Stephanie,
The dream you've shared seems to be quite vivid and complex, with numerous transitions and emotional undertones. Being in a fighter jet suggests a sense of combat or confrontation in your life, possibly internal struggles or external conflicts. The loud boom and subsequent unconsciousness might represent an unexpected event or shock that you've experienced. The loss of your co-pilot, Luis, and the difficulty in locating and acknowledging his death could be symbolic of a personal loss or a part of yourself that you feel is missing or you've had difficulty coming to terms with.
The trek to the mansion and the casual conversation with your mother indicates a return to familiarity and safety after a period of chaos. This could symbolize a need for comfort and refuge in your waking life. However, the fact that you went up the stairs but hesitated could reflect your ambivalence about progressing or moving forward from a current situation. The subsequent rush to escape bombings and the sensation of being in a high-stakes environment such as the "big old border tag" might reveal feelings of urgency or a need to escape from a pressing situation.
Your previous dreams often involve themes of transformation, such as people turning into cats or dealing with complex interpersonal relationships and global conflicts. This suggests an ongoing theme of change in your life, as well as a sense of navigating through different identities or roles. The recurring presence of animals, particularly cats, may point to your instinctual nature and how you interact with the world around you.
In your current dream, the encounter with the man who lost his son in a plane crash and the emotional connection over the dog tag suggests a deep empathy for others' losses and a search for common ground in shared experiences. His insistence that you are involved, whether you like it or not, may resonate with a feeling of being drawn into issues or dynamics that you would prefer to avoid but find inescapable.
The repeated imagery of returning to a ship, in this case, the Enterprise—a clear reference to "Star Trek"—implies a desire for exploration and adventure but also a return to a place of control and authority, such as the ship where you feel a sense of duty and responsibility. The conclusion of the dream with a return to a battlefield and the fear and sadness you observe could illustrate the ongoing conflicts you perceive in your environment, whether they are personal, professional, or global.
Overall, your dream seems to reflect a journey through chaos and conflict, seeking safety and understanding, and navigating complex emotions tied to loss and responsibility. It touches on themes of transformation and the struggle to find one's place amidst turmoil. Your subconscious may be processing various stresses and transitions, searching for resolution and peace while grappling with the uncertainty of life's battles.