$h 

"Lieutenant Ross?"
"Lieutenant Kelly."
"Mind if I join you?"
"Sure, it's a free table."
"Do you always sit with your back to the wall?"
"Old habit."
"Pilot thing?"
"Life thing."

"Look, Ross. I wanted to talk to you about something, and I figured I'd do it here."
"Alright."
"So look. You've been solid since the moment you came aboard. Flight logs are clean, reactions are crisp. You fly like someone who sees a dozen vectors at once. But when you're back here, it's like half those signals keep firing with nowhere to go. You run hot, Ross. Your brain's pulling triple duty even when you're at rest."
"That's just how I am. Everyone comes down different."
"That mix they give you. The neural enhancer...I know it helps you fly better. But have you also tried taking some afterwards? When you're skids down and on the ground?"
"...No. I'm not going to lean on it any more than I have to."
"I get it Ross, I do. I'm not saying you should become an addict. But when you're out there, everything's clearer isn't it? You have your mission, your cockpit gauges, no dampeners between you and your bird. Everything just flows together. Then the mission's over and you're back in water. Waist deep. I'm saying why don't you bring that clarity with you back on Aria."

"You know, I had a friend...well, Mentor. He lived on that stuff. Full mix every time he flew, for thirty years. Now he's retired at forty seven. Burned through two knee joints. Kidneys shot. Nervous system fried. The cocktail chewed up his body."
"Sounds like someone who gave too much and got too little back."
"Yeah. He was one of the best fliers I knew. Until he wasn't."
"Well I'm not suggesting you burn yourself at both ends. Just something small. A bridge to get out of the water and be the best person you can be, wings or no. I can ask Dr McGill to help with the neural tuning if that helps."
"No...no, it's ok. I'll consider it."
"That's all I'm asking. Ross, I think you've been through more than most people ever talk about. What I'm saying is, Aria's a small ship. Small crew. We watch out for each other. You don't have to prove anything here. Just be you."