As high as you can go

Chapter twelve

Rooster have always considered the rocking of a ship calming. Even when he was going straight into fight, even when he was angry or sad steady movements of the waves hitting warship seemed as back home. Some times he wondered if the reason of it was he has no home except army. It was a sad thought. Especially if it was true, he had only himself to blame. At sad times like this, he imagined the ocean flowing through the ship to his cabin and washing his mind in waves taking all the pain with itself as it left.

But in this day he couldn't find a calm in it. Maverick with serious expression on his face appeared opposite them. Standing at attention in council room Rooster looked at back of Hangman's head and tried not to think too much.

Maverick cleared his throat and started:

-It has been an honor flying with you.-He said with slight of emotions in his voice. - Each one of you represents the best of the best.-Mav stopped and looked any of them in eyes before spoke again:-This is a very specific mission. My choice is a reflection of that and nothing more.

-Choose your two foxtrot teams.-Cyclone interrupted his speech.

-Payback and Fanboy.-He claimed. Both of them sighed in unison disbelieve and nerves.

Maverick looked to the back of the room.

-Phoenix and Bob.-He said.
Rooster saw as Bob looked at Phoenix and as she looked back. They seemed to understand each other wordlessly.

-And your wingman? - Cyclone asked.

Mav took a deep breath as if before throwing himself into the water and looked Bradley straight into eyes and through these eyes into his soul.

-Rooster.

Rooster felt the weight of Mav's gaze like stone but this one word weighed down on him like the weight of the world.

-The rest of you will stand by on the carrier for any reserve role that’s required.

He could see dissapointed look on Hangman's face but He really couldn't focus on it.

-Dismissed.-He heard and closed his eyes in accpetance.

***

There was a cacophony of sounds on board. Ground crew members were crying, engines were power up, helicopter whirred and radio chattered. To any civilian watching this, it would appear to be chaos but Rooster could see Purposefulness of all actions. He was wearing an uniform and had Helmet at hand. He felt the adrenaline pumping through his. He was ready. Well, at least in body. He had some things to do before he will have to go.

Rooster saw in the corner of his eye a group of aviators standing next to Range Control. Blond hair flashed for a moment and Rooster recognized Hangman. Good. Jake will be first. Bradley touched Chest pocket where the letter he wrote earlier lied. When he felt the texture of the paper under his fingers, he sighed and went to blond aviator. Hangman had to see him too. He turned to Rooster and looked at him without Mockery. Bradley opened his mouth and closed it immediately. Now he didn't know what he want to say and could only stared at Hangman. Jake must have noticed it and held out his hand.

-You give ’em hell.

Rooster replied with an uncertain smirk and shook Hangman's hand.

-I want to ask you a favor. - He took a letter out of his pocket and handed it to a pilot.-If I... If anything happened to me, give it to Kitty Benjamin, okay?

Rooster had to admit that Hangman didn't try to convince him he will come back. He just took the letter. Bradley was sure his words will go to Kitty.

-Good luck - He only said.