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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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."

"I see. Why is Spot under the bed?"

Is it a cat thing?

"I believe he suspects my intention to give him a bath," Data explains. "Though I am not certain what actions of mine betrayed that intention."

"Sometimes, cats just know," he advises the android. "They're very intuitive animals."

"Indeed," Data agrees, then asks Bar for some cat food. All that appears is a note:

What kind?

Data frowns at the message thoughtfully. "Perhaps Spot has to be in Milliways for Bar to know what he wants."

"Perhaps," Picard agrees. "Or maybe you could just take a variety back to him."

It doesn't sound nearly as outrageous as being in this place, for example.

"I suppose I could try that. But I am not certain that my choice here would be any more appetizing than the supplements I have formulated using the replicator."

He turns back to the captain. "Is there anything that you would like to ask me regarding Milliways, Captain? Or perhaps anything you would like me to show you?"

(Duty dictacts that his captain should come before his cat.)

"In some of the books I've read, something called 'tuna' is particularly appetizing for cats," Picard offers, somewhat helpfully.

Sure, there are tons of questions, still mainly "why didn't you tell me about this?" but the two have already been over that.

"Perhaps I will try that before I leave," Data says, grateful for the suggestion.

"May I ask you a question, sir?"

"Certainly, Mr. Data."

"Do you intend to report the existence of this place to Starfleet?"

Picard pauses and looks at the android. "I hadn't thought that far ahead, honestly."

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