Nivor entered the holodeck, the empty black and orange grid yawning before him. The amount of space dedicated to a room primarily devoted to entertainment still surprised him after years of experience with Federation vessels. He waited for the doors to close behind him before he turned to the command panel in the arch.

“Computer,” he began, waiting for the attendant beep in response. “Activate Rhansi program Barzan Alpha, phase 1.” The holodeck space filled with a grassy field, an artificial walking path cutting through it, with trees scattered about. Insectile creatures flittered among wildflowers. He stepped out of the archway, looking into the sky and slowly spinning about. In the distance, beyond some trees, he could see the tops of some buildings, but he knew these were unreachable via the program.

“Place field,” he requested, and a force field snapped into place between the arch and the holodeck proper. “Phase 2.”

The colors shifted slightly as the intermix of gases in the room changed. He sensed the difference in the way the air coming through his breathers tasted and smiled. He slowly reached up and removed each breather one at a time before taking a lungful of air. He laughed out loud, a sharp barking cry.

“Gas intermix change complete,” the computer intoned. “Priority door lock engaged. Rhansi Barzan Alpha safety protocols engaged.”

The doors now would not automatically open for anyone attempting to enter without a priority override code or his authorization. Even once given, they would only have access to the standard air mixture in the archway, protected from the Barzan standard atmosphere by the force field.

Now he held back a sob and sank onto a bench beside the walkway, staring at a world he hadn’t visited in decades, and likely would never see again.

XO Rhansi