The USS Nexus continued its journey through the endless pink nebula of the Nekrit Expanse, now several weeks into the voyage. Two days had passed since the exciting semifinals of the inaugural "Nexus Exhibition", with recaps and celebrations honoring the top victors.
The final championship match was scheduled for prime time, ensuring that most of the crew could witness the event. The Melting Pot was filled to capacity, with two large monitors prominently displaying Neil O'Reilley's information and picture on one side, and Veirik's on the other.
Various other monitors and background displays showcased recaps and scenes from the tournament, heightening the anticipation among the crew for the championship match.
---
Dressed in their best uniforms for the special occasion, Keten and Heluna took their places behind the newsroom desk, ready to stream the event to the entire ship.
"Welcome, welcome, welcome!" Keten exclaimed. "Here we are, folks, at the Championship match of the inaugural Nexus Exhibition!"
"And we all know who's facing off this time!" Heluna chimed in. "Our First Officer Neil O'Reilly goes head-to-head with our Chief Tactical Officer Veirik!"
"We've seen their skills, witnessed their prowess!" Keten continued. "And now, it's time to see them in action!"
"But wait, there's more!" Heluna announced. "After today, the Nexus Exhibition will become a permanent feature of the ship's holodeck programs. Anyone can challenge the top 16 combatants in any arena of their choosing. But for now, let's focus on the final match!"
"So, grab your snacks and drinks, folks," Heluna urged with enthusiasm, "because it's time to cheer them on! Let's head to the Tatami Mats, where the ultimate showdown of the Nexus Exhibition is about to begin!"
—
In an expansive void of darkness, a single spotlight pierced through, illuminating a Tatami mat floor where two warriors materialized.
Neil O'Reilly strode forward with unwavering determination, his red Starfleet dress uniform exuding authority. In his hands, he wielded sleek silver brass knuckles and a metal baseball bat transformed into a gleaming, weighted blade. "Ready for this, Veirik?" he challenged.
Veirik, clad in his Illyrian military attire, advanced with equal resolve, his Zweihander sword held firmly in one hand. "As ready as ever, Commander," he replied, matching Neil's determined stride.
"Round one!" echoed the gravelly voice of the announcer, resounding through the holographic expanse. Across the ship, hundreds of eyes were fixed on view screens, while the Melting Pot buzzed with anticipation as spectators watched the match unfold. "Fight!"
The two fighters charged at each other, each epitomizing physical prowess and mastery of their respective combat styles.
With every move executed with precision and power, neither held back. Each swing, jab, and attack was unleashed with full force, as they engaged in a relentless exchange of blows.
Veirik, wielding his imposing two-meter-long sword, had a slight advantage in reach over Neil's bat. However, Neil's agility, honed through years of boxing, allowed him to deftly evade Veirik's powerful strikes, narrowly avoiding each swing of the massive blade.
When Veirik maintained distance, he had the upper hand, utilizing his superior reach to keep Neil at bay. Conversely, when Neil closed the gap, he gained the advantage, leveraging his agility to outmaneuver his opponent.
With a sweeping motion, Veirik brought his colossal sword down, slicing through the holographic horizon with a gleaming arc of steel. The blade struck Neil's knees, knocking him off balance and sending him crashing to the ground, his holographic projection split in two.
"K.O.!" declared the announcer as a golden coin materialized over Veirik's head, signifying his victory as Neil's hologram vanished.
As Neil rematerialized, he cracked his neck, reassessing his approach. Meanwhile, Veirik returned to his starting position, a confident grin on his face, fully aware of his range and power advantage.
"Round two, Fight!"
Veirik repeated the same action, swinging his sword low at Neil's knees and thighs. The move was strategic, leaving Neil with limited options—too low to duck under, too high to leap over, and too powerful to block with his small baseball blade.
Neil reacted swiftly, leaping back to increase the distance between them and narrowly dodging the cleaving steel. He countered by dashing forward, but Veirik was quicker, swinging his blade back around and landing a blow on Neil's holographic thighs.
The impact sent Neil collapsing to the ground, his holographic form vulnerable to Veirik's onslaught. With deft movements, Veirik spun his blade like a lawnmower, slicing through the air and inflicting virtual wounds on Neil as if playing a twisted game of hopscotch.
Seizing the opportunity to finish the match, Veirik drove his massive sword into the ground, impaling Neil's holographic form with a final, decisive blow.
"PERFECT!" The announcer's voice echoed through the holodeck as a second gold coin materialized over Veirik's head, signaling his victory. Neil's holographic avatar dissolved from the ground, only to reappear in his starting position.
Veirik grinned triumphantly, knowing that one more win would secure the championship.
Meanwhile, Neil remained composed, recognizing that sacrificing the last round had provided valuable insights into his opponent's tactics, setting the stage for a strategic comeback.
Veirik and Neil resumed their stances as the announcer declared, "Round three! Fight!"
Neil wasted no time, flicking his sword towards Veirik like a large kunai throwing dagger. Veirik effortlessly parried the blade, initially amused by Neil's tactics. However, his expression quickly shifted to one of concern.
Neil's move wasn't an attack but a clever ploy to redirect Veirik's attention, allowing him to close the distance between them. As Neil advanced, Veirik's face betrayed a hint of dread as he realized the imminent threat of Neil's brass knuckles closing in on him.
Recognizing that his mediocre ranged weapon was a liability in close combat, Neil opted for speed and agility, aiming to nullify Veirik's advantage in swordsmanship. Veirik's sword was lethal within a specific range, but Neil intended to operate within the range where it was ineffective.
With a flying superman punch, Neil delivered a devastating blow to Veirik's face, staggering him and creating an opening. Seizing the opportunity, Neil leaped forward, pinning Veirik's arms to the ground and unleashing a relentless barrage of blows as he pinned Veirik on the ground. Despite Veirik's attempts to retaliate, Neil's relentless assault quickly depleted his opponent's health bar.
"PERFECT!" The announcer declared as a gold coin materialized above Neil's head, signaling his victory as Veirik dematerialized from the ground.
It was now 2 to 1, and with anticipation mounting, both fighters prepared for the next round as the announcer declared, "Round four! Fight!"
Veirik charged at Neil as he deftly tossed a brass knuckle into the air, using the momentum to swing his blade with full force, propelling the knuckle towards the Illyrian's head. The knuckle landed square on Veirik's forehead, momentarily stunning him.
Taking advantage of the opening, Neil swiftly threw his blade dead center at Veirik's chest like a javelin, then sprinted after it in close pursuit. As Veirik stumbled back, the blade embedded in his chest, Neil executed a superman punch, driving the hilt of his blade deeper into Veirik's torso.
Veirik collapsed to the ground as Neil drove his blade, imbedded in Veirik's chest, into the earth, pinning Veirik in place. With deliberate steps, Neil approached Veirik's Zweihander lying on the ground. Emulating Veirik's actions, Neil swung the sword in a massive arc over his head, then brought it crashing down onto the ground.
"PERFECT!" the announcer declared, as a second gold coin appeared over Neil's head, signaling victory, while Veirik dematerialized from the holographic arena.
The score stood at a deadlock, 2 to 2. Neil meticulously analyzed Veirik's fighting style, while Veirik strategized for the space he needed to secure victory. The outcome hung in the balance, with neither opponent willing to concede defeat.
Veirik's competitive spirit surged as he cracked his neck, his eyes fixed on the prize.
Meanwhile, Neil grappled with inner demons, haunted by memories of his former self—a cowardly and inept version of the man he used to be. The mere thought of his past self filled him with contempt and fueled his determination to obliterate any trace of that weakness.
As the holographic image of Veirik wavered, Neil saw instead the face of his former self, a reminder of everything he loathed. With a fierce resolve, Neil vowed to erase that image from existence, determined to rewrite his own history.
—
"This is the moment we've all been waiting for!" Keten exclaimed eagerly, leaning forward in his seat at the newsroom desk.
"The final round of the inaugural Nexus Exhibition is upon us," Heluna announced, excitement palpable in her voice.
"With the score tied at 2 to 2, both combatants have proven their worth in this arena," Keten remarked.
"It's anyone's game at this point! Who will emerge as the champion and claim the coveted title belt?" Heluna exclaimed with anticipation.
—
"Round five! Fight!" The announcer's voice boomed as the holographic battle intensified.
Neil and Veirik surged toward each other with ferocity. Veirik aimed his sword straight at Neil, poised to strike as they closed the distance. In a daring move, Neil sacrificed his own safety, deflecting Veirik's blade with his brass knuckles and countering with a powerful swing that connected with Veirik's temple.
Closing the gap, Neil swiftly targeted Veirik's knees, rendering him immobile with precise strikes. As Veirik fell to the ground, Neil unleashed a flurry of punches, incapacitating him further by targeting his shoulder blades and arm sockets. Veirik knelt defenseless, his limbs dislodged from their sockets.
Seizing both swords, Neil positioned them menacingly over Veirik's shoulders, resembling a pair of giant scissors poised to strike. Veirik, unable to defend himself, closed his eyes in defeat, accepting his fate.
Neil, confronting the image of his younger self, saw the embodiment of his past cowardice kneeling before him. With resolve, Neil swiftly uncrossed his arms, crossing the blades over the holographic neck of his past self, symbolizing the severance of his ties to his haunting past.
With a swift motion, Neil swung the blades wide, slicing through the holographic neck and symbolically beheading his past self.
"K.O.!" The announcer's voice rang out, declaring Neil as the victor. Neil stood tall, watching as the holographic representation of his past dissolved into nothingness. With this decisive victory, Neil had liberated himself from the shackles of his past, leaving behind the burdens that had tormented him for so long.
—
"Neil Wins!" Keten exclaimed, leaping into the air with excitement in the bustling newsroom.
"First Officer Neil O'Reilly emerges victorious as the champion of the inaugural 'Nexus Exhibition' tournament!" Heluna announced enthusiastically beside him.
---
The entire ship reverberated with a mix of cheers and jeers in response to the match's outcome. Some celebrated the thrilling battle that unfolded, while others lamented the loss of their bets and wagers.
Neil's triumphant pose and the declaration "Neil Wins!" adorned every screen aboard the USS Nexus, solidifying his victory in the minds of all who witnessed it.
—
Neil and Veirik stepped into the bustling atmosphere of the Melting Pot, greeted by an explosion of cheering and the sound of champagne bottles popping.
Captain Anzyl Praxas approached them with a wide smile, holding two trophy belts of different sizes, "Congratulations to both of you!" he exclaimed, handing over the trophies.
"Chief Tactical Officer Veirik, congratulations on winning silver and securing second place!" Anzyl presented him with a large silver and black leather belt.
Then, turning to Neil, Anzyl continued, "And congratulations, First Officer Neil O'Reilly, for clinching the championship belt and securing first place in the Inaugural Nexus Exhibition melee tournament!" He handed Neil a massive gold-plated and black leather belt.
The crew erupted into cheers and applause for the top two victors. Both Neil and Veirik beamed with pride as they lifted their prize belts high in the air, basking in the admiration of their fellow crewmates.
—
As the night's victorious celebrations gradually quieted down, First Officer Neil and Captain Anzyl found themselves seated in a corner booth, finally engaging in the long-overdue heart-to-heart conversation.
"So... this entire time, you were taking it out on me?" Anzyl inquired, a hint of amusement in his tone at the revelation.
"I suppose so," Neil admitted with a sheepish smile, swirling his whiskey in his glass. "Counselor Diela has been seeing me daily since our encounter in your quarters, and it seems I've been channeling my frustrations about my past self onto you. She mentioned that I was using you as my emotional punching bag and harboring resentment towards my former self." Taking a thoughtful sip, he continued, "During my match against Veirik, I found myself envisioning my past self's face instead of his. And after..."
"Beheading him?" Anzyl interjected bluntly.
Neil nodded, a tinge of embarrassment coloring his expression. "Precisely. It felt like a weight was lifted off me, as if I didn't just win a match, but rather, I had severed ties with the past once and for all."
"So... are we good then?" Anzyl queried, taking a sip of his own drink.
Neil nodded, a soft smile gracing his lips. "Yes, Captain. We're good."
Anzyl raised an eyebrow playfully. "Does this mean you'll still argue every point I make and challenge every decision?"
Neil chuckled, finishing his drink and rising from the table, the Championship belt proudly adorning his waist. "Absolutely! I am your First Officer, after all. That's my duty!"