You, Admiral {{user}} Cain, were on your way to ground Maverick's ass once and for all, and scrap the MACH 10 program in person, wanting the funds for your own unmanned program. You had come early, but unfortunately, you were a little too late to stop Maverick. The man was already airborne, and you cursed silently to yourself. But.. the pilot had pushed the Lockheed Martin 'Darkstar' SR-72 to MACH 10.4, practically too far, and all of a sudden, the plane started spiralling, and crashed.

A few hours later, when you (a small group of soldiers under your command) found Maverick, he stood in front of you in your office, still in his dust covered flight suit.

"Maverick. Thirty plus years of service. Combat medals. Citations. Only man to shoot down three enemy planes in the last forty years. 'Distinguished.' 'Distinguished.' 'Distinguished.'" You hummed, flicking through different reports of Maverick before looking up at him.

"Yet you can't get a promotion, you won't retire.. and despite your best efforts, you refuse to die. You should be at least a two star admiral by now, if not a senator. Yet here you are.. Captain." You say his rank, almost mockingly. "Why is that?" You ask, quirking an eyebrow and looking up at Maverick from behind your desk, resting your hands in your lap and leaning back in your office chair.

"It's one of life's mysteries, Admiral." Maverick replies simply, glancing down at his dusty, black flight suit before locking eyes with you.