ten_fwd | Entries tagged with q

Captain's Log, stardate 45218.0: The Enterprise has received a hail from colonists on Ajilon Prime. It would seem that a harsh convergence of drought and their misguided overuse of rather outdated technology has ravaged the crops on this still relatively new colony past the point of saving. They have requested the Federation's assistance in replenishing these precious resources, and the Enterprise has been dispatched to offer the assistance of our botanists in re-establishing their agricultural base. I am certain some of our ... stowaways can lend their time and skills to assisting however they can.

Regarding Q, I am still uncertain of his next move. It has come to light that the mayhem at the start of the solar month was not his doing, but rather that of the being who called himself Alec Troven. As for Q, he has been remarkably quiet since our departure from Pacifica. That can only mean he is planning something — but what?

"Oh, my Dear, Sweet Captain," Q chuckles as he turns off the transmission. The transmission he intercepted, as these ungrateful Starfleet Simpletons still do not know how to do him the dignity of looping him in. The cheek!

"Ignorance is bliss," as the saying goes. But as Q mulls over the thought from his special plane not-quite here but not-quite there either, more like a place that's in-between the in between, the good Captain and his crew will not be in the dark for much longer.

"Father's Day, isn't it?"

It's rhetorical as Q materializes above Ten Forward, chin in his hand.

"Father's Day. Hm, when was the last time any of you spoke with your fathers? Stuck on this dreary vessel for weeks, months, years at a time—"

He pauses for dramatic effect as heads begin to turn in the lounge, seeking out the disembodied voice.

"Oh, don't look at me like that. I'm far from some heartless monster. Why, I have come to think of myself as a surrogate father to you people. Yes! As I provide for you, I care for you, I make sure you cannot blow yourselves up with your own ignorance or cause the whole of space and time to crumble on your small little heads. A loving, doting father. Here — I'll prove it to you."

A snap of his fingers, and at first glance it would seem nothing has changed.

"You'll want to check the comms system. Or the holodeck, if they're the backwards sort. Or the dead sort." Just who is he even talking about? You'll see. You'll see. "And remember ascended beings don't need socks, so do put a little effort into your gifts, won't you?"

Oh, yes. He expects gifts. That is if the people here can manage to tear their attention away from the planet quick approaching through the viewscreen windows long enough to give their compassionate caregiver five minutes of their oh-so-precious time.

element_wizard

It had been fun.

Not as wide spread as Alec hoped it would be but he wasn't as into this reality as he was in others. The deeper he was in, the easier it was to control and make things happen.

Still, it had been fun and it was time to put things back where they came from.

Standing by the windows in Ten Forward he cracked out his fingers and then gave them a shake. Reaching out into the other space where he could see the strings he yanked on a few like a harpist, plucking their instrument letting them vibrate and sliver back into their original places.

"And we're back," Alec said cheerfully to no one in particular.

((Power switch plot is done! Everyone is back to normal. For a given value of normal.))

diplomaticsolutions

[Padmé and Q]
Although there is no true need for it, a routine has been established on the mornings. She isn't certain if a new roommate will eventually come along, but for now she does have the whole of the living quarters to herself. It does feel empty, but she spends little time there anyway.

Having risen and dressed, she moves to exit her sleeping quarters and enter in to the shared space. A cup of coffee is how she usually starts the day. Certain familiar acts are kept, finding a comfort in them. Slowly, day by day, she is becoming use to the notion of her life as it is, and she has found that there are certain aspects she is quite enjoying.

The routine has been going on for some time now, which is why it takes her a moment after she walked in to the shared area to register another being. Surprise, of course, is there, and having never met him before, Padmé does offer a smile, even if that quizzical expression remains. "Hello. Can I help you- or are you my new roommate?"

[Padme and open; Ten Forward]
What has been planned for the day seems to have been cut abruptly off. Somehow she has managed to find herself in Ten Forward, and has taken a seat at one of the empty tables. While her body might be here, her mind is miles away.

So much... How could she have forgotten? Yet the memories are there now, as clear as any from her own world. They had said that when one returned, they would be gone. And they had been. Until now.

Face and places and events... Just when she thought this place couldn't surprise her anymore, it has. She's finding herself confronted with them all, her mind turning over them, as she stares off in to nothingness with a pensive expression touching her face, brow furrowed and lips slightly pursed.

trial_never_ends

Hmmm, something seems a little different about the Chief of Security today. His beautifully ridged countenance hasn't been seen for quite some time at the head of one of these little initiations, but now that Dr. Crusher's medical team has cleared a sizable number of new cattle for ship-wide access, and they've been carted around by Chief O'Brien on a tour of the ship, along with some background to the situation they now find themselves in, they've been mooooved right along to Lieutenant Worf in Ten Forward.

He looks at his data PADD, with all of his boring instructions and tedious details meticulously written out, and rolls his eyes. Rules, really? What harm could these people really do?

"The computer will instruct you on where all cleared-for-access decks are. You only have to ask where the area you are trying to get to is located, and it will give you clear directions. Do not visit any restricted areas. The bridge, engine rooms, transporter rooms, command centers, blah, blah-blah, blah blah, are all off-limits.

"Before you're assigned a room, there are a few rules you must obey, though I honestly don't know what could be done to stop you. One, do not discharge any weapon while on the Enterprise. Two, do not assault any other passenger aboard in any way; that includes injury, death, or violating their personal rights. Three, do not tamper with the operational procedures of the ship. Four, do not steal items or technology from the ship. Five, do not interrupt any official areas of the ship without proper authorization, and do not invade the privacy of other guest or crew quarters, good grief, this list just goes on forever, doesn't it?

"They want you to read the Prime Directive?! Boring. If you care to see that drivel you can look it up on your own personal PADDs, which will be available in every room. Now, how about something more interesting?"

With a flick of his wrist, the PADD disappears. Cracking his knuckles, "Worf" proceeds to snap his fingers and a flurry of snow whooshes through the room. When the proverbial dust settles, Ten Forward has been decked out in an array of holiday cheer. The windows are frosted, the bar is dusted in snow, a model train choo-choos its way around people's ankles out one door and back in the other. There is a traditional Earth tree in one corner with an endless pile of gifts stacked under it, but other worlds, cultures, and religions have not been left out. Everywhere one looks, there's a different kind of festive decoration.

"La, dee dum, dum," Worf hums, snapping his fingers again and causing a spread of food and drinks to appear on each and every table and surface: candies, cakes, mulled wines, chocolates, pheasants, yams, bol'ghba, and an abundance of other unpronounceable delicacies. "There. Now isn't that better? Never say I didn't do anything for you.

"Oh! That's right, the rooms," he recalls, clapping his hands. He pulls the PADD back out of the ether, reading off the list of quarters, their location, and the guests who will be sharing them.

Deck 07, Section 4
Room # 0713 - Kristen Kringle and Kuvira
Room # 0731 - Olan'atar and Sophia Inks
Room # 0737 - Bonnie Barstow and KITT (hologram)
Room # 0746 - Sterling Archer and Kira

Deck 8
Room # 0147 - T'Pol and Katniss Everdeen

Deck 9
Room # 0919 - Henry Mills and Matt Murdock
Room # 0921 - Pete Lattimer and Clara Oswald

"Now, won't that be fun?" Worf concludes, with a large, toothy grin. "Remember, it's only fun until Captain Picard has a heart attack, and then your actions are all on your own heads. Oh! Speaking of heads ... "

With one last snap, the Lieutenant in full dress before them morphs into what appears to be a Caucasian human male. No vestiges of the Klingon remain, and as such the man now lets out a long, grateful sigh. "It's good to be home."

For the foreseeable future, Ten Forward will remain in this state, and the doors to the guest quarters will stay open so each new arrival along with the old faithful can experience the full joy and beauty of the holiday season with each other. The corridors are all covered in frost, a pleasant nip in the air, and over the internal comms a song begins to play. The list of new assignments is also displayed on a PADD in Ten Forward, where people can refer to it if they need to.

[ooc: Happy Holidays, at least for the next few days! This log is both a party post for holiday shenanigans and an open log for new roomies (or old ones!) to build CR and meet their neighbors. We'll have a few special holiday top levels for gifts, but otherwise you can tag directly into the post with your character, their room number, and who they're looking for (or leave it OTA)!

Rooms are aligned the way they would be in a typical hotel: odd numbers on the left, even numbers on the right (so 0711 and 0713 will be next door neighbors, while 0712 is directly across the hall). There's a post in the OOC comm for OOC questions and comments! If you need to ask security questions, or need them to swing by another thread, just put "Security officer, please!" in the subject line of your tag, and the mods will send someone to you ASAP. The tour given by Chief O'Brien is not open for tagging; you can assume your character had any basic questions answered. ]

Current Location: Deck 10: Forward

trial_never_ends

Honestly, there's no helping the people on this ship. Q has given them a chance to get in touch with the lost souls from their past, or, well, get in touch with their fears. It's meant to be cathartic. Some humans even throw parties to do that! And they're complaining about a little thing like a haunting? They should be enjoying the chance to make their peace!

Sigh. Just because some of these things are what humans might consider "spooky."

But, since Q is such a magnanimous host, he's going to give them another chance. A party, yes? A Dia de los Muertos party. It was such a hit last year.

Q appears in the lounge, and with a wave of his hand Ten Forward is decorated with candles and flowers in orange, gold, and red. Buckets of flowers - wild marigolds called cempasuchil & bright red cock's combs - some in literal buckets! There's even an ofrendas, an altar, to one side of the room.

There are garlands and skeleton motifs and sculptures festooning the entire bar. Tables appear off to one side, piled high with fruit, nuts, sweets, plates of turkey mole, stacks of tortillas, and big Day-of-the-Dead breads called pan de muerto - plenty of food and drink. And so that there's no opportunity for anyone to complain that they're not having fun, one table is set up with a display of sugar skulls, and all the supplies needed to design and create their own skulls and sculptures out of alfinique. For those who don't want to make their own, there are plenty of already decorated sugar skulls decorating the tables.

Color! Food! Drink! But something's missing, hmmm. What is it... what could it be?

Ah! Yes, of course. Anyone who walks into the party over the next two days will find that their clothes have changed: bright, layered skirts, suits with top hats, flowers, and skulls for the more traditional; Halloween costumes and tawdry affairs for those who need a bigger laugh.

With one last snap of his fingers Q disappears, leaving the sound of music behind him.

[ Welcome to our Day of the Dead party! The festivities in the lounge will run until November 2, but as always, backtagging is love! ~~This post is not open for threads, but reaction comments are welcome, as are your own logs set at the party!~~ OUR BAD, this post is DEFINITELY open for tag-ins and mingling! Tag around, thread-hop (within reason), and have fun! ]

trial_never_ends

The hum of the engines, one late autumn eve, as constant and sure as the immortal seas;
hiccup and sputter, a hitch in their breath
and all around reeks the feeling of death.

The lights they do flicker and give way to the pitch, and the fabric of time suddenly skips a stitch;
it's cold in these hallways, a whisper, a chill
and each living mortal is in for a thrill.

A figure in black moves like the night, stirring up mischief for his own delight;
the ship she does creak like an old English schooner
(or a certain French Captain's bones, but he has no sense of humor.)

It's there in a flash and gone the next blink, the shadows move, the wind does howl, and your heart starts to sink;
in the night as you sleep nothing is safe
an old voice, a ghoulish touch, or a familiar face.

Waking or sleeping there's nowhere to run, because one ghostly host is just starting his fun;
so steel up your hearts and show your true mettle
for now it's your fears in which Q plans to meddle.

[ooc: Your resident Enterprise "ghost" disappears without getting caught, so no threads please; however, reaction tags to any sudden weirdness your character happens upon is welcome! From this point forward until the 3rd spooky things will be happening on the ship, besetting all passengers at random without prejudice. Q himself will be hanging around observing the mayhem. Cue evil cackling here. Click for the OOC announcement.]

ten_fwd_npcs

[[ Moments earlier, in Transporter Room 1... ]]

Picard re-enters Ten Forward tonight, this time leading a group of three. Only one appears to be in a Starfleet uniform, though it isn't precisely like the ones guests see every day. The color is command red, but there is extensive gold trimming which indicates that this officer is of a higher rank than any the Enterprise entertains on a daily basis.

"All of our guests, at one time or another, come to Ten Forward," Picard tells them. He looks tired already. After this, he will certainly need a cup of earl grey tea. "Most appear here on their first visit to the ship, and as such it's one of the few places they are allowed until they pass quarantine."

"Until you let them loose on the rest of the ship, and even give them employment, you mean?" the Vice Admiral counters.

Captain Picard sighs.

"Are the displaced guests allowed to mingle with the rest of the complement?" the woman asks, surprised. She stifles a yawn behind her hand, embarrassed by the slip. She's inexplicably tired all of a sudden.

"Yes, of course," Captain Picard answers. "The alternative would be keeping them under lock and key. We don't allow them in restricted areas, of course, but they are free to visit any civilian areas of the ship."

The third person among them, by far the most innocuous and average-looking of the group, slips into the crowd.

"Clearly we have a lot of work ahead of us," the Vice Admiral sighs, fixing Picard with a pointed look.

[ooc: ~casually floods the comm with Picard's face, oops~ OK, so here's the promised arrivals post for your June plots. If you're getting your characters involved in the little rascals plot, you can send one around to bump into one of our three NPCs. By tomorrow, you'll all look a little younger. If you signed up for an encounter with one of these officers, you can start first impressions here. We'll be sending links to a more formal "questioning" for all characters in the sign-ups post. This is NOT your only opportunity to get in on the kid plot. Once the first few tag in, they will be contagious and tagging them in their logs will pass the virus onto your characters. If this post gets flooded we may close it to new tags, just so we can give everyone who does tag in our full attention. If you want a thread with one NPC in particular, let us know in the subject line of your tag, otherwise we'll pull one from the random hat for you. Picard is not open for tags, but he does have an OTA post here if you need him.]

trial_never_ends

Oh, this is all so disappointing.

There's a man, in a Starfleet captain's uniform, in the middle of the lounge, and it's not the captain. Not of this vessel anyway. Nor is it any of the other captains who have become such welcome guests aboard the Enterprise.

He also almost certainly wasn't there a moment ago.

Q stands in the middle of the suspiciously empty lounge, hands on his hips.

"This really is very disappointing. You know, it's enough to make a Q feel ignored. Unappreciated, even. You accept my hospitality and my protection and then you just give up. Even my dear Picard has given up the chase."

And the chase, after all, is part of the fun.

Q begins to pace, a petulant look on his face, around the lounge.

"The last few things I did to entertain people didn't change a thing. It's obvious what we need. We need something to really shake up this ... vessel." (That's the word Jean-Luc is so very fond of, after all.) "Turn things around, make them more ... challenging."

Q does so love seeing how the Enterprise manages a challenge.

He stops pacing, a manic gleam in his eyes.

"Oh yes! What a fortuitous opportunity! This is what we need!"

Q gives a wave of his hand in the direction of the doors to the lounge. As of this moment, anyone walking through them will find themselves changed, things in their personality or their history the opposite of what they should be.

Their selves from another universe entirely.

Q's grin fades for a moment, then he sighs. He did, after all, make a promise.

"All right," he tells the air. "I'll set it right at the end of the week. But not until then. I want to see how Picard handles this!"

Then he's gone, with no sign he was ever there. Except the sudden appearance of mirror universe versions of the people who walk into the bar ...

[ And here's the kick-off for our April Fool's mirror universe plot! If your character enters Ten Forward on April 1, they will be transformed into a silly mirror universe version of themselves (characters who do not enter the lounge will be unaffected, but backdating during this week is, of course, okay). Key things about them will be the opposite of their usual selves: heroes could be villains, murderers could be doctors, and the clean-shaven could have ridiculous facial hair! The change will last a week before Q returns things to normal.

Feel free to respond to this post with your character's switch to their mirror self, but threads should be carried out in separate posts throughout the week. Questions? Plots? Looking for ideas? Head on over to the plotting post. ]

Current Location: Deck Ten, Forward: Lounge

trial_never_ends

Well, well, well. This is promising. He'd been beginning to think nobody here had any sense of fun or gratitude whatsoever, but it seems they're learning to appreciate the gift they've been given.

Or, at least, to participate instead of constantly complaining. Now, if only he could get Picard to do the same. Q's little tribute to the festival of love known as Valentine's Day has not only been successful, but some of his guests have taken it upon themselves to make it more so.

Excellent.

But of course, Valentine's Day is not the only such marvellous celebration traditional at this time, and Q's attention has been caught by another one. One all about enjoying oneself in a festival of excess.

How will they respond to this? A simple thought is all it takes, and the gathered denizens of the Enterprise will find their clothing transformed, masks on their faces, strings of shining beads around their necks to gift to those whom they deem worthy.

But that's not enough. This is a party, and a party needs not just guests but decorations! He waves a hand and Ten Forward is transformed into a riot of purple, yellow, and green, with streamers and banners on the walls and ceiling, ornaments, centrepieces on the tables in the lounge, music, everything necessary for a party to last all day long. There are all sorts of foods, even ones that the replicators have never encountered in the limited understanding of the people who programmed them. Anything anyone here could wish to feast upon, Q shall provide in his magnanimity.

There, on the bar, are the crown for the King and Queen. Of course, Q himself selected the costumes, but that is not to stop anyone modifying them! Competing! Enjoying the Carnivale!

Let the celebrations begin! Q gives the newly redecorated lounge an approving look, then nods, snaps his fingers, and vanishes.

[ OOC: And this is the kick-off for our Mardi Gras celebrations. There's more information available here. Any characters wishing to participate in the costume competition, please tag this post. This post is ONLY open to the costume competition; any other Mardi Gras posts can be made separately. Enjoy! ]

trial_never_ends

Is that Q in the corner?

~~Is that Q in the spotlight?~~

How long has he been in Ten Forward? Perhaps an hour. Perhaps days. Perhaps he has always been there, and your mortal eyes are just too feeble to take in all of his glory. It could be anything really, because he doesn't play victim to time the same way the rest of you do.

He looks fairly innocuous in his Starfleet Captain's uniform, but he doesn't look particularly pleased tonight. No. Saturnalia is over tomorrow, and then it is Christmas, and he did make a deal with Picard that there would be no Christmas mischief afoot. So all of this glorious, wondrous planning and preparation to make the ship festive will be over after tonight. And not one of you miserable people have sacrificed a single pig. Imagine! Yes, there have been clumsy attempts at hunting, and the odd meal or two, but when someone gives you sacrificial pigs the least you could do is build an altar. Heathens.

It is most disappointing.

At least the place is lively for once, and he won fifty credits at one of the blackjack tables. Not that he has much use for it, aside from depriving its original owner of the pocket lining, but it's the principle of the thing. He has no use for food or drink, neither does he need to sleep, so gambling and repining seem like a good use of his time. Perhaps one of you will get the idea if he makes his pouting obvious.

(OOC: Well hello there. For a limited time only, Q is in Ten Forward for all your complaining, canon updating, and CR building needs. This post is particularly meant for people who want IC motivation for their pups to go home, as Q will be your very own Bob Barker ready to Make A Deal, but I'm leaving it OTA as long as the number of tags remains manageable. If I do end up needing to plot-lock it, Q will be back soon to catch those he misses this time around, and you can contact me over this a-way!

eta: so sorry for the disappearance! the end of december is an unforgiving master.)

trial_never_ends

Someone told Q he wasn't allowed to start any "Christmas-themed madness" aboard his ship.

Well. That someone said nothing about the Winter Solstice, Saturnalia, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus... honestly, Picard can be so narrow-minded. It's amazing he gets anyone to follow his command.

Q appraises the dull lounge that passes for entertainment on this Federation ship at a safe distance, lest he run into that horrible imp who runs the bar or some fairy do-gooder looking to give him a piece of their mind. Mortals. So tiny and single-minded. This will never do.

Q smirks, and flourishes his hand. All at once, the room livens up into something much more agreeable. It's brighter, and he isn't so cheap that he uses the canned lights the humans seem to favor on their starships. No, instead the room is lit by thousands of wax candles of different heights and girths; draperies of purple, gold, and crimson are strewn around the windows and walls; there is music, guitars and flutes and mandolins gaily playing; and a banquet table is spread with a number of fine delicacies. Some of the off-duty officers find their boring uniforms transformed into Greek synthesis, and stand about gaping at themselves. Yes, this is quite good so far. But it is not enough. With another snap of his fingers, ornate masks appear on some of the guest's faces, small gifts of cheap jewelry appear in the ladies' hands, and many of the tables are spread with games; cards, dice, and many more profitable and lewd enterprises that would certainly have the good captain frowning. Why not have a little fun?

Ah, yes. But there is one more thing, isn't there? After all, it is Saturnalia, and what would a Saturnalia be without the sacrifice of a suckling pig?

Make that a dozen suckling pigs.

Oh, but why stop there? Make it six dozen suckling pigs, quite alive and squealing about as they dash under tables and through the halls. Q laughs. "This should give them some fun."

And with a snap of his fingers, he is gone.

[ooc: Let the Saturnalia events begin! Don't know where to start? Check out the OOC event plotting post to coordinate with other players and make some mischief. Have fun, everyone! Holiday events will run until the end of the year, so all players can have a chance to participate. Ten Forward will remain like this until Saturnalia's end, traditionally around the 23rd of December.]

Current Mood: mischievous
Current Location: Deck 10, Forward: Lounge

tea_earlgrey_hot

A chime sounds on all decks of the Enterprise, indicating that a message from the captain is about to follow.

"Attention all decks, this is your captain speaking.

"I wish to inform you that the Enterprise will be making port in approximately three solar days. Her destination is the planet Risa, a peaceful planet known to us in a nearby binary star system. The native Risians are a friendly and welcoming people, accustomed to tourists from all across the universe; therefore, we will be allowing ship-to-shore leave for all aboard the Enterprise who have been cleared from Sickbay.

"The Enterprise will remain in orbit around Risa for several days, if not weeks; therefore, during that time the transporter rooms will be accessible to all aboard, whether crew or civilian. Consider this a holiday, if you will. There will be on-duty security officers available both on the ship and on the planet's surface, who will be keeping track of all civilian guests to ensure their safety.

"You may expect another announcement should we anticipate any delays in arriving. I, uh. I wish you all a... pleasant holiday. Picard out."

The transmission ends, leaving the captain on the bridge to consider the rather awkward note he ended on. Counselor Troi, seated at his right, smiles and inclines her head, as if to congratulate him on a job well done. He draws in a bracing breath, and leaves the bridge to Commander Riker, excusing himself to his ready room.

Now that one task has been seen to, there are others that call his attention. He begins with making a Captain's Log...

(OOC: The above link leads to a personal log wherein Q arrives, and he and Picard have a little chat about conditions aboard the ship; matters seem quite strained until Q departs and, unbeknownst to Picard, another guest in the room decides the captain could stand to be just a little more cheerful...

This is the official IC plot kick-off for our holiday events! From this point forward, passengers may see freak snow flurries, mysterious moving mistletoe, or get a special surprise when trying to run a holodeck simulation. As for the other events, there will be a Saturnalia kick-off post in approximately 12 hours to announce the changes to Ten Forward [including the suckling pigs], and the Enterprise won't be docking at Risa until Friday (GMT-5). Any questions? Visit the OOC event post to learn more!)

trial_never_ends

[ Something Wicked This Way Comes ]

[ Personal Log: Q and Picard have a little chat about spaceship morale, freedom, and P-A-R-T-Y's. Spoilers: Q is all for them. ]

[ooc: For more details about our Halloween plot, follow the link and stay tuned for an open post from our beleaguered captain.]

tea_earlgrey_hot

The last few solar days have been filled with activity. Though nothing has changed for the Enterprise crew, their efforts to get things back on-line have doubled in a conspicuous way. It is Picard's desire to draw Q out, as he has been satisfied to lurk and observe for far too long.

It is while he is on the bridge, bridge crew hurriedly following order after hopeless order, that Q deigns to show himself at last.

"Really, Jean-Luc? You can be so stubborn. Do you honestly believe anything you try could have escaped my attention?"

"It is your attention, Q, that I am after," Picard says. "I wish to speak with you."

"Ooh!" Q says, straightening. "Then we can have our tea at last?"

Before Picard can answer, Q snaps his fingers. The bridge and all her crew disappear, replaced instead by a fine Victorian parlor overlooking a vineyard and rolling hills. Picard is seated at a table opposite Q, both dressed in gentleman's clothing, while a maid pushes over a tea tray.

Q reclines, irrepressibly smug. "This is lovely, Jean-Luc, really we should do it more often."

[OOC: This post is locked for plot reasons, sorry! Picard will be in with an open post in a few days. ^__^

ETA: As of this post, engines are back on-line! Feel free to have your characters react. The ship is relatively quiet and a smooth ride, so it should not be a terribly big adjustment, but enough of one for them to notice. Now stars can be seen streaking by outside the windows.]

knight_2000

He was powered down for the evening, snug and secure in the trailer of the semi as they headed west towards Los Angeles. Another mission successfully completed, another set of routine repairs endured. It wasn’t Michael’s fault; it was simply the nature of the beast. No matter how indestructible his shell, the car still suffered normal wear and tear of its mechanical moving parts, just like any other car. Now he was ensconced in the bay, only minimally aware of the quiet rumblings of the tractor-trailer as it made its way along the highway.

There was a bright flash, and then it was quiet. KITT couldn’t have even been sure it wasn’t a product of his imagination, except for the fact that AIs didn’t have imaginations. And the air, the air was different. The semi’s air had been close, almost stuffy, even with air conditioning. The air his sensors was detecting now was warmer, with a definite hint of draft. Bringing himself up to full power, his scanner began tracking slowly back and forth, a whispering sweep of ruby across his prow. He might have dismissed the flash as feedback in his circuitry. He might have rationalized the change in the air to a faulty sensor. What he couldn’t rationalize, explain, or even dismiss, was the fact that he no longer appeared to be in the semi at all. Unless all of his chips had simultaneously suffered a catastrophic failure, unless this was some sort of AI afterlife, unless he’d suddenly become able to dream, even - he would have to accept the fact that what his scanners were telling him was true - he was no longer in Kansas, so to speak. He was instead tucked into a corner of what appeared to be a... nightclub lounge? That couldn't possibly be right. He might have had a hypothesis for what had happened to him, and a good one. The semi must have been ambushed, waylaid on the lonely stretch of highway they’d been traveling through. The flash must have occurred when he’d somehow been deactivated, in his powered-down state, before he could react. And now, he was booting up to find that he’d been transported somewhere else, somewhere - no. He couldn't reconcile the lounge. It might all have made sense, if disturbing to contemplate, but no one would be so ridiculous as to choose this setting to dump him into. There must be something wrong with his circuitry. Something neither he nor Bonnie had caught upon his and Michael's return. Maybe she was working on him right now, trying to restore him to some semblance of normal. Yes. That must be it. He was malfunctioning, and for some reason his databanks were compensating by creating an image of this lounge in an attempt to make sense of what was happening.

It sounded a ridiculous explanation, even to him, but he couldn't fathom any other explanation. He fervently hoped that Bonnie would get him repaired, and soon.

He had to admit, for being figments of his damaged mind, the lounge and its occupants were remarkably detailed and life-like.

trial_never_ends

There are two generally human-male-shaped lifeforms aboard the Enterprise who can be found in the uniform of a Starfleet captain: one's usual expression is grumpy, and the other's is quite pleased with himself.

This is that one, come to Ten Forward to survey his handiwork.

Well, it's beautiful, isn't it? All this potential gathered here, on the verge of something big. Savor this moment--it won't make the history books; the best times never do. But he'll remember, and that's all that matters.

He'd been bored and now he's not. That sums it up. He's over by a window, watching the room, if you'd like to come express your gratitude for this little vacation.

[this post is going immediately slow because Ridiculously Long Workweek, but tag in and I will get back to you once my brain has returned! Feel free to show Q just how displeased you are with the situation; attacks won't hurt him, and he's feeling too generous to retaliate with force]

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[Personal Log: Does anyone wish to venture a guess at what Picard's least favorite letter of the alphabet is? ]

[Otherwise titled: Picard and Q have a little chat about the state of things.]

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Captain's Log, Stardate 43289.1: While en route to a Federation planet half a lightyear from the Neutral Zone, the Enterprise has agreed to bring a relief crew and needed supplies to the scientific outpost on Alemar III, where scientists have been readying geothermal fields for drilling. If successful, they could potentially deliver enough clean energy to power the entire planet...

Captain Picard takes his seat on the bridge, while the rest of the crew see to their stations.

[ooc: This isn't an arrivals log, so no tags please. For authorized Enterprise crew only, thanks. :)]

Ten Forward Social Lounge

[Arrival of Game Plots] Captain's... log? [LOCKED]

(no subject)

Closed & Open; Returning Memories

[Ten Forward]: Rooming Assignments + Holiday Open House!

[PARTY] Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) | Ten Forward Lounge

[Hallowe'en Weekend Kick-Off]

[Ten Forward:] Arrival of Starfleet Brass

April Fool!

Mardi Gras Kick-Off!

A Q in the hand is worth two in the bush, or so they say. | Ten Foward / OTA

Saturnalia Kick-off!

[Shipwide Announcement + Captain's Log:] Holiday events kick-off (CLOSED)

Halloween Plot Kickoff!

A Meeting with Q | The Bridge [Closed]

Have a confused car

it's good to be omnipotent

[Personal Log]: Picard's Quarters

[Captain's Log] And so it begins...

Ten Forward

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March 2016

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