Posted by Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson (Diplomatic Attaché) in Side-Sim: Training Day

Posted by Commander Shedda Mal’athar (Executive Officer) in Side-Sim: Training Day

Posted by Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson (Diplomatic Attaché) in Side-Sim: Training Day
Posted by… suppressed (46) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Bjarke stood outside the hollow deck a big duffle bag on the floor next to him. He was dressed in full Viking, the studded leather armor form fitted to him. It was a master piece of art, well it was it now was chipped and scuffed and battered. He waited to see if Shedd was comming

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

It wasn’t too long before the XO came walking down the corridor. She was wearing jogging pants and a loose athletic t-shirt. “Good morning Bjarke.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

Bjarke’s grin was wide and welcoming. He gave her a forearm to forearm shake, “are you ready for your first lesson?” he asked her, turning to the hollow deck. They could have practiced in the gym, but using real weight weapons was a far better option.

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

Shedda laughed, “As ready as I will ever be. Anyone else coming?”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

OOC: anyone is welcome BTW

IC:
He smiled, Not unless you invited someone” he said with a laugh, “I really don’t know many people yet.” he noted as he keyed up the basic training and assessment program. “So I figure we will just focus on some basic sword work today, if thats ok with you?”

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

“You’re the teacher,” Shedda said with a grin. “You know, if you plan to do these regularly, you should post it on the ship’s social calendar.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

He scratched his head as he stepped into the deck and onto the practice field. It was large with practice dummy’s on the far side, along with an archery range. Majestic mountains filled the backdrop, the smell of salt air palatable as the air filed the lungs. “So over there is a changing tent, take this bag and put on the trousers and tunic, when your ready i’ll help you with the padded armor,” he said with a smile heading over to a tent him self.

In just a couple minutes he was standing outside again, in his own padded armor, wooden sword at his waist.

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

Shedda jogged over to the tent and was back out in quick time in the requested trousers and tunic. She grinned as he came out. “That look is a bit… scary.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

He smiled at her , “I assure you, you have nothing to ever fear from him” the sincerity in it was almost felt. He picked up the padded armor and walked her through putting it on. It was a little awkward helping her with the leg portions the proper strapping required a little more intimacy than he wanted to have with his commanding officer. He tried to change the subject as he checked everything.. “This is a gambeson, that you are wearing, we call it herváðir” he said with pride, he then handed her a wood sword.

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

It wasn’t as close as she wanted to get with anyone either, but he was professional about it. Shedda treated it as such, just like learning to put on her zero-G suit or her combat armor. “Herváðir,” she repeated with perfect inflection if not accent. “What does that translate to in common?” Language had always fascinated her, though it wasn’t her area of expertise. The way words were pieced together gave such a rich insight into a culture and how a people thought. She hefted the wooden sword and swung it a couple of times, safely out of range. It wasn’t really heavy, though it felt solid.

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

His head turned side ways to look at her as he stood back up. “well, umm, war cloths?” he said with a hint of uncertainty. ” he smiled . “There his said tugging on varies parts. Ok basic stance, it’s not like in the holo’s or old movies, most of that will get you killed. Sword out front and to the side, it is called. Hliðarstaða, literally means side stance” he said smiling holding his sword. “This gives you a short defence and quick lung and slash attacks.” he noted eventually you will switch in and out of stances.” he noted. “But for now hold it like this,” he said
Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

Shedda nodded, holding it like Voktorsson showed her. She was a quick study, but it was obvious she was unfamiliar and not quite comfortable with the weapon. She turned side on to him and raised the sword out front of her. “Makes sense, smaller target.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

“Indeed, and it keeps your vitals guarded.” he said she should her the basic parry’s first and then stepped Infront. “We are going to do this very slow at first.” he said. “attack one to parry one” he said. “Okay, I’ll call them out slow and swing even slower. One” he said as the sword came down over head, she turned her blade side long and raised it like he showed her. Then two, then three. it was more like dancing but he was training her muscles. “Let me know if you need a break” he said

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

Shedda parried each attack with slow exact precision. She wasn’t at ease with it, but she was a dedicated student. She still hadn’t asked for a break long after Bjarke would have expected her to do so.

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

“You are in excellent shape, ” he said , “And learn quickly” he said tossing her a towel. “Lets get some fluids and then we’ll speed it up a bit” he noted. “You are doing very well”

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

Shedda smiled catching the towel. “Thank you. Martial training really isn’t my forte. This is interesting though. And it helps that my innate strength makes me appear to have a higher stamina.” She grabbed the water bottle she brought and drank half. “How long have you been doing this?”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

Bjarke smiled and laughed, it wasn’t an unreasonable question but the answer was a bit more silly. “I had a wood sword in my hand before I could walk fully” he noted. “We train everyday as soon as we are able, to keep tradition alive.” he said

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

Shedda sighed a little at that, but in a wistful way. “That’s amazing. I would love to see Bomlo some time. All those centuries of history still living and preserved. It must be amazing.” There was a bit of light in her eyes thinking about it.

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

“Well as you know” he said moving back to the center of the ring. “The clan as moved to OED, but I’m sure if you want you can go there with me next time I go, I try every few years, it’s a magic place.” he noted. “I would not mind the company”

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

That was awkward… But Viktorsson didn’t seem to be hiting in her. “I wouldn’t mind seeing Revna again. Seeing what she is up to now. I’ll have to see. I promised my father I would visit the next time I got leave.” She joined him back in the ring and retook her stance.

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

Viktorsson turned about twenty shades of red when he realized the implications of his comment. “I think I need to practice my diplomatic skills with my fellow officer, ” he said looking like he wanted to make a fast exit. “I did not mean to imply, or I mean, I ” he paused. “Im sorry commander” he said not reading his stance yet. “I just get excited about home and want to share it with people.

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

Mal’athar held up a hand, “It’s alright, Lt. Home is something I wish all people could be excited about. One day I do hope to see yours and Revna’s home.” She lowered the blade and sighed. “In all honesty, I wish more people were more relaxed and natural. Being commander tends to make people formal all the time. No offense or harm done.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

“I can see that, Tell you what if you are ok with it, I’ll treat you like a human being and when when we are on duty I’ll treat you like the Mighty XO in charge” he smiled, “So shall I call you Shedda when we are in formal?” he asked

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

“I’d like that.” The XO smiled, “And if you are alright with it, I’ll call you Bjarke? Am I pronouncing that correctly?”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

He smiled warmly, “Bjarke then when we are not on duty” he said smiling, “Now lets try this more at speed are you ready?” he said with a grin, where many opportunities to make contact with a senior officer but this would prove interesting.

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

More speed? Shedda wasn’t sure about that, and the grin on Viktor Bjarke’s face made her think she was about to be reminded how bad she was at combat. She didn’t object though. “Alright. There are safeties on right?” she joked as she raised the weapon.

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

“Safties?” he asked with a laugh as the first few strikes came down more at speed though it was clear he was holding back. He knew that for most people who had any athletic ability would do well, their muscles would remember even if the did not. He did watch though to see if she was responding and adjusted his speed accordingly

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

Shedda was reasonably athletic, she played volleyball and ran track. This was a different set of muscles and skills though. She responded fairly well, but was by no means up to what Bjarke would consider full speed. Shedda was precise and accurate in her responses, doing exactly what she had been shown, but there was no improvisation. She missed blocking and attacking a few times. She didn’t let the mistakes discourage her though. She knew skill came with practice not by magical ability.

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO
Bjarke smiled. “Good” he said, stepping back. “We’ll have you slaying the english in no time” he bellowed. “What did you think?”

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

Shedda laughed. “Okay, explain something to me. I get the animosity from Ireland, Scotland, India, etc. But what is the conflict between the English and the Nordic peoples? Didn’t the Nords raid England first?”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

He gave her a confused look. “Well yes,” he said, “We were largely opportunists, they had monasteries and village that were left largely unprotected.” he smiled. “It was not a like or dislike, though they did try to bring their beliefs to us in ways that sometimes caused problems” he noted. “Their religious buildings were packed with wealth and often left unguarded”

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

Shedda nodded, “Ah! An economic version of survival of the fittest. I take you reenact these raids? Which is your favorite?” She asked as she rolled her shoulders and moved back into position.

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

“Well I must say many of the raids were raids of oportunity, but I really like The Battle of Dollar against King Constintine. It was a large battle and a defistating defeat to the scotts” he said.

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

“I’ll have to read up on that one. I’m not familiar.” Her brow went up though. “Didn’t Revna marry into the Scots? Or am I getting my groups confused?”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

Bharje smiled as he took her sword, “She did, it’s not really an issue these days” he noted, it was sort of but nothing anyone would get disowned over. He set the sword , keep the sword and the armor, practice when you can, and see you in a week.” he noted for their next practice.

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

Shedda looked at the equipment and folded and gathered it up. “Oh, make sure to meet the new doctor.” Shedda didn’t say anything else as she picked up the equipment. “See you next week, Bjarke.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

Bjarke grined, “see you soon” he said following her out

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

---

In between their sessions, Shedda practiced putting the protective gear on, and, in the comfort and privacy of her quarters, she practiced with the sword.

Being the scientist she was, she also did a great deal of reading about the equipment that Bjarke had given her.

She showed up outside the holodeck right on time for their next session.

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

“Good morning Shedda” he said with a warm smile, ready for your next lesson?” he said opening the door to the holodeck, the fresh salt air hit her like a wave of fresh damp welcome. “Time to get your sea legs” he grinned As the walked they stepped onto a well kept dock a long boat sitting on the edge of it. The water lapped at the edge of the boat causing it to tap the dock lightly, vikings , about 10 of them worked the small boat prepping her for a voyage.

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

“Bjarke,” Shedda greeted. “I am. I’m excited to see if my practice made any difference.” She paused as the boat came into view. “Oh, it’s beautiful.” She walked forward, her hand reaching for the wood and running her hand over the carvings. “So I know it’s a holodeck, but is this a real ship, one you have sailed on?”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

He shook his head, “Sort of, we have replica’s that we built, so the ships I have sailed are exactly like it but not this one” he said, “If that make sense at all” he laughed. “Come lets get onboard and I’ll show you around,” he said hoping into the boat.

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

Shedda laughed, “Well no, not this one. I saw a photo in Revna’s office of her on a ship like this when she was younger. She looked wild and fierce. You could see her sister on a boat just behind hers. I don’t know how you tell them apart.” Shedda nimbly hopped aboard the boat. Her knees gave just slightly as the boat rocked, but she didn’t fall. She waited a moment, getting a feel for it and then stepped across the boat testing her balance.

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

“They are easy to tell apart, though harder in pictures, they both carry themselves differently. “Fair warning” he said as she stabilized. “Your core is going to ache by the time we get done today.

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

Shedda laughed, “We’ll see. Higher than average endurance remember?” It was different that was for sure. “So, what are we doing today?” She was always eager to learn about other cultures, and this didn’t seem to be combat focused. Shedda was excited to see the workings of a Viking Longship in action.

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

4 men and two other woman joined the boat, pulling the lines, bjarke “Ors out, lets get this heap moving” he said looking at her then moved to the back to steer. “Shedda, here!” he said patting the seat next to him.

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

Shedda watched as the holographic crew drew the oars and slotted them. She knew the precision was computer controlled, but she was still eager to see it.

She grinned sheepishly from her fascination and moved toward the back and sat down. “Back here? I thought you would have me row.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

Bjarke watched as they began to row, even the timing was slightly a miss to add a sense of real pull on the oar.. “Na, your going to learn how to stear” he said. He showed her the grip to use and waited for her to place her hands.

His hand came around her , one on her top hand and one just below her lower hand. “There is a rythm to it” he said, it’s smooth and win rythm with the Oar stroke, Push…Pulls. that wil help keep us in line..” he said helped with four of five and then let go. There was plenty of straight for her to get a handle on.

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

Shedda gripped the tiller and quickly got the idea. “Hard to imagine that this set up is the bases of space navigation, isn’t it?” The principles were the same, now just programmed than controlling by hand.

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

“It is for certain, right now the sky is clear and we know what direction we are heading, but when there are clouds or storms things get a little more tricky ” he noted. “It is good that we have our technology, many were lost at sea” he said with a smile. “West then, head north up then north up the coast.”

Lieutenant Bjarke Viktorsson
Diplomatic Attaché

Shedda wasn’t sure which way was what with the holodeck at first, until she looked up at the sun. “Can you imagine how terrifying and exciting it was for the first seafarers to sail away from land into the open sea. Not knowing what they would find?” Her eyes lit up thinking about it.

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO