Meet and Greet

[AJ_Grafton 0]

"Meet and Greet"

a log by LtCmdr JoNs and Ensign Grafton, Agincourt Security

 

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Left Hook. Jab. Jab. Left Hook.

 

The sparring bag in the gymnasium aboard the Agincourt was taking quite a beating, as it surely had for the past coupld of days. Many crewmembers took their anger, their losses, their pain out on the bag, and it was beginning to look severely worn.

 

Grafton moved back from the bag, keeping a light dance on his toes. Much was going through his mind at the moment, and being almost a complete stranger on board, he did not know what more he could do than just release everything.

 

Lieutenant Commander Kansas JoNs silently and carefully entered the main gymnasium, nodding politely to the two crewmembers who passed her on the way out, and even more thankful that they didnt even spare a glance at the cane she used for mobility.

 

The Caitian security chief was recovering from the beating she had taken, and for the most part was expected to make a full recovery. In the meantime, she used a cane for cautionary support until the effects of her various injuries were completely gone. She didn't like using it, but she was following medical orders.

 

AJ continued his tirade on the bag, not noticing anyone, or anything else around him. Kansas stood off to one side and observed the newest recruit to the security department as he went through his workout paces, and so far the second officer liked what she saw defense wise. Grafton seemed to have a basic grasp of boxing moves, and mixed it up with some free form martial arts as well.

 

The feline carefully sat down on a nearby bench and rested her cane - which had a tribal design to it - across her knees, content to silently watch for now. What she didnt like was the fact that Ensign Grafton seemed oblivious to anything going on around him, and that was a bit disconcerting. Someone could have probably snuck up behind him and killed him twice by now.

 

Finally, the young ensign took a break, and stretched his arms, taking a long look around the gym. He nearly pulled something in his arm as he quickly moved to attention. "Commander!"

 

Despite feeling older and a bit depressed due to her recovery time and injuries, the feline senior officer managed a small smile for the younger ensign. "At ease Grafton. Those were some pretty good free style moves." She stood and walked over to him, the cane plunking down every other step as she walked over to him; she offered her free paw to the man. "Thought we could get properly introduced. It has been a bit hectic lately. Welcome to Agincourt Security Ensign Grafton."

 

Grafton nodded and shook the chief's paw. "Thank you sir. It's a pleasure to serve aboard."

 

Kansas smiled a bit and returned the handshake. "What's your area of expertise Ensign?" She could have just as easily looked the information using the ship to headquarters data feed, but she wanted to hear it from Grafton directly. Besides, the alpha quadrant communications relays were still blown to hell in a hand basket thanks to the Soltan attack.

 

Grafton relaxed, just a tad. "Mostly station and ship security. Preventative defense systems, and a bit of code breaking, sir. Including the basic forms of self-defense and martial arts taught at the Academy..." He trailed off lightly.

 

JoNs motioned with her free paw at Grafton. "At ease Ensign. Code breaking you said?" Her one ear flipped back in honest curiosity. "So you're a code monkey, I believe is the lower decks nickname?" A fanged, though genuine smile, split her muzzle.

 

AJ smiled. "Let the Sharks say what they will Chief. I'm still good."

 

Kansas returned the smile but swung the conversation in another direction. "You had a pretty harrowing stint dirtside, according to your after action reports. You doing allright with all of this Grafton? Going from base duty to a state of the art warship knee deep with recovery efforts can be a bit jarring." Again, Kansas was highly concerned with the general mental state of all the humans within her department.

 

He nodded, his eyes betraying him. "I admit Commander, it's a bit of rapid change. I never thought about ship duty when I was on station."

 

"... well, with the number of cadets lost during the blitz, I'm sure lots of Fleet and Marine personnel will find themselves re-routed or shipped out to new assignments. It'll take some time for everyone to settle, but I have to be straight with you Grafton - I need to know that I can count on you." Despite her injuries, the felines green eyes still took on a shrewd and calculating slant.

 

"Good. Now with that said, I have an open door policy. You need to talk, the office is open."

 

 

He shifted his stance. "Understood Chief."

 

Kansas shifted her weight and rolled her left shoulder with a grimace; she was starting to feel a bit weary again. After a couple of seconds, she spoke again to the ensign. "Okay Grafton, carry on. Just wanted to stop by and touch base before I reported in for a checkup at the medical bay." She found an encouraging smile for the newbie recruit.

 

Grafton nodded. "Thank you Commander."

 

JoNs made her way out of the gymnasium, her footing sure but a bit on the slow side. She was making good recovery progress, and in no time she would be back up to her normal "all four paws" speed and would have no further need of the cane.

 

Grafton waited for Kansas to exit, then turned again to the sparring bag. He was about to launch into another attack to cleanse any feelings he might have, but then straightened up. "Time to suck it up..." he muttered under his breath. He stared at the far wall for a moment, then walked off, giving the bag a tap with his glove.

 

<<END>>

Edited June 8, 2008 by AJ_Grafton