“Yeah, I know, we’re supposed to be consummate professionals, but, hey, the show’d just ended, it was my hometown, I saw someone I knew, and I wasn’t expecting the photographer to be there. Or for him to have a sense of humor. Stupid recruitment office guys, that became one of the May photos on this year’s calendar…at least it’s not the big one…”
“…Yeah, the pants, the G-Suit. All the other guys wore blue suits that match their flight suit. I had to deal with the normal green that match my combat suit, because they hadn’t made me blue ones yet. Made me stand out like a sore thumb. I’ve got the blue ones now, so I don’t look as stupid.”
“My first season with the ‘Bolts has been a whirlwind…pun not intended. I had intended to join via an impressive aerobatic career, but even buying an old jet, they wouldn’t let me on. They’ve let civvies on before, but…well, they thought I was reckless. So they made me go through basic training, at the least. Gawd, never expected they would actually succeed at beating my stubbornness outta me.”
“But, y’know, it’s not as easy as it looks. I mean, sure, the tail-slides and spins I did in my little prop-buzzer might look a little more impressive than following five other jets in formation…but take a look at my cockpit footage sometime. Recruiting installed a camera on my headrest over my shoulder. I myself never realized just how BUSY I am. In fact, I’m making more adjustments to the plane in formation than when I fly during the solo part of my routine. I work hard just to keep my plane flying exactly where it should…too far, it looks like crap. Too close and, well…I don’t want to think about too close.”
“It takes a lot of Discipline - the ability to make the right decision in stressful situations - to fly like this. I actually really like the post-show stuff, the autograph sessions. You’re coming off that adrenaline high and get to talk to the fans…answer questions from curious youth, talk to admirers and fans, see people you used to know…That makes all the hard work, the drills, the exercises…yeah, even the combat stuff, all worth it.”
“Mind you, I don’t mind getting into a scrap, but the idea of having to defend my country from an invading army doesn’t exactly thrill me. But…I think of all the smiling faces and I don’t want them to come to harm, y’know? I care about my people, my country and Princesses. I mean…Element of Loyalty and all that. It’s important to me.”