CHAPTER 13

"Still no news, sir," Marella reported to her boss. Since they had lost contact with Airwolf and the agent things had steadily been getting worse; there had been some malfunction with one of the alarm systems, then half the power had gone out, and communications were erratic at best. Even if Airwolf was out there somewhere, radioing even, they might never know. The series of midair refuels was still in place, but Airwolf hadn't made it to any of them yet and was already nearly two hours behind schedule.

The single fan in the office was doing little to keep the summer's heat at bay, and between that and the already stressed atmosphere, this wait was becoming simply unbearable. The committee understandably wanted answers and were constantly on Michael's case and would continue to be until he gave them some answers. Unfortunately he had no answers to give, didn't even know if the team had survived or could possibly be stranded somewhere or captured. The possibilities were countless and the miles between here and there numerous, but the ends couldn't be left loose, somebody had to know something.

"Set up the video link, I've got to try reaching them."

"Sir, the generators can't all that to the load; they're barely keeping up as it is."

"I don't care how; just make it happen, even if you have to take everything else off. I need it now."

\A/

Zeus, flanked by half the committee on his left and the other half at his right, entered the office not non-unobtrusively.

"What do you think you are doing, Archangel?" Zeus demanded, clearly agitated at loosing the power to everything else that had been running.

"Radioing Hawke and his crew."

"This is a FIRM mission, and we must meet together to discuss anything with Hawke, and he had better not have anyone else other than that agent with him," Zeus added, a distinct threat edging his words.

Michael refused to back down. "Hawke has whoever he wants to have with him with him, and I need to contact him to find out what is holding them up. The communications and electronics in general are so screwed up here right now, I thought by the time I got everyone in there together and arguing over how you should attempt nailing Hawke to the wall this time the link might not hold."

"You're overstepping your boundaries. You-"

"No," the deputy director interrupted, "you are loosing sight of why we have these covert missions in the first place, letting your title go to your head. Hawke has risked his life far too many times because of you and your precious flock of sheep. That's all the others are, followers, to do whatever you want them to whenever you tell them to do it."

"You can officially consider yourself suspended," Zeus declared, "and you had better be glad you didn't loose your job. One more word about it and you will have though."

"Fine," Michael answered. "But you'll want me back when you realize Hawke doesn't for the FIRM, doesn't work for you; he doesn't even like you."

With that, he grabbed his cane, spinning defiantly on his heels as he left the building. And the gaping mouths of the entire committee.

\A/

Archangel's Condo

11:15 pm

Michael Coldsmith-Briggs III sat in his luxurious overstuffed chair in his living room, thinking.

If Hawke and his crew had made it out of Russia, where were they now? Why hadn't they shown up? If they hadn't made it, who or what had hampered their escape? Were any of them still alive, perhaps captive somewhere? Had Airwolf made it in one piece, or was it resting in tiny fragments at the bottom of some canyon?

Question after question bombarded him, leaving him curious and confused, but no trace of an answer in any of them. He couldn't turn his back on them, not after what they had put on the line for him. Instead he had pushed his luck, pushed it a little too far, he admitted to himself ruefully. But they had gone after him when the committee had turned their backs, risked it all and expected nothing in return, and it was only fair to return the favor if at all possible.

Maybe he was getting too soft in his old age, but any man with a conscience couldn't leave them all to die or at least find out what happened. But how? Now being suspended didn't help his chances any, and while he did truly believe Zeus would eventually call him back, if nothing else just to call Hawke and his dogs off when he came back, but that didn't help him any now.

Marella along with the rest of his staff was still there, but he couldn't asked them to throw away their careers too, especially since none of them even knew what he was up to until that afternoon. He was suspended and there was nothing else to do other than roll over and give in like they wanted, that was the only option there was. Unless….

It was late and he should get to bed, allow himself time to think through things before making any rash decisions. Pushing to his feet, he started to shuffle off toward his bedroom until he heard a knock at the door. Who would be here at this hour? he wondered. Who would be here period?

After a moment's pause, the soft knocking could be heard again.

Changing direction, he moved back in the direction of the door. Opening in cautiously, he revealed a very familiar white clad female.

"Marella?"

"Sorry to come by so late," she apologized. "But I thought you should see this," Marella said, handing over a recently printed report. Airwolf rendezvoused with the first refueling tanker an hour ago and left a message that they were going to be back as soon as possible but were having a few technical problems."

"Anything we can do to help?"

"The committee doesn't know yet, but I arranged for some extra fuel pickups since they have to fly all the way back using turbos, and then I believe they're planning to land up at Santini Air to do some repairs."

"They could land it at the FIRM hangar where the supplies and parts since that is were the supplies and parts would have to come in anyway," Michael suggested.

"I already suggested that, but Hawke said they would need a good long runway since they have to come in like a jet, and personally I don't think he liked the idea anymore than Zeus currently likes you."

"Very well. Thank you, Marella. And if you hear from them, tell them I'll be looking forward to seeing them arrive back in one piece."

"Marella nodded. "Well, again sorry for having bothered you so late, but-"

"But it is greatly appreciated," Michael finished. He knew she had risked her job for him and Hawke, she knew it had been risky, but nothing would change that she had been brave enough to take that chance.

"Do you want to come in, get a cup of coffee or something? I'm sure you've had a long day and I know you deserve it."

"I…" she should get home - to a lonely, empty house. A frozen dinner in the freezer was all that awaited her, that and darkness, and well, not much of anything that couldn't wait. "A cup of coffee would be great."