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Chapter 8
Target Practice and Mission Briefing
It was a bright and peaceful morning as the sun shined lazily in the bright blue sky over the Long Beach Division HQ as Kenny and the troops under his command were going about their daily routine: with a small handful of the teenage soldiers under MSgt. Hammon's command and senior staff enjoying a heart healthy breakfast in the mess hall and others working on the military issued M35's and Hummers housed in the main garage. Meanwhile, in a different section of the base, Clementine and her new squad mates were honing their skills on the shooting range with the young teenage girl, Louis and Marlon taking their places in three separate booths with Violet, Brody, Mitch, Rick, Ruby, Davey and Assim watching at a safe distance.
"Pvt. Everett, shoot targets 2, 3, 4, 1!" A middle aged Caucasian man in his mid to late 40's, whom Marlon and the rest of the base knew as 1stSgt Hank Adams, who was their base's resident shooting instructor cried out as he held the remote to the three booths and pressed the button that caused four red and white painted shooting targets to her booth to pop up.
"With pleasure." Clem muttered softly as she leveled the iron sight of her Beretta M9 with her right eye and after taking precise aim, she fired four bullets that skillfully hit all four targets in the exact order that 1stSgt. Adams instructed.
"Wow. Not bad." Rick complimented with Assim and Mitch smiling and chuckling in amusement.
"The new girl's not too shabby." Davey stated casually while turning to Violet, who also smiled as she was also impressed with Clem's marksmanship with a handgun.
"PFC. Livingston! Targets 1, 4, 2, 3!" 1stSgt Adams cried out as he pressed the button to the remote and activated the targets on Louis's shooting lane.
"Heh, piece of cake." Louis stated casually as he leveled the iron sight of his military issued SIG-Sauer P226 handgun with his right eye and after taking steady aim, he fired four precise rounds that had hit the targets in the exact order that Adams called out.
"Nice shooting Louis." Clem stated as she complimented the older African American teenage boy on his marksmanship, which was equal to her own.
"Heh, thanks Clem. You're not too bad with a handgun yourself." Louis replied with his trademark grin as he casually blew on the barrel of his SIG-Sauer handgun.
"LCpl. James! Targets 3, 2, 1, 4!" 1Sgt. Adams exclaimed as he pressed the button to the remote again, which activated the targets on Marlon's shooting lane.
"Gladly." Marlon stated plainly as he leveled the iron sight of his own SIG-Sauer P226 with his right eye and after taking precise aim, he fired four rounds that just as easily struck all four targets in the exact order that 1stSgt. Adams commanded.
"Heh, both Louis and Marlon haven't lost their touch." Mitch stated with a proud grin on his face as he witnessed both Louis and his squad leader hit their targets without missing a single shot.
"Holster weapons." 1stSgt. Adams cried out as he ordered Clem, Louis and Marlon to holster their weapons and they did just that as the middle aged instructor pressed the button to the remote once again which caused the targets on their lanes to pop up once again along with three separate digital timers hanging on the back wall.
"That was some nice shooting kids. Now swap your sidearms for your primary weapons." Adams stated as he complimented Clementine, Louis and Marlon on their shooting and instructed them to switch for their M16A4's, which they instantly drew out while performing a brass check.
"Alrighty, for this next round you need to shoot all 15 targets under 60 seconds without reloading or switching for your sidearms! Understood?" 1stSgt. Adams continued as he explained to the young teenage girl and two older teenage boys on how they needed to hit 15 targets in 60 seconds without reloading or using their handguns!
"Understood 1st Sergeant!" Clem, Louis and Marlon answered in unison, showing they understood their instructions and were perfectly fine with the terms of the 2nd part of the test.
"Very good. Pvt. Everett, you shall go first. Are you ready?" Adams stated with a proud grin on his face as he informed Clem that she would be starting the 2nd round of the course first.
"I'm ready, sir. Ring the bell." The young African American teenage girl answered with a soft nod, showing that she was more than prepared as she leveled the iron sight of her assault rifle and took precise aim.
"20 bucks says the new girl won't hit every target on her first try." Davey stated casually as he wagered Violet, Mitch, Brody, Rick, Assim and Ruby $20 that Clementine wouldn't hit every target.
"Tsk, I'll bet you 20 that says she'll nail every single one." Mitch countered as he accepted the bet and wagered his friend/teammate an extra 20 bucks that Clem would hit every single target.
"Alright Weston, you're on." Blackwood boy stated as he accepted Mitch's bet and they shook hands to honor their wager.
"How about you Rick? You, Assim or the girls want in on the action?" He automatically added while glancing to Rick, Assim, Violet, Brody and Ruby and asking if either of them also wanted in on the bet.
"Nah. I'm not much of a gambler." Rick answered as he naturally turned down to get involved in the wager between Davey and Mitch.
"Sure. I'll put another 20 that says Clementine will hit every target." Assim replied, stating that he would bet another $20 that Clem would hit every single target.
"Seriously Davey? You want to bet that Clem won't hit every target?" Violet asked as she was slightly annoyed and disgusted that Davey, Mitch and Assim would try to make a quick buck by wagering whether or not Clem would hit every target on her shooting lane.
"Ohh, c'mon Violet, it's all in good fun. Besides, when Eric and and Scott first joined the 125th, you bet me and Marlon that neither of them would finish the shooting course while under the winning time limit." The combative brunette countered, stating that he and Blackwood were just having fun and pointed out to the blonde on she had made him and Marlon a similar wager when she had bet them that two of their fellow Resistance fighters, PFC. Eric Thomas and Cpl. Scott Young wouldn't complete the gun course while beating the time record.
"...You know Vi, Mitch does have a point." Brody hesitantly stated as she agreed with Mitch.
"I'm aware of that Brody." Violet stated plainly and dryly while rolling her eyes and crossing her arms as she glanced back to the shooting range, along with Brody, Mitch, Ruby, Davey and Assim as Clem was about to begin her turn.
"Ready, set...Go!" 1stSgt. Adams exclaimed as he pressed the button on the remote and activated the targets.
As soon as the words left his mouth and the first target popped up, Clementine instinctively fired a small burst of 3 rounds which struck the sturdy metal bullseye, which caused another target to pop up that Clem immediately hit as well! After she had hit the first two targets, the young African American teenage girl steadily shifted aim while firing a burst of 2-3 rounds which struck every single target that automatically popped up. As she continued to shoot down range, Violet and the others had watched in genuine surprise as they witnessed Clem hit every target with extreme ease.
"Damn, look at her go." Rick stated with a soft smile as he turned to Ruby and Brody, whom were deeply amazed by what a skilled marksman Clementine was.
"I'd say we have a dead ringer behind you and Louis, Rick." Ruby stated with a causal smile while pointing out on how Clem's skills with an assault rifle were the same as both Brennan's and Louis's.
"Well Mitch, looks to me like we won our wager." Assim stated casually while softly patting Mitch on his right shoulder, which earned an amused grin from his friend and teammate.
"Damn straight." The combative brunette stated as he and the Indian-American teenage boy bumped fists while Blackwood glanced away with a disappointed look on his face; due to losing his wager against Mitch and Assim.
As she and the rest of their friends/teammates watched Clem shoot the 10th and 11th targets while steady shifting aim, Violet couldn't help but smile softly in admiration of the young African American teenage girl as she continued her turn. It had been 3 days since Clementine had been transferred to Long Beach and the rest of the 125th welcomed her with open arms. While she made friends with the other teenage soldiers, who served under Kenny's 2nd in command, SSgt. Luke Porter, Clem had grew closer with Louis, Marlon, Violet and the rest of their team during the past three days: as she took Mitch up on his offer and actually spared with him when they, Marlon, Davey, Rick, Elias and Charlie worked out in the workout center and she impressed Violet and the others even more, when they saw what a decent basketball player she was when she, the older blonde, Brody, Rick and Assim played a game against Marlon, Louis, Davey, Eddie and Eric on the bases outside basketball court.
Also, during those past three days, Clem and Violet had slowly built and formed a close friendship with one another: as she and the older blonde had spent quality time together on the shooting range and when they went out on a early jog around the base at 7:30 am...which was another ritual that the young teenage girl and her old team shared with her new one.
As Violet and the others continued to watch from the sidelines, they watched in deep silence...as the timer was down to 20 seconds and Clementine took precise aim as she fired three small bursts that struck the 12, 13 and 14th targets as they popped up on the far right and left corners of the back of her lane.
"She's down to the last one." Brody stated while glancing back to Ruby and the others, whom waited anxiously as Clem leveled the iron sight of her M16 and waited patiently for her final target to appear.
"...You can do this Clementine. You've got it in the bag." Violet softly whispered as she cheered the young African American teenage girl on and crossed the pointer and middle fingers on her right hand as she wished her luck as the timer now read 15 seconds.
As soon as the timer went down to 13 seconds, Clem's eyes narrowed as her final target appeared hanging in the middle of the back of her shooting lane and after taking in a deep breath to focus, she lightly pulled the trigger and fired a small burst of 3 rounds...which much to her friends surprise (and Davey's dismay), struck the target dead center and emitted a loud ringing which stopped the clock and showed the finished time: which was 10.5 seconds!
"Alright, Pvt. Everett! Holster that weapon!" 1stSgt. Adams cried out with a soft proud grin on his face after seeing how quickly the young teenage girl had passed the 2nd round on the course.
"Holy shit Clem, now that was some sweet shooting!" Louis cried out as he playfully threw his arm around Clementine's neck/shoulders and playfully shake her, which caused her to laugh at the older boy's silly and playful actions.
"That was some very nice shooting Clementine. You did great." Marlon stated after his best friend with a soft grin on his face as he was equally surprised and impressed with Clem's stellar marksmanship just like Violet, Mitch and the others.
"She's good. She is really good." Rick stated casually as he reached into his right pants pocket and took out two toothpicks; where he placed one between his lips and offered the other to Violet, whom gladly accepted and placed it between her lips.
"Forty bucks, please." Mitch stated with a casual and smug grin as he held out his hand and gestured for Davey to pay up; which the Native American teenage boy begrudgingly obliged while groaning softly as he reached into his left pants pocket and took out two 20 dollar bills that were in pristine condition and handed them to Mitch, who handed the the other 20 to Assim.
"Pleasure doing business with Davey." Assim stated casually as he and the combative brunette placed their newly acquired $20 bills in their own pants pockets.
"Laugh it up Durman. Laugh it up." Blackwood stated dryly while rolling his eyes and glancing away in disappointment after losing his wager.
"Alright. PFC. Livingston, step right..." 1stSgt. Adams started off as he was about to activate the targets on Louis's shooting lane before he stopped in mid-sentence, as the intercom speaker dangling above the entrance/exit came alive.
"Attention Alpha Team, you are needed in the briefing room immediately." A middle aged male voice speaking in a gruff tone stated through the intercom as he informed Marlon and his team that they were to report to the briefing room before the speaker went offline.
"Well...looks like target practice is over." Violet stated dryly as she took out the toothpick that Rick offered and flicked into a nearby trashcan.
"We'd better get to the briefing room before the Sarge blows his top." Louis stated casually while turning to Marlon, who nodded in agreement with his best friend.
"C'mon guys. We better go see what Hammon wants." The older blonde teenage boy stated as he switched the selector lever to his M16 to safety and handed the rifle to Sgt. Adams, along with Clementine and Louis.
Once they handed the assault rifles back to the veteran instructor, Marlon, Clem, Louis, Violet and the rest of their squad exited the firing range and made their to the briefing room, where they spotted Kenny, who was speaking to someone over a radio headset and a 30 year old Caucasian man with dark brown hair, stone gray eyes and trimmed reading glasses preparing an old school Kodiak slideshow projector.
"Ahh, Marlon. You and your chalk are just on time." The dark haired man stated with a soft grin as he greeted Marlon and his team as he finished setting up the projector.
"Thank you SSgt. Donnelly." The older blonde teenage boy replied professionally as he and his squad identified the man as SSgt. Mark Donnelly, whom served as both Kenny's right hand man and chalk leader of their 2nd search and rescue squad, Bravo Team.
"Is everything all set Mark?" Kenny asked as he took off the radio headset and glanced back to his 2nd in command, who gave him a thumbs up.
"Good to go Kenny." Donnelly answered.
"What's going on Sarge?" Mitch asked as he and his teammates were curious to why their C.O. asked for them in the briefing room.
"Who were you just talking to?" Clementine automatically added as they were equally curious to who it was he was speaking to over the radio.
"Alright Alpha Team, listen up. We just received orders from HQ. They a mission for us." Kenny answered as he informed Marlon, Clementine and the rest of their squad that they just received a new mission from South Division, which naturally piqued their interest.
"What kind of mission are we talking about Sarge?" Rick asked as he and his friends/squad mates were curious to what their new assignment was.
"Mark, if you'd please." Their commanding officer answered while turning to SSgt. Donnelly, whom nodded and turned off the lights before he turned on the projector that beamed on the wall mounted projection screen.
"Approximately at 0733 hours, we lost all contact with our military outpost in San Pedro. Before their disappearance, the unit stationed there, the 106th Infantry had detected Skynet activity in the Rolling Hills area. We need you and your squad to head out for San Pedro to investigate the outpost and then Rolling Hills. Report back whatever you find." Kenny stated professionally as he informed Marlon and his team on how South Division had lost contact with the 106th Regiment that was stationed in San Pedro, whom were looking into suspected Machine activity in the area of Rolling Hills and how Baron wanted them to investigate the 106th's mysterious disappearance whilst Donnelly flipped through three different slides: one being of the outside of the Resistance outpost; which was actually a large industrial warehouse on a pier overlooking the ocean, the 2nd being of the inside of the outpost, which was completely deserted and the 3rd being of the ruined remains of the city of Rolling Hills...which caused the young teenage girl and several of her friends to glance away in sadness.
"What sort of enemy resistance should we expect in Rolling Hills?" Clem asked as she was curious to what sort of Machines she and her new team should expect to face once they arrived at Rolling Hills.
"Unfortunately Pvt. Everett, we have little Intel on what sort of Machines occupy Rolling Hills. But according to what information that the 106th had collected before they vanished, they reported mainly Spider Scouts and Scout Drones." Hammon answered truthfully as he informed the young African American teenage girl and her squad on how the 106th Infantry had reported seeing a large number of Spider Scouts and Scout Drones patrolling the streets of Rolling Hills.
"Sarge, what is the exact location of the outpost?" Assim asked as he and his friends/teammates were curious to where the outpost stationed in San Pedro was located.
"The outpost is an old abandoned storage warehouse on Pier #1 at the Cabrillo Way Marina." Kenny answered as he informed Marlon and his team that the Resistance outpost was located at the Cabrillo Way Marina.
"What about rules of engagement, sir?" Louis softly asked...even though he already knew the answer; due to the amused grin on his black/grey haired sergeant's face.
"You and your team are free to fire the second you see any Tin Cans cross your path, son. Any further questions?" Kenny stated as he informed the older African American teenage boy that he and his team were allowed to engage the Machines right away while asking if he, Brody, Clem, Violet or the rest of their squad had any further questions regarding their mission parameters.
"No sir." Marlon answered professionally with his arms folded behind his back as he and his friends/teammates understood their orders perfectly as Mark turned the projector off after the presentation was over.
"Alrighty then, I believe you and your squad know the drill, LCpl. James. Grab whatever you gear you and your team think you'll need for this mission and head out!" Kenny stated with a proud grin as he instructed the blonde teenage boy and his squad to go over what weapons/gear they'd need from the armory, including with how many medical kits they had on stock in the infirmary and to head out for Rolling Hills right away while pointing out the door!
"Yes, Master Sergeant!" Marlon, Louis, Clem, Violet and the rest of their team cried out in unison as they saluted MSgt. Hammon and SSgt. Donnelly, which they instantly returned and smiled as they watched the young teenage girl and her friends/chalk exit the briefing room.
Once they exited the briefing room, Clementine and her team headed straight to the armory, which ironically was in the shooting range and after they opened the doors to the three separate gun lockers, they immediately picked out their primary weapons: with Clem, Violet, Rick and Davey arming themselves with M16A4's outfitted with M68 Aimpoint scopes; Louis, Ruby and Brody arming themselves with Colt M4A1 carbines outfitted with EOTech holosights, Marlon and Assim arming themselves with H&K PSG-1 sniper rifles outfitted with a Leupold Mk. 4 scopes and 20 round magazines and Mitch had armed with a Winchester Model 1300 Marine and an M79 grenade launcher that strapped over his back.
"Is that...an actual M79 grenade launcher?" Clementine softly asked as she stared in genuine shock the second she saw the type of weapon Mitch had chose as his back up!
"Heh, what's the matter Clem? Your old base didn't have any grenades launchers in their weapons locker?" Louis playfully asked as he, Marlon and the rest of the squad noticed the shocked expression on the young teenage girl's face the second she witnessed the combative brunette grab and throw the M79 over his right shoulder.
"No such luck, no." Clem answered in all modesty as she had detected the playful/teasing tone in the older African American teenage boy's voice and informed her squad mates that the San Diego Division didn't carry any grenade launchers on their base.
"Really? You and your old unit didn't carry grenade launchers?" Rick asked as he, Mitch, Assim and the others were genuinely surprised after hearing Clementine reveal that the Resistance division stationed in San Diego didn't have any M79's in their arsenal!
"...Unfortunately, no. The only weapons my old team and the other soldiers stationed in San Diego carried were mostly M16's, several Benelli M3 Tactical shotgun's and Blaser R93 sniper rifles." She answered truthfully as she revealed the types of weapons her previous unit carried to her new friends/teammates.
"Blaser R93's?! Holy shit, those are high power rifles." Marlon stated as his and Assim's eyes widened after hearing what type of sniper rifles Clem's previous unit kept on their base.
"What about explosives?" Violet asked as she and the others were curious to what sort of explosives Clementine's previous team and the other soldiers carried on their base.
"We carried plenty of pipe bombs and can grenades...well, at least the ones we were able to craft. And before you guys ask, we also carried Ultra-Vision goggles. But we only carried the old model, not the new ones." Clem answered as she revealed to her friends/teammates on how she and her previous chalk, along with the other Resistance fighters stationed in San Diego carried plenty of pipe bombs and can grenades that they managed to craft from whatever supplies they found while out in the field and how they also carried Ultra-Vision goggles...whilst pointing out on how the hi-tech goggles they used were the older models.
"That's alright. The goggles we keep here on base are the older models too." Brody stated as she informed Clementine that the Ultra-Vision goggles that their squad and the other Resistance fighters were older models too.
"Alright guys, listen up. For this mission, we're going to travel in two separate vehicles. Louis: you and Violet ride with me in the Hummer. Rick: you, Davey, Mitch, Brody, Assim and Ruby take one one the M35's. Clem, since this is your first mission with our team, you ride with me, Louis and Vi." Marlon stated out loud, which immediately earned his friends/teammates attention as he informed them that they would be taking two separate vehicles for their current assignment and assigned them to which vehicle they'd be driving.
"Okay." Clementine replied as she shared a soft grin with Louis and Violet as soon as Marlon assigned her to ride with them in the Hummer.
"Alright, does everybody have what they need?" The older blonde teenage boy added as he asked his squad if they had the necessary ammo, med kits and explosives they'd need before they headed out into the field, whom gave a collective nod.
"We got everything we need buddy." Louis stated casually as he informed his best friend and team leader that he, Violet, Brody and the others had the necessary ammo and equipment they'd need for their mission in San Pedro and Rolling Hills.
"Alright, then let's head out!" Marlon ordered with a casual smirk on his face as he exited the armory with his friends/squad following right behind him.
As soon as they exited the armory, Clementine and her new team headed straight to the main garage: where she and Violet sat in the back seats of one of the Hummers while Marlon got into the driver's seat and Louis sat up front in the passenger's whilst Assim, Ruby, Brody and Davey climbed into the back of one the M35 transport trucks while Rick and Mitch climbed into the cab. Once they had gotten into their assigned vehicles, Marlon inserted the key into the ignition and drove the Hummer out of the garage with Rick driving the M35 right behind him, Louis, Clem and Violet as they exited the base, with the mechanics working on one of the Hummers and the two Resistance fighters standing sentry; PFC. Eric Thomas and Pvt. Moreno waving 'bye' and wishing them the best of luck and headed for San Pedro.
A/N: There it is everyone, the 8th chapter to Together Against The Odds as promised. I would like to apologize if the chapter seems short or lacking in details. The 9th chapter should be posted sometime in the next two weeks or the beginning of August. Until next time, bye.