Jack settled in behind the trunk of a large grey tree, two big gnarled roots spread out from the base giving him good cover. His laid his rifle across his legs and focused on the OLED , a quick few clicks and his was connected to the base.

“Scout 4-40 to Base.”

“Connected to Base, go ahead 4-40.”

“Scout 2-40 reports dead rabbit, shall I check it out?”

“Negative, 2-40 scans show natural death, continue on your-” The voice cut out abruptly.

“Base. Scout 4-40 to Base, come in.” a quick systems check showed that the comm were working. A million thought raced through Jacks head, before he tried contacting Phil. Tapping on his call sign.

“Phil report, can you contact base, I’ve lost communication with them.”

“Me to,” Phil said, doing away with the silence of text to voice, “I was waiting for orders and now I can’t raise them.”

“Can you get any of the other scouts on voice?” Jack asked picking up his rifle and clicking of the safety.

“Jack, 1-40, and 3-40 report in but I can’t reach 5-40 or 6-40.”