One-shot Prompts: Black Ops

Posted on Thu Jan 19th, 2023 @ 8:22am by Lieutenant Commander Rayek trLhoell

826 words; about a 4 minute read

(excerpt copied from Shadowfleet Log posts (from the alternate dimension): These are some of Rayek's backstory. I will try to post them in chronological order)

Prompt - Black Ops

Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Romulus - city of I'Ramnau - year 2373]

Thirteen year old Rayek frowned at the incessant pestering of his younger sibling Kemala as she interrupted his one afternoon of freetime. Rayek was up in his room, on his computer, setting up a blackmarket electronic to his display screen, when she came barging into his room demanding he take her to her friend Jaron's and play tag with them.

"Mother said it was your responsibility to watch over me today, while she's taking Telmuk for his school uniform sizing - and I want to play tag with Jaron, so you have to play too." Kemala reasoned, with a child's logic.

"No, I don't. You can invite him over, have his parents drop him off and I can watch the two of you over the security cameras and still fulfill my responsibility. I'm busy right now." Rayek countered as he finished attaching the last of the multi-colored wires. Obtaining the correct power adapters and wire connections for the unit had been difficult and cost Rayek the last of his saved allowance but once he got the unit working it would be so worth it, he thought.

"But I want you to play too, it's more fun when there are others." Kemala argued.

"Invite other classmates then." Rayek reasoned, his attention more on the powered up screen than on his younger sibling. "I don't do games, Kemala."

Kemala pouted angrily beside him for a moment before her eyes fell on the odd looking lettering displayed on the screen. "What language is that?"

Rayek belatedly attempted to cover the unit with a discarded towel, then sighed in resignation. Rayek glanced to his sister and hesitated a moment before answering. "It's English .. kind of like Federation Standard." He looked at his sister intently. "You can't tell anyone I have this. Not only would I get in trouble but so would Mother and Father. So you have to promise to keep it a secret." 

Kemala regarded her brother skeptically for a moment but he looked serious so she eventually nodded. "Fine. I promise. What is it?" she asked still curious. 

Rayek rolled his eyes at his sister's ignorance. "It's a Terran video game console. It's called an Xbox One," he answered as he pressed the circular X button on the unit's handheld remote and flicked through the start up screens quickly and with ease. He had been introduced to the Xbox unit several months ago by a schoolmate, Latihk, and the two had been engaged in several sessions together until last month when his schoolmate's console had been discovered and confiscated.

Kemala laughed at his reply. "A game console? You just said you don't do games," his sister commented drily.

"This is much more than just a game, Kemala. This is military intelligence and research material." Rayek answered back as he pulled out from his carry bag a circular disc with more of the English words written on it.

"What is that and what's it read?" Kemala demanded to know as she peered at the disc. Rayek scowled, "If I show you - just this once - will you then just leave me be?" 

Kemala nodded and Rayek sighed as he took and held up the disc. "This is a game disc called Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. It's like ..." he paused to find the right analogy as he slipped the disc into its slot, "a military training program. 'Black Ops' refers to covert military or political operations like assassinations and such. Somewhat like the Tal'Shiar."

Kemala regarded Rayek for a long moment silently. Rayek wondered if maybe he should have censored his explanation. He knew of many adults who did not dare mention the name of the Tal'Shiar lest it draw their attention to them. His sister was only just turning 8 - it might be too frightening for her. The screen flared to life with the image of a human soldier attired in various foreign weapons. Kemala glanced to the screen then back to Rayek.

"Sounds boring." Kemala remarked in her usual annoying tone, then turned away, "I'm going to go call, Jaron," she stated and left Rayek to his game. Rayek watched her leave, bemused by her reaction but figured her lack of interest was probably safer for them all. He knew she wouldn't break her promise - not intentionally, but if she had been interested in the game and pursued knowing more she might have eventually let something slip to Mother or Father. This way she'd likely forget all about the game console after a short while - so long as she was kept occupied. For once, Rayek found himself hoping that her friend Jaron would be able to come over - if just to keep her entertained.

END

 

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