Lieutenant Commander Divya Tam: Raise the Steaks
mrsciroth
((Holosuite #2, Deck Five, USS Thor))
They took their places. Taj'el in the furthest station to the right, and Vharo to the furthest station on the left. Both expressed distaste at the idea of cooking and, for that matter, of following along with the second simulation. Divya understood. She was not an expert chief, so didn't expect to win a competition, but unlike some of her crewmates, had not grown up with reliable replicators. She had often prepared meals for her younger siblings while her mothers worked. She had also prepared many campfire meals while patrolling the mountains, and the less successful pouches of food warmed over an exposed engine of a damaged ship while patrolling the Barzan wormhole. A little cooking was not going to hurt any of them.
On the other hand, going along with a second simulation, which Saa made clear had not been planned, was risky. She just didn't know what else to do. Her Vulcan medical officer made good points, and Divya would gladly pivot when the situation changed or a new approach was presented. Her hope was that one of the four of them would get a clue to the cause of the malfunction.
And that she would win the cooking competition.
Saa: …What is this used for in cooking exactly?
Taj’el: If assistance between participants is permitted, it would be logical for us to focus on obtaining different types of ingredients and sharing them among ourselves. Such an approach would also have reduced the ingredients available to Rejac.
Vharo: I'm afraid I will not be of any assistance beyond that of obtaining ingredients, culinary training was not a class and such action was beneath my expectation before that. If I exit this current situation without having burnt myself or caused an explosion I will be pleased.
Saa: …Any collusion he may see as an insult to his honor and lead to further challenge. ::low:: It is feasible, but getting caught could complicate matters.
Tam: A well-timed explosion could be what is needed. I'll keep an eye out for an opportunity.
Taj’el: If we were indeed participating, we also had the advantage of access to one another’s stations if necessary. Additionally, if the objective was simply for one of us to defeat him, it might have been logical for some of us not to participate directly and instead provide assistance.
Vharo: The simulation is already malfunctioning, I would be hesitant to break its rules as they are set for the moment. Providing culinary assistance is likely fine but I believe the expectation is we all cook, win or lose we should continue on or at worse it simply stops.
Saa: If we can’t sit out… we could throw it. ::explaining:: Do terrible on purpose.
Tam: You all have a good point, however, I would say to my Starfleet softies that sabotage is not restricted to against the rule behavior. We shall all cook and do our best to win, unless you see an opportunity to shift the results in someone else's favor without strictly breaking the rules.
A buzzer sounded, and Rejac ran for the rack of ingredients at the side of the stage. Divya took this cue to move quickly. The large man put himself in her way. His brash taunting and obnoxious laugh triggered in her a desire to stomp him to the floor. Her eyes lit up, and a warm zing filled her core.
Tam: Out of the way, Oaf.
It was not difficult to duck under his arm to grab a choice cut of meat because the arrogant man had spread himself out wide across the rack, expecting a direct assault. The look of astonishment and anger that bloomed on his face was deeply satisfying. Divya bounced on her heels, looking for inspiration for her next ingredient.
The Klingon adapted quickly. As soon as she moved to jab in for an onion, he darted for the general area she was reaching. The elbow in her ribs was painful and would leave a bruise, but she was able to move back before the full power of the impact broke a rib. A good amount of force had been put into the blow. When his target moved, his momentum carried him to the floor. Being a professional, she did not waste time leaning over and laughing in his face, although the opportunity had been tempting. Instead, she stepped on his back to better reach the onion and carrot.
This was not well received, but she pushed off him in a less-than-graceful jump. His screams hurt her ears, forcing her to stagger back.
Voice: Now, now, Contestants. The rules of engagement are clear about violence. Play nice.
They both froze for a moment and pouted that their fun had dampened. Rejac pulled himself off the floor and growled. Divya was not sure if it was at her or at the voice. She skipped up beside him and plucked ginger from a basket. He vibrated from the effort it took to control his urge to reach out to throttle her. She calmly walked over to the other rack and took bottles of sauces and packages of spices.
Rejac: I'll get you, you shallow ridged child!
When Divya spun around, she squeezed a package of spices. It popped open and sprayed dried pepper powder in an arch around her.
Tam: My forehead ridges are the perfect size!
Rejac: My eyes!
She took another packet of spices and marched back to her station. While she walked away, deliberately ignoring his response, she realized the others had held back. For a moment, she wondered why, but then felt the pepper powder on her hands and decided her crew was wise.
The next few moments were much calmer. She marinated her meat and prepared her vegetable mix.
Taj’el: Does anyone need assistance?
Vharo: There is not enough assistance in the universe that could help me currently, Taj'el.
Divya looked up from her tidy station and stared in awe at the mess Vharo had made. She had to close her mouth to swallow the lump in her throat. Survival classes with rudimentary cooking lessons were going on the schedule as soon as this exam was over.
That was all before she looked in the other direction and saw a fire burning on the councilor's station. Foam poured from the ceiling to extinguish the flames.
oO I'm so happy I don't have to taste the food today. Oo
Saa: …I need a drink.
A large clock in the center of the auditorium counted down. The ticking seemed to grow louder as the hour went on.
Vharo: Look at the audience at the back, they've vanished.
The faceless audience had disappeared in the last few rows of the auditorium.
Saa: …Why would the program remove audience members?
Tam: That does not fit in with the current simulation or the last simulation. It must be a power drain. Rather than stalling or shutting down like the last one, this simulation might be removing unessential aspects of the program.
Taj’el: Response
The clock ticked again.
Vharo: Time is almost up, if we have any last ideas to impress now would be the time. I am happily resigned to my fate currently.
Saa: I… think my set will fail. Everything is going wrong, just like with the Klingon ship. The failure protocols of the previous simulation have made their way into this program…
Her oven timer went off, and Divya checked her meal. The crust was golden. A delicious smell caressed her nostrils. It would have made her hungry, if not for the scent of several types of burnt material coming from somewhere.
Tam: Mine seems good. This is curious. Everything has gone wrong for you, and nothing has gone wrong for me. The totality of those results is unnatural.
Taj’el: Response
Saa: Has the computer even set the stakes, is it a final two or three?
Tam: We were only told to use ingredients, nothing else. Even the time frame is based on the big countdown clock. Oh no. I've been following what our opponent has been doing. We should have asked more questions before diving in.
Taj’el/Vharo: Response
Voice: We’re glad you asked! The top two competitors will move forward into a final showdown where only one can claim the title of Tritanium Chef, as well as decide the fate of those who dishonor their house through their shameful culinary skills.
Saa: Excuse me?
Suddenly, the Klingon spoke up at Sevantha’s protest, assuming it was about the dishonor as opposed to the questionable implications of the loser's fate being on the line.
Rejac: Your performance soft one is abysmal. Your culinary skills dishonor your parents, your house, your ship, and your planet.
Saa: Computer, I need a culinary bat’leth for reasons.
Nothing materialized, and Divya was disappointed. The Klingon had been hurling insults the entire time, and she would have loved to see Saa chase him into sticky fire suppression foam.
Voice: Tick-tock, competitors, you have 2 minutes remaining. ::looks:: Commander Saa, it appears you do not have a dish prepared and must be removed from the running
The fact that the announcer knew Saa's name and rank meant the holodeck was pulling data from the original simulation into this one. Divya had no time to ponder the implications of that because a panel in the stage floor dropped under Saa's feet. She fell out of sight. Panic flooded Divya's system, driving her to the side of the hole to peer down. Saa was nowhere is site.
For a second, Divya forgot this was the holodeck. A growl rolled up her throat, but was interrupted by the audience collectively gasping. She looked out at the rapidly disappearing faceless crowd. Their heads were tilted up to the ceiling, where Saa was trapped inside an oversized saltshaker dangling from the ceiling gridwork.
oO Who made this holoprogram? Oo
The audience cheered. The sound was simultaneous rather than the result of individuals reacting independently. Was this the result of a bad design? She didn't think so. The programming tools would have corrected that error. This was likely the result of whatever was going on with the holodeck. None of that thought process helped Saa.
Tam: Saa! Are you okay? Can you hear us?
Taj’el/Vharo/Saa: Response
Voice: Time is up! Contestants, bring your dishes to the front of the stage for judgment.
Divya pushed her anger down. She would have plenty of time to deal with that in the gym. Instead of paying attention to her anger and fear, she decided to take her own advice and ask questions.
Tam: What happens if we refuse?
Voice: Not advised, Commander Tam. If you refuse, your friend will be dropped in the soup. She will make delicious seasoning, don't you think?
A swimming pool sized bowl rose from the floor of the auditorium, taking the place of the first few rows. The manic laughter of the disembodied voice made Divya wonder if her assessment of overtaxed power reserves was incorrect. Given that she did not believe in poltergeists, she searched her memory for something that resembled the fables she had heard about in the Academy.
Taj’el/Vharo/Saa: Response
Tam: Computer, end program.
Nothing changed.
Tam: Let's continue, but let me know the moment either of you has an idea about what is going on or what we can do to break this thing.
The acting captain stood up, collected her dish, and joined Rejac in a line at the front of the stage.
Voice: Contestants. What do you have for us today?
Rejec: I have prepared a jelly mold with Gotak worms.
He held out his dish, and it disappeared. The spotlight moved to Divya.
Tam: I have prepared Bulgogi Beef Pizza.
Her dish disappeared, and the spotlight moved down the line.
Taj’el: Response
Vharo/Saa: Response
((Tags/TBC))
Lieutenant Commander Divya Tam
Chief of Operations
USS Thor
A240104DT4
She/Her (character and player)