Holodeck Adventure Awaits!

Posted on Sun Oct 18th, 2026 @ 4:53am by Lieutenant Commander Kara Starr {Kelea-Salik} & Lieutenant Commander Malakai Starr [Taylor]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: Prior to current events
2546 words - 5.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Kara and Mal stood outside the holodeck entrance, "I hope this adventure is as much fun as it sounds." Mal said looking forward to having time with just Kara as lately it seemed he had to make an appointment to see/be with her.

“Are you kidding me?” Kara grinned. “It’s going to be epic! To see dinosaurs in their era, I love dinosaur movies so this is going to be fun!”

Mal smiled at Kara's excitement. "I hope you can add this to the dinosaur movies that you love" he answered as he took her hand in his. "Computer run Starr Dino program 001." An instant later the holodeck arch opened and Kara and Mal stepped into the world of dinosaurs.

“I’m sorry” Kara added as she entered the holodeck setting, thick jungle all around them. “I haven’t spent much time at home lately, with everything that’s happened it’s kept me busy in Sickbay. Hopefully I’ll get to spend more time with you now.”

Mal chucked and shook his head, "Kara, it is okay. The important thing is we're together now so let's make the most of the time we have and get to enjoy this adventure."

Kara nodded as she paused long enough to kiss him on the cheek before she ran on ahead just a little. “Ohh my…” she motioned to the valley below the hillside they were approaching. “Do you see that!? Look…” Below them the movement of extremely tall dinosaurs could be seen as they ate from trees, that and the movement of other dinosaurs as well. “This is amazing!!”

Mal nodded his head in agreement. "You are right, This is amazing. I had no idea it would this good." he answered as he took in the different dinosaurs in the immediate vicinity. "Do you know what dinosaurs we're looking at? I only know the T-Rex, Spinosaurus and umm the three horned one, Triceratops. The cool ones." He grinned at Kara.

“Erm I think that’s a Brachiosaurus, they were herbivores if I remember correctly. I don’t really know a lot of the names plus depending on what era we’re in the ones we know might not be here together.” Kara added.

"That's true and a good point. Let's continue to look around and see if there any we can id properly.
Mal replied as he looked at the towering dinosaur before them.

Kara nodded. “I still can’t believe this! It’s amazing!” As they walked she took in the plant life as well. “Some of these plants don’t even exist anymore.”

Mal too was finding the whole adventure amazing. "You said a mouthful Kara. it is amazing to see this up close and personal. The dinosaurs, the plants look at some of these flowers! I've never seen any like some of these."

“It’s a good job we have holodeck safeties, what with dinosaurs and some potentially toxic plants around. Though as with all plants you just need to avoid ingesting them, or touching them. What era do you think we’re in?”

"I couldn't agree more. I'd have to be running, dodging these guys." Mal replied as he looked around their surroundings down to the valley below them. "I'm not sure sweetie. I'm guessing the Cretaceous era based on those big dinosaurs we saw earlier." Just then a ground shaking roar could be heard fairly close to their position. "That, I think is a T-Rex roar."

“T-Rex!?” Kara froze on the spot, in reality it wasn't really a risk to them with the safeties on but it all added to the fun of the experience. “Did you know the T’Rex’s visual acuity is based on movement? If you don’t move it can’t see you.”

Mal looked at his wife, :I didn't know that, Are you sure Kara? Cause it looks like we're going to have a chance to find out." Mal whispered for coming through the trees and into the clearing was the most fearsome dinosaur of all time. The mighty and legendary T-Rex. He was eighteen feet tall and weighed over five tons. Rows of six inch filled his mouth. Mal and Kara were in the presence of the king.

“Ohh my…” Kara hoped her little nugget of information was correct, she froze keeping her voice a mere whisper. “Don’t move…hopefully it won’t see us.”

Mal stared up at the king and the rows of razor sharp teeth lining it's mouth.. "Trust me Kara. I am rooted to the spot and I hope you are right." For hologram or not this was terrifying.

Kara barely breathed let alone moved, the whole holodeck felt very scary right now even though the safeties were on.

Mal stood perfectly still next to Kara. He could feel the hot, putrid breath from the T-Rex envelope his body as it looked down at them but not really seeing them as they remained unmoving.

Kara stood both in awe and fear, glad when the T-Rex eventually moved on right past them. “Wow! That was terrifying and exciting!”

Mal just stood there for a few seconds not saying a word then he finally looked at Kara. "Hologram or not that was awesome and as you said terrifying. Let's not repeat that." As somewhere in the distance the rex roared out a challenge.

“Agreed!” Kara nodded. “Let’s move on before he decides to come back.” She set off cautiously uncertain what they’d end up facing next.

Mal walked beside her, his head was on a swivel as they walked, hoping to spot danger before it was on top of them. They walked until they came to a field with tall grass. "I don't know about crossing that Kara. Good place for one of these dinosaurs to hide."

“True” Kara nodded. “How’s about we try to skirt around the edge? It’s the long way round but better than nothing.”

"I'd rather us be safe than sorry." Mal replied as he took Kara's hand and the pair started to skirt the edge of the tall grass.

Kara smiled. “This is actually fun, even though it’s scary!” She carefully watched the tall grass as they moved.

Mal nodded, his eyes on the tall grass. Had he seen something moving in it? "Emphasis on scary Kara and it is exciting. I'll grant you that."

Kara froze as she heard a noise. “Did you hear that?” She was almost sure it was rustling in the grass. They were being tracked by something.

Mal nodded, "I did." He said in a whisper, his eyes going to the tall grass and whatever lurked inside. If Kara was right (and he had no reason to believe she wasn't) they were being stalked. he looked around for anything they could use to assist them then he saw the trees maybe sixty feet away. "Kara." he said squeezing her hand, "The trees, let's start moving towards the trees, nice and slow."

Kara nodded. “If we are being hunted I don’t think we’ll make it, we need something to defend ourselves with.”

"You are right." Mal replied as his eyes searched the ground around them for something they could use to defend themselves. "I wish I had a phaser." He muttered softly.

“Well we really don’t need one, we’re not truly in danger of injury. Though it still gives me the creeps.” Kara grinned.

Mal nodded, "Thanks for the reminder and you are right. It gives me the creeps as well." He answered as growls and hisses from the tall grass grew louder.

“We need higher ground” Kara added nodding to the trees. “Problem is getting up there and being able to move from there again.”

"I agree." Mal replied as he took Kara's hand and the pair slowly backed away from the tall grass and towards the clump of trees not too far away,

“Keep watching the grass” Kara whispered. “I’ll look for a tree or something else we can use for cover.”

"I call that an excellent idea." Mal replied all while not taking his eyes off the tall grass and whatever it was hiding.

“Look…” Kara pointed to what looked like a bunker. “If we can get in there, it’ll be solid enough to protect us.”

Mal allowed himself a quick, brief glance at what Kara was pointing at. "I see it. Alright, you start first and I'll be right behind you."

Kara nodded as she quickly moved ahead, hoping not to be suddenly set on as she did so.

Mal followed behind her, his eyes on the tall grass as they got farther away from it and closer to the bunker.

Moments later there was a screech from the grass as the first of the hunting pack of Velociraptors decided to make it’s move. Kara was struggling with the bunker door, but now they were under attack she had all the more reason to more effort behind opening it.

Mal had picked up a fallen tree limb and was waving it back in forth trying to hold the velociraptors at bay as Kara struggled with the door. "Hurry Kara." He implored his wife, "I can't keep them at bay much longer!"

Kara nodded as she kept at it eventually getting the door open enough to squash through. “In here! Quick!”

Mal continued to back up but once he heard Kara's voice, he turned and dashed for the partially open door. "Quick! Get inside!"

Kara quickly moved inside ready with a plank of wood she found on the floor to defend against their hunters.

Mal ducked inside and slammed the door shut and then dogged it locked before their hunters could breeched the entrance. "We're safe for now." He told Kara as he leaned against the door.

“Not for long” Kara added noting what looked like a possible trap door on the floor. “ Look at this, this could be just what we need to get out of here.”

Mal looked to where Kara was pointing. "A trap door?" He questioned. "You're right. That just might be our pass to get out of here."

“It’s…heavy…” Kara tugged at the hatch but found it too heavy to move by herself.

Mal moved to her side. Stop. Don't hurt yourself. Let me see if I can open it." He answered as he reached for the hatch.

Kara nodded stepping aside to let Malakai have a go at the hatch. “This will keep them out if we can get down there.”

"You are right about that." Mal answered as his muscles bunched and with a groan he swung the heavy hatch open. "Now, to see where it goes."

Kara nodded as she slowly moved to the open hatch cautious checking below. “So far so good let’s hope we don’t find anything down here.”

"Let's hope it remains that way," Mal replied as he moved to the hatch. "I'll go first. You stay behind me."

Kara nodded. “You’ll need to close the hatch behind us once we’re inside.”

"I will. I'll dog it as well if I can so it can't be pulled open from the other side." Mal replied as Kara got ready to come through the hatch.

Quickly moving inside Kara stood waiting for Mal to shut the hatch, who knew how long before the raptors got inside.

Before he closed the hatch Mal half turned to Kara, Before I close the hatch, see if you see any flashlights or candles. Don't want to be sitting in the dark. "Finding a weapon would be nice as well."

Kara looked around not seeing much until she wondered a little further. “Got one!” She held up an old lamp that she’d found in what appeared to be a small workman’s alcove in the tunnel. “Fingers crossed it works.” She turned it on pleased to see it actually worked albeit at a low level.

"Good work!" Mal said happily. "That will give us some help." He noted as he pulled the hatch down and locked it in place. A moment later they could hear the door to the bunker give way followed by angry growls along with scratches being made on the bunker floor.

Kara motioned him onward not sure if the raptors would find a way to get to them. She waited until they’d put some distance between them before speaking. “I wonder where this goes?”

"Only one way to find out." Mal answered looking down the dark tunnel. "And that's to follow this and see where it goes." As the raptors above could be heard moving about.

Kara nodded it’s not like they had much choice. She started moving slowly and quietly so as not to be heard. She just hoped they’d come out in a good spot.

"Wait Kara." He whispered, "Let me lead." He said as he squeezed by her to take the lead as they moved down the tunnel careful not to make much noise. He didn't know where the tunnel would end only that it was far removed from the bunker.

They walked for some time before Kara paused. “Where in the hell does this come out? It’s starting to feel claustrophobic down here.”

"Easy Kara. I think whoever built it wanted to make sure it was far enough away from the entrance so dinosaurs couldn't just stand outside and pick them off those exiting the tunnel." Mal shrugged his shoulders, "Just a thought."

Kara nodded. “Good point, this will hopefully lead us to safety.” She smiled.

"Sweetheart, you said a mouthful and I couldn't agree more. The farther away the better!" Mal offered as the pair continued through the tunnel.

Eventually the tunnel came out in a wooded area, exiting through an access hatch Kara smiled as she looked around. “Oh wow! Mal you have to see this!!” She stood pointing towards the view from where they stood of green fields filled with various breeds of dinosaurs. “Look at all those dinosaurs.”

Mal came to stand beside Kara, his hand finding hers. "Breathtaking. It looks so peaceful." He replied as he looked out at the scene before them. "Now this is the way to view dinosaurs, far away and impersonal." He smiled at Kara, "Them down there and us up here."

Kara nodded. “The perfect way to spend a little romantic time with you.” Kara smiled warmly.

Mal beamed at her, "Kara my sweetie, Being with you. There is no place I would rather be." As he leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Kara smiled before returning the kiss, giving her husband a loving kiss that lingered before she sat down on the grass. “Let’s just sit here for a little while and enjoy each other’s company.”

Mal nodded and glowed at her suggestion. "I think that is an absolutely beautiful idea. Been a while since we did that. I miss it." He admitted.

“So have I” Kara nodded in agreement as she cuddled up against him.

Mal wrapped his arms around her as they cuddled together in what was the perfect time for this perfect moment.