[For lt_singh]

[nyota_uhura24]

Uhura was fond of the gym. It was the perfect way to eliminate unnecessary stress, and while there were more enjoyable ways to entertain herself, she needed the exercise. The fact that Lieutenant Sanjay Singh frequented the gym at this time of day was only an added bonus. She still wasn't sure if he could be useful to her, but she did know that he was after Scotty's position, which made him at the very least intriguing. And unlike some of the fools who'd coveted the Chief Engineer's position, he actually had the potential to be successful. And given recent events... Her face darkened and she ran faster on the treadmill, knowing that if she ran fast enough she'd be able to drive some of the anger from her limbs. Later she would find someone to help her deal with the rest of it, but for now she ran, keeping a wary eye on the door.

Comments

[lt-singh.livejournal.com]

His shift had ended, and he was frustrated. Frustrated at his subordinates screwing up a simple order that could've caused one of the reactors to malfunction. Really, could anyone follow orders these days? Pathetic. Sometimes he wondered how these people ended up on the fleet's top ship.

I'm tired of losing engineers, Mr. Singh. You can't run this engine by yourself, so I suggest you control your anger and your subordinates.

The Chief Engineer's voice echoed in his head as he entered the gym, looking for where to start his work out routine. Spotting a woman he had noticed had been spending some time with Scott, he decided to try to weights first. There was something about the way she was looking at him that made his frown deepen for a brief moment.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

Speak of the devil. Her lips twisted in a smirk when she saw him. He was practically radiating annoyance and defensiveness, which could certainly be troublesome. But she enjoyed poking and prodding to discover what made others tick. Getting into a fight wasn't really on her agenda for the evening, but something about the set of his shoulders made her wonder just how far she could push him.

But that wasn't the point of lying in wait for him. She had no intentions of taking decisive action against Scotty herself, but if she could find someone else to do so, she would do what she could to help them. Gradually she slowed the treadmill to a stop and stretched for a few moments before sauntering over to the weights to start lifting. "Lieutenant Singh," she said congenially.

[lt-singh.livejournal.com]

He looked over, flat affect unwavering. "Lieutenant Uhura."

There weren't too many rumors out about her, not that he chose to listen to any in the first place. Her position was on the bridge, a communications officer if he remembered correctly, but it did strike him as strange to find her occasionally hanging around the engine room which was no where she needed to be.

A weight was lifted, and his focus changed else where. Sanjay didn't do 'small talk'.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

Uhura tried to keep rumors about her to a bare minimum, knowing that it was safer on the Enterprise to fly under the radar. It was easier to manipulate from a position of anonymity. Thus his rather dismissive greeting was completely expected, if a little unfortunate. An indirect approach might not be very effective, but she could tell a lot about him through simple observation.

She was silent for a moment, doing bicep curls, and then asked amiably, "Scotty treating you all right?"

[lt-singh.livejournal.com]

"As fair as anyone else."

She must has motives - but who didn't on this ship? Or perhaps she was one of the many ship's whores. He smiled inwardly at the thought briefly, then noticed she was increasing the weight being used.

"Sure you can handle that? Such a small frame..." Maybe this was a display of power, or maybe she'll struggle and snap in half for his entertainment. Serves her right for thinking she could fit in with the engineering crew. Women don't belong there.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

"Glad to hear it," she replied, not at all surprised that he was concealing his animosity for the Chief Engineer. It would be foolish of him to do otherwise. "He can be a bit of a pain," she added flippantly.

His comment when she switched weights made her arch an amused eyebrow. "Thanks for your concern, but I can handle it just fine." And she could. She was significantly smaller than him and definitely not as strong, but she was stronger than she looked. The heavier weight was difficult, as it should be, but completely manageable.

She knew she'd never be a match for many of the ship's men in terms of physical strength, which was why she focused chiefly on speed and her knife skills.

[lt-singh.livejournal.com]

Ok that comment wasn't expected. Sanjay paused, put up the weights, and gave her his full attention. "What business do you have in the engineering department?" He stood in front of her, arms crossed in front of his chest.

Perhaps he should've phrased that, 'what business do you have with me?' since that much was obvious in his mind. Or maybe it was poor judgment. He would never admit to paranoia; that was reserved for the Chief Engineer finding out about his plans to overthrow him.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

She chuckled a little at the question. "Sure you're not being a little paranoid, Lieutenant? I was just asking after your professional welfare." She wasn't, obviously, but taunting a little was in her nature. Besides, for security purposes such conversations should always be couched in other terms.

Setting the weight down and picking up one that's even heavier - probably the heaviest she should be lifting with - she added, "Though if you must know, my business in Engineering is doing everything I can to piss off our dear Chief Engineer." That wasn't the whole story, but Uhura had no problem with half truths. Or lies, for that matter.

[lt-singh.livejournal.com]

He sneered, "Paranoia isn't in my nature. I'm not accustomed to having someone inquiring about my well-being, not someone whom I wouldn't consider an acquaintance of mine." He would've said friends, but those that he considered a 'friend' was someone he termed an 'ally', and he wasn't willing to dish out that much about himself. Really, the last time he truly had a friend was before he joined the federation, and that was a very long time ago. Events and time changed people.

"Pissing him off, eh? Seems a bit much coming from someone outside of engineering. Or are you working under the Captain." He didn't know how things worked up in the bridge, and frankly he didn't care. All he cared about was controlling his subordinates and making sure his ship remained ranked at the top of the fleet.

super slow tag is slow, sorry :( The muse wasn't cooperating.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

The choice of words wasn't lost on her, and she nearly laughed at the term acquaintance. Clearly he wasn't much for having friends. "I was just being friendly," she replied airily, continuing with her weight-lifting as if their conversation was of no consequence, even though she was carefully watching him for a reaction.

"Who I'm working under is none of your concern," she added flippantly, smirking a little to herself. "But what should be your concern is the rumors going around about you. Especially if they reach the ears of a certain Chief Engineer."