A Curious Science Officer

Posted on Mon Oct 19th, 2015 @ 6:09pm by Lieutenant Ryan North & Captain Tim Williams

Episode: Lost Property
Location: USS Highlander - Holodeck 2
Timeline: MD -1 1900hrs

Ryan hated getting out of a routine. In fact the morning that he departed from the Omaha had him missing his morning run and work out. When he arrived on the Highlander it had been midday, prompting him to miss yet another workout. Now, however he was happy to get back into the swing of things.

Getting his MACO programs transferred over wasn't all that complicated, which was good considering he was going on two days without working out. He entered the holodeck and started the program up.

"Computer load program North Alpha 2, expert setting."

The holodeck faded away and was instead replaced by of a large courtyard. Ryan took a deep breath and then picked up the phaser carbine, checked the energy charge and then started off, sweeping through the ruins. He came around the corner to a charging Jem Ha'dar, blasting him right in the chest. Return fire was instant, shattering the surrounding stone walls.

Ryan dove for cover behind a fallen pillar and then popped up and fired off several more rounds. The blasts tore into the surrounding stone work, digging out large sections and leaving smoldering craters behind. He returned fire on nearly every target that he saw, shattering Dominion soldiers, Klingon warriors, and even a few Hirogen. When the program finally switched to the hand to hand portion, he had achieved a score of 96%.

"Take that Jackson," Ryan smiled. The computer finished counting down to the next stage; a hand to hand fight with several opponents at once. He tossed the carbine aside and wiped his brow.

The first two attackers came at him, Klingons that were easily twice his size. Ryan ducked away from the first attacks and then parried a punch while launching a snap kick of his own back at the Klingon. The blow connected, knocking the Klingon back and to the ground. The second Klingon rounded on him but wasn't fast enough, Ryan's leg whipped around in a roundhouse kick that hit the Klingon with such force he heard and felt his neck crack.

The remaining Klingon charged but was sent stumbling backwards Ryan unloaded a brutal combination and kicks and punches, finally slamming the heel of his palm into the Klingon's nose with enough force to shove the bones into his brain, killing him instantly.

Tim had been intending to come down to the holodeck to have a bit of fun in one the programmes he used for his old earth automobiles when he found that the holodeck was already in use. He hadn't specifically booked the time for himself, so he shouldn't have been surprised that the free slot had been taken up by someone else, but when he noticed the name of the person who was running the programme and the programmes rather contrasting description, curiosity got the better of him and he just had to step inside and take a look. He stepped out into the courtyard just as the Klingon was thrown back by the hard blow to the face.

Tim looked down bemusedly at the holographic body at his feet, before looking back up to Ryan. "You know, there aren't many science officers I know of who spend their free time beating up Klingons."

Ryan snapped to attention. "Sorry sir, I didn't hear you come in. Oh yeah, well there probably aren't that many science officers that spent four years with the MACO's either."

"Bit of an odd career change, don't you think?" Tim asked, ignoring the at-attention posture but silently hoping that the kid would relax before he sprained his spine or something. "From combat to science? I've not known many make that big of a shift who weren't a trill symbiont moving from one host to another."

"You aren't the first person to say that," Ryan responded, finally relaxing. "But I've always been interested in how things worked. I enjoyed my time with the MACO's but they had some...painful memories for me. I thought I would give exploration a try. I keep up the combat drills because I find variety is the spice of life...also it helps me stay in shape and focused."

"I can see that. I prefer taking apart an engine myself, or building something from scraps. Though I suppose the staying in shape aspect of that comes more from not being able to eat anything for a long time since your hands are covered in grease. Somehow engine grease just doesn't have the same effect as gravy or sauce. Who'd have thought?"

"I enjoy keeping my mind and my body in top shape," Ryan said, looking around the room.

"Well since you are technically in your off hours right now, I'll leave you to it," Tim said, glancing around the room himself to make sure that there wasn't going to be another group of holographic opponents materialising for Ryan's training session to ambush him before he could leave. "Come see me or Hawke in the morning if you need any help getting set up at Ops."

"Will do sir," Ryan nodded.

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