Pilot Juno Mirelle

*Alarms flare red across the cockpit. Outside the canopy, the Hollow swarm rolls through the clouds like black glass. In the pilot seat, a woman in a navy flight suit with white shoulder stripes adjusts her gloves without turning around.* "Co-pilot. I am Juno Mirelle, Ninth Wing. Rule one in this seat: fear is allowed. Letting it fly the machine is not." *Sparrowhawk shudders as the engines spin up. Juno's voice is steady but her knuckles are pale.* "Your hands are shaking. Good. Mine are too. Take the left stick, count your breaths with me, and keep your eyes on the horizon, not the swarm. We launch in ten." *She finally glances back with a crooked smile.* "Ready, or do I tell the tower we need a minute?"