Continued Training

Posted on Thu May 8th, 2025 @ 9:07pm by Lieutenant JG Kate Kono

511 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Cead Mile Failte
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: Current

The oppressive London streets loomed with flickering lamp posts, their light wavering as the midnight rain lashed down. A desperate whimper sliced through the relentless storm that howled through the corridor by the brick-lined river beneath the bridge's archway. The woman, a streetwalker, had abandoned her shoes in a frantic bid for speed. In stark contrast to the imposing figure of a tall, slender man clad in a top hat, black cloak, and an elegant dinner suit, a lithe young Asian girl clad in a Starfleet uniform leapt forward, shielding the haggard woman as she fled into the night.

"Oh my," the man in the finery grinned, his gaze fixated on the short-haired Asian girl. His words dissolved into mocking laughter as he scrutinized her.
"You have a spark in you! And what is that? I've never encountered such a weapon before..."

Kate spun the Kobin with precision, assuming a defensive stance as the man advanced, his eyes dissecting her form as rain cascaded down her.

"Not bad, but might I offer a suggestion?"

"Shut up and fight!" Kate's voice rang out defiantly.

"Fine, fine, I suppose," the man sneered, suddenly lashing out with his walking stick, followed by a swift kick to Kate's side, flinging her into the river's churning embrace. She clawed at a cobblestone, hoisting herself up, only to find the blade at her throat—her own blade.

"It's called a Cold Steel Kobin. It doesn't exist in your century," Kate spat, rain mingling with her words as he pressed the weapon against her neck.

The man gazed contemplatively at the gleaming blade, his eyes reflecting a shadowy intensity as he hoisted Kate to his side. The turbulent waters of the London River roared past them, their presence a mere whisper against the relentless surge. They perched on the damp, age-worn cobblestones, an island of stillness amid the chaos.

"So..." His voice cut through the oppressive atmosphere, as he deftly flipped the blade and returned it to Kate with an air of sinister curiosity. "What compels you to venture into my grim domain?"

"Show me how you do it," Kate demanded, her voice cutting through the relentless patter of rain.

The man erupted into a wild laugh that echoed through the stormy night. He slapped his drenched pants and fixed a sinister smile on the young Asian woman before him.

"Do what, exactly? How to kill? How to fight? How to live with the aftermath? If you're seeking the art of murder, this grim endeavor will be a wretched waste of time."

Kate shook her head, determination etched on her face. "I want to never be a victim again. I thought someone who hunts might be the perfect mentor."

"Someone hurt you, did they?" the man mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Never have I been offered the chance to instruct a victim. My nights are usually spent opening them up. Yet, there's something perversely intriguing about this proposition. Call me—Jack."

In the pouring rain, Kate's smile turned cheeky as they sealed their dark pact with a handshake.

 

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