A Winning Combination

Posted on Wed Mar 18th, 2026 @ 10:04pm by Lieutenant JG T'Avia Espinosa & Lieutenant Commander Anahera Chernova

1,149 words; about a 6 minute read

T’Avia strode onto Deck 15, the doors of the recreational deck hissing open as she stepped inside. Dressed in sleek black boxing shorts and a fitted tank, her hair was short and not a concern, her Vulcan features composed but determined. The hum of the ship’s systems mixed with the faint thuds and clangs from the gymnasium ahead.

Inside, the gym was sparsely populated, a few crew members lifting weights or jogging on treadmills. In one corner, a heavy punching bag swung slightly, waiting. An Orion crewman that was tall, broad-shouldered, his green skin glistening faintly under the lights was standing beside it, arms crossed.

“You ready?” he asked with a small grin, steadying the bag.

T’Avia gave a curt nod, stepping forward. She bounced lightly on her feet, raising her hands into a practiced stance. Without a word, she began with qick jabs, each one snapping the bag with sharp precision. The Orion braced himself, gripping the chains as she delivered a swift combination: jab, cross, hook, uppercut.

Her fists blurred, the sound of impact echoing through the room. Sweat gathered at her temples, but her focus remained absolute, her breathing measured.

“Impressive,” the Orion murmured, feeling the force of each strike and seemingly ill prepared for a Vulcan to hit with such forde.

T’Avia paused only briefly, casting him a glance. “Thank you, now please hold it steady. You move too much."

The Orion looked at the approaching Anahera Chernova. "Commander,"

"As you were." Anahera replied. She then studied T'Avia's technique. "Does the bag owe you money, Lieutenant?" She asked.

"That would be illogical. The bag is not sentient," replied T'Avia. She looked at the woman. "I am just using it to practice" she added.

Anahera smiled. "Could you use a sparring partner?" She asked.

T'Avia nodded. "That would be acceptable. Your crewmen is too delicate and moves too much."

"Okay, I'll fetch some gloves." Anahera said. As she returned to T'Avia she asked "Besides boxing, which martial disciplines do you practice?"

"Suus Mahna," T'Avia replied. "I was looking for a change of pace after years of boxing."

"The ancient Vulcan martial art?" Anahera asked. "That's one of the few marital arts I haven't been able to try, the Vulcan master, I've asked were unwilling to teach an outsider, like myself."

"Not all outsiders should be excluded from learning. I was fortunate to have proven myself academically at the Vulcan Science Academy. They started to view me less of an outsider."

"I'm not that much of an academic." Anahera said.

T'Avia smirked ever so slightly. She had a feeling the woman wasn't necessarily traditional academic, but she was loosely acquainted with her service record. "That may be true, but you are Lieutenant Commander Anahera Chernova. I've been doing my home work. One does not go from enlistment to Lieutenant Commander with time as First Officer in under a decade without being impressive in some fashion."

"Well, you're not too bad yourself, Lieutenant, acting Chief Science Officer after only 3 years in the service, is nothing to sniffed at." Anahera replied.

"Junior Grade Lieutenant," the half-Vulcan corrected. "Provisionally and nearly four years. My being Acting Chief is nothing to write home about. I am only here for the time being" stated T'Avia. "You needed a Chief Science Officer on short notice and I needed a new assignment."

"Okay, let's spar." Anahera said.

"Are you sure that you are up to that?" asked T'Avia with a smirk creeping up her face like ivy up a concrete wall. "I've looked at your personnel file. You're over two centuries old. I wouldn't want to tire you out."

Anahera laughed. "Don't worry about that ." She said.

"Just want to make sure that you don't break a hip" replied T'Avia.

"Ah, the arrogance of youth, how I miss it." Anahera smirked. She then put herself into a defense pose.

T'Avia stifled a cackle, amused by Anahera. "I'm glad I can give you the satisfaction of some physical activity in your golden years before you retire, Commander."

"Enough talk, let's fight." Anahera said.

"At your risk," replied T'Avia as she took a stance, and immediately took a good swing at Anahera. A quick shot, but one she would undoubtedly regret.

Anahera grabbed the younger woman's arm and moved on her feet, counter acting the inertia of the blow.

Sparring after several minutes of intense back and forth, hand-to-hand, T’Avia locked eyes onto Anahera. "It would appear that we are well matched, Commander Chernova. I am uncertain if either of us is going to come out the victor."

Neither of them would end up bettering the other, they were well matched... too well matched.

The sharp echoes of the gym had long since dissolved into memory by the time T’Avia left, calling it a night. Her body still carried the residual heat of exertion, and soreness from Anahera's blows. T'Avia's muscles were loose yet stinging with controlled fatigue. The shared workout settling into a companionable silence as T'Avia made her way through the corridors of the USS Ontario.

The Maple Lounge opened before her with a softness that contrasted the rigidity of the gymnasium. Warm amber lighting spilled across polished wood surfaces, casting gentle reflections along the curved bulkheads. The space felt deliberately unstructured with low tables, curved seating, and wide observation windows that stretched outward into the endless expanse of space. Stars drifted past in slow silence, distant and unbothered.

T’Avia stepped inside, her pace naturally slowing as the atmosphere shifted. The low murmur of crew conversation blended with faint instrumental music, something unobtrusive designed to ease the mind rather than command attention. A handful of officers occupied scattered tables, their postures relaxed, their duties momentarily set aside.

She approached the replicator with measured precision, ordering a cool beverage with some added protein and potassium, a shake. The glass materialized with a soft shimmer, cool to the touch as she took it in hand. Turning, she surveyed the lounge again taking in its balance of form and function, of discipline and reprieve.

T’Avia moved toward the observation windows, the stars reflecting faintly in the surface of her glass. She took a measured sip, her breathing already returning to its baseline. The controlled intensity of the gym had given way to stillness here, a different kind of discipline one that required no motion at all and allowed her to rest with her thoughts.

She was delighted to have found a sparring partner aboard the Ontario. Unsure how long her time aboard would truly be. Lieutenant Bálor would return eventually. She was unsure what that would mean for her though. Whether she would remain aboard as Assistant Chief Science Officer underneath Percy, or move on to a new assignment.

Lieutenant Commander Anahera Chernova
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Ontario

Lieutenant JG T'Avia Espinosa
Acting Chief Science Officer
USS Ontario

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