WW2(Old Version, Rewritten up!)

Chapter 34: Marshall Raid

February 1st, 1942
Near The Marshall And Gilbert Islands

On board the aircraft carrier, men were preparing for a raid. A punch to show to the Japanese, and the world, that the US had a fight in them. yet, the soldiers themselves felt like they had already lost due to Pearl.

The small group were a fighter group, yet they decided to join the raid to fill up the missing ranks. Zander and Rube were torpedo bombers whilst Daniels, Mark and Jonha were dive bombers.

Yet despite volunteering for this role, Zander couldn't help but receive a sinking feeling about the raid. The briefing didn't help much either. He toyed with his hands as the sweat rubbed off some dead skin cells.

"Hey," Daniels spoke out, "You feeling nervous?"

"Me? Never," He lied.

"You sure, you look like you're worried that I might be better than you."

"Nah it's not that," He began to walk.

"Is it the Japs?"

"Those motherfuckers? Not a chance," He chuckled.

"Then why the strange attitude?"

"I'm normal."

"Hey Rube," Daniels called out, "Ain't Zander looking a bit strange?"

"Oh yeah," He looked at him, "You worried Daniels would outperform you?"

"Nah it- we aren't even doing the same thing."

At that moment, the captain walked past. And despite his hurry, he remarked, "Nervous Zander?"

Zander looked at him and slightly hesitated before replying harshly, "Yeah kinda, I mean the torpedoes don't work, Sir."

The captain looked angry but the planes were soon about to take off, so he allowed it to slide, "It's just a rumour."

The rest apart from Rube were heading to the runway, hoping Zander would do the same before the calm captain lost his temper.

"Yeah, it's a rumour cause the dam things haven't been tested before!"

The captain huffed before shouting at Zander to get to his position. He did as ordered, dreading the punishment he'd get when he arrives back.

Rube asked him, "Wait, is it true that it hasn't been tested?"

Jonha reassured, "Don't worry, they have."

"Yeah," Zander replied, "Twice. One exploded and the other missed. I hardly call that testing."

Rube muttered, "Shit."

They were now beside the runway as planes began to take off, the sounds of engines raised the men's heartbeat as one by one, they'd join the airborne fleet. It was Daniels' turn, before he rushed to his plane, he reassured both Rube and Zander, "Don't worry, you'll do fine."

It wasn't long before all the planes were in the air, it was tranquil. As all the birds flew alongside the formation of planes, apart from a handful of clouds in the early evening, the skies were clear.

"Hey Zander," Rube radieod.

"What's up?"

"You ever wonder why they allowed 5 fighter pilots to join squadrons of non-fighter aircraft?"

"Nah, not really. But if I had to guess, I'd say it's for the plot."

"The what?"

"Ay," The squadron leader spoke, "You two cut the chatter, we are arriving at target in 2 mikes."