#105 Gravity and Grace

Posted on Tue Jan 3rd, 2023 @ 2:14pm by Major Jackson "JJ" Barnes {Meji}

Mission: BUGS OH NO!!
Location: starbase
Timeline: current

ON:

Corporal JJ Barnes was back on the starbase, taking a break from his duties; which included absolutely nothing. He had yet to meet another marine assigned to Amandora. So, not having anyone to bullshit with he had made himself busy, cleaning and wiping down the entire berthing area, checking the away equipment and weapons inventory and making sure they were all locked down. He was logged with the ship's computer as aboard and on duty, and his designation as a squad leader had provided him the ability to access the locked down marine armory. With no one else aboard the computer had little choice but to authorize entry. But, that had been over the past two days. Now, it was time to go have a drink in a pub where he knew people would be, and some of those people he knew.

As always Barnes wore his marine duds, complete with equipment belt, minus the stun baton and grenades, of course. His belt pouches were filled with items he found a need for while in the field and his pistol was strapped down to his right thigh in a tactical holster, ready for use but a mainstay to his being. Wearing it was second nature, his brain used to its weight and inertia. Stepping through the entryway for a pub he had a liking for, JJ was met by a brawl ensuing just inside. A Nausicaan and his human companion were making a fuss over something, two bouncers trying to get them to calm down and talk it out. But, being a Nausicaan, that was not going to happen. Barnes knew this from experience, having dealt with Nausicaan muscle on various pirate vessels over the years. Big, dumb, and flat out ornery.

The Nausicaan, with all his bluster, shoved a bouncer back into the crowd and then pulled a knife from a hidden spot in his garments. Seeing that the big nugget was eyeing the other bouncer, who was trying to step back at the sight of the blade but was held up by the crowd behind him, the knife jacked back and went forward from the hip. It was caught in mid-thrust by two hands clamping down on the wrist and forearm. Two marine hands. "Settle down!" Shouted Barnes, doing all he could to keep a hold on that well-muscled arm. The Nausicaan looked at him, gave a chuckle as his eyes squinted, and that was when Jackson realized he was vulnerable to a counterstrike. A realization that came too late to do anything about it. The Nausicaan gave him one hell of a backhand, which caused Barnes to let go of the arm and stumble back, out the door and onto the Promenade. But, he had done what he had intended. The Nausicaan and his companion were now outside the pub, facing him, with everyone inside now safe...more or less.

Barnes knew that the backhand would leave some bruising for the next couple of days but, if he did not like being bruised and battered at times, he would never have joined the marines. "Alright," he said, raising his hands up in a placating gesture. "Alright. We're outside and no one has to get hurt. I'm sure Security is on its way. Let's rethink this, fellas."

The big dummy spoke, and listening to a Nausicaan speak was always an experience. "Rethink? I have thought, and I think I want to make you bleed, Starfleet." For a being of his almost seven feet size the Nausicaan came in quickly and began to swipe the knife back and forth, aiming to slice up JJ's midsection. Thankfully, if he made contact, marine garb was designed to hinder blades and sharp objects. However, that would not prevent some bodily damage, it was just there to keep marines with serious wounds alive until help could arrive. As the Nausi swung another backhand slice motion Barnes stepped in with an Aikido move, wrapping his left arm around the Nausi's right and trapping the beings arm in his armpit, jacking his own arm upwards to create a pressure lock on the Nausi's elbow. As that happen he then struck out with a fist to the Nausi's trachea, causing the behemoth to cough and sputter, but also angering the big dummy.

Not expecting the next move, Jackson's surprise showed in his eyes when the Nausi bodily picked him up off the deck a few inches even as he had the guy's arm wrapped up in a pressure lock. ~I really need to bone up on Nausicaan physiology~ he thought to himself even as he was being carried forward to the Nausi point of view, backwards to himself, towards the railing that overlooked the next level down. A food court replimat area. With all the strength he could muster Barnes gave the Nausi a swift toe kick directly to the crotch. He gave a grin as the biggun stumbled as his foot connected, giving a grunting growl of dissatisfaction, but enough to cause the Nausi to drop him to the deck. With boots on deck Barnes relinquished his hold on the arm and gave his best at striking the Nausi in the torso and face with several well-placed fists and open palms. The effect seemed minimal, even as the Nausi freight train again pushed him back, JJ's lumbar region now pressed against the top of the hand rail. Jack's only concern was the knife, and he had another death grip on the blade wrist, even while he punched and punched and punched the face of the Nausi.

With his free arm the Nausi reached over top of their entangled arms, trying to lock his empty hand on JJ's throat. Leaning back to prevent that iron grip from taking hold Barnes felt his balance teetering towards going over the railing. He glanced back and down, seeing below him a round table that could seat six just beneath him. Security had arrived and had the Nausi's partner in custody but they could not stun the Nausicaan without hitting Barnes, so they hesitated. "I-got-this!" Growled out Barnes to the people in gold, his punching hand grabbing a section of leather on the Nausicaans shoulder as he leaned his weight back, which sent them both tumbling over the side and free falling. As JJ had been going over he had twisted his body enough to where the Nausi was beneath him as they fell, both of them crashing onto, and through, the table below, with Barnes using part of the Nausi's body as a cushion for his fall.

Thankfully, with the fall, the Nausicaan had gone through the table flat on his back, his head impacting the deck and debris as he did so, knocking him out. JJ was sucking wind as he had landed more on his right side and got the wind knocked out of him. He kicked away with his legs and got his arms free of entanglement, rolling onto his back and then all the way over to come to an all-fours stance as his body began to breathe normal again. With a grunt he got to his feet, a bit unsteady at first, giving a sheepish but prideful grin to the people standing around where they had landed. Several Security personnel came in and put the Nausicaan in binders while another led Barnes off to the side.

"You alright, Corporal?"

"Never better," Barnes replied, with a wince and a grunt of pain. "Nothing that won't heal, Ensign. Far from the heart, and all."

The Ensign gave a grin, which really added to her looks. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and a distinct British accent. What was not to like? "Are you assigned to the base, or elsewhere?"

"Elsewhere, Sir." Barnes began to feel his aches easing up, standing up straight again and not holding his right side like he had been. "Amandora. I just transferred a few days ago. I was just looking to have a pint when I walked into the fight."

"You'd think it was bloody Dublin," said the Ensign, giggling. Again, she flashed that glowing smile. "Drunk Nausicaans, drunk Irish, pretty much the same."

They both laughed. Jackson extended his hand. "Jackson Barnes, Miss...?"

The Ensign shook the offered hand. "Imogen Harris."

"A pleasure," said Jack, then proceeded to take the hand he held and gave a kiss on the knuckles before releasing. "I hope that wasn't too forward of me."

Harris slowly pulled her hand back, her smile staying in place but with a different purpose behind it, her eyes matching her interest. "Not at all. You just fell several meters and then through a table. How could I refuse your manners after that?"

"Quite easily, Actually." Barnes gave his own warm smile. "I'll be back upstairs for a pint. Care to join me after shift?"

Imogen gave a nod, the smile still there. "I was finishing up my shift reports when this call came in. I'll see you in, say...twenty minutes?"

JJ gave her a nod. "Perfect. My schedule is a bit slim right now so I'll be waiting."

"Patiently?" She asked, a cheeky look to her face.

"Not at all, but I'll fake it to make myself look good."

Again, they both laughed.

"Let me see to our newest guest and then I'll be there." Ensign Harris got herself and her team moving, the awake Nausicaan being an ass as usual, but not giving much of a fight.

Barnes met the eyes of the Nausicaan, the big dummy giving him a look of promised retribution. JJ gave the look right back, making sure to stand tall as they took the detained away, his eyes never leaving the Nausicaan's until he was out of sight. ~That'll be the day I back down from a staring contest~ thought Barnes as he too left the replimat to head back up one level. While waiting for Imogen he would log his own report for the incident with, well, whoever gave a shit on Amandora. Namely, his missing CO's in marine country. As for the Fleeters, they would get the report, as well.

OFF: