Aberrant: Stargate Universe - First Meetings: SG-21 [FIN]

[Adrian Moss]

If anyone had been keeping track, Major Caine walked in right on time, to the second. He had the air of perfection that way. He looked over his team. The were in various stages of looking forward to (or dreading) the upcoming excercise. It didn't matter what they wanted though. This needed to be done.

Caine was hoping this would put some egos aside and make the team think more of Team first - skills, Speical powers, and all. The painful part of this was it would start with him and his ego. He needed to test himself against Perault. He needed to beat the man. He needed to get past the logical part of his mind that told him he didn't have the skills, or the natural talent were it counted. He simply wasn't on Declan's level.

Time to get that ego bruised because deep down Damien knew that the man in charge - the Major - couldn't be beaten. Lesson time was at hand.

As the military men came to attention and HG Jones came to a close approximation of that state, Caine gave them all an,

"At ease. Now let's get to it. I'll go first with the Sgt., then Pike, Jones, and Jenings-Izumi."

His crystal clear eyes scanned the team to make sure everyone was going to pay attention.

Caine stepped onto the map, eyes wary. He had to meet Declan's eyes now - shining liquid mercury death to all who met his gaze. He did a masterful job of stifling the unwelcome and unwanted shudder that passed icily up his spine. His mind cleared and he felt his natural and trained rhythms took over. He studied his foe and weighed his opponents strengths and weaknesses. Time to get it on!

His only external sign of his readiness was a quick nod to his enemy.

[The Red Man]

Declan stood still, arms by his sides as though just hanging around, and tried not to wince as Caine indicated his readiness.

The Major's posture was good. He was strong, tall, with good reach. He was the very image of an ideal officer. Declan liked the guy.

Yeah, this was going to suck.

Without bringing his hands up or adopting any defensive stance the sergeant began to circle Caine, feet moving lazily, almost as though he was taking a stroll in the woods. He tried to consider how to tell his CO that this was a bad idea. The guy was easily in the top 10 percent of combatants worldwide. He looked tough, professional. He kept his weight perfectly balanced as he stalked towards Declan, planning to feel out the Sgt's defenses. To the sergeant's enhanced reflexes and vision, however, Major Caine may as well have been a novice.

Damien, for his part, was keeping a tight rein on his excitement. He wasn't at all fooled by the Sergeant's apparent passivity. The man could move like goddamn lightning. But speed wasn't everything. Damien feinted with a short jab, but Perault didn't react. Okay then... The Major narrowed his focus and struck for real.

Dec swayed backwards from the punch, twisting like a snake and sidestepping to avoid the follow-up kick. For roughly 10 seconds the Major punched air as his superhumanly fast and agile opponent anticipated every move and simply moved aside, taking one step sideways or backwards as necessary. Caine found himself getting frustrated.

"Damn it, Sergeant. If I wanted to shadow-box I wouldn't need a partner. Now fight back!" He levelled another expertly delivered combination of elbow-fist-knee at his subordinate. Declan avoided them all.

"Sir, the sergeant is simply assessing your level of skill, sir." Declan replied calmly, his tone respectful. Damien wasn't having any of it.

""What? Are you so unfit for duty we'll have to put you back in your cage, away from... her?" It was a low blow, and a calculated risk, the Major knew as he snapped a kick up at Declan's stomach. He saw the cold silver eyes narrow...

And was looking up at the ceiling gasping for breath, his chest feeling as though a sledgehammer had just slammed into it. In one fluid motion almost too fast to see, Perault had grabbed his kicking leg, pulled him forward, and slammed an open palm right into the Major's breastbone. Half strike and half shove, the push had launched Caine a full 12 feet through the air to land flat on his back. He dimly heard Olivia utter a small horrified shriek as he landed.

The sparring room was silent as Caine struggled to get his breath back before standing up. Declan was looking anywhere but at Olivia: he too had heard that cry.

This is what I am now. he thought to himself. Just a weapon.

[Rorx]

Gwyn had only time for a brief reply to Olivia before everyone else arrived in rapid succession.

"Everything from Roman to Renaissance at one time or another, but if I had to choose just one think I'd go with Roman. Hell, at least it let me use the Latin I learnt at school."

Once the Major arrived he paid attention to his comments and the fight as it started.

[Adrian Moss]

Words came slowly. Actually, life functions came back slowly, but when they did, Caine took his time.

"About as expected," he finally worked out. It was of little consulation that he looked startlingly daper as he extended his hand to the Sgt.

"I would say 'Good one' but I wasn't up to the challenge. I'm afraid I'm not much of a work out for you, but you did what I needed you to do. Now I need to go to the infirmary," he joked then rubbed his sternum. "Maybe later."

When he starts talking, his tone is light, his voice is melodic, low and conversational.

"Everyone, that was a good example of getting inside your enemies mind - that little thing that happened right before I went flying across the room. I'm not your friend. I don't want you to love me. I will be pleased if you all come to hate me a little bit. If that makes you survive as a team out there, I'll take the hate."

"Now, I will get inside your minds. I will find your weaknesses, and I will use you against you. My team won't have any weaknesses in the field. I will make you work past them."

With two steps, Damien backs off the mat and turns to Pike.

"Your turn, Sgt. Let's see if you picked up pointers from my brief performance."

Not he got to sit back and watch ... and to not be jealous. Being jealous would only interfere and Damien knew it was beneath him. His talents were in other areas. This fight was more than physical combat. It would take everything humanity could muster.

Quietly he wished Pike some luck, but he said nothing. Best to not bring the man's fighting elan down. That was Declan's job.

[Helstrum]

"So do I sir." is all he said as he removes his boots and walks onto the mat.

It showed that he was nervous. He had never seen someone as obviously skilled as Cain taken down so easy. The key to showing what he could do wasn't going to be taking down this seemingly combat machine inside a man's body. It was going to be showing what he could do, and how much he could take. He knew he hadn't felt pain since he got here and he knew he could play on that.

Maybe doing something abnormal, improvised. Letting myself get hit. I don't need air, I wont be winded by a good blow. Maybe that will be how I can at least land a blow...

Facing Sgt. Declan Perault, forcing himself too meet his eyes. He let himself feel stripped down, put in a corner. Be wild, then be stern and controlled. Don't keep up, just be good.

Taking a breath to speak "... I am ready."

Click to reveal..

For a judge of skill it isn't perfect, 8 dice for martial arts. but mega stamina 1 and high pain tolerance to let him keep fighting even if hurt.

((ODD: How it goes from here.. I don't really know, if there is something I need to do, PM me))

[The Red Man]

Declan took the same approach as he had with Caine. He stepped casually in a tightening circle around Sgt. Pike, measuring and analysing the man before him. This, after all, was a learning experience for him too: he needed to learn the capabilities of the others on his team. As (probably) the best combatant, he needed to be aware of where they were weakest, so he could shore them up through the right training and predict when and if they would need help in the field.

Pike was sharp, on par with Caine. He was less confident, having been forewarned, refusing to be lured into making the first move in the fight. Declan nodded as he completed a full circuit around the other man, with Pike simply keeping a defensive posture and waiting him out. Okay. Let's start this off easy.

Dec went through some attack routines: punches, elbow strikes and the occasional kick testing Pike's defenses, watching how the other Sergeant responded to the hits, how he positioned himself, and how he followed up on perceived openings. Pike even essayed some counterattacks, getting into the rhythm of the session somewhat, though none of them got close to his target.

Finally Perault moved to finish the match. A hand snapped out, grabbing the other man by the shoulder as Declan turned into his body and dropped to one knee. Sergeant Pike, extended from his most recent counterattack, was easily yanked over Perault's shoulder and wound up flat on his back in front of him. The impact was hard enough to rattle his teeth, but Pike took consolation in being right about one thing: he hadn't been winded.

Dec helped his partner up wordlessly and clapped him on the shoulder. Looking at Caine, he gave his assessment.

"Pretty good, sir. On par with you, technique-wise. A little tougher as well: that fall would have knocked the air out of most guys."

[Rorx]

"My turn then Major, I assume we are to use our powers if relevant?"

So saying Gwyn, who'd already removed his boots, steps onto the mat and takes up a short Wu-Shu stance near the middle of the mat. Carefully watching the Sgt and attempting to analyse his approach to the trials.

[The Red Man]

They were all pretty much the same, Declan mused. All these guys so far would have made the grade in international competitions. Even this civilian, Jones, was fast and reasonably well-trained, though his technique was far from a master's. He felt the guy out, getting a good handle on the weaknesses in his style, then attempted to bring the fight to a close in the same gentle way he had with Pike, grabbing an outstretched arm and yanking the guy forward whilst sweeping his leg across at ankle-height.

That's when things got a little harder.

Suddenly, the Specialist was a LOT heavier. Not much of a problem for a man who could bench a ton, though Jones' forward momentum slowed a little. But the sweep was tailored to kick the legs out from under a 200lb man, not an 800kg one. Declan's foot hit Jones' ankle with insufficient force to budge him, and the Specialist grinned and, setting himself, heaved back.

Declan let go, not willing to play tug of war and get tied down that way. Instead, the Sgt. darted to Jones' left and leapt, spinning a solid kick into the Welshman's chest with an audible thud.

That one hurt a bit Gwyn thought as he winced and staggered back a few steps. He grabbed for Declan, but the dead-eyed man was too fast and slipped out from under his grasp. A two-finger strike hit a nerve cluster in Jones' right arm arm, numbing it slightly, and the Specialist knew that had he been human, it would have been temporarily crippling.

The silver-eyed fiend was already moving again as a blur, capitalising on his pantherish speed as he dropped into a crouch, speeding a powerful kick at the backs of Gwyn's ankles. Shit!

On reflex, Jones pushed upwards and flew, not far, but enough to get above Declan's head. He turned in the air and dove down on the Sergeant, aiming to use mass and momentum as his advantage. He hit the mat with a loud bang, dust rising from the floor, but there was no Perault under him. Abruptly he felt an arm loop around his neck and powerful legs scissor around his waist from behind. They started to squeeze, fingers finding the nerves in his neck.

"Tap out when it's over." Came the sergeant's voice calmly in his ear. Jones tried to dislodge him, but the man clung like a damned spider, all the time increasing the level of pain he was causing. In desperation, Jones threw himself onto his back, figuring the impact would at least loosen that evil grip.

Again, he hit the mat with no Perault-shaped padding. Declan was instead standing over him, having jumped off as soon as Jones' weight had started to shift. Smiling faintly now, Dec bent down and poked Gwyn in the forehead gently with one finger.

"Bang, you're out. But that was a good showin'." He offered the Specialist a hand up and nodded in approval.

[z-Olivia Jenings-Izumi]

So fast! I don't have a chance. I have less of a chance than a chance! I have a negative chance! Thus was Olivia's assessment of Declan's skills. If Caine was a pushover - and that was exactly what it had looked like to her - then Olivia was a lamb to slaughter. Even Pike looked like a child playing with an indulgent adult. Not a chance in hell...

She tried to distract herself by talking to Pike. She really didn't need to see what Declan did to Gwyn, but she couldn't really take her eyes off of what was happening. She ended up awkwardly half-twisted to the mat, her eyes on Perault while she murmured to Pike. Without missing a word or even an inflection, she repeated what had been said in the briefing, despite watching Gwyn perform amazing, superhuman feats.

And then her time was up. Her heart rammed itself straight into her throat, and her hands were almost dripping sweat. Giving Pike a terse nod, she walked toward the mat, her clear on her face.

Her parents weren't fighters. Her brother was another matter. Wakaki's voice filled her head. "When you can't win, at least surprise them. It might buy you time. It might just make you look stupid. But when it's your only shot, it's what you gotta do."

She didn't give Declan a chance to assess her; with her face still almost green with nerves and sick anticipation, she charged him and tried.

[Rorx]

Gwyn shifted his mass back down to normal and took the offered hand with a grin.

"Thanks Sgt. Looks like I need to work on my speed as well as my technique."

With that he turns and heads back over to the Major for his response to the showing so far.

[Adrian Moss]

Caine nods but holds up a hand for patience. The time for having everyone's skill assested by Perault would come soon enough. Now it was time to focus on Olivia and how she handled this thing that she hated. Putting your mind into the fight - the will to struggle - was half the battle. Training and talent were the other half. She wasn't brimming with talent, but they could give her the training.

Now she faced her opponent ... and charged. Caine was only mildly surprised. Olivia was a smart woman and sitting back was an avenue to the obvious. Had he not been her commanding officer, he would have applauded.

[The Red Man]

No sooner was Jones on his feet than Olivia charged. The Welshman gave one startled glance at the situation and moved out of the way, leaving the mat to the new contender as Declan turned to meet her. Olivia's sudden rush put him on immediate edge, nearly triggering a reflexive reaction to her straightforward attack. He very nearly put Olivia down as soon as she was in reach. One finger would have done it.

But then he remembered what she had said, how she had reacted to him, how she had reacted to watching him. She was scared shitless, her dark eyes wide and pupils dilated. Despite her reckless charge, he had plenty of time to note these few details before he moved.

He quickstepped to one side as she lunged at him, letting her run past him before she was able to correct herself, then turned and met her face-to-face. Apparently shocked to find herself still standing and not in pain, the Doc swung a few untrained punches, her breath coming in adrenaline-fuelled gasps that would wear her out relatively quickly, nova or not. Still, the woman had heart. Dec almost idly defended himself, gently steering her hands away from him with deceptively slow blocks as he considered how to make this constructive for her. Reaching a decision, he caught one fist then the other as she swung for him.

"Relax!" he commanded as gently as he could, his cold silver gaze at odds with the soft insistence of his voice. He averted his gaze from hers, hating what he saw there. "You're just tiring yourself out." He let her go immediately and stayed still. He kept his voice low, for her ears alone, his eyes on her feet. "I'm not going to hurt you, understand? I won't hurt you. This is only practice."

[z-Olivia Jenings-Izumi]

"Look at me," Olivia said, her voice low. She kept her hands up, at more or less - less than more, really - where she was supposed to have them to protect her head. "Look at me, Perault."

His killer's eyes met her own, and Olivia firmly repressed a shudder. "Don't baby me," she murmured firmly. "We're at war." She immediately tried to punch him; he swept the hand away without thought. "I have to do this. Caine expects me to fight and you to fight me." She was calmer, but he still had no problems blocking the clumsy strike she attempted. "And if you don't, I'm going to make you sorry." The glint in her black eyes promised that she was serious.

He weighed her words, taking in her calmer manner, and nodded once before stepping in under her next punch, his arm going around her waist as he turned against her in a wrap-around throw that left her on the floor, blinking, but unbruised. Olivia nearly screamed as he grabbed her, but she started to chant, Practice. Practice. It's just practice!

She tried to kick him in the side of his knee, her feet driving out with enough force to rip a man's knee cap around ninety degrees. A woman's legs were much stronger than her arms, and it was a classic response, taught in every self-defense class: kicking from the ground. Declan saw it just in time to jerk his foot back, but her right foot scraped his knee enough for her to grin in raw victory.

Olivia snarled, "Who said we were done?" She immediately curled away from him, her feet coming over her head as she rolled onto her knees. "I thought you were going to teach me something!"

[The Red Man]

He blinked in amazement as he stepped back, looking at the Major for some intervention. Seeing Caine just grinning at him and obviously intending to be of no help, the Sergeant turned his attention to the suddenly-manifested Valkyrie in front of him. He tried to figure out how to do this without hurting her seriously: a strike like the one he'd done on Caine would probably fracture ribs here.

Besides, I don't want to hit her. He shook his head.

"Alright then. You asked for it." was all he said.

He stepped forwards so fast she fancied there were afterimages left behind him, body swaying and feet moving in a strange dance-like pattern: Capoeira. She'd seen some of it on T.V before. He spun in low, cutting right then left, then left again, his feet sweeping out at ankle height and knocking hers out from under her so suddenly that for a brief moment, Olivia Jenings-Izumi was weightless in mid-air.

The moment ended rudely as she landed square on her butt with an impact that felt like the largest spanking hand in the universe. She let out a small shriek of surprise, pain and outrage and started to roll away, only to feel too-strong hands grip her shoulders and slam them back into the mat. Perault's eyes looked into hers from a couple of feet away, his legs twining with hers in a classic lock as he pinned her solidly to the ground.

"Done yet?" He wasn't even breathing hard, his face composed.

[z-Olivia Jenings-Izumi]

The impact of hitting the ground reminded her of being back ended, just like the time in college that the computer nerd had rammed her Ford Geo. Given that the forces involved were similar, it wasn't surprising that this had evoked that memory.

Before she could even really think, "Ow" she was pinned to the floor by a large, heavy man. He was wrapping himeself around her, his hands were shoving her down and she could taste the screwdriver, thick on her tongue like slime. "No!" she screamed, and the cultured, smart woman became a trapped animal. "Let me go!"

"Are we done?" he insisted, his voice and the pin as gentle as his eyes weren't.

"Yes, yes, we're done!" she insisted, tears rising in her eyes as she nearly choked. Anything - anything - to get away from him. He was gone in a flash and she rolled up to her feet.

For a long moment, she struggled for composure. Finally, she said, "I'm sorry, Declan. You did good. Really good." She tried to smile; it was ruined by her clear struggle to remain calm.

[The Red Man]

"So did you." He started to pat her on the shoulder, but stopped. "And I'm sorry." He turned away, his shoulders down as he moved off the mat. He felt like a monster, felt that Olivia was trying to be nice, to be civil, even though he made her skin crawl.

Without saying another word he sat down by his boots and jacket, eyes on the floor as he waited silently for the Major.

[Adrian Moss]

Caine nods once, decisively.

"Okay. I've seen enough to make some initial assignments. Sgt. Perault will be training with Specialist Jones on a daily basis. Pike, you will be pulling double duty. You will be training with me and training Doctor Jenings-Izumi."

I can't risk Declan holding back like he did initially with Olivia. Her life could be at stake. Pike's mind is in the game and his isn't.

With luminous eyes and a fatherly demeanor,

"If you have any questions, now is the time. Otherwise, let's pair up - Pike you with the Doctor - and spar for the next thirty minutes. Then it's the showers and then we eat together, followed by our Goa'uld 101 class."

He waits patiently for someone to speak. If they don't, he points them to the mats.

[The Red Man]

Declan wrestled with himself, wanting to speak up, not sure if his words would be well received. He cursed under his breath and stood.

"Sir? If I may. Specialist Jenings-Izumi needs serious teaching. No offence to anyone here, but I can't learn anythin' from you people." His expression was somber, his eyes cold as ever as he looked at Caine. "And though I can help people with their technique, they'd practice better with someone of their own level. All three of you guys are roughly equal: you can grow together. The Doc..." He looked at Olivia then at Caine "She needs to learn more and faster than the rest. And I can help her, Major. That is, if she and you have no problem with it."

[z-Olivia Jenings-Izumi]

Oh, god, oh god... I don't think I can do this. I'm not a fighter! I was born a writer and an artist! She tried to keep her face blank, but she probably wasn't completely successful.

You agreed to do this. Imagine seeing other worlds. Being the first to photograph them and write about them. Think about that. "I can do it, if that's what Major Caine orders me to do," Olivia said quietly. I'll do anything to get to go through the StarGate.

[Adrian Moss]

He studied the man. He measured him. Sure, he was an exceptionally perfect weapon of destruction, death, and pain. Caine could also see the man inside all that power. The team was his, Caine's, but it was also part of what Perault could be. Sgt. Delcan Perault was a flawed man, and it fell to Damien to find a way to fix him. It was his responsibility, but not one he relished.

He thought at lightning speed and come to his decision.

"Okay. Pike, it's you and me. Perault, you still have to train with Jones. He's too damn heavy for either Pike, or I, to deal with. He needs to feel just how much trouble he's getting into when he gets up close and personal."

He gives Declan something that might be constured as a brotherly sign of affection, which of course a major would never do.

"Right now, Pike and I will double team Jones. Perault, you and the Doctor. Let's go."

{{With this, I would like to move on to the next chapter, The Hike, after I get reactions from everyone who wants to look back, or make IC comments to Caine. The Hike should be pretty short, but fun. Feel free to post any thoughts or player to player dicussions you would like to have here though.}}

[Rorx]

"Major, most of the time I'm still just about 100kg, I can switch the heavier thing on and off, so I can train and practise perfectly well with you or Sgt Pike. I agree for the occassional all-out session I would have to go against Sgt Perault."

He steps out onto the mat and heads off to one side to leave room for the Sgt and Olivia to train as well.

"What limits did you want to use for this session Major?"

[Adrian Moss]

Caine give Jones a toothy grin.

"Turn it on and let's see what I can do. I need to learn to handle unusual opponents. Try not to break any bones and I'll try not to put you through the floor."

He shakes himself loose again as heads out to the mat. He weighs and judges his opponent looking for weaknesses as well as strengths.

Without moving his gaze, the Major addresses Pike ...

"The problem is going to be getting someone this solid off his feet ... without getting crushed."

... and he goes at it.

[Adrian Moss]

In retrospect, the greatest benefit of the Major fighting Jones was everyone got to see how good Jones really was. Now, it wasn't a cake walk for the large Welshman, but it was a learning experience. The calculus of the fight was that Heavy Jones could absorb the impact of all but the worst of what Caine could dish out.

Once that knowledge really began to sink in, the Specialist really began to go on the offensive even though Damien could block and block and block the incoming blows, the impacts were jarring. They wore down Caine's defenses. When it came time for Jones to land a blow, it was almost a relief for those watching. Once more the Major went flying, though not as far. It was still far enough to put him off the mats. The fight was over.

Caine got up, holding his ribs.

"Ouch. I can't tell which one of you hits worse."

"Pike, I suggest dodging and weaving. You'll last longer."

The Major had no assessments, critiques, or criticism of the Specialist. Everyone had seen what he would be like versus the Ungifted. It wasn't Perault dreadful, but it had a sobering quality all it's own.

[The Red Man]

Declan reached down and grabbed his Raybans, slipping them on before gesturing for Olivia to follow him to a remote corner of the matting.

"Let's take a seat." He sat Indian-style, directing her to sit across from him. He kept his voice quiet, creating a small space where there was just the two of them, whatever else was happening on the mat.

"I don't know why you panicked." he stated calmly. "If you do, and you want to tell me, or someone better qualified to help with that sort of thing, then great. What I do know is that we need to get you used to combat." He smiled slightly. "Don't worry, this ain't some chop-socky flick where I beat you up until you get it. Hand-to-hand is like a dance. It has it's ebbs, flows, and rhythms. That's what we're going to start with." Moving with deliberate slowness, he held his hands up between them at face level, palms facing her.

"Put your hands up too. Palms towards me, press your wrists against mine intersecting. Yeah, that's it." he told Olivia as she followed his instructions. "Now, keep enough pressure to feel my movements, but not so much that you tense up or ending up relying on my arms to keep yours in place." He slowly started to move his hands in circular patterns, adding a little forward and backwards motion. "Just keep relaxed, pay attention to what your arms are telling you about what I'm doing. Try to keep your eyes on mine- uh, my shades." Olivia followed the directions, her eyes intent on his as she focused on feeling the movements through their contact.

"This is called 'sticking hands'." Dec told her conversationally, now and then reversing one or the other arm's movement with slow grace, letting her adjust. He smiled sheepishly. "I don't know how I know that, but I do. It's a major staple of most forms of kung-fu practice. It's said that masters can read the opponent's entire body through the movements of their arm."

[z-Olivia Jenings-Izumi]

This was not what she had been expecting. Olivia relaxed in slow measures, letting the calm of sitting and moving her arms rhymthically with Declan's ease away her anxiety. She wondered if the Sargent would mind if she brought her iPod next time. If Kung Fu was dancing, then dancing was meant to be done with music. She would ask him later, when she had less important things to think about. Or she could just bring it, and make him stop her.

As she considered all of this, she gave the rest of her focus to her instructor. She memorized each move, filing them away with the ease of a super-computer. There they would be until she died, barring some unfortunate head trauma.

Olivia giggled, a sudden change from her somber mood. "'Sticking hands?' Really?" She laughed suddenly, her arms losing and refinding the forms in sporadic jumps. "Why do I see some monk somewhere smearing honey on his students' palms?"

He actually chuckled, and Olivia was pleased to note that he could enjoy levity. She'd begun to wonder if the big man ever smiled. Then he surprised her by adding, "We can't do that. The Major would have to reprimand me if I resorted that training tactic."

Olivia laughed, an easy, light-hearted sound that caused the other three men to look over at them - didn't sound like they were training. "Yeah, can't have the Airforce being too nice," she said, unaware she was drawing attention. One of her arms slipped off, and she corrected, smiling at how easily she corrected her mistake.

[The Red Man]

He nodded as she corrected, smiling to himself at how she had loosened up. Hey, this is actually fuckin' working! Alright. Heh, it's gotta be the shades.

"Alright, lets kick it up a notch. Move your body with the arms, get a feel for balancing your torso with your hand movements. We'll speed up a little too." He matched actions to words, rolling his broad shoulders and twisting his trunk as he pushed his left hand towards her shoulder. "Try to stop me getting to you, without disengaging and without losing balance. Don't try to match force with force, that's wasteful. Redirect it, feel the flow and steer it away before I pick up inertia."

She responded well, their arms making alternating wider and smaller circles, every now and then pushing at each other, trying to get close enough to score a touch. Now and then, Declan would move his hand down or up as Olivia pushed forward, forcing her to simultaneously follow his movement with one hand and redirect his counter-push with the other. She lost contact several times, and wobbled in her balance more than once, but the game he'd made of it kept the smile on her face even as it also showed the concentration of learning.

He pushed Olivia a little faster, just to the edge of what he felt she could cope with. This made her sweat a little, smile fading as the sticking hands demanding her full attention now. Their hands and arms moved through smooth intricate patterns in the air between them, bodies twisting and turning, and Olivia was gamely keeping pace. When she broke contact or overbalanced, she didn't cuss or moan, just narrowed her eyes in determination, straightened up, and got back into the flow. Dec smiled slightly, pleased.

"Like everythin', real fighting is about control over your own actions, about only hurting who and how you want to, while stopping them hurting you and others." He moved both arms out wider and spun them counter to each other, Olivia managing to keep up. Her left hand was a little slower than her right to adjust, breaking contact momentarily but quickly recovering. "Any asshole can kill, usually when they don't really mean to. Skill and training helps with the panic reflex, helps deal with the adrenaline surge."

"Okay, extra steps you're going to have to take. Tomorrow, we have that hike. Following day and every day unless it's a mission day or the Major says different, you meet me in the gym before breakfast. We need to build your stamina and speed, strength too. An hour workout before we eat, then we can rest and whatever till one hour before lunch. Then we run for a bit: even today runnings the best soldier's skill." he joked with her. "And then after lunch we practice for a couple of hours, workin' on the physical and mental side of combat for you." He looked her in the eye from behind his shades.

"How does that sound to you?"

[z-Olivia Jenings-Izumi]

Olivia relaxed into the action, her prodigious mind relaxing into the movements. It was strange, her increased focus but the feeling that she wasn't thinking anymore. "It's a little like meditating," she murmured. "Just... go with the flow."

The Sargent nodded, letting her continue for a bit. Then he lays out the training regime he'd putting her through. "How does it sound?" she repeated. "It sounds like it will suck. It sounds like a really bad way to spend my time." She shot him a flippant grin and lost both hands in the process. Grumbling about needing super glue, she quickly added, "I'm totally in, of course."

She felt him pick up things a bit more, and soon her shirt was starting to stick to her arms and shoulders. Her palms grew slick and she had to concentrate more. Frowning, her brow knitting and her eyes, still locked on his glassy, black lenses, narrowed with concentration.

He was sure that all of her focus was on what she was doing, so he was a little surprised when she asked, "Can I bring music? When we do this." Her sentences became choppy with her efforts. "I like music. Would it bother you? Or hurt? My training?"

[Helstrum]

Pike took his chances against Jones. Taking the Major's advice and dodging wherever possible. He felt evenly matched when it came to skill, but facing off against someone that was a walking brick offered a whole new challenge.

Avoid the hits, maintain balance. Strike only when its obvious you can get a hit. And don't get led into anything.

It wasn't long till Gwyn's strength over came there seemingly equal skill. Joseph stepped down "I am not sure how much more I can really take, hits are starting to hurt." Rotating his shoulder in its socket he leaves the mat and approaches Cain "Major, dodging only help so much when it only takes a couple of hits to start hurting. I think this is all my body can take. If it is alright I would like to get some rest for tomorrow's hike, sir."

[The Red Man]

Originally Posted By: Olivia Jenings-Izumi

"Can I bring music? When we do this." Her sentences became choppy with her efforts. "I like music. Would it bother you? Or hurt? My training?"

He considered that for a brief moment as he directed a two-handed push towards her. She reacted well, deflecting his left hand wide and his right hand up. "We can try it." he nodded in answer. "For this sort of thing, it's not a problem. Make it ambient though, no headphones except when we're running. If I'm teaching you, I need to hear the rhythm you're hearing to get the best out of you. How's that?"

"Alright then. I think that's enough for today." He smiled and disengaged his hands from hers. "Let's see if the Major will let us get cleaned up and get some chow."

[z-Olivia Jenings-Izumi]

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh," Olivia sighed, flopping onto her back. She wasn't quite flexible enough to keep her legs crossed while lying back, so she folded them to one side. Her arms ached a little, but not too badly.

After a moment, she lifted her head. "So you're going to have to listen to my music, huh?" she asked, propping her upper body up on her arms. I hope he doesn't quit after listening to it...

He stood up, and she extended her arm toward him. He caught it and pulled her up easily. "Thanks again," she said, shifting her grip enough to shake his hand. "I appreciate the extra tutoring."

[Adrian Moss]

Caine nods to Pike. In a low voice so that (normally) only they could hear,

"I'm surprised you didn't try to lift him with your mind. That's a TK trick, I believe. I really was wanting to see what you would do with your special abilities to counter his. You've got to be more ... inventive. You seem to have a more ... indirect gift. Think about some combinations you can use and next time I'll bet you'll win."

To the team, he says in a louder voice that carries well, with a cadence all its own (the man could really be a singer),

"Alright, Shower and Chow. Remember we have Goa'uld orientation at 1300. At the end of the week, I want a report on how your Special abilities would impact a combat with the Goa'uld. Doctor Jenings-Izumi is grading."

"After-Actions reports are imporatnt here at the SGC, so I want you to get used to writing them and making them count."

"And," he says as he is turning to leave, "Team I like what I see. Oh, we eat breakfast and lunch together. Dinner is your own time."

With that their statuesque Major walks out.

[Helstrum]

In a low voice "I'll see what I come up with. I still need to see just what I can do with telekinesis against things that wont be harmed if something goes wrong. As for my other abilities I'll try and come up with some tricks to pull off sir."

After Cain leaves Joseph turns to everyone "I'll see everyone in Goa'uld class. I'll be glad to get some fresh air tomorow after being cooped up in this place." He waves to everyone and heads off to take a shower.

[The Red Man]

Originally Posted By: Olivia Jenings-Izumi

He stood up, and she extended her arm toward him. He caught it and pulled her up easily. "Thanks again," she said, shifting her grip enough to shake his hand. "I appreciate the extra tutoring."

"No problem." He returned the handshake. "I need somethin' constructive to do, and you need the help. It's a match made in heaven." He grinned, then realised that he was flirting and stopped. "Um. I'll see you at lunch I guess. If not, then at the lecture on these Goa'uld fellas." He belatedly let go of her hand.

"Gonna shower. Later Doc." He gave her a smile and nod before gliding with that uncanny grace across the floor, scooping up his boots and jacket before exiting the practice room with barely a whisper of sound.

[z-Olivia Jenings-Izumi]

This was different. Olivia had been flirted with before; she'd even had a sociopath attempt to pick her up in a bar once (he'd decided a great pick up line was, "Want to come home and see the cat I killed today?" The answer had definitely and immediately been "No."). But never had she been referred to as "something construtive to do" and "in need of the training."

It was definitely odd, she reflected as she gathered up her things. Not only was his flirting unusual - yet oddly honest - but she hadn't pegged him as the flirting type. Maybe he was coming out the shell he seemed to have locked himself into. That would be something good-

"The Artifact changed us into super humans physically and mentally, but it sometimes tore us apart spiritually and emotionally. We had trouble adapting to the gifts and burdens given to us. But sometimes, we found what we had been given became the foundation for changes that we never could have managed on our own..."

Olivia shook her head. She'd work on it more; for now, she needed a shower, badly. She hurried through the shower, finding herself to be incredibly hungry later. When she got to the cafeteria, she grabbed food and scanned the room for her teammates.

[The Red Man]

Dec sat by himself currently, having grabbed a table in one corner and reserved it for his team mates through the simple expedient of removing his shades. There were few Specialists that enjoyed looking at his naked eyes, though even their rational unease was nothing compared to the unnatural creeping heebie-jeebies he gave the strictly-human SG staff.

Shaggy hair still damp from the shower, the soldier was halfway through a heaped plate of food, not shovelling it in, but not pausing between bites either. He ate almost mechanically, dead metal eyes using the seat opposite simply as a place to rest his gaze as he chewed reflectively. His thoughts, had anyone been able to hear them, were fast-flowing as a quicksilver stream.

Damn still eating a lot guess thats part of the deal like the docs said wonder it they're right about everything else too thought they were yanking my chain about the five to ten times calorie consumption guess not geez what's that corporal looking at quit it lady I can tell you're staring wonder if the Major gets this sorta treatment or the others christ it's like being in a fucking sideshow so this is off to a good start anyway the Doc seems to be willing to learn and the others are all tight hand-to-hand and firearms wise might need to get some familiarity time in with the Zat thingy for the Doc since she doesn't like guns hmm wonder if there's other alien weapons we should know about guess they'll cover that in the briefing on the Goa'uld so I'll ask then dammit that woman's goddamn looking at me again so are her friends am I gonna have to pull rank here corp fuck now the whispering right. Thats. IT

He slammed his fork into the table with a *crash* that made his plate jump and everyone else in the Mess look round. The table shivered under the impact, but thankfully didn't break as Sgt. Perault raised his head and looked at the Airmen at the next table. They immediately flinched back from the reflective mirrors of cold death, their faces paling.

"I can see ya staring at me. I can hear ya whisperin'." Declan grated through a voicebox tight with emotion. "That goes for all of you." His gaze swept the mess hall's inhabitants. "So quit it or at least hold it in until I'm somewhere else. Clear?"

[Adrian Moss]

"SARGEANT ...," his voice was loud and clear, carrying across the room," YOU are better than that."

Caine came over and sat down across from the lethal non-com. He purposely took the seat directly in the way of those searingly cold orbs of Declan. Caine had plenty of will to stand up to that. It also gave the Sargeant someone to stare back at.

There was a pregnant pause while the Major opened all four of his milks.

"Good reminder, Sargeant. We'll need to have everyone carry double rations. We all eat far in excess of the minimum requirements."

Once Declan had started eating again, the Major said quietly between mouthfuls,

"It's human nature to whisper about what you fear. Making them fear you more is bad strategy. Find people, like me, Kyria, and some of the other specials that can see past your gaze enough to give a damn about you as a person."

Chew, chew, chew.

"That's my suggestion, anyway."

[z-Olivia Jenings-Izumi]

Caine's booming voice caught Olivia's attention, and she turned and headed toward it. What she saw made her eyebrow rise and the smile fade from her face. The blushing table of airmen trying to be somewhere else, the mix of raw anger and pain that Perault was radiating and Caine was rigidly digging into his food. "What's going on?" she asked, her eyes darting around. She didn't miss Declan slipping his sunglasses on.

Caine said, "The other table was talking smack about the Sargent. The Sargent had words with them, and I told him to stay in bounds."

"Ah," Olivia said, setting her tray down in the spot next to Declan's. She smiled at the women. "His eyes are kinda hard to get used to, aren't they?" As Declan shrank next to her, Olivia's eyes flared with anger. "Well, tough. They're just eyes, and you're a bunch of wimps. And if I catch you saying things like that about my teammate again, I'll switch your shampoo for Nair. I know my way around a lab enough that you'll never know the difference until it's too late."

She looked at Caine and shrugged. "I'm a civvie. And I'm not as good as the Sargent."

[Adrian Moss]

The hairline fracture of a smile might have, just might have crossed that handsome face. As it was, he was eating and that really left little time for smiles. After all, he could, shouldn't, wouldn't say he was proud of her. That wouldn't do at all.

Since this was a matter between a civilian contractor and some dirtbag airmen, he wouldn't get involved either. Besides, they might look better bald.

His team was coming together.

[The Red Man]

Declan un-shrank a tiny bit, casting a glance sideways at Olivia behind his shades as she gave the Airmen what for. Whoa! He tried not to grin at the thought of her carrying out her threat, he really did. As it was, he had to hide his smile by taking a huge drink of his own milk carton, practically draining it.

He was calmer when he looked at Caine, the emotion seesaw of anger and pain to hilarity having levelled out.

"Sorry, sir. It won't happen again, sir." Declan told his C.O. formally, before turning his masked gaze towards Oliva. "Thanks, Doc." he said more quietly to her before straightening out his bent fork delicately and taking another mouthful of food.

[Helstrum]

Arriving shortly after the commotion with a tray full of jell-o Joseph takes a seat next to Declan. "Seems everyone is a little on edge in here? I feel like I missed something." Digging a spoon into his jell-o, and before anyone can respond "So, How is everyone doing." Looking at each member of the team with a smile as he eats, passing over Cain in the end "Major, sir." Smiling as he takes a spoon full of his jell-o.

((OCC: I am not sure what time of day it is, and is this breakfast, lunch, or diner? ))