Leave No Hologram Behind

Posted on Thu Feb 4th, 2010 @ 3:53am by Vice Admiral Iluvar & Commander Michael Evans M.D.

Mission: Episode 1.1 - "Now Boarding"
Location: Main Sickbay, USS Tethys
Timeline: MD02, 1245

ON: [[Main Sickbay, USS Tethys, MD02, 1245]]

The young holographic form of Peter Pevensie (NPC) shimmered into existence in the middle of the empty sickbay and looked around. “Doc,” he said in a loud whisper, “Doctor Haelen (NPC)…are you here?”

"Peter?" Tony querried from around a corner before walking into the room. "We've got to quit meeting surreptitiously in dark sickbays like this," he said with a smirk.

"They're leaving," Peter blurted out without preamble.

"Of course they are," Tony said. "The Admiral approved shoreleave didn't he?"

Peter shook his head, apparently too flustered to speak at that moment. Taking a breath and letting it out, the young hologram tried to figure out how best to phrase what he had to say. When he couldn't find a good way to say it, he sighed and said, "Not shoreleave...they're leaving the Tethys..."

"Well, don't worry," Tony said. "I'm sure they'll be back." He went back to a continued task, unconcernedly scanning individual vials in a storage box. "The ship needs a full crew before we can get underway. And it's not like we'll be all alone. Starfleet protocol requires at least a Security detachment aboard to keep things secure."

The young hologram wasn't sure how he was going to break the news to the doctor. Peter had always been very direct; it was in his nature, both as a young man and as a king. "Look, I overheard a few crewmen talking," Peter said flatly, "They said that the senior staff is being transferred to the Pandora. All of them...including Iluvar."

Tony froze mid-scan. "Including Iluvar," he asked quietly in partial disbelief. He switched off the handheld scanner. "But, surely he would have said something..." He would have said something, wouldn't he? He had a fleeting emotion of being left behind, like just another piece of equipment, but quickly suppressed it. He shook his head. No, Iluvar wouldn't just leave him... would he?

The doors to sickbay hissed open to admit Iluvar, followed closely by Aris. Each of them had a travel bag over their shoulder. When Iluvar saw the two holograms standing in the middle of the room, he smiled. "Well, this certainly makes things a lot easier," he said.

Peter glanced over at Dr. Haelen with a look that said 'I told you so', though he did not look very pleased at being proven correct.

Dr. Haelen stared silently at the travel bag carried by Iluvar. 'Here it comes,' he thought. 'The "hey, it's been fun, but your programming just isn't measuring up" bit.' He'd heard it before, and the next thing he knew he was mining dilithium. Tony sighed.

"Doctor, is there a problem," Iluvar asked, noticing the hologram's sigh. He glanced between Dr. Haelen and Peter.

"No sir, no problem," he said. "Peter and I were just discussing the... personnel transfers." Tony gestured at Iluvar's travel bag. "I am sorry that the Tethys and I don't quite meet your... expectations..." Tony was trying not to get too emotional at this point, "but I'm sure your next ship will serve you and your crew well."

Iluvar looked over at Aris, then down at his own travel bag. He had hoped that he could have avoided such a misunderstanding, but it was clear that he hadn't done as well of a job as he had intended. With an apologetic look on his face, Iluvar slipped his hand into his travel bag. When he withdrew it, there was a square-shaped data node in his palm. "I never leave a man behind...and that includes you two," Iluvar said, indicating the device in his hand.

Tony blinked and fidgetted a little, then said briskly, "Well... that's good to know. Saves us from making certain assumptions." He looked quite pointedly at Peter and made a mental note to talk to Dr. Evans about keeping him informed regarding major events and changes.

This time, it was Peter's turn to look surprised. How could he have been so stupid? Once again, he'd rushed into something and screwed it up royally. He should have known that Iluvar would not have left them behind if the man could have found a way not to. Still, no one had said anything or given any indication that they would be coming along. He exchanged a glance with Dr. Haelen.

"Well, I apologize," Iluvar said, "Perhaps I could have been more forward with certain information."

"How are we going to get there," Peter asked, "It's not like we can just waltz over."

"It is simple," Iluvar explained, "You matrices will be transferred to this data module until we arrive aboard the Pandora, at which time I will upload your programs into the Pandora's main computer. I have also made sure to secure all of our holodeck programs, including yours, doctor."

Anthony thanked him. "I'd like to tidy a bit before we go," he said. Having received consent, he bustled to his office to quickly put some things in order.

Iluvar smiled and moved toward the freestanding console in the middle of the room. Carefully, he set the data node on top of the console and began preparing both holograms for the transfer. Peter watched as Iluvar worked, occasionally glancing over at Aris, who had yet to say anything. He felt rather foolish for jumping to negative conclusions like he had.

Dr. Haelen walked back into the room. "All set," he said. "I've left a short note for my successor and had my files queued for transfer. And seeing as I don't have anything to pack..." He gave a shrug. "Shall we?"

"Ready," Iluvar asked, looking over at Peter. The young hologram took a last look around, then nodded slowly. With a smile, Iluvar said, "See you on the other side, gentlemen."

Iluvar and Aris watched as the two holograms shimmered out of existence. A moment later, the console chirped to acknowledge the completion of the transfer to the data node. Gently, Iluvar lifted the node from the console and slipped it carefully back into his travel bag. After taking a look around himself, he turned to Aris and said, "Time to go."

The two of them departed, leaving the dimly lit, empty sickbay behind.

OFF

A JP by

Dr. Anthony Haelen (NPC)
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Pandora
Played By: Lt. Cmdr. Evans

Peter Pevensie (NPC)
Mentor Hologram
USS Pandora

and

Aris Ibanya (NPC)
Crew Family Member
USS Pandora

Played by

Rear Admiral Iluvar
Commanding Officer
USS Pandora