On the plateau-
"There are machine guns, ma'am," said
Major Harris, "but if we pull out now, we're talking hours of delay getting back to base, refueling, and coming back here. There's a good chance we'd be too late to catch our targets and help your friend
Lara. Plus, it looks like we've already alerted them. They'll be watching more carefully from now on."
Lt. Rebecca Doolittle examined the helicopter. "We shouldn't take off yet anyway," she said. "
I can't tell how much damage there is from the landing. I wish I could say otherwise. I don't want to stick around any longer than I have to."
"Let me take a look, ma'am," said
Gary Simpson, heading over to join
Rebecca. He leaned over her shoulder and poked around inside the engine.
He shook his head. "I wouldn't try to take off on this if I were you. Damned if I can fix it."
"What?" said
Technical Sergeant Jessica Valdez. "Move aside, Airman, let me see." She took one look and frowned. "
I'm not even touching it. I'd probably only make it worse."
"If you'll allow me," said
Julie. "I've never worked on aircraft before, but engines are engines, and I know a bit about them."
Major Harris nodded, and she examined it. "
I'd better not after all."
Jessica motioned for
Marcus to come over, but
he knew just enough to know he shouldn't tinker with it.
"Sir, I'm not a bad mechanic," said
Kevin.
"No, I need you on watch," replied
Major Harris. "Keep an eye on the compound and report anything unusual."
"Yes, sir. The guys who pointed our way are going over to a building and talking to two more guys outside it. They've got M16s. Now they're going inside, and the guys who told them are splitting up and heading to other parts of the compound."
Julie shivered. "You mean we're going to be stuck here?" she asked.
"Maybe we should just risk it and take off anyway," said
Rebecca.
"No," said
Major Harris. "There's barely enough fuel to get back to base. If there's a leak, or if anything goes wrong, you'll never make it back. We've lost too many choppers yesterday, and we can't afford to lose this one too."
"I'll take care of it," said
Catherine confidently. She looked at the engine. "Yeah, there's some damage, all right.
I can fix it, but it'll take me a couple hours."
"A couple
hours?!" said
Julie. "I don't think we'll have that long!"
"Relax, ma'am," said
Major Harris. "We're more than capable of holding this position."