It begins (D1 LE Practice Range)

[GM Yuusha]

(Up to 2 PCs)
To blow off steam, the Sergeant Major had entered the practice range. It wasn't something she did often. However, it had been a busy day and she needed to do something where her muscle memory could do the work. The gym had been too busy. This late in the evening the practice range was usually empty. She'd had to grill a few personnel for mistakes, sloppiness and lazy work ethic. That had gone fine, but each time it was a little more stressful than the last. Some of the support personnel who liked to avoid work really, really hated her.

Her throat felt slightly hoarse from shouting.

Monique was wearing boots, khakis, a tank top and a sporting jacket with the unit's logo on it. It was light wear for her. She carried two cases over to one of the shooting posts. Her weapons were inside. Setting them down and sliding off a shoulder bag, she reached inside for a bottle of water. Yes, it was more peaceful here than elsewhere on the ship. The sound of steady gunfire wouldn't be anywhere near as bothersome as having to reprimand idiots.

[John Slaktare]

John surprisingly walked in not long after. This was a particular weakness of his and he knew it. Time to get some practice in. Acquiring rounds for his sidearm, which is all he really practiced with because he wasn't keeping an assault weapon in his cockpit, he moves to a spot next to the Sergeant Major.

He gives her a nod, then inspects his weapon. "Sergeant Major."

[Monique McConnel]

"Sergeant."

Her response is similar, with John receiving a nod of recognition. She too was removing a sidearm, a heavy calibre revolver, and inspecting it. Naturally, it was unloaded. She removed some ammunition from the pistol case, inserting each bullet one at a time. She had a few speed loaders, but there was a certain calmness to individually loading a revolver. It was something she enjoyed.

[John Slaktare]

His own sidearm was a heavy caliber revolver as well. Reliability was important. He loaded up as well then put some hearing protection in.

He doesn't immediately start shooting, but rather puts the gun in a hip holster and does a few practice draws, keeping his finger outside the trigger guard and being careful. His movement from draw to stance was... lacking. Its clear that he understood what the basics were and how to hold the weapon and how to be safe with it. But he wasn't winning any shooting competitions with a rudimentary knowledge and very little experience.

[Monique McConnel]

Monique was competent with her sidearm. Not highly skilled, but she could hit targets and fire a shot from a fast draw. She wouldn't be winning any shooting competitions either, but she'd plug a hole in someone.

After loading her weapon and putting on hearing protection she approached the post. She practiced raising the weapon once, reminding herself of the heft, before lowering it and inserting it into her pistol holster. She shifts to a relaxed stance. Shakes her limbs.

"Firing."

Quickly, for her size, she changed to a firing stance with her feet and posture as she drew her sidearm. She fired off three rounds in rapid succession. All three hit the target, but one had just clipped it.

She rolls her shoulders and levels the pistol steady to fire off the remaining shots without any pressure. All of them strike around the centre ring.

[John Slaktare]

After having thoroughly reacquainted himself in warmup exercises, he feels comfortable enough to actually start what he came to do.

Announcing his intention like she had he lets out a clearly audible, "Firing."

He draws as well as might be expected for a basic training recruit. He unloaded the entire cylinder, and hit with three of the shots. They were not grouped well an all hits were pulled to the right. But... if he had to it's clear he'd be able to hit an enemy based on odds alone.

"Clear."

He steps back from the post and goes about inspecting the weapon and reloading. If he was happy or disappointed in his first round he didn't show it.

[Monique McConnel]

"Clear." She repeats, her own weapon empty.

Stepping back, she did much the same as John. Apart from her accuracy being a little better their manner was very similar. She kept her feelings on her shooting, whether good or bad, to herself.

[John Slaktare]

While cleaning he looks over to her for a moment.

"Business, personal, bullshit or silence?" he asks as he finishes his check and reload. He was about to step off to the post but waited for a response, leaving it up to her if she actually wants to talk with him and what level she's comfortable with if so.

[Monique McConnel]

Monique replies after a pause and a glance his way. "Business. Senior First Lieutenant Daniels put your name forward for promotion to 2nd Lieutenant this afternoon."

She let that sit in the air for a few moments.

"I have my concerns based on some of your past behaviour, but you've been calmer of late with your extra responsibilities. I can't say you aren't among the most hardworking members of the unit, Sergeant. The recommendation has merit." Monique admits, setting her gun down and moving to stand up for a proper conversation with him. "Do you want to be an officer? The Staff Sergeant has vouched for you, but the Major doesn't want any fisticuffs initiated by any of the unit's officers. It sets a bad example."

[John Slaktare]

He sighs a bit at that, setting his own weapon aside safely but keeping it within reach and never unattended.

"You know me, I don't have a preference. I'll go wherever and do whatever I'm ordered to and give it my one hundred. Officer or enlisted don't matter when exchanging fire. But I definitely don't have an officer mindset, and I think we both know that."

[Monique McConnel]

"So, you'd prefer a senior NCO role?" She enquires. It did fit her mental image of him.

[John Slaktare]

"Prolly be a better fit," he admits. "Not that I ever felt like leading was a good fit for me. But my lance hasn't strung me up yet, so I must not be screwing up too bad."

[Monique McConnel]

"Okay. We are missing a Gunnery Sergeant. They would be primarily responsible for all ammunition. The Quartermaster, Hank, is currently doing the job, but he isn't meant to. He's meant to only be looking after the guns and equipment. Keeping ammunition and guns separate when not in use is simple safety."

She crossed her arms.

"It'd be more pay, but more work. One perk is that your bullets are free. You could practice here as much as you like."

[John Slaktare]

"More work?" he asks, looking at her deadpan. "Don't think that would be a problem. You recommend it, I'll take it. No arguments from me."

[Monique McConnel]

"You'd pick up the extra bits you'd need to learn fast enough so there wouldn't be any objections for me. Gunnery Sergeants are also often known for their temper." She actually smiles a bit. "So, aye, I reckon I do recommend it."

She moved to pick up and reload her gun. "I'll discuss it with the Major. Come by the CO's office tomorrow to collect your new rank pins. I'll meet you there and go over the additional duties with you."

[John Slaktare]

"Understood," he replied with a nod. "What time should I come by?"

He reloaded his as well. He stepped up to the post and announced himself. "Firing."

Rather than the attempt at shooting quickly, this time he drew and aimed intentionally. Each shot was taken purposefully. They were better than before. He had 5 in the target, but still a bit to the left. He looked downrange, lowered the weapon safely then moved back to reinspect and reload.

"Clear."

[Yori Hakamada]

"Acceptable shooting"
Says the monotone voice of Yori in Butcher's ear as she appears to have somehow materialised in the uncomfortable personal space of both John and Monique.

"Sergeant Major McConnel."
She nods politely at the larger woman before turning slowly to regard the targets,

[John Slaktare]

He slowly turns his head to look at Yori.

"Thanks," he responds, not particularly worried about folks in his personal space.

"Some practice in tonight then?" It was directed to Yori, and he checked for a weapon for practice.

[Yori Hakamada]

He slowly turns his head to look at Yori.

"Thanks," he responds, not particularly worried about folks in his personal space.

"Some practice in tonight then?" It was directed to Yori, and he checked for a weapon for practice.

"Yes, if I am permitted to join you both. I would not wish to intrude if this is a romantic interlude, a dressing down, a secret meeting or a rehearsal for a play."

Yori reaches back and pulls an extremely large and heavy looking revolver from behind her back and snaps it open to check the weapon is clear.
"I have brought my service weapon though."

[Monique McConnel]

"Understood," he replied with a nod. "What time should I come by?"

"O-nine-hundred."

She greets Yori similarly. "Second Lieutenant Hakamada."

The large woman paused with her sixth round halfway in the chamber as Yori spoke some shit. She pushed the round into place and clicked the gun closed. She shook her head slightly. Just enough to clear the thought of smacking the woman with the butt of her pistol.

"Your levity is best saved for someone else Lieutenant." If you were a recruit I'd have my foot up your arse.

She moved over to the post. Her ear protection was shuffled back into place. She hit a button for a new target.

"Firing."