Star Trek: Theurgy

Re: Day 33 [1945 hrs.] Girl Interrupted

Reply #25 – December 02, 2020, 09:02:14 AM

[ LT Daniel Havenborn | Deck 22 Corridor | USS Theurgy, Vector 3 ] Attn: @Stardust

Daniel shook his head.  “No, and even if I had our doctors would have removed any such defects while I was still in the womb.  Our genetics program isn’t just limited to military aspects, it also removes any undesirable birth defects, it can also allow for other genetic changes such as changing hair color for example.  My parents didn’t see the need for such changes for myself but for my sister they made lots of changes according to their wishes.”  Daniel said, though he tried to hide the anger in his voice when he mentioned his sister.

Daniel nodded, “Indeed there is.”  Daniel responded.  It was interesting that to date and to court could be so similar yet so different.

“For the most part fighter controls are more or less the same as shuttle controls.  A TacCONN pilot for example could pilot either a shuttle or a starship, it just isn’t the best use of our abilities.”  Daniel said, he had taken the basic starship and shuttle piloting courses at the academy but beyond that he hadn’t had much experience beyond a holodeck simulation.  “A perfect one.”  Daniel said with a smirk.  “Negotiations are not my strong suit, that is why I’ll never be considered for a command department position.  SCO, Squadron Commanding Officer, is likely as high as I’ll ever get again.  I have no issue with that honestly, I’m also not sure I’d want to go any higher than that really.”

Re: Day 33 [1945 hrs.] Girl Interrupted

Reply #26 – December 20, 2020, 10:43:07 PM

[ Lt. Cmdr. Rutherford | Counseling Complex | Vector 01 | USS Theurgy ] attn: @Havenborn
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When Daniel continued to double down on that sentiment of perfection, his culture seemed to circle around in an almost elitist fashion, Samantha furrowed her manicured brows gently, in a barely discernible fashion. As there was admittedly no definite concept of perfection achievable outside of theory, the strive seemed utterly mundane, yet different species had based their sole existence on much more vacuous goals, and were fairing relatively well with it.

“Doesn’t that kind of take the fun out of it?” the blond queried, instantly quizzing herself on what ‘fun’ she was referring to. Not having ever seriously toyed with the idea of procreation, outside of having a mini version of her husband to dote on, she’d always taken her own cultural predisposition for granted that the true blessing of reproduction was to discover a random mix of the respective parent’s genes and traits. To discover a new person and character you created. Like an accord you worked nine months on and then kept revising, until it was ready to be let out into the world. Not a prefabricated sheet of perfect directives, that had no relation to one another.

Yet, she had to agree with one point, the concept seemed to have produced a handsome man with fiery ambition and passion, not an evil, overpowered mastermind.

“Like negotiating a trade agreement or a territorial dispute.” Sam quipped almost childishly. Obvious pride over the reference to her own skills, in reply to his elaborations. There were too different diplomats for certain specialized types of craft required. And as she saw herself more as a facilitator now, she would still rely on the respective specialists in their field to make an informed decision on either topic. No one could be a specialist in everything, not even a genetically perfected superman, apparently. Which was sort of relieving her barely human and unaltered nature.

“It’s not an enviable position to be in.” she ultimately remarked in answer to his career goals. “And potentially far exceeding the level of diplomacy I would even be comfortable with." Concluding with another chuckle the two of them seemed to have finally found a spot that was secluded enough to grow comfortable in.

Re: Day 33 [1945 hrs.] Girl Interrupted

Reply #27 – January 26, 2021, 09:11:00 AM

[ LT Daniel Havenborn | Deck 22 Corridor | USS Theurgy, Vector 3 ] Attn: @Stardust

Daniel gave her a puzzled look, he wasn’t sure what she meant by that statement.  The only fun part he could think of would be the act of sexual intercourse.  Even the Federation itself used limited genetic manipulation to correct life threatening defects so he wasn’t quite sure what she meant by taking the fun out of it.  “I suppose that depends on your definition of fun?” He said, he wasn’t really sure how to answer her statement so he hoped that maybe she could explain what she meant a little more.

“Indeed.”  Daniel responded to her second statement.  “Really?  I thought that you’d be on the right track for Command being a diplomat.  From my experience Starfleet tends to prefer their captains to be diplomatic.”  Daniel said.  Diplomacy wasn’t a quality that he believed worked all that well when it came to galactic politics, his own people maintained diplomatic talks with the Federation only as a measure to stall until they felt ready to attack Earth, not that he imagined that day would come anytime soon.  After so many years of stalling he truly believed that was all his people would ever be good at, maybe the Senators were so content with the status quo that they had forgotten what they had originally intended to do.  It was all academic as far as Daniel was concerned though as he was no longer a member of the Neo-ECON thanks to his father’s machinations.

Re: Day 33 [1945 hrs.] Girl Interrupted

Reply #28 – February 06, 2021, 09:56:27 AM

[ Lt. Cmdr. Rutherford | Counseling Complex | Vector 01 | USS Theurgy ] attn: @Havenborn
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There was certainly room for definition, when it came to the ‘fun part’. Sure, sex could be an aspect of it, but what she had truly been alluding to was the miracle of combining two people and creating an entirely new one. With all the chances and surprises that came with it. If you could tailor make your offspring, that kind of – well – took the fun out of that process.

“Well, I mean, it’s creating a child, not shopping for a shuttlecraft. There are certain variables that are usually mysterious, surprising, like whose eye-color will the kid get. Will it be more artistically or rather logically inclined? If you define all of this ahead of time, you might get exactly what you wanted but, where is the fun in that.”

It was rather similar to any interaction between two sentient individuals. You never knew what was going to happen, how the other would react, never truly. In a similar fashion, people could go around and fabricate a narrative solely based on their own wishes and desires. Sure, they would get exactly what they liked, but that was not the human nature. Humans were designed to deal with surprising and unpredictable changes on the fly. It was what gave life meaning and purpose.

“Yes, that’s what Starfleet captains are known for …” Samantha chuckled, averting her glimmering blue eyes almost in a bashful notion as white teeth broke from rosy lips. In her time she had met many officers ranked captain and above, few of which were actually very diplomatic. Sure, they thought themselves to be, but there was a little bit more to it then being just a smooth talker. “Anyways, I think there’s a spot for everyone, but I don’t think mine is center-stage on a bridge.”

Taking in the beauty of the plants in the arboretum for a moment, however, the blonde took a deep breath of the moist, fragrant air.

“I did consider becoming a botanist though.” she lamented. “Now I watch agreements grow, I guess.”

Re: Day 33 [1945 hrs.] Girl Interrupted

Reply #29 – February 07, 2021, 02:52:39 PM

[ LT Daniel Havenborn | Deck 22, Arboretum | USS Theurgy, Vector 3 ] Attn: @Stardust

Daniel nodded.  “I suppose that is one way to view it, I honestly have never really given it much thought myself.  I know that I want children someday but considering the Federation’s laws on genetic manipulation I don’t really see anything beyond simple defect correction being allowed.”  Daniel said, from what he remembered the Federation had very strict laws about genetic manipulation unlike Neo-ECON scientists who were given free reign genetically manipulate as they saw fit, he was a product of that manipulation, his aesthetic features were left alone but after he was born his parents had decided his future for him and began a genetic enhancement regimen to groom him to be a pilot.

Daniel shrugged his shoulders.  “Starfleet does have ships with the sole purpose of being diplomatic vessels, if we somehow are able to return to the Federation and retain our Starfleet commissions I could see you commanding one of those.”  He wasn’t sure if they’d ever be able to convince Starfleet Command that they weren’t traitors though, Fate would decide that in her own sweet time.

He smiled when she mentioned being a botanist.  “Or wilt in some cases.” He said with a chuckle.  “I never had a choice in what I wanted to do but I think if I had been given the choice I still would have chosen to be a pilot.”

Re: Day 33 [1945 hrs.] Girl Interrupted

Reply #30 – February 19, 2021, 12:03:54 AM

[ Lt. Cmdr. Rutherford | Counseling Complex | Vector 01 | USS Theurgy ] attn: @Havenborn
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Hearing Daniel talk about wanting children one day shed an entirely new light on the guarded daredevil. Made him seen more human, genetic manipulations and Martian heritage aside. It certainly was something Samantha appreciated finding out about him.

“Come on now … what defects could a little Daniel possibly have.” she chuckled lightly. If children were a sum of their parent’s DNA, and if he chose his mate right, there was a rather high chance those off-springs would be perfect. Potentially annoyingly so. There was certainly an argument to be made in favor of flawlessness, but the blonde had come to understand that it was usually just a veneer to hide bottomless dysfunction. And as a result, had grown increasingly weary of the very concept, over the years.

Nodded slowly, almost as if she didn’t take his compliment right away, Sam ultimately broke into an appreciative chuckle. “Thanks, she smiled. I’ll not rule that possibility out then.” she noted, unintentionally adding a little impressed swagger to her moves, feeling higher than usual.

“That too …” she ultimately laughed at his comment towards negotiations having gone south in the past. There certainly had been those. Especially in her early years, when she’d still been inexperienced and easy to see through. Something she really hoped had changed. But it was probably not hard to discern still, that she was having a good time.

“Really? So, what if you couldn’t have been a pilot then?”

Re: Day 33 [1945 hrs.] Girl Interrupted

Reply #31 – March 08, 2021, 12:44:19 PM

[ LT Daniel Havenborn, Callsign: Salvo | Deck 22, Arboretum | USS Theurgy, Vector 3 ] Attn: @Stardust

“I suppose its not defects that I’m too concerned about since Federation law does allow for it, but I suppose I much prefer having control over something and not leaving everything for Fate to decide.”  Daniel said, Fate already controlled everything else, if he had the chance to remove one aspect of her control he would absolutely take it.  “Even if all I can do is remove one aspect of her control it would be worth it.”  He had already defied Fate’s plan for him once when he left home but she had made up for that by making sure that he had become a traitor in his new adopted home as well as his native homeland.

“I don’t know really, maybe be a ground forces soldier, the training is similar to being an aerospace pilot.  The doctrines and genetic enhancements are different but the training overlaps in certain areas.  Although I used to romanticize what being a special forces operator would be like.”  Daniel said.  “Although to be honest I don’t really think about what could have been because that’s a waste of time.  I’m not a ground forces soldier or a special forces operator, I’m technically not even an aerospace pilot having never completed my time at an academy of military science.”  Daniel paused for a moment.  “TacCONN is the closest I can get to being an aerospace pilot and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

Re: Day 33 [1945 hrs.] Girl Interrupted

Reply #32 – April 05, 2021, 07:35:53 PM

[ Lt. Cmdr. Rutherford | Counseling Complex | Vector 01 | USS Theurgy ] attn: @Havenborn
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“Spoken like someone who can expect for his fighter to steer right when he pushes the joystick to the right, and to steer left when he pushes left.” Samantha chuckled teasingly. There were many aspects of Daniel’s life, so she had learned, that indicated he was a man who could only get through the day if he was in control. A kind of man he understood, having dealt with them for most of her career. And for those even more than any other, it was important to keep that illusion going.

Still, she could understand why someone would want to exert that kind of totalitarian authority on his life and the direction it was taking. A sentiment born from the kind of confidence necessary to make split-second decisions in the thick of battle. So yeah, she could see how the man’s breeding and education had shaped him into the perfect fighter pilot.

“A different topic then.” The diplomat surmised, as Daniel circled back to not even seeing any merit in contemplating the would’ve been’s and could’ve been’s.

Letting her sky-blue eyes trail around the greenery of the arboretum, comforting in its own rite, the commander rummaged through the myriads of prepared topics that were part of her diplomatic training. Trying to find a more personal one than border conflicts and intergalactic treaties.

“Where do you think we’re going to end up with this mission, then?” Sam queried, letting her eyes fall back on the handsome man with a more somber expression.

OOC: Sorry for the wait! Work has finally slowed down a bit and it's a holiday today XD

Re: Day 33 [1945 hrs.] Girl Interrupted

Reply #33 – April 08, 2021, 10:00:57 PM

[ LT Daniel Havenborn, Callsign: Salvo | Deck 22, Arboretum | USS Theurgy, Vector 3 ] Attn: @Stardust

“With proper maintenance and upkeep my fighter will do just that.”  Daniel said with a smirk as he noticed her look around the arboretum.  He liked spending time in here since it reminded him of the enclosed parks of his homeland.  Open space was at a premium in the domes and the only thing that came close to an open air park were the enclosed parks that were very similar to the Theurgy’s arboretum.  It was one reason why he had added one to his holoprogram of the MCV Khan.

As she suggested a different topic Daniel nodded and hearing her question made him raise an eyebrow.  “Hopefully with clearing our names and being welcomed back home as heroes.”  Daniel said as he looked back at the blonde woman.  “Although it does seem like someone at Starfleet Command knows that we’re not traitors because we keep getting reinforcements from someone.”  He said, indirectly referring to her, but mostly to the other officers and crew that they’d received in the past few days.  Daniel hoped that day would come sooner than later but he also knew from experience that Fate would do everything in her power to make sure it was the latter.

Re: Day 33 [1945 hrs.] Girl Interrupted

Reply #34 – April 17, 2021, 11:11:05 AM

[ Lt. Cmdr. Rutherford | Counseling Complex | Vector 01 | USS Theurgy ] attn: @Havenborn
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“And then some … I hope.” Samantha smiled. Even for someone who did not know the specific ins and outs of being a fighter pilot she assumed that some sort of offensive and defensive systems were a big part of it too. And just like navigation, they were expected to work upon command as well. She could understand the simplicity of a machine or a computer program, with every input providing the expected output. All the time and forever, provided the correct maintenance, as Daniel correctly assessed.

She nodded slowly, as he spoke of returning to earth as a hero. Narrowing her blue eyes slightly as she looked at him, assessing her knowledge of him, she pulled her bottom lip up slightly as a conclusion to the notion. Understanding that being a hero was a strong motivator for many people, and she could definitely see him being one of them. Personally, it was not such a specific goal for herself, but she could appreciate it.

Looking up from the flower she’d just picked, however, to the handsome man, she wondered how much of what Anderson did for Theurgy was public knowledge among the crew. But to err on the side of caution, she’d try not reveal too much.

“It would sure seem that way.” She simply replied, realizing t was probably to short an answer to deflect suspicion. “I mean, it’s safe to assume not everyone at Starfleet Command is infected and that someone else would have the common sense to pick up that something’s going horribly wrong there.”

Meaning recent decisions and accusation, made by command.

Re: Day 33 [1945 hrs.] Girl Interrupted

Reply #35 – May 09, 2021, 02:08:58 PM

[ LT Daniel Havenborn, Callsign: Salvo | Deck 22, Arboretum | USS Theurgy, Vector 3 ] Attn: @Stardust

Daniel nodded as he agreed with her.  “Indeed.”  He said as he watched her pick one of the flowers.  He personally didn’t really expect a hero’s welcome for himself but for Knight and K’Ren and the other pilots they deserved that.  The best that Daniel could hope for would be spending time with his loved ones, assuming he and Miranda found others willing to join the harem.  As she mentioned the word infected he looked at her with a raised eyebrow, it seemed like people were so readily willing to accept that story of the so called infested parasites when other more plausible explanations were available.

“Yes we can only hope that Starfleet Command comes to its senses or that there is some sort of power balance that shifts and helps us out.  However it does seem that Chancellor Martok is on our side and has allowed us to lay low here for awhile.”  Daniel said, he still hadn’t forgiven the Klingon Chancellor for the deaths he had caused but thankfully he was in a position where he didn’t have to deal with the Klingon leader.

“Maybe if we convince enough other government leaders to join our cause Starfleet will be swayed and we can return to our lives.”  He said as he stared out at the stream that ran through the room, watching it before turning his attention back to the senior officer.

Re: Day 33 [1945 hrs.] Girl Interrupted

Reply #36 – June 02, 2021, 07:27:42 PM

[ Lt. Cmdr. Rutherford | Counseling Complex | Vector 01 | USS Theurgy ] attn: @Havenborn
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Samantha hadn’t often contemplated the history that some of Theurgy’s crew shared from way before she had even arrived here. And while she was quite caught up on the records of it all, the human aspect had always eluded her. It was how she worked, really, abstracting the people in a situation to names and ranks rather than individual stories. It was the only way one could ever get any negotiations done. And it was also why she was usually hesitant to acquaint herself with those affected by her actions.

Which wouldn’t be too easy on this trip, as it turned out.

“Let me tell you from experience: There’s always a shift in power going to overthrow the establishment. Nothing lasts forever.” she paraphrased from some political science lecture ages ago. At least one could only hope that whatever state these ‘aliens’ wanted to impose that it would not be the “be all, end all” to their story.

Nodding casually at his hopes, but with the added reassurance of knowing that was likely the most sensible plan, Sam pursed her lips in contemplation.

“Let’s just hope we still remember what our lives where before this.”

After all, it had only been a few days, but she already felt like her life before was drifting into distant memory. But that was coming from a woman who lived for her work ever since her husband had died. So there was not much to go back to once duty was over.

Re: Day 33 [1945 hrs.] Girl Interrupted

Reply #37 – September 11, 2021, 10:52:29 AM

[ LT Daniel Havenborn, Callsign: Salvo | Deck 22, Arboretum | USS Theurgy, Vector 3 ] Attn: @Stardust

“Indeed, Fate twists and weaves the fabric of time to suit her fancy.”  He said with a smirk.   Time would tell how their situation would turn out, hopefully in their favor but with so many arrayed against them it was definitely going to be a hard fought road.

As he was listening to her speak about remembering what their lives were like before all this his combadge chirped a moment after she was done speaking.  “Excuse me a moment Commander.”  He said as he tapped his combadge.  “Lieutenant Havenborn, you’re fifteen minutes late.”  A female voice said.  It suddenly dawned on him that he had a promised Miranda some alone time after his counseling session.  “I completely forgot, I’m on my way.”  He said as he tapped his combadge again ending the call.

He stepped back towards Commander Rutherford.  “I’m sorry Commander, I forgot that I was meeting up with my paramour Ensign Dove after my counseling session, if you’d like we could continue our discussion at a later time.”  Daniel said.  “It was a pleasure to meet you Commander, have a good day.”  He said as he waited for her to respond then left to meet up with Miranda in her quarters.

Re: Day 33 [1945 hrs.] Girl Interrupted

Reply #38 – September 15, 2021, 09:13:42 AM

[ Lt. Cmdr. Rutherford | Counseling Complex | Vector 01 | USS Theurgy ] attn: @Havenborn
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Samantha nodded slowly at the Lieutenants rather poetic interpretation of the concept of fate. It wasn’t a quality she would’ve readily attributed to the man from the cusp of meeting him the first time. Smug smile and handsome features belying the apparent existence of depth. Which ultimately turned the question of whether there was any hidden extent to his character into what exactly it was that remained obscured in the dark beneath the surface.

It was a thought process requiring more time and more empirical evidence, in order to come to a concrete conclusion about the matter. Time that would soon - despite fate’s most persistent intervention in the form of a comm call – become allocated for more pressing matters. Such as the stake of the galaxy and that.

Nodding with a reverent dip of her dainty chin, the diplomat granted Havenborn his requested excuse. Perking a single Vulcan brow at the honey-like voice dripping from the speakers laced with passionate spice. The formal phrasing seemingly hiding a deeper connection. As was verified shortly thereafter.

Blue eyes widening ever so slightly, as long lashes framed growing pools of innocent white, the blonde pressed her lips together in a futile effort to conceal a growing mix of bemusement and awkwardness, at apparently being witness to a booty call in progress. One she had no intention of coming into the middle of. The subsequent phrasing of ‘paramour’ however, unleashed a short chortle from plush lips, that should’ve probably remained private.

Contemplating the necessity of defining Ensign Dove’s role in his life so vividly, Samantha nodded without judgment or ill-will.

“Absolutely.” she replied succinctly and with a definitive nod. For there was a certain curiosity about the peculiarity of language with which he chose to convey his almost alien views on the universe. And even if it wasn’t exclusively personal interest, there certainly was a kind of professional inquisitiveness into the matter that seeped into more private indulgences.

So yeah, she’d at least see if there was time to get to the bottom of what it was this particular specimen was about. If the galaxy wasn’t going to come crashing down around them soon.

Which it subsequently did.

FIN