Sidearms and Targets
Sidearms and Targets
Summary: Ramiro and Reed meet up for the first lesson in shooting. Micah takes some practice.
Date: 14 ACH
Related Logs: None
Players:
Ramiro..Reed..Micah..

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Small Arms Range Genesis - Deck 14
14 ACH 6735 Souls


The shooting range can hold up to a dozen personnel that are working on their firearms skills. Each booth has a scorecard. Buttons in the booth sends the target down a runner and brings the target back. A locker holds some weaponry and is code locked for Officers and marine NCO's only. Ear and eye gear hang within the booths for protection.
----< Condition Three - Duty Area >----—-
Contents: Ramiro Reed Wireless 432

Exits: [O] Corridor
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Having sent a message forward that he was out of the recovery ward and ready for light duty. Already wearing a pair of eye and ear protection, he's seated at a chair near the back of the firing range. In his off-duty sweats with his right arm bandaged and in a sling, he's working of a clipboard on his lap with his left hand for a request to sign out an assault rifle and a sniper rifle for training purposes.

Reed comes into the range, gunbelt worn. Custom job, obviously, and the hardware he's packing is definitely serious for a sidearm. Looking around the range, he smiles as he sees the Corporal, and approaches, "Corporal Ramiro. Seems like much has happened since we spoke last. Congratulations on your promotion and your decorations."

Standing in the currently quiet firing range, Ramiro manages a salute with his left arm, giving the Major a smile. "Thank you Major, thank you very much." He replies, taking a moment to look over the sidearm. Silently cursing his arm, knowing he won't be able to try a shot with it, he motions to the lane he's checked out. "Ready for that lesson?"

Reed lifts a finger, "Let me check out some protection and log out some Training Ammo." Ah the things Ramiro couldn't log out for someone else. "Right with you." He moves to the lockup and collects the Ammo and the protection, putting it on and carrying the ammo to the lane. "You're all prepared for this I see. That's good. Thank you for taking the time." He unclips the strap on his sidearm and draws it, ejecting the clip and making sure the chamber is clear before setting the sidearm down on the range stand in front of Ramiro, gesturing to it, "Feel free. Birthday present from Major Gaelan, two years ago. I'm woefully unskilled when compaired to such a weapon, but I do keep it in approperately high state of repair." And it's a fine gun, the kind an experienced Marine would shell out the money for if money wasn't an object.

Ramiro steps over to the weapon, and picks it up with his left hand. Apparently either left handed or ambidextrous, he hefts it to test the weight. "Heavy, big ammo…" Ramiro comments, raising the gun with one hand and pointing it down the lane to check the sights on it. "…yeah this will put a Cylon on its ass." He adds, setting it down and stepping out of the way so that Reed can prepare it for his lesson. "How much did I miss while I was in Recovery? How's the PAS?"

Reed moves to address the weapon as he speaks, "PAS is doing well. The Tyllium tanks are working out and I believe we've found the food source we were looking for." He takes the gun, sliding in a clip of training Ammo, and works the action, chambering a round before setting the gun back down, ensuring the safety is engaged. He's taking this seriously, once the gun is prepared, it goes back till he is given leave by the instructor. His firearms etiquette comes directly from standard naval range lessons.

The side of Ramiro's lip twitches in a little smile as he presses the button, sending the target down range. "Good, good…" He pauses. "Allright…my immediate suggestion to you is this. Grip. Pick up the firearm." He requests, going into training mode. Put the pistol's barrel in line with the forearm. Your dominant hand should be as high as possible on the gun. You'll want the web of the hand pressed hard against the tang, and the middle finger against the bottom of the trigger guard." He moves into place to watch. "Then put your weak hand into place. Wrap the fingers of the weak hand around the shooting hand. Just like the strong hand, put it high on the gun. Index finger against the bottom front of the trigger guard. Keep it tight against the open side of the grip. Control that weapon."

Reed takes the gun, then pauses, listening intently as Ramiro instructs on grip. He makes a mental picture of exactly what Ramiros saying then looks down to the gun in his hands adjusting his grip, tightening his fingers into their place, testing the feel of the new grip, keeping the weapon pointed in general downrange as he settles his hands into the grip. He's dominant left handed, as his belt shows clearly. He turns his hand for Ramiros inspection, "Like so? Feels different." He lifts the gun, safety still on and takes a sighting on the target, "Feels more.. locked down? Best way to describe it."

"Good…let your muscles work into place so you know how it feels, get comfortable but not at the expense of your grip." Ramiro replies, taking a sip from his coffee. "Think muscle memory. Your grip is going to be just as important as your aim and your hand eye coordination. Get used to your grip and don't grip it any other way. You want your body to trust this grip. It's one of the cogs in the wheel." Ramiro replies. "Stand horizontal to the target to give yourself a smaller profile. Raise and lower the gun a few times to get used to the position."

Reed maintains the grip on the weapon, closing his eyes to focus on the feeling of his hands. He opens his eyes, keeping them heavy lidded as he moves his stance as directed and lifts his weapon to aim, then lowers it, focusing on the feeling of the gun. "Different pressure points being rubbed by the grip of the weapon, yeah." He lifts and lowers the gun a few times before saying, "Alright." He sets the gun down completely, then rubs hi hands together and takes it up again, carefully setting his hands into the proper grip, to ensure he has it right.

"Good…" Ramiro replies, taking one more drink before resuming his lesson. "Now one thing I learned in basic was that if you aren't putting one shot by itself where you want, you're not firing two accurately. So right now focus on the single shot. Line up the sights and think of it as a two part process. Step one is finding your target, step two is the squeeze." Ramiro pauses, standing behind Reed. "When you're comfortable, take a shot."

Reed nods, lifting the gun to take sight. "Single shot." He sights down the length of the gun, focusing, and slowly moves a finger, "Going hot." Click the safety goes off. the finger moves back into position as his finger curls around the trigger and he pulls…
<Trait Roll> Reed rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Mediocre (2).

BANG and a hole appears on the target, outside the x-ring.

Ramiro looks down the range with his hawklike eyes and nods. "Good…" He comments. "Now remember to line up the three dots on the iron sights and note to self that your shots are naturally going to veer to the left. So try going just a little right of center mass." He adds, resting his left hand in his belt since he can't cross his arms as he watches. "Also remember that your firearm is going to move as you breathe. Optimum firing stance is either when you've either taken in a breath or when you've exhaled, but not while breathing." He pauses. "Take another."

Reed holds position, listening to Ramiro, and nods, "Alright, compensation for the hand direction. He looks down the sights again, timing his breathing and focusing as he squeezes the trigger..
<Trait Roll> Reed rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Mediocre (2).

Bang. outside the X-ring, and off to the other side.

"Now you've got your middle ground set for you, Major." Ramiro replies. "One to the left, one to the right, find that sweet spot and exploit it. Remember, focus on your line-up on the target and let those dots on the iron sights blend in together. Keep them strong in your peripheral." He pauses. "Again."

Reed takes in and lets out a breath while Rmairo is talking, and he doesn't reply, just focuses, trying to incorperate the new instructions. His finger pulls the trigger..
<Trait Roll> Reed rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Fair (3).

Bang. this one strikes into the X-ring.

Ramiro smiles, nodding his head as he watches the shot hit its mark. "Great." He smiles. He steps aside and grabs his coffee cup, taking another sip. Setting it down, he turns to the Major. "Allright…now…how many shots do you have left?" He suddenly quizzes.

Reed blinks, his laser focus shattering as his mental zone he was just on the verge of locking into shatters. He looks at the target, "Nine. Twelve round clip, three shots fired."

"Good…" Ramiro replies. "Last suggestion is to always keep a mental tab. Count those shots. You don't want to hear a click when you're trying to put down a Cylon coming in your direction. You'll need to remember when to move and when to start pulling that next clip out." Ramiro instructs. "Take it from someone who's been five feet away in buzzsaw range with only a pistol. When that happens, aim doesn't matter but counting those shots does." He pauses. "Now, put it all together, line your shot, finish your clip, and we'll reel in the target."

Micah comes in from Corridor 14C.
Micah has arrived.

Reed nods, in a stance aiming downrange as Ramiro talks. He then suddenly clicks on the safety, setting the weapon down, "Okay, now from the start." He looks at Ramiro, "I felt it, you know? I had that mental feel of it." He rubs his face and rubs his hands together.

"I don't know if you're the spiritual sort, Major, but I always pray to my patron Lord, Apollo, when I'm on the field." Ramiro nods to the Major approvingly. "I think shooting is spiritual. The aspect of the warrior, the protector. When you're looking at mere millimeters of change can throw a bullet off ten feet, I've always felt there was more than physics involved." Ramiro smiles. "Put your mind in that place, feel the shot. You are a trained soldier, a defender of these people, and that right there is your bow. That target right down there? It's not the enemy. It's inevitability. Lead the bullet to the target and let the Lords of Kobol take care of the rest."

Micah pauses a moment to watch through the reinforced glass window of the shooting range, then steps inside, pulling the door shut behind him. He's dressed in off-duty fatigues today, and begins tugging off his jacket once he's inside.

Reed considers this, tilting his head, "I can see the focus point in the mentality of shooting and it's a solid point. I'm not overly spiritual, though." He takes up the gun once more, hearing the door, but not looking to see who came in. He filters out the distraction and takes sight on the target, then lowers the gun and looks down at it, making a few grip adjustments before lifting it again, "Going hot." clicking off the safety. He takes his sight and breathes, then pulls the trigger…
<Trait Roll> Reed rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Poor (1).

Bang corner of the target. Reeds lips purse. "Hmm."

"Correct your aim, use the last shot as a marker. Adjust. Breathe. Continue." Ramiro replies, turning to see Micah. He offers the pilot a nod before turning back to his pupil. "Remember, you just hit the target, not a miss."

With a brief glance toward Ramiro and the Major, Micah observes them a tick before heading over to the munitions locker. A pen is retrieved from one of his trousers' pockets, and he briskly signs off for a weapon, ammunition, and the requisite eye and ear protection. The equipment is fetched then, sidearm pointed away as he double-checks the safety.

Reed nods, focusing as he tries to slip into his previous focus, adjusting his aim, and sighting along the length of the weapon, lining up for his next shot as he pulls the trigger.
<Trait Roll> Reed rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Terrible (0).

Bang pthew and the target sits there, unphased.

Standing behind Major Carter at a respectable distance to avoid flying shells, Ramiro watches him fire at the targets and slowly deplete the clip. Going quiet to let the Major focus, he watches the display.

Micah tugs the 'earmuffs' over his head, allowing them to dangle around his neck. The eye gear is tucked up onto his forehead and the sidearm loaded deftly with its clip. With another brief glance toward the Marine and Major, he steps into the adjoining booth and punches the button to bring up the target.

Reed pauses, looking at his handgrip, lowering the weapon, and lifting it again. After a couple times matching his breathing with the action, he takes his sighting, and focuses, lining his sighting and completing a breath before he takes a draw on the trigger…
<Trait Roll> Reed rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Terrible (0).

Bang and there the target placid in it's little world of peaceful security.

Ramiro stands quiet for the moment as he watches the target. "Remember, one two…" Ramiro coaches. Visualize the two you put on either side of the X-ring. Recreate that state." He pauses. "Be comfortable in body and mind, feel the shot, control the weapon."

Tugging the equipment up and over his eyes and ears respectively, Micah settles the sidearm into the grip of both hands, lifts, and aims. Breathe in, breathe out, relax the shoulders, focus. It still doesn't help the fact that he hasn't fired a weapon since basic.

Reed hrms, "Let's try this." He clicks on the safety, setting the gun down in front of him and shakes out his body, hopping up and down twice, taking his left wrist in his right hand and squeezing just so an audible crack sound coming from his wrist ad his left hand flexes, and he rolls his neck before settling back down and squaring his shoulders, taking up the gun once more carefully and making sure his grip is proper. "Okay, muscle memory. One, two." He mentally resets himself.

Taking up his mug of coffee, Ramiro sips it quietly and stands back to let Major Carter find his rhythm. Looking over the target, he now counts six shots left. Tipping the cup upwards to drain out the last of the fuel, he sets it aside quietly to watch his student.

Seeming to find his focus, the pilot flicks off the safety on his weapon and fires once, twice, three times at the target in smooth succession. The recoil is compensated for, his eyes never taken off that point in the centre no matter how his shots may or may not go astray.
<Trait Roll> Micah rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Mediocre (2).
<Trait Roll> Micah rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Mediocre (2).
<Trait Roll> Micah rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Mediocre (2).

And each time, he neatly nicks the middle ring of his target, like clockwork. Decent shots, but there's no bullseye.

Reed lifts his weapon, taking his aim, listening to the other weapon going off, he settles his breathing and lifts the gun, taking his sighting, focusing and keeping his eyes carefully targeting. He takes his sights, and pulls the trigger, staying on the single shots…
<Trait Roll> Reed rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Good (4).

Bang! frakker puts a hole in the target just left of the center of the X-ring.

"Yes!" Ramiro hisses, raising his left hand at the elbow to make a fist and wave it a little. "Great shot…keep on it." He adds in a fatherly tone, playing the role of an instructor.

Micah lowers his weapon, and takes a moment to judge his performance with that target. Three symmetrical holes in the paper-sheeted plywood, but it isn't good enough; he can do better. He knows he can do better. The sidearm is raised again and steadied, shoulders down, focus found. Another three shots are squeezed off with the same mechanical rhythm.
<Trait Roll> Micah rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Mediocre (2).
<Trait Roll> Micah rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Poor (1).
<Trait Roll> Micah rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Fair (3).

Reed blinks at the shot he just made, then realizes his mental lapse and takes a cleansing breath and focuses again, silent as he pulls the trigger…
<Trait Roll> Reed rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Mediocre (2).

Standing proud, Ramiro watches Reed start to hit the target again. His eyes shift for a moment to Micah's target as he nods approvingly. Staying quiet, he lets Reed follow the momentum and continue the last of his clip.

Bang, Reed plants his next shot just outside the X-ring.

Still not good enough. One of those shots was damned disgraceful, and the pilot purses his lips a little when he sees that it went wide. His best so far barely nicked the second-most inner ring, and it's that one he chooses to focus on for his next 'attack'. The Major's shooting doesn't earn so much as a glance, not because he isn't curious, but because distractions are a dangerous thing when one has live ammunition in their hands.
<Trait Roll> Micah rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Poor (1).
<Trait Roll> Micah rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Poor (1).
<Trait Roll> Micah rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Poor (1).

Reed focuses his attention on the target, his last shot, and he makes correction for his aim, clearing his sights and carefully pulling the trigger…
<Trait Roll> Reed rolls Firearms and achieves a degree of Fair (3).

Bang, Reed sets another hole inside the x-ring, creeping closer to center.

"Allright…safeties on and firearm on the shelf." Ramiro says to Reed, pushing the button that reels in the target. Pulling a small pen out of his pocket, he bites the cap off as he reaches up to take down the target. He circles the shot inside of the X-ring and hands the target to Reed. "Major Carter, you did really good, Sir."

With a soft growl, Micah lowers his weapon and flicks off the safety, unloading the clip smoothly. Only then does he turns his gaze briefly toward the adjoining booth, considering both the Major and Ramiro for a few moments.

Reed clicks on the safety and sets down the gun immediately. He turns to Ramiro and smiles, "Thank you, Corporal, that really felt excellent."

"And given time it'll feel like second nature." Ramiro replies, glad to see the Major elated. Offering the target to the officer, he motions to the score. "Keep it posted somewhere as your personal best. Then, when you beat this score, replace it." Ramiro smiles. "Compete against yourself."

Micah turns away, and begins tugging off the protective gear around his head, getting ready to depart the booth and sign off for the return of the sidearm and equipment.

Reed takes the target and nods, looking at it, "I will." he says, clearly not having thought of that before, and looking to the score, smiling, "I'm glad we're able to do this, Ramiro. I feel really good about improving with my sidearm now."

"Who knows, maybe next time I'll be allowed to shoot too." Ramiro chuckles, scowling at his right arm and offering a salute instead of a handshake. Left hand shaking is a horrible thing indeed. "You're welcome, Sir. Just keep practicing and make that gun a part of you." He picks up his cup. "Now I'd hate to cut this short, but I've got physical therapy coming up. See you next time?"

Reed returns the salute casually, "Of course, Corporal. See you next time." He then turns to eject the clip of training Ammo and clear the chamber of his weapon.

Turning on his heel, he moves to the cage and turns back in his glasses and ear coverings, pausing to nod and deliver a "Sir." To Micah as he passes. Taking his empty coffee cup, he disappears down the hall.

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