JP Ensign Elor Letek and Lt. Cmdr. Alexander Williams - Always go out with a bang!
Lieutenant JG Elor Letek
((Holodeck 2 – Corridor, USS Eagle))
Alex ran through their options quickly. They needed a way to wipe out as many of the things as possible in one strike. No explosives meant limited choices—and time was running short.
Williams: We have two options that come to mind.
One—we rig a phaser to explode and throw it. The blast should kill a few, and those that remain can be shot.
Two—we modify our phasers to fire a wide beam. Enough to hurt them a lot, but not enough to kill them instantly. But with two of us firing, it should be enough to kill them before they get to us.
Neither option sounded particularly appealing to Elor.
Letek: Isn't there an engineering substation on this deck? The viruses react to the electromagnetic fields emitted by our bodies. But there's something else that emits electromagnetic fields: holograms. The holodecks are six decks above us, but if we start a simulation with lots of humanoids from here, the viruses might be attracted by the sheer mass and we'd have a clear path.
Williams: Oo… sure, why not. Oo
Williams: That could work even better. Nice thinking, Ensign.
Avoiding combat was always preferable, even if Alex wouldn’t have minded seeing what Letek could do in a real fight. Still, credit where it was due—the man had found a creative way to avoid wasting shots.
Quietly, they moved out. At first, the corridor stayed still. Then the distant chittering swelled again.
Letek: They're coming, we should hurry.
Williams: Agreed. Let’s make this a sprint instead of a marathon.
They pushed their pace. The sound from behind began to fade, but speed meant they couldn’t see far ahead. The first virus they spotted in front was too slow to react; they reached a door and ducked inside.
Elor locked the door on the console and hoped it would hold out a little longer than the door on the infirmary.
Letek: That should hold for a moment, but the sooner we start the simulations, the better.
Williams: I agree. I must say, you’ve got a knack for this. If you ever tire of mending bones, Tactical could use you. But let’s wrap this up first.
If they had had the time, Elor would probably have looked at him in horror. Even if he grew tired of medicine, his goal would certainly not be the department that dealt with firing weapons.
Letek: We need a simulation with a whole bunch of people. If we run it on both holodecks, it might be enough of a distraction for the viruses. Any ideas?
Williams: How about a beach barbecue? I’ve got a program—Williams Teta 3. Lots of bodies, live music, food carts, the works.
He loaded the file and granted Letek control to adjust as needed. In his mind, Alex could already see it: bright sun, happy crowds, a nice Caribbean band playing music.… and on top of it all a big swarm of macro viruses lining up for infection. A loud bang at the door cut the daydream short.
Elor glanced briefly at the door. It held. For now. Hopefully his plan would work, otherwise he would have lured them into a trap here.
Letek: Holodeck 2 online.
Alex made a quick camera link with the holodeck and saw the beach appear. The basics were still his, but a lot had changed in a matter of seconds.
Williams: Hm. Not everyone’s taking the bait yet. Maybe a holodeck inside a holodeck confuses them. Let me try something.
He unsealed the holodeck doors. On the feed, only one virus paused, then drifted inside.
Letek: There's nothing to be heard anymore. Do you think it worked?
Alex eyed the door. Too quiet, too soon.
Williams: Stick your head out and check?
He grinned, picturing Letek peeking into a half-dozen stingers. Meanwhile, Elor's eyes widened. Williams couldn't be serious, could he?
Williams: Kidding. Let’s do it together.
Letek raised his phaser while Alex keyed the door. It groaned open—battered, but holding—and nothing moved beyond it.
Letek: The coast seems clear. Let's just hope the viruses have cleared out of the turbolift as well.
Williams: Assuming the bait’s good enough, we should be fine—at least until they realise it’s a trap. But I doubt they’re that smart. One more thing…
He moved to the console, adjusting a bunch of settings before joining Letek in the turbolift.
Letek: Computer, Deck 13, Environmental Controls.
Williams: Computer, overrule that. Deck 5, Holodecks, but wait five minutes.
Well, Williams had really managed to confuse Elor. On the one hand, why should they deviate from their goal now that they presumably had a clear path, and on the other hand, why should they wait five minutes in the turbolift?
Letek: What are you up to? The way to the environmental controls should be clear now.
Williams: Trust me… Computer, close doors, but hold this turbolift for five minutes. Authorization: Williams Delta 4.
Computer: This turbolift will be held for five minutes.
Letek: You're not going to tell me what you're up to, are you?
Part of Alex wanted to explain, but the other half wanted to see the look on Letek’s face when it happened.
Williams: You’ll see. Just listen for silence.
Elor looked uneasily at the roof of the turbo lift. Whatever Williams had in mind, if one of the viruses discovered them in here... It would be difficult to defend themselves in this confined space.
((Timeskip))
The lift finally moved. Deck 5. As the doors opened, they were met with shouting, Caribbean music, and the high-pitched hum of macro viruses. The sound poured from the nearby holodeck, its doors wide open.
It almost sounded as if the party had changed. Instead of the holographic figures celebrating a beach party, it was now the macroviruses who were throwing a party.
Alex signalled Letek forward. As they got closer they could take a look inside. It was a crazy setting. A band playing like everything was fine. While in fact it was total chaos. People running and screaming all over the place with viruses moving up behind them. They closed in further—until the holodeck doors suddenly shut.
Williams: Down!
Elor didn't have time to ask why, but followed William's example and threw himself on the floor, hands over his head.
The blast was deafening. The holodeck doors buckled, power lines tore, and the lights blinked out. Then… silence. Smoke curled from the seams.
Alex rose, rifle ready, and stepped inside. Wreckage. Elor followed him, phaser at the ready.
Virus parts littered the basic holodeck floor that moments ago had been beachsand. The program was gone, replaced by torn bulkheads and severed cables. A disaster zone—but an effective one. The stench being a less nice bonus of their victory.
Williams: First lesson in tactical—always go out with a bang.
Letek: Well... at least it was effective.
Williams: You set the lure. I juiced it with enough power to overload the systems. Bypassed the safeties and let the holodeck burn itself out. They came for the feast—and stayed for the fireworks.
Letek: I hope I still get a bonus point. My plan wouldn't have torn the holodecks to pieces.
Elor placed his free hand on Williams' shoulder.
Letek: Speaking of mandatory training... how long ago did you last take a first aid course...
TAGS/TBC
================
With great pleasure written by:
Ensign Elor Letek
Medical Officer
USS Eagle
E240201EL2
&
Lt. Cmdr. Alexander Williams
Chief Tactical Officer
USS Eagle
https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Alexander_Williams
A239006AW0