Playing 'Galactic Scrabulous' on Spacebook

After all the mess with T'Pol and her 'Spacebook' friend, who turned out to be a Romulan spy, I want to see what's going on in my Account.

Spacebook has been sweeping the Federation, with everybody having an Account and exchanging messages with each other. They even do it while they are in the same room!

Anyway, Bev is my number one Spacebook friend. The Account gives us chance to exchange a few private messages.

I have to be careful, though. I almost sent the message out to Riker. That WOULD have been embarrassing!

Data, naturally, does not have an Account. He is puzzled by it all. Neither does Worf.

"Klingon warriors do not have Spacebook Accounts!" he snorts out, "They do not send messages to each other, but only say "It is a good day to die." or chant old battle songs."

Still, I enjoy using my Spacebook Account, especially when playing 'Galactic Scrabulous' with Bev, she is a very good player. I sometimes think she has a Federation dictionary on cue.

The latest game continues. It is a version of the old 'Scrabble' board game. Bev is playing on her computer port. We exchange small messages as we enter words. Beverly is the next to play.

She enters VISTAED on to the board. Another seven letter word for a score of 83.

"Whatever does that mean?" I enter on the small message.



"Don't you know, Jean-Luc?" she replies, "It means when a person's computer has been corrupted. They might say "I've been vistaed."It's an old 21st century word."

I groan. My letters are awful. I can only put SUN for a score of 3.

"Why is it you're so good at this, Bev?" I ask.

"I guess some are able to make up good words, Jean-Luc." she replies, "Here comes my next word."

I see that she puts QLARZYTS on the board for a massive 178 on a triple word score.



"I've never heard of 'qlarztyts'" I type quickly, "Are you sure you're not making them up?"

"Certainly not, Jean-Luc!" she types, "If you ask Ro Laren, she'll tell you that it's the Bajoran name for a place to store clothes."

"Since when are we doing this in the Bajoran language, Bev?" I type back.

"Bajoran, Klingon, Cardassian, any language." Bev tells me, "That's why it's 'Galactic Scrabulous', Jean-Luc."

"With that logic, a person could put any combination of letters and win, because they bound to be in SOME language."

"Now you know why I always win!" Bev replies.

"I give up with this game." I tell Beverly, "The one drawback with Spacebook is that friends don't meet face to face when they could be doing just that."

"Especially if they were near to each other...." she replies tentatively.

"I agree." I comment, "Let's reserve the back seat of the Enterprise cinema tonight. We won't need our Spacebook Accounts there!"

------------------

Author's note:

30th April will be my 3rd blogaversary. Be sure to see that. It will be published late on Tues 29th.

TWQ: The Last Two Weeks

This week's TWQ asks about what activities you have been up to recently.

What significant events have happened to you, or have you done in the last two weeks? Write as many as you wish.

My answers are:

1: I tried to book into see 'Hamlet' in the theatre at Stratford-Upon-Avon later this year. It runs from July until November. 'Hamlet' stars David (Dr Who) Tennant and Patrick (Jean-Luc Picard) Stewart. I was promptly told by the box office that EVERY seat of EVERY performance is sold out.

2: I joined 'Twitter' earlier this week, and have added a few blogfriends. If you look on the right side of my Journal, you'll see a section where you can follow me if you wish.

Now it's over to you...


But before you go,

Here's a satirical news story...

Spacebook (Part Two)

I'm in my Ready Room, having a quiet doze, when suddenly I am woken by the sound of Ro Laren marching in, holding T'Pol's arm.

T'Pol is wearing a shamed expression, with her eyes to the ground, as if she has been caught by her mother raiding the cookie jar.

"What's going on?" I ask.

"Tell him!" Ro demands, looking at the Vulcan.



"Well, Captain." starts T'Pol, "Do you have a Spacebook Account?"

This is the social networking computer system that is sweeping all over the Federation. Many others are using it as well.

"Certainly." I reply, "Doctor Crusher and I use it to exchange err...certain important messages. Anyway, what does this have to do with what has happened?"

"Well I made a friend named Elena, and as we became acquainted, she casually asked if I knew what frequency the Enterprise shields worked on, where the border defence satellites are between the Federation and the Romulan Star Empire, and what frequency they are."

"You didn't tell her did you?" I say in shock, barely able to swallow my stress pill.

"No, Captain." replies, "That is why I went to Ro Laren to ask if she knew."

My head slumps, hitting the desk. I then stand up and bang my head against the wall a few times before facing them.

"Let's take a look at your Account, T'Pol."

When we do, I see the woman who calls herself Elena.



"T'Pol!" I exclaim, "This woman is a Romulan! They would do anything to find out that information!"

"Is she?" replies T'Pol, "I thought she was a Vulcan. The races do tend to look alike, don't they."

I'm about to return to hitting my head against the wall, when Riker and Deanna, who had been listening at the door come forward.

"Nothing has been gained by them, Captain." Deanna reminds me.



"It could be useful if we 'told' them." says Riker with a smile.

"I think I know what you mean, Number One." I tell him, and reach to the computer,

I send a message to Elena in T'Pol's Account.

Hi Elena!

I've been really lucky! The Enterprise shield frequency is 89.64 mhz, the defence satellites are at Kiros, VanAllen, and Tiros, and are currently running at 43.61 mhz.

Your friend,

T'Pol

Quickly, I get a message back from Elena.

T'Pol,

You're a true friend! Great to know you. Sorry I won't be able to chat for some time as I'm going on a classified mission. Thanks again for all you've done.

Your friend as always,

Elena.

"Well that should solve our problems." I tell them, "When the Romulan Fleet come to the border, or meet the Enterprise, they've going to get a nasty shock."

"I think Elena is likely to get into a spot of trouble." Riker comments.

"Indeed." I say, and turn to T'Pol, "I wouldn't expect any more messages from Elena. Where she will end up, there won't be any Spacebook Accounts."

Spacebook (Part One)

Guest Poster: Mirror T'Pol

Right now, there is a new sensation that is sweeping the Federation and the words beyond. It is a social networking system that is on computers called 'Spacebook'.

It seems like most crewmembers on the Enterprise have an account, and are making friends with people from all worlds.

Starfleet seem to like it, as it is promoting harmony between races even more than the regular visits they used to make.

When I set my account up, the first Friend I naturally put in was my soul sistah Ensign Britney. She loves it, as we can exchange secret messages even she is in the brig, which happens to be quite a lot.

I don't have many friends. After all, I did come from the Terran Empire of two centuries ago in a parallel universe. Not too much in common with these around me.

Still, I am pleasantly surprised when I look in my Spacebook Account and see that someone wants to be my Friend. Her name is Elena.



There doesn't seem to be much detail about her, but I accept, and send her a welcoming message. Quickly, she responds.

Hi Sweetie!

This is Elena, Happy to make your friendship, T'Pol. I know we'll have a lot of fun chatting.

I reply, and tell her a few things about myself, my past, and where I am. She sends another message.

Hi T'Pol,

That all sounds so cool! Being on a Galaxy class vessel from Starfleet. You are so lucky! It must be a really powerful starship. Do you know at what frequency the shields work on?

Your Spacebook Friend, Elena

It sounds an odd question. Anyway I tell her I have no idea. Elena sends another message.

Hiya, T'Pol,

That's too bad. I always was interested in shield frequencies. I know the Federation has a powerful defence system. Do you know where the border defence satellites are between the and the Romulan Star Empire, and what frequency they are?

Hugs, Elena.

This girl keeps asking me all manner of questions that I have no idea of the answers. I tell her that I'll try and find out for her. Elena thinks I'm so cool, and a true friend in taking the trouble.

It's great to be able to help a friend in need.

I decide to go to Ro Laren.



"Ro." I ask, "I just wondered if you happened to know what frequency the Enterprise shields work at, where the border defence satellites are between the Federation and the Romulan Star Empire and what frequency they happen to be?"

Ro has a look of alarm on her face, and asks why I want to know.

"Elena, my Spacebook Friend was curious to find out. She tells me that she was interested in..."

"Oh she did, did she?" Ro comments sharply, "I think we need to see the Captain. We could have a potential problem on our hands."

Sigh. It seems like Elena might not be a friend after all.

To be continued...

Wesley & Karena's New Captain

"You have a private message coming through, Captain." Data informs me, as we travel routinely to who-knows-where.

"I'll take it in my Ready Room, Mr Data." I inform him.

Secretly, I always hope these are going to be private messages that Bev wants to send to me, but they never are. Usually, they are trouble of some sort.

I switch on, and a woman's face appears.



"Greetings, Captain Picard." she says, "I am Captain Erika Hernandez of the USS Rhode Island."

My heart sinks, as I can guess what the subject of our discussion will be about: Wesley Crusher and Karena.

"What can I do for you, Captain?" I ask in innocence.

"As I'm sure you're aware, my ship will have three new Ensigns shortly, two of which you may have some prior knowledge. I was hoping if you can tell me what they are like?"

I'll have to tread carefully, here. I don't want Hernandez to be put off having them, particularly Wesley. If she knew the truth, he might end up on the Enterprise.

"Well." I say, "Ensign Crusher served as an acting Ensign here for some time. In fact he saved the ship on a number of occasions."

"Really?" says Hernandez, looking impressed. I miss out the fact that Wesley is disaster prone and when he saves the ship they are generally from disasters that he started.

"He should be a valuable addition to the crew." she concludes.

I cough at this remark, and Hernandez moves on.

"Now on to Ensign Karena." she says, "I understand that she is the fiancee of Ensign Crusher, and an Amazon....what is she like?"



"Err..." I say hesitantly, "She is very errr...independant."

"You mean she doesn't follow orders?" asks the Captain.

"She comes from a matriacal society." I remind her, "Where women are the dominant species, She isn't used to taking orders from men."

"Well, if I tell her to take orders from men, she'd better." Hendandez comments sharply.

"I'm sure she will, Captain." I reply with a forced smile.

"Do you know anything about this Andorian female named Tarah, Captain Picard?"

"I did see her when the Diplomas were being handed out." I reply, "She seems to like Ensign Crusher."

"Athough he is the fiance of Ensign Karena?" asks a bewildered Herdandez, "What do you suggest I do?"

"Paint the brig a good shade of pink." I tell her drily.

Bev walks in as I am talking; she recognises Hernandez, and get's in front of the videoscreen,

"Captain Hernandez!" she says to her, "Please look after my Wes! He's very delicate. Make sure he gets fed properly, and don't send him on any missions that are too dangerous and don't...."

"Bev!" I say quietly, "I'm sure the Captain will look after Wes. There's no need to panic."

"Thank you, Captain Picard, Doctor Crusher." Hernandez says, "I think I've got a pretty good idea of the Ensigns when they eventually come on my ship."

She definately said that with sarcasm!

TWQ: Best Foreign Language Movies

This week, TWQ (The Weekend Question) asks about favourite Foreign Language Movies

What are your favourite Foreign Language films (non-English language)? List as many as you wish.

My answers are:

1: The Lives Of Others: This German film, recently made is regarded as one of the best movies ever. It's about the East German Stasi, and a hardened officer who listened in on a suspect couple, and starts to sympathise with them. It won 'Best Foreign Language Movie' Oscar in 2007.

2: Pan's Labyrinth: This Spanish movie competed with the above for the Oscar. A fantasy/war movie that shows a little girl who slips into the fantasy world during the last war.

3: Sophie Scholl: This true German movie tells of Sophie Scholl, a member of the White Rose, an anti-Nazi group within Germany during WW2. A show trial follows, with an electrictifying performance by Sophie. A little known, but brillianty movie.

4: Seven Samurai: This Japanese movie, made in the 1950's was the inspiration for 'The Magnificent Seven'.

5: Raise The Red Lantern: This Chinese movie, which tells of the fourth wife to a rich man, who has to deal with the other three wives who live with him is unforgettable. Unable to get on Region 2 DVD with subtitles.

Now it's over to you...

Seven Of Nine On Death Row (Part Three)

Guest Poster: The Borg Queen

Locutus and I have gone to the Borg Union planet to try and save the life of Seven Of Nine. She has been arrested and accused of murder. She is now on Death Row awaiting termination, which will be very shortly. She killed her hated rival Nine of Ten, a female drone from Unimatrix Cube 15.

Time is running out, and we are facing opposition, as the Union Committee like neither me nor Locutus. The welcome wagon was hardly rolled out for us.

One of Five comes to the cell. He is the Union Commitee leader.

"How was Nine of Ten killed?" asks Locutus.



"It is none of your business, human." he answers, "But in deference to the Queen here, "She was found with blood around her, then taken to the mortuary"

"We wish to see the body." Locutus says.

I do not think One of Five likes taking orders from a human. Nor anybody for that matter.

With a grudging agreement akin to agreeing to have his teeth pulled out, he takes us to the mortuary and opens the casket.

It is empty.

"I do not understand!" exclaims One of Five, "What has happened?"

"Did you check the blood?" asks Locutus "Was it hers?"

"We did not need to." he answers, "Her heart was stopped."

Locutus turns to me, "Could Nine have used some blood that was not hers and stopped her heart for a short time by artificial means, so that people would think she was dead?"

"Of course she could." I answer, "What would it have achieved?"

"All she needed to do was wait until Seven was terminated." he answers, "Then after that she would come back saying that she was just grazed by a cut from Seven and people would believe her."

A figure emerges from the shadows in the back of the mortuary.



"Very good, Locutus." says Nine of Ten, "You would make a fine addition to the Collective."

She lunges forward at Locutus, with her arm outstretched in 'assimilation mode', but I intervene, hitting her firmly, and knocking her to the floor.

It's wise to avoid hitting the implants, as it can give one a lot of pain.

"You shall be taking Seven's place on Death Row, and there won't be anyone to help you." I say with a triumphal smile, winking at Locutus.

-------------------

Several hours later, my Cube has reached the Enterprise. We are just about to beam Seven and Locutus back to the ship.



"I am grateful to you for saving me, my Queen." Seven tells me.

"Thank Locutus." I say, "It was his human thinking that found the truth."

--------------

"We are indeed strange bedfellows." he says to me before we depart.

This time, both Seven and myself are confused. I shall have to learn more human phrases.

Seven Of Nine On Death Row (Part Two)

I have been expecting Seven of Nine to return from her Borg Assimilated Drones Union (BADU) meeting, but there has been no sign of her. We are at the meeting point.

Suddenly, a Borg Cube appears after coming out of a Transwarp Conduit. We go to Red Alert, but even as we do, a figure appears on the Bridge.



"Hello, Locutus." says the Borg Queen, "I hope you are well. We have an urgent matter that we need to discuss."

"What is it?" I reply.

"I'll explain on the Cube as we travel to the planet." she tells me, then says to the others, "No harm will come to your Captain. His presence is needed if we are to save Seven of Nine from being terminated."

I tell the Bridge crew it willl be all right, and to remain at this position in space. With that, the Queen and I vanish, and appear on the Cube.

"What's happened to Seven?" I ask, as the Cube travels via the TransWarp Conduit.

"She was arrested for the murder of her dispised rival, Nine of Ten at the union meeting." the Queen answers, "All the evidence is pointing towards her, with fingerprints etc. One of Five, the Head of the Union Committee, has placed her on Death Row, where she will shortly be terminated pending an investigation. In Borg circles, this means she has no chance. Seven sent a message to me asking to help, and to bring you along, as she thinks only us can prove her innocence."

"Can't you Borgs work it out for yourselves?" I ask, "I thought with the Borg Collective and the Hive Mind, you would be able to read each other's thoughts and find out who did it."

"This is true, Locutus." the Queen answers, "But some Borg have learnt to close off parts of their minds. Whoever the guilty one is has mastered this, so we cannot find out any other way than detection."

"So we are the CSI in this matter?" I ask with a hint of sarcasm. The Queen fails to see the joke.

-----------

As the Cube comes out of TransWarp, the Queen turns to me.

"Beware, Locutus." she says, there are many who would raise objections to a human dealing with Borg matters, especially as the matter is decided in their eyes."

"But you are the Queen." I protest, "They will have to do what you say."

"This is a Borg Union planet, Locutus." she replies, "The Management, which is myself, have no say in the affairs of what go on. Seven is the only member of my Cube here. We have to find the evidence to save her."

"We are strange bedfellows." I say to her.

"But we are not sharing a bed, Locutus." she replies, "Sometimes I find your comments rather strange."

The Borg certainly have a sense of humour extraction when they are assimilated. I shouldn't think there are many Borg comedy programmes on their television networks.

The Queen and I beam down, and are greeted by a hostile looking Borg, who fronts four others. This must be the Union Committee.



"Welcome, your Majesty." the Borg at the front says contemptuously, then looks at me, "I am One of Five. What is the meaning of bringing this human to a Borg Union planet?"

"He is a former Borg named Locutus." answers the Queen, "And we are both here to help Seven of Nine and to find the truth regarding who killed Nine of Ten."

"That matter is decided." One of Five declares, "Seven of Nine will be terminated in the near future."

"We shall be the judge of that." she replies, and we stride past the sour faced drone, on the way to Death Row, so that we can talk to Seven.

"I don't like that One of Five." I comment.

"Neither do I, Locutus." the Queen replies, "I'm going to have a word with the Queen of his Cube. He'll be in for a shock when he gets back."

-----------

We reach the cell. Seven, who had been looking very dejected, is elated to see us.

"Your Majesty and Locutus!" it is good to see you." she says, "I didn't kill that Borg. I have been framed."

"Yes." says the Queen, "I know you would not kill, unless I tell you to. Locutus and I intend to find out who it was."

To be continued...