ten_fwd_ooc | TEST DRIVE #1

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test drives

TEST DRIVE #1 - Ten Forward

You know how you were standing there, back in your home world, just minding your own business?

Time to forget all about that.

Instead of doing whatever the heck you were just doing, you're standing in the middle of this very stylish, sedate barroom. Happily, you're not alone there - in fact you're surrounded by people who seem to be as confused as you are...and some of them look a little, well unusual

Now would be a great time to do....well, something. Ask some questions of the person nearest you, throw a fit, stage a coup....maybe do a little exploring? No matter what you do, you're going to be here for a very long time.

For others might call it the USS Enterprise, but for the foreseeable future, you'll be calling it home.

[OOC: this test drive's open until the next app period.]

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Andros ordered something non alcoholic and slightly caffeinated. He didn't care what it was, as long as it helped him blend in and didn't affect his judgement. He slid into a seat next to the older, who, at the very least looked like he knew where he was. And if it was one thing Andros liked, it was information. Particularly when he had just been abducted. Was it a terrible thing to say that he enjoyed being abducted much more than browsing through clothes at the mall? Not that he didn't love his girlfriend with all his heart, but it was hard to focus when people were trying to randomly touch you and cameras were going off in your face.

Sometimes it seemed like people didn't understand the basic tenants behind personal space.

"Does this happen often?" Andros asked the older gentleman. Based on the man's uniform(there were plenty others peppered around that looked similar, with some sort of color coding), and the symbol on the button on his chest was also on the doors. So, naturally, the other man was actually supposed to be here.

Edited 2014-04-29 14:41 (UTC)

"More often now than in the past, perhaps," he replies. The youth beside him is regarded carefully. At his likely age, Picard had already begun his Starfleet Academy career.

Ah, youth.

"It is an unfortunate side-effect of playing host to one of our more stubborn visitors."

Andros stuck his hand out, something that took him a while to learn was a traditional human greeting. "I'm Andros," and noting the pips on the man's collar he added, "is she yours? The ship I mean."

He took a sip of his drink, thankful at leas the hadn't been dropped in the middle of a party or something horrific like that. At least whoever took him had the sense to drop him someplace mildly ranger related.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but someone teleported me here--along with everyone else--from different places in space." Andros looked around, noting the obvious discrepancies in clothing and technology. "And time."

Space was his purview. Time....was not. When he got back was he going to have a very irritated Time Force Ranger busting down his ship? The young man inwardly groaned. But, the responsibility came with the suit.

"She is, as much as I could ever lay claim to her," he replies, turning to accept the boy's hand. "I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard."

Andros reminds him of a cadet in everything but style and grooming. Which is well, as Captain Picard has never been good with children. Young men, cadets, he can handle. "You are very perceptive. Yes, I am afraid so. It seems your presence upon the Enterprise was deemed amusing by at least one of her frequent visitors. Do not worry, you are in no danger here."

"Nice to meet you, Captain. And thank you."Andros did appear a little puzzled by the idea that he couldn't lay claim to the Enterprise. After all, the Astro Megaship was his, by right and rank. And Andros was rather protective of his ship.

"It seems my presence is deemed amusing by a lot of people, but usually they just want to kill me." Andros looked at Picard, and then looked around. He was right. No one wanted to kill him here. Yet. "Honestly, I'm more than a little surprised no one's tried to yet. But I believe you." Despite his youth and tendency to get caught up in his own affairs, the red ranger was good at reading people. Usually.

"I don't recognize the Enterprise, or some of her crew." Andros looked around. Yup, there were species here he didn't know. But at least some of them weren't wearing the same uniform as Picard, so maybe they weren't from the same space/time.

Oh, Picard can be very protective of his vessel and her crew, make no mistake. But the name Enterprise has far outlived the name Jean-Luc Picard, and no doubt will continue to do so long after he's gone.

"You're rather young to have amassed a substantial amount of death threats, aren't you?" he remarks, arching an eyebrow. It's the more pressing matter at hand. He'll address the question of space travel and the crew in a moment.

Andros arched an eyebrow in response to Picard's. This was certainly interesting. The other man didn't know his name, didn't recognize the uniform and obviously had no idea who he was. It was fabulous. Anonymity was great, and the ranger was loathe to break it. But, Picard was wearing red, and that had to account for something. He had to trust, no matter where he was, that this man was worthy of red. And he was the ship's Captain. You didn't get that without skill, leadership and trustworthiness.

"Actually, I'd say it means I'm doing my job correctly. Sometimes circumstances take precedence over age. Not everyone has the opportunity for a perfect childhood." He was sure the older man could understand that. "I'm the Red Space Ranger. It's my job to protect those who can't protect themselves, or don't have the ability to."

Edited 2014-04-30 14:16 (UTC)

It is a curious affair being sized-up by a boy half your age (and only half, Picard will claim, despite what Starfleet records may reflect). More and more this Andros reminds him of himself.

Chuckling, he retrieves his teacup. "Spoken like an officer. I'm afraid if I'm supposed to recognize the title 'Space Ranger', I'm only going to disappoint you; however, I can guess that it involves some form of law and order. Where are you from?"

Actually Picard, Andros looked more relieved than disappointed.

"Actually, sir, it's a welcome change. There are different factions of Rangers--they help in instances where the military would be overwhelmed. I'm a Space Ranger, my team and I help where there are no Planetary Rangers--although sometimes it can be more diplomatic than violent. What of your ship?" The Enterprise looked big enough, her crew intelligent and skilled.It was definitely military of some kind.

And here, no one wanted to touch him, or sneak pictures of him with Ashley.It was profoundly creepy to find reporters sneaking around trying to get good pictures or interviews. They were going to have to do damage control soon, make some kind of statement to the press before everything got out of hand. Andros hated the very idea, he was so tempted to sabotage the Megaship so he had to stay behind and fix it.

"KO-35," Andros paused, forgetting again that just because this man was from space, didn't mean he was familiar with the same planets. He didn't know the Rangers, obviously they were from different universes. So, Andros started again.

"Karovan Outpost number 35. It's a space colony in the Karova system. But I'm guessing that's not exactly in the vicinity, and it's not home anymore. I'm usually on board my own ship. The Astro Megaship." Why yes, Andros is proud of his ship.

Edited 2014-05-01 15:57 (UTC)

The ... Astro Megaship. Quite interesting indeed.

"The Karova system, hmm." He smiles shortly. "No, I'm afraid we're just outside the Kavis Alpha sector. I must say, I wasn't expecting someone of your age to be a ship's captain, though it sounds like you have quite the celebrity where you are from."

He has a sip of tea, appraising the room with fondness. "My ship is likewise on a mission of diplomacy and exploration. We do not engage in war where we can help it, though she is highly defensible. We're more a ... science vessel, studying the stars, reaching out to new life."

Kavis Alpha sector? Andros had never heard of it.

"I'm afraid I've never heard of the Kavis Alpha sector." Andros certainly didnt know every place in the universe, but it was still strange.

Andros just arched an eyebrow and frowned a bit, after the Enterprises' captain reminded him of his status back on Earth.

"On Ko-35, no. We're just an extension of the military. A bit like Special Forces." That was really the only comparison he could come up with that was remotely similar. "Earth, however, is different. The concept of Rangers is too new there. Up until recently, it was customary on earth for Rangers identities to be secret--to preserve privacy, most likely until the idea was more accepted and the novelty wore off. It may take some time for the 'newness' of the experience to wear off on some of the civilians on Earth."

And until then Andros planned on doing the best he could to hide. Off-planet if possible. He took a sip of his drink, surveying the area around them. Everyone was talking, listening, minding their own business. It was still a strange sensation to be somewhere and not have to worry about watching his back.

"That must be nice--to be able to explore without a threat looming over you." Andros envied the man.He could get used to peace. He wasn't at all sure what he would do, but it would be a nice change. "That's what you do here? That sounds wonderful."

"Red Ranger is a little different than Captain. My team consists only of 6 people, not the thousands it seems to you have. While Rangers are usually in their teens to mid twenties, depending on the situation, the military commanders on KO-35 were not, I assure you. We all fill a different role, don't we?"

Edited 2014-05-02 18:09 (UTC)

Special Forces, how interesting.

"Ah," he says, recognition dawning with the additional information. "Yes, what you speak of is an outdated form of peacekeeping from where we are in our current place in time. Since the establishment of the Federation, many such branches of the military have been rendered unnecessary."

He is to the point, though it occurs to him that such words may sting Andros' young pride. "Tell me, are you familiar with the concept of alternate timelines, or alternate universes?"

Outdated form of peacekeeping? Andros' pride wasn't wounded, he was pissed off. Pride was one thing the ranger had in abundance. He was proud of his planet, he was proud of his status as a space ranger, and he was proud of his skills and that of his team.

But, by that same token, he was starting to see what was possible, when Rangers wouldn't be needed. After Zordon's death, he had hoped. It might be possible, and that would be a beautiful thing. He just wasn't sure the universe was ready yet.

"Of course I am. Alternate timelines, alternate universes, dimensional portals, rifts, time holes. It's obvious your ship and my own do not exist in the same place." Yup, he was pretty sure Picard was a moron. Or at least was treating him like one.

The captain's eyebrows shoot up.

"Really?" There's a note of incredulity in his voice. He doesn't bristle in response to the boy's tone, neither does he laugh, but he does take an extra moment to form his next few words. "Then you are far more accustomed to these kinds of events than most here are, and I do not need to tell you that my ship operates under a different kind of leadership. The uniforms you see scattered around the room are those of Starfleet officers, and the crew, as you made mention of them earlier, come from a variety of worlds known to us."

KO-35, and indeed Rangers both of the space and planetary variety, are quite removed from where Andros now finds himself. Picard would offer solace, but he doesn't seem to need it.

No, Andros definitely did not need solace. Besides, even if he did, what good would panicking do? He had to have faith in his team's ability to find him, that the Megaship's sensors would eventually trace him to this universe or dimension or time hole or where ever he was. And if they had trouble, Zhane, KO-35 or other ranger teams would help. And it wasn't like Andros was going to sit idly by anyway, waiting to be rescued.

Instead of panicking, Andros just shook his head, it was more than a little disdainful. He was starting to think this man had no idea what he did.

"You have absolutely no idea what I do, do you? I must admit, I've never come across someone who didn't know what Rangers did--but I assure you. I come across this kind of thing daily. It's my job." Not completely correct, and more of a simplification, but it would work in the short run. "I also deal with the culprit behind it. So, where are they?"

Still, he looked around the room, noting the crew members in similar uniform to the Captain sitting next to him.

"And this Starfleet, is confined to this ship? System of government? What is it?"

Edited 2014-05-03 22:13 (UTC)

There, now there is a slight downturn to Captain Picard's lips. He keeps his focus keen, and his words diplomatic. If Andros is bristling, it'll do no good to bristle in return.

For now, that is. "I'm familiar with the concept of rangers. Even the Earth I come from has used the term for many centuries; however, no, I have not heard of you or your current organization until this moment, although I follow along quite well.

"Starfleet has been around for several centuries, and the Enterprise is only one ship of thousands. As I had begun to explain, the space you now find yourself in belongs to the United Federation of Planets - an interstellar federal republic, if you follow. There are likewise thousands of planets who have all agreed to exist autonomously under this central government, and we all work together in peaceful cooperation and exploration. Starfleet is part of the Federation, and maintains all exploratory, scientific, diplomatic, and defense functions, rendering most everything else unnecessary."

He pauses. "Which would make the culprit behind this mess part of our jurisdiction, rather than the Rangers'."

This may not be the precise truth, given Q's unique ability to travel anywhere he likes, but Picard doesn't know how this young man handles his quarrels, and does not want a "situation" on his hands.

Andros hated that. Absolutely hated that this Captain could just stroll in here and take the case. But, (and he hated this too), from what he could tell, the man was right. It was Picard's case, and Andros was down 5 team members. And a ship. And a computer. And an Alpha unit.

But, besides all that, Andros was completely fascinated by the idea of the United Federation of Planets. The mere idea that it worked in this universe was wonderful--and completely frustrating. Andros was used to being able to stroll in somewhere, and take control. He was a Ranger, entrusted with the Power and that meant something. But, in this universe, he was out-bureaucrated.

"Fine. For the moment I'll defer to you. But keep in mind this culprit went into my universe too."

Just the fact that Andros was capable of saying those sentences out loud showed just how far he had come in the past year. "Now, why don't you tell me more about this United Federation of yours. Do you truly not have anyone trying to disrupt it? Interstellar war and invasion isn't an issue?" It sounded like in this universe he'd be out of a job.

He sighs, mouth pulling into a wry twist of a smile. It is as much a victory as he can hope to win.

"Please understand, I in no way mean to discredit the work you do," he adds. "I'm sure in your own time and place you are a boon to the people you protect.

"As for the Federation, oh no. There are some who have refused to be any part of it, and to those we give a wide berth. We do not cross into their territory, and they do not cross into ours. Disagreements are to be expected in any time and place, I should think."

Andros knew he should stop acting like a child. The least he could do was give this other man the respect he deserved. So, the red ranger took a deep breath, shoved all this frustration deep inside and started again.

" Let me know if I can assist in any way. You might be surprised by how I can help. But, you are right--you know the terrain, all the different variables, including who is behind this. And I am down more than my entire team here. I'm alone, and just because I am capable of working alone does not make it right decision. But, you spoke of your Federation."

Again, it was completely baffling to Andros that people just....listened to the treaties.

"That actually works? You stay out of their territory and they stay out of yours?" There was a little bit of disbelief and admiration in his voice. The concepts were so unfamiliar to him. "Where I'm from, treaties don't mean too much. Planets are meant to be conquered because sometimes people have nothing better to do. That's where I usually come in."

He is acting more like an adult than some Picard has regular dealings with. His words, in fact, are quite mature for his young age. It impresses Picard even more.

"It serves us well, for the most part," he says. "There is a neutral zone between the Federation and our staunchest opposers; though so named, matters can get rather heated should either party cross into it. We solve our differences by peaceful means if at all possible, but we are prepared to protect ourselves when necessary."

He leans back, pursing his lips in thought. "I would quite like to hear more about what it is you do as the 'Red Ranger'. I appreciate you have stock in this matter, and would not deny you the opportunity to see to Q if that's what you truly wanted; however, I must warn you he's not one to be trifled with."

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TEST DRIVE #1 - Ten Forward

Re: I thought perhaps new arrivals should meet their distinguished captain...

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