Third Play - Behind The Scenes
Posted on Thu Mar 8th, 2018 @ 2:52am by Commander Bertrand Cuprum & Lieutenant Commander Alec Wescott & Lieutenant Simon Stevens
Mission: Of Machines and Men
Wescott and Stevens found themselves in a much smaller room with two chairs facing each other and a female in a white bodysuit smiling at them.
"Welcome, contestants. We are so pleased to have you here. Please have no anxiety. This is a formality that must be undertaken before you can be introduced to our current leader."
"I am Lieutenant Simon Stevens and this is Lieutenant commander Wescott" replied Simon, looking back at the lady in white, as Simon looked back at Alec for a moment to see if he was ok and if he wanted to take the lead as he was the senior officer.
Alec looked confused for a moment. Slowly he connected the dots. "Ah...it's all starting to make sense now. What they said about Val and not feeling the pain when her other 'half' got hit. This is why!" He said, more to himself than anyone else. He looked at Simon and nodded.
"This," the woman said gesturing around, "Is our performance suite, and the first step in introduction to our leader. Please do not be apprehensive. Every effort has been taken to assure your comfort and safety."
"Before you are allowed to meet with the leader, you are to be introduced. This requires a performance of skill. While sitting in these chairs you will be given direct control of Drones based on your physical characteristics as they were scanned through the turnstile. By operating these drones to the best of your ability during a series of tasks you will gain an audience to our leader. I regret there is no other way. Please, take a seat. The process of operation is painless and safe for all species."
Simon turned to Alec and asked," Sir, What do we do?"
"I 'spose we play along. We have nothing to lose. Plus I could kind of use the practice. Shall we?" He said, motioning for Stevens to take the first seat, while he took the second seat.
Simon took his seat and wondered what they would be doing as he knew that something was not right. He said," You know I have a bad feeling about this and I don't know why; I just do," as the screen in front of him came to life.
"Hey, whatever it is it's gotta be better than REALLY getting shot at by a big robot that we can't hope to defeat!" Alec replied.
"Oh yeah," replied Simon as he wondered what they would be doing, "just hope our Daclari officer s ok," he continued looking at the screen in front of him. he finished," Do you have any idea what we are doing?" as he hoped that they were not shooting at their comrades.
There was a moment's disorientation; a feeling of being in two places at the same time. They were still sitting in his chair opposite the other, but at the same time he was standing in the auditorium opposite a replica, right down to uniform and equipment.
A moment later they found themselves back in their own body, unharmed and not even out of breath.
"Well done, gentlemen," the hostess cooed. "Now I'll ask you to relax and enjoy the show while the next round continues..."
Unable to move the pair remained in their chair as the other combatants fought it out.
