Weapon Certification
Posted on Sat Apr 13th, 2024 @ 5:18am by
Edited on on Sat Apr 13th, 2024 @ 5:25am
1,438 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Opening Moves
Location: Phaser Range
Timeline: MD021 - 1400
[Deck 14 - Phaser Range]
Daegon and his staff had been either recertifying or conducting other weapons training all day. What with the ship heading into an unstable area he wanted to make sure every member of the crew knew how to not only handle both type 1 and 2 hand phasers as well the type 3 phaser rifles, but could actually hit their targets as well.
As the day had progressed most were proficient enough to pass with only a small hand full needing to schedule additional training. No one had actually failed basic marksmanship qualifications, but he was holding everyone to a higher standard. Their had even been a few cocky members of the crew that he had noted, planning to put them in a simulation to test the skills they claimed to have. He was even contemplating lowering the holodeck safeties so they would get more that just a little sting from any hits they might...would be taking.
Checking his padd he saw that the ships CMO was next on his list of victims and he stepped closer to the group waiting and called her name. "Lieutenant Hart?"
"That would be me." Charlie stepped forward, tying her hair back. "Please to meet you, Lieutenant Baas. I'd hoped we'd be introduced when you stopped in for your physical, but I imagine we've all been busy." She winked to show she was just teasing. "I guess that puts me in your hands first."
He smirked a bit. "Yeah I have been meaning to stop by sickbay, but after the dinner with the Captain and XO I wanted to work their handywork out of my system. But you have my word I will be stopping by. Now..." looking at his padd, "...says here you have been adequately proficient with both hand phaser types, but no so much with the rifle. Let's start there."
Charlie nodded, and collected the Type III from the options arrayed before her. She checked the safety before ensuring the power pack was charged and installed. Lifting the rifle she assumed the collapsed low ready position and waited for her next instruction.
Nodding approvingly, "I'll start you off easy." Tapping the padd a series of stationary targets, at various elevation and distance, appeared in her lane.
The doctor assumed a kneeling position, sighted her targets, and began to fire. Her first shot missed entirely, and she swore under her breath and took a moment to get over it before continuing. She was able to hit each of the other other targets on the first try before returning to the one she'd initially attempted. Second time was the charm.
Happy, but not entirely pleased with her performance, she stood and assumed low ready this time. "Next?" she prompted.
"Ok let's mix things up a bit." Removing the current set of target he gave he a bit of a warning. "Next will be a series of targets at varying elevation and distance. You can take as many shots as needed but you will be timed. Get ready..." at the end of her lane a countdown began, 5...4...3...2...1....
Standing this time, Charlie took aim and started firing, fighting the urge to just blast away since he'd mentioned the timing component. No, she told herself, don't rush, stay focused, shoot surgically. This time she only managed 75% on the first try, but she was ultimately able to manage them all. She returned to low ready and looked at Baas inquisitively - she had no idea if her time had been good or not.
"Okay... I see where you are making your mistakes. Take your standing position."
The doctor did as instructed, eager to learn.
Moving to her side he reached up putting his hand under her support hand and move the rifle. When you are moving from target to target you are standing ridged and only moving the rifle. When you do that you head has to move and you have to realign your site picture with every target. Instead rotate at the waist bend at the midback or shoulder, keeping your head in the same position on the rifle stock. Your trigger arm, head, and support arm should move as one, like all three are fused to the rifle. Observe."
Taking her rifle he took position at the firing line. "Computer rerun the last sequence."
The same countdown displayed. 5...4...3...2...1... One after another a target appeared, was hit, and followed by another; all 10 targets in under 5 seconds.
"That was so hot. Uh, I mean... uh...." Charlie stammered before getting over herself. "Whatever, it was hot." Empty handed, she assumed the firing position and practiced keeping her head and arms fused while emulating the rotations she'd seen him perform. Reclaiming her rifle, she exchanged places and restarted the exercise.
5,4,3,2,1... First target, hit. Second, hit. On third, her arms moved before her head and she missed, but recovered and nailed it the second try. Hit. Hit. Hit. She'd managed all 10 in 15 seconds.
Smirking at the comment he watched her do her dry run before returning to the firing line. He stood back silently as the doc reset the the sequence on her own and popped of one target after another. "Outstanding! Keep both eyes open and you will find and zero your target faster. Pretty soon you'll be giving me and my teams a run for their money."
Charlie grinned. "Challenge accepted, Lieutenant. I've got a bit of a competitive streak. Computer, rerun last sequence." She wanted to put his advice into practice and forced both eyes open as the countdown repeated. This time she hit all of the targets in 14 seconds. She'd only shaved one second off of her previous attempt, but she'd hit every one the first time.
"Excellent!! Okay, moving on to the hand phasers. Pick whichever type you prefer and let me know when you are ready. These will be moving targets this time." As she selected her hand phaser and readied herself he set the program and, with a smirk, increased the difficulty....but only slightly.
Raising a Type II, Charlie started the countdown. Within moments, she realized she'd allowed her success with the rifle to go to her head, as she missed the first two targets and only barely grazed the third. Despite this realization, she was rattled, and her aim suffered. When she managed the last target, her time was 27 seconds. Her shoulders slumped and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
He smiled knowingly. "Got cocky didn't ya? Well it's not entirely your fault. I did increase the difficulty a little bit."
She raised an eyebrow, but he was right. She'd gotten cocky. "Fair enough. Keep the difficulty, let's try again." The program reset, and Charlie cleared her mind. Breathing evenly through the countdown, she focused and prepared to take aim. This time she missed the fifth target once, but not on the second attempt. All 10 in 13 seconds.
She turned triumphantly to Baas. "So, did I pass?"
He made a show of contemplation, as if he was mulling over a difficult decision. "Wellllll... I suppose I can let it slide. This time. I do want you to get in some additional practice. With the unrest along the Cardassian boarder I want every to be ready should things go bad."
"I understand. I've been considering updating everyone's first aid training, for just that reason. Speaking of..." her mood lifted from somber but stayed serious. "I do hope I'll see you in sickbay soon. I've never served with a joined Trill before. I've been doing my reading, but I'd really like to get some of my own scans on file, along with a proper exam. I stopped counting, but on every ship I've ever served, the Chief of Security has always been my most frequent patient."
"Really? I've always thought we were supposed to be the ones putting people in sickbay." Rubbing his chin with mock puzzlement, "Maybe I've been doing this wrong...or they were?"
"Maybe!" she concurred with mock surprise. "I suppose time will tell. Unless there's anything else, I should get back to sickbay." She clasped her hands behind her back while politely waiting to be dismissed.
He chuckled a bit annotating her scoring and certification. With a humored grin he smiled and nodded. "Well you passed and can return to your medical torture chamber...and I will be sure to come armed for my physical."
"Oh, don't be nervous, Lieutenant, I won't be strapping you down," Charlie assured as she walked away. "Not on your first visit, anyway..."
Lt. Daegan Baas
Chief of Security
and
Lt. Charlie Hart
Chief Medical Officer
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