Child of Crete

[custo'-benitez]

Child, today you shall take the mantel of a pilot, a warrior of the Corsair Empire. You shall take the craft assigned to you and bring back a trophy. If you succeed I will meet you back here. If not

He let the sentence hang in the air. Custo screwed up his eyes and tried not to cry. The Elder lent over to him and whispered in his ear, I remember when I took the Challenge. You will some day as well.

Custo again was too embarrassed to speak coherently but stuttered a quick Gracius, and fired off a sloppy salute. Another pilot stepped out and placed a flight helmet on Custos head, adjusted the straps before standing back like an artist admiring his work. It fitted perfectly. With the world around him now tinted a blackish colour by the helmets visor Custo was led to a waiting ship.

It was a Legionnaire. The cockpit slid open with the hiss of well maintained hydraulics. There were scorch marks where certain parts of equipment had been hacked off, such as (and most worryingly) the shield relay unit. He clambered into the pilots seat and flicked the ignition switch. Flight control squawked as his engines purred into life.

He read the diagnostics from the on-board computer which displayed that all systems were green for launch. He shut his eyes and let the memories of lessons in the sim-pods wash over him. This was it. All personnel were clear. Launch. The Legionnaire gracefully edged out of the hanger mouth and roared away into the heavens.

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[center]The blood of the Hispania runs in my veins, the blood of my enemies shall wet my hands.
Life story: From birth 'till death I serve the Corsair Empire

Flight log: Each day, the fight continues

Forum accounts: Jammi (main account), Fanatic (Xeno) and last but not least Custo' Benitez (Corsair)[/center]