breaker

6

I stood by the edge of the railing, staring out over the vast ocean.

"Talk to me, Ice," I whispered to myself, in hopes of instilling confidence.

"Captain Peters!" I turn to see Warlock standing there. "You're where you belong. Make us proud."

I nodded at him and smiled. The platform lowered, waiting for me to step onto it. I turned and stepped forwards. Sealing my future. No going back now.
————
"It has been an honour flying with you," my voice rings out across the room. "Each one of you represents the best of the best. This a very specific mission. My choice is a reflection of that and nothing more."

"Choose your two foxtrot teams," Cyclone tells me. I take a deep breath.

"Payback and Fanboy. Phoenix and Bob."

"And your wingman," he tells me again. Silence overcomes the room as everyone awaits my decision.

"Rooster."

"The rest of you will stand buy on the carrier for any reserve role that's required," Warlock tells the other graduates. "Dismissed."

Warlock gathers the pilots that will be flying the mission, to give them a brief overview of what we will be facing again.

"Your target is a clear and present threat. A secret uranium enrichment site under rogue state control. It's an underground bunker, tucked between these two mountains. Your route of ingress is heavily defended by surface-to-air missiles and 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 synchronised strike on the enemy's airfield, here," he motions to a place on the screen behind him.

"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. Your time to target will be two minutes and 30 seconds. Any longer than that, and you'll be exposed to any aircraft the tomahawks may have missed."

Then Cyclone speaks.

"This is what you've all been training for. Come home safely."

The students disperse, and I make a beeline for Nat, hugging her immediately.

"Don't die on me please," she smiles at me through the tears. I smile back at her.

"Wasn't planning on it, love."

We hug tightly again before letting go to prepare for takeoff. I quickly run over to Rooster to wish him good luck.

"Hey chicken," he turns around.

"Don't do anything stupid until we get back."

"How can I? Your taking all the stupid up there with you," he shoots back at me. We embrace and quickly let go, to head to our aircraft.

I walk around it, completing the routine checks. One that's done, I hop in, and pray to god we all come home safely. Especially my girl. Nat.

"Breaker. Breaker?" I hear Hondo's voice, which snaps me out of my reverie. "Hey, you with me?"

I nod slowly, focusing on my breathing.

"I don't like that look, Breaker."

"It's the only one I got," I respond lightly. "Thankyou. If I don't see you again, Hondo, thankyou."

"It's been an honour, Captain," Hondo tries his best not to cry, his voice cracking slightly. The canopy closers when he steps away, and I prepare for takeoff.

"Dagger one, up and ready on catapult one," I speak through comms, saying my status.

"Dagger spare, standing by," Hangman does the same.