[Interlude] Captain Trake Promontory: Ready Player Three
Avander Promontory
(( Game Show, Some Sort of Television Studio, Unknown location ))
His analytical mind in overdrive, Trake Promontory tried to make sense of his surroundings. He was stood behind a podium emblazoned with a large figure “2.” To his right was Josh Herrick, behind a similar podium labeled “1” and to his left was, apparently, his Chief Science Officer, Alora DeVeau, behind a similarly indicated number “3.” It was only now Trake realized he had never, in fact, had an actual conversation with the woman. For all he knew, the version in front of him was merely a simulacrum. She had been on the Syren’s Song with them, but had been in a different room than Trake and Josh. But Vixis wasn’t here either.
The three of them were on a well-lit platform with a display screen and scoreboard opposite their podiums. Furthermore, they were festooned with a linen short-sleeved shirt reminiscent of a 2370s uniform top. In the dim beyond there was an applauding audience. Overhead, there was an announcer reading questions, the first of which Josh got wrong.
Vov: I’m sorry, that’s incorrect. Players Two and Three, do you want to steal for half points or change the category?
The spotlight switched to Trake and Alora.
Promontory: Uh…
DeVeau: Pie.
Vov: That is correct! Player three scores the first point!
Might as well have been balloons. The scoreboard indicated a
single point for Alora. Not that it helped, but Trake’s mind noted that the
question must have been originally worth 2.
Herrick: (clapping) Good answer, good answer.
Trake gave his first officer a calculating stare. He didn’t appear to be under an alien influence.
Promontory: (quietly to Josh) Assess first, then escape?
The man seemed to agree, but the overhead voice was relentless and kept them from too much collusion.
Vov: Player three, you get to choose! Pick a number - one or
two?
DeVeau: Two?
In response, out from the darkness, something came right at Trake’s face, making a wet, gooey impact. After that *splat* on his head, Trake felt something slide down and off and heard a metallic clang. He sputtered and then spit, as the substance had gotten into his mouth. But it actually wasn’t terrible. Quite sweet, in fact.
oO Cherry? Oo
He wiped his eyes free and assessed. His face and top were caked in some sort of whipped topping and at his feet was a pie tin.
oO How droll. Oo
He used his T-shirt to wipe the rest of his face (mostly)
clean, but to fully get his beard, he’d need a sink.
Herrick: Captain!
Promontory: (with deliberate dignity) It’s alright Mr. Herrick. It appears our unknown host is more interested in cheap tricks than actual harm.
oO For now. Oo
Still, every action or lack thereof was a clue.
His officers, for their part, burst out laughing.
oO Et tu? Oo
Herrick: (trying to compose himself) Sorry, sir. It’s just, pie is a good look on you.
Promontory: (very drolly) Yes, the cherry goes well with command red.
The lights dimmed again as a video began playing on the monitors.
Vov: Now, a short break and a word from our sponsors. Upcoming family function? Employee Appreciation Day? Milestone Birthday? Soon to be contest winner. Whatever the occasion, be everyone's favourite by bringing a SkyPie. SkyPie, the best pie, that has your taste buds sailing through the skies.
Composing himself, the XO used the voiceover’s extended distraction to
strategize.
Herrick: Play along?
Trake nodded.
Promontory: For now.
DeVeau: Response
Herrick: You’re typically invited into a Wadi game, despite whatever pretenses they use. I’ve never heard of it being along the lines of what we experienced thus far.
DeVeau: Response
Promontory: Well, let’s keep our senses sharp. Learn
everything we can, then make our move.
The spotlight returned, focusing on Trake.
Vov: Now, we’re on to Player Two! Prior to the onboard pets ordinance, there was an incident in which a Starfleet ship became overrun with a species known to have an Alpha Quadrant adversary. NAME THAT PET!
Trake sputtered out another fluff of cream as his mind dual
tracked considering escape and the actual words he heard.
Promontory: Oh—tribbles?
Vov: Correct!
Two points now appeared under his marker on the scoreboard.
It beat a pie to the face.
Herrick/DeVeau: Response
Promontory: At least it was an easier one…
He looked up suddenly, half expecting a cacophony of Tribbles to come raining down on him or one of the other contestants. Either the rules (if there were any) were inconsistently applied, or they must have been fresh out.
Or maybe that only happened after a ‘steal.’
Herrick/DeVeau: Response
Vov: Player three, your group has unlocked this episode’s ‘trick question.’ This is worth double: “If you are traveling at warp 10 through tachyon interference and your GNDN relay’s polarity inverts, how many parsecs does it take to realign your phase shift?”
Herrick/DeVeau: Response
TBC
