by TD Webb
“I wouldn’t worry about it, JC, he was already in here about twenty minutes ago.”
JC blushed as a nurse brought in her clothes from last night. When JC finished dressing, the nurse walked in and asked her, “So, Sergeant, how does your head feel this morning?”
“Like crap, Ma’am.”
“Here, take these and drink all of this. It will replenish you and try to get lots of liquid into you today, it gets really hot here during daylight hours.”
“Thank you, Ma’am. Would I be able to get some aspirin for my friend? I think she is going to be in worse shape than me, I think I left before everyone else did.”
“Sure, Sergeant, here, take the bottle, I saw some of your crew passed out in the mess when I went over for breakfast earlier this morning, and there was a female asleep under the table. I asked a Sergeant if he needed help getting her up. He said no and that he would wait for her to wake up on her own and he would be staying there until she did get up so nothing would happen to her.”
Both Reggie and JC started laughing, they knew it had to be Linley.
“Reggie, I need to get a shower, eat and pay my tab at the mess and I think I had better get Linley back to her tent. I’ll be back in a few hours, if that’s okay with you.”
“Yeah, honey, its fine. I’ll see you later, and yes, I think you need to get her off the floor, she is going to hurt real badly.”
JC leaned down and kissed Reggie gently on her lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too, JC, see you later.”
JC left the hospital and headed to the mess for breakfast and to take care of her tab. As she walked into mess, she spotted Chris at a table in the corner. She smiled at him and nodded her head and went straight to the Bar.
“Good morning, Sergeant. What can I do for you?”
“I would like to pay my tab from last night and could I get some breakfast too?”
“Yes, Sergeant Mackenzie, your bill is 1751.00, please sign here.”
Under tip, she upped the total to an even two thousand and signed the bill.
After the bartender gave her a receipt, he thanked her. “Thank you, Sergeant, What would you like to eat?”
“I’ll have four eggs over medium, two slices of toast, bacon, sausages and lots of coffee, please”.
“Okay, Sergeant, just go over and sit down and I’ll bring it over to you when it’s ready.”
JC thanked him, went around the corner to join Chris and Linley, who were eating breakfast. Chris had moved tables while JC was at the bar.
“You guys look as bad as I feel,” JC laughed.
“You would look as bad as us, if you just woke up on the floor under the table with your Sergeant,” Linley said.
“I was not under the table, Linley. I slept in the chair all night, to make sure nothing happened to you,” Chris said.
“And where did you end up crashing last night, JC?”
“Well, I woke up at the hospital in bed with Reggie,” she said, as she handed the aspirins to Chris.
“It seems I did a strip show for her and the nurse when I staggered in the in the wee hours of the morning.”
“Well, I’m glad I woke up with you, Linley, and we both still had our clothes on. I would hate to have to explain something like that to my wife.”
“Me too, Chris. I just got a new girlfriend and I don’t think that would go over to good with her, either.”
Just then, the waiter bought over JC’s food and a fresh pot of coffee. JC was famished. Both Linley and Chris’s jaw dropped when they saw what she had ordered and how she inhaled it.
“JC, where do you put all of that food, do you have a hollow leg, or something?”
“Chris, I use a lot of energy in everything I do. I’ve never had a problem with putting on weight. I just burn it off. Hey, do you guys want to go for a run in a bit?”
“I’ll go with you,” Chris said. “How about we meet in an hour?”
“I don’t know how the two of you can even think about running after last night. I’m going to bed. My body hurts all over and, guys, make sure you take at least one of your weapons with you, it’s not really safe out there.”
“JC, how is Reggie feeling today?” Chris asked.
“She’s doing much better. She seems to heal real fast and we should find out later today, or tomorrow, when she can get out of here and go back home. She said the doctor was going to be back around 1500 hours. Okay, I’m out of here. Come on, Linley, I’ll tuck you in. Come to my tent when you are ready to go, Chris.”
They left the mess with Linley dragging her feet behind JC. “I’m going to shower, what about you, Linley?”
“I’ll shower too but then I’m going crash for a few hours. That damn floor was hard and I can’t believe Chris left me there all night.”
When JC finished showering, she put on her black sports bra and a pair of black spandex shorts. She had the body for spandex. Not an inch of fat and a six pack to boot, wrapping a special belt around her waist, it held three holes for water bottles, one area for a holster, where she checked and loaded her sig Sauer P226 and two spare clips. She then put three bottles of Gatorade on the belt. Now all she had to do, was wait for Chris. She went outside and did some stretching until Chris showed up. After more stretching, she put her hair into a ponytail. As they headed out for their run, they both watched, as most of the men on base stopped what they were doing and stared at JC as she went by. She now knew what Linley meant. It wasn’t safe out there. She was glad she wasn’t running alone. Ten miles later, JC and Chris parted company and JC headed for another shower, this time a cold one to cool her down. She did drink all three bottles of Gatorade while running and she felt a lot better after the run, because she sweated all the alcohol out of her system. Getting dressed, she put on a green tank top, a pair if white cargo shorts and a pair of sneakers, along with both her shoulder holsters, then she went over to see Reggie.
Reggie was sitting up and talking to the doctor when JC walked into the room. The doctor left as soon as JC entered.
“Reggie, how are you feeling this afternoon?”
“I’m doing much better, JC. What about you, are you still feeling the effects of last night?”
“I’m way better now. Chris and I just got back from a ten mile run, so I sweated everything out of my system and the food helped a lot, so yeah, a whole lot better. Did the doctor tell you when you can get out of here?”
“No. He said if I’m doing better tomorrow when he comes in, he might make a decision then.”
“Well, you know how it is, Reggie, let’s play hurry up and wait.”
“I know, JC, but I really hate lying around all day and not being able to move. So tell me, was it really Linley under the table all night.”
“Yeah, it was her. I went in for breakfast. Chris said she was tits up under the table, snoring away with him. He said it took him thirty minutes to get her moving. She was face down on the table shovelling food in when I went in. I took her back into our tent, put her to bed and gave her some water and aspirins, after I made her shower.”
“Knock, knock I’m here to see my favorite Chief.”
“Hi, Bill, how are you feeling today?”
“Truthfully, ladies, I felt great when I got up this morning. You see, I went home at a decent hour and drank lots of water and even took some aspirins before I went to sleep. What about you, JC?”
“Well, Sir, I’m a little hung over but not as bad as some I’ve seen.”
“I know, JC. I went to the mess and the bartender told me about Chris and Linley but he said you weren’t too bad when you came in for breakfast.”
“She looks better now than she did first thing this morning,” Reggie said.
“Well, JC, I need you, Linley and Tom in my office in one hours’ time, so can you go get Linley up and find Tom, and you might as well bring Chris, too.”
“Yes, Sir. Love, I’ll see you later,” JC said, as she leaned over, kissing Reggie goodbye.”
As JC left, Reggie looked at Bill. “Okay, Bill, what’s going on?”
“Well, it seems we have a little challenge from the Marine Corp next door. They’ve been bragging that they can beat JC’s sniper record and showed up at the mess after I left last night, hassling her. So we’re taking them up on it, live tracer fire tonight on the range. Their three top shooters against JC, Linley and Tom. They have no idea that JC has already broken her old record, they think the record is just under 1500 yards and she hit over 1700 yards, when she took out Whyte. They told her it was a fluke and she could never make the shot again and I also think she has no memory of accepting the challenge last night. It turns out Chris suggested it.”
“What’s the prize?”
“They have to pay for a party for our whole team and vice versa.”
“Bill, can you get me the hell out of here for tonight? I want to go and support my team and I also want to see JC kick their asses.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to the doctor on my way out. I’m going to go and inform them, so I will be back to escort you there later. It’s at 2100 hours.”
•••
JC went to wake up Linley. “Come on, Linley, you need to get in the shower. The Colonel wants us in his office in forty-five minutes, no uniform required.”
“Yeah, yeah I’m up, come back in twenty minutes to get me. I’m going to need coffee after I shower.” Linley dragged her ass over to the showers.
Once JC saw her go in, she went to get Tom. She ran into Chris on the way. “Chris, have you any idea where Tom is?”
“Yeah, JC, he’s in the mess having coffee, why?”
“I’ll get him. The Colonel wants me, you, Tom and Linley in his office in forty minutes.
“Okay, JC, I’ll meet the rest of you guys there.”
Walking into the mess tent, JC looked for Tom. Spotting him sitting with some other soldiers, she called to him. “Hey, Tom, can you come over here and see me please.”
“Yes, Sergeant.”
“Tom, you know better than that. Pull up a chair, we need to talk.”
“Sorry, JC, what’s going on and why do you need me?”
“Well, we have to be in the Colonel’s tent in thirty minutes. I’ll meet you there, I’ve got to pick up Linley.”
“Okay, JC, I’ll head over now.”
She got a cup of coffee to go, for Linley and headed for her tent. “Are you alive in there, Linley? I got a hot cup of coffee for you out here.”
“I’m alive now. Give me that damn cup of coffee.” She took the coffee from JC and started drinking it.
“Oh, god, JC, thank you so much.” She sucked back the whole cup. “Okay, let’s go, I’m ready.”
They left their tent and walked across the sand until they came to the Colonel’s tent. When they went, in Chris and Tom were there, along with Doug.
“Linley, how you feeling? Hope you three are feeling good enough to shoot tonight?”
The three of them looked at one another and signaled Linley to ask the question that needed to be asked.
“Why would we have to shoot tonight, Sir? Do we have another mission to go on?”
The Colonel explained everything that had transpired last night. “So you see, guys, you will be going to the range tonight to compete against three of the Americans best here on the post.”
Linley looked at JC and Tom. They nodded their heads at her.
“Sir, we will be ready for tonight? My team will not let you down. With JC shooting for us, we are sure to win.”
“Good. Now you and Tom get out of here and get your gear ready for tonight. JC, I need you to stay for a few minutes longer.”
The Colonel and Major waited for Linley and Tom to leave before they addressed JC.
“JC, how far do you think you can hit the target from?”
“Bill, I think I can hit better than my last shot. I think I can hit 1900 yards for sure with my own rifle.”
“Do you want to start from 1700 yards and work up, or work down? We are going to shoot until you miss. I know for sure, not one of them can hit the range that you can.”
“Well, Sir, I’ll start at 1700 yards and go up. I’ll keep shooting at 50 yard intervals.”
“Okay, JC, you can head out. I know you have to clean your rifle. I’ll notify the range control officer on where to start.”
JC headed for her tent. She pulled out her sniper rifle, stripped it and cleaned it, then oiled it. She then went to supplies, to get some 50 Cal. ammunition. She loaded her weapon and ammunition into her case and carried it to the hospital, to spend some time with Reggie, before she had to be at the range.
“Hey, honey, would you like some good news?”
“Yes, Reggie, especially after the afternoon I’ve been having and please remind me to never drink again and shoot my mouth off.”
“Well, JC, I can get out of here tomorrow and we can head for home on Friday.”
“That’s great, Reggie. Have you told dad yet.”
“No. I think Bill was going to do it. Everyone wants to head home by now.”
“Reggie, did you hear what’s going to happen tonight?”
“Yes, JC, I did and Bill is trying to get me permission to be able to come see you win.”
“You’re pretty sure I’m going to win this. What happens if I miss and one of them wins?”
“Well, JC, all that matters to me, is that you do your best and no matter what happens, I will always want you to cover my back.”
“Reggie, can I crawl in there and cuddle with you.”
“Yes, babe, come on in. I made arrangements for supper for both of us to come here at 2000 hours.”
“Thanks, babe, that’ll will give us three hours to sleep.”
“Come on, snuggle in, JC. They’ll wake us just before supper time.”
Chapter Thirteen
The nurse woke them both up when she bought in dinner in. Reggie had ordered steaks for both of them.
An hour later, Bill, the nurse and JC got Reggie into a wheelchair and headed out to the range. The whole camp was there to watch. On the left, were all the Americans, on the right, were the Canadians. Reggie was pushed right up front, so she wouldn’t miss anything.
The two unit commanders were in the middle of range six, giving out the information and rules:
“No 1. Each person will be allowed two shots for each distance. The two range officers will check each target after the individual has completed firing their two shots.”
“No 2. Each person will start at 1400 yards, or higher, where ever they wish to start.”
“No 3. Each person will fire until they miss. When you miss two shots, you are done.”
“These are the individuals who will be competing. For the Canadians it will be Master Warrant Officer Linley Stone. She will start at 1450 yard. Sergeant JC Mackenzie, who already holds the longest shot recorded, chooses to start at 1600 yards.”
JC was wondering why she was starting at 1600 yards but kept her mouth shut. The Colonel knew what he was doing.
“Master Corporal Tom Jefferies, will start at 1450 yards. Your American shooters are, Staff Sergeant Mike Johnson, who will start at 1500 Yards. Staff Sergeant Randy Sinclair, who will start at 1500 yards. Staff Sergeant Terrence Connors, who will start at 1600 yards. All participants will use the 50 Cal. single bolt action sniper rifle. Now, I have been informed that Sergeant Mackenzie has her own personal weapon, which is a 50 Cal. sniper rifle and it is approved for the military use. We personally checked the weapon out earlier today and it does meet all specifications. Everyone take your positions. Stone and Jefferies are the first participants to take the position they are most comfortable in.”
Linley chose to stand, while Tom fired from the prone position.
“Ready, prepare to fire. Fire.”
Linley hit the target on the first shot. Tom also hit his target on the first shot. After the targets where checked, the range safety officer gave them the all clear.
“Both individuals will move on. Johnson and Sinclair get ready and prepare to fire.”
Both men chose the prone position to shot from. They both missed their first shot but hit their targets on their second shot. They both moved on to the next level.
“Stone and Jefferies at 1500 yards, get ready. Prepare to fire. Fire.”
Linley hit on her first shot, Tom had missed both. Tom was finished but he did improve his distance to 1450 yards and the rest of the team congratulated him when he took a seat with them.
“Next to fire at 1500 yards, take your position.” Both men chose to stand. Johnson and Sinclair both hit the target on the first shot and where moving up to the next level. “Three man relay now, at 1550 yards. Sinclair, Stone and Johnson get ready, prepare to fire. Fire.”
Sinclair and Stone both hit on their second shot. Johnson missed both.
“We will now be doing a four man relay. Mackenzie, Sinclair, Stone and Connors get ready, prepare to fire. Fire.”
Linley switched to the prone position, JC stood, to take her shot and hit it on the first shot. Connors hit on his second and Stone hit on her second. Sinclair missed both shots.
“Sinclair is out. Mackenzie, Stone and Connors take your mark at 1650 yards.”
JC decided to do the prone position and Connors followed her.
“Three man relay. Mackenzie, Stone and Connors ready, prepare to fire. Fire.”
JC hit first shot again, Connors hit his second shot, Stone missed both shots, and Stone was out at 1600 yards.
“Next target 1700 yards. Two man relay, Mackenzie and Connors, take your positions”
“Come on, babe, make me proud,” Reggie hollered.
“Ready, prepare to fire. Fire at will.”
JC again, hit at 1700 yards on her first shot, Connors missed both shots. Connors was out at 1650 yards.
“The winner is Sergeant JC Mackenzie of the Canadian Armed Forces. Sergeant Mackenzie, do you wish to continue to compete?”
JC looked over at her team. All of them were moving their heads up and down, except for Reggie. She was whispering to the range safety officer, then he helped her out of the wheelchair and walked her over to JC. JC stood to meet her.