00:00:00 | The Bird and the Playboy
“Samantha Louise Wilson, Either go by Sam or Blackbird.” She glanced up at him. “Blackbird is my army code name, or one of them. I’m part of a special experimental group, using some tech your dad designed.”
A heartbeat of silence. “If you ever call me Sammie, I’ll deck you, by the way.” She smiles to show him her heart wasn’t in the threat.
“Anyway, I have a set of wings that I want you to look at, see if you can replicate or make better. I got the junk set because I’m a black female. The only person of color and the only woman.. Singles me out a bit.”
She sighed. “Besides, I’m leaving in a couple days to do another tour, and I want to know you. My hotel room is comfier than the grass, and I don’t have roommates.”
Tony’s eyes go wide at that. “Wow, really? What are the odds?” He laughs a little, shaking his head. “I have no fucking clue what Howard designed there, but it sounds cool— I’m at least able to check it out, maybe give you an upgrade— three days, you said?”
The movement isn’t conscious, but he tightens his grip on her hand, and his voice grows quieter. “It’s, it’s really impressive and awesome that you do that, you know, Corporal and all. And I know I’m not supposed to ask, I’m actually familiar with the rule about women and age, but how old are you? You must’ve been an over-achiever, you’re pretty young to be where you are.”
A tiny shrug. “Like me. And I don’t like to be called Anthony, because that’s just lame, so if you keep to not calling me that, I won’t call you Sammie.”
She felt it and squeezed back. “Not even thirty yet.” She chuckled. “I had to do something. Had to make my daddy proud.” There is a sadness in her voice as she said that.
She shook it out and looked up. “Its a jetpack of sorts.. But with wings. I’m part of the Falcon project.” She puffs up with pride. “Only female to be picked and I’m the best at what I do.”
She chuckled. “I sound like a damn fool."
"I’ve busted my ass to earn my rank, to prove i’m as good if not better than these idiots who call themselves soldiers.”
