The mission is a go. The crews are preparing everything they can. And finally,the Dagger teams are ready to depart.

"Dagger 1, up and ready for take off," Maverick radios in. 

And then everyone sounds in. 

Hangman: "Dagger spare, standing by." 

Payback: "Dagger 4, up and ready." 

Phoenix: "Dagger 3 up and ready." 

Rooster: "Dagger 2, up and ready." 

"Support missiles airborne, strike damage ready," a systems control officer says in the control room. "Standing by for launch decision." Warlock looks at Cyclone. The man simply says one thing. 

"Send them." 

☽☆☾   ☽☆☾   ☽☆☾

Too many events happen is such a rapid time frame that when Rooster finally re-engages with the team, Cyclone wants this mission finished. 

"Alright now hit your target and come home," he orders all of his pilots. 

Maverick is almost there, "30 seconds to target, Bob, where's my laser?" 

"Laser is a go," Bob quickly calls to him. 

Meanwhile, Rooster, Payback, and Fanbky are catching up. "Watch your heads," Rooster warns as they come around the bridge. 

"Shit, shit shit," Fnnboy says ducking even with a canopy over him. 

"Payback, you with me?" Rooster calls to his wingman. 

"Right behind you," Payback answers. 

Maverick, Phoenix, and Bob are at the target. "Phoenix stand by for pop up strike," Maverick radios. 

"Dagger 3, in position," she responds, taking a deep breath. 

"Pop up in 3,2,1," Maverick counts down. "You got me that target, Bob?" He asks. 

"Stand by Mav," Bob calls out. "Stand by. Locked on!" 

That's all Maverick needs to hear. "Target acquired, bombs away." 

"We've got impact," Bob calls when the bombs hit the target. "Direct hit! Direct hit!" 

"Dagger 2..." Maverick calls out to Rooster, needing their positioning. 

"Almost there Mav, almost there," Rooster replies. "Fanboy, where's my laser?" 

But there was a problem. "Rooster, there's something wrong with this laser," Fanboy calls out. "Shit, deadeye deadeye deadeye." 

"Guys were out of time, come on Fanboy," Rooster calls out. "Nearly there, nearly there," he responds.  

"Come on Fanboy get on lock," Payback stresses to his WSO. 

But Rooster doesn't care. "We're out of time, I'm dropping blind." 

"I got this," Fnnboy tries again, not wanting to let anyone down. "Bombs away, bombs away," Rooster says, firing his shots. 

"Bullseye, bullseye, bullseye." 

But Maverick knows the trickiest part is about to come. "We're not out of this yet," he warns. 

"Here it comes!" Mav yells. SAMS start firing "Smoke in the air, smoke in the air! Break right Phoenix, break right!" 

"Emergency maneuvers! Here comes another one," Bob yells out. 

"Dagger defending," Maverick deploys flares. 

"Rooster, status?!" Maverick calls out.  

"Oh my god," as Rooster pulls out of Coffin  Corner. "Smoke in the air, smoke in the air!" 

"Break right Payback, break right!" Fanboy yells out. 

"Oh my god, here they come," Fanboy warns. 

"On your six, Rooster," Payback warns. 

"Deploying counter missiles," Rooster says, hitting his buttons. "Negative contact!" 

"Dagger 1 defending," Maverick calls.  

"Talk to me Bob!" Phoenix calls. "Break right Phoenix, break right!"  he calls back. "9 o'clock, 9 o'clock!" 

"Rooster, 2 more on your six," Payback calls out. 

"Dagger 2 defending!" 

"Payback! Same on your nose," Maverick calls.  

"Dagger 4 defending!"  

"Oh my god!"

"Talk to me Bob!"

"Holy shit!"

"Dagger 2 defending!"

"Tally, tally!"

"Break right!"

"I can't see it!"

"Dagger 2 defending," Rooster calls out. "Shit I'm out of flares!" 

"Rooster evade, evade!" Maverick tells him. "I can't shake 'em. They're on me! They're on me!" 

"Mav!" Rooster yells out as Maverick takes a hit meant for him. "No no!" he calls out when Maverick goes down. 

"Dagger 1 is hit, I repeat dagger 1 is hit!" Phoenix yells. "Maverick is down!" 

"Dagger 1, status!" Rooster calls. "Status! Anyone see him? Does anyone see him? Dagger 1! Come in!" 

"I didn't see a parachute!" Payback calls out. 

"We have to circle back," Rooster insists. 

"Comanche, bandits inbound single group hot, recommend dagger fly south." 

"Get them back to the carrier now," Cyclone makes the call, looking worried for his pilots and Maverick. 

"All daggers fly back to ECP, you have bandits headed for you," an officer radios. 

"What about Maverick?" Rooster insists. 

"Tell him there's nothing he can do for Maverick, not in a goddamn F-18!" Cyclone commands. 

"Dagger spare, requesting to launch and provide air cover," Hangman radios in, wanting to help. 

"Negative, spare," someone calls out. 

"Launch search and rescue," Warlock tries. 

"Negative," Cyclone answers back. "Not with bandits in the air." 

"But sir, Maverick is still out there," Hondo tries. 

"We are not losing anyone else today," Cyclone defends his decision. "Get them home now!" 

"Dagger, you are not to engage, repeat, do not engage." 

"Rooster, those bandits are closing. We can't go back," Phoenix tells him. 

"Rooster, he's gone. Mavericks gone," Bob says  

But Rooster doesn't believe it. He goes back for the only father figure he can remember. But soon enough, he is shot down as well. 

"Dagger 2 is hit, dagger 2 is hit." 

Cyclone looks down in despair while Warlock looks worried. "Dagger 2 come in, dagger 2 do you copy?" an officer radios. 

There is no answer. 

"Dagger 2, come in." Still nothing. 

Hangman looks down at his radio, a look of disbelief on his face. 

There is no possible way they just lost both Maverick and Rooster. No way. 

☽☆☾   ☽☆☾   ☽☆☾

Malina, having left her hotel room about 30 minutes prior, makes it to her meeting. The organizers of this event wanted to give her the rundown of what would be going on the next day. 

"Typically, the contestants arrive around 9 in the morning and start prepping for their events. We let the audience in about 30 minutes before start time. We will also have a few more photographers floating around, as multiple events happen at one time." The head of the organization explains all of this to Malina, as she is the only newcomer to this event. 

All the other photographers have done this particular show before and most are from the area to begin with. They know how things run. "If you have any questions, be sure to ask one of them. They know the ropes and routines just as well as we do." 

Malina nods her head. "And when is the deadline you would like the finished and edited photos by? I will not be going directly home, so I just need to work out a time frame to get you your photos." 

The organizer replies, "the official deadline for the photos is Thursday, although we typically don't publish any until the next week, so there is some wiggle room if you need it." 

Mal only had one more question. "As this is an all day event, I was wondering if I could have my dogs accompany me to the venue. One is my service dog, who helps monitor my diabetes and the other is a registered therapy dog. Both do well in crowds and I can keep them leashed and in a separate room, taking them out when there is a break in the competition." 

The organizer looks to his counterparts. "I don't see why not, although I think it would be best for them to be separate from the main event hall. Unless you require your service dog with you at all times. Then we will gladly make some accommodations for you two." 

Malina shakes her head. "I don't need her 24/7, she and I will be fine apart for a few hours. Thank you though, for these accommodations as well." 

And with that, the meeting comes to a close and Malina walks towards the front doors of the space. 

Looking towards the banner hung above the doors, she knows she's in for a real treat tomorrow. After all, this event is only once a year. And this one might just prove to be the most interesting yet. 

The All Valley Under 18 Karate Tournament.

✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈

Word count: 1,326

AAAHHHH!!!! THIS IS MAL'S NEW PHOTO OP!!! 

SO GUESS WHO'S COMING BACK NEXT CHAPTER??!!! AND WHO'S MAKING A SPECIAL APPEARANCE??!!! 

Honestly, I can't wait for y'all to see what I've got planned for the next chapter. (Slight spoiler but not really. I'm not delving TOO deep into the actual tournament. That will come in a bonus Chapter. PROMISE!!)

But until then, bye guys!!!