Michael put the radio down and glanced around the wall he was using for cover. The initial attack had gone very well. Zebra Squad had stormed the East side of the building and the nuclear bomb was secure. Marella and a small team of men were holding the room. The jamming equipment was on and seemed to be working given there had been no explosion. Unfortunately, the second objective to recover Locke had not gone to plan.

He and his men were stuck at one end of the corridor while all three men holding Locke hostage were at the other; the room where Locke was held behind them. There had been a brief shooting match before each party had made a hasty retreat to cover.

Michael turned back to the Zebra Squad commander. 'Options?' He asked.

'Let me send some men around the outside, sir.' Kinsey had worked with Michael for a long time and was an experienced soldier. 'We can gain entry through the window of the room Agent Locke is being held in and get him out. Out flank the unfriendlies from behind.'

Michael considered it and gave a sharp nod. 'Do it. I'll provide a distraction here.'

Kinsey signalled to two of his men and they left at a quick jog.

Michael tightened his grip on his gun and sighed. 'Gentlemen, this is futile. We have the bomb and the team holding Airwolf has been subdued and arrested. Surrender now and you'll be treated fairly.'

Across the corridor, Lyle took out the remote detonator for the bomb.

Hank scowled at him. 'What the hell are you doing?'

'Boss gave the order, Hank. If it all went to hell,' he smiled evilly, 'so do we.' He pressed the button even as Hank lunged for him. They both froze.

There was no explosion.

Lyle threw the remote across the floor. 'Damn thing doesn't work!'

Hank breathed a sigh of relief.

'I think we should surrender.'

Hank frowned at Terry's whiny voice. 'Shut up or I'll shoot you myself.' He peeked out and sighed at the sight of the soldiers holding the end of the corridor. 'We need to get out of here.'

Lyle stared at him. 'But the boss…'

'Can go to hell.' Hank growled. 'I'm not dying for this.' He gestured with his gun. 'Come on. I know another way out.'

They moved down the corridor and down a door that led to the basement.

Michael frowned at the lack of response. He peered out and considered the silence. He signalled for two men to check it out.

'They're gone, sir.' One of the men yelled.

Michael grabbed his radio as he limped down the corridor to Locke's room. 'Kinsey, this is Archangel. The three men have escaped. I'll get Locke. You find them.'

'Yes, sir. Roger that. Out.' Kinsey replied.

'Airwolf, this is Archangel. Do you read?'

'We read, Michael.' Caitlin confirmed.

Michael smiled in relief. It was good to hear her voice. 'Our three guys have escaped from the building. I think they'll try for the helicopter.'

'We should be with you in five minutes.' Hawke radioed.

'How's Locke?' Caitlin asked.

'We're about to find out. I'll contact you shortly. Out.' Michael nodded at the soldier with the ramming device. The door gave way with a loud bang. Michael didn't wait for the cover of his men but dived in himself, gun extended. He lowered his weapon at the sight of Locke. The other agent was chained to a bed. He was naked, his dark skin covered in a welt of bruises and marks. He appeared unconscious.

Michael took the two steps over to him and checked his pulse. It was weak but it was there. 'Get the medics in here now.' He ordered over his shoulder.

'Yes, sir.' The soldier saluted smartly and left.

Michael grabbed a blanket and covered Locke before he dealt with the chains. His good eye shot up at a slight movement.

Locke looked at the other spy in confusion through drugged eyes. 'Archangel?' He croaked between dry lips.

'It's me.' Michael assured him. 'We're here to get you out.'

'Bomb.' Locke forced out. 'There's a bomb.'

'We know.' Michael said. He laid a hand comfortingly on the other man's shoulder to keep him still. 'We have the bomb and your team are safe.'

'Safe?' Locke said wonderingly.

'Safe.' Michael repeated.

A shriek of engines above them and an eerie howl had both men staring at the grey ceiling as though they could see past the concrete to the blue sky and the helicopter that had flown over.

'Airwolf.' Locke said his eyes drooping shut.

Michael sighed and reached for his radio. 'Hawke, we have Locke. He's in bad shape but he should live.'

In Airwolf, Hawke answered the communication as he circled back over the factory. 'We read you, Michael.' He responded. His eyes narrowed on the departing helicopter exchanging fire with Zebra Squad outside the factory.

'Hawke, we don't have any weapons or counter-measures.' Caitlin reminded him worriedly.

'We have them,' he corrected her shifting in his seat, 'they're just not loaded.'

'Well, that ship doesn't have that problem; it's loaded for bear.' Caitlin said. 'I'm reading 30mm canons and sidewinder rockets.'

'We can take them.' Hawke said confidently. He sent Airwolf into a dive cutting between the helicopter and the men on the ground. Shrapnel bounced off her armour and the enemy helicopter swung around to follow the new threat.

'They're right behind us.' Caitlin said.

Hawke let them follow using his own skills to avoid the patter of canon fire that shot out at them. He sent Airwolf into a wide arc over the countryside allowing them to creep into range for the missiles.

'They've got one off at us.' Caitlin confirmed.

Hawke hit the turbos and pulled back on the stick sharply. Airwolf ascended in a power climb leaving the missile without a target. Hawke dived, picking it back up and headed directly for the enemy helicopter in front of him. At the very last moment, he swung away and hit the turbos. The missile hit the other helicopter and it exploded in a ball of fire.

'Nice flying.' Caitlin said relieved.

Hawke shot her a look over his shoulder. 'Contact Michael. Tell him his bad guys are eliminated.' He spared a look at his son who had slept through the excitement and sighed. Nicky was safe. Caitlin was safe. Saint John…he rolled his shoulders trying to ease the tension out of them. 'Tell Michael we're going to the hospital.'

'Right.' Caitlin felt the smile creep across her face despite her worry for her brother-in-law. Her hands ran over the console in front of her. It was good to be back.