Chapter 2
Cloak of Deception
Dirk slid onto his stomach as he neared the buildings that he and the others had been watching the last few days. Little movement was found during the long hours of watching though Dirk knew there were men down there, even if the one they were looking for wasn't. Dirk crawled forward and peered over the edge of the cliff at the complex below. Dirk slowly scanned the closest building, noticing the hidden cameras and guard rooms and then turned to motion the small group of Seals behind to come down to him.
The group of three crawled up and stopped beside Dirk.
"Okay, there are four cameras and guard rooms positioned around this area. There's one on each corner, plus a fifth on the roof." Dirk pointed to the cameras as he spoke. "You three, as well as the other two groups, will enter the complex, flush out anyone you find and Giordino, Stricker and I will deal with them as they come. Do you understand?"
When all three nodded Dirk said, "Good, now hurry, we have only a few hours till down, this will only work in darkness."
When the men were out of sight, Dirk went higher up into the valley and looked down. From his vantage point he could see the three separate groups heading down towards the building. He then turned to greet his friend.
"Three days and I'm sick of this job." Al muttered walking over.
Dirk smiled and commented jokingly, "If you hate it so much maybe they can transfer you to working on the canal project."
Al stood there and looked at Dirk for a second before scoffing and walking away. Once the two reached the clearing over looking the complex, the duo noticed Stricker already sitting comfortably waiting for their arrival.
"Well looks like someone's enjoying themselves." Grumbled Al as he walked over to his pack. Upon sitting down, Al pulled out a bag of beef jerky and a small bottle of tequila and went off into his own little world.
Stricker sat there confused and dumbfounded at Al's lack of concern for the mission that they were on. He looked at Dirk for an explanation. Dirk came and sat down next to the Seal laughing all the while.
"Don't ask me why he does what he does," Dirk replied, "I've known him since kindergarten and to this day he still surprises me!" After several minutes of silence Stricker finally spoke,
"So now we wait."
"What do you mean nobody was there? There have been people there all three days that I've been here. People don't vanish!"
"Al calm down," Dirk said as he put his hands on his friends' shoulders, "We still have time, we'll find them. They couldn't have gotten far. Where ever they went." Al nodded his head in understanding of the reasonably thinking. But the silence that ensued left everyone uncomfortable. A seal finally stepped forward and said,
"Uhh, sir, we have some more bad news. The people we saw were uhh, holograms."
Dirk stared at the seals, his face cold and impassive, his gaze like the winter wind, harsh and penetrating. With the knowledge that these men were telling the truth, he turned to Stricker.
"Get everything packed up. We're leaving at dusk." The without another word Dirk ran off into the forest leaving everyone except Al in confused silence. Breaking the silence Al yelled out, "You heard the man. Get moving."
Sorry it took so long for me to update guys. It took awhile for me to write this chapter and even longer to post it. I haven't even started chapter 3 yet and with school already started, it's going to be awhile before I get anything done so bare with me. Please comment. I'd like to know what I'm doing write and what I'm doing wrong.thnx.