Lieutenant Commander Divya Tam: Situation Normal All Baked Up
mrsciroth
((Holosuite #2, Deck Five, USS Thor))
The ridiculous holoprogram malfunction had pulled the training simulation into a bizarre cooking competition. With no other ideas, the team went along with the program while looking for anything they could find to get themselves out of it or end the program.
All the bowls disappeared, and a drum roll filled the room. She expected the disembodied voice to announce the winner, but the lights abruptly went out. Normally, Divya would have jumped into action with a flashlight or by doing something to find her crewmates, but given the problems with the holodeck, she stood still, wondering if the program had frozen again. That would have been lucky.
When the lights came back on Taj'el and Vharo were inside a dangling condiment jar. All three of her crewmates were hovering over steaming chicken soup. Divya very much wanted to punch the imagination that created this nonsense.
Voice: Congratulations to our two finalists! Our Long Time Reigning Champion Rejec oh and Commander Tam… Wish them both luck as they face off Head to Head!
A full auditorium was needed for the thundering applause to make a huge impact; therefore, the auditorium was full for a moment before emptying out again.
Voice: For this final round we will allow the Commander to recruit one of their old team mates to help out! Come on, who do you want to join you in this final thrilling battle?
Taj’el: Hello Commander, and pardon me. ::spoken to Saa as their joined her::
The Vulcan paused mid-sentence, which did not seem to fit the little Divya knew of them. She paid careful attention and was glad she did so. They gave an almost imperceptible nod toward Saa. There was no way Saa could be of any help, but she was unsure what else Taj'el could mean by the gesture. The crowd chanted, letting her know there was no time to examine the best decision. She would have to trust.
Playing at battle had been fun. It had been ages since she'd had the chance to roll out her tactical skills, but just before using them, the game changed. She had also had fun with the cooking competition, until her friends were put in a cage and threatened. It didn't matter that this was a holodeck, given all the malfunctions. The only safe choice was to assume they could be hurt. Given that, she had to push down her natural instincts to fight her way out of this. She could not grapple with a malfunction. Instead, she decided to trust her team to get them out of this. Her role, hopefully she understood the ever so slight tilt of Taj'el's head, was to distract. She held her head up and pronounced.
Tam: I choose you, Commander Saa.
Vharo/Saa: Response
Voice: What a twist! What was to be a boon for our finalist Commander Tam will now probably be a handicap! Choosing to pick the individual who was taken out of the show. What dedication, but will it pay off!
Rejac: This puny pray will need all the help it can get! Ha!
Suddenly, the cage was empty, and Saa stood on the stage again. Taj'el tilted her head to Divya and then went about some plan that Divya was not privy to.
((OOC: Assuming Tam could not hear the conversation between Taj'el and Vharo but I am keeping in for consistency’s sake.))
Taj’el: I apologize, Ensign Vharo, for placing you in this situation. I also apologize if any of the soup came into contact with your uniform. However, I believe I have identified a potential method of removing us from this scenario, particularly given that the program appears to be primarily focused on our commanders.
Vharo/Saa: Response
Taj’el: Once the crystal is sufficiently heated, I will be able to lift you up to the metal cap above us. You may use my gloves to hold it; however, the heat from the crystal should be enough to warp the metal, allowing it to be opened. From there, we can exit the enclosure and attempt to locate a solution, perhaps even a means of altering the program itself. It would appear that a scientific background has its practical applications after all.
Vharo/Saa/Tam: Response
Voice: For the final round, Commander Tam, you will need to replicate what is behind curtain number one.
One spotlight moved to Saa and Tam's faces, and another moved to a section of the curtain on the right side of the stage. The curtain drew back to reveal a three-tiered white cake with tiny flowers cascading down the layers. It was the tallest cake she had ever seen. It was delicate and beautiful. It was her worst nightmare. She had learned to cook through the necessity of scarcity on her planet. The same scarcity meant that Barzan was extremely short of sugar, decorative food, and even fruit.
Tam: We are doomed.
Saa: Response
The crowd roared with laughter.
Voice: For the final round, Rejac, you will need to replicate what is behind curtain number two.
The spotlights spun, and a section of the curtain on the left side of the stage revealed a plate of chocolate cupcakes. This confirmed the theory that the deck was stacked against them, but Divya still felt the warmth of anger on her cheeks. She took a few deep breaths and talked herself out of a tantrum.
oO It's just a program. The unfairness is unimportant. This will only help with the distraction. Oo
Voice: You will each have three hours to complete your task. Commander Tam, I hope you didn't think Commander Saa would do all the work for you. It is now up to you to decide how she will be of service to you.
oO Perfect. Oo
A wicked grin spread across her face. A tantrum would not help, but vengeance might.
Tam: Given that we are guests here, it is only proper that I gift Commander Saa to Rejac. ::turning to Saa:: Do your best to help him, the entire time?
She winked at Saa, and the crowd filled in all the seats for a moment. They clapped and laughed before disappearing again.
Saa/Vharo/Taj’el: Response
Divya was careful to make her glance up to the saltshaker casual as she walked to her station. She hated being the center of attention while there was real work to be done. Her fingers itched to pull the phaser that was no longer at her side. Instead, she picked up her recipe, all five pages of it, and began to read, while constantly checking on her crew, her opponent, and everything else in the room.
Saa/Vharo/Taj’el: Response
((Tags/TBC))
Lieutenant Commander Divya Tam
Chief of Operations
USS Thor
A240104DT4
She/Her (character and player)