Cptn Corizon

Corizon flipped his glance back to Kennin momentarily, ears at full attention, then to Graham. "You have the bridge Mr. Graham. Commander, I'd like to see you in my office... now." Kennin, somewhat distracted by the readings on his console, nodded absently. "Just one moment," he said without looking up, keying data in. Corizon had made it about half way to the turbolift by then. "I said... now." His voice firm, unbending, and decidedly unhappy. "Mm-hmm," Kennin replied, still entering information. He rose without stopping his typing and slipped around the chair, leaning over it's back to tap in one final string of commands. With measured steps, and low... guttural growl, Corizon entered the lift, holding it for Kennin. Turning back only once to add another piece to his program, Kennin eventually made it to the turbolift, seemingly oblivious to Corizon's irritation. Corizon held his tongue until they arrived at his office. He led Kennin in and motioned for him to sit in the chair across from him. For his part, Kennin was still back on the bridge, at least mentally. He took the seat automatically, but his lips moved silently as he calculated variables. "You want to explain to me," Corizon said, trying to remain calm, "what the frack that was?" Kennin, who was counting something on his fingers, blinked and looked up, hands still poised to count. "...A battle drill?" he offered. "I know that." Corizon's ears were now pinned back. "I meant... your state-of-the-art warship getting torched by a NUKE!" He blinked again. "Oh, that." Corizon's eyes didn't move off of Kennin as he placed his hands on his desk, claws fully extended. "Yes... that." Kennin settled back in the chair, dropping his hands to the armrests. "I have been saying that the Morningstar's power consumption balances are tricky," he reminded the commander. "If they're not kept just so, fissures develop along the join seams of the shield geometry." Corizon's gaze flickered. "I really don't care what it did. All I want... is it... fixed. Now. In case you missed the memo, we're in unexplored space. Even the Dominion doesn't venture out here too often. So if we run into trouble, I'd like to live through it." Rolling his eyes, Kennin reflected on the apparent selective deafness of the Excalibur crew. "This was supposed to be Morningstar's test flight," he said, slowly and clearly. "We're still working on ironing out her foibles." Keeping his eyes steadily on Kennin. "In case you missed my ears... my hearing is just fine, Lt. Commander." He paused then continued. "When I ordered us to Battle Alert... you should have mentioned that, you didn't." "It was just a drill," Kennin said, waving a hand dismissively. Corizon smacked his hand against the desk. "Just a drill?... JUST a drill?" "Yes," said Kennin, unperturbed. "If we run into hostiles," Corizon said, his tone growing sharper and shaper, "can you assure me the same thing won't happen?" Now Kennin looked thoughtful. "We got some excellent data," he said, rubbing the end of his nose reflectively. "I've already started the programming that will help the ops officer manage the shield grid's requirements. Though it might help if we put a dedicated engineer on it in future. They'd have to be trained extensively, of course... We wouldn't want them to disrupt the weapons array or overload the ODN network..." Letting his ears return to their normal position, Corizon let a brief smile cross his face. "That's what I wanted to hear, Commander. Work with Lt. Xavier on finding someone to fill that role." Lost in a world of computer systems and program calculations, Kennin just nodded. "...life-support, inertial dampeners... oh, sickbay backups..." he muttered to himself. Corizon lifted his ears, but let it pass. "One more thing, Commander." "Hmm -- wha?" Kennin blinked up at Corizon, having forgotten he was there. "I understand you don't agree with my choice of assignments for you once we arrive at Surma?" "Oh -- no, not really." Corizon smiled, fangily. "You are... and correct me if I am wrong... a Fleet Officer?" "Of course, but I'm an engineer, sir." "This isn't multiple choice... Yes or no." Kennin sighed. "Yes." "And you're on active duty?" Grumbling under his breath, he nodded. "Yes." Corizon let a brief grin cross his face. "Well then, I would be within my rights to order you where I thought you would be best suited, given the personnel that I have?" "Of course, sir. I'm just pointing out that you're wrong about what I'm best suited for." He debated about pointing to his own pips and sending Kennin on his way, but Kennin, after all, deserved a little better than that. "I understand you feel that way because you're not a diplomat... obviously true.... Right?" Kennin nodded eagerly. "Exactly what I've been trying to tell you." "It's not a diplomatic assignment." "Due respect, Commander -- the hell it isn't." Smirking, again. "It's an educational one. You are capable of learning, I assume? At no point will you be negotiating, or anything that complicated. Admiral Day and I will be handling all that good junk. You'll just be going on a guided tour." "Sir... this really isn't my field...." "Not mine either. But...welcome to Starfleet, Tommy." "But!" Kennin yelped. "Now, wait just one minute..."

::snickers uncontrollably at Lo'Ami::

In the interest of group harmony...topic closed :(

Really? Then you must have missed the entire Progressive Reform era of the late Industrial Age. Are you saying that creating a 40-hour work week wasn't productive to the economy? I think tourist and entertainment industries would disagree. Speaking from someone who comes from a state where Business has more or less held the people of my state under there thumb for a century or more, the Government has a bedrock right and requirement to "coerce" buisness when the overall effects of that coercison will be postive. It's an accepted Scienitific fact that at some point with in the next 10-15 years (some estimates have it sooner) that we will have a resource shortage in petroleum. Our economy tied so heavily to Petroleum that when that happens, the economy will take a heavy hit. So now, coming from someone who's said that we must be proactive in government policy, I find it hard to believe that you wouldn't support a measure that could solve a problem that *will* happen before it does. Now, I am not saying that we should set price levels of gasoline. Don't get me wrong. But should the government look into ways to "coerce" industries into becoming less dependent and ultimatly off non-reknewable resources before it happens? Certainly. Side Note: Ask any political scientest or economist. Governemnt regulates business for the better good of people. In the real world, the Free Market can't succesfully opperate without interference. Just like True Communism, true Free Market Captalism doesn't and won't exsist.

Modern, Cool Nerd 65 % Nerd, 69% Geek, 21% Dork For The Record: A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia. A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one. A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions. You scored better than half in Nerd and Geek, earning you the title of: Modern, Cool Nerd. Nerds didn't use to be cool, but in the 90's that all changed. It used to be that, if you were a computer expert, you had to wear plaid or a pocket protector or suspenders or something that announced to the world that you couldn't quite fit in. Not anymore. Now, the intelligent and geeky have eked out for themselves a modicum of respect at the very least, and "geek is chic." The Modern, Cool Nerd is intelligent, knowledgable and always the person to call in a crisis (needing computer advice/an arcane bit of trivia knowledge). They are the one you want as your lifeline in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (or the one up there, winning the million bucks)! Congratulations!

As Morningstar ventures into the depths of the Gamma Quadrant, blissfully unawares, choas descends upon the Dominion Gannel, Vorta Administrator of the Hanquin Cloning Facility, smiled to himself. It was glorious morning. Truly the Founders had smiled upon him. Jem’Hadar Cloning Production rose ten percent in the previous three months, and his facility was ahead of schedule for the new Gamma-series that would be the next generation of Jem’Hadar warriors. The morning sunlight of the triple stars shined in his eyes as he looked over the open balcony at the facilities bellow him. A shadow crossed over his eyes, and he glanced up to see what had covered one of three stars Hanquin IV orbited. It was the last thing Gannel 4 saw clearly. The next was weapons fire. When the Dominion Battlecruiser Tilnoth arrived in Hanquin, even the Jem’Hadar onboard could not believe it. The entire facility had been eradicated. Not one living creature had been left alive on the planet, the surface of the once lush M-Class planet smoldering. Terrias, Vorta of the Tilnoth could not imagine the hubris of the attacker. It was sometime before he could even repeat the horrible events to the Vorta Council. “The Entire Planet…the clones…everything…destroyed. May the Founders forgive who ever committed such an atrocity!.” The news weighed heavily on the Vorta Council. It was the fifth such attack in just over 2-weeks. And the third cloning facility they had lost, and despite the vastness of the Dominion, cloning facilities of the size of Hanquin were not easily replaced. “This must be the work of the Hundred!” Demit, one of the senior members of the council, boomed following the transmission from Terrias. “Mind your tongue,” Rexwin, another member of the council chided. “They are still our gods. Surely they would not destroy their creation in order to harm the Founders.” “You place too much faith in the Hundred…” Keevan leader of the Council frowned. “Perhaps what is needed further…investigation into the matter?” Demit scowled. “We should prepare for a Civil War.” “Indeed,” Rexwin said begrudgingly, her displeasure showing on her face. “Rebel Vorta must know the consequences of their actions.” Keevan’s frown deepened. In the thousands of years the Dominion had stood, never had the Vorta taken up arms against each other. The thought of such a conflict sickened him. Secretly, he wished Odo and the Founders would break from their seclusion and give them guidance. What was Vorta to do? Torn between Gods…the choice was almost unthinkable. “I will not allow this to escalate into a Civil War,” Keevan said firmly. “We must root out the Rebel Vorta and terminate them.” Demit shook his head. “And if we must use force to do that?” “Then so be it…”

::snickers at Wimbley:: the "Stillers" did much better than the Iggles (If you were from the area you'd get the joke) :D Anyway...my Fantasy team did really well against one of the better teams in the 16 person leauge I am in...my WR really came through for me :( And for the Bangles fan: It was the Browns....Oooooo :(

Just to follow up. Social Science is "Behavioral Science" :)

:)

::coughs:: Captalist ::coughs:: The classical economic theory argument for that (raising the min. wage) is so flawed...I don't know where to begin. The argument (and I have sat through economics classes...apparently they think PR majors need to learn about the economy... :) ) about raising min. wage is that it will cause unemployement, and thus hurt the economy. What the theory doesn't take into account is that (and I have never heard a good rebutal to this charge, but feel free to try) when raise the min. wage, your putting more money in the hands of lower income people, who studies show are more likely to spend their new found cash, and thus will stimulate the economy. Those buisnesses which raise the Min. Wage will now find increased profits that will off set their losses, thus there is no reason to raise prices. The old "invisable" hand theory is equally untrue. Modern Economic theorists acknowledge that only in the "ideal" world does the Free Market regulate it self, and that in the "real" world, the Free Market must be regulated by the Government. Now back to topic. :P In the "ideal" world, people would stop buying fuel (energy) when it reached a certain price. But because we're so dependant upon it, they won't. However, what they will do (as a result of scarcity) is they will buy fewer good that they don't need (such as gifts, eating out, going on vacation.) Which could/would/will have a negative impact on the overall economy. I don't think anyone would argue that a Price Cieling on labor would be effective, due to the negative impacts it would have on the economy (not to mention the slippery-slope you'd be creating.) However, setting price ceilings for the finished product wouldn't have the same negative impact on the actual Oil Companies (Not the people who sell the refined product, the crude oil suppliers). Because it would only cut into their profit margins. Of course, they'd use it as an excuse to lay-off the employees to make up the difference, which of course is a cop out. In the old days, you would never see a corp. try and do something like that, because in the hay-day of the Nation-State, multi-national corps. had the same interests as the country..."What was Good for GM, was Good for the US." But that's not the case anymore. So what is the solution? There probabbly isn't one simple resolution that will solve the problem. More likely, a combination of ideas taken in moderation. [/Rant]

FROM: Commander Ah-Windu Corizon, Executive Officer - USS Morningstar TO: All Department Heads, Lt. Commander Kennin CC: Vice-Admiral Wayne Day SUBJECT: MISSION TO SURMAC The crew of the Morningstar will be conducting a survey of the planet, as they have requested protectorate status with the Federation. Different departments will be doing different things over the next few weeks, and here is a very brief explanation of each: Science: Will be observing a Surma Archeological dig on the southern landmass. You will be primarily just observing, but you may be asked to lend your expertise to the project. Primary Contact will be the leader of the Expedition: Doctor Jehal Teraz. Engineering: Will be observing the Surma Aqua-Gation system, a unique development that allows the Surmac people to keep their water fresh and clean and also provides water for drinking and irrigation planet wide. As with science you will primarily be touring the facility, but you may be asked to help if a problem were to arise. Primary Contact will be the planetary Chief of Engineering: Tobal Rywex Medical: Will be observing the Surmac’s principal Research Hospital where they are developing cures for hundreds of diseases. As with everyone else, you will mostly be observing. Primary Contact will be the Hospital Administrator: Doctor Htix Z’Haan Security: Will be touring several of the planet’s defense facilities as well as their newest orbital facility: Sky Dock. As with everyone else, you will mostly be observing. Primary Contact will be Surmac Defense Minister: G’jet Fylan A final team, lead by Commander Kennin, consisting of Lt. B’Nai Summers, Yeoman Perfect, Ensigns Murdok Helios and Oany Kimaris will meet primarily with the Leader of the Surmac and will spend time in the capitol city, learning about the history and political culture of their people. Admiral Day and I will primarily stay ship side or be engaged with the Surmac leadership in diplomatic talks. Each exploratory team will consist of 3-4 members of each department and the department head. Dept. Heads are expected to file daily reports of their findings with Commander Corizon. A final report of their findings is also expected to be filed with both Commander Corizon and Admiral Day, along with a recommendation. The Surmac have offered to have a final banquet in our honor before we leave, all Senior Staff will be required to attend…in full Dress Uniform. Questions regarding these orders are to be directed to myself. Please inform your perspective team members as soon as possible so they may become familiar with the area they are to study.

Cetris Parabis of course Simon. :) And actually. There is a difference in Gasoline types. Different companies and different regions require different addatives, as well some companies will only sell more refined gasoline that is "cleaner" than others (not nessicarily higher octane :P ) The more refined the gasoline is, and the more addatives it has, the more expensive it is (EG: Exxon gasoline has Techron in it, and thus costs slightly more...on average.)

To: Personnel Office Starfleet Command, Earth From: Commander Ah-Windu Corizon U.S.S. Morningstar, NX-82785 Re: Laarell Elai Teykier -------------------------------------------------------------- This communique is to serve as notice that effective Stardate 0509.11, Ensign Laarell Elai Teykier has been promoted to the rank of Lt.Jg.This decision comes after extended review of her service and dedication to the U.S.S. Excalibur. It is a pleasure to have such a capable officer aboard and I sincerely hope we will profit from her assistance in the future.

Mission Brief: The USS Morningstar continues on her long journey to Surmac to make first contact. We are 13 days from the system. 091105.txt

EnRiov N'Dak sends his regards...he was called away on last minute duty and was unable to attend, a shame really...I heard the I-HOP food rocked. ::ducks:: ;)

AFC East *1. NY Jets (Despite trading off Santana, this team should be able to win, they have great defense.) W2. New England (Has lost of a ton of Talent on the Defense and both coordinators, Will make the play offs, but not repeat.) 3. Buffalo (Improving.) 4. Miami (Improving, but not there yet.) AFC North *1. Pittsburgh (In this weak division the realoaded Steel-City rolls..) 2. Baltimore (Second Best, but lack Offensive Fire Power to get the job done.) 3. Cincinnati (8-8 will be all they can muster. They're the Bangles :blink: ) 4. Cleveland (Give Romeo time.) AFC South *1. Indianapolis (Best Offense in the AFC, but can't win when it Matters.) 2. J'Ville (Leftwich has yet to prove himself, 9-7 doesn't make you special, but the divison lacks depth.) 3. Houston (Continues improving, but lack depth.) 4. Tennessee (Rebulding.) AFC West *1.Oakland (The surprise team of the year, in this, the best Div. in the NFL. Loaded on Offesnse and Defense look for them to shakethings up.) w2. Sand Diego (Stout Defense, with solid preformance on Offense, but lacks Big PLay Potentinal of the Raiders.) 3. Denver (A perenially good team, in a tough division.) 4. Kansas City (A good team,in a tough division.) ------------------------------------------------------------ NFC East *1. Philadelphia (The Eagles once again are the best team in their Division, and will win it, but not because of TO) w2. Dallas (Big-D Returns.) 3. NY Giants (Improving.) 4. Washington (Question Marks.) NFC North *1. Detroit (The Surprise of the NFL. This team is loaded with talent and has a great coach.) w2. Green Bay (Favre's final Huzzah, could make some noise.) 3. Minnesota (Will Falter down the streach run...Again.) 4. Chicago (Improving, but needs a Quarterback.) NFC South *1. Atlanta (Mr, Everything has help!) 2.Carolina (Nothing Special I) 3. Tampa Bay (Nothing special II) 4. New Orleans (Could be the feel good story of the year, probabbly not.) NFC West *1. Seattle (Could challenge the Eagles in this weak Conference.) 2.St. Louis (Untill Mike Martz is gone, this team will be no better than a Wild Card, and prolly not this year.) 3. Arizona (Warner hasn't been good in four years, that won't change anytime soon.) 4. San Francisco (Have Major Questions marks all over the place.) *= Division Winner W= Wildcard (I in no way claim the following *will* happen) AFC Championship Game: NY Jets at Pittsburgh Winner: Pittsburgh NFC Championship Game: Detroit at Atlanta Winner: Atalanta Super Bowl 40 Pittsburgh at Atlanta Winner: Pittsburgh (Yay! Thumb Ring!)

Then don't read the sports post. :blink:

::happily claps after an opening weekend victory::

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire2005/index.p...id=32194&type=0 I really think Rick Berman needs to just...leave Trek alone. Hasn't he done enough damage??? ::watches them muck-up Romulans even more::

Blu missing a sim... ;) OH wait...she just canceled instead... :huh:

=/\= =/\= =/\= MISSION BRIEFING, USS Excalibur SD 0508.28 =/\= =/\= =/\= The Excalibur is currently under repair back in the Alpha Quadrant while the crew is temporarily (we hope) assigned to the Mornigstar. The ship and crew are assigned to a first meeting with the Surma deep in Gamma quadrant. =/\= =/\= =/\= END BRIEFING =/\= =/\= =/\= 082805.txt

Yingling

Day 2 Corizon tapped his claws gently against the glass desk in his office. It was blessed relief to get off the bridge. Paperwork quickly took his attention away from staring aimlessly into space. In just under 48-hours of being on the Morningstar, already the crew managed to completely cover his desk with complaints, reports, requests and just about any other imaginable source of paperwork. He glanced at the particular one in his hand. “Sir, with all due respect, I request I be allowed to move to a different barrack…” he stopped, shook his head and skimmed on. The author of the letter, an Ensign Hataki went to explain how she should not have to live with a room full of “messy, irresponsible males.” …Right… Dear Ensign Hataki, While I appreciate your…initiative in attempting to change a situation, there is little I can do to…alleviate your quandary. I am afraid you’ll just have to learn to live with a little mess. Perhaps you could speak with your barrack mates about the situation. Not to mention we’ve only been on the ship for less than two days, perhaps after they’ve had a chance to settle in, they’ll clean up? With Regards, Commander Ah-Windu Corizon, Executive Officer, USS Morningstar Next came a letter from a crewman in engineering. It got a response similar to the one he sent Hataki. After about the fifth “I don’t like my roommates” letter…Ah-Windu decided he wasn’t even going to respond to them at all. Amazing what modern technology could do. “Computer sort incoming mail…please directs all incoming mail that is in regards to quarters to the trash can.” It was mid afternoon, 15:42, when he finally finished going through all the pads on his desk. His stomach grumbled lowly. In all the commotion he hadn’t bothered to eat since he went on duty at 0600. The officer’s mess was eerily quite. A few scattered officers were eating at various tables. Unlike other Federation Vessels, Morningstar had only two messhalls…which was where most of the crew would actually eat. Not only that, but they ate real food…none of that Replicated junk they were probably use too. Corizon’s well attuned nostrils caught the smell of whatever the chef was preparing. He’d glanced over the man’s file. One of the few non-essential personnel on the ship, however he was an enlisted officer. It occurred to Corizon that really, they didn’t need him…but given the lack of creature comforts on Morningstar he supposed giving the crew real food softened the blow. The line was short…maybe three or four long. He grabbed a tray and waited his turn. Sure he could have skipped line…he figured none of the crew would have the fortitude to stop him, but there wasn’t any reason to pull rank. The cuisine distinctly had human flavor. Roasted Chicken, mashed potatoes, some sort of green vegetable…he wasn’t entirely sure…he thought he heard one of the crewmen call it “green beans.” On the side was a red gelatin with fruit in it…cranberry salad…that what it was called. He didn’t mind the human cuisine, after spending almost thirty years on Earth, he’d gotten rather used to it. Though he preferred raw meat to the cooked variety they served in most establishments, human crew tended to be…repulsed at the thought, let alone the sight. Ah-Windu ate quietly by himself, and then headed back to his office. By 1800, he was ready to head back to his quarter, but not before a quick evening jog in the gym. Dinner was a short and quite affair, a simple meal he replicated in his quarters. After he wrote his daily log, he headed to bed early. Tomorrow would be busy, and he wanted to be well rested.

Day 3 Corizon leaned back into his office chair, he glanced at the clock. 0805. He’d already been up for three hours, and he still had a long ways to go before he would find the restful slumber of his bed. In the background, soft gentle music played. In front of him were the gamma and beta shift reports. It had been a quite evening. Medical had even been slow…apparently the crew was taking it easy…not that their was exactly a lot they could do in their leisure time, but Corizon still liked that no one had gotten injured badly yet. He smirked slightly to himself, by this time in his last ‘command’ they were drifting aimlessly in space waiting to be rescued, ironically by the ship that carried him now. Funny how the universe works itself out sometimes. But his train of thought got derailed rather abruptly by the knocking on his door. “Enter” Ensign Hataki strode through the doorway as though it were her office and not the commander's. Corizon looked up, then back down. "Can I help you....Ensign?" "Commander, I object to my barracks assignment!" she declared, standing boldly before his desk with her arms crossed. He continued working on the PADD in his hand, looked up again, letting his ears sand to attention. Then looked back down, as if she wasn't there. Her shoulders dropped slightly, and she shifted her weight uncertainly. "Uh...Commander?" "Yes," he said, finally acknowledging she was in the room. "My barracks assignment," she prompted him. They'd said the commander was weird, but no one had mentioned 'absent-minded' or 'hard of hearing', even when they were griping about him losing the Excalibur. "I heard you the first time, Ensign." His voice was scathing, almost chiding. "I also read your letter...and replied." By now he'd paused the recording, and placed the PADD down, looking up at the Ensign with his full attention, ears standing straight up to either side. "Yes, sir," Hataki answered, frowning, "but you don't understand. These guys are pigs! I've asked them to pick up their part of the barrack, but they just laugh. And they leave their stuff all over my bunk, too." Corizon rolled his eyes. "And this is my problem...how?" Placing his elbows on his desk, and clasping his fist. She blinked at him, expecting that to be obvious. "You can change the assignments, sir." "Oh...I could...but I'd have to have...real reason to do that," retracting his elbows and sitting straighter, tapping a claw against the table. "But for some reason, a messy bunk mate just doesn’t seem to be something that is urgent." She broke down. Spreading her hands imploringly, she said, "Commander, please. They won't listen to reason. I'm going insane trying to deal with them. Please, sir, just let me swap barracks... Corizon grinned, slightly, but enough to show his fangs. "Well as I look at this...I suppose we do have some options." Brightening immediately, Hataki smiled. "We do? Great! Thank you, Commander!" "Yes...I hear the broom closet on Deck 12 is open...or maybe the storage closet next to waste treatment." All the while motioning with his hands as if were pointing to where the rooms were located. Pleased with himself, he leaned back into the chair, grinning from ear to ear, showing his fangs fully. Groaning mentally, Hataki added 'bad sense of humor' to her list of Corizon's traits. "Commander, c'mon! I'm serious here." "Listen, Ensign." His tone switching from sardonic to a more kind, yet firm tone. "Wait it out a few more days. If nothing changes, let me know...and I'll have a chat with your bunkmates, okay?" This time, the groan wasn't just mental. "Yes, sir," she sighed. Then looked up at him hopefully. "You're certain there isn't some other slob on the crew who'd be happy to trade with me?" Corizon grunted lowly. "This is the best you’re going to get," firmly, "Listen. This isn't anything against you. If I let you switch, then everyone else will want to trade. And I am not playing musical bunk beds for the next 20 days." Kicking at an inoffensive bit of decking, she nodded. "Aye, sir." "Now," he said, ending the coversation about her moving. "Is there anything else I can do for you Ensign?" "No, sir," she replied, drifting backwards towards the door. "Dimissed." "Yes, sir." She turned and headed out. In the threshhold, she paused to glance back. "Hey—what if I found someone willing to trade with me...?" Resisting the urge to bark at her. "I'll take it under consideration." "Yes, sir." She hurried out before he could start growling. When she left out the room he let out a low ‘Arwwwgh,’ pleased to have her out of his office. He turned the music back on and went back to his paper work. Humans. For supposedly being the Galaxy’s ideal race…they could be so petty. Had this been a Dameon Defense Force vessel, and an officer complained about Barrack’s being messy, and wanting a transfer. She’d gotten laughed right out of the Commander’s office. But this was a Starfleet ship. And the Federation reminded him of root beer. All, bubbly and happy…and if you drank enough of it, it started to taste good…just like the Federation. So, instead of growling at her and throwing her out of his office…he appeased her. What had he become.

A few things quickly. My heart and prayers go out to the famlies and victims of Katrina. Another horrid tragedy that reminds us that we can't controll nature. Also, some people really can't afford to just up and leave. Most of the people who were killed were too poor to be able to evacuate. They didn't have cars, and if they did they couldn't afford the gas to evacuate. Just some things to think about. If you have time, stop by your local Red Cross and see if they need any help. Anything you can do will help. While the damage has already been, still worse are the after effects as people are left with out clean water, power and shelter. During the recent Tsunami disaster, almost as many people died from the lingering after effects as the actual waves. Various Relief Funds: American Red Cross Habitat For Humanity Network for Good: Hurricane Katrina