Difference between revisions of "Skyward Flight"

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(Added the recreation of skyward flight.)
(Expand info on post-Battle of Alta Second)
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===Origin===
 
===Origin===
 
Skyward Flight originated as Cadet Flight B, one of three training flights organized from around twenty-five students who pass the DDF pilot's test when Spensa is seventeen years old.{{book ref|skyward|7}} The training flight includes students from various backgrounds, none of whom initially seem to recognize Spensa as the daughter of a disgraced DDF pilot, with the exception of her friend Rodge (Rig).{{book ref|skyward|8}} The instructor of their class is [[Cobb]], a former pilot who acted as a wingmate for Spensa's father.{{book ref|sky1|6}} Spensa learns that Cobb had effectively circumvented the leader of the DDF, Admiral [[Ironsides]], to get her into flight school.{{book ref|sky1|8}} Spensa immediately dislikes [[Jorgen]], a fellow cadet who comes from a wealthy and influential family; due to their divergent social backgrounds and opposing attitudes regarding DDF policies and hierarchy, she nicknames him "Jerkface".{{book ref|sky1|9}} She also nicknames their squadron "Skyward Flight",{{book ref|sky1|9}} a reference to her father's tendency to focus on the sky and the stars beyond.{{book ref|sky1|23}}{{book ref|sky1|prologue}}
 
Skyward Flight originated as Cadet Flight B, one of three training flights organized from around twenty-five students who pass the DDF pilot's test when Spensa is seventeen years old.{{book ref|skyward|7}} The training flight includes students from various backgrounds, none of whom initially seem to recognize Spensa as the daughter of a disgraced DDF pilot, with the exception of her friend Rodge (Rig).{{book ref|skyward|8}} The instructor of their class is [[Cobb]], a former pilot who acted as a wingmate for Spensa's father.{{book ref|sky1|6}} Spensa learns that Cobb had effectively circumvented the leader of the DDF, Admiral [[Ironsides]], to get her into flight school.{{book ref|sky1|8}} Spensa immediately dislikes [[Jorgen]], a fellow cadet who comes from a wealthy and influential family; due to their divergent social backgrounds and opposing attitudes regarding DDF policies and hierarchy, she nicknames him "Jerkface".{{book ref|sky1|9}} She also nicknames their squadron "Skyward Flight",{{book ref|sky1|9}} a reference to her father's tendency to focus on the sky and the stars beyond.{{book ref|sky1|23}}{{book ref|sky1|prologue}}
  +
 
===Training===
 
===Training===
 
The members of the team begin training on holographic simulators colloquially known as "mockpits".{{book ref|sky1|9}} Most of the cadets have no background as pilots.{{book ref|skyward|9}} After one day of training, Ironsides deploys the squad as decoys due to a shortage of available starfighters,{{book ref|sky1|10}} and they are unexpectedly attacked by a [[varvax|Krell]] ship.{{book ref|sky1|11}} The brief dogfight causes Rig to quit flight school, telling Spensa that it was not really his dream and that he is not suited for flight.{{book ref|skyward|13}} Meanwhile, Ironsides has made it clear that she is opposed to Spensa's presence in flight school and does not allow her access to any of the facilities, forcing Spensa to sleep in a cave every night and scavenge for her own food.{{book ref|skyward|13}}
 
The members of the team begin training on holographic simulators colloquially known as "mockpits".{{book ref|sky1|9}} Most of the cadets have no background as pilots.{{book ref|skyward|9}} After one day of training, Ironsides deploys the squad as decoys due to a shortage of available starfighters,{{book ref|sky1|10}} and they are unexpectedly attacked by a [[varvax|Krell]] ship.{{book ref|sky1|11}} The brief dogfight causes Rig to quit flight school, telling Spensa that it was not really his dream and that he is not suited for flight.{{book ref|skyward|13}} Meanwhile, Ironsides has made it clear that she is opposed to Spensa's presence in flight school and does not allow her access to any of the facilities, forcing Spensa to sleep in a cave every night and scavenge for her own food.{{book ref|skyward|13}}
   
 
Cobb delays practice with weapons to focus on ship control,{{book ref|skyward|13}} and the cadets steadily gain skill through both simulations and actual flights in their Pocos.{{book ref|sky1|23}} Cobb's methods are unusual among flight instructors, but the members of Skyward Flight later realize that he has made them more skilled than some pilots in other more experienced flights.{{book ref|sky1|46}}
 
Cobb delays practice with weapons to focus on ship control,{{book ref|skyward|13}} and the cadets steadily gain skill through both simulations and actual flights in their Pocos.{{book ref|sky1|23}} Cobb's methods are unusual among flight instructors, but the members of Skyward Flight later realize that he has made them more skilled than some pilots in other more experienced flights.{{book ref|sky1|46}}
  +
 
===Losses===
 
===Losses===
 
In one of the Flight's first true fights since their first day of training, [[Morningtide]] is shot down by three Krell ships trailing her. In the same battle, [[Bim]] is killed trying to go after a [[lifebuster]] when its escort peels away and destroys his ship.{{book ref|skyward|19}} During what was supposed to be a mission surveying falling debris, [[Nedd]] recklessly follows two members of [[Nightstorm Flight]] into a falling C-137-KJM orbital shipyard, trailed by Spensa. Nedd and Spensa barely escape the massive shipyard before it crashes to the ground, but the two Nightstorm pilots were killed.{{book ref|skyward|26}} The pilots were actually both Nedd's brothers, which caused him to stop showing up to class due to emotional trauma, until he is officially removed from flight school.{{book ref|skyward|27}}
 
In one of the Flight's first true fights since their first day of training, [[Morningtide]] is shot down by three Krell ships trailing her. In the same battle, [[Bim]] is killed trying to go after a [[lifebuster]] when its escort peels away and destroys his ship.{{book ref|skyward|19}} During what was supposed to be a mission surveying falling debris, [[Nedd]] recklessly follows two members of [[Nightstorm Flight]] into a falling C-137-KJM orbital shipyard, trailed by Spensa. Nedd and Spensa barely escape the massive shipyard before it crashes to the ground, but the two Nightstorm pilots were killed.{{book ref|skyward|26}} The pilots were actually both Nedd's brothers, which caused him to stop showing up to class due to emotional trauma, until he is officially removed from flight school.{{book ref|skyward|27}}
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During another battle, [[Hurl]]'s shield is brought down in a dogfight. [[Kimmalyn]] tries to shoot down one of Hurl's tails, but her usually perfect aim fails her in the heat of the moment. Hurl is hit by a Krell fighter and goes into an uncontrolled descent.{{book ref|skyward|32}} Jorgen tells Hurl to eject, but she refuses, attempting to be brave and safely land the ship. Although she nearly succeeds, she is killed in the crash.{{book ref|skyward|32}} The next day, Kimmalyn tells the flight that she is holding them back, and quits.{{book ref|skyward|33}} Later, the flight accompanies [[Blaze]] on a scouting mission, and when they report back to Cobb to debrief, Arturo's mother is there waiting for him, and pulls him out of flight school.{{book ref|skyward|41}}
 
During another battle, [[Hurl]]'s shield is brought down in a dogfight. [[Kimmalyn]] tries to shoot down one of Hurl's tails, but her usually perfect aim fails her in the heat of the moment. Hurl is hit by a Krell fighter and goes into an uncontrolled descent.{{book ref|skyward|32}} Jorgen tells Hurl to eject, but she refuses, attempting to be brave and safely land the ship. Although she nearly succeeds, she is killed in the crash.{{book ref|skyward|32}} The next day, Kimmalyn tells the flight that she is holding them back, and quits.{{book ref|skyward|33}} Later, the flight accompanies [[Blaze]] on a scouting mission, and when they report back to Cobb to debrief, Arturo's mother is there waiting for him, and pulls him out of flight school.{{book ref|skyward|41}}
  +
 
===Final Battle and Disbanding===
 
===Final Battle and Disbanding===
 
Shortly before graduation, the remaining members of Skyward Flight are assigned to fly with [[Nightmare Flight]], an established group of full pilots.{{book ref|sky1|46}} After some friendly back-and-forth that includes Spin and FM showing off their maneuvering skills, the group sees the other half of the C-137-KJM orbital shipyard falling through the debris field.{{book ref|sky1|46}} They are spotted and engaged by the Krell who are patrolling it.{{book ref|skyward|46}} [[Bog]], a member of Nightmare Flight, has his shield brought down, and Spensa, Jorgen, and FM fly to his rescue. Spensa picked up a tail, had her shield brought down, and was hit; she ejected, losing her ship, and was later formally dismissed from flight school.{{book ref|skyward|47}}
 
Shortly before graduation, the remaining members of Skyward Flight are assigned to fly with [[Nightmare Flight]], an established group of full pilots.{{book ref|sky1|46}} After some friendly back-and-forth that includes Spin and FM showing off their maneuvering skills, the group sees the other half of the C-137-KJM orbital shipyard falling through the debris field.{{book ref|sky1|46}} They are spotted and engaged by the Krell who are patrolling it.{{book ref|skyward|46}} [[Bog]], a member of Nightmare Flight, has his shield brought down, and Spensa, Jorgen, and FM fly to his rescue. Spensa picked up a tail, had her shield brought down, and was hit; she ejected, losing her ship, and was later formally dismissed from flight school.{{book ref|skyward|47}}
   
The two remaining members of Skyward Flight, Jorgen and FM, graduated and became full pilots. The flight was then disbanded, as Jorgen and FM were forced to immediately join full DDF Flights to fight in the [[Second Battle of Alta]].{{book ref|sky1|48}}
+
The two remaining members of Skyward Flight, Jorgen and FM, graduated and became full pilots. The flight was then disbanded, as Jorgen and FM were forced to immediately join full DDF Flights to fight in the [[Battle of Alta Second]].{{book ref|sky1|48}}
   
  +
=== Reformation ===
However sometime after the [[Second Battle of Alta]] and the beginning of [[Starsight]] it is founded again with all the living original members and three new pilots from the next generation of cadets: Sadie, T-Stall, and Catnip.
 
  +
After the Battle of Alta Second, Skyward Flight was reformed. Jorgen and FM were transferred back to Skyward Flight; Nedd, Arturo, Kimmalyn, and Spensa were recalled to active service; and the veteran pilots [[Catnip]] and [[T-Stall]] as well as the cadet [[Sadie]] were added to the flight to fill in some of the gaps in the flight's roster.{{book ref|sky2|3}}{{ref|group=fn|text=When [[Alanik]] arrives on Detritus, Spensa notes that there are nine members of Skyward Flight,{{book ref|sky2|8}} but during the tryout for the [[Superiority]]'s Delver Resistance Project she notes that the flight usually had ten members.{{book ref|sky2|14}} Assuming both of these statements are accurate, the ship lost in the battle at Detritus right before the Superiority's capital ships arrived{{book ref|sky2|2}} may have been from Skyward Flight as well.}} Sadie appears to have taken over the identification Skyward Nine from FM.{{book ref|sky2|2}}
   
 
==Members==
 
==Members==
Jorgen and FM are the only pilots of the original ten members of Skyward Flight who graduate from flight school.{{book ref|sky1|48}} Mongrel, Spin, Amphi, Quirk, and Nedder participate in the [[Second Battle of Alta]], although they do so outside of the DDF's authority.{{book ref|sky1|51}}{{book ref|sky1|52}}
+
Jorgen and FM are the only pilots of the original ten members of Skyward Flight who graduate from flight school.{{book ref|sky1|48}} Mongrel, Spin, Amphi, Quirk, and Nedder participate in the Battle of Alta Second, although they do so outside of the DDF's authority.{{book ref|sky1|51}}{{book ref|sky1|52}}
   
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;"
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| Dismissed and placed into reserve service after ejecting
 
| Dismissed and placed into reserve service after ejecting
 
|}
 
|}
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Multiple others joined after the battle of alta second
 
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
  +
;Footnotes
  +
<references group=fn />
  +
;References
 
<references />
 
<references />
 
{{partial}}
 
{{partial}}

Revision as of 18:11, 21 April 2021

Skyward Flight
Skyward Flight by Botanicaxu.jpeg
Leader Jorgen
Headquarters Alta Base
Type DDF flight
World of Origin Detritus
Universe Cytoverse
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Skyward Flight was a squadron of ten cadet pilots of Poco-class starfighters in the Defiant Defense Force on Detritus.[1] Original members of the group notably include Spensa Nightshade, daughter of Chaser, Jorgen Weight, son of a First Citizen and a National Assembly Leader, and Rodge McCaffrey, the highest scoring cadet on that year's pilot test.[1]

History

Origin

Skyward Flight originated as Cadet Flight B, one of three training flights organized from around twenty-five students who pass the DDF pilot's test when Spensa is seventeen years old.[2] The training flight includes students from various backgrounds, none of whom initially seem to recognize Spensa as the daughter of a disgraced DDF pilot, with the exception of her friend Rodge (Rig).[3] The instructor of their class is Cobb, a former pilot who acted as a wingmate for Spensa's father.[4] Spensa learns that Cobb had effectively circumvented the leader of the DDF, Admiral Ironsides, to get her into flight school.[3] Spensa immediately dislikes Jorgen, a fellow cadet who comes from a wealthy and influential family; due to their divergent social backgrounds and opposing attitudes regarding DDF policies and hierarchy, she nicknames him "Jerkface".[1] She also nicknames their squadron "Skyward Flight",[1] a reference to her father's tendency to focus on the sky and the stars beyond.[5][6]

Training

The members of the team begin training on holographic simulators colloquially known as "mockpits".[1] Most of the cadets have no background as pilots.[1] After one day of training, Ironsides deploys the squad as decoys due to a shortage of available starfighters,[7] and they are unexpectedly attacked by a Krell ship.[8] The brief dogfight causes Rig to quit flight school, telling Spensa that it was not really his dream and that he is not suited for flight.[9] Meanwhile, Ironsides has made it clear that she is opposed to Spensa's presence in flight school and does not allow her access to any of the facilities, forcing Spensa to sleep in a cave every night and scavenge for her own food.[9]

Cobb delays practice with weapons to focus on ship control,[9] and the cadets steadily gain skill through both simulations and actual flights in their Pocos.[5] Cobb's methods are unusual among flight instructors, but the members of Skyward Flight later realize that he has made them more skilled than some pilots in other more experienced flights.[10]

Losses

In one of the Flight's first true fights since their first day of training, Morningtide is shot down by three Krell ships trailing her. In the same battle, Bim is killed trying to go after a lifebuster when its escort peels away and destroys his ship.[11] During what was supposed to be a mission surveying falling debris, Nedd recklessly follows two members of Nightstorm Flight into a falling C-137-KJM orbital shipyard, trailed by Spensa. Nedd and Spensa barely escape the massive shipyard before it crashes to the ground, but the two Nightstorm pilots were killed.[12] The pilots were actually both Nedd's brothers, which caused him to stop showing up to class due to emotional trauma, until he is officially removed from flight school.[13]

The relationships between the members of the flight continue to evolve as they experience hardships and gain each other's trust. Although Hurl reacts negatively when Jorgen reveals that Spensa is Chaser's daughter,[14] she later realizes that it was unfair to judge Spensa on her family, and the two become friends.[15] Spensa is brought to tears when the other girls secretly procure some real food for her and offer her a place to sleep in their dormitory.[13] She also begins to understand that other cadets such as Jorgen have baggage that comes with their privilege.[16]

During another battle, Hurl's shield is brought down in a dogfight. Kimmalyn tries to shoot down one of Hurl's tails, but her usually perfect aim fails her in the heat of the moment. Hurl is hit by a Krell fighter and goes into an uncontrolled descent.[17] Jorgen tells Hurl to eject, but she refuses, attempting to be brave and safely land the ship. Although she nearly succeeds, she is killed in the crash.[17] The next day, Kimmalyn tells the flight that she is holding them back, and quits.[18] Later, the flight accompanies Blaze on a scouting mission, and when they report back to Cobb to debrief, Arturo's mother is there waiting for him, and pulls him out of flight school.[16]

Final Battle and Disbanding

Shortly before graduation, the remaining members of Skyward Flight are assigned to fly with Nightmare Flight, an established group of full pilots.[10] After some friendly back-and-forth that includes Spin and FM showing off their maneuvering skills, the group sees the other half of the C-137-KJM orbital shipyard falling through the debris field.[10] They are spotted and engaged by the Krell who are patrolling it.[10] Bog, a member of Nightmare Flight, has his shield brought down, and Spensa, Jorgen, and FM fly to his rescue. Spensa picked up a tail, had her shield brought down, and was hit; she ejected, losing her ship, and was later formally dismissed from flight school.[19]

The two remaining members of Skyward Flight, Jorgen and FM, graduated and became full pilots. The flight was then disbanded, as Jorgen and FM were forced to immediately join full DDF Flights to fight in the Battle of Alta Second.[20]

Reformation

After the Battle of Alta Second, Skyward Flight was reformed. Jorgen and FM were transferred back to Skyward Flight; Nedd, Arturo, Kimmalyn, and Spensa were recalled to active service; and the veteran pilots Catnip and T-Stall as well as the cadet Sadie were added to the flight to fill in some of the gaps in the flight's roster.[21][fn 1] Sadie appears to have taken over the identification Skyward Nine from FM.[24]

Members

Jorgen and FM are the only pilots of the original ten members of Skyward Flight who graduate from flight school.[20] Mongrel, Spin, Amphi, Quirk, and Nedder participate in the Battle of Alta Second, although they do so outside of the DDF's authority.[25][26]

Skyward Flight Members
Name Callsign Flight Number Outcome
Matthew Cobb Mongrel Instructor
Jorgen Weight Jerkface Skyward One Graduates; joins Riptide Flight
Nedd Strong Nedder Skyward Two Expelled due to truancy after his brothers' deaths
Hudiya Hurl Skyward Three Killed in action
Rodge McCaffrey Rigmarole ("Rig") Skyward Four Quits
Arturo Mendez Amphisbaena ("Amphi") Skyward Five Honorably retired from service
Kimmalyn Quirk Skyward Six Quits
Unknown Morningtide Skyward Seven Killed in action
Bim No callsign Skyward Eight Killed in action
Freyja FM Skyward Nine Graduates; joins a scout flight (likely Ranger Flight)
Spensa Nightshade Spin Skyward Ten Dismissed and placed into reserve service after ejecting

Notes

Footnotes
  1. When Alanik arrives on Detritus, Spensa notes that there are nine members of Skyward Flight,[22] but during the tryout for the Superiority's Delver Resistance Project she notes that the flight usually had ten members.[23] Assuming both of these statements are accurate, the ship lost in the battle at Detritus right before the Superiority's capital ships arrived[24] may have been from Skyward Flight as well.
References
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