Chief Minister Iona Thornman - Walking a Tightrope in Heels
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Karen Morris
Sep 19, 2025, 12:05:38 AM (4 days ago) Sep 19
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((Simulated Toronto [Earth], Holodeck 1, Deck 5, USS Thor))
Thornman turned to face the other two.
Thornman: There is very little reward that is entirely without risk. In this case, I would think that the rewards greatly outweigh the risks.
At Iona's statement, Herrick had a look of easy satisfaction on his face, but Kol … she had a different sort of look.
Kol: If you don't mind, Minister, I have a question.
Iona was impressed. That was a singular - and dangerous statement. Singular because she was rarely impressed. Dangerous because when Iona wanted something badly enough, she almost always got it - eventually.
Thornman: This would make a marvelous training facility.
Kol: Yes it is. It safely exposes people to just about any scenario we can think of, and allows us to better hone our skills.
Thornman: ::Turning only her head toward Kol:: Earlier, you said this was made up of photons and force fields, correct? What are the room’s limitations?
Either Kol wasn’t sure of the answer or hesitated for another reason.
Kol: There are safety parameters and protocols that are dictated by various people, and those mainly prevent anything out of line being simulated, but the technical limitations are beyond my knowledge. I know that it works by using holograms, photons and force fields, but that's about as much as I know.
Herrick: Yes, while everything seems real, generators that are large enough to sustain this degree of projection are limited. If you were to take most items out of the holodeck, they would lose cohesion. And, if there is a malfunction, the safety protocols Lieutenant Kol mentioned could malfunction… posing a real risk.
Thornman: This would make a marvelous training facility.
Kol: Yes it is. It safely exposes people to just about any scenario we can think of, and allows us to better hone our skills.
Thornman: ::Turning only her head toward Kol:: Earlier, you said this was made up of photons and force fields, correct? What are the room’s limitations?
Either Kol wasn’t sure of the answer or hesitated for another reason.
Kol: There are safety parameters and protocols that are dictated by various people, and those mainly prevent anything out of line being simulated, but the technical limitations are beyond my knowledge. I know that it works by using holograms, photons and force fields, but that's about as much as I know.
Herrick: Yes, while everything seems real, generators that are large enough to sustain this degree of projection are limited. If you were to take most items out of the holodeck, they would lose cohesion. And, if there is a malfunction, the safety protocols Lieutenant Kol mentioned could malfunction… posing a real risk.
Thornman turned to face the other two.
Thornman: There is very little reward that is entirely without risk. In this case, I would think that the rewards greatly outweigh the risks.
At Iona's statement, Herrick had a look of easy satisfaction on his face, but Kol … she had a different sort of look.
Kol: If you don't mind, Minister, I have a question.
Glancing first to Herrick - noting his pained expression, she turned completely to face Kol, showing of signs of unease.
Thornman: I’m happy to answer any question … if I can.
Kol: Why are your people so wary of offworlders? As I understand it, the people of United New Earth collaborated for their defense approach, but what prompted you to be so defensive?
Thornman: Lieutenant, about one hundred years ago, an exploratory expedition of aliens - if you’ll forgive the term - showed up on our planet. They were not directly hostile, but they insinuated that both our worlds were rich with resources, and if they had a need, eventually more of them would come and visit our planets. They let it slip that they weren’t in the habit of trading. As I’m sure you can imagine, that concerned both of our planets. We felt a defense force was necessary. And being the first aliens to make contact with us … it made us concerned that if others came, they would be of a similar ilk. I cannot speak for New Gaia, but for Nova Terra, we simply want to keep our people safe.
Herrick: Well, as you can see ::waving his hand around the holodeck:: we’re pretty free with our exchange of information. I think it’s a fair question with everything that transpired.
Thornman glanced back at Herrick. She knew that while she had helped him, what they were sharing now was a tenuous peace. He had been kidnapped when he was supposed to be under her protection. And she, to the chagrin of many on her staff, had allowed an ‘alien’ free reign in their historical archives.
Thornman: I don’t deny the question is a fair one. ::To Kol she said evenly:: I hope you are satisfied with the answer.
Kol: Response
Thornman watched the Commander pull something out of his pocket and glance at it.
Promontory: =/\= (text) Finishing up here, heading over to the Green Room in about 5 minutes. =/\=
Herrick: It appears that we’re reaching the end of today’s tour. In Occam’s razor fashion, to call the exit, you simply say… exit.
And just as suddenly as the parameters of the program changed earlier, the doorway appeared. Once again, Thornman wore a look of great satisfaction with this tool they had allowed her to use - if only for a short while.
Herrick led the way out of the holodeck and down the corridor. Iona walked at his side, and Kol followed behind them.
((Corridor, Deck 5, USS Thor))
Herrick: So, tell me more about General Syms…
There wasn’t the slightest hesitation between Herrick’s request and Iona’s vitriolic response.
Thorman: General Syms is … persistent. Obstructive even. He thrives on being contrary.
Walking abreast of Herrick, she drew a long, steadying breath.
Thornman: Forgive my forthrightness, Commander. He has the support of a vocal minority in the chambers, and because of that, I cannot easily remove him. He is supposed to answer to me, but often acts on his own ‘best judgment. Despite my heels, I walk a tightrope. We do have a democracy, but the rules seem to ebb and flow depending on which side of the chamber is in power. And if we abandon the rules for convenience, we hand our enemies a weapon sharper than any blade. Some days, I feel I’m less a leader and more a juggler with knives.
Kol: Response
Thornman: However, if I remove him simply on a whim or because he is an irritant, either I will likely be removed next, or if I’m not removed, we are no better than a dictatorship.
Iona first glanced over her shoulder at Kol and then at Herrick, hoping that both of them understood to whom she was alluding.
Kol/Herrick: Response
Thornman: Yes, you're right. There may come a time when he must be removed for the safety of the planet, but if it must be done, it will be done correctly.
It was something she had considered - though she had no taste for coups or assassinations. Legitimacy mattered — not just for herself, but for the soul of Nova Terra. With this new episode of Syms's, however, she just might gain a little traction over that small faction, but she had to be careful. Her intel had caught shadowed … suggestions of harm to her family if anything untoward happened to the general. And while they were protected, she knew no shield was perfect — and even the hint of a threat was enough to keep her awake at night.
Kol/Herrick: Response
Thornman grimaced at the question.
Thornman: There are some things that, you’ll forgive me, if it is not prudent for me to disclose.
Kol/Herrick: Response
~*~Tags/TBC~*~
Iona Thornman
Chief Minister of Nova Terra
~*~
As simmed by
~*~
Lt Sasch Kreshkova
Helm
USS Thor
O240103SK2
It is an honor to fly starships through the deadly, beautiful, vastness of space. ~ Sasch Kreshkova
Thornman: I’m happy to answer any question … if I can.
Kol: Why are your people so wary of offworlders? As I understand it, the people of United New Earth collaborated for their defense approach, but what prompted you to be so defensive?
Thornman: Lieutenant, about one hundred years ago, an exploratory expedition of aliens - if you’ll forgive the term - showed up on our planet. They were not directly hostile, but they insinuated that both our worlds were rich with resources, and if they had a need, eventually more of them would come and visit our planets. They let it slip that they weren’t in the habit of trading. As I’m sure you can imagine, that concerned both of our planets. We felt a defense force was necessary. And being the first aliens to make contact with us … it made us concerned that if others came, they would be of a similar ilk. I cannot speak for New Gaia, but for Nova Terra, we simply want to keep our people safe.
Herrick: Well, as you can see ::waving his hand around the holodeck:: we’re pretty free with our exchange of information. I think it’s a fair question with everything that transpired.
Thornman glanced back at Herrick. She knew that while she had helped him, what they were sharing now was a tenuous peace. He had been kidnapped when he was supposed to be under her protection. And she, to the chagrin of many on her staff, had allowed an ‘alien’ free reign in their historical archives.
Thornman: I don’t deny the question is a fair one. ::To Kol she said evenly:: I hope you are satisfied with the answer.
Kol: Response
Thornman watched the Commander pull something out of his pocket and glance at it.
Promontory: =/\= (text) Finishing up here, heading over to the Green Room in about 5 minutes. =/\=
Herrick: It appears that we’re reaching the end of today’s tour. In Occam’s razor fashion, to call the exit, you simply say… exit.
And just as suddenly as the parameters of the program changed earlier, the doorway appeared. Once again, Thornman wore a look of great satisfaction with this tool they had allowed her to use - if only for a short while.
Herrick led the way out of the holodeck and down the corridor. Iona walked at his side, and Kol followed behind them.
((Corridor, Deck 5, USS Thor))
Herrick: So, tell me more about General Syms…
There wasn’t the slightest hesitation between Herrick’s request and Iona’s vitriolic response.
Thorman: General Syms is … persistent. Obstructive even. He thrives on being contrary.
Walking abreast of Herrick, she drew a long, steadying breath.
Thornman: Forgive my forthrightness, Commander. He has the support of a vocal minority in the chambers, and because of that, I cannot easily remove him. He is supposed to answer to me, but often acts on his own ‘best judgment. Despite my heels, I walk a tightrope. We do have a democracy, but the rules seem to ebb and flow depending on which side of the chamber is in power. And if we abandon the rules for convenience, we hand our enemies a weapon sharper than any blade. Some days, I feel I’m less a leader and more a juggler with knives.
Kol: Response
Thornman: However, if I remove him simply on a whim or because he is an irritant, either I will likely be removed next, or if I’m not removed, we are no better than a dictatorship.
Iona first glanced over her shoulder at Kol and then at Herrick, hoping that both of them understood to whom she was alluding.
Kol/Herrick: Response
Thornman: Yes, you're right. There may come a time when he must be removed for the safety of the planet, but if it must be done, it will be done correctly.
It was something she had considered - though she had no taste for coups or assassinations. Legitimacy mattered — not just for herself, but for the soul of Nova Terra. With this new episode of Syms's, however, she just might gain a little traction over that small faction, but she had to be careful. Her intel had caught shadowed … suggestions of harm to her family if anything untoward happened to the general. And while they were protected, she knew no shield was perfect — and even the hint of a threat was enough to keep her awake at night.
Kol/Herrick: Response
Thornman grimaced at the question.
Thornman: There are some things that, you’ll forgive me, if it is not prudent for me to disclose.
Kol/Herrick: Response
~*~Tags/TBC~*~
Iona Thornman
Chief Minister of Nova Terra
~*~
As simmed by
~*~
Lt Sasch Kreshkova
Helm
USS Thor
O240103SK2
It is an honor to fly starships through the deadly, beautiful, vastness of space. ~ Sasch Kreshkova
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