Dog Soldier, an Apex Predator Story.

Make a simple plan, inform everyone involved with it, don't change it, kick it in the ass.

Colonel Charlie Beckwith, First Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta.

Thirteen hundred hours, Zulu, June 12, 2010, Nearestan Province, Afghanistan. First Sergeant William Grey Eagle

crouched behind a boulder and began scanning the mountain pass ahead with the scope of

his MK-17 Scar H rifle. The sweat ran down his face and rivulets, dripping from the tip of his nose and chin.

He was walking point for his rifle squad. It wasn't uncommon for him to take point, since the team

had learned that his instincts were almost superhuman when looking for insurgents.

He slowly swept the pass ahead, looking for any sign of ambush or IEDs.

He slowed his breathing and let the calm spread over his body.

Despite the shimmering waves of heat, he was able to see crisp details along both sides

of the pass.

They had to go through this section of the mountains if they were going to make it to the rendezvous with the rest of the platoon.

"'What do you see, Top?' whispered Staff Sergeant Jacob Mumbles McKinney.

"'Gray Eagle didn't answer. He just held up one finger from his non-firing hand and continued to sweep the

pass. The jagged rock formations on these mountains left so many places to hide, and it was almost

impossible to find them all. The sides of these mountains were also riddled with caves of sufficient

size to hide a large force of insurgents.

Looking for them was like finding a needle in a haystack.

Are we clear to proceed? asked McKinney.

I don't know yet, whispered Grey Eagle, but if you're in a hurry, go ahead and stand up.

If you get killed, we'll know it's not safe.

...