Weapons Training

Ensign Kiev'Agar/First Lt. Jen Lee

Kiev walks into the abandoned gym with Jen, listening to her speaking, "So, you've heard of Commander Quell?"

"Of course I've heard of Lt. Commander Quell ... I was frozen with him for 4 months!"

"I meant have you heard of him in the recent terms, of course you have heard of Mr. Quell."

Jen smiles at Kiev, "No, I haven't heard from him. He didn't even say good-bye when he left."

"I have a feeling he will be back soon, for some issues that may not be a good thing." He looks at her, walking over to his own weapons locker.

She sags against the adjoining lockers, and says, "I know what you mean. Should he come back, that's going to throw my world for a spin again. I don't know if I'm ready for that." She shrugs and pushes off from the lockers, going to the mat to begin stretching. "I'll just have to take what comes my way, I suppose."

He cracks his neck, opening his locker to pull out a Kar'takin, a Bat'leth, and a sword. "It's all you can do."

Jen looks up from her stretch at the sound of Kiev's vertebrae cracking, and groans at the sight of the weapons. "Guess we're upgrading tonight, aren't we?"

He proceeds to step over to her on the mat, setting the 3 weapons down in front of her. "Take a seat, before we begin...and yes, we are moving on to a higher level." She uncurls from her stretch and looks at him from the mat. He gestures towards the sword, "I'm sure you have seen many forms of it; it is the most common hand to hand weapon in the universe, in all its forms. Very basic, a handle and a blade . . . this one is meant for 1 hand, but can be used with 2. It is well balanced, so strength is not the issue, dexterity is."

She nods, looking at the imposing blade. "But dexterity is out the window if you can't pick it up to begin with."

He chuckles, "Pick it up, you'll find it weighs no more than 5 pounds ... now I will show you my own personal weapon, the Kar'takin...the blade weapon of choice for most Jem'Hadar."

She picks up the sword, amazed at the lightness of it. She studies the workmanship for a minute, then sets it carefully down. She looks at the Kar'takin then at him. "Why is it preferred over the sword, or say, Bat'leth?"

He slides the blade off the mat, the 3 ft. long handle fitted from top to 1/3 way down the length of a thin, extremely sharp blade, "Note its sharpness, but the blade is balanced with the handle. It is reminiscent of a human battle-ax, but the blade is thinner and more longwise." She nods, having seen what that particular weapon could do. "A Bat'leth is a 2 pronged attack weapon, a perfect adversary to the Kar'takin, both have strength and weaknesses to the other." She nods, recognizing the scientific fact behind that statement while studying the weapons. He slides the Bat'leth towards her, "The Bat'leth weighs close to 10 pounds. This one is very well balanced, worth a lot on the Klingon market...you are honored to hold it."

She reverently takes the blade, studying the workmanship of this weapon. "This does seem to be rather well made. Where did you get it?"

"My fallen adversary gave it to me after a glorious battle, even though he was my enemy. We shared a warrior's moment..." Jen swallows hard, imagining what that must have been like, and sets the Bat'leth down. He looks at her slowly, standing up, "Choose your weapon from all 3, taking into account which you consider yourself best able to handle, and I will teach you how to use it as well as any warrior."

Slowly, she rises, keeping her eyes on the weapons. Her mind whirls trying to think of which one would be best for her, considering weight, accessibility, cultural standpoints and histories. Finally, she looks up at Kiev. "I would be honored if you would allow me the privilege of learning the proper use of a Bat'leth."

He slides the Bat'leth up into her hands, taking a step back. "Twirl it slowly, moving your arms with the handle grips, let it move freely, get a feel for it." She takes the weapon, then takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. When she finishes her cleansing breath, she begins to move with the blade, awkwardly at first, but slowly allowing the weapon to meld with her. "Keep in mind that while you will likely use the weapon with both hands, don't pull your arms out too far, or too drawn in. They lead to falling back. You must always have ample room to move in, so keep your opponent in the open if possible."

She concentrates on moving with the blade and keeping him within her sights, always trying to take his words and utilize them properly. He watches her freely move with the Bat'leth, standing a close 6 ft with her, sliding into his hands the sword, "Prepare yourself, I will make a simple thrust at you; deflect the blade with an easy parry. Use whichever end of the Bat'leth you prefer."

Instinctively, Jen tightens up, and immediately her grace with the blade is compromised. She takes another, smaller, cleansing breath, and moves fluidly again. He swings the blade in a slow but steadfast arc downwards towards her stomach, stepping into a stance as he swings. In one motion, she catches the end of his blade with the tip of hers, deflecting his blow while pivoting the Bat'leth to strike with the other side. He takes the sword handle with both hands, swinging the blade back down to meet the lower end, pushing straightforward as he steps closer to her, pushing at the blade. She turns her Bat'leth over, catching his blade beneath hers, and arcs his blade up. He loses his grip, letting his sword fly up and away as he takes advantage of her weapon held upwards, slinking low as he tackles her to the ground, slamming his fists into both her wrists. Her grip of the Bat'leth loosens and it tumbles away as she falls. She attempts to turn while falling so she lands atop him, pinning his wrists with her hands. His hands lock around her wrists, using his body to swing her over his head, back face down on the mat, and he turns around to slide her head into an armlock.

"If your ever disarmed, do like I did instantly, or run as a demon bites at your heels, because he will kill you."

She giggles at his choice of words, though they tell of a harsh truth. Knowing this bout of sparring is over for the moment, she allows her body to relax and she asks, "So, how did I do?"

"You fought me as an equal, you disarmed me. I believe you did very well."

She nods, not very happy with the assessment. "It was like I was someone else almost when I held that weapon."

"You let your inner warrior shine through, she will not let you down when the time comes she is needed." He allows a smile, unlocking his arm from her neck to lean back. "That is enough for tonight."

She sits up carefully and retrieves the Bat'leth, carrying it to his locker. He draws up his sword and Kar'takin, walking over to his locker. "I believe you are putting that weapon in the wrong place."

She looks at him with questioning eyes. "Whatever do you mean? This is your weapon. I'm putting it back with your other ones."

"It's yours now, your chosen weapon, you honor the man who once owned it."

Jen blinks back tears and looks him in the eyes, "Are you sure?"

"I am sure, but if you are unable to upkeep its needs and honor it as it honors you..."

"Of course I will honor it, and take loving care of it. I thank you for this wonderful gift." She reverently props it against the lockers and squares off to him. "Now, I don't know if this is beneath the Jem'Hadar, but frankly, I don't care." She walks up to him and gives him a big hug. "Thank you again."

He looks at her slowly, setting his Kar'takin away, closing the locker, to allow a reply embrace to her hug. "I will see you soon to continue your training?"

She steps back from the hug and nods, picking up her new Bat'leth. "Yes, I'd like a good chance to learn this weapon properly.

"All right, see you later then; I'm due in security." He smiles, walking out of the gym to give her a wave as he walks away.

She smiles at his retreating figure and starts off for her quarters, looking at the Bat'leth.

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