STSF Seiben

Google is also your friend for finding avatar pictures. :D

4 September 2011: The battle ensues as the Challenger, Manitoba and Slave Lake defend themselves against a fleet of Romulan ships and fighters around the Romulan outpost. Meanwhile, the Challenger's crew devise an idea to modify a torpedo to hopefully destabalize the Romulan shields/cloaking device. Challenger and the other two ships try to fend themselves off until more reinforcements arrive. TBS = 5-10 minutes. 090411.rtf

28 August 2011: The USS Challenger, USS Manitoba and the USS Slave Lake have rendezvoused in an asteroid field to do some covert scanning of the Romulan outpost. While scanning, a probe was accidentally launched from the Challenger prompting a Romulan Scout vessel nearby to investigate. Curiously, either due to the close proximity of the probe or from the tractor beam that was used to retrieve the errant probe, caused a brief ripple in the Romulan ship's cloaking device enabling the three vessels to detect the ship. Captain Ja'Lale then ordered another probe launched and quick retrieval by tractor beam, which caused the cloaking device of the much closer Romulan ship to destabilize completely. Like knocking over a hornet's nest, a fleet of Romulan ships and a squadron of fighters from the starbase were dispatched and were headed their way. Can the three vessels be able to fend off the Romulans? TBS = None. 082811.rtf

Challenger is also slated to run on schedule for the Labour Day long weekend and will run as usual if enough people show up. Happy Labour Day! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!

http://www.slashfilm.com/david-foster-preparing-pitch-star-trek-series/ When Star Trek: Enterprise was cancelled in 2005, it marked the end of an era: the franchise had had at least one ongoing series on the air since Star Trek: The Next Generation debuted in 1987. That hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm of Trek enthusiasts any, though, and J.J. Abrams’ hit 2009 film introduced the franchise to a whole new group of fans. Might it be time for a new Star Trek series? David Foster of 1947 Entertainment thinks so. He’s not the only one — we’ve already told you about a failed Bryan Singer Star Trek pitch and a very, very tentative animated Star Trek idea — but in contrast to the other two, Foster’s project sounds like it may actually get off the ground. In a recent interview, Foster spoke a little bit about the premise of his new show, the development process, and reaching back to Gene Roddenberry‘s original vision. In an interview (via What Culture) at the 2011 Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas, Foster explained that he began developing the project, code-named “S.E.T.I.,” in 2006 with Kevin Severson. Severson, sadly, died of a stroke last year, but Foster’s continued working on their idea. It seems Foster’s already done quite a bit in terms of fleshing out the concept:The series concept is fully developed, subject to change of course, with a solid 5-7 year series plan, pilot script and a conceptualized finale that intends to define Star Trek for generations, extensive character bios, costume and ship/set designs, and more. This is a drastic departure from the typical 8-10 page treatment of the previously pitched Star Trek series ideas that have not included even a pilot script. Foster envisions his series as a return to Roddenberry’s original concept. “[W]hile Star Trek has moved on with other series that were not exactly in line with Gene’s original vision, the roots are there to tap into,” he said. Don’t expect something too old-fashioned, though — Foster also lists Joss Whedon, Ron Moore, Manny Coto, and J. Michael Straczynski as his inspirations on his site. Timeline-wise, the new series will very definitely be moving forward. The show will take place in the post-Voyager era, and will remain faithful to pre-2009 canon as well as Star Trek: Enterprise canon. (Since Abrams’ 2009 film took place in an alternate timeline, Foster’s story would not be in conflict with Abrams’.) Although Foster was reluctant to spill too many details, he revealed a bit about the plot:The series is highly energized with a much younger cast, and uses cutting-edge future technologies with newly envisioned special effects and designs. It includes Klingons, Ferengi, Andorians, Vulcans, Trill, and many more. The Klingons are getting very restless since the Praxis incident forced them to come to the peace tables, and are tired of having to rely on the Federation for support. The Ferengi have discovered a vast new resource that has propelled them towards instant riches and power beyond anything they have previously experienced. Later in the interview, he also offered up this “teaser”: “If evil wore the face of a hero, would you recognize it? If freedom came in the likeness of your oppressors, would you accept it? If you were your own enemy, who would be victorious?” An AfterElton.com story published earlier this year suggested that Foster’s project would involve two openly gay characters — a male lead character and a secondary female character — but Foster did not go into details about the characters in the more recent interview. Foster happily reported that he’d already gotten the encouragement and advice of several people involved with previous incarnations of Star Trek, including former producers, artists, and writers. However, there are still several steps to go before Foster’s vision actually comes to life. The production is currently seeking an executive producer to help pitch the project to CBS. The current film series is still going strong, with Abrams preparing to start production on his second Star Trek film early next year. But that certainly doesn’t mean there’s no room for a television series. I’ve never been much of a Trek fan, myself, but if Foster really does succeed in combining Roddenberry’s “positive view of the future” with touches of Whedon and Moore, sign me up.

Well, since I'm not really in Irene's path, Challenger will be running as usual. But, absences will be excused for members living in Irene's path.

UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS CREW BIOGRAPHICAL FILES GENERAL INFORMATION: Name: Maximus Augustus Seiben Species: Human Gender: Male Place of Birth: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada Age: 21 years Marital Status: Single Languages Spoken: Federation Standard (English), French, and Latin (Magna Roman Dialect) Height: 5’9” Weight: 165 lbs. Hair: Blonde Eyes: Blue SERVICE INFORMATION: Rank: Ensign Years in Service: 1 Assignment: Asst. Science Officer, USS Excalibur Expertise: Primary – Astrometrics, Secondary – Human & Alien history and culture, Tertiary – Shuttle and runabout piloting SERVICE HISTORY: Stardate-10305.12: Graduation from Starfleet Academy Stardate – 1108.26: Assignment to USS Excalibur, Science Department MEDICAL HISTORY: Blood Type: O- Medical Allergies: None Medical History: No known history of debilitating illnesses or injuries Medical Clearance: PASS FAMILY INFORMATION: Great-Grandfather: Amb. Rolf Seiben (retired, former CO of USS Challenger) Great-Grandmother: Amb. Julia Quintus (ret.) Aunt: [Rank unknown] Julia Quintus, former CO/XO USS Aquarius Uncles: Cdr. Hans Seiben, XO, USS Aurora (formerly of USS Republic) Lt. Hans Seiben, USS Arcadia (DECEASED – KILLED IN ACTION) Father: Adm. Klaus Seiben Mother: Sen. Madison Cunningham Siblings: Julia Seiben III, 16 BACKGROUND From early in his life, when he was born prematurely at his family’s vacation villa overlooking the St. Lawrence River, and the historic Chateau Frontenac, the ambitious young Maximus strove to excel in all of his ventures. Educated in the finest schools on Earth and Magna Romanus, Maximus graduated from school earlier than most of his classmates, with an overall average near the top of his classes. A brilliant mind, Maximus exceled in the sciences (chemistry, biology and physics), and eventually became one of the youngest graduates of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Magna Roma at the age of 16. Upon graduation, with the encouragement of his parents, Maximus enrolled at Starfleet Academy that following season. Maximus managed to fare well in Academy and developed an interest in astrometrics, learning about the different constellations and planets in the Solar System via an Academy Assessment Program and chose that as his major. Graduating four years later, at the age of 20 Maximus completed his program in the Top 20 percentile of his class. Eventually, through his experience Maximus would be granted assignment to the USS Excalibur as a Science Officer. ABOUT MAGNA ROMA: Also known by its official designation 892-IV, Magna Roma is an M-Class planet located in the 892 System in the Alpha Quadrant. Magna Roma is similar in appearance to Earth, with the exception of two natural satellites orbiting the planet. Magna Roma is classified as a parallel planet according to Hodgkin's Law of Parallel Planetary Development. In addition, the 892 System closely resembles that of the Sol System. The planet is inhabited by a race of humanoid beings known as Magna Romans in a society that parallels that of the Roman Empire, which existed on Earth from 27BC to 476AD. The planet had its first encounter with Starfleet in 2268 when the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) under the command of Captain James T. Kirk (TOS: Bread and Circuses). Contact with Magna Roma was re-established in 2295 by the USS Challenger (NCC-2457) when technology of Magna Roma was advanced enough to meet the criteria of UFP membership. Through the efforts of Challenger Captain Rolf Seiben and his wife Julia Quintus; a high ranking Magna Roman official, Federation – Magna Roman relations were established and were made to be the first ambassadors of Manga Roma and the United Federation of Planets respectively. Magna Roma was eventually admitted as a member of the United Federation of Planets in 2299. As a consequence many social, economical and technological reforms and advancements were made on the planet – most notably, the abolition of slavery in 2306 and battle to the death gladiatorial fighting in 2312. Despite the advancements, Magna Roman society and architecture still remains very similar to Earth’s Roman Empire. END OF BIOGRAPHICAL FILE.

21 August 2011: The USS Challenger and the USS Manitoba begin their scans of the area and the remote Romulan outpost. Concerned of a possible attack by the base or any cloaked vessels in the area, Captain Ja'Lale orders the Challenger and the Manitoba further away from the base into an asteroid field to avoid detection. The two vessels are joined by the USS Slave Lake as they take their positions in the asteroid field. This change of position may not buy much time, so the three vessels will try to scan the area as best they can. TBS = 2 hours. 082111.rtf

Interesting. We had an earthquake last year at around this time (only a 4.0 or something). I didn't really feel it, but some of my co-workers did.

Challenger comes face to face with two Romulan D7s which decloaked off its bow. Under matched by Challenger's superior weaponry, the Romulans fire a pot shot at Challenger and escape using a flash bang temporarily blinding the crew and sensors. The Romulans are nowhere to be seen, so the crew turn their attentions to the nearby installation stationed on one of the outer moons in the system. Challenger is unable to scan the base without entering the base's weapon range, and summons some reinforcements. Starfleet summons six nearby starships to Challenger's location. The first of those vessels, the Miranda-Class USS Manitoba met up with Challenger as we ended. TBS - 10 minutes. 081411.rtf

We continue our pursuit of the warp signature and later enter in an uncharted area of space. Challenger finds something large ad unnatural in one of the moons of the planets of a remote star system but before we could get an ID, two ships de-cloak in front of Challenger. TBS - Zero. 080711.rtf

The hunt continues as to find out what happened to the Minaran exploration vessel that found destroyed two weeks after it was reported missing. Romulan - type disruptor fire was found on the debris field consisting of the missing vessel that was found earlier. Challenger finds a fresh warp signature and found that whatever it was warped away moments before the Challenger arrived. TBS - a few seconds. 073111.rtf

The Engineering and Science crews on the Challenger have discovered that the large debris field they found was the Minaran exploration vessel. More pieces in the puzzle fall into place as burn marks and scoring reveal damage to have been caused by a disruptor type weapon, most likely Romulan in origin. Not believing that the Romulans attacked the small, unarmed Minaran exploration ship, the Challenger crew must go deeper if they want to find out who caused the attack and what happened. TBS = A few hours. 072411.rtf

17 July 2011: Challenger is located in a remote area of space scanning a large debris field of what could be the missing Minaran exploration vessel reported missing by Minaran Authorities. Ordered to assist in the disappearance, Challenger's Engineering and Science teams have analyzed the debris and confirmed that it does indeed belong to the missing Minaran ship by matching up a partial symbol of the Minaran insignia. Now that they confirmed what the debris is, they now need to figure out what happened. TBS = 3 hours. 071711.rtf

Note: Due to the Canada Day/Independence Day long weekend there was no sim held on 3 July 2011 10 July 2011: Last week, the Challenger discovered more debris of what could be the missing Minaran exploration vessel. Challenger's engineers and scientists are analyzing the debris to see if they have a possible match. 071011.rtf

The USS Challenger will officially sim if enough people show up. Attendance of course is optional. Have a great holiday long weekend everyone. :)

Oh yes it is. :P The main reason Friday went viral is because of how bad it was, lol.

Yeah, iBooks on my iPhone or Kindle for my Android tablet can get pretty hard on the eyes after awhile, especially in the dark, although it helps if you turn the brightness to a low setting. But I didn't find reading ebooks on my Sony e-reader any problem at all. The e-ink screen makes it very friendly on the eyes and I can read books on it for hours and not feel any strain at all. Books will always exist, I'm sure, but I suspect what they were saying in Calestorm's list is that publishers will eventually switch from paper books to e-books. My city's library already offers e-books to download, and most people who go to the library here, mainly go for the free wi-fi (including myself). I'm pretty sure that's where books will be in 10-20 years though I'm sure paper and hard cover books will be around in a limited form. Newspapers I'm sure will be all electric soon though. Good for the trees though! (I'm no environmentalist, or Green Peace activist but more trees around do make for more fresh air).

People still use typewriters, rotary phones and pay phones? I think they've all gone the way of VCRs and floppy disks. I've seen 7 year old kids talking on cell phones! No joke. I agree with the list, except for 6 and 8. Music will always exist. The music industry and song artists will continue to pump out new music just as they have for centuries.

Challenger will continue with our plot as usual on Sunday 29 May. Depending on how many people show up, we might leave next week as a character development sim, or advance the plot if many show up. Have a safe and happy weekend!

Welcome back! Good luck in the academy :)

Haha. Welcome back Zaphod! :D

I can see the cursor just fine on Firefox 4 on my end? ::shrugs::

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I for one, welcome our new computer overlords. :D