Target Practice (Backpost)

Posted on 07 Jun 2019 @ 8:33am by Lieutenant Junior Grade Steven Bernard, Ph.D. & Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Isabella Kelly
Edited on on 07 Jun 2019 @ 8:39am

Mission: Hahai i na pilikua nui - Hunting Monsters
Location: Rifle Range One
Timeline: 2 hours after "The New Oficer"

Bernard had found the rifle range. "Computer, open Rifle Range One." The doors opened and he was surprised to find a shockingly beautiful blonde woman in the range already. He checked the pips on her collar: this was, indeed, the Senior Chief. He tried to change his expression from whatever it was to a controlled smile. He offered his hand, "Good Morning, Senior Chief. I am ENS Bernard."

As Isabella had finished her round, she turned to face the sound of the opening door, as she turned to face the young man, she said, "welcome Ensign, what pray tell Can I do for you?" as she put the weapon down on the table next to her, as she hadn't heard of any transfers since she had opted to come here to do some training.

The black and white man looked down at his hand and figured that the Senior Chief didn't shake hands. He let it drop to his side. "This is a very interesting ship. Very few people I assumed should know I have been sent here know anything about me. Lt. Stevens sent me here to get my rifle scores. I assumed he would have told you that you would have to run my scores, or at least witness them. He told me to meet you here and that I would be working with you in future because I am the knew TAO. Shall I start shooting? Are their any special rules I should be aware of?"

"Just one," replied Isabella as she looked back at Bernard, she continued,"Consentrate on what you are doing," as she kept her gaze upon the Officer, she finished, "and also you will be tested on both Pistol and rifle today," as she knew that she had been expecting him, and that she didn't want him to know that.

Bernard nodded. "Of Course," he said. He lifted a phaser rifle from the table and angled himself down range. "I am ready to start the phase of fire."

"Ensign, first we will do the test with the Pistol," replied Isabella as she walked over taking the rifle from him and putting it back on the table, she said, " you will have 1 minute to hit as many targets as you can," as she handed him the New type 3 Pistol "as all crew will be assessed on this new variant," she continued looking at the new tactical officer.

The black and white man wondered if this was a joke or mental test of some sort: according to the Starfleet Database, there was no type 3 phaser pistol in standard use. What he had in his hand was special, different. The Senior Chief seemed to be studying him "I assume this phaser powers on the same way as the type 2, Senior Chief? I f not, how does it?"

"This weapon has a stronger beam and longer range than the type 2" replied Isabella she looked back at the officer in front of her, she continued," The stun setting is a lot harder than on the type 2 as well," she finished," now Ensign, Please begin the test,"

Bernard powered on the phaser, feeling that Kelly was being evasive. Five disk-type targets appeared, much further away than in his earlier tests, moving and closing distance with him. He tried to swallow his nervousness, This is not a standard test! a voice in his head said, She is trying to fail you! She's going to screw you up and you'll end up on a shuttle to some training wheels station! He took a knee as the targets started to move. He dropped to one knee and squeezed the trigger as if it was a type 2 phaser. Three of the five targets discolored and broke apart. He exhaled, relieved and destroyed the next two targets.

Then, the deck of a Borg ship: many levels, long distance in certain areas, and close quarters as well. "Gott," he said. You're going to have to change phaser frequencies to down them--on a new phaser? You are boned. the voice said. The first Borg appeared before he could jump behind cover. He tried the first frequency by just firing. The Borg was down. He feverishly tapped sequences that would change the frequency on a type 2 and jumped behind a terminal of some sort. More Borg appeared. The phaser had no effect. He tried the sequence again and fired: one borg fell. The other did not. He was sweating now. How long can you hold up? the voice said, She could do this for hours. "Shut up," he whispered. He fired wildly, forgetting about scores and just focusing on killing as many Borg as he possibly could. One materialized behind him, it grabbed his shoulder. He spun and smashed its humanoid eye with the butt of his pistol and fired into the hole. The Borg fell. This went on until he was dripping with sweat. His knuckles bled from punching a few more Borg. When he thought he would succumb, the scene changed to a desert place. Jemhadar were charging from the horizon.

He did not ask Kelly what he should do: he holstered the pistol and took the rifle from the table. He looked through the scope and fired, not willing to meet any of them up close. He took a few strong steps forward. I am what you fear, he thought to the Jemhadar, I am the predator here, and you are what I eat. He was much better with a rifle than the pistol: no wild shots, just death. Finally, the holodeck cleared. His trigger finger hurt. His uniform was soaked through. This had been too much. He didn't care about his score anymore. He wanted to punch Kelly in the face. He wanted to just walk out. Instead, He turned: "Will that be all, Senior Chief?" He asked.

"Yes for now," replied Isabella as she looked back at him, she continued speaking "You will be notified weather you have passed or failed," as she had noticed that Bernard had holstered the pistol, she finished, "and can you please leave the pistol behind Ensign,"

Bernard shook his head, heart still pounding. He had forgotten he still had the weapon. He reached down for it, and took it from his waist. He looked down at it and found that he didn't want to leave it. It would keep him safe. He closed his eyes. It's just the holodeck. You're on a new ship. You are safe. he told himself. Put down the phaser. He swallowed, slammed the augmented phaser onto the table and exited the holodeck. He needed a sonic shower. And a dry uniform.

OFF

Bernard, Steven J., ENS SF,
TAO

Senior chief Isabella Kelly
Master At arms