Symphony of the Heart

Chapter 2 - Yukiho's Engagement Party

After attending the grand alumni homecoming, my wife and I went home with a huge smile on our faces. It's been ten years since we and our friends saw each other. On the other hand I miss my band mates. Based on what Rina told me via email. She and Aoki are going to tie the knot a month from now. Lucky for me that I got a one month vacation leave. At least they get to have a honeymoon. Unlike me after Honoka-chan and I got married, I was immediately called back to active duty.

I still remember that day. I was preparing to go on a honeymoon trip to my motherland with my wife. Then the call came for me to get back to the ship. My superiors addressed it as urgent. I didn't bother to ask why. When I got there I was immediately put on active flight status. I was still a wingman to Lt. Cmdr. David Richards callsign Cougar. His R.I.O. is 1st Lt. Matthew Davis callsign Merlin. Then the unexpected happened. Two Chinese J-25 jets appeared on our radar. Our tomcats were the newest version of the original tomcat.

While the Chinese jets had a maximum speed of mach 2.0, our tomcats had a max speed of mach 5. The company that built our aircrafts made sure that the new models will be faster and deadlier than it's retired predecessor. It turned out that China had been aggressively engaging the navy's stealth F-35 jets. This forced the Navy Department to push for the revival of the tomcat. Up to now I can still recall how Cougar ended up being scared after getting shot at. It was also the day that I shot down two MIG-29 copycats.

Flashback:

I was recently recalled to active duty a day after my wedding. My wife didn't take it very well that I had to leave her at once. I gave her an assurance that I will return no matter what happens. She finally accepted the fact that I have to spend most of my life on a ship than on land. As I get into my quarters to change into my flight suit. Cougar, Merlin, and Goose are waiting for me in the ready room. As soon as I finish gearing up. I head to the ready room and wait for our commanding officer to give us our mission order.

Goose: Hey Mav...... Looks like you're a little pissed off.

Me: Who wouldn't be when you're already planning to go on a honeymoon then suddenly you get recalled to active duty again.

Cougar: Tough luck for you bro. But I'm in the same boat as you are. I was supposed to go on a one day camping trip with my wife and kid. Then they called me back on the eve of the trip.

Merlin: Guess we all got the raw end of a deal.

Me: Yeah...... I wonder why they said that it's urgent for all four of us to be here.

Goose: Beats me. But scuttlebutt has it that the guys from the Nimitz are being constantly engaged by Chinese fighter jets.

Cougar: That's the problem with the F-35. They sacrificed speed for stealth.

Me: I agree with you on that one. That's why I only went to the Navy Aviation School when the new tomcat has been built. Lucky for me after I graduated I get to fly it already.

Goose: I'm excited to be your R.I.O. Maverick. I would rather be in the backseat of a cockpit than be pilot.

Me: Let me guess. Your wife doesn't want to lose you.

Goose: Fuck you Maverick. No...... Seriously yeah. She doesn't want to lose me.

Me: Same goes for my wife. She's upset that I got called back to active duty. But I assured her that I would return home safely.

As we are all discussing about our wives. Capt. Arnold McDonnell our air Air Boss comes in and gives us the reason why we are all called back.

Cougar: Air Boss on deck! (We all salute him.)