An Old Love Story ~ Bob Floyd

**Chapter Eleven**

**Chapter Eleven ~ The Mission**

Katelyn stands by the edge of the ship, the wind blowing through her hair, the roar of the ocean filling her ears. It's finally starting to feel real. The mission, her training, everything.

"You ready for this?" Rooster asks as he walks up behind her.

"In all honesty, no." She sighs, "I fear that none of us are."

"You of all people, are the only one who is truly capable of something like this. You've got this. And if you get chosen for it.. Just know, you have me cheering you on from here on the ship." Rooster comforts her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

Katelyn looks at him. "Thanks Roos."

A bell rings and the pilots are all called into a room so that the mission can be briefed and Maverick can choose his team.

Warlock starts the briefing.

"Your target is a clear and present threat: a secret uranium enrichment site under rogue state control."

All the pilots are stood together. Hondo and Cyclone are off to the side. All eyes are on Warlock at this moment. On a screen behind him, a detailed map of the target valley highlights the flight paths of various elements.

"It's an underground bunker tucked between these two mountains. Your route of ingress is heavily defended by surface to air missiles, backed up by fifth generation fighters."

He looks at Maverick, then to the rest of the pilots.

"Once your F-18 strike team crosses the border, Tomahawk Missiles from the USS LEYTE GULF will be launched in a synchronized strike on the enemy's airfield... here."

He points to a spot on the screen.

"The moment those Tomahawks hit, the enemy will know you're coming. Your time to target will be two minutes and thirty seconds. Any longer than that and you will be exposed to any aircraft the Tomahawks may have missed."

The pilots all look at eachother for a moment before Maverick speaks up. All eyes turn to him as he walks to the front of the room.

"Most importantly, remember coffin corner. On the climb out of the valley, you'll be exposed to enemy missiles. Remember, get low as fast as you can and break for home."

Warlock takes a beat, looking over the faces of the pilots. He speaks to Maverick directly.

"Captain Mitchell, select your two Foxtrots."

Maverick looks between all the due pilots and their backseaters.

"Payback and Fanboy... Phoenix and Bob."

Katelyn feels her heart sink as she looks over to Bob. He's looking at her, his eyes clearly starting to water slightly.

"And your wingman?" Warlock asks.

Maverick looks directly at Katelyn.

"Falcon."

Warlock speaks up again. "The rest of you will standby on the carrier in reserve."

Katelyn is surprised. Rooster pats her back, mouthing 'I knew you'd do it'. Katelyn however, isn't happy about this whatsoever. She knows she should be but something in her heart is telling her that something will go wrong...

Cyclone steps up to the podium to say one last thing. "This is what you've all been training for. Come home safely.Good luck to you all. Dismissed."

*~*

A ballet of controlled chaos takes over the ship as various flight deck crews prep all the aircraft involved in the mission.