Mat Day (D2 EM Gym Open)

[John Slaktare]

Even numbered day. Time for sparring. He was currently doing some boxing heavy bag drills. The upcoming recon mission and his promotion later. He also had to run some sims with Winkey and Spider. Probably get started on his initial inventory of the armory.

The thoughts swirled as he did a jab, cross, uppercut combo on autopilot.

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Another day another work out. Alek walked into the gym black on black gym shorts and OA tank top with the company symbol in white. Alek smiled seeing the other mech warrior and dropped his bag to the side.

"Butcher! Keeping sharp I see!" His loud voice carried through the gym to the man working the heavy bag

[John Slaktare]

The sound of his name drew him out of his mind suddenly. But the muscle memory and routine was ingrained enough to continue despite his surprise.

"Hi," is the simple response, since he didn't catch Aleksandr's whole greeting.

He threw another three combos then took a break, grabbing some water.

"You doing good?"

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek took a deep breath and nodded "A great day of getting set up yesterday and today some recon. Things are starting off on the right foot!"

He said moving to a mat and starting to stretch and warm up his limbs "and what of you friend? Whispers say you're in line for a promotion. Very exciting eh?"

[John Slaktare]

"Yeah. Gettin' recommended for Gunnery Sergeant. Going to check on it in a few hours."

Butcher takes another swig and sets his bottle aside. He steps back up to the heavy bag and starts another drill, a left and right dodge followed by a straight. But he does the drill at a slow enough pace to keep conversational.

"We wanna arrange the sims for the day after tomorrow?"

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek smiles wide "This is good. You are great soldier, a bit prickly of a person but hardworking. Good that you are getting recognition." Alek had moved to some light exercises push ups and sit ups quick body weight things to get the muscles working.

"So planning to beat on the bag? Or want something that hits back?" He joked as he stood bouncing from one foot to the other.

[John Slaktare]

Butcher threw another combo and then stopped. He nodded to Alek. "Always better to get some real practice in. Boxing or mixed?"

[Aleksandr Korolov]

"Mixed. Boxing is for money, enemies wont stick to their fists." He replied as he did a jump tucking his knees up to his chest. He was certainly pretty agile and flexible for such a large man.

He moved to his bag and grabbed a pair of thinly padded gloves putting them on "Wouldn't do to break my hand on that hard ass head of yours." He said with a chuckle

[John Slaktare]

Already wearing his gloves, John leads the way to a spot on the open mat where they can spar.

"You don't have to worry about that. Can't hurt your hand if you can't hit with it."

He holds a fist out to tap with Alek.

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek laughed a full rich laugh "Ah Butcher your confidence is emboldening as always!" He said tapping gloves and dropping into a stance. A fierce light in his eyes, a fire.

[John Slaktare]

Stepping back into a wrestling stance, he crouches slightly as he moves his shoulder into Aleks hip while hooking a knee to go for a quick takedown and finish to the first round.

D2 EM, Spar with Alek, Round 1, Contested Martial Arts: 6d10o10k3 29

[Aleksandr Korolov]

John got him good and while he was smaller than Alek he was just as good of a fighter. The big Lyran resisted for a few moments getting to a partial sprawl but Butcher had been too fast and Alek couldn't get full extension so he collapsed.

"Ha! Good one friend!" He said as he stood up and dropped into a stance. This time he went offensive looking to land a combo and finish with a leg sweep.

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D2 em spar Martial arts roll: 6d10o10k3 22

D2 em spar Martial arts roll: 6d10o10k3 32

[John Slaktare]

Butcher blocks part of the combo, but is caught by the sweep, giving Alek credit.

"Your point."

But rather than making his way to his feet he tries to hook the bigger mans leg from the ground to bring him down to the floor again.

D2 EM, Spar with Alek, Round 2: 6d10o10k3 24

D2 EM, Spar with Alek, Round 3: 6d10o10k3 22

[Aleksandr Korolov]

A smart move, and it nearly worked but instead of falling Alek was able to catch one of John's legs and turn it into a leg hold. We're it a real fight he could try and snap it instantly but instead Alek just applied slow pressure and held.

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D2 spar opposed Martial arts: 6d10o10k3 25

[John Slaktare]

John just tapped the mat. "Your point."

He doesn't seem upset by losing the round. As he eventually moves to recover, just ready to keep going.

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek had a grin on his face as he fought, mech combat was fun but there was something more satisfying about doing it in person hand to hand.

He tried to feint and move in for the kill, trying to finish the match out.

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D2 spar opposed Martial arts: 6d10o10k3 22

(Sorry would have posted this with the last roll but misremembered we agreed on first to 3 not best of three )

[John Slaktare]

The feint worked and John went down. He enjoyed hand to hand combat as well. It was a great way to settle differences or get in some good cardio.

"Your match," John says with a nod from the mat. "Good one."

D2 EM, Spar with Alek, Round 4: 6d10o10k3 17

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek clapped his hands together as he landed the blow "Good match!" He declared with the excited smile still on his lips.

He reached down offering John a hand up "you almost had me there a couple times. You are good practice partner!"

[John Slaktare]

John accepts the hand up.

"You too. Feels like we're pretty close in experience. Where'd you learn?"

He brushes himself off and stretches a bit to loosen up the spots where he took a bump.

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek nodded and grabbed a water bottle spraying a bit into his mouth "ya, my dad taught me some when I was a kid he was a military man just taught me the basics. Rest I learned on my own on Solaris. Mostly known for the Mech fights but some still enjoy just watching two men go at it fist to fist."

"What about you?" He asked and offered the bottle