[A/N: First off, let me just apologize now if you're reading this and are not a sports fan. This kind of holodeck event is something I've personally always wanted to see on a Trek series, but if I have to do it myself, I can deal. I'm also a complete Boston sports homer, and I will not make any apologies for that (Roger Goodell, if you're reading this, tuck it & suck it!) But I digress, enjoy!]
[Lieutenant Miles Chase's Personal Log, Stardate 48346.5.
We are several hours into our mission, and at long last, the senior bridge staff, myself included, have been relieved by the night shift.
With this much-needed free time, I've decided to invite Varik and Mendon to join myself, Mr. Paxton and Ensign Romanov in my new holodeck program, recreating one of the greatest Earth sporting events of all-time.]
"Mr. Chase, please remind me why I agreed to attend this frivolous endeavor." Varik seemed very uncomfortable in such a large crowd.
"Because he invited you, Lieutenant. You said you wanted to learn more about Earth culture, this seems like a very acceptable way to do so. I myself am enjoying this immensely." Mendon was wearing a hat displaying one of the logos of the two teams on the field. "This is delightful. I have not had much exposure to human culture since my short time aboard the Enterprise. Mr. Chase, what did you say this event was called, again?"
"Super Bowl 53. One of the greatest games of American Football ever played. New England Patriots and the London Knights. This was significant because it was the first season the Knights were in the league, and it was Brady's final game before retiring. And we're just getting to the best part of the game!" Miles was wearing his combadge on a navy-blue jersey. He reached for the cup of synthesized beer in the holder near his feet.
"Varik, have you tried one yet?" Tanya asked between sips of her own beer.
"No. And I do not believe my intentions will change." Varik tried to hide his discomfort due to the noise of the crowd.
"Don't be like that, don't Vulcans drink at all?" Miles leaned forward to try and make eye contact with his crewmate.
"I did not say that, Mr. Chase. However, Vulcans normally will only indulge on the most special of occasions. In addition, Earth food and drink can be much too… rich. For Vulcan palettes, at any rate."
"Come on, just one." A hesitant nod from his Vulcan friend brought a smile to Miles' face.
"Computer: freeze program." The teams on the field froze mid-play, leaving the football hanging just past the London quarterback's fingertips. The crowd remained still, signs of jubilation on the faces of all the holo-characters. Miles shuffled past the frozen crowd and called for a replicator to appear on the holodeck wall, replacing part of the crowd.
"One beer. Earth, 21st century, Samuel Adams Boston Lager." The beer materialized in a plastic cup bearing the logo of the game and those of the two teams playing on the field. Miles picked up the cup and shimmied sideways back to his seat before resuming the program.
"My dad was from the area where they used to brew this stuff. The drink of my people, so to speak." Tanya and Rick both laughed as Miles handed the beer across them to Varik. He took a moment to inhale the beer's aroma, his face noticeably unsettled, even for a Vulcan. He raised the rim of the cup to his lips and drank. As he moved the cup away, foam from the top of the frothing beverage remained on his upper lip, prompting more laughter from Tanya. Varik's face wrinkled at the taste.
"It is…" he began, clearly trying to find a polite way to express his feelings, "… as I expected. Very… pungent. While I appreciate you and the Ensign trying to broaden my horizons, I do not think this is where I will start." Varik put the beer into his cup holder, and at that moment, the attention of the whole stadium was turned to the field. The Patriots had just intercepted a pass from London's quarterback with two minutes remaining in the game. The massive video boards, each bearing the logo of the high-quality automobile manufacturer that sponsored the stadium, displayed the current score, 21-17 in favor of London.
"An impressive display. It appears there is more strategy to this game than I would have anticipated from 21st century Earth." Varik said.
"You know it. Some brilliant sports minds came from this era. Brady and Belichick did it better than anyone else in this time!"
Mendon turned to face Miles. "I decided to do some research on this sport after receiving your invitation, and if I am not mistaken, the New England Patriots had come under much scrutiny in this time. Specifically, while Tom Brady was at quarterback, and while Bill Belichick was their coach, they were accused of multiple instances of breaking the rules, as well as-"
"Mendon… stop. Just… stop. Don't give me that crap!" Miles held up a hand.
"Have I offended?" Mendon asked, a puzzled look on his face.
Paxton held out a hand, as if to calm them both. "You're fine, Lieutenant. He just doesn't like to hear people calling his precious team 'cheaters.'"
"Ancient history! And besides, you mean to tell me with a straight face that they were the only ones to ever have been accused of bending the rules a bit? What about all those guys who were juicing back then?"
Mendon's face wrinkled in confusion once more. "I'm afraid I don't quite understand that term."
Miles leaned back in his seat. "That was what they used to call steroid usage in the 20th and 21st Century. Athletes would try to use them to enhance performance. They didn't know what we know now, though. Steroids were literally killing these players."
Varik interjected. "While this discussion has been enlightening, I must return to my quarters to meditate. This event has been very… stimulating to my senses."
"It is getting late, Miles. We should probably wrap it up." Tanya put a hand on his shoulder.
Miles frowned. "Fine, fine. But before we go… Computer: fast forward to time index Zero Dash Ten and resume playback."
"Resuming playback." The computer responded. The five looked on as New England completed a short passing touchdown to win the game as time expired, leaving the final score at 23-21.
Amid the bellows and cheers of the holo-characters around them, Miles shouted the command to end the program. The holo emitters deactivated, and the bridge crew were left standing on the empty holodeck floor.
"Well, that was sure entertaining." Paxton brushed crumbs of popcorn from his shirt. "But next time we pick a sports program, you get to watch your Red Sox get whipped by my Mets in '86."
Miles laughed. "You're on."
Mendon tilted his head. "I am unfamiliar with any American football teams bearing those names."
"That's because they're baseball teams, Mendon. Another sport you might enjoy. Lots of stats." At that moment, they were interrupted by the comm panel on the wall chirping.
"Garrett to Holodeck Two. Senior bridge staff report to the briefing room immediately."
Paxton keyed his combadge. "On our way, sir."
Mendon and Varik were already making their way to the turbolift. Rick and Miles motioned for Tanya to go ahead of them, and followed behind her.
"Deck One." Paxton ordered once they were all aboard.
"Does anyone else have an odd feeling about this? Since when does the Captain schedule a briefing in the middle of the night shift? Briefings are normally an 'Oh-Eight Hundred' type of affair." Miles leaned up against the wall of the turbolift.
Tanya stretched and yawned before speaking. "A little. But I'm sure the Captain has his reasons." The door opened, and the crew entered on to the bridge. "I just wish we had time to stop by the mess hall and grab some coffee." She said, prompting chuckles from her Human friends, while Mendon and Varik remained silent.
The lighting on the bridge had been reduced to conserve power on the night watch. First Officer Palmer sat in the Captain's chair. The main viewscreen showed the starfield ahead of them. Captain Garrett was standing at the doors to the briefing room. He motioned everyone inside, and once they were seated, he took his place at the head of the table.
"Computer, seal the doors. No one enters without my approval. Authorization: Garrett Beta Epsilon."
"Authorization code recognized."
"Captain, what's going on?"
Garrett held up a hand. "What I am about to say is information on a need-to-know basis. The rest of the crew will be informed in time. But for now, I trust only the five of you, plus Commander Palmer. Are we clear?"
The crew nodded in agreement. Captain Garrett stood and straightened his tunic.
"Good." He activated one of the panels on the wall.
"We are no longer en route to the Bolian Sector. We have been diverted." The viewer displayed a new set of coordinates.
"Starbase 138 has detected what appears to be the opening of a wormhole less than a light-year away from their location. We are the closet Federation vessel to their location, so we have been ordered to investigate."
"Captain, might I ask why the secrecy?" Tanya asked.
"A new wormhole that could potentially be a stable gateway to a new corner of the galaxy is a prize that many species or factions would be eager to claim as their own. Some would even be willing to go to war over it." Varik responded.
"Correct, Lieutenant." Said the Captain. "If Starbase 138 could detect it, no doubt there are others who may be aware of its existence as well. Consider how dangerous it could be if the Maquis could stake a claim on this. Or the Cardassians, for that matter."
"Understood, sir." Tanya said.
"Do we know anything else about this phenomenon, Captain?" Miles asked.
Garrett smoothed out his tunic. "You know as much as I do, Lieutenant. Everyone, to you your stations. But Miles, when we do arrive, keep us at a decent distance. I'd rather not find out what's on the other side."
Captain Garrett dismissed the crew, and they proceeded back to the bridge to relieve the night watch.
"Mr. Chase, take us to the coordinates provided by the Starbase. Warp Seven. Engage."