Flight and Flying [Friday morning]

[emo-padawan.livejournal.com]

Anakin was leaning against the reconfigured flight simulator when the flight students arrived.

"Today we're going to do something a little different," he said, walking over to the television from his room and pushing a few buttons. A three-dimension projection of a world rotated in front of them. "We're going to complete an entire military mission. This planet is being slowly starved to death by the blockade set up by these donut-looking control ships and their army of droids."

Anakin gestured to the projection. "Working in pairs, your job will be to take off from the planet's surface, fight past the enemy's droid fighters and destroy the control ship." On the projection, the target glowed red. "The only way to destroy the ship, unfortunately, is to blow it from the inside--its shields are too powerful for the starfighter's torpedos to take out from space." He put his hands behind his back and paced. "You're up against a deadline as well. On the surface there's a battle taking place: your people against a droid army that doesn't get tired. Taking out the control ship also powers down those droids. Take too long to blow it up and you won't have a reason to go back to the planet--the enemy will have won through battle what they had been trying to achieve through blockade."

He pointed at the simulator. "You'll be flying the Naboo N-1 Starfighter," he said. "They're a little more sensitive than the F-16 from last week, but not quite as twitchy as the Jedi starfighter. And remember that once you break atmosphere, you won't be fighting gravity any longer so you don't have to yank on the controls quite as hard. The droid starfighters are faster than you are--and there are a lot of them--but they're also pretty stupid. Watch each other's backs and you'll do fine."

He grinned. "And in case you're wondering, yeah, this was a real battle. And the exercise can be accomplished." He tossed two deeply silly-looking helmets into the flight simulator. "Those will allow you to talk to each other. Plus, they're terribly stylish."

He put his hands together in front of him. "When you successfully complete the exercise, you get a donut to make up for the ugly one you've just removed from the sky." He gave them all an excited look. "Oh, I hope to see you all on Sunday for the field trip to the Air and Space Museum, but more importantly, I've heard from home. I'd asked for permission to have an actual Jedi starfighter brought here so you could get some non-simulated flight experience."

He smiled. "They've done me one better--inviting you all to come with me to Coruscant for a few days and see how the simulated stuff measures up the real thing." He turned serious. "Of course, I'm not going to bring you all to a new planet and have you blow up because you weren't paying attention, so this week--and next, which will be an actual flying experience--I'm going to be watching your technique to see if you're ready to fly an actual starfighter."

He waved them towards the simulator. "So impress me, all right?"

Comments

Save Naboo!

[emo-padawan.livejournal.com]

Pair up, take down the Trade Federation's droid control ship.

Watch out for the stupid droid starfighters--they'll sneak up on you.

Re: Save Naboo!

[lovechildblair.livejournal.com]

Blair bounces idly as he watches for someone to pair up with.

Re: Save Naboo!

[once-a-king.livejournal.com]

Peter nodded at Blair. "Shall we pair up? Even though we've not officially met?"

Re: Save Naboo!

[lovechildblair.livejournal.com]

"Sounds like a good plan. I'm Blair Sandburg." Blair bounced and grinned, sticking out his hand.

Re: Save Naboo!

[once-a-king.livejournal.com]

"Peter Pevensie," Peter replied, shaking Blair's hand. "I have to warn you that I'm pretty rubbish at flying."

Re: Save Naboo!

[lovechildblair.livejournal.com]

"Nice to meet you, Peter." Blair put on the hat and shrugged. "It's good that you're taking this class then. I don't know that I'm any better, I just like the spinning part."

Re: Save Naboo!

[once-a-king.livejournal.com]

"You have a good point there," Peter said with a grin. "And the spinning is definitely fun. Though I rather prefer the shooting down part."

Re: Save Naboo!

[lovechildblair.livejournal.com]

Blair took a seat in the sim and shook his head. "Well you're one up on me there, I don't care for the shooting part. I tend to be more of a peace-loving guy."

He thought about the battle simulation they were about to attempt. "Do you think the donut ship would respond to a picket line of protestors?"

Re: Save Naboo!

[once-a-king.livejournal.com]

Peter shrugged. "I'm with you there, but sometimes you have to fight to achieve peace."

He blinked at Blair's suggestion. "Umm... You mean respond in a way other than blowing us out of the sky?"

Re: Save Naboo!

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory was so wearing her hat even though she didn't have to yet, and looking around to see who she could partner with.

Re: Save Naboo!

[can_be_more]

Seeing Rory's available, Aeryn asks, "Want to?" Because honestly, she's curious.

Re: Save Naboo!

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Okay!" Rory chirped, bouncing a little. "I don't suck at this."

Re: Save Naboo!

[can_be_more]

"I'm very glad for that," Aeryn says. "Are you ready?"

Re: Save Naboo!

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"You need to wear your awesome hat, but yes," Rory told her.

Re: Save Naboo!

[can_be_more]

Managing not to sigh because she knows the hat is necessary, Aeryn puts her awesome hat back on.

Re: Save Naboo!

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Hi!" Rory said into her helmet, because they were supposed to talk through them. "These are soooo cool. I need one for like, every day."

Re: Save Naboo!

[can_be_more]

Aeryn considers this. "No, you don't," she decides. "So, simulator?"

Re: Save Naboo!

[demonbelthazor]

Bel waited for a partner but since his mun was on extreme slowplay due to being on vacation, if anyone wanted to handwavey pair up with him that was fine.

Re: Save Naboo!

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Stupid hat once again in hand, Sam glanced around for a partner.

Re: Save Naboo!

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

Cameron had completely forgotten about the hat and was still wearing it when he noticed Sam looking around. "Wanna kick some ass?"

Re: Save Naboo!

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Oh, yeah," Sam grinned, then rubbed her hands together in anticipation. "You fly, I'll be second seat."

Re: Save Naboo!

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

Cameron tilted his head. "Or we could both just take a fighter each?"

Re: Save Naboo!

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Oh, sure, make me look bad by actually understanding the assignment," Sam laughed. "You take lead, and I'll take wing, then. I want to see what you can do, flyboy."

And if he was as good as she suspected he was, well, a recommendation letter to the Academy from Lt. Col. Samantha Carter on his behalf couldn't hurt.

Re: Save Naboo!

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

"Wouldn't dream of it, ma'am," Cameron grinned. "I'm sure you were just testing me."

He snapped off a salute before climbing into the simulator.

Re: Save Naboo!

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Smart ass," she said, still grinning. She climbed into the simulator and adjusted the seat and controls so she was comfortable. "Ready when you are, Mitchell."