“I had a good teacher.” “I'll bet you did,” Kelly said, his voice thoughtful.
“The question is, who teaches civilian maintenance workers advanced weapons techniques that most of our own people don't know?” The armory had grown so quiet that the only sounds were the distant hum of ventilation systems and the muffled roar of jet engines from the nearby airfield. Every seal in the room was watching Madison, waiting for her answer.
Instead of answering Kelly's question directly, Madison did something unexpected. She walked over to the weapons rack and selected an M24 sniper weapon system, the standard long-range rifle used by Navy Special Operations Units. The weapon was significantly more complex than the M4 with a precise trigger mechanism and specialized optics that required expert knowledge to operate effectively.
“If you want to test my knowledge,” Madison said quietly, “let's do it properly.” She began disassembling the M24 with the same fluid precision she had shown with the Barrett, but this time she began speaking as she worked, her voice taking on an instructional tone that several of the SEALs found disturbingly familiar.
“The M24 SWS is based on the Remington 700 action but modified for military specifications,” she said, her hands moving without conscious thought. “Standard barrel length is 24 inches, chambered in 7.62 NATO. Effective range against personnel targets is 800 m, but in skilled hands, first round hits are achievable out to 1,000 m or beyond.” Jake Torres found himself leaning forward, captivated by the casual way Madison discussed technical specifications that most people would need reference manuals to recall. But it was her hands that really caught his attention.
The way she handled each component with reverence, as if the weapon were a living thing that demanded respect. “Muzzle velocity with M118 Special Ball ammunition is approximately 2,550 feet per second,” Madison continued, removing the bolt and beginning to clean the firing mechanism.
“But for precision work, you want M118 LR, long range, which maintains supersonic velocity out to 900 m and provides superior accuracy at extended range.” Morrison was growing increasingly agitated as Madison's lecture continued. Not only was she showing up his team's supposed expertise, but she was doing it with an air of casual competence that suggested this level of knowledge was routine for her.
“Enough,” Morrison snapped. “I don't care if you memorized every technical manual in the Navy inventory. Knowing specifications and actually using a weapon are completely different things.” Madison paused in her cleaning, looking up at Morrison with those deceptively calm, hazel eyes.
“Is that your professional opinion, sir?” The question was asked politely, but there was an undertone that made several SEALs step back involuntarily. It was the tone of someone who had been questioned before by people who later regretted their skepticism.
“It's common sense,” Morrison replied, his voice rising. “You can quote numbers all day long, but it doesn't mean you could hit the broadside of a barn with that rifle.”