Gavin

[SIZE=1][i]Van couldn't feel anything beyond the pain, he knew somebody was with him but he had no idea who it was, he tried to move his lips but all that came out was air. His whole body was shaking at this stage, the pain was unlike anything he had ever experienced or read about, his eyes had role up into their sockets at this stage so he couldn't even see. The darkness called to him, "Brother" the voice had said, but it was not David, David was still in Ireland and it wasn't his voice, Van knew who the voice belonged to but he dare not utter it for fear he was proven correct in his assumptions. Fighting all the pain that wracked his body he forced his eyes to open to a tiny degree, his vision was blurry but she was close enough for Van to make her out. Ana.. it was Ana, her face was gone so pale... like death, her soft hair brushed against his cheeks. His lips trembled again with greater force, this time he managed to force out some sound, he wanted for her to get help but all that came out was incoherent mumbling. He could feel her fear, she blamed herself for the Bladerunner something Van hadn't, nor had anyone else who survived, tears were running down her cheeks at this stage. She was looking directly into his partially open eyes, lifting one feeble hand that he still had some control over he placed it against her face to wipe away the tears. He didn't know what was going to happen to him, he doubted anyone did, the harrowing echo of the voice played over his mind again... "Brother"... his eyes closed again though he hoped not for the last time. He had gained enough feeling in his lips to pass out a whisper, Ana was leaning close, desperately trying to hear something, anything.[/i] [b]Van:[/b] [[i]Softly[/i]] Don't... blame... yourself...[[i]Lapses into unconsciousness[/i]] [CENTER]------------[/CENTER] Basically I intend for Van to lapse into a coma for the beginning of the mission until they reach Deimos, I'm working a few things out with Corey in regard to this and I'll just let on the the "Voice" plays a large role in it.[/SIZE]

[quote name='Wingnut Ninja']It's not so much of which system would suit the graphics best for me, it's just that I'd much rather play it on a handheld system because the Mega Man games are the type in which you can get use to in less than an instant... and is something that most of the GBA games attribute quite successfully.[/quote] [SIZE=1]Ah my mistake, by your previous statement I thought that the Megaman games all had, to a varying degree of quality 2D graphics and as such would suit the GBA. I hadn't actually considered the fact that the GBA is a more pcik-up-and-play kind of games device than it's bigger brother the Gamecube although I suppose that would also depend on the game in question.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I remember reading about this in last month's issue of Nintendo Official Magazine UK and I have to say I was fairly impressed, I've never actually played a Megaman game and I think this is a really great way for those who've never experienced the cult series to get a good settling-in point. The fact that each of the 8 games are not just a port of the original versions are great as it means there's something in it for old veterans of the series, and newbies who'll scream at the game's incredible difficulty level. The added bonus of two new games that have never seen the U.S. or Europe will be a welcome addition for any Megaman fanatic. I've just been looking over the screen shots and although they only detail Megaman I, II and III, I do agree with you that the graphics as nice as they'd look on a Gamecube might be more suited to the GBA though I've not seen the graphics for the rest so I might be mistaken.[/SIZE]

[size=1]I have to admit that I've been looking forward to this after completing Tekken 4 numerous times with my brother, it's got to the stage now where we just play versus the entire time because it's a little less predictable than the A.I. opponents. I'm outraged to hear that they've made Paul suck in this version because he was by far my favourite character, I mean sure there were times when he moves became a little repetitive and I never could pull off [U]Demolition Man[/u] but he was still a great character none the less. You said there are roughly 30 characters altogether on Tekken 5 Sephiroth, I was wondering if you could tell us who they are and for new characters an idea of what they're like ?[/size]

[quote name='jblessing']It is set at 50 posts.[/quote] [SIZE=1]Well that's the question answered by the man with the facts, [B]jblessing[/B] or Justin as I remember him from times old. I suppose that's the thread answered unless people would like to debate when an "newbie" stops being a "newbie".[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Well I wouldn't have classified [B]Demolition Man[/b] as a comedy or even a part-comedy but to each his own I suppose. I do hope this doesn't get deleted as I lost a shite-load of posts last time that happened. [b]Answer:[/b] About 15 of those penalty papers/cards. [b]Bonus Answer:[/b] Because he can't use the three metallic sea shells. OK it's my turn now I suppose. [b]Question:[/b] In the film [B]The Animal[/b] what creature is it that finds Mange after his car accident ? [b]Bonus Question:[/b] How much was the Badger milk that Marvin bought ? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Well I have only one official family member although there are several unofficial ties I have with other OBs so I'll do the best I actually can. [b]Wife:[/b] Raiha, my one and only. [b]Twins:[/b] Dragon Warrior (the crazier half of OB's Gavins, myself being the saner... to a degree) [b]Brothers:[/b] MajinVegeta, Yoda (not an "official" family but brothers none the less) and Jokopoko (who I'm extremely proud of as a fellow role-player). [b]Sisters:[/b] Annie, my older sister who I have interesting conversations with. [b]Cousins:[/b] Boba Fett (one of my oldest and dearest friends), Corey (one of my newest and dearest friends), Solo Tremaine (a semi-new friend who I never get to speak to much anymore). Well that's it I think...[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][i]Ventarris smiled and drew in a breath as he exited the turbo-lift onto the bridge, he noted that most of the Senior crew had yet to board as most of their stations were manned by Ensigns. A young Human Lieutenant strode up to him standing to attention before her superior officer, he sensed beaming pride from her though it was as obvious to him as non-empaths. He chuckled softly to himself reminded of his first time aboard a vessel as an Ensign, the [B]U.S.S. Ulysses[/B], he remembered the pride, the joy and a huge sense of duty.[/i] [b]Ventarris:[/b] At ease Lieutenant, I'm just here to get the first look at my berth same as anyone else. [I]He walked over to the First Officer's chair, the bridge was quite different to anything he'd served on before but then of course the Brightstar was the smallest ship he'd served on so far. The Ulysses, the Atlantis and the Pendragon, three fine ships, three fine Captains and three fine crews, he hoped to be able to do as good a job now that it was his turn. Running his hand along the leather of the chair he felt a number of hairs on his arms raise in anticipation, he'd done covert work all across both Quadrants but this was truly exhilarating. The young Lieutenant had been watching him and chuckled just loud enough for him to hear, he withdrew his hand slightly in embarrassment before turning to her.[/I] [b]Ventarris:[/b] Lieutenant, please tell the Captain I'm ready to meet him. [b]Lieutenant Watterson:[/b] He's in his ready room waiting for you Sir. [I]He nodded before striding across the room towards the Captain's Ready-Room, a million thoughts entered his head at once before the door opened to reveal the Captain sitting behind his desk, a wry smile on his face. Standing to attention himself, Ventarris wondered what kind of a man the Captain was...[/I][/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Well you've asked two separate questions without realising it or perhaps you have but only meant to ask the one, regardless I think it would make for an interesting debate though it may be moved to the Lounge if the context requires it. [b]Question #1: When does a New Member become a Member ?[/b] If I remember correctly James told me that it was 50 posts, although if memory serves I remember him saying something about it being set at 20 posts by accident and they were working to fix it. Time used to have it that it took 500 posts to reach the illustrious title of Member but times have changed and we must change with them. So the answer [b]5O[/b] to the best of my knowledge. [b]Question #2: When does a newbie stop being a newbie ?[/b] Slightly more difficult to answer, I would say that a newbie stops being a newbie when they stop acting like a one although it's anyone?s guess to so when that event occurs as it's unique to each person. There are people who were still newbies with post count in the hundred or even thousands, it all depends on when they stop acting like a newbie and settle into being an Otaku. At least that's my opinion on it... [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Perhaps I was being over-zealous in my previous statements, I totally agree that RPGs are meant to be about fun, hell if they weren't fun nobody would bother joining or making them. I totally agree with Siren (a new name PT) when he says that some of the "goofier" RPGs take a more light-hearted approach to RPGs but the quality is still maintained even then. I understand that newbies need a bit of time at the beginning to have some fun in some RPGs akin to their level of quality to help them get into the swing of things. But the point I was trying to get across is that [u]some[/u], though by no mean all newbies keep to the same regimen of quality the entire time. Now I understand that maybe some of the better or more known role-players may be a little intimidating to see but they were exactly as newbies were at some time. A while ago in an AIM conversation I had with James he told me that he "Still feels like a newbie sometimes" or something along those lines (please correct at your own discretion James), now if somebody like James says something like that then there's really no bid deal about being a great role-player.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][I]Van's head ached after all that had happened within the last 24 hours, between fighting dealing with Sam attacking Trini and these wicked headaches he'd been getting since the Bladerunner Van was just feeling run-down. Walking over to the beverage machine he waited slowly for it to fill his cup with something caffinated, as much as he disliked the taste of coffee right now he could care what he got. He rubbed his finger tips against his temples in a vain attempt to keep the pain in some way tolerable but lately that was becoming harder and harder. Walking slowly over to a rack of chemicals next to his desk he removed a liquid compound he knew to be a neural pain killer, he must have been taking two or three shots of the stuff a day at this stage. Easing the hypospray to his neck he winced as it's needle pierced the skin and delivered the pain killer, he could fell the effect almost instantly as the pain in his head melted into something tolerable at the back of his mind. Sipping slowly away at his tea his wondered if he'd come back from this mission, would anyone come back from this mission... Suddenly and without warning the pain in his head increased to such a level that he cried out in pain, gripping his skull with both hands he could hear nothing but the voice in his head.[/I] [b]Voice:[/b] I'll see you soon... brother. [I]Van could feel a pair of arms wrap around him as he fell to the floor but anything after that was consumed by the darkness...[/I][/SIZE]

[quote name='Wingnut Ninja][color=teal']However, while there are a lot of decent RPs around here, you have to let the fact sink in that for every good one, you'll often find about ten awful ones, many of which are the fanboyish/girlish type. I've seen a dozen Inuyasha and other anime related RPs around here that aren't very constructive, which are practically the opposition of those that members here choose to ignore simply because the concept is unheard of or unfamiliar.[/color][/quote] [SIZE=1]Wingnut here has said exactly what I was getting at, as much as we try to change it for ever one RPG like [B]Kill Adam[/B] that has phenomenal quality there will be fifty that are just plain awful. When people use examples such as [B]Kill Adam[/B] they have to take into context that Kill Adam (or any other RPG with similar quality) is still only [b]one[/b] RPG at any [B]one[/B] time as compared with the constant stream of poor quality RPGs that flood the Adventure Square at a given time. I'm not saying that all newbies are horrible role-players that should be banned, I've looked over my own old stuff and that of several other people I know and I can say that with practice people can get a whole lot better. What I said in my previous post was that some of the worse newbies don't even look at stuff like Kill Adam or practice to get better. I mean Terra, Arcadia and Shy are only three people, there is no way they could influence every newbie in the Arena to try and imitate the more skilled role-players there-in.[/SIZE]

[QUOTE=Jokopoko][COLOR=TEAL][SIZE=1]I do remember you sending me this idea a while ago Gav and I say what I said then. It's a good idea and I'm glad your thinking about putting it up seeing as it's been quite a while since there was a decent Zoid-RPG in the Square but I've got a few questions. Will the Zoid combat be team based or will it be individual pilots squaring off? As for the continents I would love to help you with the names but I'm a little busy right now but keep me in mind incase you need some help ^_~[/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE] [SIZE=1]The combat will all be [B]Individual[/B] as team-combat has a tendency to get a little nasty when there are 10 on one team and 2 on another, an idea I'm playing about with is that although it will be individual pilots in combat it [B]may not[/B] be merely One on One. This will allow people to be flexible, in a match of 4 or even 8 Zoids for example there would be ample chances for some tag-teaming to come into effect. One other thing I may have neglected to mention is the fact that Organoids will be handed out as prizes in some of the more illustrious tournaments, though they won't be domesticated right from the start and it will take some effort to tame them. Combat will be arranged in a number of tournaments ([B]a lá A Knight's Tale[/B]) so that the same people and NPCs may not compete in every tournament. For example if your Zoid is trashed in a one tournament it'll take some time to get it back up to standards, in which time you may have been too late to participate in another tournament. For Example: [I]Bill's Iron Kong is trashed in the Atlasia City Tournament Finals.[/I] [I]It takes him 2 weeks to have all the repairs completed.[/I] [I]In that time the Kelf City Tournament has begun and he is too late to enter[/I]. One last thing is that people will only be allowed a maximum of [B]two[/B] Zoids at a time, though if your Zoid is trashed beyond repair (as will be determined by the Judge refereeing the match) you will have to [b]purchase[/b] another one (no such thing as a free ride in this RPG). The Judge for each match will be Myself or in the event I'm in that match it will be decided by someone neutral or possibly by voting though I'll take any other suggestions. As for names Bill I'm quite thankful, any you have would be graciously appreciated, if you've thought of any or written up some please post them here. Well that's me all done here so if anyone else has anything to say I'd be happy to hear it. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Most frustrating gaming moments eh, I?ve had quite a few of them. [b]Prince of Persian: Sand of Time -[/b] I bought this game about a week ago and completed it within 3 or 4 days, I love this game even if the combat was daunting as hell but the most frustrating moment comes right near the end. [spoiler]After the Prince hesitates to put the Dagger back into the Hourglass and the Vizier uses his powers to sent you flying out of the Tower of Dawn.[/spoiler] You end up in the crypt and then make your way down into the fountain-room with all the doorways that you have to go through in a certain order to get onto the next level (at which time you repeat the same process). I remember screaming in frustration at my Gamecube trying to figure out the pattern behind the puzzle, eventually I got through by sheer process of elimination and finished the level, but it was definitely one of the most frustrating gaming moments I?ve had. [b]Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast ?[/b] The final battle against Desann, by far one of the best Star Wars games I?ve played but this game?s final boss fight was nothing sure of impossible the first time around. I remember getting to the end of the level and seeing the cutscene and thinking ?Yeah last time we fought I had no lightsaber and no Force-powers, now I?m going to kick your ***?, instead he cut me to shreds and left me pulling at my hair in annoyance. Eventually I beat him and now I can even beat him on Jedi Master setting though the most fun way to kill him by far [spoiler]is to cut down one of the corner pillars[/spoiler] and make him one with the Force. [b]Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time ?[/b] Two words, Water Temple, this was just so annoyingly obtuse the first time around I gave up on the same completely, it still ranks high as one of my worst gaming moments but this was just so stupidly obscure in parts. In most Legend of Zelda games you complete a difficult puzzle and think ?Yeah who?s the man?, in the Water Temple you complete a puzzle and thought ?Oh Jesus what?s coming next? or at least I did. [b]Yu-Gi-Oh: Forbidden Memories ?[/b] This game should be just forbidden outright it?s so badly made, the learning curve is huge and you start out with simply terrible cards. I nearly wanted to use the game as a Frisbee when I couldn?t take anymore of it?s awful difficulty level and learning curve, take your early battles for an example, you beat Egyptian Joey and get 1 piddley little star-chip. Now if I were to try and get a good card such as BEWD I?d need a few thousand of said piddley star-chips and even then I?d get mutilated by my enemies unbelievable luck and skills. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I agree with James here, even if we were to see Star Wars from The Empire's point of view I highly doubt that our opinions would change, yes it is a film and yes it is set at a slant but not slanted enough to justify The Empire's acts of genocide. Going strictly by the films we can see that The Empire has little regard for even the lives of it's citizens, take the destruction of Alderaan as a prime example of this fact. Yes we do admit that Leia wants to bring back the crippled, corrupted and red-tape infested Old Republic, and as we see in the Extended Universe it is often the cause of major constrictions due to it's lack of progress. If we were to simply look at it from a black and white point of view we'd see both of them as being evil, The Empire is cruel, merciless and racist in favour of humans, while The Republic is so bogged down in procedures, politics and underhanded deeds that it is worse than The Empire. The Jedi were one of the few uncrumbled pillars that held up the Old Republic before it's fall, they guarded it from attacks from the outside, settled disputes between members and even went so far as to lay themselves down in order to protect squabbling delegates from the Senate (i.e. Qui-Gon and Padmé). When the Jedi could no longer protect The Republic it fell to the hands of her Supreme Chancellor Palpatine who then established The Empire and went about slaughtering the Jedi who posed a threat to his ascension to power. Fast forward a number of decades to the conflict with the Yuuzhan Vong, the Republic is totally incapable of defeating this unstoppable enemy to the point where even Coruscant is conquered. The Vong who see the Jedi as a threat order the New Republic to give them up or return for small mercies in their conflict, the Jedi being the only ones at that stage to have face Vong forces and lived are heartlessly abandoned in order for the Republic to protect itself. Later it is the Jedi who find the key to finally understanding the Vong and eventually defeating them (I assume, the final book in the NJO series has yet to come out). Soon however the Republic creates a pathogen capable of annihilating Vong forces at the genetic level, their Excaliber to defeat the Vong ? [B]No[/B], they decide that it would be too much like the Empire to do something of that nature and continue to get pounded. Now if that Empire had defeated the Rebellion things would be much different, after their initial contact with the Vong Palpatine would have ordered the research of said pathogen and used it to destroy the Vong efficiently and mercilessly. That or they would have used the Death Star to destroy the Vong fleet and any planet they had conquered to give them a clear message. Now ask yourself, would you rather live under the secure tyranny of the Empire or the flailing uselessness of the New Republic ?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I absolutely despised the Animated version of Lord of the Rings, it was just plain awful. [spoiler]Did Aragorn even wear trousers in that film, because it sure didn't look like it.[/spoiler] I can accept that the film may be a good number of years old and it can't compete with Jackson's multi-million dollar in terms of optical presentation of the book but there were still many, many thing that made it suck if we look at it straight from a story point of view. - The film ends at the end of The Two Towers never even going on the The Return of the King. - Aragorn does not wear pants. (He should be called Long[i]johns[/i] not Long[i]shanks[/i]) - We never meet half the characters due to it ending without finishing the story. - They bypass several parts of FoTR and TT to save space, I can't remember exacty where they skipped but I know they did. - We never meet the Ents if memory serves. I rented it the first time (I accidently rented about a year later) just after seeing FotR and thought "[I]Great now I can see what happens in the rest of them without having to wait for another 4 years.[/I]" Quickly I saw it's faults and returned it that night wasting ?3.00 of my own money. I agree with Juuthena here completely except for the fact that I didn't laugh once during that piece of animated garbage.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][I]Van sighed a lot more heavily than he usually did, he had only one answer for Trini and she wasn't going to like it, but regardless of how little she liked it she had the right to know.[/I] [b]Van:[/b] We didn't know... [[I]Sighs again[/I]] I was kept completely in the dark regarding Sam after we got home, I just hit brick walls wherever I went. [[I]Sits down next to Trini[/I]] I had heard rumours but I dismissed them, but it seems that they were all true... [[I]Turns to Sam and shakes his head[/I]] Sam I'm so sorry, please forgive me... [I]Van got up off the bed and walked up to the nearest wall, he was so angry at those red-tape covered bastards, he was Sam's friend and they hadn't told him about his problem. Van slammed his fist off the wall with such force that he could actually hear his wrist break, the pain was nothing compared to the pain he felt for betraying Trini. Walking slowly over to the medical devices he had left on a tray for treating Trini, he removed a small device that looked like a silvery cone. This was one of sciences newest breakthroughs but he really could care for the mechanics at this moment, pointing the thin glowing end over his wrist, a number of pulsing sounds later Van moved his wrist as though it had never been broken. He looked back over at Trini, she'd gasped when he broke his wrist but sat silently now, a look of contemplation on her face. Allen was pacing the room in a similar mood, his chain of thoughts interrupted by Van's little outburst, Sam on the otherhand had stayed sobbing after Van's apology, he knew they would never have done anything to hurt him, not on purpose anyway. Van sat back in the chair behind his desk, placed his hand on his forehead and just sighed, it had been a troubling day and they weren't even off the ground yet...[/I][/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]First this was written as an RPG, then it was converted into a story which failed horribly, and now I'm posting it here in the Underground in the hope of making it into an RPG again. I've also decided to launch it with a new title, as I intend for this to be the first in a series of RPGs like Maverick Hunters for instance, and I hope you will help me in that endeavour. I'd like to point out that if this does get to the Adventure Inn I'm going to be rather selective about whom I let in, and this will be based heavily on their quality. However this does not mean that I'm just going to let in guys I'm familiar with, I'd advise anyone who likes the look of it to give it a shot, remember this is the Underground, there's nothing to stop you from expressing your interest or opinions. In terms of the storyline I've rewritten most of the ending and decided to divide it up into a number of extracts each about 12 - 15 lines long, in order these tell the beginning of the story from the perspective of one of the main characters. As you will see they are taken as extracts from the journal of one Vanterris Kane, a member of the Genesis Project and the character whom I will be portraying. If this story sees a continuation, and I hope it will, we shall see extracts from other people. Something which I do hope to be able to do, but for now let's proceed onwards. [center]----------------[/center] [b][u]Prologue - Extracts taken from the journal of Vanterris Kane[/u][/b] [center][b]Our story...[/b][/center] [i]The future is a hard thing to predict, ever changing due to the actions of the people here in the present, changed by our human desires, our needs... our wants... our wishes. Most of us just want to be able to lead normal lives like any other person, we never asked to be what were, never asked to be persecuted and outcasted, some of us even wish we were never even born. We are the hunted because we are different, the hunted because we are a minority, we are the hunted because we are seen to be dangerous, a failed experiment that must be put down like some rabid dog. We hide from others than our own kind, covering our bodies and faces for fear of recognition, should we be recognised we would face persecution and death. We have no one to protect us, no one to teach and nurture us, no one to help us live any other way than the way we're forced to live. Sometime I envy the dead, for they at least know peace...[/i] [CENTER][b]What we are, and what we were created to be...[/b][/CENTER] [i]That which we are, is the end result of a belief held by a generation of humans who thought that the betterment of mankind lay in the human genome, that creating children of superior ability would somehow make up for humanity's previous atrocities against itself. They believed that by genetically engineering their children they could produce the next link in the evolutionary chain, they were partially correct in their assumptions however they were wrong about the end result. It was true that we would be superior to those who came before us, that our biological parents were not as genetically advanced as we were, that we did represented a step up in the human genetic ladder. We can look below us on the lower steps of the ladder and see the things that our ancestors have done, killed off entire races for being different, killed off people for not being as advanced as them and even killed those who were disabled.[/i] [CENTER][b]Our Genesis...[/b][/CENTER] [i]When our generation was first born we were heralded as a tribute to the genius of our creators and a blessing to our parents. We were not seen as soulless creatures or dangerous animals then, no... back then we were seen as man's greatest attempt to mimic the powers of God, the ultimate expression of human arrogance. But slowly things changed, those who were not as advanced as us became jealous of our gifts, believing that we saw them as being inferior to us, they believed that we secretly lusted for power and prominence in this "new" world. In truth most of us cared little for such things, for in our creation we were given a soul with a better understanding of the world, or at least how it should be, we were naive and we paid the price in our blood. We knew that at some point we could face opposition to what we are, hatred... jealousy... violence... even possible outcasting from the society which bore us. Had such a act being exacted upon our parent they would react with anger and retribution, but we would not, we pitied their fickle nature, a nature which that feared which it had created, we were the new-born monster to our parents Dr. Frankenstein...[/i] [center][b]The storm loomed upon the horizon...[/b][/center] [i]We were content to live under the rules of our society, it was good and we enjoyed it's freedoms and advantages. Many of those we lived among, and those we encountered in our daily lives treated us in the same manner as those who were unlike us. In our early childhood there were those who spoke out against what we were, religious and moral zealots who proclaimed that we lacked the souls or morals that they held in such high regard, fools so wrapped up in their own versions of piety that they had strayed far from the true path. They were a tiny extremist minority, much to our fortune, as the vast majority were happy to allow us to live our lives as normal human beings, the lives we are entitled to from conception. We are not animals, nor a disease, nor a curse or scourge sent from God to obliterate those who had incurred his wrath by imitating his work. We look back on groups such as the Nazis and their brethren-in-ideals and shiver, we see vengeful children afraid of those who were different, vengeful children under the deranged supposition that murdering all those people unlike them would allow the creation of their paradise. They and those now akin are those who are dangerous, those who are animals, those who are the disease, they are the curse and the scourge, not us.[/i] [center][b]The beginning of our end...[/b][/center] [i]But slowly people's ideas changed, as they always do, the will of the minority has some incomprehensible way of becoming the conviction of the majority. Those who had objected to the research that brought us into this world were to become our executioners, they like those who had come before them wanted to wipe us from existence so that they too could have their version of paradise. How like the circle of water, from beginning to end to beginning again are the convictions and ideals of man, so continuous and undaunted that they shall echo through time forever. Our numbers were only tiny to begin with, some 1,600 children were born altogether from the research that brought us into being, such a tiny faction made us an easy target. Not one of us to my knowledge had ever committed a crime, or posed a threat to the society we cared for by, we were too young, but youth like old age is defenceless against the shadow that is death. Quickly those in government passed bills demanding our incarceration, citing lies in the guise that they had some terrible illness locked away in our genes just waiting to appear and destroy the world that had created us. Had we had perspective we would have known it was only a matter of time, those who had wanted our destruction was guileful, hiding in the shadows telling our parents that there was no cure for our genetic time bomb.[/i] [center][b]The chains that bound us...[/b][/center] [i]Our parents so easily concerned with their own safety were more than willing to give us up, love seems so easily eroded by a sense of self preservation. I remember my own father shouting down my mother in an argument when she wanted to see their "proof", I cannot blame him, he was just foolish enough to look without using his own eyes. Those that came to take us away told our parents that by doing so they could do some small things to help us, make our last days less painful, allow us to be in the company of those like us, and most importantly to be kept from fulfilling genetic Armageddon. The shadow of those who condemned us spread throughout the face of the Earth, our age of enlightenment and wisdom proved to be little less than our Book of Revelations. It did not take long to round us up, as I have already said there were only a relative handful of us to begin with, 1,600 out of 3,500,000,000, a drop in the ocean... We were taken to places that earlier historians would liken to Death Camps, torn away from the life we knew and thrust together like animals in cages, guarded until it was time for execution. Whether they did it to make our remaining existence more miserable, they couldn't risk mass-execution for fear of a change in heart I will never know, small groups were burned to cinders and ashes in firing chambers. Our warden would limit it to 5 or 6 at a time, occurring once every few weeks, those who had given the orders wanted to make sure that their careful house of cards would not yet topple. Five long years did I languish in that pit of hell, never knowing whether it would be my day to die, sometime I looked forward to it as an end to my misery...[/i] [center][b]Our Exodus...[/b][/center] [i]The filth on the walls was all I knew as home, the miserable existence of those that did not exist and had no rights. The only heat came from ragged blankets, the only food was a substance so vile than many chose to starve rather than eat it, I for one chose life so that I could gain my retribution. I remember overhearing conversations among older children about plans of escape, I often laughed in sorrow as such thought, this was not to be our Chateaux d'If and we were not to be the brave Edmond Dantes. Had I known that their idle conversations were covers for real plans for escape I would have listened more clearly, but I had thought them the mere ramblings of the damned, how foolish and yet fortunate I was. The night of our escape has been burned clearly into our minds, the pitch darkness, illuminated only by the crescent Moon, the biting cold and fierce winds provided our cover, the guards so complacent after years of idle work would probably not have noticed if we walked out past them. But that was not to be our plan of escape, sometime I think back upon it and realise we truly might have been existing in Alexander Dumas classical tale of escape and revenge, tools fashioned from all manner of utensils proved mightier than any weapon. Those who had used them forged great tunnels beneath of squalid citadel, and that night was ours was to mimic the great Exodus from Egypt, we crawled through darkness for what seems like and eternity, the weather so fierce it seemed as though God was to aid us in our quest. That night 382 prisoners escaped, all that was left of some 1,600 after five long years, the guards so abacked by the fury of the Almighty were left oblivious of our escape for nearly two days, at which time we far, far away...[/i] [center][b]Our lives begun anew...[/b][/center] [i]We learned quickly to trust no one but our own kind, we had endured all manners of Hell for five years and we were not about to face it again. Quickly we were given a name, Children of Genesis, a loose term the media used to describe us, the failed experiment, the viper coiled around society's neck. Again fear reigned through the masses, hatred and fear so easily invoked ran rampant, our final destruction was chanted in the streets, such days of fear I had never known. Subterfuge was out only weapon, our only defence, to move undiscovered from place to place became our way, movement without incident, movement without loss. 382 was too large a number to move from place to place undetected, to do so would be to risk our annihilation, something which couldn't be risked. Our retribution required of us to break down our numbers, cells of 12 members were formed and then took flight, 30 cells across the face of the globe, your cell was your family, the only ones that mattered. The remaining 22, the Council and a cell entrusted with their safety, had located a long abandoned military bunker from where they would wait, watch and then strike deadly at our foes. Though we lacked such training as to make us a threat in the beginning we learned quickly, our foes had underestimated us once, we would not let them do it again...[/i] [center][b]From Genesis, to Exodus, to Revelations...[/b][/center] [i]I know little of what goes on in other cells, for it is not necessary for me to know such things, I fight for my freedom and that is all that keeps me going. Confined to the shadows like our nemesis, we wait for our day to walk into the light, in a just world such events as I have experience would never have happened, but this has gone beyond us and beyond humanity. We cannot change that which we are, all we can do is make the best of the situation we have been born into, and make the best of the power we have given. We shall see the days where we are free even, if it is only a small number of us who do...[/i] [center]----------------[/center] Well that was the back-story to the RPG, however as with any fictional RPG extra information is required for the benefit of those who are joining. Such information is provided below. [b]The World as it exists Today[/b] - [u][i]The Third World War[/i][/u] "[i]It was the war to end all wars...[/i]" a belief held by those who survived man's First World War, it's horrors captured forever in the heart of man. Many hoped that the destruction caused by that conflict would forever steel the mind of man away from such a means of resolving conflict. It was not to be so, within a quarter of a century man had still not learned, another conflict even more brutal than the first broke out killing some 50 million people across the globe, the images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were to be testament to the awesome destructive powers of man. In the aftermath of this Second World War the Superpowers, the USSR and the U.S.A. sought to use such weapons as a means of deterrence against their enemies, how foolhardy they were. For nearly 60 years after the end of that conflict man was at war with himself, not a physical war as had been witnessed but a new war of fear, the Nuclear warheads as had been built in the tens of thousands lay dormant and unused. Man or at least some of those in great seats of power now focused their attention of crafting the world in their image, one man's terrorist was another man's patriot, dozens of wars came and went but the nuclear stayed dormant. Many wars came and went, the Korean, the Vietnam, the Gulf, the Balkan, the Afghan and the Second Gulf, all examples of man inhumanity to man. He would have to learn the hard way... Even now almost 40 years after we still are unsure as to the beginnings of the Third World War, man first and only nuclear conflict, much of the records for that time have been erased so we only have a partial picture. What we do know is that on May 6th 2006 a nuclear weapon was detonated in the city of New York, in what was the United States of America. The city was obliterated with over 18 million people killed, to this day we still do not know what group was responsible for the act of genocide, but it was enough to plunge to world into nuclear war. One country accused another of being responsible for the act, tempers flared and then finally the act of war was declared. October 12th 2006 signalled the beginning of a war so destructive that it would be responsible for the deaths of over 3 billion people. In just under 3 years from 2006 to 2009 man came closer to self-annihilation than he ever did before, entire countries disappeared in the awesome fury of the nuclear power. - [u][i]The Aftermath[/i][/u] On February 27th 2009 man finally laid his weapons to rest to survey the destruction he had brought upon himself, this like most wars had no winners, and man would have to live with these acts for the rest of time. Those countries that had been fortunate enough to survive the nuclear apocalypse realised the extent of this terrible mistake they had made, but for all their tears and sorrow the war could not be undone. Man's inhumanity and lust for vengeance had cost him the ultimate price, that which he treasured beyond all, his soul. Those governments who still retained control of their people quickly formed treaties and alliances with others for various materials and supplies, in a way this way had brought man closer together than he had ever been before. Antiquated and powerless organisations such as the United Nations disappeared in the wake of the war, their so called legislative powers proved inadequate to stop the war. Old boundaries were torn down, collective states such as the European Union were reformed into giant superstates to allow the easy passage of supplies, refugees and medicines. In truth mankind began to tear down the very boundaries that they'd creates to keep himself safe, by 2020 some eleven years after then end of the war man had finally erased all boundries he had created. A single government was created based in Geneva in the old country known as Switzerland, and at last man seemed to be getting things right, at last he could move on. The following decade saw made enter his second Renaissance, all manner of sciences were pushed to the boundaries that had been established, lands decimated by radiation were restored and made habitable, deaths from famine and easily cured diseases were erased, man had entered his Golden Age. Thus Man began his quest to eliminate those factors within him that might lead to a Forth World War, the project was to be called Genesis, God had made man flawed, man would fix those mistakes once and for all... "[i]On the sixth day God created man, TODAY we perfected him...[/i]" these were the words of Project Genesis leader Malcolm Price on June 6th 2030, the day the first child of Project Genesis was born... - [i][u]The Present[/u][/i] The year is 2054, 24 years after the historical beginnings of the Genesis Project, though man hoped to perfect his children, he had done little to perfect himself. The [b]United Federation of Earth States[/b] or [b]U.F.E.S.[/b] is ruled by it's governing body, the Senate made up of some 600 members, however greed and politics, as well as shadowy dealings are crippling to body beyond repair. Many of those in government responsible for it's decay are the very ones who opposed to the Genesis Project, their reasons are their own but they now control many aspects of a person's daily life. On the outside their give a veneer of decency and fairness, but realistically they are making a bid to consolidate their own power for whatever reasons they follow. We have been on the run for nearly 3 years at this stage, the cells of twelve and lone operatives moving from city to city across the U.F.E.S., though cells rarely intersect one another it is usually to exchange information or members who's skills are required. Operatives working in different cities provide shelter, equipment or false documents to cells on mission in that city, missions are usually attacks on military targets although the assets of certain Senate members are also hit. In response to this the Senate has authorised the military full discretion about dealing with the Children of Genesis, though they have captures a handful of cell members and operatives they have great difficulty in tracking down other members before they've moved on. [center]----------------[/center] Well that's as much as I've written at the moment though there may be more in describing the cells and it's members. Any thoughts or comments would be much appreciated...[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I wouldn't ever go tinkering about with a human life, regardless of whether it's to fix genetic abnormalities or to make sure that they child has hair to match my latest jacket. All life is precious and as such screwing about with it in order to fulfil your own wants is just plain wrong, I could accept that if the child was going to be [b]knowingly[/b] severely disabled then I might find it acceptable. I mean this is your child here, does love even enter the equation for some people ?[/SIZE] [QUOTE=Mitch][size=1][color=red] Yes, I would choose the sex of my baby--and I'd make it sexless. A hermaphrodite. Just like the Virgin Mary was [/size][/color][/QUOTE] [SIZE=1]Hmm well isn't this interesting, Mitch gets all defensive about gay people's rights and then goes off and insults Christian people's religion. You are of course aware Mitch that that statement is offensive to any and all Christians.[/SIZE] [quote name='Boba Fett][color=green']I'd be willing to bet that, since in some cultures it's preferable to have a boy rather than a girl, any widespread/common use of gender selection would make it very difficult to get a girlfriend, in any case.[/color][/quote] [SIZE=1]Damn well then I'm just going to have to cling to my current girlfriend and beat off and all competitors with very large sticks. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Heh I might be tempted to do a bit of brain surgery on Sam if he doesn't settle down. [i]While Steffanie was examining Sam, Van had moved Trini onto one of the new Bio-Beds, they were inherently similar to most other medical beds except for a sliding medical scanner which slid out from the wall the beds were attached to. Van moved the scanner carefully over Trini watching for even to most minute injury, "Dammit Sam, what the hell is wrong with you" he thought angrily. The scanner beeped before emitted it's blue scanning beam, the beam moved up and down Trini's body as Van mumbled away to himself[/i] [b]Van:[/b] Heart... lungs... stomach... liver... and kidneys. [[i]sighs[/i]] They all check out, apart from a pair of cracked ribs and a concussion she should be fine. [i]Van walked over to the restrained Sam, the table he was restrained upon was similar to the one Trini lay upon except for the fact that it was equipped with restraints. Van could still hear Sam moaning about Tex, he should have guessed it, he'd heard what he guessed now were more than just rumours, rumours that Sam had done some pretty weird things during the last fortnight. Sam was mumbling still incoherently but Van was a little tired of this shit and wanted his full attention. Grabbing Sam by the shoulders Van began to shake him while shouting at him, Sam suddenly shook "awake" and began to speak in a quick, worried tone.[/i] [b]Sam:[/b] Van, Van where are you, please it's Tex she's hurt and needs your help. [b]Van:[/b] [[i]Shaking even harder[/i]] Sam, Tex is dead !! You, Allen, Trini and I were the only survivors. [[i]Almost shouting[/i]] Snap out of it or I'm going to have to sedate you !! [i]Van was visibly enraged at what Sam had done but it wasn't Sam who was going to get the brunt of it, their liaison Jako was going to get his first taste of Van's famous temper.[/i] [b]Van:[/b] [[i]Shouting into the intercom[/i]] Jako get your ass to my sick-bay on the double...[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I hate to play Devil's Advocate here Terra as I do have a lot of respect for your work, but I do think that Balmon has a point in some of what he has said. I knew your predecessors (Warlock and Flash) pretty well and I have to admit that this sort of quality or rather lack of in these cases wouldn't have been tolerated whatever the age. I mean Final Flash was only 13 when he was a Moderator, if memory serves and his level of quality was incredible. I can accept that maybe a 12 year old may not be as capable a role-player as the likes of say Annie or Corey, but there is still a defined level of [B]minimum-requirement[/B], at last time I checked. I've been here nearly 4 years at this stage and as [B]TheOtaku[/B] and [B]Otakuboards[/B] have become more famous we have an inherent influx of, shall we say lack of "imagination". I suppose when we had only maybe 2,000 or so members and the Arena was sort of reserved for more experienced role-players then moderating it was not an awfully difficult job. Back then Warlock or Flash would simply close the poor quality RPGs and constant spammers were simply banned, not a merciful system but it kept order. Now though we've seen a massive influx of those who lack quality but are so vast in number that their RPGs are filled with those of quality akin to them. I don’t want to sound like a broken record here, but back in the "old" days there were only maybe a few dozen constant posters in the Adventure Arena and as such getting into an RPG made by a respected poster was difficult. This influenced those new to the Arena (myself included) to go back and work on their quality until it was at an acceptable level to get in. Whereas now we don't have that as respected role-players stay the heck away from quality-lacking RPGs and those who create them no longer attempt to up their quality as their RPGs are filled anyway. This practice has created the system, where better quality role-players end up short of players because there aren't enough people either willing or good enough to get into their RPGs. Again I hate to play Devil's Advocate Terra but this is just my opinion on the whole thing.[/SIZE]

[font=Verdana][size=1]I was having massive trouble completing my previous character Jerak so I decided to scrap it completely and start from scratch. I've decided to go with a Betazoid instead of a Vulcan because we already have one, that and I think we need a good mix of different races to make things interesting. Eh Bill when do we get to meet the Captain of this voyage ?[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Name:[/b] Ventarris Aside (his last name would be pronounced A-[i]See[/i]-[i]Day[/i])[/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Age[/b] 37[/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Date of Birth:[/b] In Terran terms it would be July 2nd 2350[/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Appearance:[/b] [img]http://www.macbraveheart.freeserve.co.uk/images/_pics/braveheart_pic11.jpg[/img] As pretty much seen here, like most Betazoids Ventarris's hair is either wavy or curly, in his case wavy. He wears his full commander's uniform most of the time though after a hard day he tends to removes the outer jacket and leave it with just the waistcoat. His uniform is usually so clean and neat that it seems as if it's just come out of a replicator.[/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Marital Status:[/b] Dating the Assistant Chief Engineer Catherine Reed (for the second time)[/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Height:[/b] 1.74 cm [/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Weight:[/b] 87.24 KGs[/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Hair Colour:[/b] Dark Brown[/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Eye Colour:[/b] As with all Betazoids the irises of his eyes are a distinct black, this goes some way in helping him to bluff others as his continuous gaze can become unnerving.[/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Species:[/b] Betazoid[/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Sex:[/b] [strike]Any time he can get it[/strike] Male[/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Place of Birth:[/b] Side (pronounced the same as his last name), a large city on the southern continent of the planet Betazed.[/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Languages:[/b] Betazoid, Terran, Vulcan, Andorian, Bolian, Klingon, Romulan, Cardassian, Ferengi and Breen. His years in Starfleet Intelligence have made it necessary for him to be able to speak a wide variety of Alpha and Beta quadrant languages, his telepathic and empathic abilities are also a necessity.[/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Interests:[/b] Ventarris has a very keen mind and likes to exercise it at any given occasion against any given opponent, he's a big fan of the Vulcan game Kal'To, Stratagema, 3D Chess and the old Earth game known as the Crossword. He's also a big fan of cooking and prefers to only replicate the materials he needs to make a dish rather than having the replicator make the whole thing, the reason behind this is he believes that a true cook must have the ability to taste the dish he cooks. When not on duty or cooking or indeed upsetting his latest opponent Ventarris enjoys playing an old Terran musical instrument called the Saxophone which he plays with great proficiency. [/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Position Applied For:[/b] Well since I'm the First Officer there's really no point in me putting anything down here. [/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [b][font=Verdana][size=1]Education:[/size][/font][/b] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]- 2354-2359 Primary Education, Betazed[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]- 2360-2365 Secondary Education, San Francisco [/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]- 2365-2369 Starfleet Academy, San Francisco[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [b][font=Verdana][size=1]Service Record:[/size][/font][/b] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]- 2365-2366 1st Year Cadet[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]- 2366-2367 2nd Year Cadet[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]- 2367-2368 3rd Year Cadet[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]- 2368-2369 4th Year Cadet[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]- 2369-2374 U.S.S. Ulysses, Crypto/Analysis Specialist[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]- 2374-2381 U.S.S. Atlantis, Infiltration Specialist[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]- 2381-2383 Jupiter Station, [b]Classified[/b] [/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]- 2383-2387 U.S.S. Pendragon, Chief Intelligence Officer[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]- 2387-PRES U.S.S. Brightstar, First Officer[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Background:[/b] Ventarris Aside was born in the city of Side some 37 years ago, his mother Deanna was a member of the city governing council. His Veritas father due to the nature of Betazoid society was little more than a commodity to his mother, the successful union between two of Side's most powerful families. Ventarris's birth on any other planet in the Federation would grant him, depending on his abilities limitless options for later life, however on Betazed he was regarded as little more than an acquisition with which to bargain with. His parents learned quickly after his birth that Ventarris was born a telepath as opposed to gaining his powers during puberty, it was a rare occurrence though not unheard of, such a condition often lead to madness with the person unable to cope hearing so many voices from youth. For most born telepaths it represented a great hurdle to overcome as Ventarris would have to develop great mental control and discipline in order to block out the noise of other people's thoughts.[/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]Ventarris's telepathy from birth was to represent the first in a number of steps for him to break the matriarchal chains the bound him. His parents saw that as well as being a child telepath he had a keen mind and a sharp wit, when attending parties by the elite of Side with his parents Ventarris would often be found arguing with older girls on the nature of Betazed's system of government. Most of the "elders" would secretly converse among themselves, away from Ventarris so that he couldn't read their thoughts or feelings. They would call him and those with similar ideals a danger to Betazed, and wondered how such noble family as the Asides spawned him. His father would often bring his son materials with which he could educate him until he was old enough to attend "Primary" Education, though this was little more than a basic education that would "serve" the needs of the women.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]He soon became argumentative with his mother over his education, he wanted to go to a proper institute where he could educate himself, though only 5 at this stage his telepathy had wizened him beyond his years. In the end his mother relented and along with his "Primary" education he was to be tutored so that his level of education would be on par with those gifted young women of his age. With these extra hours of tutelage Ventarris found himself to have little time for other activities, though for gazing up at the stars he made the time. He often wished he could leave the comfort yet stagnation of his life and go on to become an adventurer like James T. Kirk or Jean-Luc Picard, or other famous Starfleet captains. This was what he wanted to do later in life, so that other Betazoid boys might be able to follow in his footsteps.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]In 2359 his mother was diagnosed with a terminal neural degenerative disease, Ventarris and his father were devastated, as matriarchal as his mother was she had been a good a caring mother to him and helped him plant his first feet into a wide world. His father now the heir to his wife's possessions decided to move away from Betazed, as much as for Ventarris's benefit as for his own, his father choose for them to move to Earth, to San Francisco, the home of the Federation and Starfleet. Here Ventarris came into his own as he was no longer held back by the fact that he was a man, his father who had always had a flare for cookery opened up a restaurant serves some of the finest cuisine this side of a quadrant. Ventarris in 2360 enrolled in the local high school and for the next few years did little beyond work and dream about joining Starfleet.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]Ventarris was to be one of the few Betazoid males to join Starfleet, a fact he has taken great pride in, he had finally grappled his dreams with both hands and he would be damned before he let go. At the age of 15 he began his training in Starfleet Academy and finally began to feel accepted without having to be embarrassed because of the nature of his people's society. It was here that his dreams of space and adventure seemed to flourish from being a child's daydream to a reality, his Betazoid telepathy and empathic abilities made some people slightly nervous to be around him but most treated him like a normal person. His instructors noted he had an intuitive nature and had a flare for the cunning as well as a sharp mind, which basically placed him in either Tactical or Intelligence, he chose Intelligence and never really looked back.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]Four years seemed to pass fairly quickly for the young man, he worked hard and impressed many of his teachers, he made friends with other students and earned their respect as a good person. At 19 he finally completed his training at Starfleet Academy and his dream of becoming a member of Starfleet had been realised. His first assignment on August 16th 2369 as an Analysis Specialist saw him assigned to venerable [b]U.S.S. Ulysses[/b], a Galaxy class ship at her best, the Ulysses was one of the Federation's finest ships and Ventarris was proud to serve aboard her. His skills were immensely useful as the Ulysses was first ordered to patrol the Federation side of the Romulan Neutral Zone, effectively allowing the Romulans to get a good look at the ship they'd be tangling with if they didn't toe the line. While on her border patrol duties Ventarris was charged with sorting through different Romulan communiqués they'd pick up.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]For five years he worked on the Ulysses as she did her duties, after being reassigned from her shakedown border patrol and several other duties in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, they were sent on a three-year deep space exploration mission in 2371. It was during that time that Ventarris began going out with one of the ships engineers, her name was Catherine Reed and whenever Ventarris was with he always made and effort to keep his mind to himself. While on deep space exploration it was Ventarris's job as the Crypto/Analysis Specialist to gather as much information as he could about the races they encountered and how they might affect Star Fleet. Just over three years later and with banks of data the Ulysses returned to space-dock for some minor repairs and upgrades, it was here that Ventarris received orders that he was being reassigned to another ship effective immediately. He was heart broken at the prospect of leaving Catherine but she told him that they'd meet again, and they did on his latest commission aboard the U.S.S Brightstar, as she is the Assistant Chief Engineer.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]Ventarris found himself reassigned to the [b]U.S.S. Atlantis[/b], one of the new Sovereign class ships which was the step up from the Galaxy he'd served aboard. He'd be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and been given the duties of an Intelligence Officer but also as an Infiltration Specialist where required. The Atlantis was a fine ship and Ventarris soon forgot his feelings of woe at losing his position on the Ulysses. The Atlantis was assigned designed as an Enhanced Deterrence Explorer though more specifically she was built to go toe to toe in a fight with the Borg and the Dominion. As the Infiltration Specialist it was Ventarris's job to infiltrate Borg or Dominion ships or bases wherever possible to disable them or gather intelligence on the Collective or the Founders, he did his job with distinction as was noted by his Captain. Ventarris spent 7 years aboard the Atlantis before finding himself reassigned again and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander with orders to work on Special Intelligence Projects on the Jupiter Station all of which is classified.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]Two years later his work at the Jupiter Station was finished and he hoped to rejoin his old crew on the Atlantis in the fight against the Dominion but this was not to be so. He was once again reassigned, this time to the [b]U.S.S. Pendragon[/b] one of the new Excaliber II classed ships, with this reassignment he was given the position of Chief Intelligence Officer, though with Quadrant War over there was little Intelligence to manage. Thus the Pendragon was relegated to what most ships were in those few years after the War: Relief Work. His own home world of Betazed had been conquered and damaged and it was to be one of the number of worlds on the Pendragon's stop list. However 2 years later in 2385 the relief work was all but finished and the Pendragon got back to her original mission: Exploration.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]For the next two years Ventarris spent his time gazing through new information that would arrive on his desk, not that the vast majority was anything but sensor readings. The incident with the Reman Warbird [b]Scimitar[/b] left Ventarris with a bad taste in his mouth, a ship that could avoid all detection and fire at the same time would be a very powerful new weapon in the Romulan fleet. However the work of Captain William T. Riker saw to it that eventually the Federation signed a peace treaty with the Romulans and for once the Quadrant seemed stable. Ventarris work on the Jupiter Station earned him critical praise, though only those with high enough clearance knew what that work entailed.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1]Earlier this month on March 15th, after nearly a quarter of a century in Starfleet Ventarris was promoted to the rank of Commander and made First Officer of the newly commissioned U.S.S. Brightstar, he looks to this new challenge with the same determination as he has anywhere else in his life.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Personality Profile:[/b] An easy going fellow for an ex Intelligence Officer, Ventarris is a person who likes to keep firmly in control of a situation. His years of working in the shady areas of the quadrant have made him a little more reserved than most people but once you get past his seemingly cold exterior there's a warm and kind heart to be found therein. His work as First Officer makes him the link between crew and Captain and as such can put him in some awkward situations everyone once and a while, however between his heart and his head he's able to keep the ship steady. For those people whom he considers his friends will find him to be a great cook, a good friend, a wry adversary and an entertaining musician.[/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=1] [/size][/font] [size=1][font=Verdana][b]Special Notes:[/b] Ventarris has a small orange tabby-cat by the name of Antonia, she stays in Ventarris's quarters most of the time although she is seem roaming about Engineering on occasion. Apart from that he is a lover of a concoction from 21st century Earth called Coca-Cola which he drinks on a regular enough basis, though he has managed to evade the tooth decay it causes by slightly modifying the formula without affecting the taste.[/font][/size]

[SIZE=1][I]Van heard Trini's scream from almost half way across the ship, he couldn't understand how but he knew she was in trouble. Instinctively gripping a tranquilliser he raced out of the sick bay and headed towards the bridge, he just hoped to God he wasn't too late. Van's heart was pumping harder and harder as he ran, pure adrenaline pumped through his veins, he didn't know what he'd be facing into because they weren't even in space yet. Opening the bridge’s blast-doors he observed Sam leaning over her, he was wheezing from exertion and when he saw Van his face altered into a mixture of what looked like fear and self-loathing. He began to shake looking at his hands and he spoke to Van, little of it made sense, but then again he wasn't a shrink. [/I] [b]Sam:[/b] [[I]Sobbing[/I]] Oh Van what have I done... I just couldn't help myself... I wanted her to stay with me... but she's gone and I ca... [[I]Hissing of the hypospray[/I]] [b]Van:[/b] Don't worry Sam, I'll find a way to help you if it takes everything I have. [I]Van quickly raced over to Trini and turned her over onto her back, he shut his eyes as he felt for a pulse, too afraid to look at her if she wasn't breathing. He waited... then finally he felt it... a pulse, weak but constant, tears flowed down his eyes in relief. Picking her up with all the strength he could muster Van slammed his hand onto the intercom before proceeding out of the bridge.[/I] [b]Van:[/b] THIS IS VAN, WE HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY ALL AVAILABLE MEDICAL STAFF REPORT TO SICKBAY AT ONCE...[/SIZE]

[size=1]Well since Ben has sorted out what he wants people to do I think we should proceed. [I]Sage's eyes widened as he gazed upon the hulking beast that was Giant Orc, it was at least twice his size and could probably rip Sage limb from limb with little difficulty. He would've scanned the creature in greater detail had it not been for the fact that it's giant bone club was being swung in his direction, despite his age Sage managed to role to avoid it and rise to fact the creature again, his Lightforce Sword in hand. The creature knew that Sage was of greater power that it and bellowed in a coarse, guttural voice for what Sage knew were more than likely reinforcements, one Giant Orc he could defeat with little trouble but a hoard could well over power him. Taking the initiative he mustered as much strength as he could to leap over the great savage, the Orc must have been surprised by the old mages strength because it could only look with a furious glare as Sage vaulted clear over him. However Sage had misjudged the giant brute's speed as he felt it's great club impact upon his back, hurled into the air he landed some 15 feet away, crashing into the ground he writhed in pain. Sage knew what he had to do and he knew he had to do it fast, channelling some of his vast magic ability into a healing spell he knew Sage rose and used the rest to construct a trap, which he hoped to lure the giant oaf into. Whatever it's speed Sage knew the creature was not too smart, however it was still at least 10 feet from the trap so he had to get it's attention, however fatal that might be...[/I] [b]Sage:[/b] Hey you, [[I]Coughs hoarsely][/I]] you hulking lump of stupidity. In can't understand why Kione keeps such idiots in his service. [I]The Orc had obviously got Sage's message as it began to bellow deafeningly, beating it's bone-club off the earth, Sage watched as the mammoth beast stomped it's way towards him. "Just a little closer" he thought before hearing an ear-splitting shriek as he watched the goliath fall headfirst into the trap he'd prepared. He slowly rose himself leaning upon his sword as he walked over to where his foe had fallen, peering into the pit he saw the creature sprawled out upon the bed of spikes and acid. He grimaced slightly for what he'd been forced to do, before deciding to move on before more of it's brethren decided to drop by for the party. Making his way through the forest his back still ached from the injury given to him by that Orc but thanks to his knowledge of healing spells it began to feel better, his train of thought was broken by the loud crash of steel not fair from his position. Foregoing logical thought he raced towards where the sound was emanating, upon reaching it he observed as his young relation Flare faced off against not one but three Skull Knights. Arching his fingers together at his forehead he muttered an ancient incantation hoping it would help save Flare.[/I] [b]Sage:[/b] CHANGE OF HEART [[I]Blasts a ball of energy at one of the attacking Skull Knights[/I]] [B]Flare:[/b] SAGE, GET BACK !! [I]Sage watched as one of the Skull Knights began to grip it's skull before submitting to Sage's control, using his new found weapon he had it engage in battle with one of it's fellow knights before watching the two disappear in a blaze of light. He only hoped Flare could handle the rest on his own because Sage would be of little help.[/I][/size]

[quote name='Alan][COLOR=Indigo][SIZE=1][FONT=Arial]Not that background information is particularly difficult to find, lol. Necromunda was like the 40k version of Mordheim, heh. Doesn't mean I'm saying he's a thief though, lol. I have no doubt he typed it all out himself, and, furthermore, could probably use it to explain the intricacies of the game.[/FONT][/SIZE'][/COLOR][/quote] [SIZE=1]Well what I meant was that the backstory provides enough information for those of us who've not played Necromunda or Warhammer 40k to get into the swing of the story without too much difficulty. The fact that there are other potential sources of information is useful in it's own right.[/SIZE]