Sometimes A Horse Must First Be Broken, To Reach Its Full Potential

Posted on Thu Mar 6th, 2025 @ 8:18pm by Major Samantha Snyder & Colonel Jason "Jack" Frost

1,592 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Let That Be Your Last
Location: Marine Gym.

Jack had caught wind of the recent events. While the discussions were conducted with a level of respect, there was still chatter, and Captain Sean had taken the initiative to file a private report to keep the incident off the official records. Jack understood the reasoning behind it; Sam was an exceptional marine and a capable leader, and having this incident tarnish her record wouldn’t be ideal. However, nothing on this ship remained a secret for long, especially with the Admiral, a Caitian, who had a knack for hearing everything.

Since his relationship with Bianca began, which he considered profound and significant, she had revealed a new dimension of Sam that Jack hadn’t anticipated. In many ways, Sam mirrored him; before Acacia entered the picture, Jack was a staunch marine, fully committed to the life and the creed of duty. It was amusing how love could disrupt even the most disciplined of lives.

=^= Computer, where can I find Major Snyder? =^=

The computer responded that she was in the Gym, located in Barracks Section C.

Jack knew he had to take action. He had spent enough time with Sam to understand how she would react when cornered, even if she had constructed that corner herself. He recognized that marines had a different mindset; it was part of the job. Rising from his desk, he made his way out of the office and down the corridor leading to the Gym.

Upon arrival, he found Sam engaged in a sparring session. The holographic program was a favourite among Jack and many marines, serving as a means to release pent-up frustrations. The heavy bag, swinging from a chain, was taking the brunt of Sam's relentless strikes.

"I prefer my own company," Sam said, pausing to catch her breath after an intense workout.

"The best part of being the Colonel is that I can do whatever I want," Jack replied as he approached the area where Sam was training. She was fired up, which was great, but her energy lacked direction and needed focus. "I heard about what happened."

Sweat dripped from Sam's brow, and her chest rose and fell rapidly as she maintained her stance against the punching bag. "I don't want to discuss it." She hadn't left the Barracks since that night.

"I understand, but you can't just pretend it didn't happen," Jack said, stepping into her line of sight.

"I'm not pretending," Sam shot back, frustration bubbling over at her friend's insistence after everything that had transpired.
"Go ahead and deceive yourself if you need to, but don’t try it with me," Jack countered. "Computer, initiate simulation FrostJ3 Alpha."

Sam's eyes widened as the bag disappeared, replaced by a boxing ring. "This is not what I need right now," she snapped, irritation evident in her voice.

Jack shrugged off his tunic, draping it over the top rope, and began putting on gloves. He tossed her some protective headgear. "You might want to put this on."

"I'm not participating in this," Sam said, turning to slip between the ropes.

Jack's voice rang out, authoritative and firm. "Major, you have two options for getting out of here: you can either face what you just went through with me, or I drag your piss poor blonde dye job out of here by your split ends.” He understood the unspoken rules when it came to women, especially regarding their appearance. Criticizing a woman's hair was a risky move, and while he knew Sam's natural blonde locks were usually bright and lively, they certainly weren't at their best right now.

As Sam bent to slip between the ropes, she paused, taken aback by his words. Did he really just say that? The shock hit her hard, not because he was addressing her as a marine or a Major, but as a woman. She stepped back into the ring, confronting him. "What did you just say?"

"Exactly what you heard," Jack replied, his tone unwavering.

"You better hope that doctor of yours is close by because you’re going to need her soon," Sam shot back kicking the headgear out of the way, her voice crackling with intensity. She raised her gloved hands, ready to engage. He had provoked her, and she was determined to make him regret it.

“I wouldn’t normally hit girls.” Jack provoked. “I’ll make an exception just for you though.”

“I’m not a girl, I’m a grown woman that’s..”

“Better start acting like one then Princess.” Jack cut her off.

The ensuing fight was a fierce exchange of blows, a chaotic mix of offense and defence. They both landed hits, but Sam was feeling the effects of her earlier workout. Though she was more agile, Jack's strength was undeniable, and his punches landed with a painful impact. As the match wore on, she found herself pinned against the ropes more often, struggling to avoid the corners.

Jack noticed her fatigue but continued to press. "So, why are you hiding?" he repeated his earlier question.

"I'm not hiding," Sam retorted, throwing a right hook that missed its mark. Exhaustion was creeping in, and she let her guard slip just enough for Jack to land a blow just above her stomach, nearly knocking the breath out of her.

Jack stepped closer to Sam, his voice low and intense. "I told you not to lie to me. One more time, and you’re going down." He was aware of his upper hand, but he needed Sam to confront her actions. "You haven’t left this place since it happened, and you haven’t even checked on her. You put her in this situation, so you need to do more than just deny it."

Sam recognized Jack's strategy, and it infuriated her. He was forcing her to confront her mistakes, and it was on his terms. In the world of marines, the stakes were high, and this was just another tough hand she had to play—and it was a losing one. "It was an accident," she replied defensively, trying to evade Jack as she circled around him. "I never intended for it to happen."

"But it did happen, and here you are, moping around while Bianca is in Sickbay recovering from the beating you dealt her." Jack threw a punch that Sam managed to block, but the impact still pushed her gloves back into her face. "You had something good with Bianca. I saw real change in you outside of being a marine; she was a positive influence. So why would you throw it all away like this?" Jack aimed to help Sam see beyond the incident and recognize what was holding her back.

Sam remained silent, unable to respond. She didn’t know how to answer that question. She had truly messed up, and she feared she might never see Bianca again or she’d even stay on the ship. "I..." Before she could finish, a blow caught her off guard, sending her crashing to the floor, struggling for breath. The fight had left her; she was defeated. Jack had forced her to confront her inner demons, and she hadn’t emerged victorious. Perhaps that was the intention all along—making her face the consequences of her actions in a way that only a marine could understand, putting her in the same painful position as Bianca.

Exhausted and defeated, Sam crumbled, questioning her actions. The impact of the situation weighed heavier than any blow Jack had delivered. Wolfe offered a gentle hand, but Jack wasn’t one to sugarcoat things. Sometimes, the harsh truth was the first step toward clarity, no matter how painful it was to acknowledge. "I've lost her," Sam choked out, tears streaming down her face.

"You will if you stay hidden down here, doing nothing and hoping it all just fades away," Jack said, kneeling beside her. He genuinely hoped Bianca wouldn’t pull away, though he understood if she did. A hit like that was not something easily brushed off.

"I love her," Sam admitted, using one of her gloves to wipe her tears. "And I’ve caused her so much pain."

Jack couldn’t help but respect the courage it took for her to confess that. He knew her feelings for Bianca ran deep, but to vocalize it was a significant step. "Then I suggest you get off the floor, take a shower, change your clothes, and make yourself look as stunning as when she first laid eyes on you. Go see her and start mending things."

With determination, Sam pulled herself up using the ropes. "I was in my uniform when she first saw me."

"Not the uniform, for heaven's sake," Jack replied, giving her space to regain her composure.

Sam nodded, acknowledging that, despite her reluctance, he was right. She made her way back to the ropes with him, fully aware of what she needed to do.

"By the way, I didn’t mean what I said about your hair, the blonde is great." Jack added, lifting one of the ropes for her to slip through.

Summoning her remaining strength, Sam threw one last punch aimed at his stomach, followed by a choice curse word, before stepping out of the ring.

Jack knew he deserved that one but he did what he needed to do, she wouldn’t face it herself so he made her face it in a way a marine would understand. He may not have enjoyed it, but it had to be done to snap her out of things.

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