Heroes and Demons: Part One
N: I recently saw the new Star Wars movie (Which was great! Confusing...but great!!) and am a little obsessed with it right now. So I am adding a star wars part in here because why not? I admit light sabres are cool! Give the movie a chance guys! Sorry that this chapter isn't very long. I have been super busy recently. I was lucky to get this out.
Chapter 36: Heroes and Demons: Part One.
(Nine days after Jetrel. Time: An hour after lunch.)
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Harry Kim's POV
I hummed to myself happily as I walked down deck 6, wearing my new medieval costume, excited to start my new holoprogram. I entered in my code for the holodeck and walked into...well...a madhouse.
I heard the holodeck door closed behind me as I watched with an open mouth as Bini, Sarah, and Micheal jumped and whirled around in a winter forest, each wearing dark cloaks and holding laser swords...light sabres is a more fitting name actually. Bini was holding a red one with a long laser blade with two short ones on the side as Micheal and Sarah fought back with green and blue lasers that didn't really have anything special about them. The area lit up from the night as the sabres spun around clashed with each other.
"You guys are pathetically slow!" Bini teased which enraged the kids and they dived towards her, Bini blocked Sarah's blow by dragging her blade to the ground with Sarah's locked on, giving a chance for Micheal swing at Bini, hitting her in the face, causing a long burn to make to cross her face.
Bini stumbled back in surprise and pain as she grabbed her face and collapsed to the snow. Sarah stumbled back to catch her breath and Micheal went for another charge.
"What the hell is going on here!?" I cried out in alarm. Dragging the attention of all three and they stopped mid-motion to look at me. They yanked down their hoods to get a better look at me. They looked at me, then to each other than back to me after a moment of silence.
"Ahh, Harry? I have a few questions." Bini started.
"I have some too! What the hell is going on!?" I demanded again. Sarah giggled and Micheal glared at me in annoyance and turned off his light sabre.
"We were in the middle of a fight that I was about to win. You ruined it." Micheal snapped back.
"What ridiculous outfit are you wearing right now?" Bini blurted out, ignoring Micheal's comment.
"You look dumb!" Sarah added. I felt embarrassment rise to my cheeks as the bitting artificial cold of the scenario started to sink into my bones.
"It is for my new holoprogram. What are you THREE doing here? Cutting into my holodeck time are you?" I shot back.
"Ohhh, I see. Sorry about that Harry. We were having a Star Wars fight." Bini explained. What the hell is Star Wars?
"Wh-What is Star Wars?" I asked. God, this program is cold.
"Ask Tom. He knows more about it than even us. I think he is obsessed." Bini replied and turned off my laser, followed by Sarah doing the same. "Computer, save program "memory-Alpha-Star-Wars-Force-Awakens-Movie-Alpha-Beta-Five" and end program."
The winter forest disappeared and allowed the hologrid to appear. The hoods Bini, Sarah, and Micheal were wearing with their weapons also faded and Bini's burn that stretched across her face had also faded and she seemed completely fine. They were wearing each long sleeve shirts with plain pants and belts. Bini wore completely black and Micheal wore gray and Sarah wore white.
"Bit of a long name for a program isn't it?" I commented with a side-eye as they passed me. Bini shook her head and stopped signalling for Sarah and Micheal to continue out. She gave me a crooked smile.
"That's the joy of making B'Elanna clean through the programs." She admitted and hoped on out, allowing me to start my session. Finally!
-----
(Few minutes later.)
Captain Kathryn Janeway's POV
((Captain's log, stardate 48693.2. We've altered course to investigate some unusually intense photonic activity in a nearby protostar. Lieutenant Torres and I are beaming aboard samples for further analysis.))
"Containment field is active. We're ready for transport." B'Elanna announced as we stood in engineering. I kept a close eye on the two containers on the console in front of me and B'Elanna.
"Energise." I ordered and the glowing orange gas from outside filled one of the two containers, I looked over to B'Elanna in alarm. Both of them were supposed to be filled.
"That's strange. Both containers should have been filled." B'Elanna muttered and I logged onto the console, checking on the status of the containers.
"Here's the problem." I announced. "A slight breach in the annular confinement beam."
"I'm aborting transport. Okay, let's try that again. Energising." I ordered and we did the process again. This time filling both of them.
"All right. I'll get a complete phase spectrum analysis on this as soon as possible."
"If this photonic matter works as well as I think, it could boost the efficiency of our power converters fifteen percent."
"I'd say more like twenty." B'Elanna corrected beside me.
"How long will it take to finish the preliminary analysis?" I asked.
"Um, six hours. Maybe more." She estimated.
"I'd like to get it sooner than that. I believe Ensign Kim is off duty. Could you use his help?"
"Can you convince him to give up his free time?"
"I think I might be able to. Janeway to Kim. That's odd. Computer, locate Ensign Kim." I barked.
"Unable to comply. Ensign Kim is not aboard the ship."
---Five minutes later---
"Sensor logs show no record of any unauthorized transporter activity and all shuttlecraft are accounted for. If Ensign Kim left the ship, he did not do so by conventional means." Tuvok reported once I quickly explained the situation to Tuvok and Chakotay at the security station.
"His last shift ended four hours ago, and he was scheduled for time on holodeck two a few minutes ago. No one has seen him." Chakotay pointed out.
"Scan the holodeck." I ordered. "What's the matter?"
"There is significant interference in the holodeck. I cannot obtain a clear scan." Tuvok replied and his eyebrow lifted in confusion.
"Is it a system malfunction?"
"I do not believe so."
"Commanders." I said, gesturing for Chakotay and Tuvok to check it out.
-----
Chakotay's POV
"The holodeck is definitely active. There appears to be a programme in progress." Tuvok confirmed as we stood in front of the holodeck.
"Can you shut it down?" I asked, watching Tuvok attempt to do it on the holodeck controls but a flat out denied beep sounded.
"Manual overrides are not functioning. I cannot terminate the programme." Tuvok stated. I sighed and ran a hand through my black hair, looking at the gray doors of the holodeck.
"All right, let's go in." I said reluctantly and opened the holodeck, walking into a lush, dark forest. I heard any animals in the background as Tuvok stepped in and the doors closed behind us. "Computer, identify the programme."
"The programme in progress is a holonovel based on the epic Earth poem Beowulf." The Computer replied as we continued down the barely visible path.
"Beowulf?" Tuvok repeated.
"An ancient English epic, set in sixth-century Denmark, if I remember correctly. It's about a hero named Beowulf who fights a creature that's terrorizing a kingdom and murdering its subjects. Monsters and swordplay. That sort of thing." I explained. Tuvok pulled out his tricorder and waved the device around the area.
"I'm not detecting any life signs but there's still considerable interference." Tuvok reported, I pulled out my own, hoping to have some better luck.
"I can't determine the source."
Suddenly, a wooden spear flew in between us, narrowly missing our heads and sticked in a tree between us. We jumped to alert as the bushed beside us rustled and a tall lady, wearing lots of animal clothing, armour from medieval ages and braided long hair stepped into our view, pointing another spear at us.
"Speak as a friend or stand challenged." The lady barked at us.
"Computer, delete the character." Tuvok ordered but there was no response.
"The holodeck command systems must not be functioning either." I muttered, watching the lady carefully to make sure she wasn't about to throw a spear at us again.
"We must also consider the possibility that the safety programmes are malfunctioning as well." I concluded.
"I am Freya, shieldmaiden, daughter of King Hrothgar. I hold this guard post against any intruders who would bear us harm, so declare yourselves. I will hear your answer before you march any further through this land." Freya continued, either ignoring what we said or the holodeck controls were still working well enough for her to be incapable of hearing us.
"We have no desire to trespass. However, we are on an urgent mission, so if you would allow us to continue, we would appreciate it." Tuvok stepped in.
"What land do you call home? Your faces tell me you are not men of the Danes. Are you kinsmen of Beowulf?" She asked, he must be being played by Harry.
"Yes. We are Beowulf's kinsmen. My name is Chakotay and this is Tuvok. Have you seen Beowulf?" I calmly asked.
"Yes. He was like no other. Hair straight and raven black. Eyes bright with a fierce fire. The burning gaze of a hero."
"Grandiloquence notwithstanding, that would qualify as a description of Mister Kim. How did you know he was Beowulf?" Tuvok asked.
"This is Harry's holonovel. It'd make sense that he'd be playing the hero. She might be able to help us figure out what happened to him." I explained quietly.
"A reasonable assumption."
"Your kinsman was a truly noble warrior. It is right you should avenge his death." Freya pitched in. Death? Harry? Please tell me she is joking.
"Yes. But first we'd like to know more about how Beowulf died."
"Of course. Come. I will take you to the king." She replied and lead us, through the forest.
---20 minutes---
Tuvok and I stumbled out of the forest and followed Freya as she opened a large door with a grunt and revealed a large room with a throne was a large older man sat, overlooking a large buffet where men and women of all sizes swarmed around it in loud chatter.
"Hail, Lord Hrothgar! I bring new friends, Chakotay and Tuvok, kinsmen of Beowulf who come to avenge his death. Greet them well." She announced as we went farther into the room and people started to surround us. The Lord Hrothgar stood up and raised his hands in the air.
"I would bid you welcome to my hall, but the days of glad tidings are gone from this place. We grieve with you for your kinsman. We had hoped that a warrior of Beowulf 's strength and renown would be able to deliver us from our curse." Hrothgar exclaimed and was slightly pushed back down by one of his men.
"Could you tell us exactly what happened to him?"
"He met with the same fate as did thirty of our own warriors." His aide next to him snapped and the Lord nodded sadly in agreement.
"It's true. Grendel."
"That's the monster who's been attacking you." I clarified.
"Repelled by light and laughter, the beast waits until we slumber. Then bereft of remorse, Grendel comes in murderous rage to my hall to take my people, and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it. If you are wise, you will forego your vengeance and return home. Death lives here now."
"My lord is fatigued. It is time to retire." The aide announced.
"We would like more information about Beowulf. Would it be possible to examine his body?"
"The body of Beowulf is gone, dragged down to Grendel's foul lair, no doubt. The beast leaves no traces."
"Did anyone actually see the battle?"
"No. Beowulf chose to face Grendel alone."
"Then I think we'd like to see this Grendel for ourselves."
"To what purpose? To raise false hopes in our king again, as did your kinsman? Leave us alone in our misery." The aide yelled.
"Unferth, these men are our guests. You will show them the hospitality they deserve." Freya snapped at him.
"They deserve nothing!" Unferth yelled. "If their Beowulf was truly the champion he claimed to be, then Grendel would be dead, his head mounted on a spear! Instead, we spend yet another night in terror."
"If you would allow us to assist you, perhaps we could help alleviate your terror-"
"Your names mean nothing to me. There are no songs of your deeds nor stories of the battles you have fought. Who are you to believe you can slay Grendel?"
"We have no intention of slaying anyone. We simply wish to examine the creature." Tuvok stated.
"Grendel might not wish to be examined without a fight. And if you would fight Grendel, then you will first prove your worth to me. Defend yourselves!" Unferth yelled and started to draw his sword when Hrothgar reached out and held him back. Then he looked towards us.
"You are able warriors. You may stand sentry tonight." The Lord announced and left the throne room, making the rest follow and the room quickly emptied. Leaving only us and Freya.
"You are brave men. I hope to see you again, fate permitting." She said morbidly and rushed off to another part of the castle. Tuvok and I quickly looked around to make sure no one else was there and I tapped my combadge to report.
"Chakotay to Janeway."
-----
Bini Filters's POV
Tom, B'Elanna and I all stood near the science station on the bridge, monitoring the holodeck, hoping to see why Harry went missing. I was explaining to them what happened in the holodeck before Harry went missing.
"You were talking about...Star Wars?" B'Elanna repeated in confusion. I rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, again. Micheal, Sarah and I were having a lightsaber fight, Harry came in and asked what we were doing. We were playing Star Wars." I repeated again for the slow engineer as Tom grinned and B'Elanna scoffed in confusion.
"Why Star Wars? Out of all the programs you have. You decided to fight with lasers?" B'Elanna said.
"Well, when you say it like that...it sounds boring-"
"Because it is."
"Now hold on. Hear me out here. It's Star Wars."
"Is that supposed to...do something for me? So what if it's Star Wars." B'Elanna asked with annoyance lacing her tone.
"Well...you aren't getting the point."
"Clearly."
"Do you even know what Star Wars is?"
"No! I don't. I don't see why it matters anyway."
"Oh, it matters!" Tom blurted out. I groaned and lay my head down on the console.
"Now you got him started." I muttered.
"Go ahead." The Captain's voice said, allowing me to focus on the com channel, instead of the mindless bickering.
"Captain, we haven't found any definite signs of Harry, but we've encountered several holodeck characters who claim to know what happened to him." Tuvok replied over the channel.
"Mister Kim was running a holonovel based on the poem Beowulf. According to the holo characters, he attempted to battle a creature of some kind and was killed in the process."
"Killed?" The Captain repeated, bring Tom and B'Elanna back from their flirty reality.
"Since the safety programs are malfunctioning, we must consider the possibility." Chakotay said.
"But you haven't found a body."
"No. If we shut down the programme, we'd know if he's here or not."
"Run a diagnostic on the holodeck's imaging control systems. If they're not working, try to repair them. And relay your tricorder scans to the Bridge. I'd like to analyze your readings." The Captain ordered them.
"Aye, Captain. Chakotay out." Chakotay replied and cut the channel, so the Captain started to pace again in greater worry.
-----
"The primary imaging matrix should be here behind this wooden panel. I will attempt to locate the auxiliary matrix. This ancient Earth culture seems fascinated with monsters." Tuvok explained as he examined a piece of the wood floor as I was pacing back and forth. My footsteps echoing across the stone flooring.
"Every culture has its demons. They embody the darkest emotions of its people. Giving them physical form in heroic literature is a way of exploring those feelings. The Vok'sha of Rakella Prime believes that hate is a beast that lives inside the stomach. Their greatest mythical hero is a man who ate stones for twenty-three days to kill the beast and became a saint." I said.
"Such fables are necessary only in cultures which unduly emphasize emotional behaviour. I would point out there are no demons in Vulcan literature." Tuvok replied in a calm demeanour. Which as always annoyed the hell out of me. I am having trouble believing I can survive another 75 years on the same ship as him.
"That might account for its popularity." I muttered.
"Bridge to Chakotay." The Captain's voice cut through the silence of the room. I quickly tapped my combadge.
"Chakotay here."
"Commander, we've analyzed your tricorder data. A deep-level scan shows minute quantities of photonic energy."
"How could it be in the holodeck?" I asked.
"We think it happened when we beamed aboard the samples from the protostar. There was a breach in the annular confinement beam, and photonic energy must have leaked into the transporter system." B'Elanna explained over the channel with Tom and Bini arguing about something in the background.
"And from there into other ship systems as well. We've already found some in the replicators."
"That raises an uncomfortable possibility, Captain. If the holodeck's conversion nodes were contaminated, Ensign Kim may have inadvertently undergone the process of matter conversion." Tuvok added.
"You're saying he might have been converted into energy?" I demanded from Tuvok.
"We have to consider it a possibility. After all, the holodeck are basically an outgrowth of transporter technology, changing energy into matter and back again every time a programme is run." The Captain explained over the channel.
"Except it's not supposed to convert people."
"Hold on, Captain." I interrupted as a bright light shined through the door. "Something's coming."
Tuvok yanked out his tricorder.
"It is an object of approximately one metre in diameter." Tuvok reported.
"I think Grendel may be paying us a visit."
"Captain, the holo-characters told us Kim was killed by Grendel. An examination of this part of the programme might be advisable." Tuvok suggested.
"Proceed."
"Captain, I'm picking up signs of matter-energy conversion."
"Emergency transport. Get them out of there now!"
The bright light forced the door open to the great hall, and the...glowing energy came through engulfing us. We struggled against its pull, but I felt like I was being torn apart.
---End of Chapter 36: Next: Heroes and Demons: Part Two.---