The five warriors exited the elevator in silence; only the metallic clang of armor pierced the air. The air in the hanger was crisp; the hanger opened directly into to the planets surface. The open air revealed that night had descended upon the planet. Stars twinkled in the sky, and the planets two moons were making their ascension. Unfortunately there was no time for the finer details in life for the party.
They were gazing at the Blood Red fighter in the hanger. The techs that were sitting by the fighter got up and looked at the group. Katrina crossed her arms and smiled.
"That is the Carmine Anguis. It's in the final stages of development. She runs like a beauty. The best fighter I have ever piloted." She walked towards her fighter with her arms at her sides.
"You're saying that this isn't even in service yet?" Dachium asked with a raised eyebrow.
"That's correct, still in development." The Sergeant said.
"You must be pretty good for them to allow you to pilot s test craft." Aang said.
"Yes, I'm one of the best." Katrina said. "What are you all standing around for? Get my ship into the transport!" She said to the techs that were standing in front of her.
"You heard the Sergeant. Get moving!" Said the tech that was apparently the leader.
The other techs scrambled to there places and began the moving process. The leader stood by the sergeant and oversaw the loading process. He crossed his arms and turned to Katrina.
"So what exactly is this ship?" The head tech asked.
"That's classified." Katrina said.
"What about technical specifications?" The tech asked. He had turned back to his team to make sure nothing was going wrong. "Make sure that air cushion is up to capacity before you start moving."
"Ahhh, That I can tell you about. It has the most advanced computers available, and some you haven't seen before. All the hiccups in the multiple targeting computers have been worked out, and it works flawlessly. The laser cannons from Battle Cruisers were downgraded a bit and installed as a main weapon, mainly for larger and slower moving enemies. The Dual Scatter Lasers are the main offensive weapon for smaller, more agile enemies. Two modified Valkyrie missile batteries are also for support, the missiles were replaced with new AZ-19A7 Missiles. These new missiles can target either ground or air units. As a support weapon it was installed with a special EMP cannon. Specially adapted Scout engines, which give it the ample maneuverability, are installed. Everything is top of the line and fully upgraded." Katrina smiled and looked on as the techs near the ship. The others were just boarding the transport now.
"What about its design?" The tech asked his superior.
"Again classified. I am not allowed to tell much about the stuff that I work with." They were walking next to the ship now.
"I see." The tech shrugs. "Oh well. Make sure you don't scratch it."
After another 10 minutes the ship was loaded into the transport. Everyone was seated in the cargo bay. Dachium was doing a final check of all the equipment, Katrina was in the cockpit doing the pre-flight procedures, Brac was seated on the left side smoking another cigarette, and the two brothers were seated next to each other, in a meditative state.
Once Dachium was completed with his checks he secured the equipment and moved up to the co-pilot's chair.
"Everything ready?" Dachium asked as he seated himself.
"Just finishing the final checks." Katrina said as she typed something into the ships computer. She looked over at one of the screens and it read all green. "Alright, all set to go."
Dachium got up and went to the rear of the transport. He pressed a few buttons on the consol next to the cargo door, and the door closed. The Ghost squeezed his way past the fighter again and back into the cockpit.
"The cargo door is secure." He said to Katrina while strapping himself in.
"Good. Everyone buckle up." Katrina said while she leaned into the cargo area. She turned back around and glanced at all of the consoles one more time. Then the Sergeant put on her comm. link and put her hands to the controls. She pressed a few buttons and flicked a few switches; the ships engines hummed into life.
After adjusting the channel of her comm. Link, Katrina spoke into it. "This is Transport 101FT requesting permission to launch."
"This is Control Transport. We have a green on all vectors for you to launch. There is nothing coming in and the skies are clear. Take off at your pleasure." The Launch Control answered back over the comm. link.
"Thanks Control." Katrina switched channels and put her hands back on the controls.
Sergeant Pancost was no longer a pilot; she was one with her ship. Her hands flowed into the controls; her mind focused in on the ships itself. It was as if the ship had a soul and her body became attuned to it. Very few are ever born with this gift. Those who are, are truly gifted.
The transport lifted gracefully into the air; slowly it left the hanger. When it was finally clear of the hanger the ship gained speed and altitude. The upper atmosphere was the ships destination.
Dachium smiled and leaned back in his chair. He knew with Katrina Pancost at the helm he had nothing to worry about.