Before Nadia could even take a step into the mission room, she was stopped by Cyclone.

He told her that her services were not needed for today's course and that there were more pressing duties for her back in the mechanics bay.

To say she was pissed at him was an understatement, but Nadia knew she couldn't argue it. So she turned on her heel and went back to the hanger, where she proceeded to rant to Ivy.

But back in the mission room, Cyclone took the podium at the front of the room, addressing the pilots.

"Captain Mitchell is no longer your instructor. And as of today, there are new mission parameters," Cyclone informs them. 

The mission clock resets from 2:30 minutes to 4:00.

"Time to target is now 4 minutes. You'll be entering the valley level at reduced speed. Not to exceed 429 knots."

Everyone looks at each other like with worried and concerned faces, Hangman especially looks concerned.

"Sir, won't we be giving their planes time to intercept," Bob asks the first one to snap out of his shock.

"Well, lieutenant, you have a fighting chance against enemy aircraft. What are the odds of surviving a head-on collision with a mountain?" Cyclone answers him.

"You'll be attacking the target from a higher altitude, and the cyclone continues, level with the north wall. It will be harder to keep your laser on target, but you will avoid the high-G climb out." Even Warlock is looking wary, observing the looks of the aviators around him.

"We'll be sitting ducks for those enemy missiles," Fanboy whispers to Payback.

Lex, hearing his whisper, leaned forward just slightly. “I don't like this, not one bit.” The two nodded in agreement with his statement.

Suddenly, the screen starts to move, and a beeping comes online

"Who the hell is that," Cyclone questions as an F-18 appears on screen.

"Maverick to range control, entering point alpha, confirm green range." Maverick's voice comes over the speakers.

"Maverick, range control, uh green range is confirmed, but I don't see an event scheduled for you, sir," range controls answers back.

Everyone in the mission room looks excited to see Maverick let go of all restrictions.

"Well, I'm going anyway," Maverick says back. 

"Nice," Phoenix whispers. 

Lex smirked. “This should be good.”

"Setting time to target, 2 minutes 15 seconds," Maverick says. 

"Two fifteen, that's impossible," Payback says.

Hangman looks at the screen with a slight smirk, anticipating finally seeing Maverick show his full skillset.

"Time set for you," range control says

"Never say no," Maverick says, locking it to start.

Everyone is watching the screen, hardly breathing as they watch Maverick fly the course, navigating tight turns faster than they've ever seen.

The time is 1:30, and he's already halfway there, as everyone watches in anticipation.
39 seconds appears on the clock as he approaches the target point.

"Popping 3,2,1," Maverick counts down as he prepares to enter the inverted climb.

"Bombs away," as he launches the first missiles.

The missile hits with 0.16 seconds left on the clock as Maverick hits 9.5Gs.

"Bullseye," Payback calls out as the missile lands. "Holy shit," Coyote says.

Cyclone stares at the screen, showing Maverick has just hit 10Gs.

"Damn," Hangman admits.

But now, all the pilots know that this mission is possible to pull off, which is what they needed.

☽☆☾   ☽☆☾   ☽☆☾

"I'm serious! I've never seen anything like it."

Lex had come to bother, I mean sit with, Nadia and Ivy after Cyclone had dismissed them early due to Maverick's stunt. And he had not shut up about it since.

Hearing the same thing, just stated in different ways, was tiring. "We get it, Lex. You have a massive crush on Maverick now. No need to keep bringing him up."

He gasped, hand on his chest. "I'm offended, Na-No! It's a man-crush, thank you. I'd never betray my Ivy like that."

Ivy herself rolled her eyes. While she had absolutely zero doubt Lex would ever do that, it was nice to hear him reaffirm it.

"Okay," she moved the conversation along. "Let's talk about something else. Not Lex's newfound man-crush on his instructor."

Lex was about to thank her before she finished her statement. "It sounds bad when you say it like that," he pouted to his girlfriend.

She only shrugged at him before going back to the base jeep she was working on. Somehow, whoever had taken it last had managed to get the gears stuck, so she was covered in grease and oil, trying to get them moving again.

It was quiet for a little while, which was perfect for Nadia and Ivy. They could only make so much progress once Lex showed up. But that silence didn't last long.

"So what's up with you and Fanboy, Na-No?" Lex decided to go for the blunt approach. He already knew how Mickey felt, and Ivy had filled him in on Nadia's feelings. But he hadn't had an update since then.

Nadia didn't even try to deny anything. She only paused because she wasn't expecting him to come out and ask. "We talked."

Of course, that was not going to be enough for the couple in front of her. Lex stared her down as Ivy motioned for her to elaborate.

Nadia sighed before sitting on her stool, promoting Ivy to do the same. "After Admiral Kazansky's funeral, we talked. Like I told Ivy, I don't know if I can handle another person I care deeply for going on this mission. And I told him as much."

Ivy, having already said so much on the topic, shook her head. Lex asked the question. "So you're not even going to try? Even when both of you definitely feel something for the other?"

Nadia shrugged. "We decided we would pick the conversation back up after the mission was over. I told him I was open to see where things would go after he came home safely. I'm no stranger to the dangers of being in the Navy. But it gives me some more time to think and process my own emotions."

The couple looked at each other before back at Nadia. "Okay," Ivy started. "That's something, at least. I just don't want you throwing away an opportunity at happiness because you're scared. That's what love is. Taking those risks to find the ultimate happiness."

She elbowed Lex, who was still staring. He grunted before adding his own two cents. "I think it's a very mature response. But I also think he would make a good match for you and say to just go for it when you're ready. I genuinely think he will surprise you."

Nadia pursed her lips before nodding her head. "Thank you both for not completely interfering. I know you just want me to be happy, and I appreciate your help."

They all stood up and went in for a group hug, Lex managing to wrap his arms around both of his girls.

"Now, before the boss comes over to see us gossiping and not working, let's get back to it."

The others nod, but before Lex sits down, his girlfriend turns to him.

"Lex, you need to leave. You distract us too much, and he will pull you out of here by your ear if he has to."

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Word count: 1,230

Lex has a man-crush on Maverick, confirmed!

And Nadia has told her friends she and Mickey talked but is she regretting her decision to wait??? We shall see next chapter.

Bye guys!!