Here’s your beer. You’re a scientist then? I had you figured for a pilot with that jumpsuit you’re wearing.

Yeah, I used to be a pilot, once upon a time. It’s a long story...

I'm willing to hear it friend.

Well, don't say I didn't warn you. Back in the Milky Way I was part of a long-range bomber squadron.

Hold on, there's no way you were ever in the military with a beard like that.

Alright, fine, I was a bit less hairy in those days.

That's better. So what ships did you fly?

Apian Class bombers. Those things were crazy - basically just a bomb strapped to these enormous engines. The idea was that the carrier would lurk out of the target's scanner range and launch our squadron of four bombers. We'd come screaming in at ridiculous speeds, let the missiles fly and get the hell out of there before they knew what had hit 'em.

Sounds pretty dangerous. You were close to your squad mates I guess?

Oh yeah, we were quite the gang.

I was the youngest, and then there was Rex, Squadron Leader Philips (we called her Phil, though never to her face) and Sue.

Oh ho! Let me guess, this Sue was quite the looker?

You could say that, yeah.

Well, it all makes sense now. You were a pilot, then you fell in love. I've heard this story a thousand times.

Well, maybe not exactly like this...

To be continued!

More pics in the spoiler. C&C welcome, especially on the fully edited pic. It's the first time I've tried something like that.

Reveal hidden contents

Cute little ship, Sal, and it's nice to see how you're integrating the story too.

Did you use coloured filters in your lighting setup for the full-edit shot?

Thanks! No the reddish lighting was added in photoshop - I find lighting normally to be enough of a struggle even without trying anything fancy!

Great little ship, good story, clean shaven and all. Photoshop is good for lighting fixes, nice turn out of the shots.

Great little ship Big Sal, looks quite hefty! The full edit is really good too; very smooth transition between layers.

Nice ship Sal!

Very cool! You make the best stories even for challenge builds. Fun to see a younger Big Sal.

Excellent ship! I love those engines

Fantastically mean ship! I wonder what will happen next...

The judges awarded you 5 points.