Star Girl (11 page)

“Yes ma…Stephanie, I sure do.” He smiles

I close and lock the door, and I strip the stupid gown off my nude body.

“I just want to say thank you very, very much Kyle, and this is the best way I know how.” I drop to my knees and unbutton his fly. He doesn’t stop me at all, so I go for it. Kyle gets the distinction of being the only man to have me by my own free will. Though I do enjoy it somewhat, it isn’t like with Debbie. Mostly I make him feel like he is really taking me to heaven, as this thank you is for him.

          When we come out of the bathroom Major Hanford is sitting by the bed, reading a magazine, and she pretends not to notice us. Kyle excuses himself quickly.

After a few minutes she says, “Well I see you’re feeling better, that’s what we want baby.”

“Yeah, I do feel better.”

“Not that it’s any of my business, but I could have sworn you drove on the other side of the road.”

“I do. That was just a thank you to the guy who saved my life.”

“My, aren’t you nice?”

“He earned it. Say, just out of curiosity, you drive down the other side of the road too don’t you?”

“Yes. I would think it is pretty obvious.”

“Sure, but I just was curious.”

“I’m taken, just so you know.”

“I also figured that.”

“Oh?”

“All the real lookers are taken.”

She chuckles and pats my hand. “Thank you. You’re a fraud, but thank you.”

          They let me out of the hospital that evening, and I go back to my quarters with Major Hanford. The Colonel keeps me desk bound for the next two weeks, and every day I become more relentless in my begging to fly again. Finally he relents and I am back on the flight roster. It doesn’t really matter though, as we are rotated home so quickly anyhow. This will be the last time I will serve in combat, as I fully realize that I almost didn’t survive this deployment.

Chapter 7

         
Before I know it I am sitting on my parent’s sofa watching TV with them. I know they see the slight bruises I still wear, though the cuts to my lips and nose are healed up. Neither of them have said anything about it, but after breakfast on my first full day home, mom leaves to go grocery shopping. I volunteer to go with her and help, but she tells me to stay and relax.

          Dad comes and sits with me after she leaves.

“Okay, are you going to tell me what happened, or do I have to call your CO?”

I sigh. “I got shot down dad.”

“What in the hell? How?”

“We were at twenty thousand right over Mount Dorah, a fifteen thousand footer. The bastards were waiting on top with an SA seven, or a Stinger hand held SAM. I saw it launch, but it was on us so quickly. I just covered my wingman’s tail and it got me dad.”

“You were injured punching out then?”

I shake my head. “I was captured dad.”

He is deathly silent, and I see tears welling up in his eyes.

I decide to skip some parts. “I was rescued by some bad-ass “Para-rescue guys within a couple hours. They got me out so quickly my head spun.”

“And the bruises…” He wipes a tear that fell.

“They just smacked me around a little bit dad. I’m tough though.” I smile at him weakly.

“I know you are baby, but that was a bit too close wouldn’t you say. Please think about taking another assignment.”

“Actually I am dad. I don’t want to go back over there again. I paid my dues.”

“In spades.” He nods.

          Later, before lunch, mom and dad go into their room alone and close the door. In a few moments I hear mom cry out, and then again as she comes flying into the living room and mobs me with hugs and tears.

“You can’t go back there baby, no, no. No more please baby.”

“I won’t mom. I don’t ever want to go back there again. It wasn’t that much fun the first time.”

“Oh good, good! You can fix that George, can’t you?”

He nods.

“Flying jets is dangerous enough without people shooting at you.”

“True.”

She mobs me again with love.

          I know already from correspondence over the last year with Deb that she’s had her baby, and she’s married to the father. Though she is still in the Air Force, now all she flies is a desk. I have written her and told her that I will stay in touch from time to time, just to catch up. My only other friend in town is Carly, so I call her up, and she wants another ride. I enjoy taking her up and listening to her scream. This time I do a pure vertical takeoff, and she really howls.

          When I am driving her home she asks about what we had talked about before.

“I did my duty, and it is not eating at me anymore. Not after what I experienced over there.”

“It did change you Steph, I knew it would.” She looks sad.

“Yes, yes it sure did.”

“So, tell me about your love life Steph.” Carly changes the subject.

“Oh, I don’t have one really.”

“You mean, there’s been nobody… ever?”

“Oh there was a girl I was involved with, but it was just casual.”

“No guys ever?”

I sigh. “I was with one guy, one time. That I got to choose anyhow.”

“What do you mean?”

“Have you ever been raped Carly?”

“Oh my god! Steph! No!”

“I got it once in the Academy by two assholes. Couldn’t report it, so I got three big bikers to mash them to pieces.”

“God damn it Stephanie, you poor thing, girl.” She is bawling by now.

“Then, just on deployment, I got it by another two assholes.”

“More military bastards.” She growls. “It’s just like they’ve been saying in the news.”

“No, the last ones were when I got shot down, and was captured by the Taliban, actually.”

She is silent with big eyes just staring at me.

“Funny thing is, if they hadn’t taken the time to rape me, I might not have been rescued. They paid with their lives though.” I smile.

“How long where you held captive?”

“Just a couple hours.”

“You’re lucky.”

I shrug. “If you want to call it that.”

“No, I’m sorry. That’s wrong, it’s not lucky at all.”

“Yeah, not so much.”

We part with very warm and tight hugs. She is still my BFF after all.

          The first thing back on duty that we have to perform is an award ceremony, so everyone is in full dress uniforms on the flight line. The Wing’s Commanding Officer presides, and the normal combat service ribbons, and campaign ribbons are awarded to the whole squadron. Then we are all surprised to hear that a coveted Silver Star is to be award next. This doesn’t happen every day. What really blows my mind is that it is awarded to me.

          The surprises just keep coming as then I see my dad there, in full dress uniform also. It seems they had told him, knowing he would want to be here for this. Dad doesn’t even have a Silver Star. After the ceremony he takes me for a drink in the officers’ club with some of the other brass, and my CO.

The Colonel makes sure to come talk to my dad. “General Romero, I have never flown with a finer combat pilot than your daughter sir. She constantly amazes us, and makes us very proud, sir.” He toasts a drink.

“Thank you Colonel Hall. Most especially for making sure she got home in one piece.”

“Umm, yes sir.” He looks down. “I think Para-rescue deserves that thanks actually sir.”

“Them as well then Colonel.” Dad toasts him back.

“I’ll drink to those guys anytime.” I take a sip.

          The celebration is short, as there is business to tend to as well. So my dad leaves, telling me that I sure did give our name some recognition now. His way of telling me he is proud of me. First thing the next day the Colonel calls me into his office to see him.

“Captain Romero, I have been given a request by command to supply them with a volunteer. They demand only my very best, bravest pilot, and so here you sit. This is not a mandatory re-assignment, you may turn it down, but when I looked at where the assignment is; I wanted to take it myself. It’s pretty sweet Romero, you might want to look at it.”

“Where to sir?”

“Edwards, with the Four Sixty First Test Flight Squadron. Want to be a test pilot Romero?”

“Sounds kind of dangerous.”

“That’s why I thought of you.” He grins.

“What are they flying out there?”

“I heard the ATF is testing, it’s a vertical takeoff and landing bird, capable of Mach two. However, they fly all kinds of stuff out there Captain, real exotic birds.”

I remember during Red-Flag, as we flew by Area 51 that one morning, and I saw that thing streak in at Mach six or more.

“Do you think this could be a spring board to Area 51 sir?”

“If there were such a place, this would be the place to start.”

“Sign me up sir. It’s not that I don’t love the squadron, and everyone in it Colonel, but I think I’m ready for a change.”

“You’ve earned it Captain, in spades.” He nods.

I smile knowing dad’s finger prints are all over this transfer.

          Leaving a squadron you fought with is like leaving home for the first time. They throw a going away party for me at the officers’ club where all the enlisted personnel are invited as well. It is the first time I ever get drunk, as everybody keeps toasting me, damn it! They just don’t stop, and pretty soon we are all toasted nice and crispy. I love them all so much, and after I am slurring my words, I tell them all one at a time just how much. Even kissing and hugging them. More than one of the male pilots slip me the tongue, and I love it, wet kissing them back. I even get felt up by one of them, I don’t remember who. Major Hanford is on him like white on rice though. Admonishing his behavior, and keeping me safe. I tell her I will miss her most of all, and promise that I will e-mail her regularly. Though I sure can’t say that last word at the moment, she says she will hold me to that. Of course Major Hoyt tells me that he will never forget that I saved his life, and that if I ever need anything at all, I am to call him. I can tell he really means it.

          I wake up in the BOQ with major Hanford in the second bed. She made sure I landed safely again. I get up and puke my guts out, waking her. Then she buys me breakfast at the officers’ mess. It is just as hard to say goodbye to her as it is my mom. We part, each in tears, and I go to catch my flight to Edwards.

          My new Commanding Officer is astonished at my service record, and my young age.

“Well, we usually reserve these assignments for some of the older dogs who have earned a cozy pre-retirement, but you have definitely earned it captain. I am astounded at your exemplary record. I did read the action report of your unfortunate incident. Taking a missile for your wing man! That is exactly the kind of bravado that we are looking for here. You aren’t scared to skim the ground at high speed are you?”

“No sir.” I can’t help but giggle.

He looks at me strangely, and then smiles before continuing. “How about high altitude Mach three rides?”

“I’d love to sir.”

“So trying out experimental aircraft that nobody has ever flown before won’t bother you a bit then.” He smiles back.

“Correct sir.”

“Good, because that is your job description Captain, partially at least. You never know what we will throw at you here.”

“I will fly my ass off for you sir.”

“Oh, you won’t have to do that. It’s actually pretty laid back duty Captain. You will be on a three day work week, but it counts as full active duty time. There is a nice experimental flight pay bonus similar to combat pay. While you are on duty, flight time is very limited for the most part. So to stay sharp, we have a full array of fun birds to fly, for keeping your hours current, any time you wish. Borrowing them is no problem either, as long as you bring them back. You can also qualify on a dozen different birds if you want. Now the Lieutenant will take you around to show you the amenities. Just get used to the idea of being treated like royalty here, but don’t let it go to your head Captain.”

“I won’t sir.”

“Good, welcome to the Four Sixty First Captain Romero.” He stands and shakes my hand.

          Lieutenant Beck drives me in a nice brand new Air Force SUV, with the air conditioner cranking.

“I think you will really like it here, all the pilots do sir, or do you prefer ma’am?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Very good Captain.”

“Is it really all that cushy?”

“More than you could possibly imagine sir. We have equivalent amenities as most five star resorts.”

“You’re kidding right?”

“Not at all Captain. Just ahead is the BOQ, we’ll get you checked in first thing.”

          The BOQ is a damn resort hotel, with concierge service, room service, car service, hell I bet they’d polish my button if I asked for it, they are so friendly and accommodating.  After I get my bags put in my room, I find the Lieutenant waiting for me in the lobby as he said he would, to show me around the rest of the facility.

“Your quarters are available to you at all times, not just duty days Captain. Most of the pilots live here they like it so well.”

“I guess so.”

“This building to the left is the Olympic sized indoor pool, and the BOQ has a smaller indoor pool. Adjoining the big pool are the racket ball courts, and the tennis courts. There is a running track right over there, and a fitness course that starts there too. We are coming up on the officers’ club, which we always let the enlisted here use as well. Makes it a nice night busy night club, if you like dancing; this is the place. There are the weight rooms, and saunas in the same building right there. Coming up is the officers’ private lounge. This is for the test pilots only, and it is a small bar and pool hall basically, but a nice one. Let’s go in and meet some of your squadron mates shall we Captain.”

He parks, and we get out into the blazing heat to move quickly into the air conditioned lounge.

          He holds the door for me, and as I enter I see seven old men standing at attention in a variety of beach like clothes.

“Congratulations!” They all shout in poor chorus.

Then they are all just standing there, losing their big silly smiles as they see me. Two of them rub their eyes, and blink while a couple others cock their heads to the side in confusion.

“Hey Beck! Where’s the new pilot at? Colonel said you were bringing him over now.” One of the older guys says, and they are all seven past forty years old at least.

I look back at the Lieutenant, and see he has a real silly grin on his face.

“This is our new pilot fellows, Captain Romero.”