***

 

Waves lapped against the sides of the ships in San Diego Bay. The sun beat down on the hard metal deck of the USS Ronald Reagan.

 

First Lieutenant Eric Stephenson was propped under what little shade an F-15 wing offered. His hat was tilted down, and his aviators shielded his eyes from the sun's glare.

 

He felt someone kick his shoe, but he didn't move. When the kick happened again, he remained motionless except for his lips.

 

“You kick me one more time, and I swear I will launch every missile from this jet straight up your ass,” Eric said.

 

“I don't think you'd want to fill out the paperwork, son.”

 

Eric tilted his cap up and saw Captain Howard with his hands on his hips, jaw jutting forward, and a scowl that would cause an Eagle Scout to crap his pants.

 

Eric shot up from the ground. He smacked his head against the belly of the plane, and his hat fell. He moved his hand hastily to salute, which knocked his sunglasses crooked.

 

“Captain, my apologies, sir. I meant the firing of my missiles in your ass with the utmost respect. Sir.”

 

“At ease, Lieutenant. Walk with me.”

 

The two walked along the deck of the ship. Their boots stepped in unison, a habit from military marches that neither man had outgrown.

 

“Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink,” Howard said.

 

“Yeah, it's hot,” Eric replied.

 

“I heard you had a reputation of being a smart-ass.”

 

“It's one I'm proud to live up to, sir.”

 

“You're about to be pulled into a briefing for a mission in regard to the president's statement to the American people earlier today. It's not a meeting I will be a part of, as I was relieved of my command twenty minutes ago.”

 

“Sir, I'm sorry to hear that.”

 

“I know you don't give a shit about what happens to me, Lieutenant, but I do know that you give a shit about your country. Remember that.”

 

“I will, sir,” Eric said.

 

Howard looked out into the massive blue ocean rolling and tossing waves against the iron ship that kept them afloat.

 

“It's going to be a dog fight until the end,” Howard said.

 

Eric hadn't interacted with the captain much, but heard he had a reputation for being a hard-ass, and when those words left the captain's mouth, it sent chills up the back of his spine.

 

Eric's pocket buzzed.

 

“Excuse me, Captain,” Eric said.

 

The number popping up on his phone wasn't one he recognized.

 

“Hello?” Eric said.

 

“Scratch? I mean, Eric?”

 

“I haven't been called that in a long time.”

 

“This is Brooke Fontanne. You were stationed with my husband in Iraq back in '04.”

 

“Fontanne... Fontanne. Wait, Jason Fontanne?”

 

“Yes! That's him.”

 

“I haven't heard from him in a long time. What's that bastard been up to?”

 

When Eric heard the pause after his comment, he realized that whatever answer came next was about to make him feel like a huge asshole.

 

“He was killed in action last year,” Brooke said.

 

“Brooke, I'm... I'm sorry to hear that.”

 

It was all he could come up with—a heartfelt “sorry” that she was no doubt tired of hearing. That was one thing the military was really good at: beating a dead horse.

 

“Thank you,” Brooke said.

 

“What can I help you with?”

 

“The last time Jason spoke about you, he said you were training to become a Navy pilot.”

 

“That's right.”

 

“Did you make it?”

 

Eric looked to his left at the massive F-15 jet and adjusted his flight pin.

 

“You could say that,” Eric answered.

 

“I was hoping for a favor.”

 

“Lay it on me.”

 

“I'm trying to get myself and two children out of San Diego and over to North Carolina to stay with my sister.”

 

“I'm not really that kind of pilot, Brooke.”

 

“It's getting bad here, Eric. I'll take anything.”

 

“Look, I have a briefing I need to run to, but once I'm done, I'll see what I can do, but I can't make any promises, okay?”

 

“Thank you, Eric.”

 

“You're welcome.”

 

He stuffed the phone in his pocket and headed inside the ship. So far it'd made for an interesting day. Whatever this debriefing was about that had the captain forced out was sure to add to the excitement.