Beyond the Horizon

Chapter 1

The brassy tones of reveille over the ship's loudspeaker jolted Emily Hayes awake. She blinked against the dim light of her cramped cabin onboard USS Horizon, where the faint hum of the aircraft carrier's machinery provided a steady background noise. Slowly, she swung her legs over the edge of her bunk, the cool deck sending a shiver through her bare feet.

She moved with practiced efficiency as she dressed in her flight suit. The suit was snug, its dark fabric worn from countless flights. She adjusted the fit, ensuring her appearance was neat and presentable. Almost automatically, she began tightly braiding her long brown hair. The hairstyle, while not the most flattering, kept her hair neatly pulled back under her helmet. The morning routine was familiar, almost comforting in its predictability, but each day she spent conducting these test flights carried the potential for something unexpected. And unexpected almost always invariably translated to bad which she knew from personal experience. So even though she had been doing this for quite some time now, there was an ever present anxiety that lingered.

Emily's cabin mate, Captain Mia "Blaze" Richardson, was already awake and bustling about. Mia's red hair, tied back in a tight ponytail, swished energetically as she sorted through her own uniform. It did not need to be stated that Mia's call sign originated from the colour of her hair, but like any stereotypical redhead, her personality certainly matched.

"Morning, Emily!" Mia's voice was as vibrant as the curls she was barely able to tame into some semblance of a regulation hairstyle. She flashed a wide, cheerful grin. "You ready to show those jets what you're made of?"

Emily returned the smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Morning, Mia. Ready as I'll ever be."

Mia didn't seem to notice Emily's momentary hesitation. If she did, it didn't phase her. Maybe she was just used to it. Or maybe she understood that her enthusiasm was a privilege born of not being the one in the seat. She continued chatting about the latest mission details and the anticipated weather conditions. Emily listened, nodding occasionally, but her mind was already shifting toward the tasks ahead. She appreciated Mia's positive attitude, but try as she might, she just couldn't match it. Too many thoughts racing through her head to make room for the easy-going nature that Mia came by naturally.

After making their beds, or racks as they were known in naval parlance, and tidying up their shared space, they proceeded to the briefing room. Once there, Emily joined the other team members. The room was filled with the usual banter as everyone awaited the mission team lead's arrival. Emily took her place, her gaze focused on the screen at the front of the space. The briefing would be routine—details about the test flight parameters, objectives, weather, and the standard safety brief.

The team lead, Major Reynolds, entered and quickly kicked off the briefing, going over the specifics of the day's flight. Emily's job was to put the jet through its paces under combat-like conditions. It included high-speed maneuvers, evasive tactics, and a test of the jet's speed. The data gathered would be crucial for hitting their upcoming project milestones, making this test flight particularly significant. No pressure, she thought to herself.

"Remember," Major Reynolds continued, "we need precise data on the new systems. Push the aircraft to its limits, but stay within the margins of safety. We can't afford any unnecessary damage. And I do mean that literally. That hunk of metal out there on the flight deck has cost us millions. You break, you bought it." He eyed Emily, but she could tell he was joking. Emily was nothing if not incredibly careful and regimented with her test flights. In her early days, she had taken risks she shouldn't have, and they had cost her dearly. "Any issues need to be reported immediately. Drones will be launched 10 minutes prior to take-off to allow time for them to get into formation..."