Threat Assessment

Posted on Fri Sep 19th, 2025 @ 8:45pm by Commander Zhora zh'Roothi & Lieutenant Commander Kuzos

1,884 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Madre - Short Treks
Location: Holodeck

In addition to her role of First Officer zh'Roothi had been assigned another, one of which she attempted to reject when Targaryen insisted. That was, of course the uncomfortable task of moulding their non Federation crew member into a Starfleet Officer to match his uniform and field commission. As expected Kuzos appeared to delight in testing her patience with this characteristic traits and silky smooth voice that grated on her. The Vorta had proven himself a capable officer so far overcoming each challenge since joining the crew with seeming ease. Today, however she was intrigued to observe his reaction to the next phase she'd prepared.

The two walked steadily through the corridor towards the main holodeck recapping Kuzos last assignment. "Did you enjoy your lesson with Lieutenant Rrawran?" the Commander asked. "His weapons drills can be quite brutal."

Kuzos turned his head as the pair walked along the corridor. "Yes, I did actually. I found Lieutenant Rrawran an adept and skilled instructor. and his drills proved his abilities." Kuzos said with a smile and a tilt of his head at zh'Roothi, knowing this was probably the last thing she wanted to hear. He harboured a sneaky suspicion that the good commander would only be truly satisfied when he complained. Something he was determined not to do.

The Andorian cast him a sideways glance before continuing. "Then I assume you are now familiar with our arsenal of hand held firearms, and can demonstrate this?"

Kuzos returned her look, "To what are you referring to Commander? If you mean demonstrating on how to use the hand held weapons in the arsenal, then yes I can." He inquired as the pair continued their walk. "And may I also remind you I am Chief Tactical Officer and not a security officer."

"Understanding their configuration and limitations would better assist your liaison with security in the event of a hostile invasion force," the woman replied. "The use of firearms is compulsory training for all officers and each has regular refresher sessions to maintain standards."

Now he stopped and faced her, "Tell me Commander, do you think the Founders just walked up and tapped me on the shoulder and said 'You're an Administrator?' I dare say my training is equal to what Federation training is and may I again remind you of my rank as an Administrator which is equal to that of a federation captain. I know what I am doing. I am not some academy graduate on their first deep space assignment." His voice even and firm.

Mirroring him zh'Roothi stopped in her stride and turned toward the Vorta, her antenna waving slightly: "Then I won't expect anything less than a perfect score on this assignment based on your boosting. Unless of course, these skills were acquired by a predecessor clone and you're simply full of hot air. One way or another we'll soon find out."

"Do all Andorians suffer from poor memories?" He fired back not backing down. His ever present smile gone for the moment. "I am not a clone ." He reminded her "And yes we will."

The Commander inclined her head momentarily with a slight smirk tugging at her lips before she resumed their journey.

The two continued in heavy silence until they reached the entrance to the holodeck where zh'Roothi tapped the screen engaging the program and beckoning Kuzos inside.

The scene before them was straight out of the training manual: an assortment of phasers laid out upon a table with a firing range beyond. "Time show me what you're worth."

Kuzos looked at the assortment of phasers to the targets in the distance. He bit back the comment that in zh'Roothi's eyes he would never be worth anything. He simply stepped up to the table and picked up the first phaser, a hand held model. "Any instructions you wish to impart?"

She could tell she'd ruffled his feathers for a change and selfishly dwelled on the moment before returning to the task in hand. "Let's start things off slowly and progress from there. Four blasts at your chosen target but ensure you remain behind the distance marker."

He didn't even offer her a comment he simply turned to the targets, and fired four sharp, controlled bursts at the target. All hitting the targets in the center of its chest. Only then did he turn back to zh'Roothi yet still not making a comment witty or otherwise.

"Good," the XO replied. "Though I would have been very disappointed with anything less. Computer," she raised her voice. "Increase difficulty to level nine."

The firing range, table and its static target dummies faded away into nothingness while around them the ambient lighting spluttered out completely leaving the two officers in total darkness.

"Remain stationary, and pick your targets wisely," zh'Roothi voice sounded. "Ready?"

Kuzos stood motionless as the targets and table along with firing range disappeared in holodeck magic and he and Commander zh'Roothi were plunged into darkness. He scowled at her question, thankful she couldn't see him. "Ready." He offered simply, waiting to see what came next.

He didn't have to wait long to find out. Stepping out of the gloom in varying directions came a host of figures for the Commander to defend himself against. Unlike the previous static practice the holo characters were in the format of recognisable factions both friendly and otherwise. They appeared at random intervals and distances testing Kuzos ability to identify and neutralise threats.

Kuzos just had time to see what the computer had created. There was a Romulan male in full battle armor charging at him. A shot to the chest downed him. Next a blacked helmeted Breen sprang at him. it took two shots to bring him down. Three Klingons roaring at the top of their lungs came barreling at him. He dodged the first two, shot the third and barely had time to shoot the others just as a Battle axe missed his head by centimeters. There was a lull and after a few seconds. A figure came slowly towards him. He squinted in the darkness unable to make the figure out until it was almost atop him, species 8472! Kuzos stared at the figure he had never seen it before nonetheless he fired and the shot staggered the creature but it continued to advance. Another shot with the same result. His hands felt for the phaser power control and turned it he hoped to the highest setting. He then fired as the creature was right on top of him. The beam vaporized the creature, not even leaving ashes behind. he took a breath and looked to where he had last seen zh'Roothi.

But then rising up like ghostly spectres two Jem'Hadar were next to zh'Roothi and grabbed her harshly about her waist and throat. Kuzos hesitated. "Release Commander zh'Roothi." he said firmly "I am Kuzos, I command you."

Laughter was his answer, "You command nothing, you traitor! You betray the Founders. Crawl like the dog you are. Let the Andorian female see you grovel and then we may let her go." The bigger of the two Jem'Hadar soldier said in a voice that sounded like rocks crashing together.

Kuzos's shoulders sagged and his head dropped.

"Vorta worm!" The second soldier said.

Then far faster than anyone would have ever said, Kuzos's head rose and his hand flashed forward, Two shots rang out... an instant later the Jem'Hadar lay dead. He looked at zh'Roothi. "I believe this exercise is over." he said quietly.

"I agree," the XO replied tugging her uniform straight after being manhandled unexpectedly by the holo figures. Around them the dark scene lifted returning the holodeck to its blank slate. "I apologise Commander," zh'Roothi continued. "The Jem'Hadar characters should not have been included in the simulation. I will instruct the programme to be over-hauled and reviewed immediately."

Kuzos nodded at her apology. "They were not truly Jem'Hadar soldiers. No Jem'Hadar would take a female hostage not even an Andorian." He answered quietly before continuing. "I do hope you got the answers you were looking for from this exercise."

Her antenna shifted at his remark: "Regardless they should not have been included in the simulation. It contradicts our attempts to stabilise the relationship between the Federation and the Dominion along with the purpose of our mission." She shook her head annoyed they'd remained in the programme and pondered how they behaved interdependently from the others, answering Kuzos demands and responding very personally. Something didn't add up in her mind, the prospect of a saboteur irked her even more.

Sensing Kuzos gaze upon her as her mind continued to reflect on what had transpired zh'Roothi nodded at his question: "I saw enough, however the real purpose of the exercise wan't just to assess your combat readiness." She replied. "I wanted to see how you'd respond to threats to your life and I had intended to see how committed you were to defend others if required. A test of your camaraderie mind set."

Kuzos listened to zh'Roothi and her explanation. "I see, a very comprehensive test to be sure." He admitted. "I hope you saw enough to get an answer and are satisfied with that answer as well as my performance in your little test." His voice flat and emotionless.

"That fact you chose not to shoot me was satisfactory," the woman responded evenly noting how as always Kuzos was attempting to either rally or belittle her. She was tempted to sigh as his efforts were exhausting.

"While we have the use of the holo deck, is there a particular element of your training you'd wish to revisit?"

"No." Kuzos's answer was short and to the point. "I would however like to make an observation. It is this you don't like me. Which I can live with. However you also don't trust me, that is unacceptable, I have given you no reason for you to feel like that. You look at me and I see the distrust in your eyes. Distrust from a war long over and yet you cling to it like a security blanket. You wrap yourself in it. If our alliance is grow, old feelings, ideas must be let go."

"On the contrary, I do not hold any affliction for the War on a personal level." Against her better judgement the Andorian folded her arms across her chest and stiffened her frame at his jab. "I am a rather guarded individual and do not trust others easily, a typical trait among my people."

Kuzos noticed her stance and he looked her up and down. "I see. Your words say one thing and your body says another. Or am I mistaken in thinking your posture is one of a defensive nature? " He asked pointedly while waiting for her reply.

"Believe what you want," zh'Roothi shook her head as if to end the conversation. "If there's nothing more, you're dismissed."

Kuzos looked at her, his eyes on her holding her gaze for several seconds before he finally shook his head at her reply and not dignifying it with a reply of his own. He had hoped for an honest discussion but that seemed impossible now. Still holding her gaze he moved past her to head to the holodeck exit. Having remained silent the entire time.

 

RSS Feed