The New Year's Eve Party

We've got to stop having these parties; they are bad for our health.

I wake up in a stupor again, just like I did at the Christmas Party.

Firstly, I ask the computer who I am; it tells me, and I go to the mirror to see a dishevelled mess. Time for a sonic shower.

It pulls me round and I try to remember all the events of New Year's Eve. Those Klingon Bloodwines and Bajoran Brandies....

Now I'm starting to remember....

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The night started out very promisingly, with everybody in high anticipation of a good time ahead. We were waiting for the band to come.

There was a disturbance outside. Quite a ruckus. Surely it was a little early for any high spirits by the crew?

Then I realised it. Dan Dreg and his band The Dregs Of Society were here.

Dan slouched in, with dirty torn clothes, long spiked hair and safety pins all over his face. The rest of his group were similarly attired.

Worf was looking concerned and already had his Security team on full alert, as if the Borg were about bo board the Enterprise.

Dan reached the microphone and unleased a torrent of abuse at the audience there.

"There were a few Earth words in that sentence I hadn't heard before." said Deanna.

Data looked puzzled, and it seemed he might be coming to ask me about some of the words later on; I'll pass that job on to Riker.

"Introducing me group.." said Dan to everybody, "on the drums is Davy Dreg, on the guitars with me is Dirk Dreg, and on the keyboards, is me sis, Davinia Dreg."

"They are all Dregs." commented Beverly.

"No one will dispute that." I replied.

The Dregs Of Society launched into their first number, 'Noise Rules' it was 130 decibels.

"Is the somewhat exceeding permitted sound levels for Starfleet vessels, Captain." inquired Data.

"You could say that!" I had to yell in his ear.

The band then started to play 'Scruff Supremo'. This was 140 decibels. People were starting to pass out. Beverly was attending to them.

After that, Dan then yelled some more abuse at the audience, smashed one of his guitars over Dirk's head. They had a fight on the stage.

"That's it!" I said to Worf, "Get the team in, Mr Worf! You know what to do."

The Security Officers moved in and grabbed Dan and the rest of the Dregs and carried them out of the room screaming.

"That will fill the Brig up." I said.

"Yes'" said Riker, "But what are we going to do now? The New Year's Eve Party has only just started."

"Gather the senior staff together." I instructed,"There's only one thing we can do. The show must go on!"

I grouped the staff together and told them that we were going to have to be the band from now on.

"Riker, you're on the trombone, Worf, you're on the drums, Deanna and Beverly, you are the backing chorus, Geordi, you're on keyboards, and Data, you're on guitar."

We started off with 'Groovin' With The Federation', a classic of the 24th Century.

Then Beverly and I sang our duet of 'Simply the Best':

I call you when I need you, my heart's on fire
You come to me, come to me wild and wild
When you come to me
Give me everything I need
Give me a lifetime of promises and a world of dreams
Speak a language of love like you know what it means
And it can't be wrong
Take my heart and make it strong baby

You're simply the best, better than all the rest
Better than anyone, anyone I've ever met
I'm stuck on your heart, and hang on every word you say
Tear us apart, baby I would rather be dead

In your heart I see the star of every night and every day
In your eyes I get lost, I get washed away
Just as long as I'm here in your arms
I could be in no better place

You're simply the best, better than all the rest
Better than anyone, anyone I've ever met
I'm stuck on your heart, and hang on every word you say
Tear us apart, baby I would rather be dead

Each time you leave me I start losing control
You're walking away with my heart and my soul
I can feel you even when I'm alone
Oh baby, don't let go

That got the party back on track, and we launched into playing 'Spaceman':

i see your face on television, almost every day
in magazines and on the big screen
close yet far away
i wonder why you choose those others
and you never come to call on me
when i'm the one who's waiting for you
i really need you - please pick me!

spaceman, oh spaceman!
come rescue me from this!
calling all aliens!
come rescue me!

remember that night at my window
when i waved at you?
i must have been only five, or so,
but i never forgot you.

i wonder why you choose those others
and you never come to call on me.
when i'm the one who's waiting for you
i really need you - please pick me!

spaceman, oh spaceman!
come rescue me from this!
calling all aliens!
come rescue me!

We kept on playing throughout the night, not noticing the Klingon Bloodwines and the Bajoran Brandies we were having.

Guinan was getting very concerned about the Bloodwine possibly spilling on to the new carpet that had been installed in Ten Forward over Christmas.

Eventually, midnight approached and we played 'Auld Lang Syne'

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days of auld lang syne? And days of auld lang syne, my dear,
And days of auld lang syne.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days of auld lang syne?
We twa hae run aboot the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine.
We've wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin' auld lang syne.
Sin' auld lang syne, my dear,
Sin' auld lang syne,
We've wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin' auld ang syne.
We twa hae sported i' the burn,
From morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne.
Sin' auld lang syne, my dear,
Sin' auld lang syne.
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne.
And ther's a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

Data kissed Jennifer, Geordi kissed Trisha, Deanna kissed Riker...and Worf, and I kissed Beverly.

"Happy New Year" we all said to each other and the Enterprise crew.

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And a Very Happy New Year to everyone out there. May the coming year bring you peace and prosperity.