Blasters 101 [Zandra]

[Rena Kryze]

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

For some reason, Rena was on Mandalore. She wasn't often on Mandalore, but when she was, things got done. Usually because her boss, Ordo, was sending her to the motherland specifically for a reason, to pick up supplies, confirm orders to Taris and MandalTech headquarters, or generally to report in as probably the only living member of Clan Kryze. Not that it was a bad thing, no; it meant that most people weren't hung up on her clan's status and were all the more concerned with how she operated as a person.

Being quartermaster also came with certain other prerequisites. When people needed training, they often came to her; she was expected to be able to mete out knowledge as well as she was able to mete out the sexiest suit of armour to the newest Initiate. Therefore, when she'd received a request to help out someone who was looking to hone their blaster skills, Rena couldn't help but agree. Her two blaster pistols, MT-14 standard pistols, were strapped to her hips - she could probably bring another one, just to be sure. Call it a free sample.

Either way.

At the Mythosaur training ranges, Rena waited for her charge; she'd responded to the request, stating that she'd arrive in her usual red, black and grey armour. When her new student arrived at the training range, they could get straight into it.

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Zandra was not from Mandalore. She was not familiar with her husbands culture. She was not familiar with the langauge. She was a pale child of the Echani, her people, sworn enemies of the Mandalorians. Not that she made that little bit of information known. In fact, the only one aware was Calico. She could keep it relatively quiet. No need to tick anyone off.
Still, she was sure her fighting style would tip someone off. She was skilled in close quarters combat. Very skilled. But at a range... She could hardly handle a blaster. Well, she could when the target was close enough. That was easy. Still, someone was bound to notice. Someone was bound to put it together.

"Oi! You the one I talked to?" the Echani called out, stepping forward, eyes on the red-clad mando.

That armor. Zandra couldn't stand it. How did they move in it? How did they see out of those confining helmets? How did they handle it when the opponent was faster than them? How did they move? How did they do... anything? How did they use the restroom?
Zandra looked down at herself, suddenly feeling self consious. Sometimes she did wish she had armor though, if only so she wouldn't stand out quite so much. Now, all she had was white shorts, a black tanktop and thick brown gloves. Not exactly battle armor.

[member="Rena Kryze"]

 

[Rena Kryze]

A Mandalorian who didn't walk around always in armour was strange these days. Most took that particular tenet of the Resol'nare to mean 'wear armour always'. It wasn't a requirement. Waring armour in the tradition of one's clan was important. However, Rena paid no heed to it. She had a reason she always walked around in hers when other people were involved. She didn't mind that other people did not.

"I am," she said, extending her hand to shake. "Rena Kryze, quartermaster by trade. Zandra, right?"

With that done, Rena pulled the spare blaster out and laid it on the bench before her. The shooting ranges were all equipped with targets, and of course - out beyond Mythosaur's basic first range, there was a bigger range with holographic targets that could be used for moving training. First, however, teaching the new girl to shoot a blaster pistol was critical.

"So what prompted this? Not familiar with blasters - more of a hand to hand girl?" the Mantellian asked, curious; most Mandalorians chose either melee weapons or ranged and she definitely looked like a melee fighter with the way she dressed and the fact she was wearing gloves that looked like punching people was a priority.

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

"more of a hand to hand girl?"

"Oh, you have no idea," she murmured, giving the womans hand a stiff shake, "I ah, well, my husband recons it's a good idea. Ain't much a girl with my specialty can do in a firefight, ya know?"

That was the understatement of the year. Truth was, Zandra hated firing a blaster. It felt so cheap. So distant. You couldn't get in close to your opponent. There was no risk. You could not get to know them, learn who they are. And it was always over in a flash...

[member="Rena Kryze"]

 

[Rena Kryze]

"Well, let's see if we can alleviate some of those troubles with some basic training," Rena said. "I've brought along probably one of the most popular blasters in the Galaxy these days. This is the MandalTech model 14 heavy blaster pistol and you'll find it in the hands of basically anyone who likes a decent blaster. It's pretty newbie-friendly. Pick it up, get used to the weight of it in one and two hands. Just do me a favour and don't put your finger on the trigger just yet. Lots of new kids accidentally fire it that way."

She had to chuckle a little at that. She'd been that new kid, once upon a time. Put a hole in a roof doing it, too. That, however, had been a long time ago. Now, she was at least decent enough to teach someone else how to shoot and that was good enough for her. If Rena could help someone else learn, then she'd be one happy cookie.

"The most important thing is to just take your time and breathe, honestly. Steady your grip, let the sights over the barrel do most of the work, and then breathe. Being tense won't help."

Rena keyed the targets down the far end, letting a blue holographic figure flicker to life. It'd show impact points later on, which would be good for Zandra attuning herself to the weapon. Stepping back, she let Zandra have the floor, the white-haired woman able to take as much time as she needed to get herself familiar with the new toy.

"So here's what we're going to do. Start with a two-handed grip. Brace the bottom of your firing hand by cupping it and locking the other hand on top. Relax your shoulders, yeah? Relaxed shoulders means your body won't lock up when you fire. Take a few shots, see how it feels."


[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

It was not her first time handling a blaster. Truth be told, it was what got her out of many a pickle in her days of gambling and living off her winnings. Still, she was going to take things one step at a time. Start from the beginning. She reached down to pick up the blaster, measuring the weight, running her finger carefully along the handle. She clicked the safety on, of course. She was no idiot. She'd accidentally fired one too many times to let herself make such a stupid mistake.

"Gatcha," she mumbled, raising the weapon with both hands. She was going to take her time with this. Get the feel for it down before even touching the safety trigger. She did as told though, relaxing her shoulders. That was a problem of hers. She was always thinking when she fired. Thinking about everything. It tensed her body, made her nervous. Finally, with a little click she turned the safety off, aimed and paused. It still didn't feel right. Ah well. Nobody said she had to hit a target now. And of course, for the three shots she took, she didn't hit a single one.

[member="Rena Kryze"]

 

[Rena Kryze]

Lots of basic problems - nothing that couldn't be fixed. Really, shooting a blaster or any kind of weapon had to be natural. Your body and mind had to be relaxed. Interrupt that flow and there goes your accuracy. It wasn't a big deal; everyone got thrown off once or twice when shooting. However, the best shooters trained until it was purely natural reflex. Rena wasn't even at that level yet.

"Remember to breathe out when you shoot," Rena offered helpfully. "Breathing out forces your shoulders down and takes some of the tension out of your arms. Line up, breathe out, squeeze." Not only was it the absolute imperative for snipers, but it was also meant for even the newest shooter. Surprising how the basics had to stay with you even until the end. Hell, even Rena had to remind herself of that little tidbit every now and then.

She looked on, expectantly, hoping to see Zandra pull out a great shot or two. Even one would be a good start.

[member="Zandra Tal'verda"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Breathe. Yeah, okay. Zandra could do that. She raised the blaster again, lined up her shot and fired. Miss. Then again. Another miss. And again.
It went on like this for a little while, each time was a miss. She was alright with it though. She was still learning. Nobody could ever expect her to get it on the first try. She was a close range fighter. It was in her blood. And this weapon felt odd in her hands.

One more shot- and a hit!

[member="Rena Kryze"]