Is this fight club?

Posted on 15 Oct 2026 @ 5:21pm by Lieutenant Commander Leland Hawksley & Lieutenant Thex sh'Zoarhi & Lieutenant JG Faith Benson & 1st Lieutenant S'earr & Master Chief Petty Officer Alexi Michelle

6,655 words; about a 33 minute read

Mission: S04 Episode 02 The Hackers Backdoor (Incidentals)
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: Current - Shore Leave

[ON]

After Faith was finally cleared from Sickbay, she took the 'recommended' days off. Spending them mostly to sleep, however, she did realize that she had to get back on her game.

She's spent the last 32 hours, save for eating and sleeping a little, in the holodeck. Faith just finished throwing an Orion brute over her hip and finishing him off with a hit to the face. Breathing heavy as she stood up, wiping sweat from her brow. Shaking her head, "Computer, increase difficulty level to 37."

There was an error beep, and the familiar female voice replied, "You have exceeded the safety levels over your authorization limit. Access denied."

"Dammit to hell, this isn't working. "Arch." Moving over to it once it appeared, sending a message out as an invitation. 'I need more of a challenge, the holodeck and computer are being to much of a Mommy and trying to hold my hand. You can meet me in Holodeck two should you wish to try...I do mean try..to give me a better challenge.'

Faith stepped back and sat down on the tournament pad. Closing her eyes to take a moment while waiting to see if anyone responds and shows up.

MCPO Alxei Michelle heard a quiet beep signaling she had a message. She opened the message from the Security Chief, Faith Benson and raised her eyebrows. It wasn't a bad idea. And sparing was always useful for training. A living mind was a lot better than a preprogrammed hologram any day. Most of the time a living fighter will do something totally unexpected. And besides, she had some free time, might as well get some training in while she could. Michelle quickly changed into something more suited for sparing and made her way towards holodeck 2.

Lt. Commander Leland Hawksley had just finished meeting with Remy and Jasmine on the SB 51. Cass was occupied with an urgent call regarding a fighter issue onboard the USS Churchill while at SB 51. It sounded a bit technical and would require a few hours of her time.

Hearing the general call to spar with Faith in the Holodeck. Leland chuckled. If others showed up, Leland would enjoy the show. He was curious... He had just finished a match with his Federation Hockey Pals on the Holodeck two days ago, and he was still in his fighting mode after the hockey game where he had gotten 'in-to-it' with the Federation Rebels Team...

Entering the Holodeck, Hawksley spotted Faith, sitting on the sparring pads in the middle of the Holodeck. "Faith... Was that you?..." Hawksley gruffed. "You're in the mood to kick someone on their ass, eh?!" Hawksley placed his hands at his waist, in his off-duty khaki shorts and T-shirt now...

The door slid open again as the ship's blue engineer stepped in. Smiling at everyone, the Andorian was clad in the standard gym outfit in engineering colours. " Party still open?" She asked to the small crowd.

Leland brightened. His face smiling... "This... This is going to be good! Did you bring your Orion sword?" He looked at Thex, "Or will you replicate one when things start?" He gave an evil brow.

Alexi had debated entering but finally decided to throw caution to the wind. She moved down the corridor and entered the holodeck. She wasn't the only one to answer and she nodded to the other crew members.

"Blades." They politely corrected Leland. " And no i don't think anyone here wants to fight an Orion Blade Dancer."

Faith gave a glance and nodded, "Yes, still open." Hearing the mention of a sword. Shaking her head, "No weapons, no secondary functions," looking at Paul. "Good old trying to kick each others ass. We could potentially go into weapon combat but not this time."

Alexi looked at both Leland and Thex, wondering if she was the one who was about to get a beat down. She gave Leland a small smile, and joked, "the last weapon I saw in your hands had 12 strings." She looked over at Faith, "Hand to hand is good with me, even if you will probably beat me down in three seconds."

"I like guitars, and no, I'm not first up unless someone is that key on it have to be me first." Faith shrug.

Alexi looked the others again, "Well, if we are doing this as elimination rounds, I'll go against Lt Commander Hawksley first. Unless someone else wants to take the first round?"

Leland grunted. Replying to Alexi, Faith, and Thex. "For warning. I literally have no MACO experience. However, I have a lot of Academy... Bar fight experience... I don't know where that lands, somewhere between the two..." He shrugged. He started to roll up the sleeves of his T-shirt a bit.

Alexi nodded, "No MACO training either, Sir. But advanced training was required for security officers. Can't say that I've been in too many bar fights either. So that may be in your favor." She was already in her sparing clothes, so she just moved forward to the designated ring.

Leland nodded. He then entered the sparing mat area, and swung his arms out a bit to loosen them up, he cracked his knuckles with a pop sound, and cracked his neck to the side.

As the match was about to begin the doors opened. S'earr was no stranger to combat considering what he was, the role he played and his training. In most situations though sheer intimidation worked fine though sometimes the application of force was required. Even as he had to duck slightly to enter through the arch he was immediately assaulted by the various scents of those within. He was dressed in traditional garb, golds and greens, a vest and pants set.

He could see that there were females present and as such, he bowed. "Greetings." He spoke righting himself. "Please, do not let me interrupt. Continue." He was keen to observe, watch how other races fought.

The Master Chief was stretching a bit, loosening up when the doors opened and a large White Tiger entered the room. "Well, I think I am going to really regret answering that invite if I have to spar with Him," she said with a chuckle.

Leland had glanced at the holodeck archway when he heard the familiar groan of the hydraulic doors opening...

"S'earr..." Leland's face turned from sheer awe to a great beaming smile. "This will... Be interesting." He paused as the rather large Caitian, large even among Caitians, had decided to join and watch as S'earr spoke to them.

"What... So NOW you're worried about a fight, when it's S'earr. But oh... 'Leland is an easy peasy?!' " Hawksley half joked, half pretended to be offended at Michelle's comment.

Alexi stood, hands on hips, looking at Leland, "Not easy peasy, sir, Just less likely to wipe up the mat with my remains. I figured you and I are more equal. In both size and strength." She gave a tilt of her head towards the Caitian, "That one, yeah, ahh no, I don't see me coming out on top."

S'earr moved to sit on aside from the group, he had seem people spar before, many of his marines frequently did but being trained in it such as marines were, to regular training for fleet or self taught could provide valuable avenues of learning when encountering those not so well trained.

Thex moved over to one of the mats. She wondered if her opponent would ask her to wear some weights due to Andorians being faster and stronger than your average human.

Michelle nodded to Hawksley, "Are there any rules for this sparing or is it no-holds barred?" She continued to stretch her neck and shoulders, preparing to take Leland down. Like that character Yoda said .. do or do not, there is no try... so she set her mind on victory.

Faith stepped out of the way a little more so there was enough room. "I suppose that could be up to you all, other than no low blows. If someone is done or taps, or it's called, you all know the drill. That's it."

"That's it." Leland readied his stance. He stood with his feet shoulder-width apart, one foot slightly forward. Relaxing into place, he kept his knees soft and bent, his weight evenly distributed toward the balls of his feet, able to move quickly in any direction that Alexi produced...

Hawksley's hips and shoulders held square, slightly toward her. Breathing inward, his core engaged, back straight but not rigid. Locking his eyes on Alexi, he started to slowly follow her stance as they started to spar in anxiousness on the gym mat.

Both of Leland's hands were raised in front of his face at chin level, fists closed, elbows tucked close to the ribs to protect the body... His lead hand was a bit farther forward; the rear hand stayed closer to the jaw. oO I am not going to punch her in the face... That's nuts... Oo

Alexi watched as Leland assumed his pose. A small smile played on her lips as she recognized the 'bar fighter' stance he'd taken. Her own was a bit more relaxed, slightly angled, left foot in front, hands up in a similar position but not as tight to her body. Her hands open as she planned on less hitting and more holding and pinning him to the mat.

She moved to her side, circling the mat, still keeping face to face with her opponent, gaging his movements. He looked to stiff to her. She raised her eyebrows and chuckled as she took a step in and swiped her hand down over his closed fist knocking it down, then rolled her body to his side and out if range before he could strike out.

Hawksley shook his head as he pivoted in an axial two-step quartered-back retreat to the other side of the mat. He chuckled... "That... Hell. Alexi, you're smooth!!" It was enlightening to be able to fight someone who wasn't another hockey brute just bent on anger and fist-fighting.

Leland shifted his weight and stepped in hard cutting the angle instead of chasing. He shot both arms forward and locked them around Alexis upper body in a tight clinch pinning her arms against her sides before she could pivot away...

Heat and sweat pressed against his chest the sharp scent of it filling his nose as her muscles tensed hard under his grip. His cut eyebrow throbbed with every jolt and the split on his lip pulled tight when he gritted his teeth. Breath came short and loud in the small space between them feet scraping on the mat as he drove forward.

Hawksley had grunted voice strained trying to keep the clinch locked and limit her space. The ache in his shoulder burned hotter but he held on grinding in close where her agility had less room to work... Driving his weight to bring down Alexi on the mat, together...

Alexi pressed her feet into the mat, making Leland fight her, she pressed her arms outward, forcing him to hold her tighter. he heat of his breath on her neck only served to fuel her need to send him to the mat.

They moved around the mat in this manner, both pushing against each other, neither gaining ground. She felt his weight shift, this was the moment, She took a step backwards, grabbing hold of his arms and fell back, flipping hawksley onto his back and rolling to straddle her legs around his neck and upper arms.

Alexi’s legs locked around his neck and upper arms before he could drag a full breath back in... He bridged anyway, heels digging, hips driving straight up, trying to make her weight float for just half a second... "GGrrrHhh..."

It wasn’t pretty. Hawksley framed a forearm across her hip, shoved, and rolled toward the side she was lighter on... The same scramble he used when a hockey pile refused to get off him. Leland's teeth were gritted. He kept his hands on her, not striking, just peeling for space as he twisted his shoulders and tried to dump her off the mount...

“Not done,” Leland grunted, voice scraped raw. He punched his hips again, hooked an underhook upward, sliding to Alexi's neck, and fought to come up over her instead of staying pinned under her... The mat burned against his back. He kept coming back and twisted Alexi back off and remounted on top of Alexi, scrambling, pinning her right forearm twisted behind her back...


Alexi struggled, feeling Hawksley twisting and pushing to get more leverage. She kept moving, slipping her arms free only to feel him bridging again. She felt her body shift to one side, Leland got his arm around her neck and pulled. He rolled her, face down on the mat and got on top of her, right arm held behind her.

She arched her back, pushing onto her left hand, and rolling to the left at the same time. Her pinned arm made it uncomfortable, her shoulder strained, making her wince with pain. She just needed keep from getting pinned. "Not so," She breathed out as she tried to wrap her right leg over his to pull him along, "Fast!"

Hawksley felt her right leg hook over his thigh as she rolled left... The yank stole his base before he could reset. He sprawled heavy, one fist still locked on her twisted forearm, driving a knee into the mat to kill the sweep... "Not… that easy…" he growled, teeth gritted, twisting his hips to stay on top. Sweat stung the cut over his brow. He bridged again, shoulders burning, trying to dump her weight back and keep the pin he’d fought for…

The mat hit his back a heartbeat later… Her weight settled across his chest and hips before he could reclaim the underhook. Air punched out of him. Leland framed both forearms against her immediately, shoving for space, heels digging, shrimping hard to the side… "Still… here…" he rasped, twisting, one hand fighting for her wrist while the other posted to stop her from locking him down completely…

She fought to keep her hands from getting trapped, her legs trying to hold him down at the hips. He was all moving parts, but so was she. She shoved down with her shoulder, pinning his upper body, are right arm slinking over his head, holding him in place.

Her arm slunk the rest of the way over his head… lockin him down. Shoulder crushed into his chest, hips droppin heavy across him… air punched out. He still clawed at her wrist but she peeled it off and planted it to the mat…
He bridged hard… shoulders burnin… she just rode it. When he dropped she was already there, knee slidin over his thigh trappin the shrimp. Sweat stung the cut over his brow… eye half shut.

“Still… here…” he rasped. Posted tryin for space. She dropped lower… smotherd the frame… other knee came up and she sat mount. Weight parked on his hips. Both arms pinned. Last buck… she rode it down, forearm grindin his throat…

“I’m… done.”

Heels scraped the mat. Scramble was over. She had him.

Michelle rolled off and stood, still breathing hard from exertion she held out her hand to help Hawksley back to his feet. She nodded and gave him a smile, "Nice job, Sir. Almost had me a couple of times."

Leland got himself up from the mat and greeted Alexi with a warm-hand shake. He was learning, and he enjoyed the match thoroughly. Alexi was an amazing competitor, everything he had expected from the Marines.

"Phase one of my plan: lose so you get cocky... Phase one complete!" Leland winked.

She glanced around to see who the next fighters would be and walked off the mat.

Who was Thex, who strode out onto the mat. " I can put on weights if anyone needs me to be slower. " She stated as she waited for her opponent.

Faith watched intently, every move they were making, and on purpose. Slips, connects, feints, almost calculating them in her head. The fun part was changing it up on the opponent, particularly if you knew how they moved, looked for, openings.

"Alright, alright." She had to do it, well, she didn't have to, but Faith did. Or started to. Shaking her head to herself she stayed where she was. She was going to go do the whole, raise the hand up, winner stick. "I've thought of a catch we could do. Would we want to go with a new pair each round, maybe the last two go at it or....Since Michelle won, she can stay and take on the next willing." Motioning to Thex, "As far as she can go."

Alexi looked over at Faith and then to Thex, "I am not opposed to staying on the mat." She' had plenty of fights like that. Winner stays, loser comes back to fight someone else later. She grabbed a quick drink of water and returned to the matt. She gave the Aandorian a nod, "Adding weights would give me an unfair advantage. If we had to battle other like yourself, then it would be best to get used to how that would feel. Don't you agree?"

" Agreed." Thex replied with a nod as she took up a defensive stance, waiting for Alexi to make the first move.

Alexi moved into her battle stance. She had a feeling this battle would end quickly with her planted on the mat. She took a moment to study the Andorian's stance before she nodded, "Nice to meet you." She moved in dropping her left arm
slightly as her right went high in over her opponent' shoulder to wrap around Thex's neck and pull her to the ground.

S'earr sat watching as the combatants fought, he'd observed that females were more agile than males, flexible while males typically used raw muscle and mass. Each had merit to a point but no one method worked 100% of the time.

Even as others gathered around to observe, he watched, learned, a fight was a test of skill and instincts, something was always able to be learned.

Thex moved far faster than one would think a Starfleet engineer could move. Her left arm shot up, blocking Alexi's right as she dropped, bringing one of her legs round in a short yet powerful kick.

Alexi's grab was deflected, which she expected. What she didn't expect was the kick that felt like a sledgehammer in her side. A grunted release of air and a sharp pain told her that Thex was more than a capable fighter. Stepping back to regain her stance and shaking out her hands as she spoke, "That's some power behind that kick, Ma'am."

" Please call me Thex. " The andorian replied with a grin. " My family made sure i learned Shan-dru-shaan and Vershaan. " She added, teaching her Andorian martial arts were one of the few things she was thankful for.

Leland watched, interested. He knew the two women officers were talented, as many on the Tomcat were, but it was interesting to see their tactics on each other... oO interesting! Watch their moves... They are both very fluid in motion, damn! Oo

Alexi nodded, "They taught you well, Thex." She threw a forward jab, followed quickly by a roundhouse kick and a spinning back kick. None of which seem to have much affect on her opponent's reprisal.

The benefits of being raised by a doomsday cultist. Thex thought to herself as she blocked before rolling out of the way to avoid the kicks before returning a kick of her own.

The kick sent her back, her center of balance already off from her own attack. The impact of the kick also knocked the breath from her lungs. She took a stumbling step back, her legs tangling and she fell, still trying to force air into her lungs. If this had been a real fight to the death, she would probably be dead in a few seconds.

" Easy." Thex said, reaching out to grab her.

Alexi never hit the mat. Her Andorian opponent had grabbed her and kept her upright. The MCPO found her breath and gave Thex a wary look, "Thanks, I think. I thought you would be agile, but that was powerful. "

" We're tougher than we look. If you fighting an andorian for real go for the antenna. " Thex explained.

Michelle nodded, "antennae, got it. And I yield. If I ever have to fight, I would be honored to have you at my side."

[tag Thex]

The rhythmic sounds of combat carried easily through the room, the dull impact of bodies meeting the padded mat, the sharp exhalations of exertion, and the occasional grunt whenever one of the combatants found themselves on the receiving end of a particularly solid strike.

S’earr stood just beyond the edge of the mat, an imposing figure even among those around him. His white fur, marked by distinctive black striping, seemed almost motionless as he watched the two crew members spar. His arms were folded across his broad chest, golden eyes following every movement with an intensity that made it clear he was paying attention to far more than who was winning.

He wasn't here to intervene. Not yet. Instead, he watched.

Every shift of weight. Every adjustment of footing. The angle of a shoulder before a punch was thrown. The subtle movement of a hip that preceded a kick. He watched how one fighter reacted when pressed backward and how the other changed tactics when their first approach failed.

S’earr had spent years learning how to fight, and there were few situations where his natural physical advantages couldn't solve a problem rather quickly. His size, strength, reach, and reflexes made him a formidable opponent. But he understood something that many powerful fighters eventually learned the hard way.

There was always someone stronger.

And there was always another technique to learn.

Leland finished the last of the water in the bottle and set it down... He wiped at his face the cut over his eyebrow and the split on his lip still stinging from the spar with Alexi, along with the bruise darkening there and the ache in his shoulder.
He stepped onto the mat and settled into a guarded stance, weight on the balls of his feet left shoulder forward, hands up, knees soft chin tucked. Eyes locked on S'earr's center tracking the bigger male's shoulders and hips. The size difference hit hard. S'earr towered over Hawksley every bit of that frame looking lethal. He knew S'earr had wanted to spar, which was why he had come.
Leland stayed light. Standing at the edge of the mat. Truth was, Leland needed some updated fighting. The last he had fought was at the Federation Physical Crew courses, occasional bar fights, and then the hockey fist-fighting skirmishes on the holodeck. Unease showed in the tight set of his jaw.

"You... you want to spar...S'earr?" Leland said voice quieter, edged with how outmatched he felt after Alexi. "Just... checking... are you ready or still sizing me up for food..." Hawksley tiredly laughed at his own joke.

S’earr’s ears flicked forward the moment Leland stepped onto the mat, his golden eyes dropping briefly to the other man’s stance before returning to his face. He studied him for several long seconds, the enormous Caitian remaining perfectly still.

There was something almost unsettling about the way he watched. Not predatory, exactly. Clinical. Attentive. As though every shift of Leland’s weight and every adjustment of his hands were telling S’earr something he needed to know.

Then, finally, S’earr’s expression softened.

"Are you sure Sir?" S'earr replied. "You are already injured and I am just as deadly as I appear." His arms unfolded from across his chest, revealing the full breadth of his frame as he stepped forward. At his height, the difference between them was almost comical, but S’earr made no attempt to capitalize on it.

Leland adjusted his stance settling firmer weight on the balls of his feet left shoulder forward, hands up a bit higher knees soft, chin tucked. Eyes stayed on S'earr's center, tracking the bigger frame as the Caitian stepped closer. The size difference was astounding and the fresh cuts from Alexi stung with every small shift...

"Yeah... Im sure..." Leland's said voice quieter still edged with how outmatched he felt. "Wont be much of a match... you'll probably hand me my ass in under a minute... but hey..." He laughed between the soreness. " Im happy to get it handed to me if it means some real practice..." He gave a tired half smile trying to keep the unease from showing too much.

S’earr watched the tired half-smile appear, his ears giving a small twitch at Leland’s attempt to make light of the situation. The Caitian's expression remained difficult to read for a moment, golden eyes moving over the human’s stance before settling on his face.

Then one side of S’earr’s mouth curled upward.

“You may be correct.” The answer was delivered so matter-of-factly that it almost sounded like an insult, though the faint amusement in his voice gave away otherwise.

He stepped onto the mat fully, each movement controlled and deliberate. The sheer difference in their physiques was difficult to ignore. S’earr looked as though he could simply walk through Leland’s guard if he chose to, but instead he stopped several feet away and began rolling his shoulders, loosening himself up.

“But if you are going to lose in under a minute,” he continued, “I would prefer you make me work for it.”

His tail flicked once behind him.

Leland’s smile faded into something thinner… more tired. He rolled his shoulders once, then again, feeling the stiffness settle. The Caitian was tall. Uncomfortably tall. Leland set his feet… shifted his weight forward… brought his hands up into a tighter guard than he usually used.

“…Alright,” he said, voice low. “I’ll make you work for it.”
He exhaled through his nose… adjusted his stance a half-step to the side… and waited.

S’earr’s ears flattened slightly as Leland settled into his stance. For several heartbeats, the Caitian did nothing. He simply watched.

Then his hands slowly rose, fingers spreading as his claws slid free, long, black, curved and razor sharp. His claws remained extended but carefully angled away from Leland's flesh, the intent clearly to intimidate rather than maim.

The change in him was immediate. Whatever amusement had been present in his expression disappeared. His shoulders lowered, his weight shifting forward, and his golden eyes narrowed as they locked onto Leland. Every inch of him suddenly looked less like a Marine officer preparing for a friendly spar and more like the predator his species had evolved to be.

His lips pulled back to reveal four very large fangs, long and pointed to a sharp tip.

And S’earr roared.

The sound was enormous. It wasn't merely loud; it was deep, visceral, and primal, reverberating through the training room and seemingly shaking the air between them. A challenge. A warning. An instinctive declaration of dominance that made the sheer size of the Caitian suddenly feel considerably more imposing.

Then, without giving Leland time to dwell on it, S’earr moved. One massive step. Then another in a pace only a feline could muster with his trained reflexes. He closed the distance with surprising speed, his weight driving forward.

His eyes never left Leland.

S’earr wasn't giving him the luxury of easing into the fight.

Leland's eyes went wide as that roar slammed into him... heart poundng so hard it hurt. This aint no friendly spar no more... the Caitian looked ready to rip him open. He dropped and twisted left... just in time... those black claws cutting the air right where his throat been a second ago...

He hit the mat rolling clumsy... came up already scrambling back... "S’earr... wait... its just training right... come on man..." voice cracking some. The big cat didnt even blink... another huge step and lunge... Leland sidestepped barely... felt the heat off that body as it rushed past... too close... way too damn close...

Gotta stay moving... he thought franticly... circling the edge... lungs already burning. S’earr stronger... faster in bursts... Leland had too use the room... wait for him to overcommit then dodge. Another roar shook him... he ducked a swipe... claws whisteling over his hair... then crab-crawled backward ungracefull but still breathing...

Sweat stung his eyes... wiped it quick... never looking away from them fangs. This wasnt training... this was a hunt and he was the pray. Feinted right then bolted left... shoved a dummy between them for one second of cover... "Oh Mercy...Fuck ME!!" words coming out usless against that S'earr stare... he kept moving anyway... one wrong grab and it was over...

S’earr saw the realization flash across Leland’s face. Not fear alone. Understanding.

The Caitian's ears angled forward as he watched the human scramble away, his golden eyes tracking every movement with unnerving precision. For a moment, he remained where he was, claws still extended, chest rising and falling slowly after the initial burst of movement.

Then his expression changed. Not softer. Sharper. Leland had survived the first exchange. That was what mattered.

S’earr lowered his hands slightly, claws still visible as he stalked forward a few deliberate steps. His tail moved slowly behind him, his attention never leaving Leland.

“You are thinking too much.” His voice was low now, almost calm compared to the roar that had preceded it. “You are treating my size as though it makes the fight decided.”

Another step. “You are running.” He suddenly stopped. “Good.” The single word came with the faintest flash of teeth.

“Now stop running from me.” S’earr shifted his weight. Then he exploded forward again. This time, however, he did not simply lunge. He deliberately altered his approach halfway through, one massive shoulder dipping as though he intended to drive straight through Leland's center before shifting his weight at the last moment.

A feint.

A test.

His claws swept through the air beside Leland rather than toward him, close enough to make the threat unmistakable but controlled enough that they never touched.

Leland stared at his own fist for a split second like it had betrayed him... shockked it actually conected. Oh no... that landed... that really landed on a Caitian jaw. The grin died fast... replaced by the sudden certainty that payback was incoming and it was gonna be huge.

He backpedaled quicker now... hands half up... "Congrats me... real smart... hit the walking tank and now I get to find out what the return shipping feels like..." voice cracking into a tired wheeze. Knuckles still stingng... the rest of him allready bracing.

Then he was moving again... ungracefull shuffle to the side... not waiting around to be a floor stain. Lungs burning... eyes locked on S’earr... expecting that next burst to rearrange his whole week... "My insurence is gonna hate this story..." he muttered... and kept circling anyway.

For several seconds, S’earr simply stood there.

His head had turned slightly from the force of the blow, one broad hand slowly rising to his cheek. He wiped his fur with the back of his hand, then glanced down at the faint smear of blood left behind. His tongue shifted against the inside of his mouth, finding the sharp edge of one of his teeth where the punch had caught him hard enough to nick the flesh. His golden eyes lifted back toward Leland. Then, unexpectedly, the corner of S’earr's mouth pulled upward.

“Good.” The single word carried no anger. If anything, there was something almost approving in it. “You landed.” He flexed his jaw once, testing the sting, before lowering himself to a more animalistic image.

The change was immediate. S’earr dropped onto his hands and feet, his massive frame settling into a distinctly feline posture, shoulders low and powerful, hips raised slightly behind him. His claws extended and began to pluck lightly against the mat as he shifted his weight from one paw to the other. His ears flattened. His tail swept once behind him.

The playful approval vanished from his face. Now he looked like what he was built to be.

A predator.

His eyes locked onto Leland. “You wanted to know what happens when you strike the larger opponent?” There was barely time for the words to register. S’earr exploded forward.

He crossed the distance with frightening speed, making no attempt to stop short or miss. His shoulder drove into Leland with enough force to send him down onto the mat, demonstrating what over 500lbs felt like, and S’earr followed immediately, one enormous hand planting against Leland's chest hard enough to knock most of the wind from his lungs, claws resting against Lelands chest as he pinned him firmly beneath the sheer weight of the Caitian.

S’earr's face descended until it was only inches from Leland's.

His mouth opened. Wide. Far too wide. As if leaning in to deliver what would be a killing blow.

Fangs gleamed as a deep, rumbling growl rolled from his throat, vibrating through the space between them. For one long moment, he simply held Leland there, golden eyes fixed on his, his breath warm against the human's face. It was the kind of position that, in a real fight, would mean the next movement was the end.

But S’earr didn't strike.

He simply held him there. Then, in a voice suddenly calm enough to be almost conversational, he murmured, “If this were real, Leland... you would already be dead.”

His claws flexed once against Leland's chest before retracting. “But it isn't.” A faint, almost predatory smile returned. “So breathe.”

S'earr stood, looking down at Leland and extended his hand towards the prone man, making sure his claws were away.

The world went sideways... then the mat slammed into his back and all that weight landed on him at once. Air punched out of his lungs... 500 pounds felt like a shuttle sitting on his chest... he couldnt do much but wheeze and stare. Claws on his shirt... face right there... mouth open way too wide... fangs and that growl vibrating through his ribs.

For a second his brain just stalled... yep... this is how I go... floor decoration with a nice view of teeth. Then the words cut through... already dead if it was real... but it isnt... breathe. He dragged in a shaky breath that hurt... "Working on it..." voice wrecked and tired... "chest just put in for early retirement..."
S’earr stood and that hand came down... claws turned away. Leland stared at it for a moment... still half expecting the other shoe... then grabbed on because standing up by himself felt like a myth right now.

"Sandwich... nap... maybe a new ribcage..." he muttered as he got hauled up... ungraceful and sore... "striking the larger opponent... 10 out of 10... would not recommend as a hobby..." he let out a weak breathless huff that mighta been a laugh if he had any air left.

S’earr watched Leland struggle upright, his golden eyes following every unsteady movement with an almost amused patience. The Caitian’s ears flicked forward at the breathless complaints, and then a deep, rumbling chuckle rolled from somewhere in his chest.

“Your ribs are intact,” he assured him, releasing Leland’s arm once he was certain the smaller man had his balance. “Though perhaps your pride has suffered greater damage.”

His claws had already disappeared back beneath his fingertips, and the intimidating predator from moments ago seemed to relax, shoulders rising as he returned fully to his feet. He looked down at Leland for a moment before giving a small nod of approval.

“But you did exactly what I wanted.” S’earr tapped one claw lightly against his own jaw, indicating the spot Leland had struck.

“You saw an opening. You committed to it. You landed.” His tail swept lazily behind him. “That is more important than whether you hurt me. Against an opponent my size, you should not be trying to overpower me. You should be trying to make me react.”

Leland stay bent a moment longer then he needed too... one hand on his knee... the other hovering over his ribs... He finally straighten with a hiss threw his teeth... a look thats more grin then grimace...

“Pride... huh... if anything mine only got worse... Far as I no I’m the only male on this ship who’s been in a round with you and still standing... that's not damaged pride S’earr... thats a trophy...”

He rub at his side... roll his shoulder... testin it... “You can keep the ribs... Ill take the story... You said I did what you wanted... fine... I saw a opening... I committed... I landed... and I’m still talking...”

“You wanted me to make you react... Congratulations... you reacted... I lived... my pride’s doing laps... better then fine... its the onyl thing on him that didnt get knocked down...”

"Standing, a strong word I believe. Hard to move from a prone position with my weight pinning you down. Pride is good, if you are alive to boast it, which you nearly were not." S'earr spoke. "You should seek medical attention, I am aware that my strength can by inflicting on the smaller races." S'earr could see the cuts and snags on the mans top from where his claws had caught it. "If you wished to see a fight, you should have seen in my youth. Two Caitians fighting, I'm told by those who witnessed it, is terrifying."

Michelle had moved off the mat and taken a seat on the side to recuperate from her fight, or from both of them actually. She had picked up her water bottle and had started to take a drink when she saw Leland and the Marine Caitian step onto the mat. Her hand hovered halfway to her mouth in disbelief. Hawksley was no match for S'earr, who towered over him. She watched in morbid fasciation as the two males squared off and S'earr was giving Leland pointers as they fought. Alexi was surprised when the Engineer managed to land punch to S'earr's jaw. Watching the two of them fight was interesting. Leland's muscles all but rippled under his skin as he tried to maneuver himself around the larger opponent. Watching S'earr was something else. The apex predator was as graceful in his movements as he was deadly. She almost yelled out in panic when S'earr pounced onto Leland, trapping his opponent under his large clawed paw. She let out a breath when S'earr moved back and assisted Hawksley to his feet. She gave her head a shake and whispered to no one in particular, "remind me to never get on that cat's bad side!"

"Dammit..took to long, I didn't even get a chance to go." Faith pouted a little. "Next time."

[OFF]

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