Marcus hit the ground. His chute dropped on and around him. He pulled it over him and removed his chute off his back. Marcus unclipped the child he'd dropped with. He ran for cover, carrying the child as he ran.
Above, the Aerial still soared around them. But the chopper was spiraling towards the ground. He watched for Blair's jump, but as the chopper crashed into the shallow forest, he never saw her jump. Several other passengers took shelter in the shallow forest. Marcus joined them, setting the child down near his mother. The copilot had yet to join them.
The A-10's drew the Aerial's firepower. The Aerial fired on the A-10's. They two fighters veered out of the Aerial's range, forcing it in pursuit of them. The hum of the Aerial's engine shook the forest. Everyone ducked as the trees swayed vigorously as the Aerial past overhead. Marcus motioned for everyone to remain still until they were certain the Aerial had left.
Marcus stepped into the open first. The Aerial was out of range for the moment. Marcus signaled the clear sign. Few refugees moved from their places into the open. Marcus took a mental note of the number of refugees. Seven. The chopper had been fit to carry nine passengers, not including him. Two missing, plus the copilot and Blair.
Marcus reached into his coat pocket for his radio. It was tiny and fragile as hell. One someone at base had put together last minute for him. Marcus changed its channel for his team. "Williams, Lucas, anybody read me?"
There was static for a moment.
"Read you loud and clear, Wright. What's your status?" It was Lucas.
"I've got seven refugees in my keep." Marcus answered.
"Copy that. I've got the other two." Lucas replied.
"And Williams?" Marcus asked. He tried to hide the fear building in his chest.
"Negative on Williams. What's your location?" Lucas said.
Marcus thought back to the map the team had studied for the mission. "We're located on the north east clearing."
"Copy that. We should meet up in ten minutes." Lucas replied.
"Copy." Marcus said. He sighed. He looked to the refugees. "Everybody alright?"
Several nodded, while others were too afraid to speak up.
"Let's get back under cover." Marcus said. He moved back beneath the shelter of the trees. He kept looking to the sky, as if he expected the Aerial to return.
Marcus caught the sight of smoke in the distance. No doubt, it was the chopper. Fear rose n his chest. Blair had yet to respond to his call. Marcus lifted the radio once again.
"Williams, do you copy, over?" Marcus called.
His only reply was static.
"Williams, this is Wright, do you copy? Over." Marcus repeated.
Static.
Marcus sighed. He lowered his radio and looked around. The refugees were cowering against the trees, shivering from the cold. With the sun setting fast, the temperature would drop even faster.
"Wright."
Marcus turned. Lucas was making his way toward the group. Two more refugees followed him. Lucas made his way t Marcus' side.
"You alright?" Marcus asked.
Lucas nodded. "Any sign of Williams?"
Marcus shook his head. "No."
Lucas sighed and nodded. "Look, we can't do anything about Williams, not yet. Our first priority is to these refugees. Now I figure we're about twelve point four clicks from base."
"There's an outpost less than one click east of our position." Marcus said. "We should be able to hold out there for the night and reach base."
Lucas nodded. "Sounds like a plan."
They turned to the group of refugees. Lucas took command. "Everyone, there's an outpost about a mile east of us. We're going head there and wait out the night."
"What about the terminators?" someone asked.
"They're more common in the city, not out here. And since we're only a mile from the base, there shouldn't be too much risk." Lucas explained.
Lucas took lead. The refugees were unsettled, but several nodded. The rose from the ground, gathering toward Lucas. Marcus stayed behind until the refugees had all followed Lucas. He took one last look toward the cloud of smoke before he brought up rear guard.
Blair was one who could take care of herself, Marcus knew that firsthand. But he'd never known her to fail to check in. He could ignore the growing concern in his chest for Blair's safety, but the refugees came first. Blair knew the risks, as did Marcus.
Marcus turned, bringing up the rear of the group. They headed east toward safety.
The sun had crossed the horizon soon after they moved through the forest. The darkness had limited their sight, and slowed their speed, but they reached the base almost two hours later. The refugees had been taken into the base, housed, and fed, when Lucas found Marcus near the edge of the base perimeter.
Marcus was leaning against the barracks opening, staring out into the blackness around them.
"Williams check in yet?" Lucas asked.
Marcus shook his head. "Not yet."
"You know there's only one reason why Williams wouldn't check in." Lucas said.
"I know what you're saying, Lucas. But I've got to check for myself." Marcus replied.
"You sure?" Lucas asked.
Marcus nodded. "I have to."
"Then I should let you know, I got in contact with base. They're sending a pick up at oh six hundred hours. You ain't here by then; you're walking back to base." Lucas explained.
Marcus nodded and started out into the darkness. "Copy that."
"Wright." Lucas called.
Marcus turned back.
"I hope you find her." Lucas said.
"Me too." Marcus turned and walked into the darkness.