***
It was short jog to the shooting station, but Jack did not take time to brush the coal dust off himself. As they approached the shooting station the Army personnel saw the two black figures approach. They did not know who, or what, they were at first. Then, when they recognized the sniper rifle and equipment, they knew it was the first group of snipers.
“We weren’t expecting you for another thirty minutes. You look awful. What is all that black stuff on you?”
“Ha—it’s a long story, and we need to get set up.” Jack smiled as he unloaded his backpack.
“I’ll set up the spotting scope and check the distance and wind,” Jill said.
“Good, I’ll set up Betsy.”
“Betsy . . . ? You call your 50-cal ‘Betsy’?” Jill frowned.
“It’s another long story. I’ll explain later.”
Jack finished setting up his rifle when Jill spoke, “Ready?”
“Ready,” Jack replied.
“Target one.”
“Target one.”
“Temperature 22 degrees.”
“Confirmed.”
“Distance four hundred yards.”
“Confirmed.”
“Wind five knots.”
“Confirmed.”
‘Elevation up nineteen inches.”
“Confirmed.”
“Send it.”
KABOOOOOOM!
Jack never flinched as the 50-cal bullet exited the rifle and began its journey downrange. He kept his eyes focused on the target as the bullet traveled for a split second. Then, he saw it hit dead center.
“Bull’s-eye, Jack!” Jill shouted.
Jack felt her slap his back. “Ouch. Calm down, tiger.” We will have plenty of time later to celebrate.
“Target two,” Jill said.
“Target two,” Jack replied.
“Temperature 22 degrees.”
“Confirmed.”
“Distance eight hundred yards.”
“Confirmed.”
“Wind five knots.”
“Confirmed.”
‘Elevation up eleven feet.”
“Confirmed.”
“Send it.”
KABOOOOOOM!
Again, Jack focused on the second target in spite of the sonic blast that jolted his body. He held his breath for another split second while the bullet traveled.
“Bull’s-eye, Jack!”
Jack grinned. “Two down, one to go.”
“Target three,” Jill said.
“Target three,” Jack replied.
“Temperature 22 degrees.”
“Confirmed.”
“Distance one thousand yards.”
“Confirmed.”
“Wind ten knots.”
“Confirmed.”
‘Elevation up twenty-two feet.”
“Confirmed.”
“Send it.”
KABOOOOOOM!
It took a full second for the 50-cal bullet to travel to the target.
“Another bull’s-eye, Jack!”
Jack smiled when he heard her shout. He heard whispers from the crowd of Army personnel that were standing behind them and observing the targets with binoculars.
“I bet they haven’t seen bull’s-eyes at this distance before,” Jill said. “I think you set the bar pretty high, Jack. The others are going to have a fit when they hear they have to get three bull’s-eyes just to keep up with us.”
“Yeah, we did pretty good.” Jack paused. He thought about what he had just said. He was not used to using the word “we,” but for some reason he liked it. If I have to have a partner, maybe it should be Lieutenant Jacobson.
Jack and Jill: Army Page 22
