(STORY EXTRACT)
 
The throttle slowly eased open as I pushed the lever forwards, the engine’s roar becoming louder and more air being sucked past me to the propeller and down the radiator and turbo intakes on the sides. The Stork slowly began to lean forwards on the shock absorbers, tilting left as the propeller pushed more and more. Eventually the aircraft began to move forwards, the torque from the engine sending me skidding towards the left - ergh, uh, right, um, right rudder? Right rudder. Pushing my back hoof against the pedal and pushing the stick to the same side, the aircraft settled itself back out, heading straight down the runway once again. Okay… really hope I don’t have to worry about THAT with the Valkyrie.
 
Pushing the throttle open further, the wind really started to pick up against my face, the snowy runway rushing by much faster than before. Taking quick, short breaths of the frigid air, eventually I had the throttle fully open, the Stork beginning to leave shallower ruts in the snow. I pulled the control shaf to my chest, gritting my teeth and wrenching my eyes shut - please please pleeease take off before I run out of runway… the wooshing of snow under the skids faded, myself feeling as I was rolled backwards, body facing the sky. Cracking one eye open, the large clouds in the bright blue sky met me instead of the tall mountains in the distance, myself blinking. Leaning forwards - and easing the stick back forwards, because I really didn’t want to throw myself into a loop right after takeoff - I peered over the side of the seat, watching the snowy ground fading away, the roofs of the hangars well behind me. This… this thing actually works!