The larger of the two gymnasiums in the forward section is located on the port side of deck two, and it offers several rows of machines and free weights. Since naval personnel are expected to maintain their condition, it's rarely empty.

One of the better places for in-character chatter that can be conducted while out of breath.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:31, Thu 20 Aug 2020.

Around 2100 give or take a few minutes Hrolf showed up in the ship's gym.  He was dressed in shorts and a tank top that showed off a well built physique.  Looking around he noted a mix of a dozen or so others working out in the large gym in a mix of crew and a couple of other junior officers.  Grabbing a towel from the dispenser he headed over to the treadmills to get started loosening up while he waited for Jacqueline.

Jacqueline entered shortly afterwards, wearing her standard-issue navy PTUs with a shirt and shorts. "Um, hello, Hrolf" she began, shifting a little self-consciously as she tried not to admire his physique too obviously. "You start with running?"

"Hey Jacqueline, welcome." Hrolf gave Jacqueline an appraising look as she entered the gym.  "I like to loosen up with a bit of aerobic exercise and then get down to weights and flexibility.  Jump on up if you want.  We can take it slow and easy the first time through as we find what we each like and can manage."

Jacqueline climbed on to one of the treadmills. "Sounds good. I'll try my best. I wear a uniform, but my field is mathematics and physics." Running was one of her better skills physically; she had good endurance. "Were you the star athlete back in school? You seem like the type."

Hrolf jogged slowly.  "I've found that I have to take extra care to work on my endurance when shipboard.  It's easy to get out of shape even if you are using weights."  He smiled at her and shook his head.  "I played all the typical contact sports.  I was fairly good and even played on a couple of teams during OCS but nothing to write home about."  He continued jogging, glancing at Jacqueline as they ran together.  "I've found that my mind is sharper with the exercise.  There is something in me that gets restless if I don't work out vigorously.  What about you Jacqueline?  You seem comfortable running." 

"Me? I danced ballet when I was young." Jacqueline said, pirouetting gracefully before beginning her run. "In high school I, um" she said then verbally stumbled, blushing. "I, I cheered. It's been a long time."

"Back home, sports is mostly done in domes. The atmosphere isn't conducive to outdoors activity. At the Academy, going for a run seemed to clear my head." she said, a little rushed. "But I can't claim any particular track expertise."

Hrolf watched admiringly as Jacqueline twirled on the treadmill and then started to trot.  He ran for a bit in silence as she spoke using the time to get into a rhythm. "Cheer is a difficult sport.  The girls were out on the field nearby doing their practices while we worked out.  The gymnastics, athletics and dance skills required in some of the routines was impressive."  He chuckled.  "Of course the girls were impressive themselves as well.  It could be pretty distracting while we were trying to focus on the game."

He shook his head.  "We were blessed with a T-prime environment on Karin.  It was a good place to grow up although I'd imagine living in a domed world would make you sharp and ready for any disaster." Hrolf didn't seem to notice Jacqueline's hesitations and blush.  It was possible that he'd missed it or perhaps was avoiding the more emotional subjects.  "Well let's run for a bit then, clear our heads and loosen up and then we can work with some of the weights."

"It could be difficult. I can't say I was ever the most gifted, but I always did enjoy dancing." Jacqueline said. She giggled a little when he said the girls could be distracting too. "Well, we can't have distractions on duty. Should I promise not to get out my old pom-poms?" She was getting more at ease around Hrolf and more able to joke.

"You were fortunate to grow up there, Hrolf. You never realize how frustrating a tainted atmosphere is until you go to a planet that's perfectly breathable. After that, it's awfully frustrating to put a breath mask again. But I suppose it did make me aware of danger." she said, getting a slightly far-away look in memory. She nodded and focused on running, trying to keep a steady pace.

Hrolf chuckled with Jacqueline as his natural reticence was slowly overcome as he got to know the lively and intelligent woman. "The skills in dance are similar in some ways to sword fighting and close combat.  If you want as the cruise progresses we could practice with cutlasses or hand to hand combat with the marines." He shook his head, a broad smile on his face.  "I just got a picture of you with pom poms on the bridge.  That was funny.  But you would be very, very distracting and likely cause me to drive the ship into a star."  His tone was light, pleased and relaxed as they jogged slowly and chatted.

He glanced over at her as Jacqueline spoke.  "Growing up in a place like that does give you an advantage in serving in the confines of a ship.  Learning to live in the cramped spaces, especially on the little escort I spent a good deal of my career in was very difficult."

Jacqueline shook her head. "Fencing, maybe I'll try. Hand to hand combat, no way. Nobody beats me up when I practice dancing." She had nowhere near the confidence she would need to spar with some marine twice her size.
"I'll avoid cheering then, I can't be responsible for this grand ship burning up. My old cheer routines are probably rusty, anyways" she said, smiling.

"I don't mind being on the ship so much, but I love to visit new worlds, so I take every excuse I can to go down to the surface." she mentioned as they ran.

Hrolf nodded slowly in agreement with Jacqueline.  "Fencing is a good all body work out and your dancing experience should shine if we use rapiers rather than sabers or cutlasses." He returned her smile as he imagined her in a cheer outfit on the bridge.  Hrolf blushed for a moment and shook his head. "If we can get shore leave I'd be glad to escort you planetside.  The new cultures and planets are one of the perks of the navy.  When I was on the Gazelle class escort we did a lot of patrolling and made a number of show the flag kind of port calls.  I'm not sure how that will work with a big ship like our lady here."

"Oh, I might take you up on that. I understand there's not much to see on Mtensic, dry word with a sparse population, but I'd still like to see it. Someday the experience of seeing new worlds might get old, but that's still a long way away for me." Jacqueline said. "Do you know if we're sending anyone down to the surface?"
This message was last edited by the player at 08:30, Wed 23 Sept 2020.

Hrolf ran along quietly for a bit as Jacqueline spoke. "I've heard there will be limited general liberty.  As you said the population is limited and a big shore party on leave would swamp the place." He was quiet for a while again.  "I'm not sure that traveling will ever get completely old.  Still, without a home hearth to call my own I can't judge how I might feel if I had a family and land."

"True, true. The trick is how to be part of the 'limited'" Jacqueline responded. "Is that your goal, land and a family when you leave the service?"

Hrolf shrugged. "As officers on the bridge I am sure we can apply to the XO for permission.  It is perhaps leaning on influence a bit but then why not see the planet at least a bit if there is time."  He was quiet again for a while.  "A family certainly when I leave this life.  Land is stability and prosperity back home, there could be many analogues for it if one live more broadly.

"I suppose it all comes down to influence" Jacqueline said. She nodded cheerfully at his  "It's good to have goals, ambitions. I hear the Navy is a good way to rise in life"

She put on a burst of speed. "I'm okay so far, but weights are where I really embarrass myself."

Hrolf shrugged. "As long as we don't abuse it a bit of influence isn't a bad thing.  It's sort of expected within limits."  He sped up himself to match her burst of speed.  "The navy is the senior service of course.  You can rub elbows with the nobles and well connected if you want.  That's not so much my goal though; I don't set my sights quite so high.  I'd rather enjoy my service than fight for every bit of position and privilege."

He considered her for a moment.  "We can keep the weights light and go for aerobic exercise rather than heavy lifting.  You have the endurance to do a lot of reps at low weights and get a lot out of it."

"As long as it's within limits" Jacqueline said. "You certainly can. But I tend to agree with your policy" she said, stifling a giggle.

"Do you think this will be an interesting deployment? I kind of wish we were visiting more populous worlds." she said a little hesitantly. "I'm not expecting any real trouble... which suits me just fine, to be honest."

"Lead on, fearless leader." she replied to his suggested changes to the exercises.

Hrolf came to a stop on the treadmill.  He was sweating and breathing a bit faster but didn't seem to be too fazed by the work out so far.  "I think we will have a very intense deployment.  The captain is dead set on making a name for himself and the ship and there are political actors in the Navy and the nobility that seem to be dead set to see us if not fail then be less than successful.  I strongly doubt if we'll see real action but we will all need to be on our toes ready for anything that comes at us."

He bowed slightly to Jacqueline and then led the way over to the weights.  The set up was strictly one of machines with only a few well secured free weights.  Hrolf took a look at Jacqueline and set the weights on one of the machines.  "Try that... it may be light but it's best to start out easy and work into it.  Just grip with both hands and pull upward in a rowing motion.  You want to stand with your legs about shoulder width apart."

"An intense deployment isn't really to my liking" Jacqueline admitted after coming to a stop. She was breathing hard, but she'd held up pretty well. "Politics is always so dull, I'd take mathematics any day."

Jacqueline smiled at Hrolf's bow. "I'll do my best." She walked over to the machine and started working with it, although her performance wasn't impressive. (OOO: STR 5!)

Hrolf nodded sympathetically.  "Intense or not the chance to serve aboard a heavy cruiser in billets a grade or two above our ranks is not to pass up.  It'll help later on with other jobs but just having the ability to be part of the senior staff and make important decisions and actions is worth it for me."  He snorted.  "The politics be damned."

He helped Jacqueline get set up if she needed help and then started his own work out.  Hrolf kept things light and focused more on reps than weight. "It's about Will and making your goal rather than some impressive lift.  I'm impressed that you're willing to step out of your comfort zone."

"I suppose it will help, but I don't usually worry that much about advancing my career. Astrogation is different depending on the Jump drive, and bigger ships have more amenities, but really, my job doesn't change much whatever ship I'm on." Jacqueline admitted. "I supposed I'd have more assistants to worry about."

She kept exercising. "Thanks! I'm just awfully glad I didn't join the marines."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:09, Tue 10 Nov 2020.

Hrolf nodded silently as he worked out for a set of reps.  "If this cruise works out we may as well get our choice of our next service.  I think that would be better than an automatic promotion of cushy job on a staff planetside."  He shrugged.  "The drawback about promotions is that you get to do less and less of the meaningful work.  That is one reason I don't hunger for promotion."

At Jacqueline's words he laughed in a friendly fashion. "No, I'm not for the Marines either especially after my accident.  They rebuilt me nicely but I've never quite been the same."

"Hopefully it will work out. What's your dream assignment? Frontier? Capitol?" Jacqueline asked.

She paused and looked over curiously. "Accident? What happened?" Then she looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry."

Hrolf worked for a bit.  "I'd say something out on the Frontier, maybe even as far as the Trojan Reaches or even the Far Frontiers sector.  There is more flexibility away from the main commands."  He looked over at Jacqueline.  "And what about you?  Do you want to join the giltterati in the Core?"

He looked at Jacqueline. "I was assigned to a light cruiser in the Jewel subsector.  We were showing the flag along the neutral zone.  My job was flying a fighter.  We got into some close confrontations with Zhodani ships and my fighter was bumped and damaged.  I made it back to the cruiser but the docking was hard.  I was in regeneration for three months to fix my legs and back."

"Brave man" Jacqueline replied as she worked out. "I'm sure the Core worlds are beautiful to see, but I'm not sure I would want to work so close to all the brass hats. Seems like we'd be under the microscope. I'd just like to be posted to somewhere with a lot of interesting worlds and cultures, but not bordering the Zhos or Swordies. I'm not afraid, but my work is easier when no one is trying to kill me."

Jacqueline paused and looked away shyly. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked. I'm just glad you are okay now."

Hrolf considered Jacqueline for a bit.  "I think the frontiers would suit you well.  They aren't as rough as you hear and there is more diversity in worlds and cultures.  Certainly being near the Zho would be dangerous as would my cousins in the Sword Worlds." Hrolf grins at this last bit.

He shrugged at the mention of the injury. "It was bad for a while but I'm over it I think."

Jacqueline recovered when she realized she hadn't offended Hrolf. She smiled at his words. "I'd like to see that, although I never saw myself as the tough frontierswoman type. The farther I keep away from the Zhos the better. I don't like the thought of the rifling through my mind. The Swordies seem like they could be nice, at least between wars."

She admired the way he seemed unbothered by what had happened to him in the accident. She doubted she would have been able to do the same.

The only aspect of the accident that had bothered Hrolf had been the worry of being injured badly enough to be discharged from the navy.  Fortunately the medical care had been outstanding as he'd gained the attention of an influential commanding officer.  Now that this was behind him his stoic mind was more focused on the here and now.

"Yes, the mind foolery is unmanly but their psionic warriors are deadly.  The Zho commandos, all psions can teleport into your ship or behind your lines, see what you are doing with clairvoyance and flip off the switch of your mind shield or pull a pin on your grenade with telekinesis."  He shook his head.  "A deadly foe to be sure."

Hrolf smiled slightly. "But the Sword Worlds... some of them are very beautiful and the people are proud and honorable.  They aren't perfect of course but they are different in beliefs and traditions from the Imperial standard.  It is a shame that there are such tensions between us.  I would love to travel there as well and see the home of my family."

"I can do without teleporting, telekinetic people trying to kill me. Seems like too much to deal with when combat has never been my forte." Jacqueline said "I've heard the Swordies have great food. Probably a lovely place to visit, as long as you don't wear your uniform."

Hrolf laughed.  "Oh I wholeheartedly agree with the no psion bit.  They'd definitely rain on your parade." He nodded and smiled again. "The food is hearty and well flavored for sure.  And you will find the people on a whole to be friendly even to strangers, even to Imperials as long as war isn't looming.  Like most people they mainly want to be left in peace with their families and homes.  And homes and hearth are almost sacred with the Sword Worlders."

Jacqueline smiled. “Good food and friendly people, I’d like that. There’s two things that I don’t often find together.”
“I’ve never felt that kind of connection to home. I wish I did” she said a bit mournfully.

Hrolf returns her smile and she can see he is genuinely moved as normally his emotions are tightly controlled. "You should visit my family estates sometime.  We have aunts, uncles and cousins galore all in a sprawling mix.  It's chaotic and sometimes intense but very connected as family and kin."

Jacqueline looked down shyly "If, if it wouldn't be any trouble, and I wouldn't be intruding"

Hrolf shook his head and reached out to squeeze Jacqueline's shoulder in a comradely fashion.  "Oh you would be very welcome.  Our family may be a bit chaotic and loud but they are welcoming and generous to a fault.  We can be a bit standoffish with strangers especially as some mistrust us for our Sword World origins but as a friend and shipmate of mine you would be welcomed with open arms." He thought for a moment. "Perhaps after this assignment is complete we could take a month of leave and travel to visit."

Jacqueline blushed when Hrolf squeezed her shoulder. But she smiled at his description. "It sounds lovely. I'm an only child myself. It would be very different, in a good way. Perhaps- Perhaps we could."

Hrolf let his hand linger for a moment as Jacqueline smiled.  "Well, then we'll need to get you over to see the chaos of a large family.  I think you'll enjoy yourself.  I'd enjoy introducing you.  Now we just need to survive this adventure."  He paused; "What do you think so far about our voyage?"

Jacqueline nods softly. "Is it all very formal?" she asked.

"Oh, it's been fine so far, although I was worried when we showed up late at Mtensic. Nothing will happen on this voyage" she said, much more confidently.

"Formal?" Hrolf shook his head. "No, not really or not at least as say the Imperial nobility might consider it.  You would be welcomed warmly as a friend of mine.  We are all about personal honor, reputation and one's word.  If I gave my word for you the family would welcome you like one of our own.  I'm sure as well they would be charmed by you and fall in love with you regardless though.  There would be no worries."  He laughed; "You might find yourself persecuted with friendly questions."

He frowned a bit.  "I'm worried that what should be a straightforward naval exercise of shaking down the ship will be turned into something political.  The captain is a fierce one and I'm afraid there may be some inside the admiralty that wish us ill."

Jacqueline laughed, recovering a bit from her shyness.. "Nobody does formal like nobles. And I, I think it would go well"

"The captain can be a bit... intimidating. But he has our best interests at heart."

After time passes...

Jacqueline entered the gym, deep in thought. She barely seemed to notice those around her as she started to warm up.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:52, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

Hrolf came into the gym just a few minutes behind Jacqueline.  He paused for a moment in the door to watch her warming up and then stepped inside. "We have a pretty good pace going with a mix of cardio and strength training.  Are you up for that again?"  Hrolf started to stretch himself and then paused.  "You look lost in thought, everything ok?"

"Oh! Hrolf!" Jacqueline said and turned around to face Hrolf, startled out of her thoughts. "I, yes, that sounds good. I've just been thinking about the attack on the spaceport."

Hrolf nodded but his half smile turned to a frown at Jacqueline's words.  "A hard work out will clear the mind or at least help you sleep well."  He stepped up onto one of the treadmills and started to walk briskly. "What about the attack on the star port is occupying your thoughts?  I think there were few winners in that battle myself."

"I hope so." Jacqueline scrambled up onto on of the treadmills, narrowly missing falling down as she wasn't really paying attention. "How many people down there didn't make it, do you think?"

Hrolf gave Jacqueline a worried glance as she nearly stumbled on the treadmill.  That type of behavior was completely unlike her and he turned his attention to her.  "I'm afraid that many hundreds died in the conflict if you count the civilians that were caught in the crossfire our own efforts.  These kind of things are always ugly."

"So many" Jacqueline said quietly. "Hrolf, am I a bad person?" she asked.

Hrolf stopped mid stride and stepped off the treadmill at Jacqueline's question.  He stepped over to stand close to her and put a hand on her wrist.  "A bad person?  No," Hrolf shook his head slowly.  "I don't think so.  Quite the contrary if anything.  Are you upset by our role in the uprising and the prisoners we carry?"

"Thank you." Jacqueline said weakly, with genuine gratitude. "I can't see what else we could have done back there, and I'm glad we were able to resolve the situation without serious collateral damage. Still... have you ever been to Feri?"

Hrolf shrugged.  Being understanding and honest was the least he could do. "It was a pretty lose-lose situation to have to intervene in local affairs like we did.  Usually both sides are ugly and whoever you aid is tainted.  We were just lucky to prevent a massacre of the prisoners.  That was the real victory I think."

He paused for a moment. "No, I've never been to Feri."

Jacqueline nodded. "I'm real glad we prevented that. I didn't want that on my conscience."

She gets a faraway look for a moment. "I've been there once. We were escorting a troop transport... I got to spend some time on the surface. There's a war going on there. The Imperial Army has some troops on the surface supporting two of the local nations against all the others."

Hrolf stopped and mopped the sweat from his face and shoulders. "I think we ended up with the less bad result.  At least there wasn't a major massacre.  The thing is the local situations are pretty much out of our hands unless it really impacts the larger Imperium.  Otherwise we do what we can to help with the worse bits of corruption and oppression.  The really bad part is when we get used to prop up an obviously bad but legit government."

He shook his head.  "Feri sounds like a snakepit.  What led to the Imperial Army intervening like it did?"

Jacqueline nodded softly. "I guess it was for the best there. I appreciate how sure of yourself you seem."

"Oh, the locals-the bulk of the locals-felt their affairs were dominated by the big nations and the Imperium. They really believe it too, enough to give them the edge."