Editing Maraht the Horta

[[Image:Maraht2.jpg|thumb|left|Ensign Maraht on the USS Hades]]

''"Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place."'' -Mark Twain 

{| class="wiki-sidebar" align="right" border="2" style="background:SkyBlue;" bordercolor="white" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1"
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| colspan="2" align="center" | [[Image:horta1.jpg|200px]]
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| class="even" align="center" style="font-size: 90%" colspan="2" | Maraht the Horta
|-
| class="odd" | Name:
| class="even" | Maraht
|-
| class="odd" | Rank:
| class="even" | http://www.startrekfreedom.com/images/pips1/tealltjg.jpg
|-
| class="odd" | Gender:
| class="even" | Orthomale Type B-4A
|-
| class="odd" | Species:
| class="even" | Horta
|-
| class="odd" | Age:
| class="even" | 78
|-
| class="odd" | Position:
| class="even" | Chief OPS
|-
| class="odd" | Ship:
| class="even" | [[USS Hades]] NX-60637
|-
| class="odd" | Status:
| class="even" | Active: ''Tribuo Senatus''
|-
|}






== Description == 
'''Height'''  
2.5 feet
 
'''Weight''' 
450 pounds
 
'''Blood Colour''' 
Translucent with metallic sparkles
 
'''Physical Description'''
Marbled orange and brown armored rock with hair-like phalangi that are on the bottom edge and underneath. A domed voder box (vox) attached on the top allows Maraht to communicate using Galactic Standard. Overall body length is 4 feet and width is 2 and 1/2 feet. Maraht takes after his mother, having followed many of her diet recommendations and so resembles her except for his added vox.

'''Current Assignment'''
[[Rank|Lieutenant]] Maraht (jg) serves on board the [[USS Hades]] Science Department as Chief of Operations.

==Family and Background==
[[Image:horta3.jpg|thumb|left|Horta nodules or eggs prior to hatching]]
As one of the newer hatchlings, Maraht found himself longing to see more of the universe beyond his own tunnel. Although most Horta are homebodies by nature, Maraht felt he was destined for something greater than tunneling in the same old planet, doing nothing but mining, eating, and socializing.   

His hundreds of other brothers and sisters thought he was off his rock and needed liberal doses of mica, coal and schist to rid himself of this strange malady. But Venerable Mother Horta decided to support him in his endeavors and soon realized that he would not be content until he got out into the universe. She felt that traveling with Starfleet would help keep him amongst friends who would help look out for him. 

Maraht has exceeded even human expectations and surprised everyone, proving that a Horta in Starfleet can be a very valuable and useful officer. Maraht's Mother, although justifiably proud of her nomadic son, remained unsurprised.

== Education ==
Maraht had a mining education out in the field on [[Janus VI]]. He majored in Science specializing in areas of [[Geology]], [[Metalurgy]] and [[Tactical Exploration]] at [[Starfleet Academy]]. Maraht graduated with honors in all three fields.

== Personal History ==
Maraht assisted the miners on [[Janus VI]], enjoyed their stories about being off planet, and spent time listening to the communications board when receiving messages from passing ships. Venerable Mother Horta told young Maraht all about the amazing creature called a Vulcan named Spock and his fascination with exploration; she had especially liked his pointed ears. 

Maraht wanted to contribute to his people in ways other than mining. He enjoyed listening to Old Samuel's stories about traveling the galaxy in search of fortune and trade. He soon felt the call to join [[Starfleet]] once he had achieved 1/2 of his growth. He began to find ways to study and could often be found outside training himself to have no fear of open sky, and toughening himself up with surface hiking before attending the Academy.

Due to his long history of association with humanoid races and humans in particular, Maraht has grown more expressive with his longer phalange. Horta normally consider it better manners to keep it coiled and tucked up neatly underneath their bodies and used when neccessary for specific tasks. But Maraht has found it helpful to use when communicating to convey visual body language and non-verbal cues, sometimes using it as humans might to talk with their hands. He still prefers to use his longer phalange for task oriented duties around other Horta however. It is possible that during his training and due to more extensive use he has gained more flexibility and range of motion than most Horta.

==Starfleet History==
Maraht graduated from Starfleet with honors in the scientific fields of Metalurgy, Geology, and Tactical Exploration. He got along well with all of his classmates by wisely choosing to stay out of politics. Although Maraht showed talents in counseling and linguistics, he decided not to major in those areas at the Academy. Maraht became good friends with a human named Stephen Anderson and a [[Gorn]] while in the Academy, but they have been able to keep in touch only sporadically. 

At one point during his 4 years during the Academy, [[Starfleet]] requested Maraht's help with the search and rescue of some children that had been reported missing and suspected of becoming trapped in one of the old mine shafts in the hills around the old historic ghost mining town of [[Leadville]] in the Rocky Mountains on Earth.

Though the tourists had been warned repeatedly to not wonder into the mines, three children disobeyed their parents and dared each other to enter the mine at dusk and remain there until dawn. When part of the mine collapsed and trapped two of the three children the third was able to escape to get help. Maraht was asked to help to rescue the children due to his expertise in sensing underground vibration and detecting underground structural weakness. 

Maraht was able to get oxygen, limited light, and water to the children in time and then protected them from further harm in the dark by guiding them to safer passages before helping them out of the honeycomb of shafts, dangerous ledges and drop offs. Because of him, they did not panic and were able to survive their two day ordeal without injury. 

The entire incident brought a reluctant Maraht into the attention of the media. Though publicly touted as a hero, he found himself the object of hate mail from the often violent group called [[Humans for Humanity]]. They later made an attempt to kidnap him from the campus, possibly to make an example of him, and were unsuccessful due to the fact that they had underestimated Maraht's voracity, speed and size. Most of the local cell group were captured.

Upon Graduation Day, Admiral Green assigned Maraht to the [[Akira Class]] [[USS Mystique]] NCC-68125-C where he served as Assistant Chief Science Officer (ACSO) under CSO Lt. Ketal. Then the crew recently transferred to the newly built [[Prometheus Class]] ship [[USS Hades]] NX-60637 and Maraht served under CSO Lt. Comdr Holis Gralen.

Dr. Holis Gralen retired and Maraht served under Cmdr. Mason Garrett for a short time. When Cmdr. Garret decided to retire with his new pregnant mate Cynthia Darson, Maraht was nominally in charge of the Science Department, until he was promoted to the position of Chief of OPS by the new CO, Captain Devon Sash.

== Medical History ==
Hortas, being silicon based life forms, need building plaster to heal up from phaser blasts and most types of wounds. However, their armor is so resilient that it is difficult to wound them. Modified Type II phasers would need to be set on maximum. They have no propensity for infection from carbon based viral and bacterial infections, but propensity for infection to non carbon based microbes is unknown. They are immune to their own acid secretions and can survive the cold vaccum of space as long as they have not been previously wounded. Adult Hortas consume about 20-35 pounds of rock material and minerals every 24-36 hours. Consuming refined metals are much like eating a bowl of white refined sugar for humans; edible yet not nutritionally optimal. In addition to a varied diet of metamorphic and igneous rock, Maraht needs to have some deep pressure time in an atmospheric chamber, probably 1-2 times for several hours weekly in an effort to keep his natural armor healthy if a planet is not currently available. Sleep or rest is also necessary for several hours on a weekly basis. For more information about this species see [[The Horta Report]].

There are currently no known drugs that work or are helpful for treating Hortas medicinally. Nutritionally, the old adage applies, "You are what you eat." There are no known anesthetics for pain for this species. [[Vulcan]] techniques have proven helpful in instances of coping with pain and injury.

Extensive tests were conducted on Maraht at Starbase 32 prior to his undergoing Academy training for [[Starfleet]], in addition to a detailed evaluation. A nefarious labratory technician had thought it profitable to "take samples" of parts of some of the shinier patches of small crystals and various ores out of Maraht's armored carapace to sell to passing traders. Maraht, though uncomfortable about it due to the absence of any anesthetics, had allowed the extra "samples" to be taken, not understanding the technician's true greedy intent, believing that they were being studied in case of injury and for other scientific testing and analysis. When the truth was discovered by the medical Chief of Staff on Starbase 32, Maraht was horrified to find that parts of his "skin" had been harvested for profit without his consent and the technician was summarily court-martialed, but it was never proven conclusivley if he had any connection to the [[Humans for Humanity]] organization. As a result of this regrettable incident, it is reccommended that a relationship of trust be built with Maraht before obtaining fluids and other samples. Labratories and sick bays are uncomfortable for him at first due to his inability to forget these regrettable experiences.

Hortas in general and Maraht specifically exude a dry earthy scent with metallic overtones especially if they have recently been ingesting refined metals or metalic ores. Much of the time Maraht tends to exude his normal dry earthy scent with a touch of vanilla. If injured or ill Maraht has been informed that the state of his scent changes. He was unaware of this as he can't neccessarily detect his own scent easily. If Maraht is ill or injured it has been found that he may exude a more acrid smell.

== Skills ==
Cheerful and psychologically sound: a real rock! Maraht is interested in science as per Geology, Metallurgy and Tactical Exploration, and he has a good handle of fault lines, seismic activity, continental drift, Volcanlogy, and Mineralogy, and although he has considered espionage work, his true goal is to explore the universe. In order to eat, Hortas secrete a molecularly disolving acid based substance from the bottom of their bodies to liquify rock and other minerals deposits before immediate ingestion. In doing so, this creates tunnels and cave structures. Hortas end up being natural geologists and have a strong sensitivity for fault lines, impending earthquakes, and temperature changes particularly due to geological disturbances. The acid secretion can be controlled and aimed carefully enough to carve pictures or messages should his voder box (vox) become damaged. 

Maraht is a natural expert planetary crust analyst and can correctly identify the composition of soil, rock, mineral deposits and other geological features and give a analysis much like a chef descibing the spices in a dish of fine cuisine or a wine connoisseur expounding on a fine wine. Unlike humans he does not need oxygen to survive and can exist in the cold vaccum of space if necessary. He may or may not survive the heat and freefall if caught out in space above a planet's atmosphere and pulled into any gravity wells.

==Communication==
Though Maraht has learned to speak Galactic Standard well, his preliminary testing on Starbase 32 showed a high degree of linguistic skills. It was discovered after having his vox installed that he could communicate reasonably well with short electronic bursts to any communication console board in Galactic Standard or any code, provided that he knew it, necessary to the situation using the built in commbadge in his vox.

Maraht will give verbal cues using his phalangi. When addressing people verbally he tries his best to turn himself so that his speaker grill on his vox is facing in their direction if possible. Maraht's domed vox has a blue stripe, Starfleet insignia, and ranking neatly painted on its surface.

== Other Information ==

'''Hobbies'''
Maraht has written Horta poetry concerning the flavor, color and texture of different types of rock, soil, and mineral deposits. Love poetry regarding this mineral based context is considered very romantic amongst the Horta.

Maraht also played baseball with his close Academy friends, a Gorn named Dacoral and a human named Stephen Anderson. He became quite good at throwing a fastball and often scored a run or two per game himself. Maraht found it easy to calculate trajectory, angle, speed and wind factors in his pitching.

== General Notes ==
Maraht is aware that many humans feel he looks much like a large albeit lumpy pepperoni pizza with sausage, but being the cheerful fellow he is, Maraht takes it all in stride. People seem to like him and appreciate his upbeat attitude. 

Due to poor experiences at Starbase 32 for testing prior to being accepted into the Academy, Maraht prefers not to have people chip off pieces of his armor and has remained wary of medical staff until he has become closely aquainted with them.

== Awards ==
===Promotions===
*On 2407.03.10 Maraht was promoted from junior grade to senior grade [[Rank|Ensign]] with the ending of the last mission 'Port of Call'. 
*On 2407.03.26 he was promoted to [[Rank|Lieutenant junior grade]] after service during the mission 'In the Hands of an Angry God."

===Awards and commendations===
[[Image:rib12.gif|thumb|left|Awarded Combat Action Ribbon on 2407.03.26 for duties performed during the battle with the Myenru war-fleet at Beta Seranis.]][[Image:rib20.gif|thumb|left|Awarded Captains Commendation on 2407.03.26 for excellence in the performance of duties during conflict with the Myenru at Beta Seranis.]][[Image:rib12.gif|thumb|left|Awarded Combat Action Ribbon: 2407.12.30 for services rendered during the final battle of the MDP.]]
[[Image:rib20.gif|thumb|left|Awarded Captains Commendation: 2407.12.30 for exemplary performance during the battle of the MDP.]]
[[Image:Order_of_Unity-_Ribbon.jpg|thumb|left|Awarded the Order of Unity in commemoration of services rendered during the Federation Civil War.]]



== Maraht Post #1 ==
Mission: All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray

Stardate: 2407.02.04

(Deep Space - Cabin of the Shuttle Magellan - Ensign Maraht - 1400)
 
Day 1

Maraht was enthralled with seeing the stars at warp speed from deep space and never seemed to tire of peering out of the starboard view window of the shuttle. He had dreamed of getting this close to the stars ever since he had gotten interested in old Samuel's stories about traveling in space. He could feel the warp engines throbbing with power as they sped between the stars.
 
He was so glad to finally graduate from the Academy. He had somehow managed to prove to all those doubting stalks that a Horta could serve and contribute to the Service. ~Just because I am closer to the ground doesn't mean I can't serve somewhere in the Fleet,~ thought Maraht as he peered out of the small round window with his longer phalange. ~In fact, most of those doubting stalks seemed to think that the only thing I could do was be in Security, until I proved them wrong. Security might have been Ok since an immovable salivating Horta was pretty intimidating to many of the younger stalks, but I know I will be happier in the Science Department. Just because I am rocky in body does not mean I am less agile of mind. And Mama was so proud to know that I graduated with honors!~
 
"Well, we are makin' good time Mr. Maraht," said Lt. James Montgomery in his brogue. "We aught to have you and these extra supplies to the Geneva space station in another five days. To what ship have you been assigned?" asked the tall lanky human pilot, coming back into the passenger area of the cabin. "Don't worry. I have the shuttle on autopilot right now and everythin’ is pretty clear sailin’ out here." He sat down on the seat opposite from Maraht. 
 
Maraht had squeezed himself as close to the small round window in the cabin as he could in spite of the passenger seat which faced out into the cabin underneath it. He politely pulled in his phalange, coiling it away underneath him and rumbled himself reluctantly away from the window. "I have been assigned to the USS Mystique, an Akira class ship. I am told they are heavily armed, but small and very fast. What else can you tell me about it?"
 
The shuttle pilot smiled and said, "Ah the Mystique!" He nodded his head. "She's a neat quick little ship all right and got a right good crew aboard her. I know she has a cloaking device and some of the firepower had to be sacrificed to make room for it. She's not as heavily armed as some of the other Akira class ships, but she has a lot of strategic advantage as a ship's cloak is not standard issue for an Akira." 
 
They talked for a while about different ships and their classes, maneuverability, armament and firepower. Lt. Montgomery knew an extensive amount about the 52nd Fleet. But he had been piloting supplies to the Geneva Space Station for about a standard year now. 
 
"Mr. Maraht, I'm going to get something to eat. Could you keep an eye er...watch out of the cockpit for me?" 
 
Eagerly Maraht said, "I sure would! I was hoping to get a look out the front cockpit window, but I didn't want to be in the way. I have been trained in shuttle basics, but I'm afraid I am no great gravel as a pilot. I only know how to fly in a straight line and slow and speed up. I'll start watch right now! “ Maraht rumbled quickly up to the front view window in front of the pilot's seat and got as close as he could in spite of the two chairs bolted to the floor. James Montgomery watched curiously as Maraht extended his phalange above his rocky body up to the controls and higher towards the viewing window. He shook his head in amazement that nature could equip an obviously intelligent living creature with such a strange form.
   
~Incredible!~ thought Montgomery . ~Such an eager young mind in such a strange body. I think I like him. At least this particular milk run won’t be so borin’. Wait til I tell the fellas on the Geneva about this Starfleet graduate!~ He shook his head, bemused. He stood up, stretched his tall lanky form and went aft to get a meal. 

Day 5
 
On the fifth day out from the Academy, the subspace communications equipment crackled to life. =/\=Shuttle Magellan, this is Geneva Space Station. Do you read us?=/\=
 
Lt. Montgomery answered promptly, “This is Shuttle Magellan. We read you loud and clear, Geneva.”
 
-/\- We have orders for you to divert course to an unexplored region of the Beta sector to rendezvous with the USS Mystique. It will add some time for your trip, but you should be able to reprovision with supplies from the Mystique if you need it. Then come back to deliver your cargo to Geneva PDQ. We’re sending the coordinates in a scrambled electronic burst. -/\-
 
“Copy that Geneva. Got the new coordinates. See you when I get back on the return trip. And say ahoy to my buddy Charlie Rhondell for me. I’m lookin’ forward to that drink he owes me. Montgomery signed out. He sighed and looked down and over to Maraht. “Sorry Maraht, I know you were looking forward to seeing Geneva , but we’ve been diverted to meet the Mystique directly. I guess that might be good news for you though. You’ll be getting there sooner.” He smiled.
 
“I had to go to Starbase 32 for testing prior to getting in the Academy, so I have seen a facility like that before,” Maraht said cheerfully. “Nobody was sure that there was a way that a Horta could be in Starfleet, and they had no idea if a being structured physiologically as I am could function on board a humanoid based vessel but I overturned their rocks on it.”  Maraht swayed his long phalange in front of him in a way that the shuttle pilot had come to know was indicative of laughter. 
 
“And it seems, from my studies, that many star bases are much the same, each with an engine or power room, drinking and socializing common area, a section for businesses and shops for trade, various computer systems, shields, some type of weaponry and so on. The design and layout differ depending on who built it and when. But the basic ideas are much the same. They all stay in the same places they are constructed in."
 
"Ships can so widely differ in structure, layout, size, crew complement and speed, but most importantly, in destination," continued Maraht.  “It’s one reason why I decided to ask for a posting on board a ship. I found myself more fascinated by the ships coming and going at Starbase 32 than the station itself. I couldn’t help imagining what strange new worlds those ships could be going to and what their crews have seen. If you stay on board a space station, you don’t get to explore the universe for yourself because the view never changes!” 
 
Maraht waved his longer phalange again in good humor. “I might as well have stayed in my own tunnel! I wanted to get out there to explore and experience the universe for myself. What wonders and terrors exist out there to be discovered?” 
 
“Besides,” said Maraht, “It is truly amazing to me that such stalky graceful creatures as yourselves would build ships to travel between the stars out of such rich Horta delicacies as metal! Compare it to flying about in a carved out giant apple, cucumber or loaf of bread or any of your other foods. It’s funny when you think about it that way, isn’t it?” 
 
Maraht waved his phalange again while James Montgomery threw back his head and laughed. “I never thought about it that way before, but yes, I suppose that could be true. There’s often something out there that can eat you if it’s big or hungry enough, but I think the most dangerous are the ones with two legs!” 
 
After waving his phalange again in humorous agreement, Maraht said, “You know what the Vulcan motto about life in space is, don’t you? IDIC. Infinite diversity in infinite combinations. I would have to say that we Hortas are proof of that ideology.” 
 
“Yes,” agreed Montgomery, smiling. “You certainly are!” 
 
Time passed pleasantly for the two alone in the tiny shuttle in the vastness of space.

Day 7 
 
By the middle of the seventh day the officers had gotten to know each other fairly well. Maraht had more of his many hundreds of questions answered about human culture and mannerisms, while James Montgomery learned more than he ever dreamed about the Horta species. 
 
~Imagine their surprise on Geneva when I tell them, “From under what rock did you crawl out?” is a popular Horta pickup line! Who’d a thunk it?~ chuckled Montgomery to himself.
 
“We’re about to drop out of warp at the coordinates, Lt. Montgomery.” The stars stopped streaming past and Maraht felt the warp engines quiet down.
 
“We are heading to the fourth planet in this solar system. That scrambled burst Geneva sent indicated it was a Class M planet in a solar system of six planets. Look, there they are! And it looks like they are towing another Akira ship!” said the shuttle pilot.
 
The ship was framed against the swirling colors of the planet below. “Oh Lieutenant, she is a lovely ship! She looks so sleek and graceful. But it looks as though she’s seen some action. Look at those cargo doors. They look crumpled. How will we dock?” asked Maraht.
 
“I don’t know, Ensign. We better hail them. Would you like to hail them yourself?”  
 
“I would be delighted Mr. Montgomery,” said Maraht with a small crisp snap of the tip of his phalange. He reached up to the communications console and deftly tapped buttons. “Calling USS Mystique, this is the Shuttle Magellan. Calling USS Mystique, this is the Shuttle Magellan. Come in Mystique.” 
 
(Reply CO, FO, CONN, Any)

(Posted by Sheila)






















For more on Maraht please see [[Maraht's Story]]

== To Join In and Play ==
Maraht the Horta is played by [[herbalsheila]] via the [[Star Trek: Freedom]] universe. 

Feel free to look around the site at http://www.StarTrekFreedom.com and sign up if you'd like to get involved. From there you go to the Academy where you have the chance to hone your skills and understand how to post your character's replies. After graduation you are assigned to a ship and can expect more email from all of the player characters aboard your ship, usually about eight to twelve people. No dice or stats are involved. To stay in the game you must post a minimum of twice per week. You tell a narrative story from your character's point of view and contribute your small part to a larger ongoing storyline. You are expected to stick to your character's description once you have your bio for him/her/it filled out, but can add to it and create your own Wikipedia file on yourself the player and the character you portray.



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