A New Charge

Posted on Mon Aug 16th, 2021 @ 1:05am by Lieutenant Chaali & Ensign Noah Balsam & Lieutenant Sovaan
Edited on on Mon Aug 16th, 2021 @ 1:07am

Mission: The Place of Skulls
Location: Security Office
Timeline: Mission Day 2 at 1300

[Security Office]
[MD 02, 1300 Hours]

"Lieutenant Sovaan," over the comm came the chirpily-cheerful voice of Lieutenant Chaali. She'd drawn out his rank to be almost lyrical, like she was announcing Sovaan was the next contestant on a Bolian entertainment show, "We have an incoming subspace communication for you from Starfleet Academy. It's Commander Nuvak from Starfleet Security?"

"Thank you, Chaali. I'll take it here on my monitor." Straightening his uniform, Sovaan sat back and folded his hands in lap. He nodded courteously with a slight smile as the familiar face appeared in front of him.

The face had a hard, weathered countenance, the neutral scowl of an aged Vulcan. Wiry gray eyebrows in need of trimming rose while steely gray eyes gazed upon Sovaan. Nuvak was flanked by the glowing sigil of Starfleet Academy upon what was likely a distant list of performance datapoints.

"Commander. Good to see you, if rather unexpected. What can I do for you?"

Nuvak was like a statue. His stoically lean, long face flicked with only the most minimal need of musculature to make words- so that very little, if anything, could be nuanced with emotion, "Lieutenant Sovaan, our records indicate you are the Chief Security Officer of the starship Sojourner." Nuvak said in the nearly robotic drawl of a Kolinahru.

"Yes, that's correct," Sovaan acknowledged, leaning forward slightly. "We've just embarked after an extended shore leave on Risa. May I ask what this is about?"

"I must inform you that because of new policies at Starfleet Academy, cadets in fields of study traditionally viewed as non-combatants can be issued their clearance for Midshipman rank and are allowed to locate a training assignment without completing phaser certification. However, they must complete that training under their chosen field conditions." The Vulcan raised a brow, "The duty of assuring any Midshipman aboard a training vessel passes their phaser certification falls on the Chief Security Officer."

Sovaan mirrored the raised brow and sat back again, stroking his long stubble. "Ezra Gonzalez was promoted to ensign before we left Risa, so I assume you refer to Noah Balsam, now the only midshipman in the crew, to my knowledge." He leaned forward again and nodded. "Understood. I am in the process of surveying the combat readiness of my security personnel and other key staff, as well, so I will see to his examination as soon as possible. Is there anything else I should be aware of?"

Nuvak stone-faced demeanor did not change. "Correct. Midshipman Balsam is a Systems Engineer so his certification in phaser use is of tertiary concern. But he must complete it before the end of his tenure with you. To my knowledge, there are no other details on the matter." Nuvak nodded once at his fellow Vulcan, "Good day Lieutenant." The sigil of the Academy blinked onto a black background where the Vulcan's face had been.

Sovaan clicked the monitor off and tapped his commbadge. "Sovaan to Balsam. Midshipman Balsam, I just received a transmission from the Academy informing me that you have yet to complete your phaser qualification training. I would like to schedule a meeting with you to make sure this gets done. At your convenience, but preferably as soon as possible, please."

The comm broke to life a moment later, "Y-yessir..." His voice seemed trepidacious, hesitant even, in a way his youth couldn't cover. "As soon as Lieutenant Giorgiou can, um... g-give me some time, I will report to-to you...?"

"Relax, Mr. Balsam. I'm sure it won't be a very big deal. Simply a new Academy policy. Meet me in Holodeck One when you're ready and we will go from there. Sovaan out."

[A Few Hours Later]

Sovaan sat in the Captain's chair of a simulated Galaxy-class starship bridge, reviewing some notes on a PADD. He had drawn up a basic curriculum based on Academy courses and had designed this program himself. Perhaps somewhat less complex than those offered at the Academy, but it would still serve its purpose. He stood and straightened his tunic as the arch appeared and opened.

The stick insect skinniness of Noah Balsam hovered expectantly in the arch, observant eyes peering into the strange environment. He traced fingers up his tricep and down to his elbow and tentatively set foot on to the Bridge from where the starboard forward turbolift would have deposited him near Flight Control.

He assumed a rigid cadet stance- chin up, feet as wide as his shoulders, hands behind his back, "Sir! Re-reporting as ordered." His eyes glimpsed the cool greens, beiges and tans of the very retro Galaxy-class setting. To eyes of his generation it was both exciting and thoroughly dated, that mix of fascination with the past that acknowledged he was not part of it. It was like walking into Frank Lloyd Wright's Waterfall House.

"Pruh-pre-refit Galaxy-class design, circa Stardate 41500. The... USS Yuh-Yamato, I think..." he nodded at the perspective square lines behind the Vulcan's head, in a bluish-green. Indeed, to his eyes it was strange. Modern Starfleet vessels had returned to an austere, if technically beautiful, functionality. But then the Galaxy-class had been truly unique: a floating town of families meant for years-long voyages. It had to act as a cultural and diplomatic platform. Which sort of explained why this era's command center looked like a comfortable lounge.

"As you were," Sovaan said. "Yes, that's correct. Now," he added, motioning to a small table set up in front of the command chair, "As I'm sure you are aware, there are two types of standard-issue phasers used by Starfleet: the rifle and the pistol, also referred to as a hand phaser. In order to complete this qualification course, you will need to be familiar with both. However, for now we will focus on the hand phaser, since it is the more easily portable option for non-security personnel. Any questions so far?"

Trepidation crossed the youth's face in a way few had seen in the crew, his eyes dropping inevitably to the mentioned weaponry. He fingered along his tricep, as if plexing it to calm his nerves. "I-I'd.. um... Sir. I don't want to hurt anyone. Or anything," he said with great hesitance. Noah's dark eyes were fixed on the weapons, as one completely naive of a weapon might eye a pistol for the first time. These were not tools, but instruments of death.

Sovaan's countenance softened slightly, then he relaxed his posture and took a small step forward. "I understand," he said quietly. "Most people don't want to hurt anyone. Starfleet certainly doesn't take pride in hurting people. But there will be times when someone will want to hurt people you care about, and in those times, you must have the courage to do things you don't want to do in order to keep them safe."

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Mr. Balsam...Noah...a long time ago, my father's people, the Vulcans, had no control over their emotions as they do now. They were almost primitive, acting on their animal instincts, and that led to unimaginable violence. They lived for a long time, so grudges were held for a long time, and the most trivial arguments and pettiest squabbles often grew into horrible revenge wars that lasted for generations. They had nearly wiped themselves out when a man named Surak arose and showed us a new path: not one of violence and bloodlust and destruction, but of logic and peace and emotional control."

He reached out and placed a tentative hand on Noah's shoulder.

Noah had been listening but the look of conflict hadn't faded beyond he tentatively glanced at the weaponry as Sovaan continued.

"Even now, so many years later, when I get into a fight and I'm forced to hurt someone, I'm reminded of the things my ancestors did, and it pains my heart to release that part of myself that I've worked so hard to bury. But you know what? I also have hope and comfort, because I know that by putting myself at risk, the people I serve will continue to be safe, even for a few moments longer. That knowledge gives me the courage to continue doing my duty, even if I don't believe I can."

"Now," he said, straightening up, "What do you say? Do you think you can do the same?"

Noah plexed up his tricep again. "Have...." His eyes shut while he tried to concentrate on his words from escaping him. His mind was running faster than his tongue. He did not want to be here. Phasers weren't for him. He was an engineer, not a warrior. And the conflict that Sovaan stated, he had grappled with over the entirety of the four years he'd been in the Academy. And it was why he'd put this off. Noah knew, on an intellectual level, that he had to pass this. Or at least he had to if he wanted to stay in Starfleet.

His eyes shut and long fingers were tentative in picking up the hard, rubber grip of a phaser. he handled it like someone who was fearful of a weapon, who had only the most basic understanding of it. Keep the danger end away from yourself. That meant a straight arm, the weapon angled something down. And he did so with a tense posture to his neck, like he was afraid it would bite him so he was keeping his face away from it.

He promised he'd try. But he feared this thing in his hands.

A Post By:

Lieutenant Sovaan
Chief of Security

Midshipman Noah Balsam
Systems Specialist