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Ethan Neufeld

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Everything posted by Ethan Neufeld

  1. 0-15? I'm guessing A-F represent 10-15?
  2. Happy birthday, folks! Hope you have a good one.
  3. No offense, but I don't think the issue was with Ubuntu. She implied the problem was on her laptop; probably either Windows or Mac. Soora, it might help if we knew what operating system your laptop is running. I noticed that Rosetto posted here saying he had some possible fixes. Did they work? If so, you can probably disregard the following. Have you tried completely uninstalling java or still have older versions of java on your computer? Keeping older versions of java can cause issues. For instructions, go here: http:// www.java.com /en/download/uninstall.jsp This page should detect older versions; try removing only those first. If that doesn't fix the issue, completely uninstall java and reinstall the latest version. When all else fails: If you're running Windows Vista or 7, you might want to look into disabling TCP autotuning. Normally it should improve your network connection, but it can also cause problems: slow connections, inability to load all or some pages, issues with POP3 servers and failures in java applets. I don't know how much you know about computers; sorry if I seem patronizing while explaining the steps. First, I suggest copying these down on paper or into notepad; this could negatively affect your network connection and you'll need to know how to undo any changes you'll make. (Note: 'ctrl-v' to copy-paste will not work in cmd, but you should be able to right-click with your mouse and select 'paste'. If not, you'll have to type it out.) 1. Run command prompt as an administrator. Quickest way is to type 'cmd' in 'start search' on your start menu; cmd should show up under 'programs'. Right click and select 'run as administrator'. Click 'continue' at the Windows 'User Account Control' prompt. (Note: You can't adjust TCP autotuning without administrator privileges. If you get an error message, 'requested operation requires elevation', exit and re-enter cmd as an administrator.) 2. Type the following into command prompt: netsh interface tcp show global If you see the following: '***The above autotuninglevel setting is the result of Windows Scaling heuristics overriding any local/policy configuration on at least one profile', you'll need to disable heuristics first. Type: netsh int tcp set heuristics disabled If accepted, cmd will display: OK 3. Type: netsh interface tcp set global autotuning=disabled You can verify the setting worked by typing netsh interface tcp show global again. (Labeled as: Receive Window Auto-Tuning Level) If this works, you can also try other levels of TCP autotuning, such as 'highlyrestricted' or 'restricted' (netsh interface tcp set global autotuning=highlyrestricted or netsh interface tcp set global autotuning=restricted). Note that completely disabling autotuning might cause issues with faster broadband connections. If you don't see an improvement or see a decrease in overall network performance, you'll probably want to return TCP autotuning to 'normal' (netsh interface tcp set global autotuning=normal). To reset heuristics, type: netsh int tcp set heuristics default Again, good luck! Let us know the results.
  4. First thought was that it's a cipher of some sort, but I'm pretty fragged right now on a mental level. Maybe some kind of game? EDIT: It might help if we had some kind of context.
  5. Both an out of character and in character thought here: Authorities, bounty hunters, general trouble; they may or may not care about whatever inspired the tattoo, but the more unique a tattoo is the more it'll stand out. Tattoos in general are a great source for identifying people. But, like you said, the character development or crew interaction you could derive from that situation might be interesting.
  6. Sorry to hear that you're having problems. Fortunately, given sim was canceled tonight, you didn't miss much. Webbie or someone more technically inclined might be able to help you better than I can. But I've got a few basic suggestions: Make sure you've got the latest flash updates and that java is actually enabled in your browser. You said you just reformatted, so this might be redundant but you could also try clearing out your cookies. Good luck; hope you're able to figure it out.
  7. Ethan rubbed the back of his head as he left the galley. He was dumbfounded. So much had occurred in a relatively short amount of time that he wasn't quite how to quantify it. He thought they had been talking about vowels and then, suddenly, the tablet was babbling at them in whole word sequences. He didn't know what had possessed him to repeat what he'd done to the tablet by accident. He'd thought he was undoing it, but he ended up doing the opposite. There was no making sense of that moment for Ethan. It only baffled him more that linguists – the men and women with the years of training and study that he didn't have – had been stumped for all this time, yet he managed to 'break the code' with a flub. Was this what serendipity felt like? Next time, he'd pass. But all that paled in comparison with what really had him completely bemused. As he entered his cabin, he recalled their conversation almost word-for-word: "This should be something that you are quite accustomed to, Selek… I had been meaning to ask," Sal paused. "How much Vulcan blood do you actually have…?" "Hmm." Ethan flatly frowned. He finally sat down in a chair across from Sal and suddenly wanted to rub a hand down his face in mild exasperation. "Not a lot," he admitted and paused; then: "in fact, none." There was no doubt in his mind that he had spoken those words aloud; he had confessed the truth to Sal: bluntly, absolutely. He wasn't Vulcan. At first, it seemed as though Sal brushed off the confession like it was common place and that had mildly alarmed Ethan. Sal was so unresponsive to the news that Ethan was, in fact, a fake, that Ethan was having difficulty gauging how the scientist might use the information. For a short span of time, Sal was a very real threat in Ethan's mind. But now he was starting to wonder if there was far less to it. By the end of their conversation it seemed – no, Ethan was almost positive that Sal had completely forgotten. The scientist was so engrossed in Zoalus and his new breakthrough that he wasn't seeing much else. Ethan had a distinct impression that he had gone back to being a Vulcan in Sal's mind. Well, Ethan mused as he laid down on his bunk to sleep; at least Sal's not a threat. Yet.
  8. The sky was black outside, but it was early in the morning by the clocks and Ethan was wide awake. On his hands and feet he steadily pushed out fifty repetitions in four sets; sometimes from a front-leaning rest position others from a decline, feet propped up on his bunk. Next came four more sets of fifty sit-ups each and then fifteen pull-ups each. The Qob didn't offer much space or equipment, but he was already settling into a comfortable routine. As a Klingon ship she at least offered some ledges with a good grip-depth and his cabin was large enough to do the basics. Running and other activities would take a bit more creativity. But if he could keep up his health-conscious habits on Xorax while pretending to be a stuffy Vulcan, he would find a way to keep them up here. It wasn't just about health. He enjoyed the process – setting goals and meeting challenges – and the burn wasn't simply physical; it relieved stress. For a few hours he could push things away from his mind and come back with a little more clarity. Though he knew better, it already felt like the problem had never existed. He didn't hear another word on Taurik before he left the colony. In this case, 'no news' wasn't good or bad, it just meant 'nothing new'. But that was probably good in its way. Luck must have had a pity streak. At least that was the rough idea floating around in Ethan's head as the Qob continued to steam away from Xorax. Taurik would find it harder to prove his theory now that they were gone. That wouldn't stop Taurik from trying. Still, it was nice not to feel that risk breathing so close to his neck. Ethan's overall demeanor had relaxed once they rendezvoused with the Verbistul and Lucky Hand, particularly with Pher. His true species wasn't yet common knowledge among the crew. The act was slowly eroding away, but there were still some he addressed behind the mask of Selek, including Joe to an extent. With Pher he'd completely given up the Vulcan pretenses early on and found he liked talking to her as himself. She wasn't ready to write his biography, but over the course of the last few days she'd come to know more about Ethan than her crewmates did. It was probably easier for her to see him for what he really was: human, through and through. To the rest he gave mixed impressions. He probably came off like a confused Vulcan hybrid that couldn't decide between one half or the other, or maybe just some fanatic that desperately wanted to be Vulcan. Either way, they didn't seem all that worried about the details. He at least adjusted to spaceflight and close quarters quicker than expected; he'd given off a sort of land 'lubberness' at first. In some ways he might have appeared strange. He didn't leave quarters very often, but never tried to avoid a social encounter; he talked with just about anyone who wanted to talk with him. More than once he'd been seen without his Vulcan robes. The Qob was lightly on privacy. Eventually, he'd given up on the costume and took to wearing plain t-shirts and utilities – definitely not Vulcan attire. And it was impossible to hide his penchant for habitual, intense exercise once he was aboard. He honestly wasn't sure if that was normal for a Vulcan or not and didn't really care. Soora, on the other hand, probably still disliked him and still thought he was a terrible Vulcan. He wondered if she was displeased with their first conversation aboard ship, but she kept a tight cap and wasn't easy to read. He hadn't exactly played fair in her game of 'test the fake Vulcan'. If there was animosity between Ethan and any one crewmember it was with Soora, though not for his part. Posturing wasn't his thing. Her behavior made Ethan feel more indifferent toward her than he suspected she seemed to feel toward him. He was pretending to be Vulcan, but he'd never made any claim that he could do it well. The act only had to serve its purpose and, so far, the signs said it was doing that just fine. It must have been a rare vein of Vulcan pride that had her feeling unfriendly about it. Vulcan or not Vulcan; it was the pot calling the kettle black in his opinion. She reminded him more of an uptight human teenager than any of the few Vulcans he'd had the honest pleasure of knowing. How many really knew without a doubt that he wasn't Vulcan? It was hard to tell how fast or far scuttlebutt about him had or would travel on the Qob. He had the impression Pher hadn't revealed much; no one was asking questions or demanding answers yet. Maybe he had connected with her. He hoped he'd connected with her; that at least he wouldn't wake up one morning in front of the Qob's collective crosshairs. They'd grown a bit friendlier since that chat in his quarters. Not that 'friendlier' meant too much between them – a glance, smile or an overtone to their conversations. So far they'd only established that Pher might want him to 'chase' and he wasn't running away. It could have been pure facetiousness on her part; the thought had crossed his mind. All of it could have been superficial and he didn't put that possibility past her, given what she'd told him of her history on New Risa. It was a common skill in that trade wasn't it; convincing the customer you were just as happy as they were? But he really didn't know her well enough to take even a stabbing guess at her intentions and he wasn't in a hurry to try – the truth could be a disappointment. Ethan could only account for himself and he rarely spoke or acted insincerely. He wasn't running. The attraction was there and thriving; it had to be obvious to her. He had conceded that she was attractive more than once: to himself, to Rodney and even to her. He wasn't sidestepping her or finding excuses to walk the other way when he saw her. He was comfortable in her presence and talked with her a bit more than anyone else. But that wasn't synonymous with chasing. Fact of the matter was there was one thing Ethan thought the Vulcans had right: self-control. And he wasn't going to actively pursue her or anything else like it. That was for other people, other times and other places. He was who he was. And right now, he was too busy for play.
  9. Ethan was silent as he returned to the visitor's center. His face must have looked like his interpretation of Vulcan detachment. Those who knew him well enough would have recognized the subtle frown he always wore when things looked grim. Too many people suspected that they knew. It took less than two hours to bring months of planning and execution to the brink of failure. Infiltrate Dr. Phantos's staff and hide out on Xorax for weeks without a hiccup. Meet one handsome Orion woman with a good memory for faces on obscure posters. Flush. She didn't do it intentionally, but using her ODRI and then talking to Xorax Security had effectively burned his bridge to Zoalus. The only path left gave him less latitude than fishing wire. A tightrope would have been generous. When he heard of the expedition, disguising himself as a Vulcan hybrid had seemed like a passable idea at first. The bounty was making it difficult to move around near Tranquility. Genetic doubles between species weren't unheard of and Xorax attracted academics more than it did mercenaries, particularly Vulcans. But now that it was no longer passing, Ethan couldn't just stop being Vulcan and come clean. It'd be stupid to hope that Xorax would take the whole thing lightly and still let him accompany Dr. Phantos. They'd probably throw him to the Guardians and tell them to 'chew well'. Or, if in transit, they might just throw him out the airlock. The disguise had to stay; with a problem. The problem wasn't Pher or the Qob. He was still convinced that Joe was more interested in the expedition and wouldn't jeopardize that or let his crew do it for him. More than that – ignoring rumors of shady dealings – their history implied they might be good allies if they knew the story. Once he was certain they knew he wasn't Vulcan, Ethan had considered taking a gamble and explaining himself to Joe and Pher. He didn't like solo gigs and was growing weary of it. If they didn't want to work with him, maybe he could have offered something for their silence. That was until he'd learned about Taurik and his theory. Get a little too friendly with the Qob now and no doubt his Vulcan logic would make them out as Ethan's extraction team – if Taurik hadn't already explored that possibility. Both he and the Qob would lose their tickets to Zoalus. He wasn't interested in causing collateral damage to a group that'd only made the mistake of recognizing who he was. It hadn't taken long to understand how important money was in Bull's Head. In fact, it'd been a lucrative paycheck that got him tangled up in this charade. She had originally hired him to conduct this search. But as the pieces came together he'd uncovered a few unattractive things and intentionally went dark. By then, he'd developed his own reasons for continuing and without her help or knowledge; this was too big to just casually let it go. He'd used the last of his first fee to undergo cosmetic surgery and booked passage to Xorax. But it would take just one word to the wrong guy at the wrong time to bring all of it down on Ethan at once. It was Vulcan judiciousness that kept him out of the noose as a corporate spy and to Ethan it felt paper-thin. Taurik didn't have hard facts to corroborate his speculations. He was a Vulcan but still sensitive to the consequences if he accused Ethan now. It was just one bounty with a mysterious benefactor that Xorax officials wouldn't honor. Delay the expedition and he could lose his standing within the colony if they decided he'd cried wolf. Still, that could change in a heartbeat if Ethan somehow slipped or Taurik got bold. Show too much interest in the archeological aspects of the expedition and Ethan could kiss it good-bye. Get rid of the problem and more people would start to dig around and delay or end the whole expedition before it started. Right, wrong or academically indifferent, the clever bastard had him pinned. Everything Ethan knew was telling him to pull out; evasion before escape. His original employer would get him to Zoalus if he left Xorax and made contact. But he wasn't about to go crawling back to her now. The fact that she had concealed their associations still irritated him and, ironically, he was doing this as much for her as against her. He wasn't going to let them bury the truth or worse, lead them right to it so they could play like lemmings. He couldn't abandon the expedition. He didn't have the resources to conduct his own trip to Zoalus and everything he had so far told him that place was the key. He had to get there. He couldn't leave Rodney either; he'd probably come under suspicion if Ethan disappeared. It wasn't common knowledge that they knew each other, but it would be once Taurik reported his theory. Call it a total wash and leave it hidden if he gave up now: the rationale felt shaky at best, but it had convinced him enough to see it through. He had to admit, Rodney wasn't off when he'd said he was crazy. He felt crazy.
  10. Hi, welcome! Wow, simming in another language. Don't think I would've picked up on that if you hadn't said anything. You've a better grasp on English than some 'natives'. That's awesome! Good luck and hope to see you around.
  11. Xorax was a labyrinth of corporate secrets and big names were spending big money to safeguard their competitive advantages. Predictably, the place crawled with well-paid security forces and was honeycombed with their security measures: audio and video surveillance; sensors, including sensor-detection equipment; the works. But in a place where only money could do all the talking, bank accounts weren't bottomless. Xorax was larger than pockets and security focused on only the most valuable assets, which were scattered throughout the sprawling, underground complex. The longer one lingered on Xorax the more neglected spots one would find: corridors, empty rooms, certain elevators, to number a few. Some had become dead ends when shareholders abruptly changed their minds. Remote places far enough from corporate holdings that everyone dismissed them. Shortly after leaving Joe Manning with Dr. Phantos, Ethan had received a message. It was one word: ready. Riding back down in the elevator, he bypassed the visitor's center. A change of elevators and few levels further down, he emerged into a dimly lit corridor and one of the few places Xorax's precautions didn't actively extend. By now, the headache that began at Creedo's had crept into a full-scale blitz on his skull and it felt like he might burst at the temples. Away from prying anything, he freely, humanly leaned against a corner in the rock wall and cradled his contorted face in his hand, trying to press the pain away with his fingers. He might as well have hung around a stinking meth-head for an ache like this, he thought. At least then, he could have submitted a first report of injury and qualified for medical attention on the employer's dollar. "Whoa," remarked a man not long after he arrived. His name was Rodney Venczel; a broad-shouldered, space-brat of a Hungarian that thought he looked stupid in a robe. He was Ethan's security contact on the inside of Xorax. An ally Ethan had made during his first year in Bull's Head, and one of the connections that got him inside Xorax as Dr. Phantos's advisor. "You look like plakta." There was no denying that's exactly how he felt. Ethan dropped his hand and smiled something that looked like a grimace. "The Orion. Buzzed me with her pheromones." Rodney loudly whistled, pushing a pair of shades to the top of his head. "On purpose?" "No; think she meant it for someone else," said Ethan. "Oh, for that one guy that was hanging all over her, I bet," he surmised. Ethan nodded and grimaced again. "Chris Nickles." Rodney ruefully stared down the corridor. "I wish was him," he said after a beat, "she was— mmhmm." His black robe swayed as he began drawing her figure in the air. This time Ethan genuinely smiled, but it made 'the Robe' feel like frowning at him. That's right, Rodney recalled; this guy was all about the 'right place, right time'. He knew Ethan liked women; knew that he appreciated the finer things about women. But he'd never seen the guy get tangled up with them on a job, especially one like Pher. It was some kind of code or other nonsense. What a bore. "I thought you types were vaccinated against Orion dust anyway." Rodney lightly backhanded Ethan on the shoulder. "I was; five years ago." He harrumphed, amused by the fact that Ethan had allowed his inoculation expire. Then again, it wasn't like that kind of thing was floating around Bull's Head for free. People had to make sacrifices to live here – one of the most significant was infrastructure. Not that Rodney really wanted to take that stuff; he thought it was a tragedy to miss out on things like Orions. Speaking of which; "bad news," he said. "The Orion scanned me," Ethan promptly replied. "You knew?" Ethan stiffly shrugged, trying to fight off the throbbing that movement caused. "Seemed logical." "I think those pointy ears are going to your head," he murmured. "Find out why?" "Well, that's the best part. She's after that bounty; recognized you from the poster. She used her ODRI to check your innards," explained Rodney, animatedly pointing at Ethan's midsection. "And I don't think they're gonna fall for your hybrid story like my superiors did." "Hmm," Ethan sounded. "Any idea when they'll try and collect on me?" "Not soon and probably not on the expedition. Said it would be 'bad for business'." Repeating Pher's excuse made Rodney smirk, but Ethan seemed unsurprised by their reservations. He'd already built a few speculations on that detail, particularly after Captain Manning insisted Pher's scans were purely protective. "What about your superiors?" "They only honor 'official' bounties from the Guardians." Rodney dismissively waved; then tucked his hands out of sight and shrugged. "Unless Qob or someone else comes along and makes a serious fuss, they won't bother you. 'Bad for business' to let people run around offing your employees for shady bounties; just about anyone'd be willing to knock out their competitors. Taurik's acting suspicious though." "His Vulcan intellect's probably running with this," Ethan remarked, wiping his hand down his face. Rodney couldn't tell if he was amused or irritated; maybe it was both. "Yeah, and he's got it in his head now that you might be 'bad for business'. He even suggested you could be a corporate spy and since that bounty only wants you alive, he thinks it's your extraction." Ethan's brow rose. "He thinks I'm after weapons secrets on Zoalus." "You got it," Rodney affirmed. He then reached out intending to touch the cosmetic point on one of Ethan's ears and joshed: "Say, do those plasty-ears of yours still itch?" Ethan's brow furrowed at the nuisance. "Has he told your superiors?" he asked, holding up his hand to block Rodney. "No, not yet," said Rodney, pulling his arm back and grinning from ear to ear. "He's got this funny idea that he's gonna wait and catch you red-handed." "Hmm," was the only sound Ethan made as mulled over what he'd been told and the scenarios in his head. "So what're you gonna do about the Qob?" "Nothing." "Nothing?" Rodney almost popped his eyebrows out of place. "I get the impression their doctor, Kaara, doesn't like me," he said. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the gist when she hid her face the first time she was asked about him. People didn't do that unless it was something they weren't willing to say in person, which generally meant it wasn't nice. "She thinks I make a lousy Vulcan." "You're a crappy Vulcan," interjected Rodney. Ethan briefly smiled and obviously agreed, but he wasn't doing this for academy awards. He continued without losing a beat. "But the doc, Manning's right-hand man, and that Nausicaan, don't seem to know about or aren't interested in the bounty yet. The Orion's the only one who's been talking about it and fishing for information on me." "How d'you know all that? We just started pulling the audio from Creedo's when I paged you." "Lips, body language," Ethan shrugged. "And the Orion tried to apologize for getting me buzzed. They're loyal to Captain Manning, though, and he seems a bit more laidback. He doesn't want to jeopardize their contract with Dr. Phantos, and, right now, I don't think he likes the bounty's anonymous element. Wants to get the full picture before acting; I think. They won't do anything until he's ready." "Don't want to tip your hand then." "Already did a bit," Ethan admitted, adding a cringe for the trouble that'd given him a headache. "But I'm going to press that to my advantage. The more they think I'm just some clueless schmuck, the less interest they might have in asking questions or cashing in early. But when they are ready to cash in;" if they're going to cash in, he added to himself. "I plan on being very far away from Zoalus." "And what're you gonna do about the bounty? That's gonna to make it hard to move around." "After I get what I'm looking for on Zoalus, I plan to answer it," Ethan candidly replied. Rodney was dumbfounded. "You're going to give them the information?" "Didn't say that. But if she wants me alive it means she wants to talk." "You shook 'em and now you're gonna walk right back into their territory to 'talk'? That's crazy," Rodney balked. "Those pointy ears really don't suit you." "Yeah. I'd really like my own back," remarked Ethan, rubbing his right ear. He pushed away from the wall and turned toward the elevator. "I need to get back before they start to miss me." He'd taken several steps before Rodney called out: "Hey, wait." Ethan turned, barely managing to catch the nondescript bottle that unexpectedly sailed through the air at him. "I think they used to call it 'advil'," Rodney explained. "Good for headaches." Ethan opened the bottle and poured out three capsules before tossing it back with a partial smile. "Thanks." He entered the elevator and swallowed the pills as the door closed. He then pressed the button; it was back to the visitor's center for Selek, the idiot.
  12. [...signal lost...]
  13. The so-called Selek said nothing when Captain Manning and several of his companions separated from the tour group, and gave no sign that he was aware it occurred. But it wasn't something that had gone unnoticed. He had willingly played into Soora's distraction; not because he thought he was clever or had some sort of countermove. Simply, what Captain Manning did while on Xorax wasn't his problem. Given the secrets which Xorax held, the colony possessed a well-organized and well-equipped security force that could handle itself. He wasn't a member of that force and they weren't hurting for his services. He was just a simple Security Advisor to Dr. Phantos and had been asked to give them a tour in his place. It wasn't his responsibility to police these visitors, nosy or otherwise. He had other more pressing things to consider, particularly those of his employer and what would happen on Zoalus. If Captain Manning managed to lose his contract for the expedition to Zoalus because he meddled in the colony's affairs, Selek wouldn't lose any sleep on it. Entering the biodome, Selek paused and looked at Soora where she stood to his right. The stark bleakness of space twinkled through the transparent dome overhead. "You are Vulcan?" The question sounded more like a statement. But there was a subtle rise in his voice that betrayed surprise, which echoed in the brief rise of his brow. Immediately his gaze went to her ear, but it appeared human. There was nothing exceptional about her that made him think of anything but human. In fact, there was a lot about her that reminded him of a human woman he'd once known. She then turned her head and, perhaps intentionally, brushed her hair behind her undeniably Vulcan right ear. "I am," she replied simply. She knew that any true Vulcan would know that she was not full, just like any true Vulcan would have noticed her Vulcan qualities without having them pointed out. "I graduated from the Academy on New Vulcan." She watched him carefully. She could feel Pher looking at them. She resisted the urge to turn towards the Orion, to see her opinion of him. No. "I see," remarked Selek. He wasn't sure that he sounded as indifferent as he intended. He hadn't been feeling like himself since leaving the transporter chamber. His concentration was slipping. His arm briefly wavered – he'd almost been unaware of making some movement until, at the last second, he thought better of it. "I see your companions are no longer with us." Soora raised an eyebrow, resisting the urge to cross her arms. She bit her tongue from a snide remark. He had just noticed? "My companions," she said almost mockingly, "are not ones to be paraded about to see things that are on showcase." He dismissively nodded. "Excuse me," he said, and then addressed someone behind her. "Pratek." "What?" the Ferengi growled. He was dressed in technician's coveralls and didn't welcome the interruption. Apparently, he didn't have much respect for Dr. Phantos's Security Advisor either. "These are guests of Dr. Phantos. They would like a tour of the biodome. I have personal business to which I must attend. Please conduct their tour and I will return shortly," said Selek. It sounded diplomatic enough, but clearly gave no room for refusal as Selek promptly turned and left. Pratek sneered and then grumbled at the fleeting Vulcan. "Whatever; it's not like I've got stuff to do or anything." Realizing Selek wasn't going to stop, he then begrudgingly said to Soora and Pher with a wave: "Come on." Like the rest of Xorax, the biodomes were an impressive piece of marriage between architectural and geological engineering, and also Spartan. The dull-gray rock of the moon was left exposed, and girders had remained undressed since construction. There were no attempts to beautify the functional in Xorax; such things cost money, nor were they necessary for the biodomes. The star attractions of the biodomes were glades of towering trees, carpets of flowers and edible vegetation. Though they had not replaced the need to import, the biodomes were capable of supplying one-fourth of the colony's plant-based foodstuffs. They also greatly improved the efficiency of the colony's aged atmosphere scrubbers; the change in air quality between the lower levels of the colony and a biodome was palpable and fragrant. It reminded Selek (or rather, Ethan) of home, and more than once since arriving on Xorax he had managed to linger while passing through. There were eight biodomes in total. Where other biodomes housed research too delicate for traffic, this biodome was the least secure and often served as a sort of public park. It was nearly two square kilometers and several stories tall. Five stories had been dedicated to the foundation, and another four stories for the sub-foundation that would house soils for the plants that grew there. It required several weeks for engineers to carve into the moon, and deep pockets of cash. The remaining height was in the dome itself; a network of tritanium beams fitted with transparent aluminum panes, which were designed to filter out harmful solar rays while allowing those in that were beneficial. There were four tunneled entrances into the biodome, placed on a terrace and set equally apart in the outer wall of rock. Long, sweeping ramps led from there to the grassy floor. Following the terrace, Selek left Pher and Soora and made his way to a door between two exits. It didn't take much to figure out that it was a restroom. As he pushed the door aside, Selek wondered if either Soora or Pher would try to ditch Pratek and follow him or wander off on their own. Looking over his shoulder as he entered, he noted that they were still trailing behind the Ferengi. Inside with the door closed and seeing no one in sight, Selek moved quickly but calmly to the back of the facility. He then slowly returned toward the door and checked each of the forty stalls for occupants. It wasn't the usual method he used to clear a room, but he didn't want to look like he was in a rush and it ensured that no one entered behind him unseen. The room was remarkably empty. Selek visibly relaxed as he went to the sink farthest from the door and pressed the button for cold water. The facade and airs of Vulcan modesty were gone. There was no immediate concern for being seen. The entry into the restroom was tucked behind a dividing wall that would provide privacy from curious eyes and time to recover his act if someone entered. He pulled the large cuffs of his heavy robe to his shoulders, thrust his hands beneath the running faucet and briskly tossed the water on his face. He wondered at his reflection. The moment Soora had talked to him, he'd become tangled up in old memories of her – the woman he'd left behind in the Federation. He hadn't seen or talked to her in years. He couldn't explain why he'd suddenly thought of her or why his memory was as clear as if he'd said good-bye yesterday. Except for her black hair and blue eyes, Soora barely reminded him of her, he reasoned. What had him reacting like this? He could almost see her staring at him from the mirror – glossy raven hair neatly pinned up on her head, soft jaw confidently lifted as she stared at him with silvery blue eyes. He had the overwhelming urge to pull her in his arms like some kind of crazed Romeo; he'd almost unconsciously grabbed Soora in her place. What the hell is wrong with me? He ran back through the last hour in his head. He hadn't felt like this earlier; it'd only started after he had met Captain Manning and his crew. Could they have somehow drugged him? Was anyone else affected? He hadn't come in direct contact with any of them. Was it an aerosol? Was it an organic compound; were any of them capable of giving off something like that? Beside a Nausicaan and the hybrid Vulcan girl, most had appeared human. It hit him: the Orion. He frowned. She must have secretly put out some of those Orion pheromones he'd heard stories about. Not enough to completely drive him mad, but enough to get under his skin. Why? Was it just part of their ploy to ditch him? Did they know about his employer; his contract? What were they after: Dr. Phantos, him, or something else? He was certain about one thing: they weren't going to interfere in his plans. Be it through careful guard or something more direct, he'd make sure they didn't compromise his mission. Once more he splashed cold water on his face, and then toweled dry. Letting his sleeves fall to their places, he steeled himself and pulled out a comlink. It was lucky that someone hadn't stumbled in on him earlier, but it didn't matter if he was heard now. This was about playing his part. He called Dr. Phantos and the elderly Denobulan gently answered: "Yes, what is it?" "Dr. Phantos, I am afraid that Captain Manning and his crew have taken it upon themselves to conduct their tour," Selek explained, once again in his role. The Denobulan chuckled, taken in by the act. "No need to be concerned, my dear Vulcan," said Phantos. "As you say, Doctor," he feigned a sense of Vulcan hesitation. "But are you not concerned for your relationship with the colony administration? If they should…" "I’m sure they mean no harm," Phantos reassured, his voice smiling through the comlink. "They are the adventurous types, but they know how to behave. Just make sure they find their way to me when the time is appropriate." "Of course, Doctor," Selek Vulcanly relented. He closed the link and returned the com to his sleeve. He then exited the restroom. When Selek rejoined Pher and Soora, he was noticeably more composed than when he had left. Unfortunately, he'd caught them nearer the end of their tour with Pratek rather than sooner. "Honored guests," he greeted them. "Shall we adjourn to the visitor's center? You can find nourishment and wait for your Captain there." Pher and Soora gave no objection, and Selek led them from the biodome to the rail-like transport car. It was a boring ride back into the heart of Xorax.