by Saxon Andrew
“Sir, no Sir; you told me to just finish our run.”
“Are you telling me I’m wrong, Mr. Gardner?”
“Sir, no Sir, the Sargent is never, wrong, Sir. My feeble mind was unable to understand the high level of your commands, Sir.”
Frank nearly broke into a smile but somehow managed to keep his face stern. He said loudly, “Some of you can learn for Mr. Gardner’s comments. Just to make sure you do, we will start this session with a five mile run.”
Frank Looked at Gardner and he said, “Platoon, right face. Forrrwwwwarrddd, March. At double time, March.” Frank focused on Clarke and saw that he was following commands and keeping his head down. He might as well get used to it; the only way to keep track of Gardner was to have him away from the others. That’s where he was going to stay.
• • •
Two weeks later AG was in Frank’s full attention again. The platoon had learned how to field strip an M-16 and reassemble it in the dark. Now they were at the firing range and taking turns on the firing line trying to hit a target a hundred and fifty yards away. Most were able to hit the man size target with a couple of shots but were nowhere near proficient with their shot groupings. “Cease firing. Weapons clear.” Frank watched as the M-16s were put down and he ordered, “Go get your targets.”
The fifteen draftee’s ran forward and took their targets down and rushed back to stand at attention with their target in front of them. He walked down the line telling them how worthless they were as human beings and especially how they could never be real soldiers. Ten year old girls can shoot better than this.” He arrived in front of Gardner and saw one hole in the middle of the target’s head. He started to really get on the new corporal but noticed that the hole was just lightly bigger than a .223 round. He looked up at Gardner, who had no expression giving away his thoughts. He didn’t want to even think what he suspected was a possibility but he decided to find out. “Gardner, you will take that target back down range and have it reattached. Now move it!”
Most of the other platoon members saw the single hole and knew the Sargent was furious. As AG ran down range, Frank picked up his walkie talkie and said, “I’m having a refire. I want you to watch the metal behind the target and count how many shots hit the metal.”
“Yes Sir.”
AG arrived back and Frank said, “You will fire again at the target, Corporal Gardner. Load ten shots.” AG loaded and assumed a prone position on the line. “All clear on the firing range. Weapons ready.” Frank paused and said, “Hit it in the heart, Gardner. Commence firing.”
AG thought about what he had discovered when he fired the AR16 for the first time. He lined up on the target and saw a black line extending from the barrel toward the target. He had fired at the black line and wondered what the result was going to be. He was just as surprised as the Sargent when he only saw one hole. He assumed a prone position and fired ten shots in less than five seconds. “Cease firing. All clear on the firing range. Retrieve your target.”
AG ran down range and Frank pushed the talk button, “How many?”
“Ten of ten, Sir. I was watching the target and they were grouped very close, Sir.”
AG arrived and held his target in front of his chest. Frank looked and there was one hole in the center of the heart. Frank looked into Gardner’s eyes and he was giving nothing away. “Gardner, load eight rounds.”
AG knew the Sargent knew but he didn’t know how he knew. He could have deliberately missed but then he would have violated a warrior’s oath to always perform at the best of their ability. To do less only weakens a true warrior. AG loaded eight rounds in his clip and took his place on the firing line. Frank alerted the spotters down range and said, “Start with the three hundred yard target and fire one shot at each target out to 1,000 yards. Your aim point is the center of the head. Weapon ready, commence firing.”
Frank knew that the best snipers in the Army could make those shots but it would take their spotter helping them judge windage, humidity, and distance. Each shot would take about fifteen seconds to line up and fire. That was with a sniper rifle and a scope. Gardner was firing only using the sites on the old AR16, which was far from a sniper’s rifle. Gardner made the shots in four seconds.
“Cease firing; all clear on the firing line; clear your weapons and go to lunch. I’ll see you back here in an hour. Dismissed.”
The Platoon rushed away and Frank picked up the walkie-talkie, “Three hundred?”
“Center of head, Sir.”
“Four hundred?”
“Center of head, Sir.”
“Five hundred?”
“Center of head, Sir.”
Frank stared down range and hesitated but then said, “One thousand?”
“Center of head, Sir.”
Frank turned and watched the platoon rush over the hill toward the cafeteria. Once again, he couldn’t find Gardner. He had just witnessed a shooting performance that was impossible. Maybe a great shooter could have hit those targets; but not in four seconds. He thought about making him do it again but he knew he would get the same result. Something inside him slid into a corner and tried to hide. Gardner may be the most dangerous man he had ever seen. He needed to have a conversation with him soon. But first he was going to call Captain Green.
• • •
“Captain Green, here.”
“Captain, this is Sargent Frank Weber. I need to speak with you about Anthony Gardner.”
“Is he doing poorly in basic training?”
“Sir, today I had Private Gardner fire an AR16 assault rifle at eight targets on the firing range. One shot starting at the 300 yard target and out to the 1,000 yard target. I told him his target was the center of the head.”
“And?”
“He hit all eight in the center of the head in less than four seconds.”
“Sargent, I don’t like being awakened by this nonsense.”
“Captain, I don’t like seeing something impossible done by one of my soldiers that can’t be explained.”
There was a long pause and Green said, “Why did you have him make those shots.”
“Because he fired ten rounds through one hole at 150 yards.” Frank paused, “Twice.”
“You’re serious?”
“As a heart attack, Sir; he is probably the best shooter I have ever seen and I’ve attended the Winchester Finals ten times. No one could have done this.”
“What are you suggesting, Sargent.”
“He should be sent to sniper school, Sir. I didn’t want to make the recommendation without letting you know.”
Green did not want to believe what he was hearing but something had happened. “Why don’t you do this; talk with him first and see how he feels about it. I want him even more now but I will not stand in the way of an opportunity to advance.”
Frank thought about it and said, “I’ll bring him in now and see what he says.”
“Let me know; and thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
“Yes Sir; you’re welcome.”
• • •
The platoon was practicing field stripping and reassembling their M-16s when Frank stuck his head out of his office and shouted, “Gardner, get in here!”
Everyone watched as AG stood and ran toward the Sargent’s office. They wondered what he had done.
AG ran in Frank’s office and stood at attention in front of his desk. Frank had an M-16 laying on the front and said, “Gardner, you will field strip this weapon as quickly as possible when I tell you; understood?”
“Sir, yes Sir.”
Frank stared at AG and said, “NOW!”
Frank looked at his desk and saw a completely stripped M-16. It had happened in less than a second. He stared at AG and felt his fear. “You will reassemble it on my command; NOW!”
The M-16 was assembled and laying on his desk. He never saw Gardner move. “Private, where did you learn to shoot?”
“Sir, I have never fired a weapon.” Frank stared at AG
and after a moment AG said, “Sir, I never lie.”
“Sit down.” AG took a chair. Tell me what’s going on. Why can I never find you?”
AG thought about it and decided, “Sir, I’ve been born with abilities that are hard to understand. I think they would best be described as psychic skills but they are as natural to me as breathing.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I would violate my values to give less than my best in training and I know you are going to see them.”
“I was wondering why you didn’t miss some of those shots. You’ve been trying to hide from my attention.”
“Not really, Sir. It just comes natural.”
“You’ve never fired a rifle?”
“I’ve never fired any kind of gun or rifle, Sir.”
“How do you explain this?”
“Sir, I aimed at the targets today and saw a thin black line running out to each target. I aimed at the line and fired. I’ve never seen anything like those lines before.” AG paused and said, “Well, I do see them with my throwing knives.”
“Throwing knives?”
“Yes Sir.”
“After your performance today, I am going to recommend you for Sniper Training.”
“Sir, I think that would be a bad idea.”
“Why is that?”
“It would be a huge violation of my moral code. In that training I would not hit any targets.”
“You’d miss intentionally?”
AG hesitated but said, “Yes Sir, I would.”
Frank looked at AG and found he liked him. He was open and he could believe that he never lied. “Tell me about your values.”
“Sir, I’ve chosen for my life long profession to be a warrior. I live by a warrior’s values.”
“What are they?”
“A warrior spends their life working to leave the world better than they find it. They will defend those that cannot defend themselves. They will refuse combat with anyone weaker than them, except in self-defense. A warrior will work to perfect the skills of his chosen profession and never give less than their best effort in becoming the best they can possibly be.”
“So sniper training violates number two and missing shots would have violated number four.”
“Yes Sir.”
“What do you want me to do with this information, Gardner?”
“Sir, I really hope you will just keep it to yourself.”
“Why?”
“Sir, I’m here because of number four. I am trying to develop my skills and talents and I don’t know where that quest will take me. I do know that to draw attention to myself will stunt my development.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“I am.”
“Is number two the reason you took on Clarke?”
“It is.”
“You gave up some of your ability to go unnoticed with that.”
“I have to stand by my values, Sir. When one ignores them once, the next time is easier. It was the right thing to do, Sir.”
“Come with me.”
AG stood and followed him out and boarded a jeep. Frank drove them to the firing range that was closed. The sun was setting and Frank handed AG an M-16 and a clip with one round. “I don’t know if all the things you’re saying about this psychic bull crap are true. Do you see the three thousand yard target down range?”
AG glanced at the range and said, “I do.”
“If you can hit the bull’s eye with this round I will allow you to go about your quest. If you miss, you go to sniper school.”
Frank held out the M-16 and AG took it. Frank never saw him move but heard the shot ring out. AG said, “That is a beautiful 45. May I see it?”
Frank pulled the pearl handled 45 out and handed it to AG. He took it, chambered a round, and kept his eyes on Frank as he pointed it at a ridiculously high angle down the range. He glanced down range, fired it, and handed it back to Frank. “I’ll walk back to the barracks, Sir. Check the 3,500 yard target as well.”
Frank watched him go and got in the jeep and drove to the 3,000 yard target and found a small hole in the center of the bull’s eye. He looked to the right and walked to the next target and saw a large hole in the center of the bull’s eye. He looked at his 45 and knew it didn’t have the range to reach this target. He called Gardner back in his office and said, “You have your quest. However, there is one other small detail I will expect you to do when you complete your training.”
“What is that, Sir?”
“I’ll tell you then, dismissed.”
AG left the office and wondered what the Sergeant had in mind.
Frank’s conversation with Captain Green that night lasted two hours. The next morning at muster he still couldn’t see Gardner until he took his position in front of the platoon. Now he knew that the one last detail needed to be done. He smiled and went forward to start the day’s training.
• • •
A week later, trouble reared its head. A Green Beret Lieutenant was assigned as an instructor for hand–to-hand combat training. Frank’s platoon was its customary last one to take the training. Chen said, “He should be tired by now.”
Clarke laughed, “May we pray.”
Lt. Stenson looked at the platoon as they marched in and took their seats around the combat pads. He smirked and thought that the service just wasn’t getting much in the way of decent recruits. The draft caused most of that. He looked around to see who would be his first victim.
Sgt. Weber looked at the two medics at the back of the room and they slowly shook their head. He knew this Lt. was barbaric and the other drill instructors had first choice of times for their platoons and carefully avoided Lt. Stenson. He knew there was going to be injuries.
Stenson said, “There will be times where you will be faced with an up close and personal contact with your enemy. Your skills in hand-to-hand fighting will make the difference in saving your lives. I am going to start you on the path of learning to use the skills that could one day save your life.” He paused and looked at the men surrounding the fighting area, “Who would like to volunteer to start the training with me.” No one moved. Stenson smiled and said, “Ok, how about you stepping in here and I’ll start the demonstration.”
Don Stuart sighed. He should have known better than to take a front row seat. The Lt. motioned him forward and he stood and walked out on the mats. Lt. Stenson spent fifteen minutes teaching the proper stance to take and placed Don’s arms and legs in the proper positions. AG had to admit the Lieutenant knew his stuff. He called the platoon out on the mats and ordered them to assume the fighting stance and he went around making corrections. The first hour went quickly and everyone started to relax. Then things got rough.
“Everyone take your seats except for you.” Don saw the instructor pointing to him and he remained standing on the mat. “Assume your stance.” Don complied and then heard, “Now try to hit me.” Don was extremely nervous but he slid his feet across the floor as he was trained and attempted to hit the Lieutenant. Stenson blocked every punch laughing at Don and making critical remarks like, “My eight year old niece hits harder than that.” Don tried his best but everything he attempted was easily blocked by the Lieutenant. Suddenly Stenson kicked Don in the chest and sent him flying off the mats. Don stayed on the floor moaning.
A medic rushed up and said, “He has a broken rib.” He motioned to the back of the room and two privates with a stretcher ran over and took Don to the infirmary.
Stenson was smiling and said, “Alright, who’s our next volunteer?”
Everyone in the room tried to make themselves look smaller. Stenson looked around the room and he pointed to Rory Jackson. “Come on up and let’s continue our training.”
Rory was a big black man who had won several golden Glove competitions. “Take your stance.” Rory took a boxers stance and Stenson laughed, “Oh, so we have a boxer. Give me your best shot.” Rory moved in carefully and avoided several kites
thrown by Stenson. They moved around the mats with Rory backing Stenson up. Stenson took a jab to the face and the platoon saw his instant anger. Rory threw another punch and Stenson grabbed his arm and threw him. AG saw that Stenson added a twist to the throw and everyone heard a snap. The medics rushed forward and checked out Rory’s right arm.
“It’s broken; get this man to the hospital.”
Frank watched Stenson and felt his anger almost take him. This sadist was blight on the service but he could do nothing to stop it.
AG watched the platoon as the Lieutenant injured the first two he selected. He saw that Clarke was angry after Don, was hurt but now he was starting to become enraged. If Clarke went to the mats with the Lieutenant, he was going to get hurt in a big way. Stenson smiled as they took Rory out to an ambulance and smiled again, “Is there anyone of you girls that wants to volunteer.”
AG saw Clarke start to stand up and he said, “I’ll give it ago.” Clarke stopped dead and his rage vanished. He sat back down and every one’s eyes went back to the Lieutenant. “So there is a tiny bit of courage among you. Please come forward.”
AG went to Don’s vacant chair and took off his shirt and boots; he stretched and stepped out on the mats in his bare feet. Stenson watched as AG got ready and saw this boot moved with an economy of motion. He did not exhibit any jerkiness in his motions and he was powerfully built. Did this trainee know the martial arts? He decided to be careful with this one and take him out quickly. They faced each other and Stenson said, “Take your stance.”
AG bowed and said, “I’ll use the one I’m most comfortable with,” and he stood there with his arms crossed.
Stenson was furious. He said, “Try to hit me.”
AG smiled and said, “Sir, we’ve seen how one should defend themselves against an attack. Will you demonstrate how to attack an enemy before he makes the first move? I’m sure we’re all curious about how that should be properly done.”
Stenson’s smile turned wicked, “We’re jumping ahead in the training but I will be happy to demonstrate.” Frank wondered what AG was doing. This sadistic Green Beret had been trained by the best. Gardner was being dumb.