Point and Shoot

Posted on Thu Apr 4th, 2024 @ 8:31am by Teevs Dosivi & Commander Kyle Reece
Edited on on Thu Apr 4th, 2024 @ 8:43am

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Security Offices
Timeline: MD 7
1822 words - 3.6 OF Standard Post Measure

In the midst of all the mission planning, Teevs got a call from the security chief. Initially, he was worried he or Kerilia had done something wrong, but he got assurance that the call was for something else. If he was going on this mission with the others, Teevs needed to know how to shoot a weapon. Teevs knew his file sufficiently showed his experience, but maybe it was a sanity check because he wasn't in their ranks. Entering the security office, Teevs looked around for the security chief and, upon spotting him, approached. "Greetings, Mister Chief of Kyle."

Looking over at Teevs, Kyle nodded and grinned. "Be right with you, Teevs." He then finished speaking to his teammember. "Finish up those reports, have em on my desk by end of your shift tonight."

"Aye, Sir," the Bolian petty officer replied dutifully.

Kyle then turned and made his way to Teevs. "So," he began as he started to lead Teevs to the holosuite used for target practice. "I know, from the files you showed me, that you have some experience with firearms. However, I'd like to see for myself. Perhaps we could teach each other something."

The Lonian followed the security chief. "Yes, sir. I served in my planet’s military, and I kept myself protected while working as a trader." Teevs knew that Mister Kyle kept the weapons from the Spheia in a weapons locker somewhere, as part of the agreement to stay aboard. While confusing at first, it made sense why it was one of their rules. "I can show you how my devices work, in case you decide they are useful for the mission."

Kyle nodded. "That sounds like a good idea. Perhaps we could scan the devices and replicate more, so the away teams are equipped with local weaponry." They stopped by the small armory and Kyle input the codes to unlock it. Once done, he opened the door and stepped inside. "As you can see, the weapons you handed over are being safely stored."

"I appreciate your safekeeping, sir," Teevs responded, seeing his weapons safely stored. The handheld weapons from the Spheia were few, only enough for the ideal occupancy of the cargo ship, but they consisted of the smaller hand weapons, which almost resembled the Starfleet design with the addition of a sort of guard to protect the hand, and rifles, which were a little bulkier than the Starfleet design but were designed to sit comfortably in the user's hands. The weapons were blue and grey in color, with indicators to show how much energy they had left in them. "My people don't share the technology behind our weapons. We value the use of technology for bettering life, and sharing weapons technology goes against that belief. However, if we replicated the outside of the weapon so it could disguise yours, that would be an acceptable compromise."

Kyle nodded in agreement. "That is a sound policy, and I would never ask you to betray your people or government. Once we are done with target practice, perhaps we can work together to redesign our weapons to look as close to yours as possible?"

Teevs nodded both in agreement and in appreciation before he turned his head back to the locker. "That is a good plan. Now, is there one you wish to have me use first?"

Shrugging slightly, Kyle replied. "Your choice, though, as our near future may include close quarter combat, perhaps we start with those two pistols you brought aboard. I looks like one is a projectile weapon and the other is an energy weapon, like our phasers?"

"This one is a hybrid," Teevs said, reaching for his rifle. Upon closer inspection, there was a spot to load ammunition, at the back. Opening the strap, Teevs slid it over his head so the weapon would dangle across his body, pausing to give it an inspection. It's been years since he ever had to use this thing, but he kept it well maintained in case he ever needed it. "The energy part is reserved for, say, trying to break through a door, and the projectile part is for fighting. This is one of the older models, as projectile weapons are outdated, but it can still be useful. For close quarters, however, the smaller weapon might be better, but I can show you both."

Kyle nodded as he listened. "We have similar style ballistic weapons. They are one of the few offensive weapons that we have to use against the Borg." He led the way to the training room. "I hope you never have meet them in battle."

"I've heard several people now talk about this Borg species. Perhaps once this mission is over, you can enlighten me?" Entering the room after Kyle, Teevs put the rifle on a nearby table so he could get the hand weapon set up. It only took a few seconds to make sure the power setting was on low and remember how he liked to hold it. Turning to Kyle, he said, "I am ready when you are."

Kyle nodded as he replied. "I'd be glad to. Though, you may regret it afterwards," he finished with a dark chuckle. Then, he turned to the range controls. "I'll set up a single, unmoving target for you to start with. We will work up from there." He stepped aside as he continued. "At first, the exercise won't be timed. Ready?"

Teevs gave a nod as he watched the target appear. Just like his world's military training. Aiming his hand weapon, he briefly paused before firing, hitting the target with relative ease. The shot wasn't centered, resting about halfway between the center of the target and the outer edge, but given he generally didn't have to use weapons, it wasn't bad.

Kyle looked at the target, and nodded approvingly. "Pretty good. Now, let's increase the difficulty." He entered a few commands into the interface. "Now, there will be several stationary targets, from 50 meters, out to 200 meters. They will pop up in a random order, stay up for a short amount of time, then fall back down. You will have sixty seconds to shoot as many targets, knocking them down in the process, as you can. Ready?

"Ready." Adjusting the grip, Teevs looked for movement, his weapon lowered slightly but still ready to aim. There was a moment where nothing happened, then targets started appearing. The first one surprised him, which resulted in a miss, but he quickly caught on and started hitting the targets. Whether it was the capabilities of the weapon itself or Teevs' ability, more of the shorter range targets were successfully hit by the time the timer ran out. Glancing to Kyle, he asked, "how did I do, Mister Chief of Kyle?"

Grinning softly, Kyle replied. "Well, your distance shooting could use more practice, however, as you probably won't be encountering combat out in a field, it probably won't matter any. Your close range accuracy is enough that I will certify you to use your weapon on the ship, should the need arise." He typed in a few commands and the targets cycled away back to the single one. "Now, let's go again, this time with your rifle."

Teevs nodded, turning to where he had placed the larger weapon. While it made sense to practice both long and short range, Lonian training usually put an emphasis on one for a weapon. For the hand weapon, short range simply made sense. With the rifle now in hand, Teevs checked the settings. "I will keep it on the energy setting, unless you're ok with some holes in your targets," he said to Kyle with a slight smile.

Kyle smirked slightly. "Hole away, this room is designed to contain every form of small arms fire that the Federation is aware of."

Nodding with the answer, Teevs confirmed the settings on his rifle before lifting it toward the target area. He readied the weapon in his hands, a faint hum indicating a powering up sequence, as the next round began.

===

After a couple more rounds of target practice, Teevs' arm was getting tired from holding up the rifle, so he was glad when the last round ended. He let it hang off his shoulder from the strap, the business end pointing down, as he walked to the table to put it down. "I am surprised that my accuracy is at that level, given I've been out of my world's military for a long time."

Kyle was certainly impressed with Teevs skill. "While marksmanship is a skill that can expire, simple muscle memory, from using the weapon long enough, more than makes up for any missed shots." He quickly calculated the score, then nodded. "While your skill with you pistol is better, you do still make the grade to earn your shipboard certification. " He typed a few commands into his PADD, the looked back up. "You will now have limited access to the weapons's vault near our guest cabin. You can store your weapons there, to be drawn when you want to use the range, leave the ship, or if here's am emergency and the crew are alerted to battlestations." He pulled out the small datarod that was insertedi to the PADD and handed it over. "Keep this safe, it is your copy of your qualifications and certificate."

The Lonian accepted the device, inspecting it before putting it in his pocket. He was getting better with reading what he now knew was Federation Standard, but from what hre could identify on the PADD still looked like very blocky shapes to him. "Thank you, sir, I will."

Kyle nodded and grinned. "You're welcome." He took a breath and continued. "Now, unless you want to run the range again, why don't we close things up here?"

"Finishing here will suffice, I think, Mister Chief of Kyle. I don't wish to tire myself too much," Teevs answered with a smile of his own. "But I assume that I can always ask if I wish to practice more?"

Kyle nodded and gave Teevs a friendly grin. "Of course. Just send a request in to the security office, asking for the Arms Room NCO Petty Officer Beatris Warfield, and she will ensure that both your weapons and the training room are ready for you."

Teevs nodded at the information. "Thank you, sir." After dismissal, he grabbed his weapons and left for the locker Kyle had indicated. It had been a long time since he had used these weapons, and while thankful for muscle memory, it still sat funny in his stomach to use them. He only hoped he wouldn't have to use them, that this ship would provide ample protection.

===

Rifle (hand pistol looks similar in design):