(Backlog) Weapon's Training

Posted on 15 Oct 2025 @ 2:15pm by Ensign Ryan Collingway & Ensign Lucas Scott

1,389 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Fractured Accord
Location: Armory
Timeline: Morning

(Takes place prior to the events on Tarvik III)

-----Armory, USS Arawyn-----

Ryan truthfully didn't want to have anything to do with a phase pistol. But it was a requirement for his record to have recertification, given that the last one had been ages ago. The events of the Newton had happened so fast that he simply hadn't been given a weapon. But the constant reminders were becoming more urgent. During a more quieter moment, he decided to simply get it over with. He studied the weapon as though it was a foreign device in his hands and waited for an instructor.

Luke was ready for the day's training, he'd been in a funk for weeks after things had gone to shit on the Newton. In his first serious challenge he had done the one thing he'd always be unable to forgive. He had frozen, locked up with white knuckles and no idea how to proceed. A reaction he'd never anticipated as possible, the very idea of being shocked into a mindset where he couldn't respond was both surprising and depressing. His uncle had always made it a point that he had to be ready for anything, that the most trying times came when least expected or prepared for and it was up to him to anticipate those times. The ensign had felt like a failure for the first time in ages and it was leaving a sour taste in his mouth but his Uncle had also been savvy enough to remind him that emotional in-the-moment responses were often the worst ones.

As the assigned officers gathered for the day's training Luke made random eye-contact with another ensign and gave a simple nod of recognition, the other officer looked as enthused as himself. "How's it going? Scott..... Security." It was the simple introduction from one crewmember to another, the most basic of greetings. It appreared to Luke that the other ensign also had things on their mind.

"Ryan. Good to meet you." Ryan didn't quite relax, but what was the saying? Misery loved company? He remembered seeing the ensign on the transporter pad to the Newton, but that was about it. In an attempt to lighten the mood, he added, "I'm here to remember how one of these works," he said, referring to the phase pistol.

After the time he'd spent reflecting on his recent failures Luke appreciated the humor. "Yeah.... me too." There were several of Arawyn's younger officers gathered and in lieu of a higher-ranking officer Scott was eager to get started. "Alright.... well I'm Ensign Scott. Security. Uh...... well there's a lot of us here that aren't too sure what to do. We're on unfamiliar ground but it couldn't hurt for us to get familiar. Knowing the officers around you can be a huge advantage.... I spent most of my Academy time training for Security and Tactical. But based on my recent performance you'd never know it. But I am very much able to assist with any marksmanship or strategic questions any one has."

He'd rambled off for a good minute and still wasn't sure why he had done so, part of him was still upset that he hadn't responded on the Newton and was concerned perhaps he was trying too hard now. Luke couldn't remember having frozen before, not in a situation like that, and to be now looking at other Ensigns just as unsure as he was made him feel like something had to be said or done. Even if he felt like an obnoxious knob doing that.

Ryan was no stranger to the 'talk about one thing while thinking about something else' method of communication, but this was getting more than a little painful. He wanted to step in and help him out. "We're each assigned a target to shoot," he said, pointing to the hanging target in the Armory. "We get three rounds and are judged by an average of all three. We need 65% to pass. If we fail...I dunno, maybe they'll give us a water pistol to use on away missions. Ensign Scott will monitor us and give us tips on how to improve. Is that correct, Ensign?"

Luke stared at Ryan for a moment, while the question was accurate it felt directed and pointed. "That is correct." There was more he wanted to say but for the moment he was caught back in the feeling that he was way in over his head as to what he'd thought he was. "Keep in mind weapon discipline. Fingers off the trigger, never point your weapon at anything you do not wish to harm."

As the other Ensigns moved to get set up, Ryan approached Luke. "What did you mean? About not knowing you had trained based on your previous experience?" he asked casually.

Luke sighed. "I haven't really been around a lot of officers, so you never really know how someone is gonna approach this. If they're intimidated they're gonna shoot differently. If they're too confident it's almost worse. I'm not even really in charge of the training today but..." Scott gestured around to the other Ensigns, many wearing the same puzzled expression as himself. "I think we all want to get our time in and get to other things."

Ryan studied him for a moment. "Right," he finally said. The Ensign definitely wasn't giving off the illusion of confidence. Maybe that was a good thing, though. He set up his weapon and narrowed his eyes. His first shot was nowhere near the target. 65.1%. "Were you on the Newton? I seem to remember you being there."

Luke shook his head thinking of the Newton. He'd been overwhelmed, uncomfortable and had frozen when it mattered most. Still unable to shake the disappointment in himself even days later it looked like others were beginning to notice, if the look on the other Ensign's face was any indication. He could easily imagine word spreading like wildfire, his name already likely known. "Yeah...." He searched for something to say but came up empty for a moment. "I have a lot of work to do....." he finally offered, not so much trying to validate himself as it was to admit that even he knew more was expected of him.

Ryan quickly looked at the others, but they were too occupied with the testing for the moment. He could recognize the obvious signs of someone going something traumatic. "Let me give you some piece of advice," he said. "I'm the screw-up who got a senior officer killed in my first posting. But how people look at us *matters* just as much as how we deal with it. Right now, I wouldn't trust you to guard a paper bag, let alone my life on a mission. So whatever it is you did, I suggest you figure it out. Before someone more senior than me notices."

For a moment Luke was angry, insulted at the idea that he couldn't protect a life. He stepped to the line irked, staring down the target and firing with the other Ensign's words ringing in his ears and consuming his thoughts. Turning to see his results Scott nodded, three shots center-mass and with a tight grouping. It felt good, a reminder to himself that there -was- a reason he'd been assigned to the Arawyn. He continued to stare at the results before looking out of the corner of his eye to Ryan. Part of him wanted to say something clever but there was no need to, Ryan was right. He did need to figure himself out, before mistakes were made. He had to regain his backbone. Stepping aside to let the next officer take their turn he shook his head. "You're right." The only way to get back to being himself was going to require moving past his mistakes on the Newton, to remind himself and those around him who he really was.

Ryan nodded. When it was his turn, he fired two more shots. 65.2%. 65.1%. But he didn't seem surprised by this at all. "Guess I'll always be a bad shot. Oh well, it's a pass," he said nonchalantly. "Like you said, Ensign, I have other things to do."

He nodded again, and left the Armory.

A JL by
Ensign Luke Scott
Armory Officer
USS Arawyn

&

Ensign Ryan Collingway
Engineering Officer
USS Arawyn

 

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