiring with honors, others reaching flag officer positions. This lonely, sad Gorn had been left behind. Shedet: ::softly:: I'm sorry. Nugra: No need. Shedet: I know what it feels like to watch everything you strive for vanish. The feeling of being left behind. I know your past, Nugra. :: Goddess, she didn't use his rank. she knew how much he hated that.::. You were the darling of the Gorn Princess, you fought in the Civil War, lead your people as a Grand Admiral. You served Starfleet as an officer facing threat and threat, you got your own ship and now. You're here with only your memories. The Gorn did not say anything but he gave a small nod in agreement. Nugra: I charted this course so I'll live with the destination. Shedet rolled her eyes. Shedet: Don't let Jalana hear you say that. She'll kick your ass. That did get a chuckle from the giant lizard. Shedet: My people have a saying. "If you don't like where the ship is going; take the bridge and chart your own course." You're here now. Where are you going next? Before anything else could happen, her PADD chimed letting her know that she had a few more things to do before her shift started. Shedet: That's all the wisdom for today. I've got to hunt down a hot Hallian and and see if we can setup any lunch plans. I gotta make friends where ever I can. Nugra: Jalana? Shedet: You betcha. I'll see you around Godzilla. Using the nickname given to him by the 5 year old Benji so many years ago, Shedet skipped out somehow feeling a little bit better than when she arrived. PNPC Senior Commander Nugra Intelligence Officer USS Constitution-B & Cadet 2nd Class Shedet Science Officer USS Constitution-B NCC 9012-B V238008N10

((G’Renn Family’s Quarters - Deck 12, USS Constitution-B)) Anath looked in the mirror and straightened her combadge. In a few minutes she’d have to make sure her nephew had gotten up the first two times she had checked on him and get him ready for school. With Savok needed in the lab early for a project it was up to her to take Rol’Q for his first day of school. Then she’d have to go to her own duty shift in sickbay. After checking her reflection one last time she put on her teal lab coat and turned to the door. When she stepped out of the bathroom, their golden retriever Ug’yel was already at her feet. He whimpered and tried herding her across the room and to the replicator. It was time for breakfast for the dog. Savok had already replicated breakfast before leaving early for his work in the arboretum based on the food ready on the table and the note in flowing Vulcan script sitting on the counter. But first, the dog needed to be fed. Anath stood at the replicator and looked down to Ug’yel, excitedly pacing in front of her. G’Renn: Ug’yel, ba’. Ug’yel sat as directed, waiting patiently to be given breakfast. Anath turned to the replicator and gave it an order to replicate Ug’yel’s favorite blend of dog food while he watched eagerly. G’Renn: Computer, replicate Canine Supplement 47. A small glass bowl materialized in the replicator alcove. She picked the bowl of food up and set it down on the ground in front of the dog. While he ate, Anath crossed the main living area and approached Rol’Q’s room. She briefly knocked before pressing the door activator. When the doors parted, she was glad to see that he was already awake and dressed all on his own. G’Renn: Ready for school, puqoy? ((Translation: Klingon term of endearment for one’s child.)) Rol’Q was sitting on the edge of the bed, letting his feet swing back and forth and tap against the frame of the bed. It wasn’t the usual, animated sense of joy she expected from him. Something was wrong, and she had a sneaking suspicion as to what it was. Rol’Q: Do I have to go? Anath sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed next to him. G’Renn: Yes, you still do have to go. I know that preschool on Vulcan wasn’t fun. And that you liked your school in San Francisco. But this is home now. We’re all together again. So this is where you’ll go to school now. Starfleet life was difficult for anyone to adjust to. Especially for children who were already used to a different lifestyle. Within the space of a little under two years he had lost his parents, come out to the Par’tha Expanse to stay with his aunt and uncle, then move to Earth, then move back to a different ship in another region of space. For a Starfleet officer used to sudden and uncontrolled changes in environment it was normal. Not so much for Rol’Q. Rol’Q: Why did we leave the Chin’toka? G’Renn: That’s how Starfleet works. Sometimes we go between different ships. And each time it’s a new adventure. Do you remember your first day at the school on Earth? That had been even more of a headache. Before then, Rol’Q’s main experience with school was a Vulcan early learning program. She knew all too well that doing things the Vulcan way often meant that those hybrids and other species who indulged in emotion and did not strive for perfect logic could feel somewhat left behind. But that evening Rol’Q had come back excited to tell her and Savok every detail of his day at school. Rol’Q: Yeah… G’Renn: This’ll be just like that. You’ll get to meet the other kids on the ship and meet your new teacher. ::She wrapped her hand around his and gave a reassuring squeeze.:: Can we at least give it a try for today? Rol’Q: Ok. Anath could pick up on his unease through her touch telepathy, though she didn’t make too much of it. She glanced down at the boots that her grandfather had gotten for Rol’Q. The laces were still untied, leaving them only lightly secured. G’Renn: Alright. Breakfast is ready once you’re done getting dressed. Do you need help lacing your boots? Rol’Q: I can do it myself! She nodded in recognition of his determination to tie the shoes on his own and got up from the edge of the bed. Out in the main room she picked up a plate and helped herself to some breakfast. Sliced gespar and mapa bread toast with a Vulcan jam spread on top. She paired it with a cup of mint tea fresh from the teapot sitting on the counter. As she ate, Ug’yel sat by the door, having finally gotten the message that he was not to hover directly under the table while his people were eating. Anath recycled her plate in the replicator and sank onto the couch. She watched the dog, still waiting in place and praised his patience before summoning him over. G’Renn: maj! ::Patting her knee:: chol! The golden retriever bounded over to her and set his head on her knee. She pet his head and scratched behind his ear, earning a wagging tail of approval. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Rol’Q walk over to the table and climb up into his chair. He had his toast and pre-cut gespar along with a cup of orange juice she had set out. Once he was done he hopped down from the chair, leaving his dirty plate on the table. Rol’Q: I’m ready! G’Renn: What do we need to do first? Rol’Q looked confused for a second before looking back to the table, and then to the replicator. Then it clicked. Rol’Q: Sorry! He rushed back over to the table, picked up his plate, and brought it over to the replicator. It was a little high up for him, but with arms outstretched he could barely place the plate in the alcove of the replicator to be recycled. A habit they had been working to instill in him. G’Renn: It’s fine. That’s something we need to get in the habit of, though. She reached for the controls to recycle the dish before Rol’Q raised his hand and blurted out a question. Rol’Q: Can I do it? Anath nodded and picked him up, giving him enough of a boost to reach the control panel. Rol’Q pressed the appropriate button and the plate was dematerialized for spare energy. She set him back down and did one last check of the room for anything she was forgetting before heading for the door. Rol’Q: Bye, Ug’yel! With that the doors slid closed behind them and they were off. Rol’Q held onto her hand as they headed for the turbolift. Rol’Q’s assigned classroom was on Deck 8. Which would also leave time to pick up an order of raktajino at the Brew Continuum on the way to her shift in sickbay. Rol’Q: Can we go exploring after school? There was the excitement that came with living on a Starfleet ship again. While being a Starfleet brat meant a life of uncertainty and change, it also brought with it a very interesting environment to grow up in. Anath was an adult and liked to consider herself fairly tranquil. Even still, she was frequently excited by the view out of the windows and the thrill of being out in space, the final frontier. There certainly would be no shortage of places to explore, even if some areas were obviously off-limits to Rol’Q. G’Renn: I think we can make that happen. Lieutenant Commander Anath G'Renn, M.D. Medical Officer USS Constitution-B & Rol’Q, Son of Kolrriq Civilian USS Constitution-B ===as simmed by=== Ensign Rachel Flores Engineering Officer USS Constitution-B A239402AG0

(( Ohnari’s Quarters - USS Constitution-B )) Finding the real liquor was probably not a wise thing. After having a long thought about what she wanted to do with her life, she had decided. The best way to make this type of decision was tipsy. That was why she was standing in front of Talia Ohnari’s quarters. She would recognize her, of course, she would, but at least the last time she had shown up to acost her, they left on good terms. The Orion rang the bell and waited until it opened. Grinning at the dark-haired woman who answered, Shedet shoved the extra bottle of wine toward her. Shedet: I…::hiccup::...have come to kidnap you again. Talia had confirmed that this blonde Orion, was the same blonde Orion that had taken over a passenger transport and made her miss the majority of her 7th brother’s wedding. She had planned on confronting her and demanding to know what she was doing in Starfleet….but she followed Cade Foster’s lead. He seemed to trust her. As did the Commodore. So..she decided to watch, and make her own opinion… Ohnari: ::brow raise, crossing her arms against her chest:: oO So much for my opinion…Oo Uuh…no? I’m kind of in my pajamas. As if the fuzzy tribble slippers and matching T-Shirt and shorts were a valid reason to prevent kidnapping. Shedet: For fun this time. Loooonnnnnggg story about how I am here….and how you’re here….but I gotta get my stuff from an Orion matron who is NOT going to be happy with my choices. Thought you’d like to stick it to them again and I need the help. Loooong story that wasn’t that long. She enlisted in Starfleet, end of story. And she assumed the drunk little greenie in pigtails in front of her had done similarly. Ohnari: And who exactly is going to be flying the runabout…? Seems a little dangerous given your current…uh…state. And didn’t we just avoid getting shot at ?? Shedet: Dangerous? Nah…maybe. Depends on their aim. This pseudo pirate woman was going to get herself killed. Her eyes rolled to the skies and she prayed for guidance. The deck plating didn’t answer. Tossing her hands up in exasperation. Ohnari: Alright, get in here. Give me five minutes to change. Shedet: Sure! (( Cargo Deck - Starbase 104 )) Getting to the cargo section of Starbase 104 was not difficult. The difficult part was convincing Ohanri to leave her commbadge in her room. What they were about to do wasn't quite legal. Well, retrieving her possessions was legal but not how she was going to. The cargo section of the station was massive and filled with interconnected containers and large cabins that were sectioned off for offices and storage for the many companies and independent freighters that came and went. It was Yadon Shipping that she as targetting. Matron Ishiv used it as one of their fronts. Starfleet Intelligence knew as many Cartels let it be known in case SFI wanted to hire them. That status created an uneasy piece which meant Shedet's plan had a lot better chance of succeeding. The Orion guards were not going to want to open fire with their weapons too quickly as Starfleet Security would descend on them. Now, the two heavy double doors ahead were closed, a cargo skiff humming quietly by the door with a few plasteel containers on it. Two guards stood there, burly and strong with no weapons but Shedet knew they could hold their own. Both she and Ohanri were crouched behind a few abandoned containers that were haphazard on the gangplank to the Yadon Shipping headquarters. They were in the open air section of the station so the wind blew while a few skiffs and a shuttle would fly overhead towards another part of the station. Crouching back down and looking to Ohnari, Shedet thumbed over her shoulder. Shedet: Alright, that's our target. Two guards on the outside. More than likely three or four on the inside. Matron Ishiv isn't here so we don't have to worry about her entorage. Ohnari: ::glaring:: Oh is that all? Why didn't you say so. I'll just waltz up to the door and politely ask for your stuff back then. She was grumpy. Awoken by a crazy lady in pigtails half drunk and forcing her on a reckless adventure in the name of "fun" does that to you. Shedet: ::smirk:: You're going to distract them in that outfit? Glancing down at the off color jumpsuit she snapped her eyes back up. Wasn't this whole thing her plan?? Ohanri: ::bitingly:: Well my stars, I've seemed to have left my tactical bikini back on the Conny! Although the damndest part about it, she wasn't wrong. Hissing out in frustration, Talia yanked out the band in her hair, shook out the ebony waves while angrily unbuttoning an alarming amount of buttons and shoving her arms out of the sleeves. Tying them tightly around her waist, she glared with as much venom as she could, half crouched, displaying a tight undershirt wide band of skin, and suit hugging her hips. Ohnair: I swear if I die like this, I'm coming back to haunt you. Shedet just grinned Suffice to say, Ohnari was better at it than Shedet had thought. They were distracted long enough for Shedet to sneak up and render them unconscious with the subtle “slam their head into the side of a crate” maneuver. The office was dark and dusty. It appeared that it had not been used in quite awhile. The low watt safety lights were on which gave enough shadow for them to creep through. Shedet led the way knowing Ohnari had her back. Why and how the Orion could not figure out but her brain was still a bit clouded from the alcohol. The adrenalin though was slowly clearing it. Peering over a parked skiff that was powered down and looked as if it hadn't been moved in a few years, Shedet knew her stuff would be in the room between the guard shack and the empty office. Motioning quietly, the two crept to the storage room, gently opened the door, tried to will the squeaky hinges silent, and slid in. Shedet looked at the pile of stuff in the room. Shedet: Okay! My bag is gonna be green with blue stripes. Talia was absolutely certain this was some kind of elaborate prank. At any moment now, the crew of the Conny was going to jump out and shout "SURPRISE!!!". Anything to scrub the memory of trying to distract the guards by asking them if they had any spare tool grease to lend her….Shedet could not have knocked them out any faster. Ohnari: There isn't a bomb in there or anything…is there? Shedet: Nah. Nothing so exciting. Trying to be as quiet as possible, her heel caught the side of a crate, trying to muffle her cry of pain, Talia shoved her face into the nearest thing she could find: A green bag with slightly faded blue stripes. Ohnari: ::hushed:: I uh…found it I think. The Orion shifted through it and nodded mostly to herself. Everything was there. Her gauntlet, clothes, everything she had planned to take before changing her mind. Shedet: Now…the office. To erase our presence. Having made their way to the office, pushing aside a civilian stun phaser that was laid there, Shedet quickly tapped on the computer bringing it alive. It only took a few minutes to bypass the ancient security and wiped the log and cameras of their presence. She set the reboot for the next 20 minutes. If they were lucky, no one would realize what they had done. Shedet: Alright. I've got the camera footage wiped out. We just need to make our way out the way we came---- The door opened and the duo found themselves standing in front of an older Orion with dark head and an intricate crown that advertised her status as a Matron. Ishiv: ::confused:: Shedet? Shedet: Frak! Without thinking about it, she grabbed the phaser from the desk, checked the setting at a glance and fire dropping the woman where she stood. Ohnari: ::eyes widening:: I thought you said she wasn't going to be here! And you just shot her??? Habitually, the doctor in her shook off the shock and inspected the now prone figure for life signs. Of course they were there, and strong. Shedet: ::panicking:: I don't know! I thought that was the best option. That's my old Matron I'm trying to avoid. Ohnari: I gathered. Based on the gaudy hat of hers…do you always shoot first or are you just showing off for me? Shedet: Fine. Next time we raid a Syndicate base and run into your matron, I'll let you decide. Ohnari: ::barking out a laugh:: Right. As if I'm ever gonna get in a turbolift with you ever again after this. Can we go before there are more unexpected visitors?? Then, a thought hit her. Her face broke into a devious grin. Ohnari: Wait- Quickly Talia dropped down and snatched the ornate crown off the prone woman's head. Ohnari: ::grinning:: Souvenir. Shedet grinned back at her new friend. Shedet: Great minds! With that, they scurried out the door to the surprise and alarm of the new Orions that had arrived. Suffice to say, none of them knew what was going on in the dark and by the time they had figured it out, Shedet and Talia were long gone. The two threw themselves into the industrial turbolift and it began its descent back to civilization. Shedet slumped to the floor, turned to look at Talia and then laughed. Shedet: Okay. That was more chaos than I intended. The adrenaline was coursing through her veins, so much that for the last hour, the logical part of her brain just completely shut down in utter protest. Ohnari: When DO you intend chaos…? Because I want fair warning so I can hop through the nearest wormhole to avoid it. Shedet: Don’t give me that. You thoroughly enjoyed that. ::pointing to crown:: Not to mention you’re turning into a pretty good pirate. Talia grinned and placed the ornate crown haphazardly on her head and gave a haughty wave. Ohnari: ::adopting an overly snooty accent:: I simply have no idea of what you speak, my dear. I am a model citizen. She burst into a fit of giggles as she slipped off the ridiculous crown. Shedet: Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that. You just showed me you got a wild side. We’re going to be best of friends. Just like I thought we would when I kidnapped you. Ohnari: ::smirking:: Just how every solid friendship begins, on a foundation of felonies and escapades…. --- JP By… Ensign Talia Ohnari, MD USS Constitution-B C239205ME0 & Chief Petty Officer Shedet Science Officer USS Constitution-B V238008N10

While Jalana Rajel was not vain, she really liked the designs of her former host Famed Trill Fashion Designer Zindara and once more opted for one of her former designs. Rajel delivering ethereal goddess realness!

Constitution, Captain's Quarters There were not as many times as Jalana wanted that she could spend time with Siance. Through circumstances, some coincidental, some planned by the young woman, she had found her way to the Constitution in search of her father, just to find out that her father was dead and the symbiont who had been in him was now on the Commanding Officer of the ship. It was complicated, but it was now part of their lives. Both Jalana and Siance were aware that they walked a fine line, after all connections with their past life were not exactly within the rules of the Trill Comission. But the work at Starfleet at times made it necessary to bend these rules. Jalana wasn't telling and they made sure to not just 'pick up where things had been left off', which was easy because the former host had never known about the child. Siance though wanted to know about her father and through these stories they had formed a friendship. Every now and then Jalana and Siance met, had dinner or just sat around exchanging stories. Siance cuddled up on the couch, her feet pulled up as she watched the woman before her. She looked young, wasn't shabby or anything, on the contrary. She was beautiful, her smile was contageous, she was kind and her crew loved her. But yet, she was alone. The younger Trill leaned forward, her chin on her knees. "How comes you never married?" She had heard of relationships in the past but never so much a mention of that. "I did." Jalana smiled and Siance rolled her eyes. "Not former hosts, you." The heavy exhale filling the air, immediately weight down on Siance, wondering if she asked the wrong thing. "I almost did." broke the silence and the young woman curiously leaned forward. "What... happened?" Jalana picked up the glass in front of her and leaned back in the seat, pulling her legs under her body. "Do you want to hear the nice version or the truth?" There was another moment of silence in which Siance was considering if she was ready to hear the truth. Because that question would not have been asked if the answer wasn't difficult. But then she nodded, there was no doubt. "The Truth." Siance was a counselor. Not Jalana's but she would not shy away from difficult answers. Jalana nodded slightly and rolled the glass in her hands. "I should have known." A weak smile played on her lips before she leaned her head back, looking to the ceiling. "His name was Viktor. It was eight years ago..." (( Flashback )) The Apollo was destroyed, Borg had surprised them during their mission, overwhelmed them and it was a miracle the ship was the only loss. Their transition ship, the Aegis had served them well and now it had been time to move to their new ship on the Apollo-A. Jalana stood in her quarters. Not just her quarters, hers and Viktor's and looked around a smile on her lips. She had started to decorate while he was off doing whatever he was doing. They had arranged to meet here after transition because he had things to do. And she trusted him. They were engaged and what kind of future marriage would it be without that? That arrangement had been made a week ago. And she was still waiting, doing her work as Chief Medical officer, exploring and stocking her new sick bay, working on getting her team ready for the virgin mission of the new sovereign ship. These were exciting times but when she was here in the quarters she had nothing to keep her busy, occupied and distracted. What took him so long? With a sigh she kicked off her shoes and dropped on the couch, turning slightly to look out of the window, seeing metal bars that held the ship in position and behind it Station 1. Maybe she should get over there and try to keep her mind off things. But instead she wanted to stay here, wait, wishing that the doors opened any moment and he would stand there with his cocky smile and tell her that he just had a few too much to drink with his buddies and got carried away. Or anything that would make sense really. What was going on? The sound of the door bell tore her away from that sight and she jumped up, calling out "Come in!" but when the doors opened the familiar sight of her best friend and First Officer came into view. Her heart dropped and her shoulders slumped. "Oh you." "Not really the greeting I was expecting" Sundassa uttered as she entered, but it was expected, after all she knew the situation. Jalana sighed and turned away again looking out of the window "Sorry. I thought it's Viktor." She didn't see that guilty look in Sun's eyes. "If you want a drink feel free to get some." It didn't take more than that, a moment later Sun was behind her, handing her a class and Jalana took it without protest, taking a sip, without her eyes moving to her friend. She felt bad, guilty for being disappointed that it was her and not him and couldn't look at her. Her free hand began to fiddle with the hem of her sleeve. "How are you enjoying shore leave?" "We had a nice time." We meaning her and Jaxx, they had started dating not too long ago. Jalana nodded a hint of a smile on her face as she looked over her shoulder. "I'm glad. You work a lot, time together is important." Sun's bright hair moved, a nod, which Jalana only saw from the corner of her eye as her gaze wandered to the window again. The silence hung in the air and Jalana didn't have to be an empath to have the feeling that this wasn't a social visit. Something was wrong, Sun was too serious, too quiet. But so was she. One did not have to always talk when spending time with friends, right? She could be wrong. "Jalana." The tone in her voice. No she was not wrong. "Can you put your glass down for a moment?" Jalana did not follow the request. Sun seemed to realize and took a deep breath. "Something happened that you need to know." The Trill merely nodded. She was listening. The Antosian sat on the armrest of the couch as she continued to speak. "Before we went to the Aegis, something happened on Earth. Faelrun Lanius III and his associated were murdered, their mill destroyed and the doctor that was in charge of Mary Anne McCollough Lanius was attacked." The moment she heard the name Lanius Jalana stopped any movement. For a brief moment even her breathing stopped. Viktor's father. She remembered visiting the family and a fight she had observed between Vik and his father, the way his mother had been apathic in the hospital barely recognizing him. He had blamed his father for that, for putting her there, getting rid of her. The fight had not ended well but when they left everyone had been alive. "We'll have to tell Viktor when he comes. He'll want to know." The silence did not last long. "There is only one suspect and he was tracked down based on evidence found. It took me a while to get any information which is why it took so long to come to you." Sun's words made no sense, Jalana's heart breaking for the loss of her fiance's father. "Why me?" "Jalana... The suspect." She paused and took a deep breath but Jalana immediately spoke up. "No." trying to stop her when she tone gave her a suspicion. Sun gave her a moment before continuing. "Viktor was that suspect and has been arrested on Starbase 1 when he was on the way here. Shelter saw the arrest. Jaxx tried to find out more to figure out what happened but... Jal. Viktor was cut loose from Starfleet." Silence. Nothing but silence was in the air now, swallowing the words to give them an immediate stop. Jalana didn't breathe, like a first that wrapped around her heart and begun to squeeze. Nothing in her mind until just one sentence formed, flowing in a whisper over her lips. "That is impossible." Memories of the visit, the shouting, the screaming the threats made by both man flashed through her mind like a thunderstorm ready to swallow her hole. With each moment she remembered a voice whispered into her mind. .oO Yes, he could have done that. He hated his father. He said he is dead to him. Oo. The voice echoed, repeated whispered the same thing over and over. She didn't know for how long she stood there, just staring out of the window without seeing anything she just stood there, not able to believe, not able to grasp. "Jalana. Are you alright?" What a stupid question to ask someone who had just heard that the man they trusted with their life, and wanted to marry, had ... "I am fine." She whispered. "You don't seem alright, are you sure you are alright?" It wasn't the question, or that she had asked before. Not that alone. But the whole situation. The fear for life when meeting the borg, the worry about Viktor, the stress of her department running smoothly and these news crashed down on her like an avalanche, crushing her small frame completely under it. She wanted to fight, not suffocate, but the weight made her body heavy as stone. Her lungs suddenly struggled to breath and she gasped for air like a drowning woman on the ocean. She wanted to paddle, to swim... and at the same time the heat seared inside her body. Without control, without thought she pulled her arm back and smashed the glass that was still in her hand against the window where the vessel shattered "I SAID I'M FINE!" That one scream took all strength out of her and her legs collapsed, with that the whole body following and she found herself on the floor. In silence at first but then her whole body screamed at her in pain and she let it out, whailing. The immense pain of loss tearing through the Trill, threatening to rip her apart. "NO! NO! NO!" She screamed, so heart breakingly deep from the depth of her shoul, her whails reminiscent of so many funerals she had visited before, as the world swallowed her down, losing all sense of time and herself, only the texture of her fabric drilling into her knees, leaving marks that would leave long before she would be able to breathe freely again... (( End Flashback )) "After that, I only remember what Sun told me. She had called her brother Shelter and Nyals our Counselor for backup. I was calmed down with a hypospray and slept for days. Only a few days later I got the news that he was found guilty on all accounts and would spend the rest of his life in a penal colony." Siance stared at Jalana in disbelief. Not in her wildest dreams she could have imagined something like this would happen especially not to Jalana. She didn't know what to say. Maybe she shouldn't have asked. Jalana pulled her legs closer, her fingers rubbing over her knees. "Sometimes I can still feel the imprint on my knees, the texture of the shirt I wore. I'll never forget the way it felt in my hand that day. I still can't wear it without thinking of the pain." There had been someone after him. Which also had not worked out. And maybe, who knew. Maybe the memory of that pain was what had held her back. Would it ever leave?

Poor Talia and her missed haggle!

Smartypants

It was quiet. Far too quiet. And dark. How did it get so dark? Suddenly, there was light everywhere. Her arm raised involuntarily to block the sudden and near blinding light. Now, the room was filled with an excited buzzing as a loud, larger than life voice boomed somewhere above her. Announcer: Gooooooooddd evening ladies, gentlemen, and undeclared!!! Tonight is an ultra special night oooofff....INTERGALACTIC MASTERCHEF!!! The excited buzzing turned into a fever pitch of cheering and applause, the light above her narrowed and focused directly on her, all other lights kicked off. A hush fell over the unseen crowd. At least she thought it was a crowd, it had to be, based on the noise level. Where was she? And how did she get here...? And...was she wearing a chef apron?? Announcer: In this special event, we've brought you someone straight from the Halii homeworld, Miss Talia Ohnari!!!! Again the unseen but very much heard crowd roared to life. Where was she?? And Intergalactic masterchef? Was that show still on...? Besides, she was a baker...was this some sort of prank? Announcer: Aaaand in this ultra-special prime time event, we've got our reigning champion....THE BUTCHER BOSS!!!! The light above her was still blazing hot, but about thirty feet away another bright light kicked on and there was a dark robed, faceless figure with a bloody chef's coat raised his meaty fists in the air, before bowing to the crowd. Dear Gods this could not be real. She tried pinching her leg, but somehow she just couldn't move. Frozen in the beam of light. Announcer: Now that we've met our contestants let's find out about ouuurr ::booming:: SECRET INGREDIENT!!! Again, the crowd was explosive with excitement. Alright. She could do this, she could make whatever was needed and find a way to get out of here and back to....back to....wait, wasn't she just on the beach?? Glancing down, she realized she was in her swimsuit and barefoot under her chef's coat. Ohnari: What in the.. Suddenly, she wasn't on a stage anymore, the spotlight was gone, and she was in a kitchen. The strangest kitchen she'd ever seen. It looked more like a morgue...and why was it freezing? instinctively, her hand tried to find what should be her communicator, but it was just a chef coat. A blank, communicator free patch of white. Announcer: Now, we all know the rules. The chefs have not been given any clue as to what it was....::a loud groan fluttered across the room:: Well....Butcher Boss may have helped us procure it....Sorry there Tali, winner's prerogative... Ohnari: It's...uh...ok? The dark hooded figure let out a menacing laugh that seemed to cut right through her. Announcer: So, if our chefs will please remove the table cloth we caaaan....::the crowd roared to life:: GET TO COOKING!!! Again, all the blinding light and cheering. Barely able to find her own hand in front of her, she was suddenly holding a table cloth in her hands and looking down on....OH GODS. A scream ripped through her. There, in a metal box, was a Trill Symbiot. And not just any Symbiot, it was Rajel. Clambering backwards, the sounds of utensils and pans crashed all about her. The crowd was again deafening, and suddenly the darkened figure was right in front of her. Stepping out from behind him, was a completely healthy looking Commodore. Well...mostly healthy. Jalana appeared next to her with a gaping hole haphazardly across her stomach. Jalana: C'mon Tali, you don't have to worry, I'm fine without him. Butcher Boss was surprisingly gentle. Besides, I've heard it tastes of chicken! (( The Space, Starbase 104, Several Days After Arrival )) Screaming, Talia shot up from her previously reclined position on the cushioned lake chair. Around her, the light had partially faded. It was a dream. A dark, shockingly disturbing dream. She'd never felt so confused and terrified in her life. She reached up to try and check her own pulse when a half eaten cucumber and Andorian pickle sandwich fell to her lap. Ohnari: YOU! Betrayed by that sweet, salty Andorian brine. She tossed the sandwich away as if it was burning her and stood, shaking off the last vestiges of that horrific pickle-induced nightmare. --------------------------------------------- Ensign Talia Ohnari, MD USS Constitution-B C239205ME0

(( Starbase 256; One week prior to arrival on the Constitution )) Cohen: I'm shipping out in a few days. Seth hunched over the comms panel, his face lit only by the screen and a lamp set to its dimmest setting in a nearby corner. A duffel sat beside him at the foot of his bed, already packed. Only a few stray odds and ends were left to be packed before he was to leave the station and arrive at Starbase 104 for his new assignment aboard the USS Constitution. The face on the other end of the call simply nodded, pursing his lips in that way he often did when he was feigning happiness. Or pride. Or anything, really. It didn't matter. Seth didn't expect much, anyway. Cohen: I've been assigned to Engineering. His father did give a hint of an actual smile this time but seemed to catch himself and take a deep breath, returning quickly to his usual, stoic self. Why was it that he did that? Why couldn't he just let himself feel? Abraham: That's good, son. Seth paused, not sure what to say. Cohen: That's it? That's good? I've graduated, Dad. I'm a bona-fide Starfleet officer now, and the best you can muster is, 'that's good?' Abraham sighed and shook his head. Abraham: Well, it is. You've done well for yourself, it seems. Seth gave a sigh of his own and sat back in his chair. He brushed his hair back from his forehead, clasped his hands between his knees, and leaned forward again. Cohen: I was surprised to be assigned to Engineering, you know. Abraham: Why? Cohen: It was never my favorite discipline, to be honest. I honestly saw myself in security, or tactical maybe. But, Engineering? Abraham: Well, clearly they saw something in you, son. Seth nodded. He knew that was about as close to an "I'm proud of you" he was going to get from his father. In the background, Seth heard a dog bark and Abraham motioned "one moment" to the camera before standing and exiting the frame. oO I honestly don't even know why I try anymore. Ever since mom died... Oo Abraham came back into frame and settled into his chair. Cohen: Let me guess. You gotta go? Abraham: ::nodding:: Rebecca is here. She just got back from Risa with Susan. I have to help unload the transport. Becca's pretty worked up after being gone for two weeks. Cohen: You know, Dad, I've been gone for two years. You didn't even make it to the grad- Abraham: I know, son. Look, I was thinking... let me know when you get settled and get some shore leave and I will come visit? It'll be good to see you. Cohen: Sure... sure, that sounds good. Seth knew it wouldn't happen. What's more, he knew he didn't want it to. His relationship with his father had become more and more strained these last few years, though neither of them ever really spoke of it. They just kept going through the motions, for better or worse. Usually the latter. Most days Seth was okay. It took a conversation like this to send him plummeting back to that place he'd been three years before. Back to that terrible day that he'd just as soon forget. He wondered whatever had come of that memory technology he'd heard that the Daystrom Institute was working on. Or maybe it had just been a rumor. Anson: =/\= Anson to Cohen. You comin', buddy? =/\= oO Finally! Oo Cohen: =/\= Cohen, here. Yeah, I'm about to head your way. =/\= Abraham: Looks like you gotta go. Cohen: Yeah. A few of us are getting together for a last hurrah before we go our separate ways. Not sure where Anson is landing yet, though. I'm hoping he can get assigned to the Constitution, but we'll see. Abraham: I hope he does. A hand found its way to his shoulder. Seth guessed it was Rebecca's but she didn't lean in to say hello, so he couldn't be sure. As she walked away, Abraham turned back to the camera. Cohen: I'll talk to you later, Dad. Abraham: Bye, son. The screen abruptly changed to a simple blue screen with the Starfleet logo and the words: END TRANSMISSION. Seth breathed a sigh of relief that he'd made it through the conversation without an argument. At least there was that. Cohen: ::tapping his comm badge:: =/\= Cohen to Anson. I'll see you in five. Save me a seat at the bar. Ensign Seth Cohen Engineering Officer USS Constitution-B C239904SC3

I want to listen to that music!