Sticks and Swords May Break My Bones - Part II

Posted on Fri Aug 21, 2026 @ 1:58am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Lieutenant Commander Jason Haines
Edited on on Fri Aug 21, 2026 @ 2:02am

1,198 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Jubilee
Location: Holodeck 3
Timeline: MD 1, 0530 hours

[PREVIOUSLY]

"Why are you so nervous and unsure of yourself?", he asked. "If you acted in this manner on the bridge, you never would have made the rank of Commodore. Why is this any different?"

He paused and then repeated, "Begin."

[CONTINUED]

"I am not unsure of myself. I am unsure of what you expect here. A sword fight or a martial arts fight?" But she'd watched him, felt the strength of his blows. Measured his skill. She attacked, this time not holding back but using her full strength as she thrust and parried. She knew the sword, its balance, it's reach. And she knew her own limitations and how to work around them.

"Who said I was looking for a fight?", Jason asked as he moved agilely deflecting her blows just enough as he did. He couldn't block her large sword directly with his thin sword, so he had to be patient and fluid, like water.

"A baker never just makes a meal without knowing the ingredients they have", he continued, turning to the left almost getting his nose sliced off. "A sculptor doesn't grab chisel until they examine the stone they are going to work on."

His motion put him into a position where he could whack her thigh with the flat of his blade. He then attacked with a flurry of swings that were hard for T'mpest to keep up with and brought them to the point where Jason's blade stopped at an inch from her neck.

"And a teacher never starts teaching before he sees his student's potential."

One side of her mouth quirked up in a smile as she inclined her head in acknowledgement of his point. "Or the lack thereof. I have been many things in my career, but I have never claimed to have more than a competency in swordsmanship. I can stand against many, but not a true master--as you have seen." She held up her sword. "This is no match against a phaser--unless my opponent is caught off-guard. But few will expect me to grab a sword off a wall and attack with it."

"Good points", he said with a smirk. "That's why I like the staff. It's relatively simple. It can be used for other things other than a weapon. It could be a vaulting pole, a bridging device, or even a rescue device. Skill in it, gives you some simple skills with other weapons such as a spear."

She nodded. "Yes. It does have a number of advantages, once you have achieved a level of competency. I am actually looking forward to learning how to use it."

"With the time we have left, we'll go over three basic stances, four simple attacks, and four simple blocks. They will seem simple at first, but they are the bread and butter of fighting with the staff. About 75 to 80 percent of fights with the staff can be covered by these basics. You've got 15 minutes before your breakfast with Geral. Do you wish to learn the first stances and attack or do you want to go get washed up a bit. I hear sweat and coffee rolls don't go well together."

"I have time for the first stances," she assured him. She'd have time for a quick shower before lunch, and if she was a few minutes late, she'd simply send word to that effect.

"Ok", Jason said. "The first stances are forward stance, cat stance, and horse stance."

He showed her each one and then said, "Any questions so far?"

"No questions. Just lots of practice." Like anything else, she knew it would take time, but she was willing to do what it took.

"Ok", Jason replied. "One of the weaknesses of using the staff is it exposes your hands. So, you have to be able to slide them quickly, so you don't end up with, cut, crushed, or missing fingers. Grab it in the middle with both hands, then slide your hands so your dominant hand is about a third of the way to the top and your other hand is a third of the way to the bottom."

He showed her with his staff and continued, "Try it a couple of times. You may find it easier having your hands in a slightly different position, but this is just to start."

She watched for a moment and nodded. Then she tried the move several times and nodded again. "Yes. That does help."

"Alright, now you are going to bring your staff from your shoulder attacking me with an over hand strike", he said showing her the motion. She could also see he was using a forward stance.

Again, T'mpest looked at him for a moment, adjusted her stance, then struck.

Jason brought his staff up, blocking the strike. His hands were spread out, dividing the staff in thirds.

"Again, harder this time", he said, sliding back just a bit.

T'mpest nodded. This time, she didn't hold back. She had no doubt his skill level would be sufficient to match her strength.

Jason kept blocking. His palms stung a bit as the Commodore's Vulcan strength was making itself known. After the fifth strike, he stepped back and said, "Good. Great use of your strength. Now, we've got just enough time, for me to show you the other end of that attack."

He paused a moment and wiped his hands off before he continued.

"After your next overhand attack and my block, you are going to slide into a cat-stance and bring the bottom of your staff upwards in attack, to the legs and lower mid-section. Like this."

He demonstrated the move.

"Of course, I will move to block, which will essentially be bringing my upper-block down a couple of feet. Begin and increase your pace when you are ready."

T'mpest watched him intently as he demonstrated. She mentally reviewed the moves, then nodded and began. The first time she was relatively slow, but each time they went through the moves, her speed and familiarity increased. Part of it was her Vulcan heritage, but part of it was her parents' demand that she be the best she could be. That often-involved study and practice of one thing or another until she left home for college.

Jason was pleased as the Commodore's attacks got faster and harder. A couple of times he had to strengthen his grip and evade a bit faster than he expected.

After about two minutes, he called out, "Stop."

He brought his staff down and continued, "Well done. Any questions about what we've done so far?"

"No questions. But I think we are both done for now. I will work on these moves and be prepared for our next practice," T'mpest said. Even though, as a half Vulcan, she had more stamina than a human, the workout had been enough to remind her that she'd been a little lax with her workouts. Especially since coming to the station.

“Thank you for the practice.” She bowed to Jason. “Until next time.” Then she turned and walked off the holodeck.

A post by

Lieutenant Commander Jason Haines
Guardian
Deep Space 5

Commodore T’mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

 

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