h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*wonders if things might have gone better if Mari-rae had just used her broom

Throws empty beer at nearest helicopter*

*Looks at the colour of the smoke coming from M & K's helicopter*

S**t! Mari - you're losing hydraulic fluid. Set her down before it all goes. Try for the avenue next to the river - as close to here as you can.
*Changes channels*
G7 - keep up the covering fire.
*Drops the SAM launcher, shoulders usual kit, ties a rope off around the chimney, clips it to a carabiner on his waist, and abseils off the building, shooting off rounds from an M16 as he descends*

*cheers as one of the enemy helicopters crashes under a withering custard fire, then continues covering*

G7

*Fighting the controls she can hear Kumabear roaring as he continues to lay down fire. She begins to search for a level place to land.*

Kuma, hang on! We're going in!!

*sigh*

So much for a quiet drink...

*heads in the general direction of the stricken helicopter, pausing only to leave a few extra in his wake*

*Kes estimates that they are going to run out of altitude before they get to the avenue. He runs through the house opposite, out the other side, and into a car park which is part empty. he puts up a Very flare*

You can make it to the flare, mari. Bring her in.

*He smashes the window on a parked truck, and takes its two small fire extinguishers ... better than nothing -. Then looks round the perimeter .... and waits*

*The helicopter comes to a jarring crash. She hits her head and the world goes black.*

*Opens one eye and sees her friends running and thinks that she aught to join in the rescue*

Wait for me!

*The helicopter has crash landed more or less in the car park. Its forward momentum has taken it into a line of cars.
Kuma is half out of the cargo door. Kes drags K away and behind the truck for cover. Checks signs ... K will be OK*

*moans*

*Fuel is leaking from some of the cars. Sparks can be seen from the helo. instrument panel. Kes sees L & G running up, but some way off. He races to the cockpit, to see mari - out cold - still strapped in. He cuts the straps and starts to lift her out.*

*hears a vaguely familiar voice in the distance*

Gwe...Naah, couldn't be.

*arrives at the crash site, and has to decide whether Mari-rae needs the kiss of life *

*covers the actions of her cohorts as they rescue mari-rae and Kuma*

Kes, do you want me to bring this brute of an APC over there to transport the injured?

*hears nothing immediately, so moves to do so - just in case. Cracks some of Linus' extra s on the way over*

G7

*Sees blood oozing from Mari-Rae's head and feints, landing on top of Kuma*

Thud!

*Has a vague impression of movement and noise. Blacks out.*

*pulls into the parking lot next to the whirly bird*

I think there's a first aid kit in the back of this thing...

*digs it out and hands it to Kes*

G7

*Kes cuts the straps, and eases mari from the cockpit, carrying her clear. When they are about 10M from the craft, it erupts into flames. The blast knocks Kes over; he rolls to cushion mari from the fall; his head hits the tarmac, and he passes out*

*pours beer into Mari-raes face, and another one down Kumas throat*

the things i do for you...

*Opens one eye and has a vague impression of flames and heat.*

Bluebottle, what did you burn now?

*Tries to raise her head and finds that is a big mistake. Lays absolutely still, wondering what the heck is happening, and who she is laying on top of?*