Thanks to everyone who has helped me tweak the story. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter and forgive me for making a short one but it was the best place to break it for chapters. Enjoy and don't forget to vote.
0700 Lieutenant Commander Neal Hawkins Office.
Hawkins was seated at his desk when Adam Dawson walked in. It had already been a long day for the lieutenant that is if you consider the fact he hadn't slept in the last 25 hours. He looked disheveled and beat as he slumped in a chair opposite of his CO.
"Your team get everything stowed away?" Neal asked as he continued his paperwork.
"They just finished up and I have them in the briefing room. I figure they can get some shut eye there before we gear up again to go look for Pete," Adam said.
"That won't be necessary Adam. Orders are to wait for the Intel guys to come up with something. Your team is to stand down until then," he told him as he looked up.
"You can't be serious Neal. There are four men down in the morgue, that are ripped to shreds and I have one who is missing. We need to get back out there," Adam said as he stood up and stared at his CO.
"God damn it Adam I know what we have down in the morgue, my men! That's right -- my men Lieutenant Dawson! If you think it's easy for me to sit here on my ass while some CIA puke figures out what to do, you're mistaken. Maybe you'd like to write these letters to the families, letting them know their husbands and sons died in a training accident," Neal Hawkins screamed.
"I'm sorry Sir, it's just that I've never left someone behind before," Adam said softly.
"I know Adam and we'll get him back, but going out in your condition is stupid. I want your team to take some time off, get some perspective on this. When we get some solid Intel I'll let you know and you can go bring him home. Now get some sleep or get drunk, but whatever you do, do it somewhere else other than here," Hawkins said as he sat back down.
Kevin Dvorska sat on the couch away from the others. He didn't know how to feel about the mission. He knew he couldn't tell the others what really happened; the secret must be kept safe at all costs. Even if he did tell L-tee the truth, hell, he'd never believe it.
"Kevin, you ok?" Carl Werner asked as he placed his large black hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah I guess. I was just thinking about the guys," Kevin told him.
"Kind of a shitty way to get your first op under your belt, but we all knew the risks when we signed up. If it makes you feel better, I thought you did a fantastic job out there," he said.
"Thanks Carl. So what do we do now? Do you think we'll get to go back out?" Kevin asked.
"I don't know, we gotta wait and see what..." Carl started to say.
"Listen up people," Adam Dawson said as he entered the briefing room.
"We're gonna stand down for a while. You guys get some sleep and then we'll meet up at that club you guys found the other day and see if we can drink the place dry. Now get out of here before I take you all to the O-course," Adam told his team.
As the team filed out of the room, Adam grabbed Kevin's arm and stopped him.
"Anything you want to talk about Kev? You seemed to be a little shaken up out there, like you were scared of something," He asked.
"No Sir. Just over active senses is all, I'll be fine after some beer," Kevin replied.
"Ok, get some rack time. One more thing you should know. My names Adam, I think you've proven yourself enough," Dawson told him as he extended his hand.
Kevin smiled and shook his Lieutenants hand. He had finally secured his spot on Adam Dawson's fire team.
It was three in the afternoon when Kevin woke up. He knew he should have slept longer but he just couldn't. He got dressed and headed out to find a beer and a phone. He needed some answers and the only one who had them lived in Galveston Texas. It was only nine in the morning but his dad should be in his office by now.
The enlisted club wasn't very busy as Kevin went up to the bar and ordered a beer. He slammed the cold drink quickly and sat the empty bottle down. The bartender pulled another out and handed it to him.
"Bad day sailor?" she asked.
"Nope, just thirsty is all. I was wondering do you guys have a phone here that I can call back to the states on?" Kevin asked.
"Yeah it's over there in the back. Just pick it up and you'll get an American operator," she told him and went over to the rest of the customers.
Kevin found the booth and sat down. Once the door was closed he picked up the phone and waited. When the operator came on, he gave her the phone number and waited for the collect call to go through. A few moments later, Luka Dvorska got on the phone.
"Hey buddy, how the hell are you?" Luka asked.
"Just fine Dad. How's Mom doing?" he said.
"She's ok. She's glad I'm retiring so I can spend some more time on my honey do list. Speaking of women, have you got a temporary wife yet?" he asked his son.
"Not really Dad, but I'll tell you about that some other time. I need to ask you something that only you can answer. It's about people like us, if you know what I mean," Kevin said.
"I don't think we should be talking about this on the phone Kev. It's not really a good idea. Can't it wait till you get back to the states?" Luka said with genuine concern.
"No it can't Dad. I need to know if there are others like us," Kevin said.
"What do mean? What's happened Kevin?" Luka asked.
"I can't tell you that Dad. What I can tell you is that I picked up the scent and it scared the shit out of me," he replied.
"I knew this was a bad idea. You should have stayed home with us and never joined the military. Damn it Kev you need to..." Luka said.
"Don't start Dad. Now answer the question -- it's important," Kevin said cutting him off.
"Yes Kevin there is. Most of us go about our lives and never use it to our advantage. Some are just evil and they will do anything to get power. It doesn't know about you does it? Luka asked his son.
"No Dad, no one knows who I am. I've kept my promise," he said.
"Listen Dad I gotta go. Give Mom a hug and kiss for me and tell her I'm fine. I'll try to call you two later in the week," Kevin told him.
"Kevin you should know one more thing. If you come up against one that is out for his own greed, it'll have no reservations about killing you and anyone you're with," Luka said.
"Don't worry Dad, I'm a Navy Seal and you don't want to have it out with one when he's pissed off," Kevin told him and then said goodbye.
Kevin got out of the booth and went back up to the bar for another beer. He needed a few moments to gather his thoughts about the situation. When the bartender returned with his beer she placed it in front of him and gave him a quizzical look.
"What's got you so concerned sailor?" she asked.
