The Phaser Trials - Reluctant to Try

Posted on Sat May 10th, 2025 @ 4:53pm by Lieutenant Xavier & Lieutenant Endymion Tox & Lieutenant Commander Anahera Chernova

1,175 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct
Location: USS Ontario - Holodeck 2

ON:

Xavier stared at the screen. "No. That is not possible." He shook his head checking his personal file again. "How is that possible that my phaser qualifications are not up to date?" He asked the empty room. He sighed. He didn't need this. He really didn't. He hated those things and last time he'd barley passed.

Xavier would have delayed it but the Chief of Security here was on the ball. It appeared that, as KERBEROS, often said the ship and everyone aboard had already had their Wheaties. He sighed. He had no choice. It was the last hurtle until he had to jump through.

Taking a deep breath a brilliant idea came to him. He quickly sent word to the counselor he had to cancel because of his Phaser requalification. It was therapy or phasers...Phasers it was. He headed out to meet the Security Chief at the holodeck.

Anahera had been notified that Lieutenant Xavier was onboard and that his Phaser qualifications. She now stood on holodeck 2 awaiting his arrival.

"Computer, activate holoprogram 'Phaser-Quails-Chernova-Alpha-3." She said.

The yellow and black check pattern vanished replaced by a phaser range and a table with both type-2 and type-3 phasers.

Check her chronometer, she found that she had 6 minutes before Xavier's test, grabbing a type-3 phaser rifle, she closed her eyes and began to dismantle it.

Xavier arrived two minutes before he was due, it would have been earlier but he had to hide in a broom closet to avoid the counselor whom he'd cancelled on. This was going to be interesting. Maybe tomorrow he'd spend the day on the station avoiding her. Today, however, he had to finish these tests. He sighed and took a deep breath slamming his Vulcan mask down before he entered.

"Thank you for being punctual, Lieutenant." Anahera said, her eyes now open and phaser rifle reassembled. "Welcome aboard."

"Thank you," Xavier gave a slight bow of his head. "I have to confess I am...not a fan of those things." He indicated the phasers.

"Me neither." Anahera said. "So, impersonal. I prefer a blade, its much more intermit." She added a smile crossing her features. "Still, Starfleet wants all active personnel to be proficient with them, so here we are."

"If you like, I can give you a few minutes to prepare yourself, but bear in mind, if your phaser qualifications aren't up to date, after today, I can't clear you for duty." Anahera sighed. "Which will be a pity, as I hear, you're a natural born flier, and I'd hate to rob you of the freedom and excitement of experiencing what you were born to do."

He sighed. "I barley passed the last time. I...prefer hand to hand combat. As you say more personal. I believe the last Tact/Sec officer said that I would be lucky to hit the broad side of a barn..."

"Luckily we seldom have to fight barns." Anahera said. "But, seriously, if you don't pass first time, I'll teach you."

He sighed. "Very well I shall attempt it..." He looked over. "What do I need to score to pass?"

"You need to score over 60% total." Anahera said. "There are two levels, first stationary targets and second is moving targets."

"I....shall do my best." He picked up a phaser holding it by two fingers as if it stank. "Before I am forced to use this is there an alternative to this? I will wash floors."

"No, but I think the Captain will appreciate if you wash the floors as well." Anahera said. "Also, it works better, if you don't hold it like a three day old fish."

The door hissed open as Lieutenant Endymion Tox walked in. "Hello all. Am I late for the phaser qualifiers? Chief Nurse reporting for duty." Endymion smiled his most charming smile. He looked over at Xavier. "We meet again."

Xavier held back a sneer.

"Lieutenant Tox, you are 30 minutes early." Anahera said. "Please take a seat." The Security Chief clicked her fingers and a chair appeared beside the man.

Tox smiled. "Sure thing." He observed Xavier. "You know that phaser won't bite you flyboy."

Xavier turned. "Yes thank you Mr. Tox." He sighed and took a better hold of the phaser. "Do I get any practice shots?" He turned to the Sec Chief.

"Yes, you get 5 shots that don't count towards your score, it let's me observe your form and perhaps give you some pointers before the real test." Anahera said. "Ready?" She asked.

He gave a nod. He stood with his legs shoulder length apart and held up the phaser firing. The beam went wide hitting the wall and eliciting the sound of failure.

Anahera watched Xavier's progress, her expression impassive.

Xavier turned to the Tact Officer. "Any tips?"

"You can use your non firing arm to steady your aim." Anahera said demonstrating by placing her left arm over her right.

Xavier took her advice and his second shot was a lot closer actually hitting the target. "I see. That was helpful."

Tox grinned he noted how frustrated the Lieutenant was. "Hey Fly boy. I hope you're a better pilot then you are at handling a phaser."

Xavier's lip twitched in frustration. He fired off a couple more shots this time hitting the targets dead on.

"That a boy!"

"Good shooting, Lieutenant." Anahera said.

Tox smiled. It seemed that the Fly Boy worked well when under stress. He watched as the practice ended and the test was about to start. He also noted that Xavier's hand was shaking a bit. "Don't choke Fly Boy!"

Xavier sighed and turned around. "Do you ever stop talking?"

Tox smiled. "Not for long. Come on then the CO has to know if she needs a new pilot."

Xavier flushed green. "Start the test Commander." He said to Chernova

"Computer, begin phaser trial part one." Anahera said.

Seconds later the first target appeared.

The first part was fine enough. The targets were stationary. There was no bobbing and weaving and by the end of it he was sure he passed that portion. It was when round two came that he barely passed or so he thought. He wasn't sure yet and waited for the Commander to tally his score.

Anahera walked over to Xavier. "Congratulations, Lieutenant, you passed. I know you dislike phasers, but I'd like you to do some practice in your off hours, and I'd like to perform a review in three months." Anahera said.

Xavier sighed. "Yes...I shall try and practice."

Tox smiled walking up. "There is no try Flyboy. You have a long way to go."

Xavier pressed his lips together. "Commander Chernova do you mind if I leave now?"

"Of course not, Lieutenant." Anahera said. "Dismissed."

Xavier sent a glare towards Tox thanked the Tact/Sec Chief and headed out. He needed a breather. Why did that damned nurse get under his skin so much.

OFF:

==========

Lieutenant Commander Anahera Chernova
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Ontario

&

Lieutenant Xavier
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ontario

 

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