Hidden Talents

Posted on Wed Jun 14th, 2017 @ 3:48pm by Lieutenant Torn Thoveh & Lieutenant Kelvin Buchanan & Lieutenant JG Monik Minna
Edited on on Tue Jun 20th, 2017 @ 10:55am

Mission: Overhaul
Location: SB 343 - Gymnasium

Japori Sector
Starbase 343
Deck 220 - Gymnasium


The hits landed hard and solid on the heavy bag as Lieutenant Thoveh landed blow after blow into it. Ensign Minna, the Protean's assistant security chief, held the bag from the other side and could feel the kinetic energy as each punch landed and thumped on his chest through the bag.

"You seem a bit disturbed today, El-Tee," Monik said, abbreviating the chief's rank. "Something on your mind?"

"It's nothing, Monik," Torn lied as he threw a hard combo into the bag. "I just have some things on my mind."

The Saurian frowned as his boss lined up for another series of punches. "Torn, you once told me that I was one of a small group that you could confide in. If you need to talk about something, I can do that and hold the bag at the same time. I'm an amazing multi-tasker."

Torn stopped and laughed loudly. "Yes, Monik, you are good at that." And this wasn't a lie. Torn had always been amazed at how well Monik was at tackling several tasks at once and, on top of that, always managed to get everything done on time and correctly.

"Okay," Torn continued, "I am upset that I was passed over as XO--well, acting XO, during the last mission." He continued striking the bag. "As the second most-senior officer on board it should have been me, not McDaniel," he said with a bit of a snarl, "in that position."

"May I assume the issue is that you're confused, and a little hurt, as to why they chose him rather than you?" Monik said quietly. He knew Torn was sensitive about discussing his feelings, so he tried his best not to speak loudly and allow others to eavesdrop.

With one massive punch to the bag, which made Monik stumble backward a bit, Torn answered, "Yes."

He walked away from the bag, and Monik, beginning to remove the boxing gloves and then the tape. Monik followed him and Torn continued.

"Leah, I get. She is senior to all of us, so it makes sense that she became acting captain. But Tommie?" He slammed some of the unwrapped tape down on a table.

"Well, playing devil's advocate here," Monik said, "he is qualified to temporarily act as the CO or XO, if needed. In this situation, where we lost both, maybe Starfleet wanted someone with more years of experience guiding an acting captain through the last of a mission that was anything but routine."

With a huff, Torn replied, "I guess I hadn't really thought of it that way. As much as I loathe him, McDaniel has been in the fleet a long time and has experienced quite a few strange missions."

"Thirty years is a long time in the fleet."

Both Torn and Monik turned to the third voice joining them. The Protean's Chief Counselor, Lt. (j.g.) Kelvin Buchanan, was standing behind them.

"Counselor," Torn said with a nod of his head, wondering just how much Buchanan had heard.

"You two needed a good workout too, eh? We've been here one day and I already feel out of place and left with nothing to do."

"My understanding, Counselor," Moink replied, "is that during lengthy layovers like this the crew of the ship would be temporarily integrated into that of the facility. Most likely not engineering staff since their services would be required on the ship for the refit."

"Hmm," Kelvin said with a nod. "Makes sense. It wouldn't be like Starfleet to just let us hang around and do nothing for a month or so, would it?"

"Highly unlikely," Torn added. "I have not yet been contacted to accommodate such a request, but it does make sense. Otherwise, to have the crew of a ship such as ours just lounging about would make them go soft. And I can only perform so many drills without inciting mutinous behavior."

"So, anyone up for some sparring?" Buchanan asked. "I haven't practiced in far too long."

"I would enjoy that," Monik spoke up, "uh, unless you'd prefer to, Lieutenant?"

Torn clapped Monik on the shoulder. "I think it would be good for you, Ensign. It's been some time since I've been able to critique your fighting style."

"Full contact with padding?" Monik asked.

"Is there any other way?" Kelvin said, flashing a bright smile.

Soon after, both Monik and Kelvin were in the ring. With padded helmets, gloves, chest and back padding, and mouth guards all in place, Torn stood on the sideline hoping to see something good. "Fight!" he yelled.

The two opponents began circling each other, waiting for the first move to be made against them or for an opening. Neither had to wait long.

Monik couldn't wait any longer. He opened with a front kick, right down the middle, as part of his kickboxing training, but he also studied Judo and was sankyū, or brown belt, rank. Kelvin, on the other hand, studied Aikido and was a 5th kyu, a blue belt. He deflected the kick and fell back, waiting for the next offensive, which came quickly. Monik launched himself in the air, his right arm back as if to punch, which distracted Kelvin from the long right leg that came around and kicked him in the side, sending him across the mat.

As this was friendly sparring, Monik allowed Kelvin to stand and prepare for the next attack. "That was pretty good!" Kelvin said, steadying himself for what was next to come.

Closing the distance quickly, Monik began to punch Kelvin. The first two jabs connected but when Monik pulled back for a big haymaker, Kelvin took the chance to twist into Monik, take hold of his arm and throw him as far as he could.

"Ah, aikido," Monik said with a smile. "I was wondering what style you would use. You'll have to show me that one later."

"I'd be happy t--SHIT!" Kelvin blurted out as Monik launched himself at the counselor, almost a full-on tackle, to take the fight to the ground. The Saurian accomplished his task but failed to get a good hold on Kelvin who took the opportunity to secure his opponent's wrist, then his arm, which he leveraged up and back, locking the joint and causing considerable pain.

Monik thrashed on the mat a few moments, trying to pull from his judo training and find a way out of the hold, but Kelvin not only had his arm locked but he was standing above Monik, making it near impossible for the Saurian to scramble out of the hold. He was left with nothing else to do but tap out.

Kelvin immediately let go of Monik's arm and held out a hand to help pull him up. "Now that was fun! And you can hit hard, that's for sure. I'm glad you tapped out when you did--I was still gasping for air from where you knocked it out of me with that tackle," he said with a laugh.

"I thought I had you for sure," Monik said, shaking his head.

"You almost did," Torn said, stepping into the ring. "I think the mistake was when you tackled him. You wanted to knock him to his feet and do something like what he did to you, right?" Monik nodded. "You hit him too hard, as strange as that sounds. You were unable to control your landing, which put you just out of reach of him."

Despite Torn's warrior-like attitude, he never spoke poorly to anyone who was beaten in the ring. He wanted his people, security or not, to win a fight so he treated it like a teachable moment. He also felt a bit of responsibility for them since he was in charge of their security, which meant teaching them how to defend themselves as well.

Putting a hand on Monik's shoulder, Torn squeezed briefly, and nodded. "Your plan was good. Now we just need to work on the execution." Turning to the counselor, he added, "And you, Counselor, are quite adept at self-defense. Why have I not seen more of you in our regular training sessions?"

"I've been busy with patients and haven't had much time to myself. But after today, I have a feeling I'll be participating more."

"Once the new captain is appointed," Torn said, "I would hope that he would make it a requirement for all staff to participate regularly. We can't always pull out a phaser to settle our problems. Sometimes we're left with nothing but our own hands."

"You haven't heard?" Kelvin asked. "No, I guess not. You guys have been in here a while. Admiral Francsizka made Leah's promotion permanent and gave her the ship. Commander Sullivan is our captain now."

Torn's normal blue skin tone turned much darker and his jaw clenched. It was obvious he was not thrilled by that decision. "Any word on the first officer position?"

Looking from Monik back to Torn, Kelvin replied, "No word yet. And they have the better part of a month to assign someone, so it may not come soon."

"Thank you, Counselor," Torn said, almost through gritted teeth. "Ensign, good work today. I will speak with you tomorrow."

With that, Lieutenant Thoveh walked off leaving the two remaining nothing but to watch him go and then wonder who would speak first.

It was Kelvin.

"Uh, I take it he's not happy with Leah as captain?"

Monik frowned. "I don't believe he is, no."

Kelvin decided that may be something he needed to speak to Torn about at a later time. If he was going to remain on the Protean he would need to come to terms with his new commanding officer, no matter who it was. But for the time being, he decided to chance the subject. "So, you've got some moves, Ensign. What do you think about us sparring regularly? It seems we both have a few things we'd like to learn from one another."

"I would enjoy that. And I must admit that I did not think a doctor would be such a formidable opponent as you were. I am impressed, and must remind myself to never underestimate my opponent. They may have hidden talents I never expected."

"Words to live by, my friend. Words to live by."