Survive - Phoenix X Rooster

11- The Final Mission

Rooster

I walk to my jet, my heart racing like I've just run a marathon, while the marathon is still to be run.

"Babe!," Phoenix calls me, catching up with me and grabbing my wrist. "One last kiss or we might regret it," she says in a low tone, and I nod. I'm way to stressed to give her the passionate kiss she probably expects, so I just put my hand on her cheek, slightly brushing it, and I press my lips on hers in a soft and loving motion. When we pull away, I quickly peck her temple. "Good luck sweetheart, may we both come back alive," I smile weakly, and she returns the exact same smile to me. "May we both come back alive," she returns and we separate to get to our jets.

I get in mine, and I wait for the others to be ready, doing all my checks. "Everything's good, Hondo," I confirm and the tower gives me the authorization to take off.
May I land again.

I fly towards our target, Phoenix and Bob soon joining me. We are now less than an minute away from the entrance of the canyon.

"The tomahawks are now launched. Impact in 2 minutes," the tower tells us.

"Fifth gens! At our 2!" Fanboy speaks in the radio, trying to stay calm, but we all freak out.

"How the fuck? These lucky bastards," Phoenix snaps. "Probably recognition, anyway, they would be crazy to go down the canyon, so they'll be a problem later," Maverick says as if the problem was non-existent and I'm about to yell that he's fucking crazy, but the patient "Ok, let's do that, we'll see that later" from Payback stops me from doing so.

"Canyon, 3, 2, 1, Rooster in," Hondo states.

I enter the canyon and the countdown begins on my board. I pass the first relief calmly, kind of warming up. Soon, I feel Phoenix and Bob on my wing, they are restraining their speed because of me.

"Come on Rooster, speed up," Maverick urges. I do so, as my countdown clearly shows I'm late. "A little more, Rooster," Bob adds and I do my best to speed up. How are these folks so calm flying this fast in a fucking canyon?

I try not to freak out, as I speed up to the bridge, a part that's harder than it seems.
We need to pass this bridge flying on the side, so I lean my jet just enough to pass it without losing to much speed. I just saw my wing almost hitting the stone as my breath stopped.

I see the final relief before the first mountain getting closer, way faster than expected. In a reflex, I break right to avoid it. I can almost feel the air shaking my jet as I'm passing by. Fuck, that was close!

The first mountain I need to pass is in front of me, so I get over it, turning my jet upside down, and I slow down a bit to wait for Bob and Phoenix, because I need their laser to hit the target.

"Hurry up Bob," I can't help myself but urge him. "Shut up Rooster, he does everything he can," Phoenix calms me down.

I'm like three seconds away to the floor and Bob still hasn't locked up the target. "Fuck, Bob!," I now yell and somehow, he manages to lock it.

One and a half second.
I breath.
One second.
I aim. I shoot.

Without even looking at the target, I get up and head to the first mountain.

"Miracle number 1," I hear admiral Simpson say calmly in the radio, and that's how I understand I made it.

"Sorry for taking so long, bro," Bob apologizes and I'm really at about 5G so I don't find the strength to answer to him.

This time, I'm so stressed that I'm not even about to faint. Right after I get up, I'll have to face fifth gen fighters, and if I wasn't flying with Maverick, I wouldn't bet on a come back.