Timeline: SGA: anytime, BtVS: post-Chosen.
Disclaimer: Nothing copyrighted belongs to yours truly.
Author's Note: Written for Day 7 of the 2024 August Fic-A-Day.
"It's easy. If you want to, you can control the Jumper with your mind, but most people use the control stick. The HUD, Heads Up Display, requires the mental interface, as do the weapons. We're in orbit, so let's change places."
Major Lorne and Buffy both got up from their seats and with a little maneuvering, they sat down so Buffy could try and pilot the little spaceship. The initial check-up at the SGC revealed that she was a very strong carrier of the Ancient Technology Activation gene or ATA gene for short. Back then it hadn't meant anything to her, but that had changed once she set foot in the not-so-lost city of Atlantis. Lights turned on, doors opened and closed without her touching them, and random things turned on if she didn't control her thoughts properly.
An annoying rule in the City, and you could literally hear the capital 'C' when the inhabitants there said it, was that anyone with the gene had to have been there for at least a month before they were allowed to fly the Jumpers. Something about gaining better control over themselves so they wouldn't accidentally fire the drones or do something else unfortunate.
She experimentally thought at the HUD, and it obligingly winked into existence in front of her showing a map of the visible part of the planet below them. Testing her new toy, she spent the next few minutes just trying different things either Lorne or other people had talked about. When she felt she had the hang of it, she turned to her instructor. "I think I've got it."
"Good," he smiled encouragingly. Then he went through how to use the control stick to fly the Puddlejumper before he gave a short explanation of how the weapons systems worked. "Got all that?"
"I think so. Can I try some real flying now?"
Lorne gave a cautious approval, and Buffy grinned. The next two hours consisted of her flying forward, rolling sideways, going straight up or straight down, and testing how well the ship reacted compared to her own reflexes. She had a great time, but by the time she began the approach back to Atlantis, her instructor was looking slightly green around the edges. Although, he had managed not to comment on her acrobatics.
Once the automatic system took control of the Puddlejumper and began lowering it down into the Jump Bay, Buffy turned sideways. "So, how did I do?"
"You pass, but please don't fly like that ever again."
Buffy couldn't help but laugh a little. "You did say I should try it out and see how well she reacts so I won't be surprised if I have to fly one during an attack. Or dodge asteroids, or anything else that might want to kill us."
"I did, and I now regret not giving more specific instructions. You fly like Colonel Sheppard; based on instincts and something undefined I can't see."
"Hmm..." Buffy gave him a thoughtful look, "Maybe I should've asked him to give me flying lessons instead."
"Please don't. Especially since you've got the hang of it. All you need now is some practice in the field."
"Methinks, I should take the opportunity if it comes along." She grinned mischievously. It would probably be a fun few hours, but he was right. It wasn't necessary.