Star Trek: Blood and Fire - Starfleet Academy
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: BlackStone on 10-08-2017, 07:12:21</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Star Trek: Blood and Fire - Starfleet Academy</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>10-08-2017, 07:12:21</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://www.aerth.org/windsor/images/starfleet_academy.jpg)</div>Starfleet Academy (also referred to as the Space Academy) was a department within Starfleet. The main purpose of this department was for the education and training of individuals for service in Starfleet.&nbsp; The headquarters of Starfleet Academy were located in the Presidio in San Francisco, while the Academy training facility itself was located in Marin County across the Golden Gate Bridge.&nbsp; Staff accommodations for flag officers were next to the northern part of the Golden Gate Bridge also in Marin County.&nbsp; Administration buildings were located in San Francisco's Downtown Financial District.<br><br>Founded in 2161, the same year as the Federation, the Academy bears the motto "Ex Astra, Scientia? — "From the stars, knowledge,? and its cadets wear a uniform similar to but distinctive from the current Starfleet design. Aside from its beautifully landscaped oceanside campus, the Academy can operate via satellite starbases around the Federation, such as Relva VII, and operates spacebound facilities for training like the Saturn flight range. A training program for enlisted personnel is also offered.<br><br>The campus is overseen by a Starfleet officer Flaf Offficer, usually a Vice Admiral, who is commonly referred to as the Academy Superintendent.&nbsp; Two other Flag Officer positions are at the Academy, the first is the Commandant of Cadets who is responsible for the military education and development of the Cadet Brigade, and the Dean of Education, which is one of the few Science Flag Officer positions available at the Academy.&nbsp; Both positions are of Rear Admiral rank.&nbsp; Starfleet Academy offers a full four-year curriculum of traditional higher learning as well as the cultural, scientific, personal development and strategic needs required for future Starfleet officers. A newspaper, yearbook, sports teams (including wrestling, boxing, precision flying, track and field, and Pareses squares) and other extra-curricular activities typical of universities are all offered. Typically, cadets also undergo a field training assignment in their second year.&nbsp; It has been the start of legends, and every historical officer in Starfleet can trace their origins to these hallowed halls. Admission is open to any Federation citizen, or non-citizens by sponsorship of a Starfleet command-level officer; minimum entry age for humans is 16. Admission tests are required for final consideration but may be taken remotely; a psych test is also required, and may be administered at satellite centers or any Starfleet base upon arrangement.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Star Trek: Blood and Fire - Starfleet Academy</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Orange Marmalade</strong> on <strong>11-08-2017, 06:03:00</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9a/ac/13/9aac13acec7d0c12801da6ae61f4ab48.jpg)</div><strong>Character Name:</strong> Arik Soong<br><strong>Location:</strong> Starfleet Academy, his old office<br><strong>Tagging/Mentioning:</strong> N/A<br><strong>NSFW Warning:</strong> None<br><br>Arik gently placed several books into the box that sat upon his desk. His eyes glanced over each one as they were placed in, knowing he would have more limited room on the Starship than he did here, even if the Captain's quarters tended to be larger than what he was used to in his previous positions. <em>The Big Sleep</em> and <em>The Long Goodbye</em> were both added to the box, old crime noir novels he'd taken an interested in in recent years, finding their intriguing early 20th century flair quite entertaining. A Shakespeare compilation went in as well, though Arik was never a huge fan he knew some of his predecessor had quite enjoyed them so he kept them around to go over occasionally to see if his tastes would change as his experiences grew. Reading was... an interesting past time for an Android. He could consume a book electronically in nanoseconds, but, ever since he had activated his emotion chip, there was something else about slowing things down and actually <em>reading</em> a book had an effect on the Android that his own internal logic systems could not explain.<br><br>It was things like that - the feeling of reading a book, or the strange... flutter... he felt when he let his emotion chip run a little too high while he was thinking about what his first assignment meant. <em>Nervousness</em> he thought. It was troublesome, at times, but Arik had come to realize small things like this actually helped push him towards the correct choices when his processors would otherwise have preferred to run more simulations on possible outcomes before choosing a course of action.<br><br>As he continued to pack he ran through the small internal data store he had collected about his new crew. It was an eclectic bunch to be sure, possibly one of the most diverse crews seen on a Federation Starship. Generally many of the crews were mixed but Earth ships tended to be mostly manned by those from Earth, the Vulcans generally manned their own ships, and so on. Even his own crew of officers was devoid of humans, which Arik found odd after spending so much time on Earth, but he was quite looking forward to the opportunity to learn more about different cultures.<br><br>More mementos followed, small things he had in his office - a commendation from the events that led to his rank of Captain, marksmanship awards from his time at the academy, a flower fossil from the first non-Earth world he had set foot on. Arik took his time with things, still having some time before he was due on the ship and wanting to make sure he didn't chose too much to make him look egotistic, or like someone who collected <em>far</em> too many things.<br><br>A small gasp left his mouth as he emptied out one drawer, a small piece of cloth with several small bits of metal attached - rank insignia, that of a Lieutenant. They had belonged to the Chief Science Officer of the Thomas Paine, a man that Arik had grown extremely close to, and fond of, often bonding with the man over long discussions on xenobiology or astrophysics, or even what it meant to be human. Out of all of his old crew Arik missed Leon the most, and he quickly added the insignia to the box, a slight frown on his face.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Star Trek: Blood and Fire - Starfleet Academy</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>orderNchaos</strong> on <strong>11-08-2017, 12:29:46</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNmQ5OGUyMmQtMmRmZS00MDc0LTlmMzUtZTgzMjY0NjE5NzUxXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMzQ2MDUxMTg@._V1_UY317_CR104,0,214,317_AL_.jpg)</div><strong>Character Name:</strong> Kroken Liara<br><strong>Location:</strong> Starfleet Academy Engineering<br><strong>Tagging/Mentioning:</strong> <br><strong>NSFW Warning:</strong><br><br>Liara had to admit she was beaming as she walked through the halls of the academy.&nbsp; Her old world, so many adventures, so many problems.&nbsp; She'd grown up so much since that young petulant child who had come from the hustle and bustle of DS9 so many years ago.&nbsp; Since then the Dominion War had ended, the Federation had grown in it power and influence in the quadrant and the technological innovations that had come out of the war with such a devastating enemy had pushed Starfleet forward in innumerable ways.&nbsp; <br><br>For Liara much of that time had been spent either at the academy or <em>Utopia Planetia</em> working on their propulsion projects team.&nbsp; She'd seen a lot in the past few years since graduating from the Academy, things that even some of the most seasoned Captains haven't seen yet regarding the advances in new designs and capabilities.&nbsp; That was part of the reason for being back at the Academy.&nbsp; One of the new fleet of cruisers coming on line was built around a warp drive system she'd helped design.&nbsp; Granted much of the design work on the warp drive and the propulsion system incorporated with it had already been done when she'd arrived, some key aspects of the advances in capability had been a part of her teams research.&nbsp; The first cruiser to test the new drive, The <em>USS Redemption</em> had experienced problems with the drive in the initial functional trials prompting Starfleet command to suggest an engineer familiar with the system join the ship on it's maiden voyage after being checked out at dry dock.&nbsp; <br><br>Of course that wasn't her reason for being on Earth, that was a more personal trip.&nbsp; She couldn't help but grin as she walked into the room the computer had told her she could find Chief Miles O'Brien.&nbsp; Even as renowned engineering instructor at the Academy, the Chief still couldn't resist getting his hands dirty.&nbsp; That was where Liara found him, splayed out under a console tinkering with a power conduit.&nbsp; <br><br>"You know I'm sure there are probably technicians who can do that stuff Chief."&nbsp; She commented, standing against the console Miles O'Brien was working under.&nbsp; A muffled <em>Ooomph</em> and the hollow sound of something hitting the console turned Liara's attention before the pale skinned Irishman pushed himself out from under the console.&nbsp; <br><br><div class="floatright">(http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/images/d/de/Miles_O%27Brien%2C_2375.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20120329223424&amp;path-prefix=en)</div><br>When he stood to see who had addressed him, O'Brien stood dumbfounded for a long moment.&nbsp; Certainly it had been a couple of years since they'd seen each other.&nbsp; Liara had been about to graduate from the Academy when O'Brien arrived at the Academy, and being that it had been his recommendation that she attend the academy, Liara felt it only fitting that he be the one to pin her officer rank on at graduation.&nbsp; Now here they were, mentor and student.<br><br><strong>"Liara.&nbsp; What ar' ya doin here."</strong> O'Brien said with a grin in his soft Irish accent before giving her a friendly hug.&nbsp; <strong>"I'm sorry Lieutenant."</strong> O'Brien apologized quickly realizing he'd forgotten his place.&nbsp; <em>"How've you been?"</em><br><br>"Please Chief, don't worry about it."&nbsp; She waved off the failure of decorum.&nbsp; Their relationship had always been very familiar, even in the year she had been a senior cadet in his classes.&nbsp; "I'm supposed to be meeting the <em>USS Redemption</em> today, but I couldn't come back to Earth without seeing my favorite engineer."&nbsp; She demured with a grin <br><br><strong>"Right, the new Warp Core you were working on at <em>Utopia Planetia</em>."</strong> O'Brien remembered with a nod as she started sorting through a stack of PADD's on his console.&nbsp; <strong>"Well she's a good, new ship.&nbsp; And that drive you built's gonna change the quadrant if you can ever get it working right."</strong>&nbsp; O'Brien teased, bringing a bright twinkle to Liara's eyes.&nbsp; The man before her had always been considered a miracle worker and he'd taught her everything he knew, it was time for her to transfer his torch to the next generation.&nbsp; <br><br>"You have class?&nbsp; Having spent enough time in his office the last year she was at the academy, she'd come to many of his routines and watching him collect up his PADD's usually signalled a class coming up.&nbsp; <br><br><strong>Aye, Warp Theory, second year.&nbsp; You have time to sit in?"</strong>&nbsp; He asked genuinely.&nbsp; She could see the pride in his eyes when he asked the question.&nbsp; To imagine one of his greatest protege's sitting in on one of his classes as a testament to his tutelage over the years.<br><br>"I'll walk with you to class but I have to get up to spacedock to meet the <em>Redemption</em>.&nbsp; <br><br><strong>"Fair enough."</strong> He said with a grin and a nod before heading into the corridor.&nbsp; <strong>"Have you spoken to your father recently?"</strong>&nbsp; He asked as they walked.&nbsp; Her father had been a simple farmer, but had close ties with the Bajoran monks that served at the temple on DS9 which was how Liara and O'Brien had come together.&nbsp; Wanting a better life for his daughter than the daughter of a farmer, he'd asked Chief O'Brien to take her on as a part of the Bajoran engineering team.&nbsp; Even after many weeks of stalling O'Brien eventually relented.&nbsp; <br><br>"He's doing ok.&nbsp; Older now, much less able to work the farm the way he could when you first met him, but the village takes care of him."&nbsp; Liara said with a gentle sadness in her voice.&nbsp; She'd spoken to him only a few days ago, but hadn't been back to see him in almost a year and with her new posting on the Redemption, she wasn't sure when she'd be able to again.&nbsp; <br><br><strong>"Well he's stubborn."</strong> O'Brien replied seeing the sadness in her eyes.&nbsp; <strong>"It's a family trait I think.&nbsp; I'm sure he'll be farming for years go come."</strong>&nbsp; He said with a wry grin.&nbsp; As they reached the door to his classroom, O'Brien pulled Liara against the wall.&nbsp; <strong>"I don't imagine you'll be able to stay the whole class so I wanted to say.&nbsp; You've got a keen mind Kroken Liara.&nbsp; You're not my daughter, but if ya were know I'm proud of ya and I'm sure your father is just as proud.&nbsp; Do good things Lieutenant and learn a lot."</strong>&nbsp; <br><br>"Thank you Chief."&nbsp; Liara replied, her eyes watering with tears.&nbsp; Before O'Brien could move away, she jumped up and hugged him.&nbsp; She knew it probably wouldn't have been looked at a appropriate, but if there was one thing for sure, Liara had never been one to do what was appropriate.&nbsp; A few of the cadets walking into the class room were staring as Liara wiped tears from her eyes.&nbsp; <br><br>O'Brien gave her one last nod and a reassuring squeeze on her arm before turning into the classroom.&nbsp; She waited until the flood of students had filtered into the class before following them in, standing at the back of the room near the door.&nbsp; <br><br><strong>"Settle down, take yer seats."</strong> O'Brien ordered to the class taking one last chance to look up and catch Liara's eye before he started his lecture.&nbsp; She lingered for a moment longer before turning out the door with a grin on her face.&nbsp; <br><br>Walking through the halls of academia one last time, she savored the memories and emotions before she reached the transporter room.&nbsp; "<em>USS Redemption</em> main transporter room please." She requested of the transporter technician before stepping on to the pad.&nbsp; It was time to start a new chapter.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Star Trek: Blood and Fire - Starfleet Academy</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>11-08-2017, 19:13:24</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/images/e/e8/Picard2379.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20120311033504&amp;path-prefix=en)</div><strong>Character Name:</strong> Jean-Luc Picard<br><strong>Location:</strong> Starfleet Academy, Arik Soong's Office<br><strong>Tagging/Mentioning:</strong> Arik Soong<br><strong>NSFW Warning:</strong><br><br><hr>There was a chime at Arik's door and when the new Captain gave permission for whoever it was to enter, the door opened with the blink if an eye swiftness one had become accustomed too.&nbsp; Still because the doors opened so fast there were times it made one do a double take as to who it was really behind the door, especially when they were near legendary in the annuals of Starfleet as the person outside the door.&nbsp; He was old, perhaps getting to the point of mandatory retirement.&nbsp; Four pips were adorning his collar making his rank equal to Arik's, but the sheer magnitude of command and leadership experience from this man.&nbsp; <br><br>It was said when Captain Janeway returned from the Delta Quadrant on board <em>Voyager</em> she had enough of "the chair" as it was called and put in for promotion.&nbsp; The man here never went that route though if he had it would be very easy to imagine a solid gold boarder surrounding three or four of those rank pips, making him a Vice Admiral at least.&nbsp; No he never went for promotion, preferring to stay in "the chair".&nbsp; It was said during his debriefing of "The Nexus" incident where he met up with another legend of Starfleet, James Kirk, that Kirk had passed along some advice.&nbsp; <em>"Don't! Don't let them promote you. Don't let them transfer you. Don't let them do *anything* that takes you off the bridge of that ship, because while you're there... you can make a difference."</em>&nbsp; And none could argue this man had made a difference.<br><br>He steps into the office, an easy smile upon his face a he takes those few strides so he would be close to Arik, offering the Android his hand as he spoke in a light and easy voice which might take one a back.&nbsp; For as much as this man had seen and done, it would seem like there should be more to his voice, a mark one could feel, notice and touch.&nbsp; Yet perhaps it was the point for as much of an impact this man has had upon the history of the galaxy, he still human.&nbsp; <strong>"Arik Soong I hope?&nbsp; I am Jean-Luc Picard of the <em>Enterprise</em>.&nbsp; I had hoped I caught you in time before you left for your first assignment."</strong><br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Star Trek: Blood and Fire - Starfleet Academy</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Orange Marmalade</strong> on <strong>12-08-2017, 02:53:03</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9a/ac/13/9aac13acec7d0c12801da6ae61f4ab48.jpg)</div><strong>Character Name:</strong> Arik Soong<br><strong>Location:</strong> Starfleet Academy, his old office<br><strong>Tagging/Mentioning:</strong> N/A<br><strong>NSFW Warning:</strong> None<br><br>Arik let his positronic matrix wander for a little while, replaying some memories of his friend in real time. Sure, he could access them instantly at any time, but again this was a time where sometimes consuming something like a human would simply added to the experience, and he felt like the memories deserved the reverence of the time given rather than simply a few nanoseconds of processing power. The events on the Thomas Paine still had a profound effect on him, easily the most complex thing to ever happen to him, and it being the first time he had truly dialed up his emotions only added to the confusing mix in his head even though it was now well in the past.<br><br>He was still staring down at the box when his door chime rang, and he quickly straightened himself up as he announced for his guest to enter, the doors whooshing open quickly. The man who stepped into his officer, however, quite surprised the android, his eyes widening slightly as he immediately recognized one of the most well known figures in the fleet. Even without being an android he would have known the man's service record, or at least large chunks of it - almost everybody knew of Captain Picard and the immense amount of work he had done for the Federation and even the entire galaxy, really. <br><br>"Captain Picard!" Arik said, part exclamation of surprise and part greeting. His eyes took in the man and his uniform, quickly noting that the man still seemed lively despite his age, an age that for most humans meant retirement quite soon. Captain Picard, on the other hand, still to be going quite strong. Arik had always admired the man thanks in large part to the information he had gleaned from Data's starlogs and the information his predecessor had transferred to B-4, part of which became Arik's. Throughout their years together the Captain had always treated Data as one of his crew, even a friend and confidant, helping to teach him and lead him. Never having met the man, Arik still respected him possibly more than anybody else.<br><br>He quickly reached out to shake the offered hand, shaking it with a confident grip that had taken the android some time to perfect. "Yes, I am Arik Soong," he said, "And I can't begin to tell you how good it is to meet you, Captain. You are practically a legend, not just to Starfleet but to... my kind." It felt odd to say it, since he was officially perhaps the only one of his kind, but he was now the third generation of such things, so in his own way he supposed he did indeed have a 'kind'. "Please," he added, "Sit down. What do I owe this visit to?" He gestured for Picard to take the comfortable seat across from his desk and then moved to sit down as well, grabbing the box of mementos and gently setting it down next to his desk so it wouldn't be in their way. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Star Trek: Blood and Fire - Starfleet Academy</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>12-08-2017, 03:52:58</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/images/e/e8/Picard2379.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20120311033504&amp;path-prefix=en)</div><strong>Character Name:</strong> Jean-Luc Picard<br><strong>Location:</strong> Starfleet Academy, Arik Soong's Office<br><strong>Transition Info:</strong> None<br><strong>Tagging/Mentioning:</strong> Arik Soong<br><strong>NSFW Warning:</strong><br><br><hr>Jean-Luc's smile was easy and warm and again it was clear to see why the man had such an accomplished career as a starship captain.&nbsp; Not because of his tactical and strategic skills.&nbsp; Near ever captain in Starfleet had those skills, more so than some, yet the Starfleet Academy did not let any cadet who decided the Command track would be their major graduation unless they had a beyond fair understanding in the fundamentals of combat.&nbsp; No it was how he could make someone feel like a friend, a confidant, a man who could understand another upon their level and to make a situation like this seem causal and friendly, rather than intimidating.<br><br><strong>"Please, Jean-Luc, we are both captains, and from what I have read of your record, Arik, your promotion was well deserved.&nbsp; Data always spoke highly of you in the conversations we had with one another."</strong>&nbsp; There was a bit of a pause at the end of the sentence.&nbsp; Commander Data had sacrificed himself during the Battle of Bassen Rift.&nbsp; While key components of his were recovered, most importantly the Android's positronic brain, but it would be easy to see how speaking of him would bring up at least memories of regret for rebuilding Data was by no means a sure thing, and Picard was the type of officer who would give himself for one of his crew.<br><br>The smile game to the aged man's head and after a slight shake of his head.&nbsp; He moved to take a seat and waited for his host to join him before he continued.&nbsp; <strong>"As for my presence here, Starfleet often likes to pair up an experienced Captain who had been out there in space to speak to one accepting their first command.&nbsp; In fact when it had been announced only a few weeks ago it was to be you, I volunteered.&nbsp; I believe I have a unique understanding and insight.&nbsp; I am sorry it had taken so long.&nbsp; Debriefings as to the events with the Romulans, as well as repair efforts for the <em>Enterprise</em>.&nbsp; It was near less effort to lay a new ship from keel than to repair the damage done to my ship, but I think I have earned a few favors in my time, and the <em>Enterprise</em> is my ship, just as the <em>Redemption</em> is about to be yours.&nbsp; A good ship you are getting.&nbsp; I am sure I do not need to tell you size is not everything, and the new warp core you have will make her a fast ship that can pack a punch if need be."</strong>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Star Trek: Blood and Fire - Starfleet Academy</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Orange Marmalade</strong> on <strong>13-08-2017, 00:15:01</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9a/ac/13/9aac13acec7d0c12801da6ae61f4ab48.jpg)</div><strong>Character Name:</strong> Arik Soong<br><strong>Location:</strong> Starfleet Academy, his old office<br><strong>Tagging/Mentioning:</strong> N/A<br><strong>NSFW Warning:</strong> None<br><br>Arik was still having trouble somewhat coming to terms with the figure in front of him. It was like a legend, come to life. How many times had Picard saved the Federation? Yet here the man was, and furthermore there was just something... calming about the man, something that even Arik could feel like an odd sort of familiarity. It was like he knew the man from everything he had done in the public light, and almost like Picard knew him, or at least thought he did from his interactions with Data. Either way, it did quickly put the android at ease in his chair as he watched the man. <br><br>"Of course. Jean-Luc," he said, testing the name on his tongue, "I am very happy to finally meet you." For almost his entire life the man had been someone he knew of, who was higher rank than him. Yet here they were, technically equals though once had a mountain of experience under his belt and the other had none in his current role - or nearly done, Arik reminded himself, his trial by fire had already happened, after all. <br><br>He then listened as Picard spoke about why he was there, his eyes widening just slightly at the talk of pairing up Captains and the like, and the fact that Picard had apparently specifically chosen this. <br><br>"I am honored, Captai-..., Jean-Luc," Arik said, quickly correcting himself. His speech patterns always seemed to sometimes drift between something very human and something more like previous Androids might have sounded. Arik found that attempting to sound perfectly human took up a good bit of processor power, but if he let his subroutines integrate with the emotion chip things became much easier, if not a big more unpredictable as well, including occasionally stumbling over his words like anyone else. <br><br>"And I am glad to hear that the Enterprise is being repaired," he added, "She is a fine ship. I've perused nearly every one of the public Starlogs on her and from her crew, and I believe she is definitely highly valued by all who have served onboard." <br><br>"As for the Redemption," he continued, "I must say that I am quite looking forward to it. A new ship is a big responsibility, and the capabilities certainly far exceed those of the <em>Thomas Paine</em>. I am... excited to put the Redemption through its paces." Arik looked over Picard's face, still pondering the man's timely arrival. "Do you have any advice?" he asked, realizing the question was rather open ended considering their crews, ships, and missions had a million different possibilities. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Star Trek: Blood and Fire - Starfleet Academy</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>14-08-2017, 07:32:21</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/images/e/e8/Picard2379.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20120311033504&amp;path-prefix=en)</div><strong>Character Name:</strong> Jean-Luc Picard<br><strong>Location:</strong> Starfleet Academy, Arik Soong's Office<br><strong>Transition Info:</strong> None<br><strong>Tagging/Mentioning:</strong> Arik Soong<br><strong>NSFW Warning:</strong><br><br><hr>Jean-Luc cocked his head to the side as if considering his words, a rueful cast to his features and smile as he did so, a slight shake of his head as he did so.&nbsp; <strong>"You know, given what I am and all of the experience I have I would be better at this.&nbsp; I am one more for learning and experiencing things first hand than learning about them.&nbsp; One could tell from my days at the Academy.&nbsp; Oh I was was not last in my class, but I was not among the first in the class either.&nbsp; My first assignment was chosen for me as secondary helmsman on board the <em>Reliant</em>."</strong>&nbsp; In an almost unconscious gesture, he raised his hand up a bit before noticing it and letting it return back to his leg, and his face changed with a newfound resolve perhaps in the memory.<br><br><strong>"There are going to be times you are tempted to second guess yourself, then you are given no good solutions and you are going to need to decide which is the best, worst choice you can make.&nbsp; It is easy, when you are always given a good choice, the right choice, the moral choice all of the time.&nbsp; If it were the case though, we never would experienced what we have experience what we have these last few decades.&nbsp; You will make wrong choices, even I made wrong choices, more than I can count, but I have found it was those wrong choices, and how we dealt with them, how we lived with and tried to atone for and make write which better define us.&nbsp; Do not second guess yourself, and when you find yourself having made the wrong choice, do not wallow in the what could have been.&nbsp; Own it, and make it right.&nbsp; In my mind it is what separates what makes the cood starship captains, from the great one's."</strong><br><br>Jean-Luc rose then, and offered his hand out towards Arik.&nbsp; <strong>"And yes I might be a bit immodest in including myself in the later, but I think my record does speak for itself in how well I followed my own words and example.&nbsp; I won't take up much ore of your time, as I know you have a ship to get too, and alas, I have a speech I promised to give the Cadet Brigade, but I wanted to be certain I saw you first before you left.&nbsp; I wish you luck and Godspeed Arik.&nbsp; You are about to embark upon an adventure of which I can only envy, and wish perhaps I was in your shoes once more."</strong>&nbsp; After listening to Arik's parting words, Jean-Luc would give him a inclination of his head in respect, then left the office, making his way out into the corridor and leaving the Android to his own thoughts.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Star Trek: Blood and Fire - Starfleet Academy</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Orange Marmalade</strong> on <strong>15-08-2017, 05:11:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9a/ac/13/9aac13acec7d0c12801da6ae61f4ab48.jpg)</div><strong>Character Name:</strong> Arik Soong<br><strong>Location:</strong> Starfleet Academy, his old office<br><strong>Tagging/Mentioning:</strong> Jean-Luc Picard<br><strong>NSFW Warning:</strong> None<br><br>Arik gave a small nod at Picard's words about experiencing versus learning. "I believe I understand," he said, offering a tiny smile of his own, "I have found that while we learn many things here... it is not until you are light years from Earth that you actually learn what it all means and how it all fits together." Perhaps that's part of what differentiated him from some of his predecessors - Arik thrived on experience. Like any good android he consumed copious amounts of data in the form of manuals, instructions, videos and Starlogs, but his positronic brain seems to do so much better with actual experience. He just needed to learn to trust himself more.<br><br>He then listened carefully to Picard's advice, eyes focused on the man perhaps unnervingly as he paid attention. He focused on it completely, worried he would miss some small bit of sage advice from one of the greatest Captains the Federation had ever known. Picard spoke of wrong choices - luckily it seemed like those things didn't get recorded so much as the right choices, at least from what Arik had read. Finally, it seemed as if Picard was done and it seemed like the man was heading for the door all too soon. There were a million things that Arik wanted to ask him, about how to be a Captain, how to interact with new species, how to lead and inspire people. But there was no time for that, really, and Arik would just have to make due. He had to keep reminding himself that he had gotten this far on his own competence, and hopefully it would continue to serve him well.<br><br>"Thank you, Jean-Luc," he said warmly as the man seemed to wrap things up, "I will... own it, as you said. It is quite a large responsibility that I intend to take seriously. I have many people who are depending on me now."<br><br>He gave the Captain another smile and stood as the man left his office, watching the door after it closed for several long moments as he assimilated everything the man had said. Eventually he shook his head softly and moved on with his previous task, packing up the rest of his things into several more small boxes. It wasn't much, but it was enough to at least reflect his tastes and hopefully make him seem a little more 'human' to his crew. He knew that this might not be easy for some of them, even as a First Officer he had met some occasional resistance as an Android, but now the whole ship was his, and hopefully there would be no major issues.<br><br>Eventually he was done packing and he left the small boxes on his desk to be picked up shortly and transferred to the ship. Taking one last look around he paused for a moment before heading to the door, and from there on to the - his - ship.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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