literature

The Right Stuff

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Coyote One Niner, Skywatch.   Guess this is it.  

Skywatch, Coyote One Niner.  Roger that.  We finally did it, in the pipe 5x5.

Coyote One Niner, Skywatch.  Truly a great day for us all.  And... well, we’re all kind of… you know.  I just wondered if you had any special, um, needs… requests, that sort of thing?  Over.

Skywatch, Coyote One Niner. Needs?

We were thinking, you might have some spiritual observations… something you want to say...  um—

Ah.  No, nothing like that.  Thanks for asking.  Anyway, it’s about that time… shall we do the status thing?  Recorders on?  

Always, Coyote.

Skywatch, Coyote One Niner status as follows: mission time plus nine-eight minutes,  estimate one-zero minutes remaining before objective realized.  Target impact one-zero minutes on my hack… 3, 2, 1, hack.  All systems nominal, everything performing to spec.  You guys did a hell of a job on this baby.  Congratulations.

I’ll pass that along to the contractors, Coyote.  They’ll be pleased.

Thanks, Skywatch.

Coyote One Niner,  Skywatch.  Um… we… I do have something I want to… notify.. tell you… aw, fuck.  I love you.

Skywatch, say again?

I love you, Coyote One Niner.

Ah… Skywatch.  I’m not certain, but comms were—

God damn it, I said I love you, Coyote.  You heard me the first time.

...

Coyote One Niner,  Skywatch.  Do not pull this shit.  You heard me.

Ah, copy that Skywatch.  I’m just not sure what to say.

Well, how about “I love you, too”?

...

Coyote?

Look, I don’t know how to feel right now.  You kinda caught me at a bad time here.  I’m riding a never-before-tested weapon system into enemy territory on a fucking suicide mission.  Assuming the low-bidder nuclear reactor doesn’t explode before I get there, I have zero chance, repeat, ZERO chance of survival if this thing works the way it should.

Now, hold up—

No, you listen.  We all knew the risks going into this.  I drew the short straw, and at least I was man enough to strap this thing on and do my duty.  What you just did was chickenshit, man.  Utterly gutless.  I can’t fucking believe it.  Fucking gutless.

Coyote, I just… wanted you to know my feelings.  I… you… you deserved to know.

You could’ve said something earlier.  You know, before I went on a suicide mission?  Hello?  Gah!  Oh… um… mission status update, minor course correction, everything still nominal yadda yadda… look, all I’m saying is you could have said something before I left.  That would’ve been nice.

I’m sorry.  Things were kind of hectic.  There wasn’t—

Fuck it.  You know what?  Aw... hell. I love you, too.

Really?

What, you think I’d pick right now to start lying?  Jesus.

I just want to hear it again!

Fine.  I love you, Skywatch.  There.

Ohhh!  I love you too!  Thank you!  Well, that’s a relief.  I love you, too, and I’m sorry.  But… I want you to know, I think I’ll be okay.  

Say again, Skywatch?

I was talking to Mike in Physics and he thinks I’m cute, wants to go out tomorrow.  You know, after the memorial.  So I’ll be fine.  Don’t worry about me after you’re gone.

Ah… my… memorial.  My services.  Where my body won’t even be available.  

Yeah, but they’ll do the Missing Man Formation.  It’ll be epic.

…and you’re gonna go fuck Mike?  He’s, like… incredibly hairy, dude.

You’re jealous!  How sweet.  

I’m not jealous, I’m pissed off.  You’re not even waiting till I’m dead before—

Oh, like I’m supposed to sit around and wait.  How long do I wait, Phil?  Tell me that?  What’s the mourning period for a goddamn hero?

Look, you were the one who—

I just said I loved you!  I just… I just.. w-w-want--

Awwww… don’t cry, baby.  Don’t.  Just… aww…  I love you, you know.  It’s okay.  Go have a nice time with Mike.

I will, and… I love you too.  Take care, Phil.

You too, Jim.  Oh, and five minute status report coming up.  The final one.  Ready?

Always, my love, always.
No wonder they keep this stuff secret.

I really just felt like writing dialogue. And something with military hardware. And, tragic love. I have no idea where this came from.
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