Subject: FRONTIER: Caroline -> Poker Game

SD 70714

Bridge 1800h

Caroline breathed a sigh of relief as Beta Shift came to an end, and 
as the Gamma bridge watch officer exited the turbolift to start the 
short night watch, she stood up and hurriedly briefed him on current 
status. This chore having been done, she left the bridge to find the 
holodeck.

According to her husband, it wasn't far from their quarters, but she 
hardly knew the corridor layout of this ship. Fortunately there was 
just one main corridor on Deck 2, so after a few minutes of walking 
she sighted the familiar holodeck door-panel and headed toward it.

Upon entering, Caroline found herself in brightly-lit white corridor, 
with a black rectangular door just ahead on her left. Next to it was 
a panel with all the standard holodeck controls. This evidently was
the holodeck-within-a-holodeck principle she had heard about. In dark
red letters above the door the words "HOLODECK 1A" glowed dully. Below
that, in smaller writing, "POKER PROGRAM". There were other doors, but
they seemed... faded. That seemed to suggest that those segments 
weren't in use.

She pushed a button on the panel and the door, strangely enough, slid 
up to reveal the other five players seated in groups, apparently wait 
ing for her. Caroline stepped through, and the door slid shut behind 
her.

"Come in, take a seat Caroline." said Ramsay. "Is there anybody else 
coming?"

"I don't think so." Caroline replied evenly as she took a seat 
directly opposite him. "So, who wants to deal first?"


Will pushed several piles of chips toward each player, which seemed
fairly even. "I say we give the first deal to... Mr. Murray." replied
Ramsay. "Any objections?" When there were none he handed a fresh deck
to Angus.

Carefully Angus shuffled the cards, cut them, and asked, "Five card
stud? No limits?"

Everyone seemed generally satisfied with this selection. After a 
standard ante of five white chips, he began to deal five cards to each
player, the first one face up. Caroline, who was to his immediate
left, seemed fairly satisfied with the deal. The others seemed
indifferent, but it was a little difficult to tell. The android's
expression did not alter one iota, as he had expected. Damn, the
perfect poker face.

As he'd expected, Caroline started the bidding. Angus guessed that her
hand was good and started planning ahead. He thought for an instant 
about the cards he had dealt to himself, decided what strength of hand
to bluff having.

Meanwhile, Keanu raised the stakes a little more. Shortly Houston 
folded, much to everyone's surprise, and Ramsay played along on the 
level. Now Angus found himself looking at Leana for her response. She 
raised ten and stared back at him. He detatched his gaze and hurriedly
threw in his bid.

Caroline called, Keanu called, Ramsay... called after an interminable 
pause. Leana was happy to maintain the stakes, so it was back to him. 
Angus called, happy to take it to another round.

Now the hole cards turned and he could see a little more. What he did 
see convinced him to fold at the next opportunity - Caroline's six of 
diamaonds was paired with a six of spades, and that spelled trouble 
with a capital T. Interestingly, Leana had what seemed to be the 
beginnings of a straight flush, but he wasn't entirely sure about 
that.

Caroline started betting hard, and first Keanu, then Ramsay folded. 
Leana heaped more chips onto the expanding pot, and Angus was 
convinced he would be better leaving it to the two ladies.

After gambling that Leana didn't have a flush, Caroline sighed in 
disbelief as the Bajoran turned over her remaining cards to reveal a 
straight 9-10-J-Q-K of spades. Angus had guessed right; Caroline had a
six of clubs as well.

The next hand was a bit different. Houston, who had apparently picked 
up on some of the players' foibles, won with a two-pair. The captain 
didn't know where to look; he'd folded on the assumption that she had 
a full house. Angus was impressed by the android's skill - she'd 
fooled them sufficiently to amass a large pile of chips in the centre.
Now she drew them towards her and stacked them neatly. Angus wasn't 
sure, but he thought he detected a trace of a smile under the clear 
green sun visor.

Over the course of the night things began to even out a little. Angus 
found he was winning a fair share, even if others thought otherwise. 
He could detect a flicker of pained anger in the captain's expression 
each and every time Joanna laid down a winning hand. But everyone 
seemed to enjoy the game.

Eventually the night drew to a close and the only matter to resolve 
was a showdown between Angus and Houston.  Angus looked over a 
mountain of chips at Houston before she laid down a straight flush, 
his face fell and with a sombre expression he put down his last card. 
He burst into exaltant laughter as he completed the Royal flush, 
Houston's face remained completely blank as Angus began to rake in the
mound.

                       Respectfully submitted:

                           Allan MacLennan
                 [Lt.] Angus Murray, Tac/CSO FRONTIER

                             Dale Forster
                  [Lt.] Keanu Maren, CSciO FRONTIER

                            Sam M. Edwards
                  [Captain] Will Ramsay, CO FRONTIER
                 [Cmdr] Caroline Ramsay, XO FRONTIER
               [LtCmdr] Joanna Houston, 2O/OPS FRONTIER


          "Put your faith in God, but keep your powder dry."
                           Oliver Cromwell

                     "Eat any good books lately?"
                                  Q

                                "OHM"
                                  Me


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