Forgotten
Chapter 1
Stringfellow Hawke awoke on Sunday morning in his cabin. He slowly climbed out of bed and pulled back the curtains in his bedroom loft to allow the sun to stream in and warm the room. He felt foggy. It was as though there was something nagging at him in the back of his brain and he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He went downstairs and stopped at his kitchen. Looking around, he couldn't quite recall the day before or even the last time he was downstairs. An odd, sinking feeling came over him. "What the hell is going on with me?" he thought.
Within minutes he heard the sound of Santini's helicopter as it landed on the dock. "Dom," he said out loud to himself.
Hawke strolled out to the front porch and waited for his friend to make his way to the cabin.
"Good morning," he greeted him.
Dom gave him an uncertain smile. "Morning," he replied. "String, I think we need to talk."
String shot him a strange look. "Yeah," he replied. "I think you're right. How about I make breakfast first though?"
"I brought breakfast," Dom told him as he held out two paper bags and handed them to Hawke."
"Even better," replied Hawke as they headed inside and both sat down at the bar and opened the packages.
"String," Dom began. ""Something strange is going on. Do you remember anything that happened recently?"
Hawke felt his pulse increase. "Some," he replied. "I was kind of afraid you were going to say that Dom. I walked down here this morning and for some reason it didn't' feel right. It's so bizarre."
"Tell me about it," replied Dom. "I had to look at a calendar to make sure what day it was. I mean, I knew the date but yet my memories are kind of fuzzy. It's like bits and pieces were somehow erased."
"I think we need to check out the Lady and then go and talk to Michael," Hawke suggested. I can't remember the last few days. The last thing I recall is doing that stunt last week.
"Good idea," Dom told him. "Funny thing is that's the last thing I remember too. But, I could have sworn there was someone with us and yet I can't recall who that was."
Hawke thought for a moment. "Me either," he replied. "But yea, I thought there was someone else too."
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A few hours later, the two headed to the lair to find that everything seemed in order with Airwolf. They checked her systems and were relieved that it didn't appear she'd been tampered with in any way. Everything was as it should be.
"When was the last time you remember flying her?" asked Dom who seemed to be wracking his brain.
Hawke was quiet for several minutes before responding. "It's sporadic. I don't recall a particular time. I just know I've flown her recently."
"String, I don't like this at all," Dom said.
"Me either," replied Hawke. "Let's go and talk to Michael. We need to let him know what's going on."
"How do we do that when we don't even know what's going on?" asked Dom.
Hawke shrugged. "We start with that."
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When they got to Archangel's office, String was immediately alarmed by the changes he saw there. When he asked about Michael, he was told that he no longer worked for the Firm and had disappeared.
"When did this happen?" asked Hawke. "Where's Marella?"
The lady at the desk would not give him any additional information.
"I'm sorry," she replied. "That information is restricted. I can only tell you that they are no longer available."
Dom shook his head. "I have a really bad feeling about all this," he said.
"Yeah," replied String. "Let's get back to the hangar. Maybe we can find some kind of clue there."
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Back at the hangar the two began going through paperwork and trying to retrace their steps.
"Well, we've been pretty busy with stunts recently," said Dom. "I can kind of recall them but some of it seems a little hazy."
Hawke continued searching through the information. "It says on most of these documents that we had three people for each stunt. So, we were right about there being another person. Who the hell is the third person? Do you remember?"
Dom shook his head. "No, I don't," he replied. "Maybe that's where we need to start. It could give us a clue as to what is going on. Someone at the studio would have to know who this third person is, don't you think?"
"Good idea," said Hawke. "We need to start filling in these holes. I don't like that Michael and Marella are gone. Something is up with that. Someone's messing with our minds and I have a feeling that we don't have a lot of time to figure it all out."
The two climbed back into the Santini helicopter and made their way to the studio. They both found themselves deep in thought as they landed and headed to the lot they had been filming on.
"Let's see Hal," Dom suggested. "He's was the easiest to work with and unlike other producers, he likes the stunt people."
"Yeah," agreed Hawke. "I think you're right. If anyone can give us some answers, it would be Hal."
The two asked around and were directed to where Hal was taking a break and having lunch. He smiled when the saw the men approach.
"What brings you two here?" he asked. "You did such a great job with that stunt the other day that we saved quite a bit of money. I have to say, you guys are the best."
Dom smiled. "Remember that the next time you need some stunt work."
"Oh, I will," replied Hal. "So, what can I do for you? You're obviously here for a reason."
Hawke cleared his throat. "Look Hal, I know this is going to sound a bit strange but do you recall who we had working with us on this last stunt?"
Hal shot him an odd look. "Okay, I'll play along," he told him. "That is a strange question though. You had Caitlin O'Shannessy of course. She's one hell of a pilot."
Dom and Hawke stared at each other. "Do you have any photos of her?" they asked.
Hal smiled. "Of course I do," he replied. "I've got some stills of the footage we took. Why?"
"Uh, it's hard to explain," replied Dom who was unsure of what to say. "Can we see them?"
"Sure," said Hal. "Walk with me back to my office and I'll even let you have a copy of them."
"That'd be great," said Hawke who looked at Dom and shrugged as they followed behind Hal.
"Is everything okay with Caitlin?" asked Hal as he pulled several photos from a folder in his desk drawer.
"Sure, sure," replied Dom. "We just need some recent photos of her and she's on vacation, that's all."
"Okay," replied Hal as he handed them the pictures. "Is that all you need?"
"Yeah," replied Hawke. "Thanks. We really appreciate this."
"No problem," said Hal. "I'll be in touch with you guys soon. I may have another job for you."
"You got it," replied Dom as they made their way out of the office and headed back to the helicopter. Once inside, they took the photos out and both of them stared at the woman in the photos.
"Who is she?" asked Dom. "I don't remember her at all."
Hawke shook his head. "I don't know and I don't like it," he replied. "She could be someone trying to get in and steal Airwolf. Hal said she was a pilot. We need to figure out who she is and why we can't remember her."