Recertifying--More or Less (part 3)

Posted on Sun Feb 10th, 2019 @ 2:28am by Lieutenant Commander Mira Jayde & Lieutenant Commander Jason Smoak

1,595 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Ghost of a Chance: Epilogue
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: [BACKPOST]

[CONTINUED]

[OLD]

He placed the PADD on the table and looked back to her. "Personally, I don't care what you think I think about you. I know what I think about you and it hasn't changed. It hasn't changed then and it hasn't changed now. You've decided to turn me into a villain, which is fair given what happened, but as a member of Starfleet you should understand that I was following my orders, which I went against when I sent that message to give you guys a head start." Jason let out a sigh and stopped himself. He didn't want to add more to her already confused mind in regards to that whole ordeal. "How about we finish this?"

[NEW]

"We covered that subject, and then you walked out." she said. She immediately regretted it as it was a clear indication that she was still hurt by his abandonment, even though she now knew what really happened. She wasn't ready for him to know that she still had feelings for him. She thought she'd moved on years ago, but seeing him again made her realize that nothing had been resolved, and nothing was over. "Yes, let's finish this."

Jason stood there quietly. Holding back his slight frustration while also trying not to be uncomfortable. He kept his emotions and feelings off his face, but his silence was unmistakable. She could tell he was holding something back, perhaps a comment or two, before letting out a sigh to let it go for now.

She took a slow breath to regain her composure and raised an eyebrow in query. "So, what shall we do next?"

"I need to see how you fare in a live combat situation." He held his hand up quickly before adding. "And sorry to disappoint you, but its not against me. I set up a scenario that will help me get what I need, and also, something more your style." Jason stopped, smirking a bit before raising a brow and speaking softly. "If you're up to it, of course."

She raised an eyebrow. "If it is part of the training procedure, I am up for it."

"There's a surprise." Jason replied softly with a hint of sarcasm. "Computer? Prompt: Paniolo Program. Start at entrance and remove safety protocols." He paused and looked over to Jayde. "Unless you prefer them on?"

She wondered why he found it necessary to remove the safeties for a simply re certification, but she wasn't going to ask. She would see what he had in mind and then decide if it was necessary or not. She acknowledged than in certain circumstances, it could be most effective. "No, I will run it as you dictate."

Jason nodded his head. "Figured you would." He said softly before crossing his arms. "Computer: Begin program with Jayde Twist please."

The holodeck shifted locations from its traditional, and default, walls and floors to that of an inner building. They stood outside large factory building, surrounded by woods. It appeared secluded and calming, however the building itself was different. It had the appearance of being run down, but showed signs of activity. Lights coming through broken windows in a few areas.

"Come on in." Jason replied with a smile before adding. "If you're still ready to run it as I dictate"

Jayde expanded her staff and followed Jason.

As they walked into the first room, it seemed out of place. No windows or decorations. Just a table with two phasers and a rectangular shaped box. "Put that away and place your current phaser on the table please. I'll explain what's going to happen as soon as you are ready."

She generally used her staff more than her phaser, but for this she pushed a button to retract it and put it back on her belt. She set the phaser she'd used on the table.

Jason walked over and picked up the phaser on the right, checked its settings, and handed it to her. "For this scenario, this is your weapon." When she took it he turned back around to face the table and picked up the rectangular box. "However, should you require a more delicate hand." He said softly, turning to face her and opening the box so she couldn't see what was inside. He took a piece of paper from inside and quickly crumpled it up, tucking it into his pocket, however it didn't make it and fell on the floor without his knowledge. "You will find this more to your standard." He removed a small rod from box and held it up. It was just like her other retractable staff, however the color was different.

"Why this one over my own?" she asked. She noticed the paper fall, and was curious about it, but she was not going to pick it up. Yet.
She would wait until she could do so without his noticing.

"Because..." Jason said softly as he moved his thumb over an area of the rod, triggering a hidden sensor, which retracted the ends to the length of a staff. "This one is made with a special metal which allows for more balance, durability, and quicker striking." He twirled is several times while looking at her, continuing to speak. "The metal allows for a quicker draw and a more silent swing. The center has no visible triggers and are touch sensitive. Only you can use it. Everyone else will get a bit of a surprise. Consider it a weapon's security function." He placed one end of the staff at the floor, while the other faced straight up, before pointing to the upper part with his other hand. "Also..." He than slid his finger against, triggering the tip he was pointing at to release a quick spark. "A stun function which can be accessed in this, or the retractable mode, for a more elegant take down. The stun feature can be adjusted and duration depends on the setting. One minute to a fifteen, maybe a half hour, but that might push the energy cell." Jason slid his finger again causing the staff to retract before handing it to her. "If you want it, of course."

She took it very gently, not quite sure what to make of it, or why he had it. "Thank you. I will use it with care."

Jason stood there, smiling at her, without saying a word. It was like they were never apart, but moments later, it occurred to him where they actually stood. His smiled disappeared and he turned around to pick up the phaser left on the desk. "If you want to continue to use your old one, its your choice. I am only offering an alternative, as current Chief of Security."

"Whichever you prefer," she said. She wasn't sure what was going on here, but she could feel the undercurrents.

"I know this is hard to grasp, Jayde, but its your choice." Jason replied softly with a bit of a smile. "You'll be carrying the weapon, not me, and it won't count towards our certification.

She raised an eyebrow at his comment, but kept the new staff.

He finally moved toward the door in front of them and waited for her to join him. When she finally did, he began to explain. "Beyond this door are a variety of thugs. They are programmed with the same goal in mind: To stop you from getting to the top. At the top is your objective. A woman held hostage by a very bad man. I won't tell you how many thugs there are before you get to the top, but I will say its more than one." Jason smiled a bit before continuing. "However, I will say that there is more than one way to approach this. If one of the thugs get a chance to contact the guy up top, the difficulty raises and your chances to rescue the girl goes down. You have the lead, so you decide how we approach." He turned to her with a firm look. "Questions?"

When he turned his back on her, she picked up the paper and slipped it in her pocket before catching up to him. "No. You were quite clear." She assured him as she looked around as she spoke, taking in the surroundings.

Her response didn't sound, any less, condescending. At this point, Jason wasn't sure which one of them were going through the motions and which weren't, so he just stood aside and gestured to the door. "You're move, Boss. Whenever you're ready."

Why did he have to misunderstand everything she said? She was here to get her recertification, yes, but also to put the past behind her and move forward. She wasn't sure how that would go, or where they would end up, but she came here willing to try. So far, she wasn't so sure he was willing to give the person she was a chance. He seemed more interested in the person she was before. She nodded politely and walked through the door.

The first challenge was simple. Two guards and a dimly lit corridor just around the corner. Jason followed behind her, curious as to what she would do and how she would fair through the whole thing. He didn't make it difficult, and had no intention of wanting her to fail, but he still remain curious.

(To be continued...)

Lieutenant Commander Jason Smoak
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Hyperion

Lieutenant Commander Mira Jayde
Executive Officer
USS Hyperion

 

RSS Feed