Toni

I don't know about the first officer, but winning over my mentor and my Academy professor seems to be a tribute to their good teaching qualities. Or at least that's the way I look at it.

You too, Ben. I loved the Captain logs.

Yeah, I know what you mean, Salak... so long as I can tinker with the Counseling. I seem to be driving them crazy, or crazier. *lol* Thank you.

Thank you.

OMG! I have not check this thread, and I just got a message congratulating me on winning, and I didn't even know it. I really feel honored considering the tough competition that was represented in all of your stories. Everyone of you are winners in my estimation. Thank you all for the nice comments, and I would like to thank the Judges for giving of their time to judge the writing competition. I'm sure it was not an easy job.

Is that in the same catagory with hand wrenching, sweating profusely, interlacing your fingers so hard that your knuckles turn white, squeezing your hand together until your nails make indentations into your palm, and checking this thread 10 times a day? *lol* Note my rank after two months, Solan. (But it is subject to change at any given moment. I may be back in the academy tomorrow.)

Hehe. Yeah I thought they all were good. But then I am not one of the judges.

And the winner is... Ta da .. Everyone who entered. <<applause>> It was a tough challenge, and it was incredible to see how many ways creativity took us.

No problem, Admiral.

That will be nice. I'll look forward to reading it.

Ah, nice to see you again. Good luck with your entry.

Must be a creative counter. *lol* Hi Solan, weren't you my Academy Professor? *lol*

Mine was short too - 513 words including the Title and byline. It was my first time too, but I don't think it will be my last time, as it's been a good experience.

Okay, thank you.

When will the next Writing Challenge begin?

Oh no! Now I AM scared.

I think that most every writing style was basically covered in this challenge. Heaven only knows which style will be the Judge pleaser.

um.. da ones they chose to judge them. lol In other words, I don't know.

Among the Stars By Toni Turner Counselor Although Lieutenant Riser Plato had been stranded on his outpost for what felt like eons, the distant stars still beckoned to him, arousing his impulses to achieve the impossible, even though the challenges of interstellar travel seemed too futile to contemplate. Not satisfied to sit and only gaze at the stars, he analyzed the predicament. “What is needed is a form of propulsion that will transport a ship long distances in a very short time,” but saying it, did not make it so. Riser looked thoughtfully at his slingshot, hoping that it may spark a vision, but alas, the speed that it hurled the stone did not last. Halfway though flight it slowed, sailed awhile, and then dropped to the ground. “I need a constant source of speed, like a lamp only faster, but there is nothing more accelerated than light.” In his unwavering commitment to the stars, he used critical reasoning, but finally, he realized it was not his legacy to find the propulsion that would put the stars within his reach. He sat down at his desk to make the final entry into his notes. “I shall never see the Heavens so close as to witness a sunspot’s array, nor the explosions of gases spiraling into space. The first-hand knowledge of the planets will always elude me.” “Oh, what I would give to feel that surge of power that would lift me to the ultimate exploration of the tempting skies, and to see the different species which lurk in the far recesses of time and the nothingness of space.” “I will never dematerialize and beam from place to place, nor foil my foes with phaser fire, or be touched by a mind meld. Destiny will not let me see pointed ears, green skin or nubby noses. Rocks will not gravitate as general motion, and birds of prey will not be star ships.” “Blood Wine will never pass my lips, and my belly will not be warmed by a Fanalian toddy. My palate will never savor Owon eggs, and I will not overindulge on Gagh.” Riser, heartbroken by the things he would never see, taste or experience, wept into his hands, “Why does this have to be?” No sooner than the question left his lips, the answer began to emerge from within his soul, and his inner voice whispered, “Look to your hands, Riser.” Sitting up straight, he open his hands, recognizing the tears of his unhappiness. He questioned, “Water, is my answer?” Again a whisper came, “Look beyond the tears of despair to the tangible proof of your years of labor.” Riser’s eyes widened, and for the first time he could see that there was no need to be space. The propulsion to live in among the stars, rested between his thumb and index finger. He wiped the tears from his hands, and poised his pen over a clean sheet of paper, and he was immediately warped into the place he had always wanted to be - Among the Stars where the impossible became the probable that his mind conceived. Completed Work - Revision

Among the Stars By Toni Turner Counselor Duronis II The distant stars beckoned to Lieutenant Riser Plato, arousing his impulses to achieve the impossible, but the challenges of interstellar travel seemed too futile to contemplate. Not satisfied to sit and only gaze at the stars, he analyzed the predicament. “What is needed is a form of propulsion that will transport a ship long distances in a very short time,” but saying it, did not make it so. Riser looked thoughtfully at his slingshot, hoping that it may spark a vision, but alas, the speed that it hurled the stone did not last. Halfway though flight it slowed, sailed awhile, and then dropped to the ground. “I need a constant source of speed, like a lamp only faster, but there is nothing more accelerated than light.” In his unwavering commitment to the stars, he used critical reasoning, but finally, he realized it was not in his legacy to find the propulsion that would put the stars within his reach. He sat down at his desk to make the final entry into his notes. “I shall never see Heavens so close as to witness a sunspot’s array, nor the explosions of gases spiraling into space. The first-hand knowledge of the planets will always elude me.” “Oh, to feel that surge of power that would lift me to the ultimate exploration of the final frontier. To see the different species that lurk in the far recesses of time and the nothingness of space.” “I will never dematerialize and beam from place to place, nor foil my foes with phaser fire, or be touched by a mind meld. Destiny will not let me see pointed ears, green skin or nubby noses. Rocks will not gravitate as general motion, and birds of prey will not be star ships.” “Blood Wine will never pass my lips, and my belly will not be warmed by a Fanalian toddy. My palate will never savor Owon eggs, and I will not overindulge on Gagh.” Riser, heartbroken by the things he would never see, taste or experience, wept into his hands, “Why does this have to be?” No sooner than the question left his lips, the answer began to emerge from within his soul, and his inner voice whispered, “Look to your hands, Riser.” Sitting up straight, he open his hands, recognizing the tears of his unhappiness. He questioned, “Water, is my answer?” Again a whisper came, “Look beyond the tears of despair to the tangible proof of your years of labor.” Riser’s eyes widened, and for the first time he could see that there was no need to be in space. The propulsion to live in among the stars rested between his thumb and index finger. He wiped the tears from his hands, poised his pen over a clean sheet of paper, and he was immediately warped into the place he had always wanted to be - Among the Stars. Completed work

*lol* Optimist, arn't ya. Well, maybe.. Heston is quite a colorful character. *lol*

Russ, was "Wake the Counselor with a chant of the flying monkies" what you were doing came in my examination room? What a trip! *lmao* Still don't know why you wouldn't drink the saline solution. I think I will write a book and call it, "Heston - Unleashed." *lol*