Chapter 2
Red's back screamed out in protest as she hoisted another roof panel up to the top of the hanger. She'd spent the first day assessing everything, then flying back to the airport to sit down with the list she'd written up and began getting supplies ordered the next morning. She had arranged it to be transported as close as possible by road before you had to turn off the main road and take the dirt road to get the rest of the way there. She would meet up with the transport there and haul the supplies over the ridge with a chopper. It took a little effort to coordinate it all. The pile of supplies that now sat out on the tarmac under the tarps a few weeks later was quite impressive.
Several of her crew had helped to hook up and unhook things at both sites and bring her back after she flew the three antiques out to the 'Bone Yard' as it had been dubbed by Erica one afternoon after looking around with a wrinkle of her nose. So the name stuck and stuck so well that it became the name of the company that was registered. 'Bone Yard Vintage Air Service', but the 'Bone Yard' stuck for the short of it.
There were many days she would be the only one out here and between the constant damp and rains they had at this time of year, she took whatever opportunity she could to fix and replace parts of the roof. Today was no exception. It was a warm day for once and the sun was trying to stay out for longer than half an hour. But today was also the big day for a film shoot and her crew was busy with business.
Though her injuries from the crash had healed, it was times like these that they seemed to come flaring back like gang busters to remind her that she would never be what she once was. She got the large sheet of metal up to the roof and sat there panting as she went to get a bucket of tar and the rivet gun. She had replaced the worst of the panels so far and was starting to replace the rest, one section of roof at a time. It was a big accomplishment if she was able to get half a row done in one day. At least the drips inside had stopped so that the building was actually starting to dry out on the inside.
When it was raining, which seemed like more often than not, she spent her time inside. First, she had climbed all over the support structure of metal girders that held the roof up and checked for rust, bird nests, the condition and stability of the electrical wiring for lights and any other odd assortment of items that didn't belong up there. She was to the point of hating seagulls and pigeons with a passion…not to mention the messes they left behind.
Once she was sure that everything was secure and in good working order, she began replacing and repairing the windows that circled the upper level of the walls, just below the roof line. Some had been broken out by hail, some by people with rocks and some by bullets. In the end, it was nice to be able to block out more of the rain and wind, securing the hanger one further step. The hanger doors were in decent shape and in working order once the tracks had been cleared of debris and the wheels oiled.
She finished up with the current panel, having previously removed the piece that she was now replacing. After riveting it on and tarring over the overlapping edges, she lowered her gear to the ground and slid down the rope. Her back and knees protested and she sighed. She wasn't that old but it was amazing how old she felt at times like this.
Deciding to go for a run to loosen up, she stripped out of her gear, pulled on a pair of jogging pants and a t-shirt. She took off at a good stride and began to run around the fence line of the ninety acres. That would be something else to fix at some point in time. The old chain link fence had been cut in several areas and rusted in a few more.
As she was half way round the airfield, her ears picked up the sound of an engine coming over the mountains. She knew there was no easy way she could get back to the hanger before the chopper arrived so she simply kept up with her run until she came back around from the other side. The chopper flew overhead a few minutes later and upon arriving back on the tarmac after her lap around the field was done, she saw three people waiting for her.
She came jogging up to them, soaked in sweat and her cheeks flushed. But she had to admit she did feel better, having worked out the kinks in her back and legs from being of the roof most of the day. Sam smiled at her as he offered her a bottle of water. "Thanks," she huffed a little as she kept moving until she had time to cool down.
MacGyver looked around and whistled slightly. "I've never seen this place look so good," he said with a chuckle, "I doubt Jack would even recognize it."
She snorted slightly, "Yeah, you used to tell me about the couple of times that Jack cleared your place out and packed it off to this hanger." She saw Rachelle look at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh? You'll have to give me those details some time," she said with a laugh. "Well Red, still think it was worth purchasing?" she asked as she looked at the pile of stuff that was useless from broken glass to rusted roof panels.
Red finished walking and stretching and chugged some of the water before giving Sam a big sweaty hug, making him give her the 'gross' face. "Hmmm…ask me again in a month," was all she said.
Rachelle rolled her eyes, "That's what you said last month," she teased.
"I know, but it's what I'm saying again. Though I admit, now that I've got all the leaks sealed up, the bird poop washed off and windows repaired, it's a pretty sturdy building. Won't be able to paint the outside until next spring but hopefully it'll be the last thing I need to do to it."
Red looked over at the chopper and saw the hiking and camping gear stowed in the back. She looked back at Sam, "So you guys off to the wilds of Alaska for two weeks?" she asked with a smirk.
Sam nodded, "Yeah. There's still time if you want to change your mind and come with us."
Red sighed and rolled her eyes. "You two go have fun torturing executives and employees of the Foundation and I'll be working on trying to get that old Steerman back in the air. We need it for that upcoming shoot next month," she reminded them.
Rachelle chuckled, "Well hopefully with that new cellenoid and oxygen valve you finally got, it shouldn't be too hard." She grabbed a bag of groceries and a duffle bag of clean clothing and headed to the hanger. She was dropping off supplies for Red to finish up her work here over the next week. She shouted back over her shoulder. "Besides, you've got that air and road show coming up in six days that you have to be at."
There was an unlady like snort from Red. "Easy my ass. Last time I did repairs on that old bird I came out feeling like a contortionist. This will be worse because I've got to remove half the front engine to get into where I need."
Sam chuckled again, "Sounds like a good excuse as any for me to stay dad. I think she'll need help."
Mac finally grabbed a hold of Sam's ear and began walking away, "I don't think so. You promised last year to help me out with this. She's a big girl and able to do it by herself. Time to go or we'll miss our window for getting into the wildlife reserve," he said looking at his watch.
Sam sighed and went over and wrapped his arms around Red, "Gonna miss me?" he asked her quietly.
Red blushed a little, "Yeah. Nights get cold up here. I'll miss my bed warmer," she said in a very hushed voice, casting a look towards Mac to see if he'd caught what they'd been saying. He seemed fairly oblivious as he talked to Rachelle about instructions on picking them up in two weeks. Red leaned up and gave him a kiss. "I'll miss ya. Be careful and stay safe…ok?" she asked.
Sam nodded and gave her a tight squeeze, "You too. Don't get too crazy with things around here. Lex or one of the other guys is only a thirty minute flight away. They can come up and help if you need that extra set of hands. We'll be back in two weeks and then I can help if you need it."
Red kissed him one more time and then playfully pushed him away, "Go on. Your dad's about to go into convulsions," she teased as Mac looked edgy and wanting to be gone. Red waved at the three of them as they began to pile into the chopper, "Bring them home safe Rachelle."
