yet.”
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll be….”
“You know, Tiffany, this is a tough business. You are expected to kill, and you can be killed out here. You want a challenge? You’ve come to the right place. But it’s not about proving something to yourself or others. The bottom line of our business is combat effectiveness, not agendas and not revenge. Certainly not the PC crap Washington cares about. We are warriors, you and I. We are also adults, old enough to know the ways of the world. If you want to be offended you can be, but if you want to make a difference and contribute to the unit cohesion and combat effectiveness of this squadron, we need you to do that. Frankly, we demand it. If you cannot give us that, you need to do something else. If I catch him behaving untoward to anyone in this squadron or aboard this ship, I’m going to rip his lips off. He can see he’s been warned and you saw it. But if I catch you sowing discord and forming your own little clique that can tear this squadron apart, I’m going to hammer your tits. Do you understand?”
Taken aback, Macho answered her. “Yes, ma’am.”
“If, in the future, any of your fellow officers act in an immature way that doesn’t cross the line, then shoot them a condescending look. I believe you have some experience in this area. Then drop it.” Macho nodded her understanding, her eyes locked on Annie.
“I’ve lied before in my life. We’re only human, and we must be forgiven. But if you ever lie to me again, it will be bad for you. Very bad.”
“I’m sorry, XO. Won’t happen again.”
“I know it won’t. That’s now behind us. You have a problem, come to me first.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Can you fly on his wing?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“He’s a solid pilot, and you can learn from him.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Annie smiled a warm smile at her nugget pilot. “Great. Have a nice day. Dismissed.”
(Safe house, Maracay, Venezuela)
Daniel drew on his cigarette as he observed Mayor General Edgar Rodolfo Hernandez through the smoke. The two of them were at a safe house near the Aviación Militar Nacional Bolivariana de Venezuela base at El Libertador in the coastal city of Maracay. Previously known as the Fuerza Aérea Venezolana or FAV, the Air Force brought to the Bolivarian Republic a modern fourth-generation threat that included a squadron of older model F-16s and 24 more modern Suhkoi Su-30 multi-role fighters, and a few squadrons of light attack aircraft. The force was well suited for internal security and air sovereignty alert missions, possessing a 707 in-flight refueling tanker and a handful of electronic warfare aircraft.