Xenomorphic

Chapter 28:Huntresses Part 3

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September 1, 2006

Bird Hunting with Jess

Asteria cocked a brow at what she was seeing. "You people actually use guns?"

"Yep," Cathy said, pumping her shotgun. "Not like we couldn't use our bows to shoot the little buggers down, but...it's a pain digging the arrows out of a yay-big corpse."

Right now, it was five in the morning. A fire burned brightly, giving the Hunt plenty of light as they geared up for the day's activities. Right now, every girl was decked out in ankle-support work boots, and pants and shirts colored tan, brown, and golden, with splashes of extra color, and camouflage prints designed to match a field of Texas dirt and brush. A variety of shotguns were laid out on the logs, butts in the dirt, barrels angled for the fire.

There were Remingtons, Winchesters, Brownings, Benellis, and Berettas. There were pump-action and semi-auto, there side-by-side barrel and over-under barrel. There were camo-printed, solid black, and those with wooden stocks and fore-stocks. In all honesty, it was a liberal's nightmare.

On top of camo-print clothing, each girl also had their own belt. Clip-on buckle in the front, sturdy material made the belt itself, and attached to each belt were three pouches, one big one in the back, and two slightly smaller ones on the side, each one colored camo...shocking. The back pouch served as the place in which the downed birds would be stored until the hunt was over, while the two side pockets were used for storing as many shells as possible.

Asteria wasn't wearing any clothes, as per usual, but she had donned one of the belts, loaded herself down with shells, and had a shotgun propped on her shoulder. Pure black, Benelli Cordoba, 12 Gauge, semi-auto, and a magazine capable of holding four shells. Every girl looked similar, and ready for war. Even Lucy and Victoria, the ancient daughter of Hecate and the otaku, were dressed for bird-killing.

Well, Asteria kept saying every girl. Amelia didn't have a shotgun, because she would not be actively shooting. She had the mentality of a five-year-old for gods' sake, and did not need to be holding a lethal firearm. Instead, the toddler would be helping Roberta by retrieving birds. The girl did have a belt on though, so she could have her own set of dove for the hunt.

"Girls," Artemis said. All actions ceased as the immortal teens and pre-teens gave their undivided attention to their Lady. "Today is the opening day of Dove Season. It is a practice we have engaged in since its founding, and it is a practice we will continue to take part in until the end of time or we all die."

There were a few chuckles.

Due to the light of the fire, Artemis' eyes glowed brightly, and they shined with true mirth and excitement. "Now, the same rules and warnings apply just as they did years ago. Always have the safety on when not using your gun. Always have the barrel pointed up and away from other people when not using your gun. Never point your gun at another person, be they man or woman."

Artemis leveled a steely gaze at the more anti-male members of the Hunt. Cathy just snickered behind her hand. Joanna whacked her upside the head.

"We do not own the land," the Moon Goddess continued, "and it would be against my domain to restrict hunting to just us, so be prepared to share the fields with other hunters. We've all been here before, so we know what to expect. Rednecks, fathers with their sons or their daughters, brothers, sisters, families and friends. Regardless, of sex, I expect all of you treat your fellow huntsmen and women with respect...until someone get dumb. Then you may defend yourself accordingly. However, do not go out of your way to start something, because I will be the one to finish it. Am I clear, girls?"