Trial by Training

After his recent realization of Reyes's potential, Val knew he needed time to sharpen the corporal's newfound abilities. He found himself in General Luis's office, requesting a two-week break from all active missions.

General Luis raised an eyebrow. "Two weeks off for all of Team Unknown? Care to elaborate, Val?"

Val's expression remained neutral, though there was a glint in his eye. "It's to train Corporal Reyes. He needs specialized drills, especially with firearms, if he's going to keep up with us."

General Luis gave him a skeptical look, his mouth twitching in an almost-smile. "The infamous Team Unknown taking a break to train a recruit?" He chuckled. "Fine, take the time. But I expect results." 

With the time approved, Val left General Luis's office, gathering his team and Reyes for an early morning session in HQ's expansive training facility.

The gym had been transformed for the intensive schedule Val had planned. Multiple targets of varying sizes and movement patterns dotted the area, with targets set up to swing, dip, and rotate at random intervals.

"Alright, Reyes," Val called, his tone commanding. "We're going to build on what we did last time. You'll be working on precision, timing, and control. Today, we're starting with moving targets."

Reyes nodded, his expression serious, but there was a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Understood, sir."

Val motioned for Bo, Riggs, and Fon to join him in calibrating a series of rotating targets. With a quick tap on his wrist device, the targets began to move, circling in random, unpredictable patterns.

Val handed Reyes a modified rifle with paint rounds. "Each of these targets represents an enemy moving in the field. Keep your shots clean and controlled. The goal is to mark each target within a ten-second window."

Reyes took a steadying breath, his fingers wrapping around the rifle's grip as he leveled the sight at the first moving target. With a sharp exhale, he aimed and fired, marking it with a bright red splatter.

Fon clapped slowly, grinning. "Nice shot, Reyes. But don't get too comfortable. It gets harder from here."

Val increased the speed of the targets, each one now darting and rotating in erratic patterns. Reyes squinted, adjusting his aim as he tracked their movement. He fired, missing a few rounds as the targets moved faster, but managing to mark the majority.

Riggs gave him a sympathetic grin. "Hey, not bad. Took me a week to get those right."

Reyes sighed, lowering the rifle slightly. "Thanks. But I can do better."

Over the next few days, Val expanded the drills, pushing Reyes's limits with each session. The targets shifted, grew smaller, and even moved in synchronized patterns that required near-instantaneous reactions.

In one particularly intense drill, Val had set up holographic obstacles that occasionally blocked Reyes's line of sight, forcing him to anticipate when the target would reappear.

After two hours of grueling practice, Reyes slumped against a wall, panting. His cloak and hair were splattered with paint from stray rounds that had ricocheted back.

Fon threw him a bottle of water, chuckling. "Careful there, Corporal. At this rate, you'll end up looking like a paintball canvas."

Reyes laughed, wiping paint off his cheek. "I'll take that over a real wound."

Bo crossed his arms, watching Reyes with an amused expression. "Enjoy it while it lasts. Tomorrow, we're ramping up to obstacle drills." He shot a look at Val, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Isn't that right, Val?"

Val smirked, nodding. "Oh, definitely. Moving targets are just the warm-up."

The following day, the team led Reyes to an outdoor range specially designed for sniper training. The course was lined with sandbags, high fences, and occasional patches of cover. Val had arranged for several dummy targets to be stationed at various points, some hidden in brush, others peeking out from behind sandbags.

"Alright, Reyes," Val said, handing him a rifle outfitted with a long-range scope. "Today's goal is precision under pressure. You'll need to hit each target from various distances—while we provide some distractions."

Before Reyes could ask what he meant, Riggs and Fon ran off, each taking positions in the nearby foliage.

Reyes took aim, focusing on the first target, only to feel something whiz past his ear—a small, harmless foam dart shot by Fon.

"Keep steady, Corporal!" Fon shouted from his hiding spot, a mischievous grin audible in his voice.

Reyes flinched but maintained his composure, ignoring the distraction as he fired, hitting the target squarely in the center. Just as he exhaled, a paintball splattered near his boot, courtesy of Riggs, who popped up from behind a sandbag with a slingshot.

Val watched from a distance, a faint smile playing on his lips as he observed Reyes's growing resilience. The corporal was keeping his focus, even under the team's relentless antics.

Reyes fired again, tagging another target, but Fon's voice interrupted him. "Come on, Corporal! Can't you handle a little extra fire?"

Fon darted across the range, tossing small pebbles in Reyes's direction, chuckling as Reyes scowled, still keeping his rifle steady. Reyes tracked another target, his gaze unwavering, and took the shot, landing another precise mark.

Dr. Lewis joined Val on the sidelines, watching Reyes's progress. "He's showing some impressive adaptability," Dr. Lewis remarked, his tone appreciative. "You've been pushing him hard."

Val nodded. "He's earned his place here. And besides," he added, his eyes narrowing as he observed Reyes's steady aim, "he's got a natural gift. We just need to refine it."

They moved into the second week of training with even more intense drills, from night vision exercises to endurance shooting. Val and the team staged complex, simulated ambushes, with Reyes positioned on various elevated perches, marking moving targets even as his teammates performed evasive maneuvers.

During one particularly intense session, Val assigned the team to sprint across a series of obstacles while Reyes tracked them from a rooftop.

Bo shouted as he ducked behind a barricade, narrowly dodging Reyes's shot. "Is he using a scope or a magnifying glass? How's he marking us that fast?"

Riggs, trying to sprint across an open field without getting marked, yelped as another paint round splattered against his shoulder. "Val, are you sure you didn't secretly hire a professional sniper?"

Val chuckled, watching with quiet satisfaction. "Keep moving. He's got a natural eye, but it won't mean much if he can't handle the pressure."

Reyes, grinning despite the sweat pouring down his face, fired again, marking Fon with a bright red splatter as he vaulted over a low wall. Fon threw his hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, Corporal. You're better than I thought!"

Dr. Lewis, who had observed much of the two-week training, gave Val an approving nod. "You're bringing out the best in him. He's not the same recruit who fainted at the sight of you."

Val allowed a rare smile. "Reyes had it in him. He just needed the right guidance—and a fair amount of paint rounds."

After the final day's drill, Reyes sat on the floor of the training room, panting but beaming. His face was smeared with paint, his muscles sore, but he'd done it. He had kept up with Team Unknown, even under the strain of their toughest exercises.

Val approached, folding his arms. "Good work, Corporal. I'd say you passed."

Reyes looked up, his eyes shining with pride. "Thank you, sir. I won't let you down."

Bo, Riggs, and Fon joined them, each giving Reyes a nod of approval. 

Riggs clapped him on the back. "Not bad, Reyes. Just don't expect us to go easy on you when we're back in the field."

Fon grinned. "And remember, the next time you mark us with paint, you'd better be aiming for real."

Reyes laughed, a deep sense of camaraderie filling him as he looked at each of his new teammates. The past two weeks had been brutal, but he wouldn't trade them for anything.

Dr. Lewis, standing by the entrance, crossed his arms with a faint smile. "Looks like you've officially earned your place, Corporal. Welcome to Team Unknown."

As Reyes stood, his heart racing with pride, he knew this was only the beginning. And he was ready.