Everyone was in their flight suits. Brandi stuck out like a weed among roses, dressed in her day uniform of khaki slacks and shirt. You're where you belong. She had to remind herself as she gazed past her friends, she couldn't meet their eyes.
"It's been an honor flying with you all," stated Maverick. "Each of you represents the best of the best. This is a very specific mission. My and Leiutenat Kazansky's choice is a reflection of that and nothing more."
"Choose your two Foxtrot teams," Cyclone said.
"Payback and Fanboy. Phoenix and Bob."
"And your wingman."
Maverick nodded to Brandi and she stepped up beside him, hands clasped behind her back. Mav thought it best if she announced the pilot's name, it was her number one after all. "Rooster," she said delicately, his name sounded much different compared to an hour ago. "Hangman is Spare."
Bradley looked at her, barely registering what just happened.
"The rest of you will stand by on the carrier for any reserved role that's required," said Warlock. "Dismissed."
The aviators fell out of formation and went around congratulating each other, though it was fickle considering the high risks involved.
Brandi's heart raced and she spared a glance at her uncle. "Do you think we made the right choice?"
"We'll just have to wait and see, pumpkin."
~~~~~
"Your target is a clear and present threat," Warlock stated, debriefing the carrier's personnel in the ship's hangar. "A secret uranium enrichment site under rouge state control. It's an underground bunker, tucked between these two mountains." The monitor zoomed in on the grey scale map, showing the mountain range. "Your route of ingress is heavily defended by surface-to-air missiles, backed up by fifth-generation fighters.
"Once your F-18 strike team crosses the border, Tomahawk missiles from the USS Leyte Gulf with launch a synchronized strike on the enemy's airfield. 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 thirty seconds. Any longer than that and you will be exposed to any aircraft the Tomahawks may have missed."
"This is what you've all been training for," said Cyclone. "Come home safely. Good luck. You are dismissed."
Brandi didn't waste any time. She weaved her way through the crowd towards the runway, where the fleet's planes waited for take off. Payback and Fanboy were already climbing into their craft when she arrived. Maverick was checking his, giving it a once-over.
"Hey," she called softly, stopping before him.
"Brandi, you shouldn't be out here," he said.
She shrugged. "I know, I just wanted to see you off."
He nodded stiffly.
"Hey, it's all right," she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, and he looked curiously at her. She rolled her eyes. "I know when you're nervous, uncle. You've done this a million times. It'll be fine."
"And every time the stakes get higher," he huffed.
"Mav, don't think about it too much." She glanced at his jet. "Just fly."
He gave a small smile. "Thanks, kid." He hugged her. "I'm sorry you're not up there with us."
"I'm where I'm needed." She pulled away. "I'll be waiting."
"With worry, I hope."
Brandi laughed. "With anticipation. I'll see you on the ground, captain."
He nodded and climbed into the cockpit.
"Come home," she called up to him. "Please."
"I will. Promise."
She gave him a salute and he rolled his eyes but still retained his smile. Trying to calm her racing heart, she turned and found Jake walking towards her. He stopped a foot from her, face a blank canvas.
"I'm sorry, Jake, I tried," she said, remorsefully when he didn't speak.
"I know, doll. But there's no need to apologize. I'd rather be on stand-by with you than up in the air dead." He grimaced, hearing himself. "Sorry, I didn't mean to imply-"
"Jake, I get what you're trying to say. Thank you for not being upset."
He flashed her his disarming smile. "Could never blame you, doll."
Behind her, someone cleared their throat. She pivoted around. It was Bradley. "May I steal you for a moment?" He glanced down at her, eyes squinting from the harsh sun.
"Yeah, of course." She looked at Jake, nodding that it was all right.
"You give 'em hell," he told Bradley and then slipped away.
Bradley looked down at his boots. "Thank you, Bre. For giving me a chance."
"You deserve it. You've worked hard for it, Roost."
"That should be you up there."
"And, yet, it's not. I've had my moment, now's yours. Show 'em what you're made of." She went to leave, but a hand on her forearm stopped her.
"I'm sorry, Brandi. I shouldn't have said those things. I've no excuse."
"You had bottled up feelings and I gave you an outlet, simple as that."
He tugged on her arm again, making her look at him. "How can I make it up to you?" His eyes shinned in earnest.
"Just . . . Come home, Bradley." He let go of her, sensing the end of the conversation and she walked away, not sparing a glance back. This time she knew he was watching her leave, and this time she didn't look back because if she did she would break down. She couldn't let herself feel anything until the mission was complete.
