As he had been driving towards the mountain that the cave system resided within, Steve had noticed the rainclouds growing darker and darker, until the heavens had finally open and rain started pouring down on the thirsty earth. The more he kept pushing on, driving down that two lane road, the more that Steve knew what he was doing was foolish, selfish even. He wanted to do this for himself, find Danny, rescue him, right the wrong. But just as Danny, Steve was no expert in spelunking, and there was no use pretending he was. If Danny was in trouble, he wasn't qualified to help him, and wouldn't even know where to start.
Regretfully, Steve knew that he had to pull over, and call in a favor. However, he was going at an incredible speed, and it was nearly on two wheels that he took the turn into a small driveway. Brakes screeched in protest, and water flew up in a blinding spray around him, but once the car halted, Steve wasted no time in pulling out his cell phone and hunting for a number that he knew he had somewhere.
Being part of an elite team had its perks- Steve had the chance to meet a lot of people, do a lot of things, and had the chance to do a couple people favors. In that respect, he had a few people who owed him favors. That included a group of thrill seekers who had a wide variety of skills and interests, interests that took them all over the islands and sometimes around the world. More so than just a group of adrenaline junkies, they headed up their own business, showing tourists high thrills up and around the mountains for a heavy price.
All Steve really cared about was that they were quite experienced and very professional when the need came, and they were known to take lengthy excursions into caves across the island. Steve would know- there was once a case involving this group, where the head of the group, Dalton Mann, was accused of a murder that occurred on one of their excursions. The 5-0 team cleared his name after extensive investigation, and since then, the group claimed that they were indebted to him.
After just a minute, the number came up, and Steve pressed the call button without hesitation. Pressing the phone to his ear, Steve looked out the window, at the rivets of rain that were pouring down the glass windows. If this much rain could accumulate so quickly, the conditions in the mountains would quickly grow slick and dangerous, especially in an already dangerous cave. Concern rose in Steve's gut again as he listened to the phone ring once, twice, and three times, before a deep male voice answered the phone.
"High Thrill Hawaiian Adventures, your prime destination for Hawaii's beautiful locations, and adrenaline pumping recreation. This is Dalton speaking, how may I help you?"
"Hey, Dalton, it's Steve McGarrett, and I'm afraid I'm calling in that favor" Steve said, just loud enough to be heard over the rain pounding down on the metallic roof. There was a moment of static over the phone, before Dalton's voice came again, less falsified and excited.
"Hello Commander, nice to hear from you again. You just let me know, I'll give you anything you need, you know I owe you more than I can ever say" Dalton spoke seriously, and Steve bit down on his cheek. He knew it was a lot to ask of anyone, especially in this weather, but as he saw it, his choices were running out.
"Listen, my friend, he's out doing something stupid. The other detective on the case with me, Danny, well, he went up to Devil's Threshold. On his own." There was a moment's pause before Dalton responded, at which point he chuckled, a crackly, nervous chuckle.
"Man, you can't be serious. Those caves are about as dangerous as they come. Uneven terrain, no footing, underground rivers, no sense of direction, you name it. If he's in there, and I assume he's got no experience spelunking, he could be in some serious trouble. What's the weather like over there?" he asked, and Steve merely glanced at the windshield in defeat.
"It's raining, bad. I haven't been up there myself yet, but I think if he's in those caves, he could be in some serious trouble"
"That's an understatement, brah" Dalton said, his tone dark and grim. "Even me and my team don't dare to go too far in. But if anyone on these islands in fit to go in, it's us. I know I owe you, and even if I didn't, there's a few too many accidents that happen in those caves because people go wandering in on their own. I can do my best to go in with some guys and see if we can help him out, and get him out safe. But you're right. If he's even taken one wrong turn, he could be in some serious trouble."
Steve put a hand over his face. The tour guide and thrill seeker was rarely serious- he was still a young man, one who didn't seem to have grown up yet, but still managed to run a successful business and get his thrills in the meantime. To hear that tone of voice out of Dalton's normally smiling mouth was enough of a concern for the former SEAL, and considering that it was Danny's life at stake, Steve couldn't help but groan.
"Thanks, man, how fast do you think you could get out here?" he asked, trying to hide the fear that was creeping up his throat.
"You're already there?" Dalton asked, but quickly jumped forward without waiting for a reply. "I'll be there in three hours with two others for a spelunking team, and I'll bring a harness and ropes for you, so that we'll have two pairs of us down there. I know that you like to rush into things, but please, for now, don't go in on your own. We can't afford to have someone else down there, possibly in danger."
"I understand" Steve replied, and put his foot back on the gas, throwing the car into reverse.
"Alright, Commander, I'll see you in just a couple hours. I hope that it's soon enough." Dalton finished, and Steve hung up the phone without saying another word. What Steve felt was going to have to remain unsaid- it seemed by the tone in Dalton's voice that the man felt the same.
Danny was stupid to go in alone, and now he might be in trouble. And in order to rescue him, there were going to be four more lives put in danger. With the rain picking up once more, Steve roared backwards out of the driveway, and towards the mountain once again.
Water sprayed up from around his tires, and was already pooling at the sides of the road. A Hawaiian storm that sprang out of nowhere, just in time to cause even more trouble for the detective. Steve stared up the mountain that rose ahead of him, and pressed down a bit harder on the gas. It was his fault Danny was in trouble, and he would be damned if he couldn't save him.
Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing! It means so much to me, and I deeply appreciate every single follow, favorite, and review on this story. More Danny next chapter, should be updated soon :) Thanks again, hope you enjoy!