Tarik: Entry Level Warfare by K. A. Kerr Read Free Book Online Page A

some with windows some without, and a series of targets all shaped like different species. Goddess was out in the range firing a training  weapon at several different targets while trying to avoid being hit. She was a masterpiece in action. She dove for cover moments before a simulated human  launched a volley of projectile rounds at her, sweeping to the other side of the wall in motions that were too graceful for a battlefield. She gunned down three targets on that side of the course timing her return to the other target just as the volley subsided. She finished off the last target and a buzzer went off overhead. Goddess stood up and looked to the ceiling where a set of fifteen stars only twelve of them illuminated. Goddess looked down clearly disappointed in her score. The walls sank down into the floor and additional targets were revealed. The targets stayed for a moment then disappeared no longer a threat. If Goddess  scored only twelve stars with movements like that Tarik  thought he would never get even ten.
    A man came out of the corner of the room, previously hidden in the shadows. An older human   male  by the look of him, short and stocky his muscles rippled beneath his tight fitting jumpsuit.
    “You failed to secure the last objective. You need to plot out your moves better. I also want you to time your recharge better, don't focus only on the threats. Your objective was not completed because of your aggressive forward charge.” The man instructed in a gruff voice. “I will see you tomorrow.”
    Goddess placed her training rifle in a rack closest to the doorway. She casually turned her head sideways towards Tarik.
    “I will see you soon Jimmy. I hope you are ready to submit payment.” Goddess said as she moved past Tarik  heading to the exit.
    When she left the room the man walked to Tarik . He said nothing as he walked around Tarik , circling him twice.
    “Why did you not follow me with your eyes?” The man asked.
    “I assumed you wanted to appraise me.” Tarik answered.
    “You assumed.” The man sounded exasperated. “Assumptions like that will bring you a quick death. You do not know me, you only knew I was here on this ship and assumed I was supposed to be here. You don't know what my role is here. For all you know I could be the ship executioner.” The man removed a stone from his pocket and threw it.
    Tarik followed the stone as it bounced and rolled out on the open range. When he turned back to the man had moved further to Tarik ’s blind side, now pointing a blaster at his face.
    “We have many mistakes to correct. I am your threat not a stone you knew was no threat.” The man took a few steps back and lowered the blaster.
    “You can call me I nstructor   Lamb  while we are in here. Outside of  here they call me Drang. You have a ways to go before you earn those honors .”
    Instructor Lamb  activated the range controls. Two long walls rose from the ground creating a straight lane all the way to the end of the range. An orange glowing orb pulsed at the end of the lane. No enemies appear on either side of the walls.
    “I want you to run all the way to the end of the lane and touch the glowing orb and then run back. Begin whenever you ready.”
    Tarik ran as fast as he could to the end of the lane watching for any obstacles as he ran. He touched the orb then ran back encountering no resistance.
    “Why did you do that?” Lamb asked.
    “Because you told me to.” Was the only answer Tarik  could think to say.
    “I see. Tell me, how did you know how fast I wanted you to run and do that?” Lamb asked.
    “I uh… I didn't.”
    “So you assumed I wanted you to run that fast? Tell me how did you know there would be normal gravity?”
    “I guessed there would be.”
    “Oh so you guessed.” Lamb  looked down. “Did you think to ask me before you galloped off?”
    “No, I figured you would have just told me.”
    “Tarik, as your instructor  your performance is a reflection of