milliways_bar | (no subject)

Entry tags:

data,
tali'zorah

(no subject)

Jean-Luc Picard enters the holodeck doors, decked out in his Dixon Hill outfit, ready to become his favorite detective. When he's dumped into a bar full of patrons that don't all look human or dressed for the era, he's confused, but decides to play along. That's why he'll be found by the fireplace, watching the goings-on with great interest.

Tiny!Tag: Jean-Luc Picard

(OOC: Due to migraine, this post is in auto-slowtime, and also taggable until it falls off the front page. Thanks!)

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"Holodeck program?" Data repeats, distracted by it for a moment. "Is that where you entered from, Captain?"

Does this mean that there are two seperate dimensional distortions aboard the Enterprise, both leading to Milliways? Perhaps even three, since Data does not know where Ensign Rager entered...

Edited 2010-04-22 07:13 (UTC)

"Of course it is, Data," Picard says patiently. "How else would I be on the holodeck?"

Now is not the time for analyzing possibilities, Data realizes. He needs to focus on the situation at hand, and explain things to the captain.

"Captain," Data says calmly. "You are not on the holodeck, and this is not a simulation."

Picard raises an eyebrow. "Please explain that."

"This is an actual place, called Milliways. You must have encountered a temporal-spacial rift on your way to holodeck, similar to the one I encountered in my quarters a couple of months ago. Milliways appears to be some sort of interdimensional nexus point-- a crossroads, at which numerous dimensional distortions apparently intersect. I do not believe that it is within our own universe. I have come to that conclusion based on a couple of factors: I have encountered many unfamiliar life forms here, as well as people who do not seem to be from our own timeline."

Data will probably continue for a while, until he is interrupted. He assumes that the captain wanted a very thorough explanation...

Picard lets Data continue for a while before interrupting.

"I see." He frowns a little. "Q isn't behind this?"

"I have ruled out that possibility, if only because he has not appeared during any of my visits here. It would be more consistent with his usual behavior if he had shown up to gloat."

"I see." Picard pauses. "I think I need a drink."

"You are welcome to get one, sir," Data tells him. "The first drink is free."

He gestures to the Bar. "You may ask Bar for whatever you want. She functions similarly to a replicator."

He steps up to the bar and orders his usual. "Tea, Earl Grey, hot." After a moment, a cup appears in front of him, with the steaming liquid inside. He picks it up and sips at it.

"Extraordinary. This is the best tea I've had in my life," Picard declares.

Data nods. "Bar's ability to replicate food and drink exactly to one's tastes seemingly exceeds that of our replicators on the Enterprise. The cat food I have gotten from her sastisfies Spot's tastes better than any of the supplements I have been able to develop.

"I believe that Bar is possibly sentient."

Picard nods thoughtfully, drinking his tea.

"This is certainly extraordinary. Why didn't you tell me about this before, Mr. Data?"

That is the difficult question. But Data is prepared to answer it; it is not as though he did not have a reason for not reporting the existence of this place to his own captain.

"I had several reasons for not telling you," he replies. "First and most simply, I was not certain that anyone would believe me if I claimed that I had found a interdimensional distortion in my own quarters. And I have been told that it is not always stable for everyone who comes to Milliways. I was not sure that I would be able to prove its existence.

"Second, I decided that perhaps it was not wise to make an official report to Starfleet. The temptation to study a place such as this would be too great to ignore. I saw it as my duty to the Prime Directive to prevent this place from being overrun by Starfleet officers.

"Lastly, I kept it secret as a favor to someone."

"I can respect that, Mr. Data. Thank you for being honest with me."

It's not like the android can lie, but it's still nice to thank him.

"Why did someone ask you to keep Milliways a secret?"

There is a pause of about four seconds before Data answers,

"I would rather not tell you that, sir."

Picard's curiosity is piqued, but he won't press the issue. "Very well, then, Mr. Data."

"Thank you, sir," Data says. He recognizes that his captain generally prefers a straight answer to his questions, and wishes that he had been able to give one.

After a moment, he asks, "How long have you been here, Captain?"

"Maybe an hour." He consults his watch, which is part of his costume. "Yes, a bit less than an hour."

Another short pause. "Have you found your stay to be... enjoyable?"

"It's certainly been interesting." Picard smiles. "But yes, enjoyable. There are lots of people to watch, and interesting new species." He eyes a nearby waitrat.

Data nods. "It certainly is an interesting place to study.

"I find that many people who come here use Milliways as a place to relax. Apparently, it is a rather consistent fact that people are able return to their home worlds at approximately the same time they left."

"And that's why we never noticed you missing," Picard muses.

"Also, I do not come here that often. And I am careful to do so only when I am off-duty."

"That is appreciated, Mr. Data." He nods to the android. "Do you bring Spot with you, or take food back to him?"

"I usually bring Spot with me, when I intend to feed him." Data turns back to the Bar. "This time, however, I am having difficulty coaxing him out from underneath my bed. I was hoping that perhaps some food from Bar might assist me in that effort."