Chapter 5

"You look like shit."

"Thanks Barry," said Chris. "You're receding and old."

"Asshole," laughed Barry.

"Hey watch it," said Sullivan, "I'm older and balder than both of you."

Chris, Barry, and Sullivan were waiting in the observation room of the shooting range. Any minute from now the new recruit would begin her test. Chris still did not like the idea of reviewing members one day after joining. Chris thanked God the glass he was staring out of was a one-way mirror. It would have pissed him off if a new guy had been reviewing him. He did not want the new recruit to think he was some cocky asshole from day one. But Chris thought it over for a second and cheered himself up. This was still a team in its infancy. Maybe that was how all new organizations did things. Besides, he was point man. If he had to be reviewing something, it did make since that it was aim.

"So Barry, the new girl cute?" asked Sullivan.

"Your wife might not like you asking those kinds of questions," said Barry.

"Oh, I love my wife," said Sullivan, "I'm just looking out for my boy Chris here."

Barry laughed. "Good point. When's the last time you had a special someone Chris: two, three years?"

"Let's cut the crap," said Chris. "How much longer do you think it's going to be?"

As soon as Chris finished his sentence Wesker entered the room below. Behind him was a 5 ft. 5 brunette woman in perfect shape. She couldn't have been more than 110 lbs. Chris would not say it out loud for fear of more jeering, but she really was beautiful. Her eyes had a Greek look to them which made her seem more mature than the average twenty-four-year-old. Her hair was pinned behind her in a ponytail to make room for the earphones she would soon be wearing to drown out the sound of the gunfire.

"So this girl was in Delta Force?" asked Sullivan.

"Wait," said Chris, "I thought she had only worked security and the Bomb Squad. Why the hell do you need me to review someone on Delta Force? She obviously has the credentials."

"Oh come on Chris," said Barry. "Be happy you're here. I just wanted to get you used to your future duties as Point Man. Next time you stand here to review someone, conditions won't be as happy as just getting dragged up here on your days off. The last man to serve as Alpha Team's Rear Security had to quit because of medial complications. Same with the Point Man. Reviewing someone whose replacing a retiree isn't as bad as reviewing someone whose replacing a fallen buddy. I just wanted to see you work during one of the rare times when things aren't serious. Enjoy yourself."

"Alright," Chris said relaxing. "So anything else I should no about this girl."

"She's probably a better shot than both of us," said Sullivan.

"Oh damn it," said Chris.

Barry laughed. "Don't worry guys. I don't think she's that good. Besides, you guys have more professional close quarters training than she does. She ain't up for your jobs."

"Quiet down," said Sullivan. "The test is starting."

Wesker had given her a modified rifle and was telling her to wait for her targets. After the initial test with the rifle, she would be tested with a small automatic and finally the Samurai Edge. Valentine put on her headphones and adjusted herself to aim. Wesker climbed up the steps to the observation room and entered without saying a word. He put a finger in front of his lips to dissuade talking. A full three minutes passed without Wesker initiating the test. Chris remembered how he felt waiting for the targets to pop up. It was like waiting for a horror movie monster to jump out and scare you. Finally Wesker pressed the button and the targets arose.
Valentine was fast. Her aim wasn't as good as that of Chris and Sullivan, but she was able to switch weapons when Wesker switched targets quicker than either of the two. Wesker loved good reaction time. She had also aimed almost exclusively for the head. Chris new Wesker would be impressed with this as well. Everyone in the room new Valentine was in before half of the automatic's clip was depleted. She might even beat Chris and Sullivan's scores. But something happened. The girl did not adjust properly when she picked up the Samurai Edge. Its modified weight threw her off. She missed the first shot completely. Even with the glasses obscuring his face, Chris could tell Wesker was displeased. Missed shots with the clumsy automatic were inevitable with even the best marksmen. If 80% of the bullets hit the target, Wesker counted it as a perfect score. But Wesker counted a missed pistol shot as a mortal sin and his grading methods emphasized this favoritism. Valentine readjusted and her aim improved. The target was relatively far away for pistol shots, so she aimed for the torso and hit the mark for the remaining five shots. She then placed her weapon and took off the headphones. Disappointment was clearly visible on her face.

Wesker sat silently for a few moments. His mood had been ruined. "Well, what do you three think?" he finally asked.

Barry spoke up first. "She would make a fine addition to the team, sir. Her reaction time is unparalleled by anyone else on S. T. A. R. S. She finished the test faster than any of us."

Sullivan spoke second. "Even with the missed shot her score is still higher than anyone but Marini and us four, sir. The Samurai Edge is a weapon unique to this squad."

"That's no excuse. Guns sometimes malfunction on the field. In a worst case scenario, she might even be forced to use a gun she is unfamiliar with. Chris, I am most interested in your opinion."

Chris new she deserved to be on the team. He had to choose his words carefully. "She chose speed before accuracy. Until the last round that was a good strategy. I know missed shots are fatal, sir, but I believe she reacted to her mistake quickly enough to neutralize any target that would potentially take advantage of her mistake. Also, she took every headshot she could. If it weren't for the missed shot, I think only you and Marini would have her beat.

Wesker sat back farther in his chair. Chris, Barry, and Sullivan knew that in the next ten seconds, Wesker would determine whether or not Valentine had made the team. Wesker concluded his thoughts with a grin. "Alright. She makes the cut. But Chris."

"Yes sir?"

"You're going to arrive here at 6:30 every morning to train with her for the next month."

"What if she gets used to the weapon and starts getting bull's-eyes first day."

"This isn't about her score on tests. This is about getting her better at making decisions. You can call it punishment, but I don't want her dying her first day on the field. I'm going to tell her about our arrangement. Meanwhile, you are free to leave. You have spent enough of your day off here and it's already earned you an extra hour and a half for the next month. Go enjoy yourself. The rest of you are dismissed as well."

Wesker walked out of the room. "Thanks a lot Barry."

"Sorry, I didn't know something like that would happen."

"Calm down, Chris," said Sullivan. "Look at it this way," he began to laugh, "you've got one and half hours alone every day for the next month to make Ms. Valentine's acquaintance. If I were you, I'd go buy Barry another beer."

"Damn it," said Chris.

"I'm genuinely sorry Chris."'

"Ah... don't worry about it. But this counts as pay back for your half of the drinks."

"That's fine."

There was another pause. Sullivan laughed again. "I still think I'd buy Barry a beer if I were you."

The others joined his laugh.