983: Across the Pond

by TC Blane and Keiran O'Sullivan
91022.2300
Concurrent with Hold Your Ground

-=A muddy field, on Sibalt=-

TC smiled as he watched the Alchemy team make their way to the far side of the small pond. This was most certainly going to be an interesting trip. He tilted his head back and let the light rain fall onto his face as he took a deep breath and readied himself for the task at hand.

Up to this point, TC had forgone any sort of rain protection. His experience and training had long since made him realize that delaying the inevitable, in this case getting wet, was pointless. Besides, with the humidity as high as it was, it was more important to allow his body heat to escape. Under a parka that was impossible and he would have been soaked with perspiration in no time anyway.

With a sigh he turned and made his way over to O'Sullivan, who had already taken up position at the back of the large rope. "Anchor?" TC asked with a smiled as he approached.

The large Irishman nodded. "Aye, anchor."

TC turned to face their opponents across the small expanse of water. "Commander Salvek will be the strongest, Commander Briggs most likely their second, but he does have a bad back. He glanced at the rest, I don't know anything about the new engineer or the Counselor's skills. Samson is fit but soft." He smiled at O'Sullivan. "I'd put him out front if I was them."

"Same thing with Reece..." Keiran replied, gesturing toward the Trill as he, scientist that he was, kept looking up at the sky.

"There has got to be a way to shut that freakin' thing off." Dabin sighed, as the light misting rain that had commenced the moment Jelca left continued to make everything even more slippery, if that was possible.

"Reece!" Zanh called from her position of oversight on the sidelines. "Focus!"

Keiran laughed and TC just shook his head. "See, Thomas. I married the woman for a reason."

TC once again sized up their team. "And what of our powerful friend Tubman?"

"Ah, Dwan might be the difference between victory and defeat, right?" Keiran's eyes flashed. "I say we put him between Reece and Grace; not only to help keep Reece focused on what he's doin' but also because the man is stronger than the both of 'em put together."

TC nodded, thinking. "Dabin up front..."

O'Sullivan shook his head. "We'll haveta listen to him whine if he goes into ta water."

TC winked. "I think I've got it covered."

He made his way to the front of the line where Dabin and Bru were talking, as Keiran moved to position the rest of the team. "Mr. Reece I need you to man the front of the rope."

Dabin glanced at the dark water and the even darker mud that lined the edge of the small pond. "Yuck."

TC shrugged his shoulders. "Well if that is your final stance on the subject." He turned to Bru. "Very front of the rope Lieutenant." He gently grabbed her shoulder. "Sorry."

Before turning and walking towards the back of the rope he shot his best, 'what kind of man are you to let your wife take your place in line,' look he could muster.

Reece wondered how Blane could possibly think that he'd let the mother of his child go into the drink before him. "Sheesh. This place has sucked the sense of chivalry right out of you people. Bru, get as far back as you can, honey. I'm gonna get wet, ain't no reason for you to ruin your pretty lil' pink rain slicker."

"If you get wet, I get wet." Bru said firmly, nodding with conviction. "I mean, think of it this way, the caves at Makala don't look too different from this."

Reece gave her a kiss on the cheek and he smiled at Blane. "See, TC? I married the woman for a reason."

TC distributed the rest of the team up and down the line before returning to Keiran who was now ready to take the anchor position.

"See that?" Keiran nodded toward Dane and Gira, who were engaged in conversation on the other team's side and ignoring all around them. "Cristiane is lean but strong, and we should never underestimate the abilities of a young man determined to impress a woman."

"Yeah well we should never underestimate the ability of a woman to distract a young man at the worst possible second." Blane chuckled. "If I were Salvek..."

"Come on, ladies, let's go!" Zanh admonished with a brisk clap of her hands. "If I don't get coffee soon..."

That was the only warning to move faster that the teams needed.

"You heard the Captain! Pick up the rope!" Keiran called.

TC nodded as he took his spot in front of Keiran. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be, brother. As I'll ever be." Keiran turned back a moment and winked at his wife.

"Remember, O'Sullivan...distraction." Blane warned.

Keiran's face reddened and he laughed. "Right yeah? Young and not so young men too hav'ta watch for that, I s'pose."

In the spectator's section, Zanh Liis sighed. She reached into her pack and pulled out the Doctor's emitter.

She surveyed it for a moment, considering.

Then, something occurred to her.

These exercises were not only about strength and about strategy and tactical advantage. The whole point was team building, and Dalton was part of their team.

Maybe he couldn't participate, but as long as he kept quiet, she didn't see why he couldn't watch. She tapped the controls and he reappeared before her. He was startled, and questioned her. "Did ya finally inflict injury on Reece for his whinin' or is there another reason you rang?"

"Just thought you might want to see the sights with me." Zanh smiled. She patted the ground beside her. "Have a seat, Doctor."

McKay beamed. He looked at the titans preparing to clash, and shook his head. "This is gonna be sloppier than the pigpen at the County Fair."

Keiran wrapped the rope around his back like a pulley as TC tucked it under his left armpit and took a firm hold. Footing was going to be a problem so he used the heels of his boots to create small ledges in which to hopefully gain some traction.

"Everyone set?" Zanh asked. A mixture of grumbles and confirmations emanated from both sides. "I'll take that as a yes. Ready… set... GO!"

The instant that the rope was pulled, snapping taut in the middle over the water, Ashton Ledbetter looked once more at the filthy water before him and made a calculated decision.

He 'dropped' it.

"Clumsy me." He sighed with mock exasperation. "How ever did that happen?"

"Just....get....out of the way...then, you....coward!" Dane shouted through gritted teeth. He dug in his sliding heels as best he could, struggling as he tried to keep Gira, who was now the first in line, from going into the slimy water.

"Gladly." Ledbetter sniffed, retreating from the scene.

************************
Commander TC Blane
Second Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012

&

-=^=- Keiran O'Sullivan
Anchor of the team that's gonna win
Security Liaison for The Alchemy Project