Sam_SemaJ

The diplomatic away team had just beamed onto the ship from Axrekrav. Lo'Ami was being speed briefed on what was going on. Sam Sema'J hobbled on his cane as fast as he felt comfortable and tried to get to the bridge. Unfortunately, that's where everyone else was trying to get. As officers crowded around him and bumped into him, Sam continued to get dizzy and his breathing labored. He quickly unbuttoned the collar of his dress uniform to get some air. This attempt proved too late as the hallway became fuzzy. Sam was able to make out officers crowding into the turbolift and the doors closing, and then he had a short blackout. Sam sat up and shook his head and took a deep breath. "Damn it!", he said to the empty corridor. He was sick of all this and needed to find a permanent solution. He reached up and slapped the call turbolift button and when it arrived, he got up on his knees and crawled inside, where he leaned up against the wall. "Sickbay," he muttered dejectedly. Before the lift arrived, Sam slowly moved to a standing position. When it stopped, he slowly walked out into Main Sickbay. Miranda was not there and Swan was busy with someone in one of the other wards near the back. Sam called up a glass of water from the replicator and sat down on a bio bed to rest. He heard something come over the comm about the engineering staff being needed. He was going to have to catch up with that later. Sam sat back against the wall in frustration.

Hahahaha, VR that's hilarious!

Slithers: (in a dum dum voice) Nobody wants to play with me... Mike: (gasping for breath) that's because THIS happens every time! You squeeze the life out of all of your playma---

Woah! I almost missed it...I gotta check out this forum more! Happy Birthday Lo!

"Grooming for the Dog and Pony Show" Personal Log: S.K. Sema'J S.D. 10802.11 <begin> Sam Sema'J walked out of the observation lounge, as he did he caught a new face in his old seat. He nearly stopped cold, but didn't want to draw attention. When did this guy get here? How come no one told him? Sam realized that his exhaustive repair work in engineering and all the paperwork this new transfer would have been going through since he was picked up at the starbase must have simply caused them to not cross paths. His first fleeting thought was jealousy...but this soon passed and his more passive, supportive *actual* personality kicked in. He was anxious to meet this new helmsman, but that would have to wait. Sam squelched the usually very slight agony at his being flight grounded and went on his way to the turbolift. Sam got back to his quarters and began preparing for the mission. First task was to get in touch with his data gathering team. Sam sat down at his desk and drafted up an in-ship correspondence. -- To: Lt. Eagle, James T.; Ens Riley, Brian T.; Ens T, Douglas From: LtJG Sema'J, Samuel K. Subject: Data-gathering team Crewmen Eagle, Riley and T, due to the full-over that my engineering crew just finished, all teams have been put on rest shift and the shift schedule does not reset for another 16 hours. Because of this, the three of you have been selected to represent engineering on the data-gathering mission. Your posts will be held by your beta shift doubles, engineering will be running a skeleton crew of gamma shift crewmen. (BTW, Ens Riley, welcome aboard. You will likely be flying one of the marine shuttles, a very compelling experience, I can assure you.) Here are some things to watch for as you check out engineering-specific information. James, as you are tactically trained, I would expect you will be looking at military and tactical development in this society first and foremost. This is fine...perhaps, if you do see any military equipment that is not part of the "show", observe whether or not it's built from warp-technology material. For the other two, I would keep an eye out for civilian technology, construction, transportation, basically everything that represents industry in this society. Does it match with a society that is at warp 3? If there are discrepancies, find out why. We want to know the exact story of how, when, why they developed the way they did. What we know of their history is detailed in your mission brief. Take extensive notes, visuals, audio if necessary, get as much data as possible. Thank You and best of luck, Sam Sema'J -- Sam sent off the message and then prepared to shower and change for the...what had Will called it? The Dog and Pony Show. As Sam called his freshly pressed dress uniform up from the replicator, he looked down at the vest variant duty uniform he was wearing. He had always felt more comfortable in this than the usual uniform coat, and he had never taken flack from his superiors. Now that he was prone to dizzy spells, the relief from the excess body heat was an added plus. He hung the dress uniform up, not looking forward to wearing it. He did, however pridefully look upon the mark that had been added when he was injured in the line of duty, fighting the Galactic Empire in a galaxy that seemed so far...far away. After his sonic shower, Sam shaved and put on his dress uniform and then walked back to the replicator. He set his cane there. He used it to keep his balance, the more grounded feeling when walking enabled him to work more confidently and not worry as much about dizziness and disorientation...he could also use it to smack crewmen who gave him a hard time about it. "Computer...re-fabricate for a more professional, modern look. A dark, yet shiny metal stick appeared with black trim and a no-nonsense handle. Sam nodded in approval, took the cane in hand and walked out to the turbolift, ready to represent the Federation in a great circus parade. <end>

Good Company - A Sickbay Stay Joint log from Dr. Porter and LtJG Sema'J SD 10712.29 <begin> Sam Sama'J lay on a biobed in sickbay as Katherine Swan tended to him. His head bobbed back and forth as sleep threatened to overtake him, a result of the concussion a turbolift door had given him 5 minutes ago. As he began to drift off, Dr. Miranda Porter walked in and made a bee line for the bed. "Come on sleepy head, don't fall asleep on me" Sam's eyes fluttered open and he looked up at her..."I'm just resting my eyes Dr. Miranda....really". He managed a weak smile. Miranda smirked, "I've heard that one before. I need you to stay awake for a bit, ok?" She searched her mind for ways to engage his mind, "Tell me, how is Rosie doing" Sam laughed absently, "Rosie...that's the reason I called you Dr. Miranda", he said with a grin, "She's good, started playing the viola...my sister plays the cello....that's who Rosie lives with. She asks about you a lot..." Sam craned his neck to look up at her, "Dr. Miranda". Miranda chuckled at this, "I'm glad to hear she's doing well...now stop calling me Doctor, how long have we known each other?" Sam smiled, "Long enough to know you're a great doctor and a great friend, Miranda". She smiled, "That's what they all say...". She saw him drifting off again and changed the subject, "How is your new post treating you?" He opened his eyes, "Well...I miss that helm like you wouldn't believe, but engineering is a whole different animal. It's like it has nothing to do with repairing things and everything to do with leading and managing people." "Yes, I know what you mean. I will never understand how I got put in charge down here." She said with a laugh as she administered a hypospray to manage the effects of the concussion. Sam smiled, "Oh come on...you're a great doctor. At least you've always taken great care of me". "You're just saying that because you want a lollypop!" She retorted, "Well flattery will get you nowhere, my friend". Sam laughed and then glanced in the other room where Nurse Ratchet was working, he noticed that her hair was growing longer. He propped himself up on one shoulder, feeling somewhat stronger from the hypospray. "First off, is that word 'lollypop' even allowed in this sickbay?" he asked with a grin. Miranda looked at Ratchet, then back at Sam, "Hey now, she forgave me ok? It's not like I meant to get that lollypop stuck in her hair" Sam smiled and continued, "And second...I'm not flattering for the sake of flattery." He sat up on the bed, the hypospray having cleared his perceptions, "I'm serious...you've always shown great professional care and bedside manner...and those are just my observations as a fellow officer. What you've really been is a great friend, Miranda...and I mean that. Miranda smiled back at him, "Thanks Sam, it's great to have a few friends on board". Sam ran a hand along his newly patched wound as they exchanged smiles, "Well a few friends I have...but I feel like the two of us particularly have really stuck close as long as we've known each other. And we were posted here pretty close to each other, so I guess maybe it just seems like we've always been in it together, you know?" Sam slid his feet to the floor and began to lift his weight off the bio bed, but then he suddenly stopped. "Woah..." Sam looked around quickly as he grabbed the bio bed. "Where's my cane? I'm a kinda dizzy." He gripped the bed more tightly. Miranda grabbed Sam's arm and steadied him, "Not so fast, Sam. I may be your good friend but I'm still your doctor." Sam put a hand on hers as she steadied him, "It seems like I still can't quite manage my balance and visual focus....sorta frustrating." "Nothing happens overnight. You didn't expect to be perfect right after you got hurt, did you?" Sam nodded, then grinned, "Well, maybe I thought since I had such a great doctor that I could survive anything." He smiled at her, his hand still on hers. She looked at him, "I told you flattery wouldn't get you anywhere..." She looked down at their hands and suddenly got a bit flustered. "Why don't you sit back down..." Sam frowned as he eased back onto the bed, "Yes, ma'am." She paused, "I'm sorry, Sam...I didn't mean it like that..." "Miranda, I didn't mean to flatter you too much, It's just that your medical attention, and moreso your friendship mean a great deal to me..." She turned back to him and smiled, "Yours too, Sam". Sam looked at her for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject, "I was distracted earlier today, on my duty shift...I couldn't stop thinking about my wife, it was strange. It's never really interfered with my work before, or at least not for a very long time..." Miranda quickly began to busy herself with her medical tricorder, "...Well I'm sure it's hard to lose someone that close to you...I'm sure you will always think about her to some extent..." Sam nodded absently, "...I dunno...It's like I was specifically missing actually having someone close to me. I'm sorry. If I'm going to bore someone with all of this it should probably be Merri...I'm sorry. I've probably made you uncomfortable." Sam looked at her, feeling slightly awkward. She placed a hand on his arm, "It's alright. If you need someone to talk to I'm always around. I could be busying myself with other work right now, but I enjoy being bored by you." She smirked, having dodged the awkward moment. "Bored?! Sitting at the engineering console on the bridge is boring, Miranda. As much as my head hurts...this is the highlight of my day." She laughed, "Hey, you were the one who said it was boring." Sam laughed and shook his head, then looked up at her, "Weit...I'm lost...Who's bored?" She chuckled, "Nevermind. But seriously, are you alright? I mean, about your wife?" He nodded assuringly, "Yes, Miranda. I just suddenly felt alone earlier and it took my mind off of what was happening on the bridge...but the turbolift door did an even better job of that. And now I'm in good company." Sam smiled as he looked at her. "Well I'm glad you're here too," she replied. " That is...that you're doing better. I would like you to stay for a bit so I can monitor you, ok?" Sam grinned and held his cane up in the air, "Actually, Miranda, this time I don't even feel comfortable leaving myself. That dizziness hit me like a ton of bricks when I tried to stand up." Sam looked at her for a moment and then added, "I'm content staying here for a while." She smiled back at him, "Well I'm glad to hear for once that someone isn't going to argue with the doctor." Sam continued to smile at her for a moment, not knowing what to say. Then it came to him, "...Well Miranda, I decided I don't want to argue with my friend." <end>

Hello newbies and vets. Welcome to newbies, good to see the vets. I just want to comment on something in the original post to this topic. The fact that we are all crazy diverse people who come together and love trek! woooo! it's so true. I love all these guys/gals who I sim with. These days, online groups and contact can be a pretty sketch deal, but here is one group of people who truly treat each other respectfully....and are just here to PLAY! I know this is kind of a random sentimental commentary to make (and oh dear look at the time) but It just struck me what "Pace" had to say up there and I wanted to voice my agreement. Kudos to the STSF community for being just that, a great community. -Sam

That's why I keep trying to tell you DA, that Schoenberg was completely validated in stating that that the abandonment of the tonal system and the adopting of the equal importance of 12 tones was a NECESSARY move for music to take. Whether auditory roughness exists for dissonance or not (which it is proven to), the objective perspective on sound is still of vital importance.

Arcadia team SPIRIIIIIIIT. GIVE ME AN A.......(etc spell arcadia).......123 GLORIOUS STRIFE....BREAK!!!!!!!!

"Catching Up To Do" Chief Engineer's Log (acting) Lt. JG Samuel Sema'J <<note: this log is very long and tedious. It contains much technobabble, as well as personal babble, and pretty much has to deal with Sam's thoughts and responses to everything that has happened since the beginning of the ambassador plot (i.e. his return to Arcadia). If you're up for the challenge, enjoy. If it's too long and boring, I wont' be offended.>> Sam was waiting to hear back from the captain. For the moment the engineering staff had restored the ship to regular operating parameters and he had a bit of down time. He walked into his new office and sat down at a messy desk, he decided to enter a duty log and update the system on engineering status. After the report was prepared, Sam spoke to the computer: "Computer, log engineering as of...Damn" "Specify," came the response of a computer that only slightly knew how to respond to everything one said. Sam realized that the chrono was blank...the cold start of the computer would have wiped recent data like that, and with no outside communication, there was nothing to synchronize with. "Computer, begin mission time index, mark beginning time as Shipwide Full Op Status" "Beepity beep," said the computer, as Sam watched the MTI appear on all screens. It also appeared ship wide, notifying the crew of the switch in time record. "Computer, create personal log, begin recording at current Mission Time Index" "Beep" "Acting Chief Engineer's log, MTI 00.00.00.30: Things have been non-stop since my arrival back on Arcadia. The long and arduous search for the abducted Federation ambassador to Paradisia has taken us across the Galaxy and ultimately lead to the Romulan NZ border. I have only recently been informed of my assignment as acting chief engineer. I have taken this change in stride and am trying to pull from every source possible: Lt. Brighton's notes, my own certifications from the academy, and whatever leadership abilities I'm able to pull together. My own medical condition was affected during flight, proving the seriousness of my grounded status. This was much to the dismay of Dr. Miranda Porter, the doctor assigned to my condition and one of my closest friends in my time on Arcadia. Her anger has smoothed over, which I am grateful for. Currently my balance is not very good and I am prone to dizzy spells, both of which are reduced greatly by the use of a walking cane. U.S.S. Arcadia has entered what is theorized to be null space. This was a result of a spatial fissure of some kind swallowing the ship during negotiations with the Romulans. Romunlan whereabouts currently unknown. Events pertaining to Engineering in this situation are as follows: Upon entering this void, the ship experienced first a surge of power, then a complete absence of it. This surge caused only light, heat and sound energy and thankfully did not cause extensive system damage. Based upon readings of reports from other departments, we are in an area of space that absorbs energy of all sorts. My theory as to the mass power loss is that the energy of the ship being thrown through the rift was so great that it was all shunted and absorbed into the null space. Per design, when all circuits were stripped of power, the base emergency life support kicked in and began manually filtering the stale air still in the cabin and retaining limited moisture. This system has very limited time span. I was on the bridge at the time we entered the rift and navigated the tubes back to engineering. Once there it was determined that the only way to restore power to the ship was the manual cascade system. This system that can pull any very limited amount of power from all ships system, and through a hierarchy of power crystals, can build that power upon itself. Fortunately, enough inert energy remained in the ship as a whole that only one blast from the cascade generator was needed. This system began to build up ships batteries, and then systems could be started one by one. When powering a ship in this manner, the energy of each started system can be piggybacked into the batteries so as to amplify the battery charge with each new system online. The engineering staff, under my direction set about powering systems in the order of: Life Support, Gravity, Comm, Computer. As each system was brought online, repair teams were sent to care for the damages to that specific hardware. The computer had suffered data damage and the core had to be cold started, this caused the lack of chrono-sync, which is why we are currently operating on MTI. Once the computer was up, enough power had built in the batteries to ignite the backup fusion generator, which provided enough power to start the main series. During the power-up sequence, proper distribution of power was NOT used, causing a conduit overload right in main engineering. This blast caused heavy burns, and internal injury to LtJG Simmons. He is recovering in sickbay and I take full responsibility for this injury. The ship now has full power, however, I've been ordered by the captain to put all non-essential systems on standby. I've put the ship on PA (power allocation) 7, which is set for life support, grav, comm, comp, and no propultion. Additionally, allocation settings for each main department are given to the department head to decide and set. All that remains now is to formulate a plan to get out of the null space. This concludes the Engineering portion of the log: I feel as though the world is spinning around me. After spending 6 months on earth, in relatively slow paced situations, I have been thrown into the fire with great force. I don't know where to focus my attention, the dire situation at hand, the again great distance to my family, the leadership tasks thrown at me, the fact that there's already an officer down on my watch... Actually, make that two, a brand new ensign was killed in the line of duty when we first lost the Ambassador. And another thing weighing on my mind...the people right here that I've missed more than I knew. All of these things have been shoved in my face in the last week and a half or so. Is that all it's been? ::sigh:: So much can happen...I miss my family, and yet I'm close to those I've missed. I'm currently idle, awaiting the next step in getting Arcadia out of the strife it's in. Computer, end log" "Beep" Sam leaned back in his chair, and sleep began to catch up with him...

woo, lots of response here! I will just offer my own personal take on my own personal bio, Luna, and you can just consider it into the way-more-information-than-any-of-us-had-when-we-wrote-bios of information you have now. My bio is linked in my signiture. What I did is tried as hard as I could to make it look like an official document that was not written by me. The only part of it that's really prose-y and about the "story" of my character is my "personal history". Everything else I tried to make like entries, and made all of them from other people, some were even written for me by other players. So it looks like it's my actual file that has been added to as things have happened. You don't by any means have to do it this way, just a model. I understand the neurotic need to set up everything before anything happens, I'm the same way. It's ok to calm down and just let the plot fall into place. It is only a game.

Dac...goddess. Such a hard call to make. But I would go red. Why now brunette option? I'm a brunette-guy myself. You should ask the cabana boy next time you're on vacation.

Dang Porter, you tell 'em. Girl Power + Theatre Background = Porter Rant. Alright, I've seen this topic a few times. I vote voyager. Janeway had balls - she took what she had and used it WHILE sticking to the nearest and dearest of Federation Values. She pretty much embodies the idealism that makes Trek the superior sci-fi that it is. Plus I just enjoyed the ship and it's crew, I do not think Chakotay was useless or jilted by the writers, I saw him as a very important figure to the development of Janeway as a captain and the crew in general. Sure he didn't pop to the forefront a lot, but he's the SECOND officer. Also, consider Ringo Starr...not a flashy drummer by any means, but that guy could lay it down in the studio without a click track...he was a freaking metronome. Same concept with Chakotay. Yes, they did go through many a shuttle, but they went through many a writer too, and that just breeds inconsistensy. Anyway, there is a way more prevalent reason why it's my favorite and I've plugged this concept a few times. It was my first trek. Everyone starts out watching SOMETHING and I think most of us latch on to the crew and ship that introduced us to the trek world. Sure I like the other treks, TOS is classic, ENT has a very reminicent feel to it that I really like and we see things come together, TNG is the poppish star trek that everyone knows about, and it's a powerhouse of characters, DS9 shows us the other side of the galaxy. But I got hooked on trek through VOY and it will always have a special place in my heart. ::transmits two hundredths of a credit to the "Bucket" account::

Everyone stop picking apart the mechanics of this joke, it's dang hilarious and that's all that counts. Touché Kallah.

So will, I was watching a movie and it involved the military and they were trying to look up this weapon, and they looked it up in Jane's and it occured to me that that's actually a real military reference guide and not just something hilarious that you made up. There was some other reference that STSFers make and I just got it recently, but I can't remember it, I'll have to save that for another random post. Seriously DA, this is my favorite forum topic...randomness rocks.

Looks like everyone covered all of the technical things. So welcome, I'm Sam and it's nice to have you on board (pun intended) ;)

man, all of the replies in this topic are REALLY long. It seems people have very extensive feelings and opinions on the mirror universe. I for one...have never really comprehended it. Somewhere along the line some stsfer i think decided to go live in her mirror universe and that really confused me. someone should really adequately explain the mirror thing. I feel like I'm missing out on something pretty essential to cannon trek

what a bright observation from the young cadet. Well said, fish. Joy....I wish I was a GM right now...just for the fun of having been part of your little list. No offense...it's just good business. (i don't know what I'm typing, I'm tired and just had sugar)

And then I asked him if i could pass out advertising flyers for the rest of the day cause i REALLY needed some hours.

Do they have a right to sentience or is that the cook's (creator's) choice. Hahaha...I read an article once about the abortion message hidden in frosty the snowman...it was ridiculous. Ok, back to doughnuts...so sorry for that little tangent

what time of day is it?

What I really hated was in that cheesy earthquake miniseries "10.5" during the CHEESY inspirational music at the end they set up a 4-3 suspension, and then, it deceptively went straight to some minor harmony off the 2...which I found really cool sounding....but then that thing went right back up to the old tonic...which sounded WAY cheesier than the correct resolution of the sus originally would have....I was totally dissapointed.

Man.....don't take this the wrong way Dac....i was looking at this topic thinking, didn't I just reply to that thing??? And it must have been last years that I was remembering. Time flies!!! Happy Birthday and many more (in the good way) :D ;)

Hi Everyone! I've been gone for about 6 months on account of RL and have missed you all. I am hopefully back on a regular basis now and look forward to getting back into my character and all that. Good to see you all again and hello to newcomers in the last 6 months. So the boards and chat rooms have changed significantly since I left...here is a question for everyone. In my profile there is a rating thing with stars. It currently has FIVE! Is this rating system based on ratings from other players? If so, I'm flattered, if not, I like you all anyway. That's all from me for now, have a good day!! -Sam

Personal Log - S.K. Sema'J SD 10707.17 "Return of the Sam (You knew that I'd be back)" <begin> --About 6 months Ago-- Sam Sema'J woke up but did not know where he was, his vision was fuzzy and he was disoriented. His senses began to clear and he thought he might be in sickbay. Sickbay!? Last he remembered he was navigating Arcadia through an asteroid belt. Sam thought that he heard Dr. Porter's voice, he tried to squeak out the name Miranda but found he was too weak to do so. Just then his senses began to fuzz again... --About Two and a Half Months Ago-- Sam woke up again, this time with clear senses. He sat up in a sickbay, but not Arcadia's...In fact, he wasn't in space. He looked at the wall near the door and read the room registry plate, realizing he was at Starfleet Medical Headquarters in San Francisco. "Sam!" someone screamed. Sam turned to see his sister Jadyn sitting by the bio-bed with circles under her eyes. Sam smiled when he saw her. "They said they thought you were close to waking up sometime this week, I've been staying here at the hospital". Sam was happy to see her, but still disoriented. "Jay, what am I doing here?" "You were injured during a battle, you had not fully healed from previous injuries, you probably remember the cave collapsing..." Sam nodded, remembering nearly making it out with his and Marine Blackjack's lives. "Your console exploded in a fire-fight later and the combination of injuries put you in a coma. You woke up once in Sickbay and mumbled something about a science officer". "So they got back? Arcadia, from where/whenever they were, far side of Andromeda I think...?" Jadyn smiled at his half-waken state "Yes, your commander, Mr. Lo'Ami, told me that they were able to reactivate some Phoenix System...?" Sam nodded, "that's good". They didn't have any more time to talk, Doctors rushed in to tend to Sam; they asked Jadyn to leave the room but as she was walking out of the room Sam suddenly sat up and called out her name. Jadyn smiled "she's asleep at home, Sam, it is the middle of the night after all...I'll bring her tomorrow. Sam sighed and laid back down, "Thanks Jay" --About 12 hours ago-- Sam looked at his small duffel bag, there really wasn't anything he needed. All of his personal belongings were in storage on Arcadia and would be put into whatever quarters he was to be assigned. Sam looked over the padd one more time, on it was important paperwork for the captain. The medical staff had informed him that he would not be cleared to fly for another six months or so, Sam had taken the opportunity get get into the Academy. He finished his Psychology certification and also got his Engineering certifications up to par with current regulations, figuring that was his most likely place to get posted once back on Arcadia. He was happy to finally be a Certified Psychology Officer (CPsO), it was his other major interest besides piloting, but when he originally went to the academy, he just couldn't fit everything in. Sam checked the padd containing his certifications and his 6 month flight restriction one more time and put it into the bag. Sam caught is reflection in the mirror as he started to leave the room, it still startled him. Ever since college he had had long hair he kept it after Liz's death because she had liked it. They had shaved it all off when he was in Medical so they could more effectively examine his head and now it had grown back a very small amount...Sam had decided to keep it that way, but he was still getting used to it. He laughed at his reflection and left the room. "Guys, I'm ready to go," Sam called through his Seattle apartment as he walked out of the his bedroom. His sister walked out of the office where she had been on a comm with their parents and Rosie bounded down the stairs from her room. Sam looked out the huge wall of windows at the beautiful city, preparing himself to miss the planet earth again. A transport was waiting for them outside the building. It took the three of them to SF headquarters where, after lengthy and emotional goodbyes, Sam boarded a transport and departed from Earth to rejoin his crew. --Present-- All of Sam's travel preparations, and the fact that he was advised to begin acclimating himself to the ships day/night schedule made him ridiculously drowsy the moment the shuttle left orbit. Sam had been power-napping for who knows how long in a cramped sleeping cabin, he didn't care to check the chrono when he woke up. He stretched and walked up the corridor from the back of the transport, he walked through a lounge where a few other officers were sitting. It appeared that most of them were recent Graduates getting posted for the first time. He nodded to them in acknowledgment, but he didn't really care to sit in a lounge. He walked the rest of the way to the cockpit and sat down in the empty seat next to the pilot. "Hi there," Sam said, "I'm Sam, thought you could use some company". "Evening," the pilot said as he checked the roster. "Oh, you're the one going to Arcadia; my brother is posted there." The pilot extended his hand "Emit Smith, nice to meet you". Sam accepted the hand shake, "What's your brother's name?" "Cecil Smith, he's a LtJG" Sam turned the name over and nodded, "Oh yeah, he's a beta shift engineer, nice guy, kinda clumsy". Emit laughed in agreement. "So what's our travel status and what's Arcadia's situation for rendezvous?" Sam asked. "Well, flight's going fine, you are the second to last stopover of the five people we've got on board. Three are first posts, one's a transfer, and you are returning to duty. Arcadia is currently at a planet called Paradisia, doing first contact and shore leave in one bout. Lucky them. You will be meeting the crew right after they've left the planet, if the timing works out." Sam sat back and looked at the starfield, it felt like yesterday when he was last seeing it, but it had truly been quite a while. Sam zoned as he looked out the viewport and pondered his return to Arcadia. <end>