The lathe ground metal, bits flew up on Hawley’s apron, fogging his glasses until he had to stop, unwind the vise and inspect the metal. He held the heavy metal tube up to the light, inspecting the nine millimeter hole. The metal was heavier than what they called for, but the weight would reduce the kick, making it easier to keep it on target and absorb the heat of fifty rounds. Heat was his enemy, burning his hands and causing the weapon to jam, leaving him defenseless. Heat ruined most everything, led to mistakes, fatal errors. He knew he could do this without heat of any kind. He had done it before.
He saw a small imperfection, a rough edge at one end where he’s have to screw the barrel into the action. He lowered his visor, started up the machine and began to grind metal again, coolly, precisely, like mortician preparing a corpse.
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Man, I love this book! I love 'Heat ruined everything,' and I love 'coolly, precisely, like mortician preparing a corpse.' But really, the whole section works perfectly. It is cool, and precise, and tells us so much about Hawley. Great job!
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