[sb118-khitomer] Lieutenant (JG) Ezra Zerva - Crossing Training Benefits
BC Cooper
(( Security Suite, Deck 8, USS Khitomer, en route to DS33 ))
Ezra had just taught Ensign Morda a Kempo technique he had learned from his Sensei at his dojo. He was trying to help Morda focus and take off some of the stress they had from the events on the bridge at the end of their encounter with the Lattice Alliance.
Zerva: It’s a Kempo exercise I learn in my dojo from my Sensei. It helps me when I am feeling stressed, especially in the shoulders where I keep most of it. It gives me a moment in between work to get rid of some of that tension I feel, especially when I am stressed. oO Which comes a lot with this job. Oo. If you're interested, the dojo holodeck program is always available at any time. How do you feel?
Morda: From the engagement, I feel … okay. ::Thinking back:: Right before the explosion, the captain ordered us to “brace.” I wasn’t braced, as it were, for how quickly and definitively such an event could occur. The order of magnitude -- the energy, the distance, the body count -- this is the first time it’s been real to me, not just academic. Does that make sense?
More than he knew.
Zerva: During that encounter on the bridge, I found myself tensing up, as I held on tight to the science console. It reminded me of the first time I was told to brace for impact. It was during the siege of DS33. Captain Shayne had ordered the Khitomer ramming speed directly at the Leviathan Ship that was right in front of us. I found myself being tossed around in ways I had never been before. The body count that day was a lot. Too much for anyone to endure. It was very real for me that day as it was for you on this mission. I understand what you’re going through, more than most. It’s a lot to go through, especially for your first year as an ensign out of Starfleet Academy.
Morda: Right. And as for the flashbacks: I hear we have shore leave coming up. I want to spend part of it working not just with a counselor, but also with a veteran of sorts who was there for me last time and might be helpful.
Zerva: Those are both good ideas. I applaud you for taking the initiative.
Morda: What’s funny -- well, that’s not the right word -- is there’s everything else about the mission that could feel distressing. Temporarily losing a crewmate, nearly getting sliced up by filaments with Lieutenant Michaels, securing a mass on the bridge, putting an away team at risk. It was rough, and I felt out of my element plenty on the bridge, but through the twisted lens of hindsight: I loved it. I’m glad to be here. This is good work.
Zerva: Those kinds of reflections based on your experiences within your time of service in Starfleet are what will carry you far. It’s not uncommon to feel the way you do. We’ve done some good work here in the Alpha Isles. I’m proud of that work. It’s good to know you feel the same way.
Ezra had those moments, where he was worried about a lot of things. How well he was doing, if he was doing it right. Worried about his friends and fellow crewmates, especially during his first year as an ensign. First with the crew of the Arrow and later the Khitomer.
Ezra was thrusted into the role as the senior security officer when the former Chief of Security took a leave of absence. His anxiety was through the roof. Even now Ezra still worried about stuff. Stuff that changed him in ways that were both good and bad from when he first started. Despite the bumpy roads, he was thankful for the good moments.
Morda: Response
Zerva: It’s very rewarding when you know you’ve done some good. Especially when it’s helping others. ::smiling:: You should have seen the first time Lieutenant Semara was teaching me science stuff. I was definitely out of my element working that department when we were caught on the bridge together in another nebula two missions ago. But despite the challenges we endured during that mission, we did some good.
Morda: Response
Zerva: Ever heard about the MacZerva device? It’s something I cobbled together on that mission. It got us out of a jam.
Morda: Response
Zerva: ::raising a brow:: No? ::quick thinking:: You know, I should probably write a science or engineering article about that… ::quick thought:: There’s a mission log on it somewhere around here. It does a bunch of handy sciency things. ::brightens up, snapping his fingers:: That reminds me.
Ezra made a quick jog around his desk and took out a PADD from behind it. He tapped a few buttons and hastily wrote a few notes upon it.
Zerva: As part of your continued training on the bridge, I’d like you to work with the Tactical Department on the Holodeck. They currently don’t have a department chief, but I can set up a time after shoreleave ends and we can work with them together. ::hands the PADD over to Ensign Morda:: I’m also writing a recommendation for you to give to First Lieutenant Torado. You did good on the bridge this mission and I would like for you to get some extra training with the Marines if you’re interested? I’ve worked alongside them before and the cross training could be a benefit.
Morda: Response
Tags/TBC
---------- ○● ----------
Lieutenant (JG) Ezra Zerva
Security Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
A240101EZ2