Night Rig Guard

Night settled across the siding. The timber interior cooled rapidly. Footing on the fir deck verified: dry, stable. Step one: dismount primary field gear. I released the dual chest harness buckles with both gauntlets, easing the twin canisters onto the burlap cushion. The steel cylinders settled with zero rebound. I took the burner unit and rested its heavy vented barrel across two notched pine wedges to keep the nozzle elevated off the floorboards. Draft from the door seam remained steady at two inches. I pulled my heavy field coat tight across my chest plates and sat back against the corner uprights. Rig immobilized. Night watch initiated.