Zeta Group

Posted on Sun Nov 10th, 2019 @ 8:33am by Avalon [ADMIN NPC] & Lieutenant Nevada McKay & Lieutenant Wynter & Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Legate Imik S'Niohun [Lia Taylor]

Mission: Masquerade Back posts
Location: Deck 6 - Holodeck 2 - Program Activated
Timeline: MD2 10h00
3094 words - 6.2 OF Standard Post Measure

As six people were beamed into Holodeck 2, the program activated, and they found themselves standing in a square, surrounded by a hedge maze. Four exits were available with no other way out. Above them blazed the words "Tri-Wizard Maze"

Imik stood looking around her, where was she? She now projected her mind outwards to find her location, a holodeck? It was then she noticed the others around her, they to looked confused and unsure of what was happening. "I am Kie-Rathsue Imik S'Niohun, I am Ojnas not 8472. Why are we here?" She felt she should put them at some sort of ease as most of them had never met or perhaps seen her.

Jason was beamed onto the deck without his shirt or shoes only his work pants since he was in the middle of changing. He looked around and saw the different people around him and then saw the sign. He instantly recognized the name of the maze but could it be the exact thing he read about.

S’hib looked around, clutching the side of his head with his left hand as Imik’s voice permeated his mind. “Any of you know whats going on?” He coughed, his voice unsteady from the smoke he had inhaled moments before.

Nevada Froze Mid pose as she Was transported out of her quarters during her Daily Yoga Session, Her Uniform replaced by a Form Fitting Two piece workout suit. She Frowned softly. "Well..this is...unexpected," she said calmly as she Rose to her feet. "Did your boss Order a Training Drill," she asked looking to S'hib with an amused frown.

“We don’t do drills in thirty foot high mazes... Ma’am.” S’hib replied, already irritated that he had the misfortune of being teleported somewhere with Lieutenant McKay. “Ensign S’hib to bridge.” He added with a heavy snort, surveying the group and their immediate surroundings. After a long pause, he hit his comm badge again, wondering why the comm was still silent. “Bridge, please respond.” he added looking back at the group, a shiver of dread going down his spine as once again nobody responded.

"You don't," Lieutenant McKay shrugged. "One of My previous Postings, the USS Cario, had a Security officer who was...well, let's just say She was Quite diligent, Ran surprise drills all the time," she glanced around. "Ah and me with out My battle axe, Quite Fortunate for you, Hidalgo," she added with a snicker.

"We drill wherever and whenever our Sinkahue commands it, but I do not believe this is a drill. I am a diplomatic Consul, not a Security Officer so why would I be included?" Imik looked to her new companions, no one carried arms and it appeared the communication system was non-functioning. Even the personnel were randomly picked, something was amiss but as the new comer, she did not know what.

“This is no drill.” S’hib said with conviction, walking towards one of the four exits. their arched stonework covered in moss and vines gave of a pompous elegance ~ he was not impressed, however. “six of us... four routes, we should split into pairs and cover as much ground as possible.” He added while looking down either end of the comically large maze, the darkened pathways swathed in mist. And although he sounded confident he was anything but, using the time away from the group to apply his hypospray ~ the medication calming his nerves, his panicked heart rate slowing down. "First the fires, now this..." He thought to himself.

Wynter sighed as he stood from the floor the transporter just deposited him on. Coffee and reports, gone, this was just what he needed at this point in his shift. He paused to take in his surroundings shook his head slowly and looked at the Ensign. "Not a bad thought Ensign. This looks to be out of a 20th Century Novel, and if wherever we are can replicate that, then we have an issue as we don't have magic, and if I am not mistaken that was a key component of the novel. Now for the basic bit that we haven't done yet. Arch." Wynter said. When no arch appeared he nodded resolutely. "Alright, it looks like we have to play whoever's game this is at least for now."

"Magic?" Imik looked at the Human, "What does the illusion of magic have to do with this situation?" She looked at the non-Human Security person, "If I may, are you feeling ill? But I am picking up fear from you, as you are clearly not Human does this experience hold some phobia perhaps?" She placed her hand on S'hib's shoulder as she spoke, hoping to instil some calm to him.

“You must be mistaken.” S’hib said calmly, placing his hand over hers ~ the reassuring but gentle grip she had on his shoulder, not at all unwelcome. “Merely feeling concerned about our situation... And if we are the only ones in such a predicament.” He said, smiling faintly at Imik.

“This maze looks traditional in its design.” He said changing the subject away from himself and his barely suppressed anxiety. “It shouldn't be difficult to find a way out if we wall hug.” S’hib snorted, trying to get everyone's attention as he walked towards the middle of the group ~ the blazing words above the central fountain casting an unnatural blue glow on everyone.

"I'd suggest we don't split up," Nevada Piped up as she kept herself in the corner of the clearing where she'd beamed in. "For all, we know Safeties have been disabled, and this maze has just become a death trap." she muttered softly her arms folding across her chest.

“If they wanted us dead, we would be.” S’hib interjected quickly. “we have no idea how big this maze is, we need to cover ground as quickly as possible Lieutenant.” He added with a heavy sigh, looking at Nevada. “We won't do a very good job of escaping having five of us treading the same ground as whoever is at the front.” He finished, hoping the Lieutenant was wrong about the maze and its potential dangers.

Listening to the two Federation Officers, Imik wondered what would happen next. "I have walked this maze in my mind and found nothing, but then I did wander far. Plus as you suggest any traps may be triggered by bodily heat, my mind walk would not detect that".

"Then maybe there is no exit... maybe we have to find something instead." S'hib thought, looking up at the burning words again.

Suddenly Imik remembered something, "There is a device within the maze, but it keeps moving. As if it is controlled by a timing device, could this be your something?"

“Imik.” S’hib said turning towards her. “Could you guide me to it if you knew where it was?” he added, knowing the risks of going alone.

She shook her head, " No, I can not. By the time I locate it, the item moves almost instantly". She looked at her companions, "I am sorry, it would appear I can be of no assistance to this group".

"Okay everyone." Jason said loudly "gather round before we find a way out of here." Jason putting his back to the maze.

The authority of this other Human confused Imik, "May I ask who you are? And by what authority you see fit to now intervene?"

Jason looked at the person who questioned him. He knew he wasn't the most known person yet but still." Lieutenant Jason Morris Chief of Security. You are?" He asked the man.

"I'm called Imik S'Niohun, and I am a Kie-Rathsue and Exchange Officer of the Ojnas". Something in the way this Human talked made Imik touch his mind, it confirmed her suspicions. "I am a female of my race, Human. But I am also a soldier, so I will forgive your disrespect of me this time. But be advised, I do not conform to my species reputation of being a forgiving people". Her old habit of taking a combat stance now prevailed, only a lack of a weapon made her stop.

“Lieutenant, Imik.” S’hib snorted forcefully, more or less putting himself between them like the towering sentry he was back on the Elysium. “We don’t have time for this, the Elysium is in danger.” He added, turning around and looking down at both of them. “Sir you and Imik need to stay here while the rest of us run the maze, If any of us get lost Imik can guide us back.” He finished, feeling a lump growing in his throat.

Jason just watched Imik for a minute before he decided that he would deal with her later. " Ensign, that sounds like a good idea. But first, we will look around for any weapons we can find or make. So everyone look for weapons." Jason said looking around at the group. "Also keep your eyes open for anything if this is what I think it is, we need to be ready."He said as an after thought.

Waiting until Imik and Jason had parted slightly S’hib wasted no more time, Four statues occupied the corners of the square they resided in. They had an eerie quality about them, and one piqued his interest.

Almost as tall as he was, the humanoid stone figure stood proud. ~ A knight S’hib thought to examine the moss covered sentry, its ornately carved armour had a strange lifelike quality too it.

“This will do.” S’hib snorted, running his hand over the spear esque weapon the statue held in one of its stone gauntlets. ~ Wondering how strange it was the statues held weapons made not from stone, but wood and metal instead.

It was only when he had pried the shaft from the statues gauntlet did he notice its head had silently shifted to face his, the cold blank stare of the abyss inside its stone helmet sending a chill into his very soul. “I must be seeing things...” S’hib said quietly, shaking his head as he backed away from the statue and twirled the spear around his body. testing its weight and balance as the stone sentry silently moved its gaze down to its empty hand and went rigid once more.


Holt had remained his usual silent self so far, however watching S'hib carelessly cut himself was the final straw. ~Ridiculous, can't these people figure this out without causing harm to themselves. Why do i have to be aboard a ship of idiots.~ Holt placed his hand onto S'hibs shoulder tightly. "A security officer that doesn't understand what a sharp edge is? You'd better let me hold onto that, before you kill one of us." He said, his face crunched up with discontent. "I've had just about enough of all this prancing around. Can someone make a decision, or i'll make it for us."

Lieutenant McKay Stiffened slightly as she Listened to the group. "I'm no good in A Fight, But if It helps I am a doctor...So I can...you know...doctor," she said as she watched the group feeling like she'd missed out on crew orientation.

“Hopefully it wont come to that Lieutenant, but your presence is still welcome nonetheless.” S’hib said with a slight snort, twirling his newly acquired spear around and jamming it into the dirt beside him.

Imik now stepped forwards, "As I am classified as a Consul, I will assist this person. Unless there is another task that you require me to perform?" She looked towards Jason as she spoke, as a designated Security Officer she had decided to relinquish Command to him allowing S'hib to follow his orders.

Wynter stood and looked at everyone assembled. "Everyone will please stop, first off splitting up though a good idea is most likely not the right call as we do not know which skill sets we will need for each scenario as of yet. So it is best to remain as one group for now. Secondly lets do this by the numbers nice a slow. Now you can all dithy on about what we should do or how to do it, or we could just get cracking, and get our asses out of here."

The frank honesty of this person impressed Imik, "I must agree with what you say, but the Security Officer would have us do things his way. Why would we abandon him to listen and then follow you?" Her question was an attempt in gaining some agreement within the group, as she saw it they had several leaders but no followers. Turning to Jason she now asked him another question, " Lieutenant Morris is it not? You claim to be Security, may I ask your opinion on this persons suggestion?"

Jason looked at the man speaking and then towards Imik, he really didn't expect to fight for survival in this type of situation but he was quickly learning anything can happen to this crew. "I don't claim to be security. I am the Chief of Security." he stated. "However, I now find two solutions to our problem. I do repeat myself though, everyone find a weapon. It dosn't matter if you cant use one or not it might be useful in the future." Jason said looking around the group of people and then back to Imik.

"Imik the Ensign mentioned you can lead us back so you have telepathic powers, could you sense if there is anyone else in the area?" Jason said mentally berating himself from getting involved with these small politics, he needed to start thinking strategical.

Bowing to Morris Imik replied, "I have already done so, and found no one else within this holodeck. But if there are any holodeck characters, I have been unable to find them". She looked at the statues and then at S'hib's spear, "Lieutenant do you not find it strange that the four statues hold real weapons, I feel we may trip a hidden trap once we pass through any of the four portals".

"I assumed since we were in a holo-novel there maybe weapons placed around that we could use, and there is always the chance of traps but should we continue without weapons and risk ourselves?" Jason asked back.

A small laugh escaped Imik, "Lieutenant, the first rule of combat is. Never assume anything, it will get you killed". She continued, "I saw many friends die, because they assumed certain things". She crossed to another of the statues, it held a large axe. As she touched it the head moved to face her, "As I thought, these are sentries. They hear and see everything, which is why when I locate that article it moves". Pulling sharply she wrenched the axe from the statues grasp, she then swung it and smashed the head. "It will report no more, I suggest we remove the weapons and smash the head. It will prevent any further reporting, and assist our escape".

While listening to everyone, a thought wormed its way into the back of S’hibs mind. “Everything so far has been guess work.” He snorted, gripping his spear and walking away from everyone. “Lets see if we can figure out something important.” He added, moving his grip down the shaft until it was just above the metal tip. With one clean motion he moved the blade over the corner of his hand, slicing it every so slightly.

“Safeties are disengaged.” He grimaced as a drop of blood fell to the dirt.

"Which means if we do indeed find a trap, it could be lethal to us. We may need to find a way of locating any trap before we activate it, Lieutenant do you have any ideas?" Imik looked at Jason, it seemed best if she deferred to his leadership..

"We need more information before we can say anything for sure." Jason said. "Until we get more information we will do our best. Ensign you can use your spear to attempt to trigger a trap if we see one. Besides that I will lead the way just in case. Now we need to start moving. If there's nothing else anyone can think of?" Jason looked around the group.

"If these Supposed traps function off logic I should be able to disable them, so long as we can find the trigger mechanism," Nevada Piped up. "I...spend a lot of time in Holosims for the second world war on earth, so...Booby traps are a bit common place once you know what your looking for, Unless they are Programmed trigger traps..at which point I might as well just stand behind You all to avoid the shrapnel."

"Okay everyone we will all go together I'll be in front, doc you stay in the middle and we need someone to watch our backs. Call out anything you see." Jason said as he moved between each of the paths trying to get a feeling in which way to go. Eventually he stopped at the second from the lefts opening.

Around them auddenly the holodeck shimmered and faded, revealing its standard black and gold grid. And then over the Comm came:
"Attention all hands. We are under attack. We have Jem Hadar on decks 23, 34, 16, 19 and 4. All civilians are to remain in the shelters. All crew prepare to repel boarders. Lethal force has been authorized. All turbolifts are down."

Jason looked around hardly believing it was that easy. "Well let's move people. Keep our formation and grab any weapons we come across, this could still be a Sim." He said.

Looking around her, Imik could sense something different. "You maybe correct Lieutenant, but my people fought the Jem'Hadar centuries ago. We can feel them when they are close, and I am telling you. There are Jem'Hadar very close, we need to find weapons quickly or we will die".

“Of course this is still a Sim, were being made to chase our own damn tail.” S’hib snorted, kicking the wall behind him with a loud crack. The force of the blow overcoming whatever projections were in place, cracking the original holographic tile before the computer hastily knitted the distorted simulation back together.

"If We're Really being boarded by Jem'hadar, I'm going to need supplies...," Nevada said quietly her eyes closing as she tried to remember the wounds she'd treated During the Dominion war. Age and time had warped her memory Slightly, but such a Gruesome series of Wounds would Forever haunt her memories.