~\\_               
          \\\\_             
          `\\\\\            -----------------------------------------
           |\\\\\           Starfleet Command, Eighth Fleet (OOC)    
            \\\\\|__.-~~\   
         _--~         ~~/   Defenders Task Group 85.3, "Whitestone"  
       /~         _-~~~'    Embarked on U.S.S. Coronado, NCC-97901   
      ('-//////-//          Rear Admiral Tebrun Lora Kor, Commanding 
       ////// }}-)          -----------------------------------------
     /////~                 Simulation Teaser                        
  _///~                     Stardate 240305.31                       
 `                          
 _______________________________________________________________________ 
/ Simulation Teaser                                                     |
/ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ 

 The little pale blue box did its magic.  Thanks to it, Tebrun Lora Kor
 was able to have a conversation with Kishrak in real time, despite the
 more than 50 light-years between them.

 Tebrun sat in a public communications booth on Reor'sa, the civilian
 transmitter augmented with the best encryption that he could afford,
 combined with a little of Timor's know-how in that area.  Kishrak's
 face appeared, a tiny bit distorted, voice a little flat, but both
 recognizable.

 "Tebrun, you old sneak!" Kishrak said, "Good to hear from you!  We
 just got word that you're thinking about relocating this way."  The
 Ferengi was looking relaxed and well-dressed as always, and leaned
 back in his chair as he talked.  As was his custom, very little of the
 background around him was visible.

 Tebrun also smiled.  "I take it you got my message, then?" he asked.

 Kishrak nodded.  "I have it here now," he said, "but if you believe I
 will allow you to travel on civilian transport, you are crazy."  He
 smiled himself, showing pointed teeth.  "Privileges of 'rank', so to
 speak," he said.  "I will send our own packet to Reor'sa to fetch you,
 tomorrow if you like."

 Lora Kor blinked.  "You know," he said, "that possibility hadn't even
 occurred to me."  He paused, considering this, but Kishrak didn't wait
 for more from the Trill.

 "That is because you are too polite for your own good," the Ferengi
 replied, waving one hand.  "I am sure there is a Rule of Acquisition
 about exploiting old friends just as you would family, but as a
 foreigner, I would not expect you to know it."

 "Any more than you do, apparently," Tebrun said, smiling crookedly and
 cutting off Kishrak's objection before it could start.  "How's
 business?" he asked.  "Is this Alliance going to cause you any
 trouble?"

 "Trouble?" Kishrak scoffed.  "Quite the opposite, in fact. 
 Uncertainty in this market only means more business.  The more
 Starfleet ships that return to the Milky Way, the better.  Send them
 all back, I say!  And all their fighters and small craft with them,"
 he said, looking very smug.  "The Alliance would just have to replace
 them, which means more profit."

 "Just as long as you've thought this through," Tebrun said, amused.

 "A wise man can hear profit blowing in the wind," Kishrak quoted,
 almost with reverence.  Then he straightened and leaned into the
 viewer.  "Now then, the packet will be there tomorrow.  You be on it!"

 Tebrun leaned back.  "I suppose I'd be very foolish to turn down your
 offer," he said.

 "Very foolish indeed!  Be happy I do not charge you for your seat!"

 The Trill laughed, a bit weakly.  "Very well, Kishrak, I accept, and
 thank you.  But let's make it the day after tomorrow.  I have some --
 well, some business of my own to take care of here before I can head
 for Penthia."

 "As you wish, Tebrun," Kishrak said.  "I will see you the day after
 tomorrow.  Be well, my friend."

 The screen winked out, and Lora Kor considered the dark screen for a
 few moments before climbing out of the booth.

\_______________________________________________________________________ 
\ End Simulation Teaser                                                 |
 ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ 

 Defenders Task Group 85.3, "Whitestone" Staff:
    Commanding, TG 85.3:       RADM Tebrun Lora Kor      (Jester)
    S-1, Group Adjutant:       Capt. Sieven Drexler      (Brad)
    S-2, Group Intelligence:   Capt. Jarod Bentall       (Alffred)
    S-3, Group Logistics:      Capt. Savant              (Savant)
    Commanding, M64 Ground:    Brig. Jeremy Ironside     (Fraser)

 U.S.S. Coronado Crew Roster:
    Commanding Officer:        Como. William Daren       (Chris)
    Executive Officer:         Cmdr. Velorna Tal         (Aggie)
    Chief Flight Operations:   LCdr. Maiko D'Rall        (Farrell)
    Command Yeoman:            CPO Zachery Prentiss      (Prill)
    Civilian Liaison:          Zunite Oswald             (Sonya)
    Battalion Commander:       LCol. Jacob Prescot       (Prescot)
    Flight Leader:             1Lt. Edward Somansky      (Somansky)
    Flight Leader:             2Lt. Savin Frazier        (Styx)
    Chief Tactical Officer:    Lt. Derek Canterbury      (Spuzzum)
    Chief Engineer:            Cmdr. Jack C. Farley      (CCC)
    Assistant Engineer:        LCdr. Aramis Skylooker    (LewisSharp)
    Assistant Engineer:        Lt. (JG) Brandon Gannsen  (Lefty)
    Chief Science Officer:     Lt. Anna Brooks           (Kari)
    Chief Medical Officer:     LCdr. Rachel Kennedy      (Santiago)
    Assistant Medical:         Ens. Nicholas Van Dyken   (Tripp)

 On Extended Leave of Absence:
    None!

 Positions Available:
    Watch Tactical Officer:                              (---)
    Flight Leader:                                       (---)

------
Jester

Rear Admiral Tebrun Lora Kor
Commanding, Defenders Task Group 85.3, "Whitestone"
embarked on U.S.S. Coronado, NCC-97901
http://www.jestertrek.com/coro2400/