An Overdue Excursion

Posted on Tue Feb 17th, 2026 @ 7:40am by Lieutenant Rynna Csira & Lieutenant Commander T'Par & Lieutenant Junior Grade Tara Marsh

1,837 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: A Day In The Life
Location: Holodeck Two

T'Par arrived at the holodeck, dressed for climbing. She always dressed appropriately for the Holodeck. She didn't like having the device clothe her itself. She looked around for her friends.

Rock climbing today! Tara's face had a beaming smile as she arrived. She was dressed simply in a black sports bra and stretchy athletic shorts. Her feet had black socks. She was not wearing any shoes. As she approached, she held her hand out in the Vulcan salute. "Live long and prosper T'Par! Are you ready to go climbing?"

T'Par arched a brow and raised her hand. "Peace and long life," she said. "Are you prepared?"

"Well, not quite. I need to get rope, harness, chalk, helmet, and some climbing shoes once we get in," Tara answered, lifting her right leg to show only the black socks on her feet.

"I see," T'Par said. "I wondered why you weren't shod."

Rynna arrived, dressed in a stretchy pair of pants, climbing boots, and a snug-fitting t-shirt. Even though it was a holodeck, she didn't want to get scratched up if she could help it. "Hi!" she said cheerfully to the other two.

"Ryn!" Tara exclaimed with a huge smile. She then looked at how Ryn was dress and inquired, "You have hiking boots on? For climbing?"

Ryn looked down at her feet. "Depending on the type of climbing, yes. I can always have the computer change the shoes if it's not that rigorous."

"I like to climb as high as I can and up as sheer of a face as possible. Keep that skill level high," Tara replied, practically drooling at the thought. "What about you two?"

"Sometimes, I like the challenge of the climb, whether its boulders or a difficult rock face. It depends on if I want to use ropes and pitons or free climb. Or if I want to hike to a canyon and climb it," Ryn replied, shrugging. "I guess you could say I like a variety of climbs."

"I am comfortable with whatever you prefer," T'Par said directly.

"Well, Ryn, which mood strikes you today? T'Par does not seem to have a preference," Tara stated.

"Well...we could set it up so that we climb a cliff and then rappel down," Ryn suggested. "It would get us down quickly." And she enjoyed jumping off cliffs on a rope.

"Sounds thrilling!" Tara exuded. "Well, let's program that in and get some of the proper equipment, so we can do this!"

Ryn nodded. "All right. We can try your type of climbing next time." She programmed a steep climb with a cliff face to rappel down and set it so that all the gear and harnesses were ready for them at the top. Then she entered the changes and the door opened.

"This reminds me of some places on Vulcan," T'Par noted as she stepped in.

"Do you like that reminder?" Tara asked as she completed putting on her equipment.

Ryn hadn't been to Vulcan yet, so she was curious about the comparison.

"I suppose," T'Par said impassively. "There is a sense of familiarity."

Tara laughed at that and said, "I'll take that as a yes." She looked at her companions and said, "Let's climb! I can't wait for this workout!"

Rynna nodded. "Okay. It looks like we head up this way." She pointed to the beginning of a trail that went around a boulder and up the side of the hill.

Tara followed easily. "What do you think that we're going to see on this trek?" she asked everyone, making conversation with her hiking mates.

"There's a great view from the top," Ryn replied. "I don't know if we'll see any wildlife or not." Although if they made noise, they were likely to chase off most of them.

"We should be silent," T'Par suggested, "if we wish to see them."

Tara took two fingers, brushed them across her lips in a zipper fashion and then made a throwing motion with said fingers, giving both of her friends a roguish grin.

Ryn simply nodded and began to climb. She'd done this once before, but it had been a couple of months, so she was careful as she skirted around a boulder and used it to help her balance as she began to climb around it.

T'Par joined them, moving swiftly and methodically as she climbed alongside them.

Tara looked around to see if she could climb over the boulder. Finding no footholds, she skirted around it. Her head moved about on a swivel, looking to and fro to find anything interesting. It was then that she saw something with wings head into the rocks above. She tapped Ryn on the shoulders and pointed.

"Nice. We should avoid its nest, if we can." But Ryn wouldn't mind getting a good look at the bird from a different angle if they had the opportunity. She continued to climb, occasionally looking over to the nest. Once they got high enough, she stopped to have a better look.

"We shouldn't disturb the nest," T'Par announced calmly. "The parents will either seek to defend it or flee. Neither outcome is desirable. Were this a real climb, we would wish not to disturb local wildlife."

Tara agreed, but asked, "How is this not a real climb? Admittedly, it is more of a hike at this point.... However, the only thing that I ever disturb are bad guys and guys that I turn down for dates." She laughed softly at that, so as not to disturb the birds. "Then again, I rarely recognize when they're interested. So, whose fault is that?"

"You know, I can see not disturbing wildlife in nature, and on a starship," Rynna commented with a dry laugh. "And this is not a real climb because it's on a holodeck. But it's the best we have. Can you imagine only having a bowling alley, swimming pool, and gym for recreation?" She paused to navigate a sharp turn. "Then again, there was also running. You can do that anywhere. But it makes me appreciate the variety a holodeck gives us."

"Our bodies and our sense believe it is real. We get exercise from it. So, I think that's real enough," Tara answered simply. "And, I would have been fine on one of those old Constitutions with the bowling alley, swimming pool, and gym. I'm in the gym most of the time, as is." She then shrugged meekly and said, "I do prefer the variety of the holodeck, though, admittedly."

Rynna nodded. "There is that. I also like feeling like I'm outdoors." She went around and over another rock outcropping and came to the top of this particular hill. The cliff was only a few meters away, but she wanted to have a look at the nest from here as it gave her a good view while still being far enough away to not disturb the occupant.

"It might be good for our minds too," Tara suggested. "But I would not know for certain. It is above my pay grade. Medical or counseling would know for certain."

Sitting down on a rock, Ryn took a moment to appreciate a soft breeze. "Being outdoors is good for mental health. Endorphins are good. So is physical exercise. But there's also a lot to be said for just running the corridors or doing laps." She paused for a minute. "You know, I think I need to take a day to just go camping on the holodeck."

"That would be so nice. There's nothing like the smell of a campfire." Tara then licked her lips, "Even I will have a roasted marshmallow or s'more with one of those."

"You know, we should set something up. See how many people would be interested in a holodeck party," Ryn said.

"I like that idea!" Tara replied enthusiastically. "We could tell ghost stories, camp out, and have a bonfire...."

"Yes. If we use the right program, we could simply sleep on mats by the fire," Ryn added. "Unless people want to pitch tents."

Tara noticed that the Vulcan had been rather quiet. "What do you think T'Par?"

"The Holodeck suffices for exercise," T'Par admitted, "or for interesting entertainment. For the experience of nature, however, I believe many will value greater authenticity. With living things, even non-sentient ones, awareness that it is not real has more of an impact."

"True. But we don't often have the luxury of visiting a planet to camp or hike." Then Ryn paused. "Have you done any studies on how the differences affect sentient and non-sentient beings?"

"Not personally, but there are likely some available," T'Par noted.

Tara listened to T'Par and Ryn attentively but silently. After all, her job was to learn about her crewmates, their personalities, what they know, and how they thought.

Ryn stood. "Ready to jump off a cliff?"

"I was born ready for this!" Tara exclaimed, her adrenaline rising.

Laughing, Ryn continued the short climb to the top where three harnesses waited for them. The ropes were already secured and ready for them.

Tara started to repel down. "Last one down buys dinner?" Tara asked laughing.

"Ha!" Ryn made sure her ropes and harness were on properly, then jumped backwards off the cliff, holding the rope to keep herself from descending too quickly.

T'Par jumped downwards, holding the rope to check her descent.

Tara yelled "WahhhhHHHHOOOOOOOOO!" as she let the adrenaline rush as she quickly rushed down the cliff towards the ground.

Ryn laughed as she tried to catch up, but Tara had a good head start. It didn't really matter as long as they all had fun.

T'Par had been the last to begin her descent but she was relying on Vulcan muscles and metabolism that had evolved on a truly harsh world. When her feet were on the ground again, she unhooked herself. "That was invigorating," she commented, though her tone remained as restrained as ever.

Tara let out several breaths of excitement when she landed. Her face was flushed from laughter and yelling. "You have a gift for understatement, T'Par!" Tara informed the Vulcan.

Rynna laughed. "Vulcans are good at understatement. But I'm glad you both enjoyed it."

"Well, I probably should get to my normal workout," Tara replied with the barest of pouts on her face. "Then, it is off to guarantee the security of the ship." She pointed two thumbs at herself and thrusted them toward her chest proudly. "This girl ain't going to let anyone get hurt, after all."

"I should get back to operations," Ryn added. "Thanks for the climb. It was fun, and I enjoyed the company," she said to the other two.

"I always enjoy the time with you, Ryn!" Tara said enthusiastically. "And it was so great spending time with you too, T'Par!"

"You as well," T'Par said.

A post by

Lieutenant JG Tara Marsh
Assistant Chief of Security
USS Orcrist

Lieutenant Commander T'Par
Chief Science Officer
USS Orcrist

Lieutenant Rynna Csira
Chief Operations Officer
USS Orcrist

 

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