The next day found Rupert back at the SGC, dressed in loose-fitting comfortable clothes and looking forward to the second session of "Geek Survival 101." He was rather anticipating a good sparing session. He made sure to arrive more than an hour early so that he could find his way to the gym after putting some things in his new office. He also wanted to give himself some time to warm up a little.
The gym was mostly empty when he got there. He warmed up on one of the treadmills before moving over to the mats to work through some warm-up stretches and basic tai chi moves. The tai chi always helped not only with warming and stretching his muscles but with centering his energy and sharpening his focus. He kept his awareness of the outside world open enough to note when others started arriving, giving a brief nod to Dr. Santini who had apparently had a similar idea. The other civilians who showed up early mostly just milled around a bit and chatted amongst themselves. Rupert and Dr. Santini, otherwise known as Mark, had finished up and were chatting when Col. Bacosky and SG-1 arrived.
The various members of SG-1 waved or nodded at Giles and the others while Cam and Col. Bacosky moved to the front of the group.
"Alright, we're gonna start by seeing where you think you are. Who here has absolutely no self-defense training whatsoever?"
Three of the new civilian recruits raised their hands, while Mark, Rupert and the new botanist, Dr. Elizabeth Schubert did not.
"Okay you three are going to go with these gentleman," here Bacosky gestured to a mixed group of armed forces personnel. "You'll be working one on one with an instructor for a while so that we can get you up to speed. I have an idea of what Doctors Santini and Giles know, but I was unaware of your experience, Dr. Schubert."
Dr. Schubert smiled shyly and shrugged slightly. "I don't have much experience, but I've taken several self-defense courses that the Y offers for women. I've thankfully never had to use it, but figured it couldn't hurt to know the basics."
Bacosky and Cam both smiled back at her, and Cam answered this time. "You're right there. It's a good skill to have and hope you never have to use it. Why don't you work with Col Carter? She can see just what it is you know and determine where you need to go from here."
Eliza, as Dr. Schubert insisted she be called, nodded and walked off with Sam.
"Well the two of you are the most experienced of the new civilian group. Dr. Santini, you noted in your application that you have a black belt in Judo. Do you know any other styles?"
"Not really, I've learned a few moves from Kenpo, but that's about it."
Bacosky nodded and then continued with a smirk. "Dr. Giles you appear to have quite a bit of different styles under your belt."
Everyone groaned a bit at the pun. "Yes, Colonel, I am familiar with a variety of styles. Fencing and boxing were family traditions, and I got interested in other forms of martial arts when I was studying the folklore behind some of them. It has proved to be quite useful in my work, and since I mentored teenagers I chose to become instructor certified for several of the styles that I have learned."
Cam's and Bacosky's eyes lit up eagerly and both appeared to be eager to test his skills. Cam spoke first though, "Well, why don't I test out ol' Rup's skills while you spar with Dr. Santini. After all, since Rup will be training with Daniel it's likely he will do some work with SG-1 and I should know how he moves."
Bacosky glared a bit at Cam, but then grinned at Mark and gestured to a stand with the sparring equipment. "Well Doc, let's see how you move."
Rupert grinned at Cam, eager for a good workout himself. "Shall we, Colonel?"
"Thought I told you to call me Cam?" Cam's grin broadened a bit and he handed a padded helmet, tooth guard, and padded gloves to Rupert. "Let's do this."
With the protective gear on, the two fell into their respective stances. Rupert felt his awareness and focus tighten as he watched carefully for signs of movement or areas of weakness that he could attack. This may not have been a life or death situation, but, as he always told the children, you take every fight seriously whether it is a sparring session or a real fight. Sparring is meant to train your body and mind so that you react properly when faced with a "real" situation. Sure sparring may come with pads and protective gear that you wouldn't have in an outside fight, but it was no less real than any other fight.
Within seconds the fight was on. Rupert felt his body reacting to the input of his senses. Block, duck, punch, dodge, kick. His blood pumping he danced to the familiar rhythm. The pattern of the dance was always different, but the rhythm was the same. Step, sweep leg out, spin, dodge, grab, throw. Breathing controlled and senses alert. Kick, punch, block, roll, dodge. Time no longer had meaning, and activity outside of the bounds of the fight was quickly acknowledged and dismissed.
The fight went on for several minutes before a grinning Cam held up his hand signaling the end of the match.
"You weren't kidding man, you know your stuff." Cam's grin was infectious, and Rupert felt elated from the sparring session. Cam tossed Rupert a towel, and both took a moment to dry some of the sweat from their face and hair. It had been a good workout, and while Cam was no vampire, he was a capable fighter. Rupert had held back his dirtiest tricks since this was a friendly match, and he'd had had to work to get in some good hits. He had even managed to put Cam on the ground several times.
As he dried off, Rupert looked over the audience they had gained. Bacosky and the other soldiers looked somewhat shell-shocked, apparently not having expected a book geek to be that capable in a fight. Teal'c had a curious look on his face and nodded at Rupert.
"RupertGiles, I would be most interested in sparring with you sometime."
"I'd be delighted Teal'c."
Rupert's smile stretched a bit wider, giving him an almost feral look. Sparring with Teal'c would likely be as challenging as sparring with Spike.
