Preliminaries

Over the USS Nexus intercom, the Captain's voice resonated, "Attention, crew of the Nexus. This is your Captain speaking. I'm thrilled to announce the inaugural 'Nexus Exhibition' – a martial melee weapons competition that's open to everyone on board. Whether you're an experienced warrior or just eager to try something new, this is your chance to showcase your skills."

His voice and announcement captured the attention of everyone on board the vessel. Crewmembers paused from their duties and looked around, ears fully attentive to the captain's voice.

"The rules are simple: Stick to melee and non-ranged weapon styles. You must be old enough to be considered an adult in your culture. What happens in the ring stays in the ring. Unleash your creativity, and let's see the diversity of martial arts on the Nexus." Captain Praxas continued. "To enter, simply fill out the entry form at the Melting Pot's console. Let's make this competition a true celebration of our shared talents and camaraderie. Myself, First Officer Neil, and other members of the Senior Staff will also be enrolling. So if you ever wanted to take it out on your boss without any repercussions, now's your chance!"

Crewmates eyes lit up, and jaws gawked in amazement.

"But what is a tournament without a reward? The tournament champion will, of course, have bragging rights, honor, and the following perks for the rest of our duration in the Expanse: Priority Access to Holodecks, Officer Quarter Upgrade, and Personalized Replicator access!

Wishing you all the best in the Nexus Exhibition! Captain Praxas out." He ended his announcement.

—

The Melting Pot buzzed with newfound energy, transforming into a hub of activity within the ship. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as queues formed in front of computer consoles, splitting the crowds into two distinct groups: those eager to enter the competition and those excitedly speculating on potential participants.

Even the captain, alongside Neil, Veirik, Zide'Mok, and Eroga, stood in the entrant's queue, patiently waiting their turns like any other crew member.

In this competition, rank held no significance; everyone stood as equals, seizing the chance to prove their prowess against fellow crewmates.

Approaching the terminal, Anzyl swiftly filled out the application form. A quick hand scan summoned his profile on the screen, displaying essential details:

Name: Anzyl Praxas

Rank: Captain

Faction: Starfleet

Race: Trill

Age: 36

Weight: 84 Kg (185#)

Height: 1.81m (5'11")

Some additional fields required manual input, and Anzyl typed the remaining information:

Weapon: Jian long sword

Style: Xingyi Jian Swordplay

Upon pressing the "Enter" button, the computer beeped, and Anzyl's profile picture joined the growing list of participants. The crowd erupted in cheers, witnessing their captain not just as a leader but as an active participant.

In quick succession, profiles of the First Officer, Chief Tactical, Chief of Security, and Chief of Operations illuminated the screen. The Melting Pot pulsed with feverish activity, a lively spectacle not witnessed in months.

—

Far from the Melting Pot, in the Holodeck Engineering and Programming room, Stitch, Kayuli, Keten, Heluna, and many others gathered around a large screen. Tey'un was deeply engrossed in programming various arenas and battlefields for the upcoming Nexus Exhibition.

He designed square arenas surrounded by moats within ancient temple ruins, circles of stone situated atop a mountainous chasm, a metal cage set in a dark cavern, and even a boundless tatami mat within an endless dark room devoid of walls. As Tey'un worked his digital magic, they collectively created dozens of diverse arenas, each offering a unique setting for the melee weapons competition.

Excitement filled the room as the crew members chimed in, contributing elements from their own cultures, preferred locations, seasonal variations, and personal touches to the growing roster of combat arenas.

Each arena featured a special gimmick or unique aspect, adding layers of challenge and excitement to the upcoming competition. The collaborative effort reflected the diverse backgrounds and creativity of the Nexus crew, ensuring a thrilling and culturally rich experience for all participants.

—

The day arrived for the commencement of the preliminary rounds, marking the moment when hundreds of contenders would be whittled down to the top 64. The ship's computer efficiently randomized and paired the applicants before distributing them evenly across the 6 holodecks.

Early in the morning, the ship's network, in conjunction with the Melting Pot, streamed the action from all holodecks throughout the entire ship, allowing the crew to witness the tournament's unfolding drama.

As the matches progressed, the stark contrast in skill levels became evident. The distinction between Novice and Artisan was clearly drawn, with some contestants swiftly exiting the competition while others dominated their opponents.

The criteria for victory varied, ranging from winning best two out of three rounds to scoring knockouts or accumulating points for successful hits and strikes, or losing points for sustained blows.

Match after match, the Melting Pot's rosters displayed profile pictures gradually turning gray, signifying the elimination of participants, while the victors advanced to the subsequent rounds.

The first day concluded with the top 64 profile pictures showcased on the main Melting Pot display monitor, where the Captain and other senior staff members were prominently featured alongside the contenders.

It became evident that these officers had earned their commissions and rightfully secured their places in the championship.

—

The following day marked a reprieve for the contenders, a respite from the intense clashes in the Nexus Exhibition. However, the ship's network was buzzing with activity as Heluna and Keten, the ship's panel of keen commentators, delved into the highlights, recaps, and occasional mishaps of the preliminary rounds.

A myriad of images and clips flooded the network, showcasing warriors from diverse races wielding an impressive array of weapons and combat styles. The footage captured the essence of the competition, from exhilarating victories to unfortunate blunders.

In one frame, defeated participants were dramatically thrown off the arena, plummeting into the watery moats below, punctuated by the blaring announcement of "Ring Out!" flashing on the screens.

Another set of clips depicted seasoned fighters executing precision strikes, depleting their opponents' health bars to the triumphant sound of "K.O.!"

Occasional perfection was achieved, as evidenced by the rare occurrence of a "PERFECT!!" emblazoned on the monitors. In these moments, a skilled artisan of the sword effortlessly maintained their full health bars, emerging unscathed against challengers who were hopelessly outmatched.

---

Throughout the ship, lively discussions reverberated, accompanied by cheers and playful jeers. Whether in communal dining areas or private quarters, the Nexus was alive with animated chatter, a vibrant tapestry woven by the shared excitement of the ongoing martial melee competition.

—

The next day marked the second round, where the initial 64 participants would be whittled down to the top 32.

While the divisions in skill remained noticeable, the stark contrast seen in the preliminary matches had diminished. The novices had been eliminated, leaving the journeyman participants struggling against the more seasoned artisans.

One by one, the profile pictures on the screens were grayed out and replaced with the triumphant victors. As the day progressed, the field narrowed, concluding with 32 profile pictures proudly displayed on the monitors.

Notably, Captain Anzyl, First Officer Neil, Chief Tactical Veirik, Chief Security Zide'Mok, and Chief Operations Eroga maintained their colored profiles, advancing to the next round.

The camaraderie and competitive spirit were palpable as the crew eagerly looked forward to the intensifying competition.

—

After a day of rest and more recaps, highlighting the journey from 64 to 32, the next round of competition unfolded – the Top 32 vying for a spot among the prestigious "Top 16". This marked the last round of simultaneously streamed events, and while the fanfare persisted with the top 32, each bout had faced the challenge of being somewhat overshadowed by the five other battles occurring simultaneously.

In this phase, the round count increased to a demanding best 3 out of 5, amplifying the importance of combatants' stamina.

With the division of skill gradually diminishing, the battles became even more intense, victories harder to secure.

Slowly but surely, one by one, names and profile pictures were grayed out, marking the end of the road for some contenders.

---

As the first week of the Nexus Exhibition concluded, the anticipation peaked with the revelation of the Top 16 profiles displayed on the monitors, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next stage of the competition.