Birth of a Pilot

The air hangs thick as the Celestion-5 crew makes their way to the hangar where there ship is stationed. There, they can have a ‘private crew meeting’, as the captain phrases it.

“So it’s not just me right?” Aiden breaks the silence as they walk down the halls. “That Romero guy is way sketch.”

“Mondo sketchy.” Jun agrees.

The captain interrupts. “Please save any comments you have about the staff major or his offer until the meeting.”

Jun casually salutes. “Aye aye, Captain.” 

“Are you okay, Ángie?” Leon seems slightly less anxious now that Angelo is safely out of the robot.

“I’m fine. Just a little chilly.” The goosebumps on Angelo’s arm makes him realize he left his jacket with Staff Major Romero. He would offer to retrieve it, but the fear of the researcher taking that as a sign that Angelo wants to pilot his robot scares him away from the idea.

“Ah, you left your jacket! Here, take mine.” Leon takes off his own coat and puts it on his younger brother. Angelo thanks him for the much-needed warmth. He knows it isn’t a big deal for Leon; the older Summers brother doesn’t really care for wearing coats anyway.

As the group rounds a corner, Angelo takes the opportunity to catch up to Jun.

“I’m really sorry for w-what happened earlier--”

“No harm done.” Jun shakes their head. “I just realized you weren’t there when I told the others what to do when people address me in public, but you know now, right?”

Angelo nods.

“Cool.”

The young star ranger is unsure of what to say. How are they so forgiving? Maybe their friendship isn’t destroyed, after all. He hopes so, since Jun has become something of a hero to them. Many people see them as a hero for their historical contributions to the Interstellar Forces, but for Angelo, them being such a cool and insightful adult figure is what he admires. Speaking of their heroic deeds, he has something else to tell them.

“A-also, thank you for the-- Earlier when Romero called me 'dear' and you...” He waves his hands, as if that will help him figure out how to organize his words more concisely. It doesn't. "Ah gosh, never-- nevermind. But th-thank you."

Jun stares at him, a little surprised. Then, they smirk. "And here I was thinking I was a master detective for figuring out his speech pattern." Their bang parts from their eyes as they laugh quietly, shaking their head. Angelo has no idea how they deciphered his word salad, but he's glad they did. 

"...Anyway. No prob, little dude! I thought I could do for you what I couldn’t for myself." They fistbump Angelo. How kind of them to look out for him like that despite the trouble he nearly caused them earlier! He feels as if he'll be eternally grateful.

The ship hangar, completely empty except for the crew, echoes with each footstep they take. Captain Galhardo stakes out the perimeter to make sure they’re truly alone. He gives a thumbs up signalling that they are.

“So!” Emil claps. “Angelo, what’cha thinking about?”

To be honest, he’s thinking about how odd it is to see someone give a thumbs up with such a serious expression. Does it tire the captain out to be so stoic all the time, or is that just his personality? It’s kind of scary, but also cool. 

“Oh!” Angelo snaps out of his train of thought. “I was just… I, um...”

“Specifically, what do you think about the robot?”

“The Starwalker.” Leon corrects. “Sorry for interrupting, I still really like the name.”

“Thank you, Rookie.”

Angelo forms his thoughts. “Well, I-- it’s kind of scary. I… don’t really think I want to pilot it again--”

“Good!” Emil interrupts. 

“But..” Angelo can’t help but to think of what the researcher said, that if Angelo is really as weak as he looks, then he has no use in the IF. Unlike Romero, the young star ranger knows that his actions aren’t an act. If he can learn how to pilot the Starwalker, then maybe he’ll have something he can offer.

“But?” The lieutenant captain eyes Angelo carefully. “Are you having second thoughts?”

“I-It’s nothing.”

“Hmmmmmmm~!” Emil exaggeratedly pokes a finger into the side of his head. He pivots away from Angelo. “I dunno about that!” He faces him once more. “If you want my expertly lieutenant captain advice, I say don’t do it. Anyone else have any opinions? Captain, what say you?”

“I agree with the lieutenant.” Captain Galhardo looks down with his hand rested on his mouth. “It’s safer to collect rock samples the way we’ve been doing than to rely on a method that hasn’t been tested properly.”

“Good take!” Emil gives his brother a thumbs up, smiling. “Would anyone else like to share? Speak now or forever hold your peace! Mia? You look like you’ve got something on your mind.”

“Oh, I agree with the captain.” Mia appears caught off guard. “The lack of testing is a liability. I also remember what Roxie said earlier, and it got me thinking... That robot doesn’t seem to be built with any safety precautions.” She looks at Angelo. “It’s not a good idea to go back into that thing.”

“A good observation from our resident technician! Thank you, dear~” Emil mimics the scientist.

“Oh my gosh, knock it off…” Mia stifles a giggle.

“Jun. Aiden. You guys had stuff to say earlier. I wanna hear it!”

“Kelly, you wanna go first?” Jun turns to their friend.

“Fine.” Aiden accepts Jun’s offer. “Kid. Listen. I’ve been around the block enough times to know how scientists like Whats-his-face--”

“Romero.” Jun corrects.

“Yeah! What’s-his-face Romero. I know how his type operates. They don’t care what happens to you as long as they get their data, and they’ll say anything to get you to go along with it.”

“I haven’t really like, dealt personally with a lot of the Staff Majors, but I’ve heard stories, especially when it comes to the science branch.” Jun folds their arms. “Also, that guy just seemed really pushy. I don’t trust him.”

“Me neither!” Emil agrees. “I didn’t like the way he brushed off that one guy’s injuries.”

Angelo doesn’t doubt any of their advice. He knows that the staff major wants him in that robot more than anything, but that doesn’t make his statements about Angelo’s worth in the IF any less concerning. Still, the young ranger knows he can prove himself in other ways that don’t risk his life as much. Piloting the robot isn’t necessary.

Emil turns his head towards Leon. “Angelo could use some brotherly advice right now. What do you have to say, Rookie?”

“Ángie.” Leon places his hands on the younger Summers’s shoulders. He tries to look at Angelo with a serious expression, but his droopy eyes have a habit of making him look somber instead. “Yeah, what they said!” He smiles. “I’m sorry, I don’t really have anything else to add on. I will say that it was super scary watching you almost crash into the wall, so please don’t get back into the Starwalker, no matter how cool it sounds! You did a good job already!”

“Th-thank you, Big Brother.” Leon’s words cheer up the young ranger. “I think… I think I’m going to say no.”

“You sure?” Emil asks.

“Yeah. I think? Plus… I really don’t want that guy to be m-my dad? He’s really weird a-and kinda scares me. So I would really prefer not to be adopted against my will.”

A few of the other crew members burst into laughter.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let you get put up for adoption!” Leon pats Angelo on the still-sore shoulder. He doesn’t notice him wince.

“Besides!” Roxie appears behind Leon’s shoulder. “I have already adopted you as my younger brother!”

“Me too!” Emil raises a hand.

“You guys are allowed.” Leon smiles! “Friends are allowed to adopt my brother, and you guys are all my friends!”

“That’s the spirit!” Emil gives two thumbs up and a cheesy wink.

“Now that that’s settled,” the captain begins, “we should go put on our jumpsuits. After Ranger Summers declines the Staff Major’s offer, we’ll head over to the geo-processing plant and offer our services there. Make sure to bring your helmets, too.

The meeting closes and everyone enters the ship to put on their jumpsuits. Angelo decides to put his on in the bathroom, since his dorm doesn’t have much room for three people to change at once, and he’s not comfortable with the idea of changing in front of Aiden anyway. On his way out from getting dressed, he hears a conversation between Mia and Roxie from the other bathroom.

“Is something on your mind?” Mia asks.

Roxie’s voice is heard next. “Nothing to worry about, Wattson! Or, sorta. Maybe? I was just thinking about what the staff major said about the medical staff. Me and Emil are the closest thing the ship has to doctors, and I’d really like to learn as much as I can before we head off into the unknown where no one can help us.”

Angelo thinks back to all the times he spent in the infirmary. If Roxie and Emil didn’t have the knowledge that they did, his gravity sickness would’ve been a lot worse than it was. And what if one of the others got injured? Who would be able to help them if Roxie and Emil don’t have the knowledge? They deserve the chance to be able to learn more. The Celestion-5 could benefit greatly if even one of them took the Martian medical staff’s offer.

If Angelo pilots the robot, that can happen.

I can’t see how he’d be useful to the IF.

The researcher’s words echo in his mind as he exits the ship.