The Fog of Dreams

by Justin Bell

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  Burndock and McGovern approached the Strickland residence, their M4 carbines lifted in firing positions and eyes scanning the area. They reached the back door and noted that it was still partially open. They continued inside. Strickland's Toyota still sat in the garage, which put Burndock's mind at ease, at least a little bit. But only a bit. If he wasn't heading towards the next town, he might be waiting inside for them. Moments later, they crossed the threshold and emerged in Strickland's office. Burndock grew even more apprehensive. The secret wall panel leading to the armory in his basement had been removed and the entire room ransacked. That meant he was not only equipped to head to Watch Station, but he was fully prepared to cause some serious damage once he got there.

  "McGovern," started Agent Burndock, "Take a full inventory here. I want to know exactly what he's carrying and what he plans on doing when he gets to home base."

  "Yes, sir."

  Just as he finished speaking, his earpiece buzzed and he answered.

  "Burndock, go."

  "This is Agent Gross. We've got a missing car, sir."

  "Shit!"

  Less than a second later, the first call disconnected, and the next one rang in his ear.

  "Grace, this is Burndock."

  "I hear you, Agent. Speak," responded the senior agent on the other end.

  "We have reason to believe that William Strickland stole one of our own vehicles and may in fact be on his way to you now."

  The line was quiet for a few seconds.

  "Okay," Grace finally replied. He didn't sound frightened. In fact, he almost sounded resigned. Resigned to whatever fate might be coming his way. "I've recalled all field agents and all of our security contractors. They are converging on Watch Station as we speak and should be prepared to repel Strickland if he comes."

  "Sir, this is not an "if" situation, this is a "when" situation."

  "Acknowledged, Agent."

  Burndock continued. "Strickland left his car here. Looks like a 2010 Toyota Matrix, dark gray. I will appropriate this vehicle so we can return to Watch Station post haste."

  "See you back here."

  Burndock thumbed his headset and turned it off, then spun around and headed for the door leading back into the basement.

  "Agent McGovern?" he asked as he walked across the basement floor. "Get in the Matrix; we're heading back to Watch?"

  The sound behind him was soft and muffled. Sounded like a small cat stepping across concrete. Burndock swung around just as Strickland rose from the crouch on the basement floor, but he had no time to respond. In fact, all he could do was let his mouth gape open while the ex-NSA contractor slammed a knife into the nerve clusters in his neck. His eyes rolled back in their head, and he slumped to the cement basement floor, unconscious.

  William Strickland walked to the man, grabbed him under the arms, and dragged him into his office, where Agent McGovern was already out cold in the unlocked armory. Burndock was tossed in unceremoniously and the owner of the home scooped up the fallen wall panel, replaced it, and locked it in place.

  If the two NSA agents had opened the trunk to the Matrix, they would have seen that all of the gear that Strickland needed was stashed inside. In fact, the missing NSA sedan was parked in the woods across the street. Strickland hoped this one last little feint would buy him some crucial minutes as he planned his full-scale attack on the NSA Watch Station. There was no longer any choice. He had to stop them all.