6

Chapter 34

Left; right; uppercut; hook to the body…hook to the head.

David had been running through drills for about an hour; he'd lost track of time…and had become completely absorbed into the bag.

The leather on leather was as satisfying as ever…it brought him at least a little bit of joy.

After the excitement of being on a starship for the first time wore away…the heavy bag was all he had.

It would be all he could do until he could leave.

David stopped to take a break…grabbing his towel and water bottle.

He took a seat on the bench…chugging the cold liquid.

The doors swooshed; in entered Wong.

Wong tossed his gym bench a few feet from David.

"Heya,"

David nodded to him.

Wong grabbed some hand wraps from his bag…and began slowly wrapping his wrists.

"You work the bag?"

"Yeah…"

David set his bottle down and got to his feet.

"You box?"

"A little," Wong said a bit apprehensively. "I'm not very good."

David nodded his head again.

"Show me what ya got,"

Wong threw on his gloves and positioned himself in front of the bag.

David held it steady…while he threw a few decent hits.

"Not bad," David said. "But you want to center your body more. You're losing your balance."

"Like this?"

Wong leaned more on his back foot; he threw a few more punches. They were crisper…and packed a little more punch.

"That's it!"

Wong went about ten minutes before wearing himself out. The two took a seat on the bench together…chugging on their waters.

"I never really did it that much before this place…" he glanced around the room.

"But I've been so bored the last six months. You don't really need security in dry-dock."

David chuckled.

"Yeah…I know the feeling. My last posting was pretty quiet."

"That's where you…"

"Yes," David tensed up a bit.

Wong noticed…and let the thought slip away.

"Can I ask you something?"

David paused for a moment. He glanced over at Wong.

"Suuureeee…"

"Were you being serious the other day?"

David let out a belly laugh.

"Yeah…why do you ask?"

Wong shook his head.

"No reason…well I guess, just…"

"Yeah…"

Wong looked like he was going to say something…but let that though slip away as well. He plastered a big cheesy grin on his face.

"It was just fun to see someone get under the Commander's skin," he forced a chuckle.

David sighed…leaning against the wall.

"To be honest with you, kid…I'm not planning on staying."

Wong looked slightly disappointed.

"You're not?"

David shook his head.

"No…I don't belong here."

"Then why'd you join?"

David thought about it for a minute.

"I really don't know why…" David stopped himself.

"I guess I just wanted to be like my old man. Be a big war hero."

"Is that really what you wanted?"

David was caught off-guard by the question…but he didn't have time to answer.

Their conversation was interrupted by another swoosh of the door.

In walked Dickie.

He and David stared each other down for a moment…piercing each other with glares.

"Gyms for working out not for chit-chatting,"

David inwardly rolled his eyes.

"Make way for the serious athletes,"

"That lump around your stomach says different," David shot back.

Dickie's eyes filled with anger; he turned his back trying to ignore the pair.

"Hey, Dick. Remember that time I kicked your ass,"

Dickie swung around…eyes a flame.

"You threw a cheap shot!"

"Yeah…cheap as in you left yourself wide open,"

Dickie stepped forward. He was shaking with rage.

Wong was in the background…laughing his ass off.

"Well then lets settle this now…man to man! I've been practicing since then!"

"I don't want to fight you,"

"Too afraid I'll knock you off your pedestal?"

David clenched his knuckles. He glanced over at Wong…then back at Dickie.

"No…I just don't want to,"

"You're going to fight me asshole! I've been waiting for this moment ever since then!"

David raised an eyebrow and shot him an uncomfortable look.

"Dude…chill…"

Dickie galloped towards David like a locomotive; he swung a few punches manically.

David stepped to the side and tripped him…his face falling on the bench.

"Ahhhh! YOU ASSHOLE!"

David and Wong let out giant laughs.

Dickie got back up onto his feet…and threw a few more punches.

David dodged each one…and landed an uppercut to his rib cage.

"AHHHHH!"

Dickie collapsed onto the ground…clutching his stomach.

David eyed him for a moment…feeling his guilt rushing back.

"I didn't want to fight you,"

David quietly left as Dickie laid there moaning in pain. Wong looked from David to Dickie…looking a bit lost.

"Uhmmm…"