Since August the Fourth I have chosen a new Ship's motto for the USS Pegasus (and carried it over to Starbase Ronin when I got accepted into the position), greatly inspired by the movie V for Vendetta (where I initially heard it) I thought this motto was more fitting for a Starfleet vessel. But with the old latin come some problems, as not nearly everybody speaks it. Therefore I shall try to explain the Motto on this page.
"Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici" - is translated as "By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe" and comes from the story "Faust" (which is still debated whether or not it's fully fictional or based in the truth) a German folks tale.
Plot: The story concerns the fate of a learned scholar named Faust, who in his quest for the true essence of life ("was die Welt im Innersten zusammenhaelt" - losely translated as "That which holds the world together in the most inner part"), summons the Devil (represented by Mephistopheles, often also referred to as Mephisto), who offers to serve him as long as Faust lives. Mephistopheles may receive Faust's soul, but only when Faust has attained the zenith of human happiness. In the second Part of the Faust tragedy (Faust 2), Faust really does have the pleasure to experience the latter, however, Mephisto, trying to grab Faust's soul when the protagonist dies, is burnt down by the empowering force of love. Faust deserves to go to heaven, because of his unquenchable thirst for knowledge and understanding ("man must strive and err") that exceeds the limits set for human beings.
Origin: While most scholars believe the story of Faust originated in northern Germany, committed to print in 1587 with the publishing of a little chapbook bearing the title Historia von D. Iohan Fausten, other scholars are quick to note that historia is Latin for Geschichte (German word for story or history) and Iohan is Latin for Johann. The choice of languages may imply the existence of an even earlier, independent source in Latin, such as that which Jacob Bidermann used for his treatment of the legend of the Damnation of the Good Doctor of Paris, Cenodoxus.
V for Vendetta: in V for Vendetta the phrase is used only once and explained to Evey Hammond by the main Character V. After hearing that I realized that this would be a way better motto for the Pegasus, especially because there are multiple PBeM RPGs that already used our old Motto.
I hope I have informed you enough, if not you know where to find me!
