C20 Mozambique Drill

“No way!” Alessia roared in disbelief watching Liam's bullet that hit the target board pierce right through the head. All of those planks, what a headshot.

[Liam's skills were indeed terrifying.]

Liam had only used handguns, not the long-barreled weapons that the military used. Alessia had seen Liam's fast movements, when he killed the mercenaries who kidnapped and tortured her cruelly in Nottingham.

[Bang! Bang! Bang!]

Even though Alessia had taken a few steps back in fear at the sound of the explosion that echoed and boomed in Liam’s special shooting range. Ally couldn't help but feel a shiver run through her body. Alessia could clearly see the sharp, hunter's eyes of Liam Coltrane behind those protective goggles; he looked focused, self-controlled, skilled and instinctive.

Ally struggled to swallow her bitter saliva.

It was all evident from the way Liam demonstrated his expert skills until his handgun bullets ran out. From the muzzle, thick white smoke blew out after the bullet was fired. After finishing the handgun bullets, Liam pressed the magazine release that fell freely under his feet. He smiled sweetly. "You got it?"

Ally shook her head doubtfully. "I can't, Liam. I've never done it, and it's impossible for me to do it! It never even occurred to me to hurt someone else."

That lie, many times Alessia thought about getting rid of Castor Kent with her hands.

Liam grasped Alessia's hand tightly. Calming the panic that engulfed her. Putting on a warm smile with a big heart. "It's okay, you just need to practice a lot and familiarize yourself. Now you know the mechanics of using the gun so far. Just ask if you have any questions."

Alessia nodded languidly, unable to say anything. Her tongue was too stiff.

"This handgun is safe when used according to procedure. There is an automatic lever and a decocker cover that serves to hold shots that might be accidentally fired." Liam assured Alessia convincingly. Showing how Liam deftly holstered the pistol into the concealed belt under his black, gray baseball tee. Just as quickly, he picked it up again, positioning it into ready to fire and aim mode. "It takes time to learn this. It's not as easy as it is shown in most movies. There are a lot of crucial techniques that you should really pay attention to. Avoid shooting in public unless you are an expert. Don't let other innocent people become victims. I always avoid that. It's up to you where you wanna target the bullet. You just need to adjust the direction, pay attention to the wind blowing around you, if your grip is straight — you will shoot the center target. If you tilt slightly to the right, placing the trigger on the first ring finger circle under your fingerprint, your bullet will shoot to the right. Conversely, if your grip is to the left and the trigger is aligned at the fingertip parallel to your nail. Your bullet will go to the left. That's what a bull's-eye looks like."

"Do you have a military background, Liam? Given your tactical skills and abilities, elite — I have no idea, that's terrible." Alessia asked with squinted eyes.

"I'll take that as a compliment." Liam laughed amusedly. "Yeah, you could call it that. I have a military background — a long time ago. Some kind of trained agency asset. It's my day job."

Alessia sighed in exasperation. Crossing her arms over her chest. "No wonder. So, my guess was right? How did you end up dealing with that bad criminal organization you keep mentioning? Why do I have a feeling? That you actually know all of them well?"

"Long story. What is clear is that my idealism and theirs are different. They wanna destroy while I wanna save this world. As for the rumors circulating about me, it doesn't matter. I don't give a damn what people think of me. Most importantly, my ultimate mission of saving everyone is accomplished." Liam smiled broadly. He embraced Alessia and kissed the top of her head.

"You haven't told me the details yet. I have plenty of time to listen. There are many other hidden matters besides saving the world. You look and sound so vengeful towards them. I may be silent Liam, but I'm not blind. This VXG thing is time for you to explain it to me."

Liam smiled slightly, faintly. Suddenly his eyes dimmed without emotion. This was the first time Liam didn't say anything when Alessia debated him. Usually, Liam was good at arguing.

Liam let out a sharp breath. Raised his pistol again, smiling broadly to cheer himself up. "Look at this one more time, I'm showing you a fatal or critical shooting technique. It's called the Mozambique Drill shooting technique."

Alessia sighed inwardly. [You changed the subject again.]

Standing to the ready-to-fire position again, both of Liam's hands gripped the SIG grips perfectly. The gun was level with his eyes which were aiming through the rear sight. Firing two bullets at the left and right chest of the target board.

[Bang! Bang!]

Liam paused his shot, lowered the gun, turned to Alessia, "Mozambique drill is a triangle shot, it's the most vital and easily accessible close-range attack compared to other martial arts techniques. Two shots to the right and left chest. If your enemy is still moving — one last fatal shot to the head usually kills your enemy completely. That's for sure. No one has survived that shot unless a miracle intervenes."

"I see." Alessia nodded languidly and followed the flow of the situation.

"Then, you can practice shooting now." Liam stated, smiling sweetly, filling the empty gun Ally was holding with real mags.

"Wait a minute, Liam. I think. I'm not ready yet—"

"Don't worry. I will guide you." Liam gently grabbed Ally's fingers and put down the gun that weighed more than the previous empty position.

Alessia's hands were trembling, Liam had laughed simply which received a death glare from Ally. Liam just shrugged while saying, 'sorry, no offense.'

Liam embraced Ally's body from behind, slowly grasping Ally's fingers gently and carefully, helping Alessia to the ready position of aim and shoot. "Relax, sweetheart. Don't be so tense and stiff."

Alessia snorted in vexation. She scowled. "What do you expect? This is my first time!"

Liam guffawed fascinatingly. He straightened Ally's back, balancing the strength of her hands in the air. "Nice. Relaxing your arm muscles. Think of it like you're holding a toy gun. Don't think about anything. It's like this. The first shot does shake your arm a bit. The gun is raised to eye level, you can see from the sight on the slide line. Focusing on the target, you can read all the markings as your aiming direction and firing reference. Hold your breath—"

Subconsciously, Ally followed all of Liam's directions. She focused on the target board at the far end, aiming at the vital signs.

"Pull the trigger." Liam whispered in Ally's ear.

Her fingertips pressed the SIG's trigger as she closed her eyes.

[Bang!]

The gun erupted from the muzzle, the bullet whizzing toward the target. It pierced the point on the side of the left arm.

Alessia's hands shook backwards, losing her balance if Liam did not hug and hold both her arms firmly.

"Not bad, sweetheart. Look at your first result."

Ally's eyes opened wide; she giggled widely as her first bullet penetrated the left arm of the target board. There was a strange sensation, an unusual adrenaline rush racing through Ally's bloodstream.

Alessia didn't fathom, except that this firing exercise was quite fun.

"Do it again." Liam let go of the hug, letting Ally learn on her own. Crossing his legs, sitting on the chair.

Alessia held her breath, trying a second time. Unfortunately, her aim missed too wide to the right, the bullet whizzed and hit the bulletproof window glass. Ally sighed in frustration, her hands aching. She waved her hands together.

"Not a problem. Continue. Until you can hit the head of that target board." Liam took a sip from his canned drink. "Do it again, sweetheart."

"How long did you practice? Until you became an expert shooter?"

Liam thought, his eyes glancing up. "It only took me about six months."

"Liar." Ally scowled.

"Seriously, I joined the military right after that. Well, fighting a lot of real missions also hones your skills. You don't think about anything other than staying alive and not getting shot. When it comes to shooting, you just need to train yourself. Practice makes perfect, sweetheart. If you get killed on the battlefield, it could be hopeless. Many times, I lost fellow compatriots who were not as lucky as me. Being the sole survivor is not easy either. You must be prepared to receive various social sanctions. Especially if you are their commander. A soldier's life is a big responsibility and if something goes wrong, their commander is to blame. That's tough."

Ally frowned at Liam who was stunned in telling the story of half his life in the military. There was a heartbreaking atmosphere, Liam's voice that sounded impressive almost every time now turned shaky, nasal and hoarse.

There is raw sorrow in Liam Coltrane's tone.

"In the military the bodies you see are far from pleasant." Liam took another sip of his canned drink. "Almost every day you see mutilated victims, human organs scattered everywhere, and pools of blood. I’m getting sick about that."

"I can't imagine. I'm sorry, Liam. You hafta open those memories, experiences and bitter burdens again? I've heard a lot about early military retirements. You're lucky to be able to go through it."

"Don't think about it." Liam smiled widely. Grasping Ally's fingers tightly. His sharp eyes always admired Alessia more than anything else. "Remember I trained you so that you can protect, defend yourself and fight a minefield situation when I'm not by your side." Liam firmly emphasized his words. "Don't get your hands dirty like I did, sweetheart. Not ever, not ever. Once you dive into this dark path, the burden will be hard for you to accept. For me, revenge trumps guilt. As long as they get what they deserve. I'm no hero. I don't need to be called that, killing others is not justified. However, no one would do it if it wasn't me. Even if I close my eyes, letting them roam free for their heinous crimes, more victims will fall. The problem is, even the greatest laws cover all their actions."

Alessia’ s chest was choked as if hit with a sledgehammer. People in high positions of power and wealth were always exempt from the lawsuits they deserved. They commit criminal, arbitrary, cruel, heinous acts, taking the lives of innocent people but still being able to breathe free air. Life is never fair.

There was one extreme thought that filled Alessia's head, some kind of demonic whisper or something — justifying Liam's actions. If the law couldn't bring them to justice, what would be more appropriate? Death. Sending them to hell, the afterlife or the gallows.

"I guess you're right, Liam. Because I feel that injustice. Am I too insane to think that people like that deserve to be sent to the valley of death?"

"Not at all." Liam stated firmly. Smiling obliquely. "See? You are beginning to comprehend my idealism. Same thought. The reason we don't clash."

Thinking about how Castor Kent continues to laugh out loud over Kayla's suffering, bloodshed and death. Making Alessia swallow the flames of wrath. The last time she found out about Castor Kent — his name was still soaring despite the demands of a screaming girl, howling at the highest court of law for abusive rape, the case being closed unilaterally — citing weak evidence. To this day, Castor Kent still breathes free air, laughing at his desk behind his wealth and power. That made Alessia rage, as she was unable to do anything, even until Kayla ended up in a grave.

Alessia raised her gun again, imagining the target board was Castor Kent's stupid face. With temper peaking that boils the head. Ally positioned her hands, arms, and body tilt precisely. She pulled the trigger many times, shooting out his wrath and all her grudges until Sauer's GIS mags inside her hand grip ran out of ammo.

[Clack! Clack!]

Alessia's breath was rushing, her shoulders were stirred by tense, the roar that had been suppressed. Her heavenly face and jaw hardened.

Liam's eyes were perfectly sparkled. Between being amazed and aghast until he was jolted up and cheerful from his chair. Watching several bullets shoot off the target, but it is surprising at the end. The last bullet that Alessia fired – even on target – was a devastating headshot!

"What happened just now?! Woah, that's amazing, sweetheart. Great start. The crucial thing is, you already know the basics."

Alessia stared at Liam with her eyelids swam in tears.

Liam sculpted, watching Ally with tears in her eyes forcing something to crumble inside her. He was a bit shocked, suddenly didn't know and couldn't do anything. This was the first time Liam was helpless before a woman who was crying silently.

Ally's body slumped to the floor, she sobbed, hugging her knees. Considering Kayla Dawn's tragic fate, it is always draining her mind.

Liam hugged Alessia, rubbed her hair gently. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. Looks like I made a mistake in bringing you here, huh? I'm so sorry. If you don't want it anymore. That's okay. I'm your protector, you know? I promise you'll be safe by my side."

Alessia shook her head. Wiping away her tears with her back hand. "It's not your fault, Liam. It's not because of that—"

Ally's heart was pinched by her longing for Kayla.

Liam cupped Ally's face, his fingers wiping away the tears that were dripping heavily, even he doesn't know what makes Alessia sobbed miserable like this. Liam spoked in a broken voice as if cracked like a glass. "Don't cry. Please, when you cry like this. I became helpless, not knowing what to do—"

***