Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade V’alura Belmont (Chief Science Officer) in Side-Sim Letters Across Space

Posted by Nicole Cline in Side-Sim Letters Across Space

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade V’alura Belmont (Chief Science Officer) in Side-Sim Letters Across Space
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
[snipity-do-dah]

V’alura could have laughed at herself, after reading Solal’s reply. Let it never be said that she wasn’t dramatic. Still, his reply had eased the worry that settled in her chest and with a lighter heart she composed her response.

Solal,

It’s a good thing I love museums and touring big cities. And thank you, for your understanding. Perhaps one day I’ll be able to tell the whole story without wallowing in self-pity. In any case, perhaps we were both drawn towards the allure of space. All the grandest discoveries and the ground-breaking science were being made out there in the black. As a teenager I would read the stories and public mission reports of Federation starships and imagine I was there. Reading those reports were what inspired me to apply for UC Berkley to study computers and artificial intelligence.

And let’s not forget the beauty of space, but no matter where I go I am always entranced by its grandeur. There’s always something new and exciting out here.

With care,
V’alura Belmont
[V’alura’s electronic signature here]

Lt. Jg. Belmont, CSO

V’alura,

Space is vastly more interesting than Earth. I myself chose Starfleet in order to get to treat and study illnesses I’d have never found on Earth. [The letter went on to tell a story of a recent interesting illness he’d treated - within his specialty, it was an alien autoimmune condition]. Watching my parents practice, they often treated the same cases over and over again. I would rather learn something new than repeat the old.

Sincerely,
[His electronic signature is here]
Solal

~ Lt JG Solal, USS Ogawa

Solal,

I’m the same way! I’m always looking forward, seeking to learn new things. Alien computers and A.I. are a particular interest of mine. What I’d give to get elbow deep into an ancient computer system to figure out what makes it tick. And somewhere, out there in space is technology we’ve never even dreamed of! Technical wonders developed and perfected when we were but smarter animals who have yet to rocks to sticks. It’s enough to make any one feel small and insignificant but for me it just makes me excited. And diseases. Lots of unknown and undiscovered diseases. There’s something for everyone in the cold heart of space.

Besides music do you have any other hobbies? I enjoy programming holodeck adventures myself. I would also love to claim the title of best holodeck programmer in all of Starfleet but no one’s replied to any of my inquires over establishing a holodeck program review board. So fro now it shall be an unofficial title. Which really just makes me sound pretentious. C’est la vie.

With care,
V’alura Belmont
[V’alura’s electronic signature here]

Lt. Jg. Belmont, CSO

V’alura,

You will have to show me your skill with programming holodeck features sometime. I generally only use it to make a concert hall, but it would be interesting to see what you come up with. As for what else I do with my free time… I read medical news and diagnostic cases, meditate nightly, and jog to keep in shape. Or write to my parents, both to keep in touch and so I don’t forget French.

Sincerely,
[His signature is here]
Solal

~ Lt JG Solal, USS Ogawa

It was several days before V’alura found the time to write again. All caught up in the crazy thrill of science and adventure. Where Space proves once again how little they knew about it and its wild and franky terrifying inhabitants. Now that the adrenaline wore off, her scientists debriefed, the inter-department meetings finished, and all the paper work completed, compiled and posted, V’alura could sit down and write.

Solal,

I can’t even begin to describe the week I just had. I’ll give you the whole story later. After I’ve had time to snuggle into bed and read several books with the ‘do not disturb’ sign on my door. I love my ensigns but some of them love to surprise me on my off time with questions or to show off their latest discoveries. I haven’t the heart to turn them down but some days I want write a program that teleports my combadge across the ship and send them on a merry goose-chase so I can have an hour to read and drink a glass of wine.

[This next part is in French] I could write to you in French as well. My speaking French is quite rusty, but nothing an afternoon with the latest French art house films can’t fix. As for your programming skills I could send you a copy of my custom holodeck command function library. I use it as the base for all my holodeck programs. It’s based upon the basic holodeck construction program built into all Starfleet holodecks. Don’t worry, I’ve created a thorough documentation file to go along with it. [The french ends here] Whew, it turns out my written French is also quite rusty.

The key to good holodeck programming is the details. Like smell. Many people overlook the sense of smell. Sound is important too. I actually sneak soft musical cues and tracks into my adventure programs, especially the horror ones. No one even notices the music but because it blends seamlessly into everything else it really heightens the fear factor and the tension! I’ll help you out, don’t worry. Though, I fear I’ve taken up enough of your time for one letter. Sorry again for the delay. I hope I didn’t worry you too much!

With care,
V’alura Belmont
[V’alura’s electronic signature here]

Lt. Jg. Belmont, CSO

V’alura,

[This part of the letter is in French] Your French is very rusty. Perhaps some time, we can work on it together. I would love a copy of your hologram library. I had never thought of adding such details, though I myself am more interested in fine-tuning the sound of the hologram, for my violin, to make it sound more like a concert hall. [French ends here]

I will stop testing your French now. Don’t worry if you can’t write me for a few days. I’m sure we both have our busy times. I haven’t been too busy lately, things have been slower on the Ogawa. Hopefully things are going well for you.

Sincerely,
[His signature is here]
Lt JG Solal, Doctor

~ Lt JG Solal, USS Ogawa

Solal,
[The following is in French, which has improved] You’ll be pleased to hear that my French is improving. There’s nothing like watching French Art House films with a dictionary in hand. I’ve also started work on a Paris simulation for further practice. When it’s finished I’ll send it along to you as well. In the meantime, here is a copy of my hologram library and my documentation. To optimize the acoustics of your program you should refer to [the index number for sounds, sound design, and harmonics within the documentation]. [Followed by a brief explanation of how to set up the acoustics for a concert hall and how he can fine-tune the sound quality to make it more flawed but realistic or push it towards mathematical perfection]. [The French ends here] I never want to write technical French ever again.

Be sure to let me know how your programming journey goes!

With care,
V’alura Belmont
[V’alura’s electronic signature here]

Not long after V’alura sent that message, another appeared in her inbox. It stood out from her ship messages. Curious, V’alura opened the message and read it. Then read it again. Then poured herself a glass of wine and read it for a third time. She paced around her room while sipping wine. She couldn’t ask this of Solal. Though she considered them friends they were pen pals. There was so much they didn’t know about the other. And this was so incredibly personal. . . what she would be asking of him. She couldn’t.

V’alura finished her first glass and poured herself a second. She set her door to ‘do not disturb’ and set herself down before her private console to write her response. And later. . . her request to Solal.

[Two days later she sends this message]

Solal,

Remember that I said that one day I’ll tell you the whole sordid story of my exit from professional acting? Well, this is not the whole story but it is a summary of the important part. I swear this is relevant so please bear with me. Working the last three seasons of Endless Black were stressful. Incredibly stressful. The doctor that worked on set recommended a drug to help me calm down and feel relaxed. The drug worked like a charm, better than perfect. When I took it I hadn’t a care in the world. Except the set doctor failed to tell me that the drug was still undergoing trials and was a heavily controlled substance. Not much later it would be classified as a Schedule II drug for psi-negative species and Schedule I for psi-positive species.

I quickly became addicted and my happy escape from reality turned into a nightmare. I went to rehab for six months and while in rehab I learned I was given criminal possession charges. The judge later dropped those charges once it became apparent that I was given the drug by my doctor who did not disclose the truth of it to me. However, because of my reaction to the drug and the life-long side effects that developed as a result, my medical records were made public for research. My name was redacted on the public records, but is visible to those with higher medical clearance.

A few days ago I received correspondence from a medical researcher. He’s studying the effects of the drug, and that’s how he came across my medical records. He thinks he can develop a therapy to address that life-long side effect I mentioned above. If you’re curious about that I can explain it later but right now. . . the doctor reached out to me because his knowledge of half-vulcan biology is limited. He asked if I knew of other half-vulcans who would be willing to offer DNA and cell samples for his tests. I know this is asking a lot of you. I would understand completely if you decline and I feel wretched to say this but I hope you would consider doing this.

Humbly,
V’alura Belmont
[V’alura’s electronic signature here]

Lt. Jg. Belmont, CSO

A day later a letter arrived from Solal. The whole letter was in French.

V’alura,

Your French sounds better. One step above an American immigrant. But far from native. Keep improving! Please do send me the Paris simulation. There are certain parts of my home country that a Starship is very different from. My ah, adventures into programming have not gone well. I seem to have made a mistake. The accoustics just aren’t working right. If you have a tutorial you could send my way, it would be very helpful.

Sincerely,
[His signature is here]
Solal

V’alura laughed when she saw the whole message was in French. Then he had the gall to insult her frankly perfectly fine French. Oh the nerve! V’alura had a hundred things she wanted to say, but instead she sat at her desk and stared at the message. The other message hung over her thoughts like a dark storm cloud. It didn’t feel right to respond. Not when she sent that message. . .

Three days later another letter came in:

V’alura:

I’ve spent some time considering your request and I have decided the logical thing to do is to offer my DNA for your cause. Just tell me what you need me to do and I’ll have it done as soon as I can. I hope that helps with your dilemma.

Sincerely,
[His signature is here]
Solal

~ Lt JG Solal, USS Ogawa

V’alura could cry. She really could. Instead, she pulled herself together long enough to compose her next message to Solal.

Solal,

Since you’re a doctor you can take your own DNA samples. The researcher asked for a variety in DNA samples and for several skin cell samples for other tests. You may send the samples directly to him, he’s actually closer to your neck of the woods than mine. And thank you for agreeing to this. It really means a lot to me. Who knows, maybe he’ll make a breakthrough and I can finally put a close to that part of my life. At the very least maybe the research will spare others the same suffering I endured.

Now here’s where I brush that bit of seriousness aside for the far preferable and enjoyable banter we normally exchange. [This part is in French] Firstly, I have taken your comments about my French personally and I shall continue to hone my French until I can put a native speaker to shame. Secondly, I will give you that tutorial but not in French because I would like for you to actually understand everything. Oh and thirdly, the Paris simulation is under way and making good progress.[End of French]

[V’alura attached a video that begins with her in the holodeck. She’s wearing her comfortable lounge clothes and her hair is pulled back into a fluffy top bun. She has her guitar beside her on the ground. She calls up a basic concert hall simulation and goes through the different sound functions and command prompts. Periodically she would stop to play a few chords on the guitar to demonstrate the change in sound. All in all the tutorial was about half an hour. And at the end V’alura spoke directly to the camera] “And that’s the basics! I hope this helped and if you’re ever stuck again just let me know and I’ll walk you through it.” [She pauses, before smiling bright and full of warmth] “Take care and good night” [And the video cuts off there]

V’alura Belmont
[V’alura’s electronic signature here]

Lt. Jg. Belmont, CSO

Solal’s response came in the next night.

V’alura:

The samples have been mailed off. I hope you get the results you’re looking for quickly. [He then switches to French] I wish you good luck with that endeavor, especially if the only French city you’ve seen is Paris. Thank you for the video, your instructions were quite informative. I believe I have it working now, though if I need more help in the future I will ask. I hope I’ll have time to use the new program soon.

Thanks,
[his electronic signature is here]
Solal

~ Lt JG Solal, Doctor USS Ogawa