https://i-am-harkonnen.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] i-am-harkonnen.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] hh_mirror2009-10-24 05:05 pm

Muggle Studies

((Jasper's inclusion with permission and additions of his player. If you require Vlad's attention, please say something to this extent in the comment subject line so I don't somehow miss it, thanks!))

The Baron Vladimir Harkonnen wanted his first class to be practical and entertaining, so he had chosen "An Introduction to Muggle Weaponry" as the topic. In order to make the class interesting, he'd decided it would be a hands-on experience, and had negotiated with Basher Tarr to obtain an assortment of Muggle weapons, mainly a quantity of AK-47 assault rifles, along with plenty of ammunition. These had been marked with stenciled letters declaring them "Property of the Muggle Studies Department", and were now stacked up neatly on a table at the front of the room, near some crates bearing the same lettering, and a rocket launcher. A section of the room had been magically expanded, and turned into an indoor firing range, complete with human-shaped targets, and the usual classroom area was equipped with rows of neatly-lined desks.

The Baron remained in a large, comfortable chair at the front of the classroom, his assistant Jasper beside him, and chatted quietly with him about a few details of the lesson plan as he waited for the last students to arrive and seat themselves at the desks. When it seemed that no more were going to appear, he floated up and shut the door with a flick of his wand. The deep, melodic basso of his voice carried easily over the chatter.

"Welcome to Muggle Studies. The subject we'll be covering today is potentially dangerous, so pay attention!"This declaration was accompanied by one of his disarmingly cherubic smiles. "The first thing that you need to know about Muggles is that even though they often are extremely silly, they are still capable of wreaking havoc and destruction. It's one of their favorite activities, but somehow, they still haven't managed to obliterate themselves. As there are a great deal more of them than there are of us, even though their methods are often crude, in a war of attrition, the wizarding world might have a problem. So, today I am going to familiarize you with some of the most commonly used weapons in current ground warfare."

He gestured at Jasper, who brought him an AK-47, which he held up and explained, "This is one of the most common Muggle weapons, the assault rifle. This model is the AK-47, a basic piece of artillery used by infantry. It was developed in the admirable nation of Russia, from which my own House claims ancient roots, and came into predominance shortly after the conflict known as World War II. It's operation is simple, and its main feature is that of selective firing modes- it can be operated either as semi- or fully automatic. In fully automatic mode, its range is shorter and less accurate, but as it is generally used in close confrontations, it is effective enough. The semi-automatic mode is more effective at a distance. This is not a very advanced weapon, but, it's still killed millions of Muggles." The Baron demonstrated loading a cartridge into the weapon, flicked off the safety, cocked the mechanism, and turned to fire a round through one of the lined-up targets, with perfect aim. He then flipped it to the fully automatic mode, and opened fire again at the same target- the spray of bullets was less accurate, but still shredded the target's torso region. "Magic or no, you don't want to find yourself surrounded by a horde of Muggles with these." He passed the AK-47 back to Jasper, and indicated the nearby boxes, and Jasper brought him a specimen of their contents after replacing the rifle.

"This is an M67 fragmentation grenade." He held up the grenade for the class to see. "This is a common anti-personnel weapon. It's a basic explosive, based upon filling the enemy with lethal bits of shrapnel. It's not a pleasant way to go. These are commonly used in ground combat, as, they are inexpensive to produce and easy to transport. Their effective radius is a mere 15 yards, and its lethal radius even less- but enough of these tossed into oncoming troops can be painful." With a smile, he removed the safety clip, pulled the pin, and tossed the grenade into a corner of the magically expanded area, where it exploded. The magically enlarged area was intentionally big enough that he could do this without maiming the students, although the nearby targets were mangled. "If those were people, they would not be feeling well now. The Muggles have several varieties of grenades, including concussion grenades that work best in enclosed areas, and incendiary grenades, designed to damage structures."

He drifted over to the rocket launcher, which he laid a hand on as he spoke. "And this little beauty is the M47 dragon, a shoulder-mounted rocket launcher. This model is slightly out of date, but effective. This weapon is primarily used against armored vehicles such as the tank, which unfortunately I have not been able to obtain yet. I'd demonstrate it, but, I'd prefer the walls to stay in one piece. However, if you attend the second portion of my class, you may have a chance to try it for yourself, along with the various sorts of grenades."

"Now, each of you will take one of these AK-47s, a cartridge of ammunition, and pair up with a partner. If you have experience with such weaponry, please find a less experienced student to assist. You will load the weapon, and you will attempt to hit one of these targets, while standing behind this line." He indicated a white line stretching in front of the targets. "You will try both modes, and learn the different feel of each one. And, you will not shoot each other with them. At this time." He grinned slightly, as he added, "Part two of the class is optional and will be held at a later date, but I encourage all of you to attend. We will be having a little Muggle-style war game on the grounds, and, you will be welcome to try and shoot each other then." A faint shimmer went up around the Baron as he flicked on his personal shield and settled back into his chair, watching for any that might need assistance. Jasper moved to join the students, ready to offer help as well or remove any troublemakers as needed. He didn't bother with any sort of shield, since getting shot didn't concern him.

[identity profile] needsanewliver.livejournal.com 2009-10-25 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
((Papa wolf!Ofdensen = ♥))

Nathan was probably one of the last to show up, and unthinkingly went to sit by Ofdensen rather than his two bandmates as he usually would, both of who looked like death warmed over. He was rather better off than the Scandinavians, but likewise wound up falling asleep during the lecture. Despite guns and war and destruction all being very metal subjects, the whole blah blah blah droning lecture part was simply too boring for Nathan. He already knew how to blow shit up.

From across the room Jasper was subtly checking out sizing Ofdensen up, before giving the sleeping Nathan and Skwisgaar mildly disapproving looks. But after a moment he simply smiled, apparently not feeling the need to intervene; he was becoming a fanboy of Dethklok, and was well aware of Vladimir's fondness for Skwisgaar especially (something which Jasper shared, in a nonsexual way, despite having tried to eat him in the showers). And so the musicians were afforded special treatment. Jasper assumed Ofdensen must be their producer or manager, and would probably try to speak with him later, as he was very curious about the band.

[identity profile] charlesofdensen.livejournal.com 2009-10-25 02:29 am (UTC)(link)
Ofdensen missed all the looks and glares, he was busy paying attention and taking notes. He did notice all the sleeping musicians though. That was nothing new. And better than when they decide to go off on some half-cocked scheme, despite his advice to the contrary.

When Harkonnen released everyone to target practice, Ofdensen first went to get his gun and ammo. Setting them down on his desk, he then lightly tapped Nathan on the shoulder.

[identity profile] needsanewliver.livejournal.com 2009-10-25 03:28 am (UTC)(link)
Nathan drowsily batted away whatever was tapping him before refolding his arms, mumbling something about it being his day off. This was probably just a taste of what was to come when and if they decided to, you know, literally sleep with each other. Nathan liked his catnaps.

[identity profile] charlesofdensen.livejournal.com 2009-10-25 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
Ofdensen gave a huff of amusement, then shook Nathan's shoulder a little harder, leaning in to say in Nathan's ear, "Wake up Nathan. Time to shoot some guns."

[identity profile] needsanewliver.livejournal.com 2009-10-25 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
That got his attention. He opened his eyes as he sat up straighter, lazily stretching as much as the uncomfortable desk allowed. "Huh. Who knew guns could ever be that boring?"

Harkonnen's teaching ability of course wasn't lacking, Nathan's attention span was. He got up and went to get his own gun and ammo, clearly excited about the prospect of shooting shit.

[identity profile] charlesofdensen.livejournal.com 2009-10-25 04:02 am (UTC)(link)
By this point Ofdensen was examining the gun, familiarizing himself with it, before going toward the targets. "Sounds simple enough." It had been a while since he's touched an AK-47 besides inventory reasons, he needed a minute to load the gun.

[identity profile] needsanewliver.livejournal.com 2009-10-25 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
Nathan followed, loading his gun as he did. "My dad used to take me out to shooting ranges. He was kinda a jackass about it," he said, trying to figure out the safety lever. His father was a jackass about pretty much everything, in truth. "But it was fun, getting to shoot shit."

[identity profile] charlesofdensen.livejournal.com 2009-10-25 05:23 am (UTC)(link)
"That's unsurprising." Only because that bastard Ibsen circumvented his clearance did Dethklok ever see their families: until then Ofdensen did not ask about them nor did any of Dethklok say anything about seeing them.

Once Ofdensen met them, he understood why.

"Well, at least this time you have a choice." Ofdensen pointed his gun at the target and fired.

[identity profile] needsanewliver.livejournal.com 2009-10-25 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
Nathan was still messing around with his rifle, but paused long enough to watch Ofdensen shoot. Frowning, he went back to his gun, thinking along the same lines as Ofdensen. "You know... I think Skwisgaar's mom fucked my dad," he said at length, and finally worked out the safety. He quickly took aim at a target and fired to camouflage his shudder. "Practically makes us brothers." He didn't mind that thought so much, just the fact their parents had likely fucked. And the adultery. His poor mom.

"You ever used one of these before?"

[identity profile] charlesofdensen.livejournal.com 2009-10-25 05:53 am (UTC)(link)
Ofdensen didn't bother hiding his shudder: not only did the concept of Skwisgaar and Nathan being related creep him out, but the imagery.

"A few times. Some of the Klokateers arm themselves with these and I learned in case I needed to use one." Only if he had no choice though. He'd prefer using his hands or a blade. Preferably while still in his opponent's hand.

[identity profile] needsanewliver.livejournal.com 2009-10-25 06:11 am (UTC)(link)
Wouldn't be as bad as Toki and Skwisgaar being related.

Nathan had used one a few times too, after discovering one of the weapons storerooms in Mordhaus, but he wasn't going to admit it in case Ofdensen decided to yell at him about it.

"You seem pretty good with it." Which was probably an understatement. He switched modes and fired the rifle again, snickering at where he hit the targets. "Heh. Neutered them."

[identity profile] charlesofdensen.livejournal.com 2009-10-25 06:24 am (UTC)(link)
Oh thanks.

Ofdensen shrugged. "It's efficient." Ofdensen, however, shot to kill, and changed his aim to the target's head.

In Metalocalypse-verse, the target would then have no head.

He did not add not brutal enough to his sentence, though he was tempted to, because that would raise some questions Ofdensen was not ready to answer.

"I'd prefer a pistol, though. Personal preference."

[identity profile] needsanewliver.livejournal.com 2009-10-25 07:03 am (UTC)(link)
Nothing like a little band incest.

"Yeah? Why a pistol? Guess I'd probably prefer broken bottles and chains or something," he said, giving it some thought. "I mean if we're talking about wanting to beat the shit out of someone. Any jackoff can pull a trigger. More fun doing it with your own hands, I think." Though his experiences were rather different from Ofdensen's—drunken brawls, mostly.

[identity profile] charlesofdensen.livejournal.com 2009-10-25 07:09 am (UTC)(link)
"That is very true. If possible, I'd rather just use my hands. They're convenient too." Ofdensen shifted to his non-dominant hand to see if there was a difference.

His accuracy suffered a bit; instead of the chest, where he had planned to hit, he got the torso instead.

"Hm."

[identity profile] needsanewliver.livejournal.com 2009-10-25 07:24 am (UTC)(link)
Nathan was futilely trying to give the targets faces with bullet holes. Inbetween shots, he leant a little closer to Ofdensen. "I'd rather you use your hands, too," he said in an undertone, then smirked to himself and went back to shooting.

[identity profile] charlesofdensen.livejournal.com 2009-10-25 03:57 pm (UTC)(link)
The only sign Ofdensen gave in reaction to that comment was shooting his target in the foot.

He had been aiming in the head.

Ofdensen coughed and shifted back to the dominant hand, though he couldn't quite hide his smirk. "I prefer when you use your hands as well, Nathan," he said, also in undertone.

[identity profile] needsanewliver.livejournal.com 2009-10-26 05:20 am (UTC)(link)
Nathan raised an eyebrow at what he assumed must have been a missed shot by Ofdensen's standards, but didn't comment on it, his self-satisfied look saying enough. Hey, it was pretty cool being able to have that effect on someone.

Someone who wasn't a groupie, anyway. Someone he actually liked.

"I wish you'd gotten high with me sooner," he said with a smile. "Like... before the Becca nightmare, at least." Mental shudder. Why were hot women always so... like that?

[identity profile] charlesofdensen.livejournal.com 2009-10-26 05:29 am (UTC)(link)
To make up for that faulty shot, he riddled the head and neck with bullets.

"I never liked her anyway," he said, not fearing repercussions like he used to. "She screeched." That was the least of her crimes, but it was a start.

[identity profile] needsanewliver.livejournal.com 2009-10-26 06:04 am (UTC)(link)
"Huh. Yeah. I really didn't like her either," Nathan admitted, almost sheepishly, watching Ofdensen rather than the targets. "Why didn't you say anything at the time?" Not that Nathan would have listened to him. It had taken a band intervention complete with a concussion and tasering for him to even consider trying to break up with her.

[identity profile] charlesofdensen.livejournal.com 2009-10-26 06:15 am (UTC)(link)
Ofdensen sighed. "Two reasons. One, you didn't indicate in any way until right before she fell down those flights of stairs that you were unhappy in your relationship. And two..." Ofdensen kept his eyes forward; he did not like admitting this part. "It made good publicity."

[identity profile] needsanewliver.livejournal.com 2009-10-26 06:57 am (UTC)(link)
Which meant he missed Nathan rolling his eyes. "The publicity was the only good part. But she did become the perfect girlfriend when she was in a coma." He turned back to the targets and resumed trying to give them faces, still failing at it. After a few moments, he asked, "Do you ever... uh... date? People? I mean, the band seems to keep you pretty busy."

And that brought up an even more important question, one which he wasn't sure he should ask.

[identity profile] charlesofdensen.livejournal.com 2009-10-26 07:04 am (UTC)(link)
"Of course she did. She was silent."

Another shot at the heart.

Ofdensen lowered his gun and shook his head. "No. I was too busy to seriously date, and there was no one I really trusted enough to get close to once I started to work for you."

[identity profile] needsanewliver.livejournal.com 2009-10-26 07:24 am (UTC)(link)
"Heh. And couldn't make me move her parents' fucking furniture anymore." In hindsight, he didn't even know why he'd dated Becca as long as he had. "Yeah... that makes sense. Um. Must suck for you, though." He actually did sound slightly sympathetic for once. Trying to be subtle with his hinting (as he apparently hadn't realised yet that Ofdensen can see right through him most the time), he asked, "What about now, at Hogwarts?"

[identity profile] charlesofdensen.livejournal.com 2009-10-26 07:28 am (UTC)(link)
"I have my eye on someone. Tall, dark-haired, green eyes, excellent voice..." Ofdensen drifted off, smiling slightly, then frowning. "I don't have much of a target left to shoot."

[identity profile] needsanewliver.livejournal.com 2009-10-26 08:03 am (UTC)(link)
Coming from anyone else, that would have warranted more eye rolling. From Ofdensen, Nathan just looked inordinately pleased—and maybe a bit embarrassed. "Sounds like a real slut to me," he said with a grin, and motioned further down the row with his rifle. "More targets down there, if you wanna keep shooting."