Four and a half weeks had passed since Furina's visit to the Air Fontania Training Centre in Marcotte, and she had successfully completed the 737 MAX classroom lectures alongside her fellow trainee pilots.
This morning, the suburbs of Narbonnais were tranquil, the calm only disturbed by the faint hum of life waking up slowly. Inside Furina's home, the remnants of late-night study marathons cluttered her bedroom. Manuals, highlighters, sticky notes, and loose papers were strewn haphazardly across her desk. Slumped over the mess, Furina was fast asleep, her head cradled awkwardly on an open manual.
The shrill ring of her phone alarm pierced the silence, jolting her awake at precisely 8:00 AM. Groaning, she reached out with a fumbling hand to silence it, the bright light of the screen briefly stinging her bleary eyes. She sat up slowly, her back cracking in protest, and leaned back into her chair, her white sleeping gown wrinkled and her signature ribbon undone and dangling from her neck.
She rubbed her temple and muttered, "Did I really sleep like this? Damn it..."
Grabbing her phone, she unlocked it and instinctively opened her calendar. March 5th. A date she had practically tattooed in her mind. Her eyes scanned the agenda pinned prominently at the top:
"737 MAX Simulator Training: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM."
Furina's gaze shifted across her room, noting the chaos that surrounded her. Her desk was a battlefield of study notes, mock checklists, and system diagrams. The rest of the room wasn't much better; even the chair in the corner had become a dumping ground for sweaters and jackets.
She sighed heavily, facepalming. "Nice job keeping your notes tidy, Furina. Real professional."
Shaking off her frustration, she pushed herself out of the chair and began tidying up. One by one, she collected her scattered notes, carefully stacking them into neat piles before securing them in her well-worn pilot's bag. Her focus was unwavering as she thought of her upcoming sim session. Every lecture, every late-night study session, and every self-imposed drill had been leading to this.
With the desk clear, Furina decided it was time to refuel her body. She made her way to the kitchen and began preparing her favorite breakfast: a warm and gooey croque monsieur with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. As the rich aroma of melted cheese and toasted bread filled the air, she leaned against the counter, contemplating the day ahead.
"Simulator day," she muttered to herself between bites of her sandwich. "Today's the day I prove to Clorinde and everyone else that I'm ready."
The meal was finished quickly, and after placing her plate and mug into the dishwasher, Furina found her attention drawn to the corner of her room. There, her pride and joy stood tall—a Next Level Racing Pro Flight Simulator rig, complete with dual monitors and meticulously calibrated controls. She ran her fingers across the yoke as if it were a good-luck charm.
"You've been my secret weapon, haven't you?" she murmured with a small smile. "Time to show Clorinde just how much we've practiced."
With that, Furina grabbed her towel and headed to the shower.
Thirty minutes later, Furina was standing in front of her mirror, buttoning up a crisp white polo shirt. Her navy blue NATO-strap watch gleamed as she secured it snugly on her left wrist. She adjusted the sleeves of her shirt and spritzed a touch of perfume on her neck and wrists.
"Looking fresh, Furina," she said to her reflection, striking a playful pose. "Let's ace that sim session!"
She turned her attention to her pilot's bag, ensuring that all her neatly organized notes were secured inside. Grabbing the bag, along with her phone, wallet, and keys, she made her way to the front door. She slipped into her black flats and stepped outside, the crisp morning air waking her fully.
Her bright blue Alpine A110, polished and gleaming, waited in the driveway. Sliding into the driver's seat, Furina placed her bag on the passenger side and buckled into the five-point harness. The low rumble of the four-cylinder engine filled the morning air as she turned the key, letting the machine roar to life.
"Alright, Furina," she said softly to herself, gripping the steering wheel. "Time to show them what you're made of."
With a confident smirk, she backed out of her driveway and hit the road, heading toward the Air Fontania Training Centre. The smooth hum of the engine and the sight of the open road ahead reminded her of why she had chosen this path. Today was another step closer to her dream.
Minutes ticked by as Furina navigated through the busy roads, the anticipation simmering beneath her calm demeanor. Finally, she pulled into the staff parking lot of the Air Fontania Training Centre, her Alpine A110 purring smoothly as she found a spot near the building's entrance. The cool morning air greeted her as she stepped out, the sound of her shoes clicking softly against the pavement.
Adjusting the strap of her pilot's bag over her shoulder, she glanced around and noticed a familiar figure. Clorinde was stepping out of her car—a striking 1985 Lancia Rally 037 Group B Rally car that gleamed under the morning sun.
Furina couldn't help but smile. "Good morning, Captain Clorinde."
Clorinde, startled by the greeting, turned quickly but soon relaxed upon seeing Furina. "Oh! Good morning, Cadet Furina," she said with a warm nod.
Furina's gaze shifted to Clorinde's car, her eyes lighting up with genuine admiration. "This is a nice car, Clorinde. 037, right?"
Clorinde raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You know cars?"
Furina nodded confidently. "Yeah. Back when I first got my driver's license, I developed quite a taste for them. Can't help it—it runs in the family."
Clorinde shut her car door, her pilot's bag in hand as she walked over to join Furina. "I see. Well, you're spot on. She's an '85 Rally 037—not the homologated street version."
"Ah, the proper beast then," Furina said with a grin, earning a chuckle from Clorinde.
The two began making their way toward the training center, passing through security with practiced ease. The massive hangar housing the simulators loomed ahead, its size and precision a testament to Air Fontania's commitment to excellence.
As they walked through the simulator hangar, Clorinde cast a sideways glance at Furina. "What kind of car do you drive, anyways?"
Furina smirked, a glint of pride in her eyes. "It's nothing special, really. Just a '67 Alpine A110."
Clorinde whistled, clearly impressed. "Ooh, that's a tasty one. Is she a 1600S?"
"That's right," Furina said, nodding. "1600S in Alpine Blue."
Clorinde nodded back approvingly. "You've got great taste, Miss Furina. A true enthusiast's choice."
"Thank you, Clorinde!" Furina chuckled, enjoying the brief camaraderie.
As they reached the simulator dispatch area, Clorinde set her bag down by her feet and handed over some papers to the staff at the counter. She turned back to Furina with a confident smile.
"Ready for your sim session today, Miss Furina?" Clorinde asked, her tone encouraging as always.
Furina nodded without hesitation. "Ready to test myself."
Clorinde smirked, clearly pleased with the trainee's attitude. "That's the spirit, Furina. You've been progressing quickly, and so far, the higher-ups are impressed with your performance."
"Just doing what I can, Captain," Furina replied with a hint of modesty.
As they waited for the paperwork to be processed, Clorinde leaned casually against the counter, studying Furina with a curious expression. "Miss Furina, can I ask you something?"
"Of course," Furina replied, straightening her posture slightly.
"Has aviation always been your thing? Since you were young, I mean?" Clorinde asked, her tone soft but genuinely curious.
Furina's expression softened as she nodded. "That's right. When I was little, my parents' house was right along a flight path. I'd watch planes fly overhead every day. They became such a big part of my life."
Clorinde smiled at the image. "And were you the first in your family to pursue it?"
Furina shook her head lightly. "Not quite. My father and mother worked for the Court of Fontaine, but I had a relative who flew for the Armée de l'air. They were my first inspiration."
"Ah, I see," Clorinde said, her smile widening. "Well, you're certainly doing them proud. You're performing exceptionally so far, Miss Furina."
Their conversation was interrupted by the staff member behind the counter. "Captain Clorinde? Here are your papers. The sim is ready to go."
Clorinde turned, thanked the man, and retrieved the papers before grabbing her bag. "Alright, let's go, Miss Furina," she said, leading the way.
The two climbed the stairs to the second floor, walking briskly down the corridor until they arrived at 737 MAX Simulator #10. The massive Level D simulator stood on its hydraulics, humming faintly, a marvel of engineering. They crossed the metal bridge that connected the simulator to the rest of the hangar.
Clorinde stopped at the door, turning the handle before stepping aside. She gestured for Furina to enter first with a slight bow of her head.
"After you, Miss Furina," she said, her tone as professional as ever.
Furina took a deep breath, steadying herself, before stepping into the simulator.
Furina stepped into the simulator, the sterile hum of the environment immediately enveloping her. The interior of the Level D simulator was a perfect replica of a 737 MAX cockpit—every switch, button, and screen meticulously crafted to mirror reality. The faint hum of the systems coming online added to the immersive experience.
Behind her, Clorinde allowed another staff member, a systems operator, to enter. The operator would manage the simulation and introduce the scenarios Furina would face today. Clorinde handed the operator a folder containing the session outline. The pages were filled with meticulously designed scenarios, including both common and rare failures, intended to test Furina's ability to recall procedures and execute memory checklists under pressure.
Clorinde turned back to Furina and stepped to her side. Her expression was calm yet commanding. "Welcome to the 737 MAX Simulator, Miss Furina. Please take the First Officer's seat. I'll be on the Captain's side."
Furina nodded, setting her bag down in the designated storage area before moving to the First Officer's seat. She slid into the seat, her movements deliberate and practiced. Adjusting the seat to her liking, she pressed her feet against the rudder pedals, testing their range of motion. Satisfied, she placed her hands on the yoke, ensuring it was neither too far nor too close.
Clorinde settled into the Captain's seat, adjusting her position as well. "Comfortable, Miss Furina?"
Furina gave her a quick thumbs-up. "Yes, ma'am."
Clorinde smiled, her tone encouraging. "That's the spirit. Today's session will primarily focus on your checklists. We'll begin with a departure from Runway 26R. At some point, I'll introduce a failure, and it'll be up to you to identify and handle it, including declaring an emergency. I'll act as your First Officer, so rely on me as needed. If you make any mistakes, I'll guide you through them. Clear?"
"Yes, Captain," Furina replied firmly.
"Good," Clorinde said, fastening her lap belt and shoulder harness. "Let's secure ourselves and get started. Our callsign today is Fontania 795."
Furina followed suit, buckling her lap belt and shoulder harness with precision. After ensuring her restraints were secure, she put on her headset, listening as Clorinde did the same.
Moments later, the simulator's ATC system came alive.
"Fontania 795, winds are variable at seven knots. Runway 26R, cleared for takeoff."
Furina pressed the push-to-talk button on her yoke's right column. Her voice was steady and professional. "Runway 26R, cleared for takeoff, Fontania 795."
Clorinde nodded approvingly. "Alright, your aircraft, Furina."
"My aircraft," Furina confirmed, placing her right hand on the yoke and her left on the throttle levers. She pushed the throttles to 50%, watching as the engine indicators stabilized. Pressing the auto-throttle button, she let the system engage, and the throttle levers advanced to full thrust.
"TOGA thrust," Furina called, her eyes scanning the Primary Flight Display (PFD).
As the engines roared to life, the airspeed tape began to rise.
"Airspeed alive," Furina announced.
Clorinde double-checked her instruments. "Checked."
When the airspeed reached 80 knots, Furina called it out, and Clorinde echoed, "Checked."
At V1, Clorinde made the call. "Vee One."
Furina moved her left hand from the throttle to the yoke, ready for rotation.
"Rotate... Vee Two," Clorinde called.
Furina pulled gently on the yoke, and the simulator's motion system mimicked the aircraft's nose lifting off the runway.
"Positive rate of climb," Clorinde announced.
"Gear up," Furina called.
Clorinde reached for the gear lever, pulling it upward. "Gear up," she confirmed.
The simulated aircraft climbed steadily, and Furina made another call. "Flaps five."
Clorinde adjusted the flap lever. "Flaps five," she echoed.
At 3,000 feet, an alarm blared suddenly, the harsh sound of the fire bell cutting through the cockpit. Furina's eyes snapped to the engine display, where the left engine's fire warning light illuminated.
"Fire on the left engine, Captain," she reported, her voice steady despite the surprise.
Clorinde nodded, her tone firm. "Fire on the left confirmed. Engine fire checklist."
Taking control, Clorinde disconnected the auto-throttle. "My aircraft."
"Your aircraft," Furina acknowledged, releasing the controls.
Clorinde began the memory items. "Auto-throttle."
"Disconnected," Furina confirmed, watching Clorinde's actions.
"Engine one thrust lever," Clorinde called.
Furina reduced the left engine's thrust to idle, monitoring the N1 gauge as it dropped. "Engine one idle," she called out.
"Engine fuel cutoff lever," Clorinde prompted.
"Confirm," Furina said, her hand hovering over the lever.
"Cut it off," Clorinde instructed.
Furina pulled the lever down decisively. "Engine cutoff confirmed."
The engine shut down, and Furina reached for the fire extinguisher lever. "Engine one fire switch."
"Confirm," Clorinde said, glancing at Furina's hand.
Furina pulled and twisted the lever. Thirty seconds later, the fire bell silenced, and the warning light extinguished. "Fire extinguished," Furina reported.
Clorinde wasted no time making the emergency call. "Mayday, mayday. Fontania 795 declaring an emergency. We've had a fire on the left engine and request to return to Marcotte."
"ATC acknowledged. "Fontania 795, roger. Turn left heading 174 for vectors to Runway 26R."
Clorinde read back the instruction, and Furina adjusted the heading on the MCP.
"Nicely done," Clorinde said, her voice calm.
The remainder of the return to Marcotte was smooth, Furina expertly managing the aircraft on one engine. When the simulator's engines powered down, Clorinde turned to Furina with a broad smile.
"Well done, Furina. You handled the fire memory items like a pro. Almost like the back of your hand!"
Furina allowed herself a small, proud smile. "Thank you, Captain."
Clorinde glanced at Furina, her tone composed but laced with anticipation. "This next scenario is a final approach situation. The aircraft is on an ILS approach, and I want you to land at Mondstadt's Windrise International Airport. The winds will be gusty, so stay sharp. Got it?"
Furina nodded confidently. "Roger."
The screens flickered, transitioning to the new scenario. The aircraft was now on final approach, ten nautical miles out from Windrise International Airport. The cockpit was alive with the hum of systems, the gentle shake of simulated turbulence hinting at the gusty conditions ahead.
Windrise ATC came through the comms. "Fontania 795, winds variable at eight, gusting fifteen. Runway 07 Center, cleared to land."
Clorinde reached for the push-to-talk button. "07 Center, cleared to land. Fontania 795," she acknowledged.
Furina placed her hands on the yoke and throttles, her posture focused and ready. As the aircraft neared the five-nautical-mile mark, she disconnected the autopilot, keeping the autothrottle engaged for added stability.
"My aircraft," Furina called out.
"Your aircraft," Clorinde confirmed, leaning back slightly, letting Furina take the lead.
The cockpit's GPWS (Ground Proximity Warning System) issued its first call.
"One thousand."
"One thousand feet, stabilized. Go-around altitude set," Clorinde announced, her voice calm but precise.
Furina adjusted the yoke subtly, her eyes glued to the PFD. The aircraft's localizer and glideslope indicators were aligned perfectly, but the gusting winds demanded constant, deliberate corrections. Her hands worked instinctively, fighting the invisible forces trying to nudge the aircraft off-course.
"Five hundred," the GPWS announced.
"Approaching minimums," came the next call.
Clorinde spoke with measured authority. "Continue."
The aircraft descended steadily, Furina handling it with the poise of a seasoned aviator. Despite the gusts, her movements were smooth and calculated.
"Four hundred."
"Three hundred."
"Two hundred."
"One hundred."
Furina disconnected the autothrottle, her left hand now fully controlling the throttle levers. She adjusted to maintain the reference speed of 138 knots, with a slight buffer to counteract the gusts.
The final GPWS callouts came in rapid succession.
"Fifty."
"Forty."
"Thirty."
"Twenty."
Furina eased the throttles to idle and gently pulled back on the yoke, initiating the flare.
"Ten."
The simulator jolted slightly as the main landing gear touched down with a satisfying thud. The armed spoilers deployed automatically with a loud mechanical hiss, and Furina instinctively reached for the reverse thrust levers, pulling them back firmly.
Clorinde checked the engine indicators, her sharp eyes scanning for confirmation. A green light illuminated.
"Reversers, two greens," Clorinde called out.
The simulated aircraft decelerated steadily, the reverse thrust roaring briefly before Furina pushed the levers back to their locked position at 60 knots. She applied gentle pressure on the rudder pedals, using the brakes to bring the aircraft down to a controlled taxi speed of 30 knots.
ATC's voice returned. "Fontania 795, welcome to Windrise. Left onto Lima Nine and hold short of Lima. Contact Windrise Ground at 121.80. Good night."
Clorinde read back the instructions flawlessly. "Left onto Lima Nine, hold short of Lima, and switch to Ground on 121.80. Good night, Fontania 795."
Furina took control of the tiller, guiding the aircraft off Runway 07 Center and onto Lima Nine. The simulator's vibrations mirrored the subtle bumps of taxiing, adding to the immersion. She carefully managed the aircraft's speed, keeping it below the taxi limit.
Once they reached Lima Nine, Clorinde switched off the landing lights, returned the engine ignition to auto, and turned off the strobe and wing lights.
Furina brought the aircraft to a smooth stop, holding short of Lima as instructed. The silence in the simulator was broken by the faint hum of the systems powering down.
Clorinde clapped her hands together, her face glowing with pride. "Handled it like a champ, Furina! I'm very, very impressed with that landing!"
Furina's cheeks turned pink as she smiled shyly. "Th-thank you so much, Captain!"
Clorinde chuckled warmly. "I have to say, you're living up to everyone's expectations. You've got a natural talent for this."
Meanwhile, outside the simulator, Chevreuse and Neuvillette were watching the scenario unfold on a monitor in the operations office. The audio from the cockpit played softly through the room's speakers.
Chevreuse crossed her arms, a satisfied smile on her face. "I have to hand it to you, Neuvillette. She's got a natural talent."
Neuvillette was speechless, his eyes fixed on the screen. "I... I can't believe it. She handled that plane like an experienced pilot."
Chevreuse nodded in agreement. "No kidding. She's a natural. She's got a special gift."
Neuvillette slowly nodded, his admiration evident. "I agree. She's going to rise through the ranks fairly quickly."
Hours had ticked by, and Furina now found herself seated in the classroom for her debriefing. The hum of the air conditioning was the only sound until Clorinde broke the silence with enthusiastic applause.
"I've got to hand it to you, Furina," Clorinde began, her smile warm and genuine. "That's got to be the best simulator session I've ever had with a student."
Furina's cheeks flushed red. "R-really!?"
Clorinde chuckled, walking closer until she stood directly in front of Furina. "Furina, you knew the checklist by heart. You landed a fully loaded 737 in gusty conditions at Windrise. You dealt with multiple emergency situations like they were second nature. And—" she paused for emphasis, tapping her tablet—"I didn't notice a single mistake."
Furina's mouth opened slightly, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Clorinde glanced at her tablet again, her tone becoming more official yet still encouraging. "Considering how well you're progressing, I'm moving you to real aircraft training with other pilots. Of course, we'll need another sim session to keep refining your skills. But Furina, you're already eligible for real-world training sessions."
Furina's eyes lit up like stars. "Seriously!?"
Clorinde laughed, her voice rich with pride. "You know, Furina, you really underestimate yourself. Stop doing that. You have a gift—a gift for flight. Don't let doubt get in your way."
She gave Furina's shoulder a firm yet reassuring pat. "Well, that's it for today. You're dismissed."
Furina nodded and extended her hand. "Thank you, Captain."
Clorinde took it in a firm handshake before watching her trainee gather her pilot bag and walk out of the training center.
Later that night, Furina was seated across from Navia at a cozy restaurant in downtown Fontaine City. The lively hum of the city served as a backdrop to their conversation.
Navia leaned in, her golden curls bouncing slightly as her curiosity piqued. "Seriously!? They said you handled that plane like an experienced pilot!?"
Furina nodded, taking a bite of her dinner. "Sounds about right. Clorinde didn't stutter when she said it. She meant every word."
Navia let out an impressed whistle. "So, what's next on your roster, Furina?"
Furina leaned back in her seat, a satisfied grin on her face. "Another sim session. After that, we're hopping aboard a real 737 MAX to do some touch-and-go's at Marcotte."
Navia's eyes widened with astonishment. "Wait—you're advancing already!?"
Furina smirked. "I didn't stutter, did I?"
Navia punched the air, her excitement spilling over. "This is so exciting, Furina! You're really making it happen!"
Furina chuckled, her gaze drifting upwards. The night sky stretched out above them, a sea of twinkling stars surrounding a brilliant moon. Its silvery glow seemed to mirror the spark of determination in her eyes.
She muttered softly to herself, almost as if making a promise to the sky. "One more step... and I'll be up there."
Navia caught the wistful tone and smiled, saying nothing.
As the night deepened, Furina's resolve only grew stronger. Each milestone she achieved brought her closer to the skies she longed to conquer. Air Fontania had high expectations, and Furina was proving she could soar above them.
Her next challenge awaited her: real-world training at Marcotte International Airport. It was one step closer to making her dream of flight a reality.