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"What do you want a trash can for?" said Hondo suspiciously.
"It's a teaching aid," Maverick said.
The F-18 NATOPS that Maverick had requested for his first day of training was uncharacteristic, but reasonable enough considering circumstances. Most of the rest of the list made sense too — whiteboards, projectors, a podium — but why did Maverick specifically want a trash can placed by the podium? Was Maverick planning to have his students demonstrate their aim with spitballs and the trash can as a target?
"Think about Admiral Simpson's blood pressure," said Maverick cheerfully in reaction to Hondo’s flat stare. "You know I told him to manage his expectations of me as an instructor? He can visualize throwing me into the garbage for some stress relief."
This was unexpectedly self-aware of him. "I don't like that look on your face —" began Hondo.
"It's the only one I've got," finished Maverick with a grin.
Never mind Cyclone's blood pressure. Hondo breathed through his nose. This was not what he had expected when Iceman asked if he would be willing to transfer back to North Island along with Maverick, but Iceman, as usual, was right. Maverick desperately needed wrangling.
Maverick walked in on the first day of training looking none the worse for getting thrown out of the Hard Deck the night before. In fact, he looked all the more smug at seeing the same few pilots who'd thrown him out. To his credit, his smile stayed in place even when he looked at Rooster.
Hondo felt the first frisson of alarm when he noticed what Maverick was carrying on his way up to the podium. That alarm only grew as Maverick began speaking and gesturing at the book. Surely he wouldn't —
He would. And he did.
The manual fell into the trash with a resounding thump, echoing in the empty hangar.
The lieutenants all abruptly sat up straighter. (The pilot in the back, Coyote, looked more like a prairie dog sitting up than his callsign's namesake animal.) Warlock was suppressing a chuckle. A vein throbbed in Cyclone's temple.
"... and we're off," muttered Hondo.