Juggernauts

CHAPTER 11: Calibration

"We tracked the camera feed to a small village several miles from our last mission." Tom explained to the command center via video call.

"Copy that Captain. It's good to see you up and well. I like the new look Hanson." The commander replied.

"Thank you sir. Permission to execute this mission. A success will crush the enemy's moral and scare the living shit to see me come back at them. As well as destroying the equipment that was left behind."

"We understand that Captain. You'll have the green light once you pass your re-certification. with this new experimental tech, we want to make sure that everything will work under pressure. Sargent Jackson will be in-charge of making sure that you're firing on all cylinders so to speak."

"Copy that command. Hanson out."

The camera feed cut as Tom left to meet his team at the armory. 

After making his way down there, he met up with Ella and Alex. "Sargents." Tom nodded to them.

They saluted him and lead him inside the armory. "249 today, boss?" Alex asked.

"Not today. Nothing can replace the old one. But give me a 240 with holo." Tom replied.

Alex handed Tom an M240B with a holographic sight, along with 300 rounds of ammo.

Tom loaded the gun and looked through the electronic optic. "This will do nicely." After hoisting it over his shoulder, the three of them walked to an outdoor firing range. They stopped in front of a table with several batches of targets distributed at various distances throughout the lane.

"Ready sir?" Alex asked as he readied a remote in his hand.

Tom planted the bi-pod on the table and knelt behind it as he sighted in his weapon. He shouldered the stock and nodded to Alex. "Hit it." His eyes looked through his site as he wrapped his finger around the trigger.

Alex pressed a button and targets began popping up and moving in random directions. Tom tracked each steel silhouette through his reticle as he unleashed controlled bursts of lead down range, hitting each target with deadly precision. 

When his belt of ammo was empty, he flung the top of the gun open, flicked out the end of the empty belt, threw a new one in and slammed the receiver closed as he continued shooting. 

After Tom ran out of all his ammo, he laid the gun on the table and turned to Ella. "What's next doc?"

"Run the course Tom. Shouldn't be difficult for you with your new strength and stamina." She smirked

He laughed as they made their way to the course that consisted of climbing walls, repelling down walls, and a 10 yard crawl.

Alex pulled a stop watch out from his pocket and readied it. "When you're ready sir." Tom nodded and began running through the course.

Without any surprise, Tom made his way through the course with ease and almost a bit of grace to the way he moved. After he finished running it, he made his way back to his friends. "So. how'd I do?" He asked

"Aced it sir." Alex replied.

"Looks like you'll be cleared to return to combat by tomorrow." Ella added.

"Good I've been out of the fight for too long. Let's go get get my old gear." Tom grinned.