Old Guy Meets New Guy

Posted on Sat Sep 25th, 2021 @ 3:28am by Commander Maxun Spello & Major Levi Drake

Mission: Cosmos
Location: Starbase 47, Gymnasium
Timeline: 2396
845 words - 1.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Levi had figured the gym on the starbase might be quieter than the one on board the Cosmos. Or at least there would be fewer familiar faces to cross his path. He sometimes preferred to work out away from the rest of the marines under his command. A little superstition of his; despite being the sort of leader who was 'one of the men' he was also aware that he needed solo time to focus and not concern himself with appearances.

That was why he felt a pang of annoyance at the only other individual currently working away on the treadmill.

After the senior staff dinner and his own evening with Halla, the new Intelligence Officer was not on his list of ideal gym buddies. That said, he was a professional, and able to manage himself. It wasn't like there was anything to hold against the man.

He gave a fairly stiff nod at the other man and set the other treadmill running.

Maxun had felt the other man enter. Then, when Levi moved closer and started using the machine right next to him, he looked over. "Major."

"Commander." Levi grunted back. He took silent note of the setting Maxun was using and surreptitiously set his own machine to be one stage higher. It wasn't the most comfortable starting setting but he was more than capable of it. Maybe the other man would notice and try to match him, maybe he wouldn't. But the marine was more competitive than most.

Maxun noticed the higher setting. It made him smile to himself, curious if the Marine was trying to one-up him. Well, Maxun did enjoy a challenge. He also loved to run. He had done several marathons in the past.

So, with a slight smirk, he set his machine up one level higher. Then he waited.

Levi glanced across. Then he laughed. If he was willing to try to outpace the marine he was ambitious. And possibly an idiot, but he wouldn't be in intelligence if he wasn't. Maintaining the level, he watched Maxun's reaction.

"I didn't take you for a gym rat," Levi noted. "Intelligence types are usually the ones sat in a back room with a computer, rather than out running and gunning."

Maxun smirked softly. "And here I thought Marines just sat in cages, eating crayons and glue, waiting to be set loose on an unsuspecting enemy."

"We also bite the heads off dolls," Levi retorted, matching the grin. He paused momentarily. "El Aurian, right? You must have seen a few things in your time."

Inhaling slightly at the change of topic, Maxun replied carefully. "You could say that. What about you? A Marine officer? I imagine you're seen a few things as well?"

"Here and there. You don't get to running your own detatchment without seeing a little action here and there. Most of it was post-war, though. Few run-ins with the Typhon Pact. Some more classified stuff." He kept it cryptic enough for now. If Maxun didn't know about it then he would be able to find out for himself, assuming he was permitted to.

Maxun nodded slightly. What Levi wouldn't know, was just how high his clearence went. One of the perks of being a spook longer than the current Admiralty were alive. "I've had some dealings with the Pact. Some of them can be rather nasty. Especially if they discover that they have Starfleet Intel agents infiltrating their group."

"Guess your kind of action will have been different to mine." He powered down the treadmill and toweled his face a little. "We did our fair share of asset extractions. Never been one to ask whether the risks were always worth it, though."

Stopping his own treadmill, Maxun stepped away and wiped the sweat from his own brow. "Sometimes they are, other times, not so much. Unfortunately, we, as the ones doing the job, rarely have a say in what the job is. Our only requirement is to get it done."

"Can't argue with that sentiment," Levi agreed. "Getting things done is definitely the marine way. Glad to see I'm not the only one on board who thinks that." He paused. "We should grab a drink later - share war stories, maybe."

Maxun considered the offer for a few beats, then nodded. "Sure," he moved over to a wight machine and sat down. "Sounds like fun."

"All right then." There wasn't much more to say from Levi's perspective, as he headed for one of the weight machines to continue his routine. It crossed his mind what Halla might say, but only for a moment. As far as she was concerned things were long over. This wouldn't be a big deal.

Maxun nodded and grinned politely. He then laid back and started to use the machine.

For the rest of the time the men were in the gym, neither spoke as they continued with ther respective exercise regimens. Finally, after another hour, and other crew members moving in and out, both men ledt and carried on with their days.