Training Backpost

Posted on Fri Oct 14th, 2022 @ 1:43pm by Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels

Mission: The Lost Brother
Location: Holodeck two

Soran stood on the holodeck, "Computer, Wagnor Training 10. Two random opponents and random melee weapons."

Two large humanoids with clubs appeared and attacked. Soran pulled a knife from his boot as he dodged the first club and sliced the man's arm. Then followed up by stabbing him in the neck, the humanoid convulsed and he lost his grip on the knife. The second Man charged! The Angosian stepped in and disarmed the man by dislocating his shoulder. He finished by breaking his neck.

Soran took a deep breath; the training programs were necessary for him to keep his edge. They also brought back memories. Sometimes it was easier to spar with a flesh and blood partner, the problem was finding a partner of similar skill that he trusted.

"I really don't think starfleet approves of this." He suddenly heard behind him in a Southern drawl.

"I do what the situation requires." Soran said. "Starfleet's defensive knife training is hardly adequate. I've tried to teach knife fighting before,, but I've always gotten a lot of resistance."

"I don't mind." Tony said for the record. "I think it is wise to teach different styles as well. I am proficient in the basics in human style and Klingon style myself but far from an expert."

"The basic principles of humanoid martial arts are the same." Soran explained. "Same thing applies to weapons be they Blunt, bladed or energy. kinetic force is kinetic force and energy burns. Weapons are mere tools, Intelligence is the real weapon."

"Smarty pants." She said but she was glad he was teaching her and it helped her not think about what was going on right now.

"Let’s see how smart you are!" Soran smirked, as he threw a knife at her.

Tony deftly sidestepped the knife. "You will have to do better than that, Ren. I am not an amateur."

"Good," he nodded. "Computer Wagnor Training 020."

The room melted into an outdoor wooded area; there was a table with knives on it and humanoid training dummies nearby.

"How are you with knives?" Soran asked.

"Fair." She took one of the knives and handled it for a bit to find the balance. Then she threw it at the dummy hitting it not too far from the centre.

Soran nodded, "Knife throwing is a good hand eye coordination exercise, as a general rule I don't throw knives in combat. I prefer to keep my weapon in my hand."

He picked up a training blade and tossed one to her, "how's your foot work?"

"I don't know to be honest. I have not done any training with knives in a long time."

Soran dropped into a combat stance, "It's like dancing you don't forget. Get your and guard up widen your stance a little bit."

She did as he had instructed and tried to mirror his movements and be ready for when he attacked.

"All of your movement should originate from the hips," he made a quick thrust with the knife to illustrate the movement." "The feet follow the hips to keep you balanced."

"Hmmm." Tony did not like losing at all, it was the marine heritage in her. "Like so?" She tried to copy his movements.

Soran caught her wrist and redirected the blade. "I appreciate your tenacity but let's not spar just yet. You need to learn to flow, right now your reacting. You need to be able to act."

"You are going to teach me how to dance." Tony could not help but laugh.

He stepped in closer; "you need to learn how to move with your opponent. Accept the incoming attack and deflect or reflect it."

"Put the knife down for a moment," Soran instructed.

She followed his instructions. "Ok, show me what to do." They were standing really close to each other now.

"We'll start with push hands," Soran said. "If we use the dance analogy I'll start attacking therefore I lead. The pattern will be high, mid, low."

Soran stepped closer hand put the back of his forearms against Tony forearms.

"Got it." Looking at his hands she followed his movements.

The Angosian kept his expression neutral, as they moved through the familiar drill. He'd done this drill with his old mates, so few of them were still among the living. He gave Tony a gentle smile, "You're doing well."

"Thank you. This is fun." She grinned at him.

"Let's get the lower body involved." He said as stepping in, "Feel my movements and move accordingly."

He remembered doing this same exercise with a woman who couldn't take anything seriously; he missed her. He kept his expression neutral.

Tony was careful to stay attuned to him and move her body along with his. There was more marine in her then she wanted to admit and she wanted to do this right.

"Relax your shoulders," He said, "glide through the movement."

"easier said than done." Tony muttered who had been hoping for praise.

"You're picking this up very quickly," He smiled. "Remember that diplomatic ball on Starbase 114?" We had to learn that folk dance for the visiting dignitary?"

She missed a step when she started to laugh. "We did so well that he thought we were a couple."

"That got awkward seeing I was with Lela at the time." Soran chuckled.

"Lela..." She began to dig in her memory. He had had so many girlfriends over the time she knew him. "Redhead?"

"Yes, that was her." He her he smiled.

"What happened to her? I thought she was nice and understood you better than most of your girlfriends. Why did you let that one go?"

"We had different goals and she became jealous too easily." He said. "Let’s try with the knives again?"

"Oh did I touch on a sore point?" Tony teased. "To be fair, you switch girlfriends a lot, my friend. It is almost a waste of time to invest in getting to know them."

Soran shrugged, " I was too cavalier with relationships when I was younger and now. I guess I've never figured out how maintain a relationship."

"Well you are not the only one. Many people I met were patients, and now I am a senior officer. That does not make it any easier to have any kind of relationship."

Soran handed her a training blade, " The edges are Blunt but there's a wire there's a wire running along it that emits an electric shock on contact."

"That's wicked." Tony said. "So do you want me to try and hit you?"

"You can try," He smiled.

"Ok." Tony concentrated then started the dance as they had without the blade. Super concentrated she tried to find an opening through which to strike. She took her time trying to make him lower his guard. When she finally struck she came within an inch of hitting him.

Soran sidestepped her bringing the edge of his across her arm, as he did a memory flashed through his mind. He was remembering training the Rothins, they hadn't had time for a lot of knife training, but they'd been so eager...

Tony tried to adjust without losing her balance and stab again lower this time.

The Angosian shifted his weight and redirected the blade with his forearm, He ignored the painful shock as he forced the edge away from his torso. He took advantage of the opening he'd made and ran the his blade across Tony neck.He caught as she lost her balance and help sat on ground.

"Damn." She muttered.

"Knife fights are quick with the winner in the hospital and the loser in the morgue." Soran said. You don't have time to think you must act.

"That is what I thought I was doing. You have years of training."

"I'm sorry Tony," there was guilt in his voice. "Is your neck okay?"

"Yeah no problem. I am not made of glass fortunately." She tried to put him at ease.

He shook his left hand out, his forearm was numb from the shock of the blade. He sat down next to her looking a little sheepish.

"I guess I went full boot camp on you," He shook his head remembering those boys he trained. He didn't look her in the eye.

"Ren, what is going on with you right now." She said softly taking one of his hands between hers and gently started to massage his fingers.

"Just thinking of the Rothins, they were Allies of the Angosians and during the Talsion War. I was sent to train their soldiers, then later their people rebelled against their government and I was with the force that was sent to stop them. I knew some of the men that I fough. I played their music, danced with their women and ate their food. In the end, I watched their cities burn." Soran stared at the ground. "My people betrayed them and I was there, my heart is stained with so much blood."

"Oh Ren." She said softly as she continued to stroke his fingers in an effort to comfort. "I am so sorry for all that was done to you. The way you were used and misused."

"Now the Federation is considering Angosians for membership," The shook his head. "Sometimes I wonder if the Federation is any better."

"It's individual people, Ren. You know that. it's the honourable people that we go on for."

"I know that it only takes a few individuals getting positions of power to turn an entire society away from their principles. I've seen too many good citizens follow their leaders blindly to have faith in any government." Soran looked her in the eye. "You're probably wondering why I'm here if I really believe that. Your Uncle Wain said; 'that it's stubborn bastards like us that keep the federation honest.' So I'm here to serve my principles first, I understand why some people fear me. I don't think there's any amount of good that can wipe away some of the things I've done.

She grinned. 'That sounds like uncle Wain. I know he lectures his students on honour and responsibility. And illegal orders. I am sure you heard that lecture."

"Technically the Admiral kidnapped me. I was planning to join a group of mercenaries and somehow they intercepted my transport signal. I'd rather not think about the number of laws and regulations he broke. He probably saved my life."

"He is a very good man. And you know that my dad is exactly like him. They make me believe in starfleet and yet they break as many laws as they obey."

Soran sat quietly for a moment. "I understand why some people fear me, I can't do anything about it."

"Only allow people to get to know you. I have never feared you. And I don't think anybody in the family does. Mine or Wain's."

"I guess I'm afraid of them as well," he sighed. "It's a paradox you can't love without opening yourself and others to pain.

"I love you. Have for years. As a friend." She added quickly although she was not even sure that was true. Her feelings for Ren had been complicated for a long time now. "Friends make it worth your while to live as well."

"I understand," Soran smiled. "Thank you."

"Are you still talking to Sky?" She said gently. "Therapy is important."

"Yes," he nodded.

"Good." It was as that way they could continue to be just friends.

He stood up and offered her a hand, "We'll try again slower this time."

"Don't treat me like I am an old lady." She joked with him. "I can take it."

"If you say so." He grinned.

"I say so." Before she had finished she tried to surprise him with the knife.

The blade brushed his torso and as he moved to block her arm. "Nice, work on Neutralizing your opponent's defenses before going for the kill."

His side stepped behind her, "or avoided their defenses altogether."

He struck her lightly on the shoulder with the heel of his hand.

"Damn, you are no fun to play with at all."

"Knives aren't fun weapons," a smile crept across his face.

He had said the same thing to Thatha so many years ago, for a second the remembered her emerald eyes and wicked grin.

Tony moved as fast as she could and to her own surprised got under his defenses. "Ha! You are getting slow old man!"

Tony's blade struck him in his solar plexus, his air painfully left his lungs. Between the force of the blow and the shock from the blade he stunned, he could feel himself losing his balance. He dropped his knife and threw his arms round her, driving his head and shoulders into torso. If he was going down, he was taking his opponent with him.

"Ohmph" Tony was taken by surprise but she would not let him win that easily wrestling they went down to the ground. But there was something in her that kept her from being a truly effective fighter and seeing him in pain she held back not wanting to hurt him more.

Soran looked at the concern on Tony's face. She had pinned his arms. but he could easily use his lower body to get free. He drew a breath and repressed his training.

"Your empathy is admirable Tony, but if you're not careful it will get you killed." He said gently.

"This was only training and I could see that I hurt you. I am sorry, Ren. Are you ok?"

" I'm fine, that was a good strike." He smiled. "You can let go of me now."

"Oh sorry." She blushed slightly as she let go.

It's alright it's good to have a sparring partner I trust again. He smiled.

"In that case we should do more of this." She grinned again. "And I promise not to hurt you next time."

He smiled, "the point is knowing how to hurt people. I still appreciate your concern."

"It's good to spar with you again, Ren. I missed that."