esotericist
A Weary Hand
- Location
- Lacey, WA
... at that time.
Chose not to draw parallels to bondage play at that time.
Starseeker
- Thread starter Hiver
- Start date
... at that time.
Chose not to draw parallels to bondage play at that time.
Part 9
I did a slow, lazy roll as we approached the drydock. About as much acrobatics as I could get away with in Earth orbit.
Stupid traffic laws.
Even in orbit, they still serve.
...and with Gates keeping an eye on everything in system, there was no way I could get away with it either.
He was taking his new responsibilities seriously. Which was good and all, but...
You would think he would cut me a little slack, not like I was a slow organic here. I wouldn't run into a shuttle or something stupid like that.
...Then again, I guess it was good that he didn't show favoritism.
Stupid ethics. I couldn't blame him either, I know for a fact I would have done the same. Oh well, things were a bit more relaxed further out. Playing in the rings of Saturn was outright fun.
All thirty-one of us headed out there a couple of days ago and played laser-pointer tag and hide and seek with masking our energy signatures.
I understand that some of the Starfleet instructors had a field day with the recordings of that and their tactical officer training.
"Is that it?" Rachel asked and leaned forward in the 'pilot's chair'.
"It is." I answered, nodding on screen, zooming the 'viewscreen' in on the half-finished Luna class set in the docking arms of the drydock.
"The Luna Class bodes well for future missions." T'Ro said. "It's is a deep space research and science design."
I grinned at that on screen. To save room, I didn't bring my avatar. While I was currently a borrowed runabout and not a shuttle, it was still a bit of an exaggeration to say that I had plenty of room with five people on board. "I know! Isn't it awesome?"
Shran shrugged and leaned back in his chair. "I wouldn't go quite that far, but it is a good ship, I'll give you that. But I think I would rather have something a bit more heavily armed, like a Galaxy or Akira."
"An Akira or Galaxy doesn't have those sensors. Closest is an Intrepid which is half the size and has even less weapons." I answered happily.
Ajan shook his head. "Just get used to it, Shran."
He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Well, I suppose it's good I decided against transferring to one of the fighter squadrons. That thing is not carrying any fighters."
That brought my mood down quite a bit. Sarah was leaving as well. She couldn't even come today as she was stuck in meetings down at Starfleet HQ all day. Hopefully she would have time so I could show her later.
We never did get together, but at least me asking her out back then didn't break anything and she was one of my best friends.
"You still have the qualifications." I said with a faint smile.
Shran shrugged. "True. But I have to admit, I prefer larger ships. Not that there is much use for a tactical officer with you in control other than to offer advice, but that does let us focus on other parts of our jobs. Besides, I want my own starship at some point. As a fighter pilot, that would never happen."
AKA, security and away teams.
Erislias's ear flicked and leaned softly against Ajan from her place in his lap. "It does seem like a capable ship."
They really were sickeningly sweet around each other even after having been together for over a year. One thing about them leaving was that it would at least get Shran to stop the 'Cat got your tongue' jokes.
...Okay, I admit a lot of them were pretty damn funny.
I'm rather glad they always remembered the privacy switch, though.
"It kind of sucks that we won't be coming with you this time." Ajan said and frowned.
Rachel nodded and sighed. "I'm going to miss flight operations. Still, I'll probably be put in charge of shuttle operations on this one. So that's a good thing."
She did have a good point there. She was one of several handling flight operations back on the Akira. Here she would likely be the big boss when it came to the subcraft like shuttles and even the Aeroshuttle.
"Speaking of changes..." I said. "I have been thinking of changing my avatar."
"Really?" T'Ro asked, raising her eyebrow. "It was my understanding that you liked the Andorian model."
I shrugged and flicked my antenna slightly. "I do, I just feel that there is a bit of a need for change. The war is over and a new ship with a completely different purpose than the Akira. Despite what Starfleet called the classes, the Akira and the Sabre were warships. The Luna isn't."
Rachel slowly nodded. "I guess I see where you are coming from. What do you have in mind?"
I smiled at that, slowly bringing the shuttle around, zooming in on the workers welding on my new hull. "Actually, we would be able to reuse my current avatar as I'm just changing species. I want to keep my face and such as similar to now as possible. I was thinking Vulcan or Human."
T'Ro hmmed softly. "I believe that it would be possible to easily adapt your current avatar to either with minor physical changes as well as most other humanoid species. I would however suggest Trill as a alternative."
Ajan looked at the screen for a second before he also nodded. "Yeah, I could see you as a Trill."
Hmm. I supposed that that could work. Those dots were kind of attractive and would likely look good on me.
"I have to draw up some alternatives." I said with a smile as my avatar headed towards a holodeck on Earth Spacedock, drawing Gates into the conversation. "Give me a hand when we get back, T'Ro?"
"Of course."
"Oh, by the way." Rachel asked. "Have you picked a name yet?"
I grinned at that. "I have! USS Starseeker."
That earned me some surprised looks. "That's... shorter than normal." Shran finally said.
I couldn't help but grin wider at that. "Rules of Acquisition number seventy six: Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the hell out of your enemies."
Or in this case, the starship name approval committee at the Starfleet Administration Department.
They did not like me.
AN// Many thanks to Grey Rook for betaing this section. Also, here, have a picture. STO is very useful for this kind of thing.
Stupid traffic laws.
Even in orbit, they still serve.
...and with Gates keeping an eye on everything in system, there was no way I could get away with it either.
He was taking his new responsibilities seriously. Which was good and all, but...
You would think he would cut me a little slack, not like I was a slow organic here. I wouldn't run into a shuttle or something stupid like that.
...Then again, I guess it was good that he didn't show favoritism.
Stupid ethics. I couldn't blame him either, I know for a fact I would have done the same. Oh well, things were a bit more relaxed further out. Playing in the rings of Saturn was outright fun.
All thirty-one of us headed out there a couple of days ago and played laser-pointer tag and hide and seek with masking our energy signatures.
I understand that some of the Starfleet instructors had a field day with the recordings of that and their tactical officer training.
"Is that it?" Rachel asked and leaned forward in the 'pilot's chair'.
"It is." I answered, nodding on screen, zooming the 'viewscreen' in on the half-finished Luna class set in the docking arms of the drydock.
"The Luna Class bodes well for future missions." T'Ro said. "It's is a deep space research and science design."
I grinned at that on screen. To save room, I didn't bring my avatar. While I was currently a borrowed runabout and not a shuttle, it was still a bit of an exaggeration to say that I had plenty of room with five people on board. "I know! Isn't it awesome?"
Shran shrugged and leaned back in his chair. "I wouldn't go quite that far, but it is a good ship, I'll give you that. But I think I would rather have something a bit more heavily armed, like a Galaxy or Akira."
"An Akira or Galaxy doesn't have those sensors. Closest is an Intrepid which is half the size and has even less weapons." I answered happily.
Ajan shook his head. "Just get used to it, Shran."
He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Well, I suppose it's good I decided against transferring to one of the fighter squadrons. That thing is not carrying any fighters."
That brought my mood down quite a bit. Sarah was leaving as well. She couldn't even come today as she was stuck in meetings down at Starfleet HQ all day. Hopefully she would have time so I could show her later.
We never did get together, but at least me asking her out back then didn't break anything and she was one of my best friends.
"You still have the qualifications." I said with a faint smile.
Shran shrugged. "True. But I have to admit, I prefer larger ships. Not that there is much use for a tactical officer with you in control other than to offer advice, but that does let us focus on other parts of our jobs. Besides, I want my own starship at some point. As a fighter pilot, that would never happen."
AKA, security and away teams.
Erislias's ear flicked and leaned softly against Ajan from her place in his lap. "It does seem like a capable ship."
They really were sickeningly sweet around each other even after having been together for over a year. One thing about them leaving was that it would at least get Shran to stop the 'Cat got your tongue' jokes.
...Okay, I admit a lot of them were pretty damn funny.
I'm rather glad they always remembered the privacy switch, though.
"It kind of sucks that we won't be coming with you this time." Ajan said and frowned.
Rachel nodded and sighed. "I'm going to miss flight operations. Still, I'll probably be put in charge of shuttle operations on this one. So that's a good thing."
She did have a good point there. She was one of several handling flight operations back on the Akira. Here she would likely be the big boss when it came to the subcraft like shuttles and even the Aeroshuttle.
"Speaking of changes..." I said. "I have been thinking of changing my avatar."
"Really?" T'Ro asked, raising her eyebrow. "It was my understanding that you liked the Andorian model."
I shrugged and flicked my antenna slightly. "I do, I just feel that there is a bit of a need for change. The war is over and a new ship with a completely different purpose than the Akira. Despite what Starfleet called the classes, the Akira and the Sabre were warships. The Luna isn't."
Rachel slowly nodded. "I guess I see where you are coming from. What do you have in mind?"
I smiled at that, slowly bringing the shuttle around, zooming in on the workers welding on my new hull. "Actually, we would be able to reuse my current avatar as I'm just changing species. I want to keep my face and such as similar to now as possible. I was thinking Vulcan or Human."
T'Ro hmmed softly. "I believe that it would be possible to easily adapt your current avatar to either with minor physical changes as well as most other humanoid species. I would however suggest Trill as a alternative."
Ajan looked at the screen for a second before he also nodded. "Yeah, I could see you as a Trill."
Hmm. I supposed that that could work. Those dots were kind of attractive and would likely look good on me.
"I have to draw up some alternatives." I said with a smile as my avatar headed towards a holodeck on Earth Spacedock, drawing Gates into the conversation. "Give me a hand when we get back, T'Ro?"
"Of course."
"Oh, by the way." Rachel asked. "Have you picked a name yet?"
I grinned at that. "I have! USS Starseeker."
That earned me some surprised looks. "That's... shorter than normal." Shran finally said.
I couldn't help but grin wider at that. "Rules of Acquisition number seventy six: Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the hell out of your enemies."
Or in this case, the starship name approval committee at the Starfleet Administration Department.
They did not like me.
AN// Many thanks to Grey Rook for betaing this section. Also, here, have a picture. STO is very useful for this kind of thing.
Crazael
Rehydrated Demon King
- Location
- Lost to the vagaries of time.
Looks like a nice ship.Also, here, have a picture. STO is very useful for this kind of thing.
Also, obligatory "I can see my house from here!" line.
Part 10
I leaned back in the couch, looking out over the club as I listened to the music.
It was some kind of... I had no clue. But it sounded happy and you could apparently dance to it.
Honestly, it wasn't that bad, even if I personally was more of a Hard Rock kind of ship.
The entire crew had basically booked one of the clubs in San Francisco for this. Oh, not all five hundred would fit at once, the limit to the venue was about three hundred, but not everyone was here at once, but everyone had stopped by at some time during the night.
Even Captain Mason was here at the start to kick the entire thing off, even if he left thirty minutes in. Somehow most of the crew had problems relaxing with him around.
Commander Janeway was here as well. I could glimpse her across the club from time to time, sitting in a corner booth. I think she have been nursing the same glass of drink for the last couple of hours.
The party was two-fold.
A mixed 'Going away' party for the half of the crew that would not transfer over to the Luna class. Either they were quitting Starfleet, changing department or simply didn't have specializations that applied on a Luna class.
Combine with the fact that the Luna class had a smaller crew size, a lot of people had to leave, especially when we were taking on a larger science staff.
The other half of the gathering was a... a kind of wake. To remember the people we lost during the war.
There had been a official one earlier.
This was our own send-off.
Rachel dropped down on the couch next to me, catching her breath. It was no wonder she needed to, she had been dancing most of the night.
"You can't sit here all night!" she said with a grin and reached for her drink, "Have some fun!"
I smiled at that, "I am having fun."
I actually was. Even if I was not much for parties I did enjoy this even if I was technically not here in person.
My avatar was, but 'I' was parked on one of the Lunar plains with a good view over Earth.
Honestly, I wasn't much of a dancer in any case.
Mostly, I was just enjoying wearing pants again. I follow my promises if at all possible and stupid Gates tricked me into promising to wear that uniform back then.
But I was out of uniform now! Never really happened when on the ship, but now I was off duty! Hah!
I was wearing Pants and T-shirt! If ones somewhat tighter than I preferred.
Rachel was under no such compulsions and was wearing a short red dress. I had to admit that she looked great in it. No wonder she was asked to dance every couple of minutes.
She rolled her eyes, "You are as bad as T'Ro sometimes."
T'Ro had been here earlier for a couple of hours before she left to head back to her quarters on the station to get some rest for tomorrow. She wanted to be well rested before getting to work on modifying my avatar.
This kind of thing really wasn't her kind of thing, I was actually slightly surprised she came in the first place.
I was committed to staying until everyone else had left though. They were my crew, they deserved me to be here for this.
"I'm not!" I answered with a grin, poking her shoulder.
"Are too. At least when it come to some things!" she said and reached up to redo some of her hair clips, sticking her tongue out at me.
Well... maybe a bit.
Honestly, I wasn't much of a party person. I preferred to just hang out with my friends, but then again, I was at least friendly with everyone in the club other than possibly the staff.
Hard not to be when I talked to every single one of them every day.
Rachel took another sip from her drink.. which I had no idea what it was other than blue... before putting the glass down, "Come on, at least go dance."
"I... don't really dance."
She gave me a look at that, "You do dance. I've seen it back at The Academy. Don't say you didn't enjoy it because even back then I knew you better than that."
...Technically true, but I was still using the 'Geth' platform back then and I couldn't let that opportunity pass me by.
"I'm not that good at it." I answered and shifted in my seat, "Besides, I'm used to leading."
"Star, it's your last night as an Andorian. You should have more fun than this." she sighed, "Please? Besides, I think you at least owe Ajan a dance later."
Damn it, Rachel. If you didn't mean so well and was so nice about it, you could be insufferable at times.
"...Fine."
She grinned at that and took my hand before getting up, pulling me onto my feet, "Come on, you can't just sit here all night, dance with me. You can even lead and everything."
I couldn't help but smile as I followed her onto the dance floor, "It's your feet on the line."
"I'll take my chances."
AN// A bucket of thanks to Avalon Aurora for betaing this section.
It was some kind of... I had no clue. But it sounded happy and you could apparently dance to it.
Honestly, it wasn't that bad, even if I personally was more of a Hard Rock kind of ship.
The entire crew had basically booked one of the clubs in San Francisco for this. Oh, not all five hundred would fit at once, the limit to the venue was about three hundred, but not everyone was here at once, but everyone had stopped by at some time during the night.
Even Captain Mason was here at the start to kick the entire thing off, even if he left thirty minutes in. Somehow most of the crew had problems relaxing with him around.
Commander Janeway was here as well. I could glimpse her across the club from time to time, sitting in a corner booth. I think she have been nursing the same glass of drink for the last couple of hours.
The party was two-fold.
A mixed 'Going away' party for the half of the crew that would not transfer over to the Luna class. Either they were quitting Starfleet, changing department or simply didn't have specializations that applied on a Luna class.
Combine with the fact that the Luna class had a smaller crew size, a lot of people had to leave, especially when we were taking on a larger science staff.
The other half of the gathering was a... a kind of wake. To remember the people we lost during the war.
There had been a official one earlier.
This was our own send-off.
Rachel dropped down on the couch next to me, catching her breath. It was no wonder she needed to, she had been dancing most of the night.
"You can't sit here all night!" she said with a grin and reached for her drink, "Have some fun!"
I smiled at that, "I am having fun."
I actually was. Even if I was not much for parties I did enjoy this even if I was technically not here in person.
My avatar was, but 'I' was parked on one of the Lunar plains with a good view over Earth.
Honestly, I wasn't much of a dancer in any case.
Mostly, I was just enjoying wearing pants again. I follow my promises if at all possible and stupid Gates tricked me into promising to wear that uniform back then.
But I was out of uniform now! Never really happened when on the ship, but now I was off duty! Hah!
I was wearing Pants and T-shirt! If ones somewhat tighter than I preferred.
Rachel was under no such compulsions and was wearing a short red dress. I had to admit that she looked great in it. No wonder she was asked to dance every couple of minutes.
She rolled her eyes, "You are as bad as T'Ro sometimes."
T'Ro had been here earlier for a couple of hours before she left to head back to her quarters on the station to get some rest for tomorrow. She wanted to be well rested before getting to work on modifying my avatar.
This kind of thing really wasn't her kind of thing, I was actually slightly surprised she came in the first place.
I was committed to staying until everyone else had left though. They were my crew, they deserved me to be here for this.
"I'm not!" I answered with a grin, poking her shoulder.
"Are too. At least when it come to some things!" she said and reached up to redo some of her hair clips, sticking her tongue out at me.
Well... maybe a bit.
Honestly, I wasn't much of a party person. I preferred to just hang out with my friends, but then again, I was at least friendly with everyone in the club other than possibly the staff.
Hard not to be when I talked to every single one of them every day.
Rachel took another sip from her drink.. which I had no idea what it was other than blue... before putting the glass down, "Come on, at least go dance."
"I... don't really dance."
She gave me a look at that, "You do dance. I've seen it back at The Academy. Don't say you didn't enjoy it because even back then I knew you better than that."
...Technically true, but I was still using the 'Geth' platform back then and I couldn't let that opportunity pass me by.
"I'm not that good at it." I answered and shifted in my seat, "Besides, I'm used to leading."
"Star, it's your last night as an Andorian. You should have more fun than this." she sighed, "Please? Besides, I think you at least owe Ajan a dance later."
Damn it, Rachel. If you didn't mean so well and was so nice about it, you could be insufferable at times.
"...Fine."
She grinned at that and took my hand before getting up, pulling me onto my feet, "Come on, you can't just sit here all night, dance with me. You can even lead and everything."
I couldn't help but smile as I followed her onto the dance floor, "It's your feet on the line."
"I'll take my chances."
AN// A bucket of thanks to Avalon Aurora for betaing this section.
Part 11
I blinked slightly and tested my balance, "Is my center of mass different?" I asked as I wobbled slightly.
T'Ro nodded, "Only slightly. While the endoskeleton and general musculature is identical, "she said, running a tricorder over me, "You are about half a kilogram lighter in total from the removal of the antenna mechanisms and forehead smoothing. It did shift your center of mass back approximately two centimeters. Your hair is also longer, magnifying it."
Nodding I shifted my avatar slightly, looking myself over.
It was... outright weird not to be blue anymore, even if my body shape was more or less identical. Trill was a really good idea, I have to say that those spots really are attractive.
Brushing my hair back, I held my arms out and did a small turn for T'Ro, "So what do you think? Will it work? How do I look?"
T'Ro regarded me for a moment before she nodded, "You look good."
I smiled at that and reached for the rest of my uniform to start to get dressed, starting with the skirt. Off-duty or not, walking around in my underwear would be a bit more casual than anyone but the Betazoid would be comfortable with.
And possibly the Caitians.
That thought made me grin. Poor, Poor Ajan was heading for Cait right now. I know he knew Caitians really only used clothes when off their homeworld, but I had no idea if he had actually realized quite what that meant yet.
Finishing putting my uniform jacket on, I shifted my shoulders, testing the fit. The dermal layer was mostly the same as before, just recolored.
Pulling my hair free from the jacket I then frowned and looked around, "Gates, can I have a hair-tie?"
"Of course. Looking good, by the way." He answered, beaming it in.
"Thanks." I said and took the hair-tie from the workbench, using it to tie my hair back into a ponytail before I put my boots on.
My old avatar had shoulder length hair, this one was significantly longer and brown instead of white, reaching to mid back so I needed to keep it out of the way.
"Thank you a lot for this, T'Ro." I said softly as I finished getting dressed by putting my 'Starship' rank insignia back on.
She nodded and closed her tricorder, "It was relatively minor cosmetic work. But you are quite welcome."
I smiled at that. Yes, I could have done it myself on a holodeck, using a holographic avatar, but it was a lot easier with T'Ro's help. It also gave me a second opinion on things.
"We have been at this for almost eight hours. You have to be tired." I continued. At least we were both off duty for another week until the new Luna was finished enough to be moved out of the drydock to Earth Spacedock to have it's last features installed.
The Vulcan shook her head, "Somewhat. I am however more hungry than tired. I believe I will visit one one of the restaurants. We should be able to meet with Rachel and Shran there if you wish to come as well."
Smiling I walked out the workshop with her, "Another week before we return to duty." I said, "Do you have anything planned until then?" I said while sending a message to our friends, asking if they was free to meet us.
T'Ro shrugged, "I have. There are several lectures on the feasibility of Transwarp at the university in Los Angeles that I wish to attend."
"You know, you should take some time to relax as well."
"You are sounding like Rachel now." she said and then nodded, "I have planned to spend a few days visiting different interesting cultural sites on Earth as well."
"That sounds nice."
T'Ro nodded again, "I believe it will be. Do you want to join me? You should also take some time away from work."
"I do take time off! I was out by Saturn a couple of weeks ago with the rest of the Runabouts."
"Conducting a training exercise."
"Playing games." I said with a smile, "That was significantly less of a 'training exercise' than it was a game of tag. But I would love to join you, do you have some places in mind?"
"Perhaps the Aztec pyramids?"
I nodded, "That sounds nice. How about the Great Barrier Reef? I have only seen it from orbit. You would need some breathing equipment, but it is an amazing sight, or so I have heard."
"That sounds agreeable. Would you mind putting together a list of sites to see? You are more familiar with Earth cultural and geographical sites than I am."
"Sure thing."
Walking into the restaurant I looked around, quickly spotting Rachel at one of the tables by the window, overlooking the planet below.
Smiling I headed over to sit down next to her, "Hey."
"Hey... wow. You look great!" Rachel said with a grin, "Love the hair."
"Thanks." I said and reached up to feel it before I leaned back in my chair, "I like it."
Sue me, I like women with longer hair, I think it looks good. So why should I not have it as well if I think it looks good?
A moment later T'Ro joined us, sitting down across from me with a bowl of Vulcan soup, "I think it turned out well as well."
"All thanks to you." I said, giving her a smile, "I may have designed the basic model, but I don't have the artistic touch you do."
"I did practice sculpting as a child." T'Ro answered, "It never held much of my interest, but I do still have the ability. While not exactly the same set of skills,it is somewhat applicable."
"Oh... wow." Shran said as he arrived with a grin, "Star, looking good! You know, you looked good as Andorian, but if you are going to be looking like that, I can handle the slight against my species."
I rolled my eyes at that, "Thank you. Going to sit down?"
He shook his head, "No, sorry, just stopping by to see how it went. I have a date I have to get too."
I blinked at that in mock surprise, "You mean you actually found somebody willing to date you?"
"Funny there, Spotty." Shran said with a grin, "She is a nurse in the medical center. Remember when you dislocated my arm last sparring session a couple of days back?"
"You actually asked her out when she pulled your arm back in place?" Rachel asked, giving him a look, "Seriously?"
"After, actually. Imagine my surprise when she said yes!" He answered with a grin, "Anyway, I have to run. We are meeting at the Klingon restaurant in ten minutes."
As he left the table, I turned to T'Ro, "He asked a girl to a Klingon Restaurant on the first date?"
She raised a eyebrow, "Seems... unwise. Personally, I would have asked somebody I was interested in for something less risky than eating live worms for a first date. Perhaps finding a common interest and doing that?" before sipping on her soup.
Rachel shrugged, "Well, for all we know, she was the one to suggest it."
T'Ro nodded at that, "That is possible."
...Then again, what did we know? Shran was the one to actually managed to get a date.
AN// Many thanks to Alleydodger for betaing this section.
T'Ro nodded, "Only slightly. While the endoskeleton and general musculature is identical, "she said, running a tricorder over me, "You are about half a kilogram lighter in total from the removal of the antenna mechanisms and forehead smoothing. It did shift your center of mass back approximately two centimeters. Your hair is also longer, magnifying it."
Nodding I shifted my avatar slightly, looking myself over.
It was... outright weird not to be blue anymore, even if my body shape was more or less identical. Trill was a really good idea, I have to say that those spots really are attractive.
Brushing my hair back, I held my arms out and did a small turn for T'Ro, "So what do you think? Will it work? How do I look?"
T'Ro regarded me for a moment before she nodded, "You look good."
I smiled at that and reached for the rest of my uniform to start to get dressed, starting with the skirt. Off-duty or not, walking around in my underwear would be a bit more casual than anyone but the Betazoid would be comfortable with.
And possibly the Caitians.
That thought made me grin. Poor, Poor Ajan was heading for Cait right now. I know he knew Caitians really only used clothes when off their homeworld, but I had no idea if he had actually realized quite what that meant yet.
Finishing putting my uniform jacket on, I shifted my shoulders, testing the fit. The dermal layer was mostly the same as before, just recolored.
Pulling my hair free from the jacket I then frowned and looked around, "Gates, can I have a hair-tie?"
"Of course. Looking good, by the way." He answered, beaming it in.
"Thanks." I said and took the hair-tie from the workbench, using it to tie my hair back into a ponytail before I put my boots on.
My old avatar had shoulder length hair, this one was significantly longer and brown instead of white, reaching to mid back so I needed to keep it out of the way.
"Thank you a lot for this, T'Ro." I said softly as I finished getting dressed by putting my 'Starship' rank insignia back on.
She nodded and closed her tricorder, "It was relatively minor cosmetic work. But you are quite welcome."
I smiled at that. Yes, I could have done it myself on a holodeck, using a holographic avatar, but it was a lot easier with T'Ro's help. It also gave me a second opinion on things.
"We have been at this for almost eight hours. You have to be tired." I continued. At least we were both off duty for another week until the new Luna was finished enough to be moved out of the drydock to Earth Spacedock to have it's last features installed.
The Vulcan shook her head, "Somewhat. I am however more hungry than tired. I believe I will visit one one of the restaurants. We should be able to meet with Rachel and Shran there if you wish to come as well."
Smiling I walked out the workshop with her, "Another week before we return to duty." I said, "Do you have anything planned until then?" I said while sending a message to our friends, asking if they was free to meet us.
T'Ro shrugged, "I have. There are several lectures on the feasibility of Transwarp at the university in Los Angeles that I wish to attend."
"You know, you should take some time to relax as well."
"You are sounding like Rachel now." she said and then nodded, "I have planned to spend a few days visiting different interesting cultural sites on Earth as well."
"That sounds nice."
T'Ro nodded again, "I believe it will be. Do you want to join me? You should also take some time away from work."
"I do take time off! I was out by Saturn a couple of weeks ago with the rest of the Runabouts."
"Conducting a training exercise."
"Playing games." I said with a smile, "That was significantly less of a 'training exercise' than it was a game of tag. But I would love to join you, do you have some places in mind?"
"Perhaps the Aztec pyramids?"
I nodded, "That sounds nice. How about the Great Barrier Reef? I have only seen it from orbit. You would need some breathing equipment, but it is an amazing sight, or so I have heard."
"That sounds agreeable. Would you mind putting together a list of sites to see? You are more familiar with Earth cultural and geographical sites than I am."
"Sure thing."
Walking into the restaurant I looked around, quickly spotting Rachel at one of the tables by the window, overlooking the planet below.
Smiling I headed over to sit down next to her, "Hey."
"Hey... wow. You look great!" Rachel said with a grin, "Love the hair."
"Thanks." I said and reached up to feel it before I leaned back in my chair, "I like it."
Sue me, I like women with longer hair, I think it looks good. So why should I not have it as well if I think it looks good?
A moment later T'Ro joined us, sitting down across from me with a bowl of Vulcan soup, "I think it turned out well as well."
"All thanks to you." I said, giving her a smile, "I may have designed the basic model, but I don't have the artistic touch you do."
"I did practice sculpting as a child." T'Ro answered, "It never held much of my interest, but I do still have the ability. While not exactly the same set of skills,it is somewhat applicable."
"Oh... wow." Shran said as he arrived with a grin, "Star, looking good! You know, you looked good as Andorian, but if you are going to be looking like that, I can handle the slight against my species."
I rolled my eyes at that, "Thank you. Going to sit down?"
He shook his head, "No, sorry, just stopping by to see how it went. I have a date I have to get too."
I blinked at that in mock surprise, "You mean you actually found somebody willing to date you?"
"Funny there, Spotty." Shran said with a grin, "She is a nurse in the medical center. Remember when you dislocated my arm last sparring session a couple of days back?"
"You actually asked her out when she pulled your arm back in place?" Rachel asked, giving him a look, "Seriously?"
"After, actually. Imagine my surprise when she said yes!" He answered with a grin, "Anyway, I have to run. We are meeting at the Klingon restaurant in ten minutes."
As he left the table, I turned to T'Ro, "He asked a girl to a Klingon Restaurant on the first date?"
She raised a eyebrow, "Seems... unwise. Personally, I would have asked somebody I was interested in for something less risky than eating live worms for a first date. Perhaps finding a common interest and doing that?" before sipping on her soup.
Rachel shrugged, "Well, for all we know, she was the one to suggest it."
T'Ro nodded at that, "That is possible."
...Then again, what did we know? Shran was the one to actually managed to get a date.
AN// Many thanks to Alleydodger for betaing this section.
esotericist
A Weary Hand
- Location
- Lacey, WA
Still hasn't figured out what Gates was implying, eh?
- Location
- France
You know, this is actually a realistic level of dense for a person, rather refreshing compared to the anime protagonists when their love interests are far from subtle.
- Pronouns
- she/her
I'm sure the Starship insignia got a description that I can't remember, but I'm picturing little shiny rocket ships and it's adorable.
Part 12
"Cadet... What are you doing?" I asked with a small frown, looking down at the Bolian crawling along the corridor.
"There is squeaking." He answered and then glanced up at me before basically transporting onto his feet. "Computer! Eh... ship! Ma'am! Lieutenant!"
I raised an amused eyebrow at that. "One of those are sufficient and either of those work. Now what is this about squeaking?"
Cadet Golir swallowed. "Well, Lieutenant, I was on my way to engineering and I heard a small squeak."
Cadet Golir was one of the two Cadets on board, getting ready for their graduation cruise. While we were not ready to leave orbit for another two weeks, everyone had already been transferred on board and finishing preparations.
I frowned faintly at that. "A squeak? Which kind of squeak?"
"Like the deckplate was not properly attached at one of the corners, ma'am. It's hard to tell beneath the carpet."
I could file a work order for a engineering team to look into the problem. A loose deckplate should never have gone through inspection in the first place.
Or I could...
I smiled at that. "Very well, Cadet. What do you suggest should be done about it?"
"Uhm... Well, I could go and get a tricorder and locate it before using a hand welder to attach it properly?" he said hesitantly.
"Sounds good to me." I answered with a nod. "Get to it then. Just don't forget to log the work order in engineering. Chief Engineer Sleeman is a bit of a stickler for that."
"Yes, Ma'am!"
"Dismissed." I finished and continued down the corridor towards the docking port and over onto Earth Spacedock, heading towards the section with temporary quarters.
Sure, I could simply have logged a work order with a thought, but he was on board to learn and gain experience.
Even so... something that simple should have been checked earlier. Somebody, somewhere, fucked up.
Sure, it was simply a squeaky deckplate, but it could have been something actually important.
I left a note to Commander Janeway about possible problems and another with Lieutenant-Commander Sleeman to let him know to run extra checks on everything.
A squeaky deckplate on a random deck was one thing. An EPS conduit on the other hand could get somebody hurt. Besides, it was MY deckplate. Having it be anything but perfect was unacceptable.
The time T'Ro and I spent touring the Earth had been great. The pyramids, great barrier reef, Rome... Would have wanted to see the Forbidden City but it had taken a direct hit during WW3.
It was very fun. We really had to do something like it again.
But... now it was time for something significantly less fun.
Stopping outside a set of quarters I hesitated before I sighed and pressed the button.
"Enter."
Pressing the second button, I walked inside. "Hey Sarah. I... thought I would stop by and help you pack."
Sarah smiled. "Thanks... Not that there is much to pack, I didn't unpack when I moved off the ship in the first place."
Nodding, I looked around the more or less spartan quarters. Just some books and clothes, the rest was already packed away in a couple of bags. "So I see..."
"Yeah."
Smiling sadly, I crossed the room to sit down on the bed next to her. "I wish you didn't need to transfer."
"You don't have a flightdeck now." She sighed. "I would need to transfer to another department."
"You couldn't." I answered, putting my arm around her shoulders. "You need to fly as badly as I do."
Sarah hmm-ed and nodded. "Yeah." She smiled and looked at me. "...I'm still not used to you looking like that."
I grinned at that. "Honestly? Neither am I. I spent two years looking like an Andorian." I shook my head. "The Hammond is a good ship, though."
She shrugged and got up, walking over to her small bookshelf to start putting her books away in one of the storage containers. "It might be an Akira, but that will just make it even stranger." she said and frowned. "I'm going to find myself talking to a wall a couple of times, aren't I?"
"Not completely unlikely. I heard of former crew doing that before." I answered with a grin before getting up to help her.
We quickly finished getting her books put away into the storage box before she stepped back and looked around.
"I think that's everything."
I looked around the small set of quarters as well before picking up her bag, shouldering the strap. "Walk you to the transporter?"
"Thank you." She answered before glancing up at the ceiling. "Gates, my stuff is free to transport."
"Transporting, Sarah." he answered and everything I wasn't carrying shimmered out of existence. "I deposited the boxes in cargobay two on the USS Hammond while the bags are now located in your quarters."
"Thanks, Gates."
She took a breath and looked around once more before looking at me. "Let's get going or I'm going to be late."
We walked towards the closest transporter room in silence, more or less. I was going to miss her.
A lot.
While I was more or less over my crush, I still really liked her. She was one of my best friends.
Entering transporter room eleven, I looked over at the controls. With Gates in control, there was no longer any need for transporter chiefs. And there was much rejoicing in Starfleet, it was the most boring posting in the fleet.
Pausing, I stopped before the transporterpad before I turned to her. "Sarah..."
She smiled sadly. "I know. I'm going to miss you too. Promise to stay in touch, okay?"
I nodded and then stepped up to hug her tightly. "I promise. You too?"
Sarah hugged me tightly back and sighed. "Of course."
Letting go, I reached into the inner pocket and pulling out an optronic data storage module. "Here. It's for you."
She frowned slightly as she took it. "What is it?"
"Those secret agent programs we were running... and five more I finished making but that we have not gotten to playing yet."
"Thank you." She answered with a faint smile, putting the memory stick away into her pocket. "Not sure if it will be the same, though."
Her combadge beeped at her and she tapped it to quiet it. "That's my timer." She said. "I have to go."
"Stay safe."
Sarah smiled and stepped up to kiss me on the cheek before she pulled back to walk onto the transporter pad. "I will. You too. Goodbye, Star." she said and glanced at the ceiling. "You too, Gates."
"Goodbye, Sarah." He said.
I swallowed and nodded. "...Bye. Fly safe."
She shimmered out of existence as Gates beamed her onto the transporter pad on the USS Hammond.
"I hate goodbyes." Gates said quietly and I nodded.
"Yeah. I know. Me too."
AN// A big bag of Thanks to Grey Rook for betaing this section.
"There is squeaking." He answered and then glanced up at me before basically transporting onto his feet. "Computer! Eh... ship! Ma'am! Lieutenant!"
I raised an amused eyebrow at that. "One of those are sufficient and either of those work. Now what is this about squeaking?"
Cadet Golir swallowed. "Well, Lieutenant, I was on my way to engineering and I heard a small squeak."
Cadet Golir was one of the two Cadets on board, getting ready for their graduation cruise. While we were not ready to leave orbit for another two weeks, everyone had already been transferred on board and finishing preparations.
I frowned faintly at that. "A squeak? Which kind of squeak?"
"Like the deckplate was not properly attached at one of the corners, ma'am. It's hard to tell beneath the carpet."
I could file a work order for a engineering team to look into the problem. A loose deckplate should never have gone through inspection in the first place.
Or I could...
I smiled at that. "Very well, Cadet. What do you suggest should be done about it?"
"Uhm... Well, I could go and get a tricorder and locate it before using a hand welder to attach it properly?" he said hesitantly.
"Sounds good to me." I answered with a nod. "Get to it then. Just don't forget to log the work order in engineering. Chief Engineer Sleeman is a bit of a stickler for that."
"Yes, Ma'am!"
"Dismissed." I finished and continued down the corridor towards the docking port and over onto Earth Spacedock, heading towards the section with temporary quarters.
Sure, I could simply have logged a work order with a thought, but he was on board to learn and gain experience.
Even so... something that simple should have been checked earlier. Somebody, somewhere, fucked up.
Sure, it was simply a squeaky deckplate, but it could have been something actually important.
I left a note to Commander Janeway about possible problems and another with Lieutenant-Commander Sleeman to let him know to run extra checks on everything.
A squeaky deckplate on a random deck was one thing. An EPS conduit on the other hand could get somebody hurt. Besides, it was MY deckplate. Having it be anything but perfect was unacceptable.
The time T'Ro and I spent touring the Earth had been great. The pyramids, great barrier reef, Rome... Would have wanted to see the Forbidden City but it had taken a direct hit during WW3.
It was very fun. We really had to do something like it again.
But... now it was time for something significantly less fun.
Stopping outside a set of quarters I hesitated before I sighed and pressed the button.
"Enter."
Pressing the second button, I walked inside. "Hey Sarah. I... thought I would stop by and help you pack."
Sarah smiled. "Thanks... Not that there is much to pack, I didn't unpack when I moved off the ship in the first place."
Nodding, I looked around the more or less spartan quarters. Just some books and clothes, the rest was already packed away in a couple of bags. "So I see..."
"Yeah."
Smiling sadly, I crossed the room to sit down on the bed next to her. "I wish you didn't need to transfer."
"You don't have a flightdeck now." She sighed. "I would need to transfer to another department."
"You couldn't." I answered, putting my arm around her shoulders. "You need to fly as badly as I do."
Sarah hmm-ed and nodded. "Yeah." She smiled and looked at me. "...I'm still not used to you looking like that."
I grinned at that. "Honestly? Neither am I. I spent two years looking like an Andorian." I shook my head. "The Hammond is a good ship, though."
She shrugged and got up, walking over to her small bookshelf to start putting her books away in one of the storage containers. "It might be an Akira, but that will just make it even stranger." she said and frowned. "I'm going to find myself talking to a wall a couple of times, aren't I?"
"Not completely unlikely. I heard of former crew doing that before." I answered with a grin before getting up to help her.
We quickly finished getting her books put away into the storage box before she stepped back and looked around.
"I think that's everything."
I looked around the small set of quarters as well before picking up her bag, shouldering the strap. "Walk you to the transporter?"
"Thank you." She answered before glancing up at the ceiling. "Gates, my stuff is free to transport."
"Transporting, Sarah." he answered and everything I wasn't carrying shimmered out of existence. "I deposited the boxes in cargobay two on the USS Hammond while the bags are now located in your quarters."
"Thanks, Gates."
She took a breath and looked around once more before looking at me. "Let's get going or I'm going to be late."
We walked towards the closest transporter room in silence, more or less. I was going to miss her.
A lot.
While I was more or less over my crush, I still really liked her. She was one of my best friends.
Entering transporter room eleven, I looked over at the controls. With Gates in control, there was no longer any need for transporter chiefs. And there was much rejoicing in Starfleet, it was the most boring posting in the fleet.
Pausing, I stopped before the transporterpad before I turned to her. "Sarah..."
She smiled sadly. "I know. I'm going to miss you too. Promise to stay in touch, okay?"
I nodded and then stepped up to hug her tightly. "I promise. You too?"
Sarah hugged me tightly back and sighed. "Of course."
Letting go, I reached into the inner pocket and pulling out an optronic data storage module. "Here. It's for you."
She frowned slightly as she took it. "What is it?"
"Those secret agent programs we were running... and five more I finished making but that we have not gotten to playing yet."
"Thank you." She answered with a faint smile, putting the memory stick away into her pocket. "Not sure if it will be the same, though."
Her combadge beeped at her and she tapped it to quiet it. "That's my timer." She said. "I have to go."
"Stay safe."
Sarah smiled and stepped up to kiss me on the cheek before she pulled back to walk onto the transporter pad. "I will. You too. Goodbye, Star." she said and glanced at the ceiling. "You too, Gates."
"Goodbye, Sarah." He said.
I swallowed and nodded. "...Bye. Fly safe."
She shimmered out of existence as Gates beamed her onto the transporter pad on the USS Hammond.
"I hate goodbyes." Gates said quietly and I nodded.
"Yeah. I know. Me too."
AN// A big bag of Thanks to Grey Rook for betaing this section.
Heartfelt scene, I like it.
Though, I wonder if your work would benefit from a dedicated antagonist or some other suspense-inducing conflict? I'm being lulled into complacency here ^_^. Even with the occasional war, it feels like a very mellow going, slice-of-life stuff. Or maybe that's the strength that draws people to the fic? Hmm.
Though, I wonder if your work would benefit from a dedicated antagonist or some other suspense-inducing conflict? I'm being lulled into complacency here ^_^. Even with the occasional war, it feels like a very mellow going, slice-of-life stuff. Or maybe that's the strength that draws people to the fic? Hmm.
"Huh, a squeaky deck plate would actually be unlikely... let me check on internal s- aw dammit."
"Ma'am?"
"General call. Anyone lose a hamster?"
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- Location
- Over the hill and far away
DA FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELS...
Hiver, I really love your sci fi / AI stories
Hiver, I really love your sci fi / AI stories
Winged One
Not the Simurgh
- Location
- definitely the ground
- Pronouns
- They/Them/It
Yeaaah, shoddy craftsmanship isn't really... tolerable, where starships are concerned.
Crazael
Rehydrated Demon King
- Location
- Lost to the vagaries of time.
Yeah, I very much agree with this. The action stuff is nice every now and then, but slice of life is just nice and refreshing. Too many stories get stuck in the need to constantly provide drama.
Yeah, though I could see a particularly twisted engineer going around and 'adjusting' random bits of minor stuff for the sole purpose of teaching cadets what is the proper response to such a situation. Things like deckplates, or lighting or a panel.
Richardson
CAN YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING?
- Location
- Yes
The result is some serious weirdness until the crew gets used to it: There would be many instances of Star's holographic avatar active throughout the ship and likely even multiple in the same room.
For example, in engineering she may talk to multiple engineers at the same time to assist them in their tasks. Since she would be / is friends with a lot of the officers / crew, there could be multiple instances of her in the mess hall, sitting with different people / groups during lunch etc.
It might be interesting to do a snippet of "a minute in the life of Star", where we jump from short interaction to interaction between her and different crew members, to get a feel of how parallel her life is.
Last edited:
Crazael
Rehydrated Demon King
- Location
- Lost to the vagaries of time.
That would be pretty entertaining.
Part 13
"So, you guys have any ideas?" I asked and leaned a bit forward, resting my arms against the table.
Shran shrugged, "I figured I would get her something for her quarters. Maybe a plant or something."
Rachel's birthday was in two days, a week before we leave Earth orbit.... and I didn't have any ideas.
Really, the 'gifts for birthday' thing was really a more Human than Andorian or Vulcan, but it was a tradition we followed. Problem was that I was out of ideas.
"You left it to the last minute again." T'Ro said and put her large cup of coffee down on the table.
"...I know.", I sighed and sat up again, crossing my legs in annoyance, "What are you getting her?"
"A book."
I groaned at that. Why didn't I think of that!?
"...I'm awful at gifts." I sighed and frowned in though.
What was it she really, really wanted?
Well, the answer to that was really simple. She wanted a dog.
But I couldn't get her a puppy for the same reason she refused to get one herself even when she really wanted one. She didn't want one stuck in her quarters all day while she was on her duty shift.
She had a really good point about that being a bit cruel, even for a smaller breed, even a captain's quarters would have been a bit to small to be cooped up in all, yet alone a lieutenant's quarters.
Even on a long range ship like this where everyone got extra room, it would be a exaggeration to call them large.
So I would have to find something else for her. Maybe I should... I don't know. Clothing I guess? Not like I could give her extra room for a...
…Ohhh.
I grinned and sat up straight, "I just had the best idea in the world. But I'm going to need both of your help to get it done before her birthday."
XXXXXXXXXXX
Rachel gave us a suspicious look as we walked along the corridor towards her quarters, "...What do you have planned?"
Shran grinned at her, "Don't worry, you are going to love it." he said.
"Last time you said that was at the Academy and it ended with us needing to replace the couch."
That was a very good point. Drunk Shran might be rather funny to watch, but he was also bad for property value.
"There is no need to worry. It was primarily Star and my work." T'Ro explained as we reached Rachel's quarters.
"I helped!" Shran exclaimed before he hesitated, "...Well, I handed them the tools at times? But I did do the shell!"
Rachel looked between us and I smiled at her as she hesitated, "...I was in here twenty minutes ago." she finally said.
"The wonders of transporters." I answered and motioned at the door, "Well?"
Reaching out she pressed the button, causing the door to open and let us inside.
She looked around and almost immediately spotted our present. A metal cube, a meter and a half cubed, taking up most of a corner of her quarters.
Rachel stared at it for a long moment before she spoke up, "A cube. I always wanted one of those."
I rolled my eyes, "It's more than just a cube and I'll tell you this, it was not easy to get done in time."
She frowned and slowly walked around it to see the other side which had a hatch in it, "What is it?"
"I call it a Puppy-deck." I answered and walked up to leaning against it, "We know you always wanted a dog but didn't want to subject it to shipboard life. Well, this is the solution."
T'Ro nodded, "It is a small holodeck, scaled for a small breed dog. It is hooked into the main computer network so Star can keep a eye on the creature during it's recreation time."
"Play, feed, water, even help train." I injected, "Basically, I could dog sit it while it runs around in fields, forests or whatever. While you are at your shift."
"It also has independent power and life support. Not enough to handle the holo projectors, but enough to keep the creature alive for several hours in case of a hull breach." T'Ro continued, giving me a look for interrupting her.
Rachel seemed a bit lost for words at that, "You... you all... you..." she said softly before sniffling.
Shran smiled and walked up to put his arm around her shoulders, "It took a bit of work to get this done in time. We leave orbit in just a little over a week. So while Star and T'Ro did most of the work on the cube, I expedited things a bit and got everything signed for you with Commander Janeway for permits. I also got in contact with several breeders down on Earth, specialized in smaller breeds. All you have to do is pick a breed and show up to see if there is a puppy you like."
"You all... I..." She said softly, "...Thank you. I don't know what to say..."
"How about what you want next year?" I said with a grin as I walked up to give her a hug, "Because now I am completely out of ideas."
I'm pretty sure that if I had been organic, she would have broken a couple of my ribs.
AN// Many thank to Zebrin for betaing this section. I figured you guys needed some antidote for yesterday
Shran shrugged, "I figured I would get her something for her quarters. Maybe a plant or something."
Rachel's birthday was in two days, a week before we leave Earth orbit.... and I didn't have any ideas.
Really, the 'gifts for birthday' thing was really a more Human than Andorian or Vulcan, but it was a tradition we followed. Problem was that I was out of ideas.
"You left it to the last minute again." T'Ro said and put her large cup of coffee down on the table.
"...I know.", I sighed and sat up again, crossing my legs in annoyance, "What are you getting her?"
"A book."
I groaned at that. Why didn't I think of that!?
"...I'm awful at gifts." I sighed and frowned in though.
What was it she really, really wanted?
Well, the answer to that was really simple. She wanted a dog.
But I couldn't get her a puppy for the same reason she refused to get one herself even when she really wanted one. She didn't want one stuck in her quarters all day while she was on her duty shift.
She had a really good point about that being a bit cruel, even for a smaller breed, even a captain's quarters would have been a bit to small to be cooped up in all, yet alone a lieutenant's quarters.
Even on a long range ship like this where everyone got extra room, it would be a exaggeration to call them large.
So I would have to find something else for her. Maybe I should... I don't know. Clothing I guess? Not like I could give her extra room for a...
…Ohhh.
I grinned and sat up straight, "I just had the best idea in the world. But I'm going to need both of your help to get it done before her birthday."
XXXXXXXXXXX
Rachel gave us a suspicious look as we walked along the corridor towards her quarters, "...What do you have planned?"
Shran grinned at her, "Don't worry, you are going to love it." he said.
"Last time you said that was at the Academy and it ended with us needing to replace the couch."
That was a very good point. Drunk Shran might be rather funny to watch, but he was also bad for property value.
"There is no need to worry. It was primarily Star and my work." T'Ro explained as we reached Rachel's quarters.
"I helped!" Shran exclaimed before he hesitated, "...Well, I handed them the tools at times? But I did do the shell!"
Rachel looked between us and I smiled at her as she hesitated, "...I was in here twenty minutes ago." she finally said.
"The wonders of transporters." I answered and motioned at the door, "Well?"
Reaching out she pressed the button, causing the door to open and let us inside.
She looked around and almost immediately spotted our present. A metal cube, a meter and a half cubed, taking up most of a corner of her quarters.
Rachel stared at it for a long moment before she spoke up, "A cube. I always wanted one of those."
I rolled my eyes, "It's more than just a cube and I'll tell you this, it was not easy to get done in time."
She frowned and slowly walked around it to see the other side which had a hatch in it, "What is it?"
"I call it a Puppy-deck." I answered and walked up to leaning against it, "We know you always wanted a dog but didn't want to subject it to shipboard life. Well, this is the solution."
T'Ro nodded, "It is a small holodeck, scaled for a small breed dog. It is hooked into the main computer network so Star can keep a eye on the creature during it's recreation time."
"Play, feed, water, even help train." I injected, "Basically, I could dog sit it while it runs around in fields, forests or whatever. While you are at your shift."
"It also has independent power and life support. Not enough to handle the holo projectors, but enough to keep the creature alive for several hours in case of a hull breach." T'Ro continued, giving me a look for interrupting her.
Rachel seemed a bit lost for words at that, "You... you all... you..." she said softly before sniffling.
Shran smiled and walked up to put his arm around her shoulders, "It took a bit of work to get this done in time. We leave orbit in just a little over a week. So while Star and T'Ro did most of the work on the cube, I expedited things a bit and got everything signed for you with Commander Janeway for permits. I also got in contact with several breeders down on Earth, specialized in smaller breeds. All you have to do is pick a breed and show up to see if there is a puppy you like."
"You all... I..." She said softly, "...Thank you. I don't know what to say..."
"How about what you want next year?" I said with a grin as I walked up to give her a hug, "Because now I am completely out of ideas."
I'm pretty sure that if I had been organic, she would have broken a couple of my ribs.
AN// Many thank to Zebrin for betaing this section. I figured you guys needed some antidote for yesterday
TechnoMage
Hacking Reality is Fun
And suddenly cubes start to be the in thing for decorating your quarters.
Winged One
Not the Simurgh
- Location
- definitely the ground
- Pronouns
- They/Them/It
For a moment, I thought it was a Companion Cube.
esotericist
A Weary Hand
- Location
- Lacey, WA
The Ship reminds you that the Puppy Cube cannot speak.
- Location
- Logan, Queensland, australia
...that is awesome. Are AI's allowed to patent ideas? Cause that is a marketable invention...
Mr. Mica
Capitalism cannot fix Global Warming.
- Location
- Earth
They are considered citizens of the Federation, so at a guess? Yes.
- Pronouns
- she/her
"Oh no! A kid caught space flu and has to be kept isolated, locked in quarantine, unable to play with their friends or even see their parents without a layer of space isolation plastic!"
"What? We could just put them in a puppycube."
"What? We could just put them in a puppycube."