No One's POV
The cadets immediately return to their drills, pairing off in twos as they practiced several advanced hand to hand combat moves, Commander Persis turned half towards the cadets and half towards Madison and Khan observing casually over the class and drills, but still attentive to her commanding officers.
"The cadets are looking well prepared for graduation. Good work with them. You've managed to really whip them into shape. Not that I had presumed you would do any less. You are after all one of my top instructors." Madison comments lightly, after a moment of watching in silence. "How are preparations for the upcoming games? I trust that you have begun compiling the list for the tournament."
"The cadets are doing well considering. There is always room for improvement. The thank you is unnecessary Admiral, you have given me a job and I intend to follow it through to the best of my capabilities. But I appreciate the sentiment." Persis replies, giving Madison another nod to show respect, a half-smile hinting at her lips. "I have begun preparations for the games as per your request three weeks ago. The list should be finished and ready for your approval by the end of the week if that is to your satisfaction?"
"The end of the week should be fine." Madison confirms, eyebrows furrowing as her gaze zeros in on one particular cadet.
"The cadet, female, medium build, brunet hair sparring with the male, third row back. Who is she?" Madison suddenly asks, observing closer as the young female struggles with a particular defensive move.
"Cadet Ashely Collins." Persis answers promptly.
"Mmm." Madison hums in confirmation. "Cadet Collins."
"Ma'am." The said cadet immediately replies, coming to stand at attention in front of Madison and giving a swift salute, nervousness swirling in her mind in the presence of the Admiral.
"At ease Cadet. I noticed you were having difficulties with a particular move. Your partner Cadet-?" Madison offers, ending with a hinted question.
"Cadet Reynolds ma'am." Collins replies swiftly.
"Yes, Cadet Reynolds." Madison remarks, waving over the other cadet.
"Ma'am." Reynolds replies, snapping a salute and standing at attention as Collins was.
"At ease Cadet Reynolds. Here I want to show you something." Madison waves nonchalantly at the formal greeting and beckoning Reynolds towards her.
"Remember, Cadet Reynolds is physically taller and muscular, therefore stronger in brute power. This gives him an obvious advantage over someone such as yourself that is physically smaller in stature. However brute power isn't everything. Bulkier than yourself, or someone similar in size such as myself, it's easy to believe that he would immediately have the upper hand. But our smaller size gives us more agility and balance when executing quick movements. Use that to your own advantage and you'll find the leverage you need to overpower Cadet Reynolds. Sometimes the tradition moves just don't cut it and you have to modify to suit your body type and fighting style." Madison instructs demonstrating the correct movement of the defensive combat move.
"Like this." Madison gestures for Cadet Reynolds to attack. "Try it slow. Half speed at first. Then we'll go once more."
Cadet Reynolds looked extremely skittish, boarder line about to have a mental break down out of fright, as he glances between Khan and the Admiral. He wasn't entirely sure Khan wouldn't kill him for laying hands on the Admiral.
I mean it didn't take an astrophysics engineer to know that Khan was fiercely protective of the Admiral and could get quite explosive and threatening if he believed harm had come to her. Really, everyone knew. Everyone. And there wasn't a single person or Augment on this damn planet that was safe from his wrath were the Admiral to be put in harm's way, to be injured or really threatened in any way, even Persis his second in command was not excused from this fact.
"Cadet." Madison orders more sternly, putting more weight into the command.
Glancing dubiously back at the passive First Officer, Reynolds moved forward, repeating the move he had done with Cadet Collins at half speed as ordered. With slow precise moves Madison reacted; quickly moving into Cadet Reynolds' space, right arm blocking the first punch, left arm blocking the second punch and instead of bringing her knee into his chest that Reynolds would surely block, twists to the side, dropping her blocks and striking once with a left hook to the jaw, lithely dodging another punch before sweeping her left leg gracefully to unbalance Reynolds' weight, using her right hand to twist Reynolds' left arm behind his back as he tumbles face forward towards the mat, pinning him down.
Watching as his best friend instructs the two cadets and performs a move that Kirk knew all too well, having had Madison do it on him back in their Academy days, Kirk is immediately thrown into a distant memory from their Academy days.
It was the first day of my third term as a freshman at the Starfleet Academy.
Winter break had just ended, and I had spent a relaxing, school work free and stress free time hanging out with Bones in our dorm and exploring around the city. Since arriving in San Francisco to enroll in the Academy I had had little time to explore and with little to attract my attention elsewhere such as pretty ladies, it was surprisingly nice to just hang out, especially given that I had no family I was close to and knowing Bones didn't either since his harsh divorce only months before enrolling to the Academy.
Classes had resumed of course, earning a grumble from me simply from not wanting to have to be forced to get up early again and go to class. And while most of my classes were boring and of little challenge, I was looking forward to my advanced hand to hand combat class. I had been recommended for the class by my previous basic combat class' professor during second term, but having been half way through the course (and acing it with flying colors far above my class) it was too late to switch in, instead dropping the class and waiting for the third term. This was a class I didn't actually want to be late for.
Walking quickly across campus from my government and policy course, the brisk air bites against my nose as I quicken my pace. Ugh, having classes across campus was such a pain, especially with the cold.
Stomping into the warm building of the kinesiology department I slap my hands together once or twice as if to help the feeling return to them before setting a quick pace towards my classroom.
Entering, I stride with calm confidence, eyes searching the room for a familiar face and to catch sight of the professor.
"Flight, ATTENTION!" Professor Coulson suddenly calls, immediately snapping us into formation, as he turns from his desk, clipboard in hand.
"Okay." Professor Coulson begins, eying us all with an evaluating gaze as he begins to pace back and forth in front of our ranks. "My name is Professor Coulson. I teach many of the Advanced Combat courses offered at the Academy as well a few Basic Combat classes here. This period the class is Advanced Hand to Hand Combat Theta, the first of eight courses offered in this particular sequence. If this is not the course you have selected for this period I suggest leaving now, otherwise you can consider yourself enrolled."
"Hey! Sorry I'm late Coulson!" A girl calls out breathlessly cutting off Coulson's tirade, her presence a whirlwind as she hurries into the classroom, blonde ponytail swishing behind her. "Got caught up in my astrophysics project in the labs."
As the girl sets down her backpack, textbook and gym bag next to Coulson's desk and turns to face the class I immediately recognize her.
Emily Madison. She was one of the most popular girls at the Academy, she and her group basically ran the school and were the envy of every student on campus, practically royalty for the legacies they followed, their own reputations and wealth they came from.
But was easy to see why she had the reputation she did, legacy and wealth aside, with a stunning smile, gorgeous body that was perfectly slim and fit, blonde hair that radiated like the sun and crystal blue eyes deep as the universe itself Madison was every guys perfect dream girl.
To top it off, this stunner of a woman was a genius, immediately set on Command track by the Admirals and a year above the peers her own age. Madison was a born leader with charisma and charm that would make anyone want to follow her into the darkest depths of space or hell and back, sassy as hell with attitude and spark, yet also sweet as sugar and kind hearted, a different breed and class of her own. At least that's what I had been told. I didn't exactly know her, and all I did know was from hearsay or second hand accounts of those who managed to have her in a class or interact with her briefly.
"Not to worry Emily. You're just in time for introductions. I haven't started instruction yet. Glad to see you can fit this in your schedule this quarter." Coulson brushes off casually, ending his pacing as he stops beside her, resting a casual hand on her shoulder.
"This is Cadet Emily Madison. I asked her to be my T.A for this course over the term and I am privileged she could make room in her schedule for it. Madison is a sophomore on the Command track but has already completed this course as well as a few other more advanced combat classes. This gives her more than enough experience and I expect you will treat her with respect and the authority she has and deserves." Professor Coulson introduces, tone leaving no room for question or protest.
"In addition, need I warn you she can take you out faster than you could probably blink with less than her pinkie. I would strongly suggest not attempting to get on her bad side or assume you can win against her. I assure you that you will not be able to." He threatens subtly, tone remaining even but an obvious warning to the class before turning briefly to Emily, the corner of his mouth twitching into a small smirk. "Now, warm up cadets. 10 minutes. You are dismissed for now."
Breaking ranks I watch as Coulson and Emily begin chatting lightly, Emily immediately perching on Coulson's desk, legs swinging lightly with complete ease and nonchalance.
"Madison what did I say about sitting on my desk?" Coulson asks sighing in resignation and part exasperation, marking a few things off on a clipboard before sitting it on his desk.
"Not to." She snarks with a sassy smirk.
"And yet there you are. I don't know why I put up with you." He remarks back with a halfhearted grumble.
"Because, I'm your favorite and you need a T.A for this term. And I, out of the sincere goodness of my heart so helpfully offered my services." She chirps back with cheek.
"You're truly a saint." Coulson deadpans with an eye roll. "Not exactly how I remember it."
Continuing to chat lightly between themselves, my attention otherwise drawn away by a sudden scoff.
"Who does she think she is? Just because she's got a brass as an uncle and happens to be some genius nerd. She's probably just sleeping with professors to get the grades." An all too familiar voice of Cadet Finnegan voices sneeringly.
As an upperclassmen Finnegan took joy in pulling humiliating pranks and cruel jokes (mostly on the underclassmen, especially freshman, though occasionally on his own classmates as well), unfortunately some which I had already been the target of. He was also known for his degrading mannerism towards women and his arrogant attitude that could cross the line between being forward to forceful.
"Then again, with that body and those looks." He leers, whistling lowly as if in appreciation rather than depreciatingly, which is what it really was. "I wouldn't mind fucking that."
"Don't talk about her that way." I growl, spinning to face Finnegan.
While I typically tried to stay out of his way, not out of cowardice, but rather attempting to refrain from punching the hell out of or strangling the guy to death and risking being kicked out of Starfleet, this confrontation I had little qualms about.
Despite my playboy ways, I had little tolerance for men who treated women as property or something less than equal and absolutely none for those who abusingly laid a hand on a woman. My shitty stepfather had taught me that and I vowed I would never abuse my physical strength or force someone unwilling because of some mental power trip. I had had my fair share of rejections of course, but respectfully accepted them for what they were. Everyone had the right to say no, and as attractive as I was to most, I wasn't everyone's type. There were plenty of options and in this, there were always some win somes and lose somes.
"Whatcha going to do about it Jimmy boy?" Finnegan taunts, sneering in my direction.
"You're not worth my time Finnegan." I snap out, glaring back.
But before anything more could happen, Professor Coulson had called us back to attention.
"Now, there is an uneven number of cadets in this course, so the one left without a partner will pair up with Madison here." Coulson announces after demonstrating a particular move and instructing basic drills to complete.
Seeing it as my chance to actually get to know Emily Madison, instead of the mere brief run-ins (a few quite literally) we had, my intentions were to ask for her to be my sparring partner. However as circumstance had it, my chance was lost as Cadet Mitchell came up to me asking to be my partner.
Finnegan of all people had ended up paired with her, though he looked less than pleased. No one had asked him to be their partner and I didn't blame anyone for not wanting to be his partner. He was an asshole with no respect for anyone and a serious superiority complex.
Groaning internally at my lost chance, I face Mitchell, preparing to run through our drills.
Out of the corner of my eye I watch Finnegan and Madison face each other, Finnegan's body language clearly screaming cocky asshole who thought he was better than everyone, clearly unwilling to lower himself in what he perceived was below him.
"Cadet Finnegan is there a reason to why you are not completing the drills? Though I am not in the class we are paired and I have offered my help."
"I'm not fighting you." Finnegan sneers, laughing mockingly.
"I see. And the reason for that is?" Madison asks, tone even and expression bored.
"You're a girl. Where's the challenge in that?" He continues to mock.
"Indeed, your observation skills are quite accurate. But I assure you I am well qualified." Madison deadpans.
Finnegan looked offended that Madison would challenge him. And by this time Coulson, as well as many others of the class had turned their attention towards the confrontation.
"Haha. Qualified. Doubtful. You mean you've slept your way through professors." Finnegan laughs.
"I find your disrespect for me abrasive and intolerable. I suggest adjusting your attitude Finnegan. As of right now I am your superior and I suggest respecting that or your risk consequences." Madison warns, her voice even but ice cold.
Finnegan only sneers, looking at her challengingly.
"What are you going to do about-" Finnegan begins to scoff but in less than a split second Madison strikes, pinning Finnegan to the ground, both arms twisted behind him, face smashed into the mat in an awkward, and painful angle. The pin clearly meant to subdue a person into submission.
"That. I can do that. Do not think of challenging me. You will find yourself hilariously out of depth and always on the losing side." Madison growls lowly, forcing him firmly against the mat in emphasis before jerking him up into a standing position.
"Madison." Coulson calls, his expression unreadable.
"Ah, don't worry too much Agent. I've got this handled. Easy peasy." Madison smirks, suddenly sweeping her leg out and tripping Finnegan, but with his hands still pinned behind him by Madison he crashes to the ground the moment she let's go.
"I do not tolerate or appreciate bullies. Don't test me cadet." Madison emphasizes with a low threatening voice walking off causally, as if nothing happened.
The entire class was gaping. It was about time someone put Finnegan in his place. It was glorious and beautiful to watch. Seriously, Madison was a damn near goddess.
"Cadet Finnegan. Laps. I want to see you run laps the rest of this class period. As for the rest of you there's nothing to see, back to your drills. Madison." Coulson orders, sighing as he says her name. "What am I going to do with you?"
"Ah you love me Agent." Madison smirks, joining him to observe the class.
"You're lucky I tolerate your snark." Coulson sighs exaggerated.
Madison laughs, striking up another conversation about her astrophysics course.
Thirty minutes later class is dismissed, me lingering in the room hoping to catch Madison as she leaves.
"You really put Finnegan in his place today. You know he's probably going to try something again." I say causally, sliding beside Madison as she walks out of the classroom.
"I think I can handle myself. Is there something you wanted to discuss?" She asks, turning to eye me.
"Not particularly. It was impressive what you did. You fight excellently, better than most I've seen. Better than myself certainly. I'm impressed. I don't get impressed easily." I comment, giving her a flirtatious half smirk and smile.
"Is that supposed to be a compliment? If you get impressed that easily you don't even know half of it." Madison snarks back, a playful glint to her expression.
"You're something else." I say, not really knowing what else to say. So much for being a ladies' man. Seriously, so not smooth right now.
"If this is your way of flirting you'll need to try harder Kirk. But you know, I guess you're not half bad." Madison sasses. "Now, you'll have to excuse me, I have a class to get to."
"Wait!" I call back, mentally slapping myself for how much I fucked up with this girl. I wasn't wrong though, she was definitely something else. So much better than the fake, over dramatic, desperate women I was used to attracting attention from. Though I didn't necessarily complain about them either, since I did enjoy the sex. "I screwed this up. How about lunch? My treat?"
"I'll see you in class Kirk." She shoots down, but offering a smile anyways as she begins to walk away.
"If you ever need help I'm sure my impressive skills and I could share some tips." Madison throws over her shoulder, a playful, teasing smirk on her face as she saunters away with an air of composed confidence and assurance.
Standing in the middle of campus, the freezing, biting air going right through me I gape wondering and mystified at Madison as she continues on her way.
I definitely liked this girl. And I'd be damn if I didn't try to get to know her.
Sufficiently pinned down, Madison huffs lightly, looking up at Cadet Collins and tossing a piece of hair out of her face.
Sulu was intrigued and highly impressed. He could always appreciate a good spar, especially given his affinity with fencing and sword fighting (broad swords and katana swords being his favorite). And it was clear that Admiral Madison was highly trained and advanced in combat even though she wasn't really sparring with the cadet, rather demonstrating a specific move. The grace and accuracy that which she moved as well as the confidence and ease at which she executed them gave away her experience. Sulu mused that the Admiral may even be able to equal Spock in a fight.
"See?" Madison points out, letting Cadet Reynolds up off the ground with a firm slap to the shoulder.
"Y-yes. That's- very impressive ma'am." Collins replies looking a bit stunned.
The other cadets had long since stopped their own drills and practice, watching in awed silence at the scene in front of them. It was rare, no, it was virtually non-existent, that cadets saw their Admiral spar. Though the private Senior Command training room had a bank of windows that separated it from the main training allowing those to see in or out, the windows also had a privacy setting that blacked out the windows shielding the room from any unwanted prying eyes. It was a setting that was always engaged when Madison was with her First Officer training and working out, and if the privacy shield wasn't engaged Madison was alone running on the treadmill, using the weight equipment or the mats for stretching.
"Thank you. Here, once more same speed, think you can get it afterward?" Madison replies.
"Yes ma'am." Collins responds.
"Good." Madison confirms, turning to face Reynolds and gesturing again.
Repeating the move, Madison then gestures for Cadet Collins to pair up again, returning to her previous place with Khan standing to her side.
Okay, so wow. This chapter just keeps getting longer and longer! Geesh. I did not mean for this to go beyond three parts, but from the looks of it, this particular set of chapters will go four or maybe (an extreme maybe) five, parts.
So I'm breaking it again, sorry if it's a bit awkward, but it was getting ridiculously long. Seriously. Way. Too. Long.
Oh, and I have an idea I've been thinking of. I know that I give descriptions of my OC's and of the settings, but I was thinking maybe making a Pinterest (I don't have a Tumblr, that's one black hole I refuse to be sucked into at this time) with boards for every story I have so everyone can see things and OC's, or at least my idea of them. What do you think? I would honestly like input from my readers. Yes or no? Please comment on your thoughts.
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