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Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: PRO: S [D01 | 1130] Back to reality

Last post by Relatively Insane - April 02, 2024, 11:35:36 PM

Surprised to find her call answered so quickly, Cait studied the Trill as he first entered, raising an eyebrow at his change in expression. I don't look that bad, do I? She wondered, her query answered when the doctor finally spoke again, confusing her with some other engineer. Unable to voice a response, Caitlyn instead gave the Trill a bemused look. Though she vaguely remembered Azrin, at least from when they had worked together, she found some difficulty in recalling anything else about the woman.

The male doctor seemed to be expecting an answer of some sort, though Caitlyn was saved by a second Trill entering the ward; another medical officer, by her uniform at least. Seeing the first man backpedal a bit, she briefly wondered how long he'd been stuck on duty before realizing the woman had asked her... wait what had she said? Finding her voice still absent, Caitlyn instead gave the woman a simple nod, accepting a cup of water a moment later. She tried a tentative sip at first, almost moaning from the relief it provided. Draining the cup all too quickly, she blushed and wiped the residual moisture from her mouth.

Clearing her throat, Caitlyn tried again to speak and found her voice willing. "Thank you, that- that really hit the spot." She sighed, already feeling a bit better. Looking between the other two, she tried to limit her mind to a few basic questions. "Who are you two? Am I still on the Thea? And just erm.. what the hell happened exactly?"

Interregnum 01-02 S2 / Re: Day 16 [2200hrs] A shore for shore leave

Last post by Brutus - April 02, 2024, 06:27:07 PM

[ Lt (jg) Sarresh Morali | Turbolift | Various Decks | Vector 02 | USS Theurgy] Attn:
[Show/Hide]

"I have noticed that human flesh can burn pretty bad as well, but it's a different kind of thing than what I had before. Still uncomfortable, but it's good to know that at least in the holodeck I don't have to worry about that,". Small mercies were still mercies and Sarresh wasn't going to thumb his nose at them. Certainly not after everything he had suffered through to this point. Not getting sunburnt? An absolute plus. "All the fun and none of the risk. No wonder Holodecks are so popular."

He had just taken off his under shirt that he'd worn beneath the wet suit and was going to peel the standard issue boxer-briefs down when he heard and felt the approach of the Betazoid and he turned to look over his shoulder. His eyes swept up and down - unable to help himself - and he could admit that the form was quite pleasing, even in standard undergarments. That was a surprise he'd found, after his transformation. He still had no idea of what had happened on a mental level, how the Vulcan Dr. Maya had assisted Dr. Nicander in mapping neural paths and helping settle his mind into his new form. Including finding similar forms appealing.

Pondering her offer, Sarresh rotated one arm and then the other, feeling what and where things pulled. He glanced over to her again in a half stretch, with one arm pulled across his chest, in time to see her straighten back up, having stepped out of her regulation panties. Again, he took in her form, and found himself distracted by what he saw. No nudity taboo did not mean a lack of appreciation for a good show, and that was what the caramel skinned security officer was inadvertently giving. Blinking he gave a little shrug as he stepped out of the stretch and shook his arms.

"If it would not be too much trouble, I would appreciate it. Most of these feel like bruises I can't see, let alone easily reach." As he spoke, he shucked the last of his clothing and folded it up along with the rest - well, with the undershirt. The wet suit he was just going to recycle into something less annoying to pad around the ship in when they were done. Naked as the day he was reborn (and certainly not lacking in the physique department, above or below the hips) Sarresh looked back up and smiled at the Betazoid. "Ready as I'll ever be."

With practiced ease, the security specialist changed everything around Sarresh. The ground under his feet shifted and he went from standing on comfortable tile to warm sand, feeling his feet sink down slightly. That moist heat still clung to his body, but the warmth of the sun beat down on him from above and he gave a pleased little shiver, closing his eyes for a moment. The former Ash'reem took a deep breath in through his nose, smelling the salt in the air, and let it out just as slowly, his chest inflating and deflating with ease.

Opening his eyes again, he let his gaze sweep along the shoreline and he smiled, nodding his head. He settled on his companion, who had been kind enough to let him intrude on her time off. "Beautiful. All of it," he swept his hand out, "You have a breathtakingly beautiful home, Kythalie. Much nicer than the last few breaches I visited."

Which was perfectly true. Qo'noS had some beaches lining the river he had been rafting down, at the start at least. Mostly rocky affairs. And the less said about Aldea the better, though the temporal affairs officer understood that his view of that planet had been colored by his monstrous encounter. This though..."Our oceans are a slightly different hue, the water tending more towards indigo than blue but...there is enough about this that it reminds me of some of the larger landmasses on Ash'kara."

As he spoke, he padded over across the sand to stand next to the petty officer, one hand resting on his hip, the other shading his eyes for a moment as he swept his gaze up and down the beach again. Facing her, he felt a smile settle onto his face, a gesture not wholly alien to the usually dour time traveler, but not commonplace either. "So, what would you like to do first, since I'm the one piggybacking on your downtime."

Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: CH 2: S [Day 01 | 1435 hrs] When Trolls Dance, Vulcans Growl

Last post by EnigmaTales - April 01, 2024, 03:54:34 PM

[ Lt. JG V'lana | Sickbay Lobby | D. 21 | V. 2 ] Attn: @Ellen Fitz

Pub crawl. V'lana had never heard of it, but she found the idea of discounted drinks rather tempting. She banished these thoughts for the time being, and concentrated on Cross instead. His comments regarding transfers from the Versant or the Endeavour made her thoughtful, and she could only imagine how hard it had been to replace those who had been lost. For everyone involved.

"It's very much like a holodeck program.", V'lana nodded. "I read reports, and all I can think is 'well this doesn't exactly make narrative sense, I should contact the author and complain'. It doesn't really get through to me that this is real life, and that those... characters... were real people. A good few still are around, and I worry meeting them will feel... weird. Because frankly, seeing it as a holodeck adventure without emotional impact keeps me afloat right now. I concentrate on the medical reports. Someone got boiled alive while swimming in a body of water during a volcano erruption. That's... "

She didn't know what to say, and took a deep breath. It was horrible to read about, but again, there was no emotional impact just yet. She hadn't known these people, or if she had, not well.

"I haven't really reconnected with anyone yet. Trying to take it slow, focus on work.", she shrugged. "And yes, I will be seeing a counsellor. It should be mandatory after stasis anyway, and I have zero interest in a mental breakdown somewhere along the line. I wouldn't be working if I thought that was bound to happen, though." She quickly assured him, realising that she had a tendency to overshare things as means of connecting to someone. She had always done that, and it had gotten her into trouble more than once. And yet, it felt like the best approach to things.

"Either way. If you're up for it, I would like to try the sound-therapy I spoke about. You can try .... anything else in the meanwhile, but if the headache picks up again, I'd like to see you back here. And perhaps keep track of what it is you're trying, how it affects mood and headache, and so on. There's a lot you have to figure out, and I find keeping track of new things you try can help with that."

She smirked.

"So yes, keep a diary."

Interregnum 01-02 S2 / Re: Day 17 [2200 hrs.] Aftermath's Embrace

Last post by EnigmaTales - April 01, 2024, 02:07:09 PM

[Lieutenant J.G. V'lana | Arboretum | Deck 22 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dumedion

Self reflection. V'lana hated it, but she was quite obviously decent at instilling it in others. Arven's confession regarding his renewed self-awareness as social creature didn't surprise her - they all were - but it did remind her that she would have to rebuild her social circle eventually. Just not right now. Or maybe right now. The doctor was certainly a good start, and thus far she imagined him to be one of those people you could claim to be your "friend" but actually only spoke to once or twice a year. Just the right level of social interaction (aside, well, her actual job) she was looking for.

"Food?", she asked, apparently having forgotten that nutrients, too, were a base need for her species. "You tell me. Can I even digest any of that at the moment?"

She usually got a supplement that helped her body digest nutrients that weren't in the form her biology was made for. Back home, most dishes were based on specific strains of fungus. V'lana found those meals comforting and delicious, but very few other people found that thought appealing. "I will say I crave what we cook at home. My mother used to make a soup I got when I was sick, and although I don't feel sick as such, I think I can get away with the 'look at me, I was in stasis' card a few more days."

Making fun of it certainly took the edge off. Perhaps Arven was a bad influence on her.

"What is it you usually eat when you feel... not-sick, but a little worse for wear? I am happy to take recommendations."

Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: Ch 5 S [ D02 | 0600 hrs.] Old Friends Die Hard

Last post by Ellen Fitz - April 01, 2024, 10:13:39 AM

[ Hirk tr’Aimne | Wet Market | Avra Trel | Romulus ] @rae @Pierce

His heart had been beating like the tiny, venomous nei'rrh since they passed into his home planet’s atmosphere. But not out of fear. No, Hirek was not afraid. Regardless of what happened to the Starfleet crew, he now considered colleagues, and regardless of what happened on these missions, Hirek did not feel fear. Ihir'aenha; he’d been destined to be here like this. His family had survived numerous terrors from the Tal’Shiar for him to be here at this time and in this place. So, if Hirek felt anything, it was a combination of elation and determination.

The entire time he’d piloted the flitter to Avra Tel, Hirek had fought against the temptation to lean back and fill the vehicle with his laughter. He doubted either the Andorian or the human would understand his mirth, not when so very much could go so very wrong and so very quickly. Every molecule of his body reveled in being once more under the Romulun sun, his senses filled with the sights and sounds and smells of the familiar. Just as he fought the temptation to laugh like a child playing in the surf of Uulma, Hirek similarly found the desire to turn the flitter northeast, touching down on the cliffside closest his ancestral home. To once more hear his father’s voice, feel his mother’s grip as she took hold of his hand, feel the warm sand of his home beneath bare feet…these were things he desperately craved but knew he could not partake of, not yet.

If they successfully connected with this reunification network, they could have more allies against the Tal’Shiar. And they would need as many allies as possible to take down the tyrants.

With these thoughts in mind, Hirek’s features were forcibly neutral as he led Nysari and Alana through the wet market area of Avra Trel toward their meeting point. It’d taken him the entirety of their flight to the city for Hirek to remember where he’d heard the name Belas tr'Rehu before.

He’d been a brief colleague of his mother’s before she’d been ousted from her position at the Imperial War College. As an assistant professor in the Reman affairs department, the two had rarely crossed paths; the only reason Vaed'rehai t’Aimne shared stories with her family regarding tr’Rehu was that he’d gotten himself removed from the college, most notably. After a public disagreement with one of the department lead’s decisions on the Reman curriculum, tr’Rehu had gone to the lead’s office and doused the man in Reman blood gathered from a Reman blood bank on campus.

Hirek had conveyed this history to his mission mates as soon as they’d landed at an out-of-the-way docking port. He’d had to use his cousin’s credentials to obtain the flitter and process the landing procedures and hoped that by the time his cousin took notice of this fact, their mission would be over, and there would be no risk in explaining to the man in person his reasons for doing so.

Pausing in their journey to study the wares of one of the stalls, Hirek spoke with the older woman manning the stall, seeking to haggle a price for the fish. He pretended to be dissatisfied with her ending price and dismissed the deal, leading Alana and Nysari further into the wet market. It’d be too obvious if they moved through the market without stopping here and there to haggle and study the wares. He was thankful the market wasn’t terribly full at this hour when Alana spoke. Hirek dropped his voice to a whisper when he responded to Alana’s question.

“The less talking, the better when we aren’t with tr’Rehu. Neither of you speaks fluently enough to pass as locals or visitors from another continent. At best, you could maybe pass as a colonist, but that presumption would go away mighty fast the longer the conversation took place.”

He again led them to a booth, this one with a number of different fishing hooks and other such paraphernalia on display. Hirek haggled again and, this time, purchased three items, passing the traditional hook dangling from a chain to Alana and the miniature bone dirk to Nysari. He kept the fishing line for himself.

“The area we’re meeting tr’Rehu in is a unique geographical feature for this area. It’s known as yy'a dochaisam cove, or dead speech cove. The materials of the rocks and the formation of the cove kill echoes, making it the perfect place to scheme.” Hirek smirked, tossing Alana a wink. “And fish in the tide pools.”

Interregnum 01-02 S2 / Re: Day 6 [ 1300hrs. ] Let's Get Physical

Last post by Ellen Fitz - April 01, 2024, 09:38:07 AM

[Hirek tr’Aimne | Personal Quarters | D. 17 | USS Theurgy ] Attn: @Sqweloookle

The doctor’s clearly stated interest in physical intimacy surprised Hirek but not at all in a negative way. Hirek supposed it was naïve of him to presume that all Starfleet personnel would respond to his audacious overtures with the same resigned and collected manners as his handler and the captain had been, as well as those on Madsen’s team who had been among the first he’d met during his defection. It was a welcome difference from his expectations and carried with it the potential for a more pleasurable experience while onboard than what he’d expected.

Letting a hum of satisfaction rumble from his chest as Elro’s fingers traveled the length of Hirek’s ears, he angled a lopsided smile at the man. “Vulcans are not the only ones with sensitive noses, dear doctor. And some species carry a certain ‘under’ scent even if they try to disguise their natural smell with perfumes and colognes. I have not met enough Betazoids to know if your scent correlates with your ‘under’ scent, but yes, you DO smell…delicious.”

Hirek didn’t move as Elro began to close the gap between them, enjoying the moment for what it was, but he did crack a mirthful smile when he heard Elro’s stomach grumble before they could press their lips together. Hirek accepted Elro’s hand and used the momentum of gaining his feet to finish what Elro had started. Stepping into the doctor’s personal space until they were chest-to-chest, hip-to-hip, Hirek lightly brushed his lips over Elro’s lips.

“As I thought,” Hirek licked his lips as he abruptly removed himself from Elro’s warmth, “delicious.” A playful smile played at the muscles of his face. Hirek continued to the replicator, where he stopped and stood staring at it, hands clasped behind his back. “My home is the largest producer of jumbo mollusks on Romulus. If you like seafood, I know a recipe with these mollusks, but I doubt your replicator would know the terms or precise spices. I suppose it will take time to train it, but if there is a way to pair what the replicator knows of mollusks with aromatic herbs and tangy zest over a bed of sweet and sour rice, that could be a close equivalent.” Turning to look over his shoulder at Elro, Hirek cocked another smile. “Perhaps some Romulan ale to go with it?”

Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: CH 2: S [Day 01 | 1435 hrs] When Trolls Dance, Vulcans Growl

Last post by Ellen Fitz - April 01, 2024, 09:19:46 AM

[ Lt. Cmdr. Cross | Sickbay | D. 21 | V. 3 | “Ranger” of USS Theurgy] Attn: @EnigmaTales

Chuckling at her comments on voices and his cursing, Cross sighed. “I had some friends back at the Academy who took me on what they called a ‘pub crawl’ in Edinburgh. There was singing and dancing at every pub we went to, and if THAT was the kind of singing expected of me, I could hold my own. It was basically whoever was loudest or could hold the note the longest got the discount drinks.” His lips pulled upward in a sly smile. “I managed to get a few free drinks that night.”

As V’lana shared some of her experience of being in stasis and waking up again, Cross found himself picturing Blue and a number of others who’d been on the Versant or the Endeavour.

“There were a few of us who survived multiple fuck-ups and transferred in after the Versant incident,” Cross spoke after a moment of silence following V’lana’s sharing. “I can’t say anyone particularly resented our being here and integrating into the crew in positions former friends had been in, but there was certainly a period of time that it was difficult on all sides. And I can understand what you’re saying, looking back on recent events and feeling like it's some fictional storyline to a holodeck horror program. I’ve not been in stasis yet, and I feel like that sometimes.”

Cross let his gaze wander around the nearly empty room before asking, “Have you reconnected with friends onboard?” Wincing, he sighed. “Sorry, didn’t take into consideration that your friends may have been killed during stasis.”

Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: CH 2: S [Day 01 | 1857 hrs] Expectations

Last post by Ellen Fitz - April 01, 2024, 09:10:46 AM

[ Lt. Cmdr. Cross | Arboretum Cafe | D. 20 | V. 3 | “Ranger” of USS Theurgy] Attn: @joshs1000

“When you get a chance, I highly recommend you take a look at the Reaver. Especially as an engine connoisseur.” Cross was silent for a few moments, enjoying the first bites of food to take the edge off his hunger. Patel shifted her singing from love ballads to a more upbeat blues style, and Cross inwardly sighed. Much more preferred in these circumstances. Wiping his mouth with the napkin, Cross paused in the meal to continue the conversation. “If you can, what are the primary elements that must be present in an engine to make it particularly ‘good’ or noteworthy?”

After taking a lengthy sip of his drink, Cross expanded further from his position. “Let’s take guns. A tool I have to have ready or employ often from my position. Granted, I’m sure it’s the same with an engine as it is with a gun; not one gun suits all circumstances, so context for purpose and use comes into play. But some basics would be a good weight of the weapon to the carrier, the ergonomics of shape and ease of use, which is connected to overall size, the trigger mechanisms, sights, slide manipulation if it is present, rate of fire, and type of fire. But all that aside, the materials used to make the components and materials of the gun also impact all that.” Cross gave a half shrug. “I’m picky on the barrel finish, the sights, the lock time, and slide if it has one.” Cross drew an intricate pattern in the condensation on the outside of his glass. “I used a gun once that had this barrel finish and firing that thing,” his lips pulled back in a smile of feigned physical pleasure, “It was one of the most pleasurable experiences I’ve ever had with a gun. As odd as that might sound.”

Leaning forward again to tuck back into the remainder of his meal, Cross nodded toward Lok’s plate, “I can take the unwanted bits if you like.” He indicated the discarded vegetables.

Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: CH 2: S [Day 01 | 1700hrs] Cross on the Titan

Last post by Ellen Fitz - April 01, 2024, 08:54:59 AM

[ Lt. Cmdr. Cross | Lower Gymnasium | D. 14 | V. 2 | “Ranger” of USS Theurgy] ATTN: @Krajin

Cross sighed, shaking his head in resignment. “Trying to tell the difference between the Savi that aren’t fuckers and those that are is more difficult than trying to determine if a pointy-eared hobgoblin is merely a prissy Romulan or a typical Vulcan.” He rolled his shoulders before answering Winters’ question. “I don’t think it is wise to turn off your mind or morals while on a mission, which I suppose is connected to what you said about ‘honor’ in a fight. And the excuse of ‘I was just following orders, ’ but those orders were absolute shit, and you knew they were is a bunch of crock. Suppose the successful completion of the mission lends itself to keeping the crew safe and is in line with supporting the mission of Starfleet and the Federation before they went tits up with the Infested. In that case, I think there’s a time when boots on the ground need to do the mission and leave the politics to the politicians and the diplomats.”

Cross was ready for the turnabout in their sparring, cracking a smile of delight when Winters added a tail sweep on his pivot. He loved a challenge like that and excelled at responding to the unexpected. Cross gave Winters nonverbal praise and encouragement to continue with that sort of training, reflecting on the Kzinti’s anecdotes about tail-pulling.

“When you set me up with a story like that, starting with military-esque incidents and then mention Risa, you bet your furry ass I want to hear about Risa.” Cross laughed. “Let me guess, folks are as obsessed with your tail as they tend to be with pointed ears?” He used a mitt to point towards his own ears, only barely bringing the mitt back down in time to catch one of Winters’ jabs. “I’ve never spent much time on Risa. Always found the concept a bit…intimidating. I feel more confident and comfortable facing down a half dozen Jem’Hadar than a half dozen scantily clad ladies on a Risan beach. I can concentrate and think more clearly in the one situation more so than the other, and I’ll let you deduce which.”

Alternate Universe Stories / Re: Sprinkles on a Soup Sandwich

Last post by Ellen Fitz - April 01, 2024, 08:39:17 AM

[ Lnc Cpl Hirk tr’Aimne | Bravo Base | Gila DN6 | Imperium Frontier Space ] ATTN: @Hans Applegate

Hirek spit out a mouthful of green blood. “At least my friends are prettier than your girlfriends, Knox.”

No longer privy to a fight, the crowd reluctantly dissipated, allowing the pair a clear path to the mess hall. Hirek laughed to himself when he noticed the line to get into the “service” hall was longer than the mess hall. It wasn’t surprising that most of the men during their off time would rather have a fuck than a tray full of subpar food, especially when they could get a hypospray with essential nutrients just before their mission deployment that kept them from feeling hungry for the duration of their missions.

“Do you have enough merits for a ‘service’ session?” Hirek tossed the question to Knox as they stepped forward in the mess hall line. “I bartered mine to a dope on a rope. Really didn’t want to take that fire watch.” Hirek gave a nonchalant shrug. “Not my fault things went fugazi during that watch and the dope and that whole section of the wall got blasted because the red team in labcoats fucking around with the new tech. I got my merits back, but I’m thankful I kept my skin.”

With trays laden with sustenance that barely passed as food, the pair grabbed the first unoccupied slots available at a nearby long table. With so many missions running simultaneously, some to get tech and fodder for the lab coats, some to merely maintain a presence on the planet, some to further their “borders” on the planet, and some to do fuck all that Hirek knew, the mess hall was always buzzing with activity as the servicemen came and went as they were able.

“Cross told me they found signs of another group on their last exploratory patrol,” Hirek spoke under his breath. He doubted there were many at this point who hadn’t heard the rumors, but since it wasn’t an official report yet, they’d likely lose merits if they were caught discussing it openly. “Lines up with what you saw last time we were out there. Now the question is whether or not they’re friendlies. What’d you want to bet that’s what we’re going to be sent out to find out on our next mission?”