Ubermann

Rakos gripped the branch between his feet with his left hand, as he held a white knuckled grip on his knife with his right.

They'd been following him for days, he had heard their heavy footfalls, and bits of radio chatter.

He had not identified them yet, but he was about to. The first one walked past him, under the branch, unaware of the presence of Rakos above him.

Noiselessly, Rakos dropped to the ground behind the man and grabbed him in a secure armlock with his knife to the man's throat in the same motion as he rose.

"Identify." He growled, his voice barely audible.

The man mechanically answered with some well practiced lie.

"Think I'm stupid?" Rakos asked. "Identify."

The same well practiced lie. Rakos pressed his knife into the man's throat.

"One more time. Identify."

Again the lie, this time with an edge of panic. Rakos yanked his knife sideways, slicing the man's throat wider than a second mouth. He lowered the body quickly and quietly to the ground.