Beyond The Frontline

Fragment Lima

Wasting no time, Colt convened a brief meeting with the leaders of various groups. He requested their assistance in gathering volunteers willing to train in handling the newly produced firearms. Each leader promised to do their best to find willing participants.

By the next day, 30 individuals had assembled behind the workshop. These volunteers, a mix of guards, villagers, and some of the survivors, stood at attention, awaiting instruction. In preparation for the training, Colt had expanded the makeshift firing range, creating more space for drills and ensuring a safe environment for teaching the basics of shooting.

In front of the volunteers stood a long table, neatly arranged with the newly produced rifles and stacks of ammunition beside them. A series of targets were set up at a modest distance, spaced evenly to ensure each shooter had their own. The group murmured among themselves, their faces a mix of awe, curiosity, and apprehension. Some shifted nervously, while others squinted at the unfamiliar weapons, silently questioning their decision to volunteer.

Colt stepped forward, his expression calm but authoritative. Wasting no time, he greeted the group and thanked them sincerely for their willingness to contribute to the village's safety.

He quickly moved on to the heart of the session, explaining the fundamentals of the rifles. Colt demonstrated the weapon step by step—how to load it, aim it, and fire it—ensuring every movement was slow and deliberate for the group to follow. He placed a strong emphasis on firearm safety, detailing rules such as keeping the muzzle pointed downrange, never placing a finger on the trigger until ready to fire, and treating every rifle as if it were loaded.

Questions inevitably arose—some practical, others born from sheer curiosity. Colt answered each one patiently, whether it was about the mechanics of the rifle, the way it was shaped, or even why the targets were placed at specific distances. By the end of his explanations, the volunteers had a basic understanding of what lay ahead.

Satisfied that they grasped the fundamentals, Colt moved forward with live practice. He called out the first group of 10 volunteers to step up. Nervous but determined, each person approached the table, picked up a rifle, and followed the steps Colt had drilled into them—open the bolt, load a single round into the chamber, close the bolt, disengage the safety, take aim, and squeeze the trigger.

The rifles cracked one after another, some shots striking the targets while others missed entirely. A few rounds even grazed the edges of the targets, earning an approving nod from Colt. "Not bad," he said with a faint smirk. "At least you're hitting something."

The first 10 shooters stepped back, their expressions a mix of relief and pride. For many, this was their first time handling a gun, and Colt knew they would improve with time and practice.

After each volunteer fired their first shot, the sharp crack of the rifle left them visibly startled. Many flinched, some even winced at the noise. Compared to a standard Earth-made bullet, this ammunition seemed slightly less punishing on the ears—not by much, but enough for Colt to notice. He figured the difference could be attributed to the unique materials of this world, but he wasn't about to waste time diving into the specifics.

The recoil, while manageable, was still a surprise to the untrained shooters. Several struggled to keep the rifle steady, and a few nearly lost their footing. Colt stepped in, guiding each of them on proper stance and grip. With his corrections, they quickly found the recoil much less intimidating and easier to handle. It wasn't perfect, but the progress was encouraging.

As the first batch of 10 shooters fired their way through a dozen rounds each, their improvement became apparent. While not sharpshooters by any means, they were no longer fumbling or flinching as they had at the start. Once they completed their session, Colt called in the next group of 10, repeating the same process.