NINA SWIFT: Gaia's Brood

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Nick

Among the great city states in the sky, no Guild is more respected than the Aviators', who pilot the colossal airships which ply their trade along the air streams that knit civilization together. In recent history, no pilot is more famous than my mother, Eve Swift, Aviatrix, and one time Mayor of New Frisco, who mysteriously disappeared on an archaeological expedition to discover what happened to Earth's land dwellers, leaving me, her infant daughter orphaned.

The day after my sixteenth birthday, I put into action my long cherished plan. It was also the day I received two packages in the post: one a mysterious brown-paper parcel from my uncle Felix and the other a slim envelope from the Aviator's guild. Frantically, I tore open the envelope to extract the small card inside. I caught a whiff of fresh ink as I turned the smooth card over and over in my hand. As expected, now I was sixteen, the card named me as a junior Aviatrix - licensed to pilot small airships. The first and lowest rung on my piloting career. To me it was like gold. Without it my plan would have failed at the first hurdle.

I kissed the card in triumph, slotted it carefully into the leather wallet provided and pocketed it in my flight jacket. Scooping up the package, I tossed it carelessly into my shoulder bag: unopened. I hoisted the bag onto my shoulder and rushed out the door to my crucial meeting at the Square Balloon café - the second stage in my plan.

I stepped out into the clean air; the morning smelled crisp and fresh as I strode up town. Above me, airships cruised, busily plying their trade, untroubled by my dreams. I strode across the rope bridge joining my residential area to the city centre, my boots clonking on the wooden planks. When I was young I used to jump up and down to make as much noise as I could. My Aunt, who brought me up, would tell me off for making the bridges rock.

Far below, through the cloudless sky, I could see the ruins of the old city. Some times, I would wonder at the sudden disappearance of the land dwellers, but not today. For now, my mind was focused on achieving my plans and what the future might hold.

I felt so elated I actually skipped as I entered the central plaza. I cast around quickly to see if anyone had noticed my childishness, but to my relief they were all too busy minding their own business. Just outside the Square balloon café stood the statue of my mother, Eve Swift: Mayor, explorer, and aviatrix. In many ways she looked like me, but full of contradictions I don't posses - both flirty and stern at the same time.

Next Chapter: Nina recruits her first crew member for her expedition...

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 Nick

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