003 VOICE LIST ONE

[deadliestviper]

[This time, there's no image. There's no fucking around with an introduction either, no explanation of the sounds of a fight broadcast over the network a few days ago, just Beatrix's resigned, tired voice.]

Yeah, I know. I have it coming.

[Private to Jesse]

I shouldn't have threatened you. You didn't deserve that.

[Private to "Nicole"]

If you don't ignore this message, please accept my apology for what little it's worth. Had I been myself, we never would have butted heads as we did.

[A sigh of breath, which could be taken as nervousness.] ...Your skill is impressive. I was prepared for a challenge, but you gave me more than I bargained for. For that, and the much-needed dose of humility, I thank you.

Comments

[umgekehrt]

I don't know that he's got a good enough grasp of metaphor to sustain being one.

[deadliestviper]

[Then maybe her faith shouldn't be a metaphor either. Maybe if she'd woken up and everything lined up so perfectly, it did mean God was on her side.] What's his name?

And I'm sorry, what's yours?

[umgekehrt]

His is Castiel. Decent man. [Said grudgingly. Stildyne being generally a nontheistic sort.]

I'm Chief Stildyne. Not that the rank means anything aboard, but it's a habit of more than a decade.

[deadliestviper]

I'll remember that.

I'm Beth. [She's more or less forgotten the possibility of using her real name. "Beth" means more here anyway.] No, if you earned it don't let it go. But chief of what, if I'm allowed to ask?

[umgekehrt]

Chief Warrant Officer, Jurisdiction Fleet. Last assigned to JFS Ragnarok-- head of medical security. Not a post I'm currently filling.

[deadliestviper]

I don't suppose your opinion of me will drop if I ask what that means.

[umgekehrt]

Not really, as there's nobody else aboard from Jurisdiction I wouldn't expect folk to know.

I trained and oversaw security staff for my ship's chief medical officer. Took him to combat drills, too, but only the latest officer-- he had an interest in being able to defend himself. Most leave that on their security staff.

[deadliestviper]

Ah, now I understand. So the Barge must have been less of a shock to you than the rest of us.

Did you ever train him yourself?

[umgekehrt]

I did. Combat drill and basic physical maintenance-- his laps, he always owed me laps around the ship. He had other tutors from security for more specialized fighting.

[deadliestviper]

And what did a combat drill entail?

[umgekehrt]

Simple hand-to-hand, close quarters. He was on the smaller side, but stronger than standard, so some of the technique had to be modified to it.

You take an interest in close-quarters fighting?

[deadliestviper]

With what arms?

Always have been, it's a fascinating subject. Better left to the professionals though.

[umgekehrt]

Ours. Sorry, classless joke: I'm only qualified to teach bare-hand. His Excellency used a set of knives for combat and thrown weaponry, but he had other instructors for that. Occasionally we did firearms drill, but it was difficult to get to stick.

There are folks here who qualify as professional, certainly, if you want to brush up for your own purposes. It's an advantage of the barge, and those should be milked for all they're worth, considering.

[deadliestviper]

Not classless at all. Better to learn bare-handed than be stuck relying on a weapon.

Considering my situation back home it wouldn't be a bad idea. [Plus if she's sparring regularly she'll be able to better tolerate being stuck.] Again, are you offering yourself as a resource?

[umgekehrt]

Now that I can offer, without the Admiral making a liar of me.

[deadliestviper]

I'd like to take you up on that sometime.

[umgekehrt]

I've volunteered to manage the gym-- I'll be there most evenings, as it's convenient to you.

[deadliestviper]

Look for me soon, my evenings are wide open.