"Copy that," Zola heard Everett said curtly as the squadron received their queue numbers for refueling.

Though she tried hard to just put her trust in Everett to pull off what was essentially a controlled collision two aircraft laden with material that were - and this was putting it lightly - prone to exploding, she could not help but feel a knot form in her stomach. It had nothing to do with the procedure, it was the lack of control that really played on her nerves. "When was the last time we refueled mid-flight?" She asked casually, though she was well aware that the company they had worked for had only a handful of tankers at their peak and they were rarely deployed. Most missions took place close enough to the established airbases or even improvised airstrips of cleared brushland. 

"Simulators? Last week. A real one? Probably the years back when I was flying with the PLAAF." Everett replied with a shrug. "I wouldn't be too worried. It's like riding a bike - the first time is scary as hell, but then you never forget how to do it once you get the hang of it."

Zola shrugged, not showing just how nervous she was about the whole thing. "If you say so. At least if you screw up and we die, it'll be quick, yeah?"

"I have a gun somewhere in here, don't worry." Everett deadpanned, but continued. "Seriously, though. I have a gun somewhere in here. Just in case we crash."

"I saw. Not sure what good one AR-7 is going to do for the two of us, but glad you considered that possibility."

It took Everett a few tries, but eventually he managed to get his Fencer's probe connected to the basket. After that, it was just the simple task of maintaining his airspeed and altitude until the tanks were full - a task which both Zola and Everett could have done with their eyes closed. Once the tanks were full, Everett gave the crewman in the observation bubble a thumbs up and waited for him to return the gesture before pulling away and allowing the rest of the squadron to refuel. "Three's done. Who's next?" Everett asked as the Ghost fell back into formation.

Once the rest of the squadron was done refueling, the tanker turned and headed back towards friendly territory while the squadron continued on their way. The colonel's briefing sounded straightforward enough - the Ghost would be joining the others in drawing the attention of enemy anti-air for the first half of the mission, then once it came to the striking part of the mission, it would quite literally rain fire on the enemy. "We hear you, Colonel." Zola said. "We'll give the enemy triple-A something to shoot at, no problems at all."