"Buck?"

"So that’s the way you want to play!" Buck thundered. There was a return of fire.

"Buck?"

"Let me know where he is, Colonel and I’ll...." more rapid fire. "Son of a bitch! Yeah, you let me know where he is and I’ll get him a rifle. Might pin a note to it too. Shoot these &*%@ing choppers down."

Chris drew in a deep breath. Buck was in a difficult situation. The plane was slow and cumbersome compared to the choppers. "Be careful, Captain."

"Ain’t time for careful, ole buddy. WINGS out."

Chris turned to John. "Where is Vin headed?"

"I don’t know. Could be Peterson Bluff," the foreman stated, pointing to a set of mountains in the distance. "Or Rattlesnake Canyon." His arm shifted to the right. "He may even head for the mines. Could hide down in there for months without anyone finding him. Hell, he might try for the North Ranch house. There’s plenty of rifles and ammunition there."

"We need transport."

"We only use one kind out here, Sir. And that’s horses."

"Then we ride," Chris announced. "J.D., you stay here and co-ordinate the search. And keep trying to tap into the Hawks’ frequency. Is there any way they can tap into ours?"

"Only if I let them. I’m jamming everything at the moment, Sir."

"Good. Ezra, you head for Peterson Bluff. Be careful. Once Vin gets a rifle, he’s deadly and he’s likely to shoot anything that moves."

"Yes, Sir."

"Nathan, take the mines. Josiah, the other ranch house. I’ll take the canyon. Josiah?"

"I don’t know how he’ll react, Colonel. Whatever happens don’t rush him or smother him. And remember to duck. Vin may not know us and if he starts waving a rifle in our direction, back off."

"Horses?" Chris demanded of Radley.

"This way."

Within seconds, the men were ready. Without prompting, they walked toward one another. Chris placed his fist in the center of the tight circle. Each man lay his hand on top of it.

Larabee flicked his eyes around the group and then a half grin invaded his face. "Let’s bring the Hawks down and bring Vin home."

"I hear Hawk tastes like chicken," Ezra commented seriously. The men bounced their fists, cried "Let’s ride, boys," and then went their separate ways.

"Stay in contact with J.D., but don’t keep the channel open." As much as they would like to know and be aware of each other’s situation, it could prove distracting and thus Larabee wanted everyone in contact with J.D. alone. Dunne would pass on everything each individual or the group needed to know. Chris trusted J.D. to make those decisions. The young man, despite his outward exuberance, had a cool mind in a crisis.

"Be careful!" J.D. shouted after his friends as they thundered out of the barn and headed in four different directions. ‘Good luck’, he thought before turning to John. Chris had left him in charge. J.D. was always happy to take a backseat to his older and more experienced team mates, but J.D. Dunne was a qualified CIA agent with army training into the bargain. He had worked with Larabee and his team for fourteen months and in that time, he’d learned more than most would ever know.

"I need somewhere to set up," Dunne ordered, his voice almost as hard as his leader’s.

"Follow me, Sir."

**********

 Vin slid from the saddle and stroked his panting mount.

"Thanks," he whispered. The horse had given its heart and soul to get its rider to safety. Without a word, Vin released the saddle and pulled it off the animal. Grabbing the length of rope secured to the saddle, Vin wrapped it around his arm. Then he patted the loyal animal on the rump and sent it off among the trees. If the men following him could track, they should continue after the horse.

Tanner searched his surroundings. He needed to find a place to hide. Glancing up he spotted a sturdy branch and pulled himself onto it. This was as good a place as any. His pursuers were armed. He needed to get one of their rifles... then he would be able to put his ‘talent’ to work.

**********

Chris glanced skyward. In the distance he could see Buck performing aerobatics that were impossible in the craft he was piloting - but the captain was still alive and keeping the choppers away from Vin... wherever Vin was.

We’re coming, Vin. Don’t try to do anything fancy. Just keep your head down and wait for the boys.

**********

"J.D?"

"I read you, Buck!"

"There are a mass of trail bikes down there."

"Where are they headed?"

"Toward a large group of trees about two miles north of you."

"Boys," J.D. radioed, opening up all channels. "There are some trail bikes that look like they’re headed for Peterson Bluff."

"Nathan, you peel off and head for there. Josiah, you re-route and take the mines. Vin won’t go to the ranch house. He wouldn’t endanger innocent people," Chris stated with certainty. "Ezra, looks like you could be headed for trouble."

"Well, that will make a welcome change," Ezra snorted.

"Be careful. The Hawks will be shooting to kill."

"So will I, Colonel."

**********

Ezra followed the trail bike tracks. When he reached the river he couldn’t help but smile in admiration. Vin Tanner was an intelligent man. Crossing the body of water would have slowed the bikes down. Urging his horse across, Ezra forged on toward the trees. Ahead, he could see the group of soldiers on trail bikes. They had stopped, obviously reticent to enter the tree line. Clearly, Tanner’s reputation preceded him.

Ezra slowed his horse and circled around to the right, keeping low in the saddle. If he was lucky, he might be able to get to the treed area unseen and hopefully catch up with Lieutenant Tanner.

**********

"Howard? Stenman? Do you read?!" Kane glared at the radio. The rest of the group moved nervously on their trail bikes. The two scouts had entered the trees almost ten minutes earlier. The buzzing of their bikes had stopped, but then Kane had expected that. No doubt his men where pursuing Tanner on foot. Now, however, the scouts were failing to answer their colonel’s call.

**********

Vin dragged the second bike behind the bushes and dumped some branches over it. The two riders lay silently bound and gagged and glaring up at the young man who was hovering around them. He had lassoed one of the pair and when the other had returned, had dropped a boulder into his lap.

Vin grabbed the front of one of the men, ripped the gag out of his prisoner’s mouth and then leaned down close to him. "Who the hell are you and what do you want with me?"

"Go to hell."

"More than likely, but you’re gonna get there first!" With that, Vin shoved the gag back into the man’s mouth. Turning, he grabbed the two confiscated rifles and then headed off. He wanted to put some distance between himself and the rest of the men collected only a couple of hundred feet away. Strangely, this situation -- making his way through the trees -- felt familiar. He wasn’t scared, though he was certain he should be.

I’m a soldier. Or at least I was. These men are soldiers. Why do they want me? Why was the CIA protecting me?  So many questions without answers.

**********

"Agent Dunne, it appears the trail bike group has stopped. I am not close enough to hear their conversation but they are agitated. I count approximately sixteen, maybe eighteen men."

"Any sign of Lieutenant Tanner?"

"No, but I am guessing he is in the thickly treed area I have just entered. I shall endeavor to make contact. I am now on foot."

"Be careful."

"Aren’t I always?"

J.D. smiled. He clicked his mouse. "Colonel, Ezra thinks he may be on Lieutenant Tanner’s trail. He’s counted around eighteen Hawks. If you add the two in the air that’s twenty and we know that there are around twenty-two of them."

**

"Alright. I’m heading in that direction. Tell Josiah to do the same. If we..." There was an explosion above. Chris pulled his horse to a stop, searching the sky. A mass of smoke and flames met his wide eyes. "J.D., put me through to Buck, now!"

"Oh, God!" J.D. cried.

"And another one bites the dust! Stupid bastard thought he could sneak up by coming up from underneath me!" Buck’s voice echoed over the radio waves. "That’s one Hawk that’s just had his &*%@ing feathers clipped." The pilot was riding the adrenaline rush.

Larabee shook his head. "Damn it, Buck, have you always got to make such a noise!"

"Sorry, Colonel. One chopper down, one bastard to go! How goes things down there?"

"The Hawks are collected in Ezra’s sector. FIVE thinks he’s on Vin’s trail. "

"Hope Vin’s not armed then," Buck muttered.

**********

Vin watched the soldier approach. There was something about the other man’s movements that told Tanner this man may dress like a soldier but he was like no soldier Vin had ever seen. The sharpshooter raised his rifle. Instinct had taken over. Instinct, or perhaps long forgotten experience that felt like second nature. Vin shut one eye. He watched the other man fumble through the foliage cursing.

"I was not born to ferret around in the wilds!"

Vin’s finger closed on the trigger. His eye focused on the of the other man’s brain stem where the bullet would meet its mark.

"I swear, this is the last time I allow myself to be forced into a situation like this!" The soldier stumbled again.

Tanner froze - he didn’t know why. Something prickled the back of his neck… warning him not to pull the trigger. Movement to his left. The soldier he had been watching dived for cover. The trio of Hawks did not see the other solider but they glimpsed Vin. The men opened fire on the sharpshooter.

Vin rolled away and crawled along the ground searching for safety. Suddenly, there was return fire. Vin stopped and glanced at the mystery soldier. He was behind a tree and peppering the approaching group. Though hidden from the view of the Hawks, Ezra and Vin were clearly visible to one another. Vin climbed to his feet. This curious stranger intrigued him.  He may not look or move like a soldier, but by God, he used a rifle like the Devil himself.

"Go! I’ll cover you!" Ezra shouted. Vin stared at him, his emotions wandering into no man’s land. Should he trust this man? "Go, Lieutenant Tanner, you can trust me!" Ezra shot a look across at the young man. Tanner’s face stripped of color. The name, ‘Tanner’ sent his mind spinning. He threw himself back against a tree and slid down it as he desperately tried to gain control of the flood of voices, images, smells and sounds -- all accosting him with vengeance.

Standish mentally kicked himself. He had provided Tanner with a trigger.  Josiah had warned them to be careful.

Snapping off two quick shots, Ezra raced across to the fallen man. Kneeling beside Vin, he gently removed the young man’s rifle from his tightly clenched fists, at the same time, placing his hand on Vin’s shoulder.

"Easy, my friend. I’m sorry. I should have known better. We must get you to safety. Your team is on the way."

Vin opened his eyes, his mind clearing. Ezra smiled. So this was Vin Tanner - the man who, according to Buck, could control Larabee’s temper. "You’re okay, but we..."

Bullets sprayed the pair. Vin grabbed Ezra’s arm and slung him to cover. Rolling into the bushes after him, Vin grabbed his own rifle from the ground and in one quick movement took aim. His right eye closed. He fired off three shots. Ezra Standish’s jaw dropped. The three soldiers who had broken cover to pursue them toppled to the ground never to rise again.

"There are more," Vin stated without emotion.

"I know. They are regrouping. Go, I’ll cover you."

"No." Vin turned to study Ezra, assessing the other’s clean shaven face. "We go together."

Standish stared into the confused but determined blue eyes looking back at him. Finally he nodded. Vin was about to move, when Ezra placed a restraining hand on his shoulder. "J.D., I’m turning on the homing beckon in my headset. You must provide a path to safety."

"Okay..., yep." At the ranch, J.D studied the computer screen in front of him, which had a topographical map displayed. "Head south. That will bring you back toward Chris, Josiah and Nathan."

Vin eyed the headset. He couldn’t hear the words but he could make out a voice. "Who are you talking to?"

"A friend. What about cover?" Ezra asked J.D.

**********

"Once you leave the trees there isn’t much, but it’s the best I can do. Look..." J.D.’s eyes narrowed. For the past few minutes, Buck had been sending the youth aerial video pictures that were being overlayed on the topographical map. "The Hawks are on the move. Wait a minute... they’re surrounding you! You’ve got to get out of there, NOW!"

**********

Ezra nodded to Vin. "This way!"

"No, we’ll be out in the open," Tanner argued.

"My, friend, you must trust me."

"I don’t trust anyone." Tanner’s voice was soft and calm. It was simply a statement of fact.

Ezra thought quickly. "You do trust people. You just don’t remember. Think not with your mind.  Use your instincts.  Your friends are here. My job is to get you to them"

"What friends?"

" You aren’t ready." Ezra realized Vin wasn’t going to move until he had an explanation. "What happened before will happen again if I provide you too much information. You’ve lost your memory. If I give you any further triggers you will experience another memory rush as your memories surface. We can’t afford that if we are to survive. Please, you must trust me."

Vin’s brow furrowed deeply as he searched Ezra’s face for a reason to do so. He didn’t know why, but he felt he could… should… believe this man. "Okay."

Ezra patted the young man’s shoulder as a sign of assurance.

Together they made their way south, moments later, breaking through the trees and into the open. Above, a chopper swooped toward them, peppering the ground with bullets. Ezra hit the ground.  Vin didn’t. Instead, the sharpshooter waited. As the chopper closed, the pilot came into view. Vin Tanner pulled the trigger only once. The helicopter lurched to the side and crashed into the ground with a sickening crunch before exploding into flames.

Ezra climbed to his feet, shaking his head. He’d never seen anything like it.  He’d listened to the others’ claim, but he’d accepted loyalty had fuelled exaggeration. He had been wrong. "You’re incredible."

"Choppers don’t fly real well without pilots." The words brought back an immediate rush of memories.

Ezra gripped Vin’s arm as his eyes slammed shut.  "We must keep going."

The sound of trail bikes approaching filled the air - five from the left and six from the right.

"They’ve circled around us!"

"Split up!" Vin shouted. "And head back into the trees."

Before he could move, Ezra ripped the headset from his own head and handed it to Vin. "Listen to the voice. You can trust him. He’ll lead you to safety."

"But what about you?"

"They aren’t after me! GO!"

**********

"Yeeeehaaaaaaaa!" Buck thundered. He had been swinging his plane around to go after the other chopper when he heard the explosion. "Sounds like Vin hasn’t lost his touch."

"Buck, Vin and Ezra are just below you," J.D. reported.

"Okay, Kid. I’ll put this bucket of bolts down and then get my ass back here to help."

"Do you need a runway?"

"It makes things a tad easier, why?"

"They’re surrounded, Buck. Nathan’s the closest and he’s still at least another twenty minutes away. They’re under heavy fire and they’ve just split up."

"Okay, I’ll set her down right here."

"Be careful."

"Hey, it’s me."

"That’s what worries me, Buck. You’re so full of shit, half the time I don’t know if you know what the hell you’re doing."

"Hell, Kid, whatcha talkin’ about... I... know what...shiiiiiiiiittttttttttttttt!!!!!"

**********

"Buck? BUCK!"

There was an eerie silence on the other end.

J.D. swallowed. "WINGS, report in. WINGS, report, please!"  When the call sign was used it meant a response was required even in radio silence. All of the other men had numbers. Buck’s call sign was Wings. "WINGS, report your status." Still nothing. Bile began to rise in J.D’s stomach.  He was just considering contacting Chris when....

"Ooookaaaaay. I’m down. My teeth are still rattling, but I’m down. What direction, Kid?"

"Head for the trees."

"I’m on my way."