Traditions

Posted on Mon May 25th, 2020 @ 2:57am by Lieutenant Samantha Leyton

Mission: Mission 3 - 100
Location: C Deck; Gymnasium
713 words - 1.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Walking into the gymnasium and dressed in a grey tank top and black shorts, Samantha noticed the area was rather busy. She wondered if most were working out their frustrations and stress of being stranded out on the fitness equipment. As she moved to the heavy bags, she noticed one was taken by slightly taller but much better built woman with blonde hair, wearing the standard Starfleet workout clothes as she working one of the bags. She donned her gloves and approached. "Hi. I'm Lieutenant Leyton. Need me to hold the bag?"

"Warrant Officer Maddison," she introduced herself as she continued to work the bag. "Up to you." She let up as she noticed Leyton moved in to hold the bag. "Thanks."

"Anytime. So, how long have you been boxing?" Leyton asked.

"Nearly all my life. My brorther got me into it What about you, lieutenant?" Maddison wondered as she continued to work the bag in a smooth rhythm.

"Same, except my grandfather taught me. He was a career Naval officer in the old United States Navy and later the United Earth Navy," Leyton stated. She was impressed with the consistent rhythm of Maddison's punches--she would hate to take one.

"So you're from a military family. Impressive," Maddison commented as she stopped working the bag, offering Samantha some time, gesturing to the bag with her glove.

Samantha nodded as she took her turn working the bag, falling into a combo rhythm that her grandfather taught her. "What about you?" she asked.

"My brother taught me and we sparred often. He's a Security Officer in Starfleet. Stationed as an instructor at the Academy," Maddison stated, her mind drifting to if she would ever see her brother again. She let out a sigh, bringing her attention back to the present and on Samantha's form on the bag. "Your grandfather taught you well. Try to snap your punches a bit more, though."

Samantha nodded, a grin forming. "Care for a round?"

"Spar? Are you sure? I don't want to hurt you," Maddison asked.

"Who says I'm the one going to get hurt?" Samantha relied, her grin now a smile.

"Alright," Maddison said, letting go of the heavy bag. "Get geared up." She moved to the area where the protective gear was stored.

After donning their head and protective gear, Samantha and Maddison entered the ring that had a growing crowd begin to form around it. The ring in reality was a rubber mat with white lines at the area of a standard boxing ring. The two women began to circle one another, gauging one another's movements. Maddison moved towards Samantha as Samantha did the same. In an instant, Maddison snapped off several quick jabs towards Samantha's head that she blocked and immediately countered with a jab of her own that struck Maddison's shoulder.

"Not bad," Maddison commented through her mouth guard as Samantha pressed her attack with another jab that Maddison ducked to the side and countered with a cross punch that connected solidly with Samantha's head, causing her to step back, blocking the incoming second blow to her mid section in the process. Maddison was relentless as she pressed her attack, causing Samantha to retreat back across the ring.

Several minutes later after trading blows, Maddison once again gained the upper hand and delivered a jab-cross-uppercut combination as quick as she could muster with the jab and uppercut connecting, sending Samantha to the ground to the cheers of those that had gathered around the ring to watch the sparring match. "Good fight," Maddison said after removing her mouth guard and offering a hand to Samantha.

Taking the hand, Samantha stood on wobbly legs and removed her own mouth guard. "Damn you punch hard. I'll hold you to a rematch though."

"Looking forward to it, lieutenant," Maddison replied with a smile as she worked on removing her gloves.

"You know, something like this could be used to raise morale on the ship. Maybe have a weekly boxing match between a couple of people?" Samantha wondered as she worked on removing her gear as well.

"You know, that's not a bad idea. You should bring it up to the Captain the next time you have one of your staff meetings.

"I will," Samantha replied with a smile.