BROKEN ROAD - One Man's Journey

PROLOGUE

  From his current position on the ridge above the encampment he lay motionless. The only audible sound was the beating of his heart or had he imagined that? No sound filtered his way from the tents or campfires. An eerie calm that had him tensed and ready for any movement no matter how small. Through the powerful scope of his military issue rifle he scanned right to left and back again every few seconds knowing fully well any lapse in his judgement could be the difference between life and death. It wasn't only his tail on the line but the lives of six other Special Ops team members who waited on the sign from him to advance. He was the first line of defense in a mission that, at any second, could turn deadly. He ignored his cramped muscles. He ignored his thirst. Before dawn the team would have the known terrorist leader in custody or dead and would make their way undetected along the three mile route where an extraction team would be waiting. There were no Plan B's. There were no what ifs. They had one job and come hell or high water they would complete this mission. Without question. Without hesitation. Without prejudice. Wordlessly he gave the signal and four ghosts started down the mountainside. The two others dropped silently at his side spaced out to cover them if a firefight ensued. "I will defend my country against all enemies foreign or domestic..." It was an oath they had all taken and nothing but death would keep them from their target or reaching their goal.