Uneasy Training
Posted on Mon Dec 26th, 2016 @ 8:33am by Colonel S'er'in'e
Mission:
Indomitable Will
Location: Holodeck
S'er'in'e had spoken to Samanthia about the training he'd been assigned by the Overseer, he also mentioned that he felt this was perhaps a ploy to give her yet another reason to recall him to the Homeworld should he fail. With Samanthia pregnant her place beside him was secure, there was nothing the Overseer could do about it now in terms of finding him someone else worthy of him. S'er'in'e knew that should he be recalled then Samanthia would be permitted to follow, welcome or not. Having discussed it and Samanthia being open to the idea of birthing on the Homeworld it did open a door for something else he had in mind, but that could wait.
Even though the Overseer had instructed him to forego the traditional restraints when it came to females for this training he still found it difficult to swallow. To touch another female without permission was forbidden, to touch another while Mated was worse and he knew Samanthia would understand but a Guardian of the Overseer was exceptionally trained. Like himself taken at a very young age and trained constantly but the females had it worse. While males answered to instructors to what ever training being given the females of the Caste answered to the Overseer and she was known to be unwavering in her harshness. Those that failed training were assigned civilian roles of leadership or placed in the religious sect. For those that passed they were granted everything they could possibly want, the honour of guarding the Overseer, everything taken care for them, the very finest in equipment and training. For them it was life like a Queen, for their families they were afforded considerable honour, material and financial aid.
Wearing his training attire he bid Samanthia goodbye and headed to the Holodeck.
Entering the Holodeck with the access provided the doors opened to a scene of the Homeworld, the Caste province but a section he was not familiar with. He walked in and the doors closed behind him, there was a small clearing between the trees in the distance and a path or two leading from it. There was a large amount of foliage and trees in the area but no sign of the Guardian. At leas that was until from above hiding in a tree she leapt down behind him, slashed his attire twice and leapt to the side before S'er'in'e had a chance to react.
He heard her come to a stop because it was impossible to be completely silent on dirt and stone weighing as much as she did. When he saw her however he straight away averted his eyes....she was naked bar the mask all Guardians wore. Golden flowing fur, gracefully proportioned, trim of build and stunning in beauty.
"Do not avert your eyes." The Guardian commanded. "You trained similarly when you were young did you not?"
"Yes Guardian." S'er'in'e answered returning his gaze to her. "But females were not present and we are older now, know more, understand the physical appearance can mean many things to individuals.
"Are you ashamed of what you are?" She asked.
"No Guardian." S'er'in'e answered.
"You wear clothing, do you usually wear this encumbrance when training?" She observed him, looked at him as he stood there. She noted his build and size, reviewing his natural combat edges like weight, force and his ability to take hits. Females were at a disadvantage in all these areas but they made up for it in sheer agility, S'er'in'e may have reach over her but she had flexibility over him. She knew her appearance would serve her some advantage over him, he was still a male after all and that could prove a distraction she could use to train him.
"I have found it prudent when offworld, some are afraid of me, see me for what I am. Clothing helps put them at ease when they see me." S'er'in'e explained.
"Devoid yourself of that cloth, you are here to train, not hold onto alien influences. You are here because of that very thing." The Guardian walked to the centre of the clearing where the sun shined down upon them. She watched as S'er'in'e removed the now torn attire from his body thankful to have packed a spare in his bag. His pure black fur a stark contrast to her own and when done he stood upright again facing her.
"You're claws, show them to me." The Guardian walked to him quickly, her strides fluid and graceful. She could see his hesitation and struck him. "You were instructed to forgo the usual traditions, do as I say."
S'er'in'e extended his claws and put his large hands forward, he was not sure what he was angry at most, that he was struck or that his claws were being inspected by someone other than Samanthia.
"These are not sealed, why?" The guardian asked showing the difference between her claws and his. Her claws were immaculate, sharp, well cared for but treated. The use of chemical compound to not only protect the claw from damage but also the ability to keep a sharp needle like tip and razor edge.
"Since I joined Starfleet I have learned that to keep my claws treated such exposes the risk of injury when shaking hands with others. While I avoid contact as much as I can to prevent it, sometimes it is unavoidable and I wish to reduce the risk of injury to someone." S'er'in'e explained.
The Guardian struck him again. "You lessen yourself for the protection of aliens, you compromise your ability because you do not wish to harm others. How do you propose to defend others if your claws are dull or break in combat?" It was very clear that the Guardian was unhappy about this development. "Show me your fangs."
S'er'in'e did so and again was the recipient of another strike. "You have let the ideals of aliens compromise what you are, you have forgotten what you are and what it means to be Caitian." The Guardian walked away a few steps before turning to face him. "I have reviewed the records of training during your youth. Top marks in nearly every subject, excellent reviews by instructors, graduated with honours and you joined Starfleet."
"I wanted more than what I could be under our ways. Why should we be limited to the Homeworld, others of our kind have ventured to the stars, why not I?"
"Indeed, but look at what it has cost you. Dull and blunt claws, poor excuse for fangs. You have let offworld perceptions dictate how you present yourself. Did you weaken yourself to be acceptable to your alien Mate?"
S'er'in'e growled and grew defensive. "Starfleet does not require that I hold myself to the high standards of our Caste."
"But you have a duty to uphold the teachings of our Caste in all things. Perhaps this instruction will remind you of that." The Guardian assumed an attacking posture, she sized up S'er'in'e, he was large but she was quicker and though she may not strike as hard as he, she could strike more often.
S'er'in'e prepared himself and knew he would be injured for it. Guardians are highly trained, willing to die to protect the Overseer without a moments thought or hesitation. They train constantly while S'er'in'e had duties to attend to. Parhaps the Guardian was right, perhaps he let aliens influence him too much and now he was paying for it.
After two hours of non stop training, fighting, chasing and hunting S'er'in'e was exhausted, bloodied, slashed, scratched and bitten. The start had been exactly as he expected, the Guardian was very fast and did things he didn't expect but he caught on eventually. The Guardian had won this fight but S'er'in'e managed to land some blows on her, he'd lost count of how many she landed on him. She was very fast, moved like he didn't expect.
"Sit." The Guardian spoke recovering from her exertion. "You have much to relearn, your reactions are slow, you do not anticipate actions, you have forgotten what it is like to fight like a Caitian. You are larger than I, stronger. You depend too much on that to win a fight. I beat you because it is better to land a blow, even a light one with sharp claws than a strength filled one and risk missing your target."
S'er'in'e was not going to provide excuses, it was pointless to do so. Having sat down as instructed he waited as he drew deep breaths in.
The Guardian produced a medical kit from behind a bush, it held everything needed to treat Caitians. "I will heal your wounds. The aches and pains you keep, they will serve as a reminder of what you have forgotten and what you must regain." She spoke as she worked. "I will report to the Overseer, your training will continue. Remember what you face should you fail."
