Gacha roll was initiated, and this time, a GREAT fat ginger cat was nice to me. I got something nice! It was a perk - Tinkerer (minor). Now, I can start modifying and tuning my weapons. And let me tell you, it will make a difference in my overall combat performance.
I have almost started salivating, thinking about how to turn a good rifle into a finely tuned killing machine. I have all the knowledge necessary to change the stock, trigger, etc. However, before I could start going mad scientist-engineer mode, I had to clean my rifle and prepare for rotation since the attack was repelled, giving us a breather.
Oh shit. My trusty workhorse rifle is in really bad shape. Those AP ammo have caused a lot of damage to rifles, especially to the barrel and bolt. Thanks to the new Tinkerer perk, I could see all the microdamage and not just more visible damage to the rifle. The barrel is close to breaking down completely and bolt.....I am really worried that if I have made a shot or two, it would either jam or burst in my hands.
This ruined my mood; the nearest workshop could only replace the barrel and bolt with standard parts and not the best ones, which meant my overall efficiency as sniper and DM would drop. Not dramatically, but still. Moreover, if I use HAWK, it will last maybe 20 and 30 shots before turning into scrap metal. So I am in deep shit. Again. Well, what to expect from dire solutions and options? They will bite you back sooner or later.
Before going to a workshop and replacing my workhorse rifle, I told other soldiers using AP ammo to check their rifles and be aware of possible jamming and explosions.
At the workshop, or better yet, at the mobile factory, I noticed Captain Bastogne arguing with unknown officers who were pointing at the frontline and some boxes.
- Captain! This is the best we can come up with in the current situation! We have only 5 cannons that fire in direct-fire mode. Even a short artillery barrage will be enough to destroy them. While this is at least something. Better than nothing. Now call your best sharpshooter. - one of the officers lost his cool and started talking loudly almost screaming.
- I still think that this will be less efficient than our prior tactic of using focused fire of sharpshooters with AP bullets. - Bastogne tried to explain but officers in front of him just told him to follow orders.
Captain's face stiffened, and then he saw me approaching them.
- Akela, you are just in time. We have new equipment to test, and you have been assigned to perform a field test. Bastogne had nerves of steel and balls of titanium, as he managed not to show that prior to that, he had a heated argument with officers.
- Soldier. You are given the great honor of being the first to use a special Tank Hunter rifle. - officer, although he looked more like a bureaucrat from HQ that put on a military uniform yesterday, started feeding me bullshit propaganda mix and causing me to dislike him from the start.
- Aye, aye. Can you please show that Special Tank Hunter Rifle. - I asked them having zero desire to hide sarcasm and my negative opinion about becoming some sort of lab rat for them.
- Soldier! You! - the second officer, with signs of engineer corps captain, got red and prepared to send a long barrage of scolding, but I looked right into his eyes with the urge to slit his throat causing him to shut up.
Yeah. These are frontlines, and discipline here has its specificities. So I could talk like that to HQ rats. In the worst case, they can try to send me into some sort of penal battalion, but I am already in the most dangerous frontline zone, so there is nothing much to lose, just trading a pile of shit for another pile of shit.
Another officer tried to scold me, too, but the deadly gaze made him deflate and shut up as well. Seeing that, I just approached the boxes and opened them.
When I saw what was inside, I whistled.
It was a standard army rifle but on steroids. A lot of steroids. As if Rifle went into full-drive gym jock and abused steroids on an hourly basis. The rifle was at least 1.5 meters tall and weighed no less than 10 kilos, maybe much more than that. Instead of a normal magazine rifle, it was a single-shot bolt-action rifle. Other differences included pistol grip, bipod and modified iron sights.
Ammo was also on steroids. 13.2mm bullets not only looked but also felt heavy. My first idea was that those bullets were used for hunting elephants and whales.
- This thing will break my bones and tear tendons to pieces. I can already predict that it kicks worse than a crazy horse. I am not even sure it is possible to use it in the distance. It will be useless to make aim adjustments as sights will jump all over the place, limiting eyesight. Moreover, there is no flash suppressor, making it harder to shoot more than once and making the shooter an easy target as you must be blind not to notice bright flashes and clouds of dust. - I shook my head after finishing examining.
- Soldier! This is an order from HQ! Testing this rifle was given the highest priority. I have enough power and rights to order you! If you do not obey, I can send you straight to the firing squad! - a captain with an engineer corps sign showed some papers while his accomplice nodded.
- You! - I almost shouted, but Bastogne put a hand on my shoulder.
- Obey the order, soldier. Or...- captain-engineer seemed to gain the upper hand and started grinning, but he couldn't finish his sentence because my handgun was already pointed at his stomach.
- Akela! Enough! You will be court-martialed! Too many witnesses. I will not even be able to help you. - Bastogne's grip on my shoulder tensed.
- Shit. Cunts. Cowards. Fucking assholes. Alright. I will do it. But my way. Now get the fuck out of my sight! - I cursed and shouted at paled officers who realized how close they were to seeing Grim Reaper.
They quickly went back to the command tent leaving me and Bastogne alone.
- Damn you Akela! Do you realize what could happen to you if killed them?
- What? Kill me at the nearest execution yard? Hah as if my chances are higher with this extra long wall gun. Hey! Look at me! Fire all that you have! I am a sniper my only protection against tanks is stealth and distance. - I angrily replied and lighted a cigarette.
Bastogne sighed, he also realized that this rifle was a death wish for the sniper or anyone else.
- But there is an order that ties our hands. We can't do shit. - I muttered still remembering the officer waving papers.
- Yes Akela. Fuck. Give me a cigarette. I need one now. - Bastogne sighed again.
On one side, execution after a quick court-martial. On another side high chances of getting turned into bloody pulp by tank cannons after they notice me. Both options suck but second...there are at least some chances to see another day. Just need to wrack my brains and look for ways to increase them.
A major hindrance is the rifle and the inability to maintain stealth after first shots. The only way to solve it in given circumstances is to use a hand-made fire suppressor.
- Captain. I will take my chances with enemy tanks rather than dealing with court-martial. But I will need your assistance.
- All I can do. So what's the plan?
- Need metalworkers and gunsmiths. Time for improvisation. - I grinned.
A few days later.
- Forward scouts report enemy tanks approaching! - one of the junior officers straight outta academy barged into the dugout.
Hearing him I started quickly equipping myself. Respirator mask, a modified combo of ghillie and trenchcoat. A quick check of a handgun in holster and ammo. Putting on a new rig with large pouches for AT rifle bullets. Finally, upgraded and modified AT rifle.
Within a short period, metalworkers and gunsmiths managed not only to make and attach fire-suppressor but also add special carrying handles as well as reduce recoil by adding spring and some rubber parts to stock.
I ran to my designated firing position trying to prevent dirt and dust from reaching my rifle. It took me less than a minute I start preparing my rifle. Bipods, sights, bullets. Check.
AT rifle looked like an angry panther ready for attack. And soon first prey appeared.
The enemy tank had a few extra sheets of metal riveted to its front. The enemy driver now had a periscope while the vision port was wielded.
I put on a respirator mask. It was limiting and caused hindrance but the fumes and chemicals of burned gunpowder from AP were more annoying and dangerous so I had to compromise and use a respirator. It is better to have a slightly limited view and discomfort than to deal with burned eyes.
The enemy tank kept going and acted as a shepherd guiding his flock. More and more enemy tanks appeared in the distance. After a while, they all started firing at our trenches. They were still out of our effective firing range so the only option was to hold and endure.
Finally first tank crossed an invisible mark and I started aiming. Additional armor might have been a great problem. But not to 13.2mm of hardened steel.
I pulled a trigger and felt powerful vibration. Rifle jumped up a little to my happiness, prior to modification it jumped all over the place. But more importantly, I saw a little spark of bullet hitting the enemy tanks' frontal armor.
- Hit? Or miss? - I asked myself before seeing the notification.
"Enemy tank crew member killed."
"Enemy tank crew member killed."
- Good. Well, let's start hunting for big games with big guns. Like a real man. And screw you Greenpeace. Fucking tree-hugging morons. - with joker Joker-style grin on my face I took aim at another tank.
Later that day.
In a small tent there was a celebration. Two officers were drunk and happy as their mission was total success.
- Haha! I told you it would work! And it went perfect! AT rifle project will get a green light! Enemy tank wave repelled with minimum losses. Thanks to us enemies not only had to retreat but they also lost 7 tanks and 2 of those can be quickly repaired adding to trophies. For our success!
- Yes! But I am gonna get that arrogant asshole to be court-martialed. How he dares to argue or even aim a weapon at officer.
- Don't worry. We will make him pay. Strip him of awards and position then send him to die in some rat-infested cell. Now pass me a new champagne bottle.
- Here you go! Pop it!
Two officers were so happy and drunk that they didn't realize that new champagne bottle tasted different. After finishing their glasses they were smiling but very quickly smiles turned into grimaces of agony.
- Aaafhhhh!
- Hurrghghghggh!
Two of them started making gurgling noises and fell to the ground. Their bodies started to twitch through furniture all over the place which caused one of the shafts holding the tent upright to fall.
The crumbling tent caught the attention of the night sentry who alarmed everyone else. By the time order was restored and officer clarified that it was not due to enemy attack two officers made their last breaths.
In the morning medics checked dead bodies and stated that the cause of death was a large amount of rat poison in champagne bottle. Further investigation identified that the champagne bottle was one of the trophies left by enemies during retreat. So it is possible that enemies left them specifically to poison officers and soldiers. This caused that all trophies to be either checked for safety or destroyed for precaution.
A lot of soldiers and officers got angry about that. Except one.
Me.
They wanted to die amongts rat but it was them who died like rats from poison. Justice.
Although I feel a bit sad that because of me a lot of good alcohol and food now will be turned into ash.
- Maybe next time I will go with more classical fragging ? Those rats cost me more than just one champagne bottle. - I sighed and lighted a cigarette.