Training Session

Posted on Sat Dec 29th, 2018 @ 7:51am by Lieutenant Danica Kovitz

Mission: Season 2: Episode 3: Determination is not always a good thing
Location: Security Training Centre
Timeline: en route
1773 words - 3.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Anya had tried to get a holodeck reservation but they were all taken, so their plans had to be shelved. "How about we do some combat training, to get familiar with the weapons we'll be using?" she suggested.

Danica had met Anya at the lounge after their failed appointment. She was lounging against the wall. “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea. I’m a little out of practice with the bow anyway.”

"I don't mean to step on your toes, but you don't look like you'd do terribly well with a bow, strength-wise", Anya said. "It takes a little more muscle. For you, and I like to use that option for myself as well, a long, two-handed sword would be best, I think. You can use it with both hands, and you'll have a range advantage."

“A sword, huh?” Dani said, walking over to Anya. “Well, you’re a lot more muscly than I am, so I’ll trust your judgement.” She teasingly squeezed Anya’s bicep, letting her hand linger just a second longer than necessary.

"You should see Sami Justice", Anya grinned. "She's one of the engineers, went tanking with the group I told you about. I teased her about it... well, I tease everyone, really, but she's very strong for a girl. Wonder what she'll be like when she's a woman."

Dani nodded. “Well, I hope you don’t mind me being a bit less built than either of you.”

"No, all good", Anya grinned. "I have no preference, personally. But you have to arm yourself accordingly, is what I'm saying."

“I can do that. So how about you show me your choice of sword and I can adjust from there,” Danica replied.

"Let's head to the range? We can use it to train with swords, too", Anya suggested.

Dani rose an arm toward the door. “Lead on!”

Anya knew her way around the ship, took the shortest route. "I caught Ensign Norris, Gallia, shooting an old revolver. Now I'm getting to teach another officer swordfighting. I should turn this into a second career path."

“Ooh, a revolver could be fun too. Wouldn’t mind an Old West program eventually. But first, swords!” Danica said. “How big is the group you usually do this with?”

"Three or four, if I can get a group together", Anya smiled. "But I often run it alone, too, with NPC support."

"You never invited me along!" a passer-by, Ann P. Sea, chimed in.

"Sorry, Ann, didn't mean you."

“Well, I think you’ll have a consistent squad mate over here,” Danica said, gesturing to herself. “I’m also excited to see your outfit. I wonder what Anya Neeze’s medieval aesthetic is.”

"Lots of heavy plate", Anya said. "But for fantasy settings, more of a rogue. I'm a fan of gambeson for that. Not sexy at all, but effective."

“Rogue is probably a good call for me too then. I think I’m better on my feet than brute strength.” Dani replies. “Probably going to do a lighter sword than you too.”

"You'll definitely want more than just one weapon as an adventurer, anyway", Anya smiled. "Carry them on your back and all that."

“Alright then. What about a set of short swords or daggers? Is two handed dumb?” Dani honestly had no idea. It sounded cool, but she could see it as impractical.

"Yeah, two-handed does not work. You can only ever strike with one hand effectively, and as you lunge forward with one hand, you need to move the other back for balance, like this", Anya demonstrated the move. "And then for your next attack, it's much easier to bring your sword around with the hand that's already forward. Use your other hand with a shield. Bucklers are good for adventurers."

“Got it,” Dani said, nodding as she tried to store the information in her mind. “What about a polearm? Like a halberd or something like that?”

"That's only useful in formation, really", Anya said. "Too unwieldy. You might get one opponent, but then you're already encircled and have no room."

Danica scratched the back of her head in thought. “You know, I think I don’t have enough experience to make these decisions yet. So this time, you get to dress me up and decide what cool weapons I bring.”

"That I can do", Anya grinned. "Do you prefer warm or cold weather? Do you want to be sexy or effective? Can't have both, but in a fantasy game, we can have the computer give you a park point or two."

“I’m not sure you can do cold and sexy either, at least not realistically,” Danica said. She thought about it for a second. “Let’s do cold and effective. We can do warm and sexy when we get back to your quarters.”

Anya laughed. "Deal." At the range, she asked the computer to put various sets on display and match them to Danica's measurements. "If you look at this, they're all effective, just pick a design you enjoy."

Dani chose one styled in brown with slight red flourishes. It was a little flashier than the others, which she thought would fit her. “I think I’m going to go with this one. Has a little bit of flair to it.”

"Nice. I've got runes stitched on my gambeson, for extra magic protection. You can choose some in the game on startup, and win others from defeating enemies. That way you're more or less safe from magic attacks."

“That’d be good. It’s no fun if a mage can just pick us off easily,” Danica said, settling into her holo outfit. “Alright, swords. I’m looking for something lighter, so I’m not struggling too much with its weight.”

"This one for close combat", Anya suggested, handing her a dirk. "Just don't send anyone pictures unless they ask you, okay?"

The joke flew over Dani’s head. “I’ll make sure not to do that...”

"Nobody likes unsolicited dirk pics", Anya snickered.

“Oh my god,” Dani said in an exaggerated eye roll, but she couldn’t stop laughing. “Alright, what next.”

"This arming sword, as a main weapon, with a buckler", Anya said. "Bucklers aren't that great for protection but they're easy to carry. And you can still have a bow and a quiver or arrows by your hip." Anya preferred the sword on her back but the arrows on her hip.

“Got it. I think I’ll put my arrows there and keep my sword on my back,” Danica said.

"Yes. You can draw arrows from the back but it's much easier from the hip", Anya said. She was feeling pretty good about herself, being the knowledgeable one since they weren't talking about science. "And you need to draw a sword only once per fight."

“Yeah, I guess that’s true. Once you’re in close, you won’t exactly be switching much.” Dani adjusted the straps to the various pieces of equipment. “I’m looking pretty decked out now.”

Anya adjusted them a little further, then gave her a padded leather helmet to wear. "None of this will stop arrow fire", she said. "But getting hit by a sword is significantly less unpleasant like this. Still, it's best avoided." She smiled. "Give that sword a few swings, why don't you?"

“Got it,” Danica said. She honestly had no idea what she was doing, but she’d promised to do this with Anya. And the adventure did sound fun. After a moment’s hesitation, she swung the sword in a few flourishy movements, before looking back for approval.

Anya smiled. "Just one moment", she said, before picking out an almost identical outfit for herself. Except hers was brown and green, and she had an axe in addition to her sword. "If you watch and copy, you'll get the hang of this in no time. Good enough for the game, anyway." She demonstrated some of the moves Danica would need.

“Yeah, this is a lot faster,” the blonde said, watching Anya’s moves and occasionally mimicking. “I’ll pick up some on the fly too.”

"And the first enemies will be easy", Anya smiled. "We'll start at low level. Before long, you'll be almost a professional. I mean, in the middle ages, people couldn't afford to make some of the mistakes we can learn from in the holodeck now."

“One of the many many reasons why I’m glad we don’t actually live in the Middle Ages. Disease, gender politics, and discouragement of scientific education are up there too.” Danica prepped herself. “Okay, I think I’ll be able to get the hang of this.”

"I'm not arguing those", Anya grinned. "But we can pretend to enjoy the fun parts in the holodeck. Of course, we mustn't forget there were some really dark aspects as well. But hey, we left those behind. I haven't seen a church in all my life, except as a museum."

“Oh agreed. That’d what I love about the holodeck. You get to pull the good from the bad. Old West wasn’t so great either.” Dani smiled. “I’m excited to do this.”

"And there's just one more thing the game needs", Anya said. "And that's this." She handed Dani a leather bag to be worn round the shoulder, off to the side where the arrows weren't. "A bag of holding. Stuff anything inside, and just say what you want to grab it from it later, no searching."

The scientist admired the bag. “So like...anything? That’s pretty excellent. I wish I could have this outside the holodeck.”

"Yeah, it's called a replicator", Anya teased.

Dani shot her a look. “Build one I can carry anywhere over my shoulder and I’ll count that as an answer.”

"Ask Gallia Norris", Anya suggested. "She's an engineer and a Scot, if anyone can figure it out, it's her."

“I’ll have to run it past her,” Danica joked. She looked over her well equipped self. “Anything else?”

"Comfortable boots", Anya said. "That should be enough." She beamed at Danica. "This is going to be so much fun!"

“Boots are easy!” Dani said. “Now all we need to do is schedule our session in advance. This is gonna be great!”

"Why don't you see if you can reserve some time for us before we get to the colony?" Anya asked. "As the officer, I'm sure you get a better choice of holodeck slots."

Dani nodded. “Not a bad idea. We can take advantage of my officer perks. I’ll get right on it.”