The woman set down her mop. She walked to the armory window and pointed at the rifle without touching it.
"The barrel requires cleaning every two hundred to three hundred rounds, more frequently in desert environments because of sand infiltration. The bolt carrier group should be cleaned and lubricated at least every five hundred rounds. The gas tube requires inspection, but not cleaning unless a malfunction occurs. The buffer spring should be replaced every five thousand rounds or when there is a failure to return to battery. Magazine springs are the most common point of failure and should be rotated regularly."
Park's expression shifted from smugness to uncertainty. That was almost word for word from the armorer's manual.
"Anyone can memorize words," he said, though his voice had lost its edge.
She turned to face him directly for the first time. "Would you like a practical demonstration?"
Hendricks waved toward the armory sergeant. "Bring that M4 out here. Let's see what the help knows about weapon handling."
The armory sergeant retrieved the M4, cleared it with practiced efficiency, locked the bolt to the rear, and placed it on the counter.
The woman approached the rifle. Her hands moved before anyone could fully process what they were seeing.
The weapon came apart in a blur of controlled motion. The upper receiver separated from the lower. The bolt carrier group came out, followed by the firing pin, bolt, charging handle, and buffer spring. Every component was laid out in perfect sequence.
Time: 11.7 seconds.
Walsh knew the exact time because he had checked his watch without realizing it. The SEAL qualification standard was fifteen seconds. The special operations standard was thirteen. Only Tier One operators consistently broke twelve.