Lock and Load (Pregame 1 EA Practice Range)

[Richard Winter]

BANG!

The shots echoed through the firing range. At the other end of the rifle stood Richard, next to him a small set of tools, a notepad, and a stack of targets.

BANG!

He looked at the practice target, scribbled something down and calibrated his rifles visior.

An image appeared before his mind's eye: fire, gunshots and screams of his comrades.

He shook his head and concentrated on firing again.

[Yori Hakamada]

Snip

A dull voice from behind
"2nd Lieutenant Winter. Are you experiencing difficulties ensuring your weapon is properly calibrated?"
As always it seems as though Yori had instantly teleported into uncomfortable personal space.

[Richard Winter]

Somewhat surprised, he turned to her. "2nd Liteunant Hakamada.... greetings"

How had she snuck up on him? And did she know the concept of personal space?

"Well... to your question, you can never calibrate your weapon enough. Also,... well I recalibrate the gun regularly because of this." He waved his right arm.

"Metal, unfortunately, has no feel and the annoying property of being affected by everything."

[Yori Hakamada]

Somewhat surprised, he turned to her. "2nd Liteunant Hakamada.... greetings"

How had she snuck up on him? And did she know the concept of personal space?

"Well... to your question, you can never calibrate your weapon enough. Also,... well I recalibrate the gun regularly because of this." He waved his right arm.

"Metal, unfortunately, has no feel and the annoying property of being affected by everything."

She considers this for a moment before nodding at what she judges an appropriate answer.

"I can see how your prosthetic might negatively effect your marksmanship. It is good of you to be pursuing self-improvement on this day largely dedicated to more frivolous things. Do you plan to attend the festivities later?"

[Richard Winter]

"Being unprepared usually leads to a quick and gruesome death," he said dryly. "That's why I spend as much time as possible being prepared, that goes for combat as well as leisure." his voice changed from dry to friendly. "I will be present at the festival, it is probably the best opportunity to see how everyone stands with each other. After all, I haven't been part of the crew for very long."

[Yori Hakamada]

"Being unprepared usually leads to a quick and gruesome death," he said dryly. "That's why I spend as much time as possible being prepared, that goes for combat as well as leisure." his voice changed from dry to friendly. "I will be present at the festival, it is probably the best opportunity to see how everyone stands with each other. After all, I haven't been part of the crew for very long."

"Indeed, most of my unprepared comrades were killed or maimed in a variety of ways. A lower but still substantial percentage of my prepared comrades were as well. As a fellow member of the company I must express I do not wish for you to become a casualty."
Yori nods, confident she'd done a good job at offering support and comfort.

"It is good you will be attending, I understand it must be difficult to acclimatize to a new social group. However, I will note that most of the company do an adequate job of hiding any disdain for me, which is nice. I believe they will certainly do the same for you, or even invite you into their social circles if they judge you personable."

[Richard Winter]

"Indeed, most of my unprepared comrades were killed or maimed in a variety of ways. A lower but still substantial percentage of my prepared comrades were as well. As a fellow member of the company I must express I do not wish for you to become a casualty."
Yori nods, confident she'd done a good job at offering support and comfort.

"That's,... reasurring, thank you,.." He wasn't quite sure if she was serious or joking. On the other hand, he hardly knew her, maybe she was just like that? Or maybe she got a volley of AC/20 against the cockpit and has been damaged ever since? Who knows.

"It is good you will be attending, I understand it must be difficult to acclimatize to a new social group. However, I will note that most of the company do an adequate job of hiding any disdain for me, which is nice. I believe they will certainly do the same for you, or even invite you into their social circles if they judge you personable."

Aha, interesannt

"You seem pretty educated about the social fabric here, are there any broad things one should know?"

[Yori Hakamada]

"That's,... reasurring, thank you,.." He wasn't quite sure if she was serious or joking. On the other hand, he hardly knew her, maybe she was just like that? Or maybe she got a volley of AC/20 against the cockpit and has been damaged ever since? Who knows.

Aha, interesannt

"You seem pretty educated about the social fabric here, are there any broad things one should know?"

"Yes."

There's a long pause as Yori stares unblinkingly at Richard

"I am inferring you wish to know these broad things. I apologize if my inference is incorrect. From my research I believe the Obsidian Angels are more familial and less disciplined...as mercenary units tend to be. They are willing to hire from all areas of the inner sphere and while I understand that is partially based on need I believe regional malus is largely muted.

To my knowledge they pair fairly and on time. They work hard, but they also expect to be able to party hard. Most lances are like small families and are tight knit. I appreciate this.

Overall I am willing to grade the Obsidian Angels at perhaps a 4.5/7. If the new contract is a success I may increase that rating, and obviously should it fail I will lower it."

[Richard Winter]

He met Yori's gaze as the awkward silence enveloped the two until Yori began to speak. He nodded along when she spoke.

Like small families, huh?

"4.5 out of 7? That's above average, which is good, right? Although, that probably depends on whether your scale starts at 0 or 1,.... nevermind."

"I think now it's my turn to talk a little bit,.. The Knights were also quite a bonded bunch, probably due to the fact that you fly months and years closely together in a metal box through space..." A glance of saddness crossed his eyes.

"However, our organization was somewhat flatter than the one here. We also didn't have an equivalent to Sgt Major McConnel, she's pretty,... impressive to say the least".

[Yori Hakamada]

He met Yori's gaze as the awkward silence enveloped the two until Yori began to speak. He nodded along when she spoke.

Like small families, huh?

"4.5 out of 7? That's above average, which is good, right? Although, that probably depends on whether your scale starts at 0 or 1,.... nevermind."

"I think now it's my turn to talk a little bit,.. The Knights were also quite a bonded bunch, probably due to the fact that you fly months and years closely together in a metal box through space..." A glance of saddness crossed his eyes.

"However, our organization was somewhat flatter than the one here. We also didn't have an equivalent to Sgt Major McConnel, she's pretty,... impressive to say the least".

"I see, like one big lance? I am sorry it no longer exists, not because I personally care, but I understand your emotional bonds were important to you. Our company is more structured. In the past I used to believe a strict hierarchy was necessary for unit effectiveness. However, subsequent events demonstrated that it has weaknesses too."

Her tone still completely uniform

"I respect Sgt Major McConnel. She could easily kill me in close combat and she takes discipline of both the unit and herself serious. She should be emulated."

[Richard Winter]

"I see, like one big lance? I am sorry it no longer exists, not because I personally care, but I understand your emotional bonds were important to you. Our company is more structured."

"You could say that, yes" he replied, wondering about the woman in front of him. She was definitive,... odd.

"In the past I used to believe a strict hierarchy was necessary for unit effectiveness."

"How come? Negative combat expirience?" he asked.

Richard ejected the magazine of his rifle and picked up a handful of ammunition from a container next to him. He began to slowly fill the magazine. The clicking of ammunition and the hum of servo motors carried monotonously through the room.

[Yori Hakamada]

"How come? Negative combat expirience?" he asked.

Richard ejected the magazine of his rifle and picked up a handful of ammunition from a container next to him. He began to slowly fill the magazine. The clicking of ammunition and the hum of servo motors carried monotonously through the room.

"It is how I was taught. We were expected to execute the commands of our superiors without hesitation or doubt. With adequately skilled commanders it can be extremely effective. With ineffective leaders."
Rather than shrugging Yori just pauses for a moment.

"Less effective. I understand that method of discipline is harder to create in a mercenary force. Most mercenaries are unlikely to accept a suicide mission given their pursuit of pay."

[Richard Winter]

"Well, I guess there's rotten eggs everywhere, huh? That's why I left the AFFC. You don't get far without rank and name." he shrugged.
Richard took a couple of his tools and unscrewed the visor from his rifle so that only the front and rear sights were left to aim at. He held the rifle as if to put it in Yori's hand. "Wanna take some shots?" he asked politely.

[Yori Hakamada]

"Well, I guess there's rotten eggs everywhere, huh? That's why I left the AFFC. You don't get far without rank and name." he shrugged.
Richard took a couple of his tools and unscrewed the visor from his rifle so that only the front and rear sights were left to aim at. He held the rifle as if to put it in Yori's hand. "Wanna take some shots?" he asked politely.

Yori takes the rifle daintily
"Thank you, I have not practiced with a long arm in some time. Most of the people I have killed have been with my sidearm or a mech."

She calmly checks the action and the load before checking down range and then firing 3 shots with one second intervals, an eye squeezed shut.

"It is acceptable, although I feel the proportions are better suited to you and your prosthetic."
A pause
"I have been told people do not like discussions how they have received injuries. So while I feel some curiosity into how it happened I will only ask if information is volunteered."

[Richard Winter]

"Mech-related accident" was his answer
he turned his focus back to the rifle, "This is a standard LCAF infantry rifle, to be exact this is the rifle that all military recruits train with. Even though Mechwarriors don't have training with it later, I'm still drawn to the firing range after duty. A mech that weighs tons can only protect you as long as you sit in it.

[Yori Hakamada]

"Mech-related accident" was his answer
he turned his focus back to the rifle, "This is a standard LCAF infantry rifle, to be exact this is the rifle that all military recruits train with. Even though Mechwarriors don't have training with it later, I'm still drawn to the firing range after duty. A mech that weighs tons can only protect you as long as you sit in it.

As if evaluating him on a driving test.
"That seems a reasonable answer."

Examining the rifle as he describes it.
"It seems of the high quality I would associate with Lyran equipment. I am curious, did you notice any of your commanders were unusually incompetent? I was taught that Lyran leadership was often ineffectual. Also that Lyrans were degenerate profiteers but that seems more likely just to be a cultural bias."

Still.
"I believe it is a good thing you practice your firearm skill. I would not recommend you exit your mech in a combat scenario, but I understand this ejection would be a matter of last resort."

[Richard Winter]

"Welp, as I said before, the reason I left the AFFC was the command structure, didn't get on without rank unfortunately. To the generals I can only say that there are such and such, some good some bad.

He chuckled "And we were told that the people from the Combine are unfeeling killing machines who fanatically believe in honor and destiny." he chuckled again, "But the universe isn't simple as that."

"I believe it is a good thing you practice your firearm skill. I would not recommend you exit your mech in a combat scenario, but I understand this ejection would be a matter of last resort."

"As commander of the Scout Company, I will probably have to eject more often than I would like. Unfortunately, light mechs have a habit of blowing up quickly."

[Yori Hakamada]

"Welp, as I said before, the reason I left the AFFC was the command structure, didn't get on without rank unfortunately. To the generals I can only say that there are such and such, some good some bad.

He chuckled "And we were told that the people from the Combine are unfeeling killing machines who fanatically believe in honor and destiny." he chuckled again, "But the universe isn't simple as that."

"As commander of the Scout Company, I will probably have to eject more often than I would like. Unfortunately, light mechs have a habit of blowing up quickly."

"This is true, I have been described as a unfeeling murderous fanatic, but it is something I have tried to work on. As you say, the universe is complicated...and hard to fully understand sometimes."

Flicking the rifle's safety back on she offers it back with a bow.
"I hope it performs adequately when your mech is destroyed by enemy fire. If you are not too far behind enemy lines I would be willing to consider a rescue mission."

[Richard Winter]

Flicking the rifle's safety back on she offers it back with a bow.
"I hope it performs adequately when your mech is destroyed by enemy fire. If you are not too far behind enemy lines I would be willing to consider a rescue mission."

He took the rifle again and began to reload again.
"Thanks"

"This is true, I have been described as a unfeeling murderous fanatic, but it is something I have tried to work on. As you say, the universe is complicated...and hard to fully understand sometimes."

Richard made a grunt of non-approval. "I wouldn't describe you that way, you're odd either way, but by no means the equivalent of the dehumanization we've been presented with." he said honestly while he cocked the rifle.

He changed targets and now began firing without his visor.
He fired a volley, made a note, and picked up the tool again.

[Yori Hakamada]

He took the rifle again and began to reload again.
"Thanks"

Richard made a grunt of non-approval. "I wouldn't describe you that way, you're odd either way, but by no means the equivalent of the dehumanization we've been presented with." he said honestly while he cocked the rifle.

He changed targets and now began firing without his visor.
He fired a volley, made a note, and picked up the tool again.

"Thank you, I do not believe you are a remorseless killing machine either. Although I have misjudged people to that effect in the past."

Looking at his results, then back at the rifle.
"Kickback appears to be slightly more significant every third bullet, it may be minutely effecting your shot profile."

Yori stands in unblinking silence for a few long moments, staring at Richard as he works. Until finally:

"May I ask you a question of a personal nature?"