Part 2
They reached the site by climbing a long twisting trail.
"Are you sure we need to be going up a trail like this?" Kylie asked, eyeing the drop off next to the truck dubiously.
"This is quite stable," Burt assured her. He didn't point out that he'd spent the better part of the past week checking the stability of the rock formations in the Valley.
They passed through thick gray brush until reaching an area protected from the wind by high cliffs on two sides and the brush they'd passed through on the others. It was a site typically Burt--high and hidden from view by any chance passersby. Not that the Valley had many of those, but Burt could never be too careful. The brush and cliffs hid a clearing, with a series of targets set up near the end by the cliffs. Two folding tables were set up on the opposite side, and Burt pulled up near those.
"Nice place," Kylie said, looking around.
"Perfect for shooting," Burt told her. "A rock shelf covered in loose dirt and sand. Stray bullets get absorbed and minimize the threat of a ricochet."
He got out and went to the back of his truck, removing two large, military-style, green bags from the back. He set those on the table and started pulling weapons out. There was a full range of guns, from handguns to rifles, including the big one Twitchell called "Burt's cannon." Tyler called it "Betsy."
"Ooh," Kylie said, reaching out for Betsy. "Can I shoot this one?"
Burt clamped a hand around her wrist before she touched the weapon. "You'll get to touch a weapon after you've learned how to handle it."
"But can I shoot that one?"
"Negative," he said, releasing her arm when he was sure she would leave the Barrett alone. "It's here for illustration purposes only." He picked up another one, much smaller. "You'll be firing this one."
Kylie pouted. "Why can't I shoot the big one?"
"Because it's almost as big as you are. Besides, it would put you on your... behind" he replied shortly.
"Oh, all right," she muttered, and started to reach for the one Burt held.
He pulled it out of her reach and set it back on the table. "After you learn some basic safety procedures."
"This is getting less fun by the minute, Burt." She frowned.
After the past month in her company, Burt new her well enough to catch the twinkle in her eyes. "What happened to 'grasshopper'?" he asked.
Kylie promptly dropped to her knees on the ground, in proper 'grasshopper' posture and fell back on the line Burt liked best. "Impart to me your wisdom, O Great One."
Burt nodded approval and went into what Kylie had come to identify as his "lecture mode." This was as opposed to his "rant mode," which was a lot more fun to watch. Though, with the proper attitude, "lecture mode" could also be fun.
"First," he said, "we'll cover safety. Then the different types of firearms, ammunition, and maintenance. If you can get through all that, we'll cover shooting a rifle, and maybe a handgun." He waited for the inevitable comment, but for once, she remained silent, settling for nodding eagerly. "There are a number of essential gun safety rules that you will need to learn." He paced in front of her while he recited his list. "The first rule of gun safety is: A gun should always be pointed in a safe direction. Point it so that if it goes off it will not damage property or personnel." He looked down at her. "That means point it away from me."
She nodded earnestly.
"Rule number two: Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot." He pulled the gun from his holster and pointed it upward, demonstrating. "Rest your finger here, on the trigger guard, or on the side of the gun." He reholstered his weapon and glared at her until she nodded again.
"Rule number three: Assume every weapon is loaded and treat it with the respect it deserves."
He took three paces and turned.
She nodded enthusiastically before he could glower at her again.
"Rule number four: If your weapon leaves your sight, assume it's been tampered with." He stopped long enough to scrutinize her fiercely again. "That means, you should immediately engage the safety, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before looking into the chamber, which should be clear of ammunition."
He stopped when she started squirming and finally raised her hand. "What is it?" he snapped.
"What's a safety? And a magazine? And... chamber?"
He put his head in his hands. "We'll get to those. Trust me, you will not touch a gun until I'm sure you won't shoot me with it."
She went back to nodding.
He went back to pacing.
"Rule number five: Know your target and what is beyond. Rule number six: Maintain your weapon at all times. This includes regular inspection and cleaning." He spun on her. "Do you think you can remember those?"
She nodded.
"What is rule number three?"
She frowned. "You didn't say there was going to be a test!"
He rolled his eyes. "If you can't even remember--"
"Assume every weapon is loaded and treat it with the respect it deserves," she recited quickly.
"What about six?"
"Maintain your weapon at all times." Before he could question her further, she rattled off the list for him, counting on her fingers. "Know your target and what's beyond, if you don't see it, it's been messed with, every weapon is loaded, fingers off the trigger until you're shooting, point in a safe direction, and, most important, Don't Shoot Burt." She batted her eyelashes at him innocently. "Grew up in convent schools, Burt. Nuns smack you if you don't get it the first time."
"I should try that," he muttered.
She pretended not to hear him.
"All right." He rocked back and forth on his heels and regarded her austerely. "Let's see if you can learn the rest as easily."
He stood, feet apart and hands clasped behind him, indicating to Kylie he was getting seriously into Lecture Mode. She settled in to listen. This would probably take some time.
"A 'gun'," he began, "is simply a weapon that uses the force of an explosive propellant to project a missile. Almost every gun is based on the simple concept that if you apply explosive pressure behind a projectile it will launch it down a barrel. The earliest, and simplest, application of this idea is the cannon."
"Do I get to shoot one of those?" Kylie asked.
"No." He started pacing again. "A cannon is essentially a metal tube with an open end and a closed end..."
She'd been right. Burt had spent the last two hours on the history of firearms, with a smattering of safety, military procedures, physics, and several far too detailed descriptions of bullet wounds. She just wanted to shoot a gun, not build one. Now he was just getting launched into the various styles and trends in fashionable weaponry.
Kylie slumped. "Why do I need to know about all these, Burt? I'm only getting one gun."
He looked at her. "Which one are you getting?"
"I don't know," she almost whined. "You're supposed to pick it out."
"I cannot pick out your gun," he said. "What is the purpose of the gun? Do you want to only use it on the monsters around here? Do you want to start target shooting? Are you planning on doing any hunting with it? Do you know what caliber ammunition you want to use? Do you prefer single or double action? Which kind of grip feels best in your hand? It is very important to have the correct fit. My hands are much larger than yours--you wouldn't be able to get your tiny hands around a gun that feels perfect to me. How do you plan to carry the gun when you get it? Do you want to lock it up in a box at home? Carry it with you? What kind of holster were you thinking of? Where--"
She held up a hand. "Okay, okay, okay! I get it." She rubbed her temple. "But you're making my head spin. How am I supposed to figure out all that in one day?"
"You're supposed to pay attention."
"I'm paying attention," she complained, affronted.
"No, you're finding excuses to argue with me."
"That's not fair, Burt," she said. "I don't have to find excuses to argue with you."
Burt's eyes narrowed at her, but her angelic countenance convinced him he'd misinterpreted the meaning of her tone.
"Guns are also often classified by the diameter of the barrel opening," he said, resuming the lesson. "This is known as the 'caliber' of the gun. Anything with a caliber up to and including .60 caliber--that's 0.6 inches--is known as a firearm."
"And what are they known as after that?" Kylie wanted to know.
"Cannons. And before you ask again, I don't have one of those. Haven't replaced it yet."
Kylie grinned and closed her mouth.
"It is important that you use ammunition of the proper caliber or gauge for the gun you're using. To be sure of that, you'll need to learn the different types of ammunition." He held up a bullet cartridge. "The 9mm is the minimum caliber for self-defense. The .22, .25, and .32 caliber simply cannot serve as a self-defense round here in the valley."
"So what are they for?" Kylie asked.
Burt paused. "Targets."
"Do you have anything that shoots those?"
He shook his head.
"So I should get the 9mm?"
He shook his head again. "For here in the Valley, you'll need stronger ammunition: .357 or .45. They'll have more recoil and will probably be harder for you to shoot, but you'll learn."
Kylie clapped her hands. "I get the big guns!"