| Paternal Instincts |
| Summary: | Alastair takes Elena on a training flight in a Predator to get her settled after she was shot down. It doesn't go well. |
| Date: | 30/09/2016 (OOC Date) |
| Related Logs: | None |
  |
| Flight Simulators |
| The Air Wing has access to flight simulators to train pilots off the ground in combat maneuvers and situations that are hard to replicate with regular dogfight practicing and this is their home. A rectangular room, the hatch opens up beside the bank of computers that control the simulations and what is seen by the individuals when training sessions are in progress. The sims are actual cockpits cut out of old frames and installed here to function exactly as the real thing, right down to oxygen plugs for suits. In front of each cockpit, complete with armored glass, are LCD screens that cover most of the front view to the front and above. There are two Vipers, two Predators, and one full-cabin Raptor available. |
| 17 Apr 2006 AWD #466 |
Slated for Predator training, Alastair has heard rumors of what happened to Elena last time she flew one. "This is just a sim, if it gets too rough, I want you to let me know, alright?" While she may have had more experience, he's older, and the man wants to make sure she's going to be well enough to handle the simulators. "We're going to try a close air support mission on Centurion armor and SAM sites." he suggests to her as he scrolls through the programs, plugging into the ECO console of the simulator as he works on his helmet attachments.
Elena nods, trying to play it cool. "It's just a sim. It's just a bird. I can fly one." She pops her helmet on, settling down into the seat, strapping herself in and beginning preflight.
Nodding to himself as Elena settles in, Alastair starts the program, dropping them into Aerilon airspace. "Cherry, this is Trap." he says into the radio calmly, "I have the 1/6th Armor on the radio, they're engaged with Centurion forces outside of grid 147, requesting close air support. Should we engage, over?" he asks her, as he starts to arm the ECO station weapons. "They warn that there are SAM defenses in the area. "
The pilot clenches her jaw. "Copy, Trap. We're going in. Over." There's no little song from Cherry as she starts flying the Predator toward the coordinates.
<FS3> Alastair rolls Alertness: Good Success.
<FS3> Elena rolls Piloting: Great Success.
<FS3> Elena rolls Alertness: Good Success.
<FS3> Alastair rolls Ecm: Good Success.
"Roger that." Alastair glances from the station to the redhead, but returns his attention to his console. As the Predator closes into range, the valley below spreads out from the gentle hills. Spread out across it are several dozen tanks from the Colonial Army engaged in a running gun battle with what appears to be itself. The Colonial M618s cannon's puff smoke as they kick shells across the field towards the APF forces, their own armor engaging in return as the glint of sunlight off Centurion armor tells Elena which side is which. In the meantime, Alastair at his console calls out in a chrip, "SAM scanning us, Cherry, preparing to engage." he responds, arming the missile racks as he does so. "Just keep us on our run, this will be a cakewalk." he tries to sound convincing.
"Yeah. Just like going to the zoo, right?" Cherry squares her shoulders and flies in for the first bombing run
Noticing the change in direction, Alastair frowns as he brings up his console. "Cherry, Trap, I have no joy on the SAMs, you're deviating from the target run. Repeat, we are to engage the tanks with bombs, I'll keep the SAMs off us, over." he says, as he works feverishly to bring the missiles back to bear upon the two SAM launchers.
Cherry quickly corrects course. "Trap, Cherry, back on course."
~That's a girl.~ Trap says to himself in Gemenese as he prepares to fire upon the SAMs. "Like you said, walk in the zoo and we're gonna peanut the elephants."
"Not really using peanuts, are you?" Alastair says with a grin as he chirps. "Target identified, missile high explosive up, engaging!" he calls out as he fires off the missile as a missile leaps from one of the SAM batteries towards the Predator. "Evade, evade, evade!"
<COMBAT> Triggering new turn.
<COMBAT> Toaster5 uses a MISSILE AA!
<COMBAT>
<COMBAT> EXPLOSION! Right Next To Predator-1098s - Critical wound to Body (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - NEAR MISS!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - ARMOR on Engine stops the attack!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - ARMOR on Engine stops the attack!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - ARMOR on Left Wing stops the attack!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - Serious wound to Cockpit.
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - Moderate wound to Weapon.
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - NEAR MISS!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - ARMOR on Tail stops the attack!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - ARMOR on Nose stops the attack!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - ARMOR on Tail stops the attack!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - ARMOR on Engine stops the attack!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - ARMOR on Controls stops the attack!
<COMBAT> CREW HIT! Elena - Moderate wound to Left Foot.
<COMBAT> CREW HIT! Elena - Moderate wound to Abdomen.
<COMBAT> Toaster4 uses a MISSILE AA!
<COMBAT>
<COMBAT> EXPLOSION! Right Next To Predator-1098s - Serious wound to Body (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - ARMOR on Right Wing stops the attack!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - ARMOR on Left Wing stops the attack!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - NEAR MISS!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - ARMOR on Tail stops the attack!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - ARMOR on Left Wing stops the attack!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - ARMOR on Left Wing stops the attack!
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Predator-1098s - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Elena uses a Bomb Racks!
<COMBAT>
<COMBAT> EXPLOSION! Pretty Close To Aa Battery-7615l - Critical wound to Body.
<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-7615l - ARMOR on Controls stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Alastair uses a Missile He!
<COMBAT>
<COMBAT> EXPLOSION! Very Far From Aa Battery-4351l - Light wound to Body (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Aa Battery-4351l is not hit by shrapnel.
<COMBAT> Toaster3 passes.
<COMBAT> Toaster2 passes.
<COMBAT> Toaster1 passes.
<COMBAT> Alastair has started a new turn. Pose and choose your action.
<COMBAT> Elena has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Predator-1098s has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Elena has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Alastair has been KO'd!
Hyperventilating, Ellie tears off her helmet and shakily unfastens her harnesses. She stumbles out of the simulator frame, heading for the hatch on wobbly legs.
<FS3> Alastair rolls Alertness: Good Success.
He was about to say something about how that could have gone better, to make light of it when he hears Elena's breath on the radio. "Frak." he whispers, fearing this reaction as he tears himself from his controls and harness to come over to her. "Hey, hey.. we're good. We're on the Orion, noone's hurt." he says, voice soothing as he tries to calm the young woman.
"I'm a shitty pilot and I almost got you killed. I almost got Bear killed. I'm a frakking frak-up." She stops with her hand on the hatch, trembling.
"Bullshit, Elena." Alastair says, gripping the young woman by the shoulders. "Look at me. I'm not even close to dead." he smiles and holds her chin so that he can meet her eyes. "You think you're the first pilot that's been shot down multiple times?" he asks her. "Not even close." he promises her. "This, these simulators are to make you better so that eventually you will be a Banshee down there, and the Cylons will whisper your name in fear."
Despite her clenched jaw and all efforts, tears start to stream down the young pilot's face. "That's bullshit and you know it, but thank you," she says softly.
"We have to stick together, Elena, we're all we got." Alastair says, using his thumb to brush away some of her tears. "But not all of it is bullshit, Knick.. el-tee Wescott has lost at least three Raptors that I know of. And a Predator with me in it. Maybe I'm just bad luck."
"I've flown… three combat missions? Four? And gotten frakked up twice. That's not a good record. I'm surprised they still let me fly." Ellie's breathing is more regulated now. "I know this is weird, probably, but can I have a hug?"
"Two. One I got shot down on, one I should have died on." Alastair responds. To her request, there's no words, he moves forward and wraps his arms tightly around the young woman and reaches up to give her vibrant red hair a caress. "Keep practicing." he says quietly. "I know you can do this."