Plunging my face in to the icy water, I exhale all the air in my lungs through my nose. I always enjoyed the bubbling. There’s a giant slosh as I yank my head clear and brush stray strands of hair back.

Outside, dawn is coming fast. I pop my headphones and walk towards the craft. Sleek and sexy, it glistens in the pale Disklight.

Reckoning I have 7.3 minutes before I’m late, I have to travel 90 km to base. I smile to myself. Knowing full well that if I don’t go fast enough, I’ll be late for the third time this month and XO will put me on Edge Patrol.

I slip in to the cockpit, turn on the engine preheater, go through my checklist and close my eyes as I start the engine. The smell of illi and freezine fills my senses.

The countryside shrinks as I climb, I accelerate. A quick look at the clock tells me I’m doing just over 600 kmh at 3000 meters. Low flying for this speed. I love this job.

I land right on time but I guess XO is in a bad mood. Edge Patrol for two weeks, she says. Damn!