[snip]

As the race began the trio of racing cars took off down the hill. They had no engines only the natural push of launch from the spring loaded push plates followed by the natural incline of the hill and gravity. So far after 50ft all three vehicles were more or less tied.

Kane watched them as they rounded the track powered by gravity and kinetic energies. He nodded his face showing some sighs of being impressed at the sim, and the kids.

”..Nor did I until 2374.” Drudoc said with a faint chuckle and fond smile at one of the cars where the early teen half-human/romulan girl was. “..but as the old Romulan faith would say our paths among the stars rarely ever prepare us for what we want or know. But rather for what we do not expect or are unaware of.” she stated.

Kane nodded. “I see, We all have sayings of something similar. Earh I feel like would be The best laid plans of man often go astray, so prepare for the worst but pray for the best.” He chuckled. Well that’s two common earth phrases in one. But it feels something similar.”

”..Such is a familiar saying I have heard..” Drudoc replied.

In the race the trio of racers rounded a tight series of bends. The team building part here was to coordinate the passengers to ping a sensor marker with a non-harmful laser to left and right of the racer as they passed. It required solid communication between the driver, targeter and ‘gunner’. Kane could see on the screen the first car barely ahead of the other two and driven by the Commodore’s daughter Tel’eck had her two passengers ping the three targets as they passed. The second closely following racer had two of the three targets pinged, and the third racer had all three targets pinged. As they came out of the bends another pusher plate revved up all three cars based on a percentage of the targets hit previously. This gave Tel’eck’s car a solid lead ahead, with the third car taking a slim lead ahead of the former second.

“I see.... so their speed is related to the number of targets hit, interesting. I could see where the team building and team coordination would come in. Not a bad start kids.” He said his lips turned off to a soft and small smirk.

”..Their teacher is a fan of old Earth racing sports. So she came up with this for their assignment..” She said.

”..I used to be part of the Federation-Romulan Empire officer exchange program, ran briefly from 2379 until 2386, during that time I served as an engineer and later chief engineer aboard the Maverick Mark I medium dreadnought USS Rogue. Later I rose to be her commanding officer. But I also continued to rise in rank with the Imperial navy as well going from a sublieutenant....what the Federation would call an Ensign. To now holding the rank of Senior Fleet Commander in the imperial navy and Commodore in Starfleet. The loss of my husband, Lieutenant Commander Bradley Mitchell, and Tel’eck’s father has not been an easy one for me since his loss in 2385 nor since the Hobus supernova uprooted the quadrant and Star Empire. Nor the troubles earlier with rogue artificial life and the attack on Utopia Planitia and Mars Colony..” She said. “..but despite all its troubles, my service to both the imperial navy and Starfleet and more so my life as a mother with Tel’eck is not something I would ever change or regret..” she said.

Kane’s face turned serious as his eyes turned to look at the Commodore. “I have heard of various joint task forces and exchange programs throughout the years. But actively serving in both the Star Empires Imperial Navy and the Federations Star Fleet? That’s interesting. I’ve never heard of actively serving in both. Forgive me but I hope that if things were to go badly between the Romulans and the Federation I would hope that we wouldn’t lose such a dedicated officer and important source of knowledge. I’m sorry to hear that, my condolences for your loss Commodore. I remember hearing about that. It was a tragic event, one that thankfully was not much worse. Life is too short…” Kane paused and then laughed a bit. “Especially for us humans to live it regretting our past. I’m glad that you’re here today Commodore, I look forward to working with you.”

”..It was not as publicly known as the Klingon and Federation program it was based on in the early to mid-2360s. Given the recent Dominion War had just ended and tensions were still a bit high after Shenzon’s coup it had pros and cons on both sides of the political divide in both major powers. There were also somewhat vocal protests by the Klingons, though they were only half-hearted affairs.” She said.

”..As for any conflicts of service between troubles by the Empire and the Federation. My citizenship is officially with the Federation now. My commission in Starfleet is also the primary factor. My rank in the Imperial Navy is more only recognized by Imperial naval and an Imperial naval break away pair of factions. As far as most refugee groups, independents, or the Talshiar are concerned I’m a traitor to the Empire and her people..” She said. “..So if such were to occur I would do my duty to Starfleet and the Federation regardless..” She explained.

On the track the trio of racers round another bend in the track. This time they were to once more ping targets with lasers like before but this time they were moving versus static targets. Tel’eck’s racer in the lead soon passed by two of the three targets being hit. The second racer came around the corner and hit three of the three targets. The third racer coming into view hit only 1 of the three sensors. Thus when all three entered a ramp jump ahead the first two racers came to be almost neck and neck, only Tel’eck’s racer being slightly ahead of the second after their individual boosts. Due to the lack of proper boosting for safety the third racer was guided by the track around the jump and into a pull off area, where the driver and two kids though bummed out it seemed at their loss still seemed to cheer for the remaining two racers.

“That was unfortunate.” Kane said as he watched the race. “At least they are still cheering for the others.”

”..You will find many of the children aboard the Ark Angel are fairly well off, they know the dangers we can be in in their own way and so do their best to support each other. The reports I file and those from the caretakers, and teachers have given Starfleet much to think about on how to support larger groups of families aboard other vessels..” She said.

Smiling a bit at the sight, Drudoc continued, “..You will find the Ark Angel has many family’s aboard. We also have quite a few Romulan and Reman refugees who either joined Starfleet or work aboard as civilian crew seeking a better life then that which the shattered remains of the Empire has fallen too. I would advise you to touch base with the school teacher’s as well as familiarize yourself with our civilian shelters as all Mythology class explorers have. The family’s and civilians are well drilled on where to go and what to do when red or yellow alerts sound. Or if an unexpected emergency happens. NLt Commander Charlie Brickers is the main point officer and representative of them for the current time being for any specific needs they need to voice that needs to come up to our level of attendance..” She explained.

Kane nodded. “Yes Commodore. I will make sure to get in touch with them.”

On the track the nearly neck and neck racers again descended down a long hill again laser targets came up this time five in total again they moved but were spouted up from random pop up points going down the hill. It was still anyone’s race at this point. As the two sped by the midpoint of the hill Tel’eck’s racer hit three of the five targets and the second one also hit three of the five. Due to the skill of both drivers Kane could see both were not literally neck and neck with their boosts. As the two finished across the line Kane could see on the sensor measurements that by the narrowest iota of a lead Tel’eck’s racer had eeked out a win. Which the holodeck’s computer highlighted with the winning flag overhead. As both racers came to a stop both teams jumped out soon joined by the third earlier team and shook hands cheering good naturedly.

As the race concluded and the results came up Kane set the PADD aside and clapped for the kids.

”..Come on lets head down and see how they did internally for their assignment..” Drudoc said.

GM CockRoach / Drudoc Andone CO

Adter a few minutes of clapping Kane nodded and gave a warm smile. “After you.” He said somewhat warmly.

Lt. Cmdr. Solomon Kane, XO

Drudoc nodded, the pair soon coming to the children and teens. “..So what did you all think?” Drudoc asked to the children first. The children one by one went through on their thoughts of the race, as well as during this Drudoc recorded their responses probably for their assignment. After a round of this she turned to the three teens and did the same. Once they were all completed she turned to her new XO. “..So Commander any words or questions for our youngest crew?” she inquired.

GM CockRoach