First time animating and I have to admit, very proud of the result. Here's hoping for more animated anti gravity ships in the future!

And as always, some writing to accompany the art, enjoy~

(1. Short Story, 2. Team acceptance letter to pilot)

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1.Story

Hot Drop

The craft cut through the air like a knife. Built light. Built for speed. Hurtling through the figure eight test track at velocities that would test the integrity of most anti gravity racers. The hull gently creaked through every straight and shuddered through the bends but it absorbed the stress as it was designed. Pitching and rolling fluently to every alteration in track gradient ensured a perfect translation of power to forward momentum.

With the completion of another successful craft trial she began winding the ship back. Only then did she feel the reverberation of the engine behind her once more, the gentle humming coming down as she pulled the throttle towards herself. Now gently coasting, guiding the craft into a hanger bay before coming to a stop over a resting stand

before mag locks secured the craft.

Shutting down the engine the glow of the screens died out with the last whine of the turbines. Closing her eyes for a moment leaning back into the headrest a smile crept across her face. The SunGod, Icarus’s new FX350 craft. To most it was a paper thin assembly wrapped around a deadly thruster, but to her? It was poetry in motion. Every swing and every jolt, hypnotic in harmony with herself.

Eye’s snapping open to the sound of a clang she looked out of the cockpit. Someone began taking the paneling off her craft to begin post test inspections. Twisting a handle the cockpit hissed and retracted as an engineer climbed a docked ladder. Going over the course she described every noteworthy motion of the craft during the test. Taking a satisfying number of points he clambered back down allowing her to disembark herself.

Sliding down the ladder she walked through the pit crew who asked for preference on modifying the craft or congratulated her skill in handling it. She danced between the team like a native before walking through the exiting corridors. In all honesty she wasn’t sure how she was managing it. This planet was still alien to her but for some reason the hanger and its team seemed like home. Yet there would always be a reminder somewhere that she was the outsider. If it wasn’t her short height, it was definitely the ocean. Staring through the window she froze at the wonder of such a body of water before being interrupted.

“Still marveling the view, Astra?”

Turning she saw the team leader walking briskly down the hall with a handful of binders. Smiling Astra gently nodded before moving towards him.

“Hey Dominic. You looked stacked, need a hand?” Shaking his head he slowed down as the two approached.

“Paperwork isn’t a pilot's job, at least it shouldn’t be. Besides, I'm not going to make you deal with the nightmare of immigration when you have a league to prepare for.” Unsure how to continue she nervously smiled again, leaning against the rail staring out the window. Slowing down as he passed Dominic froze for a moment before breaking the silence again.

“Ah screw it, I could use a break.” Putting the binders on the floor and leaning against the railing next to Astra he also took up the view, noticing her enchantment with the ocean in front of her with a chuckle.

“If I didn’t know any better I’d say you’ve never seen the seaside before.” Looking towards him sheepishly then away Astra pushed back from the railing.

“I… haven’t. Not since I arrived at least. We don’t have an ocean on Animus-3.”

“Ah sorry, that’s right Animus-3. Mining colony right?” Nodding, she looked back over the sea.

She’d been here for a while now but Earth was still alien compared to Animus-3. A planet of endless canyons and desert plains, not so hostile it couldn’t harbor life but it definitely challenged it. Salvation was found by miners striking into the waterways so that even once the corporations left the planet stripmined the people could

survive, thrive even. The underground citadels provided safe haven for most while others returned to the surface to harvest or hunt.

The corporations leaving was something of a blessing, leaving her home mostly unscathed from the great uprising. It became a sanctuary in the turmoil that was. Those who lived there banded together in an agrarian society. Little citadels underground, each marking a jewel of civilization. A planet where you could drive for days before running into another city. It was a place of peace and tranquility, scars buried deep under the surface.

“How are you finding Earth? Can imagine it’s a bit of a culture shock.” Dominic gestured towards the sea.

Earth was an entirely different environment. A counter image of where she came from. A place still bleeding from all the abuse it had undergone. She was still rattled from the state of the outskirts she saw on her flight in. Still shocked by how dangerous the ocean was in its acidity. She’d tried to go for a swim before staff ran towards her yelling wondering if she was mad for even contemplating it.

“It’s definitely something else. The team is nice though, so no complaints.” Holding her hands together on the railing she did her best to appear appeased, Dominic simply chuckled.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Do what?”

“Pretend that you're settling in. Animus-3 became something of a peaceful garden world from what I do know. Earth must be awful by comparison.”

Looking away Astra tried to dismiss the remark. Truth be told though she couldn’t understand the violence this world had endured. She’d seen what the corporations did to her own world, but this was their home. How they treated it, each other and those who lived here terrified, disgusted her even. But it was the way some people treated her in learning she was an ‘off-worlder’ that stunned her the most. Her world had prospered and thrived but others just considered her some naive miner who didn’t know better, that this was just the way things were, the way things ought to be.

“Do you know why I picked you up for lead pilot? Other than being a prodigy.” Breaking from her train of thought Astra turned her attention to Dominic who now looked over the ocean as she did.

“I picked you because you can show us all a better way to live. Not one you think is better but one you know. To show us a way forward, the Animus-3 way. And I’m not going to lie to you, there's a lot of idiots out there who think just because you grew up on another planet that makes you something less than them.” Her ears shrinking back Dominic turned his attention to her as he continued.

“But we’ll show them through the joy of racing what unity can bring, and you’ll be at the forefront to decide how that happens.” Picking up his binders he stuttered while standing up. “Oh, also you have your first interview tomorrow evening. Exciting.”

“What?” Astra stepped back from the rail. “I haven’t even made my first public race, how am I going into an interview?”

“Yeah look it's pretty rough, I know, but some idiot decided to sign us into an exclusive first scoop before the league, and they insisted on having you. You’ll get a hefty credit bonus for going on, not going to leave you high and dry. Just be mindful of the host Mr Torres. He can be a bit of a gotcha bastard.” Stumbling forward Astra followed after Dominic.

“But I’m not ready! I don’t know what to say or how to even fit in yet!” Looking over his shoulder Dominic smiled.

“Don’t try to fit in. If they call you out for where you're from, show them you're proud of who you are. If they give you shit, give it right back.” Astra paused as Dominic turned once more. “No need to be the shy girl, you’re an AG pilot racing for what she believes in. Be proud of that.”

Nodding, she took his words to heart. Maybe she could show this world a better way. She wasn’t sure how she’d go during a live interview but she knew she’d do her best at the very least. Meeting Dominic’s gaze once more she watched him lean slightly to look past her while smiling more broadly.

“Well I’m sure they’ll help. Looks like your parent’s shuttle arrived a little early.” Looking back Astra found her parents slowly walking down the long corridor. Rushing to greet them the worry left her, at least for now. She was going to make a difference on this planet.

And she was going to do it her way.

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2.Recruitment letter

To: Lead pilot ‘Astra’

Cc: Pit Team; Operations Support;

From: Conner Burns

Subject: Introducing our FX350 racer, Sungod

Welcome to Icaras Astra! We haven’t been properly introduced. Conner Burns. Director of Operations. This whole team began in quite a rush, formed in 9 months would you believe. Such haste came at a price unfortunately. The F7200 league was something of a disaster for us I must admit. Celebrations were had for just making it to the finish line! The early 2100’s were quite a mess.

However, that was then, and this is now.

Our FX350 Sungod is ready to take back its place in the spotlight. Be aware our ultralight racer still lacks shielding leaving it fragile as glass but they’ll have to catch you first if they want to take advantage of that. Our craft outpaces even those of Piranha so I doubt you’ll find yourself wanting. Test results alone have seen the larger teams looking upon us as a serious contender this time around.

Keep in mind our funding comes mainly from individual investors, so performance is key! If you can manage it as well, nail those FEISAR ships. The crowd loves a good explosion and you’ll win some personal points with me if you manage to drop them. Call it a history of grievance but it’ll drive our team forward either way. 

As you’ve probably gathered, we embrace the purity of the race, the rush of the speed, the roar of the engines. I hope the fans don’t blink as you blast by because they’ll miss you if they do. With you in the cockpit I trust you’ll show the world we’re the underdog that’ll rise to the top of the grid.

So go out there and give the crowd a reason to cheer and the other teams something to malaise about. I’ve high hopes for you lass, you and our team.

Go find victory in speed.

Conner Burns

Icarus Director of Operations

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