Toni

Welcome Ensigns! Great to have you with the Fleet!

Congratulations, Ensign Finnegan and Ensign Quartz! We're very glad to have you in the Fleet!

Congratulations, and welcome to the Fleet!

Congratulations! Welcome to the fleet!

Congratulations Ensigns Berkowski and Goi! Great to have you aboard the Fleet!

Congratulations. Evanna. Job well done! Welcome to the Fleet.

Congratulations on your win.

(Thunder, Deck 10, Flight 93) :: Arriving a little early, the Chief went to the Replicator and ordered a cup of tea. As he expected Isaac to call or turn up soon, he decided to show good manners and wait until the Lt. was also there before ordering lunch. Finding an empty table near the windows he took a seat, setting down his mug and reading from his Padd. A reflection on the devices screen made him turn his head. Outside the planet was easily visible as it stretched away under the ship and the Space Dock. Wispy clouds strips blocked parts of the surface from view. :: :: It was on the verge of a small wonder that he had not only remembered the meeting, but also managed to arrive with time to spare. He turned back to his Padd, waiting for Green to call him. Be low the planet turned slowly. His tea grew cold:: Green: =/\= Green to Lieutenant Mc Ghee=/\= Mc Ghee:Without looking up from the Padd: =/\= Mc Ghee here.=/\= Green: =/\= I’ve got a hungry spot for a cheeseburger. Are you ready to eat?=/\= Mc Ghee: =/\= I am already in the Lounge waiting for you Isaac. =/\= Green: =/\= Excellent! I figured you would be head first in a Jefferies Tube somewhere. Did you have to ties somebody to a bulkhead so you could get away? =/\= Mc Ghee: =/\= No, I just managed to get away a bit earlier than expected. The planet looks good from up here. =/\= ::There was a pause in the communication as Isaac assimilated what Jaxon had just said. :: Green: =/\= Just to confirm… did you say ‘up here?’ I thought we were meeting down on the planet.=/\= ::Mc Ghee frowned, taking his eyes from his Padd. He needed a moment to realize what the Marine had said. Down on the planet? Well they hadn't actually said which lounge they wanted to meet at:: Mc Ghee =/\=Oh! I thought we were to meet In the 93 Lounge; I'm aboard the Thunder!=/\= :: A smile broke across Isaac’s face. He had lost track of who he was talking to for a moment. Of course Jaxon would be on the Thunder, where else would he be. :: Green: =/\= I’ll beam to the Thunder and meet you there.=/\= Mc Ghee: =/\=Wait a sec, I just need to check the Embassy's position.... ::typing on his Padd:: Your in luck mate, the Embassy is just about in range. Do you want to beam here? =/\= Green: =/\= Yes, sir. It’ll be nice to have lunch on the Thunder. =/\= Mc Ghee: =/\= Okay Isaac. Chief Mc Ghee to transporter Room 1 lock onto Lt. Greens combadge and beam him to the Flight 93 Lounge=/\= ::Transporter energy enveloped Isaac and within a few seconds he was standing in the lobby of the Flight 93 Lounge. The aroma of foods throughout the lounge made Isaac’s stomach growl, and he realized he was starving. He saw Jaxon sitting at a table near the windows and Isaac walked across the room to meet him. Outside the windows, the docking pylons of the Laudean dry dock were visible and the worker bee service craft dutifully worked on the necessary repairs. Isaac took a seat across from the Chief Engineer. :: Green: It’s good to see you, Mate. How ya been? Mc Ghee: :Playing it down: Oh, a normal day. How are you Isaac? Green: I recon I’ve been worse. I think my head’s still swimming from all the stuff that’s been going on over the last couple of days. Mc Ghee: oOUnderstatementOo I think I may be able to understand. ::One of the lounge staff came to their table to take their orders. Isaac ordered a double cheeseburger with bacon and fries. He ordered a chocolate milkshake to go with it and a cola for the drink. Jaxon ordered a light selection of vegetables, a mix stir-fry of various meats and a further cup of tea. The waiter headed off to prepare their meals. Turning back to Jaxon, Isaac’s tone took a serious note.:: Green: I need to ask. Was anyone in your department hurt during… Mc Ghee::hand raised, face neutral:: We came through… with a few minor bumps and bruises. oOI got a big headache and mild concussion, but there you go.Oo Green: I’m glad you’re alright. You know I wouldn’t have done that if… Mc Ghee: Isaac, forget it. ::Laying weight into the following words:: You weren't yourself. Green: Thanks, Mate. That means a lot to me. ::There was a brief and uncomfortable pause in which neither men looked at each other. The silence had a quality that even Jaxon felt he had to fill.:: Mc Ghee :quietly, looking at the planet: Sometimes things just happen. ::Isaac had turned his eyes toward the table top out of fear of admonishment by his friend. When he heard Jaxon’s words, his heart lightened several degrees and he looked up. He had served with Jaxon since their check-out examination on Starbase 118, and it had been a pleasure to continue to serve with him on the Ronin and now the Duronis II Embassy. The thought of damaging their friendship, for any reason, made Isaac’s stomach churn. When he looked up he saw Jaxon still looking thoughtfully out of the window, but there was a rare smile on his face. Mc Ghee turned and Isaac couldn’t help but smile back.:: Green: What are you smiling about? Mc Ghee: Memories and Friendship, and Two Freshman Cadets. ::Giving a even rarer laugh:: Do you remember how eager we were as we arrived at 118? Green: Do I? Holy cow I was nervous. Commander Tallis intimidated the hell out of me. ::Their shake down mission had been on a holodeck simulator which placed them on a frozen planet, much like their first real mission on the Ronin and Tyberius VI. The mission had tested them, and they had achieved high enough marks to earn their way onto a starship. As luck would have it, they were assigned to the same ship. It was definitely they best of both worlds.:: Mc Ghee: And the Breen and the Ronin? I would have loved to get to know her better. Green: Get to know who? ::Then realization set in:: Oh, her... The Ronin, yeah she was a great ship to serve on, even if it were for a short time. Mc Ghee :Nodding thoughtfully: Yeah…and look at us now. I’m learning to run a department and never fix a [...] thing, and you’re no doubt running through training plans and going through the files of your Marines…. ::Jaxon fell silent while his ears caught up with what his mouth had said without his brain’s intervention while he rode on the wave of his memories until it broke painfully onto the beach of reality. The silence that followed was denser than a black hole. Mc Ghee kicked himself for his meaningless chatter that had disturbed wounds that had likely not even started to heal.:: ::Isaac saw Jaxon's facial expression change. It was almost as if he had bit into his lip while he was talking about... then it dawned on Isaac what Jaxon had said, and he realized Jaxon had made a statement about what had happened on the Thunder. Isaac looked across at his friend.:: Mc Ghee:quietly, avoiding eye contact: I am sorry Isaac. Green: Jaxon, it's alright. You only stated the obvious, and that *is* my job. Yeah, it still hurts, but it'll pass. I've been beating myself up over this for days, and I have to get over it. There was nothing I could do. It was me, they were my mines, and they were *my* Marines. If I could go back and do it all over again, you [...]ed well know I would have found a way to do something different. What kills me, Jaxon, is that I can't help but feel people look at me different because of it. ::Isaac realized he had become more exuberant with every syllable he spoke. When he finished speaking, his finger was against the table where he had been poking at it emphatically as he punctuated the words. His anger had, once again, almost gotten the better of him.:: ::Mc Ghee sat for a moment, his friends response ringing in his head. The anger and pain in Isaac’s voice was evident, but so was his frustration at his helplessness. Isaac had been forced to act against the very fabric of his soul and that went further than mere words could express.:: Mc Ghee :still quietly: You, Marines and Mines? You were physically present, yes. But that wasn’t the Isaac Green I first met, ::louder:: the one I met, covered my back while we were on an enemy planet. He prevented a disaster that may have taken the lives of innocents. He even stood up the minute he was free again and offered his assistance without regard to any reprisal that may await him. Things went wrong Isaac, but you did everything right. You didn’t commit those crimes and in my mind…:even louder:…to hell with anyone who says otherwise! :: Isaac was quite taken back by his friend's exuberance about his innocence. He had been worried he had damaged their friendship before he arrived in the lounge, and now he was sure Jaxon would punch anyone in the mouth who questioned it. :: Green: ::Forcing a smile to his face:: Calm down, Chief. You'll get us thrown outa here. Mc Ghee:calmer, quieter: We all have our ups and downs Isaac. But when the bad times turn up we quickly forget the good things we were privileged with. Let us not dwell on the past as it can’t be changed. oOAt least not easily.Oo Green: True that, my friend. History is history, and that's all there is to it. What matters to me is how you, the command staff, and one other person feel about the person I am. Everyone else will have to either get over it, or learn how to work around it. ::As if propelled by some kind of higher Cosmic Power, the Waiter arrived with their order and began placing plates and glasses on the table. His presence seemed to temporarily break the somber feeling that had descended at the table. As the waiter walked away, there was no pause in the consumption of the food set before them. They had to have been hungry, because neither of them spoke much as they ravenously inhaled their lunches.:: JP by, 1stLt. Isaac Green Team Leader 3/7 Marines K Co UFoP Embassy Duronis II & Lt.(jg) Jaxon Mc Ghee Chief Engineering Officer Embassy Duronis II

Welcome back to the group Nathan.

Great going, all of you. Welcome to the Fleet! Or in your case, Julio, Welcome back!

Welcome all of you to our group! I look forward to seeing you around the fleet!

((USS Thunder, Sickbay, CMO's Office)) Saveron: =/\= Doctor Saveron to Lieutenant Green.=/\= Green: =/\= Green here. Go ahead, Doctor =/\= Saveron: =/\= It has come to my attention Lt. that your medical review is still outstanding. Might I suggest that we utilise the time before our exit from the Duronis system to remedy that? =/\= Green: =/\= Sure, Doc. I’m just finishing up with the security arrangements. I can be there in ten minutes. =/\= Saveron: =/\= Understood. Saveron out. =/\= <A few minutes later> ::The door to sickbay swished open and Isaac entered and headed for the CMO’s office. Doctor Saveron was waiting for him.:: Green: Alright, Doc. Let’s get this over with. ::The Vulcan doctor stopped fiddling with the hypospray on his desk and rose to his feet in polite greeting as Green arrived.:: Saveron: Certainly Lt. Computer, privacy lock on CMO’s office. ::On command the door slid shut and locked and the large transparent aluminium windows opaqued.:: Saveron: I realise that you are busy Lt., so I will be brief. Please stand still. Green: ::Smiling:: Alright, doc. Whatever you say. ::Rather than run through the usual questions he asked his patients, the Vulcan doctor simply picked up his tricorder from his desk, snapped out the sensor from it’s base and approached Green, standing rather close to him with minimal consideration for personal space as he began the scan.:: ::The doctor made several passes with the sensor, starting low and working his way up. Green was a big man, almost as tall as the Vulcan and far more muscular; the kind of build often described as ‘intimidating’. But then, it was somewhat expected from a head of Marines or Security. :: oOHe will meet my requirements.Oo ::Finishing his scans up at eye level, Saveron glanced at the screen of the tricorder, then for a moment grey eyes met blue as long fingers released the sensor, splayed in the characteristic conformation, and quick as lighting the doctor had his hand on Green’s face. As he moved he dropped the tricorder from his other hand and braced his forearm against Green’s chest, pushing the man firmly against the bulkhead.:: ::Compared to the muscular marine the Vulcan might be a long streak of nothing, but his people had evolved on a high gravity world, they possessed several times the strength of Terrans.:: ::Green tried to push the Vulcan off of him, but it seemed the surprise of the attack and Saveron’s sheer strength overwhelmed him. He clawed at Saveron’s arms as the Vulcan pressed his hand to Green’s face.:: Saveron: My mind to your mind… oO My thoughts to your thoughts.Oo Green: Saveron, what the…? ::His voice trailed off as he tried to scream. The thoughts in his head became jumbled in a kaleidoscope of colors. The flood of thoughts that came to him stabbed at his consciousness like a thousand razor sharp knives. He felt his body go limp and his arms fell to his sides. A blinding white flash sparked in the thin line of consciousness and the world disappeared into the darkness.:: Saveron: oO Oh no you don't. Oo ::With a force of will the Vulcan's mind dragged up Green's consciousness, prevented him from retreating into the blessed dark, even as he went through the man's mind like a hot knife through butter, all his most intimate thoughts and feelings laid bare. It was swift and cruel. People tended to forget that in the Vulcans' violent, war-like past, not all of their weapons had been metal.:: Saveron: oO I have a purpose, and you will share it. You will obey me, you will do as I command, you will protect me at all costs and you will speak of this to no one. Oo ::It wasn't a question, it wasn't a demand, it was a compulsion, forcibly worked into Green's consciousness and fixed there with no care for the man's sanity; he would have no choice in the matter, his responses to Saveron would be instinctive.:: ::Green took in several short breaths. He felt like there was no air to breathe, and the weight of a thousand worlds was resting on his chest. He thought to struggle, but the thought left him, replaced with the desire only to obey. He felt his body submit to the will of Saveron, and he vowed in his mind to do everything the Vulcan told him to do.:: ::Once he was certain that the compulsion would hold, the Vulcan withdrew his consciousness from Green's, still pinning the big man to the wall with one arm as they both reeled slightly from the after-effects of the mind meld. Only 'mind meld' was too kind a word for what the doctor had done; it was mind rape, plain and simple.:: ::One-handedly Saveron groped for the hypospray on his desk, pre-loaded with doses of lexorin, a drug which enabled a more rapid recovery from the meld. He pressed it to Green's neck, and then to his own. Finally the Vulcan stepped back, releasing Green, and straightened his uniform, breathing deeply.:: ::Life giving air filled Green's lungs once again and the world began to come into a skewed focus. The ringing in his ears subsided and he heard Saveron's voice come to him as if in a dream.:: Saveron: Mister Green, I have duties for you. Green: As you wish. Saveron: You will go to the armoury and requisition for yourself a phaser rifle and a riot shield. You will also obtain my box with my traditional weapons in it. Conceal the rifle and the shield in the box for transport. Green: Understood. Saveron: When the USS Thunder reaches open space beyond the sandbar you will bring the weapons and meet me at the turbolift outside Sickbay. Do you understand? Green: ::Nodding:: I understand. Saveron: Computer, release privacy lock. ::The windows became clear once more and the door of the office slid open.:: ::Thoughts… only thoughts, darkness obscured by light. The swirling river of light whispered to him in a barely audible blur of words. Green stood staring without sight at Saveron, his back against the bulkhead in the CMO's office. Saveron’s voice came to him, but it wasn’t Saveron’s voice at all. He croaked an answer, and the voice he spoke with wasn’t his either. The thoughts in his mind surrounded other, more conscious thoughts; suppressing them in lieu of the more urgent ones.:: Saveron: You are dismissed. Green: It will be done. ::Green turned from Saveron, the Vulcan releasing him and allowing him to go. He knew what had to be done, he knew his destination. The directions had been given to him by the Vulcan. He had to follow the directions, he had no choice. His only directive in life was to follow the orders from Saveron. Nothing else mattered.:: ::Leaving the examination room, Green walked past the medical staff without so much as a sideways glance. They were insignificant, unimportant beings to him. He only had one goal, follow the directions. Do not falter. He left sickbay, turning left and walking down the corridor toward the turbolift.:: ::Saveron thoughtfully watched Green walk away, then bent and picked up the tricorder and it's sensor from the floor. On the desk nearby Fluffy cowered in the furthest corner of it's carry-cage.:: A JP by 2ndLt. Isaac Green Team Leader 3/7 Marines K Co UFoP Embassy Duronis II And Ensign Saveron Acting Chief Medical Officer Federation Embassy, Duronis II USS Thunder

((Duronis II, Govinda City)) ::A young male with a blue hairline and mid-brown curls cropped short walked sedately through the crowds of the square, his grey robes with the characteristic graceful black embroidery at the collar marking him as an apprentice of the Fielding League, learning to control his abilities and use them to heal and to feel.:: ::The occaisional cluster of people moved sedately out of the way of the young man, though they payed little enough mind to him, far more to the pair that walked behind him. Of a comparable height but more lightly built, they moved with a practiced grace and elegance, their white robes heavy with embroidery in grey and occaisional threads of silver matching the band of bright white skin across their foreheads, contrasting with the delicate lemon complexion of their cheeks.:: ::Platinum blonde hair fell to their shoulder blades and golden eyes glanced casually about them, and moved on. Their faces were elfin with high cheekbones and sweet, full lips. They were graceful, they were undeniably beautiful and they were unmistakable. Everyone had heard of the Twins.:: ::Multiple births were rare enough amongst the Laudeans, their rapid gestation meant that one was often lost early on. But Ahma and Pattel Berindi, already parents to talented children and League members themselves, had the best of antenatal care. Their midwife was lauded for bringing both babies to term, even as Ahma lost her life to give them theirs; for they were not just twins, but twin lomales and so doubly rare. The news had spread like fire.:: ::Adults now, they had proven to be talented Fielders, and engenderers of talented Fielders; they were the pride of their Coven, and no one doubted that they were destined for greatness within the League.:: ::Just now they were curious, and their perambulation took them in the direction of the Embassy. The trio paused a measured distance from the gates and regarded the green-clad alien guards dispassionately, noting the lack of Laudean-like pigmentation and the dark glasses that hid their eyes.:: Artran: The Federation representatives arrived yesterday evening, by all accounts. ::Jhe said quietly, speaking to jhaes twin.:: Arlon: So I see. As did Prime Minister Chandra. Artran: So it begins. ::Jhe observed, in a ‘there goes the neighbourhood’ tone of voice.:: Arlon: How will they compare, I wonder, with the Romulans? Artran: We shall see. They are not one species, it is said, but many. Arlon: So I have heard. ::They considered this for a long moment.:: Shrithna: It is said that they do not have lomales. ::The blue-foreheaded apprentice ventured.:: None of them. ::The twins shared a bland look.:: Artran: It is also said that they are Blind. Arlon: Clearly their lack is to their detriment. They should be pitied. ::Jhe glanced over at the apprentice.:: Shrithna: Of course. ::One did not argue with them.:: ::Another look passed between the twins, and Artran flicked jheas glance to the apprentice for a split second before lifting jheas chin a fraction of an inch, a signal which between them could mean ‘no’, ‘it is beneath us’, ‘I don’t want them’ or ‘I’ll defer to you’. In response Arlon lowered jheas chin by the same fraction, which held the opposite meanings. Artran raised jheas white brows and lowered jheas eyelids ever so slightly, a look which held a thousand meanings, but in this context was clearly ‘you have absolutely no taste or discernment’.:: ::They were not telepathic, no Laudean had that ability. But they were identical twins who had never been separated, and so perhaps the next closest thing. Certainly the signals were so slight that no one else readily interpreted them, and often they were not even needed. Each could predict what the other was thinking, it was usually the same thing. On a few instances they differed, this was one. Shrithna was Arlon’s apprentice, though the boy had rapidly learned that to serve one was to serve both. Artran did not consider him sufficiently talented, or respectful.:: Artran: Their ‘Federation’ professes respect for other cultures and practices. They can do no more damage than the Romulans. ::As jhe spoke the twins turned in unison to walk away across the square to a nearby fountain ringed with scented shrubs.:: Arlon: They would find it difficult to do worse. But even their presence may damage our ways. If other species have no lomales and no Fielders, the young may think that we should ignore those gifts which nature has given to to us, and to no others. Artran: They would be foolish… but I concur. Arlon: Already there are signs that our heritage is being lost. Young lomales who shun the League. Couples who think it a chore to involve us, that we are something to be sent for like one sends to the shop for some sincha. They have forgotten the Art of Seduction. Artran: Have they, or have we? Arlon: The path is trod both ways. Artran: Then let us show them. Our traditions must not be forgotten. And there are those who bare reminding. ::As one the twins looked along the broad thoroughfare of the city, towards the government buildings, and without a word passing between them they stepped out into the flow of pedestrians once more, leaving Shrithna to hurry, unreguarded, behind them.:: Artran and Arlon Berindi Laudean lomales Members of the Fielding League As simmed by Ensign Saveron Acting Chief Medical Officer Federation Embassy, Duronis II USS Thunder

Welcome to the group, Ensign Walker! we're happy to have you with us.

Congratulation Ensigns Re'Maru and Sullivan! Welcome to the Fleet!

Yes, and congratulations! We look foward to seeing you around the Fleet.

Congratulations to the both of you! I look forward to seeing you around the fleet!