The morning of the individual precision shooting challenge arrived with crisp, clear conditions that would provide no excuses for poor performance. Alex woke before dawn, his mind immediately focused on the competition that would determine not only his individual ranking among National-level marksmen, but also his team's strategic position for the tactical scenarios that would follow.
"Environmental conditions are nearly perfect," Chen reported as Alex conducted his pre-competition equipment checks. "Light winds, stable temperature, and excellent visibility. If you're going to prove yourself against elite competition, today provides ideal circumstances."
Alex nodded, though he understood that perfect conditions would benefit all competitors equally. The precision shooting challenge would be decided by technique execution, mental discipline, and the ability to perform under pressure that only National Championship competition could create.
"Sixty-four of the best precision marksmen in the country," Rodriguez said as they walked toward the competition range. "Some have been competing at elite levels for over a decade. Others have international competition experience. But none of them have worked harder than you have over the past few months."
The precision shooting range was already bustling with activity as competitors prepared equipment and conducted final sight adjustments. Alex recognized several shooters from competition videos and online forums—marksmen whose precision capabilities had earned legendary status in competitive airsoft circles.
"Competition format is elimination-based," the range officer announced as participants gathered for the mandatory briefing. "Shooters will engage targets at 300, 450, 600, and 750 meters. Miss at any distance and you're eliminated. The final rankings will determine team seeding for tactical scenarios."
Alex felt his heart rate increase as the stakes became clear. Not only was this his first test against National-level competition, but his performance would directly affect Bravo Company's strategic position for the team competitions that would determine their championship prospects.
"First distance is 300 meters," the range officer continued. "Competitors have two minutes to engage their assigned target. Scoring is pass/fail—hit the target zone or be eliminated."
Alex watched as the first group of shooters took their positions. The 300-meter shots should have been routine for National-level competitors, but the pressure of elimination-format competition and the knowledge that a single mistake would end their individual championship hopes created stress that affected even experienced marksmen.
The first shooter—a veteran from the Pacific Northwest—executed a perfect center hit. The second competitor, despite obvious technical skill, missed slightly high due to what appeared to be a minor error in elevation calculation or shooting position setup.
"Competitor eliminated," the range officer announced matter-of-factly. "Next shooter, step to the line."
The elimination was immediate and final, reinforcing that National Championship competition provided no margin for error. Alex realized that his months of intensive training had prepared him technically, but the psychological pressure of single-attempt, elimination-format competition was unlike anything he had previously experienced.
"Group 7, report to the firing line," the range officer called.
Alex's group included the precision marksman from Apex Predators—the three-time National Champions Rodriguez had identified as the team to beat. Watching the elite shooter prepare his equipment provided Alex with insight into the professionalism and confidence that characterized championship-level competitors.
"First time at Nationals?" the Apex Predators marksman asked as they settled into adjacent shooting positions.
"Yes," Alex replied. "First time competing above Regional level."
"Impressive sponsorship package for a first-timer," the shooter observed, noting Alex's custom rifle and ballistic computer scope. "Apex Optics doesn't usually invest in unproven competitors. They must see serious potential."
The comment was delivered without malice, but it reinforced Alex's awareness that his performance would be closely watched by industry professionals who had invested in his development. Success would validate their sponsorship decisions, while failure could affect future support opportunities.
"Shooters, you have two minutes to engage your 300-meter targets," the range officer announced. "Begin when ready."
Alex settled into his shooting position, feeling the custom rifle's perfect fit and noting how his breathing automatically adjusted to the controlled rhythm that precision shooting required. The target appeared clearly through his ballistic computer scope, and environmental conditions were well within his training parameters.
The shot felt perfect from trigger press through follow-through. Alex watched through his scope as his target signaled a clean hit at 298 meters—a successful engagement that advanced him to the 450-meter challenge while establishing his credibility among National-level competitors.
"Clean hit, advance to the next distance," the range officer confirmed.
Alex looked around to see that all shooters in his group had successfully engaged their 300-meter targets, though several other groups had experienced eliminations that reduced the field of competitors.
"Forty-seven shooters remaining," the range officer announced. "Report to the 450-meter line."
The 450-meter challenge required more precise ballistic calculations and technique execution, but remained well within Alex's confidence zone. His training with Chen had included thousands of shots at this range under various environmental conditions, making the engagement feel routine despite the competition pressure.
Alex's ballistic computer calculated the environmental solution while he established his shooting position and controlled his breathing. The target appeared smaller through his scope, requiring precise sight alignment and trigger control that left minimal margin for error.
The shot felt solid, and Alex watched his target signal another successful hit. Around him, he could hear the range officer eliminating competitors who had missed their 450-meter engagements, further reducing the field of National-level marksmen.
"Thirty-one shooters remaining. Advance to the 600-meter line."
The 600-meter challenge marked the beginning of truly extreme-range precision shooting that would separate elite marksmen from merely skilled competitors. Alex had successfully engaged targets at this distance during training, but competition stress and elimination pressure created psychological challenges that practice couldn't fully replicate.
Alex studied his target through the ballistic computer scope, noting environmental factors that required precise calculation and technique adaptation. Wind conditions had shifted slightly since his previous shots, requiring real-time adjustment to his ballistic solution based on vegetation movement and atmospheric observations.
The shooting position felt stable, his breathing was controlled, and the ballistic computer provided a solution that accounted for all measurable environmental variables. Alex found his natural respiratory pause, applied straight-back trigger pressure, and maintained perfect follow-through until bullet impact.
The target signaled a successful hit at 597 meters, though not the dead-center placement of his shorter-range engagements. Alex felt a moment of concern about his precision at extreme ranges, but the hit was well within the scoring zone that advanced him to the final challenge.
"Eighteen shooters remaining," the range officer announced as nearly half the remaining competitors were eliminated by 600-meter misses. "Final challenge at 750 meters."
Alex looked around at the remaining marksmen, realizing he was now among the elite precision shooters in National Championship competition. The Apex Predators marksman was still competing, along with shooters whose reputations had been built through years of championship-level performance.
"Final distance, 750 meters," the range officer announced. "This engagement will determine final rankings for individual precision shooting and team seeding for tactical scenarios."
The 750-meter target appeared as barely more than a speck through Alex's scope, requiring absolute precision in ballistic calculations and flawless technique execution. Environmental conditions remained favorable, but the extreme range amplified any minor errors in equipment setup or shooting fundamentals.
Alex spent extra time studying environmental conditions and verifying his ballistic computer's solution. The calculation required 6.2 mils of elevation adjustment and 1.1 mils of windage correction—settings that pushed his equipment toward the edge of its optimal performance envelope.
The shooting position felt as stable as Alex could achieve on the competition range. His breathing was controlled and rhythmic. The ballistic computer's solution accounted for all measurable variables. But success at 750 meters would ultimately depend on perfect technique execution under the maximum pressure of National Championship competition.
Alex found his natural respiratory pause, applied smooth trigger pressure, and maintained sight alignment through complete follow-through. The shot felt good, though not with the absolute confidence of his shorter-range engagements.
Through his scope, Alex watched the target area for what seemed like an eternity before it signaled a successful hit at 748 meters. Relief flooded through him as he realized he had successfully completed the most challenging precision shooting test of his competitive career.
"Twelve shooters successfully completed all distances," the range officer announced. "Final rankings will be posted within thirty minutes."
Alex walked back from the firing line with a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction, knowing he had performed at the level his intensive training had prepared him for. The precision shooting challenge had tested every aspect of his capabilities, and he had proven that months of preparation had been sufficient for National-level competition.
"How do you feel about your performance?" Rodriguez asked as Alex secured his equipment.
"Like I proved I belong here," Alex replied. "Every shot was executed with the technique and confidence our training developed. Whatever the final rankings show, I competed at my highest level against the best marksmen in the country."
The precision shooting rankings were posted twenty-five minutes later:
**NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRECISION SHOOTING RESULTS**
1. David Kim - Apex Predators (750m: Dead Center)
2. Sarah Chen - Elite Force (750m: 0.8 MOA)
3. Michael Torres - Thunder Strike (750m: 1.1 MOA)
4. Alex Martinez - Bravo Company (750m: 1.3 MOA)
5. Jennifer Walsh - Tactical Edge (750m: 1.4 MOA)
Alex stared at the results board, hardly believing his name appeared in fourth place among the best precision marksmen in National Championship competition. The months of intensive training, professional equipment, and family sacrifice had culminated in a performance that established him among the elite shooters in competitive airsoft.
"Fourth place at your first National Championship," Chen said, his voice carrying genuine pride. "That's an exceptional achievement that validates everything we've worked toward."
"What does this mean for team tactical scenarios?" Marcus asked.
"Top five individual rankings provide significant strategic advantages," Rodriguez explained. "Bravo Company gets priority in scenario selection, preferred starting positions, and tactical intelligence that could determine your championship prospects."
That evening, Alex called his mother to share the results of his first National Championship competition.
"Fourth place among the best precision marksmen in the country," his mother said, her voice filled with pride and amazement. "Mijo, you've achieved something remarkable."
"It feels surreal," Alex admitted. "Less than a year ago, I was learning basic marksmanship in our backyard. Now I'm competing successfully against shooters who have been elite competitors for years."
"What happens next?"
"Team tactical scenarios begin tomorrow. The precision shooting ranking gives us strategic advantages, but the team competitions will determine our championship prospects."
"Then you continue competing with everything you have. You've already proven you belong at this level."
Alex looked at his custom rifle, cleaned and ready for tomorrow's tactical challenges. The precision shooting success had established his credibility and provided Bravo Company with strategic advantages, but the team competitions would test aspects of their preparation that individual shooting couldn't evaluate.
The National Championship was just beginning, and the most challenging tests still lay ahead.
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**Author's Note:** This chapter delivers on the anticipation built in the previous chapter, showing Alex's performance under the ultimate pressure of National Championship competition. His fourth-place finish validates his intensive training while providing realistic results that establish credibility without making him unrealistically dominant.
The elimination format creates real tension, and seeing other skilled competitors fail reinforces how challenging elite competition truly is. Alex's success provides strategic advantages for the team scenarios while maintaining the competitive stakes.
**Your power stones are crucial for this story's continued success! If you're excited about Alex's precision shooting achievement and want to see how Bravo Company performs in the tactical team challenges, please support with your votes. Every power stone helps keep this story active and prioritized for regular updates!**
What did you think of Alex's performance under pressure and his fourth-place finish among elite marksmen? The team tactical scenarios should be even more intense!