Captain Greg “Pilot” Walker

Role in the Story: Orion Team Member

Occupation: Captain, Weapons Specialist, Pilot, Navigations Specialist, Technical Expert.

In the beginning of the story, Greg “Pilot” Walker, is the all-star, above average and squared away Plebe attending Annapolis Military Academy. Yet only after a few years in Orion, he takes on a strikingly different tone. The tattooed, chiseled, “Coppola” type soldier emerges; appearing more intimidating than he cared to take his position seriously. He dons non-regulation cammo, and Vietnam style grease paint, and ties a dirty bandana around his fore head, insisting it is because he sweats profusely. The team suggests that he borrowed the look from a Rambo movie poster. He could give two shits.

Theatrical is how he rolls, and blows off steam. Often Pilot, being the social member of the team, concocts creative ways to pass the time, such as setting up makeshift tropical “bars” and mixing “cocktails” in the middle of the desert. He sometimes will go to extremes to host elaborate fake concerts and shows for the team around the campfires. Pilot is generally jovial, youthful, and spirited with no real outward signs of anger and violence. The team has dubbed him “Opie” sometimes for his agreeable nature.

He is still a proficient and lethal killer elite; he just prefers to kill everyone fast, without much thought, and then get back to the comfort and play he finds with his team after a mission.

Pilot admires the shit out of Screech for his ability to makeshift any weapon, and his cerebral thought; however the feeling is not mutual when Screech announces often that they are best friends. Pilot reserves the position of best friend solely for Butch, simply for the amount of brawls they have been in together, and the countless missions they have saved each others asses.

Pilot holds a very neutral position in Orion, not only due to his rank, but his demeanor generally keeps him on an even keel. He is simply looking to get a game of basketball going, ride BMX bikes, skateboards, play cards. He is never the one to start a bar fight; however if he is backing a team member, you can be certain he will not leave until no one is left standing.

Pilot is often overlooked, just as a younger brother might be, which is a shame for most of the members of Orion who could learn a thing or two regarding how to manage their trauma, by simply asking Pilot how he copes. Yet no one ever seems to realize that he is the only one who seems to be able to balance and deal with PTSD; however he never offers advice on the subject, nor do they ask. Even though he holds the greatest tool they could all use. He believes it is more important to put a sound and insane weapon in their hands, then to psychoanalyze them.