Posted by Commander Dira Myqian (Executive Officer) in Side Sim - Holographic Therapy [Open to all! Come meet V’alura!]

Posted by Commander Dira Myqian (Executive Officer) in Side Sim - Holographic Therapy [Open to all! Come meet V’alura!]

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Drake Marshall (Surgical Chief/ Emergency Medicine) in Side Sim - Holographic Therapy [Open to all! Come meet V’alura!]
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Bump - Abigail
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Bump - Abigail
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
V’alura Belmont was perhaps the greatest holodeck programmer in all of Starfleet. Nay. All of the Federation. Of course, she can’t claim that title absolutely. Neither the Federation nor Starfleet have returned her communiques on creating an internal board to determine the best holodeck programmer. No matter how much data she’s sent both to prove her proficiency and skill. Thus, the title of “Greatest Holodeck Programmer” will have to be self-proclaimed and held until it was challenged. Which she would welcome, if only to crush any would-be claimant to her title under her sheer skill and brilliance. There could be no doubt that she was the greatest.

Which brought her to one of the holodecks aboard the USS Ogawa on this fine day. Medical leave was a terrible, terrible place to be when there was so much work to be done. V’alura couldn’t help but worry about all the unfinished projects that awaited her on the Ark Angel. Of course she knew her team of scientists could handle things without her, but she still couldn’t help but feel guilty. Then, because she was on medical leave, she couldn’t help with any projects on the Owaga. In fact, she’s been told she can’t even enter the science labs because of her “medical risk”. Not that she didn’t believe the doctors on the Ogawa were doing their best to keep her safe but it was frustrating all the same. What was her brilliant mind to do? Program holodeck adventures. It wasn’t like she had the strength for any of her other favorite pursuits.

V’alura sat on the floor of the empty holodeck, her custom designed and made portable console on the ground before her. This little machine was her pride and joy and a miracle of computational prowess. It held all her finished and unfinished holodeck programs, which she slowly cycled through. There was that lovecraftian vampire horror program she was working on. . . or perhaps she should adjust her wild west adventure? But then there was that sci-fi horror thriller that’s been on her mind. . . Oh but what about that steamy romance adventure she got half-way through creating? So many choices. . . Over the course of her life she’s made hundreds of programs. What should she work on next?

V’alura Belmont, Sick Scientist on Medical Leave

Last she had checked, no one had booked Holodeck 2 and so she was of a mind to let off some energy. Sometimes she was happy going for a run in the gym, or just wandering the ship, but today she just felt like something… different. Stepping in, Dira was in her uniform, the three solid pips not entirely uncommon on a speciality ship with a high number of higher ranked officers, though the red division colour made her stand out more. Her kinky curled hair was up in one of a couple styles she preferred on duty, today favouring the puff at the back of her head. If she let it grow out a bit longer she’d be able to pull it higher on her head.

Her ebony eyes widened. “Oh! I’m sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was going to be here.”

Commander Myqian, XO

V’alura’s gaze lifted up as the Commander entered the room. She flashed the other woman a dazzling, if a bit tired, smile. “Hello! Sorry, I didn’t reserve the space. I was hoping for visitors anyways.” She had her curly auburn hair pulled back into a messy bun and was dressed for comfort. An oversized and fuzzy purple sweater and black pants.”I’m having the hardest time deciding what program I should go with. Perhaps you can help, what short of holodeck program were you in the mood for today?”

She had so many to pick and choose from. Even her half-baked programs were works of art. It wasn’t just that she was a programming wiz kid with a Ph.D in AI and a masters in computers. She was also a theater kid with an extensive acting background. All those inferior programmers never paid attention to the little details that brought a program to life. Never added music so subtle no one noticed it was there yet present enough to set the emotion of the scene. Which was why it was so frustrating that she couldn’t find anyone to formally recognize her brilliance!

V’alura Belmont

Drake stepped into the holodeck around the same time. Spotting Myqian and Belmont, he said “We really need to keep a schedule for this thing.” He glanced around. “Sow whose rodeo is this?”

-Lt Cmdr Drake Marshall, M.D.

Myqian grinned and pointed to Belmont. “Hers. And funny I think we all were just randomly in the mood. I was about to say I’m in the mood for something outdoors. A walk, a hike, something. I love being in space but it’s been awhile since I’ve been planetside outside of an emergency situation.” She didn’t count dealing with the Romulan refugees since while it had been indeed on a planet, it had hardly been shore leave.

Commander Myqian, XO

“Greetings. Oh, I don’t suppose I’ve introduced myself.” V’alura took a stand and performed an overly dramatic bow, “Lieutenant V’alura Belmont, Chief Science Officer of the USS Ark Angel and your holodeck host for this evening.” She righted herself with a grin. This is the most energetic she’s felt in months thanks to the new treatments and she was going to make the most of it. “Though, currently I am on medical leave, so why don’t we-” Her breath stuttered for a moment, “-we drop the formalities. Please call me V’alura.” Her over the top introduction became complete with her dazzling signature million-gigawatt smile.

“I’m Dira. On duty, I’m the first officer, but I’m quite happy to be something else right now.”

“Funny you should say rodeo, I used to barrel race but I think I know the perfect outdoors retreat.” She plopped back down onto the ground to pull up her list of programs from her personal console. “Here we are. Computer, sync to Belmont Console Alpha. Run program Wyatt-Zeta-One-Two in format: show-stopper.” The computer complied with her request and launched the program per her custom requests.

The stark sides of the holodeck room faded away into the rustic, rugged and wide-open landscape of beautiful Wyoming. They stood on a shallow hill overlooking the woods that carpeted the region surrounding the distant and imposing landmark known as the Devil’s Tower. Beside them a campfire held onto it’s last smouldering coals. Thin strands of dying smoke trailing lazily up. Horses, geared for riding grazed behind them. A gentle breeze came in puffs to play with their hair and pull on the strands of campfire smoke. It was unbearably real, a testament to V’alura’s legendary programing skill. A show-stopper indeed.

V’alura Belmont, Scientist on Sick Leave

Delight wove its way across Dira’s face. “This is lovely,” she said softly, approaching one of the horses. Her hand reached out and while these were holographic animals, for a moment she could pretend otherwise. Her hand ran along the side of the mare’s neck and she got a snort in reply. “Hello” She turned at the hips, looking over at the other two. “It’s been years since I’ve ridden. Not since before the Academy.”

Commander Myqian, XO

Drake whistled. “This is really something.” He gently approached one of the horses. “Can you set one of these on easy mode?” He asked, with the the plain expression of a city boy out of his depth. He wasn’t frightened of the horse, falling off the horse however was a terrifying prospect he did not wish to investigate.

-Drake Marshall

V’alura typed several commands into her console before pushing one last button and the console vanished from sight. “Riding a horse is like riding a bike. You never forget. That and these horses are programmed to be impossible to fall off of.” V’alura stood and took a moment to stretch before approaching the horse that was a doppelganger of her personal riding horse as a young teen. She took a deep breath, gently sliding her right foot into the stirrup and in one smooth motion pulled herself up onto the horse and swung her other leg around to comfortably settle into the saddle.

To an experienced rider like V’alura, the difference between this and a real horse was night and day. It was like sitting on a comfortable and stable chair than a living animal. As much as she would love a genuine ridding experience. . . it would be best not to push herself. She smiled at the other two, “Shall we go for a ride? I hear the riding trails around the Devil’s Tower are really something else.” She would know, she programmed them!

V’alura Belmont, Scientist on Sick Leave

“Well, there’s horses, and open space… seems about right for what to do next.” Drake tentatively sat on his horse. “I’ve lived in cities and in space. This is a new one.” He settled in a little and hoped it would get more comfortable after a bit.

-Drake Marshall

“A ride sounds lovely,” Dira said, running her hand down the mare’s mane. “Funny enough, I’ve ridden horses, but never a bicycle. Then again I grew up traipsing through the forests, so my outdoor time was rather specific at times.

She took a moment to get herself acquainted with the horse before she slipped her foot into the stirrup and hauled herself up in one smooth motion. “Do she have a name or do I just make one up?” Myqian said with a grin.

Commander Myqian, XO

“Oh, feel free to give them a name,” V’alura said, “This lovely lady for instance is Sunbeam. She’s a perfect match of the horse I rode as a teen.” Sunbeam lived up to her name, a lovely shade of golden beige with a white blaze marking down her face and white stockings on her hind legs. The horse’s blonde mane and tail were tied up in intricate braids. With a gentle nudge V’alura urged her horse into a steady walk and lead the way onto the trail.

She peeked over her shoulder to check on Drake, “Make sure you’re relaxed. If you’re tense then it’s gonna hurt after a while. Trust the horse and the horse will take care of you.” She slyly whispered some commands to the computer to ensure no saddle sores occurred today.

V’alura Belmont