Lieutenant Commander Divya Tam: A New Toy
mrsciroth
((USS Thor, Deck 5, outside Asgard Spa))
The meditation spa an hour outside the Academy was one of Divya's favorite places on Earth. It had natural hot springs, indoor pools, amazing food, and a community full of wise and funny people. She felt at home there in a way that no other place off Barzan had. Because of her close connection to that one spa, she had found all other spas lacking.
She hadn't bothered with the spa on her own ship. It would have been a constant source of disappointment every time she walked past it or had to deal with it in a work capacity. It had taken a surprising amount of attention for the Operations Department, since almost every visitor was directed there.
Now that she had a friend visiting, she was obligated to go. It had become a personal goal to find out how many times she could direct Is'Kah to other activities, but this morning the small woman put her foot down, and Divya found herself on the way to the spa. It was a relief, if not an odd moment, when she turned a corner and found a science officer. The man jumped out at them with a glowing blade over his head. Is'Kah rushed forward and pushed her back to protect her. Divya went into a half-hearted defensive posture, but the scene was too comical to get her adrenaline pumping.
Tito: Good mor…
Is’Kah: Unusual way to greet someone. Good morning.
Tam: Hello, Lieutenant.
She was familiar with the man, but they hadn't spent much time together. He looked embarrassed and tried to hide his unusual weapon.
Tito: Oh fu… I am sorry… I am so sorry… I thought it was the Captain…
Is’Kah: I was unaware that your Captain was such a small person that they could be confused with me. Unless you thought Commander Tam was them, which also seems unusual.
Tito: It was the footsteps. It appeared you were following me.
Tam: When two sets of footsteps sound like one, it is a sign of fatigue.
Is’Kah: I am Lieutenant Is’Kah Xiron, Chief of Tactical and Security on the USS Valkyrie. I’m visiting Commander Tam.
The man bowed at them with formality.
Tito: A pleasure to make your acquaintance. Lieutenant Vitor Tito, science officer. ::he smiled at Tam as well:: And although we have been in the same room more than once, it's also good to properly meet you Commander Tam.
Tam: In fact, this is one of the better introductions I've had.
Is’Kah: Is that a light blade hiding behind your back, or are you afraid of a little Vulcan girl? I am willing to have a mock fight with you, on the condition that there are no strikes to my stomach area.
Divya smiled at the bad joke that seemed to confuse Tito. He brought out the weapon from behind his back and showed it to them.
Tito: I am very new to this sort of fencing, but I wouldn't mind once I am finished with my opponent.
Tam: Oh, who is your lucky opponent?
Tito: Well the Captain and I are… Using the ship as our… Battlefield…
The entire ship was a mock battlefield, but for only two. That was an interesting idea. There were dangers, of course, but a few precautions could easily be put in place to make it a good game.
Tam: Interesting concept. What sort of weapon is that?
Is’Kah: Response
He held up the weapon handle to them, and Divya took it. It was lighter than it looked. She checked for the switch and most definitely did not look down the hole where the light would come out.
Tito: We started at midnight today. The Captain is winning two to one, but I didn't take advantage of his clumsiness and didn't score the tie point. We ended up pausing until zero eight hundred hours… The Captain only showed me this last shore leave.
Tam: That is the sign of a good sportsman for you to hold back, and it was shrewd. I imagine that a captain could be a bit sensitive about being clumsy.
Is’Kah: Response
Tito: I was never any good with blades. This feels different. And quite fun. If you're staying a little longer it would be my pleasure to spar with you as well Lieutenant Is’Kah. Have you and Commander Tam served together? You're a little far away from your ship.
Tam: That would be fun. Would you mind if I turn it on? I promise to be careful.
She stepped away from the pair and let Is'Kah do the chatting.
Is’Kah: Response
Divya held the handle out away from her and turned the weapon on. A whooshing sound accompanied the blade of light. Naturally, the light took no time to emerge, but she was still surprised at the speed of its appearance. That could be because the light blade came out of the handle at the opposite end to what she expected. Hopefully, they had not detected her jump.
Tam: This is wonderful. What is called?
Is’Kah/Tito: Response
She swiped the saber down in front of her. It whooshed again. She took a few more moves in a blade combat style her mother taught her. The sword whooshed every time, and it made Divya giggle.
Tam: Is'Kah, you have to try this. I don't know why, but it is wonderfully different from other blades.
She retracted the light blade and handed it to Is'Kah.
Is’Kah/Tito: Response
Watching Is'Kah with the blade gave Divya an idea. This was the perfect distraction for her friend, who loved battle simulations so much she had been banned from the holodeck. Her morning may not be wasted with disappointing facial treatments after all.
Tam: Do you know where we can find these? I'd love to see what we can do with them.
Is’Kah/Tito: Response
((Tag/TBC))