Chapter 54:

Stone looked at his watch and then up at the night sky, dawn was beginning to break. It was time to go underground again. Taking a peak at the satellite phone, Stone check if it was in one piece, and held off the temptation to use it.

The risk of intercepted call was too great, better to keep everyone in the dark.

Because they were now over thirty kilometers away from the Shapley house, Stone felt that they could keep a larger group together, so there would be more sleep for everyone. So they found two hideouts, and divided the team into two group of four.

Stone took first watch for his part of the team, which included Kingston, Chevalier and Kristiansen.

The hours passes slowly and the rain kept falling, after three hours Kingston relieved Stone of watch.

His train had taught him to fall asleep anywhere and under any circumstances, yet too sleep lightly so to be awaken by any sound or disturbance.

Stone woke up as Kingston turned the watch over to Kristiansen, watching the Norwegian for a few minute to make sure he was alert, before going back to sleep.

The next time Stone woke up it was Chevalier's turn on watch, this time Stone did not go back to sleep, he had gotten six hours of sleep which was more than enough for him.

Crawling slowly over to where Chevalier was watching the surrounding area. "How are you doing?" Stone asked as he handed her a power bar.

"Merci!" Chevalier said as she bites on the power bar. "I am fine. So are you asking me because I am a woman?"

"No, you are not the first woman on this team." Stone said in a voice that broke no argument.

Looking out the landscape, Stone could see no threat, but there was something not quite right.

The next hours passed slowly, Stone kept keen eyes on the area, something was wrong, his instinct was screaming at him. Turning to Chevalier. "Wake them up, now!"

"What is the matter? There is nothing out there!" Chevalier protested as she shook Kingston and then Kristiansen.

Stone clicked his radio on. "We are moving out!"

Checking his weapon, despite him knowing it was loaded and ready.

Stone then took up the satellite phone and powered it on, as soon as it was on; Stone dialed the number of Patrich Satellite phone. "Sir, Achilles here. We are in dire need of transport!"

"I can have a MH-47E over the area in two hours." Patrich voice came back over the phone.

"We are going to head north-west of our current location; I believe that we now have super soldiers on our asses." Stone said, and looked at his people for their reaction.

Kingston, Arrsen, Walker and Tarkove, were on full alert instantly, the rest needed a moment to grasp the severity of the situation.

"Sir, have the pilot contact us on the tactical frequency Foxtrot, when they are in the area. Achillies, out." Stone switched the power of the phone and tugged it into its holster.

"We are going to have to move fast and hard, this will be an all out run. We can't outrun them, but we can make them chase us, we need two hours. So everything except ammo, weapon and radio's will have to be dumped." Stone ordered, as he started to throw away parts of his gear.

After that the eight members of the team took off running towards North-east.

For the next ninety minute they ran hard, and then Arrsen called out as he was in the rear. "Four, coming up on us, two clicks out!"

Stone spared a glace, in the distance behind them, he could make out four shapes.

For the next twenty-five minutes, the four super soldiers closed the gap, it was down to hundred meters. Then the radio call came in.

"Hellenic, this is Whirlwind Seven. Do you copy?"

"Whirlwind Seven, this is Hellenic. We read you!" Stone replied on the radio as he continued running.

"Hellenic, what is your position?"

Stone reached for the GPS and transmitted their location to Whirlwind.

"Hellenic, we will be there within two minutes!"

"Whirlwind, be advised, we have hostiles in pursuit. Recommend, you have your gunners ready!"

"Understood, Hellenic!"

Stone continued to lead the run, sparing a glance at the pursuing Super Soldiers, they were now within a hundred meters.

The beat of the helicopter blades could now be heard.

"Hellenic, we see you. Looks like there are two groups pursuing you, a four man team within a hundred meters, a second larger team within a click of you location." The pilot of the MH-47E reported.

"Strafe the group closer to us!" Stone ordered.

The buzzing sound of a minigun could be heard behind them, getting closer as the helicopter overflew the super soldiers.

The firing stopped as the MH-47E overflow Stone as his team, landing in front of them. The rear ramp open, a minigun and a gunner sitting in position.

The team ran by the gunner and gun, getting into the cargo bay, most falling down.

Except Stone, who stopped by the gunner, clapping him on the shoulder, while screaming into the radio for the pilot to take off.

Stone scanned the area, as the helicopter lifted off.

The first figure came running at the helicopter as it was a meter of the ground.

The door gunner opened up with his minigun, cutting the figure down, then the second. The first was already rising as the second fell, firing its weapon.

Stone was firing his assault rifle, had already emptied a magazine and was in the process of loading a fresh one, when a bullet graced his face and three more impacted his west, throwing him back.

Four bullets had hit the door gunner killing him.

Arrsen rushed to Stone's aid, placing a band aid over his face. Kingston was close behind.

"Hold this to his face!" Arrsen order Kingston, as he checked Stone for more injures. "Three more bullet's hit his west, not penetrated."

Then Stone woke up, he could not breath. And he could not see.

"Relax, chef!" Arrson said as he lifted the band-aid off to see what the extend of the damage was. "Hand me, my medical kit!" Arrsen asked Kingston.

The Helicopter was now over the Irish Sea, keeping low over the ocean.

The pilot came into the cargo bay and saw his gunner laying dead and a medic working on another person.

"What is going on?" He asked the nearest man, who ignored him.

Kingston saw the pilot and walked up to him. "Where are you taking us?"

"My orders are to take you to an Irish Airbase, Casement Aerodrome!" The pilot replied.

"How long until we get there?"

"About an hour or little over that!"

Kingston leaned forward and was right by the pilot's ear. "One advise, forget you ever saw us."

The MH-47E landed on Casement Aerodrome, near a Irish Air Corps CASA CN-235 transport plane, the eight passengers of the MH-47E were quick to depart the helicopter, although one was carried out and into the CN-235, which had its engines running and took off as soon as the ramp closed behind the last passenger.

It took off and headed North-West.

The Irish CN-235 landed in Keflavik, where a C-130J was waiting, its engines running. The CN-235 parked besides the Hercules and lowered its ramp. It's passenger went to the Hercules, which closed its ramp as soon as they were onboard and the plane taxied off. It was in the air within five minutes of the CN-235 landing.

The C-130J Hercules landed at Peterson Airbase where a contingent of SGC personnel and Forlorn Hope soldier were waiting for them.

Stone walked off the Hercules aided by Kingston.

Lt. Colonel Feretti came up to them. "General Hammond has asked us to escort you to Cheyenne Mountain."

The convoy was comprised of four armed Humvee's and two M1126 ICV. After the cargo was secured, the convoy took off to Cheyenne Mountain at high speed.

To be continued in Operation Spearhead.