Back to Ferm

The team leader and his soldiers guided Rourke and Sykes out of the cave. The narrow tunnel seemed even tighter now, the oppressive darkness broken only by the harsh beams of their headlamps. The cave's cool, damp air was replaced by the humid warmth of the outside world as they emerged into the twilight.

The mercenaries, their hands bound with plastic zip ties, were flanked by soldiers on either side. Rourke and Sykes were forced to walk slowly, their movements restricted. The soldiers' rifles remained trained on them, ensuring they couldn't make any sudden moves. The team leader walked at the front, scanning the surroundings for any potential threats.

As they reached the open ground, the team leader pulled out his radio, the device crackling to life as he spoke into it. "Black Hawk 1-2, this is Team Alpha. We have two high-value targets secured and need immediate extraction. Over."

There was a brief pause before the radio responded. "Team Alpha, Black Hawk 1-2, roger that. We're en route. ETA five minutes. Over."

The team leader nodded to his team, signaling them to keep the prisoners in place. Rourke and Sykes were led to a clear area.

Five minutes later, the distant thrum of helicopter blades grew louder. The soldiers and their captives looked up as a Black Hawk helicopter emerged from the horizon, its sleek, dark form cutting through the sky. The powerful rotors churned the air, creating a gust that whipped through the trees and sent leaves swirling.

Since the cave didn't have a suitable landing spot, the helicopter hovered above them, the roar of its engines growing louder as it maintained its position. The soldiers and their captives shielded their faces from the swirling debris and the intense wind created by the rotor blades.

Without the space to land, the Black Hawk deployed a thick, sturdy rope from its open rear ramp. The rope spiraled down from the helicopter's belly. The soldiers quickly moved into action, expertly fastening the harnesses onto Rourke and Sykes.

Each harness was carefully adjusted to ensure a secure fit, the straps cutting across the mercenaries' chests and waists. The soldiers made sure that Rourke and Sykes were tightly strapped in, the plastic zip ties digging into their wrists adding to their discomfort.

"What are you doing?"

The soldier didn't reply and simply signaled the man above. Suddenly, the two mercenaries felt that they were being hoisted

off the ground. The sudden lift was jarring, causing Rourke and Sykes to grunt as their feet left the earth. The thick rope tightened quickly, pulling them upward with a steady, forceful motion. The ground below receded rapidly, the treetops shrinking into a distant blur.

Rourke's face was a mask of shock and disbelief. "This can't be real!" he shouted over the deafening roar of the helicopter's engines.

"What the hell is this?!" Sykes yelled, his voice barely audible against the noise.

As they ascended, the helicopter's powerful rotor wash battered them, making it hard to keep their balance. The wind whipped through their hair and clothing, the gusts pushing and pulling them in every direction. The scene below became a chaotic smear of colors as the helicopter continued to lift them higher.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Moments later, they were within reach of the helicopter crews and they grabbed hold of the harnesses, pulling Rourke and Sykes inside.

The crew removed the straps and beckoned them to seat

on the floor, their faces still marked by confusion and disbelief. The interior of the Black Hawk was a stark contrast to the wild chaos outside. The noise of the helicopter's engines was muffled somewhat inside, though the hum still reverberated through the metal walls. The crew worked quickly, unfastening the harnesses and securing Rourke and Sykes with additional restraints to prevent any sudden movements.

"Sit down and stay put," one of the crew members ordered gruffly as he helped Rourke to a seat. His tone left no room for argument. Rourke and Sykes complied, taking their seats with a mix of dazed resignation and mounting frustration.

The Black Hawk's interior was cluttered with various pieces of equipment strapped to the walls, tactical gear, and a few seats for the crew.

"We are hovering," Rourke commented.

"How can it hover from the sky? Is it magic?" Sykes asked.

The crew member who had helped them secured them with additional restraints. He cast a quick, dismissive glance at Sykes. "It's not magic; it's called technology. This bird has advanced systems that keep it stable in the air, even when it's not moving forward."

Moments later, the team leader and the rest of his team were hoisted from the ground by the helicopter's rope system. The team leader gave a nod to the pilot, signaling that they were ready to head out.

The Black Hawk began its journey back to the city of Ferm, the powerful rotors propelling them through the night sky.

The city of Ferm loomed ahead, its lights twinkling in the darkness like a constellation of stars. As the helicopter approached, the sprawling urban landscape became more defined.

"Approaching helipad," the pilot's voice came over the intercom, breaking the silence inside the helicopter. The Black Hawk began its descent, the noise of the engines increasing in intensity as they neared the landing zone.

Rourke and Sykes glanced out of the small windows, their eyes adjusting to the sudden brightness of the city lights. The helipad came into view, a well-lit, open area atop a tall building, surrounded by a high fence and secured by armed guards. The helicopter hovered above the pad, the landing gear extending as it prepared to touch down.

Seconds later, the helicopter settled down onto the helipad. The rotor blades slowed, their noise gradually diminishing as the helicopter came to a stop. The crew began preparing for disembarkation, securing the helicopter and ensuring that everything was in order.

Then, they opened the door and Rourke and Sykes were escorted outside where they saw a man standing as if waiting for them.

"So these are the ones that you nabbed, eh?" Vincent asked.

"Yes, sir," the team leader responded, stepping forward. "They were very cooperative."

"I see...well that's good because I have a lot of questions about them," Vincent said, musing.