Commander's Rounds

Entry 12: Commander's Training

"Come on, commander! You can make it!"

And he could, despite every part of his body telling him he probably shouldn't- California's urging probably took him over the line. As soon as he crossed the line, he bent over and put his hands on his knees while Tennessee took a look at the stopwatch. "Hm. Time is better this run. We'll take a break."

Even though the commander was mainly a desk jockey, he was interested in going to the front himself, and that took more than he was originally prepared for. After his first battle, he had to be carried home by Nevada, and so he decided that he wasn't really keeping up on his physical training. Luckily for him, there was at least one ready trainer. Early on he came across Tennessee, who he first saw working out- and he must have been gawking at the tan blonde amazon of a ship because she told him he could stare as long as he remembered to do his job.

Meeting Tennessee also meant meeting her playful younger sister, California. The older pushed the commander to challenge himself, and the younger was someone to relax with afterwards- though there was a bit of an awkward moment when California left her underwear behind and he had to return it to the dorms.

As time went on, however, he had acquired a couple of other potential trainers. One of them was Massachusetts, who liked to see him challenge himself, but she could be relied on to put a hard stop to what he was doing if he looked like he was going to end up hurting himself- she once stopped him on the track and carried him out in order to force him to rest.

Neither of her sisters were interested in that sort of thing, though- South Dakota was generally dedicated to the battlefield, and Alabama, while strong, was rather laid-back and also something of a hugger, whether asleep or awake.

Tennessee put away the stopwatch. "Commander. You have become a bit more interested in this sort of thing of late."

California smiled as she handed the commander a water bottle, and the commander had a drink before responding. "While I know that the rest of you are kinda superhuman in some way or another, I still want to do what I can to keep up better with you. You know, not embarrass myself."

Tennessee took a look at the commander's chart. "You're certainly going to pass your navy standard physical test. But if you wish to continue this training, I will ready something for you."

"Thank you- you're a big help."

Tennessee shrugged. "I wouldn't have helped you if I didn't feel it would be worth my time. If you're going back, you should take a shower before you leave- you worked yourself hard today, and there are people in this port who are sensitive to scents."

California smiled at him. "Don't worry commander, I'll make sure no one barges in or takes your clothes or anything."

Says someone who lost her own underwear in the middle of the day.

But she was nice, so might as well risk it- he could just call Z23 or someone and have them bring him a fresh set from his office. "All right."

The commander cleaned up while California waited outside, and she leaned against the wall by the door to the shower. "Sooo... What's the real reason you're interested in this?"

"Hm? Does there need to be a special reason?"

She giggled. "Well, there doesn't need to be a special reason, but I'm wondering if there is one. Like, is this for a girl or something?"

He took a moment. "Well, it's more like it's for you girls in the general."

California fake-cooled herself by fanning herself with her hat. "Ooooh~ Got a lot of special someones, then?"