Hardy Boys Fan Fiction at the Hardy Detective Agency - Presenting "South American Search & Rescue" by CQB

Joe Hardy began to jog toward Frank, Sam and Jason when he noticed another soldier heading for the ammunitions building. He recognized Raphael Batissta and knew the young man would discover Conner inside the building.

Joe had to think fast. "Hey, Batissta!" Joe called out, "What’s going on to bring you down from your perch?"

"Quiet, Daniels!" Raphael hissed, "I spotted someone going in the ammo building. Come on; you can back me up and we’ll earn ‘brownie points’ with Santiago for bringing him down." Joe nodded and moved in behind Batissta.

As Prvt. Batissta reached for the door, Joe shot a quick look around the courtyard. Seeing no one, the younger Hardy brother raised his M-16 and brought it down on Raphael’s head. Joe winced as he watched the young man slump to the ground. He immediately checked Raphael’s vitals, making sure the private was not seriously hurt.

Conner Bailey had seen Batissta moving closer to the door. He couldn’t hide, so he planned to take the young man by surprise as soon as he walked in the room. He would have to fight barehanded, as he had left his semi-automatic with Sam.

As he mentally and physically prepared for the inevitable confrontation, Conner heard a familiar voice call out to the approaching soldier. Conner smiled as he listened to the conversation outside the door. He moved to the window just in time to see Joe Hardy deliver a blow to the back of Batissta’s head.

Conner opened the door and stepped over the young man’s still form. "We’ve got to move him before this place blows." Conner said, grabbing Batissta under the arms. Joe nodded and, tucking his weapon into his waistband, he picked up Raphael’s legs.

"Hurry, Joe," Conner grunted, moving away from the building toward the prison huts, "We’ve got less than three minutes."

* * *

Several young soldiers had peered out curiously from doors and windows to see what the commotion was at the south gate. Most stayed inside their quarters; only a few brave souls ventured outside.

Frank Hardy was beginning to get very nervous. Conner should have been back from setting the charges by now and there was still no sign of Joe. Frank’s nervousness turned to terror as he watched an adult man, obviously an officer, and two militia soldiers moving toward them from across the compound.

Lt. Azareel marched toward Hladley and the returning patrol members, the two, young privates in step behind him. They were about 12 yards from the south gate when Azareel noticed two soldiers carrying a third away from the ammunitions building. All interest in Prvt. Hladley and the patrol disappeared as he abruptly turned away from the south gate and headed for the ammo building.

Conner Bailey noticed Joe Hardy’s body stiffen and his eyes grow wide in fear. "Lt. Azareel," Joe hoarsely whispered, "We’re dead!"

Before either Joe or Conner could react, the lieutenant and the two privates were upon them.

"Prvt. Daniels?" Lt. Azareel looked intently at Joe Hardy, cocking his head slightly, "What is the meaning of this? What has happened to Batissta?"

Joe’s mind was reeling. He needed to respond quickly. "We, Corp. Sanders and I, found him outside of the ammo building. Looks like someone whacked him over the head, Sir." Joe answered, using the name for Conner that was stitched across his breast pocket. Conner kept his head turned from Azareel, but managed to give Joe an encouraging wink.

"This is true, Sanders?" Azareel asked Conner.

"Yes, Sir." Conner replied quickly and confidently, keeping his face hidden in the shadow of his cap.

"And where are you taking him?" the lieutenant asked, not yet convinced of Joe’s and Conner’s story.

Joe swallowed and continued, "Just getting him out of the way, Sir. We were then going to check the building for intruders, Sir." Azareel looked at Joe, than glanced toward the ammo building. Conner, meanwhile, looked into Joe’s eyes and silently mouthed the words, ‘Less than one minute.’

It seemed like an eternity before Azareel looked back to Joe. "Take Batissta to the infirmary. We will check the building."

Lt. Damien Azareel didn’t know if Daniels was being truthful or not, but his story would explain why Batissta was in the courtyard to begin with. Perhaps he saw someone approaching the building that Daniels or Hladley didn’t see.

He walked quietly toward the ammunitions building, the two privates close behind him. They had barely walked five feet when an explosion ripped through the air, tossing the three men like rag dolls.

Joe and Conner dove for the ground, pulling Batissta down with them. Still, they felt the intense heat blast their backs.

"You okay, kid?" Conner asked, getting to his feet quickly. Joe nodded and scrambled to his feet, also. "Let’s go!"

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Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The authors have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.