Page 10 of Viking

“Show-off,” I mutter, grinning as I line up for my own maneuver.

I push the Raptor into a steep climb, then cut the throttle and flip into a controlled fall, the jet spinning downward like a leaf before I kick the engines back in, the thrust slamming me forward. The sheer power of the jet pulses through me, the sound of the engines a low, thunderous growl.

The next sequence is a coordinated ballet in the sky—barrel rolls, inverted passes, and sharp loops that make my vision tunnel. We cross paths at breakneck speeds, the distance between our jets razor-thin, and the trust, absolute.

“Looking good up there,” Ryan says, his voice steady despite the intensity of the maneuvers.

“You too, Spar,” I reply, sweat trickling down my spine as I grip the stick tighter, lining up for the grand finale.

The simulated dogfight. The part everyone comes to see.

We chase each other through the clouds in a carefully choreographed display of aggression, twisting and rolling through the sky like it’s a living, breathing battlefield. My heartbeat thrums in my ears, but my focus sharpens to a point. The Raptor and I become one, it responds to every command like it knows what I want before I do.

Ryan swings around in a tight arc, trying to shake me, but I throw the jet into a Herbst maneuver, flipping the nose up and pivoting in place. The Raptor almost hangs in the air for a beat before snapping around to slot neatly behind him.

“Nice,” Ryan breathes, grudging respect lacing his word.

I can’t help the grin tugging at my mouth. Up here, in the sky, in this jet—I feel invincible.

By the time we touch down, the crowd is on their feet, cheering loudly. I taxi the jet back to the tarmac and toward the hangar, the rush still coursing through me.

I climb out of the cockpit, my boots hitting the ladder’s rungs with practiced precision. Once I’m on solid ground, I turn to the ground crew and offer a sharp salute. They snap to attention, saluting back before moving to secure the jet. Major Townsend stands off to the side, watching. I meet his gaze, giving him the required salute. He returns it with a slight smirk, and I grit my teeth, lowering my hand.

“Good work,” he says simply. The words are fine, but the tone’s as cool as ever.

We’ve been working together almost two years now, and it’s always been like this—professional, polite, and stiff as hell. Maybe it’s the demo scene. Maybe it’s the fact that we haven’t bled together yet. You can log all the flight hours you want, but until you’ve walked through fire with someone, it’s just muscle memory and protocol.

“Thank you, sir,” I reply, keeping my voice neutral.

Ryan’s grinning widely. “Not bad, James. You might actually be getting the hang of this.”

I roll my eyes. “Careful, Carter. You’re starting to sound impressed.”

“Don’t let it go to your head.”

Townsend cuts in, his sharp gaze sweeping over both of us. “Raptor Nation can wait ten minutes. I need you two in the briefing room first.”

“Yes, sir,” we say in unison.

As Townsend walks away, Ryan turns to me, his grin fading slightly. “Man, he really knows how to kill a vibe, huh?”

I chuckle, rolling my eyes as we head toward the doors. I feel a strange mix of pride and unease. The demonstration went off without a hitch, but something isn’t sitting right.

The low rumble of the Thunderbirds taking off crackles through the air. One F-16 doesn’t hit as hard as an F-22, but six of them? That sound digs in. It’s nostalgic—the way the Viper’s engine echoes through my bones, sharp and merciless. Flying one brought some of my best moments in the Air Force, some that made me feel untouchable, and some I still can’t outrun, no matter how fast I fly.

I blink, grounding myself, ready to shake it off.

But then I see her.

It’s been six years, but I’d recognize her anywhere.

Lila.

My body goes rigid, hit by a wave of emotion that knocks the breath from my lungs. Shock. Disbelief. And something else I don’t want to name.

She’s not supposed to be here.

But then again, I’ve spent more time than I’d ever admit wondering where she ended up, what became of the girl who turned one night in Vegas into something I could never quite shake.