Metamorphosis - Jean Lorrah [75]
“What are you planning, Dare?” Data asked suspiciously. “Just a little wager. Computer: give me Security Chief Worf’s phaser scores.”
“You are not cleared for that information,” the computer reminded him. “Give it to me, was Data said.
Dare studied the scores and gave a low whistle.
“He’s good! It will be a close contest. Hmm.
You’re never going to match a Klingon in unarmed combat skills-that’s not an insult, as neither am I-so here’s how we’ll set it up-was After one last session with Dare, Data informed Worf that he was ready to test for requalification on security skills. He had requalified at Ops on his last duty shift; security clearance would put him back on the senior bridge crew if Counselor Troi approved it. Data was feeling much more confident by now, and was certain she would fulfill her earlier promise. Geordi was on the bridge, making some adjustments at his engineering station. The long journey at a steady warp seven allowed minute relativistic distortions to be detected.
When Data approached Worf with his proposal, Geordi looked up. “Are you sure you’re ready, Data?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be, probably,” he replied. “Don’t you think I can do it, Geordi?”
Geordi’s VISOR made the exact meaning of his frown uncertain, but he said, “Sure, Data.
You can do anything you set your mind to.”
Worf looked down at Data from his imposing height. “After only three days’ practice, you think you are ready to qualify at unarmed combat?”
“Both unarmed combat and phaser accuracy,” Data replied confidently. “Darryl Adin has been helping me. He says I am capable of qualifying at the required Startleet level.
After all, I am not seeking a post in Security.” “So Mr. Adin thinks you’re ready,” Worf growled skeptically.
“We shall see. 1600 hours on the holodeck.”
As Data headed back toward Ops, Counselor Troi said, “I sense that you are completely confident, Data. Is it possible that you are overconfident?” “I do not think so, Counselor,” Data replied. “Would you care to wager that I cannot do it?”
“I’ll take that bet, Deanna,” said Commander Riker. “I don’t think Adin would encourage Data to attempt to qualify if he wasn’t ready.” “Men!” Troi said, exasperated. “You have to make a game of everything. Data, why did you ever allow this man to teach you to play poker?” “It was a challenge,” Data replied. “But the current issue is not poker. Will you wager, Counselor?”
“I don’t, usually,” she replied. “However, just to temper your egos-was There were very few, though, who bet against Data, as the wager was simply on his qualification. Everyone knew Worf s growl was worse than his bite when it came to non-Security personnel. Because he was judg 209 ing, Worf did not bet. Everything was going exactly as Dare had told Data to expect.
The news spread, and by 1600 hours so many people had bets on the contest, and therefore wanted to see it, that the holodeck could not hold them all. As the odds were grossly in Data’s favor, no one stood to win much; Data was sure curiosity about how he was handling being human was at the heart of their interest. Still, interactive ship’s communications were hooked in, so that bets could be placed at each step in the qualification process. Dare and his gang had wangled their way onto the holodeck. Riker, Pulaski, and Geordi were also there, as was the ship’s counselor, even though she protested that she needed to gauge Data’s emotions during the test, and had no interest in encouraging gambling. If the captain was watching the event, it was from the privacy of his quarters.
The mats and safety field were in place.
Data felt a moment’s trepidation as he faced Worf. But he didn’t have to beat him, Data reminded himself; he only had to demonstrate the required skills. If he performed them properly, Worf would allow the takedowns.
Worf began with the simple standard attack basic to all such lessons. On Dare’s advice, Data used the unorthodox maneuver of stepping aside. Worf wasn’t expecting it-and to the Klingon’s annoyance, his stumbling two steps