The Jaguar came gently down towards the runway, flaring just before the rear landing gear touched down. The nose wheel hit slightly harder that intended, jarring the pilot and bringing her thoughts back to the present. She applied the brakes and taxied in next to the others. As the whine of the engines faded, she sat in the cockpit for longer than necessary. Kate fiddled with the avionics, mostly as an excuse for anyone watching but party because she wasn't sure if her hands were steady enough to undo her harness.

After a few minutes the canopy was raised and she climbed out onto the ground, her usual confident self. With an easy motion she slung her helmet over her should and headed for the debriefing.