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<div><span id="docs-internal-guid-65adde8d-7fff-3a0d-f206-1d322705aaa0">
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(33, 33, 33); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mission:
The Uncaring Stars</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(33, 33, 33); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day:
9</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(33, 33, 33); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stardate:
2445.10.22</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(33, 33, 33); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(33, 33, 33); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Kal'Shar
– Gertin District - Freelands - Admiral Skeese, Skipta, Riven Mias – 1600)</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(33, 33, 33); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The
group approached the hill that had indicated where Riven Mias was being held in a cave. As they got closer the conversation between Skeese and the others grew heated. He had insisted on going to Skipta by himself, to discuss the situation. Not one other
person in the group agreed. Even as he ordered Geehoff to step down on this matter the boy risked much by standing up to the admiral and making it clear that he was not going to go in there by himself.</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(33, 33, 33); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally
they all agreed that the Admiral would go, with Ensign Picard, Geehoff, and Devers. The rest would wait for word to come forward. It was the best that Skeese could negotiate, which left him wondering about his negotiation skills. Hopefully Mias had already
been at work while in the hands of the “True Sharlayans.” Skeese still shook his head at the name. Nothing more than a cult that believed in alien abduction and genetic purity, which seemed contradictory. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(33, 33, 33); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now
the quartet stepped towards the opening and Skeese called out, “Hello in there. This is Admiral Skeese. I am here to talk with Skipta. I am certain that he wants to talk with me. Will you allow us to enter?”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(33, 33, 33); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Riven
tilted his head to listen more carefully to the voice outside, this was what he had been expecting. “Skipta it is time for us all to talk I would say. This would have been handled much more easily had you not sent an assassin but that is water under the bridge.
We can work this out and move forward.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(33, 33, 33); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Skipta
shook his head, “Sometimes the blood must flow to purify a wound. Much like medicine to treat a tumor. Clearly, the medicine did not reach its intended target.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(33, 33, 33); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Turning
to his men, he nodded. “Let him enter,” he said. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(33, 33, 33); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Orders
were relayed and two Sharlayans came to the opening. “Skipta invites you to enter.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Skeese
looked at the two … men? For they were merely more than boys. Had they ever even looked at a woman with adult thoughts. He sighed and stepped forward. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Then
we accept your invitation,” Skeese replied. “Lead us to him.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The
two boys turned and led the group through the inlets until they entered a chamber. Seated on stool like rocks were Skipta with Mias beside him. He noted the two StarFleet officers tension and held up his hand to keep them still. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ambassador
Mias, are you well?” Skeese asked. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Except
for a tender scalp I've been well cared for." The mind- healer replied but made no move to rise.</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Skipta
looked at the Admiral, a man who represented all that was wrong with the Sharlayan people. Why they had been led astray from the true path. Here, now in front of him.</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">However,
he would not appear ungracious. Motioning, cups were brought, and a pitcher. Skipta poured water into the cups. “Welcome Admiral Skeese,” he said holding the cup for Admiral, “Water is life.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Skeese
nodded in acknowledgment of the greeting. He took the cup and nodded, drinking deeply. “Water is life. Why then would you want to end mine so wantonly?”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why
would you dismiss the concerns of the people, Admiral. Why would the keepers shy away from those who work the land, who purify the air, the water? Why did you turn away from our history?” Skipta asked in reply.</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Skeese
shook his head and placed the cup on a rock. He took a breath as he’d heard this all before. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Skipta,”
he said trying to be understanding, “I understand the people’s anger at the distance that has been created over the past six cycles. It was necessary to keep the Gatherers and the Colonists safe from the ravages of what was happening in the outer areas of
Kal’Shar. We had already lost so much. But you were not abandoned. Our presence was just not as marked. Perhaps that was a mistake.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The
history that you speak of… it is the history from a specific point of view. Not everyone believes as your “True Sharlayans” do. We have not turned from the history that you believe. We have never embraced it. We have left you in peace to think and believe
as you wish, why can you not do the same for us?” </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Riven
sighed. "Skipta doesn't know." He looked from the Admiral to the other Sharlayan. "And this is an example of why my Federation has what we call the Prime Directive in place for dealing with other cultures. Your people were divided during your history by another
that perhaps wanted to help and now you…," he looked back at Skeese' "and you are dealing with the aftermath. We all look outward for something beyond ourselves, something to worship and that is not a bad thing but worshipping another fallible being is fraught
with peril."</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Riven
looked at Skipta. "The world they sent you to is dead Skipta. It was recently struck by another body. Now I don't expect you to take my word for it, this is a matter of faith after all so I'm going to show you… the both of you. Once the repairs are done Illuminar
will be leaving and another ship arriving. I will take you both to your destination to show you in person that I'm telling you the truth. And afterward." He stood to his feet.</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Afterward
we are going to talk and decide how you will proceed from here. Will your people remain at each other's throats and doom your race or will you find a way to work together and bring yourselves to your journey's end? I am here to help you through the transition
and I will stay until it is done."</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Skipta
eyes Riven closely. “You have been fair to me. I will agree to your proposal. I find it hard that the Gods would send us to a dead planet, but if you are true to your word and can show me this place. Then I will talk.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Skeese
smiled a big smile. “See Skipta, this is why I have put my trust in these people. Riven Mias speaks truth and with wisdom. I also would like to see the world that was to be our home. Would it also be possible to see our new home and speak with those people.
Five years may seem like a long time, but it could be a short time to reach agreements with those that already live there. And I think Skipta might appreciate seeing where his gods are leading us now.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Riven
gave a slight smile and nodded. "I think that can be arranged. You two are being afforded a rare privilege. The Illuminar was the Federation's newest ship but has just been replaced for that honor by the Tolliver. It's not every day I get to ride on the newest
and best. I think you both might enjoy it." His eyes twinkled as he looked toward Skeese. "Minus the chocolate of course."</span></p>
<br>
(reply none)</span></div>
<div><span>(posted by Al Muir, Tim, and Charles)</span></div>
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