Ensign Meris - Spin the Wheel, Pay the Price

[Meris/Brian]

(( Main Mess Hall - Deck 3, USS Artemis-A ))

 

Holo-NOT-Grok: We may have one less player but that just means more profit for those who remain! Who will be next to spin my wheel?

 

Meris watched as Tho'Bi spun the wheel again, moving eight spaces - and then started singing.

 

Tho'Bi: ::on the count:: What.do.I…have.to.do…

 

Meris cocked their head at the Andorian, wondering why he was singing in such an odd pattern. Tho'Bi had already graced them with an Andorian song, so it seemed strange they would now choose to sing in such a staccato rhythm.

 

The Ferengi was grinning and Meris looked from Holo-NOT-Grok to Tho'Bi and back.

 

Tho'Bi: UhOh..UhOh..UhOh..UhOh….Oh.No.

 

Holo-NOT-Grok howled with laughter.

 

Bancroft: ::laughing cautiously:: Very funny, Tho’Bi, but he hasn’t even told you to sing yet. ::beat, glancing at the Ferengi:: Unless this round’s interpretive dance? In which case, I strongly recommend jazz hands.

 

This was all very confusing and Tho'Bi looked as though he were about to have a fit. Surely, this game was not capable of controlling one's mind or body? If so, it seemed dangerously out of place on a Federation starship. Tho'Bi wasn't looking well at all. For an Andorian, his hue had decidedly gone flat.

 

Meris: ::with concern:: Mister Tho'Bi, are you alright?

 

K'Wara: Response.

 

Tho'Bi's next line came out choppy, forced, like he was dragging every word out of his throat by hand.

 

Tho’Bi: ::slow, deliberate, but on the count:: How…….Much…….

 

There was a momentary pause.

 

Tho’Bi: ::slow, deliberate, but on the count:: I…said…How…….Much…….

 

The Andorian gasped.

 

Bancroft: ::brow furrowing, tone shifting:: Ensign Tho’Bi! Report. Now.

 

Meris looked at Doctor Bancroft. Obviously the Doctor had noticed it as well. The J'naii pilot stood from their chair.

 

Meris: ::to Holo-NOT-Grok:: Stop this now!

 

K'Wara: Response

 

Bancroft: ::snapping, louder:: Medical emergency!

 

Meris quickly moved out of the way as Doctor Bancroft rose.

 

K'Wara: Response

 

Roy’s chair toppled behind him as he sprinted for the wall-mounted medkit nearby.

 

Tho’Bi’s entire body locked up like a drawn cable. The Andorian's chair rocketed backward, skidding across the deck. When the Ensign struck the floor, the impact was enough to silence the room.

 

Holo-Ferengi: ::bellowing:: Is there a doctor in the house?!

 

Meris scowled at the Holo-NOT-Grok.

 

Roy was already kneeling over Tho'Bi. Blood - thick and blue - trickled from his friend’s nose. Limbs jerked violently, then fell still.

 

Meris moved to the opposite side of Tho'Bi, kneeling to check on Tho'Bi and lend a hand if the Doctor needed it.

 

Roy’s tricorder was out before Tho'Bi's last tremor ended.

 

Bancroft: ::rapid fire:: Tricorder’s picking up vitals - barely. He needs to be in the ICU right now.

 

Meris nodded their understanding and tapped the combadge on their chest.

 

Meris: =/\= Meris to Sickbay. Medical emergency in the Main Mess Hall. Ensign Tho'Bi has collapsed. Doctor Bancroft is attending. Two to beam directly to sickbay. =/\=

 

Sickbay: =/\= Acknowledged. We are locked on to their signals. Energizing. =/\=

 

Within seconds the Doctor and Tho'Bi had dematerialized from right before their eyes.

 

Unsteadily, the pilot rose and looked to K'Wara and the Holo-NOT-Grok. They strode with determined steps towards the game.

 

Holo-NOT-Grok: Wait now, what are you doing? The game is nearly won! Who will be the next to spin my wheel? This game is for entertainment purposes only - The Grok Brothers are not responsible for injury, loss of profit, or spontaneous medical emergencies!

 

Meris moved around the table looking for something beneath it. When they found what they were looking for, they knelt, grasped the cable with both hands, and yanked it from the EPS conduit, falling backwards onto their butt as they pulled. The Holo-NOT-Grok warped with static, there was a zap, fizzle, and spark, and then the lights and sounds of the game died.

 

The pilot rose, dusting their hands off. They gave their uniform jacket a tug and ran a hand through their hair. They then proceeded back around the table, passing in front of Lieutenant K'Wara as they too departed.

 

Meris: Well. Thanks for game night, Lieutenant. That was fun. Let’s never do it again.

 

K'Wara: Response.

 

(( TAG/End Scene for Meris ))

 

---

Ensign Meris

Helm Officer

USS Artemis-A

A240207M14