CHAPTER 5
Santini Air Hangar
9:45 AM
Business was almost nonexistent, limited at the moments to the occasional phone call, but that didn't mean there still wasn't plenty to do. Caitlin had stayed busy for busy for the last three hours doing everything from putting on the coffee to repairs on one of the Jet Rangers while Dominic rigged the other for an upcoming stunt and Hawke worked on the Steerman. Stubborn bolts and well worn tools weren't the only thing on Hawke's mind though, and this was probably the best chance he was going to get in the near future.
"Hey, Dom, Cait, could I talk to you a minute? I have a favor to ask."
"Well sure, as long as it isn't to tell me you have any other lunch date with this mystery woman and can't fly the scene for the movie in the morning." In all actuality, he was just glad the kid hadn't decided to do something stupid in his constant hunt for his brother regarding some new leads he was supposedly picking up for whatever the reason was. They obviously hadn't worked out, and for the time being it might be better that way.
"It does kind of involve 'that mystery woman' as you put it," he admitted, "Lexa actually."
"Lexa as in Lexa Cole? I thought you didn't like her much," Caitlin put in, "sure made it look that way to me from how things were going last time I saw her if we're talking about the same person."
"I don't, but she needs a ride and I, unfortunately, need her help. She says she might know where Saint John is being held, some American POWs at the very least."
"And you want to go after them," Dom supplied. He should have seen it coming sooner or later.
"That's the plan, leaving tomorrow afternoon actually."
"And you though we might want to tag along, get shot at a bit, that kind of thing?"
"I thought I'd tell you before I just up and disappeared and to ask you to watch Le for me."
"And leave you alone to fend for yourself?" Caitlin asked in an astonished tone. "I think not."
"I was just giving you a hard time kid; of course we'll come along. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather get shot at with," he added, chuckling.
Hawke kept the serious tone despite Dom's teasing however. "This is serious. She said that Tran van Long, the one holding the prisoners isn't anything to laugh about and has plenty of fire power. It's anything but low risk and I don't want to put either of you in that kind of position."
"String, life is for living, and I've lived a pretty good one, but that didn't happen be finding a safe place and hunkering down until it's all over. I'm not going to try to get myself killed, would rather that didn't happen quite yet, if the Man Upstairs sees it fit to keep me livin', but flying with you and the Lady keeps me young, and there isn't anything I wouldn't give to keep you and your brother safe."
\A/
It was dark with little visible difference between the near black heavens and the seas below, but Caitlin remained keeping a careful eye on the monitor in front of her in case they suddenly got company, not very likely over the middle of the Pacific, but better safe than sorry. In the seat front of her, String flew in such silence she occasionally had to question whether of not he was still awake of not. He was lost in deep thought, and despite the risks and uncertainties, more determined than ever that he would find Saint John. They better, she thought, otherwise she wasn't so sure he would willingly leave until having personally scoured every inch of the whole region himself.
Dom had the co-pilot's seat and Lexa the jump seat, both trying to gather as much rest as possible until the shift change in another couple hours. It wasn't the most ideal, but time was critical. Besides, there weren't many places around here for setting up any kind of camp anyway, she thought half-humouredly to herself as she continued taking in the miles of dark water until it met the equally dark sky above through the screen in front of her. She was bone tired as it was, and she had the easy job just sitting here to make sure no one started shooting at them. As it was, she didn't think String had slept much since the dog tags had been dropped outside the cabin. Running on determination and adrenaline only worked so long though, and it was going to take a lot more than that if Tran van Long was anything like Lexa had said.
