Rain beat down as Lieutenant Neil "Omaha" Vikander walked through Fightertown, occasionally looking at his phone to text his WSO, Callie "Halo" Basset. It has been a few weeks since the successful suicide mission, and so far, none of them had been restationed. Admiral Beau "Cyclone" Simpson said that they all deserved a few weeks break after said mission. Omaha couldn't complain. Even though he wasn't one of the pilots chosen for the mission, training and just waiting had been brutal. 

The pilot stopped at the cafe one block away from his house. The smell of fresh pastries and coffee hit him, making him groan. He pocketed his phone, looking up at the menu. Halo had made him promise to get her something. The cafe had multiple patrons sitting around, waiting in line, or just hanging out with friends. The baristas happily took and gave out orders. 

"Good morning!" a young brunette batista chirped. "What can I get for you?" Omaha looked at her and smiled. She had wide brown eyes, black hair, and olive skin. She wore a maroon shirt and black leggings beneath her black apron. Her name tag read 'Julia Henderson'. 

"Good morning," Omaha greeted, looking up at the menu. "I'll have two blueberry donuts, one Boston creme, and two coffees. One with pumpkin spice and one with cinnamon. All to go." 

"You bet!" She rang him up on the register. "That will be fifteen dollars and twenty-five cents."  His wallet in hand, Omaha paid for the order. "Thank you," she said, putting the money in the register. Soon after, Julia had given him his order. "Come back anytime." 

"I just might," Omaha smiled, winking at her. "Have a good day, Julia." He grabbed the bag with the donuts and the cup holders. 

Omaha unlocked the door to his apartment, dropping his keys in the bowl on the small table by the door. He set the pastries and coffee next to the bowl. Humming to himself, he took off his shoes and rain coat. His hair was still wet, but he didn't mind. 

Sending Halo a quick text that he'd meet her at the Hard Deck in half an hour, Omaha sipped his pumpkin spice coffee. Taking the order into the kitchen, he sat down at the kitchen island. He took out his Boston Creme and slowly ate it, savoring the flavor. 

Omaha reflected on the past month. Part of him was glad he wasn't chosen for the mission. He didn't want to die this young. Yet, the other part of him wished he had gone so he could prove to himself he could be capable of doing that kind of mission. 

A knock on his door shook Omaha from his thoughts. He looked at the clock. 'Shit! I'm going to be late!' "Just a minute!" He called, rushing to the door. 

—

"Open up!" Halo snapped, banging on Omaha's door. "NEIL VIKANDER! OPEN THIS DAMN DOOR!" she shouted, patience running thin. "Men," Halo scoffed, going to kick the door open to find it unlocked. "That's just plain laziness and unsafe." 

Omaha hadn't showed up to the Hard Deck and left her and the other waiting for a solid hour. Halo, finally having enough, told the others to go ahead without them. She said she would catch up after getting to Omaha. Phoenix offered to come with her, but wanting to somewhat save some of Omaha's dignity, Halo declined Phoenix's offer. 

"NEIL!" Halo shouted, sounding pissed off. "What the hell is taking you…so…" she trailed off, eyes wide with horror. 

Everything had been ransacked. The table by the door was broken, pictures on the wall had fallen and the glass shattered, and small flecks of blood splattered the white walls. She took a shaky breath and stepped forward, down the hall, and into the open space that separated into the kitchen and living room. "Oh dear God," Halo gasped, covering her mouth. 

Shattered glass pieces covered the floor. Every chair and stool had been broken. The couch was overturned, the lights were all broken, and more blood was found. The corner of the kitchen island was caked with drying blood. Halo followed the bloody trail into the bedroom where she found him. 

Halo screamed. Omaha laid dead next to his bed, glazed eyes wide with horror. His left temple was bleeding heavily, his body  broken and bruised. His arms were broken and his right leg was snapped clean in half. She could count three bullet holes in his chest. On the far wall was a message. 

'You're next' was written in blood.

Stumbling back, Halo screamed again. This time, her scream was full of anger and sorrow. Someone had targeted her best friend and killed him. Her legs gave out and she collapsed to her knees, tears of shock welled in her eyes. "No, no, no, no, no!" she wailed, banging her fists on the floor. "No, please!" 

Halo crawled forward and sobbed. The rational part of her brain told her to not touch Omaha's body, but the emotional part urged her to hold him. She pulled him close and cried for him to come back. She promised she would be the best WSO. She promised she would never leave him. She promised…He was gone. Omaha was gone, she was powerless. 

Her phone rang and Halo numbly answered it. "Hello?" she croaked, voice raw from screaming and sobbing. 

"Halo? What's wrong?" Maverick's voice echoed in her ear. Why did he sound so distant? The room swayed. 

"Mav…erick…" Halo gasped for air. Black spots danced around her vision and she slumped forward, everything going black. 

"Halo? Halo!" Maverick shouted. "Callie! Dammit!" Maverick ended the call. "Bradley, stay here. I'll be right back." He threw on his jacket and quickly rushed out the door of the Hard Deck. 

"Mav! What's going on?" Bradley shouted, but it was too late. Maverick had already hopped on his bike and sped away. 

"I'm coming, Halo. Just hold on. I'm coming, Callie," Maverick whispered.

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Hello everyone!

I hope you enjoyed this first chapter. This idea has been floating around my brain for weeks now.

Comments and votes are appreciated. I love hearing from all of you!

Have a wonderful day!

~Kat