Page 28 of Rogue Starfighter

I liked that word far too much. The bay doors opened. A force field shimmered across the exit, holding in the atmosphere while revealing open space beyond. My hands settled around the controls. They fit.

“Request departure clearance,” Vesh said.

I glanced at him. “You’re making me talk to alien air traffic control?”

“You are familiar with the process.”

“Finally, something I understand.”

I opened the channel. “Arturri Recon Control, Wraith requesting departure clearance.” The controller answered immediately. “Wraith, cleared for launch corridor seven. Maintain approach speed until outer marker. Welcome to Velerion, Elite Starfighter Anand.”

“Thank you, Control. Wraith departing corridor seven.”

I looked at Vesh. “See? I’m completely qualified.”

“You have not moved the ship. You do not know where to go.”

“Details.”

I eased the Wraith off the deck. The controls were more sensitive than anything I had ever touched. A slight movement lifted us ten feet. Another turned the ship toward the bay exit.

“Reduce thrust,” Vesh said.

“I know.”

“You are accelerating.”

“I know.”

“The wall is approaching.”

“Vesh.”

“Reducing thrust would be advisable.”

“If you grab the controls, I will break your fingers.”

“You could try.”

I brought the Wraith through the force field perfectly centered in the launch corridor. The moon fell away beneath us. Open space filled the viewport. Real space. Not a computer rendering. Not a simulation.

Thousands of stars burned against the black. Velerion hung to our right, blue and green and so enormous I had trouble understanding the scale of it. For several seconds, I forgot Vesh existed.

“Priya?”

“Give me a minute.”

He did. That might have been the kindest thing he had done since I woke up.

I had spent fifteen years watching aircraft as dots on a screen. I knew where they were, how fast they moved, and how much empty space belonged between them. But I had always been behind glass. Safe on the ground.

Now I had an alien scout ship beneath my hands and an entire planet below me.

“This is incredible.”

“Yes.”

Vesh understood. I could hear it in his voice. I turned toward him. “How long have you flown her?”