[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] [color=00aeef]Alexander[/color] had greeted Kais and said what he wanted too. He and Kais had fought on opposite sides of a war. They both had fought for what they believed in and to protect others. In Alexander’s eyes there was no nobler calling than protecting those weaker than you. He understood the toll that came with being a soldier. There was a cost to peace and it was the men and women on the front lines that paid that cost. They deserved respect no matter which side they were on. Alexander knew that Kais had no more control over the methods and where he was sent to fight than Alexander had. [color=orange]Kais: "We can only hope, can't we?” After a short pause he continued, “Mr. Knight. It's unfortunate we would probably have been on opposite sides back then."[/color] Alexander gave Kais a respectful nod and smile. His lips lifted a little more in a smile as Kais tried to exert more pressure in the handshake. Alexander didn’t react and kept his grip the same pressure. Alexander: [color=00aeef]“We might have fought on opposite sides but for similar reasons. To protect others and our way of life. That deserves respect as it comes at a cost. The world found a way to a better time, one of peace. We are no longer enemies. Friendly competitors on the race track certainly though.”[/color] Alexander gave Kais an amused look. Kais surprised Alexander as he changed the subject after giving him a considerate look. [color=orange] “For what it's worth, I think you're doing a good job, with Paul."[/color] Alexander was surprised by the seriousness in his response and the tone of his reply. [color=orange]"Keep an eye on him, and his associates. Between us, brother to brother, there are strange things going on, on the track..."[/color] Alexander’s eyes narrowed and if anyone was watching his body language they would have noticed his body tighten with tension as an apprehensive chill ran down his spine. He was suddenly a warrior in protective mode as Kais started to walk away. Kais turned and made one last comment to him before walking away. [color=orange]Kais: "And Mr. Knight... [i]Thanks[/i], for the help back there. Stylish throws too."[/color] Kais then finished his drink and walked away. Alexander’s eyes met Kais and nodded. [color=00aeef]Alexander:“Understood, thank you.”[/color] He let Kais walk away watching him leave. There was a mystery and danger here. He would have to investigate. He would have to look into this cryptic warning later. He had a date to retrieve and sponsors to woo. [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 Racing Riviera[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [hr] Paul was off the starting line with a clean start. Paul was pushing as hard as he could even as Dorian with Amy behind him pulled away from him. Paul pushed distractions away and focused on keeping clean lines. Astrid was pushing him and he was aggressively defending, unwilling to concede even an inch to anyone else. He was pushing to catch up to Amy. Paul focused on what he could control on the track. He kept it tight and in and out of the corners as fast as he could go. He stayed behind Amy, always pushing to catch her. There came a point when everything else fell away. It was just him and the ship and the track. He felt as if he had merged with the ship. It was simply a joy as he could feel the throttle opened up. Moments like these were why he raced. They were almost spiritual in nature and made him feel as if he could touch the divine. He had precision control as he blocked yet another sloppy and aggressive push by Astrid to overtake him at La Rascasse. Paul had the line and took it moving to block Astrid’s attempt to swing past him on the outside. He shut the door on her line and she ran into the wall. Paul didn’t let it phase him as he continued to hunt Amy. He was giving his all trying to catch the leaders. Paul was frustrated when the cautions were called due to the accidents. They broke his racing flow. Harrison ended up behind Paul who was pushing him hard. Paul managed to hold Harrison off and defend his position. Paul had enough experience to realize that if it had been a different track, that might have been a different story. Paul used the stability and cornering on his ship to the max. He kept a tight racing line that was fluid allowing him to pick up speed and fly out of the corners. He felt as if he had just gotten back into the groove when the race was over. His engineer was screaming in his ear that he had taken P3. Paul’s fist thrust into the air in a triumphant pump as he yelled out “Yes!” in joy. Paul took his victory lap and followed Dorian into the Valkyrie paddock. [hr] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Afterglow[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [hr] Paul was all smiles as he pulled his ship into the paddock. The cheers of the team competed with the engines on the ships as they were shut down. Paul was happy for Dorian who had been searching for this feeling all season long as his last season as a pilot. Paul laughed as Dorian was practically pulled out of his ship by the mechanics and engineers in the paddock. Paul managed to climb out of his ship on his own before he too was hoisted up on shoulders by jubilant teammates. He laughed and cheered along with everyone else. The team had needed this win after all the bad press from the trial. It felt as if the team had reached a turning point and broken through all the bad luck that had plagued them since the start of the season. Alexander was in the paddock watching with a smile. He was letting the team express their happiness and appreciation first. It was nice to see them able to celebrate something positive as a team for a change. He was smiling from ear to ear. He had moved forward as he saw Amy coming towards Dorian. He was guarded but simply watched her approach him. He relaxed as it appeared she simply wanted to congratulate him. He didn’t miss what Amy started to say and frowned. Dorian and Paul both had run a clean race. He frowned as it sounded like Amy was going to contest that. The look on Peter’s face as he intervened was not lost on Alexander as he crossed his arms and watched Peter. Alexander noted what Peter said and the knowing look he had in his eyes. He raised an eyebrow at Peter’s comment. Alexander would allow Dorian to celebrate his win but he would be sure to let him and Paul know that he was not to talk to any FIAR officials or stewards without him at his side. He made a point to send Leopold a heads up in case they needed to get the legal team involved. He wasn’t sure if Peter would press the issue but better prepared than sorry. It pissed Alexander off that Amy and Peter would try to take the win away from Dorian. He had run the race of his career today and he had earned that win. Alexander waited till Dorian was free and congratulated him. “Congratulations Dorian, That was a hell of a race. That had to be one of your best races in your career. You earned this win. Enjoy it!” Dorian was all smiles and thanked him for finally giving him a ship he could win in. Alexander laughed and turned to find Paul. “Congratulations on P3 Paul. Your father would be proud of you. You ran a clean race.” Paul was all smiles and joy. It was hard to be unhappy around Paul who exudes happy golden retriever energy. Alexander watched the awards ceremony plotting how he was going to counter Peter. He already had the engineers and technicians pulling the race data of the key moments from both ships. He wanted it analyzed and a solid rebuttal in case charges were made against his pilots. Kais’ warning from the yacht party was in the background of his mind. [hr] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Cooldown Room and Podium[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [hr] Paul had a Zap sports drink in his hand. He chugged the drink to replace the electrolytes lost in the race. Paul was enjoying the moment but the underlying tension with Amy was not something that went past Paul. He simply didn’t understand it and observed. He didn’t know what to do with it. It was watching replays of the race after in the cooldown room that Paul found out what had happened to the pack behind him thanks to the two wrecks. He couldn’t help thinking that Jamie Hart spent more time wrecking ships than racing. He only placed well in one race and it was due to another wreck. Paul winced as saw Han’s ship get hit. He knew that had to piss off her off. He shook his head not paying too much attention to Dorian and Amy as they traded comments. He was pulled into their conversation when Dorian addressed him. Paul did congratulate Amy. [color=fff200]“Congratulations on P2 Amy. It was a hell of a race.”[/color] [color=39b54a]Dorian: "Well done, mon amis. This one we did good at, no? Just remember this moment forever. This is your first at Monaco. It will not be your last, and your father, he would be proud." [/color] Paul smiled and shook his head at the emotional Frenchman who had tears in his eyes. Paul gave him a sideways manly hug. [color=fff200]Paul: “You will always be my first Ag teammate Dorian. We might have different racing styles but you have been a decent teammate.”[/color] He patted him on the back. Paul’s emotions were running high but for very different reasons. His reasons were much more personal and he kept them to himself. [color=39b54a]Dorian continued: "I am going to miss this so much. But you better make the most of it. Come on, let's go."[/color] [color=fff200]Paul laughed: “Oh I plan too! You might be retiring but I am just getting started, Dorian. You will have to come cheer me on after you retire. I want you to be there the year I win the championship!” [/color] After that it was time to go accept their awards for winning 1st and 3rd. Paul clapped and waved his arms like he was Vanna White as Dorian was presented as the winner. He clapped and cheered as loud as anyone else. He wanted to make the moment special for his teammate. Paul then took a bow and waved to the fans when he was presented as the third place winner. He grabbed Dorian’s hand and they raised them together and waved to the fans in the crowd. Paul laughed as he and Dorian were sprayed with Champagne. He did his best to dodge the expensive but sticky stuff. They still had some press to deal with. He wrapped an arm around Dorian’s shoulder trying to share a moment of solidarity and show the fans and the crowd that they were one team striving to win together. The fans roared in approval and the cameras were almost blinding. Paul let the moment soak in. He was standing on the podium at Monaco. Next year he will be on the top step. [hr] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Delta Hyper Interviews[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [hr] The post race interviews came through thick and thin, as the rookies all got an interview of their own, caught on the way out from the post-podium celebrations. Aurora was back out again, in person with mic and camera drone. [quote][b][color=ed1c24]"Paul, congratulations on third, and what an achievement as a rookie to hold your nerve on such a tight, technical circuit. How does it feel?"[/color][/b][/quote] Paul smiled as he was sitting on the Delta Hyper interview couch. He had taken the time to at least towel off the champagne so he didn’t drip everywhere. He smiled into the camera as he answered. [color=fff200]“Well Aurora, I trained hard for this race. I really wanted to podium here and I achieved that. I want to thank the Valkyrie Team especially our new Chief Engineer Cavan Mitchell for all the work they did to get the ship ready for Monaco. My win here would not have been possible without their work. As to how it feels…. It feels like I am on top of the world!”[/color] Paul’s joy and excitement about winning the podium came through loud and clear and was almost infectious as it bubbled over. He had thrown his hands up in a classic triumphant pose as he answered. “Te[color=fff200]am Valkyrie fans should keep watching. Our winning streak is just starting!” [/color] [hr] [hider= Team Valkyrie Characters] https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zrLx5XUgYiVm6KjTpFTWZtJvXc0MX77enkLzINHujKw/edit?gid=0#gid=0 [/hider]