Just Another Training Day

Posted on Sat Sep 13th, 2025 @ 3:48am by Lieutenant JG Christian Rogers

2,431 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: What was Lost is Found
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: Day after Setting Parameters

Afternoon sun slanted through breaks in the broad leafed branches. Dark wooded trees twisted but still stretched toward the light of the suns overhead, the larger star's brightness turning the smaller star into nothing more than a pale disk that was pulled along in the sky. Brush and high grass grew in the dappled light, along with alpine flowers with blooms both large and small, their fragrant perfume suffusing the air. Here and there were outcroppings of black rocks formed in cubes and stacking among themselves. A large river ran slowly behind them, but the cool humidity would still create a thick fog that needed to burn off every morning and early evening thunderstorms that returned the moisture to the ground and eventually back to the river.

Two figures moved slowly through the forest, flitting from wide, dark tree trunks to rock formations and back to trees. They moved quickly but silently, their footsteps muffled by experience, training and the spongy, grassy ground. Rifles were pointed before them, their heads lowered so that they were immediately ready to engage targets and get off shots quickly. Each also had a handgun strapped to their thigh and to belts around their waists that contained several pouches. Large packs were strapped to their backs and each wore a thick, pouched vest wrapped tightly around their torsos and chests. The pattern of their clothing worked to help hide them in the particular environment they were in.

The first made it to a rock outcropping and he went to a knee, scanned the area around them with his rifle, then brought it down as he turned to put his back to the rock. The second joined him, scanned the other side and then turned so that he faced the way they'd come as well.

We'll wait here. Five minutes, no more. the first said using hand gestures. The other gave a curt nod then pulled a flask from a pouch near his left hip and drank deeply. The first finished half a supplement bar before drinking himself.

A slight breeze rustled the topmost branches and only enhanced the deep and varied chirping of birds above. Neither expected to see woodland creatures as most were able to detect their presence and hide away from them. Some of the smaller ones might chitter from the safety of high branches.

The first dropped his flask and pulled up his rifle, lying it crosswise against his chest. The second followed suit as both peered to the right and the way they'd come. Only when they saw it was the other two of their team did they relax slightly.

Ahead. Two clicks. the larger of the two new arrivals signalled. The first acknowledged the information.

He looked to his partner who gave a shake of his head. "The target camp is two klicks ahead," Sergeant - Petty Officer Baldwin whispered to the other man. "We'll come up on them from the southeast, Kawolski and Brooks will come in from the southwest. Make sure to keep them in your peripheral to help avoid crossfire. We don't get the points if we 'kill' each other."

Petty Officer Rowling chuckled and nodded. He removed his headgear to wring out the headcovering. "I hate to see this place if it wasn't so temperate."

"You'll get used to the gear," Baldwin said, trying not to make it sound like the obvious lie it was. "Just be glad we're not slogging a multiple day insertion. Wait, they're ready."

He sent the signal stating they were good to go as well. Rowling quickly returned his helmet, buckled the chin strip and took up his rifle. He moved out only a few seconds after Baldwin but didn't bother to rush to make up the distance. They were supposed to be staggered in their approach anyway.

The ruck weighed against his waist and shoulders. He was sure they didn't need to make the last five klick hike but they had. He wasn't sure about the last two but once they got there, they would engage the target and eliminate the threat. At least he hoped once they arrived at that point, adrenaline would kick in and override the sense of unease and fatigue.

Baldwin kept a strident pace as they moved from tree to brush to rock outcropping and back again. The day remained on the cool side, but his uniform shirt was already sticking to him from the sweat he worked up from the gear and activity. He kept an ear on the birdsong - not just to enjoy the musicality but as an early warning system. The closer they were coming to the camp, the closer they came to the possibility of detection. They needed to keep the element of surprise in order to carry out their mission successfully.

One klick left and Baldwin slowed the pace, making sure to fully clear the way ahead. He also turned on the tricorder to begin scanning for lifesigns, keeping it in silent mode and pairing the display with his lenses so that he could keep an eye on the data without constantly stopping to look at the machine's display.

They were less than a tenth of a klick away when he got the first hit on lifescans. He brought the team to a halt, he and Rowling behind a large trunk of the dark wood, broad leaf trees, Kawolski and Brooks behind several large boulders. He signaled the presence of an advance sentry.

Problem Kawolski signaled back. Brooks is injured.

Baldwin turned to face them. He saw the grimace on Brooks's face as he leaned against the boulder, his hands clutched around his ankle. Baldwin motioned to Rowling they were going to cross over to the other pair. He checked to make sure the coast was still clear then, crouching, made his way across the way. He knelt on the other side of Brooks. "What happened?"

"I think I twisted my ankle," Brooks said. "I know I rolled it when I tripped over a root back that way. I hoped I just rolled it but...the pain..."

"It's okay," Baldwin said glancing at Kawolski who was digging into his ruck. He glanced to Rowling as he took up position on his other side, keeping an eye forward for them. "I'll call it and we'll get you checked out."

"No!" Brooks said, turning to Baldwin. "I mean...it's okay, I'll be okay."

"We can't-"

"Baldwin," Brooks said, "look, we've done the move in and got to this point. But we haven't done any of the major stuff, the things that we're really here for. I can't let it end now, otherwise all of this was for nothing."

"Brooks," Baldwin said.

"I've got movement," Rowling said. "Doesn't appear they're aware of us yet."

"Listen, Brooksie," Kawolski said as he pulled out a hypospray from a black pouch. "It's okay, we don't need to chance you getting really hurt."

"I'm good, I'll be able to make it," Brooks answered, talking as Kawolski hit him in the neck with the analgesic. "I feel better already."

Kawolksi shrugged to Baldwin. He was team leader and the decision was really his.

"I don't know," Baldwin said, "Rogers wouldn't be happy if we let him hurt himself worse. Maybe we should take a look?"

"Or call Hannah?" Kawolski suggested.

"Contact!" Rowling hissed. "Heading straight our way."

"Shit," Baldwin said grabbing his rifle. "We should-"

He heard the unmistakeable sound of the rifle firing. Shortly after something struck the other side of the boulder. Kawolski rolled to the other side, bringing his rifle up quickly. Just as quickly he fired a quick three round burst.

"The camp had to hear that," he muttered, putting his glasses back on. His eyes seemed somewhat unfocused indicating he was scanning information projected onto the lenses. "Yep, they're alerted. If we don't move fast they'll be ready and this will be much harder."

"Baldwin," Brooks said, moving into a crouching position while trying to keep the grimace from his face. "I can do this."

Baldwin sighed. "You're bringing up the rear, keep us covered and don't shoot any of us in the ass."

"Got it," Brooks said.

"Drop your pack, you won't need it until after we've completed the assignment anyway."

"Got it," Brooks said, hobbling to take over Kawolski's position.

"Rowling, keep to the left flank. Shoot at will," he ordered the other two. "Keep to concealment as much as we can."

The trio moved quickly to the next position. Baldwin looked over his shoulder and saw Brooks limping behind them. He sighed. Yep, Rogers is going to have my ass for this he thought to himself. Especially if Brooks was injured further, or worse than they already thought it was. But then he had to put it out of his mind. Streams of enemy combatants came pouring out of the established camp, their matte armor seeming to soak up the light. He moved the three to another set of boulders, firing along the way and hoping to keep them distracted while Brooks...

...but Brooks was gone. A stray shot chipped stone at him. He felt it cut across hsi cheek and automatically ducked below the boulder. Another shot, this time from underneath some bushes grabbed his attention. Squinting he saw a slight movement. Brooks was underneath the brush, proned out and taking careful, single shots.

"Okay, let's finish this," Baldwin said as he popped over the top of the boulders, brought his rifle up and began firing. Rowling and Kawolski joined him. The faceless enemy, all clad in the same generic armor fired back but the three kept moving, making themselves less of a target. The boulders took most of the damage from enemy fire. Brooks continued his careful shots. The forest went silent except for the sounds of the battle.

"They're cheating!" Kawolski growled. "That's more than should be."

"You expect them to play fair?" Rowling asked.

"Shoot now, grouse later," Baldwin said. "Get a move on."

He again led the way forward. Bodies littered the forest floor. Baldwin threw a grenade and a few more of their enemy combatants were thrown in three different directions. A tent caught flame and burned quickly. Thick, dark gray smoke billowed into the slight breeze.

Several more were struck down as they rushed out of another tent. Kawolski threw the grenade that burst that tent into flame. Two more came out, their armor engulfed in flames. Between Kawolski and Rowling they were quickly put out of their misery.

"Targets eliminated," Baldwin heard a disembodied voice say.

"Download to my personal PaDD," Baldwin answered, turning back. "Baldwin to Hannah, could you come to our location?"

"On my way," Hannah's voice came over the communicator.

"He's going to gloat," Kawolski said. "You just know it." The two of them moved back to Brooks and helped get him to his feet and then moved to a grassy spot next to the boulders that sheltered them during the primary attack.

"How you doing?" Baldwin asked him.

"Fine, just. OW!" he screeched after Baldwin slapped the ankle. "Why they hell...?"

"Yeah, you're doing just great," Baldwin said. "Okay, let's get a look at it." He knelt and started to remove the man's boot. Only to discover that it was a tight fit due to swelling. "This is going to hurt," he said unlacing the boot as much as he could. "Hold him," he said to Kawolski.

The large, muscular petty officer grabbed Brooks by the shoulders while Baldwin pulled the boot off. Brooks turned a shade of gray and his eyes rolled back, but somehow he managed not to pass out. It came close again as Baldwin pulled off the sock as well. "Shit," he muttered again. This time it was covered by the whoosh of the door opening.

"Ow, that's going to require a trip to Medical," Hannah said as he dropped to a knee. His pack hit the ground and he pulled out his medical tricorder. "Yep, it's broken. How'd it happen?"

Baldwin sighed. "I'll tell you on the way." He helped Kawolski get a woozy Brooks to his feet. "And you, Petty Officer," he said to Brooks, "if you get any puke on me, I'll think of something really nasty to do to you in your sleep."

"Yeah, got it," Brooks said, the gray starting to tinge green.

"Rowling, you're getting tested on signals tomorrow morning. Make sure you study up tonight." Then, he commanded the computer to reset and end the program.

"Not it on telling Rogers," Kawolski said.

"Oh, definitely not it!" Hannah called out.

"What?" Baldwin said. "You can't just call dibs on not doing something!" he said as they hopped Brooks out of the holodeck and into the corridor. It would figure their training holodeck would also be one of the furthest away from Medical.

"Yeah, yeah we can. He just got promoted. You know he's not in a good mood!" Kawolski said, grinning over Brook's shoulders. "And the first training injury since he became SecChief? That's just going to make his day."

"But, that wasn't fair! We didn't even set it up so everyone had a chance!" Baldwin continued. "You have to call it out first and then-"

"Oh, no, no and definitely no," Kawolski said. "You snooze, you lose."

"Fine, I'm calling it for tomorrow!" Baldwin scowled.

"Wait, no, you can't call it for-" Kawolski started.

"You snooze, you lose," Baldwin sing songed his reply. He hit the call button for the turbo lift.

"Uhm, guys," Brooks groaned, "coulnd't we just transport to Medical?"

"Hush you," Baldwin said moving to the side so they could enter the turbo lift. "And as for you, Kawolski, that's final! Somebody gets hurt tomorrow, you're reporting it. I'm sure Rogers will just love a two day in a row report."

"You're mean." Kawolski muttered as the doors closed. "I'm telling Malinda you're being mean to me."

"Good idea," Baldwin said, "she's complaining that I'm more married to you than I am her."

"Guys," Brooks said. Hannah, having much more experience with personnel wounded in training had already stepped to the side. Several seconds before Brooks hurled.

"I call not cleaning that," Hannah said, chuckling.


NPCS by LTjg Christian Rogers

Petty Officer 2nd Terry Baldwin
SWAT/S

Petty Officer 2nd Hunter Kawolski
SWAT/S

Petty Officer 2nd John Rowling
Security

Petty Officer 3rd Phillip Brooks
Security

Petty Officer 2nd Corvus Hannah
SWAT/S Combat Medic

 

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