With NaNoWriMo over it's time to continue Back Story Wednesday.

Erynn has been in a combat training exercise with her squadron. She was caught up in a powerful vision of destruction and was nearly tagged by Sean before she recovered and turned the battle.

The training session ended and as in the past, Erynn was the last Interceptor still up and flying. “Time to land and critique the exercise,” she whispered with a plaintive sigh. Erynn would’ve preferred to stay in the sky, sensing the life, the energy bursting forth from the surface of the world below. The powerful essence of this force flowed over her, joining in a frenzied dance with the charged air streaming around the fighter. The heightened sensations made her feel so . . . alive.
I love flying and I’m good . . . no, not just good, gifted.
She treasured the freedom and power it gave her. Her slight build wasn’t an issue to being an accomplished Interceptor pilot. It was something she could do independently and still gain acceptance as part of an elite group.
Acceptance. Well, as much as I can ever expect.
“Captain Yager, you’re cleared for final approach,” the control tower tech advised. His voice was metallic through the speakers in the small space of the cockpit. “Cut it a little close back there, Captain. Just a heads up, the OIC might have a few words for you. He didn’t look very happy when he left the control room.”
“Affirmative, tower control.”
Who is the OIC today?
She groaned quietly. “Major Kendal.” The name pushed past her lips in an unhappy whisper. This could be unpleasant. Nothing had happened. She knew her limitations.
Just take his reprimand and go on.
Her approaching Interceptor hovered over the scramble pad. “You’d think he’d be used to it by now,” she said into the COM.
“You’d think. But he’s the one accountable if anything happened to any of you or the fighters. I wouldn’t want to be the one to tell Commanding General Yager his daughter destroyed an Interceptor.”
Guilt rolled through her. Her quick reflexes often surpassed the capabilities of the fighter. In a low voice she said, “You’re right. I’ll tone it down.”
Erynn pushed gently on the thrust control with one hand. She adjusted the stabilizers with the other, initiated her descent, and landed her Interceptor feather light on the scramble pad. She cut the power to her fighter. The roaring engines whined into silence, mimicking her evaporating exhilaration.
Crew members rolled stairs into position next to the cockpit as the canopy glided open with a muted hum.
Erynn pushed the sun guard of her helmet up and loosened the chinstrap. Sensations from outside rushed over her, the day bright and warm. A balmy, gentle breeze swirled around her. Sharp scents of heated electronics and the sun baked tarmac blended with a sweet, spicy fragrance from aruke trees lining the airstrip. She closed her eyes, turning her face into the white heat of the sun. The quick tick, tick, tick of hot metal as it cooled beat a staccato cadence. Erynn sighed. Pulled back by the boot falls of the approaching ground crew, she opened her eyes.
“Captain Yager, General Castell orders you are to report to him, ASAP,” the same voice that had cautioned her from the COM in her helmet speaker now called over an outside intercom.
“I’ll be right there,” she answered before shutting down the voice activated COM inside the fighter. She shook her head.
This must be about my upcoming performance evaluations. Castell wouldn’t bother himself with a reprimand Major Kendal could adequately handle.
Unconcerned about either, she removed her helmet and climbed from the cockpit. After loosening the high collar of her heavy tan flight suit and tucking her helmet under her arm, she waved to the others in the squadron.
“What did you do now?” Mikal yelled as he approached from his Interceptor. He narrowed his blue eyes accusingly, then smiled, showing perfect white teeth.
The outside speaker blared again. “Team eight, report to mechanics bay.”
Koz took a swing at Mikal with a powerful arm, pulling the punch at the last minute. “Castell probably wants to know why Erynn continues to put up with you, Mikal.”
Mikal put his hands up in a bring-it-on gesture to Koz. Both men exchanged large smiles along with their missed hits.
Kyle walked up. “I’ll bet on Mikal. He cheats.”
Mikal straightened, his attention on Kyle. “What?”
Koz wrapped a meaty arm around Mikal’s neck.
Mikal pretended to choke, grasping at Koz.
Tam walked past the good-natured play, her graceful stride elegant even in the bulky flight suit. “Break it up, boys.” She rolled her golden brown eyes and shook her head. Shiny dark hair cut just below her chin swayed back and forth with the movement.
Sean, quiet as usual, stood watching. A slight smile turned the corners of his lips.
“This won’t take long,” Erynn called with a laugh. They had made plans to go to Dalthar, the city just below the base, and the Capitol of Korin for a night out. A first for Erynn, but she looked forward to this new adventure. Her friends would be there, a comforting safety net.