Page 12 of Aliens Love Curves

It's going to be an interesting mission, indeed.

Chapter 7 - Casey

The prototype glider gleams in the morning sun, its pearl-white surface almost liquid in appearance its sleek lines promising speed and power. My fingers tingle with the urge to touch it, to learn its secrets. Beside me, Lyra runs through the specs, but I'm barely listening, too captivated by the machine before me.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Lyra says, catching my expression, running her hand along the glider's wing. "The SkyDancer X1 - our most advanced model yet. Want to take her for a spin?"

"Gorgeous," I breathe, circling the craft. Every line is perfect, promising speed and manoeuvrability beyond anything I've ever flown.

"Are you serious?" My heart leaps at the opportunity.

"The test pilots say she's ready for advanced trials," Lyra explains. "And after seeing you fly yesterday—"

“Want to take it for a spin?”

My heart leaps at Lyra's offer, but before I can respond, a familiar voice cuts in.

"It's too dangerous." Stryker's voice cuts through my excitement like a blade. He stands with his arms crossed, tail swishing in agitation. "The stabilizers haven't been fully tested."

I feel yesterday's anger resurface. "I can handle it."

Stryker’s eyes narrow, as if challenging my decision. "Casey—"

Lyra nods. "True, the stabilizers still need to be gaged correctly, but the prototype has passed all our initial safety checks. We just need experienced pilots to help with the fine-tuning now."

I meet Stryker's concerned gaze with a defiant tilt of my chin. "Sounds perfect. When can I start?"

"Casey," he repeats stepping closer, his voice low. "This isn't some training exercise. Prototype gliders can be unpredictable."

"Good thing I'm not predictable either," I reply sweetly, already reaching for the flight suit Lyra offers. "I'm doing it. Where do I sign?"

As I suit up, I can feel Stryker's disapproval radiating off him in waves. Good. After last night's lecture about my "hormones" clouding my judgment, let him stew. I'm done trying to prove myself to him.

The cockpit embraces me like a lover as I slide in, everything positioned just right. Through the crystal-clear canopy, I spot Stryker watching from the observation deck, his face tight with concern, his muscled form stock still and tense. Something twists in my chest, but I push it aside. He made his feelings clear last night.

"Control, this is Peace," I say into the comm. "Ready for takeoff."

"Cleared for takeoff," Lyra's voice responds. "Remember, this is just a test run. No need for—"

Cutting off her words. I engage the engines, feeling the prototype hum to life beneath me. The takeoff is smooth as silk, lifting me into Ova's lavender sky. Gunning the engine, the prototype leaps forward like a living thing, eager to fly. Banking left, I purposely pass the observation platform. I catch Stryker's anxious expression – a mixture of worry and frustration that sends a perverse thrill through me.

I push the throttle forward, testing the glider's acceleration. It responds like a dream, shooting through the air with barely a whisper. Each turn is sharper, each dive deeper as I push the craft to its limits.

"Casey," Stryker's voice crackles through the comm, "don't get reckless."

A wicked smile curves my lips. Want something to really worry about, partner? Watch this. I'll give you something to worry about.

I push the glider into a steep climb, feeling the G-forces press me into my seat. The engines sing with power, responding to my every touch. At the apex of my climb, I pause for a fraction of a second before diving into a spiral.

"Peace!" Stryker's voice crackles over the comm. "What are you doing? This isn't a stunt show!"

I switch off the comm. The SkyDancer moves like an extension of my body, responding to my slightest touch, better than any glider I've ever flown. I push it harder, testing its limits with increasingly complex manoeuvres. Each successful move feels like a personal victory over Stryker's doubts. Rolling into a steep dive, the ground rushing up to meet me. At the last possible moment, I pull up, skimming the landing pad before rocketing skyward again.

When I finally land, my heart is racing with adrenaline and triumph. The prototype performed beautifully, exceeding all expectations. I'm barely out of the cockpit before Stryker storms over, his face thunderous.

"Have you completely lost your mind?" his tail is lashing violently. "What the hell were you thinking?" he demands. "Those manoeuvres were completely unnecessary. You could have—"

"They were spectacular—simply magnificent!" Harlan's voice booms across the landing pad. He approaches with a broad smile, clapping enthusiastically. "Casey my dear, you are even more talented than I imagined. You handled her beautifully.”