Here is the usual disclaimer. I don't own the A Team and if i did boy what fun i would have :)
CHAPTER ONE
The sound of gunfire shattered the silence of a beautiful morning in the forest. A car was driving at speed being chased by a grey van, two men was firing at the car wheels. Suddenly the car sped out of control and was violently spun down into the forest.
The chase was watched in horror by Luke Rose who was walking down the road. Despite the weight of the rucksack he was carrying, Luke's instincts took over and he ran down to the forest towards the car. A hail of bullets rained down on him, but Luke ignored the danger and reached the car. He looked in the driver's seat and saw a middle aged man lying apparently unconscious. Luke quickly took the man's pulse and was relieved to find him breathing although raggedly. Luke quickly saw the reason for this, a bullet had hit a shoulder which was bleeding badly. Having rapidly assessed the situation, Luke dragged the injured man from the car wreck. The gunfire was getting closer. Luke had enough of being shot at and lifted the injured man over his shoulders. Taking out his magnum 45 Luke began to move away from the car, firing back at the attackers. Despite the weight Luke moved quickly. The attackers followed in pursuit.
"Damn it" thought Luke and he carefully placed the unconscious man down and covered hm with surrounding bracken.
"Sorry about this, will be back shortly after I've dealt with these crazed gunmen".
Luke moved quickly and using the forest canopy as cover he calculated that there were three attackers. Luke made his move on the first attacker, his fist connected with the jaw of his opponent who dropped down like lead weight. Luke took his opponents machine gun and moved in on the second man. The second attacker was more of a challenge, he put up a fight against Luke, but Luke raised his left leg and smashed t against his opponents head. The attacker fell down in a heap and the third attacker had seen this and fired at Luke. Luke ducked the bullet and fired his magnum aiming at the leg of the third attacker . A guttural cry of pain came from the third gunman as he collapsed to the ground clutching his leg in pain. He looked up at Luke who was pointing his Magnum straight at him.
"You won't get away with this, mister" said the downed man aggressively.
Luke laughed mockingly, "Having knocked two of your men out and currently holding my gun at you, I would beg to differ".
The injured man considered this and replied
"When Fulton McCloud hears of this you will think differently".
Luke on hearing the name Fulton McCloud tightened his jaw and angrily gripped the injured man off the ground.
"yeah I know McCloud very well, you go back and tell him Luke Rose is in town and he'd better not cross my path or he will regret it"...choking back tears Luke pushed the injured man away and told him to leave. Luke watched as the injured man run off into the woods.
Luke put his gun into his sde holster and proceeded back to where he had rescued the man from the car crash. He found him where he had left him. Now that the immediate danger was over Luke assessed the shoulder injury and could see it was bad. He placed his hand on the man's forehead. He was hot and it was evident he was starting a fever. Luke got a map out of his rucksack and got his bearings. It was getting dark now. His mind made up Luke picked up the injured man and again put him over his shoulders.
"I should make the log cabin within the next hour or so". Luke thought to himself and started walking and dissapered deeper into the forest.
CHAPTER TWO
It took just over two hours before Luke finally reached the log cabin. He was exhausted, but there was no time for rest, he had to treat the injured man he had been carrying. Luke carefully laid him onto a bed and carefully tore away at the shirt covering the bullet wound. It was a bad wound and Luke's patient was talking feverishshly. Luke knew he had to act fast. There was a medical kit in the bathroom and Luke was relieved to find ample supplies and most importantly sterilised scalpels and clean bandages.
Luke prepared the medical kit ready for use and looked at his patient who briefly opened his eyes which were dulled by pain.
"Hello" said Luke "my name is Luke, you are safe now, but you took a bad hit to your shoulder which I will now tend to." Luke then realised he did not know the man's name, and asked him this. A weak reply came back "Hannibal...my men...help them".
"Ok Hannibal let's worry about that later, I'm gonna put you to sleep now, you should feel a whole lot better when you wake up".
Luke injected Hannibal with a strong sedative and despite Hannibal's attempts to fight the sedative he was soon asleep. Luke thought to himself it's a long time since I've performed surgery, but then instantly dismissed the thought and got on with the job at hand. It took over half an hour but Luke was satisfied with the end result. He checked Hannibal's pulse and breathing and was pleased to see it was improving. It had been a close run thing but Hannibal would be alright. Luke sat back exhausted and poured himself a large whiskey. Hannibal was sleeping now. Luke knew that the next few hours were crucial and that he would have to watch over Hannibal during the night. Luke got up and checked the perimeter of the log cabin and set the alarm for the log cabin. If anyone attempted a raid tonight he would be ready. Luke went back inside and resumed his seat near Hannibal's bed and placed his gun on his lap. He poured himself another whiskey and watched Hannibal. Overcome by exhaustion Luke soon succumbed to the velvet night.
CHAPTER THREE
Luke was awoken in the early hours of the morning. Startled Luke grabbed his gun and placed it in the direction of the noise. To his surprise it was Hannibal was trying to get out of bed but unsuccessful in his attempt due to the severity of the shoulder injury and was too weak. Luke moved forward and pushed Hannibal back in his bed.
"No, ...must get my men...being held...". Said Hannibal desperately .
Luke looked at Hannibal sympaethtically.
"You're in no condition to go anywhere, but if you let me I could help".
Hannibal looked at Luke and for the first time wondered who he was.
"Who are you? Where am I?"
Luke smiled reassuringly.
"We met yesterday, my name is Luke, you crashed your car during a firefight , I intervened and brought you here, and patched you up".
Hannibal considered this and said
"Thank you, but I must help my men, I gotta get up.."
Luke shook his head despairinly.
"Sorry you can't even manage to get out of bed, but I can help you, McCloud 's goons were after you right?".
Hannibal almost choked at that.
"Yes, how did you know?"
Luke smiled grimly
"We've already met. I know he will have your men at his ranch".
Hannibal nodded in agreement.
"Heavily armed with guards, you just can't walk into there" said Hannibal "I must get to my men" said Hannibal desperation in his voice now clearly evident.
"Let me worry about that, I know the layout of the ranch, it will be my pleasure to bust your men out of there, just tell me how many of them there are, i'll take care of everything else".
Hannibal was sagging now, the shoulder wound was getting the better of him.
"You can do that? Get my three men out? Asked Hannibal incrediously.
"Yes I can, like I said it will be a pleasure" . Luke choked back tears and added "at least this way it won't be revenge ".
Hannibal queried this and wanted to question this further but exhaustion got the better of him and sleep took over. Luke gently covered Hannibal with a blanket and put his hand on his shoulder "Don't worry sir, i'll get your men, you rest easy now".
Luke surprised himself at calling Hannibal sir, he hadn't said that in a long time but it felt right somehow. Luke got up and walked out of the log cabin. He lit up a cigar and inhaled deeply. He had an op on and it had been a while since he pulled something like this off. He saw the large shed to his right, he sighed deeply and walked towards it and unlocked the door. It was time to go to work.
CHAPTER FOUR
Luke emerged from the building an hour later, dressed in combat fatigues, but in black. Heavily armed and carrying a rucksack. He checked his watch, it was mid morning, he should reach McCloud 's ranch by mid afternoon, plenty of time for pre op preparations. But first he had to attend to Hannibal. He hoped his appearance would not frighten his recovering patient!.
Fortunately Hannibal appeared to be asleep. Not wanting to wake him, Luke left a note, food and water. Luke paused for a moment digging into his rucksack from last night and pulled out a photograph and a medal. He placed them in his shirt pocket, unknowingly to Luke whilst his back was turned Hannibal had been awoken and saw Luke take the medal and photograph out of the rucksack. He was shocked at both Luke's appearance and at what he had seen but too weak and exhausted to do anything, Hannibal once more was reclaimed by sleep.
Luke took one more look at Hannibal and then left the log cabin and made his way towards McCloud's ranch. He was ready for the difficult task ahead. It will not be easy Luke admitted to himself but i'm dammed sure i'm going to see this rescue op succeed. And was with this determined thought that Luke moved quickly and with stealth into the forest canopy.
TBC !!! Hope you like the story so far. I'll have the next exciting chapter up soon!!!! All reviews and comments welcomed !
