Bummed Bob

Posted on Mon Feb 15th, 2021 @ 10:56am by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Ensign Bob Gomez

Mission: The Jungle
Location: Holding Yard

Minutes dragged into hours which now seemed to drag into days. The majority of the Liberty crew were still holed up in the sandy holding yard with little to occupy themselves with other than watching the large screens that were suspended above the yard.

The senior staff and some 'trouble makers' were all apparently 'playing' for the survival of not only themselves but the entire crew, under the watchful eye of the Game Master - Captain Haldeman. From what Bob could gather, and the rumour mill that had run riot through the crew since they had been captured, the Game Master was ex Starfleet, and an old friend of the Captain. Sucked to her right about now though. Deceived by an old friend and used for amusement.

He watched the screen, not wanting to end up in the jungle himself he stayed away from other trouble makers and kept his thoughts to himself. Carefully he watched on, trying to take in the detail, the minutia of everything going on. The crew were progressing slowly, everything from Hunters, to animals and natural barriers thrown in their path towards this 'Holy Idol' they were supposed to achieve. Several had been wounded, one had perished and the fate of the most advanced group was now clouded in mystery. The Captain was injured, as was Aurora and they were holed in up a cave. The camera's could see nothing other than the almost transparent smoke from a small fire. With some of the main players out of the picture would the audience tire of the stalling tactics used by the commentators? Was there enough action with the other players to keep them amused? Bob pondered these questions as he had little else to do. Food was issued twice a day, meager sanitation supplied, and if you wanted to sleep - sand was your only option. The crew had developed a loose roster. Those who were normally on shift stood watch whilst the others relaxed or slept.

The Game Master seemed to be trying to drive interest and attention up with lively gestures and big smiles, promising more excitement and action the following day - how long could that be kept up for? And what happened if the audience simply switched off?

His musings were disturbed by the arrival of dinner. This planet's equivalent to bread and water. This sucked.