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Start Log
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Anya returned from her trip to update the XO on the preparations for
the mission. She strolled onto the floor of Hangar Bay 2 and looked
at the array of the parked M-35A fighters. It didn't look like anyone
was around which was a bit disappointing but then again, she had told
them to get some sack time as top priority.
Looking again over the black fighters it seemed barely any time since
they had been in prototype testing as the AX-01 Broadsword although at
that time the main gun was a simple Type 30 Plasma Pulse Cannon,
simple yet deadly. That had gone on to be the M-35, the later update
was the A1.3G Arclight Plasma Cannon immensely overpowering the
previous main gun making the M-35A far deadlier than it's predecessor.
The way Starfleet and SSF reports always reported her AX-01 Broadsword
in both it's variations as the M-35 and M-35A was in terms of their
large firepower compared to other fighters. In reality though the
true crowning glory of the AX-01 Broadsword was it's maneuverability
both in space through the 24 multivector thruster array which made it
good but it was her own contributions in the shape of the polyform
adaptive aerodynamics and variable wing geometry which in an
atmosphere made it unsurpassable. It handled like nothing else in an
atmosphere.
She ascended the stairs to the gantry above the the Flight Control
Office and leaned on the railing overlooking the deck. She lit a
cigarette and after taking a luxurious draw watched the lazy coils of
smoke drifting upwards. A voice sounded behind her it's familiarity
bringing a nostalgic smile to her face. "You know those things will
kill you?"
"They can join the queue behind the Romulans, Breen, Muhareem, Red
Aces, Solrin Seperatists and a whole lot of others I've pissed off in
my life. What brings you out so late Joe? You of all people I doubt
are having trouble sleeping." Anya looked sideways at the man joining
her leaning on the rail. Captain Joe Reynolds, Squadron Leader of the
Windhover Squadron, the M-35A's now sitting on the deck below them.
His lustrous blonde hair and natural good looks and charm had wooed
many women in the past, she was almost getting a headache thinking
about how many female crew members he would likely impregnate before
Windhover Squadron's stint with Chimera was done.
"I had a question I wanted to ask you Anya, something that's been on
my mind for a while." He said looking at her with his piercing blue
eyes.
"I'm not going to shag you Joe..." Anya replied automatically taking a draw.
He laughed "No that wasn't it, we know each other too well for that
Stormchild. The aftermath would be...uncomfortable. What I wanted to
ask you was...why is it you originally wanted to fly?"
"Damn Joe, of all the questions I expected you to ask that wasn't one
of them. Its an oddly philosophical question for you...you must be
getting into theology in your dotage." She said as she turned to look
at him directly. "We were wingmates for years and that's the deepest
thing I ever heard you say. I suppose the reason I first got into
flying was for the feeling of freedom from attachments, from the pain
and suffering of existence. I could rise above and be untouched by
it."
"Still feel that way?" He enquired.
"To a small extent, yeah." She replied. "The battles we fight, each
one takes a little part of your soul in the end leaving you with
nothing." As she said it she felt old old and tired beyond her years.
"Are they ready for it?" He gestured around at the ship. "Are they
ready to become monsters like us?"
Anya allowed pause before replying quietly "No they're not. They
think they can get out with their hands clean. Give it time and the
war will wear them down. They'll have more blood on their hands than
they want soon enough."
Anya took a long slow draw and took a minute working through her
thoughts. "Just out of curiosity..." She said in her normal voice.
"...Why was it you became a pilot?"
She received a grin in return "Truthfully, I thought it would be a
good way to get laid."
Anya rolled her eyes "I should have guessed."
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End Log
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Major Anya Xerxes
Wing CO
USS Chimera - C
Captain (E) Joe Reynolds
Squadron CO
USS Chimera - C
