USS Arondight Mission 10610.22

Cast

SM Rich.……………………………………. Rich
CNS Jakiel………………………………  Theresa
CSO Axin………………………………….  Greg
OPS Ko`Bil……………………………….  Rich

 NPCs

Queen of Hearts……………………….Pam

Host Rich says:
Prologue: The Crew has been taken to an open field where the Queen and some other are playing a game of Croquet.
Host Rich says:
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Queen_Hearts says:
:: adjusts her mallet and yells :: Aloud : Fore!
CSO_Axin says:
::in the field, standing on his hind legs, becoming progressively more irritated::
Queen_Hearts says:
:: shades her eyes and looks where the ball went :: All: I win!
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::whispers as an aside to the others::  All: I vaguely remember things don't go so well with this woman.  So let's not make her mad.  Anyone familiar with this game they're playing?
Host OPS_Ko`Bil says:
::Looks around and doesn't see any thing to scary yet:
CSO_Axin says:
::mutters:: CNS: Ma'am, things have not gone well with anyone yet in this tragedy-land.
Queen_Hearts says:
:: whacks a nearby guard with her mallet :: Guard: Can't you find me any good players?
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
CSO: No they haven't, but I hope maybe if she's queen she might know the way out of here...
Host OPS_Ko`Bil says:
CNS: You any good at this game that they are playing?
Queen_Hearts says:
:: sees the newcomers arriving and stands with her hands on her hips :: All: What are you doing here?
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::shakes her head slowly::  OPS:  Afraid not. I lived on Earth for nearly a decade but never came across it.  Must be some ancient one, long forgotten.
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::takes a step forward::  Queen:  You should know what we're doing here since your 'men' brought us here.
Host OPS_Ko`Bil says:
CNS: Then I guess we are in trouble.
CSO_Axin says:
::bites his tongue to avoid insulting the imperious woman who had better aid in their escape...::
Queen_Hearts says:
:: grins widely :: CNS: Then you play croquet I trust?

Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::glances back at Ko`Bil and shrugs, having no idea what will happen next::  Queen:  I have not had the pleasure of playing, no.  But if you would be so kind as to explain the rules then we would be happy to.
Queen_Hearts says:
:: stares at the CSO:: CSO: Rabbit, lost your tongue?
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::for a second forgets who she must be talking to, but a quick look at the cottontails is enough of a reminder::
CSO_Axin says:
::eyes narrow as he turns to face her:: Queen: Whatever sick game is going on, I have no interest in playing...
Queen_Hearts says:
:: leans closer to the counselor :: CNS: You've never played before? Then you must be a spy!
Queen_Hearts says:
CSO: How dare you insult me! Guard, off with his head!
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::groans inside, thinking Axin could use a few lessons in diplomacy.  Smiles at the Queen::  Queen: No ma'am, just an innocent visitor to your land.
Queen_Hearts says:
CNS: Innocent? If you do not play then you must be a spy!
CSO_Axin says:
::exhales, completely having run out of his tether:: Queen: You are not real, this scenario whatever it is cannot be reality, the biogenetic adjustments could not have been made in the necessary time period. Your death threat is of little consequence.
CSO_Axin says:
::suddenly wonders if anybody tried instructing an end to a holodeck program - seeing as if that were the case, with the safety protocols removed, it could be as fatal as if it were reality::
Host Rich says:
Action: The CSO suddenly feels the point of one of the cards spear.
Queen_Hearts says:
:: motions her guards to hold the rabbit :: CSO: I do not threaten rabbit.
CSO_Axin says:
::flinches and jumps:: Self: Ow!
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::tries to keep her composure:: Queen:  We are more than willing to play, your Highness.  However, being visitors we are at a loss.  ::watches, alarmed, as the guards take the furry science officer::  Your Highness!  Please allow us to have a chance to play?  I am sure it would most amusing watching.
Queen_Hearts says:
:: looks over the CNS' shoulder at the turtle :: OPS: What of you turtle? Are you a spy too?
Host OPS_Ko`Bil says:
Queen: No ma'am. I will play if it will keep my head attached to my body.
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::silently prays that Ko`Bil has a better way of expressing himself than their chief science officer and is gratified to hear his answer::
Queen_Hearts says:
:: raises an eyebrow at the CNS as she rubs her chin for a moment :: CNS: Very well, I shall grant you one chance to play, but be warned if you fail to do well, then it's off with all your heads!
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::as an aside to the other officers::  All: I hope you men are quick learners...  ::then louder to the Queen:: Queen: Beauty first, your Highness.  ::motions for her to take first 'shot' so they can observe::
Queen_Hearts says:
:: signals the guards to hand each player a flamingo mallet  as she smiles at the counselor's remark :: All: Very well, I shall begin.
CSO_Axin says:
::does not struggle against the guards, merely looking on with a rapidly rising temper, his normal reticence and shy personality hidden behind his near incandescent anger at the scenario::
Host Rich says:
Action: As the Queen approaches a small hard-shelled animal curls up in to a ball
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::is so very glad the Queens is susceptible to flattery and takes her mallet with a friendly smile but is nervous to play.  Gives Axin a look as she senses his emotional state rising to a crest::
Queen_Hearts says:
:: lines her body up with the hoop, wiggling her ample behind as she pulls back the mallet and whacks the ball :: Aloud : Fore!
Host  Rich says:
Action: The Queen's ball rolls a little off the first hoop and then suddenly opens up and moves over and rolls through the hoop.
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::watches in surprise as the Queen hits...an animal!  is sure she has never played this before and is very reluctant to do the same, but walks up hesitantly looks at another of the same animal, waiting for it to curl up::
Queen_Hearts says:
All: Match that if you can. :: grins ::
Host  Rich says:
Action: The next animal curl up for the CNS.
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::thinks there may be a bit of cheating on the Queen's part with the 'lucky' coincidence of the 'ball' conveniently going through two hoops.  Pulls back her mallet::  All: Fore!  ::gently hits the 'ball', feeling badly about doing that::
Host Rich says:
Action: The CNS's ball rolls straight for the hoop then suddenly move over and rolls past the hoop
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::takes a quick curtsy and a bow for the Queen's benefit::  Queen:  I am sure I am no match for your superior gamesmanship, m'lady!
Queen_Hearts says:
:: yells :: CNS: Foul! Penalty, you didn't wiggle first. Three twirls please.
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::looks at the confined Axin and then back to the Queen::  Queen:  Is my Science off...I mean, pet rabbit and turtle allowed to play?  ::not totally sure what the Queen is meaning by the penalty and turns around thrice, wondering if that will please her:: 
Queen_Hearts says:
CSO: Rabbit, your turn.
CSO_Axin says:
::steps forward, wondering idly what the penalty would be for missing the animal, and accidentally hitting the rather-hard-to-miss Queen::
Queen_Hearts says:
<Guards> :: let the CSO go and hand him his mallet ::
CSO_Axin says:
::takes the mallet, his face a picture of displeasure::
Host Rich says:
Action: Another animal curls up as the CSO approaches.
CSO_Axin says:
::shudders for a moment, then wiggles, learning from Jakiel's experience::
Queen_Hearts says:
:: takes a seat as two pages bring her throne ::
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::has a sneaky suspicion that this game is royally rigged and awaits the outcome of Axin's turn::
CSO_Axin says:
::swings at the animal, pushing it gently and at low speed towards the hoops::
Host Rich says:
Action: The ball rolls up just short of the hoop.
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::her smile is a bit jaundiced as she nods::  Self:  I see how this works...
Queen_Hearts says:
:: leers at the ball and sees where it rolled, then claps happily :: CSO: Good shot, but not good enough.
CSO_Axin says:
::doesn't reply as he steps away towards Jakiel, fearful of what he might say if he did::
Queen_Hearts says:
OPS: Well turtle? Are you going to take all day?
Host OPS_Ko`Bil says:
:: steps up to the next ball and swings at it.::
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::whispers to Axin::  CSO: I think those are trained 'balls'.
CSO_Axin says:
::whispers back:: CNS: Perhaps they can be retrained to fly at high speed into her head...
Host Rich says:
Action: The OPS ball take off hitting the Queen in the head and then bouncing off into the nearby brush.
CSO_Axin says:
::mutters:: CNS: That might have been a bad suggestion...
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::her eyes go wide::  CSO:  You wished too hard!
Queen_Hearts says:
:: grabs her head in pain and yells :: OPS: Why you little......Guards, seize them all! Off with their heads!
Host OPS_Ko`Bil says:
Queen: I am so sorry. I will go find my ball right away. :: runs for the bushes.::
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
To all the officers:  Make a run for it!  ::takes off on her little girl's legs::
CSO_Axin says:
::more out of hope than anything:: Out loud: Computer, end program!
CSO_Axin says:
::starts hopping with indignity away towards the bushes::
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::ducks under the legs of one of the playing card guard's legs::
Queen_Hearts says:
:: moans in pain ::
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::turns her head to look back quickly to see the officers scattering like ants::
Host Rich says:
Action: As all the card soldiers take off after the crew they run into each other and scattered all over the place.
CSO_Axin says:
::enters the bushes at high speed, and collapses onto all fours::
Queen_Hearts says:
:: yells at her guards :: Guards: Get them! I want their heads for tea!
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::keeps running and clambers up a tree and hides among the leaves, breathing heavily.  Claps her small hands over her mouth and tucks her skirts under her::
Host Rich says:
Action: The cards come to a fork in the path and take one that leads them away from the group.

Queen_Hearts says:
:: thinks to herself :: Self: I'll have rabbit stew and turtle soup for dinner tonight and I'll save that little blonde girl for dessert. :: sits back still grumbling ::
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::as quietly as she can::  Cat:  Pssssst....Cheshire kitty...where are you?
Host Rich says:
Action: Nothing can be heard from the cat.
Host OPS_Ko`Bil says:
::slows down and stops as he see the card take a path leading away from them::
Host OPS_Ko`Bil says:
::Starts looking for the rest of the crew::
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::peeks her head out experimentally and calls quietly::  All: Axin, Scott, Ko`Bil, anyone?  ::searches the bushes for signs of movement::
Host OPS_Ko`Bil says:
::hears the CNS:: CNS: Down here.
CSO_Axin says:
::pokes his long ears above the grass level, looking in the direction that voice was coming from::
CSO_Axin says:
::bounds over to her, and stands up on all fours again, still looking somewhat more than annoyed::
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::turns and smiles, relieved, then very undignified clambers back down the tree and has to rearrange her skirts::  OPS: Did you see where any of the others went and are the card guards gone?  ::notices some white ears and smiles::  I think I spotted one of our furry officers.
CSO_Axin says:
::growls softly as he stands::
Host OPS_Ko`Bil says:
::sees the CSO and moves over toward them:: CNS: I seen the guards go down that path :: points down the path after the guards::
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::motions for Axin to come on over::
CSO_Axin says:
CNS: Ma'am, I've been giving our situation some thought... it's possible we're enduring a mass hallucination induced by some drugs in the food or drink we consumed in the arboretum.
CSO_Axin says:
::glances around:: CNS: Holography is a possibility, but not only did a computer fail to respond to voice commands, there were no error messages, or alarms, so if there is one, we've been specifically locked out of it.
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
OPS:  Good! Then obviously we shall go the opposite direction as soon as the others are gathered.  I am trying hard to remember how this tale ends...Alice eventually goes through the looking glass again and re-emerges into her home.
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
CSO:  That is also a possibility, but so far hard to verify.  ::looks at Ko`Bil the turtle::  OPS: Any suggestions?
Host OPS_Ko`Bil says:
CNS: Then I guess we need to look for this looking glass.
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::sees some other officers move through the bushes towards them and motions to them also::  OPS:  Nods...I remember Alice follows the white rabbit down a hole.  Maybe if we look around.  But first let's put some distance between us and that nasty Queen.
Host OPS_Ko`Bil says:
CNS: I will definitely agree with that

CSO_Axin says:
CNS: The rules of the scenario seem to bear little relevance to reality, Ma'am, I would suggest that wherever we went, she would find us.
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
::counts animal heads and is relieved to see everyone there but is puzzled as to Scott's muteness::  All:  Okay, it's off down the road here...  ::starts walking:: CSO:  It looks that way.  ::counts animal heads and is relieved to see them all there.  Wonders at Scott's muteness::  All:  Let's at least move off down this trail...
Host CNS_Jakiel says:
All:  Keep a lookout for that cat.  It seems to know a lot.
Host Rich says:
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