Ensign Tho’Bi - Opening Combat Stance... to the best of my recollection.

[Tobi]

((Security Training Facilities - Deck 8, USS Artemis))

Kurrr-klunk. The heavy double doors of the Security Training Facility parted with a fizzing mechanical riser. The young Andorian stepped across the threshold to find Lieutenant Silveira waiting for him.

Tho'Bi: ::stands to attention and salutes:: Ensign Tho’Bi reporting as ordered, Lieutenant. 

Silveira: At ease Ensign. 

The Andorian stood at ease. The double doors slid shut behind him.

Silveira: Do you know why I called you?

Tho'Bi: ::quiet deliberate:: No Sir, I do not.

Silveira: What was your grade in Combat and Small Weapons, Ensign? 

The young Andorian was confused by the question, but it also made him apprehensive. He attempted to mask his apprehension beneath his initial reaction of confusion. 

Tho'Bi: ::confused:: My Academy Gr-Grade for… Combat and Small Weapons? ::glances at his feet:: …a B, Sir.

Silveira: Only a B? I was expecting a little better from an Andorian. 

There it was again… that all too familiar assumption that because he was Andorian, he was good in a fight.

Tho’Bi: ::slow uneven:: Yes, I am Andorian, but I am also an Engineer… I just want to fix things, Sir.

The Chief Tactical Officer grinned.  

This unsettled the young Ensign. In his first few months aboard Artemis, the contrasting styles of the senior staff had made him feel like the ground was constantly shifting beneath him.  

Lieutenant Vailani had berated and led from the front, by ultra disciplined example; in contrast Lieutenant Commander Jovenan had led from the back of the pack, inviting ideas, and encouraging through understanding; the Captain was harder to pin down, like Lieutenant Commander Jovenan, she often took a step back to survey the situation, but could strike with all the ferocity and discipline of Lieutenant Vailani.

But with all that said, not one of them had… grinned at him. 

Silveira: You can't fix anything if someone is trying to break your arms. Or worse. 

Tho'Bi: ::quietly nodding:: That is true.

So much of the young space-born Andorian’s life had been consumed overcoming and managing the genetic, cultural shadow cast by that distant frozen moon, and yet, he had no answer to the Chief's observation. 

Silveira: I called you to be sure you can defend yourself. You may want to just fix things, but if you haven't realized that you don't always get what you want, maybe it's time to learn. Besides, the Artemis Engineering department has to keep up with the Renirs Effect. Because of that I have selected you to a brief sparing match. ::he gestured to floor.:: I have everything ready. 

oO Renirs Effect? Oo

The young Andorian knew the name…. but the repair of Artemis had been an unrelenting slog of triple shifts and a bewildering mess of Artemis and Deep Space 224 crew all mixed in together. He didn't know if he'd ever figure out who was who.

The Andorian glanced down at the blue and grey sparing mat, the Starfleet Insignia taking pride of place at its centre.  

Tho'Bi: ::quiet uneven:: I’m not really dressed for combat, Sir.

The Andorian knew it was a lousy excuse. He uttered it with all the conviction of a condemned man.

Silveira: No excuses Ensign. Crewman Renirs used a hyperspanner to defend herself and stop an invading party. In defending yourself you're defending your comrades.

The Andorian nodded. He matched the Chief by taking off his black and gold tunic and rolling up the sleeves on his black undershirt, exposing the blue of his long lean arms.

Tho'Bi: Eh… okay.

He felt the shift in his biochemistry already beginning to happen. The vibrations in the room became sharper, more focused. His heartbeat slowed a little.  

Silveira: Response 

The Andorian followed the Chief's directions and took up position within the large golden circle printed onto the blue and grey mat. He could feel the mat compress slightly with every footfall. 

Silveira: Response 

With all the talk of defense, the Andorian had not expected to be the one doing the attacking. 

Tho'Bi: ::unsure:: Sir?

Silveira: Response 

He nodded and took up an opening combat stance, as best as he could remember it, which wasn't very well.

oO I don't want to hurt anyone Oo

The Andorian moved in, in a quick series of long legged strides. His antennae sensed the Chief's weight distribution from leg to leg, but the young Ensign paid no attention to it.

Tho'Bi threw a loose combination of blows aimed around the Chief's torso.  

Silveira: Response 

TAG/ TBC 

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Ensign Tho’Bi

Engineering

USS Artemis-A

A240203T11