"Captain Mitchell is no longer your instructor. And as of today, there are new mission parameters." Cyclone started us off the next morning as I looked up with confusion from my seat, wondering what had changed. "Time to target is now four minutes. You'll be entering the valley level at reduced speed. Not to exceed 420 knots." He continued as everyone looked to the person they were sitting beside in shock and confusion at what we were being told.

"Sir, won't we be giving their planes time to intercept?" Bob pointed out our obvious concern.

"Well, lieutenant, you have a fighting chance against enemy aircraft. What are the odds of surviving a head-on collision with a mountain?" Cyclone challenged. "You'll be attacking the target from a higher altitude, level with the north wall. Gonna be a little harder to keep your lase on target, but you will avoid the high-g climb out."

"We'll be sitting ducks for enemy missiles." Fanboy mumbled to Payback. I looked to Rooster with concern at how much more dangerous this would become with the new rules.

A beeping sounded out from the simulation monitor as someone started to run the course. I sat up quickly and straight with interest as Rooster did the same beside me.

"Who the hell is that?" Cyclone turned around to face the screen where a single F-18 was taking the course.

"Maverick to range control. Entering point Alpha. Confirm green range." Maverick voiced out and we all grew more interested.

"Uh, Maverick, range control, uh, green range is confirmed. I don't see an event scheduled for you, sir." The range control replied with clear confusion over why he was flying the simulation. I sat forward with interest, Phoenix doing the same with an eager smile on her face as Rooster shifted forward slightly.

"Well, I'm going anyway." Maverick replied.

"Nice." Phoenix commented in awe.

"Can he do that?" I looked to Rooster.

"I dont think anyone can stop him" Rooster replied as we watched closely, wanting to see if Maverick could complete it.

"Setting time to target: Two minutes 15 seconds." Maverick stated out.

"2:15? That's impossible." Coyote shook his head.

"Final attack point. Maverick's inbound." Maverick stated before taking off in the course as we all watched the screen.

Hangman sat back with calm ease as Rooster looked around in shock that this was happening and Phoenix and I were completely focused on the screen. Rooster leaned forward as the clock passed the 1:30 mark. As the timer continued to drop lower and lower everyone grew tense and silent, watching closely on the edge of our seats.

"Popping in three, two, one." Maverick reported as he claimed over the first ridge inverted.

"No way" I spoke softly as we watched him approach target on time.

"Bombs away." Maverick said before he took the G climb at coffin corner. We all sat waiting for the bomb to hit the target as the clock read 16 milliseconds.

"Bull's-eye! Holy shit!" Fanboy cheered in awe as I gasped and grabbed at Roosters hand shaking it around with excitement.

"Yes." Bob smiled proudly.

"Damn." Hangman commented simply, still seated in his chair. I stood up and high fived Phoenix as rooster sat unphazed in awe staring at the screen still.

"It has been an honor flying with you. Each one of you represents the best of the best." Maverick started out as we all stood lined up on the ship awaiting to hear the team list. I stood in my place beside Rooster staring ahead as I stood at attention. "This is a very specific mission. My choice is a reflection of that and nothing more." Maverick reminded.

"Choose your two foxtrot teams." Cyclone ordered.

"Payback and Fanboy. Phoenix and Bob." Maverick stated the duos as Rooster lowered his gaze at us not being picked.

"And your wing man." Cyclone prompted next. Rooster kept his head down slightly while Hangman held his up with pride, assuming he would be picked.

"Rooster and Sunshine." Maverick stated without a second of thought. Rooster looked up at Maverick, slightly shocked he was actually picked while I was trying to hold in my eagerness.

"They are a foxtrot team" Cyclone reminded him sternly.

"I know, and I wouldn't trust anyone else to be my wingman" Maverick countered, his decision made.

"The rest of you will stand by on the carrier for any reserve role that's required. Dismissed." Warlock said next. Rooster looked to the side in thought, knowing he needed to fix things with Maverick if they were to go into this death mission with everyone's lives at risk. I patted Roosters shoulder before walking over to Phoenix Bob, Payback and Fanboy, giving them fist bumps and high fives in congratulations of us all being picked.

~~~

"Your target is a clear and present threat. A secret uranium enrichment site under rogue state control." The mission briefing began on the ship as we all prepared for the mission going over the final details. "It's an underground bunker, tucked between these two mountains. Your route of ingress is heavily defended by surface-to-air missiles backed up by fifth-generation fighters. Once your f-18 strike team crosses the border, tomahawk missiles from the USS Leyte Gulf will launch a synchronized strike on the enemy's airfield here. This will knock out their runway. But you'll have to contend with any planes already in the air. The moment those tomahawks hit, the enemy will know you're coming." Warlock continued the briefing as Maverick glanced back at Rooster and I, Rooster already looking to him while I was completely focused on the briefing. "Your time to target will be two minutes and 30 seconds. Any longer than that, and you will be exposed to any aircraft the tomahawks may have missed."

"This is what you've all been training for. Come home safely." Cyclone added and Rooster nodded, looking down as though he had a bad feeling about this mission.

"Everything alright?" Rooster looked to me with worry as everyone separated to get ready.

"I don't know, I have a bad feeling about this" I shook my head as my nerves got the best of me.

"You're going to be okay" he promised, knowing I was probably shaken up as this would be my first time back in a jet after the crash.

"But what if I freeze up?" I voiced my concern. "And what if you're depending on me and I let you and the team down?"

"You could never let me down" he grabbed my shoulders to force me to look at him. "I trust you with my life" he stated and I nodded along, taking in a deep breath to clear my mind.

Rooster and I walked onto the deck together, me tensing up as Hangman approached us. Rooster and Hangman stood toe to toe, staring at each other for a moment before Hangman spoke up.

"You give 'em hell!" he told Rooster sternly. "And you watch their backs up there" He added for me.

"Always" I promised before Hangman went to get ready and I started off towards our jet.

"Go ahead, I'll be right there" Rooster told me with a wave, walking towards Maverick.

"Sir. Sir?" Rooster approached Maverick with slight uncertainty. Maverick turned to face him with slight confusion. "I... I just want to say..." Bradshaw started before getting cut off by a loud radio telling everyone to get ready.

"We'll talk when we get back." Maverick promised with a small smile. Rooster gave him a nod before turning to find me. "Hey, Bradley! Bradley! Hey." Maverick called his attention back before he could leave. "You got this. Listen to Sunshine and take care of each other up there" He told Rooster who nodded again before running off to find me.

"Took you long enough" I grumbled when he got into the jet. "Pre flight is done and ready and we are good to go when given the order" I reported to him confidently.

"Hey, Sunshine?" Rooster asked, turning to face me from his seat.

"Yeah" I gave him part of my attention as I started getting ready in my seat.

"Sunshine" he repeated.

"Yes" I gave him my full attention this time.

"Never lose that smile" He told me before facing forward to get himself ready as I blushed a flustered mess.

"Damn you, Bradshaw" I muttered as he smirked to himself. The canopy closed over our heads as we prepared for take off.

"Dagger one, up and ready on catapult one." Maverick started the roll call.

"Dagger spare standing by." Hangman replied, siting in his own jet waiting to be called upon.

"Dagger four, up and ready." Payback added.

"Dagger three, up and ready." Phoenix said.

"Dagger two, up and ready." Rooster said, his mask clipped on as I fixed mine on properly. The go ahead was given and we prepared the launch sequence, Maverick being the first launched. He flew forward, waiting for us all to fall in behind him as we followed him into a deadly mission.

"Dagger two away." The female voice over comms said as Rooster and I were launched off. "Dagger three away. Dagger four away." She listed as the others followed us and we followed Maverick.

"Comanche, dagger one. Standby check in." Maverick said as we flew above the clouds in our formation.

"Comanche 11, set. Picture clean. Recommend dagger continue."

"Copy. Daggers descending below radar." Maverick reported back as we followed him and went below clouds. Bradshaw sat tensely in his seat, waiting for my gasp of awe at the clouds like usual but he didn't hear it due to the stress levels of this mission forcing me to keep a stern focus. That was when Bradley knew this wouldn't be good.

"Here we go. Enemy territory up ahead. Feet dry in 60 seconds. Comanche, dagger one. Picture." Maverick spoke as we flew just above the water.

"Comanche. Picture clean. Decision is yours."

"Copy." Maverick nodded. "Dagger attack." Maverick made the call, all of us following his lead.

"Tomahawks airborne." we heard over radio as they flew overhead towards the enemy airbase. I looked up at the missiles before staring ahead again, having to be prepared.

No turning back now.

......................................................
Question of the day: do you think Sunshine will make it through the mission?