<div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/2/26/Tiala.jpg)</div><br/><br/>"Well then..."  Tiala flashed Tak a quick grin over her shoulder as she shifted her curving hips easily into her familiar pilot's seat.  "You'd better buckle up."  She followed her own advice, clipping a belt around her waist.  Her left hand reached up to touch her good-luck charm, the little design of string and colored beads from her youth, even as her right hand flicked switches.  The steady hum of the engine became an angry whine.<br/><br/>Reaching out, Tiala pulled a lever.  The landing gear disengaged with a loud<em>thunk</em>, the ship wobbling slightly as the repulsors kicked in.  Tiala didn't wait for it to steady on its own; she pressed heavily on the accelerator.  The<em>Lady Luck</em>shot forward, clearing the mouth of the hangar in a moment.<br/><br/>As soon as the ship was clear, Tiala pulled back on the stick.  The freighter turned with fair agility, angling up, skyward.  The speed of passing through the low atmosphere made the ship vibrate a little, but inertial dampeners kept it to a minimum, and Tiala's blue hands were steady on the stick.