The Christmas Special

[ghosty]

Originally posted by Captain Zymmer
Hmmmmm....post a link for the Romulan Crisis.

I like the idea though of them going rogue, heading out and saving the Romulans and then Starfleet has to give them the big pardon

The Romulan Crisis thread resides at this address http://forum.lotrrpg.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=741. See what you think.

[Captain Zymmer]

Interesting

Interesting

Nice touch with Spock

Hmmmmmmmm

So how would you go about it this time, given the recent genocide et al?

[ghosty]

Originally posted by Dan Stack
A black hole... Two Black Holes. I have images of the Battle of the Ebony Eyes from Star Frontiers...

Mea culpa...I did steal it from Star Frontiers. That idea stuck in my head over the decades and this was chance for me to use it.

It seems that this may not be an act of genocide. Perhaps the black holes destroy each other. It only takes a few seconds. But the event horizon is murder... Thousands of years pass. The galaxy has entered a dark age. The Federation is a distant memory. Heck, people wouldn't mind the Borg. When suddenly there appears a planet that shouldn't exist, propelled into the future by being too close to the event horizon (actually, a few seconds pass on the planet, a few thousand outside).

This child will lead a rebirth of civilzation, a new Federation.

This is better than my story idea. Thanks Dan. I may just use it.

"Your concept of time is so narrow-minded my dear captain. Save the galaxy, defeat the Romulan Star Empire... Without this child, the Empire did fall, in the blink of an eye, at least how a Q views time. Though it seems your species were primates in that time as well. But to save civilzation... Ah, the wonderful arrogance to believe that the Federation is the only civilization worthy of saving... I did not mean your tiny corner of your tiny galaxy. I meant the whole galaxy, and a few more. Let me show you, my dear capitan, for I see you are so confused..."

You're a better Q than I ever was. You have the best damn lines. I'll have to steal this one too.

[Captain Zymmer]

Seriously man, I may have to fly you in next time Q shows up in my game

[ghosty]

Originally posted by Captain Zymmer
Interesting

Interesting

Nice touch with Spock

Hmmmmmmmm

So how would you go about it this time, given the recent genocide et al?

Some reworking will have to be done to tie the whole thing together...but then if I use Dan's idea, the whole court martial/genocide thing may be rendered moot. I'll have to do some deep thinking now. Oh no....brain overload.

[Captain Zymmer]

He he he

So what are you thinking overload boy?

[Dan Stack]

Regarding Ebony Eyes... heh, you should check out my Star Wars webpage...

http://www.geocities.com/breschau_of...ne/default.htm

http://www.geocities.com/breschau_of...#Key_Locations

[Captain Zymmer]

Okay what is this Ebony Eyes?

I was never a big Star Frontiers player...

[Dan Stack]

"The Battle of the Ebony Eyes" - Appeared in an issue of Dragon sometime around issue 90-100 timeframe if memory serves... It was a battle against the Sathar taking place at a pair of black holes which were in orbit with each other. Had to be careful your ships didn't get pulled into the black holes and also as a result of them being so close to each other you had to contend with "ghost images" of other ships so you had a hard time firing on other ships.

[ghosty]

Originally posted by Captain Zymmer
He he he

So what are you thinking overload boy?

Shut up...I'm thinking...

[ghosty]

Okay brain freeze is over.

Now this is how I figure it...the detonating black holes catapult the Wayfarer, the ROmulan Warbird and the planet so far into the future than the date in CE would be a meaningless string of numbers.

Anyhow, as Dan postulated its a dead future, with only a few worlds holding onto the scraps of the technology they had before. That's when Q makes his appearance and lays Dan's speech on her and shows her the universe that came to past since the Wayfarer dissapeared...in a blink of an eye Q shows her the decline and fall of the Romulan Empire, the corruption of the Federation into a decadent dictatorship, the destruction of the Klingons as a race and a culture, basically the end of everything that she ever knew.

"And you know how this came to pass Captain?" Q asks, "Well its not because of what you had done. In the great scheme of the universe Captain you and your lackeys were just in the right place at the wrong time. Well here's your chance Captain, the universe is there for you to save."

"How? Do I change the past?"

"Oh how linear you are Hitomi-chan." Q says, "No Captain, here's the empty canvas, you hold the palate in your hands, wield the brush and see what you can create. I'm giving you a chance to rebuild civilization, not that of your precious Federation or of the Romulan Empire or any of your petty little toy kingdoms, no Captain this is nothing smaller than creation itself. That little light show you created, that was the equivalent of what you puny beings call the "Big Bang" how childish and unimaginative, well then your apelike intelligence is hardly advanced enough to come up with something better. Perhaps at the end of it you will understand the very essence of the question Why?"

Here's where I got stuck...I mean I would have placed in the CO's hands the power to rebuild the universe in her own image...well any ideas?

One other thing, have I out-Qed Dan?

[ghosty]

Looking at the last post again, its far too much power to put in a PCs hands, the power to remake the universe? Whew...too much chance for abuse IMHO.

Okay, lets see where do I go from here?

Lets see...

Q: "This child, holds in his hands all the power that your puny minds attribute to Gods, he can remake the universe Captain, only he doesn't know how. But here's the trick Captain, is he a force of good or evil? Dare you take the risk? Its your choice Captain...your choice." At this point Q winks out.

The Captain turns to the child to find that he had started growing. No longer a babe in arms, he's about ten now and growing before everyone's eyes. Q's face appears, "Oh yes Captain, you have four hours to make your choice because that's when the child will come into his power." Then it dissapears again.

Before the Captain can respond the Romulans decide to intervene. They demand the CO hand over the child. The Romulan commander has slipped into his duty to the Empire, non-existent though it is. He then threatens to bombard the planet and scour it of all life if the CO refuses.

Time ticks away as the Captain contemplates what to do. If he hands over the child, she may choose evil. But then to hold on to him may also be evil...so many choices, so little time. Time to breakout the stopwatch I think.

Well this should solve the genocide problem, now the question is how will it end? Well wait and see. The game goes on this weekend.

[Lancer]

"Hitomi-chan" ? Now that's cute. I like that line.

As for your problem with the child: I guess the typical StarTrek solution might be to leave the decision to the boy himself.
Nobody should have the chance to gain influence over such a great power, be it from good or evil intentions. Even if the CO wants to steer the boy towards good, she must by now realize that a lot of possibly universe-shattering mistakes could be made on that road. And besides: "Power corrupts, unlimted power..."

In the end the best solution might really be to find a way for the boy to grow up as his own person, regardless of the power he wields, be it in a universe just for himself or under the tutelage of Q, or whatever.
Even as a god-like being he should be free to make his own decisions and not be influenced by other beings, one way or the other.

If you CO steps in that direction, regardless of the consequences for herself, I think Q might be quite satisfied with what she has learned and get her out of her predicament.

[ghosty]

Originally posted by Lancer
"Hitomi-chan" ? Now that's cute. I like that line.

Strictly a Japanese term of endearment. I thought it'd be a nice touch considering Q's use of French honourifics when he speaks to Picard.

Some good ideas there Lancer, I'll mull over them and see how it goes. Thanks.

[ghosty]

Okay, after a break for the New Year, we're back on track and to finish the Christmas Special which was left hanging due to player unavailability.

When we left off, the Wayfarer had been tossed into an interdimensional rift by the covergence of two black holes. With them go the Romulan Warbird and the planet over which they were orbiting.

A infinity later, the emerge back in normal space but they are not where they belong. The blast of two black holes merging has catapulted them so far into the future that no conventional dating system would make any difference.

As everyone recovers from the shock of being tossed several trillion years into the future Q reappears. "Ah you've arrived." he says in his usual impish way.

"Where are we Q?" the Captain asks.

"How limited you are." Q says, "Must you always think so linearly. I once thought it was only Picard but obviously its a condition that all humans have.

"You Captain are now in the future at least that's how you primatives would precieve it. How limited you are. Your outmoded concepts of time makes me wonder how you got off you pathetic little mudball. So do you think you've saved the galaxy. Well Captain, it didn't really matter what you did. With or without that child the Romulan Empire would have fallen as would have your precious Federation, the Klingons, the Cardassians all gone in the blink of an eye. Let me show you."

In a Q-flash, Q shows the Captain the decline and fall of all the galactic powers with which we are familiar all fell over centuries as any state would beset by internal troubles and external enemies.

"We are here at what your primative minds would call the "End of Time." Q says after they return.

"How did it happen? Did we change history?"

"Hah. No Captain, change is inevitable, your masterpiece society broke down as its wont to do. Nothing could have changed it not you, not Picard, not even me. Well maybe me." He grins, "But then the Q don't interfer." this brings a snort from the CO.

"So what am I supposed to do? Or haven't you finished playing games Q."

"My my my, do you know Worf, he's rough and brutually direct. No Captain before you ask you can't change anything, you were just the wrong people in the right place at the worst of time. Well that's fate and fate has dictated that you be gifted with creation itself. Out there Captain is the blank canvas and you hold the palate in your hand. Well pick up the brush and see if you can do better than the last one. Maybe at the end of it all you may yet prove that your apelike race is capable of growth and perhaps you may ultimately understand the question why?"

"The child now holds the ultimate power in the universe, but is he good or evil. You never answered that question did you. You acted to save the universe but brought about what had to be done. Now the choice is once again yours. Choose. Good or evil Captain, its up to you." Q winks out.

THe CO turns to see that the child is aging rapidly and is already about four years old. "Oh." Q reappears, "You have one hour before he comes into his full powers. Use that time wisely Captain." he blinks out.

Just as Q dissapears the Romulans signal and demand that the Captain surrender the child. "He is the symbol of rebellion that must be purged."

The CO looses her cool, "Listen Commander Sorvek look around you, we are in a time where there is no more Federation, no more Romulan Empire, no more nothing....your blind loyalty to the Empire is completely misplaced."

"No. I must do my duty." Sorvek says, "I now have my weapons trained on the planet and will destroy the whole planet unless you hand over the child. Once I'm done I will destroy you. Choose Captain."

"No." the CO says, "I've had it up to here with making choices. No more choices." she orders her helmsman to put the Wayfarer between the Romulans and the planet. "So go ahead fire and destroy me because I've made my choice. I'll die before I allow you to commit genocide. And think Commander, if you destroy me you destroy the child as well. You may snuff out rebellion, but you'll have snuffed out the power as well. So do it Commander. Fire and be damned."

"So is that hte right choice Captain?" Q asks as he winks in next to her.

"I've through with making choices Q. I've made my choice. I won't choose how this child builds the galaxy. I believe that when we were created we were given freewill to choose the course they wish to take. Nobody can make it for me and I won't make it for the child. If he's good than so be it, if he is evil then I will do my damndest to destroy him if I have to. So let him make his own choice."

The child suddenly flashes and becomes a glowing being of light (clichqued I know). "Thank you." he says, "Your insight has set me free. Now if you excuse me I have work to do." He vanishes through the bulkhead.

"Bravo Captain, I see you have some potential for growth after all." Q says, "NOw, lets see what I can do about your other problem."

Q waves his hand and the Warbird dissapears along with the planet, "Oh don't worry Captain, I've not destroyed them, I just put them and the planet back where they belong."

"What about us Q?"

"Ah, well I could put you back but then I sense you have other things on your mind then just going home. So maybe I'll send you on your way shall I? Good bye Captain, I'll be back."