Letting off steam - The Deathstalker way...

Posted on Mon Apr 15th, 2019 @ 8:29am by Captain Jack Solomon

1,288 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 97 - Cultural Exchange
Location: Starbase 400, Holodeck
Timeline: MD8 1200hrs

Having returned from the conference in Cardassian space and enjoyed a wonderful dinner with his fiance, Jack was glad to be back home now that the Essex had returned back to 400.

Knowing that things were in hand with the Engineering department already working on the various maintenance and repairs of the local starships inside the starbase docking arena, Jack had decided to take a little time for himself.

He'd learn a lot at the various seminars and lectures during the conference and had also taken the time to buy a gift for Deela, however, he still felt that something was a little with Deela. Jack had a knack for following his gut feeling and had decided to follow this feeling up later.

Having returned to duty with the recent activity on board the station, he also knew that being in a relationship with the stations XO was also going to be a busy time with work or some galactic apocalypse always getting in the way. So Jack had decided to take the chance to have a little "he" time on the holodeck.

Once he had unpacked at home and gotten suitably changed for the programme he was using, Jack had made his way down to the nearest free Holodeck and typed in his authorisation code. "Computer, load program Deathstalker One - Chapter Two please," he requested.

The computer beeped in recognition and Jack entered the deck to see a familiar sight before him. He'd walked into what many would call a medieval-looking setting with a large four poster bed stood before him. Drapes and Banners of the title characters family crest stood adorned on stone walls all around the room, which was dominated by a large open wood burning fire that trickled subtle warmth into the room. With a large window looking out across the fields of the land owned by the character he was portraying, sunlight poured in, giving the feeling of a cold sunny morning with the sounds of people working outside.

Jack recalled that he was playing the character of Owen Deathstalker, a librarian and researcher of noble standing within the Empire, who was located on a lush backwater world known as Virimonde which was owned by his family. On the bed before him laid Cathy DeVries, Owen's mistress and servant of long standing. Cathy was of average height and compact build, giving her an athletic stunning look with her long blonde hair. Wearing a silk number that left little to the imagination, Cathy walked over to Jack and pulled him to her.

Jack smiled as he held Cathy before him and they locked lips together. after climbing on the bed, the two of them became closer with Jack realising that Cathy's demeanour was slightly different as they lay on the bed together. She looked up for a moment, smiling wide at him.

"Is my master ready to enjoy another pleasurable session with his poor mistress?" she asked. Jack smiled as he responded back. "Of course my dear, men such as myself ion this position can do nothing less than enjoy the pleasures that you bring to me." Having run this chapter before, Jack was prepared for what came next.

The first time he'd run this holonovel, he'd died because of enjoying Cathy DeVries attentions too much. In fact, he#d died another five times until going back and realising what he'd had to do next. Cathy rolled on top of him suddenly and pushed his hands down on the sheets. "In that case, I'll make sure this is my final and best performance," she said.

Jack was ready for the knife that she tried to drive into his chest and put both hands on hers, holding back the knife assault. As Cathy struggle atop of him, Jack then used his right knee to jab in her leg and forced Cathy back on the sheets. He rolled off the bed and looked for his sword and blaster, noticing them at the foot of the bed. Cathy screamed out loud as she lept off the bed with knife in hand to try and pursue her target.

"Is it something I said???" he asked as he rushed to get his pants on and then pull a top over his head. Jack managed to move to the side as Cathy thrust forth and caught the knife in the stone wall. He used a right hook to knock her out before moving to grab his weapons and effects. Once he was dressed and ready to go, Jack tied up Cathy to the bottom of the four poster bed, making sure she was secure. Then he looked up.

"Ozy, what the hell is going on?" he asked to thin air. Remembering that the Castle he lived in was also an effective starship that hasn't seen space travel in decades, Jack recalled that the Castle had a built-in AI called Ozymandias. Ozy was similar to modern starship computers with the ability to transfer himself to other ships and also a communicator device on his wrist.

"Ah, well, that would be the Royal decree that's been announced around an hour ago... You're now wanted dead or alive, preferably dead, by order of the Iron Empress," he explained in his usual dry tone. "There are Imperial Warships settling into orbit of the planet and there seems to have been a planetwide message sent out as well. There's a bounty of 25 million on your head."

"Oh, is that all?" Jack answered, just before ducking as the large oak door to the room suddenly exploded, with his Security Chief and several officers trying to make their way in. "Sir, please stop! You're under arrest! We have a warrant to terminate your life!" he called out as he tried to make his way into the room. Jack took a low aim and used his blaster on a stun setting to take out the Security Chief, before firing off a second shot and hitting one of the other officers.

As they tried to make their way through, Jack ran for a far wall, pressing his thumb against a specific stone and watching as a secret hatch opened up. He dicked for cover as a blast hit the wall just above him. Looking back to see how the security patrol had gotten in so quickly, he saw the half-naked Cathy with blaster in hand, already trying to get it to recharge sooner. Admiring her form for a moment, Jack made his way into the passage and ran down the winding staircase.

He could feel his increased heartbeat as he ran and the thrill of the chase and suddenly he was reminded of why he'd enjoyed this holonovel series so much. The thrill of the chase, the on the hop thinking and the need to survive each chapter before going on to the next. It had been a good long while since he'd activated this and Jack was glad he'd decided to give this a go again.

By the end of the chapter, Jack had managed to escape the castle and make his way to a secret landing platform underneath the massive lake that stood outside of the Deathstalker grounds. On the platform stood the characters personal starship: The Sunstrider.

Jack had a smile on his face as the programme ended. He happily watched as one of the screens before him in the pilot's position showed the shrinking visual of an Imperial Starfleet settled around Virimonde, having evaded them easily. "Hyperdrive engaged Owen," Ozymandias reported. The programme ended as the stars blurred through the massive acceleration of the ship to Hyperspace velocities.

Jack stood up and made his way to the exit, smiling. "Computer, save progress and end programme."

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