Mind Games

[Pneuma 0]

"Hello I see you've got the board set up how a bout a little game?" I asked with a very smug smirk on my face.

The man looked at me and quickly took notice to what race and rank I was and responded, "I am sorry but first off I am a Lt 1st class you which could give me an advantage but I also see that you are a betazoid and I dont think it would be fair for me if you start using telepathy on me to figure out my next move!"

"Sounds like Mr LT 1st class is scared but just to inform you 'sir', I can barely handle my empathy let alone telepathy in fact I have never, or even attempted for that matter, to read anyones mind! To me though from my own stand point it sounds like you have a reputation for being the best around here and you are scared of the compitition!" I said in a rather upset fashion.

"If we were anywhere else and you said such things I would have you up on charges but since this is a lounge and we both are off duty I will let it slide, But since you think you can take me I think I might school you a little bit! Have a seat. Oh I forgot to mention I have not lost at 3d chess in 3 years and I have played over 90 games." he smiled sharply as if he was king of the whole Universe.

I sat down thinking to myself ' It worked!'

"Well since we are doing this and you obviously have a lot of pride on this hows about we sweeten it? Lets say 10 credits. . ."

"Sure lets do it! Oh by the way my name is James Franklin I serve here on the starbase."

"Mine is Dominick Pneuma Most call me Dom or Pneuma. I serve on board the USS Reaent as Sr.Flight Operations and Navigations Manager."

"Ok Now that we got that out of the way Lets do this!"

Seeing as I was the challenger I went first and he wasnt joking he was a really good player! I had my pieces set up and he punched a whole right through my plans. Than something strange happened it. It was almost like a whisper but I could hear it,". . .if I move the queen the king is in check, if I move the bishop I will leave my queen unprotected . . ." I looked at Mr.Franklin to see if he was talking and he wasnt. I started to get wierded out by it and stood up.

"What are you doing Pneuma are you a little scared about the way this is going?"Franklin jested.

"Look I am sorry I gotta go heres the credits keep em. I am sorry about this." with that I took off out the door and headed for the Reaent. I didnt look back. I knew that Zafira and V'Roy were in the Lounge I was talking with them before I started the game. I headed for the docking bay and boarded the ship. I ran to a TL and sped to my quarters. I walked in and seen Cherub laying down. He quickly jumped up and greeted me. It started happening again,". . .Play in woods please chase rabbits . . .", I jumped up and looked at the dog. "This is nuts am I losing my mind?" I ran out of the room almost as quickly as I came in. I started to roam the ship and to find a place where I could be away from people and animals and anything else that can think! I worked my way towards one of the Holodecks. I entered the Holodeck to find it empty and undey my breath exclaimed, "Thank God!" I entered and realized I didnt have a clue as to what scenario to run!