The Starfighter descended gracefully onto the deck it had previously departed from, its thrusters softly humming as it settled into place. With a gentle hiss, the doors slid open, revealing the dimly lit interior of the hangar. The cockpit’s access hatch slowly dropped, revealing two figures inside, silhouetted against the faint glow of the control panels.

First to emerge was Lieutenant Junior Grade Camden “Sunshine” Solari, his movements were fluid, betraying the ease with which he navigated and his experience with ‘rocky’ rides. His features, illuminated by the soft glow of the hangar lights, displayed a mixture of satisfaction and weariness, hinting at the intensity of the test flight just completed.

Following closely behind was Ensign Rarzass Dauul, who climbed out of the cockpit with a mix of exhilaration and relief evident on his face. The test flight had been an intense but invaluable experience, giving him firsthand insight into the fighter’s performance and the nuanced controls.

As they made their way from the Starfighter, Cam turned to Rauul, his expression a mixture of amusement and concern. “Woah, that was a ride,” he remarked, his voice carrying the weight of their shared experience. “Do you see what I meant when I said you shouldn’t blindly mess with those settings, even if your ‘Holy’ manual prescribes it?”

Dauul nodded, a humble smile forming on his lips. “Absolutely, Lieutenant,” he responded, his tone earnest and reflective. “Experiencing it firsthand made all the difference. I understand now why those specific settings are so crucial in the field.”

He took a deep breath, the excitement of the flight still fresh. “I really appreciate you taking the time to show me. Could you explain more about your specific control configurations? I’d like to understand them better so I can make informed recommendations for other pilots.”

Cam glanced over at Dauul and smiled, a trace of nostalgia in his eyes. Even back at the Academy, where their paths had frequently crossed, Dauul’s formality had always stood out. It was a quality Cam admired, especially since maintaining that level of discipline had never come naturally to him. 

Cam leaned in slightly and whispering with a playful grin, “Now, don’t go spilling my secrets to the others. I can’t afford to lose my edge.”

Dauul couldn’t help but chuckle at Cam’s playful remark. “Your secret is safe with me, Lieutenant,” he replied, matching Cam’s tone with a light-hearted sincerity.

“But seriously,” Dauul continued, his expression shifting back to one of genuine interest, “understanding your configurations would really help. I think other pilots could benefit from some of the tweaks you’ve mastered. So whenever you have time, I’d love to go over the details with you.” He paused with a respectful yet eager look, hoping to help prove himself a valuable member of the team.

Cam’s laughter bubbled up, a warm, confident sound that echoed through the hangar. His eyes crinkled with amusement as he spoke, his voice carrying a hint of mischief. “I guess I have enough of a lead to be revealing a trick or two,” he said, his words laced with playful anticipation.

He glanced down at his PADD, tapping the screen thoughtfully before looking back at Dauul. “I’m off duty at 21:00,” Cam suggested, his tone inviting. “How about meeting at the Golden Apple after?” 

Dauul’s smile widened. “That sounds perfect.” he replied. “I’ll see you at the Golden Apple at 21:00. I’m looking forward to it.” With a final nod of understanding, Dauul felt a renewed determination. This was more than just about adjustments and configurations, it was about learning from the best to help everyone perform at their peak.