I still don't own AC5
2.
A New Plane
Drake was pushed roughly into the office of the base commander, Lieutenant Colonel William Zeag.
"How rude," Drake tossed over his shoulder as the marine closed the door.
"Airman First Class Drake Draca, is that correct?" the Lieutenant said reading from a file on his desk.
"That's my name and rank," Drake replied.
"Have a seat Drake," Zeag said in a pleasant tone.
"Sure, what's up Billy," Drake asked as he sat down in the chair in front of the desk.
"Do you realize," Zeag's voice shifted from pleasant to cold contempt, "the trouble you're in?"
"I was hoping you'd enlighten me."
"You splashed a target without authorization," Zeag yelled, "You disobeyed a direct order to return to base, and you damaged an expensive piece of equipment!"
"yeah, those are the cheapest planes ever," Drake muttered under his breath.
"Do you realize how serious this is? Well let me put it in perspective; you'll be lucky to get away with your hide." As he said the last part his voice dropped to a whisper.
"Don't really need my hide, as long as I've got a bird."
"You…" the lieutenant started but was interrupted by the phone ringing. "Hello? Yes, uh huh, yes, okay, goodbye. Well Drake," he said as he hung up the phone, "consider yourself one lucky bastard."
"Why's that?" Drake asked puzzled.
"Because you're now the ranking pilot on this base. Congratulations, Second-Lieutenant." Drake was dumbstruck for a minute.
"Wait a second, what happened to the captain?"
"Shot down, along with Zephyr and Watchman. Your quick action saved your wingmen. Against every instinct that's telling me to fry your ass I have to go with the department's decision. Your plane is going to need repairing so I guess you get a new one. As the tradition, you pick it yourself."
"Thank you sir," Drake said relieved.
"Just get out of here," Bill said tiredly.
At the hangers Drake was perusing the available planes. One particular jet caught his eye.
"What's that one?" he asked a mechanic.
"That's an F-15 S. Only one we've got, best craft too. Wanna take it for a test flight?"
"Yeah."
"Yeeeeeeehhaaaaaaa!" Drake yelled as he rocketed along at the speed of sound. He pulled an immelman and turned back toward the base.
"So what do you think of it?" the mechanic asked over the radio.
"This is wonderful, it responds to the slightest touch. What's its payload?"
" That has the all purpose missiles and a XMAA payload. It can lock on to four different airborne targets."
"Sounds useful. Wrap it up, I'll take it."