Dracon

David slowly looked around taking in the seen. The moonlight casted eerie shadows throughout the jungle, where it broke through the canopy above. Even with the light gathering system on his helmet visor set to max, visibility was still low. Something wasn't right here. The jungle should be alive with sounds but it was quite, he could tell there was life out there. It was like the jungle was holding its breath in anticipation of the blow to come. “One-Seven, this is One-Six.” “One-Six go for One-Seven.” “Seven, we're being followed.” “I have got nothing on tracker Six.” “Trust me Seven. We are being followed.” “Ok Six. I trust your instincts. How do you want to play it?” “Stand by Seven. One-Five, One-Six, over.” “I feel it too boss. I am dropping back to close up the back door.” “Roger that Five. Break. Seven, pass the word, hand signals only. As soon as we hit that clearing up ahead, we switch to a 360 defensive formation.” “Roger that Six.” As soon as they hit the clearing, Greene gave the signal and the platoon shifted into a 360 defensive circle with David and Greene at its center. Before they could get settled into their new formation, the jungle night exploded with movement as six creatures charged from the shadows. As five of the creatures tore into his troops, one vaulted over them and collided with David, knocking him to the ground. Rolling with the blow and kicking out with his feet, David was able to throw the beast off him and role to his feet. He instinctively came up in a fighting stance. The beast was already charging again. Time slowed down as David reached down and drew on his inner strength. Ducking a claw swipe, He struck upward with an open palm strike, catching the beast under the jaw, snapping its head back. Stepping in and spinning, he drove his kevlar plated elbow into the beast's chest, letting his momentum carry him into an over hand right punch. The beast to the ground with a thump, it seemed dazed for a second, then jumped to its feet. The sound of automatic rifle told David his people were in the fight as he and the beast began circling each other. His weapon had been torn from his grip when the beast first attacked. Without thinking, his hand slid across his bayonet holder, hitting the quick release and drawing the blade in one motion. What in the hell are these things, thought David, and where had they come from? They looked like werewolves out of some horror movie. Over his helmet radio, he could hear Green reporting the attack to Hot Shot One. Rolling to his feet, Tuk-Nor shook his head. He had never been hit that hard in his life. This was a human of great strength. However, he is still just a human and I will tear out his insides and feast on his heart. Thought Tuk-Nor as he lunged forward, slashing across the big human's chest with his right claw. In a blinding motion, the beast lunged forward, striking out with long arms and claw tipped hands. David tried to sidestep but felt the impact as the beast's claws cut deep slashes in his Kevlar armor. The beast almost seemed to smile when he saw his long jagged marks in David armor. That was too close. It's time to end this before this thing takes me out, thought David. That blow should have killed him. No matter, thought Tuk-Nor, as he lunged in once more. I will finish him this time. Stepping in to meet the beast's lunge, David gripped its arm in mid swing and twisted his body using the beast's momentum to flip it over his shoulder. How could a mere human...? Only then did understanding dawn on him but it was too late. The last thing Tuk-Nor saw was a blade flash in the moonlight. David brought his bayonet down sinking it to the hilt in the beast's skull. Twisting his hand to the left, he broke the blade off in its skull. As the beast fell lifeless to the ground, David drew his sidearm. A blood curdling death howl of pain and rage felled the night. Whirling around, he saw four of the beasts dropping back into the jungle shadows, as Manny pulled his sword from the chest of yet another one of them. Taking in the scene at a glance, David saw the still form of three men lying on the ground. Two had their throats ripped. The other looked like he had been caught in a buzz saw. “What the hell were those things?” asked Manny, as he walked up beside David re-sheathing his sword and removing his helmet. “I don't know, but now we know why the Admiral was so anxious to drop us in the mix.” “You think he sent us in knowing those things were here?” “That is just what I think Manny and I am also thinking he may have had more Marines than he told us about.” “But why? Why come all the way down here and risk a shooting war with South America to confront these things? It doesn't check.” “I don't know buddy. There are a lot of things about this mission that don't check. Why did fighting these things feel natural? It was almost like I wanted to fight them.” “I felt the same way, what the hell is going on here?” “I don't know but I plan on having a little chat with Admiral Massey when we get back. What's our status Strike?” Green walked over to where David and Manny were standing and removed his helmet. “Sir we have three dead and five wounded. All five are mobile and combat ready. If it wasn't for this armor,” said Green, tapping his chest, “things would be a lot worse.” “Tell me about it,” said David, looking down at his chest, where the beast's claws had torn jagged slashes in his armor.