Chapter 01 - Weapons Training

The class was lined up in a large hangar bay. In front of them were tables with large metal cases laid on them. Each one was locked with fingerprint scanners and a number combination.

“Welcome, trainees, to our low-level firing range. What do I mean by low-level? I mean that this range is for practising one thing and one thing only, weapon control. If you can prove you can control your weapon in the scenarios we test in the next month, you will move up to the next range.” Halford spoke out, keeping a glare on Eric as he ended his sentence.

He walked behind the tables and grabbed one of the cases and held it up.

“This is a standard issue case for the WE1040. The finger scanner lets you open it, if an unauthorized individual attempts to open it, the safety mechanism will trigger. Redgrof, what is the safety mechanism?”

Iris exaggeratedly stood at attention and saluted as she answered. “Sir! The safety mechanism is a series of defenses the container has to protect against unauthorized users, Sir!”

“Good, now what do they do?”

“I don’t know, sir!” Iris stated, her blank face unchanging.

“At least you don’t hide your ignorance. Could learn a thing from her, Valtor.”

Eric resisted the urge to roll his eyes, instead remaining at attention. Halford sighed before continuing.

“The safety mechanism has multiple stages depending on the number of attempts and the type of attack it receives. Basic defense is a lockout period for incorrect scans, same as your house or apartment would have. Secondary defense is what we call a ‘Current-attack.’ If the case is shaken too much, pried at, etcetera, etcetera, it will send a light electrical current through the chassis. And finally, high-level defense…”

Halford threw the case over his head into the range, quickly pulled out a sidearm from his hip and took aim at the case in the air. The sidearm looked like an old America, Pre-United Front made pistol of the 1940s, only with an angular barrel and a neon blue strip of light running along the side of the gun from base to end. The shot rang out with no more than an electrical whirl, sending out a bright blue bolt of energy in the shape of an old-world bullet. The shot connected with the case, wrapping it in a blue sheen before the case exploded in a puff of purple smoke. Half of the class recoiled from the sudden noise and shock. The case hit the ground with smoke leaking out of the newly formed hole in the middle of it.

“Valtor, go grab the case.” Halford barked.

“Sir.”

Eric ran into the range and grabbed the case. Turning around about to run back, he stopped instantly as he saw Halford pointing his gun at him. His eyes widened and sweat dripped from his forehead.

“S-sir?”

“What mistake did Mr. Eric Valtor here make, anyone? Speak freely.”

The room was silent, but all Eric could hear was his heart beating in his ears. He gulped hard and eyed the gun pointed at him.

“Sir, the mistake Valtor made was not announcing his entry into a live line of fire, in this case the firing range lanes.” Iris finally spoke out breaking the silence, a smirk could be heard through her voice.

“Absolutely correct Ms. Redgrof.” Halford affirmed, holstering his sidearm. “That suit will protect you from most weapons, especially this sidearm here, but it still hurts like hell and can put you out of commission.”

Valtor exhaled deeply.

“Understood, sir.”

“What do you understand?” Halford said, crossing his arms across his chest.

“I understand that even in training we are to treat every scenario, every second as if we are in the field.”

“Very good. Come on ba-”

“I also understand now not to trust your orders as absolute and now must second guess the meaning behind everything you say and ask of us. Sir.”

Eric said, cutting off the instructor with a snarky, but honest tone. He briskly walked back to the class and placed the case on the table. As he went to return into line with the other classmates, Halford placed a firm hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

“Out of line. Get to the track field and give me 30 laps. Without the suit. Double time.”

“Not sure I understand, sir. Is this a test? Do I look for some other meaning here?”

“60 laps. And a hand written report on live fire safety.”

“Yes, sir. I could use the workout.”

Valtor jogged out of the room and shortly after a small drone followed behind him.

“Anyone else care to make any other comments and join Mr. Valtor in the run?”

No one spoke out, the silence deafening.

“Good, now we get to have fun. Each of these cases are already registered to your prints. Each on is initialed with your name and training number. Unlock yours.”

Each of the students walked up to the tables. After conducting a short search and collaborating with each other to find their case, each student was standing in front of their respective case. Each one scanned their print and every case opened in near-unison. Each case held a different weapon within them, some that none of the trainees have ever seen.

“S-sir, what are these?” Alice asked.

“These are prototype weapons, not field tested, not mass produced, and not made for anyone else.”

Each trainee looked around at each other trying to understand what was just said and what was on the table in front of them. Each case contained a unique weapon, unlike any used in their training during exams or those they were taught about in military school.

“Each of these were developed with your individual skills in mind. Because, if it wasn’t apparent by the uniforms on your backs, you are not any ordinary trainees. You are a special group being prepped for special occasions. You already know this, I know, I am simply reiterating.”

Halford paused, looking over each student. They were all glancing at each other and the weapons, as if the realization of where they are and who they suddenly set in.

“I’m regretting sending Valtor away at this moment, however I can drill this into him another time. You, trainees, are hand-picked for a future mission that even Whitlock himself feared would happen, something he wanted to believe would never happen, but was too smart to ignore it.”

A grim aura settled over the firing range. The cheery and gung-ho attitude the class had entering the range had quickly vanished.

“I will not be going into detail here on what that entails and what else you will be trained on, but you will learn soon enough what exactly that is.” Halford picked up a weapon case in front of him and unlocked it, pulling out a standard issue rifle. “For now, let’s lighten the mood and test our new toys. Well, your new toys.”

Each of student took out their weapons from the cases, inspecting them and looking over every detail. Iris’ case contained a medium barreled rifle, roughly 90 centimeters in total length, with raised bridge iron sights. A switch on the side indicates that the rifle does both semi-auto and three-round burst. Like all other weapons, this too had a neon light from handle base running up to the barrel tip. However, there was another strip running along the raised bridge on the top of the gun, that was not illuminated. Above the trigger on the side of the rifle rests a finger scanner like the one on the case.

Iris walked over to the firing lane and took aim with her new rifle. Initially testing out semi-auto, the weapon fired like any other standard issue WE1040 in semi-auto mode. Each shot fired hit directly center mass on the target. Next, she switched the firing mode to burst rounds and took aim again. On trigger pull, three bullets shot out instantly with virtually no delay in each bullet firing. All three shots landed slightly above the previous shots. Hesitantly, she placed her finger on the scanner and slowly the line on the bridge began to illuminate. The rifle began to vibrate and steam escaped from the arm brace. Iris placed her finger on the trigger, exhaled, and began to pull back.

*Bang!*

A loud bang echoed out through the hanger and penetrated her earmuffs, shaking the room. Sunlight was baking in through a newly formed hole in the side of the building and rubble and debris dripped from the ceiling.

“Yoake, status report? Are you okay? Any other injured, sound off!” Halford shouted.

Getting up slowly, Alice braced herself against the wall she was just thrown into. Alice held a long-barreled sniper rifle like a crutch to prop herself up. The entire weapon was over 150 centimeters in length with a long scope on it. The barrel is wide and angular, with a gap running along the top of it. The bottom featured a tripod instead of the usual bipod and the arm brace had a strap attached to it. It featured several neon lines on the barrel, converging into a single point just above the trigger.

“Y-yea, I’m good. Winded, might have hit my head on the wall.” Alice stammered out.

Iris ran over and put her arm around Alices waist and brought her over to a chair. Shortly after, several medics ran into the room and started their inspections of each injured member.

“At least Eric wasn’t here to see this, eh Alice?”

“I was looking forward to that massage, though.”

The two girls smiled and laughed.