Operation Hail Storm

Over the Sea of Japan ― on the F-35C Lightning II Jet Aircraft

Lieutenant Commander Foster Nolan was crazy. At least that’s what the men in his squadron thought of him. And to be honest with himself, he understood that his men thought he was crazy. But he also felt that there was nothing crazy about just doing his job.

Even though he had already been notified that the target had been neutralized, there was certainly no reason not to take a look-see. The F-35 was the one of the fastest and most advanced jet fighters in the world. A quick in and out should not be a problem. Dart in and verify that the target was totally destroyed and then run for the ocean. Unless, of course he found other targets of strategic value during his confirmation pass. If that were the case and he thought it was in America’s best interest to cut loose, then that action should not slow him down in the least. With the exception of China, the North Koreans had not been a friend or ally to any nation. So he didn’t have an issue getting a little payback for his country and his own brother.

The Lieutenant Commander’s radio squawked to life.

“Lieutenant Commander, you are directed to immediately turn around and return to the carrier. I repeat, you are ordered to turn around and return to the ship, immediately. That is a direct order. Is that understood?”

Foster Nolan reached over and flipped off the radio. In military speak, “that is a direct order” still left some wiggle room. Many a pilot had received orders, yet stayed a bit longer and had still kept their stripes. This would just be one of those missions. He might get called out onto the carpet, but he had a rock solid record and one little indiscretion shouldn’t bring down the house. And then there were the practical aspects of the mission. After all, how much could they actually see from outer space? For all they knew, a sewer plant had a gas build up and had then ignited. A chemical factory had mixed Tank A with the wrong Tank C and Tank B had exploded. Witnessing a blast from outer space was like watching a hockey game on TV. You never saw the puck. Foster would check it out and make sure that the warehouse that he was supposed to destroy had indeed been fully neutralized or else he would finish the job and maybe even find a secondary target of value.