Closer To Heaven

"Rookies"

     A few weeks later...

    It has been a couple of weeks since Elizabeth lost Chris, Maria, and James. Since then, there hasn't been any enemy activity. Elizabeth was promoted to squadron leader and captain after the successful bombing mission. Today, she will be meeting her new members. She was worried about them. They won't know what lies ahead of them. But, Elizabeth had to focus and prepare them in the best way possible. Elizabeth turned to see a truck approaching the front gate. It was the rookies.

    The rookies got out of the truck and looked around. They then saw Elizabeth approach and saluted immediately. Elizabeth returned the salute. "Greetings, I am Cpt. Lyon. You can call me Elizabeth. I am your squadron leader and you will listen to what I have to say." She announced. "Yes ma'am!" They all said at once. "Alright, everyone, make a bravo line!" She commanded. They then moved into a bravo line and waited. Elizabeth checked her clipboard for the new roster. The roster was: Captain Elizabeth Lyon, call-sign Mobius 1, Lieutenant Taylor Oberenski, call-sign Mobius 2, Lieutenant Edward Parker, call-sign Mobius 3, Lieutenant Lloyd Buckingham, call-sign Mobius 4, and finally, Lieutenant Rin Uzoko, call-sign Mobius 5. Everything checked out and Elizabeth dismissed them to the mess hall.

    After the rookies got their meal, Elizabeth ordered them to meet her by a specific hill. Once they arrived, Elizabeth told them to listen closely. She then took a stick and mapped out Yellow squadron's movements. She even mapped out what they would do if they came across each other. For hours, Elizabeth went over every key detail, but she knew that the rookies wouldn't stand a chance. They watched with interest and tried to memorize every detail. When Elizabeth finished, she told them that they will be going on their first mission tomorrow. They looked at her with determination and horror on their faces. Elizabeth dismissed them to their barracks and told them to be on time at the briefing tomorrow.

    The next day...

    Elizabeth arrived at the briefing room just before the rookies. They all sat down and took out their notepads and pencils, ready to write down every detail. The screen came on and the computerized voice started the briefing. Their mission is to help troops on the ground take out a heavily fortified beachhead. They are to use A-10s and destroy any marked or lased targets. Other attack aircraft and fighters will be joining them on this mission. The briefing was over and everyone went off to go get geared up and be ready for take off.

    Minutes after take off...

    They arrived at their destination and could see that troops have already landed. There was heavy fire all over the beach. Artillery fired along with machine guns at their troops on the ground. This was the only time that Elizabeth was glad to be up in the air instead of being on the ground. Elizabeth ordered everyone to break formation and attack different areas of the beach. Elizabeth took out an enemy bunker and then destroyed an AA gun. An enemy MIG-29 appeared behind her and tried to evade. She couldn't do anything; she was a sitting duck. Then, out of nowhere, a friendly F-14 came up behind the MIG-29 and destroyed it immediately. Elizabeth wondered who it was. The F-14 pulled up beside her and the pilots gave their salute. They are members of Red Eagle squadron. Elizabeth saluted back and they turned and headed for different targets. Elizabeth then turned, making another gun-run along the Cliffside. Artillery, bunkers, and machine gun nests were destroyed. A man's voice came over the radio.

    "SkyEye here. Over 25% of the defenses of the beachhead have been destroyed. Huh? Attention all aircraft! We have reports from Stonehenge! Incoming rounds! Everyone descend to safe altitude!" Elizabeth descended and waited for the rounds to come in. Huge explosions appeared in the sky, scattered all over the place. The explosions were strong and shook Elizabeth's plane like crazy. She heard about Stonehenge having giant cannons that could shoot from an extreme distance and vaporize anything in the air. She didn't believe it until now. Elizabeth found her squadron forming up with her. "Jeez! What is this?! I never seen anything like it!" Rin yelled over the radio. "Everyone stay calm! Keep low and follow me back to base!" Elizabeth yelled. They then circled back to base. Elizabeth looked back at the beach. I hope we at least did something here. She thought.

    Back at base...

    Elizabeth was tired but couldn't sleep. She then decided to head out to the town of Mariba, to find a good bar to drink at. She drove through the streets of the town. There were barely any people walking around. Elizabeth found a bar and parked up next to it. The place was crowded, filled with soldiers and some Navy and Air Force guys. Elizabeth walked in and everyone quieted down. They stared at her in silence. There were faint whispers among them. "Is that the new leader of the Mobius squadron?" A man asked. "Yeah, I heard that her whole squadron, even her leader, were wiped out by a bunch of aces. Poor guys didn't stand a chance. I just feel bad for the new rookies that she has to deal with." A man replied. "You guys shouldn't underestimate her. She is very good. She may not be ace material, but she is a damn good pilot." Another man whispered. Elizabeth tried not to pay any attention to them. She found an empty booth at the far end of the room and sat down. People continued to stare. She ordered a drink. For an hour, she drank her sorrows and fears away. A marine tried to stop her before she kills herself. She shoved him away and tried to punch him, but she missed and ended up tripping. A couple of men caught her and sat her back down at the booth. She threw angry slurs at them before she recognized them. It was Jordan and Will.

    "Ha! Getting drunk alone?! That's no fun!" Will called out. Will then ordered him and Jordan drinks. "I swear, you never learn. You always try to find trouble everywhere you go." Jordan commented. Elizabeth stuck her tongue out at them. Elizabeth slumped back in the booth. "W-Why are youuu guysss here?" She asked drunkenly. "We're here because tomorrow, we'll be heading further inland through that beach that you attacked earlier today." Jordan replied. Elizabeth was about to say something when she noticed that the rookies walked in. They looked around until they saw her. They walked over to see if she was alright. "Uh, captain? Are you ok?" Edward asked. Rin sat next to her and shook her a little. "She's drunk kids. Can't you see that?" Jordan said as he looked at Elizabeth. "Well, I'm sure she wouldn't mind if we had a drink." Lloyd said as he waved for a drink. Rin and Edward sat next to Elizabeth while Taylor and Lloyd sat next to Jordan and Will. Elizabeth kept saying stuff that didn't make sense while the rookies, along with Jordan and Will talked. "You guys know our captain?" Taylor asked. "Of course, we've known each other ever since we were kids. She can be feisty and weird when she's drunk, so watch out." Jordan said before taking a sip of his drink. "So, what do you guys do?" Rin asked. "We're snipers. I'm Jordan's spotter but we both carry weapons anyways so we just chose our own targets." Will replied. "How many kills?" Rin asked. Jordan and Will thought for a moment. "Hmm, I'd say about 87. Combined, that is." Will replied. The rookies gasped in awe. Elizabeth started to move around more and say things under her breath. Elizabeth looked around and saw Rin sitting next to her. Rin looked at her. "Are you ok, captain?" She asked.

    Elizabeth's head fell into Rin's lap. Rin didn't know what to do, so she rubbed Elizabeth's head. Jordan and Will smiled. "Yep, there she goes again." Jordan announced. Rin looked in confusion and noticed that Elizabeth was messing with her pants. Rin blushed and quickly tried to get Elizabeth off. "Gah! Captain! That isn't funny! Get off!" She yelled. Elizabeth then hugged her and tried kissing her but she quickly covered her mouth. Edward, Taylor, and Lloyd looked at each other with smiles and nodded. They got up and pulled Rin and Elizabeth away from each other. Taylor and Edward picked Elizabeth up and wrapped her arms around their necks and started to drag her off. The rookies waved goodbye to Jordan and Will and they did the same in return. Taylor and Edward sat with Elizabeth in the back while Rin and Lloyd sat up front in the car. Lloyd started the car up using Elizabeth's keys. They then drove off back to base. Elizabeth fell asleep leaning against Edward. Everyone laughed every time she snored on the way back to base.

    Upon arriving at the base, Taylor and Rin had to drag Elizabeth with them all the way to their barracks. Edward and Lloyd waved goodnight as they left. "Well, tonight was an interesting night. Don't you think?" Taylor asked. "Heh, yeah. It's funny seeing the captain like this though. Hey, we have the day off tomorrow. Maybe the captain here would like to have a girl's day out. You think she'll like that?" Rin asked. "Maybe." Taylor replied. They finally reached their barracks and put Elizabeth in her bed. They too went off to their beds and went to sleep, waiting for the new day to begin again tomorrow.