Editing Pbem (section)

===Sample Posts===
Here is a sample post from one of the current games in Star Trek : Freedom:

(USS Discovery - Bridge - CO Captain Tardek - Day 2 - 2405.10.29.0750)

Mission: Three's Company, Twelve's a Crowd, Day 2
Stardate 2405.10.29

Tardek looked up as the doors to the turbolift parted to admit him to the bridge. He saw that Commander Matthews was already there, getting things prepared for launch. He also noticed Tore'Len'Chi over near one of the science consoles. Other members of the crew were scurrying around, performing last minute checks and calibrations.

Quietly he stepped down into the center of the bridge. He had no desire to have anyone make a big deal out of his arrival, but as soon as his footstep echoed off the deck plating at the center of the bridge, a crewman turned and spotted him. "Captain on the bridge!" he called, and everyone turned towards him and stood at attention.

"As you were," said Tardek quickly. He turned towards Matthews. "Commander, this is your bridge, not mine. Consider me merely an interested observer."

(reply Matthews)

Tardek nodded and took a seat in the chair usually reserved for the FO, leaving the command chair open for Matthews. He sat back and watched the preparations, waiting for the order to be given for the ship to launch on the new mission.

(reply Matthews, Tore iyw, any on the bridge, any)
(posted by Aaron)

Notice that the first thing in the post is a header, describing where we are, who is posting, and what day/time it is. It also includes the current mission and stardate. Stardates are written by YYYY.MM.DD format, so 2405.10.29 means October 29th, 2405.

The post then goes on to describe what Captain Tardek does when he enters the bridge. Note that it not only describes what he does and what he sees, but also what he is thinking (not wanting a fuss made over his arrival). It also specifies a place for another character (Matthews) to insert a reply in a future post. At the end, it announces everyone who is expected to post in response to this post, and who wrote the post to begin with.

Now, here's the reply from the player who posts for the character Matthews:

(USS Discovery - Bridge - FO Lt. Cmdr. Dallas Matthews - Day 2 - 2405.10.29.0750)

Mission: Three's Company; Twelve's a Crowd, Day 2
Stardate 2405.10.29

Matthews patched several more power grids through the right areas quickly, his eyes already moving to the next item on his list. The impulse engines had a problem in the startup sequence and had resulted in some shorts along the way. Dallas had been working on and off on it all night and was finally getting something to work with it. It would just take a few more switches and reports from Damage Control and they would have impulse engines again.

If they didn't short out first. Sighing to himself, he made his way to the front of the room. The Main Viewscreen needed a quick adjustment and as he did so, he heard the doors of the turbolift open. He hoped it wasn't someone important, as Matthews had his shirt pulled up on his arms and was a bit unkempt. Just a bit.

"Captain on the bridge!"

~Oh, why of all the times...~

Quickly, the FO pulled out, knocking his head a few times on the way and finally stood up and saluted Tardek, a bit of grime on his face.

"As you were, Commander, this is your bridge, not mine. Consider me merely an interested observer."

Smiling slyly, the newly made First Officer grinned.

"Aye sir. I'll take her for what's she worth. We should be ready soon. Just a few kinks."

There was a spark as Tore'Len'Chi was working off to the side. Quickly, Dallas moved to the area and scanned. A few conduits were misaligned, nothing major. With a tap of a few buttons, he had the problem solved. He turned to the multi tasking scientist in front of him and raised an eyebrow, letting a small smile out.

"Keep it up. You're keeping us on schedule."

With that, the First Officer turned to the center of the bridge and bounded up to the Center chair and ever so slowly sat down in it. It felt good, after sitting in various chairs over the years, to finally sit in the center chair and actually be allowed to. Looking around the bridge, he spotted the new Second Officer working already. He liked her and so far it seemed he got along with most of the crew.

This was but the first day. And first days were always the worst. Rule number 23 in the Matthews Handbook. Always.

"Matthews to all crew, this is your First Officer. This ship will be departing in...5 minutes. I would like status reports from all stations. Ops, go to yellow alert and stanby. Helm, plot us a course and hold. Let's get to it!"

(reply all)
(posted by sulu)

Notice that not only does this post incorporate the relevant part of the post to which it is replying, but it advances the storyline beyond the initial post, giving other players nearby an opportunity to add their own parts to the story.