Hot-Iron

Posted on 09/16/2021 @ 10:56am by Lieutenant Kaylee Serra

1,378 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: The Mirror’s Edge
Location: firing range

It wasn't often that Lyras experienced anxiety, at least not at this level. However today, as he stepped into the weapons firing range, he couldn't help but feel extremely nervous. He didn't like ranged weapons, especially energy weapons but he was required to at least know how to handle one, in case of emergency.

He didn't like this requirement, even though he was exempted from having to actually carry a phaser. After all he had his dagger, which he had shown excellent skill with. "Lieutenant?" he called out as he approached his instructor.

Kaylee was checking on the phasers, making sure they were fully charged or sent in for repairs. Kaylee was just on the last one when she heard Lyras, turning around giving a smile. "Hi Lyras, glad you could make it. How are you doing?"

"A little anxious," the young doctor admitted as he approached, "I am here for my training, as is required." He cast the displayed weapons a nervous glance before looking back up at the security officer. "I wish I did not have to..." He picked up one of the phasers, but held it as though it were a hot-iron, as if it might burn him. "These are so different from the ones I knew," he added.

Kaylee nodded, "Very true, from what you had told me about the time frame you came from they have become different. And don't worry its not going to bite. All we need to do is get you into basic qualifications and then you will be fine for the full year."

"And then go through the whole circus again," the Vulcan answered unhappily, "I barely passed in the time I came from. I have never felt comfortable using a phaser." He paused, examining the weapon for a moment. "This feels utterly weird to me, it does not even resemble a weapon."

Kaylee nodded, "I can actually understand that feeling. This one is an itty bitty thing compared to when you were in Star Fleet. I actually have shot with the phasers you are more familiar with. That one is a Type 2 phaser." Kaylee walking over to where an example was placed "And then there is the type three phaser." gesturing towards the one which looked like a rifle." she looked at Lyras." But you don't have to qualify for that one. Only this." nodding towards the smaller one. This one is the Type 1 phaser meant to carry inconspicuously when you need to go on a diplomatic mission and away missions."

Lyras just looked on, feeling utterly uncomfortable. "I still do not understand why I am required to qualify, when I am fully capable of defending myself with just my knife. I really do not want to be able to shoot anyone... I can only imagine the pain it causes."

"Because at times you really want to keep things at a distance instead of them being up close and personal. Always the best thing to do, up close you'd be hurt or dead too quickly." Kaylee stated.

"In any event I would be hurting someone else," Lyras countered, "even if I use my knife." He paused, still feeling very ill at ease. "Which one is easier to use?"

Kaylee picked up the smaller one, which fit easily in the palm of the hand. "This one and you can actually have it set on stun including heavy stun. Better to knock them out instead of killing them. It is something that I highly recommend to you. I feel it is better to be hit by stun than be hit by something that will injure you or kill you." Kaylee stated.

Lyras nodded slowly, picking up the smaller one as well. "Have you ever been stunned?" he asked as he examined the small weapon, still treating it as though it might burn him even though he knew it wouldn't.

'I've been stunned on several occasions. Not a pleasant sensation, to be quite frank about it." Kaylee replied. "Plus, I think it added some curl to my hair." making a slight joke as well, as she smoothed her hair, giving a grin.

Surprise flickering across his young features, Lyras tilted his head a fraction as he studied her, one eyebrow raised. "It does that?" he queried, not catching the joke. "I have never been stunned."

Kaylee shook her head, "No it doesn't really do that, that was just a joke. Now as for being stunned do you want to experience it? I can do that and will put it on the low setting. "

A joke, right... Of course.. How hadn't he caught that? Lyras started a soft chuckle which ended in a gulp for air at her suggestion. "Uhm.." Did he want to? No, not really but he was here to learn wasn't he? And he did need to know what a phaser could do and what it inflicted, so what started as a shake of his head, ended in a slow nod for permission. "What do I need to do?" he asked, somewhat anxious at the very idea.

"First off, I will need to make a point of entering this in the records. " Kaylee doing so, "and then we will need to go over here to where you will fall on something soft." leading the way to where there were mats. "I am not looking forward to doing this though. However, this is part of training." Kaylee having set the phaser to its lowest stun setting, waiting for Lyras to be set then she'd fire, but not at point blank.

Lyras nodded, he did understand the need for this to be logged. "I am not looking forward to it either," he admitted as he stepped onto the mats, unconsciously steeling himself against what was to come. He turned to face her, his face a barely controlled mask of anxiety.

Kaylee took in a breath then let it out slowly, then fired the phaser at Lyras, watching as his body hit the mats. She remembered what it was like for her, she felt her neurons be scrambled and hitting the floor. And when she 'came to' it was like being hit with a hangover and not having had anything to drink. She went and got some water and was by Lyras' side kneeling down by him, waiting for him to come out of the stun.

He had steeled himself as he saw the beam shoot towards him and he couldn't help the grunt that escaped him when he felt his muscles spasm before all feeling evaporated. He didn't even feel hitting the mat, he was unconscious well before that happened. He didn't stay such for long however, because after a few minutes he stirred and opened his eyes. "Ow," he murmured, bringing a shaking hand up to his chest even as he tried to sit up. "Let us...not do that again... this was the lowest setting?" Lyras closed his eyes for a moment, feeling very disoriented.

"Yes that was the lowest setting, I won't do the heavy stun setting that really is worse than this. and I would rather have a medical personnel involved to be quite honest. You don't have to worry about that." Once she was certain Lyras was okay, she rose to her feet and held her hand out to him, as an offer to help him up.

Steeling himself, he accepted the hand up. "Perhaps...we need to discontinue," he whispered uncomfortably. "I really do not want to do this. I am sorry ma'am...but I cannot do it."

Kaylee nodded, "It is okay Lyras, I actually do understand. I do appreciate you trying though. Especially since I shot you. " her face turning a beet red. "Hope you will forgive me?"

"I bear you no ill will ma'am. However I do feel I should head home. This makes me really uncomfortable. I am grateful for your effort in trying to get me to do this, but I fear I cannot." He gave her a small nod. "Thank you ma'am."

"You are very welcome, Lyras and be well." Kaylee responded with a smile and watched as Lyras left security. She felt he would be alright in the future.

END

Ensign Lyras
Medical officer

Lieutenant Kaylee Serra-Reynolds
Security

RSS Feed