Kansas_Jones

..... understand men? Are we sure this is at all possible? :-P Had to share this little blurb, enjoy all: Subject: Because I'm A Man Because I'm a man, when I lock my keys in the car, I will fiddle with a coat hanger long after hypothermia has set in. Calling AAA is not an option. I will win. _____________________________________________________ Because I'm a man, when the car isn't running very well, I will pop the hood and stare at the engine as if I know what I'm looking at. If another man shows up, one of us will say to the other, 'I used to be able to fix these things, but now with all these computers and everything, I wouldn't know where to start.' We will then drink a couple of beers and break wind, as a form of holy communion. _____________________________________________________ Because I'm a man, when I catch a cold, I need someone to bring me soup and take care of me while I lie in bed and moan. You're a woman. You never get as sick as I do, so for you, this is no problem. _____________________________________________________ Because I'm a man, I can be relied upon to purchase basic groceries at the store, like milk or bread. I cannot be expected to find exotic items like 'cumin' or 'tofu.' For all I know, these are the same thing. _____________________________________________________ Because I'm a man, when one of our appliances stops working, I will insist on taking it apart, despite evidence that this will just cost me twice as much once the repair person gets here and has to put it back together. _____________________________________________________ Because I'm a man, I must hold the television remote control in my hand while I watch TV. If the thing has been misplaced, I may miss a whole show looking for it, though one time I was able to survive by holding a calculator instead (applies to engineers only). ____________________________________________________ Because I'm a man, you don't have to ask me if I liked the movie. Chances are, if you're crying at the end of it, I didn't...and if you are feeling amorous afterwards...then I will certainly at least remember the name and recommend it to others. ___________________________________________________ Because I'm a man, I think what you're wearing is fine. I thought what you were wearing five minutes ago was fine, too. Either pair of shoes is fine. With the belt or without it, looks fine. It does not make your rear look too big. It was the pasta and potatoes and Margaritas that did that. Your hair is fine. You look fine. Can we just go now? _________________________________________________ Because I'm a man, and this is after all, the year 2008, I will share equally in the housework. You just do the laundry, the cooking, the cleaning, the vacuuming, and the dishes, and I'll do the rest. Like wandering around in the garden with a beer, wondering what to do. ____________________________________________________ THIS HAS BEEN A PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE TO HELP WOMEN BETTER UNDERSTAND MEN.

Well ... there is that one rather large 'smashed bug goo' stain that we never really managed to get out of the carpet: http://www.stsf.net/forums/index.php?showt...27&hl=crate Good times. Good times.

08.03.08 USS Agincourt NCC-81762 “Vulcan Deposition” Lieutenant Commander Kansas “Will” JoNs made her way with her three traveling companions through the open air business concourse, enjoying the air and the gentle bustle of the area. But, the feline was also mindful that the group of them needed to be in council chambers shortly in order to register with the security force and then make their scheduled appointment in the deposition chambers. The government building where the meetings were taking place loomed in the distance and was modeled in the classic Vulcan design: nine floors, terracotta coloring, permacrete structure, and glass windows. The Secretary of State had formally requested that Colonel Harper herself along with a few of her Agincourt officers attend the session to offer testimony regarding the Soltan. In essence, the entire officer and crew complement of the Agincourt could be considered walking intelligence; they were the only ship within the Starfleet squadrons that had dealt up close and personal with the Soltan due to their de facto Perseus Arm mission. And, they were the only ship to literally be on the front lines of the attack on Earth due to riding in the subspace transport wake of the Soltan ships when the enemy ships traveled into the Alpha Quadrant. And so, the colonel had handpicked (also known as volunteered) some of her senior officers to accompany her down to the surface of Vulcan to inform the surviving council session at large just how dangerous the Soltan could be. Kansas pulled herself out of her mental reverie and again focused her full attention on the surrounding district. The walking path was wide enough that JoNs, Colonel C.E. “Medusa” Harper, Major Hanna-Beth “Hair” Rieve and Lieutenant Commander Odile “Sin” Condacin could walk four abreast across the juncture. The feline officer had to admit that with Harper and Rieve in marine grays, Condacin in sciences blue, and the feline herself in the security gold uniform tunic … no one was exactly impeding their progress through the business district. Not that the four women looked particularly dangerous, but Kansas was sure that the seriousness of their scheduled upcoming intelligence testimony showed on all their faces. Therefore? No one messed with the four chicks walking through the district. A smile also leapt unbidden to Kansas’s muzzle because she swore she caught a scent of Shadow; at times, the cat’s keen smell could pick up an ozone like smell emanating from the energy being, usually when they first materialized into an area. Her fur was also a telltale sign when it flared a bit from Shadows static electricity. So, she assumed the group had a, well, a Shadow following them. The presence was comforting. The surrounding business district boasted about twenty three buildings, ranging from office buildings to shops to eateries. Native Vulcans, wearing traditional day robes, hassocks or modern business attire or suits, strolled about the area on their own private business. Other races - - a few Bolian, Human, Klingons or El Aurians - - strolled about as well. For about the tenth time since the three women had started out that morning, the feline second officer spared a glance behind them to make sure they were not being followed. Kansas wasn’t so much worried about an attack from the front, but could not shake the feeling that any attack would come from the rear. The stars new that Medusa, Hair and Sin were all more then capable of taking care of themselves. And this was Vulcan after all, but the possibility of a random attack could still be an occurrence. And it was just as equally possible that Kansas herself was still concerned over her encounter with the mercenaries during the helter skelter days following the attack on Earth, and that the same thing could happen again. The feline felt that her concern was justified. The same things had always been said of an Earth attack. An attack? On Earth? With the headquarters of the Starfleet, the Federation council, and the Fleet academy all located on the planet? Of course an attack would never happen. And now look at the planet – the surface structures slagged almost beyond recognition, the Fleet academy gone, thousands of people dead, thousands of cadets dead. And, most of the surviving fleet ships and officers were on general alert deployment within the alpha quadrant to resort some sort of order to the fractured quadrant. No, there was not mass chaos, at least not yet, but there could be that potential within the quadrant. Therefore, no matter how unlikely, Kansas expected an attack from behind and occasionally lagged behind the other two for a combination sightseeing and rear recon deployment act, and then she would dart ahead of the walking group and re-check their forward path. The feline carried her “Sunday go to meeting” briefcase strapped across her back, and the satchel was usually broken out for special occasions such as a council meeting where testimony from the crew was needed. The bag was real leather (let’s have a moment of silence for the cow that donated the leather goods), with a unisex design. Her initials were engraved in gold plating and inset on the flap, and the gold coloring of the letters almost matched her own fur tone. The Caitian’s parents had presented the bag to her shortly after her graduation from the academy, and she had used the briefcase more then a few times over the years for occasions such as this, or a meeting where everyone had to look their best. Keeping up appearances, indeed. The bag contained exactly three data padds and four medium sized black flimsy printouts. One data padd contained all of the relevant data on Crewman Carter Burne, the young security grunt who had fallen prey to the medical condition that turned other species into Soltan. The second padd contained the security tactical information gleaned from the few ship to ship encounters they had had with the Soltan and the ground engagement against the Soltan factory, as well as the specifications that the armory had corroborated from the Soltan weapons they had in storage. The third padd contained the report slash speech that Kansas planned to give to the assembled politicians regarding the other two padds. The data flimsy contained various chart graphs and data statistics that were relevant to the data entries. A sharp whistle and a “kitty!” from Sin snapped her out of her back end recon and tactical thoughts or musings; Kansas’s gaze swiveled around to lock onto the tall Xenexian lieutenant commander in the distance and saw that she was beckoning the feline to catch up with her and the others. Will JoNs took one last look around the plaza area, looking for invisible attackers, and then moved forward to rejoin Harper, Condacin and Rieve as the women all made their way into the plaza area of the structure where the council meeting was to be convened.

Truly, I can only say one thing regarding this STSF anniversary celebration: wOOt! Wicked Cool Site!

The Red Star macro loophole log is hard to top. The first log competition was very fun, from a participant standpoint (the moderator had their work cut out for them) because we had a lot of diverse character logs that made the rounds.

07.30.08 Agincourt Mission Update: TBS: A few minutes - Colonel Harper rounded up candidates to speak in the Council session meeting regarding our various tactical encounters with the Soltan; Harper, Rieve, Condacin and JoNs beamed down, and were joined by a rather curious energy being floating in the ether. - All shore leave parties were recalled. An Admiral contacted the ship and spoke to XO Day regarding some government changeover issues a local planet is having; the Agincourt has been tapped to investigate and help mitigate the growing hostile situation on this world. - Harper and her Soltan research/deposition team will remain on Vulcan, while Day will take the remaining crew and the Agincourt to the world that is having the difficulties. It was suggested that the Captains Yacht be dispatched (for the remaining ground team) to the surface of Vulcan so the ship can retain all MVAM sections for the new detachment mission.

Happy B-Day to the Goddess! Have a great day Dacotah! w00t!

(Note: 0716.08 Sim Cancelled) 07.23.08 Agincourt Mission Update: TBS: Unknown (the Furball missed this) - The Secretary of State and her staff members disembarked for Vulcan. The delegate was escorted to the transporter room by Colonel “Medusa” Harper, and according to the parting conversation, the Secretary will possibly be calling on the Agincourt crew again for any Soltan related intelligence. The crew got up close and personal with the Soltan during the unplanned Perseus Arm Mission, and ended up on the front lines during the Soltan attack on Earth thanks to a “wake surfing” ride when the Soltans jumped from sector to sector, so therefore we are a big source of intelligence. - Colonel Harper authorized shore leave for the crew on Vulcan, and passed on the go ahead orders to coordinate the shore leave parties to Lieutenant Colonel “Paradox” Day, with a special emphasis on sending any officers showing high stress levels. There was some debate between the two commanding officers regarding whether or not the planet of Vulcan is to be considered a suitable location or not for our shore leave purposes. - Lieutenant Major “Troll” Merrill approached Lt. Commander “Will” JoNs regarding his new project and the security clearance he needs to pursue the plan. The marine and acting CMO is dissatisfied with the current capability to respond to medical incidents during potential combat situations, and he wants to redesign the medical shuttle and its two escort combat shuttles (Runabout class). This involves retrofitting three Runabout shuttles with both legitimate and possibly illegitimate technology. - See this character log written by Troll and Lt. Commander "Sin" Condacin for background information: http://www.stsf.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=16393. - JoNs, usually the one to be adventuresome did a one eighty turn with regard to this underground project. The feline suggested to Troll that he draw up a report – with both technology types outlined – and submit the idea for review by the senior command staff, which the Caitian as 2XO would sign off on. If not, the Caitian would do the report herself. The big marine has two days to submit a report. - Lieutenant Shadow, our resident energy being, was overseeing some experiments in the sciences offices until others on the ship (Lt. Black-Knight and Marine Capt. Matthews) reached out to him with some mental “calls” for assistance. "Buddha" Matthews dealt with a mental picture made real, and "Elvis" Black-Knight had issues with an anti-grav stretcher. - Elsewhere, it was business as usual in Engineering. For once, the grease monkeys under the command of Lt. Commander “Flux” Kairi aren’t neck deep in repairs or battle damage.

Michael Jan Friedman was in fact there this year at Shoreleave East '08 (Nabbed his autograph on my favorite McCoy novel - Shadows on the Sun. Big w00t). Very approachable, yes. Indeed! I know I still go on all kinds of adventures with my favorite characters. When I was a young teen, I totally wanted to zip off and go adventuring with Kirk and Company. Now, I have Trek adventures regularly every week thanks to STSF. So, as an adult I'm now able to go on that Enterprise adventure. The same goes for the novels. I love karma.

I just read an internet article (really wish I hadn't now) on the Comcast site involving pedicures: Apparently, there is a new rage ongoing in the DC area. Pedicure customers who frequent this one spa are paying to stick their feet in water, so these really small Carp fishies can nibble away the dead skin of the feet for a natural pedicure. So let me get this straight, I get to pay money to stick my feet in the water, and then just sit there as qausi-flesh eating Pirahna type fish nibble on my feet? Right. I think I will pass. Indeed. ;-)

The Bantam 1970's Trek novels are a bit different? Is that the word I want? It was just a different decade with a different company and different set of authors helming the novels. Not a bad thing, but definitely not as "evened out" as the 1980's onward Pocket Books era. That's my impression; other then one or two 70's novels (such as Vulcan! by Kathleen Sky, which I do like), I really don't care for the 70's books. And yep, I do agree, Mary Sue isn't a bad thing. Colonel Harper had mentioned a few posts back that the Sue character in Uhuru's Song (Evan ? I'm blanking out on the full name) was fun and fallible, and she really is a solid character. And, definitely, I agree with you on the Piper character in the Dreadnought and Battlestations books. Not to spoil the book for anyone (I think its Battlestations) but the opening scene where Piper is a crewmember skidding across the half tilting deck of Captain Kirks boat (yes, they are actually on a boat sailing the water) is priceless. I wouldn't mind seeing Piper pop up in a modern novel as a Commander or Captain of her own ship, and that's true she did pave the way for the modern "non canon" crew members and captains that star in New Frontier or the Corp of Engineers books. But, that probably will not happen unless author Diane Carey resurrects Piper.

I have a book example comment to go along with the co-opted Trek novel comment: TNG's Nightshade by Laurell K. Hamilton. This novel centered on Worf and Troi, who did not seem like themselves if you get my drift. The plot was just kind of floating along as well, with Worf and Troi stuck for the whole book in some sort of foreign embassy compound. I did wonder if Hamilton watched the series at all, because you could have taken out Troi and Worf, stuck in two new characters, taken away all the Trek elements and then the book would have been a generic written adventure. I didn't hate the book, but didn't feel at all remorseful when I chucked that bad boy and donated it to my local library. :-P I think Night Shade was written in the early 1990's. From the mid 90s on, I really have not read any novels where I personally had this reaction again, so it is possible that the novel standards went a little higher and such. I know the mid to late 80's Trek books had a slew of Mary Sue (Kagan's Uhuru's Song, and Carey's Dreadnought and Battlestations - but these three are all GOOD books and worth a TOS read) characters popping up, and this seems to have died out by the early to mid 90's as well. Now, how about this - do you all save your Trek Books? I am a Trek book maven, and read them regularly. However, I'm unable to save every single book that I read (I just do not have the room). So, I generally save the ones I really enjoy or have re-read more then twice (Doc McCoy novels, specific authors, a good solid adventure), as well as any special interest novels that I love the concept of (Section 31, Mirror, etc). As it stands, I have about 4 to 5 plastic totes (medium sized) boxes that I save the books in, and since I've been reading Trek novels for twenty years next year, I think only having five totes is a pretty good space saver. :-P The non-saved Trek books are always donated to the local library so someone else who enjoys reading science fiction can get their Trek on. I refuse to just throw a book into the trash. It's like a mortal sin or something.

Look, not to ruffle any feathers here but I'm really not getting the "book rage" contained in several of the posts. Shane originally started the topic for us to post books that we thought were good, and also books that were just bad (plot, characters were blah, etc). But, I think that point has been missed and the topic is heading into the Actual Canon TV Series and Actor Portrayal vs. Non-Canon Written Books, and how the books "screw up" canon. The books do not screw up the canon series', because the books technically do not exist because they are not canon. Just enjoy them for what they are - an opportunity for your mind and imagination to check out and go on an adventure with your favorite characters. Maybe if the fiction novels were actually read for fun and not to be looking for character or plot flaws or how they differ from the TV shows, the book might be enjoyed? On Topic: Spock Must Die by James Blish (1970). Wow. I tried getting through this, and got about halfway through, and had to stop. It wasnt necessarily one thing, just several. The plot is hazy now (its been about ten years since I tried reading it) but I remember I really had an issue keeping up with Blish's writing style, and to be really honest, from what I do remember I thought the plot/sotry/book/characters were all too taciturn.

(Overall, I tend to read the novels based on TOS. But I've checked out books based on all the series, including the independents such as Peter Davids New Frontier. Generally though, I am TOS based.) - My all time top favs in Trek novels: BloodThirst (JM Dillard) Dreams of the Raven (Carmen Carter) Ice Trap (LA Graf) Death Count (LA Graf) Shadows on the Sun (Michael Jan Friedman) Time for Yesterday (AC Crispin) Uhuru's Song (Janet Kagan) (word of warning: this book is not about Uhuru. The plot content involves a Caitian-like tribe of people.) Demons (JM Dillard) Mindshadow (JM Dillard) Doctors Orders (Diane Duane) Lost Years (JM Dillard) Covenant of the Crown (Howard Wienstein) The Better Man (Howard Wienstein) - Authors that I enjoy include JM Dillard, Diane Duane, Diane Carey, LA Graf, and Keith R.A. DeCandido. - We all know I'm a Mirror Universe Nut. Oh wait - is this not politically correct? Okay, then I am *really* biased regarding the Mirror Universe and enjoy it, so I'll just dive in there with these recommendations: Dark Mirror (Diane Duane): actually, just started this and it rocks out. Mirror Universe: Glass Empires and Obsidian Alliance (various authors): you must go. store. or online. buy. now. Killing Time (Della Van Hise): this would definitely be a used book search as it is out of print. Killing is not mainstream Mirror, but a nice alternate universe book. - The Corp of Engineers books are nice as well (recommend: the print copy of Wildfire), although I tend to grab the actual print books rather then the E Books. - And honestly, I can't NOT recommend the Diane Duane collection Rihannsu books. She really gives a rich background (Romulan Way in particular really reminds me (as a personal concept) of the Irish country side and estates and farms and all that. Perhaps because she herself has been based in Ireland for many years and that comes out in the book? And My Enemy My Ally just totally rocks out in general. These are my top two.) and mindset for the Rihans. - The IKS Gorkon and Klingon Empire books by DeCandido. Get your Klingon on and rock out with an entire crew of 'em! w00t! - One more: the new "Titan" series of novels featuring Riker and Troi. Good stuff, and practically screams "Agincourt". Happy reading all. No better way to jet off, let your imagination take over, and take part in a trek adventure. Except maybe here on STSF. ;-)

Gotta love that autopilot. Nice technological advantage. Unless of course ... the Puppy was on autopilot? I mean, that can work too. Totally.

Note: this log takes place during the four hour TBS. 07.15.08 USS Agincourt NCC-81762 “Gotcha!” Lieutenant Commander Kansas JoNs was lying flat on her back, staring up at the blue skies and clouds as the dust and dirt from the ground was whipped up around her by the winds. The visage of a rough looking human mercenary suddenly popped into her field of vision. He was smiling, and the smile was at odds with the small arsenal he had strapped to his person and the rough craggy features of his weather beaten face. “Gotcha again!” “Big Red” put out a gloved hand, and again helped the Caitian feline to her feet for a fourth time. It was funny. The first three times. Now, it was getting downright annoying and JoNs was contenting herself with mental images of going all hunter kitty and pouncing Executive Officer Day with no warning. Lt. Colonel Day had a heart to heart talk with JoNs regarding the second officer’s detachment mission to Africa during the Earth clean up process, and her encounter with some low life mercenaries. Mainly, what future tactical methods the young commander could employ to avoid a similar situation and the resulting injury and mental distress. The acting marine battalion commander’s orders had been simple: she wanted JoNs to replay the scenario in the holodeck, and see what she could have done differently to avoid being roughed up the first time. While the original tactical methods that the Caitian officer had employed during her African assignment -- general recon of the area, sending her cadet squad out of danger, and radioing ahead for reinforcements – was by no means the “wrong” way to go about an engagement with the mercenaries, JoNs had to admit that there was always an option or two to be considered in the heat of the moment. And, this was why Day had suggested the extra holodeck training for JoNs, to explore and expand those tactical options. And, on a personal level, it would be a way for JoNs to work through the latent fear that she had been experiencing as a result of being attack by the mercenaries she had encountered on Earth. The problem was, after uploading the program parameters that would reestablish the African mercenary scenario, JoNs had not considered the dynamic AI that the Agincourt computers employed for the various “supporting actors” within the holo programs. During the program, the human mercenaries were ruthless. But, as soon the program reached the programmed ending parameters, the AI mercenaries reverted to a real time persona, almost as if they were actors playing a role. As such, they had been ragging on Kansas every time that she got nailed by that damn sniper bullet. Some officers preferred to disable the dynamic AI abilities of the holo characters, but Kansas usually left the option on because the holo characters offered solid tactical advice considering they “were” the training program and learned of your tactical patterns (both good and bad) as the program went on. The AI’s could be an invaluable asset to be used and exploited. And they also promptly shot you in the shoulder with a sniper bullet. Three times and counting: she was going to pounce Day. Yes. It would be worth the court martial. Yes. Kansas wore the same Starfleet desert issue fatigues that she had wore during the detachment assignment, as well as the protective goggles, and had the same weapons and equipment. The only difference was that she wore the marine issue protective net vest as opposed to the lighter weight security vest she had worn under her uniform during the actual engagement. Indeed, the marine issue vest, as Colonel Day had pointed out, offered more of a protective shield then the security issue vest. JoNs still got knocked on her rear end of course, but the impact point was of a considerably less forceful blow. Red chuckled again. “Look, I hate to tell you again Kitty, but there’s no way to really avoid my sniper, unless you have at least one team mate watching your back. The first run through with the program, you were successful because you had one of those cadet kids stay with you. Now, these last three runs of the program? We are totally cleaning your clock here Lieutenant Commander.” JoNs tried to discreetly work the kink out of her shoulder, and offered a slight smile to the holo-mercenary. She knew Red didn’t really exist, but … she had always treated the dynamic AI’s of these holo deck programs with respect. “Thanks for the workout and tactical information Red. And I can definitely use this program for training within my department as well.” Red gave her a salute and then turned away, walking back down the small trail toward the mercenary encampment with a swagger to his step. Kansas rolled her neck and then spoke into thin air. “Computer, save and upload program for future training sessions. Send the visual recordings to my private office terminal, as well as to Lieutenant Colonel Day’s private office terminal pending her review.” The disembodied voice of the ships internal computer acknowledged the instructions a moment later, and the feline officer ordered the program to end. The familiar criss cross lighting backdrop of the holo deck room came back into existence as the program setting of the Earth based African plains winked out. With a swish of the tail, Kansas exited the holo deck, a bit sore, but hopefully also a bit wiser from the ordered training experience.

= = = Internal Comms = = = = = = Main Channel IT-XZ5 = = = = = = Security Main = = = = = = Authorization JoNs Baker Niner V.2 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Priority: General Ships Business = = = = = = = = = = = = = To: Harper, Colonel C.E., Day, Lieutenant Colonel T’Loren Cc: Black-Knight, Lieutenant Alastair, Keltex, Master Chief Petty Officer Bcc: Security Squad Leaders, Line Officers, Senior NCOs Re: Departmental Security Training Effective immediately, Lieutenant Black-Knight will be appointed as the main departmental trainer for holodeck based training, field based operational training, hand to hand training, and general combat training for the Agincourt security forces. Due to the responsibilities of this position, Mister Black-Knight will also be working closely with Master Chief Petty Officer Keltex, who is generally responsible for the training and fitness of our enlisted security personal. In addition, Mister Black-Knight will be coordinating with the Marine officer squad leaders where appropriate for any joint training operations and shared mayhem between our respective departments. Lieutenant Commander M’rrett JoN’s Chief of Security l Second Officer = = = = = = = = = = = = = Priority: General Ships Business = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Internal Comms = = = = = = Main Channel IT-XZ5 = = = = = = Security Main = = = = = = Authorization JoNs Baker Niner V.2 = = =

07.09.08 Mission Update: TBS: 4 Hours - The Agincourt crew continued to the planet Vulcan with their very special passenger aboard, the Bolian (I didn't catch her name) Secretary of State. The Secretary is one of the few surviving Federation government members scheduled to be at the government meeting for those officials that have survived the Soltan attack of Earth. At the sim's end, the ship was closing in on taking up an orbit vector around the planet. - Command: Colonel Harper met with the Secretary and explained as best she could regarding the crews various adventures within the Perseus sector, as well as the various races (such as the Soltan. See "Races of the Perseus Arm" for further information here http://www.stsf.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=13581) we encountered there as well. - Sciences: Lt. Commander Condacin had a heart to heart talk with her resident energy being, Shadow, about dating, going to the movies, and other activities that various species partake in for enjoyment. - Medical: Lieutenant Major Merril was on acting CMO duty (and did the big Trill also end up going to SCI to deal with the Chief SCIs hangover?), Doctor Tordai enjoyed some tea, while Doctor Socom followed along with the conversations. For once, the Docs are not armpit deep with victims from the Earth attack, and medical is relatively quiet. - Engineering: Lieutenant Murray continues showing engineering newbie Karrigan the ropes, while Lt. Commander Kassem has a conversation with the new security grunt Ensign Grafton. - Security: Lieutenant Black-Knight had the Dingo Squad going through some hectic training paces in the holodeck. - Marine: Lt. Colonel Day had a heart to heart talk with Lt. Commander JoNs, regarding the 2XOs detachment mission to Africa during the Earth clean up process. Mainly, what future tactical methods the young commander could employ to avoid a similar situation and the resulting injury and mental distress. Meanwhile, Major Rieve and Marine Captain Matthews were discussing delivering some payback to the Soltan at the end of a charged phaser rifle.

10 years. A 10 year streak of making the Republic in all of its site moving incarnations. 10 YEARS!!! 10 Years she said! I third the congrats: That's awesome BluRox! The missing one is a bummer, but it doesn't hold a candle to that streak. Now, you need to make up a BluRox Award on the Republic for a streak of attendance by a player or something in honor of that record.

What he said. Disclaimer: I am not knocking anyone who enjoys the process of intrigue or politics and creating from this fictional Trek government. But, hey, if I wanted to create a Star Trek political RPG (shoot me in the foot, now) game involving ambassadors and politicians and representatives (and would not be in danger of myself going ga ga) and such I would. I do not, so there we go. :-D Normally, I'd choose Cait (biased!), but I have no RPG desire to represent; I'd be more interested in security for the council and such. Has anyone read "Articles of the Federation"? I'm surprised, considering the topic, this book has not been mentioned. DeCandido is one of my favored writers, and I'm just curious as to how his book portrays the general Trek government.

Totally. My Dad and I are already collectively geeking out (and bonding) and preparing to get her autograph. Okay, so that's FSF, STSF, FKA, (ABC, XYZ :-P) and I know of at least one local meeting chapter from the PA/Philly area (USS Sovereign - I have no idea if they are still active) that has gone to the MD East con in recent years, and whatever other on line or real life groups come to the MD East con. Diverse fan base, indeed.

07.02.08 Mission Update: TBS: 2 Days and 1 Night - The Secretary of State and her aides are now on board the ‘Court and are settling in for the escort run to the planet Vulcan. The surviving government officials are all convening on Vulcan, and the Secretary is due to attend. - As the sim got underway, a reception (with the planning committee spearheaded by Lt. Cmdr “Sin” Condacin) to honor the Secretary was going on in the main observation lounge. Most of the crew was in attendance, sporting marine dress blues or fleet dress whites and making small talk with each other or the political guests. Onward with the mingling! - Elsewhere, there was ships business to be attended to: Lt. Col. “Paradox” Day sent Major “Hair” Rieve and Lt. Major “Troll” Merrill on a shipboard mission to locate Lt. Cmdr “Will” JoNs and bring her to the marine offices. The XO wanted to have a chat with her 2XO regarding the second officers discharge of an illegal disruptor in the corridors.

EDIT: Okay, the Excalibur 2007 Awards are now posted! These were already awarded in sim, and it has only been about six months or so late to the boards due to a collective command team blonde moment. Indeed! Good work everyone, and congratulations again. w00t!

Winner: Patterson, because I can so picture that kid going DEE DEE DEE Runner Up: Joe Wilson (and clearly, this 5th grader has some issues in the smarts area)

Well, in that case I am happy that last year was my first (and apparently last) time at the Experience. I did have a ball at Quarks and the museum walk through and the adventure ride.