* * * * *
"Go ahead and take the modifications." Eldon's spirit soared as he recognized Gavin's gratitude as his friend accepted the components that would enhance the power of the laser gun holstered on Gavin's hip. "You're a member of the colony's water watch now, and those modifications are going to help all of us make sure nothing happens to the baskets."
Gavin's hands worked quickly and precisely upon accepting the modifications. Pieces clicked and clacked together. Gavin twisted the long barrel until it snapped into position. Sliding an extension onto the grip extended the weapon's battery life. The magnification sight fit smoothly into position. When completed, the modifications transformed Gavin's pistol into a rifle. His weapon's lethal reach was more than doubled, enhancing Gavin's ability to defend the water gathered within Sutherland's stone basins.
Eldon nodded his approval as Gavin tucked the rifle into his shoulder and squinted into the magnification sight. "There you have it, Gavin. Not so hard to put together."
Gavin grinned. "A settler doesn't need any directions. All the pieces click so easily together."
"The United Systems sure knows how to make a weapon," Eldon agreed. "Those pieces are usually reserved for Systems soldiers. They sure enhance our guns, and they show how important the Systems is taking the security of the water fields."
"This rifle and my enhancement lenses aren't going to miss anything when I'm at post, Eldon."
"We're all confident you'll do great."
Eldon escorted Gavin up the steep trail that climbed the rocky valley. Gavin had rarely felt as proud as he did as he thought of himself as a member of the community's watch the settlers organized to monitor the fields, to resist any harpie who might attempt to claim any of the water gathered in the stone basins. Gavin wished his father would drop enough of his suspicion to share in his son's pride, but Gavin realized his father's distrust of any government, army or posse forbid him from doing so. Relieved of his guard duty by Eldon and Gavin's arrival, Ralph grunted as his stiff legs lifted him from his vantage point overlooking the water baskets in the below field. Gavin noticed that Ralph's laser rifle held several additional modifications than those installed upon his weapon, and Gavin wondered where Ralph had found such enhancements that no doubt further sharpened his weapon's touch.
"Have you spotted any harpies lurking about the basins?"
Ralph shook his head at Eldon's question. "Not yet. But it's early. Whatever harpies are hiding in these rocks won't come down into the field until nightfall. The dark won't do the harpies any good, though. The enhancement lenses on our eyes will spot them the moment they step onto the fields."
Ralph slapped Gavin's shoulder and departed with Eldon to leave the younger Mr. Beeman to his sentry. Gavin removed a simple carpet from his pack and unrolled it upon the ground, where it provided a small comfort to Gavin as he stretched his legs and belly upon that rocky surface. The rifle felt good in his hands, balanced and substantial. Gavin had no reason to doubt that the rifle might not truly fire. He had no reason to believe any of the modifications he had clicked into place would not function. Darkness soon fell upon Sutherland. The world turned silent. Gavin couldn't judge if Sutherland was an ancient or a new planet, but his vision of the present offered through that magnification sight remained clear and sharp. His vision never felt so powerful and piercing, as the enhancement lenses fitted upon his eyes worked in tandem with the rifle's sight. Nightfall could offer the harpies no cover. There could be no camouflage that Gavin's modified sight could not penetrate.
Gavin spotted the harpie's glow the moment the monster revealed itself from behind a large rock resting on the field's outskirts. The enhancement lenses upon Gavin's eyes instantly chased any concealing shadows away. Gavin's rifle sight instantly amplified the harpie's featureless face, and Gavin's adrenaline surged as he tracked that harpie floating towards the rows of water baskets so neatly assembled in the field. Gavin held his breath as he watched the harpie shimmer. He wouldn't deny that the harpie was an incredible creature. He wouldn't argue that the harpie wasn't spectacular. He wouldn't claim that his language possessed the words required to describe a creature so alien and unlike himself, something that was so beautiful in such a strange way.
Perhaps such sentiments were responsible for giving pause to Gavin's finger as it hovered above his rifle's trigger. Gavin kept that harpie centered in his sights and wished that creature had not come down from the surrounding hills of rocks to threaten the water baskets. Gavin hoped the harpie would simply turn around and return to the rocks without taking from the basins. Gavin didn't need to inform anyone that a harpie had appeared from the hillside if only that creature would refrain from the water.
Gavin sighed as he watched the creature crouch before a basin. The sorrow he felt surprised him.
Gavin set the rifle's sight upon the harpie's chest. He held his breath, still hoping the harpie would refrain from taking that water. But the harpie couldn't resist the urge, dipping its hands into the water. The reflection of its featureless face shimmered in the basin's water.
Gavin pressed the trigger. A silent flash of light burned out of the rifle's barrel, momentarily blinding Gavin's vision before the enhancement lenses upon his eyes adjusted to the light. The harpie shuddered. Its long, thin limbs crumbled as the harpie slumped onto the rocky ground. Gavin jumped from his position and hurried down the rocky path to reach the below field of water baskets. He had done his duty. Gavin realized that no one had hit a harpie before, and he prayed the consequences of his rifle would prove Gavin's cause to be just.
Harpies of Planet Sutherland Page 9