Exercising Restraint

Posted on Mon Jun 14th, 2021 @ 7:38am by Ensign Rajeo & Lieutenant Commander William Rogers

Mission: Lower Decks
Location: Ship's Gymnasium

The Gym on Astraea was equipped with everything Rajeo could possibly want for a workout, although in truth Rajeo didn't use much. He was content with an elliptical, and a stationary bike. He typically did little more than cardio. Wearing only a pair of grey joggers and a black cropped t-shirt with a Corps of Engineers logo on it. He strode confidently to a line of treadmills and mounted on. He tapped at the controls to set up his workout and began to walk.

When Buck had left his cabin for his usual morning run he'd dressed in his normal running outfit: black tracksuit bottoms and an NYG t-shirt. Rather than do laps around the shuttle bays, as had become his custom, he headed for the gym, it having been suggested by a few of the shuttlecraft pilots that he check out the holo-treadmill. He sauntered through the door giving the rooms other occupant a friendly greeting. "Yo." He didn't recognise them. One of the new crew members, no doubt, Buck concluded. Hopping up on the first available treadmill the helmsman started out with a gentle warmup jog. 10 MPH.

Raj wasn't going quite as fast, merely power walking. "Gentle Greetings." he said to his new companion. "I didn't think anyone else would be up this early." He smiled.

"Well, I'm not much for sleeping late these days." The other man laughed. Despite the speed he was running, it didn't seem to hinder his ability to hold a conversation. "I don't think we've met. Bill Rogers."

"Rajeo." The Ensign said with a smile. " I haven't been sleeping much lately. Shipboard life takes some getting used to." His pace was steady.

"Not served on many spaceships, huh?"

"This is my first." Raj said, finally taking in all of William's handsomeness. "At least I'm off to a good start."

For his part Buck seemed not to notice Rajeo checking him out, more focused on his own workout. He reached forward and adjusted the treadmill's pace. Speeding up. "Must be something special to rate a posting on an Odyssey class straight out of the gate." The observation was made with a hint of curiosity.

Rajeo shrugged. "I wasn't top of my class if that's what you mean." It was the truth, there were a great many graduates who were ahead of him in that respect. "I suppose it has something to do with luck." His eyes were glued to Buck and he ran.

"Luck's a good skill to have. It can take you far."

"Well it's taken me here." Rajeo said, still distractedly William's attractive face. "What is it you do aboard?" He asked, genuinely interested to find the answer.

"Me? Head of Flight Control; Second Officer." Buck replied, looking over at Rajeo.

Immediately, Rajeo looked away. “I’m so sorry sir, I wouldn’t have been so informal if I’d known.” He was sure he was headed for some kind of reprimand.

Buck chuckled and shook his head slightly. "No need to apologise: if I was worried about that I'd not have let you go on this long. Besides, I'm off duty."

Raj nodded his understanding, but was still visibly tense. He continued his slow pace. "There's something comforting about being up this early. The ship is so quiet." He was clearly speaking to fill the silence he had brought on with his awkwardness.

"Sure is." Buck felt a little bad for the kid. "Kinda prefer it like this when I'm trying to get a work out in, ya know?"

"Less....distractions."The Deltan confirmed. It took a moment but Rajeo found himself growing in comfort around the higher ranking officer. "Flight Control eh? How does the Odyssey compare to your last ship in terms of piloting?"

There was a slight shrug. "Pretty much the same. I was on the original Astraea but once you get above shuttle craft the big ships all pretty much fly the same way."

"Wish that could be said for their engines." Rajeo pressed the controls of his treadmill to slow his speed. "This ones a beauty." He said, his mind slipping away for a moment. "I'm looking forward to getting some more experience with the Quantum Slipstream Drive. That's the real treat about serving on Astraea."

"Engineer?" Buck asked. He didn't seem to be showing any signs of slowing down, or of fatigue in general. "I don't really understand the technology behind it, but I do like to go fast. I prefer something more turn..." Buck turns one hand palm up and mimics a ship turning and heading off at speed on it with the other. "...and go."

"If you like fast you should see if you can ever get hold of a Spirit Class escort. The speed and maneuverability is unparalleled." Rajeo said, thinking back to his texts on the ship. "She was the prototype testbed for the QSD, before they designed the Vestas"

There was a nod accompanied by a 'hmm' of recognition. "Didn't realise there were any of those still in service. I only really kept up with small craft development after I mustered out of the academy: more of a shuttle/fighter guy."

Rajeo's combadge chirped." It is now Zero Six Thirty." Came the familiar voice of the computer. The Deltan slowed his pace further and further until the treadmill came to a stop and he stepped off. He took a quick second to check his distance. "I should run if I'm going to shower and eat before my shift." He smiled."If...you um.. have any engineering needs...umm give me a shout." He looked embarrassed to have said that.

"Will do." A broad grin split Buck's face. "Now get out of here. I don't want to have to deal with Commander Rozia if she finds out I made you late."

Raj smiled and hurried towards the Gym door. He only stopped a moment to look back at the Commander, admiring the superior officer as he continued his run.