An Unorthodox Approach

Posted on Fri Dec 4th, 2020 @ 5:17am by Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Private Christian Laknema

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: -Marine Gymnasium; Marine Country; USS Elysium
Timeline: -En route to Pacifica
1692 words - 3.4 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Naxea, dressed in her standard SFMC PT gear of black shorts and a green t-shirt stood in the Marine's training area. Right now, the majority of the Detachment was on stand down until the upcoming shore leave was over with due to the massive casualties they had suffered battling the Mirror Universe counterparts.

Christian, George, Sarah, Greg, and Julies were over in one end of the gym going through their morning platoon and section routine, they never thought they would have found themselves in the same platoon let alone the same section. The night before they had been up most of the night drinking and today found that they were sluggish and would have preferred to be back in their racks sleeping and not taking themselves down or grappling but the new Lieutenant had ordered the Platoon to the gym to get some PT in.

Christian stood across from Sarah, she was in the standard SFMC PT gear with her hair tied back so as not to get in her face and that it was harder to grab hold of, they circled each other looking for an opening. Christian wasn't going to take it easy on her because he knew that she was not going to be easy on him, he had learned that lesson at Basic where a Chick had taken him down roughly to prove a point and his Platoon Sergeant had told Christian not to go easy because she was a girl and he hadn't listened thinking it was the gentlemanly thing to do.

Sarah rushed him trying to grab his right arm, he quickly deflected the grab, grabbing up under her armpit and with a quick sweep of the legs he landed on top of her and found a pressure point pressing down on it hard until she submitted, "Ow ow ow ow! OKAY Christian I submit," she said and he released her allowing her to sit there for a minute before letting her up.

George and Greg were really going after each other like as if they had some beef against each other, Christian turned to watch and could see the intensity in their faces he moved over to Julies would be taking this round off, "What's up with this?" he asked her.

"You don't remember, Greg made a comment last night to George and now they are working it out of their system," she replied shaking her head, "It may be a miracle if one of them doesn't end up in the Infirmary." Christian nodded and watched as well to see who would win.

Clicking into the training room, S'hib stopped and glanced around, nodding politely to Naxea while hiding a smile.

He was dressed head to hoof in the royal garb of the Mortuary cults of Sequella, looking like some far-flung indigenous warrior rather than anything from this century.

His head was entirely covered by a deep yellow form-fitting hood, leaving just his eyes and the end of his snout exposed, the fabric then extended down his neck and split into two long sheets, one down his front and the other down his back, stopping just shy of the floor.

Around his waist was a simple rope belt, tying the two lengths to his form and leaving his arms, legs and his sides exposed.

black accents wrapped around the lower sections of his legs and arms, entwining between each finger and padding his extremities.

In his right hand was a phaser lance, built from wood and far more ornate than his modern equivalent, hiding its true capabilities behind a veil of primitive technology.

Still, he said nothing as he watched, catching their eyes one by one and staring back until they turned away.

Naxea walked over to the newly assigned Marines with a stern expression. "Good job, Private Laknema," she complimented, recalling the young man from when he reported to her aboard the ship. She then turned to the woman known as Sarah. "Did you learn to fight from a Ferengi, Private? Rushing an aware opponent without a plan will often get you beaten every single time. Try that with a Warrior species such as a Klingon and you'll be in the next damn coffin and I'll have to contact yet another family!" her voice was growing louder. "I expect better."

"I'll do better Ma'am I promise," she replied looking embarrassed.

“You.” S’hib snorted loudly, raising his lance to point at Laknema “Grab a rifle.” He commanded even though he had no real authority over Major Naxea’s detachment, still, his tone and presence more than made up for it as he marched over to an empty portion of the training area, stopped and waited, watching the young private with a side long glance from under his hooded robe.

Christian looked at the Major, "Ma'am?" He looked back at the robbed individual. It was a horse but... standing. He had never seen a race like that.

Naxea looked at Laknema, taking in his confused look. "Lieutenant S'hib is a Sequus, Private. There aren't many in Starfleet as they rarely venture from their home planet. He also trains with us when he has time and has challenged you."

"But with a Rifle Ma'am. Is that even gonna be a fair fight?" He made a mental note to look up the Sequus race later on tonight.

“Why don’t you grab a rifle and find out,” He snorted loudly, smiling inwardly while keeping a neutral almost grumpy expression across his long face.

“Because judging an opponent based on appearances alone will often get you killed.” He followed up, flicking his lance forward and igniting the business end

Christian went over to the rifle rack and grabbed one, he powered it on and confirmed it was on stun. Moving over towards the Sequues Christian took a firing stance, he still had reservations at this but took aim and pulled the trigger.

As soon as Christian pulled the trigger, S’hib stamped his left hoof forward and let out a loud barking huff, expelling the strange but intimidating noise out his nostrils all while swinging his left arm out.

He caught the pulse shot in a brilliant flash, directing most of the energy to one side as the gauntlet on his wrist activated a yellow hexagonal energy shield.

Moments later he lurched the his right hoof forward, huffing the same strange sound before flinging his lance up under his right arm and clutching its mid section in his left, covering his torso and vitals with the hexagonal shield all while pointing his lance at Christian.

“A lesson well learnt is often one that hurts,” He snorted before firing his lance, the bright yellow pulse lashing out the tip like an angry serpant.

Christian tried to dive out of the way but he caught the energy blast and was thrown back against the wall. Everything hurt when he opened his eyes and took a large gasp of air and groaned as he slowly got up reaching for his rifle his instincts kicked in from Boot Camp as he searched for any threats that were near. He slumped to his knees again and shook his head.

“Now, private... when you asked if it was going to be a fair fight.” S’hib said slowly, approaching in a crouched position, invisible shield and staff raised, pointed still at Christian for nothing more than dramatic effect. “At any point did you think that maybe it would be unfair... for you?” He snorted while inclining his head to one side, stopping and resting one leg fully to the floor.

He wanted to lash out and hurt the Sequus badly. It had made him look bad not only in front of his friends but also his Detachment Commander, but right now he was trying not to degrade himself more by throwing up as he started to feel really sick, "No Sir," he was able to get out quickly as he fought another wave of bile trying to come out of his body.

“Then learn this lesson well, victory can come from losing... you just have to understand why you lost.” He smiled softly, deactivating his lance and propping it up like an oversized walking stick.

Now would have been a perfect time to lash out if Christian could but he couldn't. He just nodded as he managed to sit up, putting his head against the wall to support him.

S’hib could sense the boiling rage within the man in front of him, the subtle pained look in his eyes, not quiet a smell, but whatever sixth primal sense he had didn't lie.

“Major, he will be unable to train for a while... Sequellian weapons leave a lingering stun that can be quiet debilitating.” He sighed as he stood to his full height.

Naxea had remained silent during the fight, focusing on the two sparring. She knew first hand just how tough S'hib could be. She nodded at S'hib and looked to Private Laknema. "Lieutenant S'hib is right. Learn why you lost and learn alternatives. You did well in your first spar against him and there is no shame in losing against someone taller, stronger and faster as long as you learn from it. I can't tell you how many times I've been beaten in sparring sessions, including by Lieutenant S'hib."

"You let me win on purpose..." He grinned, as he twirled his lance around, resting the length against his back.

Naxea then looked at S'hib. "And next time use approved practice weapons."

"Approved? I mean I could tie a phaser onto the end of a stick if you'd like?" He replied with a teasing snort, quickly bowing his head once her expression remained as cold as the bulkhead behind her. "Apologies Major, I'll ask next time."

Letting out a sigh, Naxea couldn't help but to grin as she looked at S'hib. "You better." She then turned to Laknema. "Private, go and recover. Visit sickbay if you need to."

"Yes, Ma'am," he got up and a little uneasy made his way out of the gym, he made his way to Sick Bay.

END