A New Weapon
Posted on Tue Aug 25th, 2026 @ 6:16pm by Subcommander Kaiae t'Lien & Lieutenant Commander Savin
2,642 words; about a 13 minute read
Mission:
Intermission: Safe Haven
Location: Haven Colony
Timeline: 2387-10-15; Following the Briefing
As people started to depart now that the meeting was over, Savin dismissed Jerant to whatever other duties he might have and approached the ship's first officer. "Subcommander," he started formally to draw her attention. "You said you could help me acquire a more suitable weapon for day to day carry. Is it possible to sort this today?" He preferred to have it dealt with now that the offer was on the table rather than later when it might be too busy and it was -perhaps even conveniently - forgotten.
"Right. Yes." Kaiae motioned for Savin to follow her out of the chamber, switched languages to her less-than-perfect Federation Standard, and turned her head slightly so he could see her lips as they walked. "This would have eventually come up in the future once I find more appropriate people to give you some further cultural knowledge and instruction." A rueful, somewhat amused expression crossed her face for a moment. "We are close to the same age; I will be finding someone older for you to work with overall." Kaiae considered the company Savin had kept so far, of what she knew of to date - his brief time as an exchange officer previously probably was of limited use here, but his association with NVeid might not be, in saving herself the entire explanation she'd intended to make someone with both more age and more time give, while still at least getting the basics clear. "Since you have worked fairly closely together for awhile, I don't suppose you've ever seen or noticed the dagger NVeid has?"
"His Honour Blade," Savin answered knowingly , "however I was under the impression that this is a weapon one must earn and that it is not given. Are they not custom made? I believe his bears his clan name, but I am not certain. While I have seen him carry it, I have never seen him draw it."
"That's a 'yes' as to that being a correct impression about earning it, and on the custom made part. As to having never seen him draw it..." Kaiae shrugged her eyebrows "...not actually surprised by that on further thought I suppose, probably never got into a situation he felt he needed to while living in the Federation." And I somehow doubt his Tal'Shiar handlers bothered teaching him the nuances of everything or everywhere or all the reasons he might or might not, either, so he'd only know whatever he learned from his parents before they took him, she thought but didn't say. "But I might as well give you a more basic weapon of an overall similar size; it will get you used to carrying for if or when you ever get your own; and in the meantime also give you something to have on hand if need be that is rather more easily concealed and carried than an entire sword."
Savin nodded in understanding. "I can accept that," he replied, "I would not wish to use a weapon I have not earned the use of." That much he did understand. "My own sword is custom made for my use. Any other would probably find it ill balanced, but it is perfect for my use. I have a replica as well, as it was not a good idea to practice with a live weapon in a Starfleet gym." He smiled politely. "I assume a replica here would be an insult, but where is it safe to practice?"
"For the most part so far, anyone wishing to has simply been finding a spot and doing so; this place is still very much a work in progress as you've no doubt seen. If you intend to do so alone, the safest spot is probably your living space, assuming there is enough space. Otherwise, probably find a spot out of the way in the medical center, a storeroom with the space or such, and secure the door behind you, until everyone gets more used to you. As for a blunted replica...." The amusement was back on Kaiae's face "...I don't think anyone would consider it an insult per se, but they would definitely think you are not acting your age. That sort of thing is used for training weapons, by youngsters who lack either appropriate training, technique, and experience, or still lack appropriate self-control."
It suddenly occurred to Kaiae that another warning was possibly of merit here, as well. "And I wouldn't accept any invitations to practice with anyone unless everyone discusses first and agrees upon exactly what is meant by it and the rules of the session in advance. Not uncommon for adults, assuming the parties involved trust one another, to do a practice match to first blood - it's an exercise in demonstrating skill and control, being able to land a hit that scores a point while also not doing serious damage to your opponent. You probably would like to avoid using those rules at the moment; so make it clear up front to anyone you practice with what your limits are."
That earned her somewhat of a smirk. "I have sparred with opponents," he confessed, "but mostly within the safety of a holodeck. It would probably be better for people to observe me from a distance and assess my skill before requesting a sparring match. Even so, I consider it a better idea that if I should spar, it is with an experienced combatant. Perhaps more controlled and experienced than I. And then, have people observe."
"Aboard the ship, there will likely be standing such sessions for any who are off-duty and able to join at the time, for both unarmed combat and use of a variety of weapons. It is critical that those who are posted together know how to best anticipate and cooperate with one another in a fight - for example, if the ship is boarded - as well as ensure everyone maintains a certain level of skill. This is quite possibly even more true in a situation such as this, where there are personnel originally hailing from multiple species, cultures, and original training sources." The few times she had tried sparring with the Terrans in the crew, Kaiae had found she was a fairly decent match with Freya, but that Perez - as she had expected they might - definitely outclassed her, which was unsurprising given the history, training, and experience in play there. "For someone experienced specifically in how to defend a the medical facilities aboard, though, you may want to consult Dr. Gable - I was not present for any such occasions, but I have heard from those who were that she is quite proficient at it."
"I will speak with her then," Savin agreed, "subcommander, this may be out of place for me to ask, and I do not wish to seem ignorant but..." The counselor hesitated, not quite sure how to ask without seeming demanding or even stupid. "How does one earn one's blade? Is there a ritual I need to complete, or a certain act I must perform? A trait I need to display? I do not wish to stand out for longer than is necessary, the sooner it learn that which I was never taught, the sooner I will blend in more."
Kaiae briefly wondered if this was a preview of what it was like to be a parent; this stream of questions on things she wasn't expecting to have to instruct anyone on for a decade or two yet; but quickly came to the conclusion that this was in fact even stranger than that - a child, after all, wouldn't actually have asked half these things so blatantly, let alone in such quick succession; they would simply have absorbed many of them naturally over time, through growing up and seeing, hearing, and observing their family, and society around them and those in it. After a moment of thought, she finally settled on a decent enough answer for now. "It's a complicated question, really; there's a fair amount you'll need to learn, first. But at it's most simplistic, I suppose the best answer I can give at the moment is - you are aware, I assume from growing up on Vulcan, of the Vulcan kahswan rite?"
"Affirmative, it can be described as a coming of age ritual. Vulcan children are expected to complete it when they are seven years old. Without it, they will not be regarded as adults. I went through it myself at that age, and I can confirm it is a very demanding and challenging task. I also confirm it is a kind of race but you are expected to make adult choices. Mere completion does not equal passing the challenge." It was an elaborate explanation for something quite simple. "It is also a very dangerous expedition as children are exposed to the elements and wildlife without protection. There have been casualties during many such trials, including mine.”
Kaiae nodded at this. “We have a similar, though not identical, rite undertaken around the same age; it is also not without that risk that some do not survive it.” The serious, matter-of-fact tone was followed by wry humor creeping in with the next bit though; considering the dynamics in play at the mome. “Since you are rather obviously not a seven year old, it is possible that whomever instructs you may actually eventually decide that your previous completion of the Vulcan ritual satisfies that piece of things, provided you can prove yourself in other ways as to learning essential knowledge and practices and demonstrating appropriate behavior and the like. I would not rush through things, however; if your goal is to to begin to fit in better, then knowing how to behave when, where, and with or in response to whom or what - and why - will be perhaps the most key piece to doing so.”
"I shall submit to the judgement of my instructor or instructors," Savin agreed, though he couldn't suppress the amusement he felt when she made a remark against his age. "I would imagine that my completion of the ritual, as well as my profession bear some influence on that decision."
As they came up to the entrance to the structure she shared with her parents, grandmother, and cousins, she could hear the faintest bits of what sounded like her mother’s badly-spoken Ferengi; Kaiae did not speak Ferengi herself so couldn’t parse the meaning, but for even a hint of Vareth’s voice to carry this far, it was likely she was flat-out yelling at her investment broker, and Kaiae sighed and looked back to Savin. “…Wait here. I’ll come back with something for you.”
Savin nodded, unable to hide his curiosity as she disappeared inside. He would however wait outside as instructed, considering it bad form to step inside without invitation to do so. Instead, he resigned himself to waiting and studying the outside of the residence.
A few minutes later, Kaiae came back out of the house - or what passed for one for now, anyway - and carefully offered a rather plain but well-made dagger in a simple black sheath to Savin, grip first. "This was one of my back-up weapons; I'm afraid you'll have to replicate a holster or such for under your clothes aboard the ship, however - " she laughed for a moment, Savin had about ten centimeters and thirteen kilos on her, and most significantly, a rather differently shaped chest, " - as I don't think any of mine will fit you."
Not understanding why she laughed, he studied her for a moment before studying the dagger, weighing it experimentally in his left hand. "Conceal where, exactly?" He queried curiously, still carefully turning the dagger this way and that. "This looks well made," he continued, "thank you. I will treat it well until I can acquire my own."
"'Where' is up to you - though there are a few spots that tend to be most popular, I'd say, depending on what works best for someone in terms of being able to draw quickly and smoothly." As if in demonstration, Kaiae stepped back slightly and turned a bit to make it clear her next actions were not meant to be a threat, then one of her hands went to a spot under her uniform tunic in a flash of motion without even glancing down, emerging a second later with something was definitely not 'plain' but instead paired its polished, faceted, and exceedingly sharp blade with an elegant, engraved grip that she held more like an extension of herself than anything else, befitting something she'd used for so many decades now; and in a moment more slid back into where she'd drawn it from and smoothed her tunic over with both hands. "If you aren't sure what would work best for you, probably spend some time trying out different setups to see what you prefer."
"I will," he promised her, "and I will need instruction as well. This is different than a sword..it has much less range, unless it is meant for throwing?"
“Definitely recommend against throwing. I mean, if your choice is throw it or some boarding party kills you, and you’re very sure you can hit your target, and you’re up against only one opponent, perhaps throw it; but other issues notwithstanding, that also then leaves you unarmed, if you aren’t carrying any backup weapons; and the sort of pirates and such we’re likely to encounter in this area of space or the one around Drozana station almost certainly will be carrying such. As for instruction…I’d say there’s really two parts to that, one more urgent than the other. Whomever instructs you eventually on everything overall will teach you some things - or find someone appropriate to at that time with the requisite skills - as to what is accepted or expected for use in certain circumstances. In terms of just everyday fighting you might get into on the ship or wherever else we go like Drozana or such, though, I’m actually going to recommend Perez as possibly the best instructor, if they’re willing. I’ve sparred with them once or twice before; they kicked my ass every time.” This last was actually paired with a brief grin on Kaiae’s face; in both those cases she had learned more from the defeat - and the match itself - for future use and improvement than she might have from an easy victory.
"I have no problem with...that..." Savin answered to her remark of getting her ass kicked, "especially not if this will get me used to this weapon sooner rather than later. Especially if I am expected to always carry it." He continued to experimentally weigh and heft the dagger in his hand, putting this fingers this way and that to find a comfortable grip. "I do not expect my instructors to go easy on me," he remarked casually, "in fact I would prefer they did not."
"Of that," Kaiae smiled nostalgically, recalling her own childhood and adolescence, and things that had at the time been frustrating or infuriating, but were now remembered fondly for the challenges conquered and the use it had all been to her in life since, "I can assure you they will not be." She could still hear the faintest bits of her mother's voice through the exterior walls, but it was quieting now; whatever issue she had been impressing on her Ferengi broker likely now resolving. "I need to go handle a long list of items before we depart tomorrow; if there is anything you need to address before then, I would recommend you do likewise."
RSS Feed