* I reserve all rights to this writing. Please do not take my writing as your own. I made this all myself. *
“This mission will be different, Ares.”
“I understand that, Sir.”
“No, I don’t believe you do. This mission is one of, if not, the most dangerous mission you will ever go on. There will be 11 other pilots there, all of those pilots will be trained everyday for 3 weeks.”
“No, Lieutenant Weston. You will be in close quarters with them. You will have to trust them with your LIFE. They must know everything. One of those things being your identity.”
Samara froze as Admiral Lowery finished his sentence. She flexed her jaw angrily and spoke a bit louder. “We had an AGREEMENT, admiral”
“Yes, and that was until we found out about this mission. Unfortunately the Navy is unable to keep up their end of the bargain for your safety. You will report to training at 0600 tomorrow on North Island. Maverick has been informed of you and your….situation. He is quite honored to have you on his squadron. He’s sure having a pilot such as yourself on the squad will push everyone else to be better. “
Samara kept her lips in a straight line as she nodded to the Admiral. She had fought for many years to maintain her identity a secret. Why? Because she had a sort of double life. When she was in the sky, she was Ares. Smart, calculating, determined and absolutely fearless. A perfect product of the Navy. When she was back on the ground, she was just another, semi-alcoholic, sex crazed naval aviator. One who jumped the bones of plenty of random aviators wherever she wanted to. And she always wanted to.
She liked being nobody. She liked that she could get completely plastered and be a total wreck, and not one person would bat an eye. She liked that no one gave her pity eyes when they heard of her parents and their tragic accident, many years ago. She liked being nobody.
It seemed as though her time as nobody, had run out.
Admiral Lowery put a hand on her khaki covered shoulder. “Use this to your advantage. If this mission goes well for you, you will be one of the most highly decorated Lieutenants the Navy has ever seen. I’m sure this will open many doors for you in the future with the Navy. Maybe even Lieutenant Commander.” And with that he left the office.
She knew her invisible wall of protection would give way soon. At least she had one more night of freedom. She exited the office and went to gather her things and get on a plane to North Island.
Samara Weston had landed a few hours later, deciding to blow off some steam at The Hard Deck. A place she had been to quite a few times during her time at Top Gun, years ago. She knew no one would remember her. Even if they did, they’d never find her. she always gave them made up names. She was always running around with different guys. She didn’t have a boyfriend, no real family, so she found her happiness in one night stands, local bars and in her work.
The Navy was her sole purpose in life. When she had enlisted, she had decided that she would give the rest of her life to The Navy, just as her parents had. To carry on their legacy and make them proud, wherever they were.
Ares never stayed in one place too long, and if she ever came back to a place, there would always be fresh meat for her choose from.
She never really had to do much for men to fawn at her feet. They just did it. She liked having it easy. Being pretty had its perks.
She sat herself at the very far corner of the bar, away from the other patrons. She had noticed quite a few other pilots dressed the same khaki uniform she had on earlier in the day. She had decided to go for a more civilian look and wore jeans and a very worn out t-shirt from some band. Though she wasn’t dressed well, Ares knew how men reacted to her presence. She was a looker for sure. And did she know it.
As she sat alone, watch the cool glass of beer slowly sweat onto the bar top, she felt a body sit next to her.
She only smirked and sipped her beer as she knew she would now be entertained for a bit.
She turned to her left and found a tall, handsome, tan man staring at her. “Hi there”
Samara smiled at him sweetly. He seemed like a nice guy, nervous even. He smiled a bit wider before speaking. “Hi, I’m Javy. I go by Coyote.”
Coyote smiled as Samara offered her hand for a handshake. He shook her hand and looked back to the table he must’ve just came from.
Samara looked over his shoulder and saw a few aviators, watching Javy with smiles. Her eyes wandered to every one of them before they landed on one that was leaning against his pool stick, smirking arrogantly.
He was a legitimate walking, breathing, Ken Doll. His teeth were perfect, white and straight.
His hair as perfectly styled back and his uniform seemed absolutely crisp. No creases or wrinkles. He caught her eyes and winked at her while he chewed on his toothpick. Samara raised a brow at him and looked back at Javy. “I’m guessing your blonde friend over there sent you to come retrieve me.” Javy blushed a bit before responding. “Uhm-“ Samara giggled and put her hand on Javy’s shoulder. “No worries, Coyote. I’ll play his game. “ Samara got up from her stool, grabbed her things and sundered over to the bar top where the group sat. Ken Doll watched her every move as she got closer to them. She sat her stuff on an empty stool and walked over to him. “Hm. Not even man enough to come invite me over yourself. “ Everyone at the table snickered and laughed at Ken Doll’s face turned pink. He was about to speak when he was interrupted by a short, woman with jet black hair. “He likes people to do the work for him. He’s got minions”
Samara smiled at the woman. Her attitude and fire seemed like something Samara saw in herself. She liked it. Samara offered her hand. “Jenni Davis.”
Natasha smiled as she shook her hand. “Natasha Trace. Call sign Phoenix. “
Samara raised her eyebrows. “I’ve heard of you. You became an Ace not too long ago, am I correct?”
Natasha seemed surprised and nodded.
“Yes, I did. On my mission to Asia just 6 months ago.”
Samara nodded with respect. “Well congratulations are in order then. Good to see a woman accomplishing great things”
Santa smiled as she spoke to Natasha. Natasha returned it and offered Samara the seat next to her. As Samara sat down, Ken Doll snorted.
Everyone turned to him. “Is something funny there, Ken Doll?”
Samara liked how he looked, but his attitude and body language towards many of the group made her think that he was certainly the least liked one.
He snorted again before speaking. “You said it’s good to see a woman accomplishing great things. What about men? They accomplish great things everyday. Where’s their congratulations?”
Samara was getting irritated quite quickly. Was this man really throwing a pity party for his gender? All because she congratulated Phoenix on her latest award?
“Hm. It seems as though I’ve struck a cord with you….”
She squints her eyes at his tag on his chest.
…Seresin. May I ask, have you become an Ace recently? Have you shot down an enemy plane? Have you?”
The Ken Doll squinted his eyes at her tone and had a smirk on his lips. “No I haven’t but-“
“But nothing. I give recognition when it’s earned.”
Jake didn’t know how only moments ago this girl, or should he say woman, had suddenly escalated the conversation and was now angry at him. He definitely shouldn’t have tried to make his a conversation regarding gender, that was his mistake. But he had already dug his grave so he had to stick with it. He didn’t wanna seem like an idiot. Especially infront of this beautiful woman. Who now seemed irritated at him. Though he wanted to stop talking, his arrogance was getting the better of him and it was only gonna get a bit worse.
Samara turned around and looked around the table at the other aviators who looked at her when slacked jaws. It seemed as though no one had spoken back to this, Seresin.
“You must be a pilot. With all this formality you’re speaking. “ Samara shut her eyes and sighed. Well looks like Cat’s out of the Bag. She turned back to Seresin and nodded. “I am. “ He seemed to wait for her to give her call sign to him. Which she didn’t. “You just be on the mission, same as the rest of us.” She nodded again. He grew frustrated with her now lack of response. “Well? Ya gonna tell ya your call sign? Wanna see if you’re good. Which you’re probably not. Considering you don’t wanna give us your call sign. “
Seresin was smirking widely now. His Cheshire Cat grin which didn’t look too bad at first, was not angering Samara.
He was Cocky. Arrogant. Selfish.
She could tell. By not only his body language, but that of everyone else around him.
She already decided she didn’t like him.
He was an asshole who seemed to only care for himself. She didn’t want that on her squadron. That’s why she worked alone.
Until now. Samara remembered that no one knew that Ares, would be a part of their squadron. She would use this to her advantage. Seresin saying she must not be a good pilot, all because she wouldn’t show off her call sign, was childish. But she liked playing games. Especially with sore losers.
Samara put her fakest smile on. “You know what, you’re right. I’m not a good pilot. You caught me. I’ll see you all at training tomorrow.”
She had enough entertainment for one night, so she downed her beer, waved to the group, and walked to close out with the bartender.
As she passed Seresin, she checked his shoulder and locked eyes with him before finishing giving cash to the bartender and stepping out of the bar.
Rooster replied to Jake “Told Phoenix her name was Jenni Davis. Never heard of her. “
Jake nodded as he stared at her as she got in her car, and sped off into the desert.
“- but she’s a part of this mission. So she’s gotta be a good at something.”
Jake looked to the group. “I bet she’s nothing but a decent WSO. “
WHAT DO WE THINK OF PART 1 OF ARES?????? BE HONEST! I’ve written like 19 different ways I wanted part 1 to play how. I feel like them being enemies at first, is absolutely perfect. It’ll make the story like so much more chaotic (in a good way) and I can’t wait!!
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