Hell to Leather

Posted on Sun Jul 14th, 2013 @ 4:06pm by Lieutenant JG Jessica Santiago

Mission: Nothing Stays the Same
Location: Gymnasium, Deck 10, USS Pacifica
Timeline: 22nd of December 2382, around 1000 hours

ON:

~~~ Gymnasium, Deck 10, USS Pacifica ~~~

Lieutenant Junior Grade Jessica Santiago was in the Pacifica’s large and state of the art gymnasium down on Deck 10. She was breathing heavily, her lungs burned as she gulped down much needed oxygen. Her cheeks were beat red and the muscles in her legs ached with growing fatigue. Despite the increasing discomfort she pushed on maintaining a steady rhythm and comfortable pace. Her dark brown hair, pulled back in a high ponytail swayed from side to side and kissed her shoulders each time one of her feet came into contact with the moving treadmill track. She blindly reached out for her water bottle, and awkwardly took several quick sips from the metallic container. Her eyes never once left the treadmills small compact display screen where she closely watched the distance display track her progress. The screens bright blue numbers slowly ticked past the 5 kilometre mark, filling Jess with a small amount of satisfaction. She would have smiled at the achievement if her body wasn’t hurting as much as it did.

Five kilometres was far from her personal best, but Jess had to take whatever she could. It had been a long time since Jessica had last gone for a serious run and she was now really starting to feel it. She had become far too sedentary since joining the Pacifica and it was starting to show. She had put on a couple of kilos over the last couple of months, which had been enough to get her back down into the gymnasium. The fact that her annual physical was also coming up soon provided her with all the extra motivation that she needed.

She had set a personal goal to reach the 5 kilometre mark this morning, a goal which she had just passed. It was a mark that she truly wasn’t satisfied with and she made the snap decision to push for another kilometre. Passing the 5.1 mark then the 5.2 her rhythm started to become unstuck and shaky. Her legs felt like they were made of lead and her tired muscles screamed in protest at the abuse, but she pushed on.

Horne: =^= Horne to Santiago =^=

So concentrated was Jess on pushing her limits, that it took several second to register that the incoming intercom call was for her. She thumbed at the treadmill’s controls with her free hands and dialled down the speed to a walking pace as the voice of Lieutenant Commander Horne filled the room for a second time.

Horne: =^= Horne to Lieutenant Santiago =^=

She reached for her commbadge that she wore on her tank top just above her left breast and gently tapped it.

Jess: +Taps+ ;;Between deep breaths;; Santiago here go ahead.

Horne: -=^= Jess could you report to my office please. I need to speak with you =^=

Jess: Yes Sir. I can be there in a few minutes.

Horne: =^= Good I’ll see you in a few minutes then, Horne out =^=

Jessica powered down the treadmill and reluctantly slowed to a complete stop as the intercom channel was cut off at the other end. She had to rue the Lieutenant Commander’s sense of timing; if she had known that he would call on her soon Jess wouldn’t have gone hell to leather in her workout. As it was Jess, didn’t even have the time to take a well needed and much desired shower.

She grabbed her towel from the handrail, wiping the beads of sweat from her face as she gingerly stepped off from the treadmill. She took a couple of moments to catch her breath, swallowed several more mouthfuls of water and carefully stretched out the aching muscles in her legs. She ran the towel through her honey brown hair, before slinging it up onto her shoulders and around the back of her neck. Jess took one final look at display and noted her final distance, then headed off to the locker room to grab her things.

OFF: It’s very good to be back simming with you all again. I am looking forward to our adventures together. - Michelle

Lieutenant Junior Grade Jesssica Santiago
Assistant Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Pacifica NCC-72545