Columbia launched on time, on schedule if this compressed timeline could even be called a proper schedule. "Proper." She thought with a disdained snort. "Anything proper and textbook has been tossed out the airlock and sent through atmospheric interface." Her annoyance was caused mainly by concern. Launching on such short notice was dangerous. With so many complicated procedures and with such a complicated machine, she couldn't even begin to count how many ways this could go terribly wrong. As each call was read, Columbia reviewed and re-reviewed her safety procedures in case something failed and an abort was called. But once she had shed her boosters, the concern was replaced by curiosity. Just what would she find up there?
She found out soon enough. Clear of the jettisoned external tank, Columbia rolled on her back getting a unique perspective on the world below. "Well, not quite unique." She corrected herself, spotting the airliner off to her port side. Starflight at least had some brain cells still working as she'd adopted the proper position for orbit. Belly up, head down. Columbia estimated her to be at 25 degrees, much shallower than she herself was at. This would be a tricky rendezvous. But Columbia was experienced, a seasoned veteran of 5 years in space. She understood the 0g environment better than anyone else in the world. With precision timing and agility, she swooped effortlessly into position along Starflight's starboard side. Her eyes scanned the larger craft's frame for damage. "You alright?!" She called. "Hmm, picture perfect views, no turbulence. Yeah, I think I'm good." Starflight replied. Columbia chuckled, relieved the hypersonic jet had a sense of humor and she wouldn't have to deal with a hysterical aircraft.
A fuel line was passed across. Columbia's hollow wings had been stuffed with LHO. She felt somewhat relieved as it left her. At least now she didn't have to worry about exploding. "That should be enough to get you down to a runway. But we need to find a way to get you through the atmosphere first." She said. "Easier said than done. I ain't built for spaceflight Columbia. If I go through that, I won't be coming out. Alive anyways." And Columbia wasn't keen on seeing a melted ball of twisted metal when she landed either. "NASA'll think of something." She tried to reassure her although she wasn't sure how they would when she herself had no idea on where to begin getting Starflight down!