Disclaimer: I do not own, nor did I create, any of the A-team characters (main or support) nor do I own, nor did I create, any of the episodes. That credit is due to Stephen J. Cannell and his associates. Any familiar catch phrases or settings also belong to the Cannell team.

Dimitri Shastakovich, Ivan Pedavich, and Colonel Morrison are characters belonging to Stephen J Cannell and Associates.

Spoiler Alert: References characters and revelations from Season 4 Episode 14 "The A-team is Coming".

Author's Notes: A theory about how The A-team first met the KGB operative Dimitri Shastakovich alluded to in Season 4 Episode 14.

Summary: The Guys get lifted out by Murdock but have a harrowing flight

From Russia with Not Quite Love: by LAGC

Chapter Four: Meeting Murdock and Eating Dirt

000000000000000

The chopper swooped in and the four men dashed to it as the skids kissed the jungle floor. They all knew there wasn't a second to squander as the sound of choppers always brought out the enemy and his guns. As soon as Hannibal had his last foot on the bird he hollered, "GO! Murdock!"

The men strapped themselves into the safety harnesses as Murdock soared skyward and out of the danger zone. BA and Face positioned themselves near the gaping doors to provide gunfire if the need occurred. Hannibal wrestled into the headset that would allow him to communicate with their pilot.

"Mission successful, Colonel?" Murdock inquired.

"Secured channel, Captain?"

"Roger that, Sir."

"Well we are all alive and unhurt so that's a success, Captain. But no, the objective was not attained. So by military standards, the mission was NOT successful."

"Ok then so this package wasn't the one addressed to us. Was it a consolation prize, Colonel?"

"One might look at it that way, Captain."

Hannibal then proceeded to fill Murdock in on the carnage at the village, the capture of Shastakovich, and their trek from the target to the landing zone.

"Well sounds like a typical day in this sunny and bright neighborhood, Colonel." Murdock commented disdainfully when Hannibal concluded his briefing.

"Do you want to contact Colonel Morrison and give him a heads up prior to our arrival? We are about twenty minutes out."

"No. I don't think so, Murdock. It's been a while since I've surprised him. I've missed that." Hannibal replied with a grin. He then leaned back against the steel of the chopper and finally lit his cigar.

Now Face's voice came on the com, "Eh Murdock? Where is your co-pilot?"

"Well you see, Faceman...there was a bit of confusion over who would be the co-pilot on this here run. Actually, there was confusion over who would be the pilot. " Murdock began too reply

"Captain!? Do I have to dig you out of another official reprimand?" Hannibal interrupted clenching his beloved cigar in his teeth.

"Now, now, Colonel, think of it this way I protected the Brass from spraining their atrophied brains by making the crew decision for them. This lovely lady was fueled and ready - so was I. Therefore I set off to gather my unit. A man has to stay with his unit."

Hannibal and Faceman exchanged resigned looks and smirks. What had been done was done. Hannibal would deal with it if he had to, but he hoped that the capture of this Russian operative - no way Dimitri was a simple soldier- would distract the Brass from Murdock's insubordination. The men enjoyed about ten minutes of peace in the noisy metal cocoon of Murdock"s bird until suddenly the Captain swooped it to the left and ascended rapidly.

"Damn it FOOL! What the HELL was that for?! I near 'bout tumbled out the side here!"bellowed BA

Murdock switched on his radio so that they all could hear him through their headsets.

"Charlie spotted Guys. Didn't want any new windows or extra lead on this here birdie. Now don't you all agree with me?"

"Still could have yelled out a warning Sucka!"argued BA as he repositioned himself at the gunner position. Face and Hannibal were peering out their side of the helicopter with their machine guns at the ready.

Suddenly the tell tale smoke trail of an RPG was barreling directly at them. They could all see it through the windshield. Everyone grabbed hold of whatever they could and braced themselves. Murdock's hands frantically worked the controls as he endeavored to maneuver the bird out of harms way. He was able to avoid a direct hit but the shell still managed to hit the tail. Dials began to spin maniacally in his dash.

"Assume the positions Team and start your prayers! So ends this trip on Murdock Tropicial Air." He ranted as the copter plunged toward the ground.

Murdock gallantly fought with his dying controls the entire way and somehow forced the bird to land, albeit extremely roughly, on her skids. The Captain kept it upright as he frantically shut down the engine and cut the blades.

"Report men!" Hannibal ordered as soon as the engines quieted.

"Fine, Man. Just angry that we crashed again!" growled BA as he leaned out the door to assess their location.

"I'm ok, Colonel. Just a bit banged up. Nothing broken or seriously bleeding." announced Face. Hannibal looked up to see his lieutenant wiping blood away from eyes from a cut just above his left eyebrow.

"Roger dodger from up front, Hannibal. Just wrenched my wrist a bit wrestling this lady into a waltz when she wanted to cha-cha." Murdock piped up, clearly forcing the jovial tone in his voice.

"Shut up FOOL! And come help me with Dimitri. He's injured." the Big Guy roared.

"What's wrong with him, BA?" Hannibal demanded.

"It's nothing serious Colonel Smith. I landed hard on my leg." replied Shastakovich.

"Face, Murdock, gather the gear. We bolt in three minutes. Let me see your leg, Dimitri," Hannibal said as he leaned in over the Russian. He began running his hands over the limb and quickly diagnosed a broken femur. "BA assist him out of this chopper. Carry him if you have to. We need to move NOW."

With that statement the five soldiers fled the crash site and slipped into the surrounding undergrowth. They stealthily sped through the leaves and branches for about ten minutes.

"Ok, hold up men. Let's take a breather. Face take out the map. Murdock pin point where we crashed and the two of you plot our route. BA help me tend to Dimitri."

Hannibal and the Big Guy made short work of splinting Dimitri's leg and fashioning a stretcher from nearby branches. Dimitri had protested this but there was no way he could put any weight on his leg nor due to the location of the break could he be carried on BA's back. By the time they were done Face and Murdock had figured out their route.

"Ok, Colonel, we are about twenty miles off base which is northwest of our present location. Murdock says that about ten miles west from here is a probable location for a pick-up from one of his fellow pilots. Should we call it in? They know we were downed, Murdock managed to get the mayday call out." Face reported.

"Ten miles...well that's better than twenty especially with an injured person. We will head toward the new rendezvous point. Yes call it in as five to be extracted."

"Hannibal. We've got to move. I think I hear Charlie coming." hissed BA.

"Everyone move now." Hannibal ordered. Murdock took point BA and Face carried Dimitri and Hannibal took the rear.

"It would seem that the A-team is once again reassessing your position and adjusting it to your advantage." Dimitri whispered to Face. Despite the seriousness of their situation Faceman let out a soft short laugh.

"Clearly this man has been spending time with our Colonel." Murdock commented with a sly wiggle of his eyebrows.

"Be quiet FOOLS now is not the time for jibber jabber." warned BA.