Strength of the Pack by Kendall McKenna Page B

Hammond’s power.”

    Lucas wasn’t sure how to reply to what sounded like an open criticism of his company commander.

    Madison was undaunted by his silence. “Because of the chain of command, I can’t blatantly offer you any training or assistance.”

    “Of course, sir, I understand.” Lucas didn’t though.

    “Lieutenant Campbell and I have training and experience with commanding werewolves,” Madison’s tone was conversational. “If the subject came up informally, just a bunch of officers shooting the shit, no one would be the wiser.”

    “Just a group of officers swapping stories about their days,” replied Lucas.

    “Exactly.” Madison smiled conspiratorially.
     
    “Thank you, sir.” Lucas was genuinely grateful.

    “Nothing to thank me for. You watch my back; I’ll watch yours.” With a nod, Captain Madison ambled off in a different direction.
     
    Lucas’ mind raced over the implications of the conversation. It seemed he had an unexpected ally. As reassuring as it was to know he had a resource for answers to his werewolf-related questions, he knew he still couldn’t ask the most important one.

    What the fuck was this thing between Noah and him?
    § § §
    Whatever it was between them, five days later it was keeping them all alive. They were split from the rest of the company and had been ordered to make movement to contact at villages they encountered. They traveled along a rocky, pitted road, taking over villages and searching for signs of Taliban forces or hostile insurgents.

    Lucas stared out the window of his Humvee, ignoring the sense of claustrophobia. A center console filled with electronics separated him from Gunny McAlister. He kept the screen of his BLUFOR Tracker pushed toward the windscreen so they didn’t have to talk around it, but it did little to help.

    “LT,” Noah’s voice sounded on the comm. Again, he was breaking radio protocol, but it no longer mattered.

    Immediately, Lucas keyed his mic and gave his order. “All Fox victors, immediate halt.”

    The platoon had grown used to Noah’s cryptic transmissions followed my Lucas’ firm orders. It had kept them out of the shit more than once. Each Humvee came to an abrupt halt as they all waited to see what would happen next.
     
    “Can you tell what it is he’s seeing?” Vince asked from the driver’s seat.

    “Not yet,” replied Lucas. “Not that it matters; he’s been right every time he’s called a halt like this.”

    “Any idea how in the hell Hammond knows when we’re about to roll over a damn IED?” Vince’s question reflected Lucas’ own bafflement.

    “When I asked, he said he can smell them,” Lucas answered.
     
    “Did he say what an IED smells like?” Vince sounded dubious.

    Glancing over his shoulder, Lucas replied, “It smells like explosive material, metal, disturbed dirt and however many humans have handled the device.”

    “No shit?” Gunny’s eyebrows rose beyond the brim of his Kevlar.

    “That’s what he said.” Lucas shrugged, jostling his M16.
     
    Lucas saw Noah climb slowly out of his Humvee, so he stepped from his own. He didn’t care that being out in the open made him more vulnerable; it was easier to breathe outside of the cramped vehicle.

    One by one, Grant, Hubbard and Chandler exited their victors and moved down the line toward Noah. Lucas adjusted his battle sling so his M16 hung more comfortably on his shoulder. Whatever it was Noah was sensing, it could lead to an exchange of gunfire, and Lucas needed to be ready.
     
    “Sergeant?” Corporal Hubbard asked quietly.

    With the hand not gripping his M16, Noah pointed two fingers toward the left side of his Humvee. Hubbard and Grant moved around to the far side of the vehicle. Another flick of Noah’s fingers gestured Chandler forward. The four of them fanned out along the road, lifted their weapons and slowly walked forward.
     
    Fifty meters out, Noah gestured for them to halt. He took another few steps