Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the alterations in the storyline plot created from the direction it will take in the face of the role switches to various reader's amusement everywhere across the globe.
Carol Ferris: The Green Lantern Chapter 3
Carol changes her mind. She'd rather Hal had not shown up for today's demonstration after all.
First Hal arrives late, barely making it on time, and now a very expensive, high tech, and top of the line fighter jet has been destroyed directly in front of the clients.
Ferris Aircraft risks losing one of its biggest clients and benefactors because of his fumbling, reckless, foolhardy, and embarrassing performance out in the airfield. He's put into jeopardy the one single contract that so many in the state were depending on for their livelihoods, the network that puts this into reality all interconnected.
Carol feels like strangling him.
She's not the only one.
No sooner after Hal is safely retrieved, he is on the receiving end of an extremely heated confrontation on the matter. Hal's this close as ever to losing his job at this point.
"You stupid son of a bitch."
"Stand down, Bob," said Carl, resignedly. "It doesn't matter now."
Fuming, getting directly in front of Hal's face, Carol said "It does matter. Never mind that you crashed a brand new F-35. You broke the rules of engagement. You sacrificed your wingman. And you blew the contract that this company and half the state was depending on."
Contrite yet defensive, Hal insisted "I'm sorry. I thought this was a dogfight. I was under the impression the objective was to win."
Shaking his head, Bob retorts "No, the objective was to show what the sabres could do in actual combat. And in combat, no pilot is gonna crater his own plane."
"I did," disagreed Hal, instead informing them what should be improved on the sabres. "Now you know you got to boost the ceiling on your robots. I, also, showed you what they can't do."
In a combination of indignation, outrage, and exasperation, firmly, Carol said "You didn't have to make that point in front of the Commander of Airforce Acquisitions."
"That's enough, Carol," said Carl, rounding his desk. "Since I'm going to have to lay off most of my company anyway, you're fired, Hal."
Rolling his eyes, in an attempt to get the last word, Hal said "It's too late, Carl. I quit. Thank you for the opportunity, Sir. I appreciate it."
Intervening before this escalates any further, Carol said "He's not fired and you don't quit. You're grounded pending the results of an investigation."
Considering she is the wingman that was abandoned during the test flight Carol is actually being quite generous.
Realizing there's no point in continuing this argument with his daughter, Carl departs with Bob following after threateningly telling Hal to watch his back.
Now that it's just the two of them remaining in the office Carol can drop the act and get to the bottom of the real reason why he crashed and burned.
Demeanor softens as she reaches the conclusion it's from the lingering flashbacks and trauma from his father's accident, Carol said "You want to tell me what happened up there?"
Hands behind his back, Hal said "My controls locked up."
Not tolerating any of his nonsense anymore, Carol said "Don't give me that, Hal. You had a window when you could've recovered. Did you choke? You wouldn't be the first pilot it happened to. But I need to know."
Persisting in his explanation, Hal repeats "My controls locked up. What the hell is all this anyway, huh?" He's referring to the clean pressed white top and the black knee-length skirt. "What's with the ridiculous suit? I know that your dad's been bucking for you to take over the company, but this is taking things a little bit far, don't you think?"
Tiredly and in frustration by this same disagreement being laid out again, Carol said "The merit of my career choices are not on the table right now."
"You're a…You're a pilot, Carol! And a good one. Giving that up to fly a goddam desk is bullshit," said Hal, furious.
"Hal, I like the business part and I'm good at it. Which, by the way, doesn't mean that I'll never get into a cockpit again," said Carol, getting right in his face to force him to accept this. "It isn't one way or the other. That's the way a child looks at things. And we aren't children anymore. At least…" In slight surprise Hal raises a brow, nodding at her to go on, smug that it appears she still has feelings for him lingering from their failed relationship. "I just don't want to see someone I care about getting hurt. Least of all you."
Carol then storms out of the office leaving a dejected and pitiful Hal alone with his thoughts.
Getting into the elevator Carol gets rid of the tears that began dripping from her eyes. Yes, partially these tears are partially from concern and terror she felt from Hal nearly killing himself out there, but it comes from something else. Hal's words hit a nerve with her. Although she gives out the visage of a successor to her father, while she is good at it, she desperately does want to be in the air again. She loves being out there in the jets soaring through the open sky.
To Carol it's freedom, but the freedom that comes at a cost she can't afford.
Her father already has one disappointment in his life that he formerly had such high expectations. Carol doesn't desire to be the same.
Authors Note:
Apologies for the long wait everybody!
I cannot begin to describe how apologetic I am for taking so heinously long to get back on track. From this day forward that's all gonna change.
I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
So I've got some bad news for all my loyal readers. My dog just passed away a couple of months ago. To be perfectly honest I'm heartbroken. He meant so much to me and even though my family has had other dogs in the past, since I moved out, he was my baby and the first animal to ever well and truly be mine. Especially during all of this craziness with covid-19 I think all dog owners can agree that your canine companions can really fill that void that one can find themselves stuck in. And make their households complete. So this is a shout out to all fellow dog lovers out there that see them as their children. Keep your animals close to you and cherish them always…That goes for cats, too. ;)
I recently put up some other works I've put out at titled Charmer And Company, Edith Angelica Tepes, Spirits Save The Justice League Against Crazy Jane, Crazy Jane Comes To Town, Fatal Attraction, The Strawhat's Mermaid, When Two Become One, The Sorcerer's Daughter, Enola: The Last Unicorn To Middle Earth, Heroes Vs Predators, Silent Guardians To Gotham, Hachiko: UA Class 1-A's Mascott, Big Hero 6: Mirai Hamada, Mermaids Walk Among Us, U.A. High Schools Own Blue Eyes White Dragon, Sayuri Wren, Fifth Turtle, Crown Jewel Of Gongmen City, The Emperor's Daughter, Glenstorm's Daughter, Dianca Robbins, Morning Star, Reira Todoroki: Daughter Of Fire and Ice, Secret Of Bristol Cove, Predators Redemption, Rava's Journey, Princess Of The Forest, A Revolutionary Romance, Aunt, Fantine Tezla: Hot Wheels Acceleracers, Green Lantern Odette Dupree: First Flight, Magic And the Brave Little Toaster 1, Lavinia: Princess Of Edelweiss, Rorschach's Legend, Watchmen Meets Avengers: The Newest Defender, The 8thLoser, Naomi Poldark: Mistress Of Nampara, Serenity: End Guardian To The Moors, Dido Cruger: Power Rangers SPD, The True Catwoman Of Gotham, Green Lantern Odette Dupree: First Flight, and Nuala: The White Lioness. I highly recommend them. ;D
By the way, Charmer And Company, Edith Angelica Tepes, Spirits Save The Justice League Against Crazy Jane, Crazy Jane Comes to Town, Fatal Attraction, Strawhat's Mermaid, When Two Become One, The Sorcerer's Daughter, Heroes vs Predators, Enola: The Last Unicorn To Middle Earth, Silent Guardians To Gotham, Hachiko: UA Class 1-A's Mascot, Mermaids Walk Among Us, Big Hero 6: Mirai Hamada, U.A. High Schools Own Blue Eyes White Dragon, Reira Todoroki: Daughter Of Fire And Ice, Morning Star, Crown Jewel Of Gongmen City, Fifth Turtle, The Emperor's Daughter, Rorschach's Legend, Sayuri Wren, Bianca Robbins, Aunt, Glenstorm's Daughter, Mandalorian: The 2ndFoundling, Eira Byrnison, and Watchmen Meets Avengers: The Newest Defender, Rava's Journey, Princess Of The Forest, Green Lantern Odette Dupree: First Flight, and The True Catwoman Of Gotham, are some of the best newest additions to my profile.
Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure.