(cont)

Stepping into his father's office, S'ynek saw the spartan computer work terminal and desk made from Andorian woods that soothed his father, who looked a little haggard, and much grayer than he remembered. Despite this fact, Sentak, father of S'ynek looked...pleased...to see him.

"Live long and prosper, Father."

"Peace and long life...my son...S'ynek. I have followed your career with interest, and not some small amount of satisfaction. You are well?"

"I am father, I have a challenging career, an excellent crew, and my studies are...progressing. I was told of your diagnosis, Bendai Syndrome. I am sorry, father."

"As am I son. I had hoped to live see you rise to the rank of full Admiral in Starfleet. I must say that when you were promoted to the Admiralty, Prefect Sartok had an expression on his face like he had eaten raw Targ. I was startled so much, that I admit I laughed. It was the first signs of my Bendai Syndrome, but it was well worth it, S'ynek. You have made me very proud."

T'oi knew it was the Bendai Syndrome that freed his father to profess his love and pride, but nonetheless it made him feel good. His father was the Chief of Photonic research at the Vulcan Science Academy; cold, calculating, and remorselessly logical. Until this moment, S'ynek had never heard a word of praise from his father, even knowing it was the Bendai Syndrome could not blunt the happiness T'oi felt. His father continued.

"So my son, have you found a man worthy of you?"

Raw, intense passion coursed through his blood like a bolt of lightning. A clear face, handsome, soft, happy, but with a passion that the softness hid...to most casual observers. The eyes limpid pools promising depths as yet unplumbed. Then mercifully, T'oi passed out.
__________________________________________________________________________

S'ynek woke up on a meditation couch, his father's meditation couch. Looking around the room, the brazier and censer at his feet made up the only ornamentation in the deliberately spartan environment. His father had sent him here to contemplate the writings of the Vulcan Physiologist T'len. Whenever S'ynek displeased his father for whatever reason, he was sent in here to contemplate in silence and set aside an intellectual task. This time S'ynek had questioned the philosophy of Surek, needless to say, young S'ynek was sent to meditate the conditions of the Pon Farr.

Little did his father know that he was going to refuse the match between him and T'ilek daughter of Stile, the grandaughter of Prefect Sartok. Lately it had occurred to S'ynek that he was not particlarly interested in Vulcan girls, in fact it was fairly clear that he preferred the company of other males....and even had intimate feelings about them. S'ynek wondered if the Pon Farr would work with two male Vulcans. The writings of T'len were unrevealing about the nature of his orientation. Humans had long gotten past their hang-ups, but Vulcan writings were...unclear.

(cont)

Thank you for the guide. I admit I'm kind of a phaser/quantum torpedo purist but only because I'm still trying to master these weapons.

I just did both of the Omega costume stuff. Let me know if you got it working or not. I had a couple of problems and fixed them.

(cont)

...Dressed for the desert in his Vulcan robes, S'ynek looked at the blue and white Vice-Admiral's uniform laying on his bed, neatly arranged waiting for his return. Only two required pieces of his current life would go with him when he beamed down. His commbadge and a very small holdout stunner that he would never need. Staring at the bed it occurred to S'ynak that his bed was too large, he hadn't taken a lover in a long time, and the room for a second man is his bed was like an open wound...aching. Admirals lived a lonely existence and for all of his care and concern about his crew, T'oi kept his own counsel when it came to his personal life. The bartender of ten-forward was an El-Aurian and he could tell she was...concerned about his personal welfare. The El-Aurians were an old and powerful race, scattered because of the Borg, subtle and always more knowlegeable than they ever admitted, it occurred to S'ynak the she could see right through his facade.

Walking into the transporter room, the brief echo of the deep desert call of Pon Farr roared through his blood, struggling to master the unexpected passion and physiological need his body was crying out for, he walked onto the transporter platform a little unsteadily. He had gone too long without a lover, and he feared it might make his father even more unsteady in his presence.

"Chief Kinson, lock in coordinates I provided and notify Vulcan and Starfleet Command of my arrival on Vulcan. Nature of visit: Personal Family Business. Log that at this time Commander Umax is in command of the Carl Sagan. Energize."

Rematerializing in his family's private transporter alcove brought S'ynak back to the day he left for Starfleet Academy. He made his decision to take his father's advice in this very room, the central family room of the estate. His mother always made sure it was immaculate, decorated in golds and the burnt orange that reminded him of his childhood and the couches arranged in a neat square so everyone could talk to each other, she still looked the same except she was grayer. Hand automatically going up in the Vulcan greeting, "Live, long, and prosper, Mother."

"Peace and long life, my son."

"How is Father?"

"He cried and moaned in his sleep last night, S'ynek...and he called out for you. I have not told him I heard it, I think he would not take such things well in his fragile emotional state."

"I agree. You look well, Mother...you are bearing his illness...rationally?"

"No my son, I am not. How do you bear these feelings I am forced to feel? His proximity and his emotions...are painful."

"I bear these emotions mother, because they are part of me. You know I have never believed Surek wanted our people to forsake our emotions to the degree we as a people attempt to do. I express these emotions because they make me a Vulcan, not some raving barbarian. I control the destructive emotions because they are cruel and senseless. But to ruthlessly eradicate all expression of my feelings would deny you, my friends and those that mean the most to me, the core truth about me."

"You seem at peace my son, your father awaits you in his study."

"Thank you, mother." Hesitating, "Mother?"

"Yes, S'ynek?"

"Is father proud of me?"

"Yes, my son, he is and so am I. Now go to him while he still has control, it will be harder later."

S'yned turned towards the study door, within his first step the sudden roar of Pon Farr descended upon him, leaving him within in bare moments of total loss of control. Dropping to his knees, the images of the man returned to him, just peeking around the corner of his sanity. With a great effort, S'ynek mastered his control.

"My son are you alright?"

"I am fine, mother. Father had a bad moment I was not prepared for."

The lie tasted like ashes, but he could not very well tell his mother he was having Pon Farr flashes about a man he had only seen briefly from afar. It was difficult enough for him without bringing his mother into it. Taking a shaky breath, S'ynek walked carefully into his father's study.

"Welcome, my son...as you might know...I am not well...."

(cont.)

(cont)

...the USS Carl Sagan spoke a language like no other starship T'oi had ever commanded. His keen Vulcan hearing allowed him to hear the hum of the sensors in one harmonic, the chirps from the comm station at another, the aggressive growl of the Borg subtranswarp engine, and the constant sound of that part of the collective cut off from from the main Borg hive mind at the low end from the assimilated console. His XO, Commander Umax had the conn. Other Starfleet vessel commanders called the Sagan, the "ship of misfit toys" in private. Always said with a degree of envy of T'oi, whose reputation as a commander of a diverse group of department heads had grown in proportion to his rank. Umax was in the first cohort of Ferengi command crew in Starfleet. T'oi had his command crew files out. Umax was well prepared for a ship of his own and a promotion to Captain, T'oi made some notes on his PADD and added his endorsement to Umax's file recommending that very thing. The rest of the command crew was equally well qualified. But T'oi could not give their files the attention they were due. Course laid in to Vulcan, Umax to to take command of the Sagan while he took care of his father. T'oi tapped his commbadge to summon his Yeoman.

"T'oi to Shras."

"Yes, Admiral?"

"Would you come to my ready room? I am finsihed with Commander Umax's file."

"Aye, sir."

The handsome Andorian Yeoman, knowing T'oi's habits walked in less than a minute later.

"Your instructions before you debark on Vulcan, sir?"

"Umax's file needs to be cc'ed to the Chief of Starfleet Personnel marked 'Special attention: Commanding Admiral.' A brief note over my signature, Shras. Quote: 'Get off your lazy ass, Sir, and give my XO his own ship, I recommend him for promotion to Captain unreservedly. You still owe me a bottle of good Earth red, you lazy sot. Best, T'oi."

"The other command personnel files need to be reviewed by Commander Umax with his endorsements due when I return. We need a new ship's counselor with Lt. Commander Weston's promotion and transfer. Take your time and find me the best available, Shras."

"Aye, sir."

"Shras?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Has your second husband, Syee settled in well?"

"Yes, sir...thank you sir. I didn't know you paid attention to my bond mates."

"I make it a habit to know my crew and their mates, Shras. We are...an unusual ship with an unusual reputation for high performance. Crew morale is a responsibility I take seriously. Surely you did not think that you were a random choice, Chief Yeoman?"

If an Andorian could blush, Shras would be blushing. "I'm sorry sir, most Captains don't get into the habit of knowing in detail the lives of their crew."

"I am not 'most Captains' Chief," T'oi said with a smile. "The morale of my crew is my top priority. You need to spend some more time with your bondmate, Shras. When you are finished with this task, tell Petty Officer Hart you are taking the rest of the day off, on my orders...and Shras?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Do something romantic, no excuses, you haven't seen each other in months, that's an order."

Shras grinned from ear to ear, "Aye aye, sir."

T'oi smiled as his young Chief Yeoman practically bounced out of his ready room. Romance...he thought, was the chief emotion that Vulcans missed out on by rigidly keeping their emotions in check. This is the cruelty of Bendai Syndrome, stripping down years of walls and laying a Vulcan's private emotions bare.

Walking over to his ready room window, T'oi stared out into the inky blackness...four hours....four hours...

(cont)

Quote by MutualCore

I need the same help. I was never able to see the whole chat...only certain people. I really need it fixed on my klingon because I can only see people in Nagh red speak so I miss out on most of what is ever said. It would help so I can join in STFs. Thanks if anyone can fix this.

Open up the Social Window, on the bottom right, click the Privacy button and then check your settings. If you're only seeing messages from people on Nagh reD, it may be because you have it set to only see messages from fleet and friends. You'll need to change it to everyone to fix it.

I need the same help. I was never able to see the whole chat...only certain people. I really need it fixed on my klingon because I can only see people in Nagh red speak so I miss out on most of what is ever said. It would help so I can join in STFs. Thanks if anyone can fix this.

Trying to work out how I can change over from solar to nuclear power without making my whole city freak out haha!

The white sand beaches of Risa usually provided some sense of quiet joy. S'ynek now known as T'oi of Vulcan enjoyed what humans called "Boy Watching." The variety of attractive male Humans, Trill and Betazeds never failed to cheer him. But today none of the selection of handsome men brought the usual smile to his face. The smile which made T'oi highly unusual for a Vulcan. Choosing at an early age to forsake the teachings of Surek, T'oi had chosen to break his arranged marriage and not complete the Pon Farr ritual with a Vulcan girl of good family, a match that would have made his father feel satisfied with his son. This choice was what had driven young S'ynek into Starfleet.

Prejudice was illogical, at least this was what his father had always said, but when young S'ynek broke from Vulcan tradition, choosing to express his emotions and his orientation toward males his father had gently suggested his home planet might not be the best place for him. So young S'ynek, scientist and scholar had chosen to request a slot at Starfleet Academy. It was there S'ynek had found a home and was given the freedom to be that smiling, laughing and passionate Vulcan.

...and now that father, who patiently tried to understand his unorthodox son was dying of Bendai Syndrome....

Rational facts...something that comforted other Vulcans...provided no satisfaction to T'oi. It was time to trade Risa's white sand beaches for the arid deserts of Vulcan and face his inner demons and provide some comfort to his father.

(cont)

I know I'm new here, but I wanted to say thank you to the people in this thread for an interesting conversation. Whether you agree with people or not, people in this thread have tried to make interesting points and speak their minds. It's rare that I see people online in any forum able to vigorously disagree with each other without resorting to pure ad hominem, and I just wanted to thank all of you for that.

Lorenius, especially thanks for your academic discussion of Pope Francis I. I wasn't aware of a number of those facts, so I'm very grateful.

Personally, while I'm going to remain frustrated with religion in general, having been raised Southern Baptist and seeing things that make me so angry in most religions... I see this as a good sign. I know that 'toleration' changing to 'respect' may seem minor in the face of the rest of it, but I'm often happy with changes in entrenched systems, especially one as entrenched as the office of the Pope.

I'm not holding my breath that there will be a reversal of doctrine, but if Pope Francis I can even allow for a change of tone from persecution to respect, I think it's a stepping stone to greater things.

*takes off "mentally-superior"/academic hat*

I'm really just a guy who was raised in a single wide trailer in rural Florida who loved to read. I couldn't go the direction of most kids, who could be popular and say all the right things. I only had my mind to defend me from the cruelty heaped on me by the kids my age. I discovered science-fiction, fantasy, and gaming. I started acting in high school.

By the time I was 12 I knew I was gay...I didn't know that word back then, so I thought of myself as "queer." It was terrifying, I couldn't run away from the kids, so I ran even more deeply into books. By the time I was 17 I had rejected Catholocism as my faith system and all of my attempts to hide my sexuality had been fruitless (at least by the high school faculty, who I discovered later, knew it all along)

I "ran" away from home at 17 into the arms of the military, this was the first of many mistakes I made trying to find my way in the wider world. I took a lover while I was in service. It was a miracle we weren't caught since we had sex in the enlisted dorms. I took an honorable discharge and early out when offered at three years. Skip forward two years to I was 22. I came out and I ran off and started making a career in the theater. It was the first time I was truly comfortable anywhere. I was finally surrounded by people that were like me. This was the middle 1980s. I had friends dying all around me from AIDS. Those were pretty grim days. I won't go into great detail about those times...maybe someday. Just imagine the horror of coming out and watching other gay guys dying around you.

Skip forward to 2007. I lost my grandmother and grandfather, the only people I ever really cared about in my family. Over the previous years I had a reasonable amount of lovers, but never anyone permanent. I had driven equal amounts of energy into my career and volunteering at LGBT centers. Losing my folks crushed me...and forced me to reassess my life. I wanted to do something meaningful for the gay community at large. After burying them both I took off to Europe alone for 40 days, I told my agent to leave me alone. When I came back I knew I had a talent for history that I had only used sparingly. When I got into university, I and others discovered I had a talent for academia. Not a wild sexy sort of moment for me.

The fact is I was never a terribly outgoing guy. I have been given a certain amount of good looks that I kept through not smoking and going to the gym, I was always too shy in private to take a vast amount of lovers. Plus I am downright picky now, when I fall for a guy it is genuine and that person had to have set off a some sort of bomb to get my attention...and for it to last that guy has to be intelligent and make me laugh...cry...ahh, hell, he has to matter.

In the present my sheer cussedness, my hard work has gotten me into a PhD program. I know I can seem like a walking dictionary, but most of that is armor. My Catholicism is long behind me, but as other folks raised Roman Catholic can attest to, you never quite get it out of your system.

I suppose I am Bashir in some senses. Shy, awkward (or at least I feel that way), and loyal unto to death to my friends and those I care about.

That's me...in the overview.

~J

Ladies and Gentlemen it’s time to get on the Boat!

Phase one is complete and the votes are in, we will be on the December 2nd cruise to the Bahamas!



We have come to a point where commitment is involved and we need to know numbers.

Rate for an inside cabin will be $600.14 double occupancy that’s $300.07 per person, 3rd and 4th person in a cabin rates can be given as needed all rates include taxes

Rates for different cabins are included in the attached PDF
Please read below for the next requirements to secure your spot on board:

Phase 2:
A deposit of $100.00 along with the First and Last names of each person in a cabin, as they appear on your passport or driver’s license.

If you don’t already have a passport please visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

We need 8 cabins to get the group rate this would give us an even lower rate.

Balance will be due September 6th

Our Contact will be my close friend and co-worker Bonnie Jordon:
Group Booking # - 2333628
Bonnie Jordan
Group Cruise Coordinator
International Cruise & Excursion, Inc. (I.C.E.)
1-888-320-4234 ex. 4255
bonnie.jordan@ourvacationcenter.com

We will be hosting a one hour cocktail reception included on board as a Bon Voyage Party. I am looking into securing space for another gathering to discuss or play as we want to have at least one unique special activity

Attached is a PDF of additional details to review.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rp5i6q1jfjnhrcc/STO%20Group%20Cruise.pdf

Quote by Jacien

Quote by Lorenius

LOL. In point of fact, yes I do, Robbie. But who would be Bashir?

~J

Indeed I wonder... Who would be cast as the mentally superior product of morally dubious science know-it-all who always comes off as being kind of annoying? :P

I'm sorry Jeff, I think it might be you. :laugh:

I know Sej wouldn't mind playing a Vorta. ;)

So what that leaves the Prophet for me? Sniff

Quote by Lorenius

LOL. In point of fact, yes I do, Robbie. But who would be Bashir?

~J

Indeed I wonder... Who would be cast as the mentally superior product of morally dubious science know-it-all who always comes off as being kind of annoying? :P

I'm sorry Jeff, I think it might be you. :laugh:

I know Sej wouldn't mind playing a Vorta. ;)

... No comment.

Other than that... uhh "wow" will have to do. lol

LOL. In point of fact, yes I do, Robbie. But who would be Bashir?

~J

We all realize that this discussion could be a Very Special Episode of DS9 involving Dr. Bashir, a Vorta, and a Bajoran, with a worm-hole alien peeking around the corner and winking at the end, right? :)

Robbie,

Then with all due respect confront the ignorance and bigotry with the best weapon you have, your mind. I am a historian, my work to make people aware of the heavily bowdlerized history presented by the Magisterium helps everyone whether they believe or not.

I am not equating my experience with yours, but I too was made to feel "othered" by the Church, it is why I am no longer a member of the Roman Catholic Church, or frankly, any other organized religion. There is a difference between spirituality and (organized) religion. One does not need a building or a group of old white men to feel a connection to something higher than yourself (be it God or Gaia or something else).

Your mileage may vary, but I choose to simply live the best life I know how to live. Be good to people, love my friends, and be the best man I can be for the man I love. Sometimes I mess up, but that is because I am human, not because I am malicious.

My passion for history stems from the belief that I can help people throw off the chains of wilfull ignorance and use knowledge to expose dishonest brokers of false facts for the charlatans that they are, and when it comes to false facts, there are no greater masters of creating false facts than the purveyors of organized religion...or politicians... and the reason it works is because...people need to believe in something greater than themselves. Charlatans of all stripe have been taking advantage of that key weakness for a very long time.

I know its raw and I know it hurts..and I did not intend for this topic to cause you distress...but know I do not endorse the Church or those who choose to be hurtful to other human beings, but they are a particular problem that needs to be studied.

~J

MOD: To akin Christianity to a plague, saying anyone who believes in a god is indoctrinated, and painting every Christian as a hate monger is not being respectful. I'm not going to debate what should or shouldn't be respected. This is a second warning. Keep this conversation polite and respectful or the thread will be closed.

Robbie I do apologize if I've offended you. I do not appreciate the attitude in which you have made your position known and nor do I appreciate what in my view is a very intellectualized view of bullying. I don't care how factual you may feel it is, to single out people like Lorenius or myself having a religious background and calling them brainwashed products of our environment is really just plain mean. I know you've had terrible experiences, you've told me about them and I'm sorry they happened to you. And there is plenty of factual evidence to support your claims but please keep in mind that this is a safe place for everyone and the more vitriol you pour into your well-though-out words, the more you might be alienating certain members of our community, and this just isn't the place for that. Once again I apologize to you Robbie, I like you very much. :)