EXETERRPG: (2, 1058) CEO/2O, Cmdr. Keira Merek & Sparring Hologram, Gram

[Todd Holladay]

Mission: Space Was Cool Before It Mattered
Day: 2
Stardate: 2446.04.26


(Exeter - Holosuite 7 - CEO/2O, Cmdr. Keira Merek & Sparring Hologram, Gram
- 1058)

" I do have a beginner setting. Maybe we should start there." Gram said
jokingly.

“What am I doing wrong?” Keira said, angry, more at herself than the
situation.

Gram's eyes once again flashed blue and white…

Keira had noticed earlier that whenever Gram was accessing information he
paused, she hoped his distraction would pay off. Keeping a tight grip on
the staff she shoved up and bucked with her hips, sending the hologram
flipping over her head. She kipped quickly and dropped into a defensive
stance.

Gram went from laying on the ground to a standing position as the
holographic image of its body flickered off then back on again.
" Ask me questions then take advantage of my processing delay."

“Yes.” Keira said succinctly. “This isn’t a tournament and if it were real
you could have killed me three times over. If I don’t bring everything to
bear to keep myself alive, what good is it?” ~Why am I explaining myself to
a program?~ “No, but seriously, what am I doing wrong?” She said seriously
this time not as a distraction.

A normal bat'leth appeared in Gram's hand.
" Lieutenant Commander Ravok Shara noted in a log on stardate 2445.10.09 ,
that you always attempt to create your own opportunity for a finalizing
attack by attempting quick and powerful maneuvers to break through your
opponent's defenses, while this tactic works in most unarmed, hand to hand
situations. It however is often counterproductive when using a bat'leth or
a melee weapon of similar design and function. " Gram paused and looked at
the bat'leth in its hands, then back to Keira.

" Mok'bara, the martial art forming the basis of bat'leth combat is by many
sources defined as more of a ritualistic dance. Many sources state that
klingons are brutal and unthinking in combat, but an in depth study and
review of their fighting style, shows that the average klingon warrior has
trained in the art of Mok'bara to such an extent that it becomes
instinctual to them and is ruthlessly employed in their every movement, and
often when they are standing still. In short the bat'leth can be a
dangerous weapon in the hands of aggressive combatant seeking to end the
fight as soon as possible, but it can be so much more useful in the hands
of someone who's proficient in its use."

Keira looked at the hologram and squinted her eyes as she was thinking
about what he was saying.

Gram took a stance with the handle section of the  bat'leth running the
length of its forearm.
" The bat'leth is an extension of yourself. It becomes your hand, your arm.
"

“Like when I use my knife.” she said. “It’s like I’m a great raptor or
predator, a hunter. Every instinct tells me who I am, it’s natural.”

" Precisely." Gram said.

Kiera slid her foot underneath the weapon she was disarmed from moments ago
and with a flick of her ankle and foot, threw it up into her hand and
caught it.

“Show me that move again.” Keira said, dropping down into a ready stance.
“The one that had me looking up at the ceiling.”

" Which one ? The one where you ended up on the ground or the one when you
ended up …on the ground ? " Gram asked.

“You do have Ravok’s smart mouth.” Keira chuckled. “The first one, the one
that ended with the shoulder check.”

Gram directed her attention to an area next to them.
A full sized holographic replay of the shoulder check move, the speed of
the scenario was slowed down so Keira could see a full display of how her
body was in action.
" As you can see Commander Merek, your attack was aimed at my core with a
good portion of your own weapon extended away from your own body. Yet you
were advancing towards me. I stepped back to offset your body's proximity
to my own then employed a defense maneuver with my weapon to knock yours
off trajectory, then once your weapon was out of the way. I was free to
move in with a shoulder. " Gram explained , gesturing to the 3 dimensional
holographic replay.

"I'm familiar enough with Mok'bra to know that's not one of the moves,
where did that come from?" Keira inquired.

" I merely improvised, Keira." Gram said, referring to her by only her
first name.

"Keira? You called me by my first name." She said hesitantly.

" An overstep, it seems my familiarity subroutine needs remodulation. You
can refer to me by my accurate designation if you'd like." Gram offered

"No, it's fine Gram. If I don't have to call you Williams sparring program
number whatever…"

" Four, the other three are far inferior. Shall we continue ? " Gram asked.

"Sure Gram.." Keira said with a smile. "So this over extension, I have some
ideas on how to go about fixing it…"

" Please show me. You can't hurt me." Gram said with a smile.

Keira dropped into the same stance as before, setting up one step closer an
attack with the blade.

Gram went to counter the move the same as before , to no prevail. She swung
hook around and behind his legs snagging the far leg, lifting both legs off
the ground. She spun the weapon once free and slashed at Gram. Gram rolled
out of the way ,Baakonite striking the stone floor sent sparks flying. Gram
made its way back to his feet.

" Very good. " Gram complimented.

"You've given me a lot to think about." Keira said.

" Does this conclude your usage of the holodeck ?" Gram asked.

"Unfortunately, yes. My allotted time for training is nearing end." Keira
answered. She placed both Bat'leths back on the rack. ~Why am I tidying up?
The holodeck will reset anyway.~

Gram looked at her inquisitively as she straightened up.

"Can I see you…." Keira started, then corrected herself. "May I call on
your program again?"

" Yes, I will ask Trip to make you a preferred user just in case he decides
to lock access to me during his next session. "Gram looked around the
holodeck, then back at her.
" Goodbye Keira." Said Gram with a smile.

“Until next lesson.” Keira said, returning the smile. “Computer, end
program and save.”

(Reply none)
(Posted by Todd & Rob)

-- 
Todd Holladay
SGT, IA ANG (Ret)

"There will always be those who mean to do us harm. To stop them, we risk
awakening the same evil within ourselves. Our first instinct is to seek
revenge when those we love are taken from us, but that's not who we are." -
Captain James T. Kirk
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