Not a scratch

Posted on Saturday, 17 July 2021 - 3:30pm by Crewman Leopold Eberhardt & Lieutenant JG Adrianna Eberhardt

Mission: Operation: Lazarus

Adrianna felt good to not only be back in uniform, but to be entering a gym. She'd heard Leopold's concerns, infact, she had an earful after his parents left, but this was a one off and frankly she needed to beat the shit out of something. The woman had a lot of built up emotions that needed an outlet. An ensign seeing her a weakling, triggered a need for her to gain control and power, even more.

Adrianna wandered into the station's gym with Leopold's father. She waved to a few Intel officers on the way in and a few other familiar faces. Soon, she found someone she knew would be taking bets. Before going to introduce them, she said to Leopold's father, rather hushed, "just as a side note, the people who bet on me, they know me. They know my background. I know we don't know eachother well, but you'll hear things, no doubt, here. Just know I'm Starfleet now and a lot is behind me."

"I see," replied her father in law. "I suppose that means the murmuring around the ship about you having certain family connections is an accurate one?" This did not seem to cause any problems with the man. If anything, he seemed more invested in betting in her favor of winning.

He cleared his throat. "You have made a new name for yourself," he added. "Figuratively and literally, Mrs. Eberhardt. Though family is important. It is where you come from, you can take the Eberhardt name and yes, be part of this family, but don't forget you are also a Baciami....whatever that means exactly, but more on that later after we make a little money."

"I'm sure it's every father's dream to have their son marry someone who doesn't flinch at everyone's worst nightmares," she grinned a little and then waved over her friend, "Jack, this is my father in law, he wants in." She looked to the ring, "I'll see you in a round."

"Yes," he practically exclaimed. "I want in. I will put a reasonable amount of money on my daughter in law winning. It seems like a an inevitable victory. "

Jack snorted, "hardly fun any more when you know who'll win. Still, it's always an entertaining fight and I'm sure a Baciami enjoys the win." He handed over a PaDD, "odds are 20 to 1. Since getting back from Ekos, rumours are she's lost her edge."

"To hell with that!" Her father in law shouted, immediately trippling his bet on her out of spite of the rumors. "Nothing like a beautiful trauma to sharpen the edge, Jack was it? No, she has not lost her edge. She will be better than ever."

Jack nodded, "I'll take the bet. Good luck, Mister Eberhardt. Enjoy the fight. I'll be ring side after the match."

Adrianna got into the ring, swinging off her jacket, her tattoos on her hips and all her scars on display. She stretched out and then leant against the ropes as she wrapped her hands. As her opponant entered the ring the cheers seemed a lot louder for him. Clearly offering a false sense of security for the poor guy.

She looked round a moment and as a ref entered, she focused back in. "Honestly don't think I can hit a girl, but equally I can't stand to lose. Hope you don't mind getting beating, Baciami."

Adrianna smiled, "do what you have to do for your audience." It wasn't the first time Adrianna had said that, but at least now she had an opportunity to fight.

Her minds eye started overlaying the ensign's face with König's. Her heart started pounding and she could feel her adrenaline levels rise within her. Adrianna needed to get a grip or she would lose.

Perhaps not lose...

Adrianna seemed to black out in blind rage. As her reality came back into focus she looked to her hands and then back to the ensign. He was begging for mercy, with his back in the floor his arms protecting his bloodied face. She relaxed her arm, which had frozen mid punch. The woman pulled herself off the man and walked back to her corner, grabbing her jacket.

Adrianna didn't want to show the horror she felt inside and so nodded to Jack and started to make her way out. She greeted everyone who congratulated her, though she didn't feel like celebrating.

"See? That's Ekos for you. She's sharper than ever I'd bet?" The man said looking at Jack. "She could leave Starfleet and make some real money out there. I could see championship gold on her waist."

Jack looked a little horrified, "not exactly. She hasn't fought like that since before we pulled her out of Earth when I was in the USS September with her. She could have killed him." Jack handed over the money, "make sure she's seeing someone. Last thing we need is a full Baciami back in Starfleet."

"Death matches can be profitable on certain planets," he replied. Though he did not want to risk his daughter-in-law's life on such a match, he knew she would probably come out on top of them, but was it worth it? No, probably not. "I will make sure that she is seeing someone."

Jack nodded, "I think you should. Someone should." With that he turned to the other gamblers, sorting out funds.