I Hate the Way...

Part 25: "You Heard Me" 🔞

Note: Chapter contains explicit material.
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After ending the call with Josie, Hope exits the room with their internet hotspot, about to head to the showers, but she's stopped along the way, called into an office by the same sergeant who she spoke with earlier, which she figures can only be about one thing.

"You crashed two of my planes today, Mikaelson...But you also saved one of our best pilots, and you managed to complete the simulation under time. Both of you did...That's why I've selected you and Machado to fly the mission."

Hope furrows her eyebrow in confusion, incredulously.

"Sir, Machado nearly died flying that simulation today—"

"But she was the only one besides you who made it to target. That's what I need for this mission, someone who can make it to the target in time and alive—"

"And what about making it home alive?"

The Sergeant sighs, "Machado knows the risks, and she accepts that there's a possibility she won't make it—"

"I don't, sir. I can't accept that."

"Machado knows the course and you can't fly this mission alone—"

"She won't be alone." Another voice interrupts them, Raf.

"Waithe, you didn't complete the mission simulation in time."

"Let me try again, sir. We still have time until this mission is a go. I can work on it and be ready when the time comes."

Hope wants to disagree. She doesn't want to risk anyone else's life, but she can't make the decision for the Sergeant and she knows that, though she's been given many opportunities to move up in rank.

With another sigh, the Sergeant sighs, glancing to Hope, "Work with him. You have two days. You're both dismissed."

Hope has to bite her tongue as Raf thanks the man and begins to walk out, and Hope follows behind him, only speaking once they're back outside, "What the hell are you doing?"

Raf only keeps up his stride, "Training with you apparently. We should probably go get start—"

"I'm not going to train you to get yourself killed Raf."

"So what—You're gonna fly this mission alone? How's that gonna work?"

"Increase speed by 50 knots through the canyon, release the first bomb at higher altitude, pull back sooner and invert in the valley, and circle back."

"You'll never stay under radar, and even if you do, mission clock goes down, enemy aircrafts catch you. Either way you're getting shot at."

"Then it's a dogfight on the way out."

"You won't make it out there alone, Hope. This is the only way to keep Maya out of it, and keep you from jumping out of a plane at 2,000 feet with no chute...again. You could've died out there, Hope—!"

"But I didn't! Maya is still alive, and you—You have a family to think about Raf!"

Raf stops in his tracks and turns to face the Tribrid, "So do you, Hope! Whether you admit it or not, you have a family too! And you have all of us here! Lizzie! Josie! So stop trying to be a fucking martyr like your parents before you get yourself killed too!"

Hope's jaw locks as she tears her gaze from him, her tone softening, "How can I be like someone I don't even remember?"

Raf sighs, immediately regretting the mention of Hope's family, "Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought them up, I didn't even know them personally. I've only heard the same stories as you."