Ensign Meris: The Physics of Bowling
Meris/Brian
(( Holosuite 3 - Deck 5 - USS Thor ))
Meris stood at the edge of the polished lane, eyes fixed on the glowing white pins lined up in the distance. The simulation’s air was thick with the faint scent of oil and varnished wood. On the far wall, a holographic screen replayed footage of Terran bowlers through the centuries. They had studied Jason Belmonte, who revolutionized the sport, Clara Guerrero, and Mika Kivuniemi - all the greats - from mid-20th century amateurs to legendary professionals. Each one made it look effortless.
They studied every angle, hand placement, and stride, occasionally pausing to jot measurements on a PADD. A small tripod-mounted laser projected colored lines along the lane to help the pilot map optimal trajectories. The computer had provided them a ball custom fit to their needs. They wore special gloves that were missing the finger tips so they could still feel the ball but not risk getting sweat in the finger holes.
oO If I can calculate an orbital intercept at warp velocity, surely I can strike ten stationary objects with a five kilogram sphere. Oo
The ball hummed quietly in their hand as the program reset. They drew back, focused, and stepped forward. Their foot crossed the foul line and the J'naran instantly slipped.
Their legs flew out from under them, and they skidded gracelessly several feet down the lane before stopping in a heap.
Meris: ...that was not optimal.
They collected themself, brushing off the oil-slick residue from their sleeve.
Undeterred, they retrieved another holographic ball, adjusted their stance, drew back, focused, stepped forward smoothly, and threw. The sphere arced high - far too high - smashing into a ceiling tile before falling back to the floor and bouncing once, twice, before landing with a heavy thunk in the gutter.
Meris: The gravitational constant here must be off...
They reset the simulation and walked back to the display, replaying their motion in slow detail. Each misstep was dissected, measured, and categorized. Meris concluded they had released the ball too soon and with too much force. They muttered small adjustments to themself, running another set of angle calculations with the laser tool. They wanted to get this right so as to impress Commander DeVeau and Lieutenant Tam with their expertise when the women met for their match.
oO A few more variables and this will be simple. It's just a matter of physics, not intuition. Be the ball... Oo
The sound of the holosuite doors opening startled them. They turned quickly, realizing for the first time how long they’d been at this. The simulation clock read ten minutes past their scheduled time. A woman in a blue uniform stood near the entrance, her expression unreadable.
Meris blinked, caught between embarrassment and scientific curiosity.
Meris: Oh... greetings. I was not aware anyone was waiting.
Sevantha Saa: Response.
The pilot hesitated, then straightened their red uniform tunic, smudged slightly with synthetic lane oil. They put down their ball and extended their hand to the woman.
Meris: I am Ensign Meris, helm officer aboard the Thor. I was... conducting a study on the physics behind bowling.
As Meris spoke, they gestured toward the pins, the laser grid still blinking red and green across the floor.
Sevantha Saa: Response.
Meris: Are you familiar with this sport? Are you a fellow... 'roller'?
Sevantha Saa: Response.
(( Tags / TBC ))
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Ensign Meris
Helmsperson
USS Thor
A240207M14