Alice brought them over to a little table and gave them each a cup of tea before sitting down with them at the table, "You have questions, I can see by the looks in your eyes."

Colonel John rubbed his chin and then asked, "Why did you call me Donny?"

Alice smiled and then asked, "Isn't that what your friends and family call you? Would you prefer that I call you Donald? Or would you prefer that I speak to you with military ranks? I am not a military officer myself, I am just the Alice in this Wonderland. The one who arranges for your relaxation."

Colonel John raised an eyebrow, "No, Donny is fine unless I am with other crew members in which case I should be referred to as Colonel John."

"As you wish, Colonel John." She smiled at him and then looked at Captain Zigsankowski.

He looked at Colonel John, Treecy, and finally back to Alice then asked, "I can see the obvious, the garden, new games, you... But what are the other changes here?"

Alice took a sip from her tea and then asked, "What other changes would you like to see? I can offer you adventure, romance, intrigue, thrills, spills, and anything in between. This is Wonderland, Peter, the only limits are those you insist on bringing with you."

Treecy turned to both men and said, "Alice can create a private virtual reality for each crew member in the squadron which will run as software through their individual link. Obviously, they are limited based on that. For instance, my link is quite a bit more robust so I can have multiple instances running at once whereas the existing crew will be limited to just one instance. Alice can also create shared instances that multiple users can join, for example, this table and the tea."

Colonel John raised an eyebrow and then asked, "Treecy, if a crew member asks Alice for a romance... Will it be with a fellow user, a non-player character, or something else?"

Treecy thought for a moment, "Alice can create a virtual reality with people in it, but it won't be real. A real romance will involve two or perhaps more people. Members of the crew can obviously bring real romance into any combined VR, but the romance Alice is referring to would be like experiencing a romance novel as a character in that story."

Colonel John nodded his head and then looked at Alice, "Can you assure me that no one's real identity will be used for such a purpose against their wishes? For instance, I don't want a crew member to be able to ask for a sex sim with Acting Ensign de Santos."

Alice smiled and nodded, "Of course, I can assure you that this can not happen against the will of another user."

Captain Zigsankowski asked, "Alice, can you show us what will happen during a red alert?"

Suddenly the red alert klaxon sounded and then the virtual reality dissolved back into the Chief Engineer's office with the three of them sitting as they were before entering the entertainment grid. Colonel John smiled and said, "That's much better than before. All of it. Outstanding work Treecy."

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Captain Zigsankowski nodded and then asked, "Do you think we will have any issues with the crew not wanting to leave the entertainment grid?"

Treecy shook her head, "Alice has access to each squadron member's personnel file. She won't allow them to access the grid during working or sleeping hours. She will also be monitoring their body through the link so if they try to miss meals, she won't allow them access as well."

Colonel John laughed, "Treecy you are a miracle worker. I can see why they are saying you are a goddess."

Treecy blushed and looked down, "Thank you, sir. I wish I could take credit for more, honestly, all I did was add a few lines of code to existing AIs. The AIs made the improvements themselves after learning from the existing data you have collected. I merely unlocked potential that was already there."

"It must be difficult living with people that seem so backward." Colonel John gave a half smile half sad expression.

Treecy smiled and shook her head, "In many ways it has been the best thing for me. When I was at my weakest and had felt as if my self esteem was worthless I found people who looked at me with eyes that saw my virtue and beauty. I went from being identified as completely average to being called a goddess. Yes, I have been a little bored and sad at losing what I thought was important to me, but the new purpose you have all filled me with has repaired my damaged ego."

Colonel John chuckled and said, "Well, then how about we celebrate with a little drink?" He pulled out a flask and took a drink from it and then held it out for Treecy.

Treecy took the flask and smelled it frowning, "This is alcohol?"

Colonel John nodded. "Go ahead and have a drink."

"I'm sorry Colonel John per the Federation military code of conduct rule 123 section D officers are not permitted to consume alcohol during duty hours including soft time and downtime." Treecy smiled and then said, "This also includes you, and the other members of the squadron's senior staff."

Captain Zigsankowski laughed and patted Colonel John on the shoulder, "She's got you there, Donny."

"That's Colonel John to you, traitor." He frowned. "Alright, go on back to the Security office Acting Ensign de Santos." He watched as she left the Chief Engineer's office and then handed the flask to Captain Zigsankowski. "How about you, Zigs, you also think it's against the rules to drink on duty?"

He took a long drink from the flask and then smacked his lips, "Smooth. The kids today... They just don't understand that you need to take full advantage of any kindness passed your way." He laughed handing the flask back to Colonel John, "I think Treecy might be immune to the great Donald John's charisma."

"Maybe I am just getting old." Colonel John laughed, "She is like five thousand years too young for me."

Captain Zigsankowski nodded and then tapped his finger on the table, "She's very young, but smarter than any of us. I worry about the crew returning to that world where we will be so helplessly behind. They considered that girl average. Just average. Can you imagine what it takes for someone to stand out in such an environment?"

Colonel John nodded, "Not only that, but we are working a job that no longer exists for a government that no longer exists. Wow. Listen to us only talking about the negatives."

Captain Zigsankowski laughed and added, "Exactly, we need to be looking at it the other way... That girl is just average, imagine how hot the drop dead gorgeous ones are."

"Exactly right, Zigs. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what kind of pornagraphy they have in the future."

In the security office... Lieutenant Dedmon rubbed her forehead, "Miss de Santos. We are not going to charge Colonel John with drinking on duty. I realize it is against regulation, and we do hold the NCOs accountable to that regulation, but..." She sighed and then rubbed her eyes fighting a headache that threatened to come on, "There is a time and a place for such actions. Sometimes, enforcing regulations has to happen. And sometimes, as an officer we have to look the other way. We can follow the rules to the letter of the law, but it doesn't always lead to the result we need or want."

Treecy looked at Lieutenant Dedmon for a while and then asked, "Are you unhappy with your life, is that why you are a bully?"

"Excuse me?" She felt her anger rising. "A bully?"

Treecy looked as if she was very disappointed in Monique Dedmon, "Yes, you are a bully. You act strong in front of the weak and weak in front of the strong. Classic signs of being a bully. Was it not so with your generation?"

"You need to not be talking to me about this right now, Acting Ensign." Lieutenant Dedmon angrily snapped back. "You don't know anything about me or my life. You with your fucking perfect teeth, hair, face, body, skin and also the smartest person in the room? What the fuck do you know?"

"I'm just average." Treecy explained.

"Average? You. You think you are average? Yeah, you are just the average beautiful girl alright." She ranted shaking her head. "Let me tell you about what real average is like, honey. It means not being as strong as the ones at the top. Not being as smart. Not being as pretty. It means having to work twice as hard for half the reward. It means when you fall in love you have to wait for the one you love to settle for you because they couldn't get the one they really wanted." Lieutenant Dedmon wiped her eyes and then turned away from Treecy, "Work on your video feeds."