As high as you can go

Chapter fourteen

Rooster was staring at winter forest looking for jet wreck. He remembered a place where Mav was shoot but he wasn't sure where plane fall. He carefully watched every yard of the ground. In the corner of his eyes he saw A wisp of smoke on the horizon and directed there.

When he was close radar started to beep and Rooster saw A helicopter Fast approaching the plane crash Site. He tightened his grip on the stick, preparing to fight. He disobejed order so at last he was going to find Mav no metter what. In the distance, he saw a jet on fire in the middle of a frozen lake. And next to it was a Little human figure in american uniform standing opposite the combat helicopter. In the next moment a soldier (Maverick he suppose) ran towards the collapsed log. Helicopter followed him and started to shoot. Rooster pushed further. He was determined to be on time. He aimed and fired hitting the center.

-Yeah-Rooster shouted and clenched his hand into a fist. - I told you it's pilot not a plane, Old man, didn't I?

Suddenly a tomahawk hit the right wing of his plane. There were a second of hesitation as if for a moment everything froze in anticipation and then jet went straight towards the ground. Pulling the ejection handles was the only one thing Rooster could do.

In the Navy, the Aviator's Emergency Procedures Manual had A whole chapter dedicated to ejecting. But Reading about something and experiencing it are two diffrent things. The rush of air hit him with great force and the next thing he felt was hitting the ground.

He supposed he had to lose consciousness for a second.
Rooster rolled around on the ground in the snow before startling awake. He moved his feet and raised his hands. He carefully got up and Looking around him, he saw snow-covered trees for miles in each direction.

Well, lovely place to die. He only had hope his friends came back safe to the carrier and Mav was okay.

Rooster felt something warm and wet on his face. He winced as touched his cheek and saw blood on his fingers. He felt no pain, it had to be adrenaline. It will hurt later but for now he had to Make sure it will be "later". Rooster wiped his face and started to retract the parachute when he heard footsteps. He raised his head and saw Maverick running to him. He felt huge relief and straightened up.

-You all right?-Mav shouted

-Yeah, I'm good.-Rooster replied. - And you all right?

In the next moment he was laing On his back on the snow and Mav was standing above him panting furiously and clenching his hands into fists.

-What the hell? - Rooster screamed taking off the helmet and got to his feet.

-What are you doing here?-Mav growled angrily.

-What am I doing here? - He repeated incredulously.

-You think I took that missile so you could be down here with me?-Mav continued to rage. -You should be back on the carrier by now!

Despite their hopeless situation Rooster felt warm in his Chest, In a place that suspiciously resembled a heart. So it wasn't coincidence. Mav truly cared. But it didn't calm him down.

-I saved your life!-he growled back.

-I saved your life. - Maverick pointed a finger at him-That's the whole point. What the hell were you even thinking?

Rooster exhaled with a hiss.

-You told me not to think!

Maverick blinked and looked at him With disbelief when Rooster threw his arms up. There was a second of silent between them.

-Well, it's good to see you.-Mav mumbled finally.

-It's good to see you too. - Rooster sighed - So what's the plan?- He turned to his uncle for help as in his childhood but he regretted it almost immediately when an expression of pure madness crossed the Mav's face.

-Plan? - He grined as usual when he had a bad idea.-For my plan we need an Airport. And a jet.