Running - No way out of this!

Posted on Wed Apr 28th, 2021 @ 10:14am by Lieutenant Sapphire Morgan [Lalor] & Lieutenant JG Nerinath zh'Rhilror [Lalor] & Cadet Junior Grade Triston Montgomery [Lalor] & Lieutenant JG Gallia Norris & Lieutenant Victor Barclay de Tolly & Lieutenant Tate Sullivan Ph.D. & Ensign Kara Hoffman & Ensign Andrew Carey & Lieutenant JG Damien Blackford & Master Sergeant Kieran Fredericks & Lieutenant Scott Gregory [Taylor] & Captain George Charles [Reece] & Lieutenant M'Tuuri Sh'iss [S'hib] & Lieutenant JG Louis Bordeaux ( Magnus )

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Holodeck 1
Timeline: Current
4725 words - 9.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Serenity had chosen her targets well. They were all, with the exception of the Marines and Security personnel, behind on their physical fitness tests, and she didn't mean the ones the Gorn Doctor prescribed.

So, with Master Chief Fredericks and 1st Lieutenant George Charles, she had summoned them all to Holodeck 1.

Having received the summons, Damien had quickly made sure that his uniform was pressed and tidy, and he was in a semi-presentable state and had quickly hurried to the Holodeck. Upon entering, he saw the officers and quickly snapped off a salute, and an, "Ensign Damien Blackford, reporting as ordered."

George looked over to Serenity. "He's not a Marine, so he's saluting you," he spoke quietly, as to not embarass the young ensign.

She nodded. "At ease Ensign." She said brightly.

Damien nodded, relaxing slightly, glancing around the Holodeck. "So, er, am I allowed to ask why I'm here?" He asked, chuckling nervously.

"All will be explained when all have arrived" the Blond Security Officer said with a grin. "Do not worry its not a bad thing."

He chuckled, nodding, glancing around, waiting for whoever else had been summoned to arrive.

Scott and Sapphire arrived next, each wondering why and for what they had been called to the holodeck for. "You don't know why we're here and I don't know either. Let's try to find someone who does." He suggested.

"Serenity seems to be in charge" Sapphire replied as they drew closer to the group.

Just then the door to the holodeck hissed opened, but when heads turned they were greeted with an empty corridor instead of a new visitor, moments later a single ear popped out from one side, followed by a long tail slowly flicking at the tip. "What's thisss about," M'Tuuri grumbled as she leaned back further, exposing the rest of her head to the eyes on the doorway. "Because you woke me upurr."

"Aww sorry about that" Serenity was sarcastic in her reply. "Come in and join the rest of us." She waved the Caitian over to the group.

Her eyes flicked to Serenity, black slits opening wide before narrowing again, the only sign of annoyance coming from the tip of her tail quivering like a rattle snake.

"Fine." Was all she said before silently slinking into the room, purposely moving to one of the far walls and as far away from anyone as possible.

"Aright, wha's all this then?" Gallia asked in her typically Scottish manner.

Before answering, George looked over at the Catian that was sulking off in the corner. "Lieutenant, front and center with your crewmates. Now." His tone clearly conveying that there was no choice but to obey the order.

The commanding tone was met by a hiss like exhale of frustration, black lips parting to expose her teeth as they chattered in garbled Cait. Why couldn't people just leave her be she thought, padding her way reluctantly towards the group, tail writhing wildly behind her.

Andy walked into the holodeck and looked around, "Any idea what this is going to be?" He asked, "A big game of hide and seek?"

Damien glanced over at his fellow Security officer, grinning slightly. "That would certainly be one way to keep morale up." He said, chuckling.

A look of steel stayed on the annoyed caitian. George picked up a few of the curses that she muttered. Finally, when she was in the proper position, he looked over to Serenity, and whispered. "Is this everyone?"

"Almost" the Blond replied.

M'Tuuri audibly tutted at this, caring little about everyone knowing her displeasure before proceeding to groom the fur on the back of her hand, licking the fur wet before rubbing it near the ridge of her nose.

Walking into the holodeck, Tate felt more curious than concerned. It wasn't a place to which she was typically summoned, and her first thought was that there was some sort of interpersonal dispute or individual incident that required her counseling skills. When she saw others had gathered in the same place and appeared to be as equally perplexed as she was, her curiosity only deepened.

Kara was next to arrive. Unsure as to why she had been summoned, she had brought along her Engineering toolkit. It's not often she was summoned like this, unless it was an engineering problem, so she felt confident... until she saw a few others standing around waiting. "Is there a technical issue, or are we a' here for a wee get t'gether?" She asked, visibly confused.

“Good question Kara,” Victor responded with an eyebrow going up. “Someone will either clue us in or we can figure it out.”

Serenity smiled at the gathered group. "Welcome all of you. Avalon, initiate Program Erisia IV"

[[Acknowledged]]

The holodeck swirled around them, creating a landscape of rolling fields and high jagged cliffs behind them and before them, the fields gave to tall forests of tress and there in the distance, towers.

"Welcome to Erisia IV Program. The captain's own program. Based on her home world." Serenity announced. "Master Sergeant Fredericks and I, along with 1st Lieutenant Charles, have been given the chance, by Captain's order, to put you all through your paces. This is an endurance test." She waved a hand and a pile of backpacks, appeared. They were not overly full, in fact they were pretty light compared to the packs Marines normally trained with. "It should take you no longer than 35 minutes to run from this point, through the trees to the Tower." she pointed. Picking up a backpack she tossed it to Victor and then another to Damien. "Grab a pack each." she ordered.

Kara was excited, quickly jumping forwards to grab a backpack and strap it tightly on, placing her toolkit into the spare pocket on the bag. "Sweet! I love these training sessions, See you guys at the tower!" Kara hopped, into a sprint and took off into the trees at a fast pace, disappearing from view towards the large tower in the distance. Quickly reappearing however, waving. "Cmon Gallia, let's go together?" She beamed.

Victor takes his backpack as he was eager to run. Watching the others adapt, Victor ran with Kara.

Scott walked over and picked up two packs and returned to Sapphire, handing her one. "Shall we get started?" A smile on his face.

Sapphire took it and nodded. "Lets go"

Scott smiled, "Right off we go...together."

Running, she hated running... not that she couldn't M'Tuuri thought as she stepped lazily over to the bags and scooped one up, a sour expression on her face as she simply walked off without saying a word, bag dragging on the floor, held in her clawed hand by a single strap.

The only time she ran was when she was in danger, or when Tayalas was, but she would try to keep up with her Kara. She strapped on a pack and ran to her love's side, "Well, darlin', here we are."

"Dinnae worry my dearest, I won't run fast. Let's make this a relaxing time eh." She kissed Gallia's cheek, "Ken I shouldnae while on duty but, ach well, naebody saw" She giggled.

Tate frowned, more curious than annoyed by this particular surprise. She wondered what she had done to earn this particular activity and why the captain was concerned about this group's endurance specifically. Sullivan wondered if, contrary to what she had been told, she hadn't actually passed her physical after all. If that were the case, this seems like a pretty elaborate ruse just to avoid honesty. Tate inwardly smirked. It appeared the Marines were certainly enjoying seeing the rest of them put through their paces.

Reaching for her pack, she passed by George and offered teasingly, "Try not to look so pleased."

Damien caught the pack tossed to him, and quickly examined it, before shrugging, shouldering it, and setting off at a gentle pace towards the tower. If this was going to be anything like the survival courses he'd taken at the Academy, then there was no way this was the only thing they had in store for them. And he wasn't going to waste all of his energy yet.

"Weighted backpacks." Andy replied as picked one up. This was not out of the norm. His father did the same thing to him. The real question was, what else was in store for them. This was too easy. He placed the backpack on his back, and started off.

George grinned slightly as he watched everyone begin the course. Leaning over to Serenity, he whispered softly, "When do we tell them that this is just the warm up?"

"When they get to the tower" She smiled.

The Marine chuckled softly. Today was going to be a very fun day. For him, not the group running the course.

Kieran smiled at the young officers' confidence and morale. He knew what was coming, having been briefed by Lieutenant George previously. He turned to George.

"With your permission, sir, I'll walk tail end Charlie and pick up any stragglers." he suggested.

George nodded, still feeling odd for the Master Sergeant to look to him, someone much younger, for leadership. "Get to it, Master Sergeant. I want you to instill fear into any who seem to be giving up on the Captain's endurance course today."

A wolfish grin appeared on Kieran's face. "Don't worry, sir, they won't be too far behind. If they drag ass too much I'll have them crying for their mothers. " he said.

George felt the energy and excitement pour out of tbe older man. It buoied his own energy level. With an evil grin, he replied with a resounding, "OORAH, Master Sergeant!"

Kieran grinned. "Oorah, sir. " he said, tightening the straps on his rucksack to make it more comfortable and heading to the rear.

"Just a fair warning to you all; aboard ship you may all outrank me, but as of now, you're in MY world! None of you had better let me pass you up or by the time I'm done with you, you'll curse your own mothers for giving birth to you! " Kieran bellowed. Marines weren't known for being politically correct.

"Well, yer boss jus' saw, ya silly bugger." Gallia giggled, a little nervous since this was the first time Kara had saw her hair since she cut it. Hope she likes it.

After everyone had headed off towards the tower, George turned and looked at Serenity. “Shall we go and get ready to meet them at the tower?”

Serenity nodded and the two of them initiated a quick site to site transport to the Tower within the program.

=half an hour later=

Serenity finished hooking up the long ropes from the top of the tower and tossed them down to George below. She then smirked and looked towards the woods. The first group should be coming in soon.

George caught each rope dropped and positioned it accordingly. The last rope nearly landed on his head. "Hey!" He said, chuckling as he looked up, feeling a general sence of amusement from Serenity. "Play nice up there, I'm on your side, remember?" He chuckled some mord, then, seeing where her eyes were, he turned to gaze down the path as well. Any moment now.

She laughed and abseiled down the tower

Kara had kept the pace of her run quite slow and although at first the tower seemed quite a distance away, the time passed by quicker and easier than expected with Gallia by her side. They had chatted as they ran, discussing various day to day things, such as new furnishings for their home and What to do regarding Tayalas' education. As They neared the clearing at the base of the tower Kara stopped. "Uhh, doesn't look like there's any stairway, how do ye' suppose we get up there darlin'?" She turned to Gallia and stopped.

"Well, if'n I was guessin, I'd say with these ropes their handin' oot." Gallia answered, though she hoped she was wrong.

Damien had kept his pace steady the entire trek, not wanting to spend all his energy straight away. He knew something else was gonna happen. There was no way they'd all been called here for a simple run.

So, when he finally arrived at the tower, and noticed the ropes hanging down, he allowed himself a small smirk. Yeah. There was more.

Stopping at the tower's base, he allowed himself a moments respite to catch his breath, before facing the officers, saying nothing.

"oh well, first one. Good going ensign" Serenity said brightly.

Scott and Sapphire were next to arrive at the tower. They hadn't pushed themselves but kept a good steady pace. As they came to a stop at the tower's base, Scott noticed the ropes and looked from Serenity to Sapphire. "Looks like the fun is just beginning."

Tate arrived in the middle of the pack. Having felt the weighted pack as soon as she picked it up, she figured the run to the tower was just the beginning. Seeing the ropes, she realized she was right.

George waited off to the left of the ropes, he had removed his uniform jacket, and was standing, Arms crossed his muscular chest, giving each arrival a level gaze.

Andy arrived, it was a longer run than he was used to, but he given he was told not to expect an easy time, being in security, training wise, he merely shrugged it off. Noticing the ropes and the tower he stopped, did some jumping jacks, a few air punches. Then grabbed the ropes and started climbing, he had taken up rock climbing, when he was a kid, didn't keep it up however. Within moments, he found himself joining the rest on the tower.

Coming in dead last M'Tuuri slowed to a gentle meander as she approached the tower, she was given thirty five minutes after all, no point rushing she thought as she returned the gaze to George while walking past.

"Let's get this over with..." She grumbled as she swatted a rope out of her way, wrapped her paws around one of the four beams supporting the tower and began to climb. "I'll see you at the top!" M'Tuuri chirped as she quickly moved up the tower, splintering wood with her enlarged claws as she did so.

"As you were, Lieutenant JG M'Tuuri!" George barked up to the Caitian. "Front and Center with the rest of your shipmates, now!" His tone made it clear that he was not joking.

Kieran, already having told Lieutenant George that he would pick up any stragglers, jogged up to the group. Though he'd run similar courses throughout his career, this one was well designed. Still, he'd made it look easy. To prove to them that it could be done, he'd made sure his pack was at least twenty pounds heavier than the others. If any of them balked he'd dump the pack out to show them. At forty one years old, they should have been able to easily outpace him, yet the last of them in line had barely beaten him to the end, although Kieran seriously thought that M'Turri was toying with them.

As George barked at M'Turri, Tate leveled an interested gaze at George. She'd read his personnel file and knew he'd suffered a good deal of trauma. Sometimes that led to a degree of overcompensation when it came to feeling challenged. She wondered how he would continue to respond to them in his position of authority. Would he show balanced leadership or use the opportunity to flex his authority?

"you heard him Lieutenant" Serenity called to the Officer. "Those ropes are only part of the deal!" She smirked. "Did you think it would be a leisurely run then a climb up a tower? Please no. I have orders, and orders I follow"

Damien looked around at the rest of the assembled Officers, then looked up at the tower, and the ropes, wondering what exactly the next part of this test would actually entail.

M'Tuuri slowly turned, hanging from a support beam by a single paw to look at George, a half assed hiss leaving her lips as she let go and fell the six or so feet to the floor. "Fine..." She said as she raised from the ground. "I'll purrlay along."

George kept his gaze on the Caitian. "Lieutenant M'Tuuri," he began. "If I need to speak to you again, there will be consequences. You're here for a reason." He spoke up and looked at the entire group, raising his voice so all could hear him. "You all are. Let's all drop the attitudes and whatever chips are on shoulders and do what you are here to do. And with that, please direct your attention to my training partner, Lieutenant Triannth." He then turned his own attention to Serenity and waited.

She clapped her hands and around the base of the tower between the crew and it appeared several old fashioned metal barrels. And behind them, were cords of wood, which, were unfortunately on fire.

"Ah well now, no its not just a simple climb. This is a team building exercise, All of you, and your backpacks need to be at the top of the tower before you can move on to the next part. Then you will need to traverse to the far tower." As she spoke another tower appeared in the distance, between the two towers was a thickly braided rope. "You must all reach that tower together so that the rescue shuttle can find you all. If one person is left behind or goes off ahead of the others, we will be doing this again tomorrow."

Up until that point, Tate thought she was participating in a simple fitness test. Now that it has been announced this was actually a team building exercise, the counselor was intrigued. Of course, she briefly wondered why she and the others had been selected for this exercise and couldn't help but speculate why that could be. Mentally deciding to consider the possibilities later, she offered to the rest of the group. "If this is a team building exercise, the goal is to reach success as a group. That means we won't be penalized for helping one another as long as the entire group makes it to our destination. It seems to me it would be helpful to strategize based on our strengths and challenges. Honesty is key. There's no shame in your struggles, but the more we know about them, the easier it will be to plan a way to provide support so we all make it over. I'll share first. I'm not crazy about heights. Would someone be willing to play leader? I think I'll be able to focus better if I have someone to keep my eye on above me."

"I agree with Tate," Victor responds first, "We have to help others. Kara has been great help to me in this exercise. Now how can I help you Tate or anyone else?"

"Right you are then" Kara said, moving around the tower, they came across the strut where the main rope was hanging. "Ah, seems there's already one here, well let's get climbin' we dinna want to be last eh?" She turned her backpack around to her front, and gripped the rope firmly. "Put your arms around my neck and hold on tight love, I'll do the climbin' for the both of us."

With that Gallia put her arms around Kara's neck and kissed her cheek, "There ye are, darlin', le's make our way crosst it."

Seemingly in her own personal hell, M'Tuuri wondered what on Ferasa she had done to deserve this torture... besides the myriad of things the Federation claimed were crimes, though nothing sprang to mind. "I'd rather be scrubbing the warp coils than do this... at least id be alone." She muttered quietly to herself in her native tongue, the garbled growls and odd meows being unable to be translated.

Hearing the untranslated grumbles, George turned his attention back to the Caitian. "Something you wish to add, Lieutenant?" He was quickly tiring of the junior officer's bad attitude. He made a mental note to speak to her immediate supervisor later.

"As much as I love the ssssound of my own voice, No...I don't." She hissed before gripping a rope with her clawed paws and began to climb with as much effort as she had put into running earlier.

"Thanks for the inspiration, Lieutenant," Tate replied, following the Caitian. She didn't doubt her own physical abilities, but wasn't a major fan of heights. The idea of following someone was enough to distract her from when she was actually doing.

George looked at the rest of the assembled crew. "Well? This is a timed exercise, people!" He looked over Master Sergeant Fredericks and added. "Master Sergeant, if you would please?"

"With pleasure, sir. " said Kieran. He turned to the assembled crew.

"Before I show you all how this is done, let me tell you all something. I've been in the Marines longer than most of you have been drawing breath. And yet I came in less than a minute slower than the last of you, and trust me, I was taking it easy. And my ruck weighs twenty pounds more than any of yours! You can do better. " he said in what he hoped was more of a disappointed tone than a reprimanding one. He wanted them to try harder, not give up. Without another word, still wearing his pack, he checked to make sure his combat gloves were tight, then grabbed one of the ropes and began climbing. Once he was a few feet off the ground, he twirled his right calf around the rope, and once the rope rested on top of his right foot, he put his left foot on top of the rope, creating a foothold.

"Pay attention, kids. " he said, grinning as he again began climbing.

Scott stood alongside Sapphire and watched the marine climb the rope. He watched in silence and kept his opinion to himself.

=TIME JUMP=

30 minutes later the group were gathered at the top of the tower looking at the rope leading to the next tower.

"ok.." Sapphire muttered "Who wants to go first?"

Seeing that the group was stationary again, George pulled up a command screen and activated the bext difficulfy level. Suddenly, the sound of enemy troopers shouting at the group could be heard. Also, several simulated disruptor shots began raining down on the top of the tower, as if fired from below.

Sapphire cursed and yelled at George "YOU SIR ARE A TARG!" And then she began snapping out "Get your bags, its on a decline, loop them over the rope and go!"

Scott grabbed his bag and one for Sapphire. Even though this was a training exercise, he wasn't willing to see her get hurt by accident. "Alright, you told them what to do, lets go." He urged her.

Sapphire nodded and slung the bag over the rope and jumped. It jolted her arms but she big back a curse as the bag began the slide.

Scott was right behind her. He threw his bag over the line, jumped felt a jolt through his arms and began to slide rapidly down the line.

Damien looked around, hearing the sudden commotion. Grabbing his bag, he looked down at the enemies, before looping his bag over the rope, and following the others down the rope.

Seeing the group move, George looked at Serenity. "Your turn to throw the next curveball at 'em."

"Avalon, Initiate weather pattern Magnus." Serenity said.

"Yes Lieutenant" And the team was suddenly pelted with heavy rain and wind as they made their way across the rope. And those on the tower, waiting their turn were able to see lighting coming their way.

George chuckled as he spoke to Serenity. "Do you know what Marine Drill Instructors say in weather like this?"

"No?" She asked.

Grinning broadly, he said, "If it ain't rainin', we ain't trainin'!" He then began to chuckle again.

Serenity grinned at that. "how very true"

Tate managed to accomplish the tasks in front of her fairly well despite her uneasiness around heights. She was a bit winded, but was less concerned about the curveballs being thrown at her and naturally became more interested in the reactions of the Marines leading the effort. It seemed George took particular delight in acting superior and speaking patronizingly. What she had hoped was designed to be a team building exercise which challenged them physically and emotionally seemed to have turned into an opportunity for the Marines to throw their weight around and attempt to make others feel small. She was used to the "break them down to build them up" mentality as an Academy graduate, but even then, at least she could say she had agreed to a particular relationship with her Academy instructors: she wanted to serve Starfleet and in return, they were going to evaluate her and make sure she was fit to serve.

She didn't have that sort of agreement with George and the others in this case, and still, she was curious about his motivations. As she quickly became drenched making her way with her pack, she focused her attention on not moving too quickly, but keeping a steady pace so she didn't slip in these particular weather conditions.

George was picking up everyone's negative feelings towards him and Serenity. Even Fredericks was having some directed towards himself. That was good. Anger had a way of motivating someone to perform. And performing they were. "I think they might just break the course record, Serenity," he whispered as he continued to watch.

"They will. They are good even if they do not know it." the Security officer replied

Reaching the ground, right behind Sapphire, Scott moved to her, "You okay?" He asked. Her well being paramount inn his mind. "Lets see if we can find somewhere to get out of this rain."

She nodded and then pointed. "Shuttles" And together they led the team to the shuttles.

"Excellent." Scott agreed.

After the group had gathered at the Shuttles, Serenity looked them over. "Well Done." she said with a smile.

George smiled proudly at the group as they finished filing in. "Congrats everyone!" Looking at his chonometer, he then looked back at the team. "You all, as a whole, just set a new course record by beating the previous time by twenty seconds. You should all be proud of your hard work."

Scott listened as George talked. He was tired and wet but glad Sapphire as well as himself and the others had come through without any injuries. He turned his head to Sapphire and gave her a smile which was followed by a thumbs up gesture and a soft "Yay us."

Serenity looked around at the group. "You are all dismissed. Go hit the showers." She smiled.

Scott nodded at the welcomed news. He leaned towards Sapphire and whispered, "Care to take a joint shower? We can save on water and soap?"

Sapphire laughed and pushed him towards the arch. "Just start walking" she laughed.

Scott laughed in return, "Yes ma'am. I'm walking." As he headed for the arch. "Though." He mused, "I thought it was a really great idea."

She laughed and followed him out.

As George stood and watched everyone exit the holodeck, he leaned over to whisper to Serenity. "They are going to go far. If the Captain ever puts together a rapid response, multi-specialty team, my vote us to use them. They're still a bit rough around the edges, but, give 'em time, and more training together, they'd be great."

"One never knows when such events will happen" She mussed as she shut down the program. "Maybe next time we will run it in the Mirror universe. We have several training programs around that."

Nodding thoughtfully. "Interesting. I might be interested in participating in that course. I've only read a few reports about the M-U. I've never experienced it. He walked with her as the left the holodeck, the doors sliding shut behind them

Victor nodded at each one. "Well this was interesting," he said as he exited.




1st Lieutenant George Charles
Valkyrie Pilot
USS Elysium
(NPC Tonelly)