Flights of Fancy

Posted on Tue Feb 25th, 2020 @ 4:05pm by Division Admiral Thomas Lasky & Lieutenant JG Rachael "Ripcord" Yamaguchi-Cullen

Mission: Mission 15: Old Ghosts
Location: Various Locations - USS Roanoke
Timeline: 1200Hrs, December 6th, 2390

Rachael Yamaguchi frowned. "This fighter flies like a brick compared to the bird I'm used to..."

"Spoken like a real Valkyrie Pilot." Fives commented. "Show me what you have kid.." he made himself comfortable as he prepared for what he assumed was a bad flight.

Rachael tapped the com display to her left as she contacted the USS Roanoke's tower. "Tower, this is Talos, request clearance for departure. Mission flight plan is filed as Shakedown." she commented, using the callsign that Fives had temporarily given to her.

"Confirmed Six, opening outer hatch... and bring that bird back." came the male voice that Rachael assumed was Lieutenant Salihan Zarloos, she'd heard of him as a smile graced her lips, this was it, her first flight in a real bird as she went over the checklist a second time, quickly ensuring that all was well with her bird

"Ready Talos?" Fives inquired.

"Ready to go Fives..." Rachael sounded a little giddy which was understandable, today was her first real flight as she activated the engines before taking the bird out, same as she had done on several hundred other practice runs, only this time if she screwed up, real people could die.

Rachael gently guided the fighter out of the Roanoke's hanger pod and after several minutes, out of the spacedocks and into open space.

"Heading to the nearby asteroid drift." Rachael commented as Fives replied with. "Show me what you got kid.."

Rachael smiled as she spent the next hour, showing Fives just what she had and then she brought the bird back for a flawless landing.

Rachael exited the fighter after she secured it on the flight deck as Fives followed her out. "Well?" Rachael inquired.

"I'll pin your wings on you myself. that was a good flight.." Fives commented. "Still.. you are very aggressive at times... but I can see why Phoenix thinks highly of you." he explained as Rachael looked at him, her face impassive. "You have a great deal to learn... but if you continue with that measure of skill... I have no doubt you'll make a hell of a pilot... " he commented. "But.. Talos doesn't fit you." he commented. "So... until Phoenix says otherwise... you'll be known as Firebird." he paused. "I'll recommend you get your wings to Phoenix and let her have the privilege of pinning you."

"Firebird.." Rachael replied, clearly trying it on for size. "Thank you Fives. For everything."