[Round 16] Can't anyone ever arrive on time?

[Guest]

((Bridge, USS Centris))

::Most people wouldn't have dreamt of programming in a monkey-like

Terran into a database. Especially when said Terran was a notorious

prankster and enlisted, so quite how he got to be a lieutenant commander

in the program was anyone's guess.::

::Though the reformed hacker or his half-betazoid friend were likely to

have more accurate guesses.::

Cheeky: This big chair's quite comfy isn't it?

Tholos: Yes, now if you're quite finished would you care to fulfil your

part of the deal? I personally don't want to be here any longer than

necessary.

Cheeky: Aww... you're no fun...

Tholos: Cara DID leave me in command, and I don't want to be late

getting back to the base.

Cheeky: Why? It was HER being late that caused this mess...

Tholos: And it was YOUR previous knowledge of the area that persuaded me

to let you sit in the chair.

::There was a grumble from the monkey-like Terran as he hopped out and

glared at the Andorian half of his double act, then sauntered over to

the science position and swung himself in with a sigh.::

Cheeky: Fine, this region is famous for being a complete pain for

pilots, ion storms, magnetic rifts opening at random,

nearly-inhospitable planetoids.. . Which is PRECISELY why a set of cadets

were left piloting through it. Yup, reaaaaaaally sensible...

::Tholos didn't need to say anything, they knew each other well enough

not to need it.::

Cheeky; Okay, okay, I'm doing it! Sheesh, slavedriver. ..

::Whatever could be said about the differences between the holo and

actual versions, they were just as quick on a computer. Isolating

information, eyes flicking through, analysing, selecting... it didn't

take long before he'd narrowed down the search area to a couple of

planets.::

Cheeky: Now to boost the signal aaaaand voila! Odjurn IV, southern

hemisphere.

Tholos: Thank you. Please hail lieutenant Commander Maria.

::When the line opened Cheeky couldn't help but slip in the first quip.::

Cheeky: =/\=So what kind of time do you call this? I thought you were

meeting us hours ago.=/\=

::The voice that replied sounded dryly amused.::

Maria: =/\= In Cadet's Reven's terms the natives are inviting us to a

barbeque. It seemed impolite to say we had prior arrangements. If you

could beam us up before they take offence that would be nice.=/\=

Tholos: =/\=Of course Commander, what's your status?=/\=

Maria: =/\=Cadet Bridgeford is unconscious and needs to be transported

to Sickbay, four inside the shuttlecraft, four outside.=/\=

Cheeky: =/\=You got someone spark out already? I thought you were meant

to keep Cadets working?=/\=

::At least the woman chose not to reply to that. The Andorian gave a nod

to the HCO officer.::

Tholos: =/\=Beaming up now.=/\=

::As soon as the group would have appeared on the ship it was replaced

by the familiar grid of the Holodeck, though Bridgeford was beamed out

and directly to sickbay. Once that was done Cara faced them with a smile.::

Maria: Congratulations, this officially concludes your practical

examination. The holodeck is still booked for the next half an hour so

feel free to talk and relax. Your results will be delivered to you

shortly and I hope you enjoyed the trip.

::The half-Betazoid quietly left the room and started to walk down the

corridor. After a few steps she stopped, carefully checked that the

doors were closed behind her and sagged against a wall in pure relief.::

Maria: oO I'm SO glad they didn't know it was my first time doing that.Oo

TBC...

Lt. Cmdr Cheeky (Okay, so he's a petty crewman 3rd class.)

Science Officer

USS Centris

&

Lt. Cmdr Tholos (That's more believable)

CSO

USs Centris

Simmed by

Lieutenant Commander Cara Maria

CO

USS Centris