New work out buddy

Posted on Mon Jan 26th, 2026 @ 7:24pm by Lieutenant Commander Christopher Evans & Petty Officer 1st Class Gabriel Stark

1,300 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Prologue: To Boldly Go
Location: Deck 9 - Gym
Timeline: Day 7 - after the crew board Fenrir

ON:

Slowing down on the treadmill, Gabriel Stark languidly stretched his arms above his head while keeping a more gentle pace. With the inspection out of the way, he'd decided it was time to try out the gym. It was pretty much an essential part of the ship as far Gabriel was concerned. Often burdened with an overabundance of energy, he'd spent more than his fair share of time in gyms trying to burn it off and quiet his mind. It was dead in there though, considering the conscientious bustling that was still going on throughout the ship as crew and departments prepared for training sessions and departure.

It felt good to get out of uniform and into something a bit more comfortable from time to time. A good pair of work out shorts and a United Federation of Planets logo t-shirt was what Evans had on when he made it to the gym and of course a good pair of tennis-shoes. "It okay if I take this one" Chris asked and pointed to the treadmill next to the one a guy was using. There were others he could use but sometimes just having someone to work out with, even if you didn't speak much, was nice.

"Of course," Gabriel grinned to him, admittedly a little relieved to see someone else in the gym. It had been almost a touch spooky on his own in there. "Gabriel Stark, Security," he introduced himself, offering his hand awkwardly over considering he was moving, but he gave it a good go all the same.

Chris shook the moving hand as best he could before hopping on the piece of gym equipment and introducing himself "Chris Evans from the operations department."

"Operations?" Gabriel couldn't help but smile with surprise as he shook his head, settling back into a solid rhythm. "You look more like a security bod...I'd have put money on it!" he observed honestly, and maybe a little curiously.

Chris let out a little chuckle "no... operations is where I've always been" he paused for a second "security bod" he repeated. By this time he had made it to a pretty good pace on the exercise machine.

"A smart bod then," Gabriel laughed easily at his own mistake, shaking his head with it as he unconsciously started to match his speed. "What do you make of her? The ship I mean...I know nothing about the techy side of starships."

"Seems like a pretty well put together little ship" he smiled "from what I've seen so far." Evans increased his pace slightly on the treadmill "very well armed" he glanced over with a grin.

"Music to my ears," Gabriel grinned, shaking his head with a soft laugh, rolling his shoulder as he ran comfortably. "So where do you come from originally, Chris?"

“I was born aboard the USS Cabot” Chris chuckled “I’m a Starfleet brat I guess you could say.”

"Oh wow! A spacer through and through!" Gabriel looked to him with awe, trying to imagine what it must have been like to grow up as a kid on a starship. "It must have seemed like one big adventure...?"

"Yeah" he shrugged "I guess, but I kind of live for a good adventure" the Operations Officer admitted while cracking a smile.

"I...sort of fell into it by accident," Gabriel admitted with a slight shake of his head, slowing the tempo of his machine down a little. "But...it beats a boring life. Ever think of coming over to my side of the ship? Big adventures to be had in Security, and you look like you'd fit in well," he was only joking though. He knew that people who loved working with ships tend to stay in the field.

“Can’t say I have” Evans admitted with a smile. “It’s always been what interests me most and recently I’ve jumped on the command pathway, so there’s that.”

"Ah, so you're the guy I need to get in with to get the special treatment around here," Gabriel shook his head, chuckling gently as he wondered what it was like to have to wear both caps at the same time. "What...made you want to get involved with Command?" he asked lightly, but with genuine curiosity. He'd closed the door on being an officer years ago, having returned as enlisted. But sometimes...he wondered what he was missing.

“That one’s easy” Evans smirked “mom and dad are both Admirals. What about you and security?”

"It was kind of just what I did best," Gabriel admitted with a soft laugh, shaking his head. He wished he could say otherwise, that it was a vocation he'd been drawn to. But at the end of the day, as a physical, high-energy person, it was what he'd scored highest in. "Those are some...big footsteps for you to follow," he added with a glance his way...because he knew what that felt like.

“Yeah” there was a brief pause as he Chris thought about his parents “sometimes their expectations seemed a little overwhelming, but here we are” he laughed as he continued his workout.

Gabriel's smile weakened at that. Yeah, he knew that feeling alright. He slowed his machine, moving down to a light jog to start to wind down, steadying his breath with it. "Well it sounds like you're doing a great job. One foot in your dream job, the other in command. Best of both worlds. You'll have to tell me your secret some day."

"Not much of a secret" Evans replied honestly as he too slowed his machine. "Just a lot of hard work and dedication, I guess" he shrugged.

Gabriel gave a theatrical sigh, looking across to him with a mock disappointed look. "I had the horrible feeling you were going to say that..." he chuckled softly, the look changing to a gentle smile instead. "No, I know you're right. Some people are just...built for it," he motioned to Chris.

"I guess" Evans shrugged and gave a half smile.

"No guessing. An officer doesn't get as far as you have by accident," Gabriel said knowingly. He knew how easy it was to fall off the path to success. His time in officer training had been short and not so sweet. He was more than just a little lucky to have been given a second shot as enlisted. "So is the big dream commanding your own ship one day?"

“That’s the dream! That or teach at the Academy” Chris looked over and had a smile on his face “either one would be an honor.”

"Oh man, I have big respect for anyone who can teach," Gabriel replied honestly, laughing warmly at the memories of his time giving teachers and lecturers a hard time. "I know I wouldn't have it in me. I'd get so impatient."

“I could see why some folks wouldn’t want to take on the role and why you might get impatient” Chris laughed “well it’s about time I get a shower and back to duty.”

Gabriel nodded, slowing down so he could say a proper goodbye to the guy. He seemed like a genuinely easy going officer, and they could sometimes be hard to come by. "Don't work too hard, Chris...you've gotta leave something for us enlisted to do.." he teased, but ticked to fingers away from his head in a friendly salute.

“I’m sure we will run in to each other” Lieutenant Commander Evans smiled as he made his exit. He had just enough time for a shower and getting back in uniform. He had some reports to do and a few diagnostics to check on and decided he would do them on the bridge in case he was needed.

 

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