Jack headed out of the hut with Web. Jack looked around once he was outside and asked,
"Should we go separate and cover two positions or stay together?"
"We might as well stay together, were up for four hours it's going to be dull, there's not going to be any activity."
"Yeah." Jack muttered, his attention being paid to the surrounding area rather than his friend.
They headed to their watch spot in a slow but determined pace. The ground was solid mud and had formed in large clumps here and there, making the land uneven and hard to walk over. They passed some trees, Jack wasn't exactly sure which type they were, but he did notice just how many different types surrounded them, clumped together they would be obstacles in their way when they set out later tonight.
Jack sat down onto the ground with his back against a large tree. He didn't mind sitting on the mud, but it appeared Web did, he seemed determined to find a clump of the sparse yellow grass that was large enough for him to take a seat on. Jack watched this with a slight amused look on his face, as his friend pottered around the area nearby.
Web finally sat down satisfied he would stay clean. The two man were sat a few feet apart, both looking out on different directions of the surrounding land, and both being able to see different angles of the rickety hut. If anyone approached them, they would see.
The two sat in a continued silence, watching their surroundings intently, even if they were sure the hut would remain undisturbed. After a few minutes it was clear to Jack they would not be seeing anyone soon. He stretched his legs out and sat with his Sig. resting on his lap but still held in his hand, just in case. As he looked on out into the trees he noticed that, despite just how many trees there were, the light was still easily finding its way through the thick branches to shine down upon them. He looked up but couldn't see the path the sun was using to get through, and so pondered this issue for some time. He had also noticed how there were no animals in sight, and assumed it had been a long time since the rain last poured over this area.
"You okay?" Web asked, hoping to strike a conversation with Jack, although he knew it wasn't going to happen. When Jack was doing something he gave it his full, undivided attention, despite how pointless the task was.
"Yeah" he replied blankly. Web sighed and looked around at the surrounding landscape, hoping to find something to keep his attention for the duration of the watch. He had never been any good in stakeouts, he needed movement, activity, he needed to be occupied. Bored, Web tried again, to start a conversation with Jack. He decided to focus it on their mission, maybe that would get a portion of Jack's attention, he thought.
"How do you think it will go down?" He asked, quietly.
"As planned." Jack replied, giving Web a glance of annoyance; it wasn't good to think negatively about an upcoming mission, it increased failure rates.
If a man goes into battle thinking of his possibility of death, he is more likely to die. He looked to Web and saw an uncertain look across his face; he was having second thoughts, he could tell. He had known Web a long time, long enough to know when something was worrying him.
"It will be simple." He stated, before continuing, hoping to reassure his friend. "We get to the base, secure our position, detonate the explosives, reach the extraction point. Then we're home free. Its a simple mission, Web, I'm confident it will go like clockwork." He paused, and offered his friend a weak attempt at a smile, "Don't worry about it. If we all focus on the task, it will be successful, and we will be back home in no time at all."
Web smiled at Jack's response. He had told himself he was simply striking conversation, but deep down he knew he was conveying his fears to Jack in the hope of reassurance, which he had given him.
"Good," he said, already feeling more confident about what they were about to encounter.
He fell silent again and let his mind wander, back to the dark spaces of uncertainty.
"Jack... If something should happen...-"
Before he could continue Jack snapped, "Nothing is going to happen!"
"But if is does..." He replied, fear and anger evident in his voice. "Look, its James' birthday in 3 days. I... I promised Helen I'd come back to see him turn 5... If I don't..." He stopped as he began to choke up, angry at himself for telling Jack his fears and showing his emotions to him.
"I know... don't worry about it." Jack said, hoping to comfort him, not understanding why Web was so concerned.
Seeing the tears well up in Web's eyes, Jack tried to change the subject, to make Web and now himself feel better about the whole situation.
"The land here is as dry as the desert, when do you think it last rained?" Jack mentally kicked himself, they were stuck in Bosnia on a covert mission, and the only conversation he could come up with was about the weather. A small smile crept over his face as Web broke out into laughter.
"Your still awful at changing the subject you know, there is such a thing as subtlety..."
The two started to laugh at this. "No harm in trying."
Web looked up and nodded as the smile drifted from his face. He told himself it was only natural to feel nervous when you were performing an action of this magnitude, but he wasn't convinced. He wondered what was going through Jacks mind as he surveyed the area, his face expressionless once more.