A Swimming Conversation

Posted on Tue Aug 26th, 2025 @ 2:39am by Lieutenant JG Axel Heskin & Lieutenant Commander Amaya Capac

1,290 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Mission 8 - A Blast from the Past
Location: Swimming area in the Gym

Axel stood poised at the edge of the swimming pool looking towards the end of it beyond. It had been hectic dealing with that pollen situation, and Axel felt the need to do some relaxing. Well, something relaxing for him and that was to do some swimming. Nothing slow but the first part of his routine. Keeping up on his timing, he had won several swim meets and didn't want to be slack and let that edge disappear.

His hair was covered in a swim cap blue in color, the color reminding him of the blue waters of his homeland, He lowered his swim goggles to protect his eyes. His swim trunks were of the same color. He breathed in and out filling his lungs with air, a mental timer running, then beep. And Axel dove into the water slicing through it, using the speedy swim stroke Freestyle.

When he reached the other side, Axel curled himself to where his feet touched the side of the pool and shoved off back the way he came. His legs kicking and his arms propelling him forward. When he arrived at the starting point Axel whooped as he knew he had broken his own record. At least he surmised that he had. Next time he will set up a timer he can touch to record his time.

A few more laps end to end this time not at the speed he had done previously. Instead, it was the back stroke. Something slow and leisurely.

Maya walked into the pool room dressed in a one-piece swimming suit. She needed to do some laps and work her tired muscles. They'd been back on the ship for a couple of days, but she spent that time filling out reports and getting her head clear. Now it was time for her muscles.

She noticed one other person in the pool, but he was closer to the near side, so she went to the other side and lined up, watching the water hit the side of the pool. Then she lined up and dove in. Four laps would be a good start. Then she'd decide if she wanted to change things up.

Axel could feel the rippling effect of someone else entering the pool, he moved to the edge and supporting himself by holding onto the side he pulled up his goggles to have a look, resting his goggles upon his forehead. When the person drew sort of near, he greeted the woman.
"Hello."

When Amaya got to the end of the pool, she turned to the other swimmer. "Hi."

"This certainly is a rather lovely pool. I'm Axel Heskin, Chief Science Officer." Axel deciding to be polite and introduce himself.

"I'm Amaya. Maya Capac, the chief communications officer. Nice to meet you. Do you swim often?" Might as well get to know the new officer while they were both here.

"Yes, I do swim whenever I get the chance. It keeps me fit, and also a good stress relief. " Axel moving to take a seat upon the edge of the pool, his feet dangling in the water. "How about you? Do you swim often?"

"Not as often as I'd like, but I try to swim at least twice a week." She pulled herself out of the pool and sat on the side as well. "How long have you been aboard?"

"About two weeks or more, time seems to just flow together. I do love swimming though I don't think I would be allowed to have a kayak to use in the pool." Axel giving a bit of a smile. "That is something that I do love doing as well."

"Ah. I admit I was a little busy. If you didn't come onto the bridge, I didn't notice. Sorry." Still, she should have seen the report of his arrival. "No, I don't think you can kayak in a swimming pool. Wouldn't it need to be longer to even be worth it?" She chuckled. "Turning around when you're swimming is one thing. Can you imagine having to turn around in the pool? Especially if the lanes are roped off."

Axel chuckled, flashing a brilliant smile. "That is true but one can dream, right?" moving his feet to make the water slowly churn about. "I do love being in the water. And my parents have teased me about being part fish."

"Nothing wrong with that. On a starship it's the gym, the bowling alley, or the pool--unless you want to run laps in the corridor."

"I could go bowling sometime." Axel responded. "What do you like to do when not swimming?" he was liking this conversation as it progressed.

"I read." She smiled. "When I'm not on a ship, I like to hike and go dancing. But the exploring makes it worthwhile."

"Reading's good, and I do like outdoor activities." Axel paused as he looked out towards the swimming pool, watching the divider lines bounce up and down from the water's motion. "You're right, exploring the stars and finding what lies out there on the different planets is worthwhile seeing. New things to learn about the others in different areas." his eyes drifted back to Amaya, "so how fast can you swim?" flashing a slight smile.

"I don't know. I haven't really timed myself." She noted his smile. "But if you want to beat me, we can race."

"I am not out to do a race to beat someone in something, unless it is the Captain," Axel giving a grin. "I had challenged her to a race and she... likes to win no matter what , and isn't above making sure she wins."

Maya shrugged. "Yes. I can see that. I swim for fun and for exercise. I've never really considered it a competition."

"Then fun it is." Axel remarked, lowering his goggles back over his eyes. "Have you ever heard of Artistic Swimming or even synchronized swimming. It something not competitive but something fun to do."

"I've heard of it. Why?" she asked.

" Have you ever participated in something like that? " Axel knew it wasn't a usual question to ask someone, but he was curious.

"I haven't participated, but I've watched it." It was a lovely combination of swimming, gymnastics, and ballet and took a lot of training to do well. Maya was far more interested in other things.

Axel was feeling a bit awkward, of which he silently cursed at himself. Amaya was beautiful, he found her attractive, there was one thing that he had learned, there are times when a lady was seeing someone.

"Three more questions, if you don't mind. Do you know if anyone plays an instrument on the ship? 2. Do they perform? And the last question, , are you seeing someone? "

Well, that came out a bit awkward, Axel blushed when he asked that. The man l would rather know just in case, to avoid any trouble.

"I don't know if any of the crew plays instruments or if they perform, but I play the flute--mostly for myself. And yes, I'm seeing someone." She almost said sorry, but it was an honest question from someone who wanted to understand the social dynamics of a new place.

"You play the flute? I-I do as well." Axel's face lighting up, "Perhaps we can play together sometime? As fellow crew members?"

"Sure. We can do something in the mess, or somewhere public. Maybe that way we can learn if there are others." She got up. "But for now, I need to go. It was nice meeting you."

"It was lovely meeting you and thank you for the conversation. " Axel giving a warm smile.

She was nice, and honest. He appreciated that.

When she left, Axel went back to swimming.

 

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