That's not what the holodeck is for [OTA]

[decideformyself]

Finally, the program Philip had spent the past three weeks on was complete. Time to take it out for a test drive.

"Computer, load program Philip-2," he ordered, and the black-and-yellow of the holodeck was replaced by a blank white space. Bookshelves quickly zipped in to fill that space, extending for what seems like an infinite distance in every direction -- including up and down.

There was some lag compared to the Gaia Library. He'd have to tweak the velocity parameters later.

"Beginning the lookup," he said to nobody in particular. "First keyword: U.S.S. Enterprise." The word appeared hovering in front of his face in green text as the bookshelves began to rearrange themselves. Some of them zipped right out of the simulation entirely. Several shelves remained, though; the selection wasn't pared down by that keyword as much as it could have been.

Philip tapped his chin. "Additional keywords: NCC-1701-D. Jean-Luc Picard." With each additional keyword, the number of shelves present reduced itself. Finally there was only one shelf remaining, and then it too was gone, leaving behind only a handful of books.

Philip reached for one of the books. With a glowing light, the word Vehicle appeared on its front and spine. Maybe he should tweak that, too; it was too broad of a category for a time period with functional starships.

But those minor details could wait. Right now, all that mattered was that his program was successful. He'd put together a far more intuitive browser for the Enterprise's databanks. Now he could read to his heart's content.

...until somebody else wanted the holodeck, that is.


[ This has been cleared with Gabby, but basically Philip has programmed a way to browse the Enterprise's database from the holodeck in a manner that resembles the library in his brain. Visual reference! Only information accessible from the ship's computers is available. Restricted information appears in the form of locked books that can't be opened without the requisite authorization codes.

If you want to come boggle at this needlessly convoluted browsing method, feel free. ]

Comments

[tanteiotaku]

He wished he could say he was surprised by what he found when he saw what Philip had made. He let out an impressed whistle. "Not bad, partner." He smirked over at him as he walked across the space toward him. The only time they'd been in the real version of this had a lot more fire around. This was much better.

And he'd decided that the best way to handle those blind dates was to pretend they hadn't happened.

[decideformyself]

Philip glanced up from his book. "Oh, hello, Shotaro. If you'd like to look something up you'll need to wait for me to finish with this."

[tanteiotaku]

"No, nothing for now. I just had a feeling you were up to something. Guess I was right." He gestured at the space around them.

Ah, but Philip had looked like he had a lot of fun with that girl. And he'd showed her Fuuto Tower. Was he making a big deal out of nothing? If Philip was happy, he should be happy for him. He didn't have any business being in love with the partner he was supposed to take care of anyway.

[decideformyself]

The dates had happened a while back, and while Yuna had been nice enough Philip didn't think of her as anything more than an acquaintance or a potential friend. That was the last thing on his mind.

"Are you interested in the build specifications of the Enterprise?" he asked. From the way he looked down at his book and opened his mouth, though, it was clear he was going to start babbling either way.

[tanteiotaku]

He waved a hand. "Unless there's a 'Punch Q Here' sign somewhere, not interested."

But this was just the kind of thing he found kind of endearing at the same time. Evenn if it was pointless stuff he never would need in his life.

[multispacialklingon]

B'Elanna was out wandering aboard the ship. She really wanted to learn everything she could about the ship and the people that she now called home.

She didn't know what she was doing on the Holodeck, but as the door slid open and she stepped in, she couldn't help but look around confused.

"Wouldn't using a computer be easier?"

[decideformyself]

"Hm?" Philip glanced up from the book he'd grabbed. "No, not particularly." Nevermind the several weeks this simulation had taken to program.

[whereishe]

Yuna didn't knock when she walked in to the holodeck but she supposes that she should really start doing that. She had met Philip on their blind date and over all it had been fun. She had found a new friend and he was interesting to talk too.

She paused when she saw the rows and rows of books her lips curling into an excited smile. "This is really cool."

Yuna didn't much care for the way the computer system worked but she adored books. She almost jumped in excitement catching Philips gaze with her own. "Hey. Sorry if I'm interrupting."

[decideformyself]

Philip set a book down in midair and grabbed another. "Ah, it's no problem, Yuna. I've actually read this information before. I'm merely testing the capabilities of my program right now."

[whereishe]

Yuna looked around with a smile. "Did you program this? It's wonderful." She's seen amazing sights in the past but nothing exactly like this. She walked up to one of the books taking it into her palm with a smile.

Her index finger runs down the spine of the book before opening it and taking a look at the flimsy pages. She didn't know what it was about, or really cared at the moment. Just holding a book felt amazing.

She should really use the holodeck more.

[decideformyself]

He nodded. "I found the computer database lacking. This is a much more efficient way to browse the ship's information." Efficient for him, maybe.

[whereishe]

"I like it better this way as well." Yuna smiled placing the book back in the air. "Can you teach me how to use it?"

It might be simple but she'd rather have him explain it.

[ikissdhimbck]

There comes a soft gasp from the doorway.

Kate, in her usual western getup (guns on her hips and all), poked her head in just in time to see the rush of bookshelves dwindle from many, to few, and then none at all. She's standing there like a bump on a log, blinking at Philip and the book in his hand.

"Beggin' your pardon, I didn't mean t' intrude. Golly, I've never seen books move that fast."

[decideformyself]

The ship really needs more holodecks. He keeps running into people in here.

"They could stand to move faster," he admits. "There's a bit of lag between the keyword input and the start of the search."

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate's just gotta get her head around how they work, and pay attention to when the computer panel says there's a simulation in progress. At least she's got the decency to look bashful when she intrudes.

"Wouldn't they go flyin' off the shelves, if that were the case?"

Her blue eyes scan the room, over-large and blinking.

And then she smiles.

"Apologies, I've got a special fondness for libraries."

Sorry it took so long for me to tag this. Brain has been dying on how to make this happen :/

[agathaheterodyne]

Agatha was wandering. The lounge was a little too busy for her tastes today, and she had just slept off her latest jaunt into the madness place, so she needed to move. She was aware that if she started building again too soon.... she might break ship rules... or the ship... and she had been so good so far....

So she was wondering what there was to do when she wasn't creating abominations... And that was when she found doors opening as she passed, to a room she had never seen.

She poked her head in and stared around at the white space and... Oh! she knew that person.

Trying to shake off the madness, she headed over. "Hi!" she said cheerfully.

[decideformyself]

Philip plucked a book off the shelf and opened it up. When he heard the doors slide open he glanced over his shoulder. "Agatha Heterodyne! What a pleasant surprise."

[agathaheterodyne]

She nodded. "What... is this place?" she asked, walking over, and looking around wide eyed. She loved books and... she had just been wishing for some of... but no... those books wouldn't be here...

A shame....

[decideformyself]

"This is the holodeck," Philip said with a smug grin. "The current program is a visual and tactile browser for the Enterprise's records modeled after the Gaia Library, a database of all of my world's memories."

[primeverdeen]

A lot of people had come to comfort Prim, after Katniss left but... they all had their own lives... And she was alone again.

Following Fatima's advice, she was wearing the jacket that had been their dad's, that Katniss always wore, and hugging her herb book as she walked around.

Her eyes were vacant, lost, a little empty. She found herself back where she had first met Alec. The room with the archery place that she thought Katniss would like, but never got around to telling her about. Because she thought they had time.

She swallowed a sob and was about to leave as the doors opened for her. The tears froze on her face as she looked into the room.... it looked different last time, was she not where she thought she was?

If the hissing of the doors opening didn't draw attention, the loud sniffle might.

[decideformyself]

Unfortunately, he was too deep in his current perusal of Romulan battle tactics to notice either sound. "Intriguing... Highly fascinating," Philip murmured to himself. He paced back and forth as he read from the book in his hands.

[primeverdeen]

She heard his voice and slipped in further. "Ph....Philip...?" she asked, sniffling a bit as she looked for him. She found him reading a book. "H...Hi."

[decideformyself]

Hearing that voice, he glanced up. "Ah, Prim Everdeen. How are you? Shotaro told me about your sister..."

[willfultongue]

Hyun-ae had been hunting for an opportunity to test her new program and she was happy to find it. She'd been admiring Philip's handiwork on the programs he had made and thought he might be pretty well suited to helping her with any trouble. Since he wasn't from the Federation, he had a useful perspective that way as well.

"Hello!" She said, appearing like a projection on a flat surface a few feet in front of him. "Am I interrupting? I was hoping you could help me out..."

[decideformyself]

Philip looked up from his book and almost dropped it in surprise. "Who are you? I didn't hear anybody come in."