Only Rivals?

1.

<FUCK!> I swear, throwing a punch on the plane

<What's going on?>

<I've been here for an hour to try and fix this wreck and it still doesn't want to go>

Noah gets up from his deck chair and approaches <Let me check>

<Yes, of course it's all yours> I snort away <If you can get it started, I'll give you 20 $>

<Weehh even? But now you have motivated me>

I chuckle and grab a beer from the mini fridge <Do you want a drink?>

<Throw me one>

<Take it!> I turn around and throw her the can, but obviously its reception is painful and therefore the latter falls to the ground causing a loud thud that echoes throughout the Hangar

<Does this seem the case?! You know I don't know how to catch things while their are flying!> My friend yells, waving her hands animatedly

<Sorry but you said "throw me one", your words> I justify myself

<YES, BUT IT WAS A WAY TO SPEAK!> She yells, taking the now dented can from the ground

I shrug my shoulders smiling and lie down on the deck chair, put on my sunglasses and take a sip of beer, while I hear a Noah grumble against the plane who doesn't want to show signs of life. After about what seems to me to be an infinity amount of time, a loud metallic noise wakes me up with a start that I almost fall from the deckchair

<What's going on!?> I look around scared

<FUCK THIS SHIT!> Noah yells as she kicks the nose of the plane

I laugh looking at the scene <I told you that we will have done to demolish it first>

<Yes, but I was hoping for that $ 20 bet> she sighs in disappointment

<You wanted to eh> I smile as I stretch out again.

My name is Alice Bennett and she is my best and only friend Noah Olsen.

We are part of the Air Force of the United States of America, our base is located in Colorado and we say that we are doing well enough to be among the most decorated on our course.

Noah and I met in the first year of the Academy, we bonded right away even if at first, she thought I was crazy, indeed she still thinks I am. But she never gave up on me so I believe that despite everything, she really loves me, then she trusts me enough to be my navigator and let me teel you, this is already a lot. Honestly, without her, I don't know if I would still be alive... You know that voice of reason that you hear in your head every so often and that makes you understand that you are wrong? Or that you are committing on doing a lot of stupid thing and bullshit? Well, I usually hardly ever hear that little voice, and so Noah makes me back in line. She's become my conscience.

Today we have the day off, we wanted to fly quietly with our T-53 but apparently it decided not to turn on anymore, so after wasting hours trying to fix it and failing miserably, we opted to stay and rest quietly in the sun with a thirst-quenching beer in hand, until a casual visit completely changed our day.

<Trouble Coming> I look up at the approaching Jeep

Noah stands up and sighs <What have you been up to this time?>

<I nothing and you?> I look at her suspiciously

<Serious? When do we ever get in trouble because of me?>

<You're right, never>

<Here we are. See, we see eye to eye. So don't try to blame it me>

The Jeep stops a few steps from the Hangar and a well-know figure makes an appearance. I begin to think about may have happened or what I may have done, to have the Commander come in person. Quickly we get up and put ourselves in the potion of greeting.

<Rest> exclaims Commander Hill, making his deep voice resound

Noah and I exchange a quick confused look

<Slayer> looks at me <Nurse> turns to her <I have some important news to tell you two.>

Important news? The only thing that comes to mind is that we have been assigned a new mission

<News sir?> Asks Noah curiously

He nods and starts moving back and forth with his hands behind his back <Two days ago Admiral Kazansky or better known as "Iceman" asked me to send pilots of my choice to the Miramar base>

<Miramar?> I whisper in disbelief and turn to look at Noah who looks just as shocked

<That's right Slayer> The commander watches me <As you already know, mine wasn't a very easy choice. On the one hand I had Thunder Man and Snake, exceptional pilots who follow orders to the letter, they never had a recall, every mission assigned to them was completed perfectly, in short, they would be right to do what the Admiral requested. > sighs deeply <But on the other side there are you two, Nurse> suddenly turns to look at her and I can sense my friend's anxiety <You are the best navigator a pilot could want, your attention to every single detail while you are in flight is something exceptional>

<Thank you, Sir> she exclaims

Hill turns to look at me <Slayer. Let's face it, your resume is certainly not one of the best, you have been punished and you have risked being put to rest more once, not to mention the time you decided to do your own way>

<Sir-> I try to argue because honestly it was necessary to do my own thing or my navigator and I will be dead!

<And you are tremendously stubborn and argumentative> he looks at me sternly and I keep my gaze straight in front of me

<But you are also one of the best pilots I have seen in the last twenty years, your instinct and your skills are incredible>

I smile slightly

The commander turns his back to us <That's why I decided to send you two> turns to look at us <Get ready, because you're going to the Top Gun>

I don't believe it. It doesn't seem real to me. IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING? I would have never imagine it, did I?

<Sir->

<No.> he silences me by raising his hand <Don't make me regret this choice>

<We won't let you down Sir> Noah smiles straightening his back

I smile and do the same

<Well, that's it> starts towards the Jeep <You will leave in two days> opens the car door <Good luck>

We put ourselves in a greeting position as the car drives away

I turn to look at my best friend <WE'RE GOING TO THE TOP GUN!>

<WE WILL GO TO THE TOP GUN!> She screams

I laugh and jump on her <I don't believe it! We did it, we will fly together with the best pilots in the navy!>

<Yep! Wow it still doesn't seem real tome> she laughs.