Glass and Fire - First Engagement

Posted on Wed Oct 8th, 2025 @ 5:55pm by Commander Rosa Coy

778 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Character Development
Location: USS Sunfire Gym

The gym’s doors parted with a whisper, and Rosa strode in without hesitation. She was still in her flight blacks, stripped down to just the tank and loose trousers, hair tied high in a rough knot that hadn’t seen a brush since yesterday. Her eyes burned—not with drink, not with exhaustion, but with the sharp edge of fury looking for a target.

The space was quiet, save for the faint hum of holo-projectors and the distant rhythm of a punching bag on the far side. The late shift had already finished, the early one not yet begun. Empty enough for privacy. Empty enough to lose herself.

She snapped her fingers at the console.
“Run sequence—Hand-to-Hand Level Seven. Multiple aggressors. Don’t hold back.”

The computer chirped compliance.

Three holofigures shimmered into being around her—humanoids, broad-shouldered, sneering caricatures of Klingons and Nausicaans combined. Taller, heavier, bristling with aggression.

Exactly what she wanted.

Rosa bounced lightly on the balls of her feet, breathing slow, steady. Her fingers flexed once before she crooked them at the nearest opponent.
“Come on. Let’s see who bleeds first.”

The first Nausicaan charged. Rosa pivoted to the side, low, letting his momentum carry past her before snapping her elbow into his ribs and twisting at the waist. The holoform grunted, crumpling to one knee. She didn’t pause—didn’t think—she hooked his wrist, dropped her weight, and flipped him hard to the deck.

The crack of impact filled her chest like satisfaction.

That’s all you’re good at, isn’t it? Coy’s voice slithered into her skull, cold and sharp. Violence and bed-warming. A warm body, a hot fight. No wonder your mother pities you.

Rosa’s lip curled. She kicked the floored Nausicaan in the jaw, the holoform sparking out of existence.
“Shut up.”

The second opponent came in swinging. Wide hook. Rosa ducked under, slid inside his guard, wrapped her thighs around his waist and twisted. Her whole body spun like a snapping gyroscope. The move ripped him off his feet, slammed him to the floor with her weight and leverage driving the impact.

She rolled free, chest heaving, eyes bright.

Pathetic little thing. You think throwing yourself at them makes you powerful? That’s desperation. That’s begging to be held, even if it kills you.

Her fists clenched. She went at the third enemy head-on.

This one grabbed her by the forearms, locking her in a brute’s grip. He towered over her—twice her mass, easily. Rosa gritted her teeth, shifted her weight, and let her body sag low, deadweight. The holoform overbalanced. That was her opening—she snapped up like a spring, twisted her whole torso, and cracked her forehead into his jaw.

Pain flared across her brow, but the simulation staggered, teeth snapping together with a sickening click. Rosa spun behind him, climbed his back like a ladder, locked her legs around his throat, and yanked backwards.

The holoform collapsed in a chokehold. Rosa held until it flickered and dissolved.

Breath tore from her lungs in ragged bursts. Sweat slicked her back, her temples. She spat to the side, shook her head.

Yes, good. Hurt yourself. Break yourself. You think pain will silence me? It won’t. I’ll still be here, whispering in your ear while you pant like the little animal you are.

Rosa stalked back to the console, jaw tight, throat raw.
“Level Eight. Double opponents. No limits.”

The computer hesitated before chirping acknowledgment. Two more hulking figures materialized, bigger than before, sharper-eyed. The safeties dimmed, just shy of lethal.

By now, the rhythmic crashes had drawn attention. Crew passing the gym’s observation windows slowed, curious. A couple lingered, whispering. Word traveled fast in confined decks. By the time Rosa squared her shoulders at the new enemies, a handful had gathered near the entrance.

She didn’t see them.

All she saw were the holograms—and her own rage reflected back.

They came at her together.

Rosa moved low, coiled like a spring. She launched herself at the left opponent, legs locking around his shoulders, twisting her body into a spinning scissor takedown. The holoform flipped, crashing hard, but before she could finish him, the second slammed a fist into her side. The breath whooshed from her lungs.

She staggered. Saw stars. For a moment, the world tilted.

Yes. There. Feel how fragile you are? One blow and you fold. No wonder they all leave you. No wonder your bed is always empty come morning.

Rosa screamed, wordless fury, and dove back in.

TBC

 

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