Page 49 of Lucky Charm

Baxter nodded and gave him a thumb up.

Doogie shifted closer from behind him. His bigger body had cushioned Quaid better from the bouncing and the man was quiet. “We should attempt a bit of a diversion.”

Hunt analyzed that tactic for several seconds before discarding it. “Might draw more to us than it repels.”

He checked the darkening night sky, the path direction, and analyzed the details against the coordinates of the helicopters. “We’ll shift north when we get closer, try to give us some cover in those cliffs.”

“Terrain’s going to be more difficult for us and the chopper,” Doogie advised, already shifting to implement their plan.

“Yeah, but we might all get onboard in one piece before this thing goes to shit.”

Doogie nodded and quietly announced their plans in his mic.

Hunt stayed in position and whispered to Cait. “We’re close. We’re going to pop a flare. As soon as the helicopter lands, Quaid first, you right after. Don’t hesitate. Move. How much help are you going to need?”

She hesitated.

“Truth, Doc.”

She nodded. “I don’t really know. Judging by my altercation with that man, a lot. I couldn’t get behind cover before my limbs gave out.”

“Okay, that’s all I needed. I’ll walk you right to the copter and hand you off to the medic.”

According to Baxter, the rescue chopper had two Apache gunships in escort. He wished it was loaded with a battalion of Marines, but they were going to have to rely on the aggressive weaponry of the gunships instead. Hunt’s team had to make sure, in that vulnerable moment of landing, that they did all they could to protect both parties.

The anticipation settled in his bones; his focus snapped into place. He tightened his hold on Cait and followed Doogie down the incline, around the base of the cliffs, and straight for the landing zone – slogging through snow all the way. At least there wasn’t a wind working against them.

The three helicopters jetted through the sky in the dying light.

K-Rock held back and snapped the flare at a low-altitude to preserve their cover.

A few miracle-seconds later with the whomp, whomp of the helicopter blades, the beast swooped in – fifty yards in front of them. The companion gunships hovered with their big weapons pointed back at the cliffs.

Doogie and Hunt went first, racing to beat the threat.

Senses attune, he heard no fire and stayed focused on putting Doc in the helicopter, expecting a shot in the back at the same time. Doogie set Quaid on the edge and a medic pulled him backwards into the copter.

Hunt slid Cait off his back and pulled her around in front of him. Lifting her to the edge, he had to fight himself to move back.

“I’ve got her, sir. You can let go.”

“Go,” Cait gripped his hand. “I’m safe. Help the rest.”

He freed his hands, shifted his weapon forward, and turned to check the others. They were making their way to the helicopter with all immediate haste yet prepped for attack.

A spate of fire from the gunship signaled the threat from the cliffs had materialized.

“Dammit,” Hunt swore, moving away from the helicopter. Doogie shifted his weapon to his hand.

Hernandez and Carter broke into a run. Hunt waved them into the chopper.

They couldn’t fight an RPG – they were all vulnerable and it sucked. Soonest loaded, fastest out of here.

More fire.

Hunt moved steps away from the chopper. If he had to, he would wave them off.

He waited, weapon ready, willing Tommy, Baxter, and K-Rock to move faster, even though they were sliding through the snow at breakneck speed.