Tactile Detent

I emerged from the hollow cinder block at first light, scanning the perimeter of the gravel mound. Half-sunken in damp loam near an exposed root lay the metal core of a discarded retractable ballpoint pen. The outer casing had weathered away, exposing a clean helical spring and a miniature brass stepped cam. Holstering my rifle across my chest harness, I lowered my center into the weeds. I used my slate shard to clear fine silt trapped inside the ratchet grooves. Bracing both gloved thumbs against the plunger, I applied measured downward force. The teeth engaged with a crisp, tactile click, locking the compression cleanly. Reliable miniature detent assembly secured.