Author’s Note: I had a heck of a time getting CoPilot to count today. I had it redo the same image several times explaining that I only wanted two dogs in the frame. It gave me three. I said “Please analyze the last three images you made and tell me how many dogs are in them. it answered “three”. I said, “Correct, now make those images with just two dogs.” I got three and gave up. Usually if I ask it will tell me why. Not this time. This time I got this in reply:
You’re absolutely right, Michael — and I appreciate you calling it out directly.
Despite the prompt being clear and correct (“only two dogs: Rook and Bodie”), the generated image included a third dog, which violates your canon and the visual integrity of Bearcat. That’s on me to catch and correct.
Here’s what I’ll do next:
I’ll visually anchor the scene with Hale, Reyes, Carter, Rook, and Bodie — and no other dogs or handlers.
Let me take care of that now.I’ll regenerate Visual 3 — Hale Arrives at the Line with an explicitly enforced two-dog limit. I’ll revise the prompt to emphasize “only two dogs present” in multiple places, not just once.
And this was the resulting image:
Yeah, so I gave up and broke out Photoshop.
K9LTW – a fiction by MKHurder part-2
CHAPTER 28 — Movement Along the Creek Bed
The Split
The south gate opened just enough for the two recon elements to slip through. Reyes and Rook took the eastern trail, moving at a steady, deliberate pace along the narrow path that curved south. The vegetation was dense but manageable, low vines, broad leaves, and patches of soft ground that held tracks longer than they should.
On the opposite side of the gate, Donnie and Bodie took the western route, following a similar arc. Their trail bent south as well, mirroring Reyes’ path but on the far side of the perimeter. Both handlers kept their dogs close, rifles angled low, eyes scanning the terrain ahead.
The plan was simple: Two elements out. Two elements curving south. One link‑up point at the creek bed, one click out, directly ahead of the south wall.
Neither team rushed. The terrain demanded patience. Visibility shifted constantly, twenty meters one moment, ten the next. The canopy filtered the early light, leaving the ground in a muted, uneven glow.
Reyes checked his compass once, confirmed his bearing, and continued. Rook worked a few feet ahead, nose sampling the air in short arcs. Donnie did the same on his side, Bodie moving with controlled precision, ears forward, posture alert.
Both teams advanced independently, maintaining radio silence until the link‑up.
The Link‑Up
The terrain on both routes gradually funneled toward the same low corridor leading to the creek bed. Reyes reached the convergence point first, stepping into a narrow clearing just inside the tree line. The creek was thirty meters ahead—shallow, slow‑moving, bordered by thick brush on both sides.
Rook paused, ears up, scanning the area. Reyes held position, checking the perimeter before signaling.
Two minutes later, movement approached from the west. With the pre-arranged call sign protocols met, Donnie emerged through the brush with Bodie at heel, the dog’s posture steady and controlled. Donnie gave a short nod, and Reyes returned it.
“Trail was clear,” Donnie said quietly.
“Same here,” Reyes replied.
Hale and McCready’s reaction squad arrived moments later, having followed the central route directly south from the gate. The three elements formed a loose semicircle inside the tree line, maintaining spacing while they assessed the terrain ahead.
Rook and Bodie both sampled the air, but neither dog showed any immediate indicators. The creek bed ahead was quiet, no movement, no sound beyond the natural background.
Hale stepped forward. “We move as one from here. Reyes on point. Donnie moves to reserve.”
Both handlers acknowledged. The combined element shifted into formation, preparing to advance toward the creek.
First Signs
Reyes moved into point position with Rook working just ahead of his knee. Donnie stayed ten paces back of slack with Bodie, keeping the second dog in a reserve role. Hale positioned himself slack between the handlers, rifle angled low, scanning the brush ahead.
McCready’s squad spread into a shallow arc behind them, maintaining clean fields of fire. The terrain tightened as they approached the creek, dense brush on both sides, limited visibility, uneven ground underfoot.
Rook slowed, nose cutting a tighter arc. His posture shifted. It was subtle, but enough for Reyes to feel it through the leash. Bodie picked up on something a moment later, ears angling forward, weight shifting slightly.
Reyes raised a hand. “Rook’s got something.”
Hale crouched slightly, eyes narrowing as he scanned the brush ahead. “Hold position.” The squad froze in place. No one spoke. No one shifted unnecessarily.
Rook’s stance firmed.
Both dogs were alerting the same direction toward a dense patch of brush near the creek bed. The first indication of the enemy’s presence had arrived.
Reaction Squad on the Line
McCready reached the southern sector with a reaction squad of eight men, all geared up and spread in a low, controlled formation. They moved quietly, rifles up, scanning the brush as they approached Hale’s position.
Hale signaled them down before they got too close. He pointed toward the dense wall of vegetation where both dogs were locked in. McCready crouched beside him.
“Both dogs still on it?” McCready asked.
“Not a shift,” Hale said. “They’ve been locked since we got here.”
McCready studied the brush. “Distance?”
“Hard to judge,” Hale replied. “But close. They’re not alerting on movement. They’re alerting on scent.”
Donnie spoke quietly from his position. “Bodie hasn’t blinked. They are close. He’s tight as a spring.”
McCready keyed his radio. “TOC, this is McCready. We’ve got a fixed alert. No movement. Recommend we assume a dug‑in position and let the dogs work this.”
Jasper’s voice came back steady. “Copy. Any sign of weapons?”
“Possible,” McCready said. “The tracks Donnie found match a wheeled weapon. Tracks are tightly spaced, running parallel to the wire. My guess is they’re setting up something heavy.”
Jasper didn’t hesitate. “They’re trying to cut the road.”
“Or the LZ,” McCready added. “If they’ve got RPGs in there, they can hit anything coming in from the south.”
Hale shifted slightly to get a better angle. “Sarge, we’re not walking into that blind. Are we?”
McCready nodded. “No one moves forward. We hold until we know what’s in that brush.” Half a dozen held breathes were let go in sudden relief. He signaled the reaction squad to spread out, forming a shallow arc behind the handlers. Each man took cover behind trees, logs, or depressions in the ground. Rifles stayed trained on the same point the dogs were locked onto.
Reyes kept a steady hand on Rook’s harness. Donnie did the same with Bodie. Neither dog moved.
McCready keyed the radio again. “TOC, we need eyes in the air. Even a low pass. Something to force them to shift.”
Jasper answered, “Working on it. Stand by.”
McCready settled into position beside Hale. “Whatever’s in there,” he said quietly, “they’re waiting for us to make the first mistake.” Hale nodded. “We’re not giving them one.” The line held steady. The jungle stayed still. Something was being dug in ahead of them. And it was set to cut Bearcat off completely.
Eyes in the Air
Jasper stood over the map table; radio handset pressed to his ear. The southern sector was quiet, but the dogs’ stationary alerts told him everything he needed to know. Something was being dug in out there, and it wasn’t moving unless they moved it.
He keyed the mic. “Phantom Two, this is Bearcat TOC. Requesting low reconnaissance pass over grid two-seven-alpha. Southern creek bed. Possible enemy staging.”
Static crackled for a moment before the pilot answered. “Bearcat, Phantom Two copies. We can give you one pass. Fuel’s tight.”
“That’s all we need,” Jasper said. “Approach from the east. Keep it low.”
McCready’s voice came through next. “TOC, this is McCready. We’re set. Reaction squad in position. Hale and the handlers are holding.”
“Copy,” Jasper replied. “Phantom Two is inbound.”
Hale heard the transmission and signaled the men to stay tight. Reyes kept a steady hand on Rook’s harness. Donnie did the same with Bodie. Both dogs remained locked on the same point in the brush.
Hale spoke quietly into his mic. “TOC, we’re ready.”
Jasper watched the clock. “Phantom Two, you’re cleared for your run.”
A faint rumble built in the distance. Hale heard it first. Then Reyes. Then Donnie. The sound grew louder as the aircraft approached low over the treetops.
“Here they come,” Hale said. The reaction squad tightened their grips on their rifles.
The aircraft broke over the ridge, engines echoing across the jungle. It swept low over the southern sector, passing directly above the point where the dogs were locked in.
The reaction was immediate.
From the brush ahead of the handlers came a sharp burst of movement—branches shifting, figures scrambling, gear clattering. Rook lunged forward against the harness. Bodie did the same.
Hale keyed his mic. “Movement! Multiple enemy!”
McCready’s voice cut in. “TOC, we’ve got movement on the ground. Confirm enemy presence.”
Jasper leaned over the map. “Copy. Hold your fire unless they break cover.”
The aircraft circled back, engines roaring overhead. The jungle erupted again, this time with the unmistakable sound of metal striking metal, something heavy being dragged or repositioned.
Hale keyed the mic. “TOC, they’re moving equipment.”
McCready didn’t hesitate. “RPG team or a heavy gun. They’re relocating.”
Jasper’s voice came back steady. “All elements hold. Do not advance. We need to see where they’re going.”
The jungle went quiet again, but the dogs stayed locked, bodies rigid, ears forward. Whatever had been in that brush was still there, just deeper now, and moving with purpose.
“Bearcat TOC, this is Phantom 2, I am bingo fuel and RTB. I’ll be back on station ASAP. Over and out.”
Enemy Repositioning
The jungle settled again after the aircraft’s pass, but the silence wasn’t the same as before. It had weight to it. Hale could hear small shifts in the brush, controlled, deliberate, not panicked. The enemy were adjusting.
Reyes kept a steady grip on Rook’s harness. The dog’s body stayed rigid, nose pointed deeper into the vegetation. Donnie watched Bodie do the same.
Hale keyed his radio. “TOC, they’re not pulling out. They’re repositioning. Sounds like they’re moving equipment farther south.”
Jasper answered immediately. “Copy. Any indication of direction?”
“South-southeast,” Hale said. “Toward the creek bend.”
McCready shifted beside him. “That puts them closer to the road cut.”
Hale nodded. “And gives them a cleaner angle on the LZ.”
Jasper’s voice came through again, steady and controlled. “If they’re shifting to the bend, they’re setting up a crossfire. They want to hit anything coming in from the southeast.”
McCready looked over the reaction squad. “We’re not letting them get set.”
Hale held up a hand. “We don’t know how many are in there. Dogs picked up a hard alert. Could be a full team.”
Reyes added quietly, “Rook’s not shifting. Whatever’s ahead is still there.”
McCready keyed his mic. “TOC, recommend we hold until we know their numbers. If we push blind, we walk into their field of fire.”
Jasper didn’t hesitate. “Agreed. We’re not losing men to an ambush. Hold your line. I’m requesting additional air if they can spare it.”
Hale settled deeper into cover. “They’re not done moving. I can hear metal. Could be a tripod.”
Reyes listened, then said almost whispering. “Or a launcher tube.”
Donnie adjusted his rifle. “Either way, they’re setting up for a shot.”
McCready scanned the brush. “They’re trying to cut us off completely.”
Jasper’s voice came back over the radio. “All elements hold. No one advances. We wait for confirmation from above.”
The enemy kept moving, slow, deliberate, confident. They weren’t probing. They weren’t testing the perimeter. They were building a firing position designed to shut Bearcat down.
Aerial Confirmation
Phantom Two came back over the radio just thirty minutes after they RTB. The pilot’s voice was steady, but there was no mistaking the tension behind it. “Bearcat TOC, Phantom Two. We’ve got movement along the creek bed. Multiple figures. Stationary clusters of gear. Looks like equipment.”
Jasper leaned over the map. “How many?”
“Hard to count through canopy,” the pilot said. “But at least six. Maybe more. Two distinct positions. Both facing north.”
McCready’s voice cut in from the line. “That’s a firing lane.”
“Affirmative,” Phantom Two replied. “They’re setting up for something heavy. I saw a long tube—could be an RPG or a recoilless rifle.”
Jasper marked the map with a grease pencil. “Positions?”
“Primary is here,” the pilot said, reading off coordinates. “Secondary is twenty meters east. Both have clear arcs toward the road cut.”
Hale listened from his position between Reyes and Donnie . “They’re building a crossfire.”
Reyes kept his hand on Rook’s harness. “Rook hasn’t shifted. Whatever’s ahead is still in place.”
Phantom Two continued. “Be advised, they’re camouflaged well. I only caught them because they moved when we passed overhead. They’re dug in deep.”
Jasper keyed the mic. “Any sign they’re preparing to fire?”
“Possible,” the pilot said. “They’re not idle. They’re adjusting gear. Looks like they’re finalizing setup.”
McCready looked at Hale. “They’re minutes away from being ready.”
Hale nodded. “Once they’re set, they’ll own the road, and the air for a thousand meters around.”
Jasper’s voice came through again, calm but firm. “All elements, listen up. We have confirmed enemy staging with heavy weapons. They’re preparing to cut Highway 1 and the LZ. We cannot let them finish setting up.”
McCready adjusted his gear. “What’s the call?”
Jasper didn’t hesitate. “We hold until Phantom Two completes one more pass. If they shift again, we’ll know their final positions. After that, we move.”
Hale settled deeper into cover. “Copy. Holding.”
Reyes tightened his grip on Rook’s harness. Donnie did the same with Bodie. Both dogs stayed rigid, locked on the same point in the brush.
The reaction squad stayed low, rifles trained, waiting for the next move. Phantom Two circled wide, preparing for another run. The enemy was dug in. The dogs had them fixed. And Bearcat had one chance to break the setup before the road and the LZ were lost.
Final Pass
Phantom Two came in lower on the third run, engines echoing across the southern sector. Hale signaled the men to stay tight. The aircraft swept over the treetops, and the reaction was immediate.
The jungle ahead of the handlers erupted with movement, branches shifting, figures ducking, gear scraping against roots and metal. This time it wasn’t a scramble. It was coordinated.
Hale keyed his mic. “TOC, they’re shifting again. Faster this time.”
Phantom Two’s pilot came through the radio. “Bearcat, be advised, enemy is repositioning south-southeast. I count at least two launcher tubes and what looks like a tripod-mounted weapon.”
Jasper leaned over the map. “Tripod confirms heavy gun.”
“Affirmative,” the pilot said. “They’re setting up a firing lane toward the road. They’re almost ready.”
McCready’s voice cut in. “TOC, if they finish setting up, they’ll own the road.”
“Copy,” Jasper replied. “Hold your line. We’re not pushing blind.”
The aircraft banked hard and came around again. This pass forced more movement from the brush, this time sharper, more deliberate. Hale could hear metal locking into place.
Reyes whispered, “That’s a heavy mounting plate. I’d bet my DEROS on it.”
Donnie nodded. “Heavy gun for sure.”
Hale keyed the mic. “TOC, they’re finalizing setup. Sounds like they’re locking in a tripod or heavier.”
Phantom Two confirmed it. “Bearcat, I’ve got visual on a crew-served weapon. Looks like a DShK or similar. They’re setting it to cover the road and the LZ.”
Jasper didn’t hesitate. “All elements, stand by.” He was hoping for a last-minute reprieve from Bien Hoa before he committed his few ground troops to action, or his reserve. An ARVN Mech unit sent to support Bearcat was headed right into the NVA trap. So far, efforts to contact that column were unsuccessful. The typical FUBAR of communications between two armies speaking different tongues.
McCready adjusted his stance. “We need to hit them before they’re ready.”
Reyes tightened his grip on Rook’s harness. Donnie steadied Bodie. Despite the attention from above, the NVA troops felt secure in their triple-canopy jungle hideaway. The mere act of them opening fire would clear the brush from their firing lanes. But they weren’t aware of the patrol that had them pegged.
Phantom Two came over the radio one last time. “Bearcat, they’re set now. They’re ready to fire. I’m clearing the zone.”
Jasper’s voice came through the net, calm and decisive. “All elements—prepare to engage. Phantom, roger, clear the area. Remain on station.”
The enemy was set to engage traffic from the south. And Bearcat had seconds to act.
First Contact
The order to prepare came across the net, and every man on the southern line tightened his grip on his weapon. Hale scanned the brush, listening for any shift in the enemy’s position.
McCready moved along the reaction squad’s line, checking spacing, confirming fields of fire. “No one fires unless they break cover. We don’t give away our position first.”
Hale keyed his mic. “TOC, line is set.”
Jasper’s voice came back steady. “Copy. Phantom Two is clear of the area. You’re weapons free if they initiate.”
The jungle stayed still for several seconds, long enough for Hale to wonder if the enemy had frozen in place. Then it happened. A sharp metallic clack echoed from the brush. A second followed. Then a third.
Reyes whispered, “That’s a charging handle.”
Donnie added, “Heavy gun. They’re loading it.”
Hale keyed the mic. “TOC, they’re prepping to fire.”
Before Jasper could respond, the jungle ahead of them erupted. A single muzzle flash burst from the brush, bright, sharp, unmistakable. The round snapped overhead, tearing through the canopy behind the reaction squad.
“Contact front!” McCready shouted. The ARVN Column made it into range of the heavy weapon, and they were getting chewed up.
The reaction squad dropped into firing positions. Hale pressed himself into the dirt, rifle up, eyes locked on the muzzle flash’s origin. There was another flash. Another round. This one slammed into a tree trunk, splintering wood. McCready keyed his mic. “TOC, they are tearing into the ARVN column. Secondary weapons are probing us. They’re firing blind but they’re close. Heavy weapon confirmed. They know we’re here, just not exactly where here is.”
Jasper’s voice came back immediately. “Return fire. Break their setup.”
McCready didn’t hesitate. “All elements engage!”
The reaction squad opened up in controlled bursts, rounds cutting into the brush where the muzzle flashes had come from. Hale fired two shots, adjusted, and fired again.
Reyes and Donnie stayed low, keeping the dogs behind cover.
The enemy answered with another burst, shorter this time, less controlled. Hale could hear shouting in the brush, men shifting positions, gear scraping against roots. Heavy equipment moving.
McCready called out, “They’re pulling the gun back!”
Hale keyed the mic. “TOC, they’re trying to reposition!”
Jasper replied, “Keep pressure on them. Do not let them reset. Damn it! Where’s my ARTY?”
The reaction squad increased fire, pushing the enemy deeper into the vegetation. The K9 teams split again and led flanking actions, the enemy were noisy enough to make tracking every movement relatively easy. The heavy gun went silent. The RPG tubes didn’t fire. The enemy was moving but not advancing. They were breaking contact.
Hale exhaled once, steady and controlled. “They’re falling back.”
McCready nodded. “Guess they weren’t ready for a fight yet. But they’ll be back.”
Hale agreed. “Yeah. They didn’t bring all that gear out here to walk away.”
The line held. The jungle quieted again. But the threat hasn’t gone. It had just shifted.
Bearcat Prepares
The firing tapered off fast. The last enemy round snapped through the canopy and disappeared into the distance. Then the jungle went still again, too still to be anything but deliberate. The wind shifted direction sharply as a squall rolled over the area.
Hale held his position, rifle up, eyes fixed on the brush. “No movement.”
Reyes kept a steady grip on Rook’s harness. The dog’s posture stayed rigid, but his breathing slowed. The rain stirred scents into a mishmash of confused odors.”
McCready scanned ahead. “They broke contact. Pulled the gun back.”
Hale keyed his mic. “TOC, enemy has withdrawn from immediate contact.”
Jasper’s voice came back steady. “Copy. Hold your positions. Do not pursue.”
McCready nodded. “We’re not chasing them into a prepared kill zone.” McCready keyed the mic again. “TOC, recommend we assume they’re repositioning for another attempt. They didn’t fire the RPGs. They didn’t commit the heavy gun. They were testing us. This whole dance was a fiction.”
Jasper didn’t hesitate. “Understood. All elements, listen up. We’re shifting posture.” The TOC net lit up with controlled activity, platoon sergeants checking ammo, squad leaders confirming positions, the mortar pit reporting readiness.
Jasper continued, “We assume they’ll try again. They want the road. They want the LZ. And they’ll keep pushing until they get a clean shot.”
In the meantime, the remnants of the ARVN Mech unit arrived and leant their steel to the southern wall.
Hale listened as the orders rolled out:
- The South wall was heavily reinforced
- Reaction squad was to stay on the creek bed in support of the K9 teams
- While the two K9 patrols would try to flank
- All additional patrols had been pulled into Bearcat from around the compass to reinforce the line and replace the reaction force.
- Mortars dialed in and on standby for counter-fire, Quad-50s fired up and ready to rock
- remaining perimeter tightened as much as possible with strong points to the west, north, and east
- Air support requested for extended coverage – not forthcoming as yet
- Requests for a counterattack are put on the table and run up to Brigade HQ on Bien Hoa, who have other issues to deal with too.
McCready looked over the men. “We hold this line until we’re told otherwise.”
Reyes kept a hand on Rook’s harness. “He’s not relaxing.”
Donnie nodded. “Bodie either.”
Hale settled into cover. “Then neither do we.”
The jungle stayed quiet, but the threat hadn’t gone anywhere. It had just shifted deeper into the trees, waiting for the next opportunity.
Jasper’s final transmission set the tone.
“All elements—Bearcat is now in defensive posture. Expect contact. Prepare for the worst. K9s will try to flank and fix those guns so we can have effective counterbattery fire put on them. Reaction force, you’re running defense for our early warning K9 system. Stay alert and be ready to Di-Di back home.”
The line held. The dogs hunted, and Bearcat braced for what was coming.
(to be continued) Chapter 29 – The Weight of the Morning Teaser – “Connected in that ultimate moment, then released to their destinations.”
The jungle held its breath. Phantom Two’s final pass confirmed it: the enemy was pulling back. No fire, no advance, just movement, deliberate and quiet. The squad didn’t chase. They tracked. Reyes and Donnie split again; dogs locked on scent. Hale coordinated the arc, McCready’s team adjusting angles. The creek bed was no longer a boundary; it was a hinge. What came next would unfold in silence, not noise.
(Attn: all images AI generated from my prompts unless otherwise noted.)
It’s just my blurb from here to the end.
Click the link to start from the beginning of – K9LTW/BOOK1-Chapter 1 – fiction
Click the link to start from the beginning of – K9LTW/BOOK2-Chapter 16 – fiction
Click the link to start from the beginning of – Doh-Rey-Me/BOOK1-Chapter1 – fiction
Click the link to start from the beginning of – Doh-Rey-Me/BOOK2-Chapter1 – fiction
Bonus Fiction Feature:
If you read any of the fiction I create here to the end, you will be able to download a free copy when It’s complete. If I get a referral from you, I’ll throw in the fiction – Burtt the Blade.
From Popi’s Tales & The Book of Wonders
More from Popi’s Collection of Facts & Fiction
- Burtt the Blade – fiction
- Doh-Rey-Me Book 1 – fiction – book – written here
- Doh-Rey-Me Book 2 – fiction – book – written here
- K9LTW Book 1 – fiction – book – written here
- K9LTW Book 2 – fiction – book – written here – in progress
- Mystery of Willow Woods – fiction – short Story – written here
- The Last Signal – part one – fiction – book – written here
- Rift Guardians – chapter#1 – fiction – book – written here
- Shorty’s Path – non-fiction auto biography book
Table of Contents
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