Fyni

Date: 30/05/2468 Supply Status: 77% Operational Funding Balance: 4,201,000电 Horizon Location: LES BB-U 9172L Current Destination: LES YT-U 13029 Captain Min-Hee Yeongseon of the SCCV Jotnar has provided rendezvous co-ordinates at a system they have designated "Sandbox" that they found earlier in their mission. The Horizon is to move there, and join up with the Jotnar, where the next move can be planned. This data regarding infighting amongst the Eyes has helped explain a number of unanswered questions our own investigation has raised. We believe your choice to align against the Modernists was a reasonable one. If the Loyalists can be negotiated with, command is authorised to do so. The Chainlink may be able to provide amnesty and refuge within Tau Ceti in exchange for infomation leading to our ultimate prize, the phoron source. Your primary goal should be to identify a safe route of ingress into the Sea - the Odin is eager to see results, and an expedition, however short, into the Sea would help silence any detractors to this operation.

Hey! First of all - sorry about the delay. We are going to deny this item based on a few points: The character is fairly new, and not been played much at all. The sprite does not meet the standard of spriter we work with for these. This is essentially a generic item with a bit of change. While I'm aware we recently approved a similar item (adhomian military coat with patched damage), that item had a proper backstory behind it, and was also added as a generic item available for all appropriate characters. You're of course welcome to reapply in the future - perhaps with a different item - when these three points are addressed.

As for people dying over been converted, what I mean by "it's unreasonable" is more "we can't expect to enforce that Captains and HoS will always take that option", doubly so when the cultist, who could have just killed them if they wished, also went through the effort of grabbing them. Thralls are specifically given this text: to_chat(T, SPAN_NOTICE("You have been forced into a blood bond by [T_vampire.master], and are thus their thrall. While a thrall may feel a myriad of emotions towards their master, ranging from fear, to hate, to love; the supernatural bond between them still forces the thrall to obey their master, and to listen to the master's commands.<br><br>You must obey your master's orders, you must protect them, you cannot harm them.")) An antag who's thrall commits suicide instead of doing as they ask might be rightfully miffed and send an ahelp. If that antag wanted that person dead, they could have done that - instead they went with a thrall because they assumed it would aid their gimmick, killed themselves, and got them in more hot water then they wanted, all out of their control. While this may not be the case everytime - the vamp might see it as good drama for their gimmick for example - I don't think it's this obscure impossibility. You've gotten to the point where a character, breaking through supernatural conditioning, plus in the case of cult unbelievable pain, would rather kill themselves to protect the ship and crew, but won't take an implant? I still think characters who's morals are that absolute would just not seek employ as a HoS or Captain if it meant getting an implant.

These are all reasonable and true points (beyond missing that cult conversions exist - you can't expect Captain/HoS characters to basically allow themselves to die instead of been culted which is the only alternative). I still believe the mindshield sidesteps a potential ooc moderation issue - no matter how rare - which can end in bad feelings for all involved. While it's true that people from certain origins (Skrell, most sinta, Dominian) might object to an unneeded implant been provided, I also fully believe that said characters have the choice to not have the implant by refusing a promotion or seeking work in a different department, whereas others will compromise their beliefs in favour of the a higher paying job and more money - it's a classic theme of not just sci fi fiction but all fiction. I am concerned that by making the mindshield optional, it may become seen as a power gaming item, rather then a narrative purpose - after all, you wouldn't want to charge loadout points for something which already exists, but it also provides in theory a mechanical straight upgrade (skrell psionics none withstanding). "Antag leeway" in this case means something as simple as isolating yourself - i.e. going into the Captain's office or HoS' office and tinting the windows. At this point, a vampire with the starter powers can enthrall the victim with no chance for failure. I tell you this as someone who has had their captain be a light snack for a vampire over a dozen times - and had an attempted enthralment at least twice. The issue arises when the Vamp antag and the enthrall Cap/HoS don't agree on what is a right amount of escalation or what is a right move. The vamp may feel they went to the risk and danger of enthralling that command member only for it to derail their gimmick. Conversly, the enthralled Captain may feel the Vampire player is asking for too much but sees no way to escape their oversight in a reasonable IC way for a thrall (and note, this can happen for any enthralled, but the amount of power in Cap or HoS is so much this is much more likely). Or, the nightmare scenario - the command member embraces a vampire's orders which are too much and the round entirely goes off the deep end in a bad way. This can lead to bwoinks and bad feelings all around when the situation could frankly have merely been avoided in the first place by a mindshield. Ultimately, I believe this is one of many cases of gameplay vs lore (see also: our none existent brig times, less than 2 hour PDA batteries, miracle medical) where gameplay has to win out, and we need to kind of handwave the lore implications. And while the instances of the mindshield actually doing something are now extremely rare, it prevents issues for when it does happen - just because something is rare doesn't mean we shouldn't have the protection. (It also providing rare antag gimmicks, such as a recent one where me and another skrell operative attempted to remove the skrell Captain's mindshield). I'd like to also say, this is discussion in good faith and I'm not super committed to my side here - I just believe the points I raise are true and undeniable, as much as I believe Evan's points are for the most part correct. If the consensus is to remove them, then so be it.

The mindshields are more of an OOC protection against Captains and HoS been converted by vamps, cult and other such antags. The idea been, their position would basically over power a round were they to be made an antag. Despite everything, I still agree this sentiment is true. The amount of effort an antag needs to convert these two is minimal given command generally should play along with antags. Afterwards, their hand will be forced by their new masters, who often will not have a command WL or an understanding of the power those positions have over any given round. The mindshields should remain as they provide a new in universe and lore reason why those two are resistant and why antags would avoid them.

After talking to Girdio in private, this application is been closed for now. We look forward to a future application from you!

Date: 21/05/2468 Supply Status: 90% Operational Funding Balance: 4,902,000电 Horizon Location: LES ZA-B 76190 Current Destination: LES ZE-S 94182 We have relayed your messages with the SCCV Jotnar. Captain Min-Hee Yeongseon has provided the following astrographical co-ordinates for the system which has been designated "Meropis" by the locals. She would also like to extend her thanks for the (late) supplies. With the Horizon approaching the Starlight Lounge, a decision will have to be made on it's next destination. This will default to Meropis, unless another destination is given. Be warned, Meropis lies closer to the edge of the Sea.

I desired to have the Stargazer been taken over for holocall to the whole crew by the Vengeful Eye during the past event - however getting a sprite to look right for this proved difficult. However I feel having the Stargazer, essentially a giant holopad, also be able to be used for a holo announcement would be great.

On trial until 25 MAY. Be sure to post your app once per round for feedback!

Date: 06/05/2468 Supply Status: 100% Operational Funding Balance: 5,000,000电 Horizon Location: Al Maqdisi Current Destination: LES ZE-S 94182 As the first lead comes to light, the Horizon is due to depart Al Maqdisi after this weekend for the Starlight Lounge. It is estimated it will take roughly two weeks. The Horizon crew are encouraged to contine to gather infomation during the transit.

The use of "in and out" single lane warp jumps should prevent the Horizon been lost. It is essential no jump be made in the deep sea except via a verified return vector. SCC investigators are aware of Ozias Terzis. Much of the book appears at best unverified, and at worse, complete fiction. However it is strongly suspect they have genuine sources amongst their group. Mr Terzis has proven resistant to direct approach and interview, but have been extended a invitation to tour the SCCV Horizon, a lure which is hoped will bring him aboard where he can be subtly questioned by the crew. Zeng Hu security in the Port are aware of this, and that infomation was passed up the chain to the Section Director. I strongly suspect this is an implicit threat or even mockery - the incident on station #117-B last week shows they have been tracking the Horizon, even with all known infiltrators captured. Crew are to remain suspicious and alert while taking shore leave on Assunzione as much as they would be aboard the Horizon. The Horizon is not to transport none crew between Port Volturno and the Horizon except in dire life threatning circumstances. The regually scheduled shuttles will be scanned and check. All crew are to carry their IDs at all time, even while off the Horizon. - Ms Angela Farland, Aide to Mx Qreblikis

If server rules are broken, we are obliged to bwoink people. Bwoink is the most minor possible action from us - not even a punishment - but one we need to do. Even if no further action is taken, it lets a player know they over stepped. This is done with the best possible intention - to allow a player to grow. My own past has plenty of these mistakes, and the careful explaination of what I did wrong by the admins of that time helped me grow as a player too. The lines is admitedly very hazy, and it's via small corrections like this that I myself was able to develop like I have. For minor ones, we even let it play out IC still. Without the example which actually happened which you want us to ignore, I'm not sure what this thread, "let people break the law", is for? You've created made up hypotheticals while ignoring the hundreds of real examples of us allowing people to IC break the law and for IC security to deal with it. It's even happened once this past week, though you may not have been around to see it. I'll leave this thread with the two points I said already but you seemed to have ignored. We already do allow characters to break IC laws. It's happened a lot including MAJOR regulation breaks. Doing so should be done with the best of roleplay intentions. You are not allowed to break the rules to accomplish these. If in doubt, ahelp to ask. We really don't mind. We are usually permissive with good reason, or can provide recommendations on alternatives.

Date: 19/04/2468 Supply Status: N/A Operational Funding Balance: 5,000,000电 Horizon Location: Al Maqdisi Current Destination: None The Horizon will presently be in Al Maqdisi, home of the Republic of Assunzione, where it will take on supplies and crew, allow exsisting crew time for rest and relaxation before the operation and allowing the Horizon to be fully repaired. No destination has presently been set, however one can be determined if the crew are unable to provide one of their own.