High scoring Ice is made Strike Leader for a fiercely competitive bombing exercise against missile and fighter defenses. Spoon is attracted to Gunslinger, a pretty blonde operator of missile defenses. Jackal, still angling to obtain Kelly's command, intends to cheat during the Class Strike. And things escalate personally for Burner as he continues his attempts to help the woman with the abusive boyfriend.

The pilots host a community youth day, only to have one of the participants kidnapped and held for ransom.