[center] [h1][b] Casino de Monte-Carlo, Monaco Dinner Party [/b][/h1][/center] [center][h2][i][b] [color=fff200]Paul Mulder[/color][/b][/i][/h2][/center] [hr] Paul had walked up to a group of his peers that included Ava, Bea, Harrison, Wedge, and Max. He was sipping a glass of champagne. Paul had greeted everyone: [color=yellow]"Good evening everyone. Ava it is nice to see you back on your feet. I hope you are doing well. So what are we talking about?”[/color] [quote]Ava: ”Hello Paul. I’m fine, I got off lightly.” “Can you call it “back” when she’s on new feet?” Max waved at Paul. [/quote] Paul smiled at Max and thought he had a point with Ava. [color=fff200]“I am glad to hear you are doing alright. It means I won’t feel guilty for trouncing you soundly here in Monaco.”[/color] He grinned at Ava to show he meant it lightheartedly. It was Harrison who answered his question about what the conversation was about as he shook Paul’s hand. Paul gave Harrison a respectful and grateful nod as he shook his hand. Paul laughed a little as listened to the answers from Harrison, Bea, and Max. [color=fff200]“Tattoos, cybernetics, and pain? That sounds like the plotline for one of those rowdy American talk shows.”[/color] [quote]“Speaking of, second opinion. Paul,” Max continued, “If you were getting a tattoo, would you get it on your arm, knowing you might lose it with a cybernetic, or play it safe but painful and go with a chest tattoo?”[/quote] Paul paused and tilted his head as he really gave it some consideration. [color=fff200]“I think I would put it where I wanted it. If you want to show it off, your arm is a better place for it. Besides with modern technology, I am sure you could talk the tattoo artist into applying some Novocain before they start.” [/color] He grinned as he continued unable to resist teasing Max. [color=fff200]“Of course that doesn’t stop him from letting everyone know you are a wuss and deserve no street cred.”[/color] He winked at Bea as he said it. He then looked over at Ava and his look sobered and turned more serious. [color=fff200]“I would put it on my arm because I am not planning to replace them with cybernetics. You can always have it redone on your chest later if something happens.” [/color] [hr] [center][h2]Friday june 4th, 2094 Principality of Monaco[/h2] [h3]La Phénix[/h3][/center] [h2][center] [color=00aeef]Alexander Knight[/color] [/center] [/h2] [hr] Alexander didn’t really want to attend the yacht party being hosted by Silver Apex but he couldn’t really get out of it. There were a lot of potential sponsors attending. Alexander’s job right now was to reassure the fans, the public, and the sponsors that Team Valkyrie was going to pull this latest legal trouble. That the team was worth investing in. He was grateful that Lena had agreed to be his date for the Monaco AG events. She looked ravishing this evening in a low cut sapphire blue dress that hugged her curves. The sheer lace outer layer was vibrant against her pale creamy skin. The solid blue underlayer hugged her curves as the lace flared out from the waistline. She had chosen to pair this dress with silver heels that gave her legs for days and made her derriere look divine. Alexander was in his dark gray Enigma Lux suit this evening with a sapphire blue dress shirt and no tie to match her. He had pulled her close for some snuggling a compliment before they left. Alexander had smiled as she threatened to beat him if he messed her make up one more time. He had gone into the bathroom to remove her lipstick. He smiled as a wash cloth quickly removed the dark red from his face. Alexander and Lena had waited patiently for one of the motor boat water taxis that had been hired to get guests from the docks to the yacht in the bay. They had just gotten to the party and were entering the top floor of the yacht where the dance floor was when he heard a loud argument going on. He leaned over and whispered in Lena’s ear. [color=00aeef]“Stay here, I am going to see what’s going on.” [/color] Lena nodded and moved to the side and took a vacant seat on the couch that ran along the edge of the yacht. Alexander nodded and waded into the crowd. Evidently a drunken attendee had been bad mouthing Kais Zenix on the anti-gravity dancefloor. To make matters worse, the man had knocked over a droid waiter spilling a tray of drinks and breaking glasses which had caught a few innocent bystanders with the spray. Alexander was amused as Kais almost casually tossed the man overboard. As Kais’ back was turned another man tried to sucker punch him. Alexander intercepted the man’s punch and used his momentum to guide him overboard to land in the sea with his friend. If you chose to join a bar fight then fight honorably, you don’t hit someone with their back to you. As Alexander turned to say something to Kais, he witnessed another man being tossed overboard by Kais. Alexander smiled at Kais and nodded. He appreciated a man who knew his limits and what he stood for and had strong convictions. You always knew where they stood. Kais turned with frustration and anger flashing in his eyes as he confronted the crowd that was watching the whole scene. Alexander saw a couple of security guards coming to investigate. He intercepted them and explained what happened to them. He also suggested they fish the drunken idiots out of the bay before they drowned. They turned and left Kais alone. Alexander approached Kais with his hands held out to the sides so he could see them. He knew that Kais would only be too happy to unleash those talents on him if he was annoyed any further. He gave Kais a warm and genuine smile. [color=00aeef]“Hello Kais Zenix. I have been wanting to meet you. I am Alexander Knight, the crew chief for Team Valkyrie. I explained what happened to the guards. They shouldn’t trouble you about what happened. There is always someone who thinks they can offer advice on what pilots do as if they had an inkling of what it really takes to do the job.”[/color] Alexander understood his frustration and sympathized with a shake of his head. [color=00aeef]“I explained what the idiots had done.”[/color] He held out his hand offering a handshake to Kais. He told him with a serious look. [color=00aeef]“I am a veteran as well. I know we served in different militaries but in case no one has said it to you before. Thank you for your service. It is only because of men like you that others can sleep soundly at night.”[/color] He gave him a firm handshake before turning his hand loose. [color=00aeef]“I hope your evening improves.”[/color] He gave Kais a slight bow before he turned and waded back into the crowd to check on his date. Alexander managed to push through the crowd to see Lena sitting with a glass of champagne in her hand. She had two young men trying to woo her. Alexander was surprised at how much he didn’t like that. He felt like a caveman as he thought Lena was his woman and how dare they. He realized he was in over his head with her already. He had much stronger feelings than he had thought. He almost growled as one of the men was kissing her hand. He moved in and deliberately stepped between the two men and Lena. He smiled down at Lena who had an amused look on her face. The two men complained but Alexander ignored them as he focused on Lena. [color=00aeef]“I leave you for five minutes and already the suitors are lining up.” [/color] Lena’s eyes sparkled as she told Alexander, [color=f49ac2]“I told them I was here with someone. They insisted on keeping me company.” [/color] Alexander turned to the two men and gave them a cold polite look. [color=00aeef]“Thank you for looking after my date gentlemen. You can go.”[/color] He waved them off like they were children being told to go play. The two men frowned but turned away. Alexander helped Lena to her feet. [color=00aeef]“Do you want to try their anti-gravity dancefloor?”[/color] Lena allowed Alexander to pull her to feet and slipped her hand around his arm. [color=f49ac2]“Is this a ploy to see what kind of underwear I am wearing?”[/color] Alexander laughed and winked at Lena. [color=00aeef]“Nope, this is a ploy to make sure I can get you out of them later.” [/color] Lena blinked in surprise and followed Alexander as he led the way through the crowd. [hr] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Principal's Office[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [hr] Sitting in the Delta Hyper interview room, the Principals came through one by one, able to make an introduction again, representing each of their teams. Alexander was dressed in an Enigma Lux dark gray suit with a navy blue dress shirt with no tie and the black dress boots. His hair had been tamed into a ponytail and his beard was freshly trimmed. He looked sharp and stylish. He waited in the designated lounge area as the other principals moved into and out of the area. Alexander smiled genuinely, enjoying his conversation with Owen Keating from Southern Cross. The man was focused but had that same laid back air about him that his pilots had. They traded stories about trying to keep their daredevil and adrenaline junkie pilots in one piece. Owen made him laugh as he told him that he decided to embrace that side of them instead of trying to stifle it. At least they were getting paid for their hobbies through sponsorships and promotional deals. He could at least make sure they were exercising caution and appropriate safety measures. Alexander had laughed but the man had a good point. It gave him some ideas for new promotional sponsorships for Paul. Before He knew it was his turn and a production assistant was calling his name to lead him into the studio. [quote]"What are your thoughts on how this season has unfolded? How has it gone, compared to your expectations?"[/quote] Alexander did his best to appear comfortable and confident. He knew that the news agencies had been trying to lock him into an interview since the charges against Brendel had been made public. Alexander was contractually obligated to appear for Delta Hyper Interviews though. He would have to be sure he worded his answers carefully. Alexander paused with a thoughtful look. [color=00aeef]“I had a very different idea about how this season would go. I had expected to come in and review the team’s technology, engineering procedures, and training and recommend changes based on what I found. The most important changes to the team have happened behind closed doors and I can’t legally talk about them except in the broadest terms. I can tell you that the changes that have been made are for the long term health of the team resulting in higher employee satisfaction and collaboration. Valkyrie has had a trying and tumultuous start to their season. I am happy to report that things are stabilizing for now and I am confident that things will continue to improve. The team lost a lot of momentum as we sorted through and resolved various internal issues. The team is pulling together with everyone supporting one another and it shows. I am expecting Team Valkyrie to do well here at Monaco. Team Valkyrie couldn’t have weathered this trying time without the ongoing support of our amazing Board Members and Sponsors. My deepest gratitude to BioCHO, Zap, You Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat, Enigma Lux, and Orion Luxury Watches. The season did not start at all like I expected since I didn’t anticipate even being here. I believe that Team Valkyrie will rise to the top of the midfield to challenge Silver Apex and Southern Cross in the championships and constructor series. We have the talent and the willpower. It is time for Team Valkyrie to spread its wings and fly.” [/color] Alexander gave a confident smile into the camera because he believed every word. Now that he had removed the rot that had existed at the heart of the team, only good things could come from here. [hr] [center][h1][b] Sunday 4th June, 2094 Race Day Monaco AGP Circuit de Monte-Carlo, Monaco 1400 EST [/b][/h1][/center] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]The Crown Jewel[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [center][h2][i][b][color=fff200]Paul Mulder[/color][/b][/i][/h2][/center] [hr] The scene cut back to the interview room, the question from Aurora directed at all of the rookies. [color=ed1c24][quote]"So tell me, what's it like in that moment? You're on the grid, ready to go. We can see through your eyes or near to it in the TV feed, almost feel the sweat on your brow and how you feel through the neural link. But what's going through your mind before you hit the throttle when the lights go out?"[/quote][/color] Paul was being interviewed just before the race so he was in his racing suit. The suit was black with neon blue piping along the seams and curves to mimic the livery on his ship. His racing helmet rested next to him on the couch. Solid black with a blue dragon spewing flames down the sides. The high tech helmet had an antenna on it for communication and at the back was a plug where all his sensors and neural chip clipped into and connected to the ship. Paul unconsciously rested his right arm on the helmet as he sat on the Delta Hyper Couch answering questions. Paul looked right into the camera with a debonair smile and wave full of energy. [color=fff200]“Hello, it's a pleasure to be here. I am always excited to answer questions for my fans. For me the start before a race is almost a zen moment. I do my best to shut out any distractions and worries. I narrow my focus to the ship and track and what’s going on around me. I have to harness my energy and those instincts so I don’t accidentally have a false start.”[/color] He gave a lopsided grin. [color=fff200]“I can get a little excited.” [/color] He shrugged and continued, [color=fff200]“So after I have done my preflight checklist and I am waiting for the start, I am meditating on the race. I go through all the turns in my head one more time. What speed do I need to be at, when do I need to start my move to go through the turn. I go through all the training I have put into the race. I review it all in my head as I wait for the countdown to start. Then there is no time for thoughts, it is all about action and reaction.”[/color] Paul shrugged and gave a sheepish smile. [color=fff200]“I did my best to answer that question. For me it is about tempering action and instinct with experience and training.” [/color] [hr] [hider= Team Valkyrie Characters] https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zrLx5XUgYiVm6KjTpFTWZtJvXc0MX77enkLzINHujKw/edit?gid=0#gid=0 [/hider]