The Yellowstone Affair Chapter 12

[pactnmmt.livejournal.com]

During the fifteen minutes it took to fly the NPS helicopter back to the staging area in the Lamar Valley, the snowfall returned with a vengeance causing nearly whiteout conditions. The ‘copter landed in the upper parking lot of the Lamar Buffalo Ranch joining another NPS ‘copter that had just shut down its engine.

Illya jumped down to the hard packed snow and walked over to the group of rangers standing on the edge of the landing zone. One of the men parted from the group bowing his head against the wind and the rotor wash and walked over to the UNCLE agent extending his gloved hand in greeting.

“Mr. Kuryakin, I’m glad to make your acquaintance, ‘though I wish it were under less grim circumstances. My name is Bob Murray. I’m the the one who is heading up the search and recovery operation.”

The word ‘recovery’ hit like a hard punch to Illya’s stomach, bringing home the reality that there would be no rescue. He carefully pushed back the emotions that threatened to surface and solemnly shook Murray’s hand.

“I understand that you had a rather exciting stay at our cabin east of Mount Washburn. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I am fine, thank you.” Illya was impatient to find out if Murray had any more information regarding the downed UNCLE jet. “Have your people heard anything yet?”

“No, Mr. Kuryakin, not yet. We’re still waiting for one search plane to report in. I’m afraid the snow storm has made it almost impossible for our searchers to see anything on the ground.”  Murray helped Illya unlash his pulk and supplies from the helicopter’s skid. He looked into agent’s face and could see the man was bone weary.

“Look, I’m sure you must be tired and hungry. Let’s get you down to the bunkhouse where you can warm up and get something to eat. If anyone finds the site they will report in by radio.”   He placed his hand on the UNCLE agent’s shoulder and gently guided him down the hill to the bunkhouse.

Illya nodded and let himself be steered in the right direction. His mind was numb with the surge of emotions and denial, and his body was in shut down mode as the activities and abuse from the THRUSH goons caught up with him. He was happy to let someone else take the lead, if just for a little while, until he could rest and regroup.

“Mr. Kuryakin.” Illya felt his shoulder being shaken. “Illya, wake up! They found the crash site!”

Illya snapped his head up from his folded arms instantly, he hadn’t even realized that he had fallen asleep until Bob Murray shook him awake.

“Did they find any signs of life?”

“No, I’m sorry, Illya.”

“Where did they find the crash site?”

“Actually, not too far from here. I’ve got a map on the wall in my office, I’ll show you.”

Bob turned on the light as they entered his small office. A large topographical map hung on the wall. The ranger showed the agent where they were and then moved his finger east and a bit south. “The pilot found the wreckage here.” He tapped the map. “These two peaks are Abiathar and Amphitheater which are located in the Absaroka (pronounced Ab-sohr-key) Mountain range. The wreck is beyond those peaks a few miles. If it weren’t for the blizzard you’d be able to see the peaks from here.”

Illya, already moving to the door, asked, “When can we leave?”

Murray grabbed Illya’s arm, “Hold on, nobody’s going anywhere anytime soon.”

Illya stopped and faced Murray. The agent’s glacial expression gave a hint of the turmoil and determination that drove him to take immediate action.

“Look, Illya, I understand why you feel the need to locate the site and bring back your friend. However, you certainly must realize that given the weather conditions, such a mission could cause the death of more men. I’m not prepared to take that chance with my people.”

For a moment, Illya said nothing, then softening his expression he said, “Bob, I understand, and I will not ask you to risk your team. But, you must understand that while I do indeed want to bring my partner’s body and those of the other two men down, there is an even more important mission that makes getting up there and back immediately, imperative.”

Frustrated, Bob asked, “What could be so important that you’re willing to risk your life when you could just wait for the weather to clear?”

“I am afraid that is classified, but suffice it to say that it involves a threat to global security and international stability if I fail.  Bad weather or not, I will travel to the crash site, with or without your help.”

Bob stared at the Russian for a moment before shaking his head. “You, Illya, are one stubborn man!”

Illya smiled for the first time in days, “So I have been told.”

They stepped back into Bob’s office to discuss the best way to get Illya to the crash site.

Comments

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

The tension is killing me (in that good way you get from a great story).

[pactnmmt.livejournal.com]

Hoping you won't have to wait too long for relief, I'm working on the next chapter. Thanks for reading!