It happened just the same as it had before. 
The hair on the back of his neck stood in end, goosebumps riddled his body, a deep feeling in his gut rumbling its warning. 
Wolfe never ignored his gut, his breathing picked up, he scanned the area around him. 
'No bueno, something's bout to go down' he thought. He looked to his team and whistled, they looked back at Wolf, he took his index and middle finger of his left hand, pointed to his eyes, then waved a circle in the air with his index finger, 'keep your head on a swivel.' The squad was conducting a security patrol around some farmland in Kandahar Afghanistan. Their squad leader was busy with the interpreter, getting ready to talk to the owner of the farm, when a crack rang overhead, followed by bursts of gunfire. 
"Contact right! Tree line 200 meters!" Hirsch yelled, Hirsch was Wolfes second in command, his SAW gunner, and his best friend. After yelling his ADRAC Hirsch rushed to the half wall that ran parallel to the dirt road, once there he propped the light machine gun on the wall and loosed a 20 round burst, during that time the rest of the squad was at the wall returning fire. Rounds from Terry(what coalition forces nicknamed the Taliban, Terry the Taliban) began impacting close to where the squad was post up. 
Looking around Wolfe knew there was no way to maneuver across that open field, there is no cover until the tree line, buddy team rushing at this point would be suicide. 
Staying low he moved to the other two team leads and his squad leader. 
"Hey we need to pick up the rate and drop 40 mike mike in a volley!" Wolfe yelled. Sergeant Vice agreed. Jumping up in his loud voice he bellowed. 
"RAPID FIRE, RAPID FIRE, PICK IT UP YOU FUCKS SHOW TERRY NOT TO FUCK WITH THE CORPS!" 
The rest of the squad began firing faster, the SAW gunners gave extended bursts, the fire from the three SAW gunners became erratic, from the controlled steady stream of lead via talking guns to just trying to keep the enemy from poking their heads up. 
Wolfe and the two other team leaders loaded their M203 grenade launcher attached to their M4's with a 40mm high explosive grenade. 
With three audible THUNKs all three let their rounds fly, and all three impacted the Tree line. 
Enemy fire slowed. One more volley and the fire ceased. 
"Cease fire! Cease fire!" Sgt Vice yelled.  
"Wolf pack, ACE report," Wolfe said to his teammates. Wolf Pack was the call sign for his fire team.  
"Green across corporal," said private Heuly. 
"Green as well," private Sanders said. 
"Ya I'm good brokski," Said Hirsch.  
"Team leaders report," Sergeant Vice commanded. 
"Wolf pack is green." 
"Reapers green." 
"Black Death green," 
All the teams rogered up. Sgt. Vice sent Wolfes team to check out the enemy position. Team Reaper will follow in trace 50 meters, third team will stay static and be a base of fire if needed. Sanders, the point man was first on scene, the result was 9 bodies all dead. 
"Echo 5 Victor, this is Wolf pack, on site of the ambush. 9 KIA." Wolf said into his radio. It took a few minutes but Sgt. Vice responded, "Roger that, head back, we are getting re-tasked." 
"Roger that, Oscar Mike," Wolf said. 
"Aight gents, pick up, and let's move back, Sanders your point," Wolf said heading back. 
 
**** 
 
Three hours later the squad was in a V-22 Opsrey, a tilt rotor transport. Half plane, half helicopter. They were headed to a mountain side, villagers at the base of the hill said they have been seeing strange lights from the mountain, and last night eerie wails and screams came from the dark mountainside. The locals are superstitious, and refuse to investigate, fearing something will devour their soul. 
In Wolfes mind it was probably just Terry that got a hold of flashbangs, stun grenades, and someone probably dropped a cigarette or something hot on something flammable, and boom, the flashbang went off. 
However, that was not the case, when the vehicle landed, they got out and began searching around, within ten minutes they found, something. 
Coming up to a de-elevated spot on the mountain side, it looked almost bowel shaped. On the other side of the bowl was a cave opening, small, could maybe fit one marine in gear. Before that cave entrance though, was something else, bodies. 
Bodies everywhere, at least over 20. Some looked to be torn to shreds, others were whole. What hit the marines first was the smell. The sound of gagging and vomiting came from behind Wolfe, one of the newer marines, a private lost his lunch. 
"Jesus, jumping, mother of Mary," Sgt Vice uttered. 
"What the fuck? What the happened here?" asked another team leader. 
Hirsch looked to wolf, "yep, looks like a smoking accident...damn cigarettes, they'll kill ya!" he said stepping up to a corpse, "Aint that right mister mussie?" Using the barrel of his weapon, he tapped the chin of the corpse, making it look as if it were talking and said in a high pitched voice "That's right Mr. Marine, we should have known better but we were to busy fucking our goa-" 
"Stow that shit," said the squad leader who was talking to command on the radio. 
"Check it out, almost all these guys are wearing robes," Wolf said kneeling down close to one of the corpses, he began to get that feeling again, but it quickly went away. 
"Command wants these bagged and tagged, the Osprey has what we need, let's get to it." Sgt Vice came back with a pile of folded body bags. 
It took two hours and three marines lost their breakfast, but all the bodies were loaded up onto the bird and carried away. Another helo this time a Chinook picked the marines up and returned them to their FOB.  
 
***** 
 
After a lengthy debrief the marines were freed up for a few hours. Some of the squad went back to the hooch to sleep, others went to the makeshift gym located in the center of the FOB. The forward observing base was really a mansion who's owner was killed by the Taliban.  
The U.S. military took it over and placed 12 foot jersey barriers around the entire property line.  
Marines joked around saying the layout of the base would be a great defense against a zombie invasion. 
Wolfe was sitting with Hirsch in the smoke pit. Hirsch was smoking a cigarette, Wolfe was enjoying a cigar he was given by the battalion Sergeant Major.  
"How much longer we got in this butthole of a country?" Hirsch asked trying to blow smoke rings, and failing. 
"About 5 more months, if we aren't extended," Said Wolfe, who blew out his own smoke ring, far better than Hirsch.  
"All I knows is when we rotate back to the world, gonna get me some ass, first thing," Said Hirsch nodding. 
"You mean man ass right?" Wolfe said with a smirk. 
"Man, fuck you." Hirsch said. 
"No thanks bro, I like women...  Not a man dressed like a woman." 
"Dude fuck off, I was drunk, and she was really convincing, or he, or it, or fuck I dunno, and fuck you man!" Hirsch said getting red faced. Wolfe was laughing hard now. 
"She, she....wait" he began between breathes and bout of laughter,"she said," and then he made his voice deeper, " My name's Karen, Hahhaah," Wolfe almost fell off the sand bag he was sitting. 
"Whatever you're the one who talked to her the longest," Hirsch said. 
"Yea well I had to apologize to her on your behalf you unclassy white trash bastard, you flipped out when you realized she had a dick. So I bought her a drink, and apologized, because my best friend is a transphobic, homophobic, alcohol syndrome baby." 
"I'm gonna murder you in your sleep." 
"That's the only chance your gonna be able to get, cause we all know your bitch ass can't do shit with me awake," as soon as Wolfe finished his statement he hopped to the side, he knew Hirsch was going to tackle him, which he did. The friendly scuffle lasted for about a minute, until Wolfe was on his back, Hirsch on top of him but his back facing Wolfe. Wolfe had his legs wrapped arou d Hirsch's legs, while Wolfe had him in a figure 4 choke. When Wolfe arched his back in, it caused Hirsch to bend back, causing him to choke and some pain as well, he tapped out. 
"Corporal Wolfe!" someone called out. Wolfe stood up and waved. It was sergeant Wyatt, 2nd platoons platoon sergeant, he was currently acting as SOG, sergeant of the guard. It was 2nd platoons turn to stand post. While 3rd platoon, Wolfe's platoon, was on mission. 1st platoon was the QRF(Quick react force). The platoons switch every 2 weeks.  
"Hey, someone is here to see you in the COC," Said Sgt Wyatt. 
Wolfe, confused, stood up. "Roger that on my way," slinging his rifle he looked back at Hirsch, "Hey make sure our guys have clean weapons... And make sure they get some chow."  
"Yea good to go man," Hirsch said. He picked up his SAW and headed back for the hooch(living space).  Wolfe took off toward the COC. Once he got there Sgt. Wyatt told him to have a seat in the ready room, the room where they get briefed on missions. Wolfe walked in and there was man sitting at the foldable table on one of the metal chairs. 
He looked to be in his late 40s. Tall, but thinner than Wolfe. He had short black hair shaved to a zero guard on the sides. Aside from the jet back hair was a white streak across the widows peak. The man had piercing blue eyes. His skin was tan, maybe of Indian decent, or maybe some sort of southwest asian. He reminded Wolfe of what Hollywood would depict Satan. Business suit, slicked back hair, and a serpent look on his face, the man's voice even come out as a gravel hiss. 
"Ah, Corporal Wolfe, we meet at last." He said with no expression on his face. 
"Yes sir, and you are?" 
The man thought for a moment and smiled, a chilly smile. 
"My name is not important corporal, but, if titles are important, you may call me....Mr. G." 
Wolfe took a seat. "Ok, Mr. G, what can I do for you?" he asked. 
"I have come to you Corporal with a once in a lifetime offer," the man said "An employment opportunity." 
"Who do you work for?" Wolfe asked. 
"Let's say I work for a special branch of the federal government." 
"CIA? NSA?"  
He chuckled "nothing that archaic or incompetent. No we operate off the grid if you will." he continued. 
"We have been monitoring your abilities for some time now, and we have come to the conclusion that you, Corporal Wolfe, will be an important asset in our work."  
"What do you mean asset? You conscripting for mercs?" asked Wolfe. 
"I wouldn't say mercenary per say, but your skill will come in handy, especially that small ability you have?" 
"What are you talking about? What ability?" 
"Mosul, Iraq?" the man asked. That caught Wolfe off guard, he tried to not think about that day, one of the worst in his life.  
"I don't want to talk about that," Wolfe said quietly. 
"Yes, I bet, it was one of the worst attacks on U.S. personnel since the start of this war," he went on. 
Wolfe began grinding his teeth. 
"That day, you were just a private." 
"Private first class," Wolfe corrected. 
With a chuckle he continued, "Of course, my mistake, when your squad was nearing the main cross street in the city, you felt something, something that started in the back of your head and washed over your body, then you got chills. Did the hair on the back of your neck stand on end?" 
"That doesn't mean anything, I was new, inexperienced, I was scared, adrenaline was pumping, when that happens you become hypersensitive to external stimuli, like sights, sounds, smell-" 
"You were the only survivor..." 
Wolfe closed his mouth and swallowed hard, that memory came flooding back to him. 
He knew, he knew something bad was going to happen, but he didn't speak up and voice his concern, that cost the lives of 12 marines and a corpsman. 
He should have said something. The memory still fresh in his mind. His squad leader was the first, shot in the head by a sniper. Before the marines could react to the sniper, they were hit by an ambush, three rpgs were fired along with medium machine guns. The fire fight lasted 2 hours. The marines fought hard. First team was completely KIA from the RPG fire. Second team was taken out from the machine gun fire. 
His team leader called in an air strike along with reinforcements. They took the nearest house for cover. They fought hard, valiantly. It wasn't until the front of the house was hit by a rocket, Al-Quada came pouring in. His A gunner was the first to go, Wolfes SAW gunner was killed via a grenade. The team leader shielded Wolfe from another RPG. The act proved fatal for his team leader. Wolfe killed 3 insurgents with his bare hands, before he was sure he was dead, he heard the familiar pounding thudthudthud of a Cobra attack chopper. Hellfire missiles and a 30mm chain cannon made short work of the remaining terrorists. The damage done, Wolfe was alone. 
 
He snapped back to reality and glared at the man in front of him. 
"What do you want with me?" 
"My employers would like to hire you," he said without missing a beat. 
"If you agree we will leave now and you'll begin the application process." 
"Application? Didn't you say you've been keeping tabs on me? Why bother with paperwork?" 
"We may be an undisclosed portion of the federal government, bureaucracy has infested every facet of government." 
"Well, look Gman, I dunno who you are, or who you work for, not that I give a damn," Wolfe said standing up. 
"I am needed here. My team needs me, I swore  oath and do not plan on breaking it, sorry man, gotta make my own fate," Wolfe began walking toward the door. His hands touched the handle. 
"Oh, Corporal?" the man called. 
Wolfe looked back. 
"Sometimes, the universe will place you where it wants you, whether you like it or not." 
Wolfe left the room. The man narrowed his eyes. 
"Sometimes, the right man in the wrong place, can make all the difference." 
 
*** 
"Hey sergeant, I'm done talking to that dude in the ready room." Wolfe said. 
"What the fuck are you talking about?" 
"That fuckin Gman you told me was here for me," Wolfe said with a confused look on his face. 
"Wolfe, I have no fucking clue what you are talking about, lay off the LSD kid." the sergeant said. 
Wolfe shook his head, 'gotta be fucking with me.' 
A few hours later the squad was called upon for another patrol, this time led by the LT himself. 
Their gear staged and ready to go, the squad waited inside the ready room. 
Lieutenant Miner walked in. 
"Good afternoon.... Let's begin. This morning at 1130 you were retasked to hill 481 Bravo. From the reports given, and  UAV flyover we found a structure," He paused and just stared blankly at the wall for a moment then continued 
"We are going back, and are going to investigate, reports believe there is a training camp there," the LT said. Wolfe thought something was off about the LT, he looked pale, had really dark circles around his eyes, they looked sunk in. He moved slowly, and did he have a slight twitch? 
"I will be with Wolfes team, the rest of the squad will remain in place any questions? Good. Now go." the marines made ready, loaded into the V-22, and headed for that mountain again.  
 
The trip took an hour, it was quiet the whole way there, aside from the hum of the turbines, no one talked. Wolfe watched the LT, he coulda swore the man hadn't blinked in over 30 minutes. 
"Hitting the LZ eta 20 seconds," the pilot said over the comm. The Osprey landed, the marines moved out. Within 3 minutes the bird was gone and the marines were moving back to the location  they found earlier. 
Once there, the LT had them single file through the small cave, once outside, they found themselves facing the remains of an old temple, or castle.  
"Wolfe, your team," the LT said, then sniffed the air, "mmmmm yes, definitely your team with me," he began to head toward the building. 
"Dude, something aint right, LT is acting strange, Sgt Vice has said less than  three words since we landed," Hirsch said. 
"I know, I got a really bad feeling man, make sure you're alert, I don't want any surprises." 
 
They made their way inside the building, it was desolate, fallen beams, caved in ceiling. The only open path was further down. 
"Down...we must go," the LT said. 
"Hey sir, maybe we should get the rest of the squad up here and... Sir?" Wolfe trailed off, the LT was already walking down the stairs. 
"Mother fucker." Wolfe said through clenched teeth. They hurried to follow. The stairs down seemed to go on forever, and the temperature began for rise. Soon they began to pour with sweat, but the LT wasn't even damp.  
A red glow was seen nearing the end of the stairwell. Once to  the bottom they began to hear chanting, and then wailing. They quickened their pace, except for the LT. They entered into a small landing and took cover behind  fallen pillar. What they saw would haunt them the rest of their lives. Wolfe's gut was going crazy, he felt like  live wire. 
Eight men, standing around a woman, who appeared crucified, were all chanting, the eighth man stood in front of the woman, he held a large two handed sword. The blade gleamed in the red light. Even in the low light, and with Wolfe having removed his sunglasses before entering the stairwell he can still see the intricate design on the hilt and pommel. For a moment there Wolfe was lost in a trancelike state staring at the bade, as if it were  almost calling him. Behind the woman, was a huge red crystal that seemed to pulse with a blood red light. Using the sword the eighth man sliced the woman. from her sternum, to her pelvis, and stepped back, the chanting became louder, her screams became louder. The LT casually walked passed the marines toward the red glow mumbling to himself 
"What the fuck is he doing?" Hirsch leapt to grab him, when he touched the LT, he turned, his eyes completely black, and hissed at Hirsch. He stumbled back and the LT turned to move back toward the group.  
They didn't notice him, if they did, they did not seem to care. That's when the screams became frantic, and high pitched. The sound of breaking bone and flesh ripping drew their attention to the woman, who was now sputtering and gurgling on her own blood.  
Her stomach bulged, blood and stomach acid sprayed out, then what looked like a large muscular arm with a clawed hand pushed out, then another one.  
Next they saw horns pushing through. 
Not making the same mistake twice Wolfe leapt over the pillar they had taken cover behind, flipped the safety off his M203 and fired a high explosive round at the group. The grenade impacted the woman. All 8 men were killed. The  woman was blown apart, and that thing was gone. The sword clattered the floor next to Wolfe, again he felt some urge for the blade, he could tell this particular sword is very, very old. He reached down and picked up the weapon, though it was large, it felt light in his hand, and warm, however Wolfe did not have the time to admire the ancient weapon for his throughts were torn away by movement to his right. 
The LT was alive, bloodied a bit but alive. He got up  moved toward the crystal. 
"SIR DON'T TOUCH-" it was too late. The lieutenant placed his hand on the crystal, it pulsed once and a large shockwave exploded from the crystal. The LT was vaporized. Wolfe and his team were knocked back. The structure began rumbling. The crystal turned white, and without warning exploded in a sea of white light. The team tried to get out but it was too late, they were engulfed. 
 
Wolfe saw only black. He could hear breathing, and a heartbeat, only to realize it was his heart beat. A flash of light, and unconsciousness took over. Before he blacked out he heard a voice. 
"Sometimes the universe will place you where it wants you, whether you like it or not."