Dead_JJ Zero_NN1 :_: A_ZZ1 Bob_NP1 Lee_NP1 Swagger_NP1 Novel_NN1 I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX think_VVI it_PPH1 would_VM take_VVI all_DB this_DD1 time_NNT1 ,_, "_" said_VVD the_AT colonel_NN1 ._. 
"_" Sir_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD his_APPGE exec_NN1 ,_, "_" that_DD1 's_VBZ rough_JJ land_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ really_RR rough_JJ land_NN1 ._. 
And_CC the_AT goats_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 seem_VV0 to_TO be_VBI having_VHG trouble_NN1 with_IW the_AT goats_NN2 ._. 
Maybe_RR the_AT goats_NN2 were_VBDR a_AT1 mistake_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" S-Two_MC ,_, are_VBR they_PPHS2 on_II schedule_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" More_RRR or_CC less_RRR ,_, "_" said_VVD the_AT intelligence_NN1 officer_NN1 ._. 
"_" That_DD1 goat_NN1 market_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN there_RL for_IF three_MC thousand_NNO years_NNT2 and_CC I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX think_VVI it_PPH1 's_VBZ going_VVG anywhere_RL anytime_NNT1 soon_RR ._. "_" 
The_AT colonel_NN1 rolled_VVD his_APPGE eyes_NN2 to_II his_APPGE exec_NN1 ._. 
What_DDQ was_VBDZ it_PPH1 with_IW intelligence_NN1 people_NN ?_? 
They_PPHS2 always_RR had_VHD a_AT1 little_JJ bit_NN1 of_IO the_AT I_ZZ1 would_VM n't_XX be_VBI in_II intelligence_NN1 if_CS I_PPIS1 were_VBDR n't_XX intelligent_JJ deal_NN1 going_VVG on_RP ._. 
This_DD1 one_PN1 ,_, even_RR worse_JJR ,_, was_VBDZ an_AT1 Annapolis_NP1 grad_NN1 and_CC convinced_VVD he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ on_II a_AT1 straight_JJ run_NN1 to_TO become_VVI the_AT next_MD commandant_NN1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ not_XX the_AT market_NN1 ,_, S-Two_MC ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ the_AT Tuesday_NPD1 shot_VVN ._. 
If_CS they_PPHS2 miss_VV0 that_CST ,_, they_PPHS2 have_VH0 to_TO hang_VVI out_RP there_RL in_II goat_NN1 city_NN1 undercover_JJ for_IF another_DD1 full_JJ week_NNT1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 'll_VM make_VVI a_AT1 mistake_NN1 and_CC get_VVI nabbed_JJ and_CC the_AT Beheader_NN1 will_VM get_VVI to_II practice_NN1 his_APPGE specialty_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Yes_UH ,_, sir_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD S-2_FO ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 only_RR meant_VVN --_NN1 "_" "_" I_PPIS1 know_VV0 ,_, S-Two_MC ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM just_JJ ragging_NN1 on_II you_PPY because_CS if_CS I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX pick_VVI on_II somebody_PN1 I_PPIS1 'll_VM have_VHI an_AT1 anxiety_NN1 attack_NN1 ._. "_" 
Colonel_NNB Laidlaw_NP1 stood_VVD in_II the_AT S-2_FO bunker_NN1 behind_II the_AT base_NN1 's_GE many_DA2 miles_NNU2 of_IO concertina_NN1 wire_NN1 and_CC sandbags_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD three_MC patrols_NN2 out_RP ,_, and_CC word_NN1 was_VBDZ brewing_VVG that_CST the_AT whole_JJ battalion_NN1 was_VBDZ up_RP for_IF a_AT1 major_JJ assault_NN1 sometime_RT in_II the_AT next_MD indicators_NN2 ,_, and_CC learned_VVD to_TO determine_VVI the_AT difference_NN1 between_II the_AT two_MC marines_NN2 and_CC the_AT longer_JJR ,_, squirmier_JJR forms_NN2 of_IO the_AT goats_NN2 ,_, spilling_VVG this_DD1 way_NN1 and_CC that_DD1 ._. 
"_" How_RGQ much_DA1 longer_JJR ?_? "_" asked_VVD the_AT colonel_NN1 ,_, meaning_VVG how_RGQ long_RR before_II the_AT satellite_NN1 continued_VVD its_APPGE way_NN1 around_II the_AT earth_NN1 and_CC Whiskey_NN1 2-2_MCMC passed_VVN from_II view_NN1 for_IF another_DD1 twenty-four_MC ._. 
"_" Only_RR about_RG ten_MC minutes_NNT2 ,_, sir_NN1 ,_, "_" S-2_FO said_VVD ._. 
"_" Then_RT they_PPHS2 go_VV0 bye-bye_UH ._. "_" 
They_PPHS2 knew_VVD that_CST these_DD2 semiabstract_VV0 forms_NN2 against_II the_AT opacity_NN1 of_IO the_AT large_JJ monitor_NN1 were_VBDR Whiskey_NN1 2-2_MCMC and_CC not_XX some_DD group_NN1 of_IO actual_JJ goatherders_NN2 by_II virtue_NN1 of_IO the_AT cruciform_JJ that_CST kept_VVD the_AT camera_NN1 nailed_VVN ._. 
It_PPH1 signified_VVD the_AT presence_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 GPS_NN2 chip_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 miniaturized_JJ transmitter_NN1 in_II the_AT grip_NN1 of_IO Cruz_NP1 's_GE SVD_NP1 ._. 
The_AT satellites_NN2 told_VVD the_AT chip_NN1 where_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ and_CC the_AT transmitter_NN1 told_VVD the_AT world_NN1 what_DDQ the_AT satellite_NN1 told_VVD the_AT chip_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 simplified_VVD the_AT problematic_JJ issue_NN1 of_IO target_NN1 acquisition_NN1 and_CC identification_NN1 and_CC meant_VVD that_CST when_CS the_AT satellite_NN1 was_VBDZ in_II range_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 could_VM eyeball_VVI the_AT guys_NN2 the_AT whole_JJ way_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB Whiskey_NN1 2-2_MCMC did_VDD n't_XX know_VVI this_DD1 and_CC both_DB2 S-2_FO and_CC Colonel_NNB Laidlaw_NP1 felt_VVD a_RR21 little_RR22 uneasy_JJ about_II it_PPH1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ ,_, in_II effect_NN1 ,_, spying_VVG on_II their_APPGE own_DA men_NN2 without_IW permission_NN1 ,_, as_CS21 if_CS22 an_AT1 issue_NN1 of_IO trust_NN1 was_VBDZ involved_VVN ._. 
The_AT colonel_NN1 justified_VVN it_PPH1 by_II telling_VVG himself_PPX1 it_PPH1 was_VBDZ necessary_JJ in_II the_AT case_NN1 of_IO an_AT1 emergency_NN1 evac_NN1 ,_, if_CS Lance_NNB Corporal_NNB Skelton_NP1 ,_, hurt_JJ or_CC killed_VVD ,_, could_VM n't_XX get_VVI to_II his_APPGE radio_NN1 and_CC sing_VVI out_RP coordinates_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 could_VM call_VVI in_II Air_NN1 Force_NN1 Warthogs_NN2 and_CC ventilate_VVI the_AT area_NN1 with_IW frags_NN2 and_CC 30-millimeter_JJ while_CS guiding_JJ in_II marine_JJ aviation_NN1 for_IF the_AT extract_NN1 if_CS Whiskey_NN1 found_VVD itself_PPX1 in_II a_AT1 firefight_NN1 ._. 
"_" Who_PNQS 's_VBZ that_DD1 ?_? "_" someone_PN1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Hmm_UH ,_, "_" said_VVD S-2_FO ._. 
"_" Where_RRQ ,_, what_DDQ ,_, info_NN1 please_RR ,_, "_" said_VVD Colonel_NNB Laidlaw_NP1 ._. 
"_" Sir_NN1 ,_, ahead_II21 of_II22 them_PPHO2 on_II the_AT same_DA axis_NN1 ,_, on_II the_AT hilltop_NN1 a_AT1 little_JJ back_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM guessing_VVG maybe_RR a_AT1 half_DB mile_NNU1 out_RP to_II the_AT west_ND1 ,_, that_REX21 is_REX22 ,_, to_II the_AT right_NN1 ._. "_" 
To_TO spare_VVI the_AT colonel_NN1 the_AT agony_NN1 of_IO translating_VVG the_AT directions_NN2 into_II an_AT1 actual_JJ location_NN1 on_II the_AT gray_JJ wilderness_NN1 of_IO the_AT monitor_NN1 ,_, S-2_FO ran_VVD up_II21 to_II22 the_AT screen_NN1 and_CC touched_VVD what_DDQ the_AT exec_NN1 had_VHD seen_VVN first_MD ._. 
No_AT goats_NN2 ,_, that_DD1 's_VBZ for_RR21 sure_RR22 ._. 
No_UH ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 group_NN1 of_IO guys_NN2 ,_, slightly_RR whiter_JJR against_II the_AT dull_JJ sage_NN1 of_IO landform_NN1 ,_, only_RR they_PPHS2 were_VBDR lengthier_JJR than_CSN goats_NN2 and_CC not_XX moving_VVG ,_, which_DDQ meant_VVD they_PPHS2 were_VBDR in_II the_AT prone_JJ ._. 
If_CS they_PPHS2 were_VBDR facing_VVG in_II the_AT right_JJ direction_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 were_VBDR on_II line_NN1 to_TO intercept_VVI 2-2_MCMC 's_GE line_NN1 of_IO route_NN1 ._. 
"_" Taliban_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Probably_RR ._. "_" 
"_" Is_VBZ that_DD1 a_AT1 problem_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Should_VM n't_XX be_VBI ._. 
They_PPHS2 ran_VVD into_II Taliban_JJ patrols_NN2 twice_RR yesterday_RT and_CC once_RR earlier_RRR today_RT ._. 
To_II the_AT Tals_NP1 ,_, they_PPHS2 just_RR look_VV0 like_II goatherders_NN2 ._. "_" 
"_" Yeah_UH ,_, but_CCB those_DD2 guys_NN2 were_VBDR on_II their_APPGE feet_NN2 ,_, standing_VVG ,_, eyeballing_VVG ,_, moving_VVG in_II their_APPGE own_DA direction_NN1 ._. 
These_DD2 guys_NN2 are_VBR setting_VVG up_RP ._. 
This_DD1 could_VM be_VBI an_AT1 intercept_VV0 ._. "_" 
The_AT marine_JJ officers_NN2 continued_VVD to_TO watch_VVI the_AT monitor_NN1 as_II the_AT drama_NN1 played_VVD out_RP in_II real_JJ time_NNT1 before_II them_PPHO2 ._. 
Laidlaw_NP1 lit_VVD another_DD1 cigarette_NN1 ._. 
S-2_FO did_VDD n't_XX say_VVI anything_PN1 snarky_JJ ._. 
Exec_NP1 did_VDD n't_XX suck_VVI up_RP ._. 
Sniper_NN1 Platoon_NN1 leader_NN1 ,_, twenty-two_MC ,_, refused_VVD to_TO speak_VVI ._. 
It_PPH1 just_RR happened_VVD ._. 
The_AT group_NN1 ahead_II21 of_II22 2-2_MCMC seemed_VVD to_TO squirm_VVI ,_, then_RT settle_VV0 ._. 
Damn_UH ,_, why_RRQ had_VHD n't_XX the_AT staff_NN seen_VVN them_PPHO2 come_VVI in_RP ;_; maybe_RR their_APPGE direction_NN1 of_IO origin_NN1 would_VM have_VHI been_VBN an_AT1 indicator_NN1 ._. 
"_" How_RGQ much_DA1 time_NNT1 ?_? "_" asked_VVD Colonel_NNB Laidlaw_NP1 ._. 
"_" Two_MC minutes_NNT2 ._. "_" 
"_" Sir_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 can_VM reach_VVI Whiskey_NN1 on_II the_AT HF-90M_JJ ._. 
Give_VV0 'em_PPHO2 a_AT1 heads-up_NN2 ._. "_" 
That_DD1 was_VBDZ exec_NN1 ._. 
"_" Sir_NN1 ,_, all_DB due_JJ respect_NN1 ,_, but_CCB if_CS you_PPY do_VD0 that_DD1 ,_, Skelton_NP1 has_VHZ to_TO hunker_NN1 down_RP ,_, peel_VV0 off_RP his_APPGE caftan_NN1 ,_, unstrap_VV0 the_AT radio_NN1 ,_, and_CC talk_VV0 into_II the_AT phone_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD S-2_FO ._. 
"_" All_DB those_DD2 are_VBR tells_VVZ ._. 
If_CS these_DD2 guys_NN2 are_VBR bad_JJ or_CC there_EX are_VBR some_DD other_JJ bad_JJ actors_NN2 ,_, say_VV0 in_II caves_NN2 ,_, we_PPIS2 're_VBR not_XX picking_VVG up_RP on_II ,_, that_DD1 gives_VVZ Two-Two_MC away_RL for_RR21 sure_RR22 ._. 
The_AT mission_NN1 goes_VVZ down_RP ._. 
They_PPHS2 get_VV0 whacked_JJ for_RR21 sure_RR22 ,_, or_CC end_VV0 up_RP in_II a_AT1 running_JJ gunfight_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Shit_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD the_AT colonel_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX like_VVI the_AT orientation_NN1 ._. 
Those_DD2 guys_NN2 are_VBR prone_JJ ,_, they_PPHS2 're_VBR setting_VVG up_RP to_TO shoot_VVI ._. 
Could_VM the_AT Agency_NN1 have_VHI a_AT1 team_NN1 in_II there_RL ?_? "_" said_VVD Exec_NP1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 got_VVD negative_JJ from_II liaison_NN1 on_II that_DD1 not_XX an_AT1 hour_NNT1 ago_RA ,_, "_" said_VVD S-2_FO ._. 
"_" This_DD1 is_VBZ the_AT only_JJ area_NN1 op_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Let_VV0 it_PPH1 play_VVI out_RP ,_, "_" said_VVD the_AT colonel_NN1 ,_, "_" goddamnit_VV0 ._. "_" 
They_PPHS2 watched_VVD ._. 
The_AT two_MC small_JJ forces_NN2 drew_VVD inexorably_RR together_RL ,_, the_AT raggedy_JJ fleet_NN1 of_IO goats_NN2 spilling_VVG across_II the_AT landscape_NN1 on_II the_AT ancient_JJ track_NN1 in_II the_AT hills_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT six_MC possible_JJ ambushers_NN2 set_VV0 up_RP orthodox_JJ Camp_NN1 Lejeune-style_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 shoot_NN1 ,_, legs_NN2 neatly_RR splayed_VVN ,_, maybe_RR one_PN1 up_RP on_II his_APPGE knees_NN2 working_VVG binocs_NN2 ,_, the_AT others_NN2 bending_VVG into_II scopes_NN2 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX like_VVI this_DD1 one_MC1 fucking_JJ bit_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD the_AT colonel_NN1 ._. 
"_" Where_RRQ 's_VBZ our_APPGE goddamned_JJ Hellfire_NN1 when_CS we_PPIS2 need_VV0 it_PPH1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'd_VM like_VVI to_TO punch_VVI those_DD2 bastards_NN2 out_RP ,_, whoever_PNQV they_PPHS2 are_VBR ._. "_" 
"_" They_PPHS2 're_VBR probably_RR birdwatchers_NN2 from_II the_AT National_JJ Geographic_JJ channel_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD S-2_FO ._. 
"_" Or_CC maybe_RR missionaries_NN2 from_II the_AT World_NN1 Orphan_NN1 Relief_NN1 League_NN1 ._. 
Or_CC --_JJ "_" But_CCB the_AT question_NN1 was_VBDZ answered_VVN ._. 
Two-two_MC had_VHD reached_VVN its_APPGE point_NN1 of_IO maximum_JJ closure_NN1 with_IW the_AT unknown_JJ force_NN1 on_II the_AT hilltop_NN1 and_CC lay_VVD exposed_VVN to_II them_PPHO2 ._. 
From_II twenty-two_MC miles_NNU2 up_RP ,_, the_AT satellite_NN1 watched_VVD with_IW God_NP1 's_GE indifference_NN1 as_CSA it_PPH1 picked_VVD up_RP the_AT spurting_JJ warp-speed_JJ blurs_NN2 of_IO muzzle_NN1 flashes_VVZ from_II the_AT prone_JJ team_NN1 ,_, signifying_VVG high-rate-of-fire_JJ weapons_NN2 ._. 
"_" Ambush_VV0 ,_, "_" said_VVD the_AT colonel_NN1 ._. 
WHISKEY_NN1 2-2_MCMC ZABUL_NN1 PROVINCE_NN1 SOUTHEASTERN_JJ AFGHANISTAN_NP1 1605_MC HOURS_NNT2 It_PPH1 was_VBDZ raining_VVG goats_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 flew_VVD through_II the_AT air_NN1 amid_II blasts_NN2 of_IO earth_NN1 debris_NN1 ,_, some_DD whole_NN1 and_CC bleating_VVG ,_, some_DD sundered_JJ and_CC spraying_VVG blood_NN1 ,_, some_DD atomized_VVD ._. 
The_AT weather_NN1 had_VHD become_VVN 100_MC percent_NNU chance_NN1 of_IO goat_NN1 --_JJ red_JJ mist_NN1 ,_, gobbets_NN2 of_IO blasted_JJ flesh_NN1 ,_, unraveling_VVG intestines_NN2 ,_, the_AT unself-conscious_JJ screams_NN2 of_IO animals_NN2 suddenly_RR sentient_JJ to_II the_AT prospect_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE own_DA extinction_NN1 ._. 
Then_RT Skelton_NP1 launched_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 pinwheeled_VVD fifteen_MC feet_NN2 through_II the_AT air_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE face_NN1 a_AT1 study_NN1 in_II wonder_NN1 ,_, spinning_VVG ,_, legs_NN2 and_CC arms_NN2 extended_VVD ,_, defying_VVG gravity_NN1 as_CSA he_PPHS1 sailed_VVD ._. 
Ray_NP1 lurched_VVD in_II that_DD1 moment_NN1 ,_, saving_VVG his_APPGE own_DA life_NN1 ,_, for_IF surely_RR the_AT gunner_NN1 was_VBDZ shooting_VVG right_RR to_II left_JJ ,_, semiauto_NN1 ,_, had_VHD missed_VVN twice_RR ,_, hitting_VVG goat_NN1 ,_, the_AT huge_JJ 50-caliber_JJ detonations_NN2 unleashing_VVG waves_NN2 of_IO energy_NN1 that_CST flipped_VVD other_JJ goats_NN2 airward_RL and_CC splattered_VVD them_PPHO2 ,_, then_RT scoring_VVG a_AT1 hard_JJ one_PN1 that_CST took_VVD Skelton_NP1 solid_JJ ,_, and_CC then_RT pivoted_VVD the_AT huge_JJ weapon_NN1 on_II the_AT bipod_NN1 another_DD1 half_DB a_AT1 millimeter_JJR to_TO plant_VVI one_PN1 in_II Ray_NP1 ._. 
But_CCB aiming_VVG for_IF center_NN1 mass_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ behind_II Ray_NP1 on_II the_AT action_NN1 curve_NN1 ,_, and_CC time_NNT1 in_II flight_NN1 from_II half_DB a_AT1 mile_NNU1 out_RP did_VDD n't_XX help_VVI and_CC the_AT express_JJ train_NN1 hit_VVD Ray_NP1 on_II the_AT outer_JJ surface_NN1 of_IO the_AT right_JJ thigh_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 hit_VVD no_AT bones_NN2 ,_, broke_VVD nothing_PN1 full_JJ of_IO coursing_VVG fluids_NN2 ,_, and_CC delivered_VVD nothing_PN1 but_II energy._NNU 2ND_MD RECON_NN1 BATTALION_NN1 HQ_NN1 FOB_NP1 WINCHESTER_NP1 ZABUL_NP1 PROVINCE_NN1 SOUTHEASTERN_JJ AFGHANISTAN_NP1 1555_MC HOURS_NNT2 THE_AT NEXT_MD DAY_NNT1 The_AT suspense_NN1 was_VBDZ murder_NN1 ._. 
S-2_FO 's_VBZ IT_PPH1 set_VVN up_RP the_AT satellite_NN1 feed_NN1 with_IW the_AT usual_JJ contempt_NN1 that_CST ITs_APPGE have_VH0 for_IF the_AT technically_RR illiterate_JJ ,_, though_CS he_PPHS1 knew_VVD ,_, as_CSA did_VDD the_AT whole_JJ battalion_NN1 ,_, that_CST Ray_NP1 and_CC Skelton_NP1 had_VHD been_VBN bounced_VVN ._. 
He_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX keep_VVI the_AT speed_NN1 and_CC sureness_NN1 with_IW which_DDQ his_APPGE fingers_NN2 flew_VVD to_II keys_NN2 out_II21 of_II22 the_AT equation_NN1 though_CS ,_, that_DD1 special_JJ IT_NN1 thing_NN1 that_CST the_AT officers_NN2 regarded_VVN as_CSA mysterious_JJ and_CC unknowable_JJ ._. 
That_DD1 was_VBDZ just_RR him_PPHO1 ._. 
There_EX had_VHD been_VBN no_AT radio_NN1 contact_VV0 the_AT long_JJ night_NNT1 through_RP ._. 
Either_RR Skelton_NP1 's_GE HF-90M_JJ was_VBDZ junked_VVN by_II a_AT1 slug_NN1 or_CC had_VHD fallen_VVN into_II a_AT1 ditch_NN1 or_CC ,_, as_CSA Marine_JJ Corps_NN radios_NN2 have_VH0 a_AT1 tendency_NN1 to_TO do_VDI ,_, awarded_VVD itself_PPX1 an_AT1 R_ZZ1 &;_NULL R_ZZ1 in_II the_AT middle_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 combat_NN1 operation_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS knew_VVD ?_? 
Commo_NN1 people_NN had_VHD been_VBN trying_VVG to_TO reach_VVI 2-2_MCMC on_II the_AT right_JJ freak_NN1 ,_, and_CC on_II emergency_NN1 freaks_NN2 ,_, Air_NN1 Force_NN1 freaks_NN2 ,_, even_RR Afghan_JJ army_NN1 freaks_VVZ all_DB night_NNT1 long_RR ._. 
Not_XX a_AT1 goddamned_JJ peep_NN1 ._. 
The_AT image_NN1 came_VVD up_RP ,_, the_AT gray-green-black-brown_JJ surreal_JJ reality_NN1 ,_, Zabul_VV0 from_II space_NN1 as_CSA brought_VVN to_II you_PPY via_II station_NN1 W-CIA_NP1 in_II lovely_JJ downtown_JJ Langley_NP1 ,_, Virginia_NP1 ,_, and_CC beamed_VVD half_DB a_AT1 world_NN1 away_RL to_II a_AT1 roomful_NN1 of_IO tired_JJ marine_JJ officers_NN2 smoking_VVG too_RG much_DA1 ,_, worrying_VVG too_RG much_DA1 ,_, and_CC angry_JJ too_RG much_DA1 ._. 
The_AT cruciform_JJ was_VBDZ untethered_JJ ,_, as_CSA it_PPH1 always_RR was_VBDZ ._. 
It_PPH1 seemed_VVD to_TO move_VVI in_II a_AT1 search_NN1 pattern_NN1 but_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ really_RR the_AT television_NN1 lens_NN1 ,_, aloft_RL in_II the_AT ether_NN1 twenty-two_MC miles_NNU2 over_II the_AT Hindu_JJ Kush_NN1 ,_, that_DD1 was_VBDZ moving_VVG ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ searching_VVG for_IF the_AT frequency_NN1 of_IO the_AT GPS_NN2 chip_NN1 and_CC transmitter_NN1 embedded_VVN in_II the_AT grip_NN1 of_IO Ray_NP1 's_GE rifle_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 drifted_VVD ,_, this_DD1 way_NN1 and_CC that_DD1 ,_, seeming_VVG to_TO float_VVI without_IW a_AT1 care_NN1 in_II the_AT world_NN1 as_CSA before_CS it_PPH1 the_AT panorama_NN1 of_IO the_AT ragged_JJ landforms_NN2 of_IO Zabul_NP1 fled_VVD ,_, mostly_RR dust_NN1 broken_VVN by_II rocks_NN2 and_CC ridges_NN2 ,_, except_CS the_AT part_NN1 where_CS the_AT rocks_NN2 and_CC ridges_NN2 were_VBDR broken_VVN by_II dust_NN1 ._. 
"_" Goddamn_UH ,_, "_" said_VVD Colonel_NNB Laidlaw_NP1 ,_, halfway_RR through_II Marlboro_NP1 number_NN1 673_MC ._. 
"_" Make_VV0 it_PPH1 work_VVI faster_RRR ,_, Lance_NN1 Corporal_NN1 ._. "_" 
The_AT lance_NN1 corporal_NN1 did_VDD n't_XX answer_VVI ,_, not_XX out_RP of_IO rudeness_NN1 but_CCB because_CS he_PPHS1 knew_VVD the_AT colonel_NN1 's_GE style_NN1 was_VBDZ to_TO make_VVI comically_RR infantile_JJ demands_NN2 as_II a_AT1 way_NN1 of_IO amusing_JJ everybody_PN1 within_II earshot_NN1 ._. 
And_CC then_RT --_JJ "_" Lock-on_NN1 !_! 
Lock-on_NN1 !_! "_" said_VVD the_AT lance_NN1 corporal_NN1 ._. 
Indeed_RR ,_, as_CSA a_AT1 glowing_JJ message_NN1 in_II the_AT bottom_JJ quadrant_NN1 of_IO the_AT screen_NN1 made_VVD clear_JJ ,_, the_AT frequency_NN1 hunting_NN1 doohickey_NN1 in_II outer_JJ space_NN1 had_VHD located_VVN Whiskey_NN1 2-2_MCMC 's_GE signal_NN1 and_CC clenched_VVN it_PPH1 between_II its_APPGE electronic_JJ jaws_NN2 ._. 
The_AT terrain_NN1 that_CST lay_VVD before_CS it_PPH1 looked_VVD like_II --_JJ well_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 looked_VVD like_II any_DD other_JJ terrain_NN1 in_II Zabul_NP1 ._. 
"_" Is_VBZ it_PPH1 him_PPHO1 ?_? "_" 
Exec_NP1 wondered_VVD ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 could_VM be_VBI some_DD Taliban_JJ motherfucker_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 shiny_JJ new_JJ rifle_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Where_RRQ is_VBZ it_PPH1 ,_, S-Two_MC ?_? "_" the_AT colonel_NN1 demanded_VVD humorlessly_RR ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 need_VV0 a_AT1 location_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Yes_UH ,_, sir_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD S-2_FO ,_, reading_VVG the_AT satellite_NN1 coordinates_NN2 and_CC trying_VVG to_TO relate_VVI them_PPHO2 to_II the_AT geodesic_JJ survey_NN1 map_NN1 he_PPHS1 had_VHD pinned_VVN to_II a_AT1 table_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 calculated_VVD quickly_RR ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 make_VV0 him_PPHO1 to_TO be_VBI about_RG seven_MC miles_NNU2 east_ND1 of_IO the_AT location_NN1 of_IO the_AT ambush_NN1 ,_, still_RR moving_VVG on_II a_AT1 line_NN1 to_II Qalat_NP1 ,_, still_RR aiming_VVG to_TO come_VVI in_RP from_II the_AT west_ND1 ._. "_" 
"_" Jesus_NP1 Christ_NP1 ,_, "_" said_VVD Exec_NP1 ._. 
"_" He_PPHS1 's_VHZ got_VVN goats_NN2 ._. "_" 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ true_JJ ._. 
Somehow_RR ,_, some_DD way_NN1 ,_, the_AT survivors_NN2 of_IO the_AT goat_NN1 massacre_NN1 had_VHD managed_VVN to_TO track_VVI Ray_NP1 down_RP amid_II the_AT arroyos_NN2 ,_, switchbacks_NN2 ,_, and_CC fissures_NN2 of_IO Zabul_NP1 and_CC had_VHD reassembled_VVN around_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
Yes_UH ,_, that_DD1 would_VM have_VHI to_TO be_VBI him_PPHO1 ,_, a_AT1 slightly_RR glowing_JJ figure_NN1 at_II the_AT center_NN1 of_IO the_AT smaller_JJR but_CCB just_RR as_RG annoying_JJ platoon_NN1 of_IO goats_NN2 ,_, moving_VVG down_RP a_AT1 dusty_JJ trail_NN1 ._. 
"_" That_DD1 is_VBZ one_MC1 tough_JJ Filipino_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD S-2_FO ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 believe_VV0 he_PPHS1 's_VHZ got_VVN some_DD conquistador_NN1 blood_NN1 and_CC maybe_RR a_AT1 little_JJ kamikaze_NN1 DNA_NN1 in_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
Nothing_PN1 stops_VVZ the_AT Cruise_NN1 Missile_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD Ray_NP1 's_GE section_NN1 lieutenant_NN1 ._. 
"_" Look_VV0 !_! "_" said_VVD S-2_FO ._. 
"_" Is_VBZ that_DD1 what_DDQ I_PPIS1 think_VV0 it_PPH1 is_VBZ ?_? "_" 
He_PPHS1 pointed_VVD ._. 
Down_RP at_II the_AT bottom_NN1 of_IO the_AT screen_NN1 ,_, slightly_RR hidden_VVN behind_II a_AT1 fusillade_NN1 of_IO rushing_VVG integers_NN2 from_II a_AT1 digital_JJ readout_NN1 that_CST no_PN121 one_PN122 in_II the_AT room_NN1 understood_VVD ,_, not_XX even_RR the_AT IT_NN1 ,_, six_MC glowing_JJ figures_NN2 picked_VVD their_APPGE way_NN1 across_II the_AT landscape_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 had_VHD arranged_VVN themselves_PPX2 in_II classic_JJ tactical_JJ diamond_NN1 formation_NN1 ,_, with_IW a_AT1 point_NN1 man_NN1 and_CC two_MC flankers_NN2 out_RP a_AT1 hundred_NNO yards_NN2 in_II each_DD1 direction_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 moved_VVD ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ evident_JJ ,_, with_IW easy_JJ ,_, practiced_VVD precision_NN1 ._. 
"_" They_PPHS2 're_VBR hunting_VVG him_PPHO1 ,_, "_" someone_PN1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" S-Two_MC ,_, give_VV0 me_PPIO1 a_AT1 range_NN1 ._. "_" 
S-2_FO did_VDD the_AT calc_NN1 and_CC said_VVD ,_, "_" They_PPHS2 're_VBR within_II a_AT1 mile_NNU1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 've_VH0 got_VVN a_AT1 vector_NN1 on_II him_PPHO1 too_RR ._. 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX think_VVI they_PPHS2 're_VBR tracking_JJ ._. 
They_PPHS2 're_VBR moving_VVG too_RG fast_RR to_TO be_VBI tracking_JJ ._. "_" 
