DEFCON Zero

BATTLE REPORT: DEFCON ZERO
EASTERN SYRIA, NEAR FUTURE
SYSTEM: DEFCON ZERO

Eight Russian contractors crouch against the wall, preparing to rush into a building. Eight men—each veterans of countless undeclared wars—know their enemy awaits on the other side. It’s unclear what unit the American infantrymen belong to, but they’re well-trained, well-disciplined, and a threat. That’s what brought the Russians here in the first place—an Iranian-backed oil concern paid Vladivostok Security Solutions a hefty fee to clean out the American military presence. As the squad leader gives a hand signal, asking for ready, gunfire erupts from the flank.
A squad of American infantry has infiltrated unnoticed, and opened fire on the Russians. Two men go down screaming while the unit returns fire. In a matter of minutes, the gunfire ceases, and the only sounds are the cries of the wounded.

This is DEFCON-ZERO in a nutshell. It captures the grisly bleeding edge of modern warfare.