Chapter 302

“Really, improvements to Clark’s training program,” the Captain says, narrowing his eyes at Jackson. “And what qualifies you to decide how Cadet Clark’s training should progress?”

I scowl a little, hating that they’re talking about me like I’m not here and wishing they’d both just call me Ariel. It’s not like we’re keeping it a secret anymore.

“I’ve come along to all of Clark’s practice sessions since the first one,” Jackson says, standing straight, I think not liking the fact that he has to justify his insight. “I know the way that she shoots better than anyone else.”

“You are not the subject matter expert, McClintock,” the Captain snaps, crossing his arms over his chest. “I am.”

“I’m aware, sir,” Jackson says, holding his gaze. “But I have ideas for how Clark could use these skills in battle that move beyond sitting in a blind, waiting to be taken out by another sniper.”

“And why would we need to know those?” the Captain enquires, his voice low, letting Jackson know he’s on dangerous ground.

“Because,” Jackson says, perfectly even. “I don’t intend to let Clark go into battle without me at her side at every moment. So you’re going to need to decide whose skills to emphasize on the field – either sending me up in a blind with her or teaching her to sharp shoot on the move.”

The Captain balks a bit at Jackson’s gall. “That’s not your call to make, Cadet,” he growls.

“With all respect, sir,” Jackson says, raising his chin, “it doesn’t matter whether or not it’s my call. If you’re putting her on a battlefield it will be with me at her side. And I suspect Rafe and Jesse Sinclair will have the same response, as well as Luca Grant.”

The Captain glowers darkly, looking between Jackson and I, realizing that Jackson’s entirely serious. I lift my own chin in kind, letting him know that it’s a fact. “I’m sorry, sir,” I say. “We don’t mean to be insubordinate. It is a fact though – we won’t be separated.”

The Captain doesn’t respond, clearly displeased that we’re calling the shot, but he takes a deep breath and moves on from it. Even if he does, I’m very aware that the Captain did not agree to what Jackson and I have laid out, a fact that gives me significant pause.

“What is this you’re talking about,” the Captain says, studying Jackson, “sharp shooting on the move? It would be a useful skill, but she still needs a great deal of training with the sniper rifle – I won’t have her turned away from it. We need snipers in this war and she’s shaping up to be one of the best.”

“I understand, sir,” Jackson says, nodding precisely. “What I have in mind won’t take away from her sniping practice at all. Just…” he purses his mouth in thought for a moment, “if we could have access to some of the weapons from the Games? The paintball guns? A shorter-range rifle, I think,” he says, glancing at the bag slung over my back that holds my precious sniper rifle, “could work.”

The Captain sighs and shakes his head, looking down at the ground. “If we weren’t training you for command, McClintock,” he says, “this could be considered insubordination. But we are and…frankly, it’s a good idea.” He sighs, looking back up and between us. “If it interferes at all with her sniping, it ends. But until then,” he shrugs, “you can have access to the supplies you need.”

My eyebrows raise as the Captain freely gives Jackson the code to the gun cage where the supplies for the Games are kept, telling him to keep strict records of those he uses and to ensure that everything is returned at the end of practice sessions.

“I’m proud of you, Clark,” the Captain says after Jackson thanks him for his trust. He comes forward a step or two and claps a hand on my shoulder. “You did fine shooting yesterday at the Games. I’ll look forward to seeing your further progression.”

“Thank you, sir,” I say, beaming up to him, proud and pleased myself.

“Don’t thank me yet,” he says, looking back towards the Castle. “I moved your target out to 1,800 meters. Good luck with that.”

I gape at the Captain as he walks away, smirking, because…that is such crap! 1,800 meters is – it’s going to be impossible!

“You can do it,” Jackson murmurs, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me towards the ladder I use to climb up into my blind. “Just…going to take some practice.”

“Great, more practice!” I snap, glaring down at him and shaking my head as I start to climb. “And when do you imagine I’m going to learn this sharp shooting too!? Are we going to start getting up at 3:00, instead of 4:00 in the morning!?”

“Just trust me, Clark,” Jacks sighs, though I can feel and hear the pleasure that he’s trying to hide. “I’ve got it all planned out.”

I take a deep breath, continuing to climb, kind of excited myself but not having any idea what to expect.

Both Rafe and Jesse wear twin expressions of shock when I come out of the Castle about an hour later with a fully-loaded paintball rifle in my hands.

“Ari, I was kidding on the banishment thing,” Jesse says, holding out his hands towards me and looking at me like I’m a little crazy.

I laugh, shaking my head at him. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on either,” I say with a shrug and nodding towards Jacks. “He sweet-talked the Captain into letting me do this.”

“Do what?” Rafe asks, looking worriedly between me and the rifle. “Are we…not going for our run?”

“Oh, we’re going for our run,” Jacks says, grinning around at everyone. “Ariel’s just going to do a little target practice at the same time.”

We all stare at him with our mouths open. And then, as Jackson explain his plan, each of our jaws slowly falls drops.

“Look, Ari’s great in a blind,” Jackson says, looking down at me as he speaks. “But if I have any say in it at all, she’s not going to be sitting in a blind in any battles – it’s too dangerous. More experienced snipers are going to spy her and take her out. She’s a kickass shot, but there’s no reason why she can’t shoot on the move with all of us,” he gestures around at the whole group “to protect her as she does.”

“Jacks, I don’t like any plan that has Ariel on an active battlefield,” Rafe says, taking a step towards him with a plan.

“Yeah, well, then the alternative is all of us sitting up with her in a blind like sitting ducks. Like I told the Captain, I don’t think any of us are going to consent to her going into battle without us by her side to protect her.”

“Shit, I didn’t even think about that,” Jesse says, scowling and running a hand through his hair. Rafe and Jackson just look at him like he’s a little stupid for not thinking about it so far – they, obviously, have been thinking about it for weeks.

“Okay, whatever,” I say with a sigh, getting tired of everyone making decisions about where I’m going to be in a battle and with whom without asking my opinion on it. I heft the rifle a little higher. “What am I doing with this?”

“With that?” Jacks asks, giving me a devious little grin. “You’re running. Let’s go!”

My mouth falls open again as Jacks starts off at a run without explaining any further. Rafe, I think understanding more than I do, laughs and follows him while Jesse claps me on the back.

“Come on, baby trouble!” he laughs, urging me forward. “Let’s see what you’ve got!”

“I hate this already,” I growl, glancing down at the heavy gun in my hands, knowing that my muscles are going to kill me for this later.

But I take a deep breath and start out after them, not knowing what the hell is going on or what Jackson has planned.