Moddell Sector, Sian System, Planet Tadath
SCRCT Training School (Imperial Stormtrooper Academy)
0400 Hours Standard Galactic Time, September Seventeenth, 12 ABY Two weeks of grueling marksmanship exercises had worn on squad of troopers at the SCRCT. The SCRCT, or correctly known as Stormtrooper Corps Ranged Combat and Tactics School, had been training the Empire's future snipers for nearly forty five years now, and Alan was damn proud to finally be here. His father had stood on these very same grounds nearly twenty years ago and doing the same exact things he had accomplished here. No one really expected it to be this hard of a school to graduate from but the squad that would be taking their final examinations today originally started as a platoon. The young man now knew just how proud his father must have passed this test, and no telling what would be in store for him as he progressed to P2. Alan stared out over the field by himself at 0400, nearly two hours early. It was raining, and the sun had not even rose yet. Tadath was getting quite cool outside around this time of the year, it was a more than welcomed change from the extreme heat he had spent the last three months of his life in.
A blue/green hue lit the range up for Alan. He was new to the SCOPE Armor, but he was enjoying it much more than the standard S.1 Armor that had changed very little over the course of 20 years. He was zoomed in, staring at a series of hologram mortar crewmen. Around five to exact. He would have to begin firing and complete the process of elimination within 10 seconds. He would be allowed one shot per target and if he failed, he could pack his backs all of this had been for nothing. This is why Alan stood here, studying the field. He watched how the wind was blowing, how hard the rain was pouring. The storm would most likely be over by the time they began firing. This was good and bad because the sun would be coming out and the reflection of the wet grass would cause some difficulty at the distances they would be shooting at today. After about twenty minuets of studying his targets Alan moved to the bench behind him. He was under the shooting house for range 11, the majority of which was duracrete with titanium roofing. It was built to keep the shooter sheltered and to keep stray shots from hitting him or anyone else.
After about an hour and a half (RET) Col. Brent Gaviello arrived wearing the older S.1 armor he had been issued as a Stormtrooper. INSTRUCTOR was n blue aurabesh lettering around his left shoulder pauldron. Alan snapped to a salute when he stepped forward. Colonel Gaviello returned the salute as he snapped to attention.
“At ease Towers. As you know today each trooper will be firing separated and shall be performing under the supervision of an instructor. From my observation of your performance I shall make my evaluation and you shall either be qualified as a 6.1 Marksman, or you shall not. Given your performance over the last few weeks however I don't doubt I'll be passing on one of the Army's future snipers, won't I Towers?” finished the Colonel with a question.
Towers chuckled,
“No doubts on this end sir.” replied Towers.
“Excellent attitude to have Towers! Now lets get down to it shall we?”Towers grinned under his helmet,
“YESSUR!”“Oh and one last thing.” started the Colonel as he removed his helmet. “I want to see what you really have Towers. You will be shooting without the aide of your SCOPE armor. I don't suspect this will be a problem will it?” asked the older man.
This was the first time Towers had got to see the Colonel without his helmet on. He appeared to be in his late sixties, with silver blue hair. A four deep scars ran across his face, adding the factor of fear to his broad Mandalorian features. Thought he wanted to ask, Alan just took for granted this man must have been a son of one of the clones, or possibly even a clone himself.
“No sir that shall not be a problem at all.”replied Towers removing as he first pulled the inserted wires from the inside of the helmet, allowing them to hang from the neck of his black thermal glove. He then removed his helmet. The young blond haired, blue eyed Towers was clean shaved and his eyes seemed to pierce even into the seasoned Colonel's heart.
“Alright Towers, your first objective. “Your squad is pinned down over that hill. In between you that hill and your squad is an enemy mortar crew. You may select between the A280 or the DLT-20A. Keep in mind that what ever rifle you do not use this round, WILL be the rifle you have to use next round. To complete this objective you will have five targets to eliminate. There is also a bonus target to eliminate. If you find it and eliminate it you will gain special honors in this course. What is your choice of weapon Trooper?” finished the Colonel once again with a question.
“
Sir, the Trooper shall be using the A280 for this mission.” replied Towers.
“Very good, here is the magazine for your weapon. It has been charged with 6 cells. You may fire ONCE at each target. Upon firing you must complete your objective in ten seconds. Upon completion of that sequence, you have fifteen more seconds to stay scoped and fire upon the bonus target. Should you miss the bonus target it WILL NOT count against your grade. Should you miss a standard target, you WILL fail. This mission begins upon your first shot. Do you understand that mission and its objectives laid before you Trooper?” said Gaviello as he handed Towers his magazine, not releasing it until he had finished.
“Yes Sir!” barked towers in reply.
Towers hurried over to the A280 and loaded it, then took the prone position on the ground. His hand ran backwards across the bottom of the gun which slapped the bi-pod open, he then laid the rifle out in front of him and allowed the scope to auto zoom. In a split second the scope had zoomed in on the mortar crew. Had Alan been wearing his SCOPE helmet he could have just searched for broken silhouettes in a special mode through the helmet, but now he would have to search for the hidden bonus target by eye. He did not want to take to much time in searching though because academy rules did state that the Trooper would only be allowed 90 seconds total on the test entirely. He reached up with his right hand and adjusted the zoom via a button on the right side of the scope. He held the button until the scope had panned out to the point he had wanted. He did not see anything that really caught his eye.
“I don't suppose you can tell me what this bonus target is supposed to be sir?” asked Towers, already knowing what the answer was.
“Why hell no! Focus on whats out in front you Towers, if you're as good as I believe you are you should have no problem completing this.” Towers panned one last time and still saw nothing. To hell with it he thought, I don't need it to pass. Towers lined he scope back up on the left target and pressed the auto zoom button again which returned him to optimum shooting sights on the field. Towers them brought his self into the rifle, then placed his support hand on the stock of the weapon, giving him optimum mobility and support of the rifle. He could see that this target was not shielded by the sand bags, but the other four were. He would be shooting through them to hit his targets. This would be difficult due to the sand flying everywhere. He would have to trust his instincts on the last three shots and hope he spaced correctly. Towers removed the stress from him mind and just focused on the target in front of him. His breathing calmed quite a bit as get gained his isometrics over the weapon perfectly, then he inhaled a breath and paused a moment. Then he began his firing sequence. The first shot rang out, and then in a matter of seconds he had fired all five shots and there it was, out of the corner of his eye!
The bonus target, in the large Degawood Tree. A sniper hologram was barely visible. Towers let out his breath and paused. He only had a few seconds. He placed the red dot of the scope dead on the target and pressed the trigger in slowly and allowed the fluid movement of his finger almost fire the weapon on its on. After the shot rang out he breathed in and closed his eyes and replayed the scene in his mind. Shot one, dead in the back. Second shot, through the bag into the head. Third shot, through the bag and into the neck. Fourth shot and fifth shot.. hell he just hoped he hit them.
“DAMN FINE SHOOTING!!! ALL SIX DOWN!!! I knew you could do it Towers!” yelled the Colonel in excitement.
Alan hoped his eyes and looked through the scope and a shit eating grin spread across his face. He wanted to yip and holler, but he kept his cool and just displayed that grin. He was now 50% done. Now it was time for the mission that either makes you into a future sniper or broke you into a shooting joke. The General Hostage mission. The two stormtroopers replaced their helmets and walked to the next objective. Towers replugged his the wire into his helmet and the HUD reactivated and scanned everything instantly, storing any new information that may have changed since it was last on. The new SCOPE armor was very useful indeed. He may even grow use to it, he thought to himself.
“Okay Towers, here are!” said Gaviello.
“You are going to be shooting the DLT-20A armed with one round of ammunition. This mission is simple, yet complicated. Your objective is to eliminate one terrorist that has taken a General hostage. You will be closing in on the target, and you have 15 seconds from the time you start walking to eliminate him with a precise shot to the cranium. Do NOT hit our dear old friend General Mondays. Lets finish this up so I can pin you a Marksman Towers, I'm ready to eat breakfast, which is on you if you're pinned by the way. Ah yes.. that coffee will be wonderful. Well?! Quit day dreaming boy get to it!” ordered the Colonel.
Towers laughed, grabbed the DLT-20A from the rack and turned to face his objective. It was a hallway with steel crates in the way which will force him to zigzag has he closed in. He loaded then raised his rifle once he got to the starting line and switched the safety off, keeping his finger on the trigger guard. He then began strafing to the target. He closed in nearly forty yards and then slowed to a step. In a flash moment he knew he was on the last 5 seconds of his time. Now was the chance. The target was a hologram of a General with a shit his pants look on his face. Behind him was a rebel soldier holding a blaster to his head, and it was moving from side to side which only made the shot more of a challenge. Towers waited for the target to start moving to his left, the side that the target's head was on. It made the shot easier. He took a breath in and right as his head met the iron sites of the rifle he pressed the trigger in smoothly and the discharge of the bolt rang out. He closed his eyes and replayed the shot in his mind.
The bolt traveled from the barrel, zipping across nearly thirty seven yard. The target seemed to be moving in slow motion, and right into the path of the bolt. A splash of red energy burn into the holo-target leaving a red hole in the right handed side of the target's skull.
“Privae Second Class Towers! You are hereby certified Marksman of the Vast Empire Army. Congratulations Trooper, may you serve your squad well!”((Note that aside from this OOC sentence this post is 2092 words. I hope you guys enjoy it.))
