Chapter 1: Day 2 Range Day!

After the Vargr has handed over command to him, he stands in front of the others. No nonsense like lining up and such, but in a clear posture that shows people are listening to him. After all, everyone wants to participate of their own accord. When he has everyone's attention, he begins to speak calmly and confidently.

"So, folks, I've been assigned this job today. We don't know each other very well yet, so let me briefly introduce myself officially – I'm J. E. E. Montgomery, but most people find that too long, so I'm usually called Jeem, which is fine with me. Today, we have three things to discuss."

He counts on his raised fingers, starting with his index finger:

"Safety. Both the handling and care of the weapons and our behaviour here on the range. We don't have to fight for space, so that's easy to manage.

Familiarity with the weapons, of course, but also with each other. I don't know which of you has training in which weapons and which of those available to us here you have already trained with. Then there are the glasses, which you just have to get used to, but which are really helpful.

And then there's the shooting itself. We have space, we have time, and we have ammunition. Depending on our level of training, we'll all be done in an hour or we'll need a day; we'll see. It's not about us all becoming sharpshooters; it's about us knowing who the sharpshooters are, who can send lead into the heath with precision and who only threatens the enemy and not their own side. And we can live very well with all three principles."

He goes to the side where he has lined up all the weapons from the armoury in order of size.

"All of you have already chosen your favourite weapons, and those will be the ones you will be practising with most of the day. However, I think it's important that everyone familiarises themselves with all the weapons so that you don't have to think too long in an emergency. Similar weapons mean simple logistics, and if I have to borrow a weapon, I should be able to handle it.

As a refresher for the experts, I'll briefly go over the general stuff, and those who don't know anything about it yet will get enough time and help after that."

He goes through the weapons one by one and briefly introduces them, showing how to load and unload them, as well as all the adjustment options. He is demonstratively slow with the LMG, then moves on to the GL40.

"We can't use this baby here on this facility, we'll have to go somewhere else, and using it would mean that everything, absolutely everything, would have gone wrong. However, you should all at least know what its effect is. It's enough if two or three of us can handle it. But more on that later.

Those who feel confident enough to act on their own should get the ammunition there and start by shooting with one of the selected weapons. Preferably something longer than a pistol at first. Those who want to go over the handling and/or theory again for safety's sake are welcome to join me."

Then he goes through the rules of conduct here at the range and adds the safety protocol that is in place. Everyone is given the opportunity to recount their training with weapons, whereby he himself clearly states that he is trained in laser weapons and not bullet weapons, so it will take him a while to get used to firing these weapons here, too.

After that, he leaves them alone and waits to see if anyone asks for his help, but positions himself so that he can point out these small, careless mistakes in the pseudo-routine to everyone. He is respectful when giving notices, but clear and concise.

With a nod, he accepts Ruiha's first shot, which promptly lands in the grass, and seems to have no problem with it and no comment to make.

DAY TWO — TRC SMALL ARMS RANGE 2 (LIVE FIRE BEGINS)
Range Hot — Weapons Familiarization Continues

---

The range comes alive quietly.

For now, every contractor who steps up to a firing point has selected the same weapon: the IH-4 Carbine. No pistols yet. No LMGs. No one reaches for a second platform. It is an unspoken consensus—start with the baseline, learn the common system, build outward.

That choice does not go unnoticed.

FIRST SHOTS

Ruiha is the first to fire.

She remains standing, brings the rifle up, sights downrange, and squeezes the trigger. The report cracks across the dirt field, sharp and clean.

The target remains unmarked.

In her VisionPak HUD, the feedback resolves a half-second later: the round passed high—at least half a target height over the silhouette. The system traces the trajectory clearly enough that there’s no ambiguity.

Ruiha exhales slowly. It then hits her as she looks down at the low wooden firing-point marker, then back at the distant targets. The thought hits her -Standing isn’t doing me any favors. GM Comment: I am writing the below which I do not like to do so I will not in the future. I will drop hints of what the character knows from the skill knowledge. Just making sure this is okay with everyone.
She drops down into the dirt, settles into a prone position, and begins to take her time—aligning body, breathing, and sight picture. She knows exactly what she’s correcting.

---

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

J.E.E. Montgomery notices something else almost immediately, that no one else has stepped forward yet.

---

AID POINT & CCP
Behind the firing line, Wilber has the aid point fully established by the time Bohdie returns from his inspection of the support building. between the two of them, it becomes immediately clear that for a team this small, the most efficient casualty collection point is the point of injury itself. There’s no distance to gain, no time saved by moving a casualty elsewhere unless the situation changes.

---

OPTICS & OBSERVATION

Chaala cycles between her personal glasses and the Ironhand-issued VisionPak, standing slightly aside from the firing line. The similarities are immediately obvious. Spectral modes. Passive vision. Thermal overlays. The fundamentals are the same.
The difference is the network.
The Ironhand VisionPak is live—fed by the IH/IISS/TRC systems. Shot tracking. Target feedback. Positional awareness. Data her own glasses cannot currently access.
It is more than an optic. It is an information layer.

---

Everyone roll for hits on the target.

Those going prone, their hit task number is 6+, skill DM is Slug+, first round -2. Snake eyes is an auto miss
Those kneeling, their hit task number is 8+, same as above for DMs
Those standing, their hit task number is 10+, same as above for DMs

If the character does not write going prone, I will assume the character is standing. When Montgomery takes the team through the IH-4’s controls, it becomes clear that nearly everyone—perhaps except Dr. Shone—has some degree of prior small arms experience.

PATTERNS EMERGE

GM Comment: the below all assumes that the characters firing the weapons...
What becomes apparent to Wilber, Chaala, and Bohdie—almost simultaneously—is that Montgomery has this under control.
He is not hovering.
He is not barking orders.
He is not micromanaging.

But the range is moving smoothly.

People rotate naturally.
Mistakes are corrected quietly.
Confidence builds without pressure.

The weapons themselves reinforce that ease.

• The IH-4, IH-7, and IH-18 share the same magazines.
• Controls are identical—same buttonology, same layout.
• Construction is monolithic: one-piece material forming body and barrel.
• The IH-18’s skeletonized folding stock and compact profile are the only real ergonomic departure.
• The IH-15 LMG is clearly built on the same core design, expanded to accept a belt-fed 6.5mm system.

Everything feels standardized. Familiar across platforms. Easy to transition between. Even without optics or laser attachments mounted, the interface points are obvious—nanotech attachment surfaces waiting for hardware that simply isn’t present today.

---

One more thing becomes obvious as people shift positions, drop prone, or stand back up: Pautho’s gravity—0.62G—changes everything.

Movements feel lighter. Recoil behaves differently. Transitions are faster, almost deceptively so. Anyone with prior experience is already compensating, consciously or not.

Ruiha and Bohdie feel ...like they are home on this planet, at least it is the air, the sounds and no less the lower gravity.

---

From the raised platform, Tsoukfaeks says nothing.

She watches.

And it is clear—to those paying attention—that she is not just evaluating marksmanship.

GM Note: David's Character is temporarily being NPC'd until he returns which should be after the holidays.

As Wilber and Bohdie are talking at the CCP, Dr. Tra Noy joins them, kneeling briefly to inspect the setup. She makes a few quiet adjustments—spacing, access angles, where specific items are staged—then looks up.

Dr. Tra Noy:
"The layout is good."
She glances downrange, then back to the two men.
"I understand the theory. I need help applying it out there."
She gestures toward the firing points.
"Can one of you—or both—help me?"

At the range she begins with the prone firing position, Bohdie corrects her body position so she is relaxed. Wilber ensures the stock to check weld allows for a good sight picture.

[f=color:green]Dr. Tra Noy:
"I am use to SMGs, and I almost took the IH-18, but I saw everyone else with the IH-4 Carbine, so I followed suit. This is similar, but a bit different than a short SMG.

Then a prompt appears on his screen of his IH Vision-pak® screen
Does Wilber Tholinar want to pair with Dr. Trah Noh's IH Vision-pak®?

The same message appears on Bohdie's screen

If Wilber or Bohdie connects this enables their IH Vision-pak® to her's and allow either one (or both) to monitor her shot placement and follow through after the shot, to assist her in this initial shooting evolution.

"I'm trained on slug throwers primarily, since they're in use on the widest range of planets. Rarely had need to carry more than a sidearm in the Scouts. I've fired a laser a time or two, but never really carried one. During the war, I had opportunity to see in action most of the weapons in theater, but my role was generally to avoid having to take up arms."

Chaala takes up the IH-4 and turns it over in her hands. "Not much to field strip, everything's sealed, but if it goes down, we may be down a weapons system until we can get it home for servicing. Standardized ammunition and carriers is good."

She takes her first shot standing up to get a feel for the rifle. She holds it almost casually, but the barrel never wavers and is only ever pointed at the ground or downrange. She registers her near miss and makes the weapon safe until everyone's had a chance to fire one.

Bohdie will help Dr. Trah Noh, allowing his VisionPak to pair. He speaks to her aim and recovery. Then he will demonstrate, swapping her view with his, as he sets up prone on the lane next to hers aims for one action, and squeezes the trigger.



IH-4 First Round:
Slug+2, Dex+1, Aim+1

Jeem lays down, in expectation of some recoil he presses the shaft intensely to his shoulder. Then he tests his shooting against his target until he gets the right feeling about it.

After helping Dr. Trah Noh, Bohdie will continue firing through the remainder of the mag, then switches firing position to kneeling for a mag, then standing to make sure he has a full familiarization with the IH-4.He will then do the same for the IH-7 (1 mag per stance).

Then he will move to the pistol range and repeat the process.IH-4 rolls: Prone-Slug+2, Dex+1; Kneeling-Slug+2, Dex+1; Standing-Slug+2, Dex+1, Aim+1
IH-7 rolls: Prone-Slug+2, Dex+1; Kneeling-Slug+2, Dex+1; Standing-Slug+2, Dex+1, Aim+1
IH-10 rolls: Prone-Slug+2, Dex+1; Kneeling-Slug+2, Dex+1; Standing-Slug+2, Dex+1, Aim+1

GM Note: David's Character is temporarily being NPC'd. Apologies David if I get your play style wrong.

Dr. Trah Noh
(after the firing line goes cold; she clears the weapon carefully, then sets it aside before speaking)

"Thank you. Both of you."

She nods once to Bohdie, then to Wilber.

"I am trained on compact automatic platforms. This weapon demands patience instead of aggression. You corrected that before I could ingrain bad habits."

A brief pause, then a small, thoughtful exhale.

"Body position first. Relaxed breathing with a pause next. Aim, then squeeze the trigger, not pull. That order matters more than a quick trigger, and you made that clear."

She taps the side of her IH Vision-pak®, reviewing the shot overlay for a moment.

"The pairing was… useful. Seeing the data while feeling the correction closed the gap faster than instruction alone would have."

Her gaze lifts back to them, direct but respectful.

"I appreciate that neither of you rushed me. You treated this as skill transfer, not evaluation."

A faint, professional smile—quick, but genuine.

"If I am required to carry an IH-4 operationally, I will do so competently because of this session. That matters."

She inclines her head—formal, deliberate.

"You have my thanks."

Wilbur hadn’t been able to assist Gansay as closely as Bohdie; he was on designated medic duty for the range detail. Even so, he offered what guidance he could.

He inclined his head when Dr. Tran Noh thanked him.

"An honour, Doctor. Next time, I’ll be able to give you more of my time."

When the range went cold, Wilbur stepped forward, boots crisp on the deck plating.

"Range Safety Officer Montgomery, requesting permission to fire."

At the RSO’s acknowledgment, he laid out his weapons with regulation precision, activated his visor display, and moved with the smooth, drilled efficiency expected of an Imperial Marine officer. He took the first weapon, fired three rounds kneeling, dropped to prone for three more, then rose to standing for the final three. His transitions were clean, almost mechanical, barely a heartbeat between positions or weapons.

Once finished, he cleared and safed each weapon, locked the actions open, and placed them muzzle‑forward on the bench. He secured his medikit, checked the brass bucket, and stepped to the exit line.

He turned back to the RSO.

"Range is clear. Request permission to leave the firing line."

Only after receiving the nod did he leave the range.

As he walked out, he muttered under his breath, just loud enough for himself:
"I hate slugs."

DAY TWO — RANGE DAY (PHASE TWO & CONCLUSION)
TRC Small Arms Range 2 — Late Morning to Early Afternoon

---

The range settles into a steady rhythm.

By mid-morning, every contractor has cycled through the full suite of Ironhand small arms: the IH-4, IH-7, IH-10, IH-18, and finally the IH-15 LMG.

The LMG draws immediate respect. It is noticeably heavier than the rifles and carbines—more mass forward, more inertia—but once prone, it becomes predictable. Short, controlled bursts prove to be the key. The first burst walks the rounds onto the target; point of aim is adjusted; the follow-up burst lands cleanly. When shooters rush it, the weapon pushes back. When they respect it, it behaves exactly as designed.

Targets take the hits as expected—sometimes decisively enough that the self-healing material needs several minutes to reconstitute before the next evolution can begin. During those pauses, shooters wait, hydrate, adjust optics, and quietly compare notes.

No one complains. This is how real ranges work.

---

Time passes without anyone needing to check a clock. Just when they finish with the IH-15, it is lunch time. It has been two and a half hours since the first shots were fired.

---

LUNCH — RANGE SIDE

A grav-truck approaches from the access road and settles near the support building. Two familiar figures step down—the same Pauthoan cooks from the Last Chance Grill. They unload insulated containers with practiced ease. Inside are sandwiches—simple, clean, and generous. Vegan and non-vegan options are clearly marked. Water is stacked alongside, cold and plentiful. No fuss. No ceremony. The cooks offer brief nods, wait until everything is accounted for, then depart as quietly as they arrived, the grav-truck lifting and gliding back toward the compound. The range goes quiet again—this time by choice.

---

Tsoukfaeks stands where she can see everyone and finally speaks.

Tsoukfaeks:
"Thoughts. Feedback. Weapons. Optics. Range."

She does not prompt further. She listens.

Actions? Feedback?

---

RANGE POLICE & RECOVERY

When the last sandwich wrapper is cleared away, Tsoukfaeks looks to Wilber.

Tsoukfaeks:
"Wilber. Take charge of range police and weapon maintenance. Weapons cleaning is at the Ironhand facility"

Actions?

---

RETURN TO BASE

The convoy reforms and lifts smoothly from Range 2. The automated gate recognizes the vehicles on approach and opens without delay.

Back at the IISS base and Ironhand facility, weapons are carried into the armory for cleaning, inspection, and turn-in. Cloths come out. Solvents are applied. Carbon is scrubbed away. The monolithic construction makes the process efficient—everything disassembles and reassembles cleanly, predictably. By the time the last weapon is racked and logged, the day’s work is done.

---

Tsoukfaeks watches the final turn-in, then speaks again—this time more conversational, though no less deliberate.

Tsoukfaeks:[/b]
"Looking ahead, when you do take liberty, I recommend remaining within the Entertainment Strip and Starport Core districts unless escorted. There is a Vargr enclave restaurant I will personally recommend for those inclined toward something more adventurous—excellent food, strong spirits, and a social atmosphere that tends toward loud, friendly, and informal rather than confrontational. It’s a good place to relax, make contacts, and remember that not every offworld interaction needs to be transactional."

She waits a beat, then adds:

"I know a place. Good music. Good food. No trouble. A decent introduction to Pautho."

A faint hint of teeth shows.

"The 🐺 Red Howl House.

She pauses for a beat
"If you have enough of me today and don't want to unwind in my presence, I get it. I can suggest a couple of alternatives. In you tablets is general information on the entertainment district, where to get a good meal and drink. You will get an aleart on your wrist comms when your accounts are funded."

On the Tablets and wrist comms are two files:
LINK To Wiki page Handout: IH Guide to the PAUTHO – DISTRICT 3: ENTERTAINMENT STRIP Guidance
LINK To Wiki page Handout: Currency in Theta Borealis — Poisha First, Imperial Credit Second
Then everyone will see a Ironhand message in their IH wrist comm band, after a message haptic alert

---

[IRONHAND // WRIST-COMM DISPLAY]

Signal: (Strong)
Power: 87%
Local Time: 1111-274 | 15:22:36L

---

[FINANCE ALERT]
PRIORITY: ROUTINE

---

ACCOUNT CREDIT CONFIRMED

---

➤ Balance Update: +3,750 Poisha
➤ Exchange Value: ≈ 1,000 Credits

---

HAPTIC FEEDBACK
• Short double-pulse detected — confirmation acknowledged

---

ACCESS METHODS

• Funding Exchange Dispensers — Pautho
• IH Wrist-Comm Band — Local Debit Enabled

---

Poisha accepted at Ironhand-approved vendors and facilities.
Verify acceptance when operating outside Pautho.

---

Issues detected?
Contact Ironhand Finance via secure support channel.

---

STATUS: VERIFIED
AUTH CODE: IH-FIN-PAUTHO-77


ACTIONS?


Dr. Trah Noh adjusts her glasses as the last of the weapons are logged and the armory doors cycle shut. She watches the room for a moment—Montgomery and Bohdie already talking logistics, the others easing out of range posture—then turns slightly toward Ruiha and Chaala.

Her voice is calm, precise, and unmistakably professional.

"Speaking purely for myself," she says, hands folding loosely in front of her, "I am very much ready for something warm to eat, a proper glass of wine, and a safe ride back to quarters afterward."

She glances briefly in the direction of the others, then back to them.

"I don’t know what the gentlemen have planned," she continues evenly, "but I would prefer to tag along with the two of you, if that would be acceptable."

There’s no hesitation in her posture—only quiet certainty.

"I find that ending a long day with people who communicate clearly tends to reduce… unnecessary variables."

A faint, polite smile touches her expression—measured, academic, and sincere—before she waits for their response.

Feedback:

Weapons-Bohdie begins his analysis. "Deese are solid weapons (did he say weapons or veapons). I noted no functional issues on the range (the "r" trilling slightly). Dey hafe tight tolerances, but not so tight as to cause malfunctions. De interfaces vith da FisionPak Glasses is excellent. I vould consider purchase for personal use after additional research."

Bohdie looks around and notes some concerned reactions. He takes a deep draw of water from his hydration system, forcing down his embarrassment. "Apologies. Old habits." He takes another swallow and continues, now without the accent.

"The optics," he says, fiddling with his VisionPak, "Are high-end. The thing that somewhat sets them apart is the IronHand link. Thus far, all the equipment seems top notch."

Bohdie taps his glasses a few times to bring up the range. "As for the range, it is adequate for what we did here. More than that and I have to assume there are more dynamic ranges to come."

---

Bohdie helps clean up the range, participating in the police call efficiently. When they get back to the base and begin breaking down and cleaning the weapons, Bohdie will efficiently clean the weapons he used and check them back in. He helps with anyone who is having a hard time and will help inspect the weapons to make sure they are properly cleaned and reassembled.

---

Bohdie listens to what Tsoukfaeks regarding the entertainment district and cocks his head in curiousity when she mentions the Red Howl House. "Sounds intriguing."

Listening to Dr. Trah Noh, he says, "Works for me. I’m actually quite fond of Vargr cuisine."

Chaala listens to Bodhie's take on the equipment before adding her thoughts. "I like the optics, very similar to my own but razor focused on mission needs. They do make me wonder how many spares are on site and if we'll be issued a spare set or two for field ops. It was made clear to me that there's not much repair capacity for tech that's on the cutting edge on Glisten and this seems to be that."

"As for the weapon systems, I'd say that they're competent examples which clearly had the input of experienced soldiers and not just bureaucrats ond functionaries. I'd prefer my magrail, but this makes more sense for the theater of operations."

--

Chaala also participates cheerfully in policing, since it signals the end of range operations and a return for food and what passes for liberty on this assignment.

--

When discussing entertainment plans for the evening:

"I'm up for anything, really. If possible, I'd prefer not to spend all night in one spot since I want to see different aspects of the local culture. We won't see it all and nothing near a Starport is ever like the rest of it's society, but I want as close a look as we can without violating orders."

At Tsoukaest’s question — "Thoughts. Feedback. Weapons. Optics. Range." — Wilbur answers:
"I’m not fully at ease with slug weapons; all my active duty was with energy systems. But the range is adequate, and the equipment is good quality."

---

After lunch, now formally assigned as Range Police and Weapons Maintenance, Wilbur gathers the squad’s attention.
"Alright, listen up. The range has been cold since before lunch, but we still have work to finish. Clear your stations and police your brass.
For those without military background: that means leave the range spotless. If it hit the dirt, it comes with us. Cases can fly far, so check around your lane.
Move with purpose — we’re catching up on what should’ve been done earlier."

Wilbur follows the squad, inspecting each lane after they pass. He nudges a forgotten case with his boot, picks it up, and continues checking. He verifies the containers of unused ammunition, counting carefully. When finished, he approaches Montgomery, standing at attention.
"Range Officer, ammunition accountability as follows:
500 rounds issued. 134 expended. 366 returned unused.
132 cases recovered; two unaccounted for, likely beyond the firing line.
All ammunition accounted for."

He turns back to the squad.
"Weapons cleaning will be done at the Ironhand facility. Each of you is responsible for the weapons you brought. I’ll supervise. I want them properly cleaned — I want to see my reflection in the chamber.
You’re not done until I’m satisfied. And as a bonus, the last one to finish gets to clean the LMH — with my help.
If you’ve got questions about cleaning, ask. And don’t hesitate to help each other. I’ll lead from the front."

Finally, he faces Tsoukaest, standing at attention.
"Ma’am, they’re all yours."

---

During cleaning, Wilbur concentrates on his own weapon but regularly steps away to check on everyone, offering gentle guidance and correction. When he finishes before some of the others, he moves to assist them, explaining why weapons must be spotless:
"A dirty weapon is a recipe for an accident, and a poorly oiled one will fail you faster than an enemy will.. Be thorough — it can save your face or your life.
Tip: when you draw a weapon, check the barrel. If it’s not satisfactory, return it, say why, and take another. We’ve got enough enemies already — don’t let your weapon become one."

He naturally ends up helping extensively with the LMG as well.

---

After turning in the weapons, Wilbur smiles at Tsoukaest’s invitation.
"Ma’am, I’ve always wanted to try Warg food. It’ll be a treat to go to the Red Howl House."