Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade V’alura Belmont (Chief Science Officer) in Side-Sim - Holodeck Horrors! (Open to all!)

Posted by Ensign Demil Lis (Science Officer) in Side-Sim - Holodeck Horrors! (Open to all!)

Posted by Ensign Demil Lis (Science Officer) in Side-Sim - Holodeck Horrors! (Open to all!)
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻
There was something meditative and soothing about holodeck programing. V’alura sat in one of the holodeck rooms, a portable programing console settled across her lap as she made adjustments to a new recreational program. Her fingers danced across the haptic keyboard, bringing her vision to life one line of code at a time. And what a grand and terrible vision it was. V’alura was passionate about many things, and nothing excited her more than the macabre realm of horror. Inspired by towering gothic castles framed by stormy skies and lit by lightening. Terrible and cruel vampire lords of the castle who preyed upon the fear and blood of the hapless village below. Classic horror. But what if there was something else that lurked the halls? Something even more terrible and horrifying? A mystery shrouded by darkness and ancient magics. Positively thrilling!

V’alura finished her last line of code with a flourish and pushed her console off her lap so she could stand. “I think it’s time to run some tests! Computer, activate program Belmont Horror Five in test mode. Setting: castle greenhouse. The computer acknowledged her request and materialized the foreboding castle greenhouse around her. It was night, of course, and heavy rain pounded against the glass ceiling and walls. Towering, and twisted plants bloomed around her, some with closed buds that seemed to be smiling. Sharp gardening implements of all kinds were scattered about, strewn among a variety of pots and planters. V’alura assessed the area with a smile. Everything looking as it should.

V’alura Belmont, CSO

“Computer, run Rising Tension Level 1.” The computer beeped in acknowledgment . Then, a flash of lightening and a heart-stuttering explosion of thunder. The kind that you felt in your whole body and left you tense. The greenhouse was muggy, the smell of wet dirt and rotting plant matter inescapable. A glass pane shuddered against the wind, nearly masking another sound eerily similar to footsteps. The rows of plants seemed closer than they were before, making the greenhouse more claustrophobic.

V’alura shuddered, her smile betraying her feelings. Perfectly spooky. The secret to good horror was proper build-up. It wasn’t enough to have a monster appear and look scary. Without suspense, the thrill of the unknown, to invoke fear and tension then it all falls flat. She hummed, then said, “Computer, run Rising Tension Level 2.” Another beep. This time the rows between the plants of the greenhouse were closer. Oversized leaves blocked the path. Twisted, trailing vines trailed across the walkway hoping to trip any person in a rush.

A gust of wind and somewhere in the overwhelming presence of plants a pot shattered upon the ground. Footsteps, calm and measured, could just be heard above the whinning rattle of heavy rain upon glass. Tense music, low and solemn played, so subtle that one had to know it was there to be aware of it. V’alura moved deeper into her greenhouse. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was watching her. A thrill ran down her spine. Oh the horror.

V’alura Belmont, CSO

“Computer, freeze program.” And everything was still. Beyond the glass of the greenhouse, even the rain was frozen in place. “Computer, change setting to Castle Ballroom.” The greenhouse rippled around her, then steadily phased into the new haunting local. The dinning hall was spacious and long. Thin and towering windows lined the long east wall, but they were covered by thick maroon curtains. There were two fireplaces at the north and south ends of the room, both near bursting with fire and wood. Dozens of paintings in glittering gold panes covered the west wall of the room. Each painting seemed innocent and pastoric at first glance, but a deeper look revealed unsettling elements within each.

Then, at the center of the room was a lavish dinning table capable of seating two dozen individuals. Plates upon plates of exotic meats of equally exotic presentation were heaped upon the table. Between plates, branches of grapes and other fruits were added as colorful decoration. At each chair were plates of gold, sparkling glass cups and gold silverware. Hanging above a crystal chandelier with flickering candles to light the feast below.

Yet, underneath this hedonistic picture was a dark undercurrent. The decor, though lavish, felt oppressive and sinister. A opulent cover to hide the darkness beneath. “Perfect.” V’alura felt a rush of giddiness as she surveyed her work. “Now what to test. . .” She could test the Antagonist sub-program. The program antagonists were the vampires who called this castle home, and there were a wide variety of them. V’alura designed her program to select one to act as the primary antagonist. The primary antagonist was selected based upon the actions and behaviors of the program participants.

Brave participants are more likely to encounter an aggressive primary antagonist, while clever or cautious participants will face a primary antagonist that liked to catch them off guard or force them into action. If only she had someone else with her then she would have a more accurate test of the Antagonist program.

V’alura Belmont, CSO

“Ma’am, the computer said you were in-” Demil started, walking in the door, his words dropping off as he took in the scene. “What is this program?” He asked, seemingly forgetting the reason he had come in the first place.

Ens. Lis

V’alura spun around, a big grin on her face, “Lis! Perfect timing. I’m testing my latest recreational horror adventure. Working title. . . Actually no. I need more time on that. My current working title is a hot mess. Anyways! Now that you’re here I can test the Antagonist sub-program.” She moved forward, ready to guide Demil deeper into the decadent dinning hall. “This sub-program is designed to observe the participants then select one of the vampire characters to be your big bad who chases you around the castle or sets up traps or taunts you from the shadows. What do you say? You game from some scares and thrills?”

For a woman talking about terrorizing her program’s participants she was strangely giddy. Positively eager, in fact.

V’alura Belmont, CSO

Bump - Abigail

“Sure,” Demil said, “although I’ve never done anything like it before.”

Ens. Lis

“Fantastic!” V’alura cheered, beyond stoked by the En’s agreement. V’alura took a few steps back and spoke into the room, “Computer, run Antagonist sub-program in trial mode. Set sub-program to ignore V’alura Belmont.” She flashed Demil two big thumbs up, then retreated back towards the far wall so as to be out of the way. “Oh! All you have to do is act as through you are investigating this castle. After a few minutes the computer were analyze your behavior then select and appropriate ‘antagonist’ for you to engage with.”

V’alura Belmont, CSO

Bump - Abigail <3