Lt Alex Storm - And So It Begins

[Karen Morris]

((Holodeck 2, Deck 2, Artemis-A))

Alex’s index finger tapped against the seam in her pants.  She squinted as she looked at the scattered spots on the target.  Then she turned back to the Ensign.

Storm:  When you took your qualifications at the Academy, did they talk to you about sighting with your dominant eye?

Breys: Yes sir, I should be right eye dominant if I remember correctly.

Breys made a triangle with her fingers and moved it towards her nose. It came to rest on her right eye.

Storm:  Good.  You’ve obviously got that.  Sometimes people…

oO who don’t pay attention in class Oo

Storm:  … don’t get the importance of making sure they're sighting with their dominant eye. 

oO Glad to see you pay attention. Oo

Storm:  If you’re right-handed and right-eyed.  Close your left eye, and make sure that you line up the shot from your eye, through the sight, to the target.  Let me see you line it up.

Breys: I think I understand, is this any better?

It took the ensign a few moments to stop moving and relax into the position.

Storm: Good.  And don’t forget to keep your elbows slightly bent.  That’s better.  Now, when you’re ready, another three shots.

Alex kept her eyes on the Ensign until all three shots were fired.  Only then did she look down range.  Three scorch marks formed a triangle near the top of the target.

Breys: Yes! That’s better, right?

Storm:  That is better. ::trying not to sound too surprised.:: Much better.  So now we move on to phase 2 of the qualification - a live scenario.

Breys: At the Academy we did pretty standard drills for the exam, why? Is it different on the Artemis?

Storm: Because on the Artemis, I’m in charge of making sure you stay alive if you or your team gets into a dangerous situation.  This is the best way to teach you.  You and I will work together to defeat the level.  

Alex’s mouth inched into a grin.  

Storm:  Ready?

oO Of course she wasn’t, but that was at least part of the fun. Oo

Storm: Computer, initiate phase 2.

Computer: Beginning Storm, Phaser Qual 2 - Phase 2

The phaser range dissolved into a ruined city at twilight. They stood near a corner of two streets. A half-broken wall shielded their lower halves, and the smell of refuse wafted by on a gust of wind.

A chorus of dogs baying broke the eerie silence of the seemingly deserted ruins.

Storm:  So it begins.

As soon as she heard the dogs, Breys started running.  Alex sighed.

Storm:  Computer, notation for evaluation - start with situational awareness.

Alex holstered her own phaser and took off after Breys. Some days working together was easier than others.

~*~

End Scene for Storm

~*~

Lt Alex Storm

Tactical Officer

USS Artemis

O240103SK2