Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 986

Mira quickly ducked her head and practically inhaled her food. Everything ran on a militant schedule. If she wasted too much time eating, she wouldn't even have a second to breathe before the afternoon drills began.

By the time the afternoon session concluded, she had achieved a flawless strike rate from one hundred and twenty feet.

"Excellent. After dinner, we bump it up to one hundred and fifty feet."

"When do you think I should head back?" Mira asked as they walked toward the mess hall.

(merged)

"You have exceptional talent, but your training window is incredibly short. Logically, you should stay and solidify your foundations.

But we're mobilizing the day after tomorrow, and you've got logistics to handle on your end.

We'll do another half-day tomorrow. You can head out after lunch." York sounded genuinely regretful.

(merged)

"You're cleared to take your sidearm and live rounds with you. I'll get you some training rounds as well. Make sure you keep practicing if you find the time.

But remember—no matter what happens domestically, you cannot use this weapon.

If you do, we'll all be facing severe consequences."

"Understood," Mira replied respectfully.

(merged)

Aside from their brief encounter during the Leadership & Discipline Orientation, York had only coached her for a single day, but his dedication was undeniable. He genuinely wanted her to succeed.

Because of that, she would always hold him in high regard.

During the late afternoon, they jumped straight to the one-hundred-and-fifty-foot mark—the absolute maximum effective range for standard handgun training.

Before long, Mira was nailing the bullseye nine times out of ten.

"York. Miss Mercer. We need a word," a voice interrupted from behind.

(merged)

Mira turned to see an officer of unrecognizable rank approaching, with Felicia Foster marching smugly at his side.

Quincy's tone was light, but the subtle hostility in his eyes was unmistakable.

York opened his mouth to argue, but Mira cleanly cut him off. "It's fine, York. You go handle your business. I was just about to head out anyway. I'll call Ellis to come pick me up."

Military orders were absolute, and she wasn't about to put York in the crosshairs of his own superior over something so petty.

"Are you sure?" York frowned.

"Really, it's nothing. Ellis and Owen can run drills with me. Plus, Silas Lawson runs a security firm with a private shooting range. I won't lose any momentum."

Without missing a beat, Mira pulled out her phone and started dialing.

"Does our civilian guest have a problem with my arrangements?" Colonel Quincy demanded, radiating the authoritative pressure of a high-ranking officer.

(merged)

He assumed her immediate departure was a calculated insult to his authority.

"You're overthinking it, sir," Mira replied coolly. "I'm not part of your chain of command. My preferences are entirely irrelevant to your operations.