Controlled Contact: Part 2
Posted on Fri Oct 10th, 2025 @ 4:55pm by Lieutenant Addison Talbert & Major Hastios Eilfaren
1,995 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
In The Nick Of Time
Location: Holodeck 2
Timeline: MD003 - 1645 hrs
Hastios caught the shift in her stance—the amusement giving way to that steel underneath—and the quiet quote made one corner of his mouth tug upward. At least she had spirit to match her stubbornness.
As she closed and drove the elbow in, his forearm dropped to meet it, redirecting the strike across his midline with a solid block. He let her momentum carry her a half step past him, his other hand brushing lightly against her shoulder as if to remind her how easily it could have been a grab or a takedown.
“Better,” he said, voice low but steady. “Tighter angle. You didn’t overextend this time.” He pivoted with her as she circled, his stance calm, weight balanced. “But don’t just move away—turn your retreat into position. Distance is fine. Control of space is better.”
He reset, guard loose, eyes fixed on hers. “Again. This time, make me adjust to you.”
Fade...
A little while later, Addison was seated on the grey rock platform, her feet dangling over the edge drinking down a bottle of water which had electrolytes in. She had made certain that Hastios had some as well, along with a towel to wipe his brow. She was quiet letting herself cool down, careful not to drink too much, not wanting to make herself sick. She fanned herself with the towel, draping it around her neck before she moved to where her back was against the stone wall which used to hold the dais.
"Thank you." she spoke quietly.
Hastios sat across from her on the stone, one elbow braced on his knee, the towel draped over his shoulders. His breathing had already settled into that steady cadence born of years of conditioning, but there was still a sheen of sweat across his brow. He took a measured sip from the bottle she’d pressed into his hand, then set it down beside him.
At her quiet thanks, he gave a small nod. “You earned it,” he said simply. “You listened, you adjusted. That’s all any fighter can ask of themselves.”
He leaned back against the wall, letting his head rest briefly against the cool stone, eyes half-lidded but still sharp. “Keep working that footwork. You got lighter, faster, every round. Give it time, and it’ll feel natural.”
A faint curve touched his mouth—almost a smile. “And for the record, Doctor, you don’t spar like someone looking to be rescued.”
After a beat, he tilted his head, curiosity cutting through the calm. “So what pushed you to it? Why the need to sharpen the edge now?”
A low chuckle, closing her eyes, Addison drew in one leg to where she rested her forearm upon her knee. "Why now? I don't know what situation we'll be called upon to walk into. Besides, I've got all the time in the world, so why not use that time?" opening one eye then the other glancing towards Hastios, a playful smile.
"I just need to be better than what I was before. My brother Todd, who is in the marines, and my uncle Joseph, he's in security, they instilled in me that its always better to improve ones skills on all levels."
Hastios met her eyes, steady and sure. “I’ll keep training with you,” he said. “But make no mistake — fighting is always a last resort. My job, and my team’s job, is to make sure it never gets to sickbay in the first place.”
He let that hang for a beat, the implication clear but not boastful. “If anyone thinks the fastest route to a problem is through the medical bay, they’ll find themselves cutting through my people first. You won’t be on the floor alone — and you won’t have to rely on those skills unless every other option’s been exhausted.”
A faint, almost private smile softened his tone. “Practice so you can finish faster, move smarter, and get out. I’ll make sure there’s always someone between you and whatever’s coming.”
She understood what Hastios meant, "I do have trust that you won't be leaving me hanging, and never thought you would. And I will pity the poor fool who tries to test your defenses, you and your men. " a pause as she truly regarded Hastios.
Addison's gaze wasn't one of desire, it was almost as if she were looking inwardly as if into his soul.
The last time she had been one on one with Hastios, it was when she made a housecall to his office. She also came to the realization that she didn't know much about him. That was on her though, Addison had closed herself off from truly making any connections. She broke her gaze giving a faint rueful chuckle at herself.
"You've got kind eyes, and yet they can command a situation and give a reproval with just one look and also give encouragement" she looked out over the holo program, "Would you have a recommendation for a book to read, something you like to read?" yes it was something out from left field, still she would like to know.
Hastios let her words settle, a trace of amusement ghosting across his features. Kind eyes — that wasn’t something he heard often. Commanding, intimidating, occasionally impossible, maybe. But kind? That was a new angle.
He glanced down briefly, turning the bottle in his hands before answering. “Kindness and command aren’t mutually exclusive,” he said after a moment. “You can guide without breaking someone. The trick is knowing when to push and when to hold back.” His tone was even, thoughtful. “Most days, I get it right.”
At her unexpected question, his gaze lifted again, a flicker of genuine surprise there before it softened. “A book?” He considered, leaning back against the stone wall. “I’ve always gone back to The Art of War. Obvious, maybe — but not for the tactics. It’s the discipline in it. The patience. Understanding when to act, and when to wait.”
He took another slow drink, then added quietly, “But if you’re looking for something less… predictable, The Stone and the Silence. El Aurian author — writes about balance and loss, how people carry echoes of those they’ve outlived. It’s heavier than most humans like, but there’s truth in it.”
His eyes met hers again, steady but with that underlying warmth. “I’ll loan you my copy. You can tell me what you think — over the next round of training.”
A pause, then that small, wry smile. “And I promise not to throw you to the mat quite so fast next time.”
" The Art of War I have read it, my uncle had mentioned to me it was required to read, and I did read." her voice was filled with reflection. "It helped immensely."
Addison heard the surprise in his voice, when she mentioned his eyes. Her own eyes had an amused gleam at his reaction, but also an understanding as well. There were subtleties in giving care to those on a ship. A person needed to be able to read the body language, and the little tells a body puts out.
"I think you enjoyed doing that, in truth." the doctor giving out a warm soft laugh, flashing a wink. "My brothers did."
Addison lowered her knee, pulling her legs to where they were crosslegged and took a slow drink of her water as she contemplated his words. Her eyes drifted back to Hastios.
"I am interested in the book you have mentioned, I would love to read it." It appealed to her, a different perspective which would be enlightening. It was something that she sought in her ever learning of others and herself. "Sounds like something I could truly get into."
Hastios tilted his head slightly at her mention of The Art of War. He didn’t comment, but the thought lingered. It wasn’t exactly light reading for a doctor — strategy, manipulation, the cold calculus of conflict. Necessary, perhaps, but not something most healers found comfort in. Still… he respected the discipline it took to absorb it.
Her amusement drew him back, and when she winked, his expression shifted — the faintest smirk breaking through the usual calm. “You’re right,” he said. “I did enjoy it.”
He let the admission stand, tone low but unguarded. “There’s satisfaction in the motion — in control, in precision. But more than that… in watching someone learn the rhythm of it. You took the hits, you adjusted, and you didn’t flinch. That’s worth more than form.”
Leaning forward, elbows resting lightly on his knees, he added, “And maybe a small part of me enjoys showing off now and then. I’ll admit to that much.”
He let a quiet moment pass before continuing, his voice softening. “You’ll like The Stone and the Silence. It’s not a warrior’s book, not really. It’s about how people carry memory — what endures, and what fades. You’ll read it differently than I ever could. You’ll find the humanity in it.”
He picked up the towel, draping it over his shoulder as he stood. “I’ll bring it by your office tomorrow if you like?”
Addison appreciated the fact that Hastios admitted he enjoyed showing his skills, and tossing her to the floor. Just something about that warmed her heart.
"Yes, I would like that very much." Rising to her feet as well, Addison felt the towel she had around her neck drop to the ground, and her water bottle rolled from her lap. She crouched down to pick up the water bottle and the towel.
"If you ever have the hankering to learn a new skill, or skills. Let me know. I can teach you how to rope a cow, tie knots. Lasso something, do rope tricks, or even throw a bolo. That is, if you don't know how to do any of those." looking over her shoulder and up towards Hastios.
Rising up to her feet. "That is, if you want to get roped into something like that." Addison grinning from ear to ear, as she regarded Hastios.
Hastios let the unfamiliar word sit a beat, then let a dry half-smile slip free.
“If I needed to stop a cow,” he said with deliberate deadpan, “I’d likely just shoot it.” The line landed with that same quiet edge — a joke, blunt and almost absurd.
He shook his head once, more amused than serious. “Still — if I ever decide rope work’s for me, I’ll ask. No promises.” He moved the towel on his shoulder, gathering himself to leave. “Good session. Keep the elbow sharp and don’t forget to ice if it starts to complain.”
A small nod, then he headed for the door, the parting light in his stride saying as much as words: he’d shown up, he’d teach, and he’d be there if needed — but he wasn’t signing up for lassos on the spot.
She read his unspoken message, chuckled softly at his joke. When he exited through the archway, Addison surreptitiously rubbed a sore spot upon her derrière, yup she was feeling it already. It was worth it though, having satisfaction that her thoughts about being trained by Hastios was spot on.
END
A Post By
Major Hastios Eilfaren
Chief Security & Tactical Officer
Second Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
Lieutenant Addison Talbert
Chief Medical Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
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