Warning: This
story contains spoilers to "The Doom That Came to Korath" adventure in
Last Unicorn Games' Holodeck Adventures Sourcebook.
Prologue
"All right. I can now say that not only do I feel silly, but I look it
too," declared Cadet John Kalhoun to his two friends. John was dressed
in a bright red tunic, with leather-colored riding boots, topped by a
white helmet sporting a bright orange plume from some large bird. His
other two companions, Cadet Krystal Evensong and Cadet Venor Pertham
were likewise attired as cavalry officers of the Kingdom of Alberoth of
old Alpha Centauri.
"You humans are so uptight," observed Krystal of her companion. "You
should learn to be more open to new experiences like Betazoids."
"Like prancing around naked at a Betazed wedding? I'd like to see
that," leered John at his longtime friend.
"Let's get going," stated Venor to the two. "Holosuite time is not
free, you know."
"This is your adventure Ven," said John. "Although, I don't see how you
can be so excited about relieving the past when we could just as easily
take a shuttle to Mars and have a real adventure."
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Venor looked
at John with that uncomprehending and yet sympathetic way that only
Betelgeusans could pull off. "This is a way to experience *history*,"
he emphasized. "How can one truly understand another species without
first- hand knowledge of their great heroes and gods? What great deeds
went into forming their cultural heritage? If only you and Krys were
taught to study your great heroes in the same way that I have been
taught to study F'ter, you would truly be one with your cultural
history."
"What-ever," sighed Krystal, "let's get started. Computer: Start
Program 'Doom That Came to Korath'." As the program started she asked
"now who am I again?"
Chapter 1: King of Korath
The holosuite's grid-patterned walls dissolved into the sun-drenched
court of King Marwand of Alberoth. The quaint, limestone villa enclosed
a small pond, which gave way to a rock garden filled with lush,
well-tended plants. Gleaming marble tiles decorated the paths and
walls, whilst brightly colored red, yellow, and orange banners hung
from the balcony which ringed the court- yard.
Prince Korvos entered the courtyard, where King Marwand and Queen
Rebara waited with their court. Korvos sat on a bench in front of a
wooden taymarim. He pondered the scar that was just to the left of the
pinky knuckle of his left hand, before he started playing the
instrument. A stormily passionate sonata blared from the taymarim, it's
haunting music captivating the audience in its rhythms.
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