Chapter Seven: Beginning Of The End

It had been three weeks since the night at the cabin when a plan was hatched to trap Zeus. St. John had been meeting with him on a regular bases reporting on the progress he was making learning to fly Airwolf. Zeus was buying into it hook, line and sinker. String had wanted to really teach Sinj how to fly her but he had refused for two reasons. One was to remove any doubt that they had about his motives for being there and the second was purely for national security. The less people who knew how to fly her the better. All the world needed was one more Airwolf pilot that could be abducted and used to coerce them to fly her or turn her over.

St. John pulled into the hanger where they were all waiting for him. Today was the day to put everything into action. His gut tightened. He wished he could stop what was about to happen. Since his return he found himself becoming more protective of his brother. From the stories he had been hearing from Dom he knew String took a risk every time he took a mission on for the FIRM. All he wanted for String was to settle down and have some kids with Cait and enjoy the rest of his life. He was plagued with guilt over the pain he had caused String. All the years String put his life on hold looking for him was his doing. Not to mention causing him to mistrust people more than he already did.

"You ready to do this?" String asked as he handed a cup of coffee to Sinj.

"Do I have a choice?" Sinj grinned as he took the cup.

Cait watched the two from behind the glass window in the office. For some reason she was worried about this mission. She did not want String to lose his brother again. She had noticed that String was being reserved about his relationship with St. John. She also knew the reason why. He was afraid to let himself get close not knowing if he would take off again not letting them know where he was or if he was safe. Seeing Michael walk in she went out to join the others noticing that Michael was without one of his aids.

"Good morning. Let's get right down to brass tacks. Word is that Zeus excused himself today at the office. Told everyone that he had a family emergency to take care of out of State."

Dom scoffed. "Family emergency my ass. More like treason if you ask me."

Michael gave Dom a nod of approval. "I agree Dom, I think it's treason as well. But if he does pull this off the FIRM may be so over joyed to have Airwolf back that they will overlook his indiscretions. Rather we like it or not there are politics behind this. I need to catch Zeus in the act."

"You don't trust anyone at the FRIM right now Michael?" Cait asked.

"Why do you ask that?"

"Because I noticed that you came in by yourself, left your aid in the car."

String lifted one eyebrow. "Michael, this true? You don't trust your own people?"

"I would trust Laura with my life." Michael said pointing his cane at his white limo. "My leaving them out of this has to do with their wellbeing not mine. If this does come crashing down on me I can honestly tell the committee that none of my people knew anything about this."

St. John suddenly looked to his phone. "It's Zeus. He just texted me that I am to meet him in two hours. We need to go get the Lady."

"Before you do let's go over this one more time shall we?" Michael said as he took a seat to rest his leg.

String repeated the plan to the group. "We fly Airwolf to the designated spot that Zeus sends us once we are in the air. Once we have it we will relay it directly to you Michael on a secure channel. You will have Zebra Squad move there ASAP."

"Let's just pray that Zeus doesn't have control of them or this whole mission is doomed from the start." Cait said looking nervous. String took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

String continued with the plan. "Since the windows are tinted we can let Sinj out without them seeing Dom, Cait and myself inside. Sinj will need to stall him until we have back up in place. By that time Michael you should arrive with several key people from the committee to witness what Zeus is pulling off behind their backs. Once Zeus sees that he has been caught it should conclude peacefully, if it doesn't we will be ready to take on any of Zeus's men and get Sinj back into Airwolf safely."

Michael stood to leave. He stopped at the door for one last request. "I know Airwolf is an important weapon to have at my disposal but she is not worth any of your lives. Please be careful and don't take any unnecessary risk." With that he retreated to his awaiting limo.

The rest of the group headed for the jeep. The drive to the lair was a quiet one. They each did what they needed to do to prepare for the mission. Cait was inside Airwolf checking the weapons. She hoped they would not be forced to use them. She watched as String, Dom and Sinj bantered back and forth, teasing each other like they had never been separated all these years. After this mess with Zeus was over she hoped they could all move on as a family. String had not asked her to marry him but he had made it clear that marriage was what he wanted.

Sinj looked at his phone and frowned. "It's him, we need to get in the air."

String watched as Sinj climbed into the Lady. His gut tightened telling him to call off the mission but he dismissed the thought and took his rightful place in the pilot's seat. It was just his old fear of losing the people he loved creeping in on him he told himself. In a few hours this would all be over and they would be back at the cabin enjoying dinner and each other's company.