Art is done by  DieValquiria! Go give the original a favorite Here!

The alt of the previous one, here's Erica suited up and in proper pilot regalia. As she doesn't appear like this in her origin story, there's a bit of writing to go with it! I definitely recommend reading her origin for context first however!

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Erica’s room was at least quiet save for her and the good doctor. He busied himself moving around her, helping her into her suit for the coming trials.

“Weight is still acting strange because of that bra. Correcting it now,” the good doctor said, tabbing at a tablet. His mechanical frame allowed him to move with speed and precision that few were able to match.

Unsurprisingly, one of those was Erica.

“They’ll understand if it comes up during certification, won’t they?” Erica questioned, rolling her shoulders to ensure the straps of her top were seated comfortably.

“Oh they will, but not in the ways you want them to. My recommendation is to get certified and go freelance, based on what I’ve heard,” the good doctor said, focused on his tablet.

Erica raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, giving the good doctor permission to continue.

“They want to certify you and keep you off the frontlines, use you for propaganda purposes rather than as the valuable asset you could be. I have looked into matters, and may have a group that would want us without getting that sort of reaction,” the good doctor said. He set the tablet aside and grabbed a few straps that secured the jump kit, pulling them tight around her tail.

“Hey, careful back there!” Erica hissed, having to stop the instinctual desire to whack the offending object with the long, spiked limb.

“Your jump kit needs to be secured to the tail, it will allow for superior mobility compared to the average pilot,” the good doctor said, stepping around to stand in front of Erica. “In case you have not realized, you are not human. The frontier is a hostile place and you will have few friends to start out with.”

“I know. I’ve been approached for various reasons several times. I know what I’m doing doctor,” Erica insisted.

“The advocate knows what you’re doing as well.”

“Oh, you saw the cards?” Erica questioned, stepping away as the good doctor finally released her, freeing her up. She grasped a pair of gloves, pulling them over her claws.

“Of course I did. They seem to be very interested in you. Like me, they recommended the Angel City Elite,” the good doctor said.

“I’ll have to take a look,” Erica said with a nod.

“Of course,” the good doctor said, though he paused and tilted his head. “They want us now. Remember, get certified, but don’t sign on. Come, we’ll do diagnostics on the way,” he said, grabbing a tablet and making his way towards the door.

“I know the plan doctor,” Erica repeated, stepping past him as he opened the door and into the hallway. A few grunts, off duty, paused to stare at her as she passed.

Unable to stop herself from grinning, she gave the pair a wink as she passed, heading for the elevator that would set them down on the ground for live-fire training. The good doctor followed behind her, his metallic steps louder than her own.

She was certain that pilot certification would be a breeze.