Gonar went
down in a heap. Krystal watched helplessly as Serin comically kept
trying to Nerve Pinch the monster before it ripped into him. Then the
darkness started to claim her as a strong voice called out: "Computer:
End Program".
The lush jungle dissolved into the cross-hatched pattern of a holodeck.
The three cadets stood up, injuries vanished into the ether that had
claimed the Aldosian Lion. Standing at the entrance to the holodeck was
Commander Hans Zakarian, Starfleet Instructor for this semester's
Planetary Survival course. The Commander had a disappointed look on his
face, but then again, he always seemed to have a disappointed look on
his face, as if whatever you did, he already knew it wouldn't be good
enough to measure up to his standards.
On Holodeck 2 of the "Fearless", an Excelsior Class Starship, an
identical program was being run by another squad of cadets. Leading
this trio was Cadet Venor Pertham, a Betelgeusan by race and in
Starfleet Security by profession, although there were times such as now
when he regretted that decision.
"My parents wanted me to be an engineer, a follower of F'Ter like they
were," conversationally declared Venor. "But no. I wanted adventure,
excitement, I had to sign up for Security. Join Starfleet, see the
Universe! They don't mention the part about leading dangerous away
missions and doing all the grunt work." This last was said as with an
emphatic hack of his machete as he cleared a bit more of the underbrush.
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"Cheer up
Venor," tried Cadet Katrina Ray, the second member of the squad. A
Human by birth, she had a bit of a competitive streak to her,
especially when it came to going up against Cadet Krystal Evensong.
"With any luck, you'll die during the survival test and your problems
will be solved."
The cadet behind Katrina half coughed and half laughed, not a good
sound when coming from a human larynx. "Let's hope that doesn't
happen," opined Cadet John Kalhoun. "I bet that losing a cadet is not
going to improve my grade in this class. Damn, it's hot. Can't we make
the jungle a little cooler?"
"It's going to be just as hot and unpleasant on Aldos as in this
simulation," explained Kat as if to a recalcitrant child. "Besides, it
could be worse. It can always be worse."
"Oh, really?" challenged John.
"How would you like to grow up in a dark sewer, frightened and alone.
Always hiding from other people because they'd just as soon as rape you
than kill you? No friends, no hope, not really living at all, and only
barely surviving?"
"Geez, was it that bad growing up?"
"Of course not, I made it up," she bravely replied. Although there was
a slight catch in her voice that betrayed the truth, if you were
listening for it. As it was, neither of the other two cadets noticed.
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