SKULL LEADER'S DOWN!
CHAPTER 13
Fokker Base
After breaking contact with Rick, Lisa contacted the pararescue men from the 321st Special Tactics Squadron to coordinate the mission to get Rick and Captain Quadrawno out of the Black Forest.
"This is Captain Lisa Hayes at the Combat Operations Center, Fokker Base. Who am I talking to please?"
"This is 1st LT Henderson of PJ Team 1 ma'am."
"Lieutenant Henderson, I need to coordinate with you in rescuing Captain Hunter."
"Yes ma'am, we've been waiting for the go ahead signal for the rescue for quite some time now ma'am."
"Be advised lieutenant that Captain Hunter has a wounded ZFIS agent with him that needs to be evacuated with him. I was told that she was shot in the upper right arm."
"Yes ma'am."
"What do you require in order to carry out the rescue?"
"We need to have a landing zone that is cleared of trees, electrical power and telephone lines for an about a 500 yard radius. We would like to have a flat level area for the landing zone."
"Do you need air support?"
"That is not necessary but it would be nice to have air support. We will never know when we might need it."
"We'll give you the air support."
Lisa searched for areas near Rick would be so it would be easy for not only Rick and Miriam but for the PJ team who will do the rescuing. Lisa found a spot and sent the profile and coordinates to the lieutenant.
"It's just what we need, ma'am."
After working out final details with the lieutenant, Lisa broke off the connection. After hanging up, Lisa yawned and stretched. It was getting late and Lisa was tired and worn out after a very trying day. Lisa thought ahead of time to bring a blanket, bed sheet, pillow, toiletry kit and several changes of clothes to work with her so she can sleep on the couch that is in her office. She knew that she will be working late into the night on many days and it didn't made any sense to leave the COC, drive home only to turn around and do the opposite several hours later.
It was almost 1:00 in the morning when she finally called it a night when Claudia threaten her with bodily harm if she didn't go into her office and go to sleep. Lisa locked the door to her office and laid a bed sheet and pillow on the couch. She then taken off her shoes, pantyhose and her uniform and put it on a clothes hangar. She then grabbed the blanket and in her bra and panties, lay down on the couch waiting for sleep to overtake her. As she lying down on the couch trying to go to sleep, she couldn't help but think about Rick. She hopes that tonight will be the last day that Rick will be evading. That tomorrow or later in the day he and the ZFIS agent will be rescued. Lisa knows that even though Rick may not be sleeping, she knows that he is thinking about her.
'Oh Rick, I hope wherever you are, I hope you are thinking about me because I will be dreaming about you.'
Southern Germany
Rick had difficulty breaking the kiss because Captain Quadrawno was so strong, but he finally managed to break free of the kiss. Rick had a more of a shocked look that a look of anger on his face.
"Captain Quadrawno, what are you doing?!"
"Excuse me, Captain Hunter. I know you have never met me before, but I did meet you once before."
"Excuse me?"
"I've met you when you, Captain Hayes and Commander Grant came on board Breetai's ship before we captured the factory satellite. I believe I should start at the beginning."
"Yes captain, I believe you should." Rick said nodding his head.
FLASHBACK
June 2013
A micronized Exedore, Rick, Lisa and Claudia entered Breetai's office on a conveying belt from the shuttle. Nearby, Breetai's aide Miriam Quadrawno saw the five talking about the plan to capture the Robotech Factory Satellite. When she saw Rick, her breath was taken away and her heart began to beat faster. She couldn't explain it because she never had those kinds of feelings before. But there was something about Rick that peaked Miriam's interest. Miriam began to check Rick out.
'Who is that Micronian man? He's not bigger than my middle finger. He is so tiny that he can fit in the palm of my hand and I can easily crush him. But there is something about him that causes me to have these feelings that I've never felt before. What is it?'
END FLASHBACK
"I did some checking and I found out that your name is Rick Hunter. You, Captain Hayes and SGT Ben Dixon were earlier held captive on board Dolza's flagship."
"When Captain Hayes, SGT Dixon and I were first held captive on board Breetai's ship, I never saw you. Why?"
"I was, what you Micronians call, bounced around the Zentraedi military. I wasn't Lord Breetai's aide when you were first held captive. It was before Lord Dolza's destruction of the Earth by the Grand Fleet that I became Lord Breetai's aide. When I first saw you before we captured the factory satellite, I didn't know what to call these feelings I had for you. It wasn't until much later I was told that I, what you Micronians say, have fallen for you.
When I found out you will not be assigned on the factory satellite, I asked Lord Breetai for a transfer to the Zentraedi Field Intelligence Service. I had myself micronized so I can be on Earth with you. I know that may not be able to be near you, but at least, I can be on the same planet as you. I never was trained in intelligence, but it was the only way I know how I can be near you because I'm not a pilot. My work has always been administrative. So, when there were openings in the intelligence service, I applied to be an agent. I went to the intelligence school and that is how I became an agent in the Zentraedi Field Intelligence Service. It was by happenstance that is was you that were shot down near where I am and somehow made it into the cloning facility unnoticed."
Rick was startled at the confession Captain Quadrawno told him. He sat stunned for a long moment until he had to shake his head to get himself out of the stupor he was in.
"Captain Quadrawno…"
"Please, call me Miriam."
"Miriam…I don't know what to say except that I'm terribly flattered to know that you had fallen for me. I've never had someone tell me that she has fallen for me; usually it's the other way around. I don't consider myself to be terribly attractive. So, I don't know what else to say except that I'm flattered."
"Captain Hunter…"
"Call me Rick since you allowed me to call you Miriam."
"Rick, I'm sorry to tell you this now and I apologize for kissing you. I know that was wrong."
Rick gently grabbed her hand and spoke in a gentle understanding voice; "No, don't apologize. There's nothing to apologize for."
Miriam could feel sparks of heat going into her brain when Rick grabbed her hand. "Thank you, Rick. Are you how do you say, still involved with Minmei? Are you still a couple?"
"We were a couple only in the eyes of the media and my young immature brain. Minmei and I, we weren't even star-crossed lovers. We were more like two ships passing in the night. We were like she said once before, we're just friends. I didn't know it at the time, but she was right. .But as for us being a couple, we were never a couple much less involved with each other."
Miriam had a hopeful look on her face. When Rick saw that look on her face, he felt sad that he will have to break her heart by telling her that he is engaged to Lisa.
"However Miriam…I don't know how to say this to you any easily…but I'm in love with Captain Hayes and she's in love me. We are engaged to be married." Rick said quietly.
"I see." Miriam kept her stoic Zentraedi demeanor but Rick could tell she was sad when Rick told her that he and Lisa are engaged.
"I'm sorry Miriam."
"No…do not apologize. There's no need to apologize. I understand. Pardon me for asking but weren't you and Captain Hayes how should I say it, enemies?
"I wouldn't say we were enemies, we just had a lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication between the two of us. We've been friends for a long time but it wasn't until the day of Khyron's attack when she came to my house to say good-bye because she was leaving with the SDF-2 and she told me that she loves me that I realized that I love her."
Miriam just nodded her head.
Rick couldn't tell if she believed what he told her. Rick then decided to change the subject back to why they are on the run. "How long have you been undercover at the cloning facility?"
"A year."
"A year?! Why the RDF has never been told about this? Who in the Zentraedi knew about this?"
"Only Lord Breetai and Exedore knew about the existence of the cloning facility. They knew about the protoculture chambers and the cloning facility from informants."
"Why has the RDF never been told about it?"
"Please try to understand, Captain Hunter. We had to keep it from you and the RDF. The less people knew about the cloning facility, the less of a chance Berrak will know that Zentraedi Field Intelligence knows about his plans and had someone infiltrate the facility. I'm sorry Captain Hunter, but Lord Breetai cannot trust that RDF Intelligence will be able to keep this from leaked out to the media. I'm sorry that this deception has caused you to be shot down and to be on the run from being captured. We never intentionally set out to deceive you."
"No need to apologize, Miriam. I understand. I would have done the same thing if I was in Breetai's position. RDF Intelligence has never been known to be able to keep a secret. How long has ZFIS known about the cloning facility?"
"Almost 2 years, Rick."
"How were you able to get into the facility?"
"I was able to penetrate the facility with the help of a confidential informant."
"How long were you supposed to be in the facility undercover?"
"I was to be in the facility until the operation went online. I was supposed to contact Lord Breetai and with the help of other field intelligence agents destroy the imaging projectors and the facility. But because of the air battle he moved up the timetable and I haven't been able to contact my superiors because of Berrak increased security and have locked down the facility."
"But I was able to get in the facility."
"They were looking for you and they came back to the facility to eat and another team was to take their place. That is how you were able to get in."
"How long will it be until the clones are fully formed?"
"When we escaped the facility it was 12 to 24 hours until they are fully formed, which is why I have to go back. Once I see that you are rescued, I have to go back to the facility to make sure the facility is destroyed."
"But you're injured and they might know you're a ZFIS agent. You could get caught and be killed."
"I am only wounded in the arm. As for being captured and killed, it's a risk I will gladly take. I am a Zentraedi and I am not fearful of death."
Rick could only nod his head.
"Since we are stopped, do you want to use the time to sleep or do you feel you can go on?"
"I am tired but after all I've been through this evening, my adrenaline level is still high. Besides, it will be daylight in a couple of hours. I can keep going. I just needed to get my wind back. I'll sleep when I get to my BOQ room in Stuttgart."
"Then let us proceed then. Let us continue north."
"Ok, let's go."
Rick didn't let Captain Quadrawno know but the bullet wound in her arm was really bad. Rick's not a doctor, but he could tell that the arm was getting infected and he was bound and determined to get Miriam in the helicopter with him when he's rescued.
'Someway, somehow, you will be with me in the helicopter when I'm rescued. I can't let you be left behind just to die from a wound infection.'
Cloning Facility
Garrak was standing next to Lord Berrak in the Command Center when he answered the telephone. After speaking for several seconds, he hung up and put the phone back on the console.
"Sir, a search team found your car an hour north of here abandoned and out of fuel. They found blood on the driver's side of the vehicle. From the color and smell of the blood, they say that the blood is Zentraedi. There is a blood trail going away from the car and into the woods. They are following the blood trail."
"That's good news. Keep me informed."
"Yes sir."
Black Forest
It was now daybreak and the sun was filtering through the thick darkness of the forest. Rick and Miriam decided to stop for a while to eat and drink. Rick decided was a good time to switch batteries to the solar powered one and turn on the SATCOM radio to contact Fokker Base.
"Mother Base, this is Skull Leader. Mother Base, this is Skull Leader. Do you read me over?"
"Skull Leader, this is Mother Base. We read you loud and clear Skull Leader over."
"Is this Ensign Chen?"
"Yes sir, it is me. Captain Hayes is in her office sleeping for the night."
"Good to hear you ensign."
"It's good hearing you, sir. Skull Leader, Captain Hayes before she left the COC for the night did contact the 321st and coordinated with the PJs in getting you and the ZFIS agent out. You and the agent are to rendezvous with the Pave Hawk helicopter sometime this afternoon your time. I am sending you the coordinates via the GPS satellite uplink. You should be receiving the coordinates to your GPS unit at this time."
Rick reached in his backpack and took out the GPS unit and turned it on.
"Yes, I am receiving the coordinates as we speak Mother Base."
"Very good Skull Leader. Have you switched batteries to the solar powered?"
"Yes I have Mother Base."
"Stay in radio contact with us from here on out Skull Leader. You will be in radio contact with the rescue helicopter once it gets close to extraction time. How are you doing on rations and water Skull Leader?"
"I think the rations will hold until we are rescued but I will have to replenish the water."
"I read you Skull Leader. There is a small river less than one kilometer west of your current position."
"Thanks for the info Mother Base."
"Skull Leader, before we break connection, do you have your earpiece or headset on?"
"I have my earpiece in."
"Good because I don't think the ZFIS agent wants to hear what I'm about to tell you. We have received word that Lord Breetai and Exedore is coordinating with Admiral Gloval and General Maistroff in coming up with a plan in inserting a SPEC OPS team in to replace the ZFIS agent in destroying the cloning facility, so when you are evacuated, please make sure that the ZFIS agent is with you on board the helicopter."
"Roger, Mother Base. I'll make sure that Captain Quadrawno is on board the helicopter with me."
"Roger, Skull Leader Mother Base out."
Rick and Captain Quadrawno walked to the river to refill the water. As Rick was pumping water through the filtering unit, Rick took the opportunity to ask Miriam some more questions.
"Captain Quadrawno…Miriam, how did Berrak was able to get SAMs?"
"I don't know what you are talking about, Captain Hunter. What is a SAM sir?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. It's an acronym for surface-to-air missile."
"Oh, I see. He was able to get the missiles from a Russian arms salesman illegally on you call, the black market."
"The missiles are Russian?"
"Yes sir. I believe they have the codename 'Gadfly'."
"Yes, I've heard of those missiles. When I entered the cloning facility my radio went out. Do you know why?"
"I'm afraid I do not know, sir. The projectors may have emitted an electromagnetic field that may have interfered with your radio but I cannot know for certain."
"Don't worry about it, captain. I was just wondering and I thought you may know. Why did Berrak chose the Black Forest to set up this cloning facility in southern Germany?"
'Because it would be the last place any of us would expect a place like a cloning facility would be."
"It makes sense." Rick said nodding his head.
Cloning Facility
The telephone in the Command Center rang. Garrak picked up the telephone from the cradle on the control.
"Sir, the search patrol reports that the blood trail stopped and it does not go any further."
"Which means that they must have stopped to at least bandage the wound."
"The search team also came to that conclusion, sir."
"Tell the team to keep going north. It should only be a matter of time before they find the Zentraedi traitor and the Micronian pilot."
"Yes sir."
Rescue Rendezvous Point
Rick and Captain Quadrawno stayed in the safety of the tree line waiting for the rescue helicopter to fly in to carry them out to safety. They stayed in the trees several hundred yards away from a pasture that is mostly used by sheep and cattle grazing but the animals are not out on the pasture grazing
"Skull Leader, this is Striker. We are currently less than 60 kilometers away from the pick up point. You should have a visual on us in several minutes."
"Roger, Striker. Ok, Captain Quadrawno when the helicopter lands, you need to remember to bend down as low as you can as you walk towards the helicopter so you don't get killed by the rotor blades. The rotor blades bend down quite a ways at the end."
"I'll remember to do that, sir."
"You do know that you are coming with me."
"No I'm not, sir. I'm going to escort you to the helicopter and see you take off. Once you are airborne I'm going back to the cloning facility to oversee its destruction."
"I'm afraid you're not, captain. Earlier this morning, I've received word from Fokker Base that Lord Breetai and Exedore is working with Admiral Gloval and General Maistroff in inserting an RDF Special Operations team in to destroy the cloning facility."
"You're lying to me, Captain Hunter."
"I wish I was captain but I'm not. If you don't believe me, I can contact Fokker Base and they can get you in touch with Lord Breetai and Exedore on the factory satellite and you can ask them if what I told you is true or not."
"No, that is not necessary Captain Hunter. I believe what you just said to me."
"I'm sorry Miriam. I know you will not be able to fully accomplish your mission."
"No need to apologize, sir. I believe that Lord Breetai and Exedore are only looking out for my best interests."
Rick didn't say anything but flashed a smile to Miriam. He then heard a voice in his ear.
"Skull Leader, this is Striker. Do you see us yet? We are less than 6 kilometers from the LZ and we are approaching from the northwest."
"Not yet Striker but I am looking at the sky trying to find you."
Just as soon as he said that, Rick began to hear the faint whoop-whoop-whoop sound of helicopter rotor blades. A minute later, Rick saw the front of a helicopter coming in.
'Striker, this is Skull Leader. I see you now."
"Roger, Skull Leader. We should be landing in less than 5 minutes. Start walking towards the LZ."
"Roger, Striker. We're leaving the tree line now."
Rick and Miriam began walking towards the open pasture that is serving as the landing zone and waited at the edge of the tree line. Minutes later, the helicopter landed with its engines still running and the rotor blades turning. Seconds later, the helicopter's side door opened and a RDF Air Force enlisted PJ hopped out and started running towards Rick and Miriam as Rick and Miriam began jogging to meet the PJ half way.
"Captain Hunter, Captain Quadrawno you ready to get out of here?"
"I've been ready ever since I got shot down. Let's get the Hell out of here sergeant!" Rick yelled above the roar of the rotor blades.
"Yes sir, just follow me!"
As the PJ, Rick and Miriam began jogging towards the helicopter, a small group of Zentraedi came out of the tree line yelling and firing their automatic weapons.
"We're being ambushed by enemy Zentraedi! RUN!" The PJ yelled as he turned around and began firing his MP5 submachine gun.