Part 335: Rescue Part 1

The helicopter took another swing over the boat area. The majority of the crew were dancing up and down, trying to get their attention. John, McKay and Chance were looking upward, trying to discern where it came from. Marita held onto Tony, as the blind man listened for the sound of the blades, trying to determine what kind of a bird it was. Alexander was the first one to point out it’s kind cause he knew it so well. “Black Hawk,” he pointed.

“He’s right, “ McKay looked up his hands covering the sun from his eyes, “It’s a damn Black Hawk, just like in the movie.”

“Where did it come from?” Mia asked.

“WHO CARE? WE’RE SAVED!!!” Hurley screamed.

“Not so fast, tons-a-fun,” Sawyer started looking around toward the ocean, “That helicopter came from somewhere.”

The helicopter then made another pass and then proceeded to leave, heading back in the direction it came. “OH, MY GOD!!!” Taylor screamed with her hands on her head, “WHERE IS IT GOING?”

“COME BACK, YOU SON OF A BITCH!!” Hurley screamed in frustration.

As Joscelyn began to comfort him, McKay then pushed out of everybody’s way, running into the cabin. Sawyer peered down and saw his Australian friend climbing the later into the main deck. The redneck then ran after him, seeing he knew something he didn’t. John got curious and ran right behind him. As Sawyer climbed into the deck, he saw McKay holding the binoculars in the direction of the helicopter as it flew away into the distance. Also in the distance was a very large ship. “Holy crap,” he whispered, “They came from a battleship.”

“A battleship?” Sawyer gulped, “You sure?”

“Yeah. Looks like some kind of air craft carrier.”

“Can you read which one?” John asked.

“Not from this distance . . .wait a sec . . .there is a smaller boat heading toward us.”

“Another boat?”

“Yeah, with about . . .six men on board . .they don’t look like the Liberation.”

“Yeah, they can’t be,” John said, taking the binoculars from him, “Everything we’ve seen about the Liberation, suggests that they steal and kill to get their equipment. Something tells me they wouldn’t be able to steal a battleship.”

Sawyer then shoved past them and proceeded to literally jump down the ladder. John and McKay blinked, wondering what he was up too. Dutch and Karleigh were at the bottom of the ladder, wondering what was going on. Sawyer then immediately went to his stash next to the recliner and grabbed his shotgun and pistol. “Surf-boy, we got soldiers coming toward the boat right now.” He told him.

“Soldiers from where?” Dutch asked.

“No time to explain. Gather up all our guns and toss them overboard.”

“Why would you-“

“You don’t want these soldiers to overreact . . .do you?” the redneck glared at him.

Dutch saw his point. He immediately ran toward his duffle-bag and grabbed his own gun. Sawyer walked up the stairs to the back deck and then toward the side. Ana-Lucia looked at him as he leaned over, placing his shotgun into the water and then letting in plummet into the blue depths. When she understood why he was doing it, she then grabbed her pistol from her side and tossed it overboard. No other words were needed. The rest of the group that had a gun or a rifle quickly let it join the others in the ocean. Marita then squeezed Tony’s arm, as the boat was coming closer. “Tony, they are almost here.” She whispered.

“They don’t look like the Liberation?” he asked.

“No, they look cleaner.”

“Good. Then let’s hope they are Americans.”

The boat finally came into view. It was a typical Navy launch with six soldiers on boat. One was steering the craft, while the others all had rifles. One of them stepped as the boat came to within inches of the Butterfly Rogue. The soldier looked like he was 24 or 25. He immediately pointed his rifle at the group. “LET ME SEE YOUR HANDS!” he ordered.

The group slowly raised their hands upward. McKay was the first to lean forward. “Soldier, we’re the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815, can you please help us-“

“Where Armand Osolo?” the man asked.

John blinked. “Who?” he asked.

“Armand Osolo, is he on this boat?” the soldier repeated.

“Uh . .no, I don’t know anybody by that name, “ the Australian replied.

“This is his boat and I need to know if he is on it.”

“Uh . .sir, who is this guy?” asked John.

The soldier stared at him blankly, blinking his eyes in disbelief. “You expect me to believe you don’t know who Armand Osolo is and yet you are on his boat?” he asked.

“Maybe I might believe it if I knew who he was.”

“He’s one of the biggest drug dealers in the South Pacific.” The soldier admitted.

A wash of silence went over the group. Sawyer slowly lowered his head and closed his eyes. “Aw, damn,” he whispered.

“Didn’t see that coming,” Hurley replied.

“Look, soldier, we had no idea this was a drug dealer’s boat.” McKay told him.

“Then where did you get it?” he demanded.

McKay winced his face for a minute. He felt in a split second it probably wasn’t a good idea to admit they took it from a mercenary group, that probably did kill the Osolo person. “We found it.” He replied.

“Where?” the soldier asked.

“On the Island where our plane crashed.”

“What plane?”

“Oceanic Flight 815, I just told you!”

“What direction is this Island?”

“Forty Miles, due South. We still go people on that Island, so you need to-“

“You just found the boat there?” the soldier slightly chuckled, “You people are going to tell us where Osolo is or you will be held-“

“Name and rank, soldier.” Tony then interrupted him.

“Excuse me?” he looked toward the blind man.

“I SAID, name and rank!” the doctor bellowed his voice.

The soldier paused for a second. He felt as if the tone in the blind man’s voice was something he might have heard from boot camp. “Sergeant Ray Coleman.” He told him.

“Okay, Sergeant, we have screwed around long enough,” Tony told him, “We’ll answer all your questions but first thing you are going to do is get us on that battleship.”

“Sir, I’m not-“

“SECOND THING . . .you are going to do,” Tony interrupted him, “Is get my people the medical attention they need. I got a sick man in there, who contracted an infection a day ago and if he doesn’t get antibiotics, then he might not make it.”

“Sir, you can’t give me orders.”

“Yes, I can, cause I outrank you.”

The soldier froze. That wasn’t the response he was expecting. Everybody on deck knew Tony was in the military but he was retired. Did that mean his rank was still in effect? ”And who are you?” he asked the blind man.

“Master Sergeant Anthony Largo, special forces under Churchill. My security clearance access code is 2432615184. You get on your radio and you have your superior officer run it now!”

Coleman was stupefied but he knew about the special forces and knew why they were given security access codes. He then quickly slung his rifle across his back and walked over to the driver of the boat, grabbing the radio. He immediately started to talk into it. Marita slowly lowered her hands and then moved closer to her lover. “Tony, what was all that about?” she asked.

“Yeah, Tone, I thought you said you were retired from the special forces.” John pointed out.

“I am but that was two years ago,” he smirked, “Security clearance is good for five years.”

The sergeant got off the radio and then walked back over to the edge of the boat. “Sergeant Largo, I apologize but we had to be sure you weren’t Osolo or any of his men.” He told him.

“Perfectly understandable.” Tony admitted, “Now will you please help us?”

“How many of you people need to be carried out?”

“Just one. The rest can make it.”

“All right, make some room.” Coleman told his men.

“Okay, everybody,” Tony told his people, “Grab any personal effects you want to take with you but leave the rest. We’re going with them.”

The group began to work as fast as they can. They gathered the small amount of personal effects they wanted to keep but they left behind their sleeping bags, books and spare clothes. Jin and Sun made their way onto the PT Boat, followed by Taylor, Mandy, Joscelyn and Hurley. Kate stood her ground, looking incredibly worried. Mia then came up from below the cabin and saw her. She quickly walked over and grabbed her hand. “Time to go, Kate.” She told her.

“But the moment they realize who I am-“

“We’ll deal with that when we come to it.”

Marita then came up by Kate’s side and took her by the arm, placing a bag into her belly; forcing her to grab it. “Don’t forget your care package, Kate.” She said.

“My what?” she gulped as they glided her to the boat.

Shanna then came up the stairs with Tony in tow. Then followed John and McKay as they grunted, carrying the unconscious Seth on a blanket. Chance followed right behind with his wife. Ana-Lucia grabbed her small back but then took Alexander by the hand to lead him away. She had to assure him it was okay to leave Spiderman, the Jedis and the Soldiers behind. She promised him he would see them again one day.

The moment everybody got into the military craft, the driver began to turn it around and head toward the battle ship. The group made a small look toward the Butterfly Rogue. Even though they learned it was a drug dealer’s ship, then used by the Liberation to haul their goods and men; they still regarded it as home. They wondered if the soldiers would come back for it or they would just let it drift. Their answer came in the form of four more PT Boats speeding toward the Rogue. John looked at them for a second, keeping his arm around Mia. Coleman was at the back with the radio. “Yes, sir, approximately 23 civilians.” He said over the hiss of the radio, “One is listed as critical, sir. He will need immediate medical attention. Yes, sir, thank you, sir.”

“Hang in there, Seth.” Mandy said, patting him on the chest.

Seth slowly opened his eyelids halfway. He looked around briefly. “Are we going somewhere?” he asked.

“Yeah, “ Shanna giggle, “We’re going home.”

“Sweet.” He whispered, before closing his eyes again.

The group looked up at the battleship they were approaching. The insignia on the side of the boat read it as the USS Montana. Then when they got closer, they were approaching a platform connected to steel cables, leading all the way to the top. “Tony, there is some kind of platform on wires or something.” She told her boyfriend.

“It’s a winch for boats. No big deal.” He patted her on the hand.

The driver then got them within twenty feet of the giant ship, then piloted the boat into the platform. The moment they landed, the driver then reached over and stepped out of the boat onto the platform, walking over to a control panel. He proceeded to press some buttons and the boat started to rise with the platform. The moment it did, Alexander immediately embraced McKay. The Australian grunted from the lost boy’s tight grip. “Alexander, calm down.” He assured.

Alexander whimpered as they started to rise. Mandy then began to rub his back. “Alex, stop it, you’re hurting Uncle McKay.” She told him.

Alexander loosened his embraced but then closed his eyes and buried his head in McKay’s chest. The Australian took a deep breath, feeling the ache in his ribs. He put his arm around the boy and gently patted him on the head. Then he realized the soldiers were all staring at him. McKay just put on his best fake smile. “He’s afraid of heights.” He told them.

“Ya think?” one of the soldier chuckled.

Within three more minutes, the platform finally arrived at the top. Their was a group of soldiers awaiting them, plus medical field personnel. The group slowly proceeded to exit the boat. McKay guided Alexander out of it who was still holding onto him. Once he felt he was on more solid footing, he let go of him. The lost boy marveled at the structure before him. He pointed at the soldiers that were standing all around him. “Soldiers.” He said.

“Actually, I think they are more like sailors.” Mandy corrected him, taking him by the hand and pulling him away.

The medical personnel grabbed Seth and put him on a gurney. They quickly began to rush him away toward whatever infirmary they had. At the request of Tony, Kate and Kellye followed them. They weren’t as bad off as Seth but they needed to get seen as well. As the group continued to follow their soldier escort, another soldier came out from the towers that lay ahead. He ran up to the blind man and stood before him. “Sergeant Largo, my name is Lt. Paul Monday. I’m to see you and your people in.” he told him.

“Thank you, lieutenant.” Tony told him, “What do you need us to do first?”

“My XO would like a debriefing with you about what happened to you and the other survivors of Flight 815 but first, he’s allowed us to let you have showers and food first.”

“That would be wonderful.” The blind man smiled.

The others cheered at the thought of food and a bath. It had been so long, they weren’t sure if they could handle the reality of it. But they were sure going to try.


Inside the men’s shower room, the soldiers guarding the survivors stood in amazement. They understood their predicament and that was probably why they were acting so strange. Tony, John, McKay, Chance, Dutch and Jin were all against one wall and they were not scrubbing themselves with soap; they were just letting the hot water bathe over them. John tilted back, letting the water course over. It had almost forgotten what a hot bath felt like. On the other side of the wall, Hurley was enjoying soaking his hair in as much shampoo as he could hold. He then looked toward his left and saw Alexander staring in awe of the shower. He would hold up his hand, trying to block the water but when he realized he couldn’t, he stopped. The lost boy then looked at the bar of soap in front of him, and picked it up; smelling it. He then bit into it, only to spit out in a huff. “No, dude, you’re not supposed to eat it.” Hurley corrected him.

“What . .” Alexander held it out, not sure what to do.

“Here, dude, copy me.” The large man said, using the soap to wash his underarms and chest.

Alexander then immediately started to do what Hurley was doing. When he saw the soap forming in his hands, he laughed ; understanding that he just learned something new. Sawyer cracked up laughing down the side of the wall at the sight of it. “You gonna teach him how to clean his ass next, Jabba?” he laughed.

“Shut up, dude!” the large man retorted.

“Why did I have to get this side of the wall anyway?” the redneck grunted with a scoff, “I never wanted to get this close to a naked Hurley anyway.”

“Luck of the draw, Sawyer.” McKay laughed.

The soldiers just stared at the people, almost enjoying their little dram in front of them. It was better than watching a soap opera.



Inside the female shower room, the majority of the women were just sitting on the tiled floor, letting the water rush over them. Taylor was scrubbing her hair profusely with the shampoo. Marita was holding her head back at the hot water bombarded her hair. The female soldiers that were assigned to them just looked at them and giggled. Mandy then raised her hand. “Yes?” the female soldier asked.

“How long are we allowed to stay in here?” the Californian smiled.

The female survivors laughed cause it was the question they all had but only Mandy was brave enough to ask. For however long they were allowed to stay, they were going to enjoy every second of it.


Back in the men’s shower and locker area, the group of survivors were given jumpsuits and deck shoes. Tony combed his hair back, only drying it slightly. After Alexander managed to understand what underwear was for, he then put on his jump suit. McKay walked over and helped him to zip it up. However, the lost boy was more interested in his underwear. “Feels good.” He laughed.

“Yeah, underwear does that.” Sawyer shook his head.

John, Hurley and Dutch were heavily brushing their teeth. The surfer would pause and close his eyes, relishing in the taste of the paste. It was something they had only sparingly but he missed not being able to brush his teeth every single day. McKay forced Alexander to sit down and began to tie his shoe laces for him. “He doesn’t know such a thing?” asked Lt. Monday when he walked into the locker room.

McKay slowly leaned up. Once again, it cross his mind about how the truth would fly in such a regard. “He’s special.” He smiled.

“Is he your son?”

“No, he’s . . .uh . .my nephew.”

John, Dutch and Sawyer then turned to their friend. McKay worried it might have been a split decision but in this one instance, a little white lie would be better for all around. After they stood up, the Australian put his arm around the lost boy’s shoulders. “Yep, this is Alexander McKay, my brother’s youngest,” he smiled, “I was returning him to my brother in Montana when we went down with the plane.”

“Alexander McKay.” The young boy said proudly.

“Fascinating.” Monday said, amazed by the story, “ Uh, Sergeant Largo, if you like, my men will escort your friends to the mess hall, while we take you to the infirmary to let our doctors check out your eye.”

“Hey, yeah and you can check on Seth and the others, Tony,” John told him.

“Good idea,” Tony massaged his eye empty eye socket, “You guys get some food and I’ll see you shortly.”

“Yes, Food!!” Hurley clapped his hands.

“What kind of food?” Alexander said curiously.

“Let’s hope it’s hamburgers. You are going to love them.” The large man patted him on the back.

As the majority of the men went their sailor escort, Tony took the opposite way and was being led by Lt. Monday. They worked their way down several passageways and hallways, then after a few minutes, arrived at the infirmary. As they walked in, Tony listed for voices of his friends but heard nothing. Then he heard the footsteps of someone coming toward him. “Sergeant Largo, this is resident surgeon Dr. Fred Lighter.” Monday introduced him.

Tony and man shook hands. “How are my friends, Dr. Lighter?” he asked.

“The ladies are going to be fine,” he said, reviewing a clipboard, “The older woman, who seems incoherent, had a minor fracture in her collar bone. We’ve already taken care of that. The younger woman, Kellye, apparent suffered massive stress on her neck, creating a loose bone spur. She’s currently in surgery getting it removed.”

“What about the man? Seth Butler?” asked Tony.

“We had to reopen his chest wound. After we cleaned it and sewn him back up, we placed him on antibiotic drip. If he makes it through the night, which all indications show he will, then he’ll be fine.”

“That’s good to hear,” the blind doctor paused, “You said the older woman was incoherent?”

“Yes, when we asked her what her name was, she just stared off into the distance.”

“Let me talk with her.”

The two men then led Tony down a row of gurneys and there was Kate at the fourth one down. She was in a hospital gown and her left shoulder was placed a cast. The blind doctor stood before her and smiled. “Kate, are you all right?” he asked.

“Tony . .” she said, afraid to have these men hear her name.

“Kate is her name?” Monday asked.

“Actually her full name is Loretta Katherine Stanley but she’s doesn’t like her first name, so she prefers to be called Kate. Isn’t that right, Kate?”

The brunette fugitive just stared at him. She just then realized he called her by the name of the dead woman they found in the lake next to Eddie’s father. Lt. Monday was curious about what Tony was saying. “I don’t understand, “ he admitted, “Why didn’t she just tell us this information?”

“I would have to assume it’s because her last husband was an abusive piece of trash and not to mention, he was employed in the Navy,” the blind doctor retorted, then turned to Kate, “It’s all right, Kate. You can trust these people.”

“Okay.” She shook her head.

“Ma’am, if you like, we have a psychiatrist on board, if you wish to talk to anyone.” Dr. Lighter mentioned.

“No, I just . . .want to be with my friends.” Kate told him

“You just rest now, Kate. We’ll all be together soon. Let these nice men make sure you’re collar bone is okay.”

“Thank you, Tony.”

Tony patted her leg and then left with Lt. Monday. Kate then shifted over slightly as the doctor left her. Then she saw the handbag that Marita shoved in her grip; the care package, she called it. She then reached over and took it, opening it up. Inside was all the information about Loretta Stanley; her credit cards and her money. Her drivers license was conveniently missing as was the photo from her password. Kate slowly closed her eyes and smiled; letting a tear drop from her eye. She felt so blessed to have such good friends looking out for her.

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