( video & action; un: kirk ) forward dated to April 1st

[winscenario]

[ The camera catches a glimpse of Jim's face in his Perimeter Guard uniform, but only for the flicker of a second before there's a bump of some sort and the device is knocked down. Jim's surprised expression is the last thing to show before the only view for a few seconds is the ceiling. His voice can be heard from off camera. ]

John! Bad boy, bad.

[ There's a snout next, sniffing at the screen, then a tongue... then finally Jim reaches his phone and picks it up from the ground. He's grinning a little and shaking his head as he props it up on the table again and pulls away, dragging his new friend along with him so he's kept away from his device. ]

Sorry. That was... anyway. Captain James Kirk here, and this is John, the latest member of the aerial unit. [ He just wandered in one day and now Jim's keeping him, shut up. ] So— due to the latest rains and the most recent flooding near the river, a lot of people have found themselves temporarily displaced. I'm one of those people, but luckily me and my buddy here have a place to crash at the Perimeter Guard. We have plenty of beds and mattresses available here, for what it's worth, so anyone who finds themselves momentarily homeless, you'll be more than welcome here.

There should be other places we could use to offer people some shelter. The community centers come to mind, for instance. Gathering a few supplies would help though, so anyone willing to help and donate a few things, that would be great.

Additionally, I'll be making rounds on the shuttle, so anyone who needs a hand or absolutely must get somewhere out of bounds due to the flood, let me know.

And that's it! [ He smiles a little, nodding. ] Remember to keep safe. And if you don't need to be anywhere near it, stay away from the river. At least until the rain lets up and we manage to figure out where all this water's coming from.


(( ooc: this post is open to action for the following options: around the perimeter guard barracks, getting some rest, working, or helping other misplaced people out; near the river, aiding anyone in trouble and/or possibly fighting any of the monsters; a little all over the place on his shuttle, ready to jump in and get anyone out of a tough spot. ))

Comments

[fhux]

A good shot? Well, then ...

[ Taking the safety off his blaster, he aims at the target forty-feet away and shoots cleanly through the middle on the first, almost casual try. Hux can't help a smirk, sliding a challenging look over to Jim.

He won't tell him about his sniper training, not yet. ]

Your turn, Kirk.

[winscenario]

[ Jim just raises an eyebrow at Hux. Impressive, but he's not about to give him the satisfaction of showing that. ]

Showoff. [ He mutters with a snort, shaking his head then lifting his own gun, aiming it at the target in his booth. Much like Hux had said, these weapons required a lot of calibration, so even with perfect aim the shot hit a little off the center, closer to the shoulder on the target.

He shrugs, though. ] Huh. Not that bad.

[fhux]

[ Phasma would have docked Jim an hour's rest from his off-duty cycle for that, Hux thinks fondly. ]

Take your time adjusting your weapon, we're in no rush. I'd prefer a fair challenge.

[winscenario]

[ And yet that wouldn't have stopped Jim from teasing Hux again. Really, the only way of stopping him would be shooting him in the head. (Which, let's be honest here, she probably would. But anyway.) ]

You're a very good shot. [ He remarks as he adjusts the weapon's settings, trying for a couple of test shots. ] Had any specific training?

[fhux]

Long before I made General, I was the marksman in my cadet and officer training. I was rarely planetside after the first couple of years but I had an elite group of youths assigned to me and they taught me how to shoot. There was little else to do when it came to recreation on the ships upon which I grew up.

[ Once Jim has his gun aligned, Hux adjusts the range to an additional twenty feet, lines up a single shot, and snipes it first try. This is where he feels most at ease and in control, and it shows in the small smile he wears when he glances at Jim. ]

[winscenario]

[ Jim listens to Hux with rapt attention, though none of it really surprises him. Hux acts and looks very much like the type, so it doesn't come as a shock at all to find out he's actually had marksman training, and that he spent a lot of his time practicing and improving on it. ]

Hmm. That explains why you're so cocky about it. [ He grins lopsidedly, unable to stop himself from teasing Hux. That little smile's cute, though, he'll give him that.

He aims at his target next, taking a little longer than Hux and requiring a more rigid pose, but he manages to shoot closer to the center, just a couple of inches off to the left. ]

[fhux]

[ He doesn't dignify that comment with a reply but certainly looks smugly flattered by it. Jim, he decides, isn't a poor aim at all. ]

Do you come to the range often?

[ It doesn't cross his mind how that might come out. ]

[winscenario]

[ Jim would probably feel just as flattered and just as smug if their roles happened to be reversed, so it's not like he can talk. ]

Sometimes. [ He raises an eyebrow at Hux, quietly amused. ] I spend more time on the shuttle, but I've been here a few times, mostly to make sure I know how to use the weapons on offer here. I'd hate shooting myself in the foot.

[fhux]

I'm sure you wouldn't, Captain. Your aim appears impeccable for being rusty.

[ High praise from Hux as he wanders around into Jim's booth, toying with his black blaster pistol before handing it over. ]

The fingerprint lock won't allow you to fire, but the scope is exceptional. If you'd care to try it.

[winscenario]

[ He glances up at Hux when he comes into his booth, eyes dropping to the blaster that's offered to him. ]

Fingerprint lock? [ He sounds impressed, as he takes the blaster, studying the weight carefully before aiming it at his target. ]

Huh. It's really nice. Great balance, too. What's the firing range?

[fhux]

[ Reeling off the impressive Star Wars nonsense details to do with range, he stands at a naturally inclined parade rest and finds he doesn't mind Jim handling his weapon. Aside from the fact he couldn't shoot him with it if he tried, that is. ]

The power-cell lasts for up to two years if it isn't fired on a regular basis, it's the lasing chamber's access pins that require the most upkeep. I disassemble her on a weekly basis to keep the interior free of debris.

[ And contrary to having it strapped to his thigh on a daily basis, doesn't use it too often in actual combat. ]

[winscenario]

[ It is indeed very impressive and totally unthinkable in Jim's world. At least with a handheld blaster like Hux's, what sort of world does he come from, seriously. Not that he says that, he just raises his eyebrows, mildly impressed, looking over the gun in his hands for a little longer before handing it back to Hux.

He appreciates the opportunity to check it out, even if he can't fire with it. No harm done anyway, it's not like Jim doesn't have other weapons at his disposal. Not that he'd use any of them to shoot Hux. ]

It's a very impressive weapon, no wonder you're so attached to it. [ He pauses, then corrects himself. ] Her. Sorry.

[fhux]

[ He looks abashed then, accepting the blaster to wander back to his own booth. ]

Habit. Do you find that? The former regime's officers used female approximations for all their ships, I suppose I adopted the quirk before I could help it. I do feel that the Finalizer deserves the distinction, as does this useful little blaster. Neither have failed me yet.

[winscenario]

Yeah, I get you completely. I do the same with the Enterprise, after all.

[ Just not his phaser, but then he's not overly attached to it, like he is to his ship. She's his baby, after all. ]

Anyway, should we go for a few rounds? [ He nods to the targets. ] We could bet something on it, it'd make the challenge more fun.

[fhux]

[ Bets? How very trooper-like. He can't suppress another lopsided smile, aiming for an exasperated sigh but unable to hide his enthusiasm. ]

First one to utterly obliterate their target. That sounds easy enough. What prize would you name if you win?

[ Only being so generous because he thinks he will win. ]

[winscenario]

[ Oh, Hux isn't wrong in thinking that, he will absolutely win and Jim is under no illusions. But he's not a sore loser, and just because he knows odds aren't in his favor doesn't make it a good reason for him to just give up. ]

A really nice bottle of scotch. Which you'd share with me, obviously. [ Tipping his chin at Hux. ] And you? What do you want?

[fhux]

Scotch appears to be a universal constant, I'll keep it in mind.

[ He's more of a brandy man himself but the request is faintly charming, especially since it seems like Jim is the sort to rarely indulge and savours any inebriation. That adds to his worth in Hux's esteem. ]

Ah, I don't suppose you'd accept an open-ended favour?

[ Resetting the range to fifty-feet. ]

[winscenario]

[ Jim's gotten drunk a lot in the past, mostly before the Academy, a bit during. Not so much as of late, though. Tipsy and drunk are two different things, though, and he doesn't appreciate losing too much control over himself. ]

A favor... [ He trails off, considering the offer. He doesn't think there's much harm in it, though, so. He shrugs. ] Sure, why not.

[fhux]

Excellent!

[ Like a plasma-sword coming down, Hux's glee cuts through the air and he turns to line up his shot, settled and ready. Wanting to win has a simmering fire alight in his belly, smirking in his confidence at the newly reprogrammed targets. ]

On the count of three, then? One, two -

[winscenario]

[ Jim's lips twitch a little at Hux's excitement, then he turns to his own target, aiming his weapon at it. He waits in place until Hux reaches 'three', then he starts shooting with abandon at his target.

This time he's the one grateful they're alone at the range. They'd probably get weird looks from people, or even be told they couldn't do this. As it is, though, they're left pretty much to their own devices as they mercilessly shoot holes through their respective targets. ]

[fhux]

[ Hux relishes the opportunity to unleash a fraction of his anger, bolts from the blaster ripping through the sim and shot again before the falling edges can dissolve. For ten seconds, the range is a noisy hub of activity, and then the target is gone and he lowers his gun.

Wielding the superior weapon he does in fact win, which feels a bit like an empty victory. ]

Next time, you'll have to bring your own blaster. I fear I've won unfairly.

[ But, you know, it still counts. ]

[winscenario]

[ Jim lets go a little himself. Somewhere in the midst of the sound of their guns blaring away, a laugh and a howl slips out. Jim's weapon at least shoots fast, but it's harder to aim the less of his target is left for him to aim at. He doesn't seem to care much, though, and once Hux burns down the last bit of his target he stops. The head of his own hangs precariously, the edge burnt off from one of his last shots. ]

You kidding? No, you won fair and square. [ He grins and offers a hand to Hux for a shake. ] I'm up for a rematch anytime, though.

[fhux]

We can make it a monthly meet-up, that shouldn't interfere with your work or mine.

[ Jim being the sort to adventure off on missions whereas Hux simply enjoys being left to his own devices. He recognises the gesture and shakes his hand, lips quirking. ]

Well played. You seemed to enjoy yourself.

[winscenario]

I can manage that, yeah. Sign me up.

[ Leaves him plenty of time to do his own stuff, while still getting to catch up with Hux, even during busier months. He expects to see him around in-between, but still. ]

I did! That was fun. And it really wasn't about winning anyway. [ He smiles and shrugs. ] Guess I'll just have to be in suspense until you cash in your favor.