“I am so tired my brain feels like liquid inside my head and at any moment it is going to start pouring out my ears and eyes,” I say as I plop down at the table next to Julia.
“That is not physically possible. However, if it was technically your brain would come out your nose too considering the fact they are all connected.” Dr. Corbin said with that smile on his lip. Julia and I had both agreed that Corbin’s smile could make someone overheat and possibly die. I look over at Julia who is closely watching Corbin and I roll my eyes. Only Corbin could turn her into a speechless sack of potatoes. Julia never stops talking that is until Corbin comes around and then her ability to talk goes out the window of a moving vehicle. I am not affected as badly as her and have the ability to ignore him and move on. I turn my attention to across the table to Major Justin D'ivoire.
“Hey Justin, I was looking to spar with someone, you up for it?” I say with a smile on my face.
The Major eyes turn to me with intensity. “Sure why not. But if you are tired of getting your but kicked from the Lt. here.” He patted the Lt’s back.“ I must warn you I won’t be an easier partner.” His voice was a challenge and his face held a grin.
I was never one you backed away from a challenge. Plus how am I supposed to learn to defend myself if people take it easy on me?
“I am ready for an ass whooping,” I say with a smile and take one last bite of my food before standing. The Lt. raises an eyebrow in amusement and nods to the Major.
“Good luck Justin.” He says with laughter in his eyes.
We were both in gym clothes and had put on gloves. When I was done putting my read mess of hair up we walked over onto the padded floor. I face him and took a long breath preparing my body for being hit and possibly thrown to the floor.
“Don’t worry so much Blue. I am not going to kill you.” The Major said with a look of amusement, clearly entertained. Blue was a nickname he had given to me in one of the team training scenarios we had to run. I smile at him before taking another breath. I know I can’t beat such a well-seasoned soldier but I can learn. Learning just means getting thrown around a bit.
“Ok, I am ready.”
We shake hands and then take a few steps back. I put my hands up in a defensive position and put my right foot back to keep my balance like Lt. Jay taught me. Protect the face, keep my footing. Justin’s left hand came fast towards my face. I dodged his first strike by moving to the right barely missing his fist. I got back into my fighting stance right away. With my right hand, I swung my arm and hips into a punch aimed at his face. The Major blocked the punch by moving my wrist with this his forearm then grabbing my wrist. He used my momentum and pulled me forward and then twisted my arm behind my back. Then with his other arm, he put me in a choke hold. He held me tight my back against his robust chest. He was strong with power in his arms.
I took my free arm and threw it back and it connected with his groin. His grip on my neck and arm loosened. I took my chance and threw my elbow into his face once and drew back and hit him again. My blows were not hard enough to seriously hurt him but it did simulate a fight. He let go and of my neck and I was able to get my other arm free. I stepped back and we went back to our beginning fighting stances.
“Not bad Skyler. You have been paying attention to Lt. White’s lessons.” He said with a smirk.
“We have been training every day for two months. If I didn’t know how to defend myself by now we would have some serious problems.” I said grinning. I was pleased with what I had been able to learn.
“Don’t get too cocky.” And he took a step forward and threw a punch with his right. I blocked it with my left wrist and took my right arm to his throat while sliding my left up to grab his right bicep. He was bigger than me and it took a lot of energy to keep him in place as he fought against my hold. I felt the hand I was trying to hold in place slide up my hip and around my waist. I went to throw my knee towards his stomach but with his free hand blocked it. I lost my footing and he threw me off balance and onto the ground. At that moment I was grateful for the mats under me. I was slow to get up and that was my mistake. I rolled to my side but he kicked me onto my back. Before I could defend against another attack he was on top of me. His powerful hands on my throat and his body holding me down at the waist.
“You can’t be slow when in a fight! Your opponent is not going to fight fair! They will hit you while you are down! Their goals are to incapacitate you or worse… kill you.” There was a fire in his words as he yelled. Unfortunately, he was right. I hate it when he is right. He started to squeeze my throat and I started to have trouble breathing.
“Tap out or kick my ass!” he yelled. Challenge excepted, Major. I threw my knee into his ass and hit his wrists with my forearms breaking the choke hold and bringing his arms to my chest and his face close to my face. He was so close that I could feel his breath on my cheeks and stomach on mine. I planted my foot on the ground close to my but and with my hips launched him onto his back. Take that Major Jackass. I raised my elbow and brought it down fast but stopped inches from his nose.
“I choose ass kicking,” I said with a grin on my face. I moved my elbow and rested my hands on either side of his shoulders looking down into his blue eyes. A few strands of hair had fallen out of my ponytail and hung off of my face. He had barely broken a sweat.
“Not bad. Jay has done well. I won’t be sending you out anywhere alone but….. Not bad.” I swung my legs off his waist and got up from the mat. He stood his eyes watching me reading my body language. That’s when I realized that our “friendly” sparring match was a test and apparently I had passed.
“Well, I am glad I meet your approval,” I said with a bit of sarcasm. I walked over to my towel and threw it around my neck. The Major caught my sarcasm and his eyes intensified on me. He took a few steps closer until he was inches from me. I didn’t back away, prey runs I don’t.
“I have to make sure that everyone on this mission is prepared for what we might encounter out there. I plan on bringing every man and women back which means..yes, I need to make sure you are ready.” His eyes searched my face for a sign that I was anything but ready. His body was tense and his chest was inches away from me. His body language said he was angry but his eyes told me he something else entirely.
I am ready. This training period has given me new skills and abilities to get the team to our destination and if necessary defend against what ever might want to hurt me. There is no reason to think that I couldn’t handle myself.
“I am ready! I can handle whatever is out there.” I said with conviction. My words seemed to be what he was looking for and he relaxes his stance and backed off. He headed to the door and turned to wait for me to go through first. Then I realized it was another damn test. He wanted to know if I was emotionally ready as well. Dammit! Another test. He has been reading me like a book this whole time. Dammit! Stop….reading me! I know it is his job but it just seems to piss me off. He must have seen my agitation with yet another test because he had a stupid smirk on his face. And at that, I walk out of the gym not seeing if he was following.
I had gotten to know Julia well because we had bunked together for almost two months. It was nice to have another woman on the team. Otherwise, I would be surrounded by way too much testosterone. It was our last night on base before we head to the space station and everyone was ready. Two months of training and preparation was finally over.
“Hey, Skyler,” Julia whispered through the dark. I groaned in response
“What is it, Julia? It’s late and we have a big day tomorrow.”
“Are you nervous about…. Ya know…… leaving earth and going out into another system?” Julia was an amazing scientist with some amazing skills but she was younger and this mission will be her first time in space. I thought about my answer carefully.
“I am a little nervous but that is normal. I am bet even Major D'ivoire gets a little nervous right before a mission.” I said trying to comfort her. “Everything will be fine. You have a whole team and ship plus crew. You won’t be alone.” I was silent for a moment “Plus I am sure Dr. Corbin could help with your anxiety.” A huge grin spread across my face as I heard her gasp.
“Oh stop it.” Julia squealed. Even though I gave a light hearted response the fact of the matter was that this mission does not come without risk. However, I am not going to start to fear the unknown now. What kind of explore would that make me?
“Thanks, Skyler” Julia whispered
“Goodnight, Julia.” With that, I roll over and slowly drift off to sleep.
