BBQ by the Lake

Posted on Sun Dec 8, 2019 @ 4:25pm by Lieutenant Penelope Naroot & Commander Cullen Walker & Lieutenant Nicole Anderson

3,621 words; about a 18 minute read

Mission: Nibiru
Location: Holodeck 1

Walker was in the holodeck, planning. He even arranged the food. It was real food. BBQ Chicken, Shrimp Boil, and all kinds of sides like the real things. This simulation was how he kept is mind and soul on long missions. He had time off, well, he was always on call as a Commander. He got on blue jeans, a t-shirt, boots, and a hat. He had his comm on his belt. He walked to Penny's Quarters. He pushed the button for the buzzer.

Penny had been going over flight records for her team when the buzzer went off and she was curious who it could be. She opened the doors and stepped back, looking up, up, up at their tall XO. "C-commander," she said, then saw his attire. "You're....dressed comfortably. Is it Casual Wednesday today?"

Walker looked at her, "There is a lake my family goes to. We laugh. We eat. We swim. We play games. I have a simulation that I created for long missions. I promise no serial killers at martial arts tournaments. Invite Camille and Nicole if you want. The more the merrier. It is just a holographic simulation of my family using psych profiles and family letters. You will get to see my family and have an understanding of how I grew up outside of the Vulcan school." He was sharing that he had an emotional reaction to long missions, despite his self control.

Penny tilted her head in her 'thinking pose' and watched him carefully. "They're busy, I think," she said. "I'll accompany you, however....this doesn't get you out of our deal." She thought a moment. "Hold on." She closed the doors on him, rushing to find appropriate attire.

He chuckled as she closed the door.

When her doors reopened, she was wearing shorts and a tshirt and walking shoes. "Ready," she said.

Walker escorted her to the holodeck. Inside he spoke, "Activate program Walker family one, minus Cullen Walker." He grinned at Penny. There was already a program running, the BBQ at the lake for a specific year. Cullen's grandfather climbed up on the table and talked about letting the game begin. There was food. "We nibble a bit. My family does games. We tend to be a little competitive. No one died this year. I promise." One of his aunts came over and started gushing over how pretty Penny was.

Penny blushed and smiled, thanking her and looked around. "So...where is this? And what games, exactly?" She inhaled. The food smelled good, and the air was fairly thick, but it smelled like Earth.

A hat was being passed around, "They start now. " Walker pulled a slip out, "Curve. Catskills. Baby. Dancing. Love," he read, "what the hell?" The slip Penny pulled out said, 'State in Central US, Son, 1975/1976, Livgren, Baby.' It was paper. Walker looked at her, "You figure out the song. You sing it. If you sing the correct song, you get a new clue. It is probably 20th century music. Grandpa played it when we were here." He was going over the words. "I think I got mine. You got yours?" One of his brothers started singing Give me three steps.

Penny tilted her head, reviewing all the information she had on that time period. Finally in a list of obscure music styles from the late 20th century, she found her quarry. "Yes, I believe so," she said after a moment. "You?"

Walker looked at her. "I think so. I had the computer randomize the clues. This isn't how it really happened. This song will take more enthusiasm than I am used to showing in public. I figured you had enough accuracy from my past for a while. This way, if we decide to do this, you have an idea what to expect at a family gathering." One of his cousins was singing Sound of Silence, "I think I could have rocked that song. Everyone who successfully sang the correct song was put into teams of two and their feet were tied together for a take on a three legged race. His half Vulcan brothers and sisters had issues with the enthusiasm required for some of their songs. One of his cousins sang the wrong version of Bad Company and failed. Then it was Penny's turn.

Penny felt all the eyes on her and she stood up, putting her hands demurely in front of her, and sang softly and gently, her voice giving some tender points to the words.

Carry on my wayward son
For there'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more

Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond the illusion
I was soaring ever higher, but I flew too high
Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I'm dreamin', I can hear them say

Carry on my wayward son
For there'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more

She paused as the note disappeared and she smiled at sat back down. "How'd I do?" she said.


They were tying up her leg, "I guess you did it well." They were talking about a three legged run and how funny it would be to tie Penny and Cullen. One of his cousins kids came riding through on a motorcycle, naked,yelling Good Mooning. Good Mooning. His stepmother made a comment about that happening when your children aren't raised on Vulcan. A fight almost broke out. His grandfather said it was Cullen's turn to sing. "My turn I guess." He walked up and found the lyrics and started singing. He hoped he had the right one.

You broke my heart 'cause I couldn't dance,
You didn't even want me around
And now I'm back to let you know I can really shake 'em down

Do you love me? (I can really move)
Do you love me? (I'm in the groove)
Now do you love me?
(Do you love me now that I can dance?)
Watch me, now
(Work, work) ah, work it out baby
(Work, work) well, I'm gonna drive you crazy
(Work, work) ah, just a little bit of soul, now?
(Work)
Now I can mash potatoes (I can mash potatoes)
I can do the twist (I can do the twist)
Tell me, baby, do you like it like this?
Tell me (tell me) tell me

Penny tried not to snicker at Cullen's diverse use of keys, and politely applauded when he was finished.

Walker finished the song. His grandfather laughed and told him not to quit his day job. He wasn't a terrible singer, but not as good as Penny. He found it odd she didn't need to look up lyrics on the panel before singing.

Penny stood up with him and they stepped away as he led her from the table. "So what is next?" she said.

Suddenly someone tied his ankle to Penny's ankle, "I guess we are partners. Be ready to run at the horn." There were envelopes on the fence line a hundred yards away.

"Run? Where? How?" she said, confused.

The horn blew, "Three legged race. Go to the fence." He linked his arm in hers. He started to move. Walker found it very awkward because of the height difference.

It took Penny a moment to compare the chances of "3 legged" being a euphemism but then realized they were supposed to coordinate between them. She reached up and grabbed his shoulder and leaned her hip against his thigh, putting some of her weight on his leg and leaving him in control as she timed her other leg to match, giving him the freedom to lead. "Okay got it, run," she said, matching his pace if not stride.

On the fence line, they ran to were envelopes, when they got there he pulled out the card and read it, "Under the White Mountain is that which insulates the and protects her from it's magic. Forged by Cullen, who wields it chooses what is Justice." He looked at her. "What the hell?"

"Forged could mean metalwork. Wielding implies a weapon of some sort. A sword maybe. So he who wields a sword chooses what is Justice. A king?" Penny said, trying to connect the most obscure of references.

Walker answered as he watched his siblings and cousins run different directions, "Shit." Then he focused on what she said, "Not me. The folklore figure I was named after. Cullen the Smith, also called Wayland the Smith. He forged Caladbolg." His eyes were closed. He was reciting information from memory. "Cu Chulainn was a Demigod. Mortals to wield it Riotamus, Ambrosius Aurelianus, Owain Ddantgwyn, Athrwys ap Meurig, and Lucius Arturius Castus. Sir Geoffrey of Monmouth merged them into one Fictional King, as a way to preserve the old definition of Kingly Requirements, King Arthur." He opened his eyes.

Penny was tempted to discuss the fictional status of King Arthur but instead tilted her head. "So...do we just shout out the answer to win the race?"

Walker answered, "I suspect it is in a lake. We are looking for a box. It will ask a question." He picked her up under the arm and walked towards the lake. It was an awkward three legged walk. They moved towards his grandfather who was laid back in a patio chair at the lake.

When they got there, Walker saw rebreathers on the table. His grandfather was drinking mead. He grabbed a rebreather and handed it to Penny. He reached for another one and his grandfather hit him with a stick and said, "One per team. Go."

Penny handed it to Walker and began forcing herself to hyperventilate, taking rapid short breaths to increase the oxygen intake, her years of experience in the water coming in handy. "Let's go," she said.

Walker looked at her, "I trained for this. We share." Their feet were still tied together, which would make swimming difficult, but they counted together and dove at the same time, Penny adjusting for his size, weight and angle as she moved. Getting there was relatively easy, there weren't any physical obstacles, and the water was crystal clear, letting them find their objective quickly. Penny was impressed with how long Walker could hold his breath, but she finally forced the rebreather on him so he'd stop showing off. At the bottom of the lake, they spied a box and angled towards it. The box had a cuff attached by a chain, which Penny latched onto her arm. As they tried hauling the box up, a team with one of his brothers showed up. He handed her the rebreather, turning so that she was behind him and squared off with them. He fought them both underwater, his movements slowed by the density of the lake, but still able to connect and react quickly, leaving the puzzle to Penny. They weren't trying to kill each other; this was training, but underwater it was still a dangerous challenge.

Penny sat calmly and looked over the box. The puzzle appeared to be a series of numbers, both forwards and backwards, and they had to be put in order. It was a relatively simple puzzle for Penny to figure out, but suddenly she felt herself yanked awkwardly as Walker became dead weight. She looked around and saw that Walker and the hologram of his brother had knocked themselves out. The holodeck safeties weren't kicking in and now they were floating lifeless next to her. *Of course he deactivated them,* she thought. She quickly established three choices: One, solve the puzzle, take the item, swim to shore. Two, swim to shore with Walker and the box. Three, end the holodeck program. She'd need a considerable amount of time to process all the scenarios from all three choices.

Blink.

She quickly shuffled the tiles on the box and it opened, and she grabbed the item inside and stuffed it into the waistband of her shorts. She pulled Walker to her, shoving the rebreather in his mouth and holding it there. She grabbed him and his brother and yanked them down to the lake bed, then kicked off, forcing them upwards and pulling them along until they hit the surface. She grabbed them both by their hair and pulled, kicking awkwardly with her tied leg until they hit the shore. She hauled Walker onto the sand and fell back. "Computer," she said, "freeze program."

As the noises died down and everyone froze, she rolled Walker on his side to get the water out of him and slapped his face. "Hey!" she said, then tapped her combadge. "Penny to Sickbay, medical emergency in Holodeck one."

Walker belched up holographic water, belched again, and then farted. He laid on the sand. "Fucker punched me in my liver and knocked me out." He belched and coughed again. "Computer, end program." Everyone disappeared but him, Penny, and the box.

A moment later, the doors opened and Nicole stormed in, bag in one hand, medkit in the other. She saw Penny kneeling next to Walker and raised an eyebrow. "Penelope?" she said, cautiously.

"Unconscious underwater, partial drowning. Expelled most of it, but still experiencing respiratory impairment," Penny said crisply, her nurse's training kicking back in.

"Understood," Nicole said, handing Penny the medkit and opening her black bag, pulling out her tricorder. She scanned him quickly then looked at Penny. "Hypo. Tri-ox compound, thirty cee-cees."

"Yes, Doctor," Penny said automatically, grabbing a hypospray, programming it and handing it to Nicole.

Nicole pressed the hypo to his neck and as his breathing eased she and Penny rolled him over again, Nicole hitting his back with both hands as a club to force the last of the water out.

Walker belched. He choked on air a little. When he ended the program, all of the holographic water disappeared. He belched again. "I'm fine. I'm fine."

"What the bloody hell were you thinking?" Nicole growled at him.

Walker looked at her, "I set the program to be a randomized mission for a prize based on similar to the types of games my family plays. It is training for the real games. The hologram of my brother struck me in the hepatic nerve. I'm all tingly." He changed the subject. "In the box is a necklace that I wanted to give Penny."

Penny tilted her head, then pulled at the string hanging from her waistband. Out from her shorts popped a small metal trinket almost in the shape of an anchor. She flipped it over and looked at it. "Thor," she said, analyzing the image, then looked again at the shape. "And his hammer?"

Walker looked at her, "Thor is the God of the Working Man. Anything or anyone worth having, should be worked for." In his way, he just complimented Penny, who blushed hard.

"Charming," Nicole growled. "Some people just put a ribbon around a box, you know," she said to Walker as she scanned him again.

Walker wheezed as he laughed. "Getting struck in the hepatic nerve sucks." If his physiology wasn't predominantly Klingon, he would still be unconscious and unable to respond. He laid on the holodeck floor laughing, "It was holographic water, how are our clothes still wet?" His Klingon blood was evident through wet clothes.

"The holodeck isn't simply creating light-based illusions," Penny said. "It draws on basic matter replication for objects and scenery. That's why things feel solid. Basic compounds like water are easy to recreate, so the holodeck creates a limited replicated field and uses tractor emitters to manipulate the feeling of movement and transportation. You were, effectively, drowning in a bathtub full of water and--you should stay down!" she said, watching him move.

He rolled over and climbed to his feet, stumbling at first. "I'm good." He offered hands to Penny and Nicole.

Nicole grabbed his hand for leverage and swung her legs around, knocking his out from under him. As he landed on his back, the last spoonful of water and mucus coughed out of him. Nicole growled and sprang up over him. "Since you're new here, I'm going to go easy on you and merely explain how this works," she growled. "I make the diagnosis, not you. I tell you when you're safe to stand, not you. You ever preempt my green light again, and I'll put my foot so far up your ass, your breath will smell like my boot polish. Do we understand each other?"

Walker landed on his back, a growl came from his chest. It was the kind of growl you would expect from an animal, not a human. "Outside of rank, which we will set aside for now. I would like to know why you are my mate? Are you making such a Declaration?"

"Oh I am far worse than your mate," Nicole said, matching the growl. "I'm your Doctor. Your lack of proper holodeck safety and common-goddamn-sense has gotten water in two out of three of your lungs. Unless you want to invite a host of medical issues, the least of which is a pulmonary edema, I suggest you stay put," she said, pulling another instrument out of the medkit. She snapped her fingers at Penny and gestured to his shoulders. As Penny lifted him up, she pulled his wet shirt off, then they lowered him down and Nicole began running the instrument over his chest, focusing on the areas over his lungs.

"Just out of curiosity," she said as she swapped instruments with Penny and began working closer to his liver, "how often do you engage in programs like this? Should I limit your holodeck time?"

Walker looked at her, "The purpose of this program is academia. Riddles and Tests, feats of endurance and adaptability, the holodeck safeties were on. That means an automatic call and shutoff should have been engaged. It was set to do a continuous scan of participants. My family does this for real every summer. I use this program with certain things on random in order to prepare for that. It also helps when I miss my family or I introduce someone to what it is like for someone to be family."

Nicole and Penny exchanged a glance and a silent conversation. "Providence save them," Nicole said, dryly. "And if you are honestly telling me this program had safeties engaged, then I'll have Commander Torres shut this holodeck down until it's inspected. But the malfunction didn't have you trying to fight someone underwater with someone unprepared strapped to you." She looked at him accusingly.

"Nicole, I can handle myself," Penny said, defensively.

"I know," Nicole said, reigning herself in a bit. She looked at Walker. "I get a bit protective of her," she said, then looked back at Penny. "For a reason, may I add."

"He didn't mean any harm, and I'm all right. Let's just move on," Penny said, giving Nicole a look.

Nicole nodded. "All right, all right," she said.

Penny scanned Walker again. "Lungs are clear," she said, quietly. Her head was tilted in her thinking pose. "I can monitor him from here, if you want to get back to Sickbay," Penny said.

Nicole packed her black bag and the medkit. "All right. I'll leave him in your care." She stood up and looked down at them. "Do not let this happen again, please," she said, grumbling as she walked out of the holodeck.

He smiled at Penny, "Hi. I'm very hardheaded. I come from a family where the word Warrior doesn't mean mindless thug. I like puzzles and riddles. My entire family does. We believe that to be the best means you can't just be the best at one thing. I'm am trying to help you get to know me. You know, be prepared for who I am."

Penny drew her knees up to her chin and stared at him for a full minute. "Wow...." she said finally. "You are really bad at this."

Walker looked at her, "I am absolutely horrible at this. Working HRT is easier." He just stated that working Hostage Rescue and Negotiation was much easier than then.

"No, like, really," Penny said in disbelief. "If your goal was to have me get to know you, you have failed spectacularly. I know about...your family? I know about your culture, a bit? I know a bit about some of your 'hobbies'....but as far as getting to know you as a person? We've done anything but.You're trying to deluge me with everything about your family all at once, but....that's not how it works."

She crossed her legs and put her chin in her hand, resting her elbow on her knee. "On the first day of surfing lessons, we focus on sitting position, paddling, and maybe standing while catching a simple wave. We do that because there are steps. There are checkpoints along the way to make sure we haven't gone too far. It's been my observation the same thing happens with people. They grow together in stages. You seem to jump straight to a commitment and acceptance of ways, and I....don't want to." She looked sheepish, as if she'd just committed a sin and was caught.

She blushed hard and stood up. "I need time to analyze this and come to a decision. I'll talk to you soon," she said, quietly, blushed and turned, walking out the door of the holodeck.

Walker nodded, "I'm sorry. Have a nice day."

 

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