I stood at the beginning of the course of fire Jack had setup for me. Before me was a large area with a multitude of barrels, both metal and plastic in the 50-gallon sizes. Additionally, there were tall wooden wall barriers, practically identical to the ones we utilized on the obstacle course for physical performance. Those, however, had small slots you could utilize for hand and foot holds. These were solid and had no gaps for someone to cheat by peeking through and getting an eye on target. It now required me to peer around them in order to acquire the target and then engage it.

　　There were roughly thirteen barrels and four wall partitions in front of me. The course, however, made a slight wave pattern of forward then backwards. It started from right to left and I imagined the layout of the pattern looked almost like a W` if I was high above it and looking down. Jack had me starting on the far-right side of the wave. This was going to require me to move towards my left and weave my way through the course. Jack informed me I would have to make my way to each wall partition.

　　I was standing directly behind the first wall partition. I readied myself mentally to begin. Before Jack gave me the command to start, I quickly glanced around the wall. I noticed my first two targets that I would need to engage. They were roughly 100 feet away from me, directly to my front was the first target, the second was then roughly at a 45-degree angle to my left.

　　Directly behind the first two silhouette targets were a portable bullet proof wall system. He had formed the wall system into a large L bracket. The elongated portion of the L was directly behind the two targets with a small cutout of dead space directly in-between them. The foot portion of the L wall was directly to the left of the second target. The foot portion also created dead space of an unknown area. I would have to clear both the room in between the first two targets, as well as the dead space beyond the left target before moving throughout the rest of the course.

　　Jack then leaned close to my ear from behind, his right hand tapping the back of my armor to inform me he was there. He confirmed my thoughts as he went over the course briefing a second time. "You are going to proceed from right to left, interweaving throughout the course. You will travel through the obstacles and proceed from one wall partition to the next."

　　He pointed with his left hand and guided my view, pointing towards the foot of the L-bracket. "Once you clear the dead space beyond this wall, you`ll see the course continues onto a second level. The course will wrap you back around to the right side once you pass that far wall and proceed onto that second level. You will have to continue to frog leap from one wall partition to the next. Engage all targets you see. There are two split partitions in the final third level. Clear all areas. Any questions?"

　　I shook my head, "Nope."

　　Jack then went over my ammo configurations for the course of fire. "Your rifle loadout has been limited to six rounds per magazine, requiring you to get use to your armor`s magazine delivery system. You have your complement of both rifle and pistol magazines and can make any quick transitions you`d like. You can engage any target with whatever weapon system you choose at any point."

　　"Got it." I replied.

　　"You ready? He asked.

　　"Fuck yeah, I am!"

　　"It`s on you then." Jack said.

　　Jack stood behind me and then reached up and lightly grabbed hold of me on the back collar of my armor. Jack would be moving with me the whole time like a ninja. There he acted as a safety observer should anything go wrong.

　　Neurochip, play "I`m so sick" by Flyleaf. I took a few slow breathes, my eyes looked up and directly at the wall in front of me. My eyes took notice of a knot in the wood paneling which was just a few inches from my face. I followed the grain as it curved around and formed a natural eye pattern. The 19 second mark came in and Lacey Sturm`s classic vocal cry rang out inside my head.

　　Her voice sounded as if she was demonically possessed when they recorded it. I snickered as I leaned off to my right. My M1A carbine snug into my shoulder as it was slightly twisted at the 45-degree rotation in front of me. The way Jack and I had trained in regard to carrying it. I began to rotate the rifle clockwise, as I acquired the first target, my eye instantly caught the red dot sight as it shifted into place.

　　My gaze went from focusing on the steel silhouette target to the red dot, which was now dead center on it. My trigger finger transitioning down from the side of the frame and found its home. The trigger dead center on the pad of my index finger as I began to squeeze back in one fluid motion. The match grade trigger adjustment Jack had made for me was perfect. The weapon sang with life in a roar as I pumped two rounds into the steel. The audible clang rang out twice from the direct impact.

　　I took a slight step backwards and moved directly behind the wooden wall. I quickly transitioned the butt of the rifle from my right shoulder to my left. My firing hand flowed smoothly to the front of the weapon. Driving it forward just as my non-firing hand had been. As my non-dominant hand took hold of the pistol grip and prepared to engage the trigger.

　　I started my sidestep to the left and leaned just enough while I maintained my shooting platform position. I acquired the secondary target in my view, my eyes transitioning onto the red dot which was now center mass. Another two rounds were sent down range. Two new clangs ringing out from the metal. The target slightly swaying in reverberation from the impact.

　　I did another quick transition back into my primary shoulder and repositioned my hands. I started my side steps to the left and entered the course in a slow glide motion. The muzzle of my rifle began its arch from left to right, sweeping the area for new targets I had yet to acquire.

　　I continued my movement towards the next wall partition. It was closing fast to my left side as I flowed towards it with my side steps. My attention was fixed on the open room which was at the center of the elongated L bracket. The dead space within it was now starting to appear more in my view. My angle allowed me to begin seeing the back right corner of the dead space and my eyes saw the steel target come into view.

　　My red dot on the rifle was on target as soon as I noticed the shoulder of the silhouette, and by the time I had taken another half step, the red dot was lined up with the target`s throat area. The round chipping a small portion of paint away on the first strike. The second round dropped just slightly but still hit dead center on the sternum.

　　My ammo display on the right side of my HUD showed I was empty. I dropped my rifle which was now draped across the front of my chest armor. I unholstered my pistol from the drop platform carrier affixed to my hip and brought it up into position. I covered my movement as I proceeded over to my left, reaching the next wall partition.

　　I arrived behind the wall. Mentally calling on the armament delivery system and felt the magazine delivered in what seemed like an instant. I kept my head up, maintaining view of the area where threats were being presented. I reached down and felt the rifle magazine in its` holder. Exactly where my HUD said it was.

　　I immediately holstered my pistol and then performed a quick reload on the rifle. I brought the rifle back up and into my shooting platform as soon as I was done. I was now on the other side of the foot portion of the L shape of the wall. I could see a small alcove was built directly in front of me and extended to the right. A new wall portion extended further to the left. I would have to clear the alcove and then proceed around the wall to reach the second layer of the course of fire.

　　I started my side steps to the left, my rifle raised directly in front towards the alcove. As I took my second step, I saw the steel target`s shape appear. Another sidestep brough the target into full view. My rifle pumped back into my shoulder as I sent another volley of two rounds into the steel.

　　I kept my stride in my sidestep, working methodically through the course. I maintained a smooth flowing movement that glided me through the course. I reached the final wall portion and made my way to the far-left side. I began to angle around the corner and noticed the first target at a 45-degree angle to my right side. Two metallic clangs sang out as I engaged the target. I kept moving and swinging my muzzle from left to right, arriving on the other side of the wall. I found the next target nestled in the far corner directly to my right. I pounded the final two rounds of my magazine into the target.

　　I pressed towards the next station and did a quick magazine reload once I arrived at it. A quick breath behind my cover and then leaned to the right side of the wall. The next two targets came into view; one was just off center and behind debris. The other was at a forty-five angle from my position. That target was the longest I would have had to engage up to that point in the course.

　　I pulled back my trigger and fired two rounds at the first target. I watched as water and plastic erupted upwards and flew in the air. The 50-gallon drums placed around the targets all shattered and erupted outward. The two rounds ripped through the debris and then hammered the steal silhouette. I quickly turned further to the right. My red dot focused on the second target, and I dumped the rest of the magazine.

　　I wasn`t sure if all four rounds hit. The metal rang out and the target was swaying enough tell me it was at least hit. I did a quick reload and mentally told my armor to send me two new rifle magazines as I worked my way from left to right. I continued to traverse the opposite way through the course that I had started on. I turned a corner to my right and noticed two targets standing practically twelve feet away from me.

　　I dropped my rifle and let it dangly freely as I retrieved my pistol as fast as possible. I felt the pistol grip come firmly into my grasp, and as I did, I turned the weapon forward. I immediately began to send 9mm rounds towards the first target.

　　The first two rounds missed just off to the right side around the targets waistline area, but the next three rounds were center mass. The pistol having then made it into my shooting platform. I transitioned to the left target and nailed three rounds into its` center mass as well. I scanned over the area with the muzzle and holstered the pistol. I brought my rifle back up and moved to the next wall partition.

　　Scanning the area, I didn`t see any targets presented and then proceeded towards the final level of the course. I noticed two separate wall portions. One was a straight wall, but off to the left of it was an angled wall partition. It looked very much like a check mark. I began to glide forwards and into the final level of the course.

　　I proceeded past the final wall and into the third level when I then noticed a vehicle hidden behind debris. Two targets had been placed inside the vehicle. One was in the driver seat and the other was in the rear driver seat. My red dot centered on the target in the driver seat first. I sent three rounds into the vehicle. All three went through the driver side door and window area. The windows had all been removed, so there was no shattering of glass. I made a quick but transition backwards and sent three rounds into the rear passenger target.

　　I reached down and grabbed the next magazine and reloaded the rifle. There were no further wall partitions for me to proceed to. I just continued to flow towards the other barricaded area to ensure the dead space behind it was clear of any targets. I worked my angles and as I gained more ground I noticed another car had been parked with debris around it, two targets placed inside.

　　These two were seated in the driver and front passenger seats. I pulled back on the trigger and let the rifle come to life as I emptied the magazine with ease. I watched as the targets swayed and pivoted slightly as the rounds punched into each one. As soon as I reloaded the rifle with a fresh magazine, I felt Jack pull back on my armor and then slap his free hand on my back. The vibration alerted me as he yelled out. "Clear!"

　　I was in love with the new armor system Brian had designed. The rotary supply feed was a little different, but once I did it a couple of times, I was good to go. The drive train was awesome, especially if I wanted to maintain different types of ammunition within my arsenal out in the field. I could easily see how this armament would make me stand out. A sports fan wearing the one red shirt while surrounded by a sea of blue.

　　I began to climb out of the armor and placed it on the bench. I was still a little moist with perspiration but could certainly tell a difference with the inlaid airflow system. The motor was so quiet that I didn`t even notice it while I was running and gunning. Having removed my armor now, I was certainly happy it was active the whole time. I started to reload my magazines and got my suit resupplied with its full complement of rounds. The armor could carry eight 20 round magazines in the back container for my M1A.

　　I had planned for the time being to use standard FMJ rounds and thought of adding some armor piercing rounds to the mix later. That was until Jack told me of a new ammo they had been working on. The RFID sticker was a black background and white inlay compared to all the others which were colored backs and black inlays.

　　"We`re calling them hammer rounds. A traditional M80 7.62 ball round is a 146 grain projectile. The M61 armor piercing round is 150 grain. This new configuration is a 250 grain projectile but is not recommended for target engagement past 400 meters."

　　"250 grain! Holy shit!" I replied.

　　"Targets don`t get back up after being hit with a hammer round." Jack followed up with a smile.

　　"No shit! I wouldn`t want too either!"

　　I wound up splitting my magazine loadout down the line with, 50% FMJ and 50% Hammer. I figured I might as well try them out. I was able to have 14 magazines of 9mm within the armor configuration and have 8 slots for grenades on the drive train of the belt as well. However, the more I added, the heavier I would be. Though the armament system itself was light, there was no way to make ammunition lighter. That shit began to pack on more lbs real quick. I was practically done with getting my gear situated when I saw the notification arrive regarding a new mission.

　　[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

　　OBJECTIVE: CONFIDENTIAL DELIVERYThe tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

　　LOCATION : 30.450944, -84.281862

　　ADDRESS: MUSEUM AMONGST THE TREES, 902 N Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32303,

　　ACCESS: 1300 - 1600 HRS

　　NOTE : PLACE PACKAGE AT BASE OF KEITH RICHARD II GRAVESTONE

　　REQUEST : SECURE DELIVERY

　　CLIENT : CLASSIFIED

　　TIMEFRAME : 24 HRS

　　REASON : CLASSIFIED

　　COMPENSATION : STANDARD COORDINATION RATE

　　INTEL : NO IDENTIFIED THREATS

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　　TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

　　PDX to TLH

　　FLIGHT : DESTINY 2216

　　BOARD : 0520

　　DEPARTURE : 0550

　　GATE : A4

　　SEAT 36C

　　(LAYOVER DFW)

　　ARRIVAL : 1532

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　　TRANSPORTATION:

　　RENTAL : WAVEZ

　　VEHICLE : BITCH ASS MINIVAN

　　PLATE : TEXAS 071 BBC

　　COLOR : DARK BLUE

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　　LODGING : HOTEL TEAL TALLAHASSEE - COLLEGETOWN

　　LOCATION : 826 W Gaines St, Tallahassee, FL 32304

　　ROOM : 227

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　　As I glanced over it, I was a little surprised. Deliver to a fucking grave site? I thought. Well, that was a new one, or, at least to the new me. After receiving that HR briefing from Brian and having seen that I had sex on top of a corpse practically, I couldn`t honestly rule anything out at this point with what old B2 may or may not have done.

　　I thanked Jack for setting up the test run for me and then headed back to the armory and put my new armament system back in the storage container. I headed up to my room and started to pack my gig bag for the quick trip out to the Florida humidity and dreaded the thought of how the weather was going to greet me.

　　There were two small packages waiting for me inside my room. I had totally forgotten that I had ordered the two items the week before. They had arrived in perfect timing for me to take them on my trip. The first was a medium size box filled with a cigar travel carrier, a cigar cutter, and a box of Tabak Especial Dulce cigars.

　　The next thing was Physics of the Apocalypse, by Dimitrios Gkirgkiris. The book was massive, coming in at a staggering 804 pages. I had been bored crazy the other night and wanted to find something new for me to take on my travels. The thought of a new book felt like the right thing to add to the mix.

　　I had no issues going through the airport the next morning. The plane started to board with passengers and I found my seat in the back of the bus, just the way I liked it. I reflected on the power of the neurochip technology as I waited for us to take off. I was concerned, confused, and conflicted at first when I had awoken to strangers that greeted me. How they informed me what I had agreed to and what the new reality was for me.

　　Now, however, I can honestly say my life and body felt as if I was running on all cylinders at all times. The chip had unlocked capabilities, or upgraded, so to speak. I would have never been able to do some of these things prior to it. I was practically on the go and every day felt like my body awoke being completely refreshed. The longer I utilized the chip, the more efficient my body became. I could see why companies were trying to develop this technology and wanted to do it so quickly. These things would be more valuable than gold.

　　Celebrities, the corrupt and vile politicians would of course have them, then sports athletes& shit& imagine the performance level athletes would achieve with this shit. I then thought about the military, Fuck& well of course the US military would be planting this shit in their people as soon as possible. But I quickly countered and thought off all the shitting military members I had served alongside, or the complete garbage bags of supervisors I had encountered. The thought of them having a neurochip was one that didn`t sit well with me.

　　Before I knew it we were landing in Tallahassee and just as I had thought, the humidity hit me like a hot, wet towel right across my face. I still had roughly a 15-20 min drive depending on traffic from the airport to the museum`s location and realized I wouldn`t make it in time before the place closed for the day.

　　I told my neurochip to give me directions to my hotel. I pulled the view back on the map as soon as the hairs on the back of my neck tingled awake. My eyes narrowed in on where my hotel was in the grand scheme of things. Advanced Technical Institute of Florida. You`ve got to be fucking kidding me Terra! What the fuck?

　　In that moment, I felt as if the agency was putting a whole handle of Jack Daniels down on the table. Smack dab in front of someone who had been two months sober from the stuff. There was probably plenty of trouble I could get into, and Jesus Christ on a motorbike& did I have an itch in my fingers. A tingly in my dingly& a slight burn in my spirit, but a punching bag within my soul that I was pounding away at. I told myself repeatedly, Don`t fucking do anything! I got inside my hotel room and instantly turned off my MOOBR display. I didn`t want any temptations that could get me into some shit, or to have another drug or alcohol induced binge at some college.

　　My head was leery towards going anywhere far from the hotel, so I ordered food to be delivered. The meal did it`s job and I devoured the whole thing on the spot. The cigars were too tempting though and I began to make my way outside to enjoy it.

　　A small brick wall was next to the hotel which allowed me to look out at FL-371. A newly constructed area that left me the impression the school and community were trying to revitalize the area. The sun was just beginning to set in the sky as the warm glows of orange and yellows were reflecting across the scattered clouds overhead. The humidity was still unpleasant, but the evening was starting to cool off and was making it bearable.

　　I was enjoying the savory sweet goodness of the cigar and I couldn`t help but smile as I sat there in the moment. A few of the college kids were walking around and throughout the area as they traveled to the restaurants and shops in the immediate retail area. To my right I saw the slow shuffling movement of a bum. He made his way closer towards me and was begging for change from the few others that passed by him. It took him a while to make it to me, but he finally did.

　　A raspy crackle in his voice as he asked, "Hey tough guy& got anything you can spare?"

　　I normally hated giving change to a homeless person. All too often seeing them use it on booze, drugs, and never creating a better temperament from the donations. This gent, however, had a slight glimmer in his eyes. A man who had lost all hope within himself but still clung onto the faith, that there was goodness within humanity itself.

　　I let out a sigh as he asked me, and I knew I had some cash in my pocket, but of course made the standard general comment of, "Let me see what I have on me." Knowing full well what the fuck I had on me. I pulled out my loose items and grabbed $30 in change and handed it to him. I knew that a decent meal around this area was going to cost him more than a simple $10.

　　Who knew the last time this guy had a real meal . I told myself. "Here you go champ." I replied as I handed it to him.

　　A sparkle in his eye came to life as he looked down at the cash and up at me, doing double takes until he asked, "Are you sure?"

　　I shrugged, "Sure, go ahead, hopefully you can enjoy a good meal from one of these places."

　　The man narrowed his gaze as he looked me dead in the eye while hesitating, but finally reached out with a trembling hand and took hold of the cash. "Why?"

　　"Why what?" I asked in confusion, believing I had already answered the question.

　　"Why did you decide to give me something?" He asked as a small tear fell out of the corner of his eye. The aged wrinkles of his face stopped the tear in its` track. I looked deep into his light green eyes and took notice of his peppered hair full of grease and grime. He had some dirty clothes that I assumed he had taken from trash bins in the area. His sneakers were practically falling apart.

　　"I guess&" I struggled to answer the question, as I had not expected to be put on the spot. "It just seemed like the right thing to do& do a little good tonight& help someone else." I took a drag off my cigar as the smoke wafted up around my face as I exhaled it out. "Do you not get much from other people around here?"

　　The man was slightly hunched over. I assumed it was from countless nights sleeping on hardened concrete sidewalks and not getting to lay on a bed for who knew how long. The comforts of home and a loving family long and gone from his memory.

　　"Many of these& kids& walk by me every day." His trembling finger pointed around the area, though there was only the two of us at that moment. "I hear them talk& I listen& they think they do so much good& they are so proud of the good they think they have done." He paused, lifted his hand up and wiped the tear away from the side of his face where it was stuck. "But they forget& that they will still be judged accordingly for all the times when they could have done good, but instead chose to do nothing."

　　As soon as he said the words, I felt immense pressure, as if the hotel building was placed upon my shoulders and slowly crushing down upon me. "That`s certainly one way to look at it." I said.

　　"I thank you for your kindness tonight& and hope this moment will be remembered& when you face your judgement." The man then turned and began to shuffle away and back towards the way he came.

　　What the fuck? I thought in my mind as I could feel the distortion come over my face. I was sure my expression was all kinds of contorted, as if my appearance had morphed into an abstract painting. If anything, I resonated with my old belief of when I was in the military. I was put on this planet to send bastards straight to hell, there was no judgement needed or required.

　　I turned to look back at the homeless man, but by the time I had finished my thought, he was gone. Impossible! No fucking way that guy covered that ground and disappeared without me noticing. But no matter how many times I told myself that in my head, my eyes didn`t lie as there was no one nearby.

　　I tried to brush the encounter off, but I couldn`t and thought more into it all. There is only one person who I want to gain favor in terms of their judgement towards me, and that was Sasha. I had been so overwhelmed, and head over heals in love the moment I laid eyes on her. Though some may say my past actions had cursed me, I was determined to prove to her and everyone else how much I could change. All I wanted to do was get back into my routine of operations, fucking knocking out missions, one after the other. All while I waited for the moment to come where I would get to see her again.