The 4-2

EXT. JUNGLE AT DUSK

2 MERCENARIES wearing bulky fatigues, hoods and face masks covering their mouths and noses converse in hushed tones around an empty fire pit.

MERC 2

 Are you serious?

MERC 1

There is no way in HELL I am sticking around.

MERC 2

Command will kill you.  100%.

MERC 1

Maybe.  You would rather die guarding this shithole?

MERC 2

We don't even know they're dead.

MERC 1

Of course, 6-1, 6-2 AND 5-2 going silent, one after the next, is just a malfunction.

MERC 2

Jesus, 5-2 now?

MERC 1
 I just overheard.  No alert, same as the others.

MERC 2
Damn...So what then?  You can't swim to the mainland and there is no way your noisy ass is gonna steal a boat. You'll be shot the minute you get to sector three.

MERC 1

I am not going to sector three.  Think about it: Whoever these guys are, they must have used something small enough to avoid the sensors.

MERC 2

And you're going to find it?  What if they jumped in?

MERC 1

Then I will hide.  Better than staying here like a sitting duck.

MERC 2

 Yeah right.  How would you survive any longer out there, alone?  It's suicide, man.  Stay and fight with us, we'll blast these motherfuckers. *pantomimes with rifle* Probably get a bonus for it too.

MERC 1

*grabs end of the rifle angrily* Listen to me.  There will be no warning, no blaze of glory, just your corpse on this godforsaken rock.  The only reason I told you is because I thought you were smart enough to realize that and back me up.  Screw the money, screw that lunatic and his sadistic captains.  *releases rifle, takes a deep breath* If we leave now there is still enough light to make it through the ravine to sector six.  They seem to be moving north, which hopefully means less resistance where they have already cleared.  We can assume they landed somewhere near 6-1's patrol and start searching there.

MERC 2

...

MERC 1

*quietly* Look, I am going either way, but it would help both of us if you came.

They fall silent as they hear footsteps of THIRD MERCENARY approaching from behind, dressed similarly but with more decoration. TWO MERCANARIES turn to face THIRD.

MERC 3

*stares accusingly at MERCS 1 and 2*

MERC 2

Sorry for shouting, sir.

MERC 1

*avoids MERC 3's gaze* Just heading out on patrol.

MERC 3'S RADIO crackles to life

DISPATCHER

 We have lost contact with 5-1 after failing routine check-in.  Repeat, 5-1 is not responding.  All units, remain on high alert.

MERC 1 looks meaningfully at MERC 2

MERC 2

Let's go.

MERCS 1 and 2 turn and begin to walk away.  Behind them, in one smooth motion, MERC 3 pulls out a silenced pistol with one hand and knife with the other.  MERC 3 walks forward briskly, silently, until almost on top of the others, then raises the pistol.  With a dull thud MERC 2's body crumples.  Before processing what is happening, the knife is at MERC 1's throat.

MERC 3

I jumped.