"You've got it," Jacob said. He plucked a Predator from the rack, laid it on the workbench, and bent over it as he began screwing on a high-caliber barrel.

"I know what you mean," he said as he worked. "Worst missions I've ever been on? They've all been the ones where I wasn't expecting any trouble. There's not much worse than getting blindsided. Even a suicide mission can be survivable if you've got time to prepare."

With that, he finished screwing on the barrel, lengthening the weapon. A few more deft, practiced motions snapped the scope onto the top of the pistol. Jacob hefted the gun up and held it out to Lafiel. "There. It might weigh a bit more, but now you've got added accuracy and firepower. Try holding it, see how it feels."