Taking a Tour and a Tour of the Floor

[STSF_BluRox 0]

Joint Log by Ensign James Fenn and Rear Admiral Errrika Blurox

 

As the morning passed, BluRox continues her tour that is being lead by the young ensign. He seemed excited to be doing something other than standing by the doorway, and noted his demeanor when passing some of the other guards, that ‘he’ got to show the Admiral around. She also was excited to finally be aboard her private project which she had kept secret for so long from her crew, wanting to surprise them when they returned from the Gamma Quadrant with this new ship, but she was torn inside as well, that she may never have the opportunity to actually command it. Sighing heavily the prospect of turning yet another one over to her executive officer in the period of a week, she just had to shake her head. Upon doing so, she still felt the slight irritation behind her temples, and it frustrated her, but she was determined not to let it deter from this tour. Turning to look at the young man escorting her, she decided to distract herself by making small talk, “So Ensign, how long have you been stationed here at the Shipyards?”

 

“Well I’ve been stationed here at UP for about a year now, and assisting here on this ship for the past few months.”

 

"Ah, so you've seen quite a bit of the final stages of putting this new girl together then? Tell me, what you think of her so far?" she queried while absently running her paw over the gleaming metal in the corridor, admiring the clean sleek lines of the ship.

 

“Oh yes, I'd dare to say I know it better than some of the engineers. They get a bit focused in one area... rarely do they see the whole picture.”

 

"That is a bit bold to claim, I'm sure that the engineers would quickly call you out on that," grins to herself as to the brash young ensign makes claims she doubts he could fully back up, but she likes his spirit. “I thought you said you specialized in Security?"

 

"Well, I mean...." he stammered, "I mean I may not know where every power coupling is, or the flow rate on the tachyon converters... But I have found lots of hiding places, empty spaces and the like. I like to explore in my off time. On duty I shuttle supplies and pitch in where I can. Other then checking ID's there’s not much else for security to do this close in system.

 

“I see. So finding lots of hiding places and empty spaces makes you know the ship better than its engineers. I’ll have to keep that in mind the first time we have an emergency. Perhaps I should update your supervisors that you are being wasted in security and should be moved over to engineering?” Smiling to herself as she sees him blush in embarrassment, and knowing that it's good to keep them off guard. Yet she found it surprisingly refreshing to see a young officer who did not clam right up and be afraid to speak with her, as she had often found it to be the case with new most ensigns. "As for only checking ID’s, I could see where that could make for a long day, however, it is extremely necessary, especially here. I only have to remind you to go back a few years, and look up the activities of a group called ‘Terra for Terrans’. A lot of good people were lost in that nonsense and a lot of that occurred because standard ID check procedures were not followed as strictly as they could have been. Let alone the figures for the property damage on top of everything else. Something you might want to keep in mind for your future shifts of having to check ID’s. Remember those that were lost. Ah, here we go, this looks like we're coming up to the Security Area. Would you mind showing me around the facility please?"

 

Thinking upon her words, “Aye, Admiral, and thank you, I had not thought of it in that light, but will now forever keep that in mind as I do the job.” Motioning her into the doorway, “Aye, this is the Security Area, a rather nice space if I say so myself. I'm sure with your history you will fully appreciate the improvements.”

 

"I know my Chief of Security Will Robinson, would be interested in how this is filling out. He’d say it was too empty at the moment for sure," as Fenn begins showing off the empty armory cabinets and holding cells.

 

"Now, you were mentioning that you knew my background? Surely they're not teaching boring things like that at the Academy nowadays? Surely, ‘Know Your Admirals 101’ isn’t a class that fills up quickly?"

 

"You had mentioned you started in security earlier on in the tour when we first met," he quickly responded, closing some of the empty cabinet doors.

 

Blu headed off down one of the two sections of the brig, “Ah, ok. So tell me, how to you’ve been keeping this area? I’m seeing a lot of empty racks, nothing in the cabinets.”

 

“Well standard clean and polish. The armory cabinets are ready for their allotment, and the staff desks are kept ready. Don't need much but supplies and crew and the security division of this ship is ready to go.”

 

“Well, the station security division perhaps, my head of security would tend to disagree with you. He'd say it wasn't ready until there were full cabinets of phaser rifles, hand phasers, and any other weapon type you can think of. The man does enjoy his trade, he’s particularly fond of demolitions unfortunately,” she chuckled to herself at an apparent inside joke.

 

“Sounds like a stand-up commander. I’ve always felt a bit more comfortable in a shuttle myself. I did great on my weapons testing at the Academy, but I tend to prefer to talk first, and then fight.”

 

"Well, that's what Starfleet is all about, information first, and weapons for defense," she leans over and says quietly "But as they say on Earth, the best defense is sometimes a good offense." She smiled at the enthusiastic ensign, and continued to look around, testing out several of the consoles. "When were they planning on stocking up the ship? It's only 4 months from the proposed completion date, though I've had word that it may be completed any day now, just cosmetic items which can be taken care of later.

“Guns aren’t any goods without able crew to use them. I heard they have the final stockpiles ready to ship over. Just need authorization. I also think the ship still has some space trials to undergo first. It’s really a pretty ship. I’ll be sad to see her go. My next rotation is to a number of smaller cargo vessels. That is going to be boring work. Do you think your crew will like their new home?"

 

"I like the layout of these controls as well, much more efficient then our old ships’ were and aye, I think they'll love this. Assuming this is the ship that is still slated to go their way. What of the other facilities, on the rest of the ship? Any lounges where they can eat or relax? Let's go have a look, why don't we," she stated towards him.

 

"Absolutely, Admiral. We have a highly efficient holodeck, a crew lounge, a well equipped gym area, and the mess is tops. They only recently got the galley operational but it is excellent. The gymnasium is closest... guess they figured us security guys like to work out," he grinned.

 

"Let's go take a look, why don't we," as she turned back towards the outer doorway. "Lead on Mr. Fenn." She had to smile to herself as she thought of what holodecks were like when Holly was in control. The boy had no idea.

 

"This way please,” he motions and as he exited she fell into step beside him. Shortly, they came to a door marked with several sporting icons on the doorway. “Here we are sir, the recreation facility.” Entering, it was clear that this was one area which was already well stocked with gear and ample areas to work in.

“I take it as this area seems to be fully furnished; it's already seeing a great deal of use?”

 

"Yes sir, the recreational areas at UP aren't this nice, it’s one of the perks they’ve been letting us test out ourselves to see what equipment is needed, what is being used and what isn’t that could be replaced by something else."

 

"What type of workouts have you and the staff been doing?”

 

“I mostly do cardio, and a little kickboxing. Some of the guys are into heavy weight training., but not me. Muscle isn’t gonna stop a phaser, but being able to jump out of the way may be just enough,” he paused seeing her grin. “I’m running on, aren’t I?”

 

“It’s ok Ensign, I’m the one that asked you the questions. I used to be pretty good at this myself,” pausing and going over to pick up a pair of boxing gloves, “in my younger days.” She smiled again, “But that was long ago. Most people wouldn’t spar with me hand to hand as I had a bit of a temper, and they were always afraid I’d lose control and use my claws on them, so my workout partners always insisted I use the gloves, so I got used to having to wear them. How about we have a small go while we await Admiral Hardwick’s return?"

 

"Um, right now? I mean... Sure, I understand you want to test the facilities..."

 

Blu walks over and picks up a pair of gloves and tosses them over to the ensign, and then grabs a pair for herself

 

"Any rules in particular?" he begins strapping on the gloves

 

“Well, try to go easy on my head," but doesn't explain why so it doesn’t make him withhold his strikes.

She moves to the center of the marked area and stretches a moment.

 

Hopping into the ring after he had held the ropes for the admiral, “I’d imagine Caitian's have a strong martial history?”

 

"A bit," not wanting to give herself away. Honestly, most of her people were really pacifist, they hated to fight. That’s why so many took the path towards communications, with their fine hearing and peaceful attitude. Bringing herself back to where she was, she starts circling the ring, and then turns and gives him a swift kick catching him in his mid-section, knocking the wind out of him with the unexpected strike.

 

“I guess we’re starting,” coughing and trying to catch his breath. James returns to stance and begins to up his tempo as he begins to realize that the admiral isn’t holding back.

 

"You'll find when you're in the field; you don't often get a nice little guy waving a flag to begin. That Mr. Fenn, was your first lesson for today." Blu bounces lightly on her feet, and goes to kick but instead pulls the kick and rolls forward, coming up with a punch to his midsection again. She decided as he was new, she would fight in a Terran style, rather from the crouched, springing style of her race.

 

"If only, Ughhh," while the two blows hurt, James used the time to analyze Blu's style. Very agile and quick, making her legs excellent targets if he could connect. He threw a few jabs to the midsection to make her close up.

 

Now that she was focused on defending her upper body, he fired off a quick snap kick towards the hamstrings that connected full force, bringing her to the ground.

 

She regained her feet and took a step back. "Ensign, I am getting the distinct feeling that you are a bit worried about hitting a flag officer, and you are pulling your punches some. Enough of that, it's just you and I in here...show me what you have."

 

"Not holding back Admiral, just pacing myself," ‘and learning to read you’ he added mentally.

 

Before she could finish lecturing him on the move, he took the surprise initiative this time, and feeling his kicks connect with her legs again, she crumples to the floor, "Ouch.....wasn’t expecting that move.....very" and is interrupted by the very loud bellow from the doorway.

 

James made sure to get some distance from Blu before turning about, and then heard Admiral Hardwick at the door.

 

"Damn it BluRox!! What do you think you're doing?!!” Admiral Hardwick enters and walks over to Errrika, offering her a hand up. "And you," turning to the Ensign and pointing a finger in his face, "She just got out of two weeks in medical for a repeated concussion and she followed that one up with yet another. What were you thinking?"

 

“Sir, I had not been informed. The Admiral wanted to test out the ships facilities. Her punches don't feel like she’s been to sick bay recently.” He realized and quickly added, “Sir.”

 

"Mackie, don't take it out on him, he had no idea. I didn’t tell him. Besides, I was the one that asked him for the workout, and I'm doing fine. I’ve been getting restless just sitting around."

 

"I can see that, from the way you were cleaning the dust up off the floor with your bottom," replied Hardwick. "And you’re ‘supposed to be sitting around’, to get yourself better. This is why I recalled you to Earth, I knew you would not take care of yourself while trying to get that tow back to Earth, better to let your XO deal with that mess.”

 

“Mackie, I’m fine, let me show you,” Errrika gave him a sad, pouting face.

 

“Fine, if you're going to do this, do it right." He walks over and grabs a set of headgear. "Put this on if you want to continue. It will give me a chance to assess your physical condition and not have to read it on a report."

 

"Mackie, come on, that's for beginners!"

 

"You'll wear it, or you'll never be considered for this post, in fact, you’ll be lucky to be considered for a desk, trust me, I'll see to it."

 

"You’re playing dirty Mackie, but fine, very well, I'll wear it." Goes over and pulls it out of his hands.

and slides it on. “Perhaps you should come in, I’ll show you personally my physical condition,” she glared at her old friend.

 

“Oh no you don’t, you just want a free chance to get back at me, besides, you already have an opponent, so get to it,” he said.

 

“Fine,” she sighed and turned back to Fenn, "Now...don't pull back Ensign, show me what you have."

 

“Just try to avoid her head,” Hardwick noted.

 

James grabbed some headgear from his corner, hoping Blu will feel more comfortable if they both wear them, plus who knows what moves the Admiral will try now that she has to prove herself. He might need it as Blu's punches start to come faster and with more power, but her accuracy seems to be suffering for it. James' agile fighting style keeps the most severe punches away.

 

"Alright, let's see it Ensign, you're pulling back again."

 

After a particularly nasty swing Blu is left off balance by the extension and James executes a textbook leg sweep that brings the Admiral back to the ground again. "Uhmph," and flips herself back up with a strong leg swing.

 

"One more like that Blu, and I'm stopping this," Hardwick told her.

 

"Hush Mackie, perhaps your right, or perhaps,” Blu twists herself into doing a rather tricky spinning back kick, but James avoids most of it, grinning to himself that he knows what counter move to use, when suddenly something else crashes into his calves, dropping him to the floor face first.

 

"Oof.. " James went down…

 

Quickly dropping a knee into the middle of his back pinning him down, she withholds the punch to the back of the neck which would have disabled him, and turns to look at Hardwick. “Satisfied?”

 

"Using your tail is cheating Errrika," Hardwick chided her.

 

"We didn't set any rules Mackie. Not my fault he doesn’t have one."

 

Admiral Hardwick, lightly shoved Blu aside laughing and turned to give the boy a hand up, "Nice work Ensign, I've not seen too many people able to land that many blows on her, she’s still pretty quick for an old girl," as he turns to Blu, "But that is enough of this, before you get hurt again. What were you thinking Blu? You're here for evaluation and rest, and I find you here fighting, you’ve got to stop and rest!” Hardwick sighed.

 

“Watch who you are calling 'old' Mackie. I was just teaching the Ensign a few things. He’ll be the better for it now, knows to be ready right away, isn’t that right Ensign?”

 

"Thank you Admiral. It sure gives me something to train for,” Fenn responded coming to his feet.

 

"Well, it at least answered part of tomorrow’s medical tests for you. They were to test your physical stamina and your reflexes. I think with the added bit of cheating, the mental reflexes are there as well,” Hardwick grinned. “I’ll update medical that they can skip over those tests.”

 

Blu nods to Hardwick and turn turns to Fenn, "Thank you for that match. Sorry about that tail there, we rarely use them, in fact it's rather frowned upon in my society,” Clouts him lightly on the back, "Nice work there, you have some good moves.”

 

"I’m not in medical Sir, but being the target of her punches, I'd pass her for duty,” responding to Hardwick. Turning back to BluRox, “Sir, thank you, that was fun. I’ve had few good fights since I’ve been assigned here, and as for the tail, a nice move, I’d have not thought to watch for it I’ll be more wary next time. Assuming you ever come around again, I'd like a rematch," glances at Admiral Hardwick "after you’re medically cleared, of course"

 

“As long as you learned something from it, it was worth hitting the deck a few times.” She turns to Admiral Hardwick, "See, Ensign Fenn thinks I should be back to work, and I agree. That makes the vote 2-1."

 

"Funny Errrika. Well, pending the outcome of tomorrow’s tests in medical, I'm prepared in light of what's happened to your ship, to go ahead and install you here. I already saw you put up your dedication plaque. A little sure of yourself aren’t you? A bit possessive? Now what if we assigned the ship to someone else? Wait a moment. Oh no……You didn't"? He cocks his head at her, truly worried that she put that damned AI into this new ship

 

"Cant' get anything past you, can I Mackie?” Knowing she hadn’t had an opportunity to install that chips, but he didn’t need to know that. “But for my inconvenience, should I be cleared, I'd like to take this ensign of yours and put him on my crew. Would that be acceptable? Kid with his spunk stuck watching freighters load? What a waste.”

 

She turns and looks at Fenn, “How about it, ever considered star ship duty? It’s a lot of work and you’ll be away for

long periods of time.”

 

Admiral Hardwick, "We’ll see about that later, let’s go get some lunch.” Turning to Fenn, “You’re dismissed Ensign.

 

“As for you Errrika,” pointing towards the locker rooms, “Go get cleaned up and I’ll meet you up in the Ready Room. We have several things to discuss, as in your future and we need to come up with some limitations for you as well, there will be no discussion on this. Then, we’ll see about the ensign.”

[Capt Rian Kwai 0]

Nice job guys! Whoohoo! A new ship :D

[STSF Seiben 0]

Whoo! Can't wait to see our new ride! :D