Felicity Ellis
Command
Cap'n Mum
[TI11]
Posts: 719 Likes: 59 
Rank: Commander
Position: XO
Species: Human
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Post by Felicity Ellis on Apr 21, 2020 22:17:42 GMT
CAROLINE RIORDAN & MALIK GRIPPEN Welcome, Lieutenant J.G. Caroline Raechelle Riordan and Ensign Malik Grippen, to The Best Team-Building Program in the Galaxy™, commissioned by Captain Ellis and written by REMOVED. Vocal commands have been deactivated. The fun dial will go all the way up to eleven. REMOVED accepts no responsibility for any injury or loss of property. To make a formal complaint, please see REMOVED. Loading Scenario pHr3321N.
... ..... ....... Prepare to become a team… or else. ~~~  On a platform 12,000 feet in the air stand Lt. Riordan and Ensign Grippen. There are two ladders before them, fixed parallel to each other, and never touching. 100 feet above them is another platform. Weatherman reports gusts of up to 25 mph on the highway to the heavens, with a bracing temperature of -5°C. Brrrr. First goal: Reach the second platform as a team. No physical assistance may be rendered.
Cast: Caroline Riordan & Malik Grippen |
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Caroline Riordan
Medical
[TI34] Is it too early to start drinking?
Posts: 92 Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Counselor
Species: Human/Trill Hybrid
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Post by Caroline Riordan on Apr 22, 2020 2:33:11 GMT
”How the heck is this supposed to be team building?” Caroline complained through gritted teeth, her arms were crossed in a futile attempt to stave off the cold. The wind seemed to tear right through her, the filmy layered tunic and leggings she wore offered very little protection. At least her booted feet were warm for now. ”We should have been on a beach. With those fruity drinks in the coconuts. And like volleyball or something.” The complaints were helping keep her distracted from her bigger issue with the challenge, heights. The platform they stood on was small enough she could see well over the edge, and it was very, very long way down. Logically, she knew she was in the holodeck, and her feet were firmly on the ground. Her senses told a different story, and the panic she could feel rising in the back of her throat was very real. Closing her eyes wouldn’t help, the darkness brought on vertigo when she was up high. She needed something to focus on. Malik. At least she wasn’t alone. ”So, uh, ladders. That shouldn’t be super hard right? Maybe the next platform’s got drinks?” Caroline tried to sound optimistic, but the sheen of panic in her eyes didn’t really sell it. An unexpectedly strong wind gust threatened to topple the small woman and she scrabbled at the ladder nearest to her in obvious fear. She linked her arms around a rung like she was hanging on for her life. ”This is fine, right?” Her laugh sounded thin even to her own ears.
Malik Grippen
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Malik Grippen
Flight Control
[TI7]
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
Rank: Ensign
Position: Flight Officer
Species: Risan
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Post by Malik Grippen on Apr 22, 2020 18:26:46 GMT
”How the heck is this supposed to be team building?” Caroline complained through gritted teeth, her arms were crossed in a futile attempt to stave off the cold. The wind seemed to tear right through her, the filmy layered tunic and leggings she wore offered very little protection. At least her booted feet were warm for now. ”We should have been on a beach. With those fruity drinks in the coconuts. And like volleyball or something.” The complaints were helping keep her distracted from her bigger issue with the challenge, heights. The platform they stood on was small enough she could see well over the edge, and it was very, very long way down. Logically, she knew she was in the holodeck, and her feet were firmly on the ground. Her senses told a different story, and the panic she could feel rising in the back of her throat was very real. Closing her eyes wouldn’t help, the darkness brought on vertigo when she was up high. She needed something to focus on. Malik. At least she wasn’t alone. ”So, uh, ladders. That shouldn’t be super hard right? Maybe the next platform’s got drinks?” Caroline tried to sound optimistic, but the sheen of panic in her eyes didn’t really sell it. An unexpectedly strong wind gust threatened to topple the small woman and she scrabbled at the ladder nearest to her in obvious fear. She linked her arms around a rung like she was hanging on for her life. ”This is fine, right?” Her laugh sounded thin even to her own ears.
Malik Grippen He looked across the cloud layer and up at the next platform 100ft away. It would have been a difficult climb let alone without the freezing temperatures and high winds. "The safeties will be on, I'm sure." He wasn't sure at all. If they had simulated the temperature and wind, what was saying they hadn't turned all safeties off? As Cara mentioned drinks, his outlook improved somewhat. "Now you're talking, drinks on a golden beach back on Risa. That would be my kind of team building."He watched as Cara took the the first tentative hand-holds of the ladder. The rules stated they couldn't help each other physically, but words of encouragement wouldn't prevent them plummeting to their deaths either. He took hold of his ladder too and tried to look confident and relaxed, the freezing metal stung his palms as his white Risan robe outfit struggled to provide any sort of warmth in this atmosphere. "One step at a time, they say not looking down helps. We can do this together, just think there must be a reward at the next platform and if there isn't I'll hug you!"By the moons of Risa it was freezing. How did they know Malik's biggest fear was freezing to death? Did they ask for that in the Starfleet application? Again, the creator of this was a being of evil. He began to climb up the ladder.
Caroline Riordan |
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Caroline Riordan
Medical
[TI34] Is it too early to start drinking?
Posts: 92 Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Counselor
Species: Human/Trill Hybrid
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Post by Caroline Riordan on Apr 25, 2020 20:56:23 GMT
Cara side-eyed Malik as he began his climb, and considered his words. Standing here, clutching the ladder wouldn’t accomplish anything, the man had the right idea of it. The only way to go was up. Well, down was likely also an option, but not the favorable one by far. ”A hug would be nice, I wouldn’t say no to one.” She chuckled softly. ”I guess the best thing to do is think warm thoughts and ah, maybe talk about something to distract us from the task at hand.” Too conveniently, the voice commands to the program were off, so they couldn’t even check to make sure the safeties were on. A more than slightly tempting idea that occurred to her was accessing the arch and taking a look at the programming herself. Maybe adding some warm weather gear or a nice beach. The counselor had a feeling such tampering might get her a reprimand from the Captain though. Keeping one arm hooked around the ladder rung, Cara reached down and tore two strips from the hem of her long tunic top. Twining the fabric around each of her hands, she formed makeshift wraps. It wouldn’t do much for heat as gloves, but would hopefully help give her some traction. She did have a little climbing experience, her mother forced her into a few classes in an attempt to have her overcome what the woman considered an irrational fear. Her teeth gritted in annoyance at the memory as she began her climb. Hand over hand, one foot at a time. Visualize success. Breathe. Her eyes trained on the next ring, but her thoughts drifted. ”So uh, when you’re not in sadistically malicious holoprograms, what do you do for fun?” She glanced over at Malik, and unsurprisingly, he was farther up his ladder, than she was hers.
Malik Grippen |
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Malik Grippen
Flight Control
[TI7]
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
Rank: Ensign
Position: Flight Officer
Species: Risan
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Post by Malik Grippen on Apr 25, 2020 22:29:07 GMT
Cara side-eyed Malik as he began his climb, and considered his words. Standing here, clutching the ladder wouldn’t accomplish anything, the man had the right idea of it. The only way to go was up. Well, down was likely also an option, but not the favorable one by far. ”A hug would be nice, I wouldn’t say no to one.” She chuckled softly. ”I guess the best thing to do is think warm thoughts and ah, maybe talk about something to distract us from the task at hand.” Too conveniently, the voice commands to the program were off, so they couldn’t even check to make sure the safeties were on. A more than slightly tempting idea that occurred to her was accessing the arch and taking a look at the programming herself. Maybe adding some warm weather gear or a nice beach. The counselor had a feeling such tampering might get her a reprimand from the Captain though. Keeping one arm hooked around the ladder rung, Cara reached down and tore two strips from the hem of her long tunic top. Twining the fabric around each of her hands, she formed makeshift wraps. It wouldn’t do much for heat as gloves, but would hopefully help give her some traction. She did have a little climbing experience, her mother forced her into a few classes in an attempt to have her overcome what the woman considered an irrational fear. Her teeth gritted in annoyance at the memory as she began her climb. Hand over hand, one foot at a time. Visualize success. Breathe. Her eyes trained on the next ring, but her thoughts drifted. ”So uh, when you’re not in sadistically malicious holoprograms, what do you do for fun?” She glanced over at Malik, and unsurprisingly, he was farther up his ladder, than she was hers.
Malik Grippen Malik paused in his climb to check Cara was staying with him, not that he could do much to help her. He was pleased to see she had overcome at least some of the fear and began the climb. He was about 25ft up now, not even half way yet and the cold was starting to bite. His teeth started to chatter and his hands were virtually numb. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all, at least down on the cloud they could huddle down but up here they were totally exposed. "Drink and party?" He stated, shivering. That was always the default answer, but truthfully Malik enjoyed many of the accompaniments that fell under the umbrella of socialising. "I also deliver a Risan-yoga class every Wednesday evening in the Mac's gymnasium. If we survive this, I'd love to have you there, maybe show you a few poses."He started to climb again, more slowly now. He was about half way and looking up the platform above seemed like a more impossible goal than ever. By the moons of Risa it was cold, so very cold. He could barely grip the ladder now, his fingers were not responding and his toes felt like they were being burned by frostbite. "Cara, this is bad. Real bad. Did I mention I'm horrifically afraid of freezing to death, and it feels like I'm freezing to death..."
Caroline Riordan |
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Caroline Riordan
Medical
[TI34] Is it too early to start drinking?
Posts: 92 Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Counselor
Species: Human/Trill Hybrid
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Post by Caroline Riordan on Apr 26, 2020 0:46:56 GMT
”Drink and party?” Cara repeated, smiling despite the cold. ”I gotta say your ideas of fun and mine definitely coexist. Might take you up on that yoga offer. It’s good to explore new avenues of relaxation.” Her teeth chattered, as shivers wracked her thin body. Her casual clothing while fine in nearly any other scenario, did nothing to protect from the cold. Her ascent up the ladder was slow, but she seemed to be catching up to Malik. ”Afraid of hypothermia? Well, that explains some of this. I’m afraid of heights and.. Another thing. So uh, yeah, sorry about the ladders. That’s probably my fault.”She bit her lip and grabbed the next rung. It probably wasn’t a good thing that she could barely feel her teeth on her lip. It was getting harder to keep herself moving, but she had to. ”You think this is about making us face our fears or something? Because I gotta tell you, throwing someone in the deep end of the pool like this really sucks. But… we gotta be positive. I’m pretty sure this holoprogram isn’t set to kill us, just make us really uncomfortable.” Cara took a moment to center herself and control her breathing. Panic wasn’t going to help them, and passing out would just make her fall. ”We gotta try and outsmart the program. Could possibly trigger an autofail if we just throw ourselves off the ladders. That’s assuming the safeties are on. I… I don’t particularly like that idea. At. All.”She emphatically shuddered, and not at all from the cold. The thought of free falling, possibly plummeting to her death was terrifying. There had to be some other way to deal with this. ”It’s supposed to be team building, not torture. Maybe if we get to the next platform, I can access the arch and give us some coats and rum. I mean, if you don’t mind a little handicap cheat. Or if ya wanna go all the way, I’ll turn this nightmare into a pretty beach, with palm trees and coconut drinks. I mean, at this point, I’m not adverse to thumbing my nose at the rules.” Prying into someone’s personal fears and turning them into a game was more than a little rude in Cara’s book. Secretly, she thanked her father for pushing her to take at least a few programming courses back in the academy. Turned out she had a bit of a flair for them, so if the psychology didn’t pan out, she did have a fallback career.
Malik Grippen
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Malik Grippen
Flight Control
[TI7]
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
Rank: Ensign
Position: Flight Officer
Species: Risan
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Post by Malik Grippen on Apr 29, 2020 18:18:35 GMT
At Cara's mention of 'Rum' Malik seemed to snap out of his fear for a brief moment, could she really do that? Beaches, palm trees, coconut drinks with little umbrellas - the thought seemed to generate an inner warmth Malik didn't know he had, perhaps it was a Risan trait. "You got a deal, next platform we change this nightmare to a paradise. Let's kick this ladder-ass!"His fingers were practically dead, his feet felt like lead, but Cara had promised drinks in coconuts and there was no way in heck that Malik was going to miss out. A Risan would rather die. One hand tentatively grabbed the next rung of the ladder, followed by a foot, then another hand and another foot. By one rung at a time he began to ascend. At each grabbing of a rung Malik repeated to himself the key motivator: Rum! Another rung surpassed, Rum! and another, Rum! By the 50th Rum or so he popped his head up and over the lip of the 2nd platform. Somehow he had made it thanks to Cara's inspiration. He looked down to see if she had followed, which she would be mad not too as there was definitely going to be Rum here.
Caroline Riordan |
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Caroline Riordan
Medical
[TI34] Is it too early to start drinking?
Posts: 92 Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Counselor
Species: Human/Trill Hybrid
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Post by Caroline Riordan on May 2, 2020 19:30:19 GMT
Malik’s enthusiasm was contagious, or so it appeared. Caroline renewed her efforts bolstered by a second wind. Inwardly however, she had a worrisome nagging thought. It was entirely possible that the sadistic creator of their own personal hell had thought to make the arch inaccessible. She did hate to have offered a paradise, if she couldn’t deliver. Despite the cold wind biting at her, her hands started to feel clammy with nerves. The makeshift wraps helped some, but she could feel her grip slipping on the rungs as the ladder shifted with each new wind gust. Finally Cara crested the top of the ladder, crawling somewhat breathlessly as she forced the rest of her body up and onto the platform. She was safe for the moment, hoping there might be some relief. Weary, but with a grin, she looked up at Malik. ”Looks like we made it. Not too shabby. I think I'm going to lay here a bit while I convince the rest of my body it’s not going to die.”She did lift her head slightly though, to see what else was on their new platform. Hopefully something she’d recognize as the program’s arch.
Malik Grippen |
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Felicity Ellis
Command
Cap'n Mum
[TI11]
Posts: 719 Likes: 59
Rank: Commander
Position: XO
Species: Human
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Post by Felicity Ellis on May 3, 2020 16:50:46 GMT
An unseen audience applauded the pair as they reached and mounted the platform, together. The structure itself was small but steady, with a column on each end housing an access panel. Moments later, a myriad of signage appeared in front of them, floating in thin, holographic air. The ladders they'd just climbed faded into nothingness. What could it possibly be trying to say? What will our High Flying pair do next? Goal: Make a decision. Leap of faith... or nah?
Caroline Riordan & Malik Grippen |
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Malik Grippen
Flight Control
[TI7]
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
Rank: Ensign
Position: Flight Officer
Species: Risan
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Post by Malik Grippen on May 3, 2020 20:29:59 GMT
They had made it to the next platform, somehow. Malik had to dig deep and find hither-too unknown depths of resolve to reach this far. He stared at the holographic signage as the unseen clapping faded away, where was their reward? Where was the Rum? The signs all appeared to be pointing downwards, but that made no sense. Surely the creator of this programme wouldn't have made them climb through cold-hell just to have them go down again. He looked to Cara, somewhat puzzled. "I don't understand. Where's the reward? What about the blessed, sweet alcohol that my body so craves?"He moved forward and touched the holographic sign promising 'order here', hoping drinks would magically appear in his hand. He would sell his pickled soul for just one drink right now.
Caroline Riordan |
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Caroline Riordan
Medical
[TI34] Is it too early to start drinking?
Posts: 92 Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Counselor
Species: Human/Trill Hybrid
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Post by Caroline Riordan on May 4, 2020 1:42:03 GMT
Cara reluctantly pulled her body up from the sprawled prone position she’d lain in while she recovered. With a quiet grumble, she pulled her legs up to her chest and gave the platform a better look around. She took in the signs, and most importantly, the access panels in the columns. ”If I’m reading it correctly, the drinks are back down, and the program wants us to… jump.”She swallowed uncomfortably, the gulp probably as loud as it felt. Falling had been one level of fear, actually choosing to free fall into the wild blue yonder was another. She shuddered, hugging her knees. ”I don’t think that’s the only choice we have here. Those columns have the arch access for the entire program. We could skip the sadism and cut straight to the drinks if I fiddle the controls. Or we can play it by the rules. Since we are supposed to be team building, I think if we decide together, it might not automatically fail us.”Cara linked her hands behind her head, and tried to look confident and unconcerned. Her fear of the drop back down had sufficiently drained all the color the wind had whipped into her face. Even her faint Trill spots seemed to stand out more. ”Cheat or jump, either way I’m with ya, partner.”
Malik Grippen |
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Malik Grippen
Flight Control
[TI7]
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
Rank: Ensign
Position: Flight Officer
Species: Risan
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Post by Malik Grippen on May 4, 2020 17:25:14 GMT
Malik watched as the colour in Cara's face steadily drained to make her almost as white as the surrounding clouds. Heights he figured, that was her fear. It was a common fear in almost all humanoids, his was obviously running out of drink and parties. He considered if they should access the arch, whilst it had its benefits it may be seen as cheating and land them in an even worse situation or even disciplinary action. He had also re-considered the sensation of being on the ladder. His hands and feet felt normal, definitely not what he'd expect if this were real. It had all been in his head. He stared over the ledge into the abyss below them. "Well, the signs do promise drinks down there and it's insane to assume Starfleet would kill its own officers in holodecks for team building, so I say...jump" He moved forward towards the edge and turned back to Cara, "You with me? We jump together or not at all, never leave an officer behind is what they taught us. There is no danger, it's just a simulation. Starfleet wouldn't kill us, it would go against the goal of team-building."
Caroline Riordan |
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Caroline Riordan
Medical
[TI34] Is it too early to start drinking?
Posts: 92 Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Counselor
Species: Human/Trill Hybrid
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Post by Caroline Riordan on May 5, 2020 2:41:19 GMT
Cara looked up at Malik from where she still sat on the platform, her dismay clear on her face. She'd left the decision up to him, and now she was reaping the result. Being the ranking officer, she supposed she should have set a better example and not even suggested cheating but... It wasn't fair having to face her fear both ways up and down. "Malik, I'm gonna level with you. I'm really, really scared of heights. Logically, I know we're not actually up high, it's just the holodeck. But it's all feeling really... real. Like, if I closed my eyes right now, I know I'd have killer vertigo. I don't know if I can do it." Her eyes looked big and round, and slightly damp. She wasn't crying yet, but the thought of hurtling down towards the ground was making her want to.
Malik Grippen |
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Malik Grippen
Flight Control
[TI7]
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
Rank: Ensign
Position: Flight Officer
Species: Risan
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Post by Malik Grippen on May 6, 2020 16:56:19 GMT
Malik stepped away from the edge and returned to Cara, who was obviously distressed at the thought of jumping to her death, which was understandable really. He thought for a moment, wondering what would be a good way to get them both out of here. Then it struck him. "I tell you what, if I jump first and survive, will you then jump? I'm 100% sure I'll survive and if I don't then just imagine all the counselling business you'll get when my Yoga class find out I'm dead."In truth it was more like, 99%, but that was still very good odds.
Caroline Riordan |
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Caroline Riordan
Medical
[TI34] Is it too early to start drinking?
Posts: 92 Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Counselor
Species: Human/Trill Hybrid
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Post by Caroline Riordan on May 6, 2020 20:58:52 GMT
"I don't think that'll work. It's such a long way down. I dunno if I'd be able to tell you survived."Cara dragged her hands through her hair, irritated with herself. She hated the fact that her fear was rendering her immobile and indecisive. ”I know it’s illogical, but what if we’re not supposed to jump? What if the program is just playing with our vices? We don’t know if there’s actually drinks or fun down there. Or ya know, a soft landing spot.”She stood up and paced a little on the smallish platform. There really wasn’t anywhere to go, but down and the arch panels taunted her with their accessibility. Freedom and safety was so close, and all without requiring plummeting hundreds of feet through the air. ”If you leave me up here alone, I really don’t trust myself to jump.”Cara sighed and looked down at her feet, ashamed. ”I’m a terrible teammate.”
Malik Grippen
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