The Stars and Beyond [Camellia Swift]

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Camellia Swift"]

The smile on her face would tell Camellia everything. The ship was hers and now Aerin could not wait to learn to fly it for herself. Her mind delighted in the idea and soon she would have something special to show Aurelio. She started to chuckle at the idea.

"Yes please do make the necessary arrangements to transfer the ship to me, and I will have to think of a name for it". she smiled more. Her mind began to play with some names already, but not for long as they reached the training area. Aerin's eyes widened once more as they fell over all the equipment and simulators. The room is vast just like the entire place which just about took her breath away.

"What you do here is extraordinary", she whispered in awe at the place. "I can't wait to get started", she said as she followed the girl looking over her shoulder to see what she was doing. Aerin wanted to know everything now.

Her mind went back to Midvinter, the beautiful planet she loves so much and now she realised just how right Aurelio was in a way. But by no fault of the people but the leaders, those stupid fools.

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

There wasn't really much Camellia was doing though sadly that Aerin could watch her do. All the Rendili woman was doing for the moment was inputting commands into a console so that she could pull a pass for the building for Aerin to use to practice in the simulator whenever one was open. "you can start in just a moment if you want, but you don't have to feel overly thankful for what's going on. You're new to flying and you clearly intend to get a ship. I have to make sure that you can fully handle the craft. Plus having the registration you completed a course will be another bonus in traveling the galaxy if you ever have to buy a new ship somewhere and they require proof that you can actually use the ship you're purchasing from them"

After a few more moments the screen would light up with a green light as it accepted her codes and displayed a string of numbers and letters. Cam didn't want to bother Aerin by having her memorize those, so she clicked another prompt to have the code sent through to an instructor's office. Whose occupant would exit the room shortly after to approach Aerin and herself and offer them a card. "With that you can use any simulator in here and come in during any open hours. An instructor can help you on any questions and if you want I can come around as well to help too. The simulators run a range of ships and scenarios so you can get a feel for flying in different settings. Don't be afraid to push yourself in these or take it easy. There's no way to get hurt so make mistakes as often as you like so you figure out what you can and can't do."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Camellia Swift"]

Now it was time to begin. Aerin felt the nerves of it in the pit of her stomach. Even though this was to be done in the simulators she could not help it. Even they would hold her in awe until she got familiar with them.

"Then let us begin", she said as she took the card from her teacher. "I will make sure to use it ... as I am not here to socialise I will take all the time I have to do so". Her coming here, was not personal but held more importance to establish technology and learning for more then her. She hoped to become proficient enough to be able to pass on what she will learn to others of her homeland.

Aerin wasted no time in entering the simulator, and stood looking around the at the control panels. They looked similar to those she had seen on her ship, with some variances but still the principles would remain the same. For all purposes, it looked like they had not left the ship. She waited for her first instructions.

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

This time Camellia merely nodded in response to Aerin's words. She wasn't really sure what to say, the other woman was clearly dedicated to mastering whatever tasks and skills needed in order to pilot a starship. In that regard the Rendili Stardrive CEO wasn't sure what to think either. There had to be something really pushing Ms. Firebrand to take such lengths to learn so much so fast and buy a brand new ship besides merely being in awe of technology the woman wasn't used to until recently. Such things were not her place to ask about though, she was just in the position of a businesswoman and mentor for the moment.

Still it was a curious situation Cam had to admit.

Once Aerin climbed inside Camellia walked up to the Simulator Unit's outer controls and began entering in commands. One could do the same from the inside, but Cam wasn't certain what programs to tell Aerin to access yet so instead for now she would enter in the scenarios herself. First off would be something simple, a free roam in space that would eventually ask Aerin to enter atmosphere. Something that shouldn't be too difficult until Aerin got closer towards the ground and eventually the simulator asked for her to land. If that worked out Camellia intended to put in another, but for now she put in what she had and soon enough Aerin would watch as the inside of the simulator lit up and the holopadding created a feel for the environment beyond the cockpit.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Camellia Swift"]

She had to be honest with herself, all these controls and systems looked daunting and self doubt entered her mind. Even though they are in the simulator, this would prove if she had what it took to fulfill the task or if she had the talent or brains enough to fly a real ship. Well, there is only one way to find out. As Aerin had now been in the wider galaxy for some time now, there is still much she does not know or has had experience of. It is one thing to get knowledge of how general items work, setting controls of environment or even firing a blaster, this is complete different. But one thing Aerin has over most Valkryi is intelligence even though that was about to be tested, she knew she could give all she had.

As Camellia worked the panel, Aerin sat in the pilot seat and looked over the control to get familiar with them, even though most of it she did not know, but she recognised some from the flight, she noted the ones Camellia had used in the demonstration. Eventually Aerin sat back in the seat and waited like a dutiful student for her first instructions.

The cockpit 'window', suddenly sprang to life.

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

Aerin would soon see what appeared to be a location like the hanger on the shipyards above, the holo panels of the simulator working to create the environment for Aerin's first steps into piloting. Camellia would step back from the simulator as it activated and move towards where several instructors were standing so she could talk to them about ensuring Aerin's ability to receive the full support of the facility.

Meanwhile a voice would crop up within the simulator, the program for basic teaching coming online and ready to give Aerin instructions. "Welcome Ms. Firebrand, to the standard training module for individuals new to piloting. We will begin with the simple task of initiating a liftoff and guiding the ship out of the average hanger bay. Please attempt to initiate the appropriate start up sequence for the simulator starship. Should a mistake be made the simulation will not proceed as your ship would not take off properly. If any questions arise please address the an inquiry to an instructor or press the help button for a run through of the take off sequence and starship start up."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Camellia Swift"]

Oh gosh this is it! she thought with her stomach full of butterflies. She realised now just how hard this was for someone like her, and the benefits of the simulator now apparent. Nothing would befall them if she made a mistake, which no doubt will happen. Aerin looked over the control panel, her eyes searching for the preflight controls to warm the engines, was that it, she thought trying to remember what Camellia had shown her in the real ship.

Maybe she had been to excited to take proper notice, but one could only try. She found what she believed to be the preflight control and pressed the button. She pulled her hand away and waited to see if she was correct.

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

Aerin was indeed correct as the cockpit of the simulator began to whir in conjunction with the activation of the system Aerin had correctly started. And the young woman was right to remember nothing bad would happen by being wrong, not here by any means. If a mistake was made the simulator would let Ms. Firebrand know with a gentle tone and message indicating the sequence was incorrect. If Aerin made multiple mistakes it would inform her of the correct selection and explain the process to her and the meaning of the various dials and switches and buttons. It would also do this in the case of Aerin having a long delay of indecision lasting several minutes. Though it would not proceed until Ms. Firebrand herself could initiate the start up without prompting.

Meanwhile Camellia would be finishing up speaking to the instructors, who promised to provide Aerin with their support if she asked for it or appeared to be having difficulty when any of them were free to help.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Camellia Swift"]


Aerin initiated the start up procedures, all the control panel lit up like the lights of Coruscant and began readouts. Most of which she no understanding of as yet, however that will all come with training. She placed her hands on what Aerin thought to be the steering mechanism and pushed it forward, through the cockpit window the ship began to move slowly at first. A smile crossed her face and little by little she grew more confident.

Until she pushed to hard and the ship raced out of the 'hangar', although to fast for normal procedures, she cleared it. Even though she is enjoying this and taking in a much as possible, she could feel the build up of sweat on the back of her neck from the adrenaline and nerves.

The simulator would ask her to proceed to the next stage giving instructions which she followed. So far so good.

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

It would indeed come with training, as an instructor would head over to the simulator and begin to congratulate the successful, if tense, take off, as well as give pointers on how to smooth out things for next time. All the while the simulation program would explain the next set of objectives, and begin to inform Aerin on the course she would be flying through space along a series of lined buoys. It was a simple steering exercise which would be followed by a more advanced maneuvering regime once the instructor deemed Aerin comfortable with the task.

Camellia would watch at this point to ensure that Aerin was doing alright and that the guidance of the instructors was actually helpful to the other woman.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Camellia Swift"]

"Alright, I remember Camellia doing this", she said more to herself. As she listened to the set of instructions, the main problem for Aerin was locating the dials and buttons in order to achieve the objective. Although the 'ship' was moving already, how to push it forward and faster?

She looked over the panel, but her eyes fell on the 'stick' near her and she reached for it. Her hands too hard against it and the 'ship' lurched forward in a jolt and began to spin out of control. Trying desperately to correct the situation Aerin only succeeded in making it worse..

"Help!". She began to laugh a little, knowing they are safe in the simulator.

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

The moment something went wrong during the first time in the simulator was normally the most difficult for instructors when trying to help. That was because most people learning to fly panic and thus are more difficult to explain things to as instructors do their best to remain calm as well and lay out the necessary steps in order for the pilot in training to regain control of the situation. However, Aerin appeared to not only remain calm in the simulator, but even find the situation enjoyable or humorous.

It made Camellia laugh right along with the other woman while the instructor tried to begin giving advice on how to fix the problem. Rendili Stardrive's CEO cut him off though, and instead gave Aerin the how to herself. "Ok Aerin listen carefully, what you need to do is slow the ship down considerably, but do not cut the engines entirely. Then take it nice and slow and look for the planet if you can. If so you should be able to find the buoys that way. You can also activate your sensors and set them to the buoys signatures. If both are too much right now don't worry because the program will eventually show you how to do both and then begin to guide you back to start over."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Camellia Swift"]

She understood the instruction, but doing it would be another matter. However, she felt confident enough knowing Camellia was right there with her and keeping a good eye on her. "Ok slowly, got it".

The ship had leveled off and now Aerin gently urges the flight control forward once more, this time with gentle touch, probably to gently as the ship crawled forward. As time passed, what seemed like a long time at least to Aerin, she pushed the control forward slightly more. The simulator ship moved with more control in her hands now, but still she could not find the buoys. She remembered Camellia suggesting to use the senors.

Her eyes looked over the panel once more as the in flight instruction indicated their location. Pressing the button to activate the sensor the screen flashed and immediately the readout began. On the screen she would see flashing icons of the buoys and an indicator show her the way. Aerin slowed the ship down again and turned the ship to port and soon the buoys came to view in the 'cockpit window'.

Again she urged the ship forward toward them, now she wanted to blow them up just like Camellia had done. But she knew she was being impatient.

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

Camellia found herself nodding pleased with Aerin's progress as the other woman began guiding the simulation craft back towards the buoys. Ms. Firebrand certainly appeared to be a very quick learner, and an especially eager and appreciative one. The Rendili Stardrive CEO had no doubts that the soon to be owner of a BT-12 would acquire the ability to be an aspiring pilot soon. It was just a matter of how soon. The simulation would likely set Aerin back on track with the same task as before until it was completed, and then increase the difficulty a few times before introduing a new scenario.

However, at some point Aerin would clear the simulator altogether. Then Camellia intended to have the other girl join in live exercises for a little to get actual cockpit experience. So she ought to make sure that was set up, seeing as she wasn't sure how much trouble it would be to obtain such permission. So, seeing how Aerin was doing alright for now, Cam nodded to the instructor and headed toward the comm station, confident in Aerin's ability to grow as a pilot.