After the past year, Tom never lets his guard down anymore but this place has him so overwhelmed that for a moment, he forgot to pay attention. And he's paying the price immediately.

Stupid, stupid, STUPID, he should have known that a place like this wouldn't be left unguarded?

The wind is knocked out of him when Jake hits his midsection and he goes down but his surprise only lasts a split second. He grunts and shifts the strap of his weapon to give himself more room and bring the hilt down at Jacob's back while trying to ram his elbow into his face. His attacks are swift and strong, fueled by the edge of living in a battalion and the desperation that every fight can very likely be your last. If he can just get him off, get some distance between them...