#0659

[35mmproject]

Debated posting these separately but honestly each float is more terrifying than the last so I decided to batch post these monstrosities and have it done with. Wisconsin Homecoming Parade [Check out our vintage photography store on Redbubble]

[derangedfujoshi]

Normal Type PokéShota

0162 Furret | 0190 Aipom | 0235 Smeargle

0327 Spinda | 0446 Munchlax | 0573 Cinccino

0659 Bunnelby | 0775 Komala | 0831 Wooloo

0040 Wigglytuff | 0570 Zorua Hisuian Form

0585 Deerling | 0759 Stufful

[usafphantom2]

USAF 48 TFW McDonnell F-4D Phantom 65-0659/LN (1973)

aviationphotocompany.com/p934046062/ee9…

More F-4 images: aviationphotocompany.com/p412807271

Credit embedded

[sweetwhispersofchaos]

Eject Chapter 4

Story Summary: Ejecting from your plane in the face of danger? Expected. Forbidden love amongst pilots? Not so much. Will they bond or will this break them for good?

Chapter Summary: It’s go time!

Pairing: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Natasha “Phoenix” Trace, All the Daggers, Mav x Penny, Amelia, OC’s

Warnings: Language, Assault (not by a major character), Injury, Eventual Smut, Alcohol consumption, Smoking, Discussions of mental health. (It’s a rollercoaster. You’ve been warned.)

Chapter Word Count: 3192

Eject Masterlist ->

I do not own anything except the original characters.

Rooster was thankful that sleep came quickly. He never heard his bunk mates come in. He was not in the mood for pre-bedtime banter. Tomorrow was going to be an emotional dumpster fire and he was already feeling completely drained from the day’s events. When his alarm sounded at 0615 the next morning, he rolled over to shut it off and realized he was alone in the room. Good.

His bunkmates all stood a good chance of going on the mission today, but he knew he wasn’t going, so he was in no hurry to get the day rolling. He laid on his back in the dark, trying not to go down that dark path where the day ends in the death of Phoenix. Maverick. Who knows who else.

How did things get so complicated? As if his life hadn’t been one giant complication. He scoffed into the dark. Could the powers that be throw him some sort of bone? At least let everyone make it back to the carrier in one piece today.

They were meeting at 0700 to find out who Mav was taking with him on this suicide mission. He needed a shower and some coffee. He wandered down the hall to the showers, hoping to distract his thoughts with his right hand, but it was just no use. Once dressed in his flight suit, he wandered to the mess for some hot coffee and hoped he wouldn’t be spotted by any of the dagger squad. Lucky for him, it paid to be the last one up. He drank his coffee in peace at a small table in the back and watched the hustle and bustle of the other sailors in the room. He could tell everyone was on edge. This was a big day. Everyone knew it, and that did nothing to relieve the stress he was feeling.

Rooster cruised into the meeting room at 0659 and slid into a chair behind Hangman, across the aisle from Phoenix. She turned her head slightly and made eye contact with him but saying nothing as Maverick, Cyclone, and Warlock came to the front and called attention.

Mav began speaking about making choices based on the needs of the mission. Rooster was barely listening. When he heard Maverick call Phoenix, he didn’t even flinch. He knew she was going. Maverick would be an idiot not to take her.

But what happened next was NOT part of the plan. Mavericks’ wingman. The spot he was so sure was going to Hangman, was in fact, going to Rooster. He was going on this mission.

He looked up at Maverick, making eye contact with skepticism for the old man. Did he really earn this spot or was this a mercy selection? Surely not. Something this serious would have to be deeply considered and not just thrown away on old family pity. Did Mav really believe in him?

He was still standing and contemplating these questions when Mav dismissed them to prepare. While others fist bumped and wished good flights to others, no one said anything to Rooster. Maybe the lost and confused look on his face deterred them. He stayed in this state of confusion until he realized someone had walked up beside him.

He turned to face Nat. They just stared at each other. No words, no expressions. After what felt like an eternity, he watched her hold her fist out. As he bumped it, she simply stated “Let’s go kick some ass.” He nodded his affirmative as she turned to walk out of the room with Bob, who had been waiting for her near the door. Bob nodded at Rooster and then followed her out of the room. Rooster was left standing alone wondering what the hell had just happened.

*****

It was time.

The deck was a buzz with preparation of their jets. Rooster headed to the flight line with the rest of the daggers. None of them said much of anything to each other before leaving the ready room and heading up. Fist bumps all around and that was it. No one needed to say anything. They all knew what was on the line. He just thought he was scared before, when he thought she was going, and he wasn’t. But now, now they had to watch each other’s backs on what felt like an impossible mission. Was this going to be some sort of twisted Romeo and Juliette moment? Would they go down together?

Once on deck, Phoenix and Bob led the group out, Rooster bringing up the rear. He stared at the back of her head, hoping to somehow send his thoughts straight to her via brain waves.

I love you. Be careful. I’ve got your back.

As she climbed into her aircraft, she never looked at him. Ever the strong, independent woman, lest someone see through her tough exterior. She was all business, and he knew it.

He also knew he should say something to Maverick before takeoff. But what? Thanks? Nice knowin ya? What does someone say to someone so close yet not close in this sort of situation. He was still trying to figure that out as he walked up to Mav and his jet. Before he made it though, someone stepped in front of him, blocking his path. He looked up into the eyes of Hangman.

They stood staring at each other. Rooster was concerned that the idiot would choose now to have a pissing contest, angry he was sure, for not being chosen for the mission. But instead, all Hangman said was “You give ‘em hell!”

Not what he was expecting, but appreciative of the sentiment none-the-less, Rooster nodded his head and waited as the other pilot walked past him to his own jet. Hangman was the spare. He was to await on deck in his plane to help if need be. Ironically, Rooster hoped the asshole didn’t have to leave the ship. One less person in harms way.

He shook his head and continued on towards Maverick, calling “sir” several times before the older pilot turned around to face him.

“I just wanted to say” but he was interrupted by the call overhead. This was it. Time to mount up.

Maverick seemed to be wrestling with someone to say as well, as they stood looking at each other but saying nothing. Then Maverick said, “We’ll talk when we get back.” If, he thought. If we get back.

He walked past Mav towards his own plane but as he did Mav called out to him. “Brad, Bradley. You got this.”

He wasn’t sure he believed him, but it was nice to hear it come from his mouth. That Mav trusted him with his life meant something. Goodness knows he still loved the man, regardless of how badly he hurt him with his lack of trust all those years ago. As he climbed into his aircraft, Roosters heart began to beat rapidly, fighting to keep his breath under control. How did he end up here? Of course he knew he was a fantastic pilot, but the finality of this moment had not escaped him. He was leaving the earth and could meet again after being blown from the sky. His breath hitched and his hatch closed.

Time to go.

Each plane moved into position, like a very large and expensive dance. One by one they stated their readiness. Rooster heard Phoenix over the radio “Dagger 3, up and ready” and then he announced, “Dagger 4, up and ready”. He had flown missions with her dozens of times and hundreds of training hours, but he heard the difference in their voices this time. Phoenix was strong, determined, she sounded razor sharp over the comms. Rooster sounded like a scared kid.

Cleared to launch. They took off one right after the other, falling into position and making their way into the belly of the beast.

There is a tremendous difference between training and the actual application of what you are preparing to do. No one was feeling this difference in this moment more than Rooster. The walls of the valley felt like they were closing in on him. The SAMS up above a constant reminder of death. Bandits were hot on their heels. His breathing hitched in his throat as he was told to speed up multiple times. He could no longer see Phoenix and Mavericks planes, which panicked him even more. His thoughts raced. Maybe he wasn’t right for this. He was going to die like his dad. Maybe Maverick was right, maybe he wasn’t ready for this.

Then a voice cut through the chatter. “C’mon kid. Don’t think, just do.”

Maverick told him he pulled his papers because he didn’t think he was ready to throw away the rule book. He heard himself mutter “Talk to me Dad” and it became clear. His dad had trusted Mav and his balls to the wall flying, and in this moment, he needed to channel Nick Bradshaw’s trust and fearlessness, because what he was there to do was bigger than him. It was important. It was necessary.

Rooster punched his throttle and his plane jerked forward, speed increasing. He worked his way into the curves of the canyon with ever increasing momentum. Just as he pulled back on his stick to put his nose to the air, he heard the cry of “direct hit” and knew that miracle number one had occurred. Phoenix, Bob, and Mav were alive and had completed the first task. It was up to him now to finish the job.

His laser was a dead eye. Oh shit. Don’t think, just do.

“I’m dropping blind. Bombs away, bombs away!”

He vaguely registered the call of “Bullseye” as he raced up the side of the mountain, headed towards Coffin Corner. He did it. He fucking did it. Holy shit.

Then he came over the top of the mountain and all the fear came flooding back as a SAM launched right for him. All hell broke loose. Missiles everywhere. Voices shouting on top of each other through their headsets. Then. The unthinkable. He was out of flares. He was going to get hit. Then.

Maverick took a SAM for him, and his plane exploded across the sky.

Roosters heart stopped.

He was told to return to the ship. The bandits were closing in. Hangman asked to help but was denied. No search and rescue were coming. This wasn’t happening. One of his worst nightmares coming true.

Roosters internal struggle was crushing him worse than the 10G’s his body just sustained only moments ago. He couldn’t leave his wingman.

As they flew low and to the south, he heard Phoenix remind him of the bandits and Bob tell him Maverick was gone. He became aware that the team’s plane was flying next to him. He looked over to see Bob shaking his head “No” at Rooster. His eyes locked on to hers, another string of thoughts radiating from his mind to hers, hoping she got the message.

I have to do this. I love you. Forgive me.

He looked away and jerked his stick to the left, turning away from the other two planes. He had made up his mind. He was going for Maverick.

Cold. It was very cold around him. And wet. The fog surrounding his brain made him slow to move and slow to register what was happening around him. His eyes cracked open and were immediately seared from the blinding light of the sun bouncing off the snow. Then the searing pain in his shoulders and torso brought him out of his fog abruptly. With a small holler and a grunt he rolled over in the snow, staring up into trees.

He shot a helicopter. He saved Maverick. He was shot down.

Shit.

It was interesting to him that in that moment of realization his thoughts went to Nat and the ass chewing he was probably in for later. If he managed to survive this mess he had got himself into? Frankly, if it meant seeing her face again, he would take all the ass chewing she gave. He deserved it. He felt guilt in that moment for looking her in the eye and disobeying orders. For leaving her in the position of getting herself, her WSO, and another foxtrot crew back to the carrier without his support. For putting her through the fear she must be feeling in this moment. Oh yeah, he was in big trouble.

Rooster rolled over slowly, searching for feeling in his body, past the biting cold. He felt slight pain on his neck and reached up to find a little blood. It wasn’t much though. He sat up and began to move his feet and legs, deciding that nothing was broken, and it seemed he was all in one piece. He stood and began gathering up his chute when he heard running from behind. Before he could register anything else he was being shoved to the ground by Maverick.

After a heated verbal exchange, it hit both men. They were alive. In foreign territory. No way to reach the boat and a long way from the coast. Time to get creative.

Mavericks’ idea of creative was to commandeer an enemy F-14.

Rooster would be lying if he wasn’t absolutely terrified in this moment. As they ran across the foreign tarmac, the adrenaline pumped so fast through his body that his ears were ringing, and he could feel the sweat pouring along his body through his flight suit. They were strapped in and facing a very short taxi way. Roosters heart hitched into his throat as the machine launched forward. This was it; he was either going to make it back to that carrier and to her.

Or he wasn’t.

*****

There is a lot to be said about putting your trust in the hands of someone you have a sordid history with. Maverick was the only real father figure he had known, and now they were running for their lives. Roosters’ life left solely in the other pilots’ hands. After shooting down 2 enemy planes, Rooster began to breathe a sign of relief. They made it. He was going to see her again. Then the radar alarmed, and a new enemy plane was charging right for them. The panic set in. They had no flares. No ammunition. Their plane too slow to outrun the more sophisticated plane headed straight for them.

As they climbed higher and higher over the ocean, the ejection handles not working, Rooster knew this was it. His luck had run out. As he heard Maverick over the comms apologize to his dad, he closed his eyes and sent another silent message to the sky.

I love you, Nat. More than you will ever know.

Then an explosion ripped across the sky behind them and the shock of the moment about stopped Roosters rapidly beating heart cold.

He had never been so happy to see Hangman in his life. The cocky son-of-a- bitch just saved their lives and Rooster knew he would NEVER live it down. He could just hear the shit eating grin on Hangmans face as he announced himself as their savior.

Relief washed over him. Excitement set in. He was headed back to the carrier. Back to earth. Back to his center of gravity.

*****

The landing was hard as fuck, but he didn’t care. They were back on the carrier and headed home with a hero’s welcome on deck. He hurt all over, sweat pouring off of him, and all he could do was smile. The crowd that gathered shouted their congratulations and clapped him on the back as he clambered out of the broken plane and crossed the deck.

Phoenix came around him, shaking her head as she pulled him into a hug, patting his chest. He could tell by the look on her face that she was happy he was alive, but he was in trouble later, no doubt about it. She moved past him to hug Hangman and Rooster continued to high five and fist bump the other pilots around him. Eventually the hub bub died down and those who went on the mission filed into a mission ready room for debriefing. This was the part he hadn’t thought about yet. Now he had to explain himself to his superiors and hope that this wasn’t his last day in the Navy. The other pilots and their WSO’s were dismissed while Rooster and Maverick were asked to stay.

He stood at attention, gulping, and then waiting for the worst.

Somehow Mav managed to take most of the flack for what happened. Rooster had a lot of explaining to do, and would face some repercussion, but due to the secrecy with which the mission had to remain under, he was let off much easier than he should have. He was dismissed a half an hour later while Maverick was kept for further discussion. In that moment he was glad he was getting the fuck out of that room.

As he exited the room, he saw two beautiful chocolate orbs staring at him from across the corridor. She was still in her flight suit, leaning against the metal wall with her arms crossed. He froze.

“I don’t even know what to say to you.” She shot to him, her face ice cold.

He hung his head in complete shame, unable to meet her eyes. He could only imagine the hell he had just put her through.

Her boots squeaked against the floor as she moved closer to him. Unable to raise his head to meet her gaze, he stared at the ground as her boots came toe-to-toe with his. He could smell her sweat and feel the heat of anger radiating off of her as she moved into his space.

She huffed, then in a low, breathy, and absolutely terrifying whisper stated simply “I’ll never forgive you for this.” And then she turned on her heels and walked off down the hall with fervor.

Rooster just stood there, head down, letting the tears roll down his cheeks. Whatever chance he thought he had with her was long gone now and for the first time since he landed on the deck, he felt all of the pain in his body from the mission. He couldn’t decide what hurt worse, his body, or his heart. He needed to go get a shower and get checked out by medical. But he just stood there. Glued to that spot, reeling from every emotion humanly possible.

He didn’t realize he was still blocking the door to the room he had exited until Maverick almost ran smack into his back. Rooster whipped around, raising his damp eyes to meet Pete Mitchells. And then he began to sob as the elder pilot wrapped him in a giant bear hug.

“Let’s get you to medical” Maverick said, and Bradley nodded. Maverick let go of him and they walked down the hall towards the medical bag, Rooster unable to completely stop the tears from streaming down his face.

Chapter 5 ->

[hippopopotas]

0659. Bunnelby

[pokehexdex]

This design request came from one of my Instagram followers! Bounce over to https://pokehexdex.wordpress.com/0659/01/01/bunnelby/ to check out my new Bunnelby art!

[jfklibraryfdn]

Public Opinion in the JFK Library Archives: Jacqueline Kennedy’s Televised White House Tour, February 14 1962

This post was originally published on 2/14/2018

by Emily Mathay and Stacey Chandler, Archives Reference

At 10 p.m. on February 14th, 1962, Jacqueline Kennedy brought millions of people into the country’s most famous house with her television special A Tour of the White House with Mrs. John F. Kennedy. Hosted by the First Lady and CBS correspondent Charles Collingwood, the tour was the public’s first look at Jacqueline Kennedy’s famed White House restoration project. After the broadcast aired, thousands of people wrote to the White House with their opinions. Their letters are now in the archives at the JFK Library, where we’re working on preserving them.

Image: A sampling of items archivists have removed from letters during preservation of the White House Public Opinion Mail.

By 1962, many Americans knew about Jacqueline Kennedy’s project to fill the White House with antiques from the time of its original construction; she had already helped create the White House Historical Association, the Fine Arts Committee, and the position of White House Curator. But her televised tour showcased the results of all that work for the first time, and invited the world to hear about the history she chose to preserve. The broadcast led many viewers to write to the White House with their own views about history – and the way political figures discussed it.

Image: JBKOPP-SF002-005-p0013

Image: JBKOPP-SF002-005-p0049

Most of the letters noted Jacqueline Kennedy’s appearance in some way, offering praise or criticism of her style, expressions, and tone of voice.

Image: JFKWHMPFPOM-0659-005-p01

Image: JBKOPP-SF002-005-p0104

Some messages offered thoughts (positive and negative) about the content of the tour itself, including personal connections to the history and art the First Lady talked about.

Image: WHSF_947_22-p09

Image: JFKWHMPFPOM-0658-005-p01

Others sent in clippings of positive reviews, requested for photographs of the First Family, or asked questions the tour hadn’t quite answered for them. A common question from kids who watched the black-and-white broadcast: are rooms like the Red Room really decorated in the colors they are named after?

Image: JFKMPFPOM-0659-04-p18

Throughout the boxes of letters, one unexpected figure pops up: Astronaut John Glenn, who blasted into space in the Mercury capsule Friendship 7 just six days after the First Lady’s tour. Letters to the White House often comment on both the White House Tour and Glenn’s success, creating a documentary record of public reaction to both the intimate and the (quite literally) ‘out of this world.’

Image: JFKMPFPOM-659-04-p10

A month after the broadcast, a new Nielson report noted that the number of White House visitors in the first week of March had increased by over 5,000 from the previous year. Though we can’t be sure that the dramatic uptick was a result of the First Lady’s broadcast, letters from the public reflect an overwhelmingly positive response to the preservation of the nation’s past even as it began to explore the new frontiers of the future.

Image: JFKMPFPOM-659-02-p49

[androgynousbirdtale]

Get Ready for a Hybrid Solar Eclipse (total and annular combined)

On April 20, parts of the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions will experience a rare type of event called a hybrid solar eclipse.

Hybrid solar eclipses shift from total to annular as the moon's shadow races over Earth; in some places, the moon completely blots out the sun, whereas in others a ring of light is visible around the edge of our natural satellite. These eclipses are quite rare, occurring just a few times every century — and one will grace our planet's skies less than two weeks from now.

While not observable from the U.S., the hybrid eclipse will be visible from western Australia, East Timor, and eastern Indonesia beginning at 21:36 EDT on April 19 (0136 GMT on April 20) and ending at 2:59 a.m. EDT (0659 GMT) on the following day, according to In the Sky. (It will be April 20 in those regions where the eclipse is visible.)

Some skywatchers in this region will be treated to a total solar eclipse, whereas others will see a "ring of fire" annular eclipse. Still, others will witness a partial solar eclipse, with the moon taking a bite out of a portion of the sun.

There are two points on Earth where the eclipse will transition from annular to total to annular again. However, those two spots are remote locales in the middle of the ocean, Space.com’s Jamie Carter pointed out in an explainer about the April 20 hybrid eclipse.

This hybrid eclipse will appear as a total or annular solar eclipse when viewed from Western Australia from 10:29 p.m. to 10:35 p.m. EDT on April 19 (0229 to 0235 GMT on April 20), in East Timor from 11:19 p.m. to 11:22 p.m. EDT (0319 to 0322 GMT) and in Indonesia from 11:23 p.m. to 11:58 p.m. EDT (0323 to 0358 GMT).

The celestial event will appear as a partial eclipse from many more countries, including the French Southern Territories, where 93% of the sun will be eclipsed; Papua New Guinea, where 87% of the sun will be blocked; and the Marshall Islands, where 95% of the sun’s disk will be covered by the moon, according to In the Sky.

Hybrid eclipses happen due to the fact that Earth is curved and the moon’s shadow has different regions, particularly a darker central region known as the umbra and a lighter outer region, the penumbra. Hybrid eclipses occur when the moon is as far away from Earth as it can be in its elliptical orbit, while still having the umbra meet the surface of our planet.

"The moon is just at the right distance from Earth for the apex of its cone-shaped shadow to be slightly above the Earth's surface at the beginning and end of the eclipse path, causing the moon's antumbral shadow to move across Earth, causing an annular solar eclipse," Carter wrote in his explainer piece. "However, in the middle of the eclipse path, the apex of the moon's umbral shadow strikes Earth's surface because that part of the planet is slightly closer to the moon."

The last eclipse of this type occurred almost 10 years ago, on Nov. 3, 2013. The next hybrid solar eclipse after this month's will occur in November 2031 and will be visible from some parts of the contiguous United States. After this, the next time skywatchers will get to see a hybrid eclipse is on March 23, 2164. 😳

[tviirus]

since this website continues to surprise me with how broken it can be... add me on disc.

max fischer#0659

[35mmproject]

Group with signs and balloons out front old building with Homecoming sign [Check out our vintage photography store on Redbubble]

[brassandblue]

PLOTTING CALL.

Hit me up on Discord. Do it. Do iiiiiit.

AU list. And the Muselist. Go go go go go.

thundersong#0659

[swldx]

RNZ Pacific 1346 29 Nov 2024

7390Khz 1259 29 NOV 2024 - RNZ PACIFIC (NEW ZEALAND) in ENGLISH from RANGITAIKI. SINPO = 54434. English, s/on w/bellbird int. until pips and news @1300z anchored by Lydia Lewis. § The HMNZS Manawanui grounded and sank off the coast of Samoa as a result of human error, an interim report has found. The Royal New Zealand Navy ship hit a reef on the southern side of Samoa on 5 October while conducting survey operations. Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding launched a Court of Inquiry afterwards and has just released its interim findings. "The direct cause of the grounding has been determined as a series of human errors which meant the ship's autopilot was not disengaged when it should have been," Golding said. § China on Friday reiterated its warning to Washington as Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te prepares to stop over in the US territories of Hawaii and Guam as he begins his trip to the South Pacific region on Saturday. Emphasizing China’s stance against Lai transiting through the US "under any name or pretext," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning condemned Washington for "condoning or supporting 'Taiwan independence' separatists and their activities in any form," state media reported. Beijing’s statement comes as Lai is set to begin his first overseas trip since being inaugurated in May early this year. § Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan officially said goodbye to his constituents in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) during a townhall meeting last Wednesday on Saipan. § Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to strike Ukraine again with a new nuclear-capable ballistic missile following Moscow’s latest widespread attack on critical energy infrastructure. More than a million households in Ukraine were left without power following the overnight bombardment, authorities in the country said Thursday. It’s Russia’s 11th large-scale assault on Ukraine’s energy supplies this year alone, according to the Energy Ministry in Kyiv, a strategy that has caused nationwide rolling blackouts. § Muddy footprints left on a Kenyan lakeside suggest two of our early human ancestors were nearby neighbors some 1.5 million years ago. The footprints were left in the mud by two different species “within a matter of hours, or at most days,” said paleontologist Louise Leakey, co-author of the research published Thursday in the journal Science. Scientists previously knew from fossil remains that these two extinct branches of the human evolutionary tree – called Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei – lived about the same time in the Turkana Basin. § Sports. @1308z "Pacific Waves" anchored by female announcer. QRM=slight heterodyne. Backyard fence antenna, JRC NRD-535D. 100kW, beamAz 35°, bearing 240°. Received at Plymouth, United States, 12912KM from transmitter at Rangitaiki. Local time: 0659.

[wcypodcast]

Whence Came Your? - 0659 - Freemasonry: The School of Philosophy

Join us this week as we explore the troubles that often hit us during the holidays. Then we look at a piece from almost 100 years ago that expounds on why Freemasonry still exists and who it was meant to attract. How far off base are we today from this vision?  Links: Fear and Loathing on Thanksgiving  http://www.midnightfreemasons.org/2024/11/fear-and-loathing-on-thanksgiving.html Skull and Crown Ltd. www.skullandcrownltd.com Craftsman+ FB Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftsmanplus/

WCY Podcast YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/WhenceCameYou

Ancient Modern Initiation: Special Edition http://www.wcypodcast.com/the-Shop The Master's Word- A Short Treatise on the Word, the Light, and the Self - Autographed https://wcypodcast.com/the-shop

Get the new book! How to Charter a Lodge https://wcypodcast.com/the-shop

Truth Quantum https://truthquantum.com

Our Patreon www.patreon.com/wcypodcast

Support the show on Paypal https://wcypodcast.com/support-the-show

Get some swag! https://wcypodcast.com/the-shop

Get the book! http://a.co/5rtYr2r

Check out this episode!

[sweetwhispersofchaos]

Eject Ch. 4

Chapter 4 of my first fan fiction work. Rooster x Phoenix. Rated M mainly for language, a mention of a physical altercation, and some blood. There will be some steamy stuff later on down the road so 18+ only! Story and Story Cover Photo Edit by me Chapter 4 Notes: The mission is upon them.

Rooster was thankful that sleep came quickly. He never heard his bunk mates come in. He was not in the mood for pre-bedtime banter. Tomorrow was going to be an emotional dumpster fire and he was already feeling completely drained from the day’s events. When his alarm sounded at 0615 the next morning, he rolled over to shut it off and realized he was alone in the room. Good. His bunkmates all stood a good chance of going on the mission today, but he knew he wasn’t going, so he was in no hurry to get the day rolling. He laid on his back in the dark, trying not to go down that dark path where the day ends in the death of Phoenix. Maverick. Who knows who else.

How did things get so complicated? As if his life hadn’t been one giant complication. He scoffed into the dark. Could the powers that be throw him some sort of bone? At least let everyone make it back to the carrier in one piece today.

They were meeting at 0700 to find out who Mav was taking with him on this suicide mission. He needed a shower and some coffee. He wandered down the hall to the showers, hoping to distract his thoughts with his right hand, but it was just no use. Once dressed in his flight suit, he wandered to the mess for some hot coffee and hoped he wouldn’t be spotted by any of the dagger squad. Lucky for him, it paid to be the last one up. He drank his coffee in peace at a small table in the back and watched the hustle and bustle of the other sailors in the room. He could tell everyone was on edge. This was a big day. Everyone knew it, and that did nothing to relieve the stress he was feeling. Rooster cruised into the meeting room at 0659 and slid into a chair behind Hangman, across the aisle from Phoenix. She turned her head slightly and made eye contact with him but saying nothing as Maverick, Cyclone, and Warlock came to the front and called attention.

Mav began speaking about making choices based on the needs of the mission. Rooster was barely listening. When he heard Maverick call Phoenix, he didn’t even flinch. He knew she was going. Maverick would be an idiot not to take her.

But what happened next was NOT part of the plan. Mavericks’ wingman. The spot he was so sure was going to Hangman, was in fact, going to Rooster. He was going on this mission.

He looked up at Maverick, making eye contact with skepticism for the old man. Did he really earn this spot or was this a mercy selection? Surely not. Something this serious would have to be deeply considered and not just thrown away on old family pity. Did Mav really believe in him?

He was still standing and contemplating these questions when Mav dismissed them to prepare. While others fist bumped and wished good flights to others, no one said anything to Rooster. Maybe the lost and confused look on his face deterred them. He stayed in this state of confusion until he realized someone had walked up beside him.

He turned to face Nat. They just stared at each other. No words, no expressions. After what felt like an eternity, he watched her hold her fist out. As he bumped it, she simply stated “Let’s go kick some ass.” He nodded his affirmative as she turned to walk out of the room with Bob, who had been waiting for her near the door. Bob nodded at Rooster and then followed her out of the room. Rooster was left standing alone wondering what the hell had just happened.

*****

It was time. The deck was a buzz with preparation of their jets. Rooster headed to the flight line with the rest of the daggers. None of them said much of anything to each other before leaving the ready room and heading up. Fist bumps all around and that was it. No one needed to say anything. They all knew what was on the line. He just thought he was scared before, when he thought she was going, and he wasn’t. But now, now they had to watch each other’s backs on what felt like an impossible mission. Was this going to be some sort of twisted Romeo and Juliette moment? Would they go down together?

Once on deck, Phoenix and Bob led the group out, Rooster bringing up the rear. He stared at the back of her head, hoping to somehow send his thoughts straight to her via brain waves.

I love you. Be careful. I’ve got your back.

As she climbed into her aircraft, she never looked at him. Ever the strong, independent woman, lest someone see through her tough exterior. She was all business, and he knew it.

He also knew he should say something to Maverick before takeoff. But what? Thanks? Nice knowin ya? What does someone say to someone so close yet not close in this sort of situation. He was still trying to figure that out as he walked up to Mav and his jet. Before he made it though, someone stepped in front of him, blocking his path. He looked up into the eyes of Hangman.

They stood staring at each other. Rooster was concerned that the idiot would choose now to have a pissing contest, angry he was sure, for not being chosen for the mission. But instead, all Hangman said was “You give ‘em hell!”

Not what he was expecting, but appreciative of the sentiment none-the-less, Rooster nodded his head and waited as the other pilot walked past him to his own jet. Hangman was the spare. He was to await on deck in his plane to help if need be. Ironically, Rooster hoped the asshole didn’t have to leave the ship. One less person in harms way. He shook his head and continued on towards Maverick, calling “sir” several times before the older pilot turned around to face him.

“I just wanted to say” but he was interrupted by the call overhead. This was it. Time to mount up.

Maverick seemed to be wrestling with someone to say as well, as they stood looking at each other but saying nothing. Then Maverick said, “We’ll talk when we get back.” If, he thought. If we get back.

He walked past Mav towards his own plane but as he did Mav called out to him. “Brad, Bradley. You got this.” He wasn’t sure he believed him, but it was nice to hear it come from his mouth. That Mav trusted him with his life meant something. Goodness knows he still loved the man, regardless of how badly he hurt him with his lack of trust all those years ago. As he climbed into his aircraft, Roosters heart began to beat rapidly, fighting to keep his breath under control. How did he end up here? Of course he knew he was a fantastic pilot, but the finality of this moment had not escaped him. He was leaving the earth and could meet again after being blown from the sky. His breath hitched and his hatch closed.

Time to go.

Each plane moved into position, like a very large and expensive dance. One by one they stated their readiness. Rooster heard Phoenix over the radio “Dagger 3, up and ready” and then he announced, “Dagger 4, up and ready”. He had flown missions with her dozens of times and hundreds of training hours, but he heard the difference in their voices this time. Phoenix was strong, determined, she sounded razor sharp over the comms. Rooster sounded like a scared kid.

Cleared to launch. They took off one right after the other, falling into position and making their way into the belly of the beast.

There is a tremendous difference between training and the actual application of what you are preparing to do. No one was feeling this difference in this moment more than Rooster. The walls of the valley felt like they were closing in on him. The SAMS up above a constant reminder of death. Bandits were hot on their heels. His breathing hitched in his throat as he was told to speed up multiple times. He could no longer see Phoenix and Mavericks planes, which panicked him even more. His thoughts raced. Maybe he wasn’t right for this. He was going to die like his dad. Maybe Maverick was right, maybe he wasn’t ready for this.

Then a voice cut through the chatter. “C’mon kid. Don’t think, just do.”

Maverick told him he pulled his papers because he didn’t think he was ready to throw away the rule book. He heard himself mutter “Talk to me Dad” and it became clear. His dad had trusted Mav and his balls to the wall flying, and in this moment, he needed to channel Nick Bradshaw’s trust and fearlessness, because what he was there to do was bigger than him. It was important. It was necessary.

Rooster punched his throttle and his plane jerked forward, speed increasing. He worked his way into the curves of the canyon with ever increasing momentum. Just as he pulled back on his stick to put his nose to the air, he heard the cry of “direct hit” and knew that miracle number one had occurred. Phoenix, Bob, and Mav were alive and had completed the first task. It was up to him now to finish the job.

His laser was a dead eye. Oh shit. Don’t think, just do. “I’m dropping blind. Bombs away, bombs away!”

He vaguely registered the call of “Bullseye” as he raced up the side of the mountain, headed towards Coffin Corner. He did it. He fucking did it. Holy shit.

Then he came over the top of the mountain and all the fear came flooding back as a SAM launched right for him. All hell broke loose. Missiles everywhere. Voices shouting on top of each other through their headsets. Then. The unthinkable. He was out of flares. He was going to get hit. Then.

Maverick took a SAM for him, and his plane exploded across the sky.

Roosters heart stopped. He was told to return to the ship. The bandits were closing in. Hangman asked to help but was denied. No search and rescue were coming. This wasn’t happening. One of his worst nightmares coming true.

Roosters internal struggle was crushing him worse than the 10G’s his body just sustained only moments ago. He couldn’t leave his wingman.

As they flew low and to the south, he heard Phoenix remind him of the bandits and Bob tell him Maverick was gone. He became aware that the team’s plane was flying next to him. He looked over to see Bob shaking his head “No” at Rooster. His eyes locked on to hers, another string of thoughts radiating from his mind to hers, hoping she got the message.

I have to do this. I love you. Forgive me. He looked away and jerked his stick to the left, turning away from the other two planes. He had made up his mind. He was going for Maverick.

Cold. It was very cold around him. And wet. The fog surrounding his brain made him slow to move and slow to register what was happening around him. His eyes cracked open and were immediately seared from the blinding light of the sun bouncing off the snow. Then the searing pain in his shoulders and torso brought him out of his fog abruptly. With a small holler and a grunt he rolled over in the snow, staring up into trees.

He shot a helicopter. He saved Maverick. He was shot down.

Shit.

It was interesting to him that in that moment of realization his thoughts went to Nat and the ass chewing he was probably in for later. If he managed to survive this mess he had got himself into? Frankly, if it meant seeing her face again, he would take all the ass chewing she gave. He deserved it. He felt guilt in that moment for looking her in the eye and disobeying orders. For leaving her in the position of getting herself, her WSO, and another foxtrot crew back to the carrier without his support. For putting her through the fear she must be feeling in this moment. Oh yeah, he was in big trouble.

Rooster rolled over slowly, searching for feeling in his body, past the biting cold. He felt slight pain on his neck and reached up to find a little blood. It wasn’t much though. He sat up and began to move his feet and legs, deciding that nothing was broken, and it seemed he was all in one piece. He stood and began gathering up his chute when he heard running from behind. Before he could register anything else he was being shoved to the ground by Maverick.

After a heated verbal exchange, it hit both men. They were alive. In foreign territory. No way to reach the boat and a long way from the coast. Time to get creative.

Mavericks’ idea of creative was to commandeer an enemy F-14. Rooster would be lying if he wasn’t absolutely terrified in this moment. As they ran across the foreign tarmac, the adrenaline pumped so fast through his body that his ears were ringing, and he could feel the sweat pouring along his body through his flight suit. They were strapped in and facing a very short taxi way. Roosters heart hitched into his throat as the machine launched forward. This was it; he was either going to make it back to that carrier and to her. Or he wasn’t.

***** There is a lot to be said about putting your trust in the hands of someone you have a sordid history with. Maverick was the only real father figure he had known, and now they were running for their lives. Roosters’ life left solely in the other pilots’ hands. After shooting down 2 enemy planes, Rooster began to breathe a sign of relief. They made it. He was going to see her again. Then the radar alarmed, and a new enemy plane was charging right for them. The panic set in. They had no flares. No ammunition. Their plane too slow to outrun the more sophisticated plane headed straight for them.

As they climbed higher and higher over the ocean, the ejection handles not working, Rooster knew this was it. His luck had run out. As he heard Maverick over the comms apologize to his dad, he closed his eyes and sent another silent message to the sky.

I love you, Nat. More than you will ever know.

Then an explosion ripped across the sky behind them and the shock of the moment about stopped Roosters rapidly beating heart cold.

He had never been so happy to see Hangman in his life. The cocky son-of-a- bitch just saved their lives and Rooster knew he would NEVER live it down. He could just hear the shit eating grin on Hangmans face as he announced himself as their savior.

Relief washed over him. Excitement set in. He was headed back to the carrier. Back to earth. Back to his center of gravity.

***** The landing was hard as fuck, but he didn’t care. They were back on the carrier and headed home with a hero’s welcome on deck. He hurt all over, sweat pouring off of him, and all he could do was smile. The crowd that gathered shouted their congratulations and clapped him on the back as he clambered out of the broken plane and crossed the deck.

Phoenix came around him, shaking her head as she pulled him into a hug, patting his chest. He could tell by the look on her face that she was happy he was alive, but he was in trouble later, no doubt about it. She moved past him to hug Hangman and Rooster continued to high five and fist bump the other pilots around him. Eventually the hub bub died down and those who went on the mission filed into a mission ready room for debriefing. This was the part he hadn’t thought about yet. Now he had to explain himself to his superiors and hope that this wasn’t his last day in the Navy. The other pilots and their WSO’s were dismissed while Rooster and Maverick were asked to stay.

He stood at attention, gulping, and then waiting for the worst. But it didn’t come.

Somehow Mav managed to take most of the flack for what happened. He was one smooth talking son of a gun. Rooster had a lot of explaining to do, and would face some repercussion, but due to the secrecy with which the mission had to remain under, he was let off much easier than he should have. To say he was shocked was an understatement, but they seemed to be pleased that he had made it back. He was dismissed a half an hour later while Maverick was kept for further discussion. In that moment he was glad he was getting the fuck out of that room.

As he exited through the large door, he saw two beautiful chocolate orbs staring at him from across the corridor. She was still in her flight suit, leaning against the metal wall with her arms crossed. He froze.

“I don’t even know what to say to you.” She shot at him, her face ice cold.

He hung his head in complete shame, unable to meet her eyes. He could only imagine the hell he had just put her through.

Her boots squeaked against the floor as she moved closer to him. Unable to raise his head to meet her gaze, he stared at the ground as her boots came toe-to-toe with his. He could smell her sweat and feel the heat of anger radiating off her as she moved into his space.

She huffed, then in a low, breathy, and terrifying whisper stated simply “I’ll never forgive you for this.” And then she turned on her heels and walked off down the hall with fervor.

Rooster just stood there, head down, letting tears roll down his cheeks. Whatever chance he thought he had with her was long gone now and for the first time since he landed on the deck, he felt all the pain in his body from the mission. He couldn’t decide what hurt worse, his body, or his heart. He needed to go get a shower and get checked out by medical. But he just stood there. Glued to that spot, reeling from every emotion humanly possible.

He didn’t realize he was still blocking the door to the room he had exited until Maverick almost ran smack into his back. Rooster whipped around, raising his damp eyes to meet Pete Mitchells. And then he began to sob as the elder pilot wrapped him in a giant bear hug. He heard himself let out a small wail and choked on it, angry at himself for falling apart like this. The adrenaline long gone, he felt every pain, every fear, every terrifying moment of the mission and his body began to crumple under the weight of it all.

“Let’s get you to medical” was all Maverick said, and Bradley nodded. Maverick let go of him and they walked down the hall towards the medical bay, Rooster unable to completely stop the tears from streaming down his face, no matter how many times he wiped them away.

[hippopopotas]

0659. Bunnelby