Chuck Roberts pulled back on the control stick.

The YF-22 tactical fighter clawed through a cloud, and Chuck felt the G-force pressing his body against the seat. Now, he thought. I'll loop back and fire a missile.

"Nice try, Chucko," said Duke Carlyle's hoarse voice through the helmet speaker.

A red light flashed on Chuck's control panel: AIR-TO-AIR MISSILE TRACKING AIRCRAFT.

He jerked the stick right and back, hurling his fighter into a twisting loop. When he pulled out, the enemy missile streaked past his left wing.

"Missed!" he said into his helmet mike.

He dove down into a cloud, losing altitude. Then he climbed and turned.

But when he broke through, the red light flashed again.

This time he dove straight down. He sought the cloud again, but saw only the patchwork of eastern Oklahoma earth, rising fast.

Author Bio