#Lore 24 – Entry #97 – Sci-Fi Month II #6 – UEF Defense Squadron 04-1, “White Tigers”
From the Personal Journal of Sorisana Kelvaris, starfighter pilot, assigned UEF-04 Maharani Morgiana, translated from Elvish script.
I wouldn’t be hasty enough to say that I’m in the clear just yet, and I might’ve gotten a little more attention than I’d wanted today, but still, it’s been better than ten years now, so maybe I pulled off the vanishing act successfully. Another week or so and I should be in the clear, on the way into the deep black, a distant star system we call Marchosias, and dangers we couldn’t possibly imagine just waiting for us to stumble upon them. Still, whatever horrors may lay out there has to be better than facing the queen bitch of DSM again…
Our final trial flights were held today at the request of Captain Silvercask, but it was mostly for the squadron commanders to try to weed out anyone else who didn’t belong on this trip. No more washouts, so I guess that means we’re the best of the leftovers; all the other good pilots were shipped out on the first three UEF motherships months ago. Maybe I’m being a little cynical? I didn’t see any signs of trouble in the other pilots myself, just the typical hotdogging and bluster I’d expect from starfighter jockeys. Of course, if all those years drudging in the corpo salt mines taught me anything, it’s that you’ll never see someone’s true nature until they’re under pressure and pushed to their limits.
I’ve been assigned to the Morgiana’s first squadron, designated the “White Tigers”, with the callsign “Tiger 3”. The squad’s mostly composed of elves and kerryn, with a couple humans, one male ferakatian, and a couple kobolds in the mix; makes sense, quicker reflexes and all. The higher ups told us these were randomly assigned, but most of the pilots assume that it’s a ranking system, so going by that and what I could glean from my brief interactions with the squadmates, I’ve got at least a dozen laser designators aimed right at me. It’s bullshit, but that’s just how it is; they’re competitive by nature, after all. The Tigers’ primary responsibility will be defense of the Morgiana and her support ships of course, but I imagine we’ll be handling a majority of the scouting operations as well, at least for initial system entry and planetary approach. My primary assigned ship is a Stellar Drake III-class fighter, good all-round specs, average firepower and defense in its current configuration, above average speed, with capability of being specialized for various roles depending on need thanks to the modular design. Veylani may make impressive transports with that philosophy, but Star Dragon Shipyards is where you go to for starfighters, no matter what the dwarves or elves say to the contrary; that rivalry with the kobolds will never end, I think. I’m not proud enough to deny that. DSM could learn a thing or two from either, but profits over everything else and all that.
As to the standouts in the squadron, “Tiger Leader” is a kobold, goes by Chirzed Flametongue. Don’t know much about him personally, but the name’s familiar at least, has a decent enough reputation, gained some fame during the border conflict a decade or so ago. Seems like a solid choice for a commander, even has his own customized fighter. I could see the disdain on Erlareo Enmaris’s face immediately when he found out who was in charge, and he’s got a couple other elves who also made the squadron playing the role of his lackeys, so that’ll be trouble down the line. I’m sure he’ll approach me eventually and try to weave me into his machinations too out some misplaced notion that we elves should stick together. The kerryn are as easygoing as ever outside the cockpit, even if the lot of them have that predatory gleam in their eyes while they’re flying. Can’t really get a read on the ferakatian yet; I’ve always had trouble discerning ferian body language. Can’t even remember his name either; did he even tell us? Curious…will have to look into him further, I think.
Though I’ve not used my arcanist talents for some time, now that I’ve been officially assigned a ship, I’m not going to take any chances. I was able to weave a subtle enough ward upon it, so I’ll know if anyone tampers with it. Until I get to know the support techs better this might be an annoyance, but I think it’s worth it; at least I’ll know what they touched. There are several elves among the ground crews, and any one of them could be a DSM plant, and though the magic I used to change my appearance has long since settled into my bones (so no need to worry about anyone spotting the lingering spell aura there), there’s always a chance someone will figure out who I am. I worked for that department long enough to know never to underestimate them. If one of the onboard arcanists finds out, then it’s simple enough to explain that I know a few tricks that I don’t exactly advertise; I guarantee there are plenty of others who are part of this mission who do the same.
The squadron has been given leave until our official departure, barring an emergency, so I’m going to spend some time practicing my marksmanship outside the cockpit. I’ve still not mastered the revolver I’ve taken to carrying, not like Shi, anyway. I’m a pretty good shot, but nothing like her. True, I might be a little silly trying to emulate a gunslinger like her, but she left an impression on me back then. I’ve still got the scars on my chest and back to prove it, little reminders of what I owe her. I’ll probably never see her again, but who knows? We’ve both got a few hundred years at least left in us, gods willing, so maybe I’ll have my chance to pay her back for that mess…