Bermuda Gold

By Edward Cerda

The adventure continues with sergeant Rock and his special squad of combat soldier's fighting for their survival. Once again the Rock and his men have been given an assignment by the higher echelon of command to retrieve not just lost American soldiers but the entire shipment of gold from Fort Knox that was lost en-route to a military base located within the Bermuda Triangle. In their efforts to retrieve this lost gold the sergeant and his men find themselves caught within a giant vortex that transports them deep within the core of the center of the Earth. Their adventure begins and the sergeant and his men find themselves amidst battles between hostile cavemen tribes and hungry dinosaurs trying to devour their prey as well as these human soldier's.
Deep within the center of the earth these American soldiers find themselves involved in extraordinary circumstances that challenges their daily survival. Their survival skills are definitely put to the test and each soldier knows that the slightest mistake on their part could result in their death.
Sergeant Rock takes his men deep into the center of the earth where adventure and death waits at every corner. The most dreaded adversaries are the meat eating dinosaurs whose only desire is to taste warm and fresh human flesh. In their search for that missing gold, the sergeant and his band of soldiers encounter alien space travelers. Their only objective is to collect more alien life trophies from planet earth. Countless surgical experiments are performed by the aliens on their captured trophies. Some of their trophies are the lost soldier's that sergeant Rock seeks. Now sergeant Rock has to battle with these aliens in order for him to free their human captives. Blood and guts on both sides will be spilled and many lives will be lost by both sides.
So if you enjoy the excitement of the unknown and the thrill of the battle, then you will want to read this story of courageous combat soldier's trying to fulfill their responsibilities to their government.
Go with sergeant Rock and his men into the unknown and live their adventures as your own. Every step that these courageous soldier's take, death waits with its arms wide open to exterminate their individual lives. Bermuda Gold is filled with action from start to finish. Wait for the next action packed adventure that these American soldiers take into the unknown in Blood South (coming soon).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 18, 2011
• ISBN: 9781469113203

Book preview

Bermuda Gold

19952.jpg

Edward Cerda

Copyright © 2011 by Edward Cerda.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

Contents

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all of our American Veterans men and women alike who have served our great country. It is with great gratitude that myself as well as all other Americans can say with an abundance of pride that we Honor each and every one of you for your great sacrifices.

There is no greater joy than to know that there are Americans who are willing to serve their country with pride and ask for nothing in return other than for our great nation to love them as much as they love their country.

For the many veterans who have proudly served and for those that gave that ultimate sacrifice, I want to tell you Thank You from the bottom of my heart.

For each and every day that I live as a Free Man, I remember that I have you to thank for this privilege. Once again Many Thanks and God Bless.

This is a story of three military aircraft that were transporting all of the United States gold from Fort Knox en-route to a secret installation located somewhere near the Bermuda Triangle also known as the Devils Triangle. All three aircraft are lost and the government has to send Sergeant Rock and his men into the area hoping that these combat soldiers can find the lost aircraft, the men and the gold. The sergeant and his men will embark into a journey of the unknown and will find themselves in the greatest fight of their lives. The Bermuda Triangle has claimed many victims throughout history and the sergeant and his men are just another few that will be documented as lost souls or victims claimed by the Devil’s Triangle. Their journey into the unknown will take this sergeant and his men to a destination where no living men have ever ventured. This is their story.

Chapter One

The Lost Gold

It’s a sunny day in Washington DC and Sergeant Rock has been ordered to the Pentagon for a briefing from General Whitmore.

0800: Sergeant Rock finds himself once again in the corridor of the Pentagon awaiting his presence before General Whitmore.

0805: The general’s secretary calls sergeant Rock into the office. She gracefully walks to her desk picks up her phone and advises the general that the sergeant is here. She hangs up her phone, walks to the general’s office door and opens it. She jesters for the sergeant to enter. He does.

Sergeant Rock:   Sergeant Rock reporting as ordered. (He salutes).

General Whitmore:   Sit down sergeant. It seems that whenever we mess things up here, we call for you to get us out of that hole that we’ve dug for ourselves. And we have a very large hole that we need you and your men to fill back up. Rock, you and I go a long way back. I depend on you and your men to fulfill assignments that seem too far fetch for regular soldiers to deal with. I’m afraid that I have another such assignment for you.

Sergeant:   What’s our assignment about general?

General:   Well, sergeant it seems that our government has lost all of its gold supply that we had in Fort Knox.

Sergeant:   Lost our gold sir. How could that have happened?

General:   Well sergeant, we were transporting the gold to one of our secret sites off the East Coast. Somehow, or some-way all three aircraft that were carrying the gold were lost.

Sergeant:   Can’t we get a fix of the aircraft from their black box?

General:   No, the last fix we were able to detect was within the Bermuda Triangle. All the men, the planes and the gold just disappeared.

Sergeant:   Just disappeared, where?

General:   We don’t know sergeant. That’s where you and your men come into the picture. We need to find that gold and the men. Hopefully you and your men can locate the gold and the missing men.

Sergeant:   When do you plan for my men and I to go to the area?

General:   Right now sergeant. As we speak, your men and all the equipment that you will need is being loaded on a transport aircraft.

Sergeant:   You know General, my men and I have just barely arrived off the last assignment that you sent us on. I kinda figured that we could take a small rest before our next assignment.

General:   I’m sorry sergeant but it’s of the utmost importance that we expedite this mission. You and your men are the best that we have and as usual we are dependent on your success.

Sergeant:   Will that be all sir?

General:   Yes, that will be all sergeant. Oh, just one more thing.

Sergeant:   Yes sir, what’s that?

General:   God’s speed son and come back home safe. Thank you sergeant.

Sergeant:   Yes sir, General. We will come back and we will bring back the gold and the men.

The sergeant salutes and exits the General’s office.

1000 hours: The sergeant arrives at the military base and heads towards a large hangar where his troops are waiting. The men greet the sergeant.

Sergeant:   Men, we’ve been given the task of retrieving a shipment of gold that was lost somewhere over the Bermuda Triangle. (What gold sarge)? Well, apparently, the government was relocating all of its gold in Fort Knox to a secret base somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle and the shipment, the men and aircraft were all lost.

Pax:   Lost, where sergeant?

Blood:   Gold! Man, like we could use some of that gold to buy ourselves some new duds and wheels!

Billy Ray:   We can’t do that Blood! That gold belongs to the government!

Blood:   So, aren’t we government employees!

Chico:   Yeah but we’re on salary.

Blood:   So, big deal! What’s one or two bars going to do to the government? It sure isn’t going to break its bank account!

Doc:   Gee, only you would put yourself above our governments best interest!

Blood:   Bullshit, I’m as good an American as any one of you! I just happen to love gold.

Paco:   Yeh that would be nice to have one or two of those gold bars but every ounce is documented and accounted for.

Blood:   Yeh, you’re probably right!

Chico:   Besides, do you think that the sarge would let us take any of that gold?

T-Bone:   Hell boys, the sarge would skin us all alive!

Blood:   Ouch! Just the thought of it, makes me not even want to touch that hard cold metal. My brothers, it seems that the best of me says that we do the right thing and recover that gold and bring it back to the good old USA!

Doc:   All of it.

Blood:   Of course, all of it! Damn Doc, we’re just kidding.

Sarge:   Okay men, enough of the chatter! Load up what ever else we need and let’s catch our flight over the great Atlantic Ocean. All the men respond (Right sarge)! We’ve got everything that we’ll need on this mission. Okay then, move out men.

With that said, they enter the aircraft and within moments they are airborne and heading towards the area that most folks call the Devil’s Triangle. For the next several hours the flight goes without any incidents. This gives the men time to discuss their goals.

Blood:   Hey Billy! How much do you think that gold that they lost is worth?

Billy Ray:   Lot’s!

Blood:   Whoa! I hope that your brain didn’t over cook from that great answer you just gave me!

Billy Ray:   Well, I don’t know Blood. Seems that that’s a lot of gold.

T-Bone:   You bet it was! It’s worth millions and millions of dollars!

Chico:   Millions!

T-Bone:   Probably billions, no trillions!

Blood:   How the hell would you know! You have to use your fingers and toes to add up figures!

T-Bone:   Well, I figure that it’s worth a lot!

Doc:   T-Bone, you’re quite right! It is worth trillions.

Pax:   Yo sarge! Do we have any idea or clue as to where this gold was last seen?

Sarge:   Nope, just somewhere between Bermuda and the Miami coastline.

Paco:   So, where do we start sarge?

Sarge:   In the center of the Triangle.

Doc:   And how are we supposed to get to the center of the Triangle?

Sarge:   There’s only one way Doc.

Doc:   How’s that?

Blood:   By boat you shit-head! What do ya think, that we’re going to swim there! Man, you really are a dumb white-boy!

Doc:   I believe that my question was rational?

Blood:   I think that if you keep asking dumb ass questions, I’m going to chunk your rational white ass off this plane!

Doc:   Blood, it seems to me that you’re always getting upset at the slightest comments. Possibly I may have to give you something to settle your nerves.

Blood:   I’ll tell you what white-boy, the only thing that will settle my nerves is for you to stop asking such stupid questions!

Doc:   Very well then, if that will make you less stressful, than I will.

Blood:   Really?

Doc:   Of course! My intentions were for inquiry purposes only. But if my inquiries cause you tension then I shall not say nary a word from this point on.

Blood:   What he’d say? What he’d say?

Chico:   He said that he’ll shut his mouth!

Blood:   Oh? Hey Doc.

Doc:   Blood, you have asked for me not to talk and therefore, I will not respond to your questions.

Blood:   Hey brother, I was just fooling! Come on Doc, speak to me!

Chico:   Hey bro, first you don’t want to hear the man speak and now you’re begging the man to speak to you. Make up your mind!

Blood:   I’m just fooling, you can ask all the stupid questions that you want to Doc. Honest!

Doc:   Very well then, I shall speak to you on occasions but I will not put up with your precarious insults! I hope that you understand that!

Blood:   Right Doc! Got you covered! Hey, Chico!

Chico:   What?

Blood:   What’s that word that Doc used mean?

Chico:   What word?

Blood:   You know, precarious?

Chico:   Hell, I don’t know! You know the Doc, he always comes up with some fancy words.

Blood:   What about you Billy?

Billy:   I don’t really know what the word means in English but I can say that the Doc is saying that he doesn’t want to hear your bullshit!

Blood:   Oh, well why didn’t he just say that?

Pax:   The Doc is trying to be civil with you Blood.

Blood:   Screw that civil shit man, just say what you mean!

Doc:   In the future, I will Blood!

Blood:   Right! Thanks Doc.

Doc:   Don’t mention it.

Sarge:   Okay men, listen up! It seems that our government lost their entire gold supply that they kept in Fort Knox somewhere in the area of the Bermuda Triangle. They had three aircraft loaded with gold and all three are missing. Their last bearing was dead center of the Triangle.

Pax:   So what happened to the planes sarge?

Sarge:   They don’t know, all they know is that their gold is missing and we’ve been given the task to find it.

Blood:   Well, at least we won’t have to deal with vampires, zombies or werewolves this time around. Right sarge?

Sarge:   I sure hope not Blood.

Paco:   So, sarge how are we supposed to find these planes?

Sarge:   We’ll be taken to the St. David’s Island and from there we’ll take a boat to the area where the planes were last detected on radar.

Blood:   Oh great, now we’ll have to become sailors and steer some boat to open sea! Do you boys know what’s out there? (No, what?) Big freaking sharks and all kinds of other big sea creatures!

Doc:   Blood, we’ll have a good ship and the sarge knows what we have to do in maneuvering that boat.

Blood:   Well great! But I still don’t like the idea of us going into open water into an area that seems to swallow big ships, planes and many other things including us when we get there!

T-Bone:   You don’t know that, that will happen. You’re jumping the gun Blood.

Blood:   Yeh, you might be right T-Bone but I want to keep my gun all in one piece!

Doc:   There you go again, assuming the worst!

Blood:   It’s my assuming that’s gotten me out of a lot of hot water in the past!

Sarge:   Okay guys, we’d got a few more hours before we arrive at our destination. Are there any questions? (Nope, none sarge!) Okay then, check your equipment and get some rest.

With that said the men settle in for the remaining flight. Within several hours, the men arrive at Saint David’s Island. From the airport they are transported via military trucks to the far southwest side of the island. There, they are met by other military personnel who have a boat waiting for them.

Captain Lee:   You’re sergeant Rock?

Sarge:   That’s correct Captain.

Captain Lee:   You’re boat is ready and we have all the necessary equipment that you will need already on board.

Sarge:   Thanks Captain!

Captain:   Sergeant, have you or any of your men ever maneuvered a boat before?

Sarge:   Can’t say that we have Captain. But I’m sure that we’ll have no problems steering it.

Captain:   Those are some dangerous waters that you’re going into. Maybe, I should go with you just to make sure that you and the boat make it there and back safely.

Sarge:   That’s a good thought but do you have authorization from the higher ups?

Captain:   No but I’m sure that they would be understanding.

Sarge:   Possibly so captain but you need authorization first. We have our orders and you’re not on the list.

Captain:   But I do outrank you sergeant!

Sarge:   Maybe so but orders are orders. Besides Captain, how much special training have you received?

Captain:   None really.

Sarge:   My men and I have been given this task because we handle special missions that most ordinary military personnel are not able to handle.

Captain:   Yes, I know sergeant but I really think that you could use my expertise in handling a sea-craft. I understand the necessities of emergency actions that are necessary for the safety of the ship and its men.

Sarge:   You know, you have something there. In case of an emergency, it would be best to have a sailor on board that understands the craft.

Captain:   That’s true sergeant, and I know these waters.

Sarge:   Okay Captain, you got yourself a job. As they say in the Navy, welcome aboard. By the way, what’s your first name?

Captain:   Thanks, sergeant! I won’t be a bother to you or get in your way. I just want to help you. By the way my name is Mack.

Sarge:   That’s good Mack because, you’re leaving your rank here on shore and out there you’re just one of the boys. You got it!

Captain:   I understand sergeant. You’re in charge.

Sarge:   Good! Okay men, store the equipment and let’s get on board! Captain let’s shove off!

Captain:   Sergeant, my full name is Mack L. Lee.

Sarge:   Okay, Mack L Lee, let’s get this baby in gear and let’s see what that Devil’s Triangle has in store for us!

With that said, Mack starts the boat motors and the group’s journey into the unknown begins. The weather is calm but there is a possible storm brewing just ahead of them. As the boat enters the Devil’s Triangle the calm waters begin to churn and toss the small craft as it were a toy. The men on board are not accustomed to the sea, especially a rough one. Within seconds, the calm sea is a raging watery monster. Mack keeps the boat on course and sees what appears to be a vortex directly ahead. Mack calls out to the sergeant.

Mack:   Sergeant!

Sarge:   Yeah Mack.

Mack:   Look!

Sarge:   What the hell is that?

Mack:   A vortex!

Sarge:   Can we avoid it?

Mack:   I don’t think so, it has us in its grip!

Sarge:   What now?

Mack:   We’ve got a rough ride ahead of us! Hold onto something because here we go!

The small craft is sucked into the vortex and spins and spins until it disappears into the deep black watery hole. Seconds seem like years and the men lose consciousness. The sergeant awakens and finds himself on a beach. To his right he sees Mack lying face down on the sand. The sergeant calls out.

Sarge:   Mack! Are you okay?

Mack:   Yeah sarge! I’m okay but I sure got water logged. Say, where are we?

Sarge:   I don’t know? But I did notice that there is no sky, just that. (The sergeant is pointing upwards to what appears to be a gigantic cavern ceiling).

Mack:   Oh my God, it appears that vortex sucked us deep into the earth’s core.

Sarge:   No shit Mack but where exactly in the earth’s core are we?

Mack:   Man, look at that tropical jungle. Looks like we’re the very first humans to stand on this beach.

Sarge:   Right but where are the rest of my men? Look! There’s a body on the beach. Might be one of my men. Let’s check it out!

Mack:   Right!

Both men pick up their individual gear and start to walk towards where the body lies on the beach. As they approach, the sergeant notices that it’s Doc.

Sarge:   Doc! Doc!

Doc:   Oh my head. Sarge you made it! Where are the rest of the guys?

Sarge:   They’re farther down the beach. Are you okay Doc?

Doc:   Yeah but my aching head! But all in all, I’m okay.

Sarge:   That’s good Doc, gather your gear and let’s meet up with the rest of the crew.

Doc:   Right sarge! Just allow me a few seconds to get my bearing. Whoa! Where are we sarge?

Sarge:   Somewhere deep inside the earth’s core. As to our exact location, well we have no idea where we are. But let’s get going and meet the rest of the men.

The three men see the rest of the squad farther down the beach and start walking towards them. The sergeant calls out to the men.

Sarge:   Hey! Is everybody okay?

Paco:   Yeah sarge, seems that we’re all doing well just a little confused, what happened?

Sarge:   Mack would you like to express your opinion as to what happened.

Mack:   Right sarge! Well men, apparently we were sucked inside the center of the vortex and we wound up here. As to where here is, is unknown to us at this time. It seems that we can’t get a bearing of our location because as you can see, there is neither sun nor clouds above us. (The men look upwards and see only the inner core of the earth’s surface).

Blood:   What the hell, how in the hell can this be?

T-Bone:   Yeh, sarge, where are we?

Sarge:   I don’t know T-Bone. I’m just glad that we all made it through that storm. We’ll just have to search the area and try to find something that will give us an idea as to where we are.

Pax:   What would we be looking for sarge?

Sarge:   Maybe some type of evidence that we can give us a bearing as to where we are.

Chico:   Hey sarge!

Sarge:   Yeh Chico!

Chico:   Would maybe a ship’s wreckage be sufficient in giving us a bearing?

Sarge:   Yeh why?

Chico:   Well, there’s several shipwrecks in this bay that might be useful in our determining where we are! Don’t you think?

Sarge:   Holy smokes!

The men stand on the edge of the beach and from where they are standing they can see several shipwrecks lying just above the water level. There are several modern battleships and also ancient ships as well.

Mack:   Jesus, do you see what I see?

Sarge:   Yeh but I still don’t believe it. How did these ships get here?

T-Bone:   Maybe they got sucked in like we did but only a long time ago.

Blood:   No shit, a long time ago! That’s a Viking ship out there among those battle cruisers!

Doc:   Then we must be in hell or as they call this place, the Devil’s Triangle. And those must be some of the ships that were lost when they entered this area. I wonder where all the men of those ships are?

Blood:   Probably dead.

Billy Ray:   Maybe some of them survived? Maybe they’re somewhere inside this jungle maybe.

Blood:   Awe, shut the hell up! You’re so full of it you’re overflowing with may-bees!

Doc:   Blood, maybe Billy has something there. Out of all those sailors and soldiers, there’s got to be some survivors!

Sarge:   That’s possible, and yet maybe none of them survived. But we have to find that gold and the missing men. So, we’ll have to enter that jungle and get the answers to all of our questions. But for now let’s get some rest and gather our equipment before we do any field trips into that dense jungle.

From deep within the jungle the men hear a very large roar and trees toppling.

Doc:   What the hell is that?

Blood:   I don’t know but whatever made that sound sounds pretty large to me.

Doc:   Paco, what kind of animal do you think made that sound?

Paco:   I don’t know Doc, I’ve never heard that type of animal sound before?

Sarge:   Never mind that sound, get some rest. We’re going to go for a long hike pretty soon and you will need all of your strength and wits about you. We don’t know what type of animals we’ll encounter in that jungle, so always have your weapons prepped and ready for action. Blood! Take first watch the rest of you take a breather!

The sergeant walks farther down the beach trying to find anything that may give them an idea as to where they are. From where the sergeant is standing all he can see is the inner core of Mother Earth. He checks his compass. The needle is going crazy moving around in circles. He can’t get any bearings. He takes in a large breath and starts walking back towards the men.

Blood:   Man, why does the brother always have to be the one to take first watch or be lead man! Why can’t one of you honkies take first watch!

Chico:   Because amigo, the sergeant said for you, the dark one to do it.

Blood:   Screw you bean head! (The men laugh and turn in to rest for a couple of minutes). Man, if I see any large animals coming to attack us, I just might let them taste some of you white boys! (The men holler out, shut up Blood)!

As Blood takes first watch, he can hear trees being knocked down by what seems to be a bulldozer. Blood calls out to the men to alert them. As quickly as the men turn to see what the ruckus is all about, out from within the dense jungle a large Tyrannosaurus Rex emerges onto the beach. The men come to their feet and can’t believe what they are seeing. They commence firing on the large beast. The T-Rex turns towards the men letting out a tremendous roar and starts running towards the men.

Sarge:   Run, everybody into the jungle! It can’t follow us into the thick brush! Hurry!

The men scatter into the thick jungle brush and watch as the T-Rex is prohibited from following them because of the thick brush and trees. Some of the men fire upon the dinosaur. The sergeant orders them to stop firing.

Blood:   Holy shit, did you see the size of that meat grinder!

Chico:   It was as tall as a house!

Blood:   House my ass, more like a two-story home on two large legs!

Doc:   How’s this possible, how can there be dinosaurs alive in this modern day and age? How?

Blood:   Maybe, you ought to ask that meat eater how he survived! I’m sure that he’ll tell you!

Chico:   Do you think that there’s more of them here?

T-Bone:   There might be!

Blood:   How do you know that?

T-Bone:   Look up there, what do you all call them fellars!

Blood:   Shit, that’s some big freaking bats!

Pax:   Those aren’t bats Blood. Those are what you call Quetzalocatlus.

Blood:   Quezta what?

Pax:   Quetzalocatlus! They lived during the Cretaceous period.

Blood:   They don’t seem to be doing too bad as of right now!

Pax:   What do you mean?

Blood:   What I mean, my brother is that they forgot that they’re suppose to be long gone! You know, extinct!

Pax:   Yes that is a mystery?

Blood:   Mystery my ass! My question is do they eat meat?

Pax:   Sometimes yes and sometimes no.

Blood:   What? How’s that?

Pax:   When they’ve had a good hunt, they have meat. When they’ve had a bad hunt, they have no meat. But because of the tall treetops they can’t get to us from here. They need some space to land and take off. Most of the time they live on high ledges off the side of a mountain.

Blood:   Well great! We don’t know where the hell we are and we have to deal with some prehistoric monsters that should have been dead a long time ago! Man, what else could go wrong?

Suddenly, an earthquake occurs. The ground shifts below the men and they see a very large volcano spewing up large chunks of molten rock in the far distance.

T-Bone:   Man, you did have to ask what else could go wrong! Are you satisfied now?

Blood:   Not quite but it’ll do for now!

Sarge:   Okay guys settle down! Looks like we’ve found ourselves in another bad situation that our higher ups forgot to mention what we were going up against. But it’s too late for us to worry about now. We have to figure out how we are going to get out of here and how we are going to find that gold. Paco!

Paco:   Yeh sarge!

Sarge:   Take the lead and let’s get the hell out of here!

Paco:   Which way sarge?

Sarge:   Let’s head towards that volcano.

Paco:   Right! Gotcha!

Blood:   Yo sarge!

Sarge:   What Blood?

Blood:   What about those ships out there?

Sarge:   What about them?

Blood:   Shouldn’t we check them out?

Sarge:   You plan on swimming out there?

Blood:   Umm, nope!

Sarge:   Okay then let’s move out people! Blood, you bring up the rear!

The men are led into the jungle with Paco leading the way. Slowly they make their way deeper into the jungle and head directly towards the volcano. For several hours the men travel and come to an abrupt halt. Before them are two T-Rex’s devouring the carcass of a Triceratops. The men are at the edge of the thick brush when one of the T-Rex lifts his head, sniffs the air and turns towards their direction. The creature bellows out this loud roar and makes a quick move but stops.

Chico:   Why’d he stop?

Pax:   They have very poor eyesight and as long as they can’t see us, they won’t attack.

Doc:   Can he smell us?

Pax:   Yeh but he can’t make our position. Everybody just stay very still. We’ll be okay.

Chico:   Hey, what’s that knocking sound?

Blood:   That’s just my skinny bony knees rapping at each other.

Chico:   Oh.

Sarge:   Cut the chatter and stay still. We’re not out of danger yet.

The T-Rex takes one final whiff of the air and turns to devote his full attention to that rotting carcass. The men let out a breath of relief. One by one they make their way away from the T-Rex and continue on their journey to find those missing men and gold.

Billy Ray:   Hey sarge! What if we can’t find the gold or the men?

Sarge:   Then we’ve failed in our mission.

Doc:   Surely the government can’t hold us liable for not finding the men or the gold.

Sarge:   Maybe not but within myself I would feel that we failed. There’s no way that we will return until we’ve found both of our objectives.

The men continue traveling and come to a very large mountain that definitely is in their way of travel.

Blood:   Yo sarge! What now?

Sarge:   Take the ropes out and let’s begin climbing. We’ve got to get to the top of this mountain.

Chico:   Why sarge?

Sarge:   Because on the other side of its rim lies our destination.

T-Bone:   How do you know that?

Sarge:   It stands to reason that within this plateau we will not find what we’re looking for. It must be on the other side of this mountain.

Paco:   Makes sense!

Blood:   Damn, you mean that we gotta climb this thing in order to get to our objective?

Pax:   Yeah that’s what the sarge said!

Blood:   Why don’t we just walk around the damn thing?

Paco:   That would take several days and keep us in that T-Rex’s domain. There’s no telling how many more of those predators that we can encounter if we stay in their area.

Blood:   What’s that?

Deep within the tall grass they can sense that there is something or someone watching them. Keeping perfectly still they scan the tall grass and they see a pack of smaller dinosaurs carefully watching their every movement.

Chico:   What the hell, what kind of meat eaters are those?

Pax:   They’re called Velociraptors.

Chico:   What kind is that?

Blood:   Who cares they just eat meat and that’s all that matters!

Sarge:   Let’s go men! Start climbing! Paco, you take the lead, and Blood.

Blood:   Yeah, I know I bring up the rear.

Sarge:   Yeah that’s right now let’s move!

The men start their ascend of the mountain. Slowly they move but at a steady pace. For the next two hours, they continue their climb. The sergeant calls out to Paco.

Sarge:   Paco! Is there anywhere we can stop and rest?

Paco:   Yeah sarge, farther up about one hundred yards I think I see a cave.

Blood:   Great! Another freaking cave! We’ve been in so many caves; I’m starting to feel like a caveman!

Sarge:   Blood knock it off! Paco head for that cave!

Paco:   Right sarge!

Paco continues his climb and several minutes later he arrives at the opening of the cave. He enters the cave and checks it out.

Paco:   Yo sarge! This cave is big enough for all of us!

Sarge:   Okay, then let’s stay here for a spell.

The men settle into the cave and each of them finds themselves a spot.

Billy Ray:   Hey Blood!

Blood:   What my brother?

Billy Ray:   I wonder how is it that Pax knows so much about these dinosaurs?

Blood:   I don’t know? Hey Pax!

Pax:   Yeah, what is it Blood?

Blood:   Yo my brother, how come you seem to know so much about these meat eaters?

Pax:   I watch a lot of television programs that deal with these creatures.

T-Bone:   Lucky for us that you do!

Chico:   But how is it that they exist?

Pax:   Maybe sometime in the distant past, they were sucked into this area.

Doc:   What about that theory of the asteroid that struck the earth and destroyed them?

Blood:   So much for that theory! Bet our scientist would shit a brick if they knew that they’ve been wrong about their theory.

Doc:   We should document what our findings are.

Blood:   Why?

Doc:   That way our scientist will know that dinosaurs did and do exist.

Blood:   Screw em! If they want proof let them come here and document all they want! The only document I want to see is my discharge papers when we get back home!

Billy Ray:   Wow dude! Do you plan to get out?

Blood:   Yeah! I can’t stay in this man’s army forever. I’m really a passionate and loving type of guy. As they say, I’m a lover not a fighter!

Chico:   Damn if you’re an example of what a lover is, then we’re in deep shit! (The men laugh).

Blood:   Hey bean head! Just because you got your citizenship through the military doesn’t mean that it’s made for all of us!

Paco:   Yo sarge! Who’s taking first watch?

Blood:   Why ask! We all already know who that will be!

Sarge:   Actually, I was going to assign Chico the first watch but Blood since you’ve volunteered, then I guess you’ll have the honor of the first watch.

Blood:   Thanks sarge, I love you too.

The men laugh and start gathering some wood for a fire. They all break their backpacks open and start opening their sea-rations. Blood goes to the cave entrance and takes his position.

Doc:   Hey Blood!

Blood:   What Doc?

Doc:   I wonder if we’ll find those men and the gold?

Sarge: