Question of Links - (Part 2 of 3)

Posted on 06 Aug 2012 @ 10:34am by Lieutenant Theron Rhodes & Lieutenant Aria Rice & Lieutenant JG Kestra Orexil & Chief Warrant Officer 3 Marek Pawlak (KIA)
Edited on on 07 Aug 2012 @ 10:01am

2,515 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 01 - Project Sienna
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3, Security Office/Armory
Timeline: MD07 - 1945hrs

Security Office - 1945 hrs

ON - Part 2

As they stepped up to the small firing range inside the Armory, Aria nodded and took the phaser. She checked it, counting the tick boxes off in her head. She then looked at the target. It was something she was confident and good in. She wasn't strong. But she was fast and she had a good eye. She aimed the phaser and fired at the target, her eyes focused, her breathing even and the touch on the phaser steady...strong, yet not storng enough that when firing she would push the phaser down and go off target.

Kestra watched, studying the ensign's stance and accuracy. She pressed a couple buttons, activating the target to move. "Continue," she instructed calmly.

Aria watched the targets move, her eyes following it. Judging distance, projection and force, she anticipated the target's next movement and fired.

As the second phase ended and the range reverted to phase one, Kestra smiled. "Nicely done. Congratulations. You're re-certified. Fingerprints here," she held out her PADD for Aria to touch. "Then we'll get you a secured PADD."

She nodded, securing the phaser before doing anything else. She smiled as she pressed her fingertips to the PADD, meeting her eyes. "Thank you, Lieutenant," her eyes shown with warmth before she turned away, to double check the phaser before putting it away.

"Thank you, Ensign," she replied, took the phaser she'd just used, scanned it over the prints on the PADD, and handed it back to her. "We try to avoid using these on board, what with all the sensitive equipment about, but I trust you'll use your discretion. On your person or in your lock box. Here," she scanned the wall and drew a holster from a hook. "This should fit you. Now the PADD is a direct link to the main security office. You'll have limited access to the console's data, unless otherwise authorized. The PADD will be linked to your prints so you, and only you, will be able to access it. Wipe the screen clean after every use, same goes for every print entry keypad."

"Yes Lieutenant..." she smiled gently and took the holster, putting it on. "I prefer keeping the phaser on my person, if that is permitted. Always secured, and on lowest stun by default..."

Kestra nodded. "On your person or in your lockbox," she said again. "Regulations force me to remind you to make sure you lock it away in your off-shifts if you plan on drinking. It's common-sense, but it needs to be said for protocol. Now, your com badge. I assume you've programmed it to receive the ship wide announcements. You also need to include channel Ten Alpha for Security personnel only. Are you familiar with the Security com badge codes?"

"Yes Lieutenant...very familiar," she said and nodded, her eyes warm as she took a breath. She looked up as she saw the Security ensign from the shuttle. She wished she remembered his name...but because they had met she greeted him with a warm smile. "Hello there..."

"Ensign Rhodes, welcome. Come in." She looked past him to Marek, who'd opened the Armory door for him. Thank you.

Ens. Theron Rhodes entered the armory and nodded acknowledgement to the Lieutenant.

Marek nodded, waited until Rhodes was inside, and then shut the door behind him.

"We were just going over Security com badge codes. You're familiar with them?"

"Yes, of course." was Theron's simple reply, as he stopped before them standing straight yet relaxed.

"Excellent," Kestra murmured. "I was telling Ensign Rice that we run our com badges on two channels - the main line for bridge and full crew announcements and Ten Alpha for Security business only," she explained as she unlocked the locker again and withdrew another Type II phaser, handing it to Theron and pointing him to the small holographic firing range. "Still shots first," she instructed him.

Theron accepted the weapon and looked it over quickly for functionability, then turned to the range. He took in the positioning with a view taking one step to the left as he did. He raised the phaser half way and fired at each target with a hit. When he was competed he looked down at the phaser again to check it once more, then looked at Lt. Orexil.

She nodded to him and initiated the moving target phase. "You have a lockbox in your quarters, Ensign, or do you need one installed?" she asked. At least, now that the both of them were here, she would only need to do one debriefing.

"I believe that one will need to be installed," Rhodes replied. He then turned to the taget range for the 2nd test, this time with his free hand griping the wrist of his firing hand. He paused a second to watch the movement to see if there was any pattern in their flight. Ens. Rhodes fired at the first two striking them down. The third target made a quick reverse and missed. He went directly onto the other targets shifting his weight at times. He finished up the exercise taking out the remaining targets. Again he looked at the weapon first to check for its functioning capacity, and then turned to Lt. Orexil and confirmed completion with a nod.

She watched his progress with a pleased expression. "Congratulations, Ensign Rhodes, you, too, are now re-certified for the Galileo. I'll tell you what I just explained to Ensign Rice. We try to avoid using phasers on board, due to all the sensitive equipment about, but I trust you'll both use your discretion. The phaser is to remain on your person or secured in your lock box at all times." She held out her PADD. "Fingerprints here. I'll register the phaser to you and the biopattern should allow you and only you to use it. However, there are many ways to falsify a bioscanner read, so remember to wipe your phaser and the secured PADD I'm about to assign you carefully after every use."

Theron reached up and touched the PADD. He understood the protocol. "I understand." He stated at a matter of acceptance, then asked. "What will we need to do prior to leaving Starbase 152 ?"

Kestra considered him for a long moment. "You're doing it," she said quietly, then fetched a holster for the phaser and a secured PADD, began the bioscanner transfer, and handed both to him. She appreciated an eager attitude, but she needed him in the present right now, not in the future. That was the difference between Security and Tactical duties and it was one that often took officers who covered both elements some time to adjust to. "As for anything more detailed, that is what this evening is about, Ensigns. Showing me what you can do so I know how to best use you. Hand to hand technique demonstrations," she announced, with a nod, and led the way from the Armory. "You'll notice, Ensign Rhodes, that only Assistant Chief Pawlak and I have access to the Armory. If you need anything, you'll need to come to either him or me. You'll also need to contact operations and get a secured lockbox installed in your quarters today. Any questions, either of you, so far?"

"No, Lieutenant," Aria smiled warmly as she looked at her, rocking on her heels. "It's pretty nifty though. And I mean, I love a bit of hand to hand action. Just...don't expect me to tackle you," she looked at Rhodes, her eyes shining. "Because you would crush me."

"No, Lieutenant," Theron replied. Then to Aria squinting slightly in thought, "I have no doubt Ens. Rice that you would move quickly and subdue me, before you allowed me to fall onto you." He ended with a big grin on his face.

Kestra smiled quietly to herself as they exchanged mild verbal sparring. She liked to see her department getting along; it made all the team-building work much simpler. She led them into the turbo lift and then took them up to the empty observation lounge and spread her hands. "I'd like you each to spar with each other, and then individually against me. This is for assessment purposes only; you don't need to impress me. Just focus on your skills."

"Sure thing," Aria smiled as she looked over at Theron, arching an eyebrow. He would so totally kick her backside. She would make it hard for him to catch her though. She smiled and looked down. "Will do my best."

Theron gave the Lieutenant a nod and then his eyes shifted to Rice. Without a word he stepped back slowly to provide room to move and brought up his arms in a defensive posture with his hand partially closed. With a nod to Aria and a bit of jab in his voice, "Ladies first." As he continued to move his feet slowly in a pattern taught him many years ago.

Aria looked at him with surprise, before frowning. "I..." she hadn't expected it to do happen right away. She took a breath and moved, slowly, her eyes on him, her body tense with her nervousness. She moved forward suddenly, kicking, aiming it at his side. Her arms automatically came up to block in case he went for her.

Theron brought up arm and leg blocks and continued his defensive posture. He knew to always understand your opponent, but he knew the lieutenant expected some action from the two of them. He quickly side stepped and brought a sweeping strike with the back of his right hand. It was easily blocked, but he took the advantage and grabbed her arm and struck her side with his left fist, and returned to a defensive posture.

Aria's breath hitched at the hit and she pulled away, gasping. God, he had a hard hit. She took a breath and shifted, moving quickly, her arms up in a boxing stance. She had to let go but it was difficult. He was strong, and tall...and she wasn't sure her speed would do any good here.

Theron felt a little bad. He had not intended to strike so hard. He meant to just tap her. 'She may have leaned into it.' he thought. But this was no time for appologies. This time he stepped forward, lunging and bring up the heel of his rear hand striker her straight on, but she was too fast for him.

Aria moved quickly, almost bending to the side. She moved her hand quickly and tapped the base of his throat...not enough to hurt, but to let him know she could have struck there hard. She danced away, her eyes warm.

Theron went to even a more defensive posture, recovering from the strike to his neck. He realized that she could have hit harder and really hurt him. He gave an acknowledging nod to her, hoping she would understand that he accepted the strike and angered. After a moment he returned to a more agressive posture. He considered a combination with a sweep of her legs, but didnt want to be that aggressive in this situation. He did notice that she did tend to step with her left and leave herself open sometime. He'd have to mention that to her later. But for now, he again stepped forward with a defensive punch and block.

She deflected the punch, but he deflected hers with the block. She smiled warmly as she moved back, slowly. "We done dancing?" she asked, watching him rather than her Chief. In truth, she was quite happy with how this was going. He was good. He was a good man to have watching your back.

After a few more minutes of sparring, each having the opportunity to attach and defend and to test the other's skills, Theron finally grabbed Aria's arm and using her own momentum, pulled her and spun her around, leaving her wrapped in his arms in a very strong hug, face to face.

Theron looked at her with a blank expression as sweat dripped from his face.

Aria breathed hard as she watched him, swallowing as she had to stand on her tip toes. "I..." she blushed and looked over at Kestra. "Can we call it a draw?" she asked before looking back at Theron, taking a deeper breath. "Gosh, you are a strong grip..."

Theron grinned broadly, not taking his eyes off her, and relaxed his grip releasing her, and said, "It was a very enjoyable spar. We should do it again."

Aria swallowed hard, taking a breath as she blushed and pulled back. Gosh, he had a strong grip. "Yeah...but I should be allowed weapons, you're....very well built!"

Then, realizing his place, he took a step back from Aria and turned to the Chief. "She is very good." Breathing as he spoke. He glanced at Aria again and then back to the Lieutenant, "She will be able to hold her own in battle." he said still breathing hard.

"I'm glad to hear you think so," Orexil murmured. The sparring match had been very illuminating on several levels. Not only that, but it had given them an opportunity to earn each there's respect as officers. And she now had a much better idea he to use each of them. "Get a drink of water, both of you, and take a moment to breathe."

Rhodes gave an affirmative nod and walked toward a wall where a small table had bottles of water. As he walked he began to breath and clear his mind. He had learned from a Vulcan friend a few years ago about focusing the mind. He was still working on it. Picking up a bottle and draining half of it, as he saw Aria out of the corner of his eye approaching.

Aria smiled warmly as she moved to him, taking a bottle and pressing it against her face. "Hey..." she smiled warmly, searching his fae. "Thanks for the lesson. It felt like a lesson," she said softly and looked down. "You are very very strong. I mean, seriously...wow."

"Thanks." Theron responded, "And you are welcome. My joy is not in winning as much as it is in learning about my opponent." He then drained the remainder of the bottle, and finished with an, "Ahhh."

The Chief watched them fondly. A great deal of effort was reserved for maintaining her mental shields, but she could see easily that they would more willingly work together now than they might have before. As much as she hoped that hand-to-hand combat would not enter into their work any time soon, there was something about sparring that always pulled a team together. Respect and understanding.


[OFF] . . . to be continued


LTJG Kestra Orexil
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

Ens. Theron Rhodes
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

Ens. Aria Rice
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

Master Warrant Officer Marek Pawlak
Asst. Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Rhodes
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

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