The Gentle Sniper

Chapter 7: Training Kerfuffle

Snotlout was standing in a large room that contained three-meter high sections of wall arranged in a maze. Behind and above him was a large glass window, where he knew Hiccup and Fishlegs were watching. The room's PA system crackled static before Hiccup's voice could be heard.

"Alright, what I want you to do is simple. Listen to Fishlegs as he guides you throughout the arena with the help of the motion trackers fitted on your person.

Your task is to avoid Cami as Fishlegs talks to you, who as you know is on the far side of the room from you. If she manages to get behind you and press the barrel of her pistol to the back of your neck, or hit you with a paintball round, you fail this training exercise.

However, if you manage to press the barrel of your pistol to her neck or successfully hit her with a paintball, then you complete the training exercise. The point of this is to improve your familiarity and teamwork with Fishlegs, as he will be talking to you in any missions we go on."

"Got it, you can stop talking now, Hiccup. I want to get started," retorted Snotlout with an eye roll.

He heard Hiccup sigh. "Alright, begin Snotlout," he then heard him say before all but one of the lights in the room flicked off.

"What in Thor's name are you doing cuz?!" he exclaimed, mentally kicking himself as a small amount of fear entered his voice.

"Some missions take place at night, so practice is good. Best of luck," Hiccup said simply.

"Thanks," Snotlout replied with heavy sarcasm before setting off.

He passed between sections of wall before his earpiece came to life. "That's a dead-end, Snotlout."

"Copy that," Snotlout turned and went back the way he came.

After he emerged from the maze, he strolled a few more steps, when he was certain he heard the sound of someone's footsteps behind him.

He half-turned, only to feel cold metal press against the back of his neck before he could do so fully.

"Bad luck Jorgenson," said Cami. "Want to try again?"

"How did you do it so quickly and quietly?"

"Skill," was her smug response as the lights flicked back on and Hiccup spoke into the PA system again.

"Alright Cami, get back to your starting position, Snotlout, consider more movement and less talking. You are allowed to start moving before I give the word for a match to begin, which I have no doubt your opponent did, so I suggest you do the same."

"On it cuz," he grumbled as Cami wordlessly walked away.

...

The second match ended with Snotlout hearing a gunshot in the distance.

"The gunshot came from the centre of the maze. Walk straight ahead then go through the section on your right,"

"Copy." Following Fishlegs' instructions, he quickly ran in the direction of the noise, only to find nobody there.

"Nobody's here. Waste of time, Fishlegs," he commented as he turned around and headed off again.

As he did, he passed by two gaps that were formed by two wall sections, on his right and his left.

He went left, not even bothering to look at the one on the right, where Cami was.

It didn't take her much longer to catch up with him and win the match like before.

...

The third time, she similarly lured him as she traversed the room atop the wall sections; leaping from one to another wherever necessary.