Out in the Black
Posted on June 1st, 2011 by Kathryn Harper

Exiting a steep banking turn, the Mustang fighter faced the nearby star, flanked by a companion spacecraft, identical save for the nose art. Even at this distance, the star’s light revealed the craft’s pilot, first illuminating a cartoon-like firefly painted on a helmet, then reflecting off the gold visor that protected the eyes beneath from just this sort of thing. The stellar light continued to illuminate the formerly dark cockpit in a soft amber glow as the pilot steadily guided her craft onward, checking readings from the surrounding displays.

“This is Firefly, Waypoint One reached, all requested data has been gathered. Crazy Horse and I are proceeding to Waypoint Two,” came her call over the communication system, and she was immediately acknowledged by another pilot, leading a similar flight elsewhere in the planetary system. The two fighters banked together into a turn, elegantly staying in precise formation as they lined up with their next prescribed destination.

Normally, she was Commander Kathryn Harper – Kate to her friends. Here, she was Firefly, and surrounding her as both a suit of armor and a suite of weapons that had almost become an extension of her body, was the Boudica. Here, there was freedom, adrenaline, fellowship, and tests of skill, both of the individual and the team. Here, out in the black, alone in her machine, but flying with a squadron who would look out for one another. Here, she was the CAG.

Sure, it was only survey work, but she would gladly take any opportunity offered to her, just to get out here, out in the black. And to think, Kate had once wondered if this assignment was right for her. Now, Firefly wished that this was the only job she had ever held.