Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!
Posted on 01 Nov 2026 @ 3:42pm by Lieutenant Commander Leland Hawksley & Lieutenant JG Todd Hewitt
651 words; about a 3 minute read
Mission:
S04 Episode 02 The Hackers Backdoor (Incidentals)
Location: Holodeck 01
Timeline: Shore Leave
[ON]
Holodeck was running Maple Leaf Gardens full ice old school rules. Hologram guys skating around like they always do while Leland and Todd lined up on the blue lines and just stayed there most of the night cause thats where the real fun was.
Leland pinched early and caught Todd with a shoulder right in the chest. Sent him into the boards hard enough the glass shook. Stuck around a second with his stick across Todds arms grinning under the cage.
"Stay down old man you been listening so long you forgot how to stand up" Leland said laughing. "This aint the library bud."
Todd got up quick like he always does. Little smile though. Slapped Lelands gloves on the next cycle then drove him into the same boards. "You call that a hit? I take harder bumps from cargo lifts. Keep your elbows in or I will put you through the glass myself Commander."
They just kept chirping the whole shift both of them grinning. Hologram winger tried to dig the puck out and both of them ignored him. Leland shoved him again near the crease visors almost touching. "You been alive since before they even drew the blue line. Go sit with your books Hewitt. This is a mans game and you are just taking up space."
Todd didnt back up. Watched Leland the way he does then dropped a hip check that put the XO right on the ice. "Focus on the play. You are chasing holograms and running your mouth at the same time. That is why your side is down Leland."
Game stayed physical right through the third but it was the good kind. Sticks clattering shoulders bumping holograms just skating around them. Leland caught him with another cross check behind the net. Todd tied up Lelands stick and pushed him off the puck clean. Neither of them giving an inch but the chirps were still the kind of stuff they always say to each other. Leland pinned him again on the next rush longer than he needed to both of them laughing.
"You gonna score or just stand there looking thoughtful?" Leland said.
Todd shoved him off and scooped the puck. "I am going to score. You are going to watch."
Under a minute left score tied. Leland had a clear lane on Todd when the puck came free near the blue line. Could of finished the check and tied him up but he eased off at the last second and let Todd slide past with it. Todd buried it short side. Final horn. Todds side wins.
They met at the boards after the whistle. Leland skated up slow stick under one arm still breathing hard half smiling. "Good game. You earned that one."
Todd stopped and turned eyes sharp but still smiling a bit. "Do not do that. I saw you hold up on that last rush. You had the lane and you let me through. I do not need the soft play from you not even from you. Play it straight next time or do not play at all."
Leland shrugged grinning. "It was a hologram game Todd. No need to bury you for nothing."
"Then do not bother stepping on the ice with me" Todd said already skating for the exit but glancing back. "I do not want the win if it comes with a hand on my back. You know better than that."
Leland watched him go still smiling. "Yeah. Next time I will put you through the glass proper."
Todd didnt turn around but you could hear the smile. "See that you do."
[OFF]
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