Chapter 73

"Where'd you learn to pilot like that? Wooo!"

Dumb luck, all of it. When I re-tell the story, I'll be sure to embellish it. My heart sank removing the gag from Cotter Perry's mouth. Some of the regiments he taught me at Phoenix base I still used. A few inspirational quotes he spewed during the five-mile drills on occasion would bounce around in my head. Deep down I knew he didn't deserve this. Such is life. I expected a mouthful of curses, unattractive words about my mother, and Weston's mother. Instead, he warned me vehemently. Running out of breath, paled look on his face, sweat developing on his forehead. He aged five years within seconds. Visibly shaken, it took me three attempts to actually piece together his words.

"Slow it down, what are you saying?" I yawned again during the questioning.

"The warship...thruster...connected to the gas tank..." he screamed.