Page 11 of Love and Loyalty

She could see the soldiers’ eager eyes, but she intentionally avoided Drew’s.

“It's a rescue mission, so the medical team is readying, and then we need a team to get them in and out safely.”

As she called out the team they would be taking, the relevant soldiers lined up.

“Major Mitchell, you're flying.” She settled her eyes on her. Drew’s hair was slicked back. She looked smart and capable and ready for anything. She muttered something to her partner before stepping out. She looked excited already.

The relevant soldiers moved to the Thunderbolt while Drew checked the craft to ensure everything was set.

The soldiers stood at attention as Isabel emerged from her quarters toward them. “At ease, soldiers. We just got word from Smith. They're fine, but they know the enemy troops are likelyapproaching. I need everyone positioned inside the craft. Be on high alert, please.”

“Let's go save our friends, yeah?”

“Yeah!”

They hopped inside the Thunderbolt and headed south for the rescue mission.

Drew flew slowly and steadily; they needed to maneuver their way past the missile launchers to get to where the soldiers had crashed and locate them by GPS.

Isabel read the situation report. “Although we've lost contact with them, they crashed at the other side of the outpost. I assume they were attacked while circling the outpost. They tried escaping but were gunned down.

“They're hiding in the mountains, and we must get past any hostiles. Major, you know what to do with that information.”

She decided to lay down her fears and trust Drew's experience and commitment. She was willingly giving her valid information, with no command or suggestion. She saw Drew raise her eyebrows, and Isabel smiled to herself.

“Aye, Lieutenant Colonel,” Drew said, and Thunderbolt roared faster than it ever had. As they had presumed in the briefing, the insurgents started shooting once they approached.

“Hold on, everyone!” Drew screamed as she zig-zagged to avert the gunshots. The sharpshooters tried to engage in combat but couldn't steady themselves.

After a life-threatening ruse through the gunshots, they passed the attackers and landed a few feet from where Black Hawk had crashed. It was dry and rocky, as expected.

This wasn't the approach Isabel would have chosen, but she ignored it anyway. She wasn’t a pilot and she had to remember that. If she wanted to give Drew a chance, she should do it wholeheartedly. “Position yourselves, Team Alpha. ProtectThunderbolt and watch out for any movement. Team Beta with me. Let's go!”

She marched on with the medical team and a couple of combat rescue officers toward Black Hawk. She raised her hands as they approached, and upon reaching her, Isabel realized Smith’s foot was stuck behind the seat.

“Breathe, Smith, breathe. We'll get you out. I can see four people here. Where's the rest of the team?” Isabel asked.

“I don't know!” Smith replied, breathing heavily. “I couldn't leave to search for them.”

“I did,” Sergeant Thompson said. “There is a little cave nearby. They went to find if there was anything they could get to improve the situation.” Blood gushed from his nose, and he wiped it constantly. “They asked me to stay behind after I fell from walking a few feet. Lewis is with them.”

Isabel sighed. “It's alright,” she said and held Thompson's hand. She soon settled to work as the other two soldiers were bleeding heavily. She stretched them out, ran the necessary tests, administered painkillers, and asked some comrades to accompany them back to Thunderbolt. All the soldiers came back, but they couldn't leave yet.

She knew they were running out of time, and she began to feel panic. Smith's leg was unmovable, and it was highly likely the enemy troops were drawing close. Everyone was safely secured in the rescue aircraft except for them and Lewis.

As she shook the seat in frustration, she saw Drew approaching, and her anger erupted. “Major, you're supposed to be on standby in case of an emergency evacuation.”

“Lieutenant Colonel, we don't want to lose anyone on this mission. People are already heavily wounded. We have a back up pilot on board. Let me help, please.”

“And what happens if you can't help? What happens if we can't get Smith off this seat? We could all be doomed.” She was slowly losing her cool.

“Let me try my best. Let me see if I can help,” she said gently, with a concern that was unlike what Izzy knew of her.

“Fine.” Isabel sighed.

Drew examined the situation and realized that the linkage rods and cables were wrapped around Smith's foot, holding it in place. She carefully examined the entanglement to assess the extent of the damage and complexity of the situation.

Isabel watched as Drew stabilized the wreckage and sent Lewis to get bolt cutters and pliers. When he returned, she carefully cut the cables that were easily accessible, careful not to put Smith at risk.