Ensign Hiro Jones - Introducing Shandrus Murkblood, lvl 5 Ranger

[notyourfrog]

((Outside Holodeck 2, Deck 6, USS Excalibur-A))

Hiro input the last of the commands into the holodeck's panel, executed the program, and watched the status bar as it compiled within the ship's memory. He'd brought this particular setting from home, and was looking forward to trying it out in the Excalibur's holodeck. The group he played with back in Chicago was obviously unable to join him here, so he'd extended the invitation to a couple people he'd met so far here.

Computer: =/\= Program loaded. Enter when ready. =/\=

Oh he was ready. Whoever decided to join him would have no trouble finding him in here, but he felt weird standing in the corridor wearing a full cloak, wielding a shortsword, bow with a back quiver bristling with arrows, and an assortment of glass flasks hanging from his belt - each swirling with a different colorful liquid.

The doors to the holodeck hummed open, and Hiro stepped into a forest glade. The ambient sound of the starship vanished, replaced by birdsong, the rustling of squirrels in the undergrowth, and the gentle swish of leaves overhead. The word komorebi popped into his mind as he surveyed the surroundings. His father tried to teach Hiro the language of his ancestors, but very little Japanese had stuck. "Komorebi" was one he'd always loved though.

The tranquility of the moment was broken as a youthful-looking female with pointed ears stumbled into the clearing, snagging the hem of her cloak on a bramble in the apparent attempt to evade ... whatever was now closing in upon them both with terrific speed.

Elf Female: Please help me!

Hiro didn't wait for explanation. This is what this program was all about. There was some incoming peril, which would most likely not discriminate which of the two humanoids it attacked when it got here. Dashing to the elf's side, he drew a small but razor-sharp dagger from his belt and cut away the thorns restricting her movements. They had just enough time to take two steps backward before a huge boar - nearly two meters in height - flattened the scrub in the spot they'd just occupied. It drew up short, staring and snorting wildly. Foam swung in tendrils from its maw, and the tusks protruding from the lower jaw looked long and sharp enough to impale either of them without slowing down. Hiro drew his bow. This didn't feel like a mele combat.

Jones: I don't suppose you have any weapons on you?

Elf Female: I can manage

She made a series of hand gestures, at the end of which, her fingertips glowed a faint blue and crackled with electricity. Hiro smiled in anticipation of what was about to happen. He'd made sure the safety settings in the holodeck were engaged at the level where nothing in here would be lethal, but low enough where players had some "skin in the game."

Jones: Ok then.

He let loose an arrow that stuck into the boar's hide. It squealed as its attention focused on the ranger.

Jones: The name's Shandrus, by the way. You are ... ?

Olivia: I am the Lady Olivia Evenoak. ::the crackling in her hands grew as she built up her magic:: Pleased to make your acquaintance, Shandrus.

The bolt of blue that shot from her was both blinding and incredibly fast. A huge patch of the boar's hide and fur was flash seared. This time, the beast let out a guttural roar that made the leaves above tremble. Hiro braced for the next charge as he heard the holodeck's doors hum open again.

ANY INTERESTED: Response

Jones: ::shouting over the noise:: Glad you could make it! We could use some help!

ANY: Response

TAG/TBC

Ensign Hiro Jones, MD
USS Excalibur-A, Medical
E239510KD0
"Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one." - Marcus Aurelius