A Night On the Holodeck (Part I)

Posted on Fri Jul 1st, 2022 @ 2:15am by Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani & Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver

1,078 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: The Cadet Cruise
Location: Holodeck

ON:

Daniel slipped out of the Mess Hall and leaned against the wall by the sliding door. He took a moment to close his eyes, lowering his head slightly, releasing a deep breath. He wasn't sure how long he would be able to take his father and his rousing speech. The same speech he's heard many times. Daniel felt so cornered in that room so much that he needed to escape. At least he would be able to escape with Meghan. She's been the only good thing to come out of this whole cadet tour.

Meghan didn't actually count how long she waited. When she felt it had been long enough, she finished her drink and slipped out the door to join him.

He heard the door open and immediately looked up at her. His mind and uneasiness soon began to subside. Daniel gave her a smile and straightened himself out before running his hand through his hair, combing it back slightly with his fingers. "How about a trip to the holodeck? I brought a program with me that will be a whole lot more fun than what’s going on in there."

"Sounds perfect. Lead the way." It would likely be the last chance they had to relax before launch in the morning and she knew that Daniel would not be able to do so around his father. She was also looking forward to spending more time with him.

Daniel smiled again, instinctively moving his hand to hers, before pulling back. Hoping she didn't notice. He wasn't sure if it would be appropriate for the two of them who only just met and he didn't want to seem too forward. At the moment, he just wanted to show her a good time and escape the festivities, even though they will only be escaping into a fictional setting. He would still want to make the most of it.

He walked with her for a few minutes, small bits of conversations would come and go, only to be met with silence again. It wasn't an awkward silence, but a fun kind of silence. The kind of silence that comes with anticipation of something fun or mysterious.

When they reached the Holodeck, Daniel tapped on the wall display, bringing up the controls by the main doors. "Computer: Bring up Cadet Daniel Weaver's personal holoprogram files."

The computer toned and then replied. "Accessing files. Please type in required passcode."

Daniel tapped the code, unlocking the file names, before scrolling through them. "What kind of stories do you like, Meghan? Historical? Horror? Fantasy? Science Fiction?"

"Fantasy, historical, some science fiction. Horror if it's psychological." She cocked her head to one side. "What about you?"

Daniel seemed to stop, pausing a bit, before scrolling back up the list as if he was suddenly struck with a great idea. "I like those all too. Mysteries are my favorite. Even ones about heroes chasing villains. Saving the girl... or guy." He looked over to her with a slight chuckle. "There it is." He tapped on the selection and smiled before looking over to her. "Computer: Run program." Daniel looked back at her, smirking a her slightly. "Ready?"

"Ready," she said, smiling back. She was eager to see what he'd chosen.

The doors opened up to a stairway going down. Faint music could be heard, sending slight vibrations against the walls. The stairway seemed old, as the wallpaper on the walls seemed to show signs of peeling, throwing off the illusion that this was a place people would come to.

"Come on." Daniel said as he looked up to Meghan. "I hope the computer didn't fill the place up." He began to walk down the stairs, only to stop and look up toward her, a smile forming. It was clear he was comfortable here. "Just one thing... don't be scared."

She wasn't sure if they were going to find a speakeasy, or a serial killer. "If I do, you'll have to deal with it." She didn't get scared easily, but there was always a possibility.

"I promise you... they are all friendly." Daniel replied, before pausing a bit and shrugging. "Well... most of them." He added a bit of a chuckle and held his hand out to her. "Trust me. I kind of grew up with them."

She raised an eyebrow at the comment, but gladly took his hand. Not because she was scared, but because she liked the way it sent tingles up her arm.

Daniel walked further down the stairs, holding her hand the whole way, as they reached bottom of the stairs. It was a long, dreadful, hallway. The same wallpaper and doors repeating on the sides. It seemed to go on forever, but the music oddly sounded closer, as if it was only a few feet away.

He walked with Meghan a few feet, before stopping just short of the steps, before looking over to Meghan. Slowly he extended his other hand forward, until suddenly it seemed to disappear into thin air, the image of the long hallway rippling slightly where his hand entered. Daniel looked back to Meghan and asked. "Still time to turn back." He seemed to say with a smirk.

She leaned closer to him and whispered. "Not a chance."

Daniel nodded. "I was hoping you would say that." He replied before stepping forward with her, pushing through the barrier.

It was almost like walking through water. A wall of vertical water, pushing through it, as your eyes couldn't see anything but blurry images and slightly sparks. At the same time, it felt safe. They could breathe in it and the sparks seemed to hit their clothes, with no electric charge. Once they finally made it on the other side, the place was completely different. The walls weren't falling apart, but nearly brand new. A pattern of red roses, green leaves, and gold etchings. There was a set of doors in front of them, along with two large clay statues of large male figures.

Daniel let out a slight chuckle before looking back to her. "Not what you were expecting here?" He asked softly, before looking back to the doorway.

"No. This was not what I expected." She flashed him a smile. "But I only had a fuzzy idea of where it might lead." She kissed him on the cheek. "It was a nice surprise."

"You haven't seen anything yet." Daniel replied softly.

 

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