Challenges #14"
By: Craig Witmore, Engineer, [RNPC]
Kelly Forrester, Acting Operations Manager, [RNPC]
Various NPCs , Holodeck characters , [NPC]

Stardate: 58208.01 15.00



“Ante up – part 2” Holodeck 1.

The bearded man looked at his cards, attempting to consider his position- The Kingpin could see right through the man's lie, however. "I think I'll stand," the man decided.

The dealer turned over the other card- it was a nine. He took another, and ended up drawing a two.

Sixteen for him- 'Right in no man's land,' Craig thought, not envying the man's position. The moustached man drew another one- it was a six. Bust.

There were a few scattered cheers from the assembled crowd, which dissipated as the dealer moved a sizable stack of chips over to The Kingpin, and another one over to the bearded man, who had managed to gain from The Kingpin's luck.

Nice hand," “Craig said admiringly.

"Just lucky," The Kingpin responded, as he moved the chips out of the way as the dealer dealt again.

Then suddenly Craig and the other players were aroused by some noises near the roulette wheel. The accusations were clearly audible.

"Well mister, I see you have been tempering with the wheel?" Said a tall man in suit to the hologram dealer.

"I spotted the chance of winning was below standard norms, so I took the liberty of 'fixing' your machine"

The hologram smiled broadly to the man who only came halfway his shoulder.

Valeria overheard the hologram and the man in the suit. She took her newly won markers and drew Craig with her, closer to the table.

"What is going on, Valeria?" he asked.

"It seems that these man have a different opinion about the chance ratings."

"Well, I hope he is not really getting into trouble." A holographic woman with big feathers on her head said while leaning at the table. "Look at the men behind them." The Lady was pointing at the two tall guys.

Two casino security guards had positioned them behind the trouble makers and after a nod of the pit boss they took on the two men.. Some fists were flying but they were no match and Craig watched both troublemakers being thrown out.

“Well they wont bother us anymore.” He said to Valeria. “Care for something to drink?”

She looked at him, big eyes, batting her lashes at him seductively and then pulled him closer to her by the lapels on his tuxedo, "I thought you'd never ask," she said suggestively.

Craig smiled and put his arm around her waist, then another lush and husky voice whispered in his ear. "You know my sister neglected to mention me I presume." And as Craig looked back he saw the mirror imaged of Valeria standing next to him. Except for the fact that her hair was brown. He smiled. "Well I have won some money so you are invited as well.

"My name is Darlene," she said running her well manicured finger across his cheek. Then she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.. "Hi sis." she said to Valeria..

A waiter came to their table and put a few drinks down, some liquid with an olive in each glass. Craig guessed it was martinis, but he had never been a fan of them himself. He took a glass which was filled with cold beer, the foaming collor on it tickled his nose. He then glanced at the other end of the room there were glittering ladies with large feathers around their necks, and gentlemen with big smiles and large pockets. This program was awesome.

Ensign Forrester had now received 3 complaints from crewman regarding the holodeck. Her previous efforts to contact the participants on the deck had failed. The same program had been running for 6 hours. She left her station and went down the holodeck. Several female crewman were waiting outside. The stood with their arms crossed leaning against the wall.

She accessed the console. The computer immediately informed her that it was running in privileged mode. "Override," she said as if she were trying to be persuasive to the computer, "authorization Gamma-phi-alpha-9-9-1."

The computer chirped back and relinquished control. She frowned, it was just a dumb casino sim and its only participant was Craig Whitmore, the Engineer.

She entered a command to open the door. Once inside she searched until she spotted the way-ward engineer. She observed him as she approached. Two women where practically hanging on him.

Craig raised his glass and downed it in one go. Then he took up a strawberry with cream and fed it to Darlene. The little floozy chirred and licked the cream of his fingers.

“Are you going to play some more Craig.” She whispered in his ear, winking at her sister.

Craig nodded. “Yes I am going to try my luck at the roulette wheel or at the crap table.

|”Oh yes, I love blowing on the little dice,” Valeria cheered. “We can bring you luck.”

“He he, you already did.” Craig said with a big grin and pinched her buttocks. “Ohhhhhhhhh you are a wild one.” Valeria said with a little scream.

Ensign Forrester stepped quickly toward him until she was right in front of him with her hands on her hip. "Ensign, do you know how long you have been running this holdeck program?"

"Ensign Forrester, how very nice of you to visit. Care for a drink? And answering your question, I am on leave. I have 2 weeks to spend... and this program is mighty fine." Craig added, as he blew in Valeria's ear.. The woman giggled and clung even more on him, and same as her sister ran her hand up his chest.

"Can't you see he is occupied miss," Darlene said with a snidy voice...

She sighed and shook her head, "You can't spend your whole two weeks in here," she said to him.

"Why not. I have lots of unused holodeck hours." Craig responded. “Besides, it looks like you could do with some relaxation as well. Why don’t you join us?” Craig answered a bit loudly and several heads turned to their table. Then one of the pit bosses came up to them and said. "Sir, is this woman causing you trouble?"

Craig arched an eyebrow and sized up Ensign Forrester. "As a matter of fact she is. Can you have her removed please?"

“Other people want to use the holodeck too," she said grunting as she struggled against the holodeck figures trying to pull her away. She broke free from there grip momentarily and got back into Whitmore's space. "Now shut down this program, you can come back tomorrow.'

"Gotta win more money first Ensign." Craig called after her. "I will be done in about 2 weeks, I promise!" Craig laughed and stood up, Darlene and Valeria at his side. "Shall we continue ladies?"

By now, the 3 female officers who had been waiting in the corridor had ventured in, also determined to give whoever was hogging the holodeck a piece of their mind. They spotted Forrester and ventured close enough to hear.

Immediately some casino gigolo's swarmed towards the other women. "Welcome ladies, may we escort you to a table?"

The women were not entirely amused and pushed the men back. Meanwhile, the bouncers had regained their grip on Forrester began pulling her back again. In her frustration she called out, "Computer, terminate program immediately."

Suddenly Craig found himself alone on the holodeck again. The black and yellow walls were staring at him, gone were Darlene and Valeria, gone were the high rollers and the tables filled with champagne. He then looked at himself, it was rather chilly standing there with only his boxers on. That was the downside of wearing holodeck clothing. He turned towards Forrester. "I hope you are happy now!" he exclaimed and walked to a corner, where he spotted his uniform. He dressed himself quickly.

"Couldn't wait for another few hours could you." he said as he walked past Forrester.

She stifled back a laugh, knowing that Craig was probably pretty angry. Unfortunately, the other 3 women were not as discreet.

"You've had the holodeck for 6 hours," she said, trying to help him understand.

Craig snorted only as he walked out of the holodeck. Next time he was going to book the holodeck for 24 hours.