Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade V’alura Belmont (Chief Science Officer) in Side-Sim - Holodeck Horrors!
There was something meditative and soothing about holodeck programing. V’alura sat in one of the holodeck rooms, a portable programing console settled across her lap as she made adjustments to a new recreational program. Her fingers danced across the haptic keyboard, bringing her vision to life one line of code at a time. And what a grand and terrible vision it was. V’alura was passionate about many things, and nothing excited her more than the macabre realm of horror. Inspired by towering gothic castles framed by stormy skies and lit by lightening. Terrible and cruel vampire lords of the castle who preyed upon the fear and blood of the hapless village below. Classic horror. But what if there was something else that lurked the halls? Something even more terrible and horrifying? A mystery shrouded by darkness and ancient magics. Positively thrilling!

V’alura finished her last line of code with a flourish and pushed her console off her lap so she could stand. “I think it’s time to run some tests! Computer, activate program Belmont Horror Five in test mode. Setting: castle greenhouse. The computer acknowledged her request and materialized the foreboding castle greenhouse around her. It was night, of course, and heavy rain pounded against the glass ceiling and walls. Towering, and twisted plants bloomed around her, some with closed buds that seemed to be smiling. Sharp gardening implements of all kinds were scattered about, strewn among a variety of pots and planters. V’alura assessed the area with a smile. Everything looking as it should.

V’alura Belmont, CSO

“Computer, run Rising Tension Level 1.” The computer beeped in acknowledgment . Then, a flash of lightening and a heart-stuttering explosion of thunder. The kind that you felt in your whole body and left you tense. The greenhouse was muggy, the smell of wet dirt and rotting plant matter inescapable. A glass pane shuddered against the wind, nearly masking another sound eerily similar to footsteps. The rows of plants seemed closer than they were before, making the greenhouse more claustrophobic.

V’alura shuddered, her smile betraying her feelings. Perfectly spooky. The secret to good horror was proper build-up. It wasn’t enough to have a monster appear and look scary. Without suspense, the thrill of the unknown, to invoke fear and tension then it all falls flat. She hummed, then said, “Computer, run Rising Tension Level 2.” Another beep. This time the rows between the plants of the greenhouse were closer. Oversized leaves blocked the path. Twisted, trailing vines trailed across the walkway hoping to trip any person in a rush.

A gust of wind and somewhere in the overwhelming presence of plants a pot shattered upon the ground. Footsteps, calm and measured, could just be heard above the whinning rattle of heavy rain upon glass. Tense music, low and solemn played, so subtle that one had to know it was there to be aware of it. V’alura moved deeper into her greenhouse. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was watching her. A thrill ran down her spine. Oh the horror.

V’alura Belmont, CSO