— Being female was incidental to who I was. Being a pilot was everything I was. Still is.
Walsh nodded slowly, something complicated passing across her face.
— But it must have been extraordinarily hard. The discrimination, the doubt, the constant pressure to prove yourself. Having to be twice as good to be considered half as competent.
— It was hard. Every single day. Every single flight. Every single mission.
Grace met her eyes directly.
— Still is. Apparently, yesterday proved that nothing’s really changed. I’ve been flying for twenty years. Have more combat experience than 99% of the pilots on this base. And I still had to fight for the right to do my job.
An uncomfortable silence settled over the table like fog. Porter cleared his throat, his mechanic’s hands wrapped around his coffee mug.
— Chief… for what it’s worth, everyone who doubted you yesterday? They’re not doubting you today. Word spread through the base like wildfire. By 1900 hours last night, everyone knew the story. This morning, you’re literally all anyone’s talking about. You’re famous.
— Fantastic, Grace said dryly. Just what I always wanted. Attention and scrutiny.
