Fire Storm breathed in and out, the lights blinking in and out around him as the plane prepared to drop the ninja team over their designated drop point. The ninja were standing in two rows, their lines hooked up and waiting for the back hatch to open.
Fire Storm had done drop points before and ninja prided themselves on their hard stomachs, so he was not worried about that. No, what required Fire Storm to control his breathing were the thoughts of their mission. He was not confident in himself to carry out his part, he was, after all, named after 'fire' and 'storm' two forces of nature that were not known for their calm personalities. To mental link with Storm Shadow would require a great of calmness and control, two things he, Fire Storm, was definitely not known for, but he did understand Snake Eyes' reasoning.
To mental link both parties had to be relatively calm and the recipient had to accepting. With his mind still hostile towards Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow would be anything but calm and accepting of the link and the effects could be disastrous for both men. So, it fell to Fire Storm, inexperienced and doubtful, to reach out to Storm Shadow's chaotic mind and release him from Cobra's hold.
Yep, no pressure whatsoever.
The loud beep sound startled Fire Storm more than it should have and he licked his dry lips as the back hatch opened. Snake Eyes and Jinx were the first ones out, then Kamakura and Tiger Claw, with Fire Storm bringing up the rear.
Falling through the air was not frightening to Fire Storm, he rather liked the rush of air past his ears as he felt it very calming. With a smile, Fire Storm curled in on himself, now realizing why Snake Eyes had requested for a drop plane. His brother knew that the drop would calm him and Snake Eyes was right, Fire Storm had never felt suck calm before as tumbled through the sky. The only sound he could hear now was his heart beat, slowing down, helping him count down to when to release his parachute.
Fire Storm pulled the lever, feeling the tug as the parachute opened up and caught his descent. He now drifted to the earth, the swinging motion of the parachute holding him in a comforting lull.
When Fire Storm's feet touch the ground there was no panic, no gasp as reality hit him. He stood and unhooked his harness, letting it fall to the ground as he secured his weapons. He looked up at the others, nodding to them that he was ready.
The others could see that he was ready, especially Snake Eyes. There was a storm of fire in his brother's eyes but it was not of chaotic origin, rather of determination. Fire Storm had found within him the necessary component to initiate the mental link and, once they had gotten him to Storm Shadow, Snake Eyes did not doubt that his little brother would succeed.
Snake Eyes nodded to Fire Storm and turned, signaling with his hands the chosen paths he wanted them all to go before walking into the jungle as night fully descended.