NCC Minister of Foreign Affairs Magister Yuri Orlov
Good afternoon, Director Xi.
I hope you're well after the moments of stress we experienced during the course of the Theta Summit. Before saying anything else, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for the hosting you offered at the Academy, which allowed the peace talks to develop. They were hard moments, but I hope they serve to establish a path towards a better future for the Zoner of the Omicrons and Omegas.
My communication with you comes as a result of a some unfortunate events in which the name of the Church has been involved. We've recently received worrying news from Gran Canaria about scams being carried out by some people impersonating the NCC, taking advantage precisely of our current lack of presence on that planet, that originally hosted our first colony. Apparently, some heartless bastards have been using the name of our Holy Church for financial gain at the expense of misinformed tourists and naive visitants. Although the Pontiff has already denied any involvement in such acts by the NCC, and has strongly condemned the scammers, we've some concern that this will affect the image of our Faith by people who don't know us.
We've been discussing in the Concilium about how to present ourselves to the Border and Edge Worlds society in a positive way, and at the same time offer some useful service to the population, and this is why we would like you to consider the possible opening of an NCC spiritual center at the MFE General Academy in Theta. We believe that it could be beneficial for the Academy, in addition to giving our Church a benevolent visibility under the collaboration with an immaculate and unimpeachable organization as MFE.
As you surely already know, we've more than 40 students currently at the Academy undertaking various health studies and, given that we're in the midst of medical reform at Faith Haven, the plan is to send more for the next course. They would appreciate to have a place to gather and pray, although we don't think that it can only be given that use.
According to what we've in mind, this facility wouldn't only be a chapel for believers, but it would also a place open to anyone who wishes to visit it, where we could show the thought of unity and harmony between humans advocated by our Faith, and where anyone could retreat to meditate or debate theological matters, apart from being a place of spiritual support. Ultimately, one doesn't have to be a believer in Deux, or even a believer in any particular religion to need some spiritual help, and ours is not a religion that promotes the conversion of people, but rather focuses on promulgate the humanistic values that we practice. As His Holiness often says, Deux doesn't care that people believe in Him, what He really cares about is that they fulfill His Sacred Mandate.
In conclusion, we believe that the opening of this center could provide the Academy with a service of relief and spiritual consolation for all residents or visitors who need it, as well as provide a forum for ethical and religious discussion among those who are interested. And for us, a public place under the approval of the MFE would be very favorable to make ourselves known correctly to the people, far from the fallacious value judgments that these days are automatically made about any religious belief.
Of course, is beyond any doubt that our staff in the center would always work according to orders of the Academy Directorate, and would comply with any internal regulations that apply inside the station.
I hope you can help us with this proposal, and I remain at your entire disposal waiting for you to evaluate it appropriately.
Regards, and Deux be with you.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs House of the Magisters NCC Curia
Comm ID ..... Jill Xi, PharmD
Location ....... Med Force General Academy, Omicron Theta
To ...................... Magister Yuri Orlov, NCC
CC ..................... Med Force Internal
Subject .......... Re.: Opening of a spiritual center at the Academy
Good evening Magister,
Thank you for your message. I am well and share your hope that the stressful moments of the Theta Summit will pave the way for a brighter future for the Zoner of the Omicrons and be equal bright and prosperous for those in the Omegas.
I was deeply troubled to hear about the scams perpetrated in Gran Canaria using the NCC's name. The Pontiff's swift condemnation of these actions is commendable, and I understand your concern about the potential impact on the Church's image.
Regarding your proposal for an NCC spiritual center at the MFE General Academy in Theta, I believe it holds very good possibility. The Academy's commitment to fostering a well-rounded learning environment aligns well with the NCC's emphasis on spiritual well-being. The presence of an NCC center catering not only to your students but also to the broader Academy community would be a welcome addition. A space for meditation, theological discussion, and spiritual support would undoubtedly benefit residents and visitors alike. We at the MFE share your zero-tolerance stance on conversion tactics. The NCC's focus on promoting humanistic values and fulfilling the Sacred Mandate resonates with the Academy's core principles.
Thank you for your initiative Magister Orlov. I believe this collaboration has the potential to serve the Academy and the NCC in meaningful ways and I would be happy to discuss the logistics of establishing this center further.
With kind regards,
Jill Xi, PharmD, Director, Med Force General Academy, Omicron Theta Med Force Enterprises
NCC Minister of Foreign Affairs Magister Yuri Orlov
Good morning, Director.
I'm very pleased that you're so open to the project we're proposing, and I'm grateful to be able to count on your support for this. So, and since it seems that we're in agreement, please allow me to tell you a little about what the infrastructure and operation of the facility that we intend to open at the Academy would be. Of course, feel free to comment on it whatever you want and to censor what you consider inadequate.
I've spoken with some of my colleagues from the Ministry of Development and Industry, and they've designed some renders for me, so that you can get an idea of the type of facilities I've in mind. Please note that the decorations and formats of the rooms that I'm going to show you are mere suggestions that the designer team has come up with, but of course everything is open to amendments.
*The man on the screen looks down and manipulates something out of shot. Seconds later, a succession of images begins to be shown, while his voice is heard in the background.*
As I mentioned in my previous broadcast, our idea is that the center can also serve in some way the interests of the Academy and its residents. We believe that it should have a large chapel with a capacity of about 500 people, which will be consecrated and will can be used to officiate religious ceremonies, but which can also serve as an auditorium for the Academy. Generally, its religious use will not be necessary, so let's say that the Academy will be able to have an extra conference room.
The auditorium would be internally connected to the facility, although it would also have direct access from the exterior hallways of the Academy, to facilitate its use without disturbing the rest of the people who are using the rest of the center's rooms. This access would be through an atrium that could serve as a meeting place, concentration or even a waiting room for the events that are going to take place in the auditorium.
The decoration that we've considered appropriate is a mix of the modern and efficient style that I was able to observe in the Academy on my recent visit during the summit, and the neo-Renaissance style that is the architectural canon of the Church. In this way, the aesthetics of the place itself will be a live example of the cooperation and harmony between our two organizations.
Regarding the auditorium itself, although it can be used by our faithful to perform rituals, as we said, it's likely that it isn't usually used for this purpose, due to its size. Precisely for this reason we've tried to make its design move away a little from the neo-Renaissance aesthetics and be more included in the more sober and functional style of the Academy. That way it can be used for other purposes without giving the impression that you are in a chapel.
Everything will be illuminated by false side windows and a large upper window, also false, as can be seen in the image, which will have a holographic system that simulates different environments, depending on what is required. We also consider that a ceremonial pipe organ will be incorporated into the room for cases in which it is used for religious reasons. The altar and the benches will have a retractable system so that they can be hidden under the stage and the floor, in order to leave space if necessary. With a size like the one we have planned, I think it will be a useful and functional place for the Academy, and it occurs to me that it could even serve as a concert hall.
As I said, the large chapel or auditorium will be internally connected to the rest of the complex by an internal hallway decorated with the mix of styles that I mentioned before, and will give way to the rest of the facilities. The function of this hallway will be not only to connect both parts of the center, but also to separate what is probably the part that will normally be used in less spiritual events, from the one that will mainly be dedicated entirely to it.
We've thought that mainly the center must have various multipurpose rooms for free use by whoever wants to reserve them. In them, multiple activities can be carried out, deontological orientation courses, spiritual and personal support, and scheduled discussions about metaphysical and ethical issues.
For these rooms we've thought of small spaces with an informal appearance, which encourages participants in the activities to feel cohesive and connected with each other. Given the nature of the topics that will be discussed in these rooms, we have considered that it is essential that small groups of people can feel in an environment of extreme peace and relaxation, so the decoration will be consistent with this. Light colors, wood, and comfortable furniture, in a completely modern aesthetic style, with hardly any reminiscences of neo-Renaissance. We want people who come to these activities to feel integrated and welcome, regardless of their beliefs or origins, so we prefer that there be no reminder of our creed or any other here. For fruitful debates to take place in areas such as philosophy, religion and ethics, the forum in which they occur must be free of interference.
The luminosity of the environment will be guaranteed by false holographic windows identical to those that will be present in the auditorium. This type of technology has been very useful to us in the homes in the underground part of Faith Haven, and its effectiveness has been more than proven. This system can be placed in any of the rooms of the center, and will provide a fairly credible substitute for sunlight.
As we want the spiritual center to be a place that is completely integrated into the daily life of the Academy, we've considered that it wouldn't be out of place for it to also have a café-bar open to the public, where both people who are using the services from the center and those who simply pass by can have a drink or eat something.
We've no problem discussing the operation or management of said bar. I understand that a base price can be established for the products sold there, and that the profits go simply to cover the costs of replenishment. Some of our colonists can provide service, and the Church would be in charge of paying their salaries, without having to incur unnecessary expenses for the Academy, I really don't care. After all, this project doesn't have the objective of making it a profitable business, but rather of providing a useful service both for the Academy and for ourselves.
Apart from all this, given that we currently have several students at the Academy and we plan to enroll a few more next school year, as I explained to you in my previous communication, we want to dedicate one of the rooms of the spiritual center to a small oratory that can permanently be used as a place of prayer for the believers of the Faith of Deux.
This chapel will be a place open to anyone who wants to enter, like the rest of the rooms in the center, even to non-believers who want to come to know the Sacred Mandate of Our Lord. We'll not close the door to anyone. Nevertheless, we ask for respect for the rituals that may be celebrated here.
The oratory will be fully decorated in the canonical Neo-Renaissance style of the New Covenant Church, and in it sacred symbols of the Faith will be openly displayed. It will be maintained by three clerics of the Church who will take turns performing the rites and officiating at the ceremonies. Since the room will be a place of worship in which there will be symbols and relics that are sacred to us, we will ask that access to it be always carried out under the supervision of one of our clerics. I hope this will not an inconvenience, but given that the spiritual center and the oratory itself will be constantly open to the public, we don't wish any type of desecration to happen, even if it's done involuntarily.
Finally, access to the center from the exterior corridors will be through a reception, which will also serve as a waiting room, where there will be some staff to assist visitors and manage room reservations, and access to the facilities. They will also be there to inform people who come about the scheduled activities, the organized talks, and the services that will be available at all times.
The personnel in charge of this can also be provided by the Church, as well as responsible for the payment of their salaries, but we've no problem with MFE being the one to take care of it, if that is your wish. We're totally open to the alternatives you want to consider.
*The images of the renders disappear and the screen shows the man again, who looks at the camera with an affable gesture.*
Well, this is the idea we're proposing for the project, Director. Of course I don't know the capabilities of the General Academy to host something like this, or the space you have available, but we can always reduce the size of some of the rooms or even eliminate them, to adapt it to the existing possibilities.
Regarding the construction costs, or rather, transformation of the rooms available for their new functions, the Church will assume all of the expenses. Since we lack competent personnel to carry out a job as delicate as the one we intend to decorate the spiritual center, we've decided to entrust it to Orbital Spa & Cruise, if there are no objections on the part of MFE. We'll contact them as soon as you and I reach an agreement on this project.
I look forward to your impressions, advice and objections.
Regards and Deux be with you.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs House of the Magisters NCC Curia
Comm ID ..... Jill Xi, PharmD
Location ....... Med Force General Academy, Omicron Theta
To ...................... Magister Yuri Orlov, NCC
CC ..................... Med Force Internal
Subject .......... Re.: Opening of a spiritual center at the Academy
Dear Magister Orlov,
Thank you for presenting this comprehensive proposal for a spiritual center at MFE Academy. We appreciate the Church's willingness to adapt the design to fit the Academy's existing space.
The large assembly area, particularly the 500-person capacity auditorium, is an intriguing concept. While MFE Academy currently doesn't have the space to accommodate a facility of that size, we are very interested in exploring the possibility of a smaller multipurpose room that could serve a similar function. This room could be used for conferences, lectures, and potentially even some religious ceremonies.
We understand the importance of a dedicated space for prayer and reflection. A smaller oratory, similar to what you described, could certainly be accommodated within the Academy. However, to ensure structural feasibility, I will need to discuss this further with both our engineering team and structural engineering specialists.
Regarding staffing and management, we are open to discussing options that best suit both our needs.
We would be happy to schedule a meeting to discuss the proposal further and explore the most feasible options for incorporating a spiritual center into MFE Academy. In the meantime, I will connect with our engineering teams to assess the space limitations and potential modifications.
Thank you again for your initiative. Both I and my team of experts look forward to collaborating with the Church on this project.
Sincerely,
Jill Xi, PharmD, Director, Med Force General Academy, Omicron Theta Med Force Enterprises
NCC Minister of Foreign Affairs Magister Yuri Orlov
Greetings, Director.
I imagined space could be a problem. I admit that it's a very pretentious project, but it can certainly be reduced enough in size so that we can make it successful.
First of all, I'm glad you liked the idea of the auditorium. It seems to me that, in a teaching place like the Academy, a room that allows conferences, symposia or presentations to be held can be very useful. Furthermore, with the retractable furniture system that I have in mind, it can become a completely empty space to be dedicated to other tasks, such as gala celebrations, a ballroom, or anything you can imagine. This type of hall is perfectly adaptable to any slightly spacious room you may have at the Academy, so size shouldn't be a major impediment. The capacity to accommodate those who will be able to use it will simply be reduced.
Regarding the cafe-bar, I understand that it's very likely that you already have establishments of this type in the station, so in the interest of optimizing space we can do without it. The objective of its existence was merely for the spiritual center to have a fuller integration into the Academy and to offer another service, but it's evident that is the most dispensable part of the entire project.
I appreciate that you see a way to fit our small oratory into the Academy. Indeed, it won't require much space to accommodate it, since we don't expect it to have a massive influx at specific times. As up to three ceremonies are going to be held daily, believers and interested people who want to attend will be able to divide themselves between the three services.
What worries me most is whether there will be space for the rooms that we intended to dedicate to spiritual support and discussion activities. Basically they are essential for the center's project because in them the function for which the spiritual center is dedicated will actually be carried out. It isn't necessary that they be large, I already told you in my previous communication that we believe that it will be beneficial for them to be small and intimate spaces so that those attending the sessions can feel confortable. Furthermore, I think that two rooms would be more than enough.
I hope your engineering team can find a viable solution to fit the project into the station. As for arranging a meeting to discuss it, I know you're a busy person, so I'll leave it up to you to set the date. And for the place, I think the logical thing would be to do it at the Academy itself, so that we can be... on the field, if you allow me the expression.
Deux be with you.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs House of the Magisters NCC Curia
Comm ID ..... Jill Xi, PharmD
Location ....... Med Force General Academy, Omicron Theta
To ...................... Magister Yuri Orlov, NCC
CC ..................... Med Force Internal
Subject .......... Re.: Opening of a spiritual center at the Academy
Dear Magister Orlov,
I apologize for the delay in reaching out to you. Balancing my responsibilities at the academy and raising my daughter has left little time for fulfilling promises. However, recent developments have prompted me to reconnect with an old friend, Lulatia Bellisario.
Lulatia boasts an impressive background, having worked extensively with Deep Space Engineering (DSE), Universal Shipping Incorporated (nowadays known as US|), and Interspace Commerce (IC) until her resignation from corporate service in 831 AS. During our recent conversation, I shared news about the academy’s expansion, including the addition of a spiritual center. Lulatia’s enthusiasm was palpable from the moment I mentioned this project.
A search on the NeuralNet will reveal that Lulatia was not merely an HR director during her tenure at DSE; she was also a highly skilled engineer who contributed to numerous vessel and station refits. Additionally, her expertise extends to piloting transport ships, and she received commendation for her role in the Leeds Relief Effort campaign.
Despite her Libertonian roots, Lulatia now operates under a different banner and is open to collaborating with both Zoners and Med Force Enterprises. I wholeheartedly recommend bringing her aboard for the expansion of the academy and the interior structural design. Her skills are invaluable, and I am confident she can execute the necessary tasks efficiently and cost-effectively.
I eagerly await your thoughts on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Jill Xi, PharmD, Director, Med Force General Academy, Omicron Theta Med Force Enterprises
NCC Minister of Foreign Affairs Magister Yuri Orlov
Good morning, Director Xi.
Please, you don't need to apologize. I can perfectly understand the level of demand that your position can entail, and I can imagine the added difficulties of having to combine it with being a mother.
I've received with interest your recommendation about Miss Bellisario. I've asked my assistants to do a Neural Net search on her, as you suggested, and her CV is indeed stunning. Likewise, I highly value the fact that she expressed enthusiasm for the project. I think personal motivation is the key for any task to have an optimal result, instead of just correct. And certainly I've no problem with Miss Bellisario's roots. Our Church is made up of people from very diverse backgrounds, I would never judge any human being by their origins.
Initially my idea was to commission the interior decoration of the Spiritual Center to Orbital Spa & Cruise. We haven't had any experience with them yet, really, but your colleague Dr. Isabella Saito offered us on her last visit to Faith Haven the contact of its Executive Director, Miss Caitlyn Cross. Dr. Saito spoke highly of some of the work OS&C did for MFE in the past, so I thought it could be a good idea to have them in this venture, at least to entrust them with the decorative elements of the Center. From what I've been able to find out, they've exquisite taste in Neo-Renaissance style furniture.
Nevertheless, I understand that Miss Bellisario's collaboration will be essential for the general expansion of the Academy that I know you wish to carry out shortly, and I think she will also be an excellent addition to the entire project, including the construction of the Spiritual Center. So, given the impressive references she has, and due you recommend her personally, I'll be more than happy to count on her on this trip. Since you kindly ask my opinion, know that she has my total approval.
However, I wonder it would be possible for you to consider including OS&C as well, even if it's exclusively for the manufacture of the interior decoration of the Spiritual Center. It may seem like a small thing, but I believe that having the correct decoration is essential for an installation of this type.
Of course I'm at the expense of what you decide on this matter, Director. Your Academy, your rules.
Deux be with you.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs House of the Magisters NCC Curia
Comm ID ..... Jill Xi, PharmD
Location ....... Med Force General Academy, Omicron Theta
To ...................... Magister Yuri Orlov, NCC
CC ..................... Med Force Internal
Subject .......... Re.: Opening of a spiritual center at the Academy
Dear Magister Orlov,
After deliberating on your idea regarding bringing in OS&C for the design I must say that I kind of like that proposition. MFE has hosted a medical conference a few years back which was hosted by OS&C and the positive reviews where through the roof. I also have full trust of my colleague Isabella and have met Miss Cross once. Therefor I would certainly agree with choosing OS&C regarding the interior design.
Before we can get to the design stage however, there is some work to be done on the interior structure prior to changing the interior design. And I believe Miss Bellisario could be the perfect person for that. As the station has a central column the restructuring of the area as to create an open space requires a lot of engineering as to keep the station structurally safe as to keep day to day operations going.
I would suggest we schedule a meeting between yourself, me and both Miss Cross and Bellisario as to start what could be a great rebuild of the Academy.
I look forward to your views on this. If you could reach out to Miss Cross it would be most welcomed.
Yours sincerely,
Jill Xi, PharmD, Director, Med Force General Academy, Omicron Theta Med Force Enterprises
NCC Minister of Foreign Affairs Magister Yuri Orlov
Greetings, Director Xi.
I think we currently agree on everything related to this project, and I believe you are doing well to take advantage of this moment to expand and restructure the Academy. It's not a secret that in recent times MFE has become a highly visible organization on Sirius, even more than it was before. That will no doubt soon attract an even greater influx of students to the Academy, so more space will be needed.
His Holiness has authorized me to inform that you can count on the limited logistical and economic resources of the Church for what you need. After all, the Academy has been a pillar of support for us Zoner exiles that we had to colonize the planet, so helping at this time is the least we can do.
I concur with you that we should meet at the Academy soon to start working on this. I will contact Miss Cross as soon as possible to request her participation.
Deux be with you.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs House of the Magisters NCC Curia
Comm ID ..... Jill Xi, PharmD
Location ....... Med Force General Academy, Omicron Theta
To ...................... Magister Yuri Orlov, NCC
CC ..................... Med Force Internal
Subject .......... Re.: Opening of a spiritual center at the Academy
Dear Magister Orlov,
I apologize for the delay in communication. The Omicron Theta system has come under attack by hostile forces, requiring our immediate attention.
The MFE Academy has temporarily suspended courses and safely evacuated most students. Our station is now functioning as a dedicated emergency medical facility for those defending the system. To ensure our long-term sustainability during this crisis, we have implemented rationing protocols.
Unfortunately, due to these unforeseen circumstances, plans for the spiritual center must be postponed. We can only focus on the future once the situation in Omicron Theta stabilizes. However I can assure you, we were well-prepared for such an event. Our crew is working tirelessly in double shifts to manage the influx of medical and combat repair needs. Docking procedures have been modified to prioritize these critical cases.
If His Holiness could offer his blessings to our cause and those defending the system, we would be deeply grateful for his spiritual support during this challenging time.
Thank you for your understanding.
Jill Xi, PharmD, Director, Med Force General Academy, Omicron Theta Med Force Enterprises