Pirate Island Part VI

Posted on Fri Nov 15th, 2019 @ 11:35pm by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke & Lieutenant Paul Michael & Lieutenant JG Mira Jayna & Major Cornelius Tremble & Lieutenant Commander Katherine Malbrooke & Lieutenant Junior Grade Mira Jayde & Ensign Auba Lyna & Lieutenant Junior Grade Zhara Rynn
Edited on on Mon Nov 18th, 2019 @ 4:02am

1,250 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Marooned!
Location: Holodeck 2 - Deck 5 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD003 2000 hours

Last Time On Pirate Island Part V
A map is what you need, that’s for sure!
It’s all I have, so don’t ask for more.
Now take it. Just take it and begin your spree,
Compliments
Of the Poet-Tree.
And Now The Continuation
The tree begins to shiver, all of the leaves dropping and the limbs withering and curling back onto the trunk of the tree. The face disappears into the heart, covering with falling back as the tree unravels and with a pop, a scroll appears in mid air. It briefly shows a trail that meanders and ends with an ‘X’.

Then the scroll pop’s away and the poet-tree’s voice echoes,

“It can’t be that easy. What did you expect?
Two paths, here they are! That’s what you get.

“So pick your path, either will do.
One is just easier, just so you know.
The other a bugger,
A true row to hoe.”

"Well, that's something," Zhara said, looking at the others. "We have two trails. Shall we stick together and take one, or split up so one group can get there first and stop the program?"

"I say we have no choice...we split up into 2 groups and each take a path." It was Paul who made the suggestion.

"You're right," Kat said. "We have no choice if we're going to end this as quickly as possible. The question now is, who do you want on your team?"

"I'll go with Michael." said Auba.

Kat smiled at her husband. "I'll stick with my Cowboy."

Jayde and Jayna looked at each other. "We'll split up."

Tyler was content to watch the program unfurl. In truth it was a gamble Jayna just answering like that especially with the holodeck acting the way it was. They were lucky indeed that it was the right answer. Tyler saw the look on Quinn's face and agreed with the unspoken sentiment. "Everyone listen, I know this started out as a fun excursion however, we do not know what is going on with the holodeck or if the safety measures are still functioning. That being said we are officially treating this as any other away mission. Dividing and conquering would be the best way to go. Quinn, Ameri, Vaebn, Jayna, Kat you're with me." Tyler took charge and began to split up the remaining teams.

Jayna nodded. She was pleased that she knew most of the people on the team. "Great. Pick a path and we'll get started."

Jayde and Zhara walked over to Paul and Lyna. "If you don't mind, I'll be happy to let you lead," Jayde said.

Paul nodded. "Happy yo have you." Paul looked the team over and nodded. He looked at the two roads and pointed to the one on the right. "We'll go that way."

Jayde nodded. "All right. Let's go. Anyone else coming with us?"

The other team headed to the left. Neither team cared who won. All they wanted was to get off the holodeck before something more strange happened.

And that's when they saw the giant white rabbit. "Oh dear, oh dear. I'm late," he said, looking at his pocket watch. He stopped to glare at the two teams. "What are you dawdling for? Get a move on!" Then he hurried off into the underbrush.

Paul looked at the rabbit then turned to his group. "We're going to have to try to ignore things like that when the computer throws them at us." He bent down, picked up a good strong piece of a branch, then started walking down their chosen path. Auba was right behind him.

Jayde and Zhara took up the rear.

Quinn was observing, and watching the junior officers take charge. This was a good chance for them to lead. He looked over to Tyler. "They will be okay captain, I have no doubt." Quinn said, as they started to walk off in their own direction. What was the point of this simulation, its over all objective. He wanted to complete it, so they could escape it.

Ameri walked beside Quinn. “We can solve this and then we will find out what went wrong. I will go over the systems until I find the problem.”

As the XO's words echoed in his mind Tyler could not help but wonder if Quinn was right. Tyler's crew was his family and he worried that some would not make it back. "Lieutenant, somehow I think that you will not find anything in the systems. There are numerous reports of situations like these and a high percentage of them remain unsolved. However, I share the want to get it done. So let's get out there." He said with a half smile and a squeeze to his wife's hand.

"Lead on, Captain," Jayna said, nodding to the senior officer. "Let's see what this program has for us."

"With caution everyone..." Tyler said with another squeeze of his wife's hand. He headed down the path indicated and slow but steady pace. "I recommend also that we all keep our eyes peeled for anything that can be used as a weapon. It is a safe bet that the safety protocols are off right now."

In spite of the glitch, Kat was enjoying the adventure--as long as it didn't get dangerous. And if it did, she had every faith in their group.

Quinn watched as Ameri and Jayna started to work on the problem. He felt like a third wheel. He wanted to help, but they seemed to have it under control, for the moment. Which was hard for him to do, to step back, and observe what is going on.

Tyler clapped his XO in the back. "I share your sentiment, but sometimes we have to let them lead." He smiled as he walked on shoulder to shoulder with Quinn.

Kat joined Ameri and Jayna. "Well, ladies, shall we see where this path leads?"

Jayna nodded. "After you, Lieutenant," she said to Ameri.

“Thanks,” Ameri replied. “Let’s keep our eyes out for trouble.”
To Be Continued...

A Joint Post By

Tree
Captain Cornelius Tremble
Marine CO, USS Pioneer