Corporal Jennifer 'Pilot' Chase

 

Pilot is by far the most complex character of the team, and possessing the most interesting background. Previously a member of the Dread Youth, a youth wing of Dread's militia, Pilot was rescued by Power for reasons and in circumstances that are never explained or explored.

Her inside knowledge of Dread's security systems, and installations provide Power's team with detailed information about Dread's empire, including Volcania. However, this knowledge is usually underutilised; and Pilot only gets to go on one glory run for the cause of mankind when she breaks into a Dread Medical Laboratory to steal vaccines.[in Gemini and Counting]

Pilot's main job, as her name suggests, is flying the Junkship, as well as keeping it maintained, and when necessary, jerry-rigging it. Pilot is always shown with her trusty gadget, used for a variety of purposes, from maintaining the junkship to opening locked doors - the proton spanner (OK, it looks like a Black and Decker screwdriver - but suspend your disbelief! This is sci fi)

The relationship between Jon and Pilot is markedly different from that of the other members of the team - she is the only one, aside from Hawk, who calls him 'Jon'. Sometimes,Pilot seems a little more sheltered and protected by Jon - perhaps because the honourable Captain finds it hard to ignore the gender differances. Thus, it's hard to tell if Jon really has any feelings for her other than comradely concern and perhaps, an overly chauvenistic macho attitude.

But from the word 'go' we sense that there is frisson between the good Captain and Pilot. Pilot is initially uncertain of her feelings towards Jon [See The Intruder] - a sign that she has not yet fully come to terms with her emotions and feelings.But as the season progresses, we see their relationship beginning to take form.

I get the feeling that we never really know how Jon feels, and the writers I think didn't either. They rather spent too much time exploring and developing Pilot's feelings, so Jon's emotional development was neglected and he comes across as being rather uncomfortable with the whole relationships, flittering between treating her in a sisterly manner and responding to her occasional flirtations.

Nonetheless,towards the end of the season, Pilot comes very near to revealing her feelings for Jon but in the time honoured traditions of these relationships, something gets in the way and Pilot and Jon, never have their 'little talk'.

Pilot dies,heroically defending the Power Base from Blastarr on Chrismas Day in "Retribution"