Chapter Text
“This is a bad idea,” Ensign Harry Kim said, glancing at the nearby console. “We’re going to get in trouble.”
Lieutenant Tom Paris looked up from another console. “Only if we get caught~” he teased.
“If we get suspended I’m blaming you, Tom," Lieutenant B’Elanna Torres said sarcastically, typing a final command into the computer. “Computer, run program Sandbox-three-Beta.”
The doors of holodeck-one opened and Tom stepped inside.
B’Elanna smiled. “It’s not against Starfleet regulations to have fun, is it? Besides, what are the chances anyone finds out about the program?” she asked, gesturing for Harry to go inside. “Captains first.”
Harry sighed, he shot a concerned look at B’Elanna and went into the holodeck.
B’Elanna entered after Harry, the doors closing right behind her.
When Harry walked in, he immediately saw Tom sitting in the Commander's chair. “You appointed yourself my first officer?” Harry asked, crossing his arms.
“Who else could save our lovely Captain every other day?” Tom asked, moving to have his legs dangle over the right armrest.
B’Elanna grinned. “I gotta admit, Paris, you got the bridge suspiciously perfect,” she said, placing a hand on the flight console.
Tom grinned.
“Let me guess, Torres, you want to be my second officer?” Harry asked, looking over at her.
B’Elanna’s smile widened. “If you’re offering, Captain,” she responded. “And since you’re offering, Captain, I’d like to take on Security.”
Tom looked even more amused. “The great B’Elanna Torres wants to take on Security? This is the woman who once told me she couldn't skin a fish,” he said.
“I said I didn’t want to skin a fish, Paris, there's a difference,” she said, glaring at Tom. “And I told you that in confidence.” she walked over and sat on the armrest of the Captain's seat, watching Harry.
Tom looked up at Harry, a frown taking over his smile. “We can’t start the program until you sit down, Harry,” he said, nudging his head toward the captain’s chair.
Harry nodded hesitantly. He walked over and sat back next to B’Elanna.
B’Elanna stood up and walked over to the security console. “Computer, begin simulation.”
Holograms of crewmembers appeared all around them. Sounds of typing and computer hums filled the silence of the bridge.
“Captain, it seems like a ship is approaching. Should I attempt contact?” The voice came from ops.
Harry turned to look at the person who spoke, then froze.
Standing behind ops was a younger-looking Kathryn Janeway in a gold uniform and an ensign rank.
“Computer, freeze program!” Harry exclaimed.
The holograms all froze in their spots.
Harry nearly stopped breathing. “You programmed in the Captain as an ensign!? If she finds out about- If… If anyone finds out about this, my life is over.”
B’Elanna rolled her eyes. “Again, no one will find out. Don't worry, Harry, I’m sure the Captain would find it amusing,” she said.
Tom smiled. “Computer, resume program,” he said, placing a hand on Harry’s shoulder. “Don’t panic.”
Before Harry could continue hyperventilating, the program resumed.
Kathryn was still waiting for an answer.
“Oh, right… No, don’t establish contact unless they do first,” he said, then turned to the pilot. “Avoid the ship as subtly as you can.”
The pilot turned to look at Harry. “Yes, sir.”
Tom sat up instantly, staring at the pilot. Oh stars… It was Chakotay. Of course it was Chakotay.
Tom turned to look at B’Elanna, who was smiling all too much.
Harry looked at Tom, noting his panic. He placed a hand on Tom’s shoulder and smiled. “Don’t panic, Tom.”
Harry’s combadge went off; thankfully it was a projection from the holodeck. “Yes?” he asked as he tapped his badge.
“Captain, the warp core is becoming… What I can only describe as agitated. My team can keep it under control for now. I just wanted to make you aware,” The person was male… then B’elanna realized whose voice it was.
“Thank you, Lieutenant Tuvok, alert me if anything happens,” Harry said, smiling at B’Elanna.
B’Elanna glared at Harry. “You put Tuvok in charge of my engines?” she asked, frowning. “And he’s incredibly inaccurate.”
“Karma’s a real-” Harry was cut off before he could finish his sentence.
Kathryn had started speaking. “Captain, the other ship has attempted contact.”
Harry frowned. “Establish contact, Ensign.” though his voice wavered right after calling his Captain an ensign.
The view screen flashed and the face of a Cardassian showed up. “You are in our sector," The Cardassian said.
“I didn’t notice. We’ll be leaving now,” Harry said, not quite sure what else to tell him.
The Cardassian smiled and ended the transmission.
The ship, or rather the holodeck, shook violently, making B’Elanna grab onto her console for support. “They're attacking our shields,” she said, typing into her console.
Lieutenant Chakotay glanced at Harry, waiting for a command.
Harry looked around. “Get us out of Cardassian territory, Lieutenant,” was his first command, he looked between B’Elanna and Tom. “Is this what you guys programmed?” he asked Tom and B’Elanna, who both looked slightly concerned.
B’Elanna was about to respond when the ship shook again. “Shields at ninety-four percent!” she exclaimed, looking down at her console.
Tom sat up straight instantly. “Harry, we didn’t program this,” he said, a genuine frown on his face.
“Dammit,” Harry muttered, staring at the viewscreen. “Computer, freeze program!”
Nothing happened. Chakotay and Kathryn looked at him for a second before the ship shook again.
Tom stood up, a hand on the back of the pilot’s chair. “Computer, end program Sandbox-three-Beta!” he yelled out.
Nothing.
B’Elanna reached the archway terminal and attempted a command, but the ship shook again, making her almost lose her balance.
Harry tapped his combadge rather aggressively. “Ensign Kim to the Captain!”
His com chirped. “Ensign?” The Captain asked. Her voice was slightly concerned at the fact Harry had just yelled into the com.
“Captain! Oh stars, am I glad to-” Before he could finish his sentence another violent shake occurred.
Tom yelped, though he’d never admit it.
B’Elanna let out a sharp grunt as she slammed against the bulkhead.
Harry let out a curse.
“Ensign? What’s going on?” Janeway asked, her voice sounded extra concerned.
B’Elanna ran back over to the Security console. “Shields at eighty-nine percent!”
“Captain, funny story-” Harry began, just as another violent shake rolled through the ship.
Tom pushed Lieutenant Chakotay out of the pilot’s station and took control.
“Captain, we’re stuck in Holodeck One; the safety is turned off and we’re being attacked by Cardassians,” Harry finally said.
Chakotay, the real one, looked over at Janeway, again the real one, as she looked increasingly concerned.
“I’m sorry, did he just say Cardassians?” he asked, leaning closer to Janeway.
Before Janeway could explain, they heard a crash from her comm.
B’Elanna groaned, rubbing her shoulder as an Ensign apologized. Her comm went off, still in the holodeck. “What?” she snapped.
“Commander, the warp core has begun to glow.” Lieutenant Tuvok said.
B’Elanna cursed under her breath. “I’m on my way.”
She entered the turbolift. “Tom. You’re to blame if anyone dies,” she said just before the doors closed.