Just Shoot Me

[Cassie Granger 0]

Just Shoot Me

A Silver-Granger Log

 

Cass might have been NAV on Creek, but her primary MOS was Marine Recon Sniper. But you learn a hell of a lot more things in Marine Recon than sniping, one of the handiest being the use of anything for a weapon. A lethal weapon. The other was that there’s no such thing as downtime. Off-duty was the place to clean your weapons, check your gear, hone your skills. On the bridge at general quarters with nothing to do slipped Cass right into downtime and honing her skills.

 

Now, you have to understand that anything is a weapon means just that. Even a straightened paperclip can be flicked into a bullseye from three meters. Given the right target, it’s lethal. And the globular cluster in the middle of the viewscreen? Looked a hell of a lot like a bullseye and her stylus was just what she needed to take it down.

 

She stilled her body, took mental aim, the stylus poised, ready to flick...

 

“Stand down general quarters. Go to yellow alert.”

 

You’ve never seen a Marine hand over her post so fast, toss the rebreather into the decon and make a dive for the exit. A minute or two later and she was entering the Marine gym, ready to take down another Everlast.

 

Something else you have to understand: there’s a Marine gym and FORECON* OPS deck on Creek for a reason. In general, Marines minus action equals disaster in the making, and Marine Recon Specialists minus action, well.... Let’s just say that putting a Marine Recon Sniper on the bridge at GQ with nothing to do but sit and stare into space was like having a half-pulled grenade. But you probably figured that one out already. Add to that a state-of-the-last-decade Fleet-issue rebreather that made her sound - and feel - like a villain in a low-budget scifi movie? Might as well pull the pin the rest of the way.

 

She entered the Marine gym just short of a full-out sprint.

 

“Granger!”

 

The shout of Major Ishiiu, 2nd Platoon FORECON, Marine CO, pulled her up short.

 

“Grab your gear. FORECON OPS. Ten minutes.”

 

Lying on the bench between lockers with his straddled feet on the deck and scowling at the overhead, Gage rubbed his weary face.

 

Cass gave a curt nod. “Ensign Silver,” she said, moving down the line and throwing the door to her locker open. “Pardon me, sir. Gotta run.”

 

Gage lifted his head and smirked at her. “Any time you’re ready, Cass.”

 

Shifting to her secure locker, she pressed her hand on the reader, spun the dial, and opened it to grab a few more things before slamming the door and arranging her gear. “Sir?”

 

“Wouldn’t want to rush you or anything,” he quipped as he swung a leg over the bench and sat up.

 

Ruck slung over one shoulder, assorted weapons tucked in and strapped to her body, she stopped to face him. Gage didn’t look like the ‘red-shirt’ Cass knew, dressed in new combat utilities and geared up in spare kit.

 

Now, another thing you have to understand is that warrants and NCOs like Cass have practiced looks for just about everything. Cass had one for hiding her surprise, but this time she didn’t have to deploy it. She had more than a feeling this might happen. Silver’d been voluntold, and hell... he even seemed half happy about it. “Ready when you are, sir.”

 

“Was ready ten minutes ago,” he easily retorted. Standing and perching his right boot on the bench, he stifled an honest yawn. He put on a good show, recently showered from the unkempt hair, shaven face and old spice smell, but he couldn’t hide the exhaustion.

 

“Roger that, sir.” She grinned. “After you.”

 

“Huh uh,” Gage smirked and gestured. “Ladies first.”

 

“All due respect, sir... I’m not a lady. I’m a Marine.” The smile dropped, her tone became direct, her gaze stern.

 

“If you say so, but I don’ wanna take an accidental fist in the back. Rumor has it you’re rough on equipment.”

 

“Rumor says a lot of things, sir.”

 

Gage grinned. “Could just carry you; see what that rumor says,” he quipped as he mischievously invaded her space, lingering before he casually strolled ahead.

 

Let it slide, Cass... let it slide. She eyed him a minute before shaking her head and falling in step behind him. The next few hours were going to be very interesting.

 

TBC in sim.

 

----------------

*FORECON: Force Reconnaissance Company, a Marine force that provides military intelligence, supports a landing or joint task force, and is fully capable of operating independently behind enemy lines performing unconventional special operations using air, land, and waterborne insertions and extractions. Creek’s SFMC FORECON unit is 2nd Plt, Force Recon Co, First Recon Bn, First Marine Div, First Marine Expeditionary Force.

[Crash Calestorm 0]

Now, you have to understand that anything is a weapon means just that. Even a straightened paperclip can be flicked into a bullseye from three meters. Given the right target, it’s lethal. And the globular cluster in the middle of the viewscreen? Looked a hell of a lot like a bullseye and her stylus was just what she needed to take it down.

 

She stilled her body, took mental aim, the stylus poised, ready to flick...

 

Nice log guys.

 

Gunner, if you write another log where she actually flicks the 'weaponized' stylus pen at the main viewer? I *will* buy you a drink at Shore Leave. Ooo Rah.

[Cassie Granger 0]

Roger that, ma'am. But you do know the viewscreen is gorilla glass? It'd bounce right off but scare the hell out of Shalin. Makes you wonder what 'xactly was running through my head when I flicked it.

[Gage Silver 0]

That I'll buy you a drink if you scare the hell outta Shalin.