Lt Aleks Więcek - Run? Like, For Fun?
Travis
((The Bridge - Deck 01 - USS Artemis-A))
Aleks Więcek had been partway through a rather uneventful shift at the helm of the Artemis when Commander Ava Munro, née Blondie, had arrived. Despite his desperate hopes, she remembered everything from the previous night, and she came armed with some choice words about his talents as a nickname distributor. Really, considering his state, the whole thing could've been a lot worse: At least he didn't try to flirt with her.
Więcek: I'm willing to forget the whole thing, including any strange anecdotes I shared, if you are, M’am. And I'll never say the word Blondie again.
Her eyes lit up in a way that made him fear for his safety.
Munro: Yes, you did :: grins :: You like running? 6am, corridor 21 on deck 5. Don't be late, I've just about got Doc Bancroft whipped into shape. I need a new project :: grins devilishly :: And I think I just found it. We'll have lots to chat about. I'm interested in the failed engagement.
oO What!? I like running? Did I say that!? Oo
But he remembered the words slipping out of his mouth as he was being pressured by the especially festive XO to reveal interesting facts about himself. Aleks had run before, like for Academy PT, etc. But it wasn't really something he did for fun. He preferred long-distance swimming or rock climbing.
He was so preoccupied by the prospect of running (without being chased) that he hardly even registered that he'd apparently also implied that the death of his fiancée was a failed engagement.
oO I'm never drinking again... Oo
Więcek: Oh... uh, yeah of course. ::He smiled uncomfortably.:: Sounds fun. How far do you usually run?
Munro: :: puts a finger to her lips :: No spoilers.
He managed to swallow past the lump in his throat and nod. He forced himself to get it together; he could take a little pressure. Besides, he could handle a little 5k. Probably. He hoped.
Więcek: Great. ::He cocked his head, meeting the XO's gaze.:: What do I... bring?
Munro: For running? Decent running shoes, a heart monitor, and enthusiasm. :: her eyes drifted to the console :: You were a signals analyst before, when you were in the intelligence department?
The heart monitor would be good; that way they would know for sure when he had a heart attack. As his mind caught up to the second half of what she said, he nodded.
Więcek: Aye, Commander. Signals Intelligence Specialist, actually. Picking through encrypted and obfuscated signals to figure out what was relevant was my day-to-day back then. ::He flashed her a grin.:: But flying is my true love.
He wasn't sure where she was going with this, but he was happy to move the conversation away from running.
Munro: Response
Aleks laughed, shaking his head.
Więcek: Just my luck, I finally get a posting where I have helm duties, and we're being held in orbit indefinitely. ::He pointed to the helm console.:: But those bi-hourly orbital adjustment burns? Absolutely immaculate.
Munro: Response
He couldn't quite tell if she was annoyed by him or amused by him. Aleks considered the possibility that both were true as he rotated back around to face his console.
Więcek: Speaking of... ::He laid in his burn sequence with a series of precise taps.:: We're about due for one... ::He triggered the minuscule 2.4-second thruster burn.:: Now.
It was wholly unimpressive as the inertial dampeners kept any of them from feeling the movement and the tiny amount of thrust hardly even shifted the location of the stars on the view screen.
Munro: Response
Grinning sheepishly, Aleks shrugged.
Więcek: It was harder than it looked...
Munro: Response
TAG/TBC
Lt. Aleks Więcek
USS Artemis
O238811CD0