[sb118-khitomer] Ensign Ezra Zerva - Kempo Green Belt Test

[BC Cooper]

((Ezra’s dojo. San Francisco, California. Earth. One day before shoe leave ends))

Ezra had just enough time left on shore leave to take his next belt test. Just over two hours later of his hardest test yet, he found himself about to be awarded his green belt in Kempo. He had preformed his Katas, Kempos, Jujitsu, his locks, blocks, punches, kicks, given his knowledge on his arts history, spared with his fellow students showing off his learned fighting skills and everything else he’d learned thus far.

Now he and the other students sat on their knees and waited as they took off their colored belts. His blue belt with green stripe lay next to him on the dojo mat. His Sensei who was known to the class by his title of Kyoshi stood at the front of the class. The dojo here in San Francisco was one of two Kyoshi had. The other was in Japan on the Isle of Okinawa. It was there the test to become black belt and all other black belt ranks would be tested. But here today in California was where his colored belt test had been taken.

As the test had ended, the family and friends of the students who had tested were invited in to take photos and congratulate them on a job well done. They were not allowed to see the test as it was considered a distraction to the students while testing. Anyone could come in during regular class night and watch, but for a test they had to wait until the end.

Standing off the mat was Ezra’s brother Karem and his sister Jorzia, along side the other family members of other students. Joriza stood holding the leash of Ezra’s puppy Foxy Lady. Foxy sat patiently waiting for her papa.

One by one the students were called up to a table with awards placed upon it, that was set up in the front of the class next to Kyoshi. There they got their new belts or a stripe added to their current color belt, given a certificate signed by Kyoshi and the other Sensei’s with their name on it. Everyone would then cheer and clap for that student. Then the photos would click in a flash as student and teach stood side by side, until it was Ezra’s turn

Kyoshi: Ezra Zerva. Would you please come to the front of class.

As his name was called Ezra stood up, leaving his old belt and walked to the front of the class. He stood in front of his teacher.

Kyoshi: Ezra has been with us about a year before heading off to Starfleet Academy. He’s since graduated and has had a number of adventures in the Alpha Isles so I’ve been told. It’s been quite an adventure and a year for you. For this and more I award you your green belt in the Kempo arts.

Ezra Zerva: ::smiling as he bows:: Thank you. 

Kyoshi placed the new biker around Ezra’s neck and when he stood back up, he was given his certificate of verification. The class and assembled guest clapped and cheered for him as he turned to get his photo taken next to his Sensei. Ezra brother took several pictures. 

Karem Zerva: :clasping sfter taking the photo:: Congratulations Ezra!

Joriza Zerva: Way to go Ezra! 

::cheering:: Wahoo!

Ezra smiled and returned to his place next took his old belt. After several more students went up then awards ceremony was completed and then a full group photo was taken with all the students and teachers.

Ezra bowed out off the mat and was greats with puppy kisses and fist bumps and pats on the back.

Foxy: Bark! ::licks Ezra’s face::

Ezra Zerva: Thank you Foxy. Thanks you guys. I just wish mother and father could be here.

Joriza Zerva: You know mother. Always to busy.

Karem Zerva: It’s okay we’re here for you. Hey she did take out to lunch on your birthday right?

Ezra Zerva: Yeah she did. But it wasn’t the best dinner date,

Joriza Zerva: That’s mother for you. Father said he got caught at work.

Karem Zerva: Father too? Wow. Come on Ezra we don’t need them. You got get changed and then we’ll grab dinner on us

Ezra nodded in thanks and quickly got dressed placing his black Gi, both belts, his sparing gear and his Kata No Muchi into his gun bag. His Kata No Michi that had his Kata’s listed and broken down by attacker and was signed by Kyoshi as completion of his latest form. Ezra congratulated his fellow students and said goodbye to everyone 

Joriza Zerva: ::hands over Foxy’s leash:: Lets go eat!

Karem Zerva: And then will give you your birthday gifts after we’re finished.

Ezra Zerva: Sounds like a fun night!

((Brief Time Skip. Ezra’a quarters. Deck 14. USS Khitmore))

After celebrating with his brother and sister at their favorite restaurant, Ezra said his goodbyes and returned to the Khitomer. Upon stepping off the transporter pad, he made a bee line with Foxy Lady for his quarters. He knew it was only a matter of time before someone would call asking for his assistant in some sort of security matter. 

Ezra was getting settled in with Foxy in his quarters. He put his birthday gifts which were puppy toys, treats and new bed for Foxy away. He placed his blue belt with green stripe on the belt stand that had all his other colored belts in order of rank that he’d attainted thus far. He then put away his Gi and other martial gear in its proper place, fed Foxy, took a shower and cleaned up. Once he was finished he got into a clean uniform and then checked his PADD 

Scrolling through the messages, he saw a complaint from PO3 Siggy about someone continually decreasing the temperatures in the security suite every hour, after she resets them back to their preferred room temperature… 

PO2 Jackson’s report that all teams had returned from shoreleave and were standing by ready… 

PO3’s S’Vent and Wynters giving their reports on other boring night shift that included a science crewman caught walking the halls with only a towel on… Just another day in Khitmore’s security team.

Scrolling past a few more minor reports, Ezra saw that a secuity level one report indicating an increase in security in both personnel and measures. The memo wasn’t very specific on the reasons, but he assume between the ships refit and it’s new mission there was a likely explanation. One he’d find out in the next meeting. Was it related to the S-Waves and the Alpha Isles? Whatever it was he didn’t have the clearance. 

For now he needed his rest, but it wasn’t for the weary as a call came through that needed his attention. Never a duel day on the Khitmore. Giving Foxy puppy scratches he said his goodbyes PADD in hand on his way to work once again,

END

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Lieutenant (JG) Ezra Zerva

Security Officer

USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)

A240101EZ2