Capture

The team leader led his team deeper into the cavern, the beam of his headlamp cutting through the darkness as they moved cautiously over the uneven terrain. The cave walls, jagged and wet, seemed to close in around them, amplifying every sound—every drip of water, every scuffle of boots against the damp earth. The distant echoes of their movements made it difficult to pinpoint their own location, but team leader's night-vision goggles gave him a clear view of the cave's contours.

"Stay sharp, everyone," the team leader ordered, his voice barely more than a whisper. "They could be anywhere in this labyrinth."

The soldiers nodded, their M4 Carbines held at the ready, fingers resting lightly on the triggers. They had followed the tracks to this point, the footprints in the mud growing fresher as they ventured further into the cave.