Serala

Totally beat me to it, @Dekas!! Definitely NOT liking this character already! @Kettick 🤣 (I really am, though)

Great job to everyone! You all are what makes this fleet so special! Special congratulations to my crewmates (and some former crewmates) who got awards this year: @Toryn Raga, @Noa T'Nessa Levinson, @Zephyr, @Arys , @Vitor S. Silveira, @Yalu and @Artinus Serinus!!

Congratulations, everyone! Well deserved and thank you for all you do for the community.

Whoo hoo! Congrats @Ashley Yael!

Congratulations to all our winners! Well deserved, each and every one of you! And many humble thanks for the Community Champion Award. I totally did not see that one coming.

Congratulations to everyone who won! Well done!

I absolutely love the way @Kettick just drops this line in almost deadpan. Best scientific description of a dragon I have seen in a good long while.... Bravo!

You might wanna check with the last person who tried to kidnap her. Last couple, actually. snaps fingers Oh wait, you can't because they're not breathing anymore. 😂

Well, this was masterfully written and a fun read. Things are definitely getting spicy on Denali. ((Holodeck 3, Deck 4, USS Juneau)) Katrina had chosen a quiet little restaurant in Paris, near the Eiffel Tower. With the sun setting, it was the perfect setting for a romantic evening for the two lovebirds. Kendrick: ::looking around:: I’m going to miss this, y’know. Pelley: What? Paris? Kendrick: ::chuckles:: I meant the holodeck. Having the opportunity to just simply step through those doors and enter an entirely different world. The chance to escape, if only for a few hours, from the real world. Pelley: I don't know. ::shrugs:: Who needs a holodeck when we’ve got the real deal down at the Ring? Kendrick: Well, for one, the city still needs a lot of work if it wants to live up to the real deal. Other than the gym there aren't any other facilities available for some r&r. Pelley: Trust me, six months from now and we'll be dining in one of the many restaurants of Denali. Or hey, maybe even watching holomovies with a bag of popcorn. Kendrick: That sounds rather optimistic. Pelley: Why shouldn't we be optimistic? Isn't that part of our job description? Kendrick: ::smiles:: Perhaps for a medical officer. But for us, Security folk? We always have to be prepared for the worst case scenarios. Pelley: But that doesn't mean you can't be hopeful about the future. She was right of course. He smiled at her as he placed his right hand on her left hand. Kendrick: You're right. I'm sorry if I sounded a bit bleak. I guess I still have to get used to our transfer to Denali Station. Pelley: And there's nothing wrong with that, so don't feel like you have to apologise for it. He smiled and nodded. Pelley: Let's order something to drink. Champagne? Kendrick: Why not? His eyes were fixed on Katrina as she signaled one of the waiters. Waitress/T'Lea: Are you ready to order? John froze as he heard her smoky voice. oO This can't be… Oo Pelley: We'll have a bottle of champagne please. Two glasses. Waitress/T'Lea: Very good. Would you like to hear the specials? He shook his head, terrified to even look up. Waitress/T'Lea: No? Katrina looked across the table at John, wondering why he suddenly looked so jittery.. Pelley: ::at the waitress:: No. I mean yes. Yes, of course we’d love to hear the specials. ::at John:: Right? Kendrick: Mm. With one eye he tried to catch a glimpse of the waitress. But as soon as he saw her long black hair and pointy ears, he immediately cast his eyes down at the table, clasping both hands together as if he was praying to wake up from this nightmare. What the hell was she doing here? And was she even real? Waitress/T’Lea: The Chef has prepared two dishes to delight your palate today. The first is a delicate crepe, filled with a classic combination of spinach, cream cheese, mozzarella, and a hint of garlic. It is sure to please the more traditional culinary coinsure, someone that enjoys comfort and charm. The other is what the Chef refers to as a continental collision of flavors -- a steak tartare mexicana. Its raw and robust flavors are intended to provoke your primal instincts, but beware the level of heat can be quite intense for some. ::beat:: If you do not mind me saying, Sir, you look like the type that enjoys a little spice in your life. Yep. She definitely sounded like T’Lea - but why was she pretending she didn’t know him? But then it hit him: he was on a holodeck! Someone must’ve taken a holoscan of her and added her holo image to the program. That was the only logical explanation. But why would anyone want to do such a thing? He shook his head again. oO No she wouldn’t. Or would she? Oo Again Katrina couldn’t help but notice how uncomfortable John seemed. It was almost starting to feel awkward. She reached out her hand across the table. Pelley: What’s the matter, John. If you’re not feeling well, we could leave? He shook his head and smiled in an attempt to reassure her everything was alright. What was he going to tell her anyway? That the waitress looked like someone he slept with? He reached out and took her hand in his. Kendrick: No. No. Everything is fine. Really. I just remembered there’s something.. with our holding cells… I need to contact Dekas about. ::again trying to smile:: But it’s nothing that can’t wait. Waitress/T’Lea: The gentleman, perhaps, needs more time to decide? I’ll be back shortly with your champagne. This time he gathered his courage and looked straight up at the T’Lea-the-waitress. Kendrick: Yes. I need… And then he looked into her eyes, it was as if he was suddenly struck by lightning, his heart rate suddenly increased exponentially. He looked back down at the table, fearing his heart might jump out of his chest and onto the bread plate in front of him. Kendrick: … more time. As Katrina watched as the waitress walked back over to the bar, she turned back to John. Pelley: ::whispering, slightly irritated:: What’s wrong with you, John? Kendrick: Nothing. Pelley: You call that “nothing”? Just look at yourself sitting here. It’s almost as if you’ve seen a ghost. Kendrick: ::under his breath:: Maybe I just did. Pelley: What? Kendrick: Nothing. ::shaking his head, leaning in closer, pointing his thumb at the waitress:: Didn’t she look ::pauses:: I don’t know, familiar, to you? Katrina looked over at the bar as the waitress ordered a bottle of champagne. Pelley: No. ::looking back at John:: Why? Does she remind you of someone? Before he could tell her she reminded him of Juneau’s former Chief Science officer, T’Lea-the-waitress walked back over to their table with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. Waitress/T’Lea: A bottle of our finest champagne for the handsome couple. Have you been together long? Is this an anniversary, or celebration perhaps? The waitress struggled with the cork. It was really stuck in there. Katrina looked across the table at John, her head slightly tilted, clearly anticipating John’s reply. Kendrick: We’re- And then he looked up at the young, blonde waitress with a puzzled look upon his face. This wasn’t T’Lea. Where did she go? He scanned the restaurant but T’Lea was nowhere to be seen. Kendrick: ::mumbling:: What the- ::at the waitress:: Excuse me but: where did that other waitress go? Pelley: ::shaking her head, confused:: What are you talking about John, this is the same waitress. John felt his heart sink. What the hell was happening to him? Damage control was the second thought that flashed through his mind. He realized he had to come up with some kind of excuse if he wanted to save his date with Katrina. Kendrick: Ah- ::stammering:: Of course. I’m just a bit confused I guess. ::chuckles:: It’s been one hell of a week. ::at Katrina:: I’m sorry. Katrina placed her hand on his, trying to comfort him. Pelley: Look, I know you’ve been under a lot of stress lately. Just try to relax, ok? Enjoy the moment. Everything will work out just fine. ::at the waitress:: We’re celebrating, actually. This is our last night ::pauses and smiles as she looks at John:: in Paris. Kendrick: We actually met here in... ::pauses as he winked an eye at Pelley:: Paris. Waitress: How nice that you found each other. True love is such a rarity these days. Pelley: It is. ::smiling lovingly:: It truly is. John pulled away his hand from underneath Katrina’s, suddenly feeling somewhat uncomfortable by her unexpected declaration of love. He smiled at her, trying to mask his feelings. Just then the cork launched towards John, barely missing his head. Startled by the sudden explosion of suds, the waitress jerked in response and the bottle’s bubbly contents spewed vigorously onto Pelley’s blouse. Pelley: ::screams in surprise:: Oh- Kendrick: ::at Katrina:: Are you alright? Waitress: Oh, no, monsieur and Madame, please forgive my clumsiness. The young blonde waitress offered Pelley the rag that was tucked in her frilly apron. Pelley: ::gently tapping her blouse dry:: Thank you. Waitress: Please let me bring you appetizers for free, on the house. ::at Pelley:: The Ladies room is just around the corner. Pelley: ::smiling:: That won’t be necessary, but thank you. As the blonde waitress walked away from their table, John picked up the bottle of champagne and started filling their glasses. Kendrick: ::smiling:: Looks like there’s just enough left in the bottle for two glasses. Pelley: What a night! Whoever programmed these characters sure went out of their way to make them as realistic as possible - including clumsiness. Just my luck. Kendrick: So I know we’re not allowed to use the water on Denali until they’ve figured out what to do with these - microbes? -, but that doesn’t mean you have to switch to champagne showers. It’s a bit… decadent, no? Pelley: ::throwing the rag across the table, in his face:: Are you trying to be funny at my expense, Lieutenant? Kendrick: ::laughs:: Maybe. A little. Just then the waitress returned to their table with another plate, and placed it between them. At the center of the dish was a blob of white paste, garnished with parsley, lemon and crackers. Waitress: Pate of fish. Enjoy. Have you decided on your entrees? She was looking directly at John, almost accusatory, as if he was gumming up the works in the kitchen. Waitress: Would you like me to repeat today’s specials? Pelley: No, that won’t be necessary, thank you. I think I’ll have the crepe with the cheese. But no garlic please. Suddenly, the image of T’Lea separated from the waitress. Standing at the side of the table behind the waitress, the Romu-vulc crossed her arms and glared at John. T’Lea: Seriously, is she ::at Pelley:: your type? A flat pancake stuffed with creamed spinach? John shook his head and looked over at his glass of champagne: it was still half full, which meant he wasn’t drunk. Then he looked across the table at Katrina, but she just smiled at him and didn’t seem to pay any attention to T’Lea. It was almost as if she hadn’t heard T’Lea’s snarky remark. Or did she choose to simply ignore her? But that didn’t make any sense either. oO What the hell is going on here. Oo Pelley: Are you alright, John. You look a bit spooked. Waitress: Monsieur? Would you like to order now? T’Lea raised a classic eyebrow, and wagged her head. The waitress stepped through the image and T’Lea disappeared into the void of the hologram. Kendrick: Uh- As he looked back up, T'Lea was gone and only the blonde waitress stood at their table. He felt pearls of sweat slowly starting to drip down his forehead. His hands were shaky. Kendrick: I'm not feeling all too well, actually. ::at Katrina:: I'd rather go back to my quarters to rest. ::feeling awful:: I'm so sorry for ruining our evening. Pelley: No, it's fine. Don't worry. ::smiles:: But you have to promise me you'll take me out to dinner at the first restaurant that opens in Denali. Kendrick: Of course. ::relieved:: Absolutely! They both got up from their chairs. Pelley: Computer, end program. As the restaurant and Paris dissolved around them, they headed for the exit. ((Soldotna Tower, 40th Floor, T’Lea’s Quarters)) From a deep slumber, T’Lea awoke from her twisted bedsheets and glanced around her empty room feeling lost and displaced. Untangling herself from the covers she sat up on the bed and glanced out of the window across the room. The foreign landscape was a stark reminder of where she was. She was no longer a resident of Juneau, or away on a secret mission for SFI. She was at Denali Station, in her quarters. But the dream felt so real… Getting up, she wandered across the room and stood near the big window overlooking the grounds below. The feelings, though fading fast, were very intense. She rubbed at her face, trying to make sense of it all. Her reflection in the glass revealed how disturbing the dream had been. Recalling the circumstances was proving to be a difficult task, and even now the details were blurring into the background of the city lights. oO Was it about John?Oo She strained to grasp at the memory. oO No, it was about a waitress. In Paris? Oo She frowned at her image in the window. oO How stupid. Oo She shook her head free of the remains, and wandered into the dining room for a cup of tea, content to forget. Whatever the dream was about, it was not important enough to remember. Most dreams weren’t. END === Lieutenant Commander T’Lea Historian and Archaeological Officer Denali Station I238301T10 & Lieutenant John Kendrick Chief Security and Tactical DENALI STATION J239801JK3

Oh, I definitely am.

OMG I am dying from laughter right now. 🤣 just killing me

Commander Jaelyne Isa is looking rather stunning in a simple black gown.

Yes, per the rules that were posted, if you want to post an entry, but don't want to have it judged, you can prefix it with "Showcase."

I have always enjoyed reading sims by @Valin Dermont and I am so happy to have him back with us. This just shows that our favorite cranky engineer can also be reasonable, and can admit when he was wrong. I loved reading this sim as it just shows great depth of character to me. ((Mission Specialist’s Office, Security Complex, Deck 11, USS Chin’toka)) {{Time Index: Four Days After Arriving at Shemsh}} Dermont: Ye've every right ta give me a good dressin' down, ma'am. On duty and disrespectful. Prefer ta just take mah medicine fer it, ma'am… The two of them just stared at each other for a moment, before Dermont saw something of a...frown, perhaps...cross her features. It was clear whatever was going on in her mind, she had decided...something. Rosek-Skyfire: ::pauses:: Valin, I didn’t call you here to dress you down or give you any sort of medicine. There’s more to this situation than your attitude toward me in Engineering. I know that you dislike me and I have a strong suspicion as to why. ::grimaces:: There are days when I think of everything that happened between Toryn and I–and I don’t like myself very much either. oO Um, wut... Oo Whatever he had thought was going to come out of the Al-leyan's mouth, that certainly wasn't it. He had been dead certain she was about to bring the hammer for his actions in engineering. What exactly is this? Vulnerability? Bah! Rosek-Skyfire: I’m not going to give you a big sob story because firstly, I know we all have our crosses and mine is no heavier than anyone else’s and second, it’s no excuse. oO What exactly is happenin' 'ere? Oo The older engineer had entered the room ready to either take a lashing for as long as he could tolerate or failing that, giving as good as he got before being bounced out of the office on his arse. He had not been expecting the Lieutenant Commander to try and explain or be relatable. Dermont was not prepared for the wave of sympathy that suddenly threatened to wash over him. Dermont: Ma'am, as ya say, we've all got our burdens. But the lad...e's a deep down romantic. Seein' the best in all o' those 'e cares 'bout... oO Which still includes ya, I'd imagine. Even if it's no longer romantic... Oo Rosek-Skyfire: ::nods slowly:: I don’t know how much you know about Al-Leyan culture, but essentially, monogamy isn’t a thing for them. I didn’t expect it to bother me as much as it did. I tried to be okay with it–mostly because I really do care about Toryn and I knew that the rejection would hurt him. ::grimaces:: I was a coward, afraid to pull off the bandage, and ended up hurting him even worse by not just being honest. He couldn't help but frown. But not at Lael, at himself. It had happened. There she went and just made herself all relatable and mortal and prone to mistakes as the rest of us. The residuals of anger just washed out of him. Back then she was likely a mess over the whole thing and Dermont had only been on this side, seeing her as some kind of interloper, purposely toying with his friend. But damn the heart cannot help how the heart feels. Dermont: I cannot believe I'm sayin' it, but honestly...it's none o' my business, ma'am. Never was. I 'ave a tendency o' overreactin' when someone I care 'bout is threatened. And the past is in the past, eh? I 'ear both o' ya are very 'appy where you are. Ya don't need me draggin' ever'body back ta the dead 'orse so we can all keep on beatin' it. ::Deep breath.:: I'm sorry, ma'am. As long as ye've the best of intentions fer Toryn now, I'm past it. oO Never yer place ta be in it ta start with! Oo oO And I already admitted that, didn't I?! Growth! That's what that is! Oo Rosek-Skyfire: ::expression softens:: I do care about Toryn. Whether you believe me or not, I do. I wish more than anything that it could have worked, but it wasn’t fair to either of us. My only regret is that I didn’t realize that sooner. He leaned forward across the desk and gave her a half-smile. Dermont: We're all lost in our feelin's, eh? Sometimes we're all jumbled up inside. We lose sight o' reality and just stay lock in our little fantasies. Our wishful thinkin' and our "could be's." If I'm bein' 'onest, mine was locked in anger at you because I'd invented a perfect story-book endin' fer a pair o' friends o' mine. Rosek-Skyfire: response Dermont: ::grins.:: Turns out, they both 'ad their own plans as to what their futures would be like. Nobody even asked ole Dermont 'ow their life was supposed ta end up. And I o' course was too busy bein' resentful ta just enjoy the time I 'ad with 'em. Anyhow, I promise ya, ma'am, you need not worry 'bout me. At least not 'bout this. I read yer file: more accolades than you can fit on a book-shelf. A damn fine officer. And probably second or third best engineer on the ship! He paused a bit into his chuckle, giving her a glance and seeing if perhaps a joke was "too soon." Of course, seeing as so far this conversation was drastically different than anticipated, even if it was a little too soon, the fact it could be an option at all was blowing his mind. Dermont was certain he would need to go have a drink or ten to process today. Rosek-Skyfire: response ==================== Lieutenant Valin Dermont Engineering USS Chin'toka NCC-97187 A239410VD0

Okay, anyone who has written with me for any length of time probably knows I am a sucker for a good romance. I really loved this intimate moment between Flt Capt. Oddas and her partner. ((CO's Quarters, Anchorage, 40th Floor)) Stelek: Drink this. Aria was still groggy, just becoming aware of the fact she was no longer in the main room, but one of the smaller rooms off to the side of the main open area. She was propped up against the wall, legs drawn up close to her, still waking up. She didn't remember moving - how she had gotten here. Confused, she looked down at the proffered canteen, took a deep sniff, the smell of natural sugars wafting up. The Bajoran took a tentative sip, and then a deeper one - moba juice - the sweet juice pouring deep in and cooling her body and reminding her that she was exhausted, her mouth dry and probably smelling bad. Finishing half of the juice, she sighed and leaned back against the wall. oO You don't have a replicator yet. Oo Oddas: ::hoarsely:: How? ::stammering:: How long? Stelek: Only Ninety-Seven Minutes, your vitals indicated you were just sleeping, so I let you. Oddas: ::lifting the stainless steel canteen:: And this? Stelek: A small group of crewmen delivered some of your possessions, so I moved you here for privacy and convinced them you were indisposed. Oddas: And the drink? Stelek: I simply told one of the yeomen I needed some food and other supplies for later, I gave him a list of items I required. She smiled, and could feel herself blush slightly, drinking more juice, gingerly. Stelek settled in next to her on the left. Oddas: I guess you're a keeper. Stelek: Logically. The two let silence hang, Aria resting her head on the wall behind her, feeling her breathing breath go in and out, her chest beating - aching as if it had been hurting in the past, but no longer the acute pain it had been. There was no doubt she was feeling better. Stelek: How often does that happen? There it was, the personal question just tossed out there like a dead fish in the middle of the room. Aria's face bunched up, and she took a deep breath, clenched her eyes shut. Oddas: My heart? It's happened once before since the operation, not this bad. I didn't think it would ever be this debilitating, the Doctor never said it would cause me to lose any sort of consciousness, and I don't think it should be a cause of real concern. She felt rather than see the other woman next to her stiffen up, as if she wanted to approach a difficult subject. Aria steeled herself, even though she wasn't sure that was exactly right - did Vulcans approach things the same way? Was she interpreting the micro-body language the right way? Stelek: Aria. ::beat:: That wasn't just your heart, that was something else, real fear in your body, it doesn't take a counselor to see there was more to your reaction than your heart condition. Aria took another deep breath and rubbed her head with her prosthetic hand. It took another breath, and another, and then another before she was in a position to decide what to say. Oddas: Truthfully? Since the accident with Alea. She had told Stelek about the accident with Alea before, about the hike just before she had joined the academy; about the rock slide; losing her grip; the dark; being alone for hours; being rescued and being told she would not be with the woman she loved ever again. She had not told Stelek, or many people for that matter, that she had shortly stopped being comfortable outside, stopped being comfortable in the confines of a building, a vehicle, an EV suit. When Aria did have to go outside, she preferred to be in small crowded areas, markets, corridors, surrounded by tall buildings, anything to help her irrational feel let her believe she was inside. Stelek: ::tiny shake of the head:: When you are outside? Up high....? Oddas: Outside, I cannot explain it, just something about being outside makes me feel, nervous, paranoid, upset. Stelek: You've been home since? Mingled with the crowd? She shrugged and opened her hands in exasperation, there was no rational way she could explain it, and she knew she wanted to for the rational Vulcan's sake. Oddas: For some reason, the big anonymous crowd makes it better. I wish I could explain it, it really plays havoc with my introversion. She smiled softly, sadly, but trying to inject some humor into the situation. There was a pause, Aria drank her juice and assumed Stelek was contemplated how to extricate herself from a relationship with a mentally deficient superior officer. Oddas: I won't hold it against you if you want to go. Stelek look at her with something she hadn't seen before. oO Exasperation? Oo Stelek: I'm not going anywhere, Aria, not unless you want me to. Aria bit her lip and looked over her left shoulder to the Vulcan's face, biting her lip, she could feel a question, and more welling up inside her. oO Why? Oo It was an unasked question, and Aria was unsure if she wanted to know the answer. They had been together for some time, but she had been afraid of too much, and this seemed a lot for someone else to take on. Stelek: I love you, it would not be logical for me to abandon me now. The Captain felt hot tears pool in her eyes, and leaned against the taller woman's shoulder. Oddas: You love me? Stelek: Of course. Aria reached up, before she lost her nerve, and kissed the taller woman, letting herself feel safe, comfortable, and loved in the moment.

Congratulations to both of you. Looking forward to writing with each of you.

It’s funny how the mind just holds on to some of the smallest details. I’m no psychologist or psychiatrist – far from it, actually – but I think that there are times when the mind just gets so overwhelmed that all it can do is cling to the little things. And that’s what I think happened to me over the course of three days in 2397. It was during our first trip to Tibro, during their celebration of Val Tesai. So much happened on that trip and all of it would change my life forever. My team had crashed in a remote forest on the planet and had been forced to run for our lives. When we’d finally be rescued, it was then that I first learned that my husband had been murdered by a victim of the heavy metal poisoning that was ravaging the populace. I was so stricken with grief that all I could remember was that morning, when we’d first woken up. I was still heavy with child at the time and Stevok was ever the supportive and loving husband. Of course, since he was mostly Vulcan, few but I would have noticed it. But as I lay in my biobed in the ship’s infirmary, all I could think of was the feel of his tunic that I had taken out for him to wear that morning. It had been so soft, and the coloration suited him so nicely, that it was my favorite tunic to see him in. How I longed to be able to hold that tunic again. My mind raced back to the last conversation he and I would ever have. “So, your first away mission. Are you excited?” I asked as I ran my hands over that wonderful tunic he was now wearing. It was cut perfectly for him, and allowed me to feel the muscles underneath. If I was going to give it an adjective, I think dashing would be it. “Excitement is an emotion, my wife. However, I will admit to a certain amount of anticipation.” I just smiled at him. Anticipation was just a synonym for excitement, but I wasn’t about to argue semantics with him. Not that day, anyway. I knew from the bond between us that he was also eager to make a good impression with the Captain and the other officers. If all went well, he was hoping to be invited on other away missions in the future. I gave him a quick kiss and left to attend to my own duties. If only I had known that would be the last time I would kiss him. My mind came back from that memory to look at the little bundle of joy in my arms. She had been born the very next day. How was it that her blanket could feel so very much like her father’s shirt? Was it just my mind, or a happy coincidence? I can still remember the feel of that blanket just as clearly as I do Stevok’s tunic. And the smell. What a marvelous thing the smell of a newborn baby is. Of course, that might just be a proud mother talking, and she was definitely the most beautiful little girl. But the blanket they had wrapped her in, the feel of it – again, soft and smooth – had been burned indelibly into my mind. It felt so very similar to that tunic of her father’s that I cried. Oh, the tears were tears of joy, but somewhere in there was sadness at knowing her father would never be able to hold his little girl the way I was getting to hold her. Now, if only that was the end of it, but naturally, that was not to be. Two days later, as I laid in the sickbay, my father walked in. My father who had been dead thirty years. I still remember the last day I had spoken to him. Starfleet was sending him on another undercover assignment somewhere and we would have no idea where he was or when he would return. I had loved my father very much in those days and I was very sad to see him go. I remember that I had jumped into his arms and hugged his neck so tightly for so long. I could feel the Starfleet tunic and the black collar under the skin of my arms. I am pleased to say that our uniforms have become a bit more comfortable since then. Six months later, I would find myself in bed one night, clinging to my dad’s uniform as I cried myself to sleep. He was gone and I would never see him again. But there he was. Older and gray, but very much alive. I felt the fire in my veins rise up and the anger at the deception flowed through my veins. So there you have it. Three major events in my life, all in the span of the same number of days. A death, a birth, and a resurrection. And all indelibly tied to the feel of fabric. A tunic, a blanket and a uniform. As I said, it’s strange what the mind holds on to. The touch, the feel, the cotton, the fabric of our lives.

I could agree with this sentiment any more than you've expressed here @Alleran Tan. I have always enjoyed reading their JPs, and when I saw this on the Chin'toka side, I was touched. @Elizabeth Snow @Lephi Great job you two!

@Oddas Aria showing some fire in her words! Not sure I'd want to mess with her, with a Juneau class starship to back up her words. No siree! .... Love it!

I am literally watching this episode right now! And yeah, amazing!

I mean, come on... Probably the best scene in Star Trek IV.... ...Nice shout out in Picard.

Congratulations and welcome/welcome back to the Fleet.

Ok, this one was just so funny to me that it completely changed my day from dull and dreary to something a bit more happy and bright. I love the enthusiasm and spunk and the sooo not technical "goo." === (( Turbolift, USS Chin’toka, en route to Bridge )) Tapping one of the boots that barely allowed her to crest one hundred and fifty-ish centimeters or five feet tall, Jamie MacNemar brushed a wisp of platinum blonde hair back from her eyes as she gazed down at the PADD she held in her right hand, going over the specs for the probe modifications that had been sent to them from the Bridge. Though she’d spent most of her time working with Greyson on relatively easy maintenance projects, the two of them had been deep in the guts of the Chin’toka during its repairs following their transit through the Jenatris Cloud, and she’d grown to appreciate the man’s breadth of knowledge and efficiency during that time. Even if she’d prefer to avoid the Bridge and keep to the lower decks, this seemed like an interesting project. And an important one. MacNemar: So. Real basic triangulation thing the Cap wants us doin’. Looks like the main problem we oughtta work is durability, right? All those charged particles flyin’ around on there, they could fry the probes’ circuits real quick if we don’t find a good way to shield them. And it’s not like we can just pull a shield generator from a shuttle. The probe could never power it. Greyson: Response MacNemar: Hm… I’ll think on it, yeah, Eltee. (( Bridge, USS Chin’toka )) As the door slid open, Jamie followed the assistant Chief Engineer somewhat timidly onto the Bridge, PADD clutched under one arm. Mei’konda: Welcome to the Bridge, Lieutenants. Please taake your stations. Greyson: Response MacNemar: Got it, sir. This oughtta be no problem. She might’ve overcompensated, and ended up sounding SUPER ENTHUSIASTIC instead of moderately, like she’d been going for. It didn’t change the fact that she really did want to solve this problem, but she would have preferred making a good impression while she did it, instead of… whatever she had done instead. She was reminded of that when the Caitian commanding officer of the Chin’toka spoke to her directly. Mei’konda: Just keep in miind that some of your missing crewmates are dependiing on your work, Lieutenant. No maatter how easy it may be. Slowing in her steps allowed Greyson to reach the engineering station first, and gave her a chance to respond to the Captain. The last thing she wanted to do was let anyone down. MacNemar: Yes sir. Sorry sir. Greyson: Response Minutes later, Alentonis spoke, and the Captain perked up his ears. Jamie eased herself down into a seat next to Greyson at the station, and adjusted her chair upward as high as she could get it. Thank goodness for chairs designed for multiple species; she had a relatively easy time in adjusting chairs to her size and proportions on Starfleet vessels, and almost nowhere else. Exhaling a slow breath, she set her PADD down and began to tap fingers across her control panel, bringing up specifications on the probes’ internal circuitry. Alentonis: The probes are ready for launching, except for the modifications Mr. Peters suggested, sir. Bridge: Response Peters: Sorry about that, professor. Here you go. :: He tapped a few buttons on his console and transmitted the information to the former ops officer.. :: Gradually, the small relative velocity indicator that the Captain had called up on the viewscreen dropped down to zero. Peters had finished moving the Chin’toka to its deployment location. Peters: Permission to help Dr. Alentonis with the modifications to the probes? Mei’konda: Go ahead, Commander. Engineers, Lieutenant Levinson, you’ll be on deck for analysis as soon as they’re in posiition. I waant to be able to inform Commander Isa’s team of our findiings as soon as possible. Peters / Greyson / Levinson / Callahan: Responses Jamie leaned in a little closer toward Greyson as she gazed at the materials that made up the probe’s innards. MacNemar: Okay, uh, so you know how I mentioned before that we need the protection that shields provide in these things, but we can’t fit shields to ‘em, right? I think I’ve got a thought. Fill ‘em up with goo. Peters / Greyson / Alentonis / Callahan / Levinson: Responses Jamie realized in a hurry that it was a pretty nonspecific and unhelpful statement. She spoke up, after clearing her throat. As she continued, she became more animated, gesticulating with her arms and pointing at the screen. MacNemar: We could order the probe bay techs to inject a lightweight composite metal foam around all of the most sensitive circuits. Just fill the suckers up with the stuff. It’ll make ‘em bulkier, and, um. Less sensitive, less reliable in most circumstances, but in my opinion, moreso than if we just leave them unshielded to the plasma storm radiation out there. Plus… She snapped her fingers. MacNemar: It’ll be quick and easy, too. After a moment of thought, Mei’konda spoke up, after nodding a thanks to her for her input. Mei’konda: Mr. Alentonis, Mr. Greyson, anyone else, your thoughts on this idea? Peters / Greyson / Alentonis / Callahan / Levinson: Responses ======================== Lieutenant Jamie MacNemar Diagnostic Engineer / Damage Control Specialist USS Chin’toka, NCC-97187

Yep, you nailed it! Though the ears will be back eventually. And we'd be happy to have you back.

Whaaatttt???? Is the Dermy back?