Storm | B. Bradshaw

10

Lindsey and I aren't gonna make the same mistake

Storm hummed. She looked back at her cousin who was looking at Bob. Storm smirked. "I see last night went well." Storm said. "It did." Vadar said and Storm smiled. "I'm glad." Storm said with a smile. "Domino seems awfully happy as well, wonder what she did last night?" Storm said. Before Vadar could answer, Warlock and Maverick walked into the room. "We'll talk later." Storm whispered and Vadar nodded.

"The uranium enrichment plant will be operational earlier than expected. Raw uranium will be delivered to the plant in ten days' time. As a result, the mission has moved up one week." Admiral Bates explained to everyone. Domino and Vadar looked at each other. "Shit." Storm muttered. "Sir, no one here has successfully flown a low-level course." Coyote stated. "Nevertheless, you've been ordered to move on." Admiral Bates responded before Maverick took his spot up front.

"We have one week left to focus on phase two; it is the most difficult stage of the mission. It's a pop-up strike with a deep dive requiring nothing less than two consecutive miracles." Maverick said. A simulation appeared on the screen behind Maverick. It showed the inverted dive that two single and two double F-18s would be required to make to reach the target.

"Your target is an impact point less then three meters wide. The two-seat will mark the target with the laser bullseye. This will allow the single to drop a guided bomb into the reactor through an exposed ventilation hatch. This creates the opening the second pair. That's miracle number one. The second team will deliver the kill shot to destroy the target. That's miracle number two. If either team misses the target, the mission is a failure." Maverick explained.

The screen behind Maverick changed to display the required steep climb out of the mountain or as Maverick referred to it as Coffin Corner.

"A climb at that speed will have you pulling at least 8 Gs." Hangman guessed. "Nine, Minimum." Maverick responded. "The stress limit of an F-18 airframe is 7.5 Gs." Rooster noted.

"That is the accepted limit. To survive this mission, you will need to pull beyond that even if it means bending your airframe. You'll be pulling so hard, that you'll weigh close to two thousand pounds. Your skull will feel like it's crushing your spine and your lungs will implode like an elephant sitting on your chest, fighting with everything you have to keep from blacking out and this is where you'll be most vulnerable." Maverick explained. Storm bit the inside of her cheek as she stared at the screen. Domino sighed.

"Assuming you avoid crashing into this mountain. You'll climb straight into enemy radar while losing all airspeed. Within seconds, you'll be fired upon by enemy SAMs. It'll be a dogfight all the way home." Maverick explained as he pointed to screen.

"This is going to take you and your aircraft to a breaking point." Maverick added. "Sir, is this achievable?" Phoenix asked, this was on everyone mind as well. "The answer to that question will come down to the pilot in the box." Maverick responded to her.

"Pilots, prepare for take for take off. You've been briefed on phase two, time to give it run." Admiral Simpson said to from the back. Everyone headed to the locker room. "Don't worry Storm, we so got this." Vadar said. "Yeah." Storm said as she got her gear on.

...........

Storm, Vadar and Domino set out before Coyote, Phoenix and Bob. Nobody hasn't achieved the task at hand.

"Talk to me Domino, What's happening?" Vadar asked Domino. "Well we're are twelve seconds late on target, we have to pick up the pace here." Domino spatted. "Damn it." Storm muttered. "Copy, Vadar, you two try and stay with me." Storm added.

"Wait wait wait... Who the hell is that?" Domino calls out, pointing out on the radar. "Blue team, you've been spotted." Maverick's voice called out. Storm became tense. "It's Maverick." Storm tells both Vadar and Domino. "What the hell is he doing here?" Vadar asked. "I'm a bandit on course to intercept." Maverick states. "Blue team, what are you going to do?" He asked them.