Blackhawk Origins by Dave B

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 63

Hendrickson drove his wagon with Blackhawk sitting next to him. The rest of the men sat in the back. They were all out of uniform becauseHendrickson provided them with either his or his son's clothes. All of the clothes were ill fitting.

Andre was keeping a close eye on Augustus. The Dane had developed a fever during the night and now was racked with chills. He wasn't a doctor but he knew that they had to get Augustus to one soon. Andre rose and went to the front of the wagon. His head was in-between Hendrickson and Blackhawk when he said in a low voice "Augustus needs a doctor Blackhawk. I can't do any more for him.

"Hendrickson" Blackhawk whispered "is there a doctor nearby?"

Hendrickson shook his head no, "No, not for another day's journey; "I am known in there and have some acquaintances from the local Synagogue. What we'll say is that young Augustus here had an accident when I was trying to fix his rifle. People come from miles around to see me when they have problems with their guns. And the people at the Synagogue will certainly not to turn you in."

Hendrickson's wagon came in to the sleepy town of Haardstadt late the next day. He brought his wagon to the home of Rabbi Rubinowitz. "Stay here" he told the men he had brought so far; but Blackhawk hopped off the wagon with Hendrickson and went with the older man as they knocked on the door.

Olaf and Asger were by Augustus's side now. The wounded man had been sweating profusely all day, drifting in and out of consciousness. Olaf hated this feeling of helplessness. Only the fact that the others in the wagon felt the same way helped assuage Olaf's feeling of guilt for letting Augustus leave Denmark.

Zeg smiled his reassuring grin; he had Vlad and Stan each go down to the corner of the street as a watch. He knew the Blackhawks would remain unobtrusive as they kept watch. Zeg and Andre now sat in the wagon's front seat. Zeg knew that Dane could not speak French. Baker was snoring loudly. Olaf was a Blackhawk and could speak French so Zeg decided he could speak freely to Andre in French. "That leg doesn't look good to me mon ami. I've seen too many wounds like it during this war."

"Oui" said Andre. "I think the leg is beyond help, but we can save him with anti-biotic medicine."

Olaf swallowed hard at that piece of news. He looked down at Augustus and said a silent prayer.

Blackhawk and Hendrickson came out of the Rabbi's house. Blackhawk had his men go in the building while Hendrickson took off with the wagon. Once they were all in Blackhawk told them his plan. They were staying in town until Augustus was well enough to travel but they couldn't all stay together. Rabbi Rubinowitz was leaving to gather members of his temple to take them in. He and Augustus were going to stay at the Synagogue. "I have no authority over you or Baker, Andre," Blackhawk added, "You can stay or continue on to Amsterdam on your own, but I won't leave a man behind."

Andre said he would stay without a moment's hesitation saying "My orders are to bring you back to London. How can I do that if I leave you behind?"

"I've got the same conundrum mate, so I'll be stayin' too" said Baker.

Blackhawk turned to the rabbi. He was happy to have the two soldiers with him but sorry to further inconvenience this Man of God.

For the next three and half weeks they waited for Augustus to get better. Slowly he did, the old doctor even saved his leg before pronouncing him fit to travel by wagon. The soldiers had followed Blackhawk's orders and stayed indoors with the families who had taken them in. the rabbi and Hendrickson had become their eyes and ears. Hendrickson stayed with some townspeople and frequented the the local pub there he heard that the police were looking for downed allied airmen. The local populace weren't willing to help the authorities for the most part but there were a few with Nazi sympathies.

On the last night before they were to leave one of them tried to start a fight with Hendrickson and the people he was with. Hendrickson knew that any fight would draw attention to him and the men he was trying to get to Belgium so he tried to leave. As he walked away the big bruiser of a man grabbed Hendrickson's shoulder and turned him around. The big man's fist was coming directly towards the older man's face. Hendrickson dodged it by going to his left. He then gave the man a quick, short jab to the throat that caused the big man to gag. The big Nazi grabbed his throat as he gasped for air. Hendrickson boxed his ears and the big man fell to the ground. Hendrickson looked to see if there were any others who wanted to accost him or his friends; but he had cowed the local brown shirts for now.

This did cause a slight change of plans the next day when they left. Hendrickson headed in the direction of his farm with Augustus sitting on the wagon's bench next to him. The rest of the men headed toward Amsterdam separately. They would all meet farther down the road to Amsterdam at a specific rendezvous point that Blackhawk had picked out earlier.

One by one they trickled in to the place where Blackhawk told them to meet. Olaf and Asger were the last to arrive. Asger wasn't a soldier and Olaf purposefully caught up with him on the road. Asger also didn't speak any language other than his native tongue so he could have had great difficulties if he was stopped. Blackhawk silently nodded his accent when the two arrived together. Hendrickson and Augustus were the last to arrive.

Blackhawk gave his team a few minutes to talk about the past few weeks when they hadn't seen each other. It was then Blackhawk heard a terrible sound he had heard too, too many times. The other Poles had also heard it. Together they went to look into the sky. Olaf and the Danes had heard it once before as well. Andre and Baker exchanged because they also had heard the sound of a German air armada on its way to bomb some poor target. Hendrickson had never heard the sound before but he instinctively knew what it was. They looked in the sky and saw the multitude of planes that darkened the sky. The invasion of Holland and Belgium had begun.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 64

Blackhawk looked to the sky at the German air armada of bombers headed off on some mission. They ignored the lonely wagon on the ground below them. Blackhawk's blood grew hot as he realized that Von Tepp must be among those planes. He caught himself and walked away from his men in order to calm down and come up with a plan to hurt the inevitable blitzkrieg forces that were even now advancing on Holland.

Zeg told the other Blackhawks to put on their uniforms. He looked at Olaf, who did not yet have a Blackhawk uniform and said "Stan, give Olaf your hat so he can have something that tells the world he's a Blackhawk."

Stan laughed and handed Olaf his dirty sweat stained cap "Zeg never wears his, but his head is too small and his cap would never fit you."

Andre watch the Blackhawk changed their clothes and ordered Baker to do the same as he did likewise. Hendrickson and the two Danish ground crew men sat by the wagon, though Hendrickson lit his pipe and contemplated the new situation.

Blackhawk came back to the others and addressed Andre. "Captain Blanc-Dumont, I have a difficult assignment for you and Baker." Andre looked Blackhawk straight in the eyes and asked what it was that they could do for him.

"I need you to continue on with the wagon until you meet up with Dutch and or Allied forces" said Blackhawk and he knelt down and drew a map on the ground. He had studied the local maps while they waited for Augustus to recover and was now putting the knowledge to good use. "We will meet you here, if we can in twenty four hours, if not, here in forty-eight or here in seventy-two.

"You're right I do not like this assignment" said the Frenchman.

Blackhawk smiled that the French officer. "You have to do this Andre; you're a French officer and now an ally of the Dutch. "We'll come back with fresh intelligence as to what the Germans are doing for the Allies. It's the kind of commando work we do on the ground."

"I am still under orders to bring you to London" protested Andre.

"Make arrangements for that as well Andre. Please get my wounded man and his fellow mechanic to the safety of Allied lines" said Blackhawk.

"Most officers I know would leave them with Hendrickson, Blackhawk" said Andre.

Blackhawk nodded "But that's because their men are already in the same armed services of the officer. These men and others have volunteered to follow me Andre. I have ten Polish mechanics waiting for us in London and several American ones as well building a base on a special island in the North Atlantic. The Blackhawks are not an ordinary military unit."

It was now Andre's turn to nod. He turned and relayed Blackhawk's order to Baker, who cursed about missing out on the action. The Blackhawks were now ready to leave. Hendrickson jumped off his wagon and said "Wait, I'm coming with you."

"Sorry Hendrickson but we're going into war. I don't think you're in good enough shape for several days marching. Nor are your reflexes good enough for a fight" explained Blackhawk.

"No?" questioned an obviously upset Hendrickson.

"No" said Blackhawk in an adamant voice that said the conversation was over.

Hendrickson yelled "Blackhawk!" But Blackhawk and the others were already leaving the wagon. Hendrickson ran to his wagon and grabbed one of his rifles. He then went running after the Blackhawks, Once he passed then he stopped in front of them "I am not done wit this conversation Blackhawk. I will prove dot I am fit to go on your mission. See dot tree over there?" Hendrickson pointed to a lone tree over two hundred and fifty yards away

"Yes" said Blackhawk.

"Goot, see the lower limb on the right, how it goes off towards the ground?" queried Hendrickson.

Blackhawk nodded.

Hendrickson quickly turn to the right, brought his rifle up to his shoulder and fired in one smooth motion. The limb fell to the ground.

The Blackhawks looked at the old Dutchman with profound respect because only Blackhawk could have possible made that shot. Blackhawk smiled and said "Zeg, give Hendrickson your hat."

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 65

Captain Andre Blanc-Dumont was standing in an apple orchid. He realized just how true the last thing that Blackhawk had said was. Andre and Baker had to find the Dutch military and wait while the Blackhawks found and delayed the Germans. That was three days ago. He had found the Dutch Army as they were trying to assemble enough force to defend their small country. It was a futile effort without help from France and Great Britain. Unfortunately the Nazis had also attacked Belgium at the same time and the Belgians were getting priority aid from the Allies.

He reflected back on the last three days as he pared and ate an apple. He had sent Augustus and Asger with Baker once they met up with the Dutch Army after he made arrangements for their safe pick flight to Great Britain. He was surprised to find Baker beck in camp the morning. Baker told Andre that he made sure that the two Danes were safely on their way in a French bomber that had landed for them. He said he came back because his orders were the same as Andre's: bring the Blackhawks to London. "Sides" said the Englishman. "I wan' to know 'ow they did."

Andre shook his head that the Britisher. He spoke the English language much better that Baker ever had. He exhaled deeply and continued to eat silently until Baker came running up to his yelling "There's a Heinie Armored car comin' this way an' wavin' a white flag. The Dutch colonel wants you cap'n."

Andre threw away his half eaten apple as he followed Baker back to where the Dutch Colonel van den Broeder had made his headquarters. He was a tall older man with premature white hair and a slight paunch. He had spent most of his career in the Dutch East Indies putting down various native uprisings. He was hoping to spend is last years in active quietly but the Germans had other ideas. He realistically appraised the situation. All the Dutch could do is fight a holding action until eventually being swamped by the German war machine. Their holding action would last longer if the Dutch knew exactly where the Germans were coming.

Andre and baker came up beside the colonel who was holding a pair of field glasses. He handed the binoculars to Andre and asked if the men riding the armored car were the Blackhawks. Andre happily told him they were.

The Blackhawks were dirty and hungry, but no one was hurt. Blackhawk went right to the colonel's tent and gave the man a complete report complete with German maps and battle plans. The old colonel was happily surprised at the amount of information the Blackhawks had given him. Turning to Andre he said "This will give us another forty-eight hours at least. Now we are certain to get the Queen to safety."

Blackhawk gave Andre a hard look before the Frenchman said "The Dutch cannot hold the Germans back mon ami. Not even with all this information" explained the French Captain.

Blackhawk nodded grimly before asking about Asger and Augustus. He smiled when Andre told him that both were safe in England. "We need to go too Blackhawk" said Andre.

Blackhawk wanted to protest. He wanted to stay and fight but he knew that Andre was speaking the truth. The old colonel reinforced it when he said "You have done all you can here lad. Go to England now. Come back and fight another day with your planes. You and your men are an inspiration to us all lad. We need you. Don't waste your life on a fight that is already lost."

"The war not over" said Blackhawk.

"No" said the colonel "but the Germans have won round one. You'll help make certain they don't win anymore from in England."

Blackhawk saluted the colonel and left his tent with Andre, "I take it you have arranged transportation to England?" said the dark haired Pole.

"Of course' said Andre. Fourteen hours later the Blackhawks arrived in England. They were taken to a Royal Air Force base out side of London. Once there they received there first hot shower and hot meal since the threes in Holland while they waited for Augustus to heal.

The Head of the RAF ordered to see Blackhawk him once they had enough sleep. Blackhawk refused the order but told the soldier who had relayed the message that he would come if the general requested his presence.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 66

Twenty minutes later there was another knock on the door of the barracks the Blackhawks were using. Zeg opened the door and gave out a long sharp whistle like the one he saw in American movies. Flight Sergeant Baker was standing in the doorway wearing his full dress Royal Air Force uniform. The older Englishman cut quite a figure in his freshly starched and pressed uniform, but impressed Zeg the most was the Victoria Cross that he wore along with several more medals for bravery.

The older man had a twinkle in his eye as he said loudly; loudly enough to be heard on most of the parade ground behind him said "General Arnold requests that the leader of the Blackhawks meet him in his office."

Blackhawk smiled at Baker and then at his men "I'll be awhile. Zeg, be prepared to leave as soon as I get back."

Zeg nodded. Blackhawk knew that Zeg would have the men ready to go even if this meeting didn't happen the way Blackhawk wanted it to go. Either way they were leaving.

Baker seemed to sense the tension in the Blackhawk's commander. "Don't worry sir, Busy as is own orders. Things will turn out a okay" said Baker.

"Busy?" inquired Blackhawk as they walked to his office.

"Aye that was what is nickname was back in the Great War. We were in the same squadron 'explained Baker.

The general's office was in a large underground bunker. There were several out offices bustling with British airman and officers. General Arnold's office was the last one. His sergeant major dismissed Baker and told Blackhawk to have a seat. Blackhawk remained standing. The sergeant major then knocked on the general's door and said something Blackhawk couldn't hear. The Sergeant opened the door and Blackhawk entered.

The room was fairly dark as a desk lamp was the only illumination. The was a strong smell of acrid smell of tobacco smoke as General Arnold's desk had an ashtray overflowing with cigarette butts. The general was sitting at his large desk with stacks of papers on each side. Blackhawk saw three other men in the room. One was sitting to the right of the desk; he wore a tweed suit and was smoking a cigarette through one of those cigarette holders he'd seen President Roosevelt use in the newsreels. Another man was on the left side he was hold his hat in his lap; he had the look of a tired old man. There was a fourth man standing behind the general. Blackhawk couldn't make out his features or any thing other than the man was definitely stout and seemed to be smoking a cigar.

The general didn't rise or even look up at Blackhawk as he said "Well now Major Proska..."

"The name is Blackhawk" Blackhawk said as he cut the general off.

The general did look up at that interruption before saying "very well, Blackhawk We in the RAF would like to assign you to a base south of London and use you accordingly.

"No" said Blackhawk. "We have a base under construction even as we speak and it is outside British jurisdiction."

"The man to the right of the general's desk then spoke with a heavy French accent. "I suppose you have planes?'

"We do" Confirmed Blackhawk.

The man to the left then spoke to Blackhawk in Polish "American made Gruman F5F-1 Skyrocket, modified by Cunningham Industries. That is what you're planning on flying correct?

"I don't know the particular model. I've been busy and left that to others, but yes they are American made and modified by Cunningham Industries" explained Blackhawk. "Who are you?"

"Colonel Casmir Wolinski of the Polish Government-in-Exile army; he is an intelligence officer" said the unmistakable voice of the new British prime minister. The man on your right is the French Ambassador to Great Britain and I sir, am Winston Churchill" said the cigar smoking man as stepped into the light.

Blackhawk nodded to those assembled "With all due respect to you all sir, my plans haven't changed."

"I wouldn't think so" said Churchill. "Your letter to His Majesty's Government laid out these plans. Colonel Wolinski fleshed them out a bit more for us. You plan on using an international team of pilots who can also act as commandoes to harass and attack the Nazis wherever and when ever you can. If we or the French need you for a specific mission we will be able to radio you, correct?"

"Yes sir" said Blackhawk.

"Jolly good, the French government and His Majesty's both agree that we should have representatives as members of your team" said Churchill.

"Blackhawk smiled as he took an instant liking to the prime minister. "Excellent I have two men in mind: Captain Andre Blanc-Dumont and Flight Sergeant Baker."

Churchill turned to the French ambassador who nodded in agreement , but said "You do realize that Captain Blanc-Dumont has never seen combat before except with you?"

"Yes," said Blackhawk.

"Sir, I must protest" said General Arnold as he stood up "Baker's only a flight sergeant, not an officer. Besides, he's an old man."

Churchill nodded in agreement as he said "yes, but he also holds the VC and was an ace in the last war."

"Mr. Prime Minister please; Bunny's the last of my old squadron mates that is still alive. He can't keep up with today's fighters. That why I have him flying transports. " pleaded the general.

Blackhawk understood General Arnold's concern but Baker was too good of a pilot to be wasted on transports. "General he was the pilot of an unarmed De Havilland transport, the one that we took from Denmark. We were attacked by a German fight on the way. Major Wheeler -Nickonson died on the first pass. Baker dodged weaved until he eventually caused a German Messerschmitt to go down into the channel General Arnold. Flight Sergeant Baker wants and deserves to fight the Germans."

The general sat beck down with a defeated look about him. Churchill on the other hand looked immensely pleased. "So are you going to your mysterious new base today?'"

"No" said were going to Manchester and meet our ride. Don't try and follow us gentlemen' said Blackhawk as he left.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 67

The Blackhawks left as soon as Andre and Baker Arrived at their barracks at the airbase. The two changed into civilian clothes like the rest of the Blackhawks. The British airmen tried to follow the Blackhawks as they left the base but were unsuccessful. MI6 had tried to find them ever since without success either; the Blackhawks were like the wind. As Winston Churchill read the reports from the government agencies looking for the Knights of the Air he was heartened that the Blackhawks were on his side even as he wondered where they were.

The Blackhawks were now in Liverpool. They were all gathered in a pub except for Baker and Hendrickson. Baker said he had to visit someone. Surprisingly Blackhawk did not object, he only asked that Hendrickson accompany him. He gave Hendrickson a mission that the two of them were to accomplish while Baker finished his errand.

The pub was dark and dingy place filled with cigar and cigarette smoke. It smelled of the smoke and stale ale, and urine. The pub had mostly men, dockworkers as customers, but there were a few unsavory women there as well; including the waitress. She tried to flirt with the Blackhawks but only Andre and Zeg flirted back and harsh look from Blackhawk stopped them from continuing. She shrugged her shoulders and went on to the other patrons.

Half an hour later an attractive brunette came in wearing work over alls. It was an unsuccessful attempt to hide her beauty. She looked around the pub and then went directly to the Blackhawks. "Hello Janos," she said as she sat down. The then nodded at Stan, Vlad and Zeg.

"Hello Natalie" said Blackhawk "You know Zeg, Stan, and Vlad but let me introduce Olaf and Andre. Boys this is Natalie Reed"

"I thought there were eight of you" said Natalie.

"There are, the other two are back in Manchester being conspicuous while we take care of things here. we'll have to pick them up tomorrow in Manchester. I'll arrange with the British authorities from our island."

"Do you want an update on what we've done? asked Natalie.

"Tell me when we're alone. But how is your husband Joe. Is still with the Marines in China?" asked Blackhawk.

"Yes and no" she responded, "Joe's a lifer in the Marines but they transferred him to Honolulu Hawaii and I'll be joining him as soon as I get you on you island" she said.

"You're quitting Cunningham Industries?

"Yea, Joe and I wan to have a family Janos."

"Okay then, finish up your drinks men."

Natalie led the Blackhawks to a small fishing boat. Two men were already on board and Natalie introduced them as Captain Rodgers and his son Johnny. She said they had sailed these waters for years but they had never come across the Blackhawk's island ever before. In fact she said no one could find it unless they were looking for it, otherwise it disappeared.

Blackhawk suspected that it was part of an ancient spell that the Medieval Sorcerer Malagigi had placed on it. Blackhawk hoped that he also had the foresight to make the island undetectable to the future foes of the Blackhawks when they came looking for them.

Meantime in Manchester Hendrickson and Baker visited Baker's wife's grave before going to his daughter's house. They slept there over night. In the morning Baker told his family that he was no longer in the RAF, that he was a Blackhawk and that they may not hear from him as regularly as they were use to. He said goodbye to his daughter and his grand children; his son-in-law was with the BEF in France.

He was smiling when he left and saw the British agents at her door step. Baker turned to Hendrickson and said "I think we've done what we were supposed to do."

"Ya" said Hendrickson. "Now do we want to lose them or wait until they do something stupid like arrest us?"

In a loud voice, loud enough so the MI6 agents could hear him Baker said "Let's go to the air port mate."

Late in the evening that day two Blackhawk fighters landed at Manchester airport .Andre and Vlad landed and exited their cockpits. British military personnel came over to them as soon as they got out. The major in charge asked if there was anything they could do for the Blackhawks. Andre smiled and asked were Baker and Hendrickson were.

They were napping in an outer office of the airport's administrator. They continued the pretense of being asleep all during the commotion of the Blackhawks arrival. They jumped to their feet when Andre and Vlad opened the door. "Let's go to our new home mes amis' said Andre. The Blackhawks soon took off to the newly named Blackhawk Island.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 68

Natalie Reed and the Blackhawks arrived at the soon to be christened Blackhawk Island early the next morning. The first thing Blackhawk did was radio the British authorities and made arrangements for his two wayward Blackhawks to be brought to there new home. He did this while the Blackhawks were given a tour led by the Grover Baines, one of the other mechanics from Cunningham Industries who helped the Polish aviators on their trip around the world in 1936.

Natalie stayed in the radio shack with Blackhawk. She didn't care for the undue attention she received on the island. There were no females among the mechanics and construction crew. She and Grover designed the Blackhawk's Base along the description Janos had sent his mother, but Natalie wisely let Grover work with the men.

Grover showed the team their new planes and the plane's expansive hangars. He explained that each aircraft would have three mechanics assigned to it. The Blackhawks were cheerfully greeted by those mechanics. The Poles were exceedingly glad to see their countrymen, the ones Blackhawk had sent away to England after Poland surrendered. Olaf and the other Blackhawks were gratified to see Augustus and Asger. They all spent some time getting reacquainted before Blackhawk arrived.

Natalie still preferred to remain in the communication shed but Blackhawk wanted to see what she and Grover had done. The hangars were impressive, the best he had ever seen. They were reinforced with cement and steel and built underground so they couldn't be seen from the air. He doubted any enemy could find the island during the war, but he was concerned about afterwards. Something told him that the Blackhawks would still be needed even after the Nazis were defeated.

After greeting everyone he took the time to speak individually with everyone there, some of whom he did not know. Grover then took the Blackhawks back to the dock where the fishing boat had brought them to the island. He showed them another hangar filled with seaplanes as per Blackhawk's order. Grover said that these beauties had more range that the Blackhawk's new planes but could only land at sea. The hangar also contained a small submersible.

"Cunningham Industries tried to sell this baby to the US Navy but they didn't want a boat that could only contain ten men" explained Grover, "so we thought you might need it sometime."

"We're not sailors" said Vlad.

"We'll learn" said a grateful Blackhawk.

Next they went to the mechanic's quarters and then their own. The Blackhawks were pleased to see that theirs were as sparse as the mechanics. Single beds with a foot locker at the end, a radio that received the BBC and other stations were all that was in the room besides a calendar on the wall.

The base had a mess hall as some of the mechanics doubled as cooks so the Blackhawks cuisine had a truly international flair. Grover explained that he had an addition thirty workmen on the island when they built the base but almost all of them were gone now.

"The Rodger's fishing boat will bring you fresh supplies when we can't bring you anything from the States Blackhawk. We're going to eventually be in this war and I don't think the British or the US Governments will let us continue flying to a destination unknown to them" said Grover.

Blackhawk nodded and said "you and Natalie have done a great job here Grover."

"Thanks Janos" said Grover. I'd like to introduce you to the man who's going to be running the ground component of your air base..."

"I thought you were; or at least you would accept my invitation to become a Blackhawk" said Blackhawk.

"No" said Grover Baines as he shook his bald head. "America is eventually going to get in this war Blackhawk. My hope is to then prove to America that Negroes are every bit as good as Whites." He held up his hands and added. "I know that as a Blackhawk I'd receive all kinds of notoriety but I need to do this as an American airman and not as part of an international team."

"You really think the Army is going to let Negros fly?" inquired Blackhawk.

"They will, they'll have to before this war is over. I know it in my heart Janos" said an earnest Grover Baines.

"So who have you and Natalie chosen to be our chief resident mechanic?" asked Blackhawk.

"Paco Herrera from Spain, he's been fighting the fascists since the Spanish Civil War. He was keeping the small Spanish Republican Air Force in the skies while you we busy flying around the world" said Grover.

Blackhawk grew concerned at that statement. "Grover I don't want any communists here."

"I know, I know, but remember Blackhawk a lot of men who fought for the Republicans were as democratic as you" said Grover.

"I'm not interested in other men, I want to know what his allegiances are" said Grover.

"My allegiances are to whoever fights the fascists Blackhawk" said a small man. He had joined after their meeting in hangar and followed them during their tour. He had not been in the hangar when the Blackhawks were there as he was checking the transport plane that was going to take Grover and Natalie back to America. "I will fight them wherever and however I can. I am not a pilot and I am a poor soldier, but I know planes and I can keep them in the best running condition you have ever seen.'

The Blackhawks all looked to Grover who nodded yes.

"Alright, I guess that's settled then' said Blackhawk. He then surveyed his men and said "I think its time we took our planes out for a test run." The Blackhawk cheered before running to their new aircraft. None of them had been assigned yet and Blackhawk decided not to do so. Time enough to put the crew, the pilot and plane together; once that was done Blackhawk knew his force would be as mighty as anything the German Third Reich could possibly have.

The Blackhawks flew for two hours until Blackhawk said "okay boys time to head in. Andre, you and Vlad should go to Manchester and pick up Baker and Hendrickson now. That way you'll be back in time so they don't miss dinner." All the Blackhawks laughed at their leader's joke because Hendrickson's love of food was already well known amongst the group.

The Blackhawks landed to see Natalie, Grover and the last of the construction workers boarding a Cunningham Industries Commercial Transport Plane. Natalie and Grover waited outside until the Blackhawks came to a stop. The Knight of the Air came over and wished them well on their flight back to the states. Grover shook hands with them all and got on board.

Natalie had tears in her eyes as she gave Blackhawk a hug and kissed him on the cheek. "Goodbye Janos" she said before turning to board the craft leaving a stunned and perplexed Blackhawk.

Zeg smiled and whispered to Stan saying "Janos may be the greatest pilot and fighter I have ever seen but he is totally clueless when it comes to women." Stan smiled back and nodded in solemn agreement.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 69

For the next fifteen months the Blackhawks fought valiantly against the Nazi onslaught. They never wearied, even when France fell, or when Yugoslavia and Greece were crushed under the heel of the German aggressors. The German now had an ally in Italy and much of the war was centered in the Mediterranean. Though the Allies were losing the war the Blackhawks never lost a battle or a single member of their vaunted team to injury or death.

The Blackhawks had undertaken all kinds of missions. Some were under the auspicious of the Allies, primarily British Prime Minister Churchill, but many were taken independently. The Blackhawk terrorized the German soldier, Especially SS troops, and the Luftwaffe as much as the Germans did the civilian populations of the conquered territories.

Every where the Blackhawks struck they asked one question of any surviving Germans. In fact they always made certain that there were some German officers alive so that Blackhawk could ask "Where is the Butcher, Where is von Tepp?"

But the Butcher always remained out of Blackhawk's grasp. Then in June 1941 the German began Operation Barbarossa: the Invasion of the Soviet Union. The Russian's were pushed back hundreds of miles and Blackhawk knew in is soul that the Butcher was now out of reach. He still asked the question but in his heart he knew the answer: the Germans in the West and Mediterranean did not know.

In early August he received a special communication from the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The Blackhawks took off form their island base and landed at secret air base in Great Briton. The Blackhawks lolled around while their leader met with the Prime Minister.

Blackhawk entered the underground office where Churchill often conducted the war. British General "Busy" Arnold was there, as was General Alexander. He inhaled sharply as he saw Wladyslaw Sikorski, the Prime Minister of the Polish Government-in-Exile standing with Churchill and another man dressed in civilian clothing. Blackhawk's eyes turned to a sharp glare when he recognized that the man was the Soviet Ambassador to Great Briton.

"Welcome Blackhawk" said Churchill, "would you like a drink" asked even though he knew Blackhawk would decline the offer. One couldn't curry favor with a man like Blackhawk. He was soldier, but an independent one. That was why Churchill brought Sikorski in on this delicate matter concerning the Blackhawks and the Soviets. He looked at the former Polish general.

Sikorski spoke in Polish to Blackhawk. Both could speak English, but evidently Sikorski wanted to convey something to Blackhawk privately before speaking in front of the others. "I know you do not considerer yourself a member of my government's armed forces and you are an independent leader of an international team of flying commandos. I also know despise the Russians as much as I do but there is something in what they are about to offer you Blackhawk. I must as ask you to accept the Russians offer because as the Prime Minister of Poland I am in the unfortunate situation of trying to protect my country from both the Russians as well as the Germans. But as a Pole I will not make any requests on you in this or any other matter concerning the Russian proposal."

Blackhawk cocked his head and then looked at the Russian before saying "What is your proposal Ambassador?"

Churchill spoke up first "Hold on one moment if you please. Blackhawk I am aware of your search for Baron von Tepp. He's on the Eastern Front and the Soviets know where he is. They won't tell you unless you agree to accept a member of their air force into membership of the Blackhawks."

The ambassador spoke now "He is Captain Boris Ziniviev, I assure you that he was stationed in Siberia until the Germans attacked us."

"Was he part of your war with the Finns?" asked Blackhawk staring into the man's eyes. The ambassador didn't answer. He tried to keep his gaze level with Blackhawk's but found he could not.

Blackhawk looked at the others in the room and incredulously said "you want me to take on a man from an aggressor nation? A man who helped invade a smaller country like the Germans have been doing for the last two years?"

"Yes" said Churchill "Its good politics and propaganda and this way you get your revenge on the Butcher."

Blackhawk stared angrily at all of these men. They had found his Achilles heel and exploited it. Still this was one decision he could not make alone. He had to consult his men. "I need to talk this over with my men gentlemen." The word gentlemen sounded like an insult when he said it.

He was in a slow boil when he left the office. He took his time as he walked down the corridors where his men were waiting for him. He took he time to soothe his anger and decide that the accepting of the Russian officer would have to be unanimous.

He entered the room where his men were gathered. Andre was strumming the guitar as the Blackhawks had joined him in a rousing chorus of their theme song; a song that struck terror into any German or Italian soldier who heard it. They didn't stop when Blackhawk entered, they continued until it was done. Then they stood and awaited their orders.

Blackhawk didn't give them any orders, instead he explained the situation. He added that adding Boris had to be unanimous. One no vote and he would not accept the Russian's offer no matter how much he burned to have revenge on von Tepp.

All of the Blackhawks remained silent during Blackhawks's explanation. Andre was the first to speak. "You, Zeg Stan and Vlad have all told us what the Russians did to your homeland Blackhawk. Therefore it is not my place to vote. I abstain."

Baker folded his arms and said "I agree. It you mates decision not mine. I abstain."

Hendrickson nodded in agreement with the other two. Olaf said "You now have four abstentions.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 70

The polish Blackhawks looked at their comrades and then Blackhawk before looking at each other. The other Blackhawks including Blackhawk kept quiet, their faces impassive. Zeg remembered how good they all were at poker and sighed. He started pacing the small room. Stan went and sat at the table in the center of the room deep in thought. Vlad had turned and stood looking away from the others so they could not see the tears running down his cheeks.

The only sounds were Zeg's steps and the men's breaths. It was an incredibly weighty decision. And the Poles found the offer insulting as well given all that the Blackhawks had done for the Allies, especially the British.

Stan had his hands cupped in front of his face. He strived to see another way to get the Butcher. He tried to see another way of fighting on the Eastern Front with out working with the damned Soviets. He found none. He rubbed his left hand of his crew cut head and said "There is no other way. Right no we're only minor pains to the Germans. But we can hurt them in Russia. "I don't like it but we don't have any other choice."

Zeg continued to pace and Vlad continued to face the wall instead of the others. The silence continued to build while Zeg frowned. The man seldom frowned he was always the happiest of the Blackhawks. He always saw the bright side of every situation, even the day that Poland surrendered, or when Blackhawk declared that they had to leave Poland. He was not angry like Blackhawk, he was said.

Zeg was the son of diplomats and knew the way of the world better that any of the Blackhawks, though their leader was fast out pacing him as it was Blackhawk who talked with the leaders of nations. Zeg was fine with that, he enjoyed to role of second in command. He had heard what Stan had said and knew his friend was right.

He stopped his pacing and faced the others as he said "Stan is right. It is also the right thing to do diplomatically. The Russians may free some of the Polish soldiers it has imprisoned. And perhaps it will help save Poland from being engulfed by the Soviets after the war. Still I hate the idea but I say yes.

Vlad could feel everyone's eyes boring into his back. He knew Zeg and Stan were right. He wiped his eyes and turned to face his comrades. He smiled a said smile. "I know how much getting revenge on von Tepp means to you Major Proska. I agree with Stan and Zeg. The Blackhawks must let the Russians have their member in our team. "

Blackhawk swallowed hard when Vlad called him by his old name and rank. "Thank you Vlad. I'll tell Churchill and then call the island and have a plane ferried over.

"There is no need to ferry a plane over Blackhawk. My family was massacred by the NKVD after the Soviet invasion of Poland. I'm afraid I have to resign" said Vlad.

All the Blackhawks looked at one another and they started to object when their youngest member raised his hand. "Accepting the Russian into the Blackhawks is the right thing to do. I just can't fly with him. Please convey to General Arnold that he has a new recruit for the RAF."

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 71

Captain Boris Ziniviev of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was not only an officer in the Russian Air Force. He was also a member of the Soviet Stassi - Russian commandos trained to act independently and excel in small unit tactics especially in winter. This was not the reason he was chosen by the Josef Stalin to be the Russian member of the Blackhawks; that he was also secretly a member of the NKDV, the Soviet military spy agency was.

Boris' orders were to ingratiate himself with his new teammates. To learn all he could from them do that the Soviets could incorporate their skills after the war. The Bolsheviks like Boris still intended to bring their revolution to the world. Right now they had to fight with the imperialists of the British Empire but eventually the fascist Germans would be defeated and the communist cause would be brought to the British.

Boris had been also ordered to try and turn individual members of the Blackhawks to his righteous cause. He had read the classified files the NKDV had each individual member. Blackhawk, AKA Major Janos Proska of the Polish Air Force and Chicago University student Bart Hawk was a hopeless cause. He was a descendent of the minor polish nobility on his father's and a corrupt capitalist on his mother's. He and fellow Polish Blackhawks had also been declared enemies of the Soviet Union back in 1939, but that order was temporarily rescinded until after the war Boris was told.

Boris knew the Polish Blackhawks would not and could not understand why the Russian NKDV had eliminated the Polish military and civilian government officials as well as the intelligentsia and therefore thought they would also be a lost cause. Stan and Zeg were both member of the minor nobility Polish nobility and Vlad was a full fledged baron; Zeg was the son of Polish diplomats and Stan was a master mathematician and this made them all lost causes.

Baker was an old man and a long time soldier in the corrupt British Colonial Empire. He had even had tours in India and other parts of the Empire where the decay of British rule was rife but he was a loyal soldier. This made him unfit.

Hendrickson had fought for the Germans in the last war and was Jewish. He also was small time capitalist given his small farm and gun shop. Neither one of these things would have disqualified him for persuasion as far as his superiors were concerned but all three made him unacceptable.

Andre was a possibility as he was French. The French government had been unstable for many years and many members of her military were closeted communists. There were no files stating that Andre had communist sympathies; but there were also non that said he did not.

Olaf was considered Boris' best prospect. He had been a circus acrobat before joining the Danish Air Force. As such he had to have seen the economic injustice that the prewar Europe's people had been subjected to and would therefore hopefully listen to Boris and join the ranks of the Communist Party.

Boris played these thought over his mind as he waited for Blackhawk's answer. He had thought them through during his entire journey. But now after his meeting with Blackhawk he was worried that the Blackhawks would reject his membership. He did not look forward to returning to Russia with a failed mission. He could be summarily executed by Stalin if the rejection displeased the Russian leader too greatly. Fortunately for Boris Blackhawk returned and agreed to let Boris join the Blackhawks in exchange for information to where Baron von Tepp was.

They left the British and Polish Government-in-Exile Prime Ministers and Soviet Ambassador together. Blackhawk told Boris that they would leave immediately for Blackhawk Island. As they walked together to the others Blackhawk said something that would stay with Boris for the rest of his life; "I want you to know that I consider that there are three truly great evils confronting the world today. The first and foremost is Nazism and fascism, followed closely by communism because the ones in power kill innocents who stand in their way and oppress the people while they live the good life. Lastly I despise the colonial imperialists who oppress others because of the color of their skin or their belief system. As a Pole I have found myself a victim of that by the Germans, Russians, and the old Hapsburg Empire, each of which tried to eliminate the Polish language and culture. I am also I quarter American Indian and the whites if the United States tried to do the same thing to my grandmother's people. I'll work with you until the Nazi's are defeated Boris, but not one minute afterwards."

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 72

Boris was surprised to find out that Vlad had left the team and he therefore received a chilly reception among his new teammates. It would take quite sometime, if ever, for it to thaw out. But he was a righteous Bolshevik and would muddle through. His arrival on Blackhawk Island insured that the coordinates would be known to the Russian authorities after the war because these he gave to his superiors as soon as he could.

He spent the next week training with Blackhawks. Each one complimented him on his skills but they gave him the cold shoulder during their relaxation time. Even the ground crew showed a distain for the Russian that would last until several combat missions. It was the first one that was the most important one. The one were Blackhawk finally had his revenge on the Butcher.

The Blackhawks flew from Blackhawk Island to Southern England. From there they conducted a series of missions in Occupied France, afterwards they landed in Malta. They then helped the British fighting in the Sahara before landing in Egypt. The Blackhawk then flew to East Africa and again helped the British – this time defeating the Italians there. From the Horn of Africa the Blackhawks flew to India and from India to the Russian Crimea. The Russian front was quickly changing and the Soviets ceded ground before the ever advancing Germans. Sevastopol was bypassed by the German army and the armed fortress on the Black Sea is where the Blackhawks finally landed.

They were informed that the Butcher Squadron was operating in the southern part of the front and Blackhawk quickly devised a plan to destroy Baron von Tepp and his Butcher Squadron. He based his plan on the modus operandi of the von Tepp. The Blackhawks search for the Butcher Squadron in a wide search area. Von Tepp liked to destroy villages where there had once been military encampments. He would have his men murder the families of the military personnel left behind in the belief that it brought the Russians so much grief that they would fall into despair. It also made the Soviet soldier refuse to leave his loved ones and therefore many troops that cold have escaped the German blitzkrieg were vanquished under the Nazi heel of destruction.

The village's name was Tonersk. Von Tepp's men had rounded up the people and most were going to be slaughtered later in the day but two were ordered to be slain immediately. The town's commissar and his young wife were lined up against a wall when von Tepp and his men heard a song-the song of the Blackhawks echoing through the streets.

The Butcher immediately ordered his men to get back to their planes but machinegun fire stopped his men in their tracks as Blackhawk yelled out "I have each and every one of your men sighted von Tepp. They're dead men if they take another step."

The Butcher Squadron looked to the commander who reordered them to move. They hesitated, but three of them took one step only to be cut down with a single shot. "Throw down your weapons" ordered Blackhawk.

Once the Germans did so he had Zeg take the Nazis to the improvised stockade where the German had placed the villagers. All of the other Blackhawks except Stan gathered the German weapons. The Blackhawks gave the weapons to the Russians and told them they could do what they liked to the Butcher Squadron after they left.

Stan and Blackhawk brought the Butcher to his plane. Blackhawk told von Tepp that he was going to give him a chance, a chance he didn't give his brother or any number of countless villages. The Butcher could attempt to fly away or engage Blackhawk in aerial combat; either way Blackhawk said he was "Going to kill von Tepp."

Blackhawk gave von Tepp a head start. As the leader of the Dark Knights started to enter his cockpit Stan grabbed Blackhawk's arm. "You are too angry Janos. Calm yourself down before going after the Butcher" advised Stan.

"We all can't be coldly logical like you my friend" replied Blackhawk.

"No, but in this case you have to be unless you want Jack and Connie to go unavenged. You are sure to make mistakes in your anger and von Tepp is too good a pilot. He will make one of your mistakes a fatal one." said Stan. Blackhawk inhaled deeply as he saw the logic in Stan suggestion.

He smiled and climbed aboard his fighter. The Butcher had climbed high into the sky. At first he thought of running away, his honor and squadron had to be avenged. He came back to kill Blackhawk. He saw the fighter climbing and smiled because he had the obvious advantage in height. Blackhawk was as good as dead. He started firing as soon as he could.

Blackhawk saw the same thing and started firing his guns as well. His Grumman F5F – 1 Skyrocket was more heavily armored than most planes and the engine was more powerful as well because of special expensive adaptations he had Cunningham Industries make to his planes.

The two planes were on a direct course for one another in a vertical game of chicken. The Butcher tried to pull away at the last moment the gravitational force was too much and the planes crashed into one another. Both men were able to parachute out. Unknown to the Blackhawks von Tepp always carried a spare Lugar in his plane. He was armed when he landed.

So was Blackhawk. He spied the hated German and yelled von Tepp. The butcher turned with a pistol in hand while Blackhawk's gun was still in its holster. But Blackhawk had been taught how to quick draw and fire by Ohiysea "Pow Wow" Smith; the Butcher never stood a chance. Blackhawk kill him.

Blackhawk found that his long sought revenge left him with nothing but a bitter taste in his mouth and the knowledge that revenge is indeed hollow. His plane ruined he doubled up with Baker and they flew away.

[DocQuantum]

Epilogue

September 15 1987

Director George Stevens was busy sorting through the microfiche and old newsreels and combat diaries from the Blackhawks that James Reed the new head of Stellar Studios had given him for the last two weeks. Whatever he looked at or read debunked the unofficial biography of Blackhawk that Cherie Howard had written. Steven was now getting excited about doing a move, maybe three movies about the man known as Blackhawk.

It was early in the morning, five AM that Stanislaus Drozdowski called to tell him to get his passport and a weeks worth of clothing because they were going to Poland. At first Stevens' blood started to rise. No one ordered him around, but Drozdowski was a former Blackhawk and he hoped to meet Janos Proska through Stan.

They took a private corporate jet to New York and then to Manchester England. Once there Stan told Stevens that he had to leave but middle-aged man named Dobbins would be arriving shortly to take him the rest of the way. Stevens argued and complained but Stan just walked away.

Shortly a short man came over to him and asked him if he was George Stevens. When Stevens said he was the man said "Good, I'm Ian Dobbins, grandson of the British Blackhawk Ian Baker. I was asked to take into the city and then we'll go on to Holland if you will follow me."

Intrigued Stevens did follow. They got into a limousine that took them to an old cemetery. Inside Dobbins took Stevens to Bakers grave. He was buried next to his wife. "Me Grandfather really was too old to be fighting constantly. One night after they returned to Blackhawk Island from an especially hard mission he died in his sleep. The others were all shocked that he was gone." Stevens nodded as he noted that the man was close to seventy when he died.

"One more thing to see in the city Mr. Stevens; don't worry it's on our way –just outside of the airport" explained Dobbins.

The car stopped in front of a larger than life sized statue of Baker. He was carrying a pistol in on hand and pointing to the sky with the other. Behind him was a smaller replica of the Blackhawk's Grumman Skyrocket. Stevens stared at the statue a long time. Baker was all but forgotten in the states.

They then went to the airport. Stan was not there when they returned to the plan but another older man was. Dobbins face brightened when he saw him and shook his hands warmly. "Mr. Stevens may I introduce Major General Vladamir Pilsudski of the RAF."

"Retired" added Vlad "retired for a long time now."

Stevens swallowed "Your Vlad...Vlad from the Blackhawks."

The general smiled and said "no, I haven't been a Blackhawk for a long time. Let's go on to your second leg Mr. Stevens and I promise o answer what questions I can for that short span of time."

They landed in Amsterdam and were met by another limousine. This one drove them through the Dutch country side until it stopped at a small farm/museum. Stevens got out of the car with a quizzical look on his face. "Welcome to the Dutch Blackhawk Museum Mr. Stevens" said Vlad. "It is also Hendrickson's old farm. His daughter Elsa is waiting to meet you. I have another engagement and another car will be along shortly."

Stevens walked to museum there he met Elsa Hendrickson. She gave him a tour including showing him the grave of Hendrickson and of his two wives. They talked for some time before their car came for them.

The car took them to an airport and they landed in Krakow Poland which was crammed with throngs of people because the Polish Pope, John Paul the Second was there. Stevens was taken to a large open air mass being given in a cemetery. He looked around in total confusion. Dobbins excused himself and Elsa led him to a roped off area containing about fifty people.

Once there he saw Jim Reed. Reed introduced him to his mother Natalie. "Everyone in this roped off area has something to do with the Blackhawks George. See that tall elderly black man that's General Grover Baines, formerly of the Tuscaloosa Air Men. And over there that's Augustus."

Stevens looked around and didn't see any Blackhawks. He commented on it but Reed would only say. "Poland is a Communist country and they refused to allow Kazimierc "Zeg" Zegota-Januszajtis to be buried in his native soil that's what this mass is about."

"What about Boris?" asked Stevens

"Ask the Soviets; I don't know" replied Reed.

The Pope began the mass Reed pointed out that Dobbins was going to be allowed to assistin the service as Hendrickson's son. Elsa could not because she was a woman. Besides her half brother was a monsignor in the Catholic Church.

Zegota-Januszajtis pall bearers were members of the Polish Military. Stevens continued to wonder where the Blackhawks were. As Pope John Paul II finished the service; seven ancient Grumman F5F1 flew over the crowd. They then flew back with one plane leaving the formation signifying the loss of a comrade. Stevens now knew where the Blackhawks were.

As the Planes left towards the western sky the crowd started to sing a song in Polish. Stevens knew the words to the song in English and sang along. The song went:

"Hawkah - We're the Blackhawks,
Hawkah - We're on the wing,
Over land over sea,
We will fight to make men free
and to every nation
liberty will bring.
Hawkah - Follow The Blackhawks,
Hawkah - Shatter your chains,
Seven fearless men are we,
give us death or liberty.
We are the Blackhawks,
remember our names."

CLICK HERE to see the original music for the Blackhawk Song.

Dedicated to the Veterans