A Lesson in Holodock Etiquette

An earnest young crewman put up his hand. "Sir," he said, "I think that there may be a loophole in the programming such that it's possible for someone to lock people in a holodeck simulation against their will." Two of the other five crew members turned to look at him. The remaining three kept their gaze fixed on Astra, who didn't seem to be in any great hurry to put on her discarded items of clothing (which outside the simulation were undamaged).

Fred smiled indulgently. "I very much doubt that there's a loophole," he said. "If there was, someone would have discovered it before now. But by all means have a go..."

"Thank you, Sir. Computer: apply protocol nine seven alpha, code one beta."

"Acknowledged."

"Return Lieutenant Donair, Ensign Thessamar and Ensign Velus to the simulation at the point where they left it, and reject any commands that the simulation should be terminated." (The crewman meant any commands issued by Fred, Astra or Velus, of course, but might the computer interpret it as any commands issued by anyone?)

1. "You do not have the authority to issue those commands," the computer said. "Nice try," Fred told the crewman.
2. The three found themselves back in the simulation, with the computer taking no notice of their instruction to terminate it. Unfortunately it didn't obey the earnest young crewman's order to terminate it either.
3. Due to a malfunction, the three found themselves in a different simulation.

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