Rookie's First Month - Training
30 Jun 2020KZ Kawasaki
It's been an eventful first month as a independent pilot, to say the least. A coincidence that the official divorce hologram also arrived via FTL on this day, traveling the 10,000ly to reach me here, in the middle of unexplored space.I've come a long way since those first steps off that Dolphin liner that dropped me off in Matet along with dozens of other, much younger, recruits. None of them could believe I was there for pilot training when we all found our way over to the PIlot's Federation Authority Office together, small luggages in hand. "Gramps" was a common callsign for me in the simulators, and they even made the effort to decal my holographic helmet with it. "The Geriatrix" was the name of my simulated training ship - that one I did myself.
But the mockery slowed as we progressed through training. I figured out technical systems as quickly or quicker than many of the other recruits. I understood three dimensional flight as well as the best of them - maybe because of my stellar cartography. So when those of us who were left received our Pilot's Licenses, I was applauded as much, or as little, as the next pilot.
While many of those other pilots in my class departed immediately to "get rich quick" as was popular, I stayed behind on Coelho Station for a little longer. The Advanced Combat Training had me entralled. I had to pass it. The others had dismissed it as a "no-win" scenario and, since it was optional, they moved on. But not I. There must be a way to face that many opponents - besides, others had passed. So every day for a week I went to the simulator, was greeted by Instructor Hoodi, and took "The Geriatrix" to the fight. On the fifth attempt, I finally passed, with 30% hull left to boot!
Hoodi seemed relieved that I might finally moved on - there was no award or anything for passing Advanced Combat Training, though he did note in the logs that I was the oldest person to complete that version of Advanced Combat Training! I'll take that award and pin it on my flight suit!
It was now time to head out on my own. How nice of the Pilot's Federation to loan us a Sidewinder - let's see where it takes me.