A fighter jet blew past headquarters at mach 3. A group of soldiers stood by as they watched the fighter jet fly by. Some of them had to hold on to whatever was next to them to stay on their feet.
Allenby whistled.
Another fighter jet flew past them, this one actually causing some of the soldiers to lose they're balance. Allenby and Captain Haywood were the only ones to actually stay on their feet.
Allenby whistled again. "Very impressive."
"Agreed," said Captain Haywood. "We're ready. Tell our pilots to start coming back." Captain Haywood made his way inside as a soldier called the pilots through the coms.
Allenby went over to the soldiers using the coms and offered her hand. "May I have the honor?" The soldier handed her the headphones. "Harpy, Griffin, this is Allenby."
"What are you doing on coms?" asked Griffin through the coms.
"I have the honor to call you back to base. Congratulations, Captain Haywood said we're ready for the mission."
"Finally some good news," said Griffin.
"Don't be so quick to go to war," said Harpy as she flew next to Griffin.
"Our mission is to prevent wars, not fight them," said Crow, Griffin's co-pilot.
"Amen," said Hummingbird, Harpy's co-pilot.
"Hurry up you four," said Allenby. "I want to hear what the mission is exactly.
"Yes ma'am," said the four pilots in unison.
Griffin flew his jet upside down over Harpy's. "Hey Harpy, how about we race back?"
"Stop messing around," said Hummingbird. "These birds are expensive and not toys."
"Last one back pays for drinks all night," said Harpy.
"Harpy!" exclaimed Hummingbird.
"You're on," said Griffin.
"Damn it," said Hummingbird as she braced herself.
Harpy and Griffin flew around in circles as they turned their jets around towards headquarters. "And go," said Harpy as the two blasted off.
****
Everyone sat in what looked like a classroom. At the front of the classroom was Captain Haywood with his arms crossed. Behind him was a screen, a projector pointing at it. Harpy, Griffin, Hummingbird and Crow sat in the front of the class while the support team were in the back, Allenby among them.
"Nice flying out there," said Captain Haywood.
"Especially me," said Harpy as she gave Griffin a smirk. "Right, Captain."
"You just got lucky," said Griffin. "Next time I'll win."
"Keep telling yourself that. Maybe one day it'll come true."
"Enough you two," said Captain Haywood. "The fun and games are over."
"Not for good, I hope," joked Harpy.
"Shh," silenced Captain Haywood. "What you four are going to have to do could prevent a major war."
Harpy, Griffin, Hummingbird and Crow all straighten themselves in their chairs.
"You four have to go into this base," he used a pointer to show the class what base they would be attacking on the map on the projector. The map was of a small island controlled by North Korea. "We will be doing this using no flag as to not indicate it was the USA who was behind this attack."
"So this is a covert ops mission," said Crow.
"Yes, you were all informed of this before you were assigned to me. Is that going to be a problem?"
"No sir," said Crow and everyone gave the Captain a nod. "Just making sure."
"Good, because you would have left your partner hanging if you left."
Griffin gave Crow a look and the two shared a fist bump. "Never that," said Crow.
Captain Haywood walked around the podium and got closer to the soldiers. "This mission comes down to the four of you." He looked at Harpy, Hummingbird, Griffin and Crow. "You four have been training for this for months and tomorrow is game time."
"We can do this in our sleep," said Griffin.
"That's what we're hoping for. You'll go in there and destroy all of their missiles then get back to our ship. If you get into a dog fight, I want you to back each other up and return to the ship. We'll be able to back you up from here."
"Yes sir," said Hummingbird.
"Now if things go worst case scenario and we fail the mission or you get captured, you by no means can say you're American soldiers. No mention at all of the United States. To be honest, it would be better if you die than get captured by the enemy. Since this operation is a secret and the United States will not acknowledge your existence. The Korean will torture you for the rest of your lives."
Crow gulped.
"Does everyone understand? Because this includes all of us. Myself included. If for some reason we're captured, the same thing applies to us." Captain Haywood walked past the pilots and towards the rest of the crew. "If it looks like we are about to get captured and there's no escape, I will self destruct our ship. Is this understood?"
"Yes sir," said the rest of the crew, Allenby included among them.
"Good to hear," said Captain Haywood. "Everyone go to sleep and enjoy your rest. And it's an honor to work with you all. Goodnight."
****
It was early morning and the sun was still not up in the sky. Harpy, Hummingbird and Allenby were at the top deck watching as the sun came up. None of them were able to get much sleep.
"Are you two nervous?" asked Allenby.
"No," answered Harpy, no doubt in her voice.
"A little," said Hummingbird. "Even though I shouldn't be. Like the Captain said, we've been training for this for months. We should be able to do this in our sleep."
"Well I'm nervous," said Allenby. "Can you imagine if worst case scenario happens?"
"Don't think about it," said Harpy. "Worst case scenario isn't likely for the people on the ship. You'll be miles away from the actual battlefield. If anyone is in any danger it will be the pilots."
"Damn Harpy," said Hummingbird. "Don't sound so rude about it."
"I'm not trying to be rude. I'm only saying what is more likely to happen." She turned her attention to Allenby. "All I'm trying to say is you shouldn't be nervous. You'll be safe here at the ship."
"I'll still be nervous for you four," said Allenby.
"Hmpt. I'll say you don't have to be nervous for us two, but I can't say the same for Griffin and Crow."
"Be nice," said Hummingbird with a slight laugh. "We're all coming out of this mission safe and sound. With a mission complete and a job well done from our president."
"That I doubt. No association with the US government, remember."
"We'll be paid well at the least."
The sun was beginning to rise and the three stood in silence as they watched. They could hear movement from the back as the rest of the crew were beginning to rise.
"And our day begins," said Harpy. "Let's get going, Hummingbird."
"Good luck you two," said Allenby as they walked away.