Chapter Eleven: The Rescue
PJF: Hang in there for me.
St. John and Dom paced the floor in Michael's office. Neither was able to offer any comfort to the other. The image of String on his knees with a gun to his head was etched in St. Johns brain. It had been less than twelve hours since St. John was forced to leave String at the air strip in Mexico.
The door opened and Michael walked in. "I have some news about Hawke."
Dom and St. John took a seat and looked to Michael praying he had good news.
"It appears that the group that has String are drug runners. We found the bodies of the men that were supposed to be guarding the plane until you arrived. They had all been shot execution style."
St. John shuddered and Michael regretted telling them that part. He knew they were both beside themselves with worry. "What we do know is Hawke was alive as of an hour ago. We have one man in that area. He runs a small gas station about ten miles from where they are holding him. "
"So how did a group of thugs get mixed up in this?"Dom asked.
"From what we can tell the planes designer is still missing. We believe he was going to sell the plane to a terrorist cell in Mexico. He was hiding it at the air strip. The problem was the strip is used on occasion by this drug cartel. When they found the plane we think the designer had no choice but to work with them."
"You would think there would be more opposition from the terrorist group. St. John pointed out. "After all they are the ones this guy was going to sell it to."
"The drug cartels run the small towns and cities in Mexico. They don't have to stay low. The terrorist on the other hand are trying to blend in and not be noticed. I don't think they are willing to take on the cartel." Michael pointed out as he poured himself a glass of juice offering the other men a glass.
St. John and Dom declined. "Michael I heard one of the men ask String if he had brought any money. That tells me they don't know the capabilities of this plane. If they did they would know the plane was more valuable to keep it. It also tells me that they thought String was the intended buyer. I don't think they know the terrorist were even in the deal."
"That's a good point I hadn't thought of" Michael said stroking his mustache. "If that's the case then they probably don't know what to do with String. "
"If I were them I would hold on to him. I would want to see what all the angles are at this point. They don't know who I was and how we happened to have a helicopter with that kind of power. If they kill String they cut all ties with the people who want that plane." St. John reasoned.
Michael listened to what he had to say. He knew St. John had been a good operative but was just finding out how good he was at reading situations. He thought it must run in the family. He was pleased they had brought him into the Firm.
Dom had been listening the whole time without saying a word. Finally he spoke up. "So how are we going to get him out of there?"
"I know one thing for sure. We need Cait." St. John replied.
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St. John and Dom were standing on the porch of the O'Shannessy home. Cait's Sister Erin had answered the door and went to find her. She offered them to come in but they said they would rather stay out on the porch. Dom was looking out on the ranch thinking about the last time he and String were here. Cait's family had invited them for Easter dinner. Dom liked her family. They made them feel welcome and it was a wonderful weekend. Dom's thoughts were broken by the sound of the screen door squeaking.
Cait stood in front of them. She was happy to see them but seemed apprehensive. "Guy's what's wrong? Where's String?"
"Cait, take a walk with us." Dom said as he took her arm and led her from the house to the horse barn. When they were far enough from the house Cait couldn't take any more, she felt her legs go weak.
"If he's dead just say it." Her breathing was heavy and tears were forming in her eyes.
St. John reached for her. "He's not dead but he is in trouble and we need your help. Is there some place we can talk?"
Cait didn't answer. She just nodded and led them to the pool house where they would not be interrupted. It was where Dom and String had stayed during their visit. It was a nice size room with two beds and a bath. The family used it often when guest came to stay.
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Without saying a word Cait let Dom and St. John explain the events that led up to them arriving at the ranch "I hate that we are coming to you like this seein as your wedding is in three weeks." Dom apologized.
Cait stopped and looked at him in disbelief. "I know my leaving was sudden and without much of an explanation but one thing I was sure of and that was that you guys knew how much I loved you. Nothing in this world could stop me from going with you."
Dom took her in his arms and held her. "I know you love him Cait and I'm sorry I said what I did. I didn't mean it the way it sounded."
Cait pulled away wiping the tears from her eyes. "What's the plan?"
St. John pulled out a map and the layout to a compound. "We know exactly where he is. This place is not as heavily guarded as we thought. They keep him in this shack. St. John pointed to it on the layout. There is a wooded area about two miles west of it. It's a perfect place to land the Lady and will provide us cover. Cait you and Dom will stay behind on stand by while I go in and get String. When he is out and we are clear I will contact you. If I'm caught you can come in and get us. They are not that well-organized. The first time I descended on them they didn't know how to defend themselves. I think if we surprise them again we will get the same reaction. Any questions?"
"I have one." She said raising a finger as if to make a point. "If you caught them off guard how is it that String was not able to get out? Cait asked.
St. John did not immediately answer her and Dom spoke up. "Because Roan had a chance to shoot the guy that had a gun on String and she didn't. She left him to save herself. That's why."
Dom and St. John were not expecting Cait's reply."She was scared Dom. People do things they normally wouldn't do under stressful situations. This was not something that normal people do every day. I'm sure she wishes she had it to do all over again. No matter what, she does have feelings for String and I imagine she is worried now. If something happens to him she'll have to carry that with her the rest of her life. That would be punishment enough."
Dom opened his mouth to argue the point with her but thought better of it. If Cait was a forgiving person then she was all the better for it. Right now the only thing that mattered was getting String back alive and unharmed.
"When do we leave?" Cait asked turning to St. John.
"I was thinking now if that's possible. I figure we will get there right after dark and scout the place out and wait until they all turn in for the night."
"OK, I will need to talk with my sister. I will have to come up with a reason as to why I am leaving with you. I'll bring you both something to eat. It looks like you haven't eaten since this happened. Give me an hour. Till then why don't you both lie down and try to rest. With that she gave each of them a kiss on the check. "I love you guys, you know that right?'
Cait walked back to the House. She had to think fast. Her mom and dad were away for the evening. Erin was the only one home and would want to know what was going on
"Cait, why don't they come in? I would like to meet Strings brother."
"Erin, I'm going to ask something of you and you need to trust me."
"Yes, I'm listening."
"I need to leave with Dom and St. John and I can't tell you where or why."
"This sounds serious Cait, I don't think I like the idea of you taking off like this and not knowing where."
"I can't tell you that. Just trust me that I need to do this. I will be back tomorrow night."
"And what am I supposed to tell Mom and Dad when they get home?"
"Just say I went to stay at Amy's. Tell them her boyfriend and her had another fight and she wanted to talk. I don't know you can think of something, after all you were the one that always had a story as to where you were when you should have been home. Please Erin, this is important."
"I don't like this but I guess I can cover for you. You think you will ever tell me what this is about?"
"Yeah, maybe when we're old and gray sitting out on the porch watching our grandchildren play."
Cait raided the refrigerator grabbing what she could. She packed some bottled water for them and a change of clothes for her. She hadn't had time to think. She didn't want to. The thought of String being held at the compound and knowing that these men had killed others involved in this mission was more than she could handle emotionally. She had to keep it together for String. He needed her thinking clearly. "Tom" She thought, "How am I going to explain this to him?" She did not want to start her marriage out with lies. She had told him about the Firm but nothing about Airwolf. It wasn't because she didn't trust him. It was classified information and the less he knew the safer he would be. She would have to think about this later. Right now time was not on their side.
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Cait took the engineer's seat and Dom the pilots. It had been over two months since her last flight. She missed it. These were not the circumstances she imagined flying her again under. All three were silent. Cait could tell that Dom was worried. If he lost String it would kill him. She was not aware of how much pain her leaving had already cost him. St. John seemed the calmest of them all. He always was. She guessed that came from six years of undercover work. She trusted St. John and his abilities. She could not think of two better people to recue String than them.
"We're here" Dom announced.
They landed at the predetermined spot. The sun had been down a few hours. They had several hours to wait. Cait set up camp and put on some coffee. They had completed a sweep of the compound and the surrounding area. Pulling out the maps and layout of the compound St. John sat down on one of the small collapsible seats they carried. "Let's go over this again."
It was quiet, too quiet for all of them. It was almost eerie. "Do you guys think he is ok?" Cait asked not looking up at them.
"Yeah, I do." St. John replied. "The scan showed someone walking around the shack he's in. He started moving as we were overhead. I know he heard us. He knows we're here."
"And if I know him he is already making plans." Dom spoke up.
"We also know the plane is sitting there on the runway by the compound." St. John said. "This tells us that they still don't have a buyer. They need String alive at least until it's sold."
"What should we do about the plane?" Cait asked. "We can't just let them keep it."
"We may have to blow it up." St. John replied.
St. John pulled out a folder that contained information Michael had gathered that he thought would be helpful.
"Who's that?" Cait pointed to a picture of a man.
"He's the planes designer Jim Harkins that has been missing." It says here that he was in deep financial trouble. His wife left him over it. Something else interesting, he has spent a lot of time working in Iraq and speaks Arabic." St. John stood up throwing the folder down. "Hell this guy should have thrown up red flags to everyone involved. How did the Firm not see this? Because of their incompetence String is in this situation. This was simple intelligence work. They just didn't want to see it."
Cait walked over putting her hand on his shoulder."Sinj, we will get him out. I know that in my heart."
Taking her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze he said "Time to get moving."
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St. John started walking the two miles to the compound. Dom and Cait were to give him fifteen minutes until they took to the air.
String sat on the cot with his head in his hands. He was cold, tired and hungry. He was sore from being punched and thrown around the past two days. He just needed to wait a little longer. He knew Dom and Sinj would wait until the men retired for the night. Dom would be above and able to tell how many guards were on duty and where they were.
The cartel was not able to get any information out of him unless he wanted them to. He led them to believe that he was working for a government agency on behalf of the company that had developed the plane, This Company was using the government to fund the mission to return the plane and he worked for whoever paid him the highest. They believed he was well connected after seeing Airwolf.
"Dom, can you hear me?" St. John called.
"Loud and clear, we can see you as well. There are two guards straight ahead of you about twenty yards out. After you get through them there is one more right before you get to the shack. "
"How many at the shack?"
"Hold on. Cait what do we have at the shack?" Cait was watching the screen making sure she had the correct coördinates and distance.
"Looks like two more at the shack. One in front and one in back. I'm not picking up any chatter."
St. John headed straight for the first set of guards. He waited until they walked far enough away from each other purposely stepping on a twig to attract the attention of the closest one to him. He took the bait. Crouching down he waited until the man was in front of him unaware he only had seconds to live. "Snap" the man's neck was broken as St. John eased him down to the ground. He waited patiently for the other man to come looking for the missing guard. It didn't take long. Once again St. John heard the sickening sound of a neck being broken. This was the part of being an operative he didn't miss.
String stood up. He knew that the Lady was close. He could hear her hum. He stood by the door listening for St. John.
The other guard ahead was an easy target as well. He thought to himself they were not expecting a rescue. Either they were arrogant or stupid or maybe a little bit of both. Approaching the shack he paused to think which guard to take out first. The back he reasoned. That way he wouldn't be detected from anyone that could be out in the compound. Heading to the back he surprised the guard but before he did the man let out a shout that was just loud enough to attract the other guard. As he was silencing the guard he looked up to see the other one almost on top of him. He pulled his knife but before he had a chance to use it he heard a thud as the man fell to the ground.
"What the hell took you so long?" String said holding his side.
"You ok? Looks like they beat you up some."
"I'll live. We better go. They'll be sending someone to relieve the guards in five minutes" String said looking at his watch."
St. John helped String move away from the shack to take cover behind some bushes. Someone must have noticed that the guard in front was missing. There was a commotion as several men came running out of a barracks. Cait hearing they were in trouble gave Dom the go ahead to descend.
Pulling a gun from his waist band St. John handed it to String. "Dom should be here any time now." He was careful not to mention Cait. Now was not the time to distract String. He would find out soon enough. As soon as they heard the Lady they made a break away from the compound. Dom and Cait were keeping the men occupied.
"Give me chain guns one and two." Dom ordered. Cait was already on it.
String and St. John hunched down watching the fire fight waiting for their chance to make a run for it and board Airwolf. Watching Dom maneuver String realized Dom was not operating Airwolf alone. "Who's with Dom?" He said hoping it was Cait but not wanting it to be because it would put her in danger.
"We don't have time for this." St. John yelled over the noise of the gun fire.
They both saw a window of opportunity to make a break for it. What they didn't see was the man who had circled around and had come up behind them. St. John turned to see him. "Move it String now." As they both took off running toward where Dom had just landed they heard shots being fired at them. St. John noticed that String was not keeping up with him. String normally was much faster then him. St. John thought maybe it was because of his injuries. Turning to check on him he saw he was gasping for breath. This time he was holding his side but blood covered his hand.
"String, you're hit." St. John put his arm around him leading support as they both headed toward the safety of Airwolf. Seeing them approach Cait got out to help. The gun fire had almost come to a complete halt. The remaining men were running for jeeps hoping to escape with their lives. As she watched as they approached someone caught her eye. She recognized him as the man in the picture.
"Dom isn't that Harkins?"
"Sure looks that way. Looks like he is heading for the plane."
As St. John and Sting got closer she could tell that String was shot. Running to them to see if she could help. "String, you're shot. How bad is it?" As she was trying to hold back the tears."
"It's not that bad, you need to get in."
Cait looked over in the direction of the Plane. Harkins was still moving in that direction. He was obviously not in good shape and very winded.
"Dom, take off without me." She shouted as she took off at a full sprint to the plane.
"Cait "String shouted. His heart was racing. "St. John stop her."
By the time St. John had helped String inside Cait was already on top of the man. They watched as she pulled him out of the door as he was just getting in the plane. He stood up and drew back his fist. He was not fast enough; Cait brought her knee up effectively ending the fight. She rolled him away from the plane and got in.
"For the Love of God." Dom exclaimed. "What is she thinking?"
"I don't know but we had all better get moving. I am showing heavy artillery coming in and we don't have time to get Cait back in here. We have four Bell CH-146 Griffon's and their loaded. I'm going to radio her and tell her to get in the air. We can protect her until she takes off. They won't be able to catch her after that.
String was frantic. It was hard for him to sit there bleeding all over the place doing nothing. "Sinj" he said his breathing labored. "Don't let her die." He couldn't hold on any longer and passed out.
Once in the plane Cait quickly started the engine. It was a nicely designed plane. Without a preflight check she had no idea how safe it was . She was so caught up in the moment that she just realized the risk she had just taken. Too late to turn back now. She would have to see this through. Turning the plane and pointing north she started down the runway. In the moon light she was able to size up the runway. Too short she said to herself but I can do it. She advanced the thrust levers to takeoff thrust and headed down the runway picking up speed.
St. John had found her frequency. "Cait, can you hear me."
"I hear you. Is String ok?"
"Cait listen to me you need to get out of there. We have four armed choppers over head now. Go while we cover you."
"Before St. John could say anything else a missile was heading toward Cait. Dom hit the tubos cutting in between the missile and its intended target. The heat seeking missile taking the bait latched on to Airwolf. Cutting the turbos she dropped back as Dom pulled up, the missile taking out a building in the compound. Dom turned to see Cait was climbing fast at a high rate of speed.
"That's my girl" He said as he watched her move further away.
"Dom we have the other three on us now."
Dom shot up quickly placing himself over the other three choppers. "I think were done fighting here he said as he called for tubos leaving the three pilots wondering where their opponent had disappeared to.
Dom quickly caught up to Cait. St. John made radio contact. "Cait we are right above you now. We will escort you over the border. Then we need to get String to the hospital."
"Go now" She pleaded. "I will be fine. I will meet you there after I take the plane to the Firms airfield. Please."
"There is no way in hell we are going to leave you. Before String passed out he made me promise to keep you safe and by God that's what I'm going to do."
"He passed out! What are his vitals?' She asked with panic in her voice.
"He's holding his own. His blood pressure is low but steady. We are twenty minutes from the border. We will leave you there."
"There's no way I can talk you in to going now is there?"
"No" Dom cut in. I already have String shot. I don't need anything happening to you."
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Cait arrived at the Firm where she was escorted to the medical facilities. She was taken to a waiting room where Dom, St. John and Michael were all waiting.
"How is he" she said afraid to hear the answer.
"Dom walked over to hug her. "Doc said he is doing well. They just removed the bullet. There was no damage to any organs and the bleeding was stopped. He is just going to be very pissed off for the next two weeks. They said his recovery will be quick but not quick enough for him. Cait grinned. That was exactly how he would take being laid up for a few days, pissed off.
"Cait" Michael said putting his hand on her shoulder. "I can't believe you brought that plane in. Stupid move on your part but I am relieved to have it in our hands."
"Yeah, about that young lady." Dom interrupted. "I otta warm your butt up for pullin a stunt like that. You had me scared half to death when you took off like that. But I gotta say good flyin kid."
"The flying wasn't half as good as watching her take out Harkins. St. John said as he watched her checks blush red with embarrassment.
"I know I didn't think that through very well but I just couldn't leave that plane there or watch Dom blow it up."
"I know what it was." Dom said with a chuckle. "You just miss the excitement around here."
"Nah, my days of adventures are over, speaking of which I need to get home. I already don't know how I am going to explain to my family and Tom why I left. Michael do you think I could get a lift now?"
"Sure Cait, I can have you on a jet in a half hour or less. I'll go make the arrangements now while you say your goodbyes."
Dom looked like someone had just punched him in the gut. For some reason with the mission they had just been through and String still in surgery he had it in his mind that she would stay and forget this marriage business. "Cait, you going to leave us now?"
"I have to Dom. I really need to get back. Will you call me when String wakes up and tell me how he's doing?"
"Sure kid." Dom said casting his head down.
"Dom. don't look so sad. I will see you all in three weeks right? You are coming to the wedding?"
St. John moved towards her. Taking both her hands, "Cait, we wouldn't miss it for the world. See you in three weeks."
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String woke to the sound of clatter outside his room from a nurse who had dropped a tray and was cleaning up the mess. He hurt all over. It took him a moment to remember what happened."Cait" he said out loud only he was not aware of it.
"She left last night String. How are you feeling" St. John asked
"Like I was beaten up every night for a week. Why did she leave?"
"She said she had to get back to her family."
"Not Tom?" He asked hopeful.
"If you're asking if the wedding is off the answer is no. She waited until they said you would be ok and Michael flew her back.
She was something else out there. I can see why you and Dom have come to trust her so much. I would have her watch my back any day. She's a far cry from Roan. Speaking of Roan you may want to know she went back to Maine to stay with her brother and his family for a while."
"That's for the best. Did she tell you what happened out there?"
"She didn't have to. I saw the whole thing. I know she left you hanging."
"String, I want you to know that leaving you there with those men with a gun to your head was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I guess I can relate now to how you felt when you had to leave me. I just want you to know that."
"Yeah, I know" String said as he slipped back into sleep.
