1st Annual 64th Lasers Marine Battalion Boxing Tourney. Pt#1

Posted on Mon Jul 27th, 2026 @ 9:07am by Captain Cassandra Matthews & 1st Lieutenant Melody Hawthorn
Edited on on Mon Jul 27th, 2026 @ 9:14am

1,061 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Mission 01 Shakedown Cruise
Location: Marine Country -Main Training Holodeck
Timeline: 0500-

ON:




Cassandra stepped into the Marine barracks and made her way toward the section assigned to Alpha Squad. The morning was quiet, the usual sounds of off-duty Marines drifting through the corridor. It was the start of what would become the 64th Battalion's first annual boxing tournament.

None of them knew it yet.

And none of them had been given a choice.

Participation was mandatory.

She tapped her combadge.

"Alpha Squad, fall into the passageway in front of your quarters. General Quarters uniform. Move."

Her voice echoed through the compartment before the channel clicked closed. She had personally arranged the duty schedules to ensure every member of the squad would be present. There would be no excuses and no late arrivals.

Cassandra took up position at the end of the corridor and waited.

One by one the doors slid open.

Marines filtered out in small groups, some talking quietly, others exchanging puzzled looks as they took their place along the bulkhead. Over the next several minutes the line steadily grew until every member of Alpha Squad stood assembled, four to a room, dressed in their camouflage utilities.

Satisfied everyone was present, Cassandra slowly walked the length of the formation.

It wasn't an inspection.

She wasn't checking uniforms or looking for faults.

She simply met each Marine's eyes as she passed, reading expressions, gauging curiosity, anticipation, and the occasional hint of concern.

Reaching the front once more, she turned.

"You all follow me, please."

Without another word she pivoted and headed into the corridor. Behind her came the familiar cadence of synchronized boots as Alpha Squad instinctively fell in. She never bothered to look back. She knew they were there.
The trip through the ship was short, ending outside one of the Marine training holodecks.

The doors parted.

Inside, the holodeck had already transformed into a professional boxing arena.

A regulation ring occupied the center of the room beneath bright overhead lights. Rows of spectator seating surrounded it on every side, broken only by the main entrance aisle. A clear perimeter extended several feet around the ring, providing space for officials and unobstructed viewing. A referee stood patiently in the center, while sets of regulation gloves rested on stools in two of the ring's corners, awaiting the first competitors.
Cassandra stepped aside, allowing the squad to file in before turning to face them.

"Welcome to the first annual 64th Battalion Boxing Tournament."

She let the announcement settle over the room.

"As Alpha Squad, you have the honor of opening this year's competition."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of her mouth before she continued.

"Here's how this is going to work. Every bout consists of up to three rounds, each lasting two minutes. If neither competitor is knocked out or the match stopped by the referee, the decision will go to the judges."

She gestured toward a raised observation box overlooking the ring.

The once-empty booth now housed five unfamiliar individuals, each seated with a datapad already in hand.

Their expressions were calm, professional, almost detached as they waited for the matches to begin.

"Those five judges will score every fight. Their decision is final."

Her eyes swept across the formation.

"Matchups will be drawn completely at random. When your name is called, you'll step into the ring, glove up, and when the bell rings..." She paused just long enough for the silence to settle. "...you fight."

There was no drama in her voice.

Only certainty.

"The tournament continues until only one Marine remains undefeated. That Marine will earn the title of Alpha Squad Champion and advance to represent the Vanguard during the Battalion Championship Tournament."

She clasped her hands behind her back.

"Fight hard. Fight smart. Protect yourselves and respect your opponent. Once the bell rings, you're competitors.
Once the match ends, you're Marines again."

Her gaze moved across every face in the room.

"Any questions?"

A young Private raises a hand.

"Ma'am... are we at least allowed to know who we're
fighting before we get punched in the face?"

A ripple of chuckles ran down the line.

Cassandra didn't smile.

"You'll know about thirty seconds before the bell rings. Adaptability is part of being a Marine."


One of the Corporals spoke next.

"Weight classes, ma'am?"

"There aren't any."

A few eyebrows shot upward.

"Out there, the enemy doesn't care how much you weigh. Neither do I."

Another Marine smirked.

"Permission to volunteer to fight Sergeant Rowan first?"

Laughter spread a little louder this time.

"Denied."

Cassandra folded her arms

"If fate decides Sergeant Rowan is your first opponent,
consider it a learning experience."

Even Rowan couldn't quite hide a grin.

A Lance Corporal called from the middle of the formation.

"What if somebody gets knocked out?"

"The Corps has an excellent medical department."

A beat.

"They've been informed to expect visitors."

That one earned genuine laughter.

Even Cassandra allowed the ghost of a smile before returning to business.

One of the veterans raised an eyebrow.

"So... bragging rights?"

"Temporary."

She looked around the room.

"The bruises will probably last longer."

Another voice came from the back.

"Can we tap out?"

"You can."

She paused just long enough.

"Your opponent doesn't have to let you forget it."

The room erupted with knowing laughs.

A Staff Sergeant crossed his arms.

"Permission to ask what this is really about, ma'am?"

Cassandra nodded once.

"This isn't about boxing."

Silence settled over the room.

If they expected anything more, then they were going to be disappointed for now.

She looked around the formation.

"Today we'll see what you're made of. That's all you need to know."

Finally, one of the Marines shrugged.

"What happens if we beat you, ma'am?"

Several heads immediately turned toward the unfortunate Marine.

Cassandra's expression remained perfectly neutral.

"You'll have to survive long enough for that to become a concern."

The room burst into laughter.

She let it run for exactly three seconds.

Then—

"Good."

Her voice cut through the room like a blade.

"Since there are no more questions..."

She tapped the control panel mounted beside the ring.

A holographic tournament bracket sprang to life overhead, names still hidden behind glowing placeholders.

"Let's find out who's fighting first."

The room instantly went quiet.

Every Marine's eyes lifted to the bracket as the first names began to cycle.



Opening Round
Bout One
PFC Daniel Mercer
vs.
Private Lucas Reed



OFF:

 

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