The Sky's The Limit

Part 5

The next day is when I got the call. Iceman had passed away.
I got dressed and ready to go. Wiping away my tears as I walk out of my room. I watch as Maverick stands next to his casket, a part of me broke and wanted to be standing next to him. But I couldn't, no one knew that iceman was my legal guardian, no one except all of the admirals and maverick. I watch the planes fly over and I couldn't keep it in. Tears started flowing out, I started to take a step forward but rooster stopped me looking confused. I pushed past him and walked towards his casket. I felt all eyes on me as I put my hand on it
"Thank you for being there for me" I whisper

I stand with Maverick as I watch them lower him into the ground. We stood there for a while before Maverick walks off then Rooster comes and stands next to me. I turn to face him and just let him hold me as I cry
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to" he whispers to me
"No you deserve to know. He-he was my legal guardian after my parents passed away. He took me in and helped me get into the navel academy. He's probably the only reason I'm standing here today" I tell him
"I'm so sorry T" he says as he tightens his hug
We both just stand there for a while before rooster speaks up
"Do you want to head back? We can stay if you want, whatever you need" he smiles
"No I think I should go, staying here will probably just make it worse" I say giving him a small smile
He just nods and puts his arm around me as we walk back to the car.

Once we are back I'm called into cyclones office.
"Lieutenant Price, come take a seat" he tells me and I do what he says
"You have my deepest condolences, truly am I sorry" he tells me and I nod my head
"Take a few days off before doing anything-" he starts to say
"No sir I'm ok, the mission is coming up and i need to be at my best and training is the only way to do that" I tell him
"I don't think you understand Viper. You're out of the mission. We can't have someone's emotions controlling them while up in the air, it's to much of a risk." he tells me
"What- I'm sorry sir I don't understand" I tell him confused
"You're not going on this mission Lieutenant Price, no more training. You leave with Maverick tomorrow" he explains to me
"Maverick sir?" I ask him
"Maverick will no longer be teaching. You and him are leaving tomorrow. Get things packed say you're goodbyes" he tells me
"You're dismissed" he tells me
"Sir I'm capable of doing this mission-" I start to say
"I said you're dismissed" he tells me again so I get up and walk out.
I walk down the hall and see maverick standing there
"I'm sorry mav-" I start to say but he grabs my arm and pulls me away
"I have a plan" he tells me and I look at his face
"Oh no" I mumble knowing what that face meant

"Viper to range control. Entering point L zone. Confirm green range." I say over the radio knowing everyone could see and hear me back at the base
"Uhh. Viper, Range control. Uh, Green range is confirmed..But I don't see an event scheduled for you ma'am?" The person says over the radio
"Well I'm going anyway. Setting time to target, two minutes fifteen seconds." I say and I know everyone at the base is flipping out.

"File attack point, Vipers inbound." I say as my time starts to count down
Twisting and turning through the valley I feel the G-force pulling harder every turn

35 seconds I start to head towards the canyon. Making my way down I start to get my laser locked. Then I released my bomb
"Bombs away." I say
I hit bullseye with 0.16 seconds left to spare as I pull up making it successful through the whole course.
"Good job V. I knew you could do it" I hear Maverick say
"Holy shit I never felt so alive and dead at the same time" I laugh as I make my way back to the base

As soon as I land I'm met with everyone cheering for me.
"Holy shit Viper you did it!!" Phoenix cheers
"That bullseye was amazing" Bob compliments me
"Well thank you" I smile
Then rooster walks up to me
"So you're doing more dangerous shit without me eh?" He asks
"Well if you got kicked out of the mission with me then you would be apart of it" I smirk
"Fair enough" he laughs
"You did great out there" he smiles
"Thank you Lieutenant Bradshaw" I smile at him and see Admiral cyclone and Maverick standing not too far off. I make eye contact with cyclone and I know I'm in big trouble
"Ahh shit I gotta go" I say and he turns to look at what I saw
"Shit good luck. Find me after" he tells me as I walk off
"Always rue" I laugh as I walk off

"Lieutenant Price. You specifically disobeyed orders that I gave you, twice. You went along with Maverick here who was also disobeying orders and not to mention you stole a multimillion dollar aircraft and flying in such that it may never be airborne again" Admiral Cyclone tells me as Maverick stands to my right and Warlock to my left.
"So what do I do? Risk the lives of my pilots and perhaps the success of the mission, or risk my career by allowing Maverick back as the instructor and by appointing you Lieutenant Price as team leader." He tells us looking back from where he was standing
"Sir" Maverick and I both start to say
"I think the admiral was asking a rhetorical question" Warlock tells us and we both just nod
Cyclone walks back in front of us looking at me
"I won't let you down sir" I tell him
"I don't doubt that. Now don't let me lose my job" he smiles at me
"Thank you sir" I nod as I walk out

Many things were going through my mind, but the one thing that wouldn't leave...

Bradley