Stardate: 80712:1339
Title: All the King's Horses...
Author: Scott Deadilus
Time: Current
Scene: Andarus V


Like some cosmic Cupid or, perhaps more fittingly, a magical matchmaker, the Narrator of their story (and fate in general) seemed intent on coupling up the Captain and Autumn...

~

Dr Matthews had, with some assistance, chopped down the beanstalk and slain the Giant; Alex and Emma had fulfilled the destiny of Prince Charming and Snow White; and apparently the Chief Engineer's destruction of the big bad wolf had curtailed his need to involve the woodsman. Deadilus wondered if one of the crew was wandering around, dressed as a woodsman, without a storyline to end...

If their theory was correct then those whose storylines had run to completion would be able to gain entrance to the castle without succumbing to its mind altering affects. Three and Bridget Conway, meanwhile, would be at its mercy until their individual stories concluded. Against his own better judgement, the Captain decided that they would have to press on, hoping to end the illusion they currently played part in.

~

The group, accompanied by Gitta and Three after the Cinderella shoe had been replaced, had walked past the castle, sizing up their objective rather than heading in, agreeing that their best plan of action would be to wait until nightfall.

As night had descended upon Andarus V and as the Captain looked up at the unfamiliar stars, he realised that somewhere overheard two of the twinkling lights betrayed the orbits of the Grimalkin and the Horizon.

The small tavern they had sought shelter in had provided a place for them to all rest, eerily run by Starfleet officers the Captain recognised from the crew roster of the Grimalkin. As much as they tried to explain the situation to those still intimately involved in the fantasy world, no-one believed them, simply labelling their talk as 'crazy'. And so the group had quietened down, making their plans before heading onwards.

The large wooden door to the tavern opened, admitting the King's guards. Deep down in the pit of his stomach Deadilus had a worrying feeling as the Grimalkin's Security crew turned armour-clad knights marched swiftly across the small room, casting long shadows onto their table.

"By orders of the King you are to come with us," one of the guards spoke out, hand on sword hilt.

"Like heck we will!" Emma was already rising to stand as the Captain placed his arm across her lap, arresting her motion. Turning towards the group they all realised a plan was forming in his head...


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Captain Scott Deadilus
Commanding Officer
USS Horizon
NCC-72400
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