Birth of a Pilot

A sterile hallway stretches ahead of the Celestion-5 crew. As they follow a researcher, Staff Major Romero, their attention is brought to a window, where scientists beyond it sift through rock samples the crew collected yesterday. Angelo can even see the pitiful collection he and his brother brought in. Seeing how small it is compared to the others’ fills him with shame. He knows he could’ve prevented this.

Leon, though amazing in most respects, should never be left in charge of navigation. Angelo thinks back to when he offered to carry the rock samples, wanting to atone for the grief he caused his older brother in the past few months. This left Leon in charge of reading the map, which got them lost for a few hours. Angelo’s ears burn as he remembers opting to drag the sack on the ground to reduce the strain on his shoulders. Anyone else knows that would cause a tear! He can see a few scientists examining the hole where most of the brothers’ collection leaked out.

“...Still, it’ll take a few days to get all these documented and such. Then we should have the results back to you all in a jiffy! Any questions?” The lead researcher makes eye contact with Angelo, smiling. The young star ranger feels bad for not paying much attention. However, he does notice how frequently the scientist focuses on him. It’s highly uncomfortable.

Thankfully, Jun interrupts this. “You mentioned there being a shortage of rock samples. Will we be assigned to collect any more?”

“It’s good that you asked that, Ms. Kim--”

“S-staff Major Romero?” Something within Angelo forces him to interrupt. He's used to being misread, but would hate to see it happen to Jun. “Ranger Kim doesn’t-- Ranger Kim doesn’t g-go by--”

Immediately, about three of his crewmates, including Jun, turn around. They give various signals telling him to shut up. His brother picks up on the situation a little late, but discreetly taps Angelo on the shoulder. Ouch.

“Ah, did you have something to say?” The staff major barely manages to pick up Angelo’s voice, much to everyone else’s relief.

“I didn’t-- Nothing! I didn’t have anything to say. I’m so sorry for interrupting, please continue!” Angelo doesn’t even know what he’s doing wrong, but it’s probably something obvious.

The researcher chuckles. “As I was saying, it’s good that our dear Ms. Kim asked about rounding up more rock samples, ‘cause I’d like to show you all something that can help with that! So, if you’ll come right this way with me, please?”

As soon as Romero turns his back, the young star ranger mouths an apology to Jun. They smile and brush it off, but he’s 90% certain that he just destroyed anything resembling a possible friendship. They’re better off without him.

Leon leans forward to whisper to his younger brother. “I know you wanted to help, but it’s better if Jun handles that kinda stuff when they’re ready.”

Angelo nods. He already has the memo by now. Thinking about it, he can see why his actions could’ve caused Jun a lot of trouble. How can he even begin to make it up to them? He carefully steps over his tangled nerves as he and his brother follow the others to the room at the end of the hall. 

The researcher stops at the door, allowing the crew to enter first. He bows theatrically toward a few of the crew members as they enter. To Angelo, he gives a meaningful smile after bowing towards him. What it means is the question.

The next area is dimly lit, but the youngest ranger can make out a table and a large figure being covered by a tarp. Staff Major Romero twirls into the room. Someone claps--probably Emil-- and Angelo can vaguely hear Aiden whisper something to Jun about the Interstellar Forces’ scientists being weird. The scientist saunters over to the table and takes a seat. He presses a remote. Light projects on the desk below him, showing an image of some kind of a robot. 

“This,” he gestures toward the projection, “is the Starwalker! Tentative name, of course.” 

“Cooool.” Leon whispers.

“I’m glad someone agrees with me. She’s my dearest child… or at least, second-dearest, if I count my real human daughter. Anyway! This vehicle is built for navigating difficult terrain, such as Mars’s surface, ‘cause let’s be honest, walking out there? Not a piece of cake.”

“That’s for sure...” Emil agrees.

“But that’s not all my baby can do! No, she’s got plenty of tricks up her sleeve! See those claws?” The researcher leans over to point at the Starwalker’s squarish claws. “They operate fairly simple enough. Think of it like one of those crane machines, except you can actually pick things up with these! And with enough force, you should even be able to crush boulders! Now you won’t be stuck picking up those dinky pebbles. Any questions before I move on?”

Wouldn’t boulders be reduced to pebbles anyway if it crushes them? Angelo wonders if he’s thinking too much about this.

Surprisingly, Aiden asks the first question. “So how fast does this thing go?”

“Haha! A very good question, son! She’s a real speed demon.” Romero’s eyes light up. Literally, since his glasses reflected light from the projector. “I’d estimate this baby can go up to about… lemme seeee. 60 miles per hour, at least.”

“That’s… incredibly fast for something of that size.” The captain remarks. His voice, normally emotionless, sounds concerned to Angelo.

“Told’ja! She’s a real speed demon! Is that not what I said?”

“You did!” Emil answers. He doesn’t sound nearly as worried as his brother.

“Any more questions? Ah, I see we have one from the captain!”

“What is the power source?”

“The hearts and souls of my crew and I!” Romero laughs at his own joke. “Just kidding, it’s a secret, for now.”

“I have a question!” Roxie’s hand shoots up. “This is going to sound like a joke, but I’m genuinely curious. Does it come with lasers?”

“No worries dear, I’m glad you asked! Sadly, it does not… yet. Any more questions?”

Mia slowly raises her hand.

“Yes?”

“I noticed you said the speed was an estimate. Has it not been tested out?” It amazes Angelo how people like her and the captain manage to sound like real adults despite only being a year older than his brother. If Angelo himself can find a way to talk like that, maybe he’ll blend in better with the others.

“How observant of you, dear! That brings me to what I wanted to touch on next. You see, my Starwalker may be beautiful, wonderful even, but… Unfortunately, there’s been one small problem.” The staff major presses his remote once more.

Below him, test footage plays. A young woman climbs up the legs into the cockpit, but is too tall to fit in. Growing frustrated, she forcefully tries to cram herself into it before Romero runs from behind the camera to stop her. The video ends. The next clip features a gruffer man who practically jumps into the machine as Romero can be heard cheering him on. As soon as it turns on, the shield over the cockpit lowers before he can position himself right. The footage abruptly cuts off as the pilot realizes that the Starwalker starts to move and that he’s stuck.

“Ah, that was Taji. We were able to get him out, but not without a couple injuries. Oh well, comes with the job!”

“Is he okay?” Emil asks.

Romero waves a hand as if to brush off the lieutenant’s question. “Don’t worry, son, he’s doing fine!” 

The next clip shows a lithe man with pale hair and skin. He walks up to the machine, craning his head to look at the legs. After a few seconds, he shrugs, shakes his head, and walks away. Angelo can see himself doing the same, if he had the courage.

The researcher shakes his head. “Can’t do anything with Karl.” he mutters. “Anyway! You guys probably get the picture by now.” He pauses the tape. “It seems that I may’ve had my team build the cockpit a teensy bit too small.”

“Oh no!” Leon reacts.

“‘Oh no’ indeed.” Romero’s voice is grim as he adjusts his sharp glasses. The glare almost blinds Angelo. “But that’s why I brought your crew here.” He hunches over; a grin can just barely be seen behind his clasped hands as he laughs. “We were almost about to scrap the thing and start all over! But then you guys waltzed right in with the perfect test pilot.”

Angelo can see his own face reflected in the staff major’s spectacles. No. he thinks, This is a joke, right? However, as he looks at the others, he notices that this is not a joke. They’re all staring at him, all except one.

His brother fails to read the scene. “Wait, so who’s the pilo-?” Leon makes eye contact with Angelo. He gasps. “Ángie??” Leon turns to Romero while pointing at his brother. “Is Ángie the test pilot?”

“That depends.” The scientist lowers his head toward Angelo. “How tall are you?”

“F-Five foot… even.”

“So five feet, no inches, am I correct?”

“Yes...?” Angelo nods. He does not like where this is headed.

“Congratulations!” Romero abruptly stands from his desk. “We have ourselves a test pilot!”

Everyone claps and offers their congratulations. Angelo wishes he could just disappear.

“Th-Thank you... Thank you all.” he replies, not wanting to be rude.

“Gosh, Ángie! You get to pilot a mecha!!” Leon’s outburst almost takes him by surprise. Why is he so happy? This is the kind of thing Leon would fantasize about, yet Angelo gets the opportunity instead. First he puts his brother’s job in danger, and now he’s stealing his dreams? Angelo wonders how Leon could still tolerate him.

 “Yeah!” Suddenly Roxie is behind him. Angelo is so taken off guard that he nearly trips into his brother. Any more surprises today and he might have a heart attack. “You’re officially a shounen protagonist now!”

That’s the type of anime Big Brother likes, right? Or is it shoujo? Both? Angelo ponders internally.

Meanwhile, Romero walks over to the tarp. “Could you turn on the lights, son?”

Leon’s hand reaches toward the light switch. Angelo instinctively shuts his eyes.

“No, not yet!” the bespectacled man warns. “Wait until I count down from 3, alright?”

“Okay!”

“3… 2… 1… annnd now!”

Click.