"Good morning," Warlock begins standing at the front of the hanger. "The uranium enrichment plant will be operational earlier than we thought. Raw uranium will be delivered to the plant in 10 days time. As a result, your mission has been moved up one week in order to avoid contaminating the target valley with radiation." All the aviators look at each other in disbelief and slight nerves.

"Sir, no one has successfully flown a low level course," Coyote explains.

"Nevertheless, you've been ordered to move on," Warlock continues. "Captain," he calls Maverick up to the podium.

"We have one week left to focus on Phase Two," Maverick begins solemnly. "It's the most difficult stage of the mission."

Gesturing to the screen behind him, he continues. "It's a pop up strike with a deep dive requiring nothing less than two consecutive miracles."

Looking around the room, the faces all read nerves, but not scared.

"Two pairs of F-18s will fly in a column formation. Teamwork and precise coordination of these aircraft is essential to the mission success, and your survival." The screen begins to show the path that needs to be flown.

"As you know, the plant rests between two mountains. On a final approach, you'll invert directly into a steep dive. This allows you to maintain the lowest altitude and the only possible attack angle," he continues as the screen zooms in to show the target.

"Your target is an impact point less than three meters wide. The two seat aircraft paint the target with a laser bullseye. The first pair will reach the reactor by dropping a bomb on an exposed ventilation hatch. This will create an opening for the second pair. That's miracle number one." He holds up his pointer finger.

All the pilots look at him in disbelief, not quite believing what they are hearing.

"The second team will deliver the kill shot and destroy the target. That's miracle number two. If either team misses the target," he pauses to make sure they know the severity of his next words. "The mission is a failure. Egress is a steep, high-G climb out to avoid hitting this mountain."

Doing the math in his head, Hangman chimes in. "A steep climb at that speed, you're pulling at least 8Gs."

"9 minimum," Maverick corrects him.

Rooster also points out an important point. "The stress limit of f-18s airframe is 7.5."

Needing to stress the importance of this plan, Maverick contests back, "that's the accepted limit. To survive this mission, you'll pull beyond that, even if it means bending your airframe."

Cyclone doesn't look happy at that statement. Warlock simply looks like he's accepted this fact.

"You'll be pulling so hard youll weigh close to 2000 pounds, your skull crushing your spine, your lungs imploding like an elephant sitting on your chest. Fight it with everything you have just to keep from blacking out." Maverick pauses, preparing to give out even more near impossible news.

"And this is where you'll be at your most vulnerable. This is Coffin Corner," he warns them all.

Continuing on as if he hadn't just dropped multiple figurative bombs on the group, "assuming you avoid crashing into this mountain, youll climb straight up into enemy radar while loosing all of your airspeed. Within seconds you'll be fired upon by enemy SAMS."

Gesturing to the simulation on screen, "you've all faced sustained Gs before but this, this is gonna take you and your aircraft to the breaking point."

Everyone kind of looks too stunned to react. Taking in all of this information, finally having the full mission set in front of them. It's daunting and scary. This is different from any mission they've ever done before.

Phoenix is the first to break out of her shock. "Sir, is this even achievable?"

"The answer to that question will come down to the pilot in the box," he replies.

☽☆☾ ☽☆☾ ☽☆☾

Cecelia was just enjoying the day with Cat while her brothers were exploring the area. Cat, even in her worried state, remembered to bring some bridal catalogs with her. So in order to keep Cece's mind off of the upcoming mission, she decided to start the wedding planning.

Sitting on the couch, the two women were flipping through the magazines with a few Pinterest tabs open as well. Right now, they were just trying to narrow down a color scheme, starting small and going from there.

Cece's phone rang, disrupting the peaceful atmosphere surrounding the two. Seeing that it was Bradley, she picks up immediately. "Hey babe. Aren't you in the middle of training?" She knows full well he had a busy day with no time to even think of calling her.

"I want to start with the fact that I am fine," he starts, trying not to worry her too much and failing miserably. But before she can start to ramble and ask for an explanation, he is continuing. "There was an accident during training. Phoenix and Bob were caught in a bird strike. They are being taken to the hospital now."

Cecelia lets out a breath, thankful it wasn't Bradley, but she is still worried as Natasha is a close friend and she has developed a friendship with Bob. "OK, what can I do? Can I go see them? Are they letting in anyone that is not family? Because neither of them have family anywhere close to the area right now."

Cat had quickly dropped her magazine and grabbed Cece's hand, trying to keep her calm with the limited information she was getting from only one side of the conversation. Taking a deep breath, Cecelia tries to calm herself down.

Bradley is quick to answer her questions to the best of his ability. "I'm sure you would be able to get in to see them. I don't know what the hospital's policies are, but I can't imagine them not allowing you to see them." He reassured her, taking note of her frantic voice. "Take a few breaths for me. We don't need you passing out and ending up in the hospital as well."

She laughs slightly, knowing he was right. She smiles at Cat, squeezing her hand to let her know she was ok now. "Let me change real quick and I'll head over."

"I have to stay at base, but I'll meet you over there when I can leave," Bradley assures her. A few more things are said before they hang up and Cecelia lets out a long breath.

Letting Cat know what was going on, Cecelia quickly changes into a more appropriate outfit for being seen in public. It might be California, but short shorts and a tank top in the middle of February might be pushing it a bit.

Grabbing her keys, she borrows Cat's rental car before heading to the hospital.

☽☆☾ ☽☆☾ ☽☆☾

After getting to the hospital and practically forcing her way back, Cecelia was finally sitting with Natasha. Simply seeing her looking ok, not a single scratch in sight, put Cecelia's mind at ease. Getting the account from the source herself felt even more terrifying than the moment Bradley had informed her, but she was glad Natasha wasn't sugarcoating it. After dating an aviator for over five years, not to mention preparing to marry him, Cecelia was well aware of the risks involved. That didn't make the worrying or anxiety any easier.

But one piece of information changed the atmosphere in the room very fast.

"What do you mean he's been the only person to visit?" Cecelia questions. "Bradley told me no one was allowed to leave the base before getting the all clear."

Natasha just shrugged. "I'm telling you, other than Bob who I was brought in with, he is the only one who has visited so far. Before you that is."

"I just can't believe Hangman of all people beat me here. I was racing as soon as I was off the phone with Bradley." Cecelia was still in slight disbelief before she started smirking. "So, what did he say?"

Nat gave her a look. "He was just glad nothing was wrong and that we made it out safely. Don't forget that seconds before the bird strike, his best friend was in GLOC and also almost crashed."

She considered this for a moment. "Ok, I'll give him that. Everyone went through some terrifying thoughts in those minutes. But don't think I am not informing Cat of this as soon as I get home."

Laughing and rolling her eyes, Natasha accepts her fate. "Fine. Just don't go over exaggerating. You can be very dramatic when you want to be."

Hand over her heart, Cecelia gasped like she had been struck. "Me! Dramatic?! Why would you ever think that?" Sending both women into a fit of laughter, they switched the topic.

And just like Cat had done earlier in the day, Cecelia successfully distracted Natasha by asking for help with the wedding planning.

☽☆☾ ☽☆☾ ☽☆☾

Rooster sits on a bench in the break room, a worried look on his face.

Maverick comes through the door, taking in Rooster's appearance. "They're gonna keep Phoenix and Bob for observation overnight but they're ok."

Rooster breathes out a slight sigh of relief. "That's good. I already called Cece to let her know, with how close she is with Phoenix. And I've never lost a wingman," he replies, sounding upset.

"You're lucky. Fly long enough, it'll happen," Maverick says. "There will be others."

That doesn't sit well with Rooster. "Easy for you to say. No wife, no kids, nobody to mourn you when you burn in." He knows he is hitting below the belt, especially since he is well aware of the fact that Maverick sees him as a son. But he's too angry to care.

"Go home," Maverick says, looking distraught. "Let's get some sleep. Go visit Phoenix and Bob with Cecelia. I'm sure she would be glad to see you as well after this scare."

That makes Rooster even angrier. What would Maverick know about his relationship with Cecelia? But that's not what he wants answers to right now. "Why'd you pull my papers at the Academy? Why did you stand in my way," he shouts.

Maverick faces the door, unable to look him in the eyes. "You weren't ready," he simply says.

"Ready for what," Rooster asks. "Huh? Ready to fly like you?"

"No," Maverick insists, harshly responding. "Ready to forget the book. Trust your instincts. Don't think, just do. You think up there, you're dead, believe me." Maverick knows thinking can easily mean the difference between life and death. That was not something he was willing to risk with Rooster.

Again, Rooster knows exactly where to hit when he speaks. "My dad believed in you. I won't be making the same mistake."

Mavericks face falls, the guilt he has been feeling for years coming back much stronger than it has in a long time.

Warlock opens the door, calling out softly. "Maverick," he calls out. He just gives Mav a look, telling him all he needs to know.

Iceman was gone.

✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈

Word count: 1,855

I know this was a lot of movie scenes and Cecelia wasn't in it too much, but I'm trying to balance movie scenes with original scenes since Cece isn't a pilot.

And I'm also trying to sprinkle in some more Phoenix/Hangman moments to flesh out a potential love story. I can tell you right now, there won't be much in the actual book, but I'm planning bonus chapters that I can include it in more.

A short ending note for once, who knew I could do that?!

ALSO! We are at the half way point you guys! Crazy for me to think about.

But that's all for now, so until next time. Bye!!