Alive and Alone (12 page)

The crew watched as Banks landed on the snow covered ground, disconnected from the forest penetrator, and slowly made his way to the crashed aircraft.  Many long and tense minutes passed before Zlotkowski heard the young sergeant say over the radio, “I’ve got one fatality in the pilot’s seat.  He appears to be a male of approximately thirty to forty years old with severe trauma to his head.  There are signs of the kid, because the doctor’s head is covered and the inside of the aircraft has been searched well.  Do you want me to move out a bit and look for him?”

“Affirmative, Angel One, take a look around.  In the mean time I’m going to pull up a bit and get out of this wind.”

“Copy Save One, understand you’re going up.  I’ll contact you when I find the boy.  Angel One out.”

“Center, this is Save One, we have a PJ on the ground and he has confirmed one fatality and it’s Doctor Wade.  Repeat, the doctor did not make it.  He’s found signs of a survivor and he is looking for him now.  The survivor must be David Wade.  I repeat, Doctor Wade did not make it, but there is one survivor on the ground. Please confirm the tail numbers of Wade’s aircraft, Oscar, Charlie, one, six, three, niner, seven.”

“Roger on the tail number, Save One.  Oscar, Charlie, one, six, three, niner, seven,” Center replied a few seconds later.

Colonel Wilcox took the news of James Wade’s death like a blow to the pit of his stomach.  He sat down next to the sergeant, closed his eyes and said in a low voice, “Please God, let David be alright.”

The sergeant beside him quickly turned and asked, “What was that sir?”

“Nothing sergeant, just a little prayer is all.  There is a young boy on the ground alone and I hope we got to him in time.”

“Save one, Angel One.”  Sergeant Banks radioed ten minutes later.

“Go Angel One.”  Zlotkowski quickly replied.

“I have found signs the boy survived the crash without serious injury, but it’s confusing to say the least.  I have a burnt up shelter, a big piece of melted plastic, a moose carcass, and some other signs that he has been in the area.  I have not found the missing boy yet.”

“Roger, I understand you have signs of the boy surviving but you have not located him yet. Is that correct Angel One?”

“Affirmative, Save One, the survivor has
not
been located as of this time.”

 Zlotkowski spoke into his mic as he moved around to get more comfortable in his seat, “Center, Save One, we have found signs the passenger of the plane survived.  Angel One is still on the ground searching for him now.  Our Poppa Juliet sees no evidence the boy is injured.”

“Copy Save One, understand you have found signs of a young survivor, keep us posted.”

Wilcox glanced at his watch and hoped the P.J. would find David Wade before he had to call off the mission.  He was nearing the end of his mission window for the rescue and it would break his heart to have to call the crew home without the boy.

“Colonel Wilcox, weather is on line one for you sir.”  A young female Airman First Class announced from her console.

Frank picked up the phone and punched the lit up button on the phone, “Colonel Wilcox.”

“Colonel, Captain Johnston here.  We are going to have to close your window a little early.  Another front has developed and will hit within the hour.  It developed suddenly over Russia and looks to be another huge blizzard headed our way.  I’m sorry sir.”

Colonel Wilcox groaned, hung up the phone, and turned to the sergeant at the radio console as he said, “Inform Save One, to remove the doctors body and return to base.  We have a bad front due to hit in about an hour.”  The colonel knew if the crew left now the flight would be close and after spending time to remove Jim’s body, they would have to fly part of the return in a blizzard.  Only, he didn’t want them to return to base empty handed.

The orders were relayed to the helicopter and a few minutes of silence filled the room until finally they all heard, “Say again Center.”

“You are to remove the fatality and return to base immediately.  Copy Save One?”

“Uh, Copy Center, we are to remove the fatality and return to base.”  As Captain Zlotkowski spoke, he slowly shook his head.  He knew if he flew away the young boy would surely die, but he also knew he couldn’t disobey a lawful order without good cause.  Finally, he spoke once more, “Angel One, remove the fatality.  I repeat, remove the fatality and wait further orders.”

“But, Zee, I think the boy is close by.”

“John, we’re to remove the doctor’s body and return to base.”

“Roger, copy.”  

Ten minutes later the doctor’s body was aboard the aircraft and covered with a wool blanket.  The P.J. was still on the ground and as the penetrator lowered to him, he spoke, “Save One, request permission to stay on the ground and continue my search.”

Zlotkowski knew how the young sergeant felt, because he felt the same way, but as the aircraft commander, he couldn’t allow it, regardless of what he might have wanted to do.  “Denied Angel One.  Get on your ride and let’s call it a day.”

“Zee, that kid is still out here and he’s alive.  He’ll die if we leave him and you know it too!”

The young captain felt his heart saying one thing and his head another, but he had his orders from his boss, “Angel One, you
will
get on the forest penetrator and come back onboard this aircraft.  And, you will do it now.”

Large flakes of snow had started falling and the wind had gotten worse just within the last few minutes.  Finally, the P.J. replied, “Copy Save One.  I will be aboard in a few minutes.”

Sergeant Banks was deeply upset.  As a P.J. he'd been trained to save people, not leave them.  He was torn between his training and his responsibilities to obey all lawful orders, but he knew without authorization he could not stay behind.  Just as he was strapping himself into the forest penetrator he heard Zee voice over his radio, “Wait one, Angel One, I’ll check with Center and see if they’ll authorize you to stay behind.”

“Rescue Center, Save One, I have a request from Angel One to remain on the ground.  Do you copy?”

Wilcox heard the request and for many long minutes he battled the decision over and over in his head.  He knew the P.J. was highly trained in survival and he’d still be alive when the weather broke.  
Maybe, just maybe,
he thought,
he’ll find David and keep him alive as well.
 Finally, he simply nodded at the radio operator at the console.

“Save One, Rescue Center, be advised Angel One can remain on the ground.  I repeat, your request is granted.  Please acknowledge, Save One.”

Zee gave a big smile and said, “Understand Angel One is to stay on the ground.”

The copilot looked over at Zlotkowski and said, “We need to drop him a survival kit.”

Zee nodded and then said, “Angel One, you have permission to continue your search.  Be advised it might be a while before we are in this area again.  We are lowering a MA-1 survival kit at this time.”

Banks gave a big grin and replied, “Roger that Save One, I am to remain behind.  Drop the kit.”

Three minutes later, the survival kit was on the ground and Sergeant John Banks quickly moved it to the side, away from the blast of the chopper’s blades.  He keyed his radio and said, “I’ve got the kit.  When y’all get back this way again drop in for a cup of hot coffee.”

Zee laughed and replied, “Will do, Angel One, and my crew and I want to thank you for flying with treetop airlines.  John, you take care and we’ll be back as soon as this weather breaks.”

Sergeant Banks stood on the side of the mountain and watched Save One fly off.  He watched until he could no longer see the rescue chopper.  Then, he pulled the survival kit under some trees and starting constructing a shelter, because he knew it would grow very cold before long.

After waiting for the chopper to land, Colonel Frank Wilcox walked slowly to the aircraft as soon as the blades of the chopper stopped rotating.  An ambulance was there to take James Wade’s body away, but first Frank had to make sure the man onboard the aircraft was his friend.  The old colonel jumped up through the open side doors of the Huey UH-1, kneeled by the body, and pulled the blanket back at the head.  He immediately looked into the unseeing eyes of Doctor James Wade.

He was still shaking his head as he drove from the flight line and called his office, “Sergeant Sidwell, call Pastor Lucas at his home and tell him I’ll pick him up in twenty minutes.  Let the man know we found the crash site.  Also, tell him I will give him more information when I see him.”

About twenty-five minutes later, as Frank drove to Cathy Wades home, he filled the pastor in on what they'd found at the crash site.  Finally, Pastor Lucas said, “Frank, do you think that sergeant of yours will find David?”

“If Dave stuck around the crash site I’m sure Banks has found him already.  But, pastor, if the boy has tried to walk out, well, we'll never find him.”

“What do you think David would do? You've been in the woods with him many times.”

Frank thought for a minute or so and then said, “It depends.  I think David would stay there, unless he had a good reason to leave.  He’s a smart kid, Pastor, but we have to remember he is alone and most likely a pretty scared boy right now.”

Too soon, as far as Frank was concerned they were at the Wade home.  He and the pastor walked to the door and rang the doorbell.  A minute or two later Cathy Wade opened the door.  

As soon as she saw the pastor with Frank, she knew the news was not good.  She lowered her head and said, “Please come in.  I suspect you have some bad news for me, don’t you, Frank?”

Colonel Wilcox didn’t answer her until they were sitting on the sofa and then he turned to her and said softly, “Cathy, we found the crash site.  Jim didn't make it and we found him strapped in his seat.  However, we found evidence David survived the crash and I have a man on the ground looking for him as we speak.”

Cathy closed her eyes and Frank could see the tears running down her cheeks. She gave a low moan, her body quivered, and she used the back of her hand to wipe her eyes.  Turning to Frank she asked, “W . . . when will we know about David?”

Frank realized she wouldn’t want to hear what he was about to say, but he told her what he knew, “Sergeant Banks, the man on the ground, can only communicate with aircraft flying in the local area.  His radio doesn’t have the range to reach Elmendorf.  So, as soon as the weather breaks we’ll be back out.  But, Cathy, we
will
go back and as soon as we can.  Remember, our P.J. found sign that David is alive, so all we can do now is wait until he’s found.”

“T . . . thank you . . . Frank.  I know you'll do what you can.  Now, if you’ll both excuse me, I want to be alone.  Marie will be home from school soon and I have to prepare myself to tell her what has happened.”

“Cathy, I can stay with you, if you wish,” Pastor Lucas said with a sad smile.

“I . . .I think I’d like that.”

Frank stood, slowly shook his tired head, and left the house.  He knew the death of Jim would be hard on Cathy as well as Marie, but he also knew from years in search and rescue that not all recoveries turned out well.  Frank realized he would miss Jim very much, but any time a person strapped an airplane to their rump things could go wrong.  Some people would think Colonel Frank Wilcox was a hard man without feelings, but as he drove home, tears slowly started falling from his eyes.  He knew death and he knew it well from years at his job, but the death of a close friend always hurt him most.

Frank had no more than entered the house when Carol saw his face and asked, “They got to the crash site?”

“Yes, Carol, and Jim was killed.  We have some signs that David survived and I have a man on location looking for him.”

“Has Cathy been told yet?”

“Pastor Lucas and I told her a few minutes ago.  You know, Carol, there are times, like this, when I hate my job.”

Carol moved closer to her husband and pulled him to her as she said, “Frank, you climb up out of your pity-pot and you do it right now.  You and your men have thousands of saves under your belts and we both know you can’t save all of them.”

Frank gave his wife a dry smile and replied, “I know honey, but I hated telling Cathy that Jim was dead.  It tore my heart out to see what my words did to her.”

“Frank, is she still alone?”

“No, Pastor Lucas is with her.  He will be with her when she tells Marie what has happened.  I just hope my P.J. finds David safe and sound.”

“Right now I want you to take a long hot shower, eat, and then relax a little.  There is nothin' more you can do right now, except clean up, and get some rest.  If you get a call, I’ll let you know.  Later on tonight, I’m going over to spend the night with Cathy.  She shouldn’t be alone on a night like this Frank.”

Frank showered, ate, and afterward called the weather shop, “Colonel Wilcox here, can you tell me how long this new front will last?”

“Sure, colonel,” A young airman said over the phone, “it looks like it might blow over in about three days.  If it starts to break earlier do you want us to call you?”

“Sure, son, call me the minute you have an open window in the weather.”

“Will do, sir, and I’ll put it in the log book so all of the weather guys know to give you a call.  You have a good evening colonel and call anytime you need an update.”

Frank hung up the phone, poured a cup of hot coffee and moved to the sofa.  He’d try to read an hour or two and then get some sleep.  Carol had already left for the Wade home, so he’d have a long night alone.  After serving in rescue during both Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm, he’d always hated being alone following a bad mission.  No, he didn’t have bad dreams or feel afraid; he just liked to be around other people after things had turned ugly.  And, as far as Colonel Frank Wilcox was concerned, this day had been one of his worst days.

CHAPTER 10