Chapter 17: Summoning the Black Hawk Helicopter

The date was April 13th, 2025 and the time was four o’clock in the morning.

The Special Forces Operative and Adrian woke up from their sleep. They looked at their watch and it was already four o’clock.

"Rise and shine boys, we have a rescue operation to do," Adrian said, rousing them.

No one complained.

Three of the operatives had taken the bed during the night. Mason pushed himself upright first, rubbing his face once before reaching for his vest. Cole swung his legs off the mattress and grabbed his rifle. Ethan sat up slowly, already alert.

On the floor, Ryan had slept near the door, back against the wall. Jake and Noah were positioned near opposite corners of the room.

It hadn’t even been a full day since they were summoned, yet Adrian had slept beside them without hesitation. Three on the bed. The rest on the ground. No one questioned it.

"Do you guys need some breakfast before we go? I think they have noodles here," Adrian asked.

Ryan shook his head.

"Negative. I’m good."

Mason tightened the straps on his vest. "We move better light."

Cole checked the magazine seated in his rifle and gave it a firm tap. "I’ll eat after."

Jake adjusted his sling. "Same."

Noah pulled his gloves on. "We’re fine."

Adrian nodded once. He wasn’t that hungry either.

"Alright. Then we move."

He opened the bedroom door slowly and stepped into the living room first. The others followed in a staggered line, spacing themselves without bumping into each other.

The condo was dim. Only a faint glow from the city lights filtered through the curtains.

Marco was awake.

He was sitting on the sofa, elbows on his knees. He must have slept there. Liza and the kids were still inside the master bedroom.

Marco stood up when he saw them.

"You’re leaving now?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah, it’s already time. Can you reach your daughter through the phone?"

Marco shook his head. "I tried yesterday before I went to sleep, but she’s not answering. Perhaps her phone has no battery or she’s just being quiet."

"Well, let’s hope that she’s still in that room so that the search won’t be difficult."

"Don’t you guys want to eat before you go?"

"No we are fine, just prepare food once we return," Adrian said.

"How are you going to get there? You said I am going to know when you leave."

Adrian nodded his head. "True, but it’ll be risky if you are going to come with us since it’s going to be noisy. Zombies are drawn to noise. It’s best that you stay here, barricade the door, and don’t even let someone inside this unit."

"What do you mean noisy?"

"You’ll know in a ten minutes or so," Adrian said.

Marco stared at him for a second.

"That doesn’t sound reassuring."

"It’s not supposed to," Adrian replied. "Just stay inside. Lock everything. Don’t panic when you hear it."

Ryan shifted his weight slightly but didn’t speak.

Marco looked from Adrian to the six men behind him.

"You’re not driving, are you?"

Adrian gave a small shake of his head. "No."

Marco opened his mouth as if to ask more, then stopped himself. He looked toward the master bedroom door.

"Bring her back," he said again.

Adrian held his gaze. "We will."

They stepped into the hallway. The door shut behind them, and the lock clicked twice.

No one spoke as they moved toward the elevator.

They tapped the top floor button and waited.

The elevator hummed as it climbed. No one talked. The only sound was the faint rattle of gear shifting with each small movement.

Ding.

The doors slid open.

They stepped out into the top hallway and moved straight toward the metal access door marked ROOF. Ryan reached it first, pressed his ear against it for a second, then unlocked it and pushed.

Cold air rushed in.

Ryan scanned left. Mason scanned right. The others spread slightly without being told.

"Clear," Ryan said.

Adrian walked toward the center of the rooftop. He stopped and looked around once more. No cables overhead. No obstacles tall enough to interfere.

"This’ll do," he said.

He opened the system interface in his vision.

[UH-60 Black Hawk — Available]

He focused on the icon.

"Summon."

A magic circle flared into existence on the concrete and the Black Hawk helicopter slowly emerged out of it.

Moments later, it fully emerged and the magic circle disappeared. Inside were the crews of the Blackhawk helicopter. One pilot, one co-pilot, and two door gunners already strapped in.

"Okay, let’s get inside," Adrian said and one by one, they boarded the helicopter.

"Nice to meet you sir, I’m the pilot. Strap in! I’m starting the engine," the pilot said as he began the engine start sequence.

The co-pilot’s hands moved across the overhead panel, flipping switches in a practiced order. Warning lights blinked, then went dark one by one. The rotors began to turn slowly, blades cutting through the air with a steady rhythm.

The sound built fast.

Wind pushed outward across the rooftop, kicking up dust and loose debris. The downwash flattened Adrian’s clothes against his body. He ducked his head and moved toward the cabin.

Ryan climbed in first and slid to the left side. Mason and Cole followed, taking seats along the interior bench. Ethan and Jake positioned themselves near the opposite door. Noah took the rear position beside one of the gunners.

Adrian strapped himself in last.

The side doors remained open, gunners gripping the mounted M134 machine guns, scanning the perimeter even though the rooftop was clear.

"Where to sir?"

"You see that bright building over there?" Adrian pointed at the building. "I want you to get us to the roof."

"Acknowledged. Lifting up."