Tucker walked in the hanger for ten o'clock class at nine forty five. Wanting to make a good impression with whoever was in charge of the mission.She had choose a seat in the second row. Slowly people trickled in for class, including Hangman and Coyote who seemed overly excited for this detachment. Hangman was sure since the moment he had gotten the orders he was going to be the leader.
Bob took a seat in front of Tucker, turning his back around to talk to her. "Who's my new pilot?" he asked assuming Tucker knew. She shrugged her shoulders unsure.
It was then her good friend Natasha "Phoenix" Trace walked in. Tucker jumped up, grabbing her in a hug. Their interaction had caused Rooster to scoff as he walked by. He took the row behind Tucker as there weren't many seats left.
"How are you here?" Tucker asked as the two took their seats. Phoenix next to Bob, she has turned to the right to talk to Tucker behind her.
"Omaha pulled. They called me in" she explained. Tucker was about to say something else but a commander had walked in.
"ATTENTION ON DECK!" the commander shouted. The group of students who were seated in a hanger stood up from their desks. The admiral walked in, taking the stand. "Good morning and welcome to your special training detachment. Be seated" he announced as the students stood.
Everyone including Tucker sat back down. Everyone seemed to be more relaxed this time around at TOP GUN. Slouching and leaning back in their seats.
"I'm Admiral Bates. Call sign, Warlock. You're all TOP GUN graduates. Elite. The best of the best. That was yesterday. The enemies new fifth level generation fighter has leveled the playing field. Details are few. But be sure we don't possess the technological advantage. Success now more than ever comes down to the man or woman in the box. Half of you will make the cut. One of you will be named mission leader. The other half will remain in mission reserve. Your instructor is a TOP GUN graduate with real world experience in every mission aspect you will you will be expected to master. His exploits are legendary. He is considered to be one of the finest the program has ever produced"
Tucker twisted her neck, glancing back just as everyone else did. What she didn't expect to see was the so called best fighter pilot from TOP GUN was her dad.
Embarrassed on how she had spoken to him yesterday, and slightly pissed off he was the teacher, Tucker quick sprung her head back around. She sunk into her chair, placing her hand on her forehead, creating a visor to shield her face as he walked by. Not that he didn't know who she was.
She wanted to avoid the awkward look he surely going to give her if she had made eye contact with him.
"What he has to teach you may very will mean the difference between life and death. I give you Captain Pete Mitchell, call sign "Maverick".
"Good morning" he awkwardly greeted. Tucker immediately looked away as he tried to make eye contact with her. "The F-18 NATOPS. It contains everything they want you to know about your aircraft. I'm assuming you know the book. Inside and out" Mitchell lectured. Tucker just looked straight forward. Not even giving into the temptation of an occasional glare his way. This was the second temptation of the day. She was surely feeling tested today.
"Damn right!" Coyote called out.
"Yeah"
"Damn straight" Hangman echoed.
She didn't even flinched as he threw the book in the garbage pail. "So does your enemy. But what the enemy doesn't know is your limits. I intend to find them, test them and push beyond. Today we'll start with only what you think you know. Show me what you're made of"
"Okay. Gear up!" The admiral called out. Tucker immediately jumped up from her seat and rushed over to him. She wanted answers.
"Is this going to be a problem?" Tucker confronted him. The two were in the corner of the hanger far enough away for people to not be able to hear their conversation.
A few of the trainees, however, who were hanging back tried to ease drop on the conversation. Including Rooster and Hangman.
"Let's not do this here" Mitchell said in a far more hushed tone. He didn't want to cause any trouble for her and was trying to follow Penny's advice.
"You didn't answer my question. Will this be a problem? Because I don't need you standing in my way" Tucker asked. Pete just sighed, running his hand over his head. He truly didn't have an answer for her.
One part of him wanted to send her home immediately but the other part of him wanted to see what she was made of. See just how capable she was of being an independent girl like Penny claimed she was. See the fighter pilot she had fought so hard to be.
His silence was the answer Tucker didn't want. She without saying another word stormed off, trying her best to keep her cool as she went to get dressed for the flying drill.
Hangman turned to Coyote, "what the hell is that about?"
"I don't know man. But I'm super curious"
"Me too" Hangman responded. He looked back at Maverick who was pacing in his spot, running his hand through his short hair. He seemed conflicted himself.
"You want to bet she's sleeping with him?" Hangman asked Coyote who shook his hand. Rooster, who was just a few feet away shook his head at the bet.
He doubted Tucker was sleeping with the instructor. The man he hated.
She wasn't the type to do that. She held her own just being herself and loved to be recognized and rewarded for her own abilities.
"You're wrong" Rooster commented as he walked by the two. "A round of beers" he bargained as he continued on his way.
"You're on, Bradshaw!" Hangman agreed looking at Coyote with a smirk. He was confident something was going on with those two. He was sure to find out as well.
YOU ARE READING
DOGFIGHT // B. BRADSHAW
FanfictionLt. Benjamin is well known, and for good reason. Not only was her grandfather a respected admiral himself but she's proven herself to be one of the best fighter pilots of her time. When she entered the Navy she had one rule. No fighter pilots! She...