Index Finger on the Trigger

Perimeter check: clear. My fingers responded first. I shifted my right grip along the rifle receiver, testing joint mobility. Tactical response active. To my flank stood an operative in red gear, utterly stationary. I reached out with the rifle barrel, lightly tapping their shoulder guard. Solid. No pulse. I lowered my stance, set my optics on the dark 'Ghost' lettering beneath us, and held position.