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You can do it, Worf! Troi called, waving her own hat. Dont look down!

The others chimed in: Good luck! … Dont fall in …

Picard watched with open amusement. Riker sidled up to him and said confidently, Hell never make it. No one has.

Worf clearly needed no encouragement. With consummate determination and grace, he stepped onto the plank and inched toward the dangling trophy.

Geordi cupped his hands around his mouth and called, Thats a looong drop to the water!

Riker grinned and added, in a loud stage voice, I bet that waters freezing!

Valiantly, the Klingon ignored his crew members taunts, but continued his slow progress along the plank, which grew narrower with each step.

Picard watched as, nearby, a slight crease formed between Beverly Crushers auburn brows. Geordi. She turned to the engineer with concern. Did you remember to engage the holodeck safety program? I dont know if Klingons can swim …

Geordis lips curved upward in a playful half-moon as he kept his gaze on the Klingon. Im not sure.

The bridge grew quiet as Worf reached the end of the plank, then gazed up at the plumed hat, which dangled mere feet above his reach. The Klingon drew a breath, then gathered his muscular bulk and leapt.

Picard grinned in amazement; beside him, Riker gasped as Worf completed an impossible jet, snatched the hat with one hand, and landed hard on the board.

For an instant, disaster seemed imminent. The wooden plank flexed, groaning mightily as Worf waved his arms in an effort to keep his balance …

And then he faced the spellbound audience, his countenance proud and defiant, and set the hat on his head.

The crew cheered. Picard smiled over at his second-in-command, who was applauding with less-than-sincere enthusiasm. If theres one thing Ive learned over the years, the captain said, its never underestimate a Klingon.

Riker did not respond. His expression remained neutral, but Picard caught a glint of humor in his eyes before Wills lids lowered subtly.

Computer, the commander ordered. Remove plank.

The board beneath the conquering Klingons feet suddenly vanished; flailing arms and legs, Worf fell with a resounding splash into the turquoise sea.

Amid the renewed cheering, Picard turned to his second-in-command and said dryly, Number One … its retract plank, not remove plank.

Oh. Rikers blue eyes widened with mock innocence. Of course, sir. Sorry.

Nearby, Data tilted his head in confusion as he peered over the side rail at Worf, who was thrashing through the water toward a proffered rope ladder. He straightened and turned toward Beverly. Doctor … I must confess I am uncertain as to why someone falling into the freezing water is amusing.

She looked up from the water with a toothy grin. Its all in good fun, Data.

The android studied her blankly for an instant. I do not understand.

Try to get into the spirit of things. She gestured enthusiastically at the surroundings. Learn to be a little more … spontaneous.

Data drew his head back and lowered his chin, processing this new information … then reached forward and, with only the precise amount of force necessary, pushed Beverly over the rail. He watched with a clinical air as she plummeted into the water with a shriek, then straightened to judge the reactions of his colleagues.

No one was laughingincluding Picard, who had witnessed the entire exchange. However, the captains mood was so cheerful, so expansive, that he had to force himself to repress a chuckle. He dared a peek at Riker whose own carefully controlled expression beneath amused eyes once again forced Picard to quickly look away.

Geordi immediately hurried over to the rail, peered down, then looked up at his confused friend.

Data … that wasnt funny.

I was attempting to be spontaneous, Data replied, his tone one of mild puzzlement. I obviously do not understand what constitutes getting into the spirit of things. Why is it that Commander Worfs fall into the water is good fun, yet Dr. Crushers