Weapons proficiency time

Posted on Wed Apr 12th, 2023 @ 10:29am by Lieutenant Magnus Volsung & Lieutenant JG Summer Wyse

1,048 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: The devil wears tripolymer
Location: Crew firing range

As much as Summer had always hated having to learn weapons training, it was a necessary part of Starfleet training. Having received notification that it was time for her weapons proficiency test, she made her way to the firing range ready for her test.

Magnus looked up as he saw her enter, giving her an easy smile. "Lieutenant Wyse," he said, holding the PADD up. "Looks like you are mine for the next hour. Don't worry, it is all in all not a bad experience...just some targets and us."

Summer nodded and offered a nervous smile. “That’s what worries me, you’ll easily spot any mistakes I make.”

"It's part of the test. I am not expecting perfection, just for you to do well enough to stay alive," he admitted with a friendly smile.

Walking up to the table with the choice of weapons she started with the easy one, a normal hand held phaser. Picking it up she checked the power cell making sure it was charged and ready, she had chosen a purposely left uncharged phaser before now. “Fully charged and in operating condition” she offered a more confident smile. “I’m ready when you are Lieutenant.”

He nodded as he watched her, stepping back before he motioned to the targets. He approved with her approach, what she had chosen and how she had checked it. "We will start with stationary targets. In your own time," he said, watching her.

Summer nodded. This was the part where she normally ended up with tips on her stance. Remembering the last lesson she had on the range she adjusted her stance accordingly and aimed at the targets. She just hoped she did well with her first set, it took several tries at the Academy to get it right.

He watched her, smiling at the stance. She was also a decent shot, although..."Try and relax. I know that is easier said than done, but if you relax it means your aim doesn't waver when you fire. You got good sights and your stance is good."

“Relax, right” Summer nodded. Relaxing her breathing and her body the way she taught those who came to see her, she repositioned slightly and took aim again. Firing she smiled as she hit exactly where she was aiming. “That’s amazing!”

"You got it," he said and marked it on the PADD, nodding. "Stationary targets can be harder than moving ones, actually. Because you take so much time to focus. There's a reason snipers were...a real thing, and not something anyone could do."

Summer nodded as she paused for a moment. “To be honest it was always the moving ones I struggled with at the Academy. Getting a good shot on a moving target was never easy. So what’s next?”

"Moving targets..." he said with a small chuckle. "Sorry. But I got a good...trip..." he said and went to a console to get the moving targets going. There were two and they were moving at the speed of an average humanoid. "You want to aim a little bit in front of the direction they're going. Truth is, most times you have to fire a phaser, someone will be standing still."

Summer watched the targets, taking onboard what Magnus had said about aiming a little bit in front of them she did just that. She cursed as she missed the first, cheering up a little as she managed to hit the second.

"There you go...keep that up," he encouraged as he watched her, smiling before he looked down at the result. "You are doing well, trust me."

Summer smiled at the encouragement. “So you’re telling me you’re not going to give me an opponent who shoots back? They did that once at the academy, to give us a feel for the real thing. I can still remember how terrifying that felt.”

"Did you get yourself stunned as well?" he asked, with a sudden grin. "Because it's standard training at the Academy for Security. At least once per term, you end up stunned...and it does smart."

“Ouch!” Summer shook her head. “Glad I’m not with Security then!” She took aim and fired at her next opponent. “How did I do that time?”

"Better," Magnus said before he chuckled, shaking his head. "Although you're getting distracted by our conversation. But you've passed the requirements, if that was what you were worried about."

“Phew!” Summer nodded. “I wasn’t sure if I’d pass or not. I do appreciate your advice though, I will remember it.”

"I was never in any doubt," Magnus said and signed his authorisation for her to carry a phaser. Just a recertification, standard, but he let her look at the score. "Well within passing. You've always done better than you believe, at least that is in my experience."

Summer grinned. “I appreciate that I really do! Not that I like having to carry a phaser anyway. I only use it when I really have to.”

"And that is what this is for. Giving you the confidence to pick it up when you have to," Magnus said with a firm nod, but he was grinning like a schoolboy in response to her smile. "You can have my back any day, Wyse."

Summer smiled the biggest smile yet. “Thank you Magnus! I’d be honoured.”

He chuckled and nodded, sending the results through before he tucked the PADD under his arm. "So all you have to do now is to secure your weapons and put them away."

“Right away Sir!” Summer grinned as she set about the task at hand, it didn’t take her long to secure and tidy away. “All weapons secured, and tidy.”

"Very well," Magnus chuckled as he nodded, having observed her do it. He wasn't going to be a mean grump about it, and make her show him. He had eyes to see. "Well, I can only release you from this session then. You've done well."

“Thank you Magnus” Summer smiled warmly. “You put me at ease, I appreciate it.”

Magnus met her eyes, giving a small nod. "That's part of my job too," he said, but it was a playful retort to the counsellor more than anything else.

 

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