FIRST AMONG EQUALS ~ 3.1
MIRAMAR, CALIF. FIGHTERTOWN U.S.A
"During Korea, the Navy kill ratio was 12-to-1," Jester, their instructor, explains as he turns to face the Top Gun class, after playing a video on the big screen. "We shot down 12 of their jets for every one of ours. During Vietnam, the ratio fell to 3-to-1."
A pilot with the call sign, Iceman, twirls a pen in his fingers as he glances around the classroom.
"Our pilots became dependent upon missiles. They had lost some of their dogfighting skills." Maverick and Goose both chew gum as they sit in the front row while Chaos leans her head on Maverick's shoulder with her aviators on, trying to sleep. "Now Top Gun was created to teach A.C.M. Air Combat Maneuvering. Dogfighting." Hades nudges Chaos in an attempt to get her to sit up.
"By the end of Vietnam, that ratio was back up to 12-to-1," Jester continues to explain as he slightly paces in front of the class. "Blinds, please." The window blinds are opened to allow light into the room, causing Chaos to sit up in her seats and slide her aviators on her head.
"Now, I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce you to our commanding officer at Top Gun. The very first man to win the Top Gun trophy. You will not find a finer fighter pilot anywhere in the world. Commander Mike Metcalf. Callsign, Viper."
"Gentleman," Viper says as he walks to the front where Jester is, causing Chaos to roll her eyes. "You are the top one percent of all naval aviators." Viper turns to face the pilots before noticing Chaos and Hades, sending them a nod of respect. "The elite. The best of the best. We'll make you better."
Iceman takes notice of the two women before he starts staring at Chaos, trying to see her face since he expects her to be more manly since she's in the Navy.
"You'll fly at least two combat missions a day, attend classes in between, and evaluations of your performance. Now, on each combat sequence, you're gonna meet a different challenge." Iceman starts twirling his pen again which hits up against his ring, causing Maverick to look back at him before Iceman lightly smirks as he purposely hits the pen on his ring.
"Every encounter is gonna be much more difficult. We're gonna teach you to fly the F-14 right to the edge of the envelope, faster than you've ever flown before and more dangerous." Maverick and Chaos share an excited smirk at the dangerous part as Viper starts making his way to the back of the room.
"Now, we don't make policy here, gentlemen. Elected officials, civilians do that." Iceman is shocked to see how feminine Chaos looks when she turns back to see where Viper was going. Chaos winks at Iceman, since she caught him staring at her as she faces back to the front before looking back at Viper over her other shoulder.
"We are instruments of that policy. And although we're not at war, we must always act as though we are at war. The tip of the spear..." Viper continues his explanation. "Best be sharp."
"What are you doing?" Hades asks as she leans over to Chaos, having noticed the wink then view change.
"I'm just wondering who's the best," Chaos answers innocently with a sly smirk, causing Hades to roll her eyes. Hades knew that Chaos always needed to be in competition with someone, though it could never be Maverick besides some friendly sibling competition. But Hades had to admit that at least Chaos chose a hot one this time.
"In case some of you wonder who the best is," Viper says as he stares at a plaque on the wall. "They're up here on this plaque on the wall. The best driver and his RIO from each class has his name on it." Viper starts walking back up to the front of the class. "And they have the option to come back here to be Top Gun instructors." Viper quickly turns to face Chaos, in an attempt to catch her off guard. "You think your name's gonna be on that plaque?"
"Yes, sir," Chaos answers him with a full smirk, causing Iceman and his RIO, Slider, to quietly laugh which causes Maverick and Hades to turn and glare at them.
"That's pretty arrogant considering the company you're in," Viper says as he looks around at the class full of men.
"Yes, sir," Chaos says with a nod and slight shrug which causes Viper to nod, impressed.
"I like that in a pilot," Viper says with a slight smile before slightly pacing. "Just remember, when it's over out there, we're all on the same team. Gentlemen, ladies, this school is about combat. There are no points for second place." Maverick smirks. "Dismissed."
"Nice going," Hades tells Chaos as she stands up, knowing that Chaos just put a target on their backs.
"The plaque for the alternates is down in the ladies' room," Iceman taunts as Chaos, Hades, Maverick, and Goose walk past him, causing Goose and Hades to share a look before Goose grabs onto Maverick's shoulders and Hades grabs onto Chaos' shoulders as they both let out loud, sarcastic laughs.
"Oh, Jesus. Oh, you kill me. You really don't," Goose says sarcastically before Iceman stands up as his eyes lock with Chaos, who sends him a challenging smirk. Goose walks over to the plaque, pointing at a name plate. "No, no, no, no. There's two O's in Goose, boys."
"Keep dreaming," Hades says with a shake of her head as she pushes Goose out of the classroom before she grabs Chaos and pulls her out of the classroom. Since, Hades knows that if Chaos stayed in there even longer then the target on their backs would be painted in bright red, so that everyone knew to gun after them.
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