Lt. Cmdr Rebecca Iko -- A couple dozen phasers, and a couple dozen...
Rebecca Iko
Moore: Please, take a phaser. ::looking towards Wil and Bec.:: I would like all of you to get a handle for the Mantis.
Bec nodded, walking up and taking one of the demos that Kaito and Saavei had provided. She had a bit of a look over of it, like a ferengi inspecting weird rock to see if it was valuable. Kind of. Perhaps I better to describe how Bec was looking more and more for bonus cool things to add to how impressed she already was with the two’s work.
Ukinix: Response
Saavei pulled up one of those moving targets for the trio to practice with. Bec secretly challenged Wil and Robin about who could hit the target the most.
By secretly, she didn’t even inform them there was a competition.
Saavei: The room is ready for test firing.
Hopper: Bec, as the Chief of Security and Tactical, why don’t you show us how it’s done first?
Bec shrugged, took aim… and fired. She was not too bad with her shot, managing to hit the target, but like each different type of phaser, it would take a bit to properly get the feel of.
It was almost an eerie feeling how little power the phaser had. There was no feeling in your hand that you had fired it, really. Just the sight and the sound. A sound that was also distinctly different than normal.
But different did not mean bad. She took a couple more shots, satisfied with her targeting skills.
Iko: Like that, I reckon.
Ukinix: Response
Bec watched when it was Robin’s turn. One thing she did not was that Robin’s shots got tighter with each one she took. Bec nodded, partially in respect to the phaser itself of course, but also partially to Robin’s skill with it. She made a mental note to ask Kaito and Saavei about if there was any new additional aiming protocols within their prototypes.
Hopper: Well, that was at the low end. No kickback on it. Not even a gentle whirr in my hand. Seems like it’d work fine… What do you two think of the power?
Iko: It is quite gentle.
Ukinix: Response
Bec looked over to see if Saavei’s target had a readout for the force that it was being hit with.
Hopper: Wil, what’s your Engineering perspective on it? Any concerns?
Not in Robin’s aim at least it seemed, when a the phaser beam went up to hitting the target dead-on.
Bec fired her own soon after, trying to one-up the First Officer. Hers wasn’t quite as close.
Ukinix: Response
She nodded.
Iko: That seems pretty fair.
While Robin, Bec, and Wil were admiring the development team’s handiwork, Kaito and Saavei approached them again.
Iko:
Moore: ::He gave them a warm smile:: So, what do we think, and what other questions do you have?
Iko: It looks like you’ve been rather thorough in developing these guys. Have you added an aim assistance or anything?
Or was Robin just secretly that good.
Ukinix: Response
Hopper: Well you’ve ticked the boxes, Kaito, Saavei. ::Tilting her head to the side:: But I’m curious – we’ve only had a few minutes to try them out. Did you run into any problems during the design or build process? Any lingering issues that you’re still working on?
Moore: ::Shaking head.:: No major issues. Prolonged use can cause the Mantis to heat up, but not to dangerous or even uncomfortable levels; it just might feel warm in your hand. Overheating was an issue at first, but we’ve solved that issue by integrating microheat sinks into the phaser’s casing and reworking the internal circuitry.
Saavei: These models are the complete, final versions of an extensive prototype testing process.
Bec gave them a nod.
Hopper: What about possible features that couldn’t be implemented, or for that matter, is there anything you two think might still be achievable within this iteration that we didn’t bring up here? Any concerns you want us to help test?
Moore: There are quite a few more features we could have implemented, and still could, but that adds complexity, and these are essentially survival phasers. The more complex we make them, the more likely they could fail in the field. Personally, I think they are about as feature-complete as possible without compromising an already complex design.
Saavei: They perform the function for which they were designed superbly. A covert defensive weapon with an extremely low probability of misuse by unintended wielders.
And it did seem that way.
She doubted even a Bynar savant could act quickly enough to reprogram the device before it melted down. A brief pause.
Saavei: Though due to its limited settings, its frequencies are also limited. I doubt it would be effective against a rapidly adapting enemy like the Borg. If one is confronting the Borg, however, I am inclined to believe it is not a situation where one would be relying on the Mantis for protection to begin with.
Bec tried not to shudder (even mentally) at the mention of the Borg. What Saavei had said was essentially “if you run into the Borg with one of these, you’re screwed.” And considering last time she’d ran into the Borg… twas not comforting.
Iko: Would the mantis be enough for you to run to the armoury and grab out something a little more helpful?
Ukinix: Response
Robin handed hers back. Bec had another look over hers before holding it out to do the same.
Hopper: I’m sufficiently impressed to consider bringing these along on our next away mission to a less-advanced world as a trial. Bit of a stress test. See how they hold up in the field. ::To Wil and Bec:: Thoughts?
Iko: I’ll still want to take some “normie” phasers, in case we run into any problems, but I do know shooting at holographic targets is never quite going to get you the full picture, and having your mate act as the target also seems wrong…
Ukinix: Response
The two kept listening.
Iko: And I’m assuming these aren’t the kind of phasers to immediately give you chronic migraines if you’re shot too many times?
They didn’t like to talk about it, but sometimes residual effects from phaser fire could be a problem.
Ukinix/Hopper: Response
Moore: We can get a couple dozen ready in a day, and more by the end of the week. Plus, once we know this is the design that works best, we’ll get the schematics into the replication database for faster acquisition.
Saavei: Ultimately, while the design process was more complex, there should be no difficulties in mass-producing them with the appropriate replicator template.
Iko: A couple dozen sounds like more than enough. At least for a first run.
Ukinix/Hopper: Response
Moore: We can get to work on it right away. I, too, would like to see it field-tested. ::Glancing at Saavei:: Maybe we could set up a subroutine on the away team’s tricorders to keep track of the phaser and how it performs.
Saavei: That would be easily accomplished, Lieutenant. ::Nodding to Kaito:: Passive scans from a tricorder would monitor it appropriately.
Iko: So long as it wouldn’t detract from the tricorders performance. I know that while we do need to test these, I don’t want to do so as part of a surprise.
Ukinix/Hopper: Response
Saavei: Is there a world currently being surveilled surreptitiously which the phasers could be tested as part of that process?
Bec looked between Wil and Robin, furrowing her brow.
Iko: Not yet? Though I think Nath’s crew is gonna go for another loop around and look soon.
At least, according to the meetings the three of them and Keehani had had that sounded like what was happening.
Ukinix/Hopper/Moore: Response
Saavei: The devices will be ready for whenever they are next needed. Perhaps if any crew members are set to undergo survival training, as well?
Ukinix/Hopper/Moore: Response
Bec nodded.
Iko: I just finished up with getting phaser recerts up to date. Some survival stuff couldn’t go amiss either.
Saavei: Thank you all for your input.
Iko: And thank you for putting together these prototypes. They certainly seem promising. And honestly I can’t wait to try them out properly.
Hopper/Moore/Ukinix: Response
Bec then looked at Wil and Robin.
Iko: Did we want to give out the things now?
Hopper/Ukinix: Response
Moore/Saavei: Response?
She nodded, making her way over to the replicator. Wil and Robin could keep the others entertain for long enough. Bec just had to say the order discreetly, so that when she returned to the group with 7 wooden boxes they didn’t immediately know what was in each.
(not that you couldn’t give a very good guess from the style of said boxes…
Hopper/Moore/Ukinix/Saavei: Response
Iko: First off, ::handing two boxes to each:: Explorers for each of you for dealing with underspace, and Peacekeepers for each of you for not letting Amity fall into a massive conflict.
Hopper/Moore/Ukinix/Saavei: Response
Iko: Second is the Spliced Mainbrace Distinction Ribbon for Saavei and repairing torpedo tubes while also having the universe thrash you about.
Saavei: Response
Bec then looked at Kaito and smiled.
Iko: And you get a silver star for the defence against the Vaadwar.
Moore/Saavei: Response
Hopper/Ukinix: Response
Bec crossed her arms and pouted, unimpressed and (like usual) not wanting to enthusiastically accept the ribbons she was given.
Iko: What do you mean I get one too?
Hopper/Ukinix: Response
Moore/Saavei: Response
Bec gave Wil a look.
Iko: Fine. But as a Captain now, you can do the last ribbon.
Hopper/Ukinix/Moore/Saavei: Response
Tag/TBC