In reply to Captain Alistair MacCay (msg # 40):

Being sure he is not the first to try this and if Purple is correct will not be the last Thelev taps his comm badge and say "Captain Mercer, continue to figure out where we are so we can jump home, the plan will be to take the IKS K'Tanko, Prefect Ozakin and his crew, and at a minimum Captain MacCay and his crew and if possible the USS Genser back with us."

Turning he whispers to Brad "I think for now we go along, and see what the situation is here and the conditions they want to impose on us.  If it takes a few days or a week to figure this out we will be able to return to our now. But I do believe you will need to pull rank on MacCay."

With that he turns and takes his seat.

In reply to Captain Thelev (msg # 41):

"Yes sir!", Khendron replies to Thelev, a little sarcasm leaking into his tone. "I, Captain Mercer, will continue working with Mr. Smith." Khendron is a little miffed that he's been excluded from the Council of Captains.

"Mr. Smith," Khendron continues, "my initial analysis shows that we are in a small bubble universe. Either that or a universe that is in the final stages of collapsing in on itself—it's only a few hundred light years across. See if you can figure out silver ball coordinates to get us out of here.

"Thoma, hail the other ships in the area. I am sure their various science teams have not been idle while stuck here, and we should talk to them.

"And Collette, ask the computer some background information about the USS Genser and the circumstances of their disappearance."

Khendron also sends a request to Dr. Marcus, asking her to come to the bridge. "We are going to need as many science heads as possible to figure our way out of this," he says to her.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:42, Sun 10 Jan 2021.

Dr. Smith replies with information on the Genser, "XO, if I may, I have relevant information: The USS Genser NCC-4404 was the prototype of the Genser-class escorts in service to Starfleet in the late 23rd century. In 2283, the Genser and five other vessels were escorting a convoy of neutronic fuel carriers to the rimward frontier when the ship's sensors detected a small object traveling on a parallel course to the convoy. Communications couldn't be established with the object so the Genser broke off from the convoy and headed off to investigate the object. As the Genser approached the object it disappeared and then reappeared shortly after. When the rest of the convoy couldn't establish contact with the Genser they investigated and found that the object had disappeared along with the Genser's crew.

"Upon recovery, the Genser was subjected to a complete diagnostic. It was determined that the hull and superstructure had sustained extreme stresses and the hull plating had been subjected to severe microscoring. Materials analysis revealed that the ship appeared to have aged over a year in the six hours before recovery. The Genser had been subjected to radiation similar to traces found on the debris from the USS Blackheart and was included in the experiments which led to the Quantum Para-Dimensional Transport Device.

"The Genser was returned to active duty but the whereabouts of her missing crew or the mysterious object was never determined, although it is believed to be connected to the disappearance of the Chandley class USS Blackheart NCC-2327 several months later."

He turns to Khendron. "Sir, I have additional highly classified information which I may reveal only to you, the commodore or the captain in a SCIF. Dr. Marcus, although she was not involved in Project: Silver Ball, also has the clearance for this data." SCIF is an acronym for Secured Compartmentalised Intelligence Facility. Such facilities are offices which are hardened against monitoring, and include such areas as the Captain's and Flag Ready Rooms, the Security Office and Smith's private office.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:59, Sun 03 Jan 2021.

"Captain Thelev, Commodore McCurrvey, it is our custom for everyone on the Council to so identify themselves," says Curator Purple, a quizzical expression on his face.

A large spider-like being with glowing red eyes shifts upon his "seat", a rocky outcrop resembling a termite mound and chitters. Although it sounds nothing like any language the characters have heard, the meaning is clear, <Perhaps we should meet them halfway. This one has the honour to be the Archon Ichiywab, of the stellar cruiser Wuj from what you would call the Greater Magellanic Cloud. I am one of the eldest here, or at least I gather this to be true since I can remember a... time—if you will—when there were but a few of us here.>

A humanoid woman with short dark hair joins in, "I am known as Q'maire, Majestrix of the cruiser Solar Haven. In the name of the Goddess, I greet you. Peace be unto you."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 05:52, Sun 10 Jan 2021.

In reply to Curator Purple (msg # 44):

Thelev waits until it comes around to him and replies "I am Captain Thelev, commanding officer of the USS Odyssey, from the United Federation of Planets. And you may call me Thelev.  And I am sure I am only saying now what all of you have said before me.  My crew and I will investigate all avenues available to try and find a way home before accepting what you indicate is our fate. I only ask that to help you provide us what information you can on here and how you got here. I hope that is not too much to ask."

He then turns his head towards HoD Kang and Prefect Ozakin, "And I ensure both of you that since it was my ship that brought you here, that when we find a way back we will take you back with us if you want to return."

Purple says, "Thank you friend Thelev. And now, we have Commodore McCurrvey, also of the ship Odyssey. But first, I must inform you that in all the time in which the Museum has existed here at the End of Time, no one has ever discovered a way to leave this place—if place it truely is... Of course We all recognise that it is the first duty of any captain to seek a safe voyage to their home port for their ship. All of us have struggled to do so, but just as surely we have all resigned ourselves to the impossibility of leaving."

A tall stern man, dressed in black robes with shoulder-length white hair, stands and announces, "I am Captain Yehonahan Ahab of the Spelljammer Pequod." He steps back from his chair, his prosthetic right leg thumping on the floor. "My ship was savaged by the great white Leviathan of the Stellar Deeps. I have pledged my very soul and those of my crew to return to the Arcane Flow and send the Leviathan to hell!"

MacCay stands, "I am Alistair MacCay, late of the starship Genser. My crew alone, save for Prefect Ozakin who has just joined us, have no ship. We were pursued by a sphere of silver light and wound up here sans our ship. We will also join in the effort to return to our reality." He looks expectantly at Brad. "I have served with Thelev and Brad as well as Captain Mercer, Thelev's executive officer, and trust them implicitly."

Purple looks up, startled. He makes eye contact with Hilliard, and something once again passes between them. Purple asks, "Yet another captain?"

MacCay nods, "By rank, yes, if not by position."

Purple says, "Very well, then!" and waves his hand. Mercer suddenly appears beside him without getting to hear Smith's additional information. "Captain Mercer, how thoughtless of me to have neglected you. Had I but known, I would have invited you to the Council of Captains! Come now, join us."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:55, Sun 10 Jan 2021.

In reply to Curator Purple (msg # 46):

Tapping his comm badge "Commander DesMarais I am sure Commander Manyard is busy so the bridge in yours.  Capt. Mercer has joined us down here.  Can you and Dr. Smith keep us up to date, Mercer and I will be back to help when we can."

Turning to Captain Ahab, he says "If we find a way out we will share what we can to help you and the others here to return to your galactic coordinates and your timelines."

Looking around the whole room and using his bold trait he adds "I am sure many of you have family members you want to return to.  My Chan and Zhen have already once went without knowing my fate and I do not want them to have to go through that yet again." he ends by turning and looking at MacCay and hopes for now he does not ask about Thoma.

In reply to Captain Thelev (msg # 47):

Khendron has conflicting emotions about being snatched away to the Council of Captains. He's pleased to be included, but at the same time he is annoyed that his conversation with Smith was interrupted. Through his communicator, he instructs Smith to work with Dr Marcus and give her any information he feels she needs.

"Just before I arrived," says Khendron quietly to Thelev and Brad, "Smith requested to speak with us privately." He does not elaborate, nor mention anything about classified information, hoping that they can infer that detail from the request itself.

DesMarais responds, "Commander Manyard is still in sickbay. Lt Rutherford is holding things together down in Engineering. I have the Conn. Copy that the XO is with you. Will continue as ordered, sir. Odyssey out."

Curator Purple continues, "Captain Mercer, we were all getting to know one another. Captain Thelev and Commodore McCurrvey were about to introduce themselves and several members of the Council were also doing so. Pray continue."

A tall Asian-appearing woman stands up. She wears a golden breastplate over a navy blue coverall. "I am Dame Flavia Domitia, Trierarch of the Imperial Quinquereme Hesperus. We were thirty-eight weeks out of the Imperial port Thasia on anti-piracy patrol when we were struck by a class Σ nebular storm."

An even taller dark-haired woman in a yellow tunic rises, "If it please you all, I am the Captain Raven Syrene, commanding officer of Her Imperial Majesty's Battlecruiser Indomitable of the 33^rd Battle Squadron, Fifth Terran Fleet of the Holy Galactic Empire. Long live Her Imperial Majesty!" She snaps to attention, her right fist clenched over her heart.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:06, Mon 04 Jan 2021.

In reply to Commander Collette DesMarais (msg # 49):

OOC: Can not remember back to when we played these characters originally.  I believe we did go to an alternate time line with the Terran Empire, but I do not believe it was in a time line with the Holy Galactic Empire.  But the question is, would Thelev know the appropriate response to Captain Syrene, if he does he will use it below. And at very least I would think he would be at least aware of the USS Enterprise dealing with the Terran Empire

Thelev nods to both and replies "Dame, Captain pleasure to meet both of you.  Captain may I ask from what time you are from.  I know their are may parallels between your timeline and ours."

[OOC: Nope, there was no Holy Galactic Empire. The Terran Empire is a relatively generic term, used by many writers from Gene Roddenberry (in the Mirror Universe) to Poul Anderson, World of Warcraft, Isaac Asimov, etc. etc. etc. You did have contact with the Mirror Universe's Terran Empire when you fought the ISS Odyssey NCC-2001, but you might be thinking of the HIMS Sophista which crossed over to the Federation from Dave Slater's MegaTraveller campaign where it was with the Havenic Imperial Federation.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:58, Sun 10 Jan 2021.

Syrene raises a haughty eyebrow, "I don't believe your friends have introduced themselves, Captain Thelev? Protocol, yes?" She returns to her seat, leaning to one side with her legs crossed and drumming her long, scarlet fingernails on the table top, a slight smile on her face. "And what do you know of our Holy Empire? From Captain Alistair, I know something of your Federation of Planets—a δημοκρατία—a democracy yes? How... quaint." She speaks with a faintly musical Greek accent [not unlike Troi in the first season of ST TNG].
This message was last edited by the player at 06:03, Sun 10 Jan 2021.

A medium-height, rail-thin gentleman in florid naval dress complete with bicorne hat and a chest full of medals stands up and waves a fist, "Faugh!" he snorts, "Enough of these preliminaries!" Several of the captains around the table face-palm and make various noises of frustration with him.

"I am the honourable Kapitan Sir Karl-Friedrich Hieronymus, commander of His Majesty's Ship Gloriana; hero of Saldana, conqueror of Khanadu, discoverer of El Dorado, Knight of..."

"Oh, please," interrupts Dame Flavia Domitia, rolling her eyes, "Do we have to listen to the whole list, you pompous windbag?"

Hieronymus snorts and sputters, turning red in the face. Dame Flavia smiles sweetly, "I would much rather hear something new from our newest initiates. She waves languidly toward Brad and Khendron and asks, "Commodore, Captain, prithee continue lest we die of boredom..."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:39, Sun 10 Jan 2021.

In reply to Kapitan Karl-Friedrich Hieronymus (msg # 53):

Thelev looks around the table and tries to determine technology levels of the different captains by any technology they have on them and looks at Mercer and McCurrvey and awaits their introductions to the table.  Really wanting to start talking with everyone trying to find out where they are so they can jump back to a known place.

And wants to talk to Dr. Smith and find out where the jump went awry.

In reply to Captain Thelev (msg # 54):

Khendron stands up. "Captains," he says with a charming smile. "You honour me with your presence! Forgive my temporary bemusement, for although I have, along with Captain Thelev and Commodore McCurvy, seen a lot of adventure, this round table is unique to us.

"I am Captain Khendron Mercer, of the USS Odyssey. Just Khendron for short, if you so choose. It seems that we may be the only ship present to arrive here of its own accord, albeit by accident. I am confident that since we got ourselves here, working with you and your crews, we can get ourselves home again.

"In the meantime," Khendron says in conclusion, "I look forward to getting to know you all."

Khendron gives a few friendly bows to the other Captains around the table. He bows a little lower and longer towards Dame Flavia Domitia and Captain Raven Syrene, because like any healthy Efrosian male, he finds strong-minded women especially attractive.

In reply to Captain Khendron Mercer (msg # 55):

Commodore Bradron McCurrvey, United Federation of Planets.  Formerly of the USS Excalibur and now assigned to the USS Odyssey.  It is a pleasure to meet you all

McCurrvey also scans the gathered assemblage.  He looks for signs of technology sharing as well as the general mood.  Are they all resigned to their fate or are some still hungry to leave?  He has his diplomacy on at full strength as he knows Odyssey will need partners to get home.
.
So if we cannot leave, what does this council do?  How do we occupy our time?

In reply to Commodore Bradron McCurrvey (msg # 56):

My diplomacy goes to 11. ;-)

The curator beams widely and announces, "On behalf of all of us in this bubble universe, welcome, and a very good question it is, Commodore. We function very much like the government in any interstellar port. We mediate disputes between members of our various crews, coordinate between the social lives of the multitude of cultures, organise intership events, sports, entertainment and the like, provide intership technological coordination for those attempting to discover a way to leave this space, et cetera, et cetera, ad infinitum, ad nauseum. We also provide for trade between the differing ships, and share medical facilities when needed."

MacCay asks, "Say, Thelev, I know it's been a few years, what's the current Stardate? And I'm not familiar with the Odyssey—what class is it? And with you and the K'Tanko arriving together, does that mean that peace with the Klingon Empire has been realised? I've got so many questions for you!"

Dame Flavia adds, "So do we all. Alistair has given us what he calls the First Contact Package, introducing us to this Federation of yours. I'm from the Imperial Terran Empire; Raven is as you know from the Holy Galactic Empire and hails from Tellus, which seems to be an analogue of Terra. Al MacCay is also from Terra, but he insists on calling it Earth—what a boring name—and Karl-Friedrich, pompous windbag that he is, comes from yet another analogue of Terra which he calls Airth."

MacCay breaks in, "The first question I have is 'Do you have berthing space for 82 additional crew?' That's a mighty big ship you've got there—my men would be happier than pigs in shit (pardon my French, ladies) to catch up un the news from home!"

Flavia snorts, "Je parle Français, Monsieur Le Capitaine, an' tha' ain't it!" she says with a guffaw. The English addendum is spoken in a affected Cockney accent.

Captain Syrene looks offended. "Indeed," she mutters.

Hieronymus stands and bellows, red-faced, "M'Cay, if the damned curator hadn't forbidden dueling, I'd demand you meet me on the field of honour!" He pauses for effect then bows to Syrene, doffing his bicorne flamboyantly. "Madame!" he says obsequiously.

Flavia laughs and retorts, "You pretentious fop, if Curator as a color, shade of purple-grey hadn't banned dueling, you'd be the first to laugh at Alistair's wit!" She pronounces Purple's formal name as easily as she'd spouted French seconds earlier.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:54, Tue 19 Jan 2021.

In reply to Curator Purple (msg # 58):

OOC: Thinking we are roughly a month in I will assume it is around April 17 since we started March 17. And I couldn't find how to convert to TOS dates which is where I assume we are.

Turning towards MacKay around the table Thelev replies, "Captain, sorry Alistair, it is April 17, 2290 so it is about 11 years since we met. We are an Excelsior class. I would think the Excelsior it self was in early construction when your ship disappeared."

Taking a breath he adds "The relationship with the Klingons is still strained due to recent events involving Captain Kirk, oh was he an Admiral when you disappeared, time blends together.  Negotiations are basically stalled."

"As for room, we can accommodate you and your crew.  We are designed for a crew of 810, 40 passengers and can handle 1500 in an emergency.  We are already accommodating some of Prefect Ozakin crew, the ones we recovered. But with some shuffling we can make you crew feel at home." Thelev adds.

Turning to Dame Flavia "Dame, or is it Flavia, we have encountered other parallel universes to our own where what we call earth has had several different names including Terra, but we have encountered neither the Imperial Terran Empire or the Holy Galactic Empire in our travels. I would be interested in learning of both your civilizations."

"What? Did Jim Kirk resign his flag? I knew he wanted to get back in the field—or did he piss off Nogura that badly? So your Odyssey has Transwarp? It works? Damn, I owe Harrison Dodge fifty credits," gripes Al MacCay. "So what's the deal with you and Kang? And on behalf of my crew, thanks for the berths."

In return to Thelev's question, Flavia chuckles, "Ah, I guess being a democracy, you're not used to aristocratic titles. Dame Flavia is my title—the feminine address for a knight of the realm. My given name is of course, just Flavia.  Karl-Friedrich's Airth styles itself a Star Kingdom. I take it you're familiar with Henry Piper's multiverse theory, then. I myself am most attracted to Adam Weishaupt's Helsinki interpretation of the theory."

In reply to Captain Alistair MacCay (msg # 60):

Thelev chuckles "I think Harrison Dodge should owe you ten fold, it was a complete failure, so no we do not have Transwarp."

"As for Kang and us, we along with the Romulan's were in pursuit of a common threat.  After the Prefect's ship was destroyed by it, the Romulan's stayed to assist and the Klingons and ourselves continued to pursue.  And that is when we ended up here." as he gestures around. Trying to stay as vague as possible in the current surrondings.

Turning back to Flavia "Most ladies I have met with the title Dame has always insisted on being called Dame, so it is a habit I will need to break.  As for your interest in multiverse theory, both myself and Captain Me, um Khendron both have a keen interest and understanding in the theories and I would love to discuss them with you."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:19, Thu 21 Jan 2021.

In reply to Captain Thelev (msg # 61):

"Thelev, Brad," says Khendron, "speaking of science, we are wanted back on the Odyssey. Perhaps Alistair can accompany us, to help organize the quarters for his crew."

Khendron bows again to Flavia and Raven. "I would be delighted to meet up with you later, after we have ... settled in. We have much we can talk about, in the realms of politics and science."

In reply to Captain Khendron Mercer (msg # 62):

McCurrvey’s mind is racing.  Firstly what will Odyssey and the Klingons need for an extended stay?  Klingons aren’t known for sharing and what they need, they’ll probably try to take.  They will also want to carve out a space in the hierarchy and going after what they need may kill two birds with one stone. 

Do you have rules drawn up for this community?  We’d like to understand the lay of the land before we transgress some bylaw by mistake.

How big a security risk are the new personnel?  Security will be stretched keeping tabs on everyone.  How are the extra people going to stretch our stores?

Finally, what is the tactical situation?  What are the capabilities of all these other ships?

Yes, we should be getting back to Odyssey.  We will take our leave then

On return, Brad intends to retire to his ready room and analyze the other ships.

In reply to Captain Thelev (msg # 61):

"Well hell," replies MacCay, "Now I have to get home, just to collect from Harry. My men are spread out over a dozen ships, but they are still in touch."

Flavia smiles and notes, "Well yes, the common address is Dame, followed by the given name. If you want to be painfully correct by protocol, it would be Dame Flavia, but I've grown to prefer the custom we follow here; so it's just Flavia.

In reply to Captain Khendron Mercer (msg # 62):

"That'd be great," says Al. "I'd love to get a Starfleet deck under my feet."

In reply to Commodore Bradron McCurrvey (msg # 63):

Purple smiles, "Oh, we're pretty loose here. Each captain is sovereign among his or her people. Captains are responsible for the conduct of their crews. Captains are expected to cooperate with each other for the greater good. I can transmit a copy of the Council Charter to your ship for your perusal."

The deck underfoot shudders abruptly, and what looks like lightning flashes in the void outside. Suddenly, various communications devices begin chirping, beeping or whistling. Hilliard woofs and growls while captains begin receiving reports from their vessels. Brad, Thelev and Khendron all get a hail from the Odyssey.

"Odyssey command team, Cdr DesMarais here. We've detected a subspace anomaly which seems to have affected the entire bubble universe. Recommend you return to the ship along with HoD Kang and Prefect Ozakin ASAP!"

"MacCay to all Genser crew members! This is the Captain speaking. Please assemble in groups and have senior personnel hail the USS Odyssey to arrange evacuation. This is not a drill!" shouts MacCay into his communicator.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:51, Tue 26 Jan 2021.

“Cdr, this is the Commodore, we met with other Starfleet personnel, prepare to receive approximately 80 additional personnel.  Engage cargo transporters if required and have segregated berths/quarters prepared.  Go to Yellow Alert and transport us when ready.  Prepare tactical and science briefings when we arrive on the bridge.”

McCurrvey gestures to the Klingon and the Orion as well as MacCay.  “Prepare for transport.”
This message was lightly edited by the player at 14:25, Tue 26 Jan 2021.