The room is quite without Hallow- not that he was much of a talker -but just his presence gave the room a little bit of life that I seem to be void of.
They told me Sputnik would be taking his place; which seems like a pro, at least I know he will be clean.
Using the now spacious room, I turn on the television and stretch.
My peaceful solitude is interrupted as Bailiff whispers. "Hey, defendant... I need to tell you something."
"What?" I groan. I've put off talking to my gun, for my sanities sake. Hesitantly I grab the gun, putting the side up to my ea-
"BOO!"
Holding my ringing ears I wince. "What the hell?!"
The gun begins giggling in its analog voice. "So gullible Defendant. Now, shoot me!"
Momentarily I hold the gun up before putting it in the night stand drawer. "I don't feel like dealing with yo-"
*BANG!*
A bullet flies out of the drawer richoting before hitting the lamp.
"You cannot silence justice!" Bailiff commands
Did it just fire on its own? A talking gun with autonomous shooting capabilities?!
Opening the drawer I yank the pistol out.
"What the hell are you?!" I shout.
"I am..." it takes a dramatically deep breath. "...a gun."
"No shit, I mean- you talk!"
"I can do a whole lot more than that; I can also shoot. Now, take me to the range!"
I'm starting to regret giving Sputnik my standard issue.
But, I do need to work on my aim and figure out whats up with this gun.
The range is only a five minute walk; so, Putting on my armored bodysuit, I make the trek.
Ziel is sitting in a bullet proof booth as he cleans a gun. "Whose a dirty boy, yes you are."
I'm really hoping his gun talks as well.
Tapping on the glass he lurches to attention, firing the gun as the bulletproof glass catches the bullet.
"Whoops." Futily wiping the glass with a rag, he peeks around the splintering frame. "What can I do you for?"
"Is it normal for guns to talk?" I question.
"Oh, well, that- no I was just, uh-"
I sigh. "I'm talking about my gun."
"Yours? That weird one... well it's not unheard of, a lot of pro's have analog guns. But I doubt yours is, probably just a voice recorder. Hate to break it to you pal, but sellers do that to scam customers."
"Do any guns have autonomous shooting capabilities?"
"Uh...no? What would be the point of that? They usually relay information, armor statistics, overuse of the battery, and geography. Why? You looking to buy one? Well if that's the case, you and me both, those things cost a fortune."
More like I was looking where to sell one.
Ziel jumps up. "Wouldn't that be so fun!? You could talk to your gun like a best friend!"
I can say first hand it is not fun. "Uh... yea, I bet it would be. Can I take lane six?"
"Getting extra practice? well aren't you the model student? Out of pity for getting scammed, heres a cleaner kit."
Sliding the kit and a box of ammo through the slot I take them with a strained smile. "Thanks."
Walking down, I tap the monitor; setting the target 15 meters, causing it to slide back.
Loading the magazine I take aim.
Closing one eye I exhale half a breath before... firing!
The bullet zooms down the range, and misses the target entirely, bouncing off the wall a few times before coming to a stop.
"Close but no cigar." The gun giggles.
"You'd better not do that the entire time."
Firing the second round I miss one again.
"Its a good thing these aren't shooting back at you."
This is starting to get annoying.
With a little more frustration I fire once more.
"Strike three, yourrreeee out!"
"No wonder your previous owner ditched you." I grunt.
"Jokes on you I don't remember my previous owner!"
"Well aren't you a fickle one?"
Firing another round it fucking misses!
"Do you see that large outlined person, people call that a target. I think you're supposed to hit it."
Clicking my tongue, I eject the mag, before angrily loading a fresh one.
As I slide the magazine back in Balif moans.
"Do you have to that every time I reload?!"
"Its just so big-"
Slamming the gun against the ground it misfires, grazing my head.
"Ow."
6 hours of moaning and missing later I drag myself to the booth as Ziel sits there still petting his gun.
Sliding me another box he gives me a look of pity. "You are going to single handily increase taxes with how much ammo your using.
Taking the box I stumble back to the lane without a retort.
This is it, all of this training will pay off.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly squeeze the trigger.
"For the game winning point, he's wide open, 5 seconds on the clock, with a free shot! The defendant shoots, and..."
The bullet rips down the range...
"airball. Womp womp." Bailiff jests.
...and bullet completely misses.
With a groan, I kneel to the ground. "Huuuu, I want a new gun"
"I know this was my idea, but my barrel is starting to get filled with carbon making it hard to breath."
I wrap my hands around the barrel of the gun. "If you could breath, I would have suffocated you long ago."
He gasps. "Thats it! Im missing from now on."
My eyes narrow as I hold the gun up. "Are you telling me you're the reason I haven't hit the target once?"
XD "Lol! No defendant, you just suck!"
With a sigh, I aim once more, while Bailiff is unfortunately correct, at least I have gotten some practice connecting the elemental energy with the gun.
"Brrgh, why do you still use ice? Its so cold. Didn't your teacher say you could move up to water? Make me squirt!"
"Don't phrase it that way." Firing another two rounds they completely miss the target, the bullets shattering into the guard wall with an icy explosion. "Plus, I don't know how or where to get a new elemental fuse. so for now I'm stuck with this."
The multiple moonlights shines down as the bats swoop by. With a neon buzz, the lights of the outdoor range flicker to life. Behind me I hear electrical humming as the robot comes in clean.
I'm no fortune teller, but I can safely say nothing would change if I stayed any longer.
Packing up my belongings I nearly slip on the hundreds of bullet casing around me.
Barley catching myself I walk past the robot. "I- apologize for the mess."
The robot tilts its head with a kind smile. "There is no need to apologize sir. If it means improving your aim for the sake of this cities safety, a mess is a small price to pay."
Improving my aim...
yea.