Mik's Gym Part I
Posted on Wed Apr 30th, 2025 @ 9:01am by Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble & Captain Edmund Merrick
Edited on on Wed May 7th, 2025 @ 2:01am
1,205 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Holodeck 1 - Deck 5 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD008 1900 hrs
Edmund did his best to avoid people as best as he could. He stopped by his quarters to change into a pair of sweats, runners and Marine Green Tee shirt. He had grabbed his water bottle and a towel which he slung over on shoulder. There was a slot for him to go into the holodeck and he went there. Before he punched in the request for Neil's program, Edmund took a moment to reflect on what's happened, wondering if he were more ticked off at Vura or himself or was it a combination of everything that has transpired. Having to redefine, or making changes to himself can be filled with unforeseen pitfalls and even landmines. He was glad to have the support system he had here. Squaring his shoulders Edmund punched in the code for Neil's program then stepped inside once the archway opened...
The low lights of the gym flickered on as the hatch opened, old fashioned fluorescent lighting flickering here and there. Various figures populated the area as well, with sound and smells overlayed the program. Leaning near the hatchway, an old man dressed in worn workout clothing and a watch cap looked up with interest.
"Hey there youngster, you looking for a knitting circle. Wrong door." Mik said, eyeing the new meat.
This greeting made a smile appear, and Edmund looked at the scenery as he stepped inside. "Nah, I left my knitting needles back home. I'm here to get a work out. " looking at Mik. "Nice place you've got here."
"It is. Or was," Mik said, eyeing Edmund still. "Getting all types through here lately. But, hey. I only own the place. What's your name? I'm Mik. This is my gym."
"I'm Edmund or Ed for short." Edmund felt a wave of nostalgia go over him, being reminded of the places he'd gone to, to train. "I like your gym, Mik. Neil had sent me to you to get me up to snuff."
Mik's grinned and said, "Ho yeah. I heard about you Mr. Merrick. Neil said you might need some focusing. He brought in a specialist. I'm not usually big on that kind of thing but I think he'll get the job done.
At Mik's last comment, a form stepped out of the wall, data streaming and coalescing into a humanoid shape. The figure, standing five foot ten inches, ramrod straight in old fashioned, crisp uniform had a ruddy face and piercing eyes. He wore a crisp campaign hat that added inches to his height and he had a swagger stick tucked under one arm. Pivoting on his heel, he strode up to Ed and said in a no-nonsense manner. "I am Gunnery Sgt. Hartman. Your DI for this next period of training. That's drill instructor in case you're so old you've forgotten the term. Are you ready, Captain?"
Woah, the best hard bitten epitome of drill sergeants. The no nonsense, no nambe pambe style back to the basics. Edmund quickly answered. He was impressed. "Yes sir. I'm ready." putting his water bottle down, along with his towel to one side. "And no sir, I am not forgetting what that means."
"No talking in the rank," Hartman barked, ignoring Mik's snicker as the gym trainer walked off. "How. I am going to PT you until you puke, marine. Then we'll be warmed up and ready to start. On the quicktime. Harch!" With that, Hartman led Ed through a pair of doors on the far side of the room, which transitioned into an outdoors athletic yard. Once the hologram had Ed situated, he began running him through the boot basic exercise drill, which meant most exercises had a four count. Thus, ten situps or pushups became forty of each.
Edmund dug into it, giving full attention to the exercises. Edmund was also noticing that he wasn't up to par which ticked him off. Mentally cursing himself until another part of him, told himself to just shut up.
After thirty minutes, Hartman ceased the exercise. He retrieved his campaign hat, wiping his brow with a sleeve and moved to stand in front of Merrick. "You ok, sir," the DI's tone was scathing. "You look like a fish that fell out of a river. What the sweet Jesus have you been doing? I thought marines were on a PT schedule but you look like you're about to die on me. You gonna die on me marine?" The brim of the campaign hat dipped nearer and nearer to Merrick's brow as the gunny warmed up.
"No sir I will not be dying on you!" Edmund answering, this was bringing back all sorts of memories there. Him digging himself out of that other pit, it though was all due to the Marine Training. They worked him hard, he needed to work himself like that as well. Back to basics.
"Don't call me sir, you miserable bag of drahk," Harford said sneering. "I work for a thraggling living. Now that you're warmed up and aren't going to die on me. Let's do some road work. Ten miles. A good stretch of the legs, don't you think Captain?"
The corner of Edmund's mouth quivered, as he manfully fought to keep from smiling. He turned in the direction that Hartford told him to go "Yes Gunnery Sergeant." Edmund answered, and began his run. Any other thoughts that danced on the edge of his mind, Edmund shoved them to one side. There was a bit of zen in the rhythm of the run. Concentrating on breathing, not going too fast, not going too slow. Dark patches of sweat plastering his tee shirt against his back.
Hartman ran easily beside the Captain, head up and then he said. "A fine day for singing. And singing makes the work easier, rather than your mind centering on not dying." He then began counting cadence, running through some of the dirtiest lyrics ever developed on earth.
After they returned on the ten mile loop, the DI led Merrick back into the gym and said. "There. You should feel much better about yourself now sir. Take five, then you can get to the serious training."
Edmund grinned, giving a nod. He was feeling better, this scenario taking back to the basics. It helped to get his head back into the frame of mind he needed to be in. He couldn't say it was all taken care of, can't go back in time to change things. Just need to push forward, the past is in the past, the only thing to concentrate on is the present and the future. "Thanks Gunnery Sergeant."
Hartman kept a straight face and nodded. "Sir. Don't thank me for wiping your ass. I'm not your momma. Like I said, you're only warmed up. Baby, he's all yours."
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble
Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Battalion Commander, The Cure
Captain Edmund Merrick
Company Commanding Officer Officer, The Cure
USS Pioneer
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