Chapter Text
“The President has decided that Top Gun needs to work together with our sister branches. So for this year, Top Gun will be accepting the top fliers from the Navy, the Army, and the Air Force. That will be all. Dismissed.”
Once Jester left, Erik rounded on Charles.
“Combined? Work together? What are those idiots thinking?”
“It will be fine Erik. Come now, you’ve seen the pilots that came out of last year’s Top Gun. They don’t fly nearly as many missions as the old classes. The class of ‘86 is still talked about to this day, and yet our candidates don’t even match up anymore. If we want the program to continue, we need to be the best of the best. What better way to do that than to boast we have the best pilots from any branch?”
Erik’s frown deepened, but he said nothing. Clapping the man on the shoulder, Charles slowly pushed himself to his feet. With a last nod at his fellow admiral, Charles limps his way out, cane in hand.
“This is not going to end well.”
________
“STARK! BANNER! GET YOUR ASSES OUT OF THAT PLANE AND TO THE ADMIRAL’S OFFICE ASAP. HOGAN! YOU TOO”
Bruce sighed. Tony, never one to be discouraged, hopped out onto the wing and slid to the tarmac.
“C’mon Brucie, let’s go see what the whack job wants now.”
Bruce shook his head and made his own way out of the plane. Happy was there waiting and he cuffed the eager pilot over the head, earning a disgruntled “hey!”
“Again? Really?”
“Aw, don’t be like that Hap! This is only the second time I zinged the tower.”
“This month.”
“Psh, semantics.”
“No Tony.”
“Yes Tony.”
“Like Bruce said, No Tony. ”
________
Rhodes and Pepper shared a sigh.
“I told him not to do that flyby.”
“Since when does he listen when it comes to that?”
“True.”
The clambered down, Rhodes holding his hand out to Pepper to give her a hand. The standard, aw, a true gentleman. Of course, who else would I be? Being exchanged as they make their way.
“Let’s hit the showers, at least we’ll be clean for the debrief.”
The two make their way to the locker rooms when Vice Admiral Jarvis flags them down.
“Lieutenant Rhodes, Lieutenant Potts. The Admiral needs a word.”
The two salute the man in unison.
“Yes sir!”
________
“EXO-7 you are clear for landing.”
“Roger tower, EXO-7 coming in for landing.”
Riley felt a slap on his shoulder and an answering grin appeared on his face as his WSO whooped for joy.
“Damn Riley! That was the best flying yet!”
“Only because you caught those two bogies at the last minute Sam.”
“After debrief, beer’s on me.”
“Beer’s always on you.”
________
“Bogie Nat! 6 o’clock!”
“I see him!”
With a yank, the plane veered left, sharply descending into the clouds.
“C’mon Nat, do the swoop. We can take this guy.”
“Not yet bird brain.”
A few tense minutes go by when suddenly, the bogie reappears and Nat heads straight towards them.
“Now’s NOT THE TIME for SUICIDE NAT!”
“We’re fine. ”
“HE’S COMING!”
“I’ve got a lock.”
The tone rings true and Clint breathes a sigh of relief.
“Good job Spyder, Hawkeye. Get that plane down and hit the showers, debrief at 16 hundred hours.”
“Yes sir!”
________
“Why do you think they want to see us Buck?”
“I dunno Stevie. What did’ya do this time?”
“I didn’t do anything!”
“Really?”
“Honest Buck…Not this week at least.”
“Uh huh.”
________
“Brother! You did exceptional today!”
Those walking by did a double-take and Loki shot Thor a glare.
“Not so loud you oaf, we only just made a name for ourselves without them knowing we were related. Can you not keep control of yourself?”
Thor grinned sheepishly as he jogged to keep up with Loki’s quick pace.
“I still believe you did marvelous! I shall tell father and mother the good news.”
Loki glared harder at Thor.
“ Your father will not care to even read about any so-called achievements of mine, nevermind hear . Enough now, we are called to see the Admiral. Hold your tongue until then.”
________
“Scott! You could’ve called it sooner!”
“They were all over us, calling anything would take your eyes of the other! As long as you were doing all that cool piloting, they would never have gotten a lock!”
“Still!”
Hope huffed out an annoyed breath.
“I want to be prepared for them Scott.”
Scott shook his head, beaming at her.
“You’re the best pilot in the squad Hope. I won’t leave you hanging.”
Hope reluctantly admits, to herself of course, that Scott was unfortunately correct. He’s never let her down before in the air. Never giving her extra information when it wasn’t needed.
Shaking herself, she gives the door a knock.
________
“You think this is our Miramar meeting?”
Cyclops sighed whereas Alex practically vibrated in excitement.
“Maybe. If you haven’t messed with any Admiral’s daughters lately.”
“Or sons Scottie. I don’t discriminate.”
“Shut up Alex.”
________
The incessant ringing dragged Raven out of her nap. She groaned, slapping her hand around the phone stand, her face still buried into the pillow.
“Rave! The phone!”
“Ugh”
Finally Raven’s hand connected with the phone and she hoisted it off the receiver.
“Hullo?”
“Lieutenant Darkholme. I do hope I haven’t disturbed your rest at 4 o’clock in the evening.”
“Professor!”
Raven snapped to attention, swinging her legs from the couch to the floor.
“Of course not sir. How can I help you?”
A chuckle from the other end has Raven’s face flushing. Ororo spots it and grins. Quickly flipping her off, Raven focuses back on what the Professor is saying.
“Well since I’ve yet to see Erik today, I believed it best to give you two the heads up that you will be having a meeting with him at 0800 hours tomorrow.”
“Of course, thank you professor.”
“The both of you have a good day now.”
“You too professor.”
With that, Raven hangs up the phone and turns to her annoying roommate. They both open their mouths to speak when the phone rings once again.
“Hello?”
“Darkholme. Meeting, 0800 hours tomorrow. Make sure Munroe is with you.”
“Yes sir.”
click
“So?”
“So…I’m so glad the professor called first.”
“I figured. What do they want?”
“Meeting. Tomorrow. 8 am.”
“ Ugh. ”
________
—-------- 💠—--------
________
The trio stood at attention as Admiral Ross chewed them out for high-speed flying past the control tower without authorization. Again.
“Do you hooligans even want to continue flying?”
“Yes sir!”
“Then stop doing stupid shit like this!”
“Yes sir!”
Then the man rounded on Tony.
“Stark!”
“Yes sir!”
“Son, your ego is writing cheques your body can’t cash.”
Tony grit his teeth, but said nothing.
“Unfortunately…well, fortunately for me, unfortunately for them, you’ve all been requested.”
The trio share confused looks before focusing back on the Admiral. Happy, the one in the least amount of trouble, bravely spoke up.
“Requested for what sir?”
“Well boys…”
________
“Rhodes, Potts.”
The two saluted Admiral Stark.
“At ease. It has come to my attention that you two are my squadron’s best pair.”
“Thank you sir.”
The man huffs. Leaning back in his chair, he looks them both over individually. Scrutinizing everything.
“A strange new request has come from up top and you two are my candidates.”
The two glance at each other, eyes relaying their confusion before focusing back on the Admiral, who was now standing and making his way towards them. He clapped them both on the shoulder with a stern, “Make us proud.”
“You’ll be briefed with the other candidates tomorrow at 1400. Congratulations, you two get to go to…”
________
“EXO-7, Falcon. You’ve done well for yourselves.”
“Thank you sir.”
“Prepare to meet the other Air Force candidates tomorrow at 1400 hours, for your briefing. Congratulations, you get to be one of the first to fly in…”
________
“Natasha. Clint. You’ve done great work here. You two are one of the best duos I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.”
“What’s going on Phil? Sounds like you’re breaking up with us.”
Clint beamed. The other two smirked.
“Nothing like that. I’ve just been given the chance to select a candidate pair for a new opportunity that’s come up.”
“Well?” Natasha asked, slapping a hand over Clint’s mouth before he can say anything else.
“Well…”
________
“I can promise you sir, whatever you think it is I did. I didn’t do it.”
Bucky internally groaned, restraining himself from a facepalm. He was ready to slap a man. Preferably Steve. Several times.
With a chair.
“Lieutenant Rogers, you are not in trouble.”
“Well. That’s great news. Sir. I just figured I’d get it out of the way, in case any accusations were made.”
Bucky did facepalm this time.
“I…see.”
Steve nodded as if it made complete sense, and returned his arms to parade rest position.
Oh yeah, Bucky was gonna slap a man. Maybe even strangle him.
“Aside from that…interesting statement. Gentlemen, I’ve been given the honor of selecting a pair of aviators, for…”
________
“Gentlemen.”
“Admiral Van Dyne,” Loki greeted.
“Lady Wasp, always a pleasure!”
Janet shook her head with a smile. Deciding to cut right to the chase, she handed Loki a file.
“Well gentlemen, you’ll receive a full briefing tonight, however, it is with great pleasure, that I inform you of your candidacy into the…”
________
Scott was fidgeting beside her, fingers drumming along his lap as they stood in the hallway. Hope willed the Admiral to finish his meeting faster, but the raised voices inside belayed that.
Several minutes go by, and the voices get so loud Hope can begin to pick out words. Trust and chance for and how dare you come floating through. With a glance, Hope can see that Scott has zoned out.
A few more minutes roll by before a loud creak announces the end of their conversation. Hope and Scott straighten and watch as a lanky, raven-haired man strides his way out of the Admiral’s office. His stance rigid with confidence, but when he spins to pass them, Hope can see the anger in his eyes.
“Come in!”
Hope and Scott make their way into the recently vacated office and stood at attention in front of the still fuming man. The Admiral took a long steadying breath and finally made eye contact with the pair.
“Lieutenant Van Dyne. Lieutenant Lang.”
“Sir!”
“You’ll be receiving more information on your new assignment later today. Do well.”
He waved them out, returning his eyes to the mounds of paperwork on his desk, but Hope stayed rooted to her spot.
Her WSO gave her a nudge.
“Come on Hope. What’s going on?” Scott whispered.
Hope took a step closer.
“Do well on what Admiral Borrson?”
________
“Well gents. It looks like one of you is guessing where your next assignment will be.”
The Professor smiled at them and Scott sighed. Alex on the other hand whooped for joy before collecting himself and settled for beaming at the Admiral.
“Thank you sir for the opportunity,” Scott acknowledged.
“Miramar here we come!” Alex cheered.
________
Raven and Ororo stood before their grave Admiral.
“Lieutenant Darkholme. Lieutenant Munroe.”
“Sir!”
“I suppose you know what you’re both doing here.”
The two hesitated. Sure, they could hope, but would it be true?
Admiral Lensherr allowed them to stew for a while before standing, drawing their attention with a snap.
“You two are my best fliers. You’ve surpassed a number of expectations that I have placed upon my squadron. Well done.”
“Thank you sir!”
“Be that as it may. You will have to be even better than before. Show them what the Navy can do.”
Raven blinked in confusion, but Ororo was the one to voice the question.
“What do you mean by that sir?”
Admiral Lensherr huffed, his arms folding across his chest.
“Apparently, the President believes that the Air Force and the Army should be allowed to send forth candidates for this year.”
The two women gaped at him and he nodded along in their disbelief.
“So now, you don’t just battle against other Naval aviators for the top spot, you battle against the best that the Air Force and Army have to offer.”
Admiral Lensherr reached his hand out first to Raven, she determinedly gave it a shake, next Ororo.
“Congratulations Lieutenants. Welcome to Top Gun.”