Posted by Lieutenant Kastarak (XO/Navigation Officer) in Calisthenics in the gym

Posted by Lieutenant Symar (Chief Medical Officer) in Calisthenics in the gym

Posted by Lieutenant Kastarak (XO/Navigation Officer) in Calisthenics in the gym
Posted by… suppressed (17) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Kastarak went to the gym for another workout. Dressed in standard Starfleet exercise gear, a blue t-shirt with CHRNV in white lettering on his chest (he always wondered why the vowels were gone…), and black trousers He wore no shoes. He picked this time, 2 in the morning, knowing that most people would be asleep, and he’d have a chance of perhaps being alone in the gym. He preferred the emptiness and quietness of the gym when he was there. It was odourless, quiet, and he found the serenity needed to concentrate on his movements. Today, he had a body-weight programme to do with push and pull exercises, as well as a variation of isometric and isotonic contraction exercises. As he was rather strong, it was less of building strength today (if so, he would have adjusted the gravity plates), but rather, building endurance.

After an hour of these exercises, he decided to move on to the pair of rings. Hanging in them, one hand in each ring, he lifted himself up, so that his arms were at ninety degrees from his body. Kastarak looked as a cross. Staying in this position, he began meditating, with the goal of pushing through the build-up of lactic acid.

Would his meditation be disturbed?

OOC: Oh yes it would be!

OOC: hehe! great post!

– Lt jg Kastarak (physician)

Chris came in wearing sweat pants and no shirt. All the scars were visible on his lean but muscular build. The scars were many and covered his good arm, back and chest. Some were burns, lacerations and surgeries. His bionic arm had some scuff marks on them, considering what his arm was made of, that was impressive. But Kastarak and the doctors are the only ones to have seen this before. He was a well honed battle captain and took his job seriously.

While Kastarak in some way was aware that someone entered the room, he decided that he’d keep meditating, with his eyes closed, focusing instead his energy on powering through the lactic acid and controlling his breathing and thoughts. It was, somewhat ironically, deeply relaxing.

He was listening to Guns n Roses, ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ with his headphones,when he noticed Kastarak just hanging in mid air like the fabled Messiah. It was an impressive sight since Chris had been watching him for nearly 10 minutes. He knew Vulcans were strong and he knew Kastarak was stronger then most Vulcans, but this, this was something entirely different and mind-blowingly awesome. Chris watched and hovered near him to catch him if he fell.

So it was strange to Kastarak that someone was there, rather quiet. That other person did not seem to work out, and Kastarak could only make out faint sounds. The person’s breaths, a hint of muffled music Kastarak did not recognize. Kastarak decided to view this distraction as a challenge. It made his meditation harder, but it was welcoming. He needed the challenge.

But after a while, Kastarak heard how the other person walked to the decide, picking up dumbbells and started working out. This person’s breathing started going quicker, and there was a build-up of human odour in the air. It smelled like the captain.

Kastarak instinctively opened his eyes, he needed to see if it was the captain.

And it was. Kastarak quietly lowered himself. It must have looked rather elegant to the captain – Kastarak’s arms straight, but going from 90 degrees to 0 degrees in about twenty seconds’ time.

Once on the floor, Kastarak stood at attention.

Once Kastarak was done and he noticed Chris nearby doing some reps with the dumbbells the captain spoke in a soft even tone with a hint of exhaustion from working out. “You know Kastarak. That’s not very logical to do when no one’s around to help you”. Smiling and putting the weights down. “But it was very impressive.”

Captain Chris Taggart CO

“Sir, I apologise, I did not know it was you who had come until you started with the dumbbells. Thank you for your concern and your compliment, but neither are necessary. I do not require help, but it is still not impressive: I need more training into this until my movements can be considered mastered.”

OOC: your rank is back to being captain now?
OOC: It was self imposed and since you can be the “captain” of a ship at any rank, as long as your in command of that ship, I would still be called captain and. I thought I was confusing people with it. I’m still a Commander per the ship but it was suggested that I put it back up to Captain for recruiting purposes.

– Lt jg Kastarak (physician)

Chris raked his fingers back through his thick, Raven Black hair and sighed. “Well. I guess it is the human in me to think that it was impressive buddy. But it still was.” He winked.

Moving over to the bench press he put on 200 pounds worth of weights and got down on the bench and adjusted himself before starting to lift. While lifting he spoke to Kastarak with some labored breathing. “You see. I wouldn’t do the weights that I normally do in order to build muscle mass because no one is here to support me and I could die if the weights fell on me. So I’m regulated to maintaining my current body strength with weights that I can do many reps with and still be able to get off me when I’m by myself. It’s just called safety Kastarak. You know I worry about the crew.”

He did 5 reps of 8 with the 200 pounds and then put it back in it’s holding place and got up to take a break until he wouldn’t be dizzy. Getting up and taking the weights off and replacing it with 100 pounds and got back into position on the bench. “I’m getting tired so could you please spot me? I’m going to stop at 4 reps of 8 this time.”

Captain Chris Taggart CO

Kastarak wasn’t sure what “spotting” in this sense meant, but he figured it out quickly by reading into the situation and Taggart’s body language. There was a similar term in Vulcan martial arts. Kastarak moved toward the bench press and stood there, ready to help the captain if needed.

“I am protecting you, sir,” he said, not understanding how dramatic his sentence was. “I have a medical tricorder close by, too, if we should need to scan you.”

As a physician, Kastarak was impressed with how well Taggart took care of his body. He did not have to worry about that (not that Vulcans worried… but still). Judging by the physical condition, as much as Kastarak could see, the captain’s health was impeccable. He remembered the experimental surgery he had performed on the captain on the Romulan ship – how wrong it could have gone. As such, it was indeed agreeable to see the captain in good health, and so strong still.

– Lt jg Kastarak (physician)

“Yes. You are protecting me in a way.”. He said as he got from under the bar and sat up while he waited for the blood to settle back in his body and the dizziness to go away. Once that was done he began again right after he wiped sweat from his eye. “Standing there,”. He said while he gestured to where Kastarak was behind the bench in the spotting position. “You were protecting me. It is no less different than being on the bridge, on an away mission with me, or in surgery. You were protecting me from the possiblity of those weights slipping from my hand and either crushing my chest, windpipe or more. And you’ve taken up the task of spotting me with no less commitment as you do when your in surgery trying to save someone’s life. That’s dedication to ones work ethic and speaks volumes about that beings character. It may be mostly standard to do those things as a Vulcan but it’s rare in humans. And you Kastarak are a rare Vulcan.”

“I’m not talking about the number of your species left. I’m talking about your character. I’ve been with Vulcans my whole life and you know that and even before that terrible tragedy. Most Vulcans, especially the ones in high rank or the very few that were on ships with us, were very pompous and arrogant a$$holes. They believed that they were better than us, more superior and better in control. Which they right a few times, but they judged us humans as a whole and not individually. You’” He put a finger to Kastaraks chest, “You Kastarak, looked at us all as individuals and took it from there and helped us accordingly to our strengths and weaknesses. From the gate you were like that and it’s not because you’re a doctor. You had that sense of duty, pride, and compassion from an early age.”

Kastarak was surprised by the amount of words of emotional and complimentary character flowing out of the captain’s mouth. He did not understand where it all came from. He had simply wanted to convey to the captain that Taggart was safe to perform the exercises, as Kastarak would protect him from any weakness or loss of control over the weights. It was not often that Kastarak was confused, but this was one of those rare moments.

At the same time, Taggart’s words took Kastarak back to his pre-destruction youth. He remembered how he had struggled to uphold logic at all situations. Rather, he had been accused at many times by counsellors, supervisors and teachers of being too emotional, too empathetic. He was supposed to rely on mentalization rather than empathy when understanding others, but at the crux of it all was understanding other people’s feelings. Kastarak might have been cold by human standards, but his blood was far too warm for the Vulcan elite. That said, it brought him to medicine, and he found himself, while an intern at the K’Taal clinic, being suited to deal with “emotionally compromised patients” – Vulcans with a temporary or permanent dementia of sorts, and non-Vulcans. Had not the destruction of Vulcan occurred, Kastarak thought he would have become ‘colder’, more Vulcan, more logical. But he knew – all too well – how the destruction of his homeplanet at the young age of 13 upset his emotional and logical development. Indeed, it set off a premature pon farr in him…

Hearing then the captain’s praises of him, his devout belief and trust in Kastarak and Kastarak’s character sounded at one point logical and true, but at the same time wrong. He was not sure how to dialectically merge these two sides, but decided that they might both be true at the same time. He knew the captain was no liar. Taggart was known for his brutal honesty (a trait common to Kastarak’s species, too!), and unconventional ways (not a trait generally shared by Vulcans). And Taggart’s unconventionality and brutal honesty was thus logical to appear in this conversation, while wearing no shirt, sweat dripping across his face, hair and torso (only the bionic arm staying dry).

Chris looked around at the sweat dripping from him and Kastarak and waved a hand dismissively. “I don’t remember where I was going with all that but felt it should have been said regardless. “So. What do you need for me to spot for you?”

Captain Chris Taggart CO

“Sir, you honour me with your words,” Kastarak said calmly and quietly. He spoke a little quieter and slower than usual. Perhaps he was taken aback a bit, perhaps even slightly emotionally moved. Perhaps even the captain would know.

“There is one exercise I would need your aid in,” he said, shifting the topic. He moved over to the gymnastic wall bar ladders.

“Sure thing. What is it?” Chris looked around the gym at the various equipment wondering which one Kastarak wanted help with.

Kastarak instructed: “I should like to attempt to do the exercise known as ‘the flag’. My body shall be kept horizontally, parallel to the floor, while I would support myself only with my arms against these wall ladder bars. I would require your aid to signal if and when my body, from head to feet, is at 90 degrees from the wall or, in other words, completely parallel with the floor.”

Chris raised an eyebrow, a trait characteristic of his fellow being.

He grabbed the bars, one higher up, one lower down, and swung his body, his feet sticking out those eight-nine feet away from the hands. “Am I parallel to the floor, sir?”

“Yes. You are.” Chris said as he looked at the wall clock to see how long Kastarak would hold this position. It was even more impressive than the other exercise.

As he stayed in this horizontal position, he sensed how every muscle in his upper body tensed. It was an exercise far more difficult than the previous one (‘the cross’, as he termed it).

“Sir, if I may add,” Kastarak said, still a flag, “You recognize these merits in me, and honour me thus by speaking them out loud. However, I am at a loss of the context of this. We are helping one another exercise. I believe I need your help in contextualizing this conversation, even though I am grateful and honoured by it.”

– Lt jg Kastarak

“Chris smiled. “Shhhh. Focus on your exercise. There is no point doing it if you’re not going to fully commit yourself.”. He said calmly and in a low voice. “I’m not going to distract you, but there is something that we need to talk about. I need your help to spot me in a way.”. With that he was quite until Kastarak was done.

Looking at the wall clock when Kastarak was finished, he noted the time. It was impressive, considering the cross exercise earlier and him talking throughout his exercise. It was very impressive. Helping Kastarak down slowly but grabbing his legs he let him down slowly and when Chris let go he stood up and began again. “That was a long time and showed great mental skill and endurance. What I need your help spotting me on is being my right hand on The Chernov. I want you to be the new XO.”. Chris left it at that to gauge his reaction or the very slightest bit of one.

There was something fatherly about Taggart’s care in helping Kastarak down. He hadn’t expected it, nor had he needed it. Though he did not oppose it. Then the captain said something that Kastarak again did not expect. How could Kastarak be XO? He was a lieutenant, junior grade, while there were full lieutenants and commanders on board. He did not understand the reasoning in that sense, but, on the other hand, he knew that which Taggart had spoken about just earlier was honest and true. Still the logic didn’t add up.

“Sir,” Kastarak spoke, pulled his shoulders back. “I do not see how it would be possible. My rank is low, and there are others with higher ranks on the ship, and with more experience.”

At this point, Kastarak realized he had caused a rip in his shirt, from the armpits down. The quality of the exercise shirts was not good. If he ended up XO, he would fix that, he managed to think.

Seeing the captain wasn’t wearing a shirt, Kastarak, too, removed his. “The shirt is broken. I apologise”, he said, holding the ripped shirt in his hand.

– Lt jg Kastarak

Captain Chris Taggart CO

OOC: Mind if I join you both?

-Kieron-

(feel free!)
(Of course!!!)

Chris put an arm up to hush Kastarak. “Kastarak. Rank does not make a being. It is what is in here and here.” He said while pointing to Kastaraks heart and brain. “Experience and rank can be earned. Not all the beings on this ship are capable in either one of those areas of brain and heart to do the job and to do it will. Done that do have have both, don’t want the job at all. It’s not the fact that they can’t do it, but just don’t want to do it. Sure they’ll do it when the time comes but are quick to shun it once the opportunity presents itself. Commander Grey is one such person. Hell do it but it’s not what he wants. He wants to be a science officer and has no ambition to progress. That’s not a failing on his part. It is just what he wants. I’m not saying that you want to do this as well or not. But the simple truth of the matter is this and this alone. Besides Grey, you are the only I trust with this responsibility. And that responsibility is the safety of The Chernov and it’s crew. I trust a great deal of other high ranking beings on this ship as you put it, but I only trust them to do their job and don’t entrust them with the ship or her crew. They are all still fine officers but you. You have what it takes and I believe in that very strongly. You know I don’t minch words or play around when it’s serious.”

“Yes, sir,” Kastarak said after a few seconds, then becoming quiet again.

Chris allowed all of that to sink in before continuing . “What I propose is that I promote you to fill Lieutenant . Then once you’ve passed the XO’s exam and some training here with me, I’ll promote you to Lieutenant Commander. That way you can ease into the position and not be too overwhelmed. Once some time has passed and you’re ready, I’ll promote you to full Commander. I think that best because I promoted Grey to quickly and that might have lead to some of his decisions to not want the XO job. He’s a good man and would do it and put all his effort into it, but would hate it and not show it to any of us. I don’t want you to be placed into a permanent vicious cycle of your own personal hell and torment like I believe he’s suffering from time to time.”

Taggart’s plan was rasonable, Kastarak thought. Taggart had clearly thought this out. This was not at a whim thing – perhaps the timing of the conversation was – after all, it was the middle of the night, but Taggart took the opportunity at hand to begin a conversation he had wanted to do for a while, Kastarak surmised.

“Even though you wouldn’t put rank certain beings on this ship, you will buy position. Everyone in Starfleet knows that and if they give you any trouble, do what you need to do as their supervisor to ensure that they get the hint and message. Up to and including, removing them from this ship and finding them a new home. Is that clear? I don’t foresee that problem because of the beings on this ship know of duty and honor, but always take into account every possiblity in order to come out on top. It helps prevents future problems.”

“Yes, sir, I agree with your assessment and your suggestions.”

Kastarak truly did agree. As a Vulcan, with suppressed emotions, he probably did not feel awe or nervousness or anticipation for the situation. Taggart had clearly thought this through, and after all that Taggart said, Kastarak was the most logical choice for the position. Taggart’s logic was, even if unorthodox, sound.

Looking down at the ripped and discarded shirt he smiled. You know. Once upon a time on Earth it was seen as powerful to use your hands and to rip your shirt. Many wrestlers did that. You on the other hand ripped your shirt by merely working out and flexing your muscles.” Gesturing with his hand back and forth at the two shirtless men. “Now we’re twins! I’ll be Danny DeVito and you be Arnold Schwarzenegger.”. He laughed at one of his 1980’s jokes.

Captain Chris Taggart CO

Kastarak did not recognize the names coming from Taggart’s mouth, but appreciated the historical anecdote and the shift of conversation. Taggart sounded impressed with Kastarak’s physical prowess. Taggart was no small man – at 188 cm the captain was only 10 cm shorter than Kastarak but their weight was similar. If Kastarak remembered the charts correctly, they were almost the same weight.

“I do not understand your metaphor, sir,” he said, “but I am appreciative of the anecdote.”

Kastarak looked around. There was a clock in the gym, it was now 02:30 in the morning.

“When do you wish for your plan to be announced to the crew? I am ready whenever you need me, sir.”

– Lt jg Kastarak

Chris was about to respond when he was startled by Symar.

Symar approached the Captain as Kastarak finished his line of thought, “If I can be of any help with your announcement sir, I’d be happy to. God knows I know a thing or two about revealing things about myself to the crew.”

-Lieutenant Symar: Chief Medical Officer-

Kastarak was a bit startled – he had not expected his supervisor to see him half-naked in the gym in the middle of the night.

Turning to his supervisor, Dr Symar, Kastarak spoke, “Sir – how much of this conversation were you privy to? But sir, what brings you here this early in the morning. Your shift starts at 08:00. Are you unwell, do you need help?”

– Dr Kastarak

Chris was fully turned around now facing Symar. “Symar. We must get a bell around your neck or something. But I’ll commend you on sneaking up on me whether on purpose or not. Not many do. But I will confirm the crew. This is my job as commanding officer of the Chernov.”. He turned back towards Kastarak. “This afternoon report to the bridge in your new uniform and rank of Full Lieutenant. That is when you’ll start. Sound good?”.

Kastarak couldn’t fathom what Taggart meant with putting a bell on Symar. He was, however, correct it was some metaphor and not a literal desire. Why were humans so insistent on strange metaphors? But what could it possibly mean?

“Yes, sir,” Kastarak quickly responded. He realized he would wear a golden shirt this time, and not his blue. He would have to order one from lower decks.

Once it was or not he picked up some weights. “Now we’ll finish our workout and once done I’ll make the announcement.”

Captain Chris Taggart CO

“What have you got left to do on your programme?” Kastarak asked.

– Lt Kastarak (XO)

‘Congratulations ki-, Lieutenant Kastarak, I couldn’t be more proud!’

-Lieutenant Symar: Chief Medical Officer-

“Thank you, sir,” replied Kastarak. He immediately realised, with some surprise and gravity of the situation, that he had immmediately gone from being Symar’s underling to Symar’s superior. It was a peculiar and somewhat fascinating experience.

– Lt Kastarak (XO)

“I think the human expression is, ‘Don’t forget the little people when you get a ship of your own.’” He gave Kastarak a fatherly shoulder squeeze.

-Lieutenant Symar: Chief Medical Officer-

“I will…,” Kastarak replied, feeling the warm touch of Symar’s hand on his naked shoulder, “as humans say, have your back,”

Human metaphors were strange and peculiar things, but studying them made communication easier on human-centric ships. How fascinating, however, was the scene: two sons of Vulcans cosplaying humans in the gym.

“Will you work out with us, Dr Symar?”

– Lt Kastarak (XO)

“I was going for a run, but I suppose a little weight training wouldn’t hurt.”

-Lieutenant Symar: Chief Medical Officer-