Fire & Ice

the danger zone

Goose turns to his pilot, "What are you doing?"

Viper ignores the talking, "The tip of the spear..."

Maverick begins, "I'm just wondering—"

"...best be sharp." Commander Metcalf finishes, as his eyes land on me. His eyes widen for a moment, as he realizes his mistake. I give him a little wave, as Clutch tries not to burst into laughter. Viper walks away, towards the front of the class.

"He's not too sharp," I whisper to my RIO, and he disguises his laughter behind coughs. He glares at me, and pokes me, which means that he's going to get me back later.

"—who's the best." Maverick finishes, turning away from his new found enemy.

Viper answer his student, "I'm case some of you wonder who the best is, they're up here on this plaque on the wall. The best driver and his RIO from each class has his name on it. And they have the option to come back here to be Top Gun instructors. You think your names gonna be on that plaque?"

Maverick answers, "Yes, sir."

"That pretty arrogant, considering the company you're in." Viper remarks. He looks down at my cousin, and a glimmer of recognition shows in the old man's eyes.

Maverick nods and addresses his superior officer, "Yes, sir."

Viper smiles, "I like that in a pilot. Just remember, when it's over out there, we're all on the same team. Gentlemen and lady, this school is about combat. There are no points for second place. Dismissed."

I don't know what was worse, being ignored, or to be pointed out in front of everyone else. It felt as if somebody put me under a spotlight, or a microscope for that matter, just trying to find out what would make me tick.

All the men's heads in the room turn, confused at his mention of a lady.

Great, just great.

Once one man finds me, the rest of them do. Many of them sit taller, and try to appear bigger.

They're intimidated by my mere presence. There is not another woman in the navy, and yet, here I am, at Top Gun.

Only one man doesn't turn to ogle at me like an animal in a zoo. The one in front of me. He doesn't care. He probably assumes a secretary walked in or something.

Mostly everyone stands up, and starts to walk away. Maverick passes me and Clutch.

The blonde man says, "The plaque for the alternates is down in the ladies' room."

I instantly glared at his sexist comment. I open my mouth to start an argument, but the oh-so-lovely Mother Goose interrupts me.

Nick guffaws, "Oh, you kill me. You really do." He stoops down to look at the Top Gun plaque, pointing at a metal engraving. "No, no, no, no. There's two O's in 'Goose,' boys."

I'm pissed off, but Brandon make eye contact with me, telling me to knock it off. I knew there would be worse comments throughout this training. I would just learn how to deal with it.

I stood up, ready to get out of here and cool off. I couldn't afford to be a hot head and let my emotions control me.

The pilot in front of me stands up, and turns around, revealing their identity.

I scowl, when I recognize Tom Kazansky.

Iceman.

I make direct eye contact with him, and he looks at me in confusion. Some part of him recognizes me from the bar last night, at least. I decide to make it easier for him.

I took my eyes, saying, "I guess I'll make some room for you, Iceman." I say, planning the day when he'll become an alternate, and not the top of the class.

Now, it's Maverick's turn it laugh. Others join in on it, laughing at me and Iceman.

"Ooo, burn." Clutch backs me up, punching my in the arm. I laugh, but my eyes don't make the smile. I have nothing but a burning hatred for Iceman.

He's a sexist with a holier-than-thou attitude. He was like every other pilot in here, he just had the misfortune of meeting me last night.

Tom's eyes widen in understanding when he finally figures out who I am. "Soph—," Iceman stutters, but then he clears his throat, and then glares at me. He sneers, "If you don't flunk out."

I don't even get a chance to retort him, when he bumps into me on purpose, and walks away.

Deep down, I can't help but respect him, as much as I hate him. Iceman is the only one, besides Goose and Maverick, who treats me like an equal.

If he was so confident that he was better than me, a girl, he wouldn't have bumped into me. He's scared. He's nervous why I'm here, and not another guy in my place.

I was different from the rest.

Iceman treats me like an enemy—like he treats probably everyone else.

I was just a joke to the rest of our class.

I can't wait to see the look on everyone's faces when they realize I'm the pilot, and not the RIO. Everyone was already assuming Clutch was the pilot out of our duo.

I don't even show up on their radar's.

And I didn't plan to. The best threats are the ones you never see coming.

I was too fast for them to keep up anyways.

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