Karo Veras

The thing is, it'll cost them 10 million to do it all, and they'll bank 100 million per movie. I mean, I understand from an artistic point of view why you wouldn't want to do it, but from a monetary standpoint, why not? My biggest regret is that the Thrawn based books were never made into movies. You could probably make Vision and Specter work from a practical point a view considering the ages of the original cast, but the original 3 Zahn books would be difficult to do. I think the Rogue Squadron series might be interesting as films. They don't feature the original cast (I.E no one would get hung up with someone other than Denis Lawson playing Wedge). And at least I found them entertaining.

There are words you can use that make you sound smart. . .And there are words you can use that make you sound like you stole them off the SATs. That's all I'm saying.

FIFA Having the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is like the NHL playing their annual winter classic to Trinidad and Tobago. Or the NFL holding the Superbowl in Papua New Guinea. There. . .I've said my peace.

Commander Riker was incensed when Starfleet Replaced Picard with Admiral Rich Uncle Pennybags. When he voiced is displeasure, he was told to go directly to jail, and to not pass GO and to not collect 200 dollars.

I don't want live in Ohio anymore. If Calgon could really take me away, I'd have it take me home. There. . .I got it off my chest.

I said "Go Go Gadget motorboat". . .What gives?

Karo approached Sergeant Louis Williamson from behind. He was the third and final Marine he planned on taking with him on the operation. Of all the Marines new to the Platoon, Williamson was the one he knew the least about. However, he came highly recommended from Czar, who would also be going on this trip. So, Karo decided to trust his instincts and go with the Turk’s recommendation. They called the Sergeant “Rider” due to the Norco, California native’s favorite past time, Bull Riding. Of course, the Sergeant had to limit the amount of live bull riding he participated in. However, he was not uncommon to see the man in the holodeck participating with the safeties on (as mandated, not by choice). “How goes it, sir?” Rider said to Karo, without turning around. ‘Damn, this guy is good.’ Karo thought to himself. Kid had had his eyes on the Sergeant for the past three minutes and not once did it seem that he turned around and noticed him. Czar was proving to be a good judge of character and ability so far. “It goes well, Sergeant. It goes well.” Karo answered the man. “Do you mind if I have a word with you in the weapons locker?” The request prompted Rider to turn around to face Karo. “Sure thing, sir.” He said, motioning towards the door. “Lead the way, sir.” Karo obliged, walking towards the weapons locker with the Sergeant in tow. Karo put his eyes up to the retinal scanner and walked into to the secure room. He walked over to the bench and took a seat as he waited for Rider’s retinal scan to process. “Have a seat.” Kid told him as he entered. With a nod, the Sergeant took a seat on the bench right across from Karo. “Whatever it is you need, you can count on me sir” the Sergeant told him. Karo blinked at the sound of his words. It wasn’t a playful comment. It was a straight up, from the heart proclamation. As if he knew what was going to be asked of him. Yet, he couldn’t possibly know. Both Czar and Catch head straight to their quarters and had yet to return. So there was no way either of them could have told him. He also knew for a fact that it would have been impossible for him to have eavesdropped on either of his conversations, due to their locations. So in response, Karo just raised an eyebrow at him “How’d you know I needed you for something?” he asked, keeping the tone of his voice neutral and even. “I saw you pull Czar in here about an hour ago as I was going into gym. Then I saw you took Corporal Catch into the Major’s office as I was walking out.” He told Kid. “Usually you officer types don’t do that unless there’s something big going on that ya’ll want to keep secret.” Karo allowed himself a small smirk. “Fair enough” he said. “So I guess I’ll just lay it all out for you then.” Karo looked up at the Sergeant, who was giving him his undivided attention. “We’re heading into Soltan space. Our job is to procure ourselves a Soltan vessel in lieu of a subspace drive, since it is our estimation that stealing an entire vessel would be easier.” Rider didn’t hide his smirk at Karo’s use of the word ‘easier’. Both men knew the term was relative. “Understood, sir. When do we depart?” “That we aren’t entirely sure of yet” Karo told the Sergeant. We’re heading to Main Security to put the final touches on the planning in 45 minutes. They’ve got a team coming, along with 2 engineers and 2 medics.” Rider nodded again, his gazing quickly going to floor in thought, then back to Karo. “What do you need from me right now, sir?” Karo met his gaze “I need you to prep your letter home and get it to the Major, and be back here in 45. . .now 43 minutes to head up to main security.” He said, standing up. “So for right now, your dismissed.” Rider stood up as well, and snapped off a salute which Karo returned. He exited the locker. Karo watched him as he left, assessing the situation as it stood. His team was now assembled and ready to go. They were all currently writing their letters home, and were going to report back to NNC to head up to Security to figure out exactly how they were going to pull this thing off. The term ‘Suicide Mission’ had been floating around in his head since the Colonel had assigned him to lead the team. He knew it wasn’t the case, however. Starfleet wouldn’t be sending in a team for a mission like this if there wasn’t at least some miniscule chance of success. They wouldn’t want to give away their intentions to some how procure Soltan technology and risk being lured into a trap in the future, or having the Soltans somehow make the prospect even less probable by just haphazardly sending a team to their deaths. No. . .There was the chance for success. Even if there was just the shred of a chance, he knew they would succeed. In terms of his Marines, however, Karo wondered at what cost that success would come, and if that cost included his life. With that in mind, Karo walked out of the lockers and made his way to his quarters, he had his own letter to write and turn in to the Major.

Corporal Jean Donovan was sitting on the bench, brush and polish in hand. It was a standard Marine function, polishing ones boots. It was one of the first things you were taught how to do at Basic. To some Marines, it had become an art form, for others a nuisance. However, for everyone it was a necessity to pass inspection. Karo spied the Corporal from the weapons locker door. She was the next one that he was going to approach about the impending operation. Karo glanced back down at his personnel PADD. On paper, there was not much that stood out about the Corporal. Her service record was solid, with above average ratings on her previous assignments, including her Recon training. Yet, her experience in terms of the amount of conflict she had participated was extremely slim compared to others. Born in Snohomish, Washington on Earth, Jean was in her first year at Harvard University when the Soltans attacked. Her parents died in the attack while on vacation in France. Afterwards, young Jean reassessed her life's path, and abandoned her studies at Harvard and her potential career as an astrophysicist and decided to enlist in the Marines. It was during her Basic Training that she caught the eye of Recon Instructor extraordinaire Master Sergeant Victor "Paris" Ennios. Although Recon training was usually done by volunteer, MSgt Ennios always kept an eye on incoming Basic classes and hand-selected any individuals that he believed had "what it took". Like Karo himself, Donovan was handpicked by Ennios. That alone was enough to pique his interest in her for this assignment. Although she lacked the actual hands-on experience of some of the others in the Platoon, Karo trusted the MSgt's judgment enough to bring her along. Karo approached the Corporal non-chalantly, so as to try and not draw any attention from any of the other Marines. Her locker was just two away from his, so there was nothing unreasonable or odd about his approach. He opened his locker and shuffled around a few things. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the Major, who was chatting with the quartermaster at his doorway. Karo held his gaze until he caught the Majors eye. He glanced down at Corporal Donovan, then back at the Major, who understood Karo's silent question. Without a break in his conversation, began walking towards the gym, with the quartermaster in tow. Karo now had a place where he could talk to the Corporal in private. He shut the door to his locker and took a few steps towards the office. "Corporal" he said, his voice calm and decidedly casual for his normal manner of speaking, "May I have a word with you?" Donovan looked up from her boot, as if caught by surprise by the question. "Sure thing, sir." She said, setting her boot, brush, and polish on the bench. Karo took a few more steps towards the office. "Let's do this in the Major's office," he told her. Giving her a few seconds to stand up, he led the younger Marine into the vacated Major's office. He closed the door behind them and motioned to the visitors chair, taking a seat of his own in the Major's chair. "So you trained under Paris too, right?" Karo asked, his voice maintaining that abnormal casual edge that almost made Kid himself uncomfortable. The Corporal nodded "Yes, sir." "He's a good one, ain't he?" "The best, sir." Karo nodded in agreement. Everyone who spent some time with the Master Sergeant thought that way. It was people like Paris that made Recon the elite force that it was. The Corporal had the steely edge that most of the Master Sergeant's hand chosen possessed, including Karo. He looked down at his PADD, studying Donovan's file and then looked back up to the Corporal. They called her "Catch", and it wasn't difficult to figure out why. She was extremely attractive, and equally as fierce if someone dare attempt to come on to her. The nickname actually came about from a fellow recon trainee who dared attempt to put his arm around her in a vain attempt to be suave. Said trainee quickly found himself on his back. When asked by another trainee about Donovan, the wannabe heartthrob replied "She's a real catch." The name stuck. The silence hung in the air for a few long seconds before Karo spoke again. "The Agincourt is heading into Soltan space as we speak" he told her. "We've been tasked with procuring a Soltan vessel in lieu of one of their subspace drives. I'm leading a team of Marines, and we're heading in with in with a Starfleet security team, a pair of fleet engineers, and a pair of medics." The Corporal nodded and spoke "I'm assuming the purpose of this meeting is to inform me that I have been selected to be a part of that team, sir?" Karo eyed the Corporal, "Correct." 'Unless you take issue with it' Karo thought to himself. Those were the words he wanted to say, but knew he couldn't say it. The were Marines, and orders were orders. They'd follow them no matter what. The Corporal nodded again. "So what's the plan?" she asked. "We're heading up to the security office in an hour to hash that out. . .You, me, Czar, Rider." Catch looked down towards the top of table as if deep in thought, then back up at Karo. "Thank you for the opportunity of this assignment, sir." Karo allowed a chuckle to escape his lips. "Let's make it through this thing alive," he told the younger Marine "Then you can get around to thanking me." He finished, drawing a little bit of a smile out of Catch. "Now get your letter prepped and to the Major." He told her. "We're heading up to security in an hour." The Corporal snapped a salute as she stood up, which Karo returned from his seat. She made her way back to the bench where she was sitting to stow her boots. A few moments later, the Major walked back into his office. "So that's two so far, isn't it Kid?" he asked the younger officer. "Yes, sir." He replied. "One more to go." "Have you identified your final member?" "Yes, sir. Sergeant Williamson." The Major nodded, grabbing the PADD from the top of the desk and pulling up the Sergeant's file. "Any particular reason for choosing him?" "Czar spoke very highly of him, sir. I believe the served together on the Princeton during the attack." The Major nodded, not looking up from the PADD. "That they did." He confirmed for Karo. "Having at least two people familiar with each other is definitely a plus." "Yes sir, that was my thought." Karo said, putting his elbows up on the table, and rubbing his face with his hands. "They both seem to have a good head on their shoulders. As does Catch. I needed a team full of smart Marines, people who can keep their cool in a scrap." The Major nodded, finally looking up from the PADD. "Czar and Rider most certainly have proved that, given their service records. Given your reasoning, I am kind of surprised to see you choose a Corporal." "I chose Corporal Donovan because of her background with Paris, sir," he said, not knowing if he should be taken aback by the apparent questioning of his judgment. "I went with my instincts on her." The Major nodded, studying him. "That's as good a reason as any, in my book. If you can't trust your instincts, or those of the man fighting next to you, then you might as well not fight at all." "Agreed, sir." The Major looked outside towards NNC proper, staring out there for a few seconds. "Rider just came back from the showers, did you want to use my office again?" he asked. "Negative, sir." He told the Major. "I'll find another place to talk to him." "If that's the case," the Major started, turning his gaze back to Karo. "Then get the hell out of my chair." He said, a with a flash of a smirk. "Yes, sir!" Karo said, a smile escaping his lips "Sorry, sir!" he said, flashing a quick salute before making his way towards the door. He made his way in the general direction of Sergeant Williamson. One more to go. He thought to himself as he walked. One more.

I'm sorry Ms. Goodall. But you know too much about us. We're gonna have to kill you.

Karo leaned up against the door jam which led from NNC proper to the gym. Right next to him stood Staff Sergeant Balthazar Okur. They called him "Czar", obviously a play on his first name. Though at the same time, the Antalya, Turkey native carried himself with a confidence, a regality, that was extremely fitting for his name. And his service record was impeccable. On one of his assignments, his vessel, the USS Princeton, just so happened to be arriving at Earth for shore leave the day the Soltans attacked. His ship was boarded, but the attackers were repelled and eliminated, largely due in part to the Staff Sergeant's (then Sergeant) quick and unconventional thinking. Czar and his team led the Soltan boarding party towards the cargo bay in mock retreat. Once a majority of the boarding party was there Czar and company quickly exited and sealed the bay, overrode the safety systems and bridge controls, and opened the cargo bay doors without pressurization and shielding, eliminating the Soltan team instantly. The resulting damage took out the 4 decks directly above the cargo bay, but luckily those decks were abandoned and not casualties resulted, and the Princeton lived to fight another day. But it wasn't that experience which drew Karo's attention. "So you spent some time with the 3/8th Charlies on Penthara IV?" Karo asked the older Sergeant. "Ahh, yes." Czar said, with a chuckle and grin, as if reminiscing of fond memories "And did I love my time with the Charlies, let me tell you." "You were with 4th Platoon, right? The Buccaneers." Karo asked him "Aye, sir. The Buccaneers, and what a spirited bunch that is let me tell you," the sergeant replied. "I spent time with the Hawk Owls of 2nd Platoon." Karo said, "It was my training assignment." Okur's face busted out in a huge smile "The Hawk Owls, our eyes in the skies. You don't know how many times you guys saved our hides." Karo nodded with a smile. "Well, someone had to keep their eyes on the doors while you pirates were rummaging and pillaging. What good is loot if you're not alive to enjoy it?" He asked with a playful laugh, giving the Sergeant a punch in the arm. "ARRRRRGH" The Sergeant said, in the stereotypical human pirate voice before breaking out into a laugh "I guess you're right, lad. I guess you're right." Their laughs subsided a little. "Come over to the weapons locker, I've got something to show you." Karo said, putting his hand on the Staff Sergeant's shoulder. As far as Karo was concerned, Czar had passed the test. His track record was good, and his head seemed to be in place. Almost as importantly, he was -likeable-. He was someone you wouldn't mind having at your side in battle, a confident and proud presence that you didn't have to worry about going off the deep end and endangering the mission. Karo put his eyes up to the retinal scanner leading into the weapons locker. With a beep of acknowledgement, the doors opened. Karo stepped inside and waited for the Staff Sergeant to do the same. For some odd reason he began to recall his first time in here, nearly a year ago. It was with the Gunny, not 3 days after he came aboard. It was Gunny's test of Karo's senses, to see if he had what it took to make it in Recon. He remembered sitting there, right where Czar had taken a seat, with Slick staring at him silently, passively. Five minutes passed. Ten. At 12 minutes 23 seconds, someone entered the room behind Veras, crossed to a locker behind him, retrieved something from the locker, then left. Two minutes later Mike leaned forward. "Full description. Now." Veras drew a breath "Subject entered approximately 160 seconds ago from the entrance located over my left shoulder. Subject was male, 6'3 to 6'3 1/2 between 215 and 220 lbs. He was in his standard duty uniform. He pulled an item from his locker, something small, a weapon, most likely a phaser by the sound of it being holstered. As he exited through the same door he entered. Total time elapsed between entry and exit was approximately 45 seconds. Judging the lack of pause in his progress from entrance to exit, this was possibly a staged event, as he did not even give second thought to two men staring at each other for apparently no reason." He managed a smile "That or such moments are exceedingly common here on the Agincourt." "The subject also needs to clean the bottom of his boots," Veras added "He must have been assisting in the cleanup of one of the non-quarantined areas." It was hard for Veras to believe that much time had passed. Now, here he was leaning against that same set of lockers that Hefner was, staring down at the same bench he sat at. Karo's gaze met Czar's, both their faces now devoid of the amusement they held mere moments before. Karo wasn't here to test the Czar, no. The Staff's skills and abilities were already proven, he had no need to do that. He was here to ask the man to risk his life next to him, on a what was looking more and more like a suicide mission. No, this was a lot different. . . Karo didn't know any other way to lay it out, so he just said it. "Starfleet has ordered us to procure a Soltan subspace drive. So we're headed to Soltan space to get one." He told the man. "Problem is, procuring just a drive and the thousands of parts and pieces that go with it would lead to an extremely cumbersome ex-fill. So we've decided it'd be much more reasonable to procure an entire vessel." The Czar didn't flinch, Karo knew it didn't take the man long to realize he wasn't in here to be shown something. "How many of us?" he asked, his voice calm and collected. "Twelve" Karo said "A team of Marines, a team of Squid sec, two engineers, two meds" "What's the plan?" "In approximately 5 ½ hours. The fleet is going to launch a diversionary attack to draw the Soltans away from our primary target, a repair depot. Upon arrival into the system, we're going to sneak onto the Depot, then onto our target vessel, and high tail it out of there." Karo said, it sounded so easy to say. "We're meeting with our Fleet compatriots in two hours to discuss the details." The Czar nodded, his eyes fixated on Karo. Something about those eyes, the steely resolve, the proud confidence. . .something gave Karo a boost of his own. He knew he could trust this man to do the job, or die trying. "Have you decided on which of our Brothers or Sisters will be joining us?" Karo blinked. He knew of one, but he hadn't chosen the other. Part of Karo was fearful of admitting that, afraid that Sergeant Okur would lose faith in his ability to lead. However, the man was entrusting his life to him, and vice versa. He had a right to an honest answer. "As of right now, Corporal Donovan will be joining us." He told the man, he struggled but still managed to keep eye contact with Czar. "I haven't yet decided on the fourth member of the team." Karo tried his best to try and not come off embarrassed, he wasn't sure how successful he was. "Might I suggest Sergeant Williamson sir." The Czar said. "I served with him before, sir. His skills are as impeccable as they come. He will not let you down." Karo studied the Czar for a moment, he wasn't expecting a suggestion, from the man, but that's what he had just received. He recalled the Sergeant's file in his mind. Louis Williamson was his full name. Callsign: Rider. He seemed capable enough. Not as experienced or seasoned has Okur, but appeared to have what it took. However, Czar didn't seem like the one to throw out idle praise to a man he wouldn't trust with his life. Getting his blessing certainly had to stand for something. "I don't know you that well, Okur." Karo began, "But something tells me I can trust you and your judgement." "I haven't stayed alive for this long without due cause, my young friend." Czar replied, a smile creeping back onto his face. The edges of Karo's mouth crept into a grin as well. "I don't doubt that, Staff Sergeant. I don't doubt that at all." Karo said, drawing a quick chuckle from the older man. He ticked his head towards the door. Prep your letter and give it to Major Haruto. Meet me back at the lockers in 90 minutes, so we can head up to security." With that, Czar stood up, snapping a quick salute before heading out the door. Karo stood there for a few moments as the Staff Sergeant departed. Something told Karo that it would be good to have that man by his side.

Major Akio Haruto sat there at his desk, taking in what Karo had just said to him. The Private's eyes were fixated on him, emotionless, yet contemplative. If Karo had any fears or doubts, he certainly was doing a good job of hiding it. The Major finally broke the gaze, looking down at his desk at the PADD in front of him. "Well, HQ picked a hell of a time to rotate platoon personnel don't you think?" the Major said, his tone fairly light considering the circumstances. "Slick and Will are gone, as is 85% of the recon team as it was 2 weeks ago." The Major looked up with a grin "You're the longest standing member of the Platoon, now Kid." "Aside from you Major, of course." Karo chimed in. The Major held his hand up as if to correct him "I'm Company level, Kid. Just a pencil pusher now." he said, triggering a nod of acknowledgment from the Private. "Needless to say, its decision time for you now, Kid. I'm giving you the chance to choose your team" he told him. "Normally, I'd assign you three blokes and tell you to make due and get to know each other, but given that we're already lead time away from this Op, its best you choose the three people you think would best be suited for the job." He slid the PADD across the desk to Karo. "This PADD has the 9 new platoon members on it. All enlisted, and their rates are across the board, from Lance Corporal to Staff Sergeant." The Major watched as Karo took the PADD and studied it. "No need to decide right now," he assured the Private. "Take an evening to really look it over, talk to some of the guys and gals you haven't talked to yet." Karo nodded in response. "I'll do that, sir." he said, his eyes still fixated on the PADD. It was then the Major caught the first flicker of emotion from Karo, as if he was coming to the realization that he was potentially choosing which Marines to send to their deaths. The Major knew the thoughts running through Karo's head. He had experienced them himself. Most every Marine officer did. "Kid" he said, attracting the Private's gaze from the PADD to his own. The Major kept his eyes stern, yet understanding. "They're all Marines, like you," He said, "Some signed up for the danger, others signed up despite the danger. Nonetheless, they all are cognizant of it." The major let his words hang for a moment before speaking again. "These are all people ready and willing to sacrifice it all for the cause, much like you. They will follow you and die next to you with no questions asked, no regrets, and no animosity towards you." The Major watched as Karo took a deep breath and nodded, understanding his point. Haruto knew his words wouldn't make his decision easier, but it didn't make it any less necessary. Akio knew and trusted Karo. He had tremendous talent as a Recon Marine, and the ability to be an excellent leader. But now, it was time to prove it, and he wouldn't have assigned Karo as leader of the platoon if he believed there was even the slighted chance he wouldn't succeed. "You've got some planning to do with the squids." He told the Private. "Dismissed" * * * * Karo snapped a salute and headed out of the Major's office. He looked at the PADD again, studying the names on the list. He had met all of them, most just enough to make first impressions. As the longest standing Marine on Agincourt who didn't yet have their own office, Karo had become the de facto "Mayor of NNC". He showed the new arrivals the around, told them the rules and what to expect. He instituted, with approval, a mandatory Boilermaker run for all new arrivals from that point forward, and claimed the couch near the entrance to the gym to be his. Everyone, from Sergeant or Lance Corporal seemed to accept his "leadership". Yet, he didn't "know" any of them yet. He took a seat on the couch, pouring over the PADD. Less than a month ago, given this decision, it would have been easy. Gus, Rocky, and the Gunny. . .Simple as that. Those were the guys he knew, and those were the guys he trusted. But those guys were long gone. The Gunny had retired, as had Gus. Rocky was promoted to Staff Sergeant and took a position in Training Command. Leaving him the only member of the team left on the Agincourt. He looked at the nine names on the list: Staff Sergeant Balthazar "Czar" Okur Sergeant Anton "Adder" Koenig Sergeant Sean "Snapper" Park Sergeant Louis "Rider" Williamson Corporal "Dash" D'Shar Corporal Declan "Red" Johnson Corporal Tuki "Head" Savos Corporal Jean "Catch" Donovan Lance Corporal "Duece" Rel Right now, names were all they were, names and faces. And now bios. From that, Karo had to pick three of them and mold them into a team. A cohesive unit. Karo didn't doubt their ability to gel, they were all recon Marines, they were trained to do that. But there was a difference between working well with someone, and absolutely trusting someone. There were two names that Karo immediately crossed off his list; Corporals Johnson and Savos. "Red", as they called him, had what Karo liked to call the "Hero Factor" about him. His demeanor, his gait, his falling off the squid during his boilermaker run. He was too impatient. He wanted to do something great. It was something Karo thought he could control given time, but they didn't have much. Tuki "Head" Savos, a fellow Bajoran, seemed to be Johnson's "other half". The two knew each other from both Basic and Recon training, and were reunited here on the Agincourt after pulling separate assignments right out of the gate. The two would make a great team, but not with Karo. The two names that shot out at Karo as possibilities were Staff Sergeant Okur and Corporal Donovan. Staff Sergeant Balthazar "Czar" Okur had spent some time with the 3/8th Charlies on Penthara IV, where Karo had spent his training assignment, so he had pulled these types of raids before. Plus, it was under a command style that Karo was familiar with and respected. Corporal Donovan was handpicked by Master Sergeant "Paris" Ennios for Recon Training, much like Karo himself was. That meant she had what it took, because the MSgt did not handpick just anyone for training. Karo marked both of them on his PADD, making a note to talk to both of them before the day was out. Just simple chat, he wanted to get a feel for them, in order to see if his initial gut instinct was right. However, there was still one more slot to fill, if those two fit in. But that decision was for later. Right now, it was time to catch back up with Caine. They had some planning to do.

I cannot speak to the scientific aspects as to what is subspace and how we can "discover" it. I'm not a scientist, and I don't even play one in any of my sims. :-P However, the question posed: "How does a civilization "advance/stumble towards" the discovery of subspace" (or whatever makes FTL travel possible) is a just as much a philosophical question as it is a scientific one. If you go through history, you can see that its been one technology or set related technologies that have led to a technological boom and inherent sociological change. (I.E. the bronze age brought upon civilization as we define it. The caravel allowed Europeans to sail across the Atlantic and bring about the age of discovery. The Industrial Revolution, brought about the shift away from the agricultural lifestyle.) In each case, you can make arguments that humanity wasn't necessarily sociologically ready to properly harness the tech they have created, and had to adapt to the changes in lifestyle that tech meant, and there are many instances in history where we haven't been able to do that so well. Which goes against the notion that a civilization discovering FTL is necessarily sociologically ready for first contact at that point. I'm not a big fan of Enterprise, but in some of the episodes I have watched, there was somewhat of a resentment on the part of Vulcans for making that assertion upon witnessing Cochrane's first warp flight. The answer to your question is a qualified "I don't know." If its possible, we will find it. However if the answer has something to do with anti-matter, we're probably still a ways away, since it costs millions to create just a billionth of a gram of it. Who knows, maybe the next major technological discovery that will lead to the next boom (and inherent sociological adjustment period to that technology) is going to be a cost efficient way to produce anti-matter. And from that, maybe we'll develop FTL technology. We won't be ready for it, but we'll find it and exploit it. . .for better and for worse.

Here's this weeks Billboard Hot 100 chart, Mr. Smith. I'm afraid you're still not on it. Sorry.

I never thought I'd be so captivated by a bunch of guys coming out of a hole in the ground, but it was truly amazing to watch. My wife, on the other hand, darn near had claustrophobia induced panic attacks every time they showed the entry shaft.

T'aral wins!