Flight and Flying [Tuesday, August 18, 4th period]

[sith_happened]

"For your final class, you will be in an X-Wing starfighter," Anakin said with a smile. "Today we're going to practice flying in combat."

He waved at a droid-shaped hole on the back of the sim. "This is where your R2 unit would sit," Anakin, smiling. "Or whatever the droid number is these days. It's your copilot of sorts who can get to mechanical problems while you're flying. For example, fixing shields that have been damaged by laser fire. Since we don't have a real R2 droid here--right now, the sim will take care of that for you. It'll also scream at you if it thinks you're going too fast."

On cue, the sim let out an electronic wail. Anakin had learned to ignore that sound early.

He pointed into the inside of the cockpit. "There are a lot more controls in the X-Wing than the shuttle or the podracer, obviously It's more like the fighter plane, but you need to regulate atmosphere, gauge fuel and weapons' levels, as well as communications, landing gear and assorted other bells and whistles."

He smiled at them. "But don't worry too much--you're not going to be tested on this." He sat in the cockpit and showed them how to make the ship speed up, slow down, turn and spin. "Obviously, this moves much faster than anything else we've flown," he said, "and the sim has been programmed with the grav you'd have in your cockpit, so if you spin yourself too fast, you will make yourself sick. And then you will be cleaning out the sim." A glance at Danny. "Please, let's not repeat that experience."

Anakin clasped his hands together. "Okay. You'll each get a chance to try the sim out to learn how it works. You'll be in a program set way out in space so there's nothing for you to hit if you can't figure out how to steer right away. Once you feel more comfortable, there'll be a choice of two courses to run through--one that's strictly testing you on mobility, the other than also allows you to use the laser cannons."

He gave the class a cocky smile. "Before you came in, I set a new record on the sim for time and accuracy. See if you can come close. Wiggin, please come talk to me. I have a few astronavigational exercises for you."

Comments

Talk to the TAs!

[sith_happened]

Hello, boys!

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[repeterpetrelli.livejournal.com]

Peter was in denial about how close it was to the end of summer. Not wanting to think about it too much, he tried to distract himself by doodling on a spare piece of paper.

As he drew his eyes turned milky white and he lost all awareness of everything around him. He kept drawing, as though compelled to do so by unseen forces. Any attempts to try to get him out of it would go completely unheeded.

This lasted until the drawing was done, and his eyes returned back to normal. Peter blinked, trying to reorient himself. When he saw his drawing - that of a shadowy figure exploding in the middle of Manhattan - he looked stricken.

"Crap."

[open for interaction. characters are free to try to get Peter out of the trance if they want, but since that'll have no effect he won't respond until he's out of it]

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[wantstocheer.livejournal.com]

Like Claire wouldn't notice Peter go into a freaky trance?

"Peter, wake up. Peter!"

She was afraid to touch him; especially once she began to recognize the scene he was drawing.

'Crap' didn't even begin to cover it.

"Peter, are you okay?"

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[repeterpetrelli.livejournal.com]

"I - um - yeah," Peter said, automatically wanting to reassure Claire. "Fine."

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[wantstocheer.livejournal.com]

"Are you sure?" Claire asked, glancing between him and the drawing. "That was really weird."

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[repeterpetrelli.livejournal.com]

"One of my powers," Peter said. "It happens."

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[wantstocheer.livejournal.com]

Claire nodded. "Drawing the future. From Matt."

Suddenly she wasn't feeling very well.

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[repeterpetrelli.livejournal.com]

"Who?" Peter asked.

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[wantstocheer.livejournal.com]

"Matt Parkman," Claire said. "That's his ability."

She was pretty sure she was remembering that right, at least.

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[repeterpetrelli.livejournal.com]

"Never heard of him," Peter admitted.

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[sith_happened]

Anakin had noted the shift in Peter immediately and was waiting when he came out of the trance.

"Drawing the future?" he asked softly, leaning in.

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[repeterpetrelli.livejournal.com]

"Man I hope not," Peter said, though without much conviction. He didn't mind showing the drawing to Anakin, considering how much Anakin had helped him with his powers.

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[sith_happened]

Anakin's eyebrows knit together. "That is not cheerful," he commented as he looked at the picture. "Do you know the city?"

He had a bad feeling about this.

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[repeterpetrelli.livejournal.com]

"Looks like New York," Peter said. He wasn't feeling too thrilled about it either.

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[sith_happened]

Anakin swore softly under his breath. "Just a possible future?" he asked, keeping his voice down. "Or do we need to be watching for a man who can explode?"

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[repeterpetrelli.livejournal.com]

"I dunno," Peter admitted. "I draw a lot and I can never tell. Like sometimes it's people I don't even know. So... a New York, maybe?"

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[sith_happened]

"It works across dimensions, too?" Anakin's tone was still tinged with concern, but his old skepticism about drawing the future was back. "How frustrating for you."

He knew Peter's saving people complex well.

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[repeterpetrelli.livejournal.com]

"Definitely distances," Peter said. "Maybe dimensions. I haven't drawn something obvious like another planet to clue me in, you know?"

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[noboynextdoor.livejournal.com]

Jess had glanced over at Peter when he saw him doodling, but he didn't really pay attention until he saw Peter's eyes. The urge to shake him to make him stop was strong, but he was still drawing, and Jess wasn't sure if shaking him would mess that up. He was still debating when Peter seemed to wake up. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked quietly.

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[repeterpetrelli.livejournal.com]

"One of my powers," Peter said, not sounding thrilled.

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[noboynextdoor.livejournal.com]

"Looked like a fun one," Jess said dryly. "What happened?"

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[repeterpetrelli.livejournal.com]

"That's what happens when I draw the future," Peter said. He debated showing the picture to Jess.

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[noboynextdoor.livejournal.com]

"I don't suppose you were scribbling out the winning lotto numbers?" Jess asked, trying to lighten the mood even as he leaned closer to try to peer at the paper.

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[repeterpetrelli.livejournal.com]

Peter turned the paper so that Jess could see. "No, but it'd be nice."

Re: Talk to the TAs!

[noboynextdoor.livejournal.com]

"I think you need to go back and ask for a power that has you drawing good things," Jess said. "Do you see this stuff so you can change it?"