The enthusiasm never left Luke's face, but there was a seriousness to his eyes that made him seem almost older than he really was.

"I've always been a pilot, sir," he answered. "I'll prove whether I'm good or not when I see my first live combat."

He knew he had the best scores in the sims; better than any pilot that had been to Prefsbelt or any Academy for that matter. But that would mean nothing if he ended up choking in his first battle.