Rounds Down Range

Posted on Thu Jun 18th, 2020 @ 3:56pm by Security Johannah "Mack" Shepard & Alliance Alice LeMat

Mission: This Week's Special
Location: Shooting Range

When the buzzer went off, Mack smoothly drew her Shanxi pistol and started moving through the improvised tactical course. She calmly, swiftly, and accurately emptied one magazine, found cover, reloaded, emptied the second, and then repeated the process a third time.

"Clear!" she shouted when she was done. She'd fired the last round in the chamber. Had she not been chief of security, she'd have holstered the gun empty. Since she was chief of security and expected to be armed, she reloaded, then holstered her weapon and waited for the range master to tally her score. When he was done, he told Alice LeMat what it was.

"For someone famous for knife work," the rangemaster said. "The lady can shoot a pistol. And she did damn good with the stock attached before that. Gonna be tough for you to beat her, Marshal."

Mack laughed. "Hardly," she said. "For a guy famous for long gun work, the gentleman can really shoot a pistol."

"Just never really found a use for the short gun." LeMat shrugged. "Who seems fool enough to walk out in the open and ask a guy to shoot back and expect a fair fight?" He did chuckle. "Most fights come down to the steady hand rather than the faster one. Most draw fast and point at center of mass... but with adrenaline they tend to be a little off as they do not sight but go from the hip." He shook his head; an extra half second while they move to fan the revolver will likely drop them even if faster than me." He smiled. "Human nature is a real killer you know? I do mean that quite literally."

He walked towards the shooting range putting on his well work Leather finger-less gloves on. Hand resting on the butt of the revolver on his left hip and stopping at gate. The buzzer sounded and Lemat entered the range; his eyes swept his surroundings; it was a lesson his teachers gave him from experience; keep the eyes moving and never focus longer than a shot or LeMat might miss something.

The re-tooloed .357 had the weight for the job; the kick of the gun designed a heavier caliber kept him smooth; the left shoulder rig was drawn after the first three shots were emptied in the .357, a similar weapon with a laser dot was brought for shot seven through twelve. LeMat utilizing cover as he moved. The First revolver holstered while in motion; as he deftly moved a bit slower seeming but his accurate shots as things popped up made up time. The .45 single action was third out from his right side; this six round weapon was proper caliber but with the barrel retooling only squelched the shots as he worked through four round and then came out the Namesake pistol to take the past portion. This was his heaviest gun; but 9 round cylinder he completed the last portion up to the final one. Flick of the switch and the under side barrel had a Ten gauge scatter, he finalized his run by taking out the last two targets with a shotgun round.

Holstering the final gun he smiled back. "That was rather fun; got to test the new toys as well." LeMat nod. "You set up a first rate course here." He complemented as he started using speed loaders on the revolvers. "Mackensie, you doing okay with the arm?"

"Yeah, but I think that's it for me," Mack said. "I shouldn't have used the carbine set up. Should have stuck to one handed." She turned to the range master. "So," she said. "How badly did he beat me?"

The range master finished tallying the scores. "You didn't do too badly, Chief," the range master said. "But the Marshal definitely beat you. Still, I'm glad you're both law dogs. I'd hate to think of what the two of you could do to the Plex if you went bad."

Mack chuckled. "Not much chance of that," she said. "I think the Marshal and I are both due for some clean living for a while. Thanks again. We'll settle up with you before we leave." Mack turned to Alice. "Looks like breakfast is on me. Please tell me you're in the mood for pancakes. I could really go for some pancakes right about now, and the pancake house in the Hub is supposed to be great."

"You know I bow to a Lady's taste." LeMat smoothly replaced the rounds in the Namesake and the shotgun shell. "Pancakes sound wonderful so long as an Omlette is included in the deal." He holstered the last gun. "As I always say, Ladies always first." He gesture towards the exit. "I have a few guns I was going modify; you interested in a revolver back up? I like the reliability of a revolver and I have a .357 that I am shortening the Barrel and putting weight to cut recoil if you're interested, not moch more kick than a 9mm but hits like brick through plate glass?"

Mack shrugged into her coat, which now hid two of the knives she carried (the other was visible, hilt sticking out from her right boot), and led the way out to settle up for the range time. Technically, her pistol was 'hidden' under her coat, strapped to her right thigh, but it's presence was fairly obvious. Her coat had many compartments, inside and out, filled with various goodies, from her shoulder stock to 20-round magazines, to an optic and suppressor, to other items. While the real answer to how this was possible was just extremely creative custom tailoring, the fact that Mack's coat was like a clown car added an air of mystery to her.

"Thanks for the offer, Alice, but I'll stick to what I know," she replied as they exited the range and headed for the lift so they could travel to the hub. "But I'll stick to my Shanxi. It got me through the War and eight years of living rough in the colonies. I figure it'll keep doing that. But... if I get my hands on a newer model, do you thing you could fine tune it for me?"

"I can tune it up." LeMat said as they walk. "A small snub nose along the back belt line usually never goes wrong." He told her. "I have a few autos in rifele and even an burst fire auto pistol but prefer the reliability of revolvers, they do not jam." He chuckled. "And you know I am a proponent of going with what you know; I could go with a short gun but that is not where my comfort lies." He glance over as they were making their way along. "You really have to comfortable both in your own skin and what is in your gun hand."

"Yeah," Mack said as they entered the lift. "But there's so much lā shǐ on my belt already, I don't have room for a back up revolver on there, and since I wear my boots over my pants, I can't wear it on my ankle. I guess I could keep a snubnose around for if I have to go covert or something."

"Pocket of a Brown Coat or Trench?" LeMat took out the one in his left pocket. ".44 Revolver, bit of a heavy hand and better for larger hands; the .357 or even a .38 for the Ladies; more sized female hands." He shrugged. "Just the fit, nothing saying you cannot hand it, all about physical comfort you understand." The elevator came to the level. "I'll show you what I have lying about some time." He joked. "As long as we are together, mind a little shop talk?"

"Sure," Mack said as they exited the lift and started walking to the pancake place. "What's on your mind?"

"Have you noticed any of the Docks that are in maintenance taking a little longer to service?" LeMat asked. "I read the schedule we have for walk-by routine just to let our presence be known, just that a couple of the docks have been down for a bit longer; I dare not go deeper to see if we are waiting parts or anything. "They were getting near the Pancake place. "I do not want to get Lady Scarlett involved just over what could be nothing. I was wondering if you might have more ready access?"

"I can look into that for you," Mack said. "Which decks? Because if it's Decks 15 and 16, that's Blue Sun. They have their own security and I'm not supposed to poke around down there without their permission, and I'd need a damn good reason to convince Scarlett to get me in there. If it is those decks... tā mā de... you might need to get a federal warrant to gain access."

"Deck 14; the Freighter Delivery Region. The warehouses will be the area of study." LeMat opened the door for her. "I have noticed that two of the Warehouses Docking areas has been down for repair; for nearly a week." He raised an eyebrow. "I am also noticing it that it remains under repair still two days ago." He added just long enough to get in and would not discuss anything until they get to a table. "Can you arrange a place in the very back where we might talk?"

"Sure," Mack got them a table in the back. "Blueberry pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, coffee," Mack said to the waitress. Not all of her order would be "real", but the parts that would be substitutes usually didn't taste too bad. She grinned. "And get this disgustingly handsome bastard anything he wants."

"The Lady chooses well, but a scalding warm tea would be preferred and lost of sugar." He winked to the waitress. "I am afraid I have a sweet tooth." He grinned in that sly way before she left. "I have a thought; it might seem paranoid; however, if one looks at the fact all sensors and cameras are down and if one knows there will only be a walk abot then having something down for repairs might seem stupid..." He lean closer. "Unless it does not have workers doing anything yet remains closed to the regular unions and other people. A fine little hide-out if you think about it?" He nod. "Especially if it is a new group not known... yet. Perfect place to hide and not be found while making a place for their business?"

"Could be Nikolai Udinov, maybe trying to muscle in on Petrovich, but that seems unlikely, right?" Mack said. "He'd have to be crazy... I mean, all Bratva are crazy, but that would be stupid. The Neo-Indies and the Plexies don't seem like they'd have an interest in the docks. Could be Axe Tong. Scarlett thinks they were in on the attempted kidnapping of the Blue Sun rep. That reminds me, the Med Center said we could talk to the survivor, the one I kneecapped. They'd have let us in sooner, but there were complications after surgery. I don't think he's going to tell us anything, but it's worth a shot. I was thinking after breakfast we could go and talk to him? A couple of my guys have been sitting on him in the hospital."

"That is the way to go about things; start with the first little crumb and then start collecting them as you go along the route." LeMat nod and winked. "But if he gives up the next level up it will be progress." He told her. "I just would call it good if we can verify he is not a regular but a new facet to this, I get a gut feeling a new problem is coming around the corner." He chuckled. "That Scarlett was so happy to get me to take this job I figured more to this than she let on."

Mack snorted. "Really?" she said, a bit sarcastically. "My first clue was when my job interview consisted of killing 5 people in her defense and kneecapping a 6th person. If you want to get technical, I killed 6 people, but the first one was shortly after I got here and not connected. I brought that yīkuài lèsè (piece of garbage) O'Connor in so I could collect the bounty and the bèndàn (dumbass) tried to escape right after I handed him over. The paperwork wasn't even done! Thanks to Trish, one of you deputies, I got my due. I've dealt with deputies who wouldn't have given me the 'or alive' price. Weren't for her, I'd be out the costs of feeding, watering, and transporting that húndàn."

Their food arrived. Mack put butter on her pancakes and pour the hot syrup over them. Mack wasn't sure of the authenticity of the butter or the syrup, or the eggs, for that matter. They tasted damned good, though, so she thought it best not to ask too many questions.

"Bounty HUnting is an Art Form." LeMat was quite sure to get his butter spread evenly over all the pancakes; while allowing a few more moments to assure all was spread and covered. "Like a Marshal; we hunt down and bring to trial; ot at least to justice." He shrugged. "I know the cost of transport; why I only take a certain level of Bounty that is worth my time." He winked. "But I had also heared that Madman Connors is in the area through the Bounty Grapevine; He is a contract muscle that favors middle line jobs; mostly start-up gangs that like to do the "Flashy Jobs" that gain a reputation and make a name for his clients. If he is about there is a group trying to get a foot hold. I just hope he does not come here?"

"Tài bàngle (fantastic, wonderful)," Mack said. "Just what we need." She looked thoughtful a moment. "I'm expecting to get a meeting with Old Man Petrovich soon. Depending on how that goes, maybe I can convince him to tell me what he already knows about Connors and whoever is setting up on his turf, maybe find out more. If I'm really lucky, I can convince him to let us handle the situation, or at least convince him to give us a chance before he steps in and takes the Connors out. I mean, however is trying to muscle in on Petrovich, we should try and bust them ourselves, just so we don't lose face. But if we can't, well, in my true and honest opinion... Old Man Petrovich can take Connors or whoever this is out himself. I bet Sasha Petrovich and his brothers, kids, and/or various and sundry hired help can figure out how to take out Connors with a minimum of fuss and muss."

"Is that maintaining order?" LeMat asked. "Conners has been doing his job for over a decade; he is good at it, and what kind of trouble would insue should one of Petrovich's kinsmen gets hurt or killed?" He asked. "What kind of wrath would we see and who might get caught in the middle. Plus the more they think is need of them to keep order the lower we would be thought of as peacekeepers." LeMat took some food and thought. "We are not just stopping crime we are keeping the balance of power; we know how the powers that be work the shadows; no need to stur up the Hornet's nest and a new group would do just that and our little forces caught in the Cross-fire. It is better we nip it early and keep things contained."

"Relax, Alice," Mack said. "I said we should try to deal with Connors ourselves first. I don't want Petrovich and Connors going to war. But regardless, if we don't shut Connors down, Sasha Petrovich might decide to do it himself, to save face and to protect his interests. He might do it anyway if I can't get him to let us try and handle it first. And I suppose we should be prepared for the possibility that Petrovich has some kind of deal with Connors. Or that Connors has a deal with Udinov. If Sasha Petrovich is a gentleman gangster, Nikolai Udinov is reputedly a thug in an expensive suit."

"Semantics." LeMat said calmly. "We need to confirm Conners here; then find out who he is working for? He is more the one to go with the unknown and have fun." LeMat said. "Established people have too many rules and leaders for Conners; newbies let him play his way and that is what he likes."

"If he doesn't like established rules, he'll steer clear of Sasha Petrovich as much as he can," Mack said. "Petrovich is as established as they come. But again, if Connors is the one screwing around on the docks, and he bumps up against Old Man Petrovich's operation, well, we might find Connors dead in an alley somewhere with his own gāowán stuffed in his mouth." Mack took a bite of sausage, chewed it, and swallowed it. "Damn this is good. I will shoot you in the ass if you ask the waiter what meat it's made from, because I definitely don't want to know, but it does taste good."

"I find that when someone else is cooking; like asking a magician his secrets, it is not met with the best restults." LeMat enjoyed his food, even more when it is with a nice lady and she is taking the tab. "WHat raises the hair on the back of my neck is not Conners so much as 'who' would bring him and are there more like him coming?" He took a serious expression. "I am the new guy and I am seeing an old ... aquaintance of sorts coming into my territory. So call me paranoid if I am a bit uneasy at the omen. Best plan for the worst and accept anything less severe an ending."

"Deal," Mack said. She grinned impishly. "While we finish eating you can tell me about the string of broken hearts you added to the trail behind you."

"You know a gentleman does not gossip." LeMat chuckled. "And being a man who hunts others is not exacting the career choice that a lady takes back to meet her parents." He gave her a knowing look for a couple of seconds. "However I do recall a couple of more refined ladies that wondered the more 'Wild Side' with the desire to see if they could keep a Bad Boy's interests." Thinking for a moment. "I am more the rough and tumble type in my tastes; fancied a companion once that was stunning and quite the 'woman' to hold her own." He shrugged. "Trancie; she had a way of being more than she is required; we both knew it was ... open and neither of us wanted more than that. She had her .... 'calling' while I had mine and there would be no going off into the sunset." He shrugged. "Ladies with grit are far between and often get stuck in the middle." He paused. "People with calling to keep order are not the best choices for normal; we tend to make people unhappy and they never forget." He looked to the Lady across from him. "I would no put a lady in that position of being a pawn and ladies with your skills to defend themselves are rare. So I tend to not break hearts nor acquire them as I am not a safe bet." He winked. "Now you cannot tell me you do not have a string of men who have not tried at your heart?" He leaned forward with that sly grin. "Come clean Milady, lady with your charms cannot remain not sought after." He winked. Your turn?"

Mack shrugged. "Men or women, I haven't been keeping them around long enough to get attached, let alone break their hearts," she said. "I mean, I operated out of Newhope until Xiulan grew up and moved away, but since then I've be in motion. Hey, you remember my kid sister, right? Little, foul-mouthed, stubborn, punk teenager who wasn't afraid of much? Maybe it helped that she couldn't see the trouble she was getting herself into. Anyway, she's twenty-one now, if you can believe that! And she lives here, on this Plex! And she's still not afraid of much, for the record." Mack sighed. "Anyway, after Xiulan moved out, Song Wei encouraged me to take on the more lucrative jobs, ones that would have kept me away too long. I still drop in on him. In the few years I spent with Xiulan and her father Wei, they made their home more my home than my parents ever did theirs. Anyway, this job here is the most settled I've been in some time. So I suppose I'll be seeing what and who it has in store for me."

"One would have to be looking; or oprn to the possibilities, for anythig 'in store' to happen." LeMat was completig his meal. "I have never closed the door upon any possibility; I will not push anyone interested aside but I am of a mind anyone who catches my interests I put in danger." LeMat admitted. "But that lady; Lord help her, who does show interest needs to know the risk and be able to take care of herself to where we would not worry for her safety despite my job." He took the last bite and a drink of the tea. "That tends to leave me with few options of late." He wiped his mouth with the napkin as is proper. "Thank you for a very fine breakfast." He look to her. "I am glad to hear your sister is doing well, she did always keep things lively."

Mack also finished off her meal. "Never interrogate a suspect on an empty stomach, I always say!" she said. "Shall we head over to the hospital and have a talk with our would-be kidnapper?"

"Ladies always First." LeMatt left a nice tip on the table. "Now I have not eaten cookies so no matter what he says I will not Toss them." LeMat joked. "I will follow your lead."

Mack settled the bill and added to the tip, then rose from her seat. "Let's go then," she said. "Let's see what this tā mā de húndàn has to say for himself."