Rules of The Game

Posted on Thu Jan 21st, 2021 @ 5:20am by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen

Mission: The Jungle
Location: Red Zone Planet

Captain Kaylen Rhenora stewed from her position at the rear of the cell. Savar resided in her cell with the rest of the senior officers seemed to be in cells nearby, however Rhenora had yet to sight any of the junior officers or crewmen. Perhaps they were being held in more pleasant accomodations and this version of hell was reserved for those who held rank. Her gut told her this probably wasn't the case. She cast her mind back to what Haldeman had said, calling this 'The Game', and they had to win or they would die. Problem was if they did win the crew of the Manchester died. How's that to hang from one's conscience.

Savar paced the cell, with his hands bound behind him, he was unable to check the security of his cell but seeing how organized their capture was, there would be no slack or halfway measures when it came to the cell. He was interested to learn more about this "Game' they were being forced to take part in. Captain Haldeman hadn't given them any details other than if they won, the Liberty crew would live and the Manchester crew would die.

" You're stewing Savar" Rhenora commented, knowing full well she was as well. The guilt of the crew being captured and put through some horrible ordeal was not sitting well with her. Her stomach was tied up in knots no matter how she tried to objectify the situation.

"Stewing Captain? If you mean to say that I am frustrated by both our situation and our inability to do anything about it then you are correct." Savar replied as he stopped pacing to face Rhenora.

"Makes two of us, with a hefty measure of guilt thrown in for good measure. Why can't we get through a mission without ending up in mortal danger?" She asked rhetorically, not expecting an answer.

The sound of heavily booted feet could be heard coming down the corridor. Masked guards stopped outside each door, weapons in hand and faces completely concealed. They could be Manchester crew for all Rhenora knew, or some species she'd never even seen before.

"I believe the humans have a saying that fits here, that being it goes with the territory. Not that is of any comfort. " He stopped talking as masked guards appeared, they were armed and looked ready to use them if the Liberty officers tried anything. "I wonder if Captain Haldeman will grace us with his appearance."

" Possibly" Rhenora mused as she made no move to stand. Something deep inside her was telling her to conserve energy where possible. Move only when you had to. The cell doors opened and the guards entered, grabbing the senior officers roughly before dragging them out the door.

Seeing the others dragged out, Savar spoke, "It seems we are about to find out and possibly get some answers" Like Rhenora, he would conserve his energy and strength as much as possible now and save it for whatever was coming.

Three guards entered the Captain and Savar's cell, grabbing each of the occupants roughly by the upper arm with the 3rd guard following behind for good measure. Rhenora winced at the harsh treatment but didn't utter a sound. Now was a time to demonstrate strength, courage, calmness and leadership.

They were taken to what looked like a holding yard. High walls and a sandy floor stole any hints of what they were about to head into. Sensors and visual data devices seemed to be everywhere, set high into the walls and watching everything.

"Everyone ok?" Rhenora asked those around her when the guards had left the yard, leaving the team alone for a few moments.

"Despite my current situation, I am unharmed." Savar answered as his eyes swept the area. "We are being broadcast." He said to Rhenora.

Rhenora looked at the recording devices everywhere and came to the same conclusion. "Great, now we're the entertainment." She said matter of factly despite the number of injustices she could draw from being filmed without being warned or asked for their consent.

Haldeman appeared on what appeared to be a platform overlooking the yard, several masked guards flanking him for good measure.

" Welcome!" He said loudly, gesturing out into whatever was beyond the solid walls of the yard.

"Our host has decided to make an appearance." Savar said. Then to Haldeman he shouted, "Why are we here?"

"You are here for two reasons. To survive The Game, and to provide entertainment for the population of this planet" Haldeman smiled a broad grin, he knew he held the power and wasn't uncomfortable showing it.

" You were right about being entertainment" Rhenora said quietly to Savar as she kept her attention on the man who portrayed himself as the game master.

" Listen carefully. Every Game has rules. You are able to hear them. Don't follow the rules? You die. Simple. Don't learn the hard way" Haldeman continued.

Savar was about to reply but stopped when Haldeman mentioned the rules to the Game. Perhaps there was a way to subvert the rules without actually breaking them.

"The Game area is 400 blocks - the other edges are marked red, cross that line and you die. You will have nothing but the clothes on your backs at the start. Hidden within the Game there are food cache's, medical supplies, weapons and other tools that will assist you. " Haldeman started, still sounding as grandious as he could. He was the game master after all - it was his job. " You must cross the finish line and retrieve the Holy Idol from it's plinth before the countdown runs out." As if on command a timer appeared to be suspended in the sky.

"We are still bound." Savar pointed out. "Is this part of your Game as well?" He challenged.

" Of course! We can't make it easy for you can we?" Haldeman laughed, an over exaggerated laugh that had obviously been used many times over the past years.

" And when we succeed?" Rhenora shouted, choosing her words carefully. They WOULD succeed, the alternative wasn't an option.

" You will become the new Game Master, and your crew will live." Haldeman seemed to be taken down a peg.

However it was short lived as he smiled and told the 'contestants' "You should also know there are traps in the playing area. Traps designed to maim or kill. Also for an added bonus you will be pursued but I'll let by what remain a mystery for now." He smiled broadly.

"Why would you do this to a fellow Starfleet crew? After what your own went through?"Rhenora appealed to his sense of decency, hoping there was a sliver of the man he used to be hiding behind all the bravado.

"And it pains me to have to preside over this installment of the Game especially with someone I know. Not to mention I like living as does my crew."

"You would throw us to the wolves to save your own skin? Where's the Thomas Haldeman I used to know? The brave, valiant and deeply humble man who would never put his own desires above anyone else" Rhenora challenged, her voice carrying over the sounds of gates opening nearby. The sound of wild animals could be heard.

"Time changes you Rhenora as you will find out if you survive. Then you will realize that living is all that matters." He replied.

" I would never sacrifice others to save my own hide" Kaylen spat angrily "You desecrate the uniform you once worshipped. You are no friend of mine" She turned her back on him deliberately, refusing to acknowledge him further. Any instructions could be heard but she would not give him the pleasure of her face.

"Rhenora...." He started and stopped. he would not beg or plead with her. She was high and mighty now but that would change when she was being hunted and her life and the lives of her crew were on the line. "Prepare to transport them at fifteen minute intervals."

It was the feeling of inevitability, the feeling of being sent helpless into the lions den. Animal noises echoed from the field of 'play' - a dark dense jungle where traps lay hidden and hunters were ready to stalk.

Rhenora turned around one last time - hoping she wasn't the first to be transported.
"Look at me Thomas - I want you to remember what you're doing to me and my crew. I hope it haunts you in the dark hours of the night" Her words were just spoken when she vanished.

He said nothing just looked at her until she and the Vulcan vanished sent to an unknown game grid.

" Start the countdown!" he said with a lavish gesture towards the hovering time piece. With no frame of reference the Liberty crew would have no idea what the numbers meant. It could be hours, days, weeks even.

And so it began.