Target Practice
"
By: Samantha Carter, Security Officer, [RNPC]
Melissa Jarvis, Chief Security Officer, [RNPC]
Stardate: 58204.28 0830
Melissa entered the holodeck, it's familiar black and yellow grid filling the room. She had finally managed to have her first decent nights sleep since the assassination attempt that nearly took her life while she was stationed at QulTuq. That Ambrosia that Miranda gave her was something. She made a mental note to gets some of it if the Zion ever were to visit Pacifica.
Melissa called up the standard target practice program and started out at the easiest setting. The black and yellow grids shimmered and into a bland grey colour. On the floor were four coloured circles. She stood in the blue circle and waited for her first target. When the blue target came she destroyed it with ease and then patiently waited for the next one to slowly appear. She could have easily bumped up the setting to a more advanced level but did not do so. It was her believe that good Security officers were patient, especially when using a weapon.
The next target and was easily dispatched. This continued several more times as the intensity level increased. Soon there were multiple targets coming faster and faster. Melissa was concentrating so much that she did not notice that someone had entered the holodeck and took up a position in the red circle.
Sam drew her phaser and waited until the program gave her a target. There it was to the left, Sam fired, the target was destroyed. Suddenly another one appeared straight above her, again she fired, and the target dissolved.
Melissa noticed the addition of red targets now. This made the simulation even harder because it would count against her if she hit a target that was not hers. Melissa carefully anticipated where the next targets would come from. Taking aim she hit two of them and missed one. Melissa glanced to her left to see that Sam Carter had joined her.
"Hello Lieutenant," said Melissa as she took aim at 4 more targets.
"Hello Chief, Sam said. You mind if I join in?" Sam's eyes darted around the holodeck, there 4 targets, exhaling she managed to hit 3 of them, the other moved with great speed up and down. Only her eyes moved following the target and then to the right again, Sam hit the last one.
Melissa was in such a good mood today nothing, not even Sam Carter was going to ruin it. "Be my guest," replied Melissa as she took out more targets.
Quietly Sam took aim at yet another 5 targets. The speed was even more increased by the program and only by careful anticipation and aim she managed to hit them.
Then the program changed a little the circles in which they stand changed color causing them to jump and shoot a the similar target. It was great for hand and eye coordination but it racked havoc on their stamina.
Melissa rolled with the change in the program and began following her circle around the room taking out the targets as they appeared and moving onto the next mark. Her heart began pounding and her breaths came quicker as the simulation increased in intensity. She was sure she would be tired and sore later but for right now the exertion felt good.
Sam jumped to her next red circle taking out one of the targets. It barely gave her time enough to adjust as the circle moved to another position. Sweat appeared at the back of her neck, her leg muscles ached and her ands became slippery. Faster and faster the circles and targets moved, when all over sudden a target began firing back. A weak phaser blast arched Sam, narrowly missing her left ear.
" Hey a warning would be appreciated," Sam muttered as the smell of singed hair reached her nose. The speed had decreased a little but now they had to worry about not getting hit. Although the settings were low, they hurt anyway. A target appeared at the left corner if fired and only because Sam ducked it missed. Aiming she vaporized the target. The targets took random firing frequencies. It was now a matter of team work instead of individual practice.
"Duck,” Sam yelled at Melissa, as suddenly 2 targets fired simultaneously. “Perhaps it is better when we put our backs together and we cover each other," she said a bit out of breath.
Melissa managed to avoid the two shots thanks to Sam's warning, she nodded at Sam and worked her way towards her. They were now one a very advanced level of this program. Melissa dodged several blasts as she tried to reach Carter.
Sam rolled on her back as one of the targets fired, luckily Melissa counteracted by destroying the target. Slowly but surely Sam reached Melissa taking careful aim at the targets. This level of the program was something she had never reached before. Finally she managed to reach Melissa and standing together back to back they counter acted the blasts, taking out the various targets.
"Excuse me chief, Sam said out of breath. How many levels does this program have?" Sam's eyes darted back and forth trying to find out when the next phaser blast would come.
Breathing hard but still smiling Melissa said , "Not sure. I have never quite pushed it this far before." Another shot buzzed by her head. "This is insane." The two of them worked together but with multiple targets firing faster and faster it was not long before they were feeling the sting of several shots. The computer beeped and the targets faded. The room was quiet.
Melissa sat down on the floor to catch her breath. The computer rattled out efficiency percentages and offered an assessment of their abilities. Melissa did not even listen. "Well, that was fun," she said.
Sam chuckled as she leant against the wall, breathing heavily. "It surely was and I bet a plate macaroni and cheese that we both will be very sore tomorrow. "Besides nothing can beat a haircut made by phaser fire."
Melissa managed a laugh, "Ah, but it felt good. A good way to get rid of pent up aggressions. I will pass on the macaroni and cheese though."
"It surely did. That reminds me to stay out of your way if you get aggressive. Mind if I ask you something Ma ám, Sam said with a small smile. You are a pretty good shooter, where did you learn it?"
"My father was an avid collector of weapons. He was fascinated by them." Melissa smiled. "I have had a weapon of one kind or another in my hand since was a very little girl."
"Really, that sounds really interesting. Then you should talk to Ms Northrop, I believe that she has some old antique phasers in her possession. No wonder that you have a good aim. You must have practised with weapons on a daily basis then."
"I have had a fair amount."
"Have you ever thought off collecting old weapons yourself. I mean in our line of duty we do come across various types.”
Melissa chuckled, "I tend to collect weapons that I might have an occasion to need." Melissa smiled, "I have trained under a klingon while in the Academy so I am partial to Klingon weapons." Still sitting on the floor Melissa looked at Sam, "How about you? I have not met a Security or Intel officer who did not have a favorite weapon."
Sam smiled as she crossed her legs, "I have a fondness for knives, all kinds. My favorite one is a porcelain fractal edged one. Its a weapon of terror and its swift and silent. Furthermore I like the Klingon bathleth. Not that much exiting as guns though."
"The batleth is truly a warriors weapon," Melissa agreed as she stood up. "Well I better get ready for my shift. Can you possible cover bridge duty for me this morning. I need to have a discussion with a certain Ferengi."
"Sure, Chief." Sam said as she too got up.
"Thank you Sam."
Sam tilted her head a little. She was surprised this was the first time Melissa called her by her first name. Things were looking up.