[? – Holodeck 2]

After waiting about ten minutes for Commander Cruz to return and resume the game, the crew in Holodeck 2 tried to call her only to discover that the computer no longer responded to their communications. Not arch could be summoned, no game play could be paused, and there was no communication with the outside world. They had no way to get out, and as far as they knew the rest of the crew had no way to get into the game. It was not even something that they could science their way out of, since no panels could be found that they could alter. Everything was as if they were in a twentieth century casino.

”It would seem only logical that we play along with the intended narrative,” Lieutenant Pr’Nor said.

Not everyone bought that, particularly her Assistant Chief Thomas Winfield, but given that none of them had a better idea. That is what they did, which is how they ended up playing poker, a game that apparently Doctor Va’Tok was exceptionally good at cheating at.

”I am counting the cards, please do not distract me,” he said to Lieutenant Junior Grade William Hume as the man watched the dealer shuffle. 

“I don’t think you’re supposed to say that,” Hume pointed out.

”The simulation seems to ignore asides between us, but yes, you are correct. I would think that deception of a sort was appropriate here,” Va’Tok said. Like many Vulcans he did not encourage or approve of deceit but then this was a simulation.

”May I make a personal inquiery?” Va’Tok asked since it was just the two of them and the computer players at the table. The rest of the team had gone off to exchange a reel-to-reel tape with someone from Russia.

”I guess, yeah,” Hume said, unsure of what this was about.

”Do you and Lieutenant Kolem find your relationship to be both emotionally and physically satisfying?” he asked.

”Umm, that’s quite a question, but yeah we’re happy,” Hume said, not quite sure what the Vulcan was getting at. 

“Curious, while you are physically equal to Lieutenant Kolem you would seem to be her emotional inferior, and yet she seems to like you,” he said.

”Says the Vulcan,” Hume shot back annoyed.

”Case in point. I am not suggesting myself as a more suitable options, just pointing out that she has qualities that you do not. Yet she still seems to like you,” the Doctor said.

”You‘re fun,” Hume muttered.

”I am making an observation, and comparing your situation to mine. Logically I should romantically purse Pr’Nor, as she is also Vulcan, but she is with Lieutenant Commander Tashai and that is a vexing relationship. But then Tashai is vexing. Never the less, it leaves me unsure of how to conduct a romantic or social life.”

”Don’t Vulcans usually, you know, go back to Vulcan and have arranged marriages,” Hume asked.

”I had one set up, but we are both Starfleet Doctors, and it was too logistically difficult. We ended it via sub-space and mutual consent,” Doctor Va’Tok said.

”How about  T’Rala?” Hume asked.

”She is my direct report, such a relationship would be problematic. Also we do not get along, in that way,” was the diplomatic answer the Vulcan provided as he played three sixes and won the hand. Gathering up the chips into his growing pile.

A man with a thick Austrian accent stood up from the table, “I think you’re cheating.”

”I am only counting cards,” Va’Tok said.

”Cheat,“ another Austrian player said as he too stood up. Hume looked around nervously noticing that the other players were not standing and encircling them.

”Umm, Va’Tok, we should go,” he said.

”No, I believe this is the part of the story where we fight,” Va’Tok replied hitting one of the men with a left hook. 

Hume swore and tackled one of the men, wrapping his arms around his midsection and diving to the ground. Soon the fight was growing larger, and encompassing more tables in the casino. It was not historically accurate.