Nolfian Chronicles Part 3
After many hours watching Shran's sleeping face Reed had led her to her new quarters. She found it suitable and the taste of décor was okay. Reed showed her how to use many of the little gadgets that were situated around the room such as a small radio.
She found the radio useful. She could tune into the Nolfian frequency and listen to traditional Nolfian music.
Kunama looked at the digital clock, 3 hours before she would check in with Phlox. He had wanted a medical file on her seeming as she was staying. She lay upon her bunk. It was narrow but comfortable and the sheets were clean for once.
For what they used as blankets to keep Shran and herself warm weren't exactly desirable. They had been hides from the planet's once native Shalak. A type of four-legged deer with large ears and horns. The horns bent back on the living creature, rigged nearer the top of the horns. The colours were desert colouring to camouflage themselves against predators.
She checked the clock again. 2 hours and 57 minutes before she had to leave. She wondered on what occupation she'd take up, she liked fighting but she didn't have to fight all the time. Enterprise, for sure wouldn't be attacked 24:7.
The door chimed. 'Who could be ringing round' Kunama thought as she answered
"Enter"
The door opened with a soft swoosh and a figure walked into the room. She looked at the figure. To her own surprise it was the lieutenant.
"Can I help you Malcolm?"
"I thought we could test out how good you are"
"With what exactly?"
"Your fighting skills"
"All right but I have a appointment with your Doctor"
"Ah yes. Him"
Kunama laughed, her tongue turning up slightly.
"Did I say something to amuse you?"
"Lieutenant Reed. You have one hell of a sense of humour"
"Thanks. Shall we?"
"Yeah"
Kunama rose from the bunk and followed him out. They walked silently out in the corridors.
"Did the captain tell you of our mission?"
"No... Why?"
"He asked me to tell you to meet him after your appointment if he hadn't"
"I'll be there"
The reached the end of the corridor and entered the turbo lift. Kunama's tail twitched back and forth.
The lift shunted to a stop and the doors opened to another grey corridor.
"Malcolm"
"Yes?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of Course you can"
"Why is everything grey, blue and silver?"
"Standard colours."
"Shran would like them"
"I take it you don't?"
"I'm used to Nolfian issue, but I could learn to accommodate"
"Here we are"
Malcolm showed Kunama through a door, which opened to a spacey room and exercise bikes and other equipment at one end and a blue metallic mat at the other. Malcolm gave Kunama a moment to take a look around. She gave a thorough inspection.
"What now?" Kunama asked.
Malcolm unzipped his jumpsuit a little. "Well, we get down to easier clothing and just fight, well, when you're fighting for no cause to it it's called Sparring."
"By easier clothing do you mean like, a shirt and shorts kinda thing?"
"Yes. Good thing I'm not on duty"
"Let's get down to it then Malcolm"
"Right"
Malcolm took his jumpsuit off and his boots. They were off within the minute. He looked over to where Kunama stood. She was removing her shoddy boots. Next came off her trousers revealing semi tight black shorts after that came off the top of which, along with her beige trousers were very mucky with the planet's sand. Underneath she wore a black semi tight top.
She tied back her black hair and ran her finger though her face. She then looked at Malcolm and grinned.
Or what Malcolm thought was a grin
"Ready."
"Right. We shall fight upon the mat."
"I must apologise in advance for any injuries I may give you. I'm a bit heavy-handed, at times"
"Well, let's just see how it goes, hmm?"
"I think I can go by that"
"Good"
They both took their places at opposite ends on the mat.
"Ready Kunama?"
"I'm waiting for you Malcolm"
Reed smiled. He got himself ready then advanced, a little faster then he normally would have but when he got to where Kunama was, he found she wasn't there anymore and the next thing he knew he was on his front. He quickly scrambled up and turned. Only to see Kunama doing a back flip and readying herself for his next try.
The doors opened causing Reed to look round. Shran entered with Commander Tucker and Captain Archer, Shran was partially leaning on Archer for support. Archer spoke up.
"We thought we'd come here. We got word that you two would be fighting, or sparring to say the least. Don't let us stop you"
"And you might want to concentrate on the fight Lieutenant Reed. Kunama is a very sneaky person" Shran commented and he was right. Next Reed knew Kunama had flipped on his back but he managed to re-assert himself and pulled her down with him.
After an hour of similar treatment with the occasional clapping and cheering from the Andorian, Reed managed to finally flip Kunama over. She made no effort to get up. He looked at her, she was panting heavily. He rubbed the back of his neck and then offered a hand to the exhausted Nolfian beside him.
She rolled over onto her back and lay still for a moment. Only then did she clasped her hand into his and he pulled her up. A stony silence fell. They listened to the short, raspy breaths Kunama was breathing to.
"Lieutenant. You're very good." Shran muttered. Trip looked at Shran curiously.
"Why do ya say that?"
"Kunama was the best fighter in her legion. No one, that's including me, could beat her in a sparring match. Then he comes along and beats her"
"It wasn't easy Shran" Malcolm breathed.
"Well, you two better get back into your clothing after a good long shower. You're on duty in an hour might I remind you?"
"Yes sir"
Archer and Trip left them to it. Shran paused before going out. Kunama looked at him.
"I'll meet you in Sickbay Shran"
"Of course. Do hurry"
"After a hot shower. Go. Phlox must be wondering where you've got to"
Shran smiled warmly and slid out of the gym.
Kunama went to her things but then Malcolm touched her on the shoulder, bringing her up sharply.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I thought you should know there are showers here" Reed waved a gestured hand in the air.
"You didn't. I have just got a lot on the mind at the moment. Showers? Here? How useful."
"Yeah. They're useful here"
"On our old Nolfian vessels you had to walk back to your own quarters to bathe when you went to the gym. It's the procedure I'm used to."
"You'll get used to this way soon enough. Follow me"
"I do hope you have brushes in there"
"Hang on"
Reed went to a secretive cupboard in the far corner and brought out a black brush and returned to Kunama and they continued for the shower.
Kunama entered into a shower cubicle. It was fairly spacey and had a metal ledge to put accessories on. She laid the hairbrush and her Nolfian necklace on it and removed her present clothing attire. She put them in a place out of reach of the water along with her other clothing.
She went back and turned the water on. Refreshing cold water rushed down and cascaded upon Kunama. She moaned inaudibly. The water was to her approval, just the right temperature.
Twenty minutes later she came out of the shower fully dressed. Lieutenant Reed came out three minutes later and saw Kunama fastening a necklace around her furry neck.
"Are you all right?"
"Yeah. Couldn't do a favour for me could you?"
"Sure. What would you like me to do?"
"I can't quite brush my back and tail. Could you?"
"Sure"
Malcolm put his boots to one side and took the brush from Kunama and started to carefully brush Kunama's back, being carefully not to hurt her.
"You can brush a little more vigorously you know"
"I don't want to hurt you"
"Same thing Shran said. Nolfian fur has to be brushed with vigour otherwise knots occur. And it's hell getting them out. It doesn't hurt that I can assure you of Malcolm"
"All right"
And with that he brushed harder and with quicker strokes. Working his way down through the thick brown fur he reached the long tail, he took hold of it with one hand and brushed it thoroughly with the other. The whole process took half an hour for Reed to work out all the knots and tangles he found.
"So what do you like doing in your spare time Malcolm?"
"Oh, I like reading and going over reports."
"I have never seen a man so dedicated to his work before. You're truly are a workaholic"
Reed chuckled. "Yeah, I suppose so."
"I'm sorry it's taking you so long"
"Don't be. I'm not supposed to be on duty for half an hour at least. What do you like doing in your spare time Kunama?"
"Running, sparring as you call it, Writing, Dancing and singing though I hardly get the chance. It's customary on Nolfia for the men to dance and sing."
"Really?"
"Yes. Is it the other way round for you?"
"In a way yes."
"I see"
"There, finished"
Reed let the tip of the tail, which had a white tinge, drop where it twitched in response. He handed back the brush to Kunama and then fastened the zipper to the back of her uniform all the way back up. She turned.
"Thanks Malcolm"
"Anytime. Does that necklace stand for anything?"
Kunama lifted the necklace and smiled
"Yes. It's my family coat of arms. Take a closer look' Reed leaned in and did as he was told. He noticed a faint but distinct glow in the middle. 'Normally it would have gone to the son but my parents didn't have any to sons to hand it down to, so I was the main candidate"
"Looks nice"
"Yeah. My children will have it handed down to them when I go."
"Were your parents nice to you?"
"Father yes, mother definitely not. We never got on and she wanted me to become a singer because of my voice, you know?'
Malcolm nodded solemnly, listening to her every word
'Well, I thought it wasn't what I wanted to do for a job career. She got annoyed at the time and she still is, old woman. I got along more with my father. He was the understanding type. What about you Malcolm?"
Malcolm paused. He wasn't sure if he wanted to tell her but asked about hers all the same and felt it was right. He must have dazed off because Kunama was shaking by the shoulder a little.
"Malcolm? You there?"
"What? Oh sorry. Must have daydreamed. Can I tell you later?"
"Sure. What time?"
"I'll call you."
"All right. By the look on your face, you must had a harsh childhood"
"Yeah"
"Well, we'll talk about it then Malcolm. Otherwise you'll be late for duty. You have fifteen minutes left to get there and five minutes would be taken up by you putting your boots back on" Kunama winked, Malcolm smiled and started putting on his black boots.
"I'll see you later Malcolm"
And with Kunama swiftly and elegantly left the gym leaving a smiling and relieved Lieutenant Reed behind.
