Al Dillon

## Character Overview

Colonel **Al Dillon** was a CIA agent operating in Val Verde, covertly combating the communist rebel movement in Guatemala in Predator. He was subsequently attached to Dutch's private military team, which was hired by the US Army and the CIA for a rescue mission in the country in 1987. Dillon was a close friend of Dutch's, although the deception of the Guatemala mission brought the two into conflict.

Dillon's true purpose in Guatemala is certainly up to speculation. During this time the United States were very concerned over communism's hold in Central America. Anna shared information that the Predators or **Yautja** were in the area before killing Guatemalans. When Dutch's men saw how the energy weapon mortally wounded Blain, they were bewildered on what type of weapon could have caused it. It's safe to speculate that the CIA learned about these killings and sent in men to investigate due to Russian involvement.

Additionally, Carl Weather's portrayal of a U.S. Army Soldier in Close Encounters with the Third Kind (Original Theatrical Version) looks extremely similar to Al Dillon. The C.I.A. were most probably involved in this Extra-Terrestrial Encounter, which could be how Al Dillon got involved in UFO chasing in the first place.

## Biography (P)

### Early Life

Dillon was born in America, and after joining the military, he was deployed to the Vietnam War where he served with John "Dutch" Matrix in Da Nang and Cambodia, notably taking part in the Battle of Hue. Both men were decorated for their service there and they obtained matching lighters of some personal significance.

### Mission to Devil's Tower in Close Encounters of the Third Kind

in 1977, Dillon was sent to Devil's Tower to deter civilians from entering the area. The public was told that nerve gas was leaked in the area, but in reality the C.I.A. was preparing for a visit from Extra Terrestrials at Devil's Tower near Mooncroft, Wyoming. Dillon was witness to the UFO's that appeared at Devil's Tower and was recruited by the C.I.A. For the next ten years Dillon rose in the ranks in the C.I.A. before he was put in charge of affairs in Central America.

### Mission to the Republic of Val Verde in Predator

By 1987, Dillon was overseeing Central Intelligence Agency operations in Conta Mana, Val Verde, where communist Guatemalan insurgence were attempting to cross into Val Verde with what appeared to be alien technology. Reports had come in that several Guatemalans had been murdered by an unknown energy weapon, and the C.I.A. were tipped off that Russians were in the area. Several of Dillon's agents were surveying guerrilla positions in neighboring Guatemala when their helicopter was shot down and they were captured. Dillon subsequently assigned a team of Green Berets led by Jim Hopper to rescue them, but the men disappeared. Determined to eliminate the guerrillas, the soviets and acquire the unknown weapon, Dillon called in Delta Force led by his old friend John "Dutch" Matrix. Dillon knew Matrix's moral code against performing anything other than rescue operations would cause him to refuse the mission; as a result, Dillon fabricated a story whereby the captured CIA agents were actually a Val Verde cabinet minister and his aides that needed rescuing for political reasons. This made the mission one of anti-terrorism and as he had hoped, Matrix agreed to the operation.

While technically in command, Dillon deferred to Matrix's leadership once the team hit the ground in Guatemala. After discovering the crashed helicopter that had supposedly been carrying the cabinet minister and following some nearby tracks through the forest, Delta Force discovered the skinned bodies of Hopper and his men; while Dillon propagated that the guerrillas were responsible,Matrix and his men were not so sure. The team soon reached the rebel camp, arriving just in time to see a hostage being executed by a Soviet military advisor. Dillon joined Matrix and Delta Force in the assault, and the camp was quickly wiped out.

In the aftermath of the attack, Dillon's ruse finally came to light — the true identity of the hostages was discovered, and Matrix realized Dillon had manipulated him into destroying the guerrillas. When Matrix confronted him with this, Dillon merely replied that Matrix and his men were expendable assets. After ordering the team to take Anna, a surviving guerrilla, along as their prisoner, Dillon and the others moved out.

It soon became clear something was hunting the team, and while several of the group questioned, what the entity was, Dillon continued to keep to his story that it was merely a small group of well-trained guerrillas, mocking assertions that it may be an unknown lifeform. Dillon had hoped that he would be able to apprehend the alien weapon and keep Delta Force in the dark. When Matrix elected to use an elaborate net to trap their aggressor, Dillon remained unconvinced, dismissing the effort as "Boy Scout bullshit". However, Dillon assisted in building the trap and after seeing the Jungle Hunter Predator, knew he had found his alien weapon.

When a mentally unhinged Mac subsequently charged off after the creature, Dillon stopped Matrix from following, insisting instead that he should go in his place, despite acknowledging that it was likely a suicidal action. This assertion was proven correct, when the Predator confronted Dillon soon afterwards, first blowing off his right arm with its Plasmacaster before charging in and finishing him off with its Wristblades. His dying scream alerted the others to the proximity of Jungle Hunter.