Wizard - Dirty Secrets Chapter Two

Magician Jonathan Barrow has more secrets than being a world renowned magician. He is also an agent for a government organization called Military Assisted Global Intelligence Command or M.A.G.I.C.

CHAPTER TWO

Things are not what they seem

    A full moon hangs in the sky, its reflection on the waves look like a sidewalk that leads to the single freighter in the vast expanse of ocean.  On occasion, the ship drops down hard on a wave causing the spray to break into a fine mist over the steel frame of the freighter.  Across the stern and on both sides of the bow is stenciled “Sea Avenger �" Hamburg.”  The bridge overlooking the front of the ship is well lit and a large red beacon beams from the mast flashing on and off above the superstructure.  Running along the deck next to the superstructure is a wire railing to prevent crew members from falling over the side into the bitterly cold Atlantic Ocean.  On the fantail of the ship is a flag pole with the flag of Germany snapping in the wind.  Below it, the propellers churn up the ocean water creating a distinct white froth on the surface.  The air is cold as the winds coming from the arctic blow in the North Atlantic.  Waves occasionally bounce the 30,000 ton freighter like a toy as it drops between the wave cycles, going down and then rising back up over the crest of the next wave.  Two men are on the deck walking from the fantail toward the back of the superstructure.

            Both men are in their mid 40’s, with cocoa colored skin and short, neatly trimmed beards.  Mohammad removes a pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket, takes out a cigarette, and lights it cupping his hands around the flame of the Zippo lighter.  Ahmed turns back to Mohammad speaking in Arabic. “Two more days and we will be arriving in America.    Our information shows their port security has been very tight so we will be using our second entry option.  We will take our prize and board a fishing boat scheduled to meet us off the coast between Georgia and Florida.  I want you to make sure the men are ready.”  

Mohammad looks around to insure no one is nearby and then faces Ahmed. “We have been waiting for this day for a long time.  We will be ready my friend!”

            Ahmed walks to the edge of the ship and leans over the railing on the starboard side.  He gazes out into the moonlit ocean as the light sparkles across the water and Mohammad joins him. Speaking in perfect English Ahmed replies, “Mohammad, tell the men to speak English only. Everything must appear completely normal and we need to blend in. Besides, it gives them a chance to practice their English.  We will have our brothers in America on the boat meeting us offshore and at the dock to assist us in unloading the cargo.  We need to remain calm and make sure everything is ready.”

            “Nothing can go wrong, as Allah will guide us.  Have you checked the cargo?”, asks Mohammad.  

            Ahmed looks up toward the superstructure as two sailors come out of a large watertight hatch on the side.  He looks at the two men, nods, as both men proceed in the opposite direction toward the port side of the ship.  Mohammad follows Ahmed and stops as he turns towards him.  “I will check the cargo shortly and make sure it is secure.  Thought I would do that before I had to my shift on the bridge.  Pass the word, we need to be ready tomorrow night to complete our plan and prepare for the off-loading.  I’ll see you in the morning.”  Ahmed turns and walks away.    

            Ahmed leaves Mohammad and walks to a hatch on the side of the main superstructure.  The ship rolls slightly from side to side and combined with the pitch up and down, it makes walking a challenge.  The ocean waves crash sending a spray over the bow, providing a gentle mist almost the full length of the freighter.  The action and combination of the two movements will make all but the experienced seaman sick, also making it challenging to walk in a straight line.  Ahmed staggers when a large wave rocks the ship, bouncing him off of the metal structure as he attempts to open the hatch.  He grabs the handle on the hatch to provide some stability and waits for the wave to recede.  As the vessel settles, he turns the wheel of the hatch allowing it to open into the interior of the ship.  The door opens, the lighted passageway brightly illuminates the area around the hatch opening.  He steps up and through the oval hatch and enters the corridor.

            Ahmed closes the hatchway door behind him and the metal makes a grinding sound as it is secured.  He walks several feet down the narrow passageway until he gets to a ladder going down into the bowels of the ship. He slides down the ladder and lands on the next floor, he looks left and then right down the passage to make sure no one else is around.  He walks around the side of the opening to another ladder and slides down it using his arms as leverage never touching any of the stairs.  He lands on the next floor again checking his surroundings.  The loud, clanking and thumping sound of the engines increases as he descends deeper into the ship.

            Walking down the passageway he comes to another large hatch opening and watertight door.  With an effort, he turns the large wheel, and the hatch opens, leading to the cargo area.  Due to the damp nature of a ship, rust has started to form on the hinges, causing the door to squeak as it slowly opens, revealing the interior of the cargo hold.   It is a massive area some eighty feet wide and almost two hundred feet long, it’s filled with containers, crates, and pallets of materials.  The area is dimly lit and musty smelling from the ocean’s moisture, creating an almost eerie feeling. Because the cargo area is at the waterline of the ship, Ahmed feels very little movement of the ship.  However, he can still hear the noises of the massive engines and occasional creaks and groans as the ship makes its way through the turbid ocean.

           Ahmed walks between crates and large containers shining his flashlight to read the labels.  He approaches a crate labeled “Machine Parts,” with a yellow sun painted on the side.  “The infidel Americans have no idea what power we have in store for them.  I pray we bring destruction to them as they have to us, and our way of life.”  He checks the container to insure it has not been tampered with.  Large stickers on the container indicate the contents are “Machine Parts �" US Port of entry Charleston, South Carolina.”  The container is approximately ten feet long, five feet wide and four feet tall, and everything looks intact. Ahmed walks completely around the container checking to make sure all the screws holding the wooden container are in place.  He turns toward the hatch he came through and looks around again to make sure he is alone, then places his hands on the wooden crate and murmurs,.  “It will be a new day in America, and a great day for our cause.”  Ahmed turns and walks back to the entry hatch, looking through the small port hole in the top into the passageway ensuring there is no one in the corridor.  He loosens the hatch handles securing the door and turns them to exit the cargo hold. 

Author's Note

Originally written as a screenplay, this is my first attempt at a novel having previously written reference books and screenplays. I am looking for comments, reviews, and critique to make this the best possible writing.

Reviews

[Annacate]

It brings to mind the style of "The Bourne Identity." (Which I loved) Except the story line and setting is new and different--it's the style of the scenes that I'm referring to. It reads really smoothly and the images I get from it are vivid. I still find myself looking for a main character. I'll keep reading...