Chapter 1 - The Number Beneath Her Score

The final steel target rang through the desert canyon.

Sergeant Avery Cole kept her cheek pressed against the rifle stock, controlling her breath as the echo faded across Fort Blackridge.

One thousand yards.

Direct hit.

Before the evaluator could record it, Colonel Victor Raines stepped across the firing line and ripped Avery’s scorecard in half above her rifle.

The paper snapped in the hot wind.

“Disqualified.”

Avery’s gloved hand tightened around the stock.

She slowly lifted her face and looked up at him.

“Record the hit.”

Raines let one torn piece fall beside her spotting scope.

Then he struck the rifle barrel with the back of his hand.

The weapon slipped from the sandbag.

Avery caught it before it touched the dirt and immediately locked the bolt open according to range regulations.

Corporal Miles Reeves surged forward.

“Her shot was clean.”

Raines shoved him back with one hand.

Then he reached for Avery’s worn leather notebook.