Building up a Team

Posted on Sat Jan 21st, 2023 @ 8:02pm by Lieutenant Commander R'elle & Lieutenant Commander Rayek trLhoell & Lieutenant Commander Klarth

5,901 words; about a 30 minute read

Mission: Into The Void
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: Short time after Xmas party

[Rayek's quarters]
The invitation to the afterhours 'Team Building Exercise' had been found in Rayek's inbox not long after the Holiday Party in the Lounge. A check of the sender confirmed it had come from the ship's counselor, R'elle. The way the invitation had been worded made it clear that this exercise was not mandatory but rather strictly voluntary despite being highly recommended. Given the option, Rayek nearly chose to ignore. He didn't however, because he'd seen the benefits of such 'trust and team building' exercises among past Security teams that he had trained.

Rayek acknowledged the valid psychology behind the exercise, he just didn't like being the one 'conditioned'. Yes, the Romulan had no illusion that it wasn't the events of the Holiday Party that prompted this team building exercise. With sigh, he saved the intelligence report he'd been working on then closed and bio-locked his PADD, before heading to the Holodeck where the exercise was anticipated to begin.



[Holodeck]
The program was already open and running when Rayek arrived. He was surprised once within, to be greeted at the door not by the counselor herself but by a holo-generated Wadi-character. He knew it was a holo-generation since he knew the ship's roster inside and out by this point and there were no Wadi personnel aboard the Lionheart.

The room was mostly empty but for a single table with a Chula gameboard set upon it. Rayek groaned at the sight. "Not again"


H'orri got the email and she checked what the Elle had set up there. Sbe tried to hide it then I reminded her i could get the info anyway she relented then begged me to not to chrat. She almost considered rigging every game she played in but the point of this exercise was team-building not winning . "This will suck but we need to build the time."

Klarth came into the holodeck he knew that this was because of the holiday party, but that didn't matter he found that he enjoyed using the holodeck no matter what the circumstance and if he could do it on Starfleet's time all the better. It sure beat the paperwork he would have normally been doing. "Hello Rayek. So what does R'elle have planned for us today? Is it dueling with battle axes in a dark room?"

Rayek looked over towards the Klingon doctor with a look of dread. "That, quite honestly, would be preferable."

The doors opened to admit Councilor R'elle wearing her uniform and her usual smile "Hello Everybody! Just you three eh? I was hoping for more. OH well. At least I got you three. Thank you for coming. After the party, well I thought we could use some team building to get to know each other better and hopefully understand each other better. We will be using the board game Chula of the Wadi. The game will guide us through a series of levels. Each level will be a game that is designed to help us get to know each other better. So any questions before we begin?"

Since H'orri was off duty she is wearing her uniform pants and shoes but is also wearing a Deep Space Niner's Jersey and cap. "I never quite understood this game. Baseball is usually my goto team building exercise.

"Baseball is nice but I'm not Capt. Sisco. That's not really my game. Besides you don't learn about one another in baseball. Here you will!" R'elle replied to H'orri

Klarth asks "Is this a game where we play against each other or work as a team?"

"Definitely work as a team. The whole idea is to get to one another and learn to work as a team. Some games will be question and answer, some will be other kinds of activities." R'elle said.

Rayek answered the Klingon's question, explaining. "I've seen it played as a team only. Usually the team comprises of 5 players. One primary player outside the game-board directing the route and difficulty of the game... and the others 'in the game-board' playing out the challenges. The team wins if at least one members makes it 'Home'."

"Indeed Rayek. So I will be the controller while the three of you play the game. We don't have five obviously but the game is more of a framework. The activities inside are the important thing . It is my hope that you all come out with a better understanding and respect for each other. Anything else?"


"Okay first, Baseball is a team sport. You have to be a team to play it. But, sure. If you say so. " H'orri reluctantly agrees to join the game she has always considered team torture.
"Let's start the torture."

That this was going to be torture was assured - at least to the Romulan's mindset.

"Oh no you don't" says Klarth. Klarth went over to the panel and pushed a few buttons.

Another Wadi-character appeared and the first one said "A computerized controller has been installed. R'elle, please join your friends for the journey."

At the Klingon's actions Rayek gave a burst of laughter. "Well played Dr. Klarth." He looked to R'elle. "Yes, join us, Counselor!"

"Very well. It could be fun! Just keep in mind I designed all this and unlike all of you, I don't believe it is torture!" R'elle said as she joined the others.

"I never said it was torture R'elle, this is going to be fun, right?" said Klarth "So I'm so glad you're not going to miss it." Klarth when over to the table. Whatever this game and this team building was whether it would be torture or actually enjoyable, he just wanted to get it started.


Once all the participants were gathered around the game board the Holographic Wadi player started the game.

The blank room with the game-board was replaced by a forest campsite after dark with a cozy campfire already blazing. Roasting sticks as well as hotdogs and marshmallows were available on a nearby folding table. Surrounding the campfire were several folding camp chairs - enough for each team member. One each chair was a slip of paper that gave instructions. Rayek upon selecting a seat, read his slip of paper outloud.

"How to Play Two Truths and a Lie.

The main instructions of the game are that each member of the group introduces themselves by stating two truths and one lie about themselves. The statements don't have to be intimate, life-revealing things—just simple hobbies, interests, or past experiences that make each person unique. The lie can be outrageous and wacky, or it can sound like a truth to make it harder for the other participants.

One at a time, each person shares their statements. The group has to guess which statements are true and which statement is the lie."

The Romulan looked to the Counselor with a look that clearly was pained. He didn't know if it would be best to go first just to get it over with, or to put it off for as long as possible. Sharing didn't come easy to the slightly paranoid Romulan.


H'orri laughs.. "I can start. First fact: I am related to M'ress. The second communications officer of The USS Enterprize NCC 1701
Second I was born on Earth
And Third, I was almost thrown out of Starfleet based on my Doctoral Thesis. Which one is false?"

"Ohh, very brave H'orri! I'm proud of you for going first. Hmm very tough but I will say the false one is that you are related to M'ress." R'elle said.


H'orri smiles. "Correct although my Mom and her were good friends when they were in the academy. And I grew up calling her Aunt. Even though my Grandmother was also named after her. I am not actually related ro her. And I was born in earth because my mother's shuttle to her ship in orbit was delayed."


Rayek recalled H'orri mentioning growing up on Earth so it seemed plausible that she'd also been born there. He also recalled her mentioning how disruptive her doctoral thesis was, so he too thought that her relation to someone from the famous Federation vessel was the lie... however, H'orri acknowledged Counselor R'elle's reply before he could state his own thoughts on the subject. It seemed he'd need to be quicker at responding.

"I'll go next." The Romulan offered as he sat down. He pondered a moment what statements of himself he might be willing to share. "First, I enjoy cooking as a hobby. Second, as a trained telepath, I was treated as royalty by my people. Third, I am married to a Ba'ku Starfleet Captain."

"OH I gotta go with the second Rayek. Granted I don't know much about Romulan culture but I suspect telepaths are not treated like royalty." R'elle said.

"I agree that number 2 is the lie, though if he really does enjoy cooking than when is he cooking us something?" said Klarth was a laugh.

"Agreed Klarth. When is the Romulan cooking something." H'orri says. "R'elle your turn I think."

Though Rayek had purposely made his lie an easy one, he was a bit perplexed at their lack of reaction. Granted Klarth already knew about his telepathy, the others should not have unless the Captain or Klarth had spoken of it behind his back. Perhaps Counselor R’elle and H’orri assumed the entirety of the statement was a lie…. Or that Romulans being distantly related to Vulcans also automatically have the ability.

Still more annoying was being referred to as ‘The Romulan’. He’d disliked it when S’Lace had done so when even he didn’t know his own name. To be referred to it now was quite insulting.

“Perhaps when you learn the proper of use my name, Caitian.” His tone was pointed and unfriendly, despite the whole purpose of this exercise being to find common ground.

"Hey, hey, hey! That will be enough of that! Now c'mon. Let's all be nice to one another, ok? We are supposed to be focusing on the positive. Let's all take a deep breath before we continue here. Let's also remember we are not defined by our species. We are people and not just a species. We have names, ok people?" R'elle said her tail flicking back and forth. She was not happy the way things were going all of a sudden. This was threatening to turn decidedly unfriendly all of a sudden.


H'orri laughs. "Sorry, I guess you don't understand good natured ribbing Rayek." H'orri frowns at R'elle's admonishing of her.

"Ok Rayek! No offense was meant. Now I think you were a little too sensitive to H'orri. You should apologize to her. I would like us all to be friends, if possible. None of us are perfect! Why don't we just relax and try to have fun!" Of course Rayek seemed to be the worst of the lot. Klarth and H'orri were doing ok but Rayek seemed to be plain old grumpy!


That the Counselor got involved trying to smooth things over was expected and for moment Rayek thought she understood his ire, pointing out that they all had names; but then rather than requesting that H'orri make amends for her initial insult, it was suggested of him! "What?! She offends me first - intended or not - and I have to apologize? I don't think so." Rayek stated bluntly.

Rayek didn't believe for a second that the insult wasn't intended... 'ribbing' implied one expected to get a rise out of the other. The Caitian scientist just hadn't known that Rayek was not the sort to take any offense lightly.

"Fine. Rayek. I am sorry I named you by species. Now can we move on."

The anti-social Romulan knew full well the Caitian had offered the apology insincerely, but his point was made and met so he inclined his head in acceptance. "Apology accepted. I offer my own apology in return for mimicking your behavior." His own apology was a little backhanded but the woman deserved no better in his opinion.

He turned then to the Counselor. "Your assessment of my statements was correct. The Romulan Empire I served in was not accepting of those with telepathic abilities, which is why the Reman were kept as a slave species." He didn't elaborate on his own treatment - but it certainly was NOT royal.

Klarth had stayed uncharacteristically silent through the whole back and forth between Rayek and H'orri. He was tempted a few times to come to Rayek's defense as he could not fathom why H'orri thought offending him would be funny. But he knew that would just cause more arguments and he was sure R'elle had planned this to try and smooth things over, so he was content to let her try to do just that.

"Ok, good to know. So my turn. 1 I had a crush on my best friend's mother as a teenager. 2. I graduated top of my class at the Academy, 3. I am related to M'ress." Let's see them figure this one out. She thought to herself.


"I will bow out of this one cause I already know the lie." H"orri smiles.

"Ok Smarty tail. If you say so!"

Rayek glanced over towards H'orri at her boastful statement. He too believed he knew the lie but unlike the Caitian he recognized that speaking such was a part of the game.

"Your crush is your lie." Rayek stated. He felt slightly awkward saying such, knowing that personal feelings and confessions of affection were not something one typically declared to be a lie - but this was the game, and to his knowledge that was the lie stated. He had studied the personnel files of the senior crew (and was making his way down through the ranks of all the personnel aboard the Lionheart), all as part of his duties as the ship's Intelligence officer. He had reviewed the files looking for weaknesses that others might exploit.

Rayek looked to Klarth to see what the Klingon doctor might say.

"Sorry R'elle, I am not familiar with your ancestry or your childhood infatuations," started Klarth, "but I do remember studying your service record when you came on board and I remember you did indeed did graduate top of your class.... But if I had to guess, I would agree with Rayek, because H'orri's lie was about M'ress so it would be too obvious for you to lie about her too. "

"Nice try guys but no. I am indeed related to M'ress. I am her grand daughter. And I did have a crush on my best friends Mom. She was very beautiful and I was just, well i was a teenager. Still learning about my sexuality. So no, I wasn't at the top of my class. Near the top yes. I was 7th. I was distracted by helping other students. Still, I really don't regret it. For me, helping my fellow students was worth it!" R'elle said. "Nice try guys. So Klarth, it is your turn now!" She said smiling. She was curious to know more about Klarth. After all, they were friends and both medical professionals.

Success was in the details, Rayek knew this... yet still he'd failed to recall accurately that her file had noted her grade as 'one of the top students' - not 'the top student'. He was rather disappointed in how well he was doing in this game.

Klarth said, "Here are the two truths and a lie, I was on the Lionheart when we fought a green wicked witch, when we visited the famous Talos IV, and when we all lost our memories."

"Wow! OK Klarth, those are hard choices but have to go with Talos IV! Otherwise you should all have been executed, which I am glad you weren't. Still, if that one is the truth, you have tot ell em the story about it! I am very curious if true, how you visited Talos IV and got away with it!" R'elle said , her tail twitching back and forth. This was a tantalizing one. "I will say that with this ship, somehow, fighting green skinned witches seems rather plausible!"

The Romulan's eyebrow rose when he heard the doctor suggest he visited Talos IV. While General Order 7 was still referenced, Rayek having read up on the planet both during his time in the Tal'Shiar, and then later as a Commander of Katra Station, knew there were several notable infractions of the order, especially where the [i]Enterprise[/i] was involved. He didn't recall Lionheart being an exception but it was possible that the mission was deemed classified above his security clearance.

Nothing in Klarth's personnel file helped at all in determining which statement was the lie, so Rayek went with his 'gut-instinct' - Talos IV was far to obvious an answer. Green witch could be something as simple as an Orion or a reference to a holodeck program of the Wizard of Oz.

Rayek looked to Klarth. "I believe your lie is regarding the lost memories."

Klarth just smiled at Rayek and R'elle. He was trying his best not to give anything away. He turned to H'orri, smiled and said "Which do you think is the lie? If you say the witch is the lie than one of you is guaranteed to be right." Then he said under his breath "and two are guaranteed to be wrong."

"Considering most Klingon's think of Orion Women as green skinned witches, that seems like although fighting one while serving aboard the Lionheart seems less likely so the lie is you were serving on the Lionheart at that time." H'orri says.

So as the doctor had suggested each had picked different answer. Rayek looked to the Klingon, a bit impatient to know the answer.

"R'elle had it right," said Klarth. "The mission to Talos IV really did happen, but during my break from serving on the Lionheart. The memory loss happened during a mission where we used the dimensional drive. Another Captain was in charge of the Lionheart at the start of the mission but when we all lost our memories the crew trusted Hadenbeer over him. And the green witch was indeed an Orion woman. She was a crafty villain and one I will never forget."

"I'll bet! I've heard of some of them! Very devious and very crafty! So the ship actually visited Talos IV? Love t know how they got away with it?" R'elle said. So ok. we've all had a turn so guess it's on to the next level." R'elle said

Rayek also would be interested in that story. He'd make a point of searching through the mission logs. As he considered doing that, the holographic image of their Wadi host appeared and offer a slight bow before pointing towards a triangular doorway that just suddenly appeared at the edge of the campsite. "Shap Two complete. Move along. Move along home" the Wadi urged.

Having been through the game once before on Katra Station, with Tess and Counselor Beja, Rayek knew the futility of not doing as suggested. He reached for one of the marshmallows from the open bag and popped it into his mouth. Hopefully the sugar high would make this tolerable.

He opened the door and walked through. On the other side, the forest was gone and was replaced by what Rayek interpreted to be an physical obstacle course. He'd done many of these during his Enlisted 'Boot Camp' at the Star Fleet Technical Services Academy on Mars.

The first part seemed to be a course of walls and pits that would need to be navigated, and ground crawl area. Then, much to his dismay, a wall climb of at least 3 stories. Beyond the wall he couldn't see, so there might be additional challenges beyond that.... only time would tell.

After that bit of brain work this obstacle course looked like fun, thought Klarth. "What are the rules?" He asked.

"The object is to work together to get through the obstacles! Whaddya say guys? you two up for it?" R'elle said with a smile. Of course she was usually smiling.

"Definitely!" said Klarth. "This is a challenge I can really bite into." he said with a smile.

The Romulan dipped his head slightly. No smile graced his features. He remembered all too well the last time he'd been in a Chula game. To save Tess, his beloved, from the glowing orb which would remove her from the game, Rayek had shoved the Klingon counselor Beja into the orb's path. Selfishly, keeping Tess in the game by sacrificing another. He'd been shunned by the crew for weeks after that. Rayek needed to not repeat such actions here.

"Ok so where do we start?" R'elle asked.

At the Counselor's question, their holographic Wadi host appeared with a single blindfold. "Who will run the course guided only by the words of their companions?"

"Well, lead by example I say. I'll volunteer!" R'elle said.

Rayek was grateful someone else had volunteered, since trusting exercises had always been difficult for him.

Suddenly Elle appeared in the game and said "Sorry to interrupt your game, but Horri is needed in the science lab."

Horri got an excited look on her face and immediately called for the exit and said as she was leaving, "I'm so sorry R'elle, See you all later," but the fact that she had left like she was shot out of a canon suggested she was not sorry at all but rather relieved.

Elle looked around a frowned. "So this is what you're doing in here. I was going to be insulted I wasn't invited, but now that I actually see the game, I forgive you." And then she disappeared as quickly as she had come.

Rayek chuckled a bit at the AI's comments. "Next time, we will be sure to include you" he commented even after she disappeared since he suspected Elle would watch and make taunts afterwards - that just seemed to be her personality.

Klarth looked at Rayek and R'elle and said "Well, and then there were three... Okay we shall be your eyes. You know there is a legend of a great blind Klingon warrior, his name was Zatoichi."

"Oh really Klarth? I bet you know all about him, don't you!" R'elle could see where this was going but still it wouldn't hurt to humor him and let him tell his story.

"Oh yes, it is a very famous story," said Klarth. "Zatoichi went blind at a young age. His father was a criminal and despite Zatoichi's handicap his father taught him how to fight with a Bat'leth. By the time he was a man, his skill was so great that his father used him as an enforcer and an assassin. He killed many people, but then Zatoichi realized that there was no honor in being a criminal, he left his father and began to wander from city to city on Qo'noS as a beggar secretly protecting the innocent and the weak from injustices inflicted on them from criminals like his father.

While Klarth told his story, the holographic Wadi host, went over to R'elle and tied the blindfold about her eyes so that she could not see, walked her to the start of the obstacle course then spun her three times to disorient her. "Move along home." He stated before disappearing.

Rayek regarded the course for a moment. At a glance, he noted that the first pit fall was 10 paces away (his stride length) but R'elle he suspected had a smaller stride than he, especially if she walked hesitantly because of the blindfold. "R'elle, take 5 paces forward. I want to get a sense of your stride."

R'elle nodded. She slowly took 5 steps forward. She had all her other senses open to help guide her. She wasn't keen to trip and fall although she was more agile than the others.

The Romulan noted that while blindfolded the Caitian tended to veer slightly to the left as she walked and that her pacing was about 10 cm short of his own. That could be due to the hesitation of wearing a blindfold, but for now it gave him a baseline stride length for her. Rayek figured it was best to turn her towards her weakside.

"Excellent." Now take another 5 steps forward again then turn to face your left and take another 3 steps - that is what the Romulan intended to say however as he attempted to speak these new directions no sound came out of his mouth.

The Wadi host spoke then. "It is your partner's turn to give directions. You will alternate in guiding the player's route." The Wadi turned to the Klingon expectantly.

Rayek's expression scowled and he attempted to gesture to Klarth his plan. He raised his hand and splayed out all 5 fingers. Then raised his arm to form a right angle perpendicular to the floor with his fist raised up to indicate a stop. The Romulan was using standard Starfleet Security hand and arm gestures which he hoped the Klingon knew. He then gestured sharply to his left, before raising his hand with 3 fingers raised.

Klarth saw the hand gestures and thought he knew what they meant. "Take five fingers forward, turn left and take three more fingers...Wait steps! Take five steps forward and turn left and take 3 steps forward. "

"R'elle laughed. "OK steps I understand. Fingers I wouldn't know how to move." she went ahead and moved as instructed. Slowly and cautiously, This was interesting and good practice.

R'elle's cautious steps forward and then left moved her first towards the pit until she was but little more than a pace away, then the turn to the left moved her along front of it until she past its left side. An unobstructed route towards the climbing was possible if the Caitian could keep to a narrow path. Alternate routes were wider but more cumbersome with twists and turns. He looked to the Klingon uncertain if they were permitted to speak to one another. Not willing to risk wasting his opportunity to provide direct to R'elle, Rayek did a hand gesture that he hoped the Klingon could understand - a sharp pointing forward in the direction he wanted them to direct R'elle.

"There's not a lot of wiggle room on the direct path I am guiding you on so make you moves precise as you RIGHT FACE and take 10 steps forward." Rayek hoped the counselor remembered the marching drills from her Academy days. If she moved as expected it would move her along the leftside the pit she'd avoided. If not, if she veered even a bit it would be up to Klarth to call to her to stop and readjust her position.

R'elle could sense the tension in Rayek's voice. Fortunately, Caitians were very agile. She turned right as instructed and took 10 steps forward. She could sense the pit beside her. Through all her senses she had figured out the pit was very close. She smiled as a thought occurred to her. "You know Rayek, if you continue to scowl, one of these days your face is going to stick like that!" She couldn't resist having a little fun with Rayek. She couldn't see him, but she knew Rayek was most likely scowling. He rarely smiled which was something she was working on.

The counselor's teasing remark didn't prompt a smile from the Romulan but rather a long-suffering eyeroll which fortunately she couldn't see. The words however reminded him of a similar comment that Saqa7, his first infatuation, had said to him shortly after they had met on the medical ship, the USS Pasteur. The two doctors were very much alike, despite one being Human and the other Caitian. Like the counselor, Saqa7 had commented that he scowled too much. (Saqa7 also had a preference for other women. Much to his dismay when he found out.)

Surprisingly, Tess never commented to him about his stern or scowling expression. Tess had just always accepted him as he was - and not long after realizing that, Rayek found that he didn't need prompting to smile when in her presence. He suspected the counselor would be amazed at the difference in him had his wife been present.

After the 10 steps, Rayek noted that R'elle was still centered on the path - seemingly able to sense when she was getting too near to either side. The path narrowed even more to balance beam width as it crossed over what seemed to be a slime pit. The Wadi were definitely jokesters. He glanced about. Usually by this level in the game the glowing orbs would appear and attempt to 'take-out' players. Had R'elle removed them or were they still a challenge to overcoming further ahead?

"It looks like it's another 10 steps forward" said Klarth "but it gets very narrow like the width of only one foot, so you'll have to do one foot in front of the other. Did you ever do gymnastics?"

"I'll have you know gymnastics is one of my hobbies." R'elle said. Of course being a caitian she was better at agility and abalance than the average person. That plus she practiced a lot. "I can do this!" Slowly she walked. She could sense with her feet how narrow it was. Very slowly , gripping the ground as she went, using her tail for balance. It took a while but she got the 10 paces done.

That R'elle did gymnastics as a hobby was something that Rayek hadn't known. It wasn't in any of her personnel records. Interesting.

Klarth was surprised too as he didn't know that R'elle did gymnastics. She was always full of surprises. He had just been half-joking. But it made sense as Caitians are known for their agility.

As the Caitian made her way across the narrow bridge, Rayek kept alert for 'dangers', even as he planned the route towards the next obstacle - which appeared to be a band of phaser or even laser beams that needed to be traversed either by stepping over or crawling under. For someone as broad-chested as Klarth or even himself, the route would have been best above, but R'elle was Caitian and rather slender and agile. She should easily be able to crawl beneath. It was just her tail that might cause some issue.

Once R'elle was across, Rayek took a moment to gesture to Klarth. He laid both hands flat then slid one underneath the other, before giving the Klingon an 'OK" hand signal along with a questioning expression.

Klarth nodded his head, she would have to do a dirt crawl.

Once he had his answer, Rayek directed R'elle towards the beams of green light. The green color was rather reminiscent of a Romulan disruptor beam, and Rayek hoped that was just for intimidation affect, by the program's designer.

"I need you to Right Face before taking 5 steps, and then Left Face as you drop to your stomach - keeping tail curled about your leg as you are going to belly-crawl under the next obstacle."

Klarth watched closely as R'elle started the crawl.

"Keep going and stay as low as you can we'll tell you when you're through this section," said Klarth. "I don't want to alarm you but there are laser beams above you"

"Laser beams? Oh K'tal's claws! Umm I should mention that Caitian tails are not prehensile." Still she would have to figure out something. She could tuck it into her uniform. It was uncomfortable but she could do it. It wasn't an easy task but she managed to get her tail in the uniform. It was very uncomfortable but it was necessary. "Ok I'm ready!" she got down on her belly and started to crawl. This was scary for her. Laser beams overhead. She focused on her breathing. She could do this. She was the grand daughter of M'ress. her family faced their fears. She could hear her grandmother telling her that she could do it. Her grandmother was always one of her biggest supporters. Slowly she crawled under the lasers.

Klarth thought that R'elle actually looked overwhelmed. He had been a little bit miffed at her for dragging them here for this, but the fact that she was willing to push herself out of her comfort zone too, made him feel better about asking him to do the same. They were truly comrades in arms. He tried to shout some encouragement to her but no words came out. He looked to Rayek to encourage her to keep going.

Rayek noted the Klingon's attempts at encouragement and even caught Klarth's glance towards him expectantly. While Rayek had been prepared to save his opportunity to speak for something vital, such as a warning; the fact that R'elle actually seemed to be struggling and pushing herself, had Rayek rethinking his priorities.

"You're doing great, R'elle! You are halfway there. Only 6 more meters to go!"

He glanced about the area once and wished then that he kept his words for a warning. For at the far end of the course hovering by the climbing wall, he noted a ball of light. Fvadt!

Rayek urgently tapped on Klarth's shoulder and pointed towards the orb of light. The Romulan had no way of knowing whether or not Klarth was familiar with the Wadi game of Chula or what the orb of light might mean, so he gave the hand sign for 'Enemy' - basically an upside gun created with his thumb and forefinger at 90 degree angle to one another while his other three fingers were curled to his palm - and then pointed again to the orb.

R'elle continued to crawl under the lasers. She was panting hard. This was scary for her. The thought of lasers up above was very scary to her. She kept crawling until someone told her to stop as she was still blindfolded.

"R'elle I don't want to alarm you," said Klarth, "but there is a ball of light back at the start of the course that Rayek is very concerned about. I'm afraid you have to pick up the pace."

Wonderful, she thought! If the lasers weren't enough, now she had whatever it was coming after her. She did her best to quicken her pace, as uncomfortable as it was with her tail tucked in like it was.

Even as R'elle hurried, the ball of light zipped down along the climbing wall and along a path towards them. Rayek could see that, it would intercept R'elle just as she would clear the obstacle. Would having her stay under the lasers prevent it from 'tagging her out'? Rayek doubted that. He felt so useless just watching! Surely there had to be a solution! Maybe if got her to dodge that first 'tag' then it would leave? It seemed to be their only choice.

Rayek watched it's approach intently. Focusing closely to get the timing right. He moved as close to the starting point as he dared to get the best view possible. Steady... steady... three meters... two meters... one meter.

"Roll left!" he called out as the ball made its' path straight for the Caitian.

Unfortunately with his attention fixed intensely on what was happening on the course, Rayek didn't notice how he'd leaned in more, over the starting course line.

(to be continued)

 

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