Chapter 9: Training Day

"Hey Slobber Knocker, what do you say we show Feeler Healer and Viper a good time up here. I think Saucy and Ice Queen may be making an appearance in a few minutes." Meredith said to Alex who was sitting in the seat behind her in the Growler. It looks just like the F-18, but it has the jamming equipment instead of the gun. It also includes a high-powered satellite to get the signals needed for jamming. The main purpose of the Growler is to be the first in an attack to jam all radar functions and communications.

"You are feeling frisky today Fiery Temptress?" She heard come over the radio from Pete.

"I always feel frisky especially when I am in control and feeling the need for some speed." She shot back playfully. She really enjoyed flying with Alex and having Pete in the sky as her wingman. She wasn't sure what to make of Pete at first because he was very laid back for a man in his position, but she soon learned, he was very much in control, he just had a different way to manage people than what she was used to, and he was very good at it. He and Hahn were actually a perfect balance.

"I wouldn't mess with her today; she is on fire." Alex said to them thinking back to the hanger. He knew something was off with her. In the last few months that she has been here, they had become good friends. They were starting to realize they had a lot in common.

"You just wish you all could be as hot as me." Meredith came back over the radio. This kind of talk in the air was not uncommon as they all had to be hot shots when flying. They had to be confident and on the arrogant side so that they didn't screw up; it took this to be one of the greats. Alex just laughed, knowing he and Meredith were one in the same.

"Because you are the only hot woman on the planet." Hahn joined in the conversation as they were coming up to join the other 2 planes in the air.

"Ah, you got the news flash." Meredith laughed.

"Ok, ladies, let's play nice. You women play harder than the boys." Pete said quickly, knowing the conversation could get worse with them all up there. But they needed to be together as it was something they needed to do to train for their upcoming deployment that was happening within the next few months. They were assigned USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), the newest one in the fleet.

"I am glad you know you are boys and we women… we do everything harder and faster." Addison added to the conversation at the head controls of her plane. Hahn decided to ride in the back of the plane with her.

"I would agree to the harder and faster part, you ladies do play rough." Viper smiled through his flight gear thinking just how Meredith rode him hard and fast.

"You would know, wouldn't you?" Addison replied, knowing Meredith and Viper were screwing.

"Children, we are on a simulated mission, let's stay focused at the task at hand." Hahn knew it was time to stop the conversation that was quickly brewing.

"You always break up the fun." Alex was rolling his eyes through is flight gear knowing Hahn was always business.

"No, someone has to tame you children and if that is me, then I will do it." Hahn responded seriously.

"Ok, ladies and gentlemen, we are about 20 minutes out from our target. We will fly in formation letting Fiery Temptress be our lead today. We need to see what she can do while in lead." Pete gave directions.

"Control, can we get an update on wind conditions as we come into range of the target." Meredith quickly asked, knowing how to take the lead in air. She was often in the lead in her last command because she was good.

Izzie was in the control room and spouted off the air conditions. There were times Izzie wishes she would have gone on to flight school, but she loved this, being in the mission room. She was starting to do more and more of the briefings and debriefings.

"Everyone knows their role in this jamming mission, correct?" Meredith clarified so there wasn't any mistake in the role of each person.

"502, good to go." Pete said quickly, with 502 being the plane they were in.

"503, ready and waiting if need be." Addison replied as her and Hahn was the backup plane just in case something went wrong.

They were going in for the kill, going to a deserted place in Oregon that they often trained at. They had everything set up so that they could ensure they were hitting their targets and getting the mission accomplished.

Meanwhile, back at the hanger, the shops were all on alert for when the planes got back. There were always checks to be done, but they all had to be on standby in case one needed to be worked on right away. Being a few months out from deployment, they were always on standby and working long hours to make sure the planes were up and running.

Derek spent the early morning in the maintenance meeting. It is where all the LPO's (Leading Petty Officer's – the person in charge of each shop) met to get the day's agenda. This includes the flight schedule, scheduled maintenance, and possible things that will come up during the day. Cristina, Mark, and Derek would always be included in these meetings as is Callie.

Derek had gotten back to the shop and was given the plan for the day. He was filling out some paperwork when the door to his shop opened, "AT1 Shepherd?" The quiet girl said.

Derek turned around to see the girl from Mark's shop yesterday, "Ah, Airmen Black, how are you today?" Derek smiled at Lexie.

"I am good, but AE1 Sloan needed me to bring you these. He also wanted to know the status of the wire change on 504 because we need to do a few things when your crew is finished." She handed him the documents, stood up straight, and talked confidently. Once she got down to business, she wasn't shy.

"Yes, I think they are about 30 minutes from being done, barring no complications." He smiled warmly at her.

"I will tell AE1 Sloan. Thank you." She turned around to walk out.

"Black?" Derek stopped her from walking out.

"Yes?" She stopped and turned back around.

"Don't let Sloan be an ass to you guys. Keep him on his toes, he needs it." Derek chuckled to himself.

Lexie giggled, "I think I manage quite nicely."

Derek was shocked by her saying this. She wasn't as innocent as she seemed, "Have a good day."

"You too, AT1." Lexie turned around and walked out of the shop, smiling. She knew Derek and Mark were best friends and had heard Mark talking about him non-stop the last week. She couldn't think about how Mark made her feel because she knew he was much higher ranking than her which meant, off limits.

Derek sat and thought about Lexie for a second. It was obvious his best friend had the hots for her from what he said. Mark had divulged a little more when he had a little bit of alcohol in him. He liked her, more than just to sleep with her and forget about her. He said there was something about her that captivated him. Derek couldn't help but laugh when he said it, but he knew exactly what Mark was talking about… he had a girl that had captivated him, the difference… it could end Derek's career.