The Hunt

The world we knew it was gone. The question boils down to how far do we go to get it back? She was gone… taken by Rorke and all because she tried to save us… save me. He would have taken me but she stopped him and in doing so took my place. Hesh's greatest fear was realized that day on the beaches of Chile and I don't know if he'll forgive me for that. All I can do is get back up and find her. I need to bring back the White Hawk…

Chapter 1

The helicopter approached the beach tracking the radio signal. CWO Skye "Eagle" Bryant looked through the windshield of her Black Hawk as she scanned the beaches. She glanced at her co-pilot Gary Owens and then at the back. She took in the two Ghosts that were also scanning the terrain and the medics and one other soldier. They were all looking.

Skye turned back to pay attention to her flying since they were near where LOKI had taken out the bridge. Somewhere down there was her cousin and the two Walker boys. She had gone to the rally point after inserting the newly promoted Lt. Sequoia Williams on the train. She had learned that after landing since the elder Walker was promoted to field commander. She had to head back since there were enemy aircraft in the air and they started firing on her.

When she returned to base she learned that Recon was needed for the Walker boys. She didn't hear anything about her cousin but she was certain that she was okay. She offered her services to the Ghosts Keegan and Kick to get them out there along with the medics. They brought along Sgt. Carol Jones and the private named Harris came along and one other medic but it was pretty obvious that the one named Carol was in charge.

Skye made a pass near where the signal was coming from. She peered through the windshield and spotted something. She called over the comm, "I've got contact."

Keegan and Kick each peered out to verify. Keegan called back, "Confirm I got contact. Two. It's them."

Skye nodded not thrilled that there were two. That meant… She wasn't dead. Skye refused to believe that about the cousin she knew she didn't appreciate enough as a child. First things first. She had to land the chopper to insert the medics and team. "Copy. Going in."

Skye tried not to blanch at the sight of blood all over the place as she landed. She had seen it before since she was a soldier but it was different when you started putting names to the faces. She touched down and kept the engine running while the Ghosts and the medics leapt out. There could still be Feds in the area so she kept an eye out and reported in, "Ghost 2-2, this is Eagle 1-1. We are at the recon site. Inserting Ghost Team and medics."

Copy that Eagle 1-1. Thanks for the assist.

"No problem, Ghost 2-2." Skye looked out the window and spotted the team as they advanced towards the two bodies. She could tell that their medic was trying not to break formation. The woman was a doctor first and then a soldier.

Keeping an eye out, she thought about her cousin and wondered if she was okay. For over ten years she had regretted saying those three words to her. Her cousin had been trying to teach her something important and she had done so in the way an elder teaches the younger. Skye felt she had disgraced herself and the tribe by not seeing the lesson as she should have.

The day ODIN attacked, it was her mom that got them out of danger but she had learned what to do from her cousin and her mom was the older cousin. That day Skye found a newfound appreciation for Sequoia and deeply regretted everything. For ten years she didn't know if she had survived or not. She joined when she was old enough and opted for the flying. In a certain way it was honoring her cousin's memory and name.

"Seems kind of disappointing."

Skye frowned as she looked at Owens, "What do you mean by that?"

"These guys are supposed to be Ghosts. They're the best of the best…" Owens drifted off when he saw his co-pilot glare at him. He knew better than to piss her off. He had seen what she did to another pilot who made the mistake of… He didn't even know and didn't want to know except he had to pull her off the guy.

Skye knew Owens was making small talk. SAR ops made him nervous because he was bringing back men that may or may not make it and injuries… it made you think about the things that human creation could do to others. She herself had felt the same way. The first time she had to do it, she threw up when she had a breather. She had seen others do it and no one criticized her for it. They said she had held out longer than male pilots who did that.

Keeping an eye out she replied, "They are humans too. In case you didn't notice I think the blood on the ground and what they did here is a testament to their legend."

Owens looked around a bit embarrassed, "You're right Eagle. I'm sorry."

"It was just an opinion Fleabite."

Owens made a slight face at his call sign. He had been called that because he was pretty small for a guy but he also packed a mean punch. He wasn't afraid to dish it out and did it willingly. He did cover Skye's back like partners did. Hell he questioned her flirting with the Ghost that she had transported on a mission along with the joking. "I wish you wouldn't call me that."

"You earned it," Skye replied nonchalantly since her concentration was on the team on the beach.

The medics were hovering over the two bodies. Carol was directing things and she certainly was looking anxious. She directed the one named Harris to help her. Skye had to marvel at the fact that the woman could carry dead weight. Limp bodies were heavy. She kept her gaze as Carol came with Harris as they carried…

Skye felt her eyes widen when she saw who it was. He was in bad shape. He looked deathly pale and he hung limply. He didn't even look alive and she wondered how her cousin was going to take this. Her gaze then was directed to the one called Kick who was helping the other and it looked like he was able to go on his own steam with a little bit of help. She felt some relief that he was okay but she became worried for his brother.

Skye turned to look as Carol and Harris loaded the elder onto the chopper. She asked, "Status?"

"Critical," Carol replied. "As soon as we're loaded we need to get airborne."

"Copy that." Skye then addressed Merrick, "Ghost 2-2 prepare for emergency treatment. We have one critical, over."

Roger that. How many recovered?

Skye looked to see Kick load the other and hop on. She then looked to see that Keegan was looking off at the distance. He was slower getting back but he seemed to be searching for something before stooping to pick up something from the ground and putting it in his vest along with something else. He double timed it back to the chopper and hopped in saying, "All accounted for. Get this bird in the air." He looked a bit reluctant to say that but at the moment they had two injured on the chopper and they needed attention first.

Skye nodded and looked forward. "Roger that." She didn't ask but she made a mental note to ask Keegan about it. She lifted the chopper off the ground and directed it towards the makeshift base was for wounded. Once airborne she called, "Ghost 2-2, this is Eagle 1-1 we are airborne and returning to base."

Copy that. Emergency services are on standby.

Skye glanced back to see Carol hovering very worried over the critical. His chest was barely rising to indicate he was breathing. The blood all over the place was hardly encouraging. His face was pale and his eyes were closed but she could see that they were moving underneath the lids. She was amazed that he was still alive since she had seen the blood on the beach. She suspected that there was more to it than she was witnessing.

Her gaze shifted towards the other injured. He was sitting up against the wall of the chopper and was watching Carol work on his brother. She saw him cradle his arm and wince… probably from the bruising on his face and the purple welt that was cut and bleeding. Yet his gaze was worried and she saw that he was scared and he had every right to be. His brother was critical and could possibly die. What the hell happened there?

There wasn't much time to think about it since Skye had to concentrate on piloting the Black Hawk. She would ask her questions later though she had some doubts that they wouldn't tell her anything unless she revealed who she was. She put additional speed without trying to agitate injuries or the work done by the medics. At one point she heard Carol swear and prayed nothing bad was happening.

She was directed to land on the cleared helipad for her and she could see the emergency teams standing by. She relayed, "Ghost 2-2, this is Eagle 1-1. We have touch down."

Copy that. Thanks for the assist.

"Always, Ghost 2-2," Skye replied as she killed the engine. She could hear Carol barking orders as the teams began loading the patients onto the gurney's that were brought. She had to do post flight check so she couldn't go but she watched as they took the critical first and was startled to see Carol on top applying pressure or doing something. Please live.

It was something that she was hoping most sincerely especially for the brother. She killed the engine and hopped out. She passed the holding and noticed blood on the floor. She pursed her lips and stared at it before calling over a ground crew, "I need this cleaned out ASAP."

"Roger that."

Skye sighed as she turned to look in the direction that they had come from. She could see the beginnings of a fort being set up. They may have delivered a crippling blow to the Federation but… this was far from over. And for some it wasn't going to be over until they knew for sure.

It was short work of getting the post flight done. Owens knew that she was in a hurry and offered to take care of it. He could sign off on things as needed. She gave him a grateful look and headed towards the field hospital that had been set up. She knew that with the casualties from the battle, it was going to be some time before there was any news of the two patients she transported. So she set out to look for the Ghosts and more specifically Keegan.

She almost wanted to laugh humorlessly at the fact that she was tracking down a man much like she once used to hunt game. She became 'Americanized' and gave it up when she found her interests that seemed so petty now. It was like riding a bicycle though and it came back to her as she looked for the likely areas that they would be in or directed to.

She found Keegan in a room and he appeared to be waiting for someone. He was also deep in thought as he paced around. She approached and was startled when his deep voice said, "You're almost as good as Hawk. With a little work…"

Skye straightened up and tried to hide her surprise that she wasn't as stealthy as she would have liked. Then again she really hadn't practiced like she should have. She saw though that it was something for the man to say. She could see his worry even though it was hidden by that balaclava. She replied, "I wasn't sure if you were going to talk to me since I am only the one that gave you guys a ride."

Keegan looked at Skye and to her he appeared startled. It was like he was seeing someone else or something. Finally he replied, "Normally we wouldn't but… thanks for the ride."

Skye gave a nod and stepped into the room, "I know. Your CO said the same thing." She paused and then said, "Was there any word about her?" She saw the look on his face and explained using the name they would know, "Hawk is my cousin. I inserted her in on the train but I haven't heard anything. Did you find anything?"

Keegan looked at Skye. He seemed to consider things before saying, "Walk with me." He then exited the room leaving Skye no choice but to follow. One way or another she was going to find out what happened.

His face hurt like hell and it felt like he had been a punching bag. Logan looked up at the sky. He was lying on his back on the beach where he had been dropped by Rorke when he had been ambushed by his best friend next to his brother. His ankle was throbbing as he blinked and his ears strained as he heard it. There is was. It was the Recon chopper.

Logan turned to tell Hesh but remembered that his brother was… He struggled to get up and found Hesh face down, barely breathing. His hand was outstretched towards the direction of the footprints… Logan started to breathe heavily and almost hyperventilate as he recalled what happened and slumped back towards the ground.

He heard voices and they were getting closer. They were Feds but… He struggled to get his breathing under control and he collapsed back onto his back. That seemed to help a little and he closed his eyes to steady his breathing. The voices were getting louder and he started babbling mostly for them to get to Hesh and other things but it wasn't clear. His face was throbbing and it was just…

Logan opened his eyes to find the very familiar face of Carol looking at him. She had been prying his eyes open to look at his pupils. She asked, "Logan? You hear me?"

"Hesh," Logan breathed.

"How is he?"

Carol looked up at the one who was asking the question, more likely Kick, and replied, "Concussion probably and a bullet graze on the head are the more serious. Not critical."

"Doc!"

Carol disappeared from Logan's view and he started to get up. He was pushed back down by the other medic and it pissed him off. He grumbled, "Get the fuck away from me." He managed to sit up in his frustration and look around for a familiar face. The first he found was Kick's and he grabbed the older man and yanked him close. He said, "He took her. He took Hawk."

"Who?" Kick was looking at him with concern.

Logan was well aware that he looked like he wasn't making any sense. Nothing that had happened seemed to make any sense. He looked Kick full on and said, "Rorke. Kick. He… took… her." His eyes narrowed even though his face hurt all over. He ended up jostling his broken arm and hissed.

"Easy Logan," Kick countered as he grasped Logan to steady him. "I got you. We'll get you some help and…"

"He… took… her," Logan repeated and almost shouted.

"He's critical. We need to get him out of here," Carol's voice was overheard.

Logan's attention was diverted to Carol and he queried, "Doc? Hesh?" he began to struggle becoming difficult.

The other medic was saying that he was being difficult. Carol though said, "Prep Hesh for removal." She then came into his view to look at him in the eye. She gripped his chin gently and firmly since he was squirming and causing more pain to himself. She said, "Look at me Logan."

Logan was compelled to obey and looked at Carol. "Doc?"

"Listen to me," she said, "You are going to be fine but I need to stay with your brother. Stevens here is going to help you. I need you to do everything he says. I'll take care of Hesh. Do you understand?"

Logan nodded, "Yes."

Carol looked at Kick and then at the other medic before back at Logan. She gently patted his shoulder, "It'll be all right, Logan." She then turned to go back to Hesh.

Logan tried not to grumble when the medic Stevens came back and started looking at his arm. He said that it was broken and Logan couldn't help but say, "No fucking shit."

It seemed like forever to get him to his feet and supported by the medic and Kick he was limping towards the chopper. In front of him he saw Carol with that new guy Harris and they were carrying Hesh and laying him in the chopper.

"You still with me Logan?"

Logan frowned as he glanced at Kick. Yeah he was still with them. He was awake now was he? Why the fuck were they asking him stupid questions? He didn't realize that his eyes kept getting glassy. He did have a couple of nasty hits to the head and some bumps and bruises from when the engine car fell and then turned in the water. He forgot that Carol mentioned that he might have a concussion and the probability was high. Still to satisfy Kick he replied, "I'm good."

Hesh was still not awake when he was loaded onto the chopper and pushed back against the wall of the chopper. Logan decided to cooperate and it was pretty much the best thing to do since Carol was there. She was good at her job but she liked to make them a little miserable with relentless teasing because she knew it irked them. If anything he preferred her looking after Hesh.

Logan watched as Carol began attaching an IV to his brother and applying pressure to his wounds. He saw the urgent look on her face as she radioed Keegan to pick up the pace. He thought she was a bossy woman for someone who was only a sergeant. Then again she was the doc and this was Hesh; he was hurt worse.

In the back of Logan's mind he realized that Sequoia would have made a joke about this. She was always teasing him about getting hurt on a mission. She would joke about it being Hesh's turn and then start clucking like a pecking Hawk she was. Though with Hesh… Logan's attention was diverted to the fact that Carol was trying to listen for sounds of breathing or something. He cradled his arm to his body as he watched his brother and willed him silently to keep breathing.

He didn't even notice that the chopper had taken off. He didn't even know who was piloting them until he looked up and saw the pilot looking at him. Skye? Where the fuck did she come from? His mind filled with questions as he was prodded into staying awake by Kick. That fucking medic Stevens said to keep him awake and Kick would tap his shoulder until he muttered, "Just tap my bad arm while you're at it."

His thoughts then drifted back to the beach. She had come from out of nowhere and actually tackled the bastard like she did before. Rorke ended up dropping him but his ankle had been twisted in the process. That didn't matter did it? Then the fact that they held each other off with their guns… It was déjà vu for Logan since he had been in that position except he had the gun to his head and Hesh was forced to make a choice.

It wasn't Hesh's fault that he got shot in the first place. Logan didn't want to do it either since he knew that with the 44 it would go straight through Rorke and Hesh. It was his fault Hesh was in worse condition even though he tried to help his brother with a field patching. Then Rorke had to show up and then that's when…

Logan heard the bones crunching when Rorke's kicks broke Hesh's ribs and no doubt his brother was in worse pain than he was. His brother though was a fighter. He kept trying to come after them and stop them. Hell he even threw a rock… like that would do anything. But that was Hesh and it did buy some time until she came.

Logan hissed more from the memory of her. She stood there defiantly and then fought with Rorke. She was willing to fight him as if it would buy time for back up or something. Then… Logan blinked when he saw Carol reach into her vest and pull out something with a needle. What the…? He looked at Hesh.

Hesh was still breathing but it was more ragged. His brother better not be checking out. No. Logan glared at Hesh and managed to say, "You better not quit on me… David."

Logan didn't know why but he called Hesh by his given name. It seemed the right thing to do and he usually called Hesh that when he was in dire need. It seemed to be the encouragement his brother needed since his breathing seemed to steady a bit but the fact that he was out and there was blood trickling from the corner of his mouth… Logan was under the impression that Rorke had done more damage than he thought.

She's gonna be pissed…

Logan blinked and continued to watch while Carol did what she had to do to get Hesh into some stable state. He felt his breath hitch just watching his brother struggle to stay alive. I need you Hesh. If we're going to find her… I need you.

Perhaps it was wishful thinking or too early to be thinking about going after Rorke and looking for Sequoia. Still he had to start thinking about it. She was his best friend and he failed at that. He was the one closest to her when Rorke incapacitated her and then draped her over his shoulders like it was nothing. He was the one that wasn't hurt and yet he just watched everything like it was nothing. He could have done something… should have done something. Then he wouldn't have to see his brother struggle and reach out for her.

"We're here Logan," Kick's voice entered.

Logan looked away from Hesh and towards Kick and Keegan who were looking at him. What the fuck was their problem? Yeah he looked like a mess because he had his fucking nose broken and he was almost shot in the head. His arm was splinted and he was going to end up hobbling around like an old man. There was nothing fucking strange about that. He saw that they were expecting an answer and he said the first thing that came to mind, "Hesh first."

That seemed to satisfy them for the moment and they were unloading Hesh first. Carol was barking at them like she was the boss and Logan gave a weak chuckle at that. No wonder she liked Carol so much. They were alike when it came to getting work done. The chuckle died though when he saw Carol get on the gurney to ride with Hesh to wherever they were taking him. She looked like she was going to give him CPR. That meant…

Logan started getting out and with little regard for his injuries. He hopped out and would have fallen if Kick hadn't caught him. He began shouting, "You better not quit David!"

The next thing he knew, Logan found himself sitting on a gurney inside the field hospital and that ugly ass medic Stevens was looking at him. He blinked and suddenly felt tired. He started to slump and almost fell. He would have fallen if Stevens hadn't caught him and put him down while shouting for an aide. All he was thinking about was how soon he was going to get out and start 'Hawk hunting'.

A/N: And here we are to the sequel of There Are No Coincidences and we pick up right where we left off. Seems like things are serious. Stay tuned for next time on The Hunt...