Archive for July, 2008

Chapter 10

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

Chapter 10

I Miss A Big Battle

The border between Hillsborough and Pinellas counties was odd in that part of it ran in the middle of Tampa Bay. It made pursuits sometimes interesting, because the laws governing crossing into a neighboring county “uninvited” were very strict. Even amongst friendly counties, the penalties for the offending lycanthrope could be very harsh. Leeches, on the other hand, had no compunctions. Their council system was city-based, not county-based like that of the lycanthropes, and their power was a matter of what each council could grab and hold. So, even though the Pinellas Hunters Guild warned my Guildmaster that some TCV vamps had been “recruiting” in St. Petersburg across the bay, we could not go over and wipe out the “press gang.” Since Lady Thames had declared that Pinellas was neutral, she wouldn’t allow the fighting on her soil. From what I had been told, she had tried to stoke the Clearwater Council into attacking their rivals working in St. Pete, but the vampires had been unable to find their opponents. At least that was what they told Lady Thames. The Guildmaster of the Pinellas Chapter hadn’t been convinced, but had been unable to set his hunters on the interlopers. Thames was being strict on the neutrality issue. (more…)

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Glock Pistols

Monday, July 28th, 2008

When the Glock line of pistols debuted over twenty years ago, there was a furor over the “plastic gun” that would evade metal detectors and cause all sorts of mayhem. Considering that the slide is a huge chunk of steel, those claims were quickly dismissed. What wasn’t was that the small Austrian firm had produced an ergonomic and rugged line of pistols with an innovative “Safe-Action” trigger system. It integrated what was essentially a double-action only system with a safety built into the trigger. Since the Glock’s initial introduction, the line has grown to every major caliber with full-size, compact, and ultra-compact sizes with models that are compensated for target shooting and even a fully-auto machine pistol.

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KAC Mk. 11 (SR-25)

Monday, July 28th, 2008

The KAC Mk. 11 is the current sniper rifle system issued to Navy and Marine units. The Army is currently evaluating the weapon and will probably adopt it as well as the M-110. Before its adoption, the rifle was known by the designation of SR-25. The Mk. 11 is a 7.62 mm precision rifle system designed by the great Eugene Stoner of M16 fame. Looking at the weapon, it is easy to see the parentage, but the Mk. 11 is much more than a rechambered M16. Everything from the free-floating barrel to the enhanced trigger is designed to make the weapon capable of sub-MOA accuracy in battlefield conditions. Perhaps one of the most unique features of the Mk. 11 is that is actually more accurate with its suppressor attached.

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Chapter 9

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

Chapter 9

Leeches on the Left, Ghouls on the Right

The St. Pete Times Forum was a massive structure in the Channelside District of Tampa. It was well within leech territory, but many lycanthropes went there to watch the Tampa Bay Lightning play. Hockey in Florida always seemed too bizarre for me, but I had to admit that it was fun watching humans bash each other around while speeding around on the ice. While the Peace was in effect, there was a kind of understanding between the TCV and Lord Vollen. The lycanthropes could attend functions at the forum as long as the lycanthropes left promptly afterward and did nothing that could be construed as hostile to the vampires. By the same token, the TCV had a responsibility to ensure that its members didn’t harass the lycanthropes or cause problems. It worked out fairly well. As far as I could remember, there had been only one problem, and I had resolved that one by removing the leech in a violent and lethal fashion. It was one of those jobs that I had been handed because I was the Guildmaster’s personal hitter. (more…)

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The Long Ride

Monday, July 7th, 2008

“Warrant Officer Eric Stahl, reporting as ordered, sir,” I said as solemnly as I could muster. I was in the formal uniform of the Imperial Security Ranger Division, but I had not yet earned the coveted silver-star-within-a-circle that would make me a full member of that elite unit. For that prized bit of metal, I was required to make the “Long Ride.” If I didn’t make it, I would have to join one of the regular Imperial Security units stationed in Tam Bay, which was something that I really didn’t want to do. The Ranger captain gave me an appraising look as I stood ramrod straight. Captain Rodgers was an old Tam Bay hand, having ridden in the sector for nearly three decades. He had proved himself against almost any threat a Ranger was expected to handle, and done so with a solid record. He certainly looked the part. Captain Rodgers was easily two meters in height with a build that was solid, but not bulky. His black hair was worn long, and tied back. His dark eyes were notorious for being able to reduce even the toughest Rangers to stammering fools, or melt even the coldest lady’s heart. As I said, the captain was notorious. Right now, I was on the brink of becoming a stammering fool. (more…)

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Heckler and Koch Model 417

Sunday, July 6th, 2008

The HK Model 417 is part of a pair of new rifles that is based on the M16 shape and action. HK improved on the gas action and basic ergonomics, including the collapsible stock. The dorsal line of the weapons have long Picatinny rail for the ease of mounting scopes or other accessories. Around the foregrip are three other rails. The Model 417 comes in multiple barrel lengths to suit the situation. The Model 417 is chambered in 7.62 mm NATO and uses a new propreitary transluscent magazines that can hold ten or twenty rounds.

The other weapon in the pair is the Model 416 which is chambered in 5.56 mm and uses standard M16 magazines.

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Chapter 8

Saturday, July 5th, 2008

Chapter 8

Be Careful For What You Wish

One of the things that took me a long time to get through my skull was that not all of the jobs were difficult or required an inordinate amount of firepower. Some were very simple. Even important jobs could be very simple and accomplished with minimal planning. As I grew in experience, I also came to the realization that those jobs – important and simple – were the ones that hunters desired above all. True, dramatic and harrowing adventures made great stories for the packs, but the professionals knew better. The simpler, the better. Which was why I was actually happy when the Guildmaster assigned me to take out the Bleeders’ armorer. (more…)

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