Lieutenant JG Savel - Don't Think, Just Shoot
Savel
(( Security Center - Deck 08, USS Artemis-A ))
Before getting to the "meat" of the training, Savel stood before the table full of weapons and briefly did an overview of what was on hand. There were plenty of options, even for the simple course of fire that was going to be practiced today. Keeping this in mind, Savel decided to try and narrow down the choices in front of Gila. In the most Vulcan way possible, by telling her what he would choose. Obviously, that made it the best choice available.
Savel: You are allowed your choice between a Type 1 Phaser or any of the various Type 2 Phasers available in front of you. My own preference is this one. ::reaching down to grab a phaser:: The Type 2 Aquila Mark Seven. I find the grip far more efficient for drawing the weapon quickly and keeping it stable during intense situations. It also only has five settings, as opposed to sixteen that the previous Type 2 version. ::placing the phaser back down on the station: You will notice the Mark Eight Aquila is not present, as you will be required to use the "kill" setting to engage certain targets. Choose your preferred phaser and we shall begin.
Savel registered the look that appeared on Gila's face after he said the word "kill". Her aversion to weapons had been noticed in the past by the security officer, but he wasn't familiar with exactly how great that aversion really was. The look should have been a bit of a clue but he pushed forward with his instructions and her training.
Even with the apparent look of disbelief, Gila still managed to pick up one of the phasers and follow Savel over to the range. anything but quiet in the time that Lieutenant Savel had given his instructions.
Savel: This range will likely be familiar to you from your Academy training, as will the course of fire that you will be participating in. I will still explain it prior to you starting, however, so that there is no confusion. ::looking to the range and causing the targets to appear as he spoke:: You will be required to engage various targets as they appear. The targets will present for several seconds and will illuminate one of three colors. Green requires a stun shot, orange requires disruption, and red will require your phaser to be set to kill. Engaging a target with the wrong setting will count as a miss, as will failing to successfully hit the target before it drops down.
While he explained what was going to happen, he made sure the targets popped up and the colors appeared as he identified their purpose. Instead of going straight into the exercise, however, he did think it was logical to give some sort of additional instruction beyond the bare minimum explanation of the course.
Savel: ::looking straight to Gila once again:: As this is something of an area of expertise for me, Lieutenant, I will offer some advice. Remember that each shot is a decision that only you control. The phaser is simply a tool that responds to your inputs. It should do nothing that surprises you, or frightens you, as the outcome of each use is predictable. ::a slight pause:: If you have no questions, Lieutenant, then we shall begin. Should you need me to pause or stop the program at any point please let me know immediately.
Sadar: O-O-One question, L-Lieutenant... ::Gila swallowed a lump:: H-How do I set a phaser to k-k-k-k-k - Uhh, how do I alter the settings again?
There were perhaps some reasons for alarm whenever the Lieutenant needed some reminding about the basic functions of a phaser, but Savel decided it was due to her position. While Starfleet officers were expected to be able to at least defend themselves, it wasn't like doctors constantly carried around a weapon in order to do so.
He walked over to Gila and stood next to her, reaching a hand over to point at some of the buttons on the phaser she held. As he spoke, he made sure to directly point to the buttons he was talking about.
Savel: You press this button here to increase the setting, which will be reflected on the display. The button immediately next to it here will lower it. The higher the number on the display, the higher the setting you are on.
When she seemed to be out of questions, Savel stepped away and returned to the controls for the program. A final glance was offered to the Lieutenant before he started the training. A chime indicated that it was about to begin and the targets started to come up. What followed did not inspire the security officer with confidence in the doctor's combat abilities. Good thing she wears blue.
As the targets appeared, Gila's reaction did not seem to happen as immediately as he would have liked to see. Even when the reaction was somewhat quick, the target was not hit as squarely as he would have hoped either. He did his best to keep an eye on her throughout the exercise, to pick up the things that the computer would likely not log. Mainly her stance, the grip she had on the phaser, and her overall control over the weapon. Even though some of that started to improve over time during the training, the performance was rather...lacking. Some of the red targets weren't even engaged altogether. That particular fact stuck in the Vulcan's mind during his initial evaluation.
Once the program had concluded, another chime sounded and he looked away from Gila to study her scores. While it was considered passing for an officer in her particular field, it was not by a far margin. He was silent as he went through the data given to him by the computer and he studied each shot and target that had been recorded. He wanted to see accuracy and speed for all of them. A few were acceptable, but many were not. At least not to his standards.
When he was finished looking over all of the results, he walked over to where Gila was standing. As he approached, he thought of the best way to phrase his evaluation of the results. The only way Vulcans knew how, though, was bluntly.
Savel: Your performance in this phaser training was less than satisfactory, Lieutenant. Even though you managed to achieve a passing score.
Sadar: S-S-Sorry Lieutenant...
He stood in front of Gila, his hands folded behind his back as he looked her squarely in her face. His face was as stoic as every while he continued on with his evaluation.
Savel: No apology is necessary, Lieutenant Sadar. I do not hold the same level of expectations for certain members of the crew as I do with others. To do so, would be illogical. A doctor will rarely perform to the same degree as a security officer. Some security officers are even lacking due to the limitations of their species.
He turned away from Gila to look back at the range and continued on.
Savel: Still, I have several observations that should improve your next attempt at this course. Whenever that may be.
Since she passed the course, there was no need for immediate remedial training or a repeat attempt. Savel at least wanted to go over some of the things he observed.
Sadar: Response
With a nod, he walked over to the table and grabbed the same type of phaser that Gila had picked up before returning to her. This time, he stood at her side instead of right in front of her. He also faced the range, keeping the phaser in his right hand.
Savel: I believe that I am correct in assuming that you are uncomfortable handling a phaser, even in this setting. I noticed it manifested in several ways while you were firing. You struggled changing the setting, closed your eyes several times while shooting, and neglected to engage certain targets. I may not possess the skills to provide insight on why you do not feel comfortable using a phaser, but I can provide you with some guidance on using one. It may assist in building your confidence. So, please do as I do, Lieutenant.
He raised his phaser up, holding it in his hands as he aimed for the target that was directly in the middle of the range.
Sadar: Response
Once he was sure she had done the same, he moved on.
Savel: Your phaser is a simple tool which, regardless of its setting, should only be used for one purpose. The protection of yourself or someone that cannot defend themself. Do not think of it as an instrument to do harm, even if it may have that capability. It is only a defense mechanism, one that you hold in your hand and fully control. It will only do as you program it to, and no one can force you to do differently. ::after a beat:: Set your phaser to kill, Lieutenant.
His thumb pressed the switch to turn the phaser up to its kill setting, and waited on Gila to do the same. However long that took.
Sadar: Response
Savel: Using your phaser comes with an immense responsibility, no matter if it is set to stun, disrupt, or kill. This includes being completely certain on which setting you have chosen, and what you wish to discharge your phaser at. While an actual situation will likely require an immediate, quick decision from you, I want you to approach our current situation logically. We are in a training holosuite, with holographically generated phasers. There are safeties in place to prevent harm befalling either one of us, or anyone who may enter. You are aimed at a similarly holographically generated target, which does not represent any living thing. Allow this logic to dispel and suppress your fear that holding such a weapon may generate, then I want you to engage the target. You may take your time, Lieutenant. Remember to double-check your setting, and keep your eyes on your target as you fire. Proceed when ready.
Perhaps getting her to think, at least slightly, like a Vulcan would assist in getting her to feel somewhat comfortable engaging the target with her weapon in a purely training scenario.
Sadar: Response
His hand with the phaser dropped down to his side and he stood off to the side of Gila, facing her with his hands again placed behind his back to rest. His eyes remained on her and he watched her intently to see how she would react.
TAG/TBC