[center][h1][b]Monday July 3rd, 2094
[color=fff200]Team Valkyrie AGR Sport Headquarters[/color]
[color=fff200]Aachen Germany[/color]
[/b][/h1][/center]

Alexander had sent out a memo to the team that everyone had two days to put everything in order for the summer break. Equipment had to be catalogued and stored for the break. Any parts needed by the engineers needed to be ordered so they could go right back to work when they came back. Any paperwork that needed to be done, should be cleared up and caught up. Everyone would need to get paid. The team working on the Junior Summer Bootcamp would only get one week off and then would receive another week after the bootcamp instead. The rest of the team was going to get two weeks off. Then it would be back to work to get ready for the next part of the season and the summer Junior Academy Bootcamp. Alexander himself would be working for the whole week. He planned to work remotely the second week and take a little time to go visit Arianna.  

Alexander was pleased to see that sponsors and endorsements were slowly returning to normal after the CEO indictment and Dorian’s win at Monaco and Paul’s win at Montreal. While larger corporations were still leery of approaching Valkyrie, smaller businesses seemed more open to approaching the company. The endorsements and sponsorships were not worth as much but they didn’t ask for as much either in return. Alexander ran the idea of limited time or one race endorsement from smaller businesses. It was more affordable for them and they would be hosted in the team’s fan zone for that race. Instead of international marketing agreements that went with larger endorsement deals, it was more print or web based advertising and endorsements for the smaller companies. Alexander was choosing who they worked with carefully. He was choosing companies with good reputations whose products have rave reviews. The potential sponsors were being vetted  by Wulfric’s security team. The team certainly didn’t need any new scandals. Many of the smaller businesses were more creative in their sponsorships as well. They were offering to supply their goods and services for the race in question. 

This made Valkyrie’s upcoming races and fan zone more interesting. Some food and drinks would vary by race. He was careful to court businesses that didn’t conflict with his bigger food and drink sponsors such as I Can’t Believe It's Not Meat and Zap Sports Drinks. There was an organic lemonade company and a flavored water company. They were smaller distributors focused on organic and unique flavors. There was a smaller mom and pop franchise local to Singapore that was a local favorite that was offering food for the Singapore race. They were offering team catering for the opportunity to sell food in their fan zone and advertise their local franchise. There was a Belgian Beer Company that wanted to serve beer at the Fan Zone in Belgium. There was a fleet of Belgian Waffle Food trucks that wanted to sell and advertise in the fan zone that specialized in a chocolate waffle. In Germany a local soft pretzel company and bratwurst vendor were interested in advertising and working the fan zone at the German Grand Prix. An American BBQ Franchise had approached them for the US Grand Prix. Alexander just laughed and shrugged. Why not? The smaller endorsement packages were stacking up. Alexander felt it was a way to diversify their sponsorships and it gave them a way to include smaller businesses. 

Alexander looked over the gear designs that were being supplied by Hood Tech Sportswear for this year’s bootcamp. Alexander was surprised at the variety that were going to offer the junior pilots. He smiled and signed off on the designs noting that Katherine’s team from the Marketing Department had already reviewed them and just wanted his final approval. They were providing all the candidates a variety of workout gear for training and a racing suit in Team Valkyrie colors and logos. One of their subsidiaries was athletic footwear. So all the pilots would be getting branded running shoes as well. 

This year the bootcamp would be videotaped and a highlight reel would be released with sponsors mentioned. They had signed a contract with the producers of Delta Hyper for a reality documentary series following the Junior Pilots going through the bootcamp. Every junior league pilot attending had to sign a strict NDA policy about the documentary. They would also receive a modest stipend for appearing in the documentary. It was being billed as an inside look at what it takes for a pilot to make it to the Delta Hyper couch. Alexander had okayed the contract with a clause that prior to release to the public, the team had the option to review the documentary and had to approve the final cut prior to distribution. It would again provide the junior pilots with training on how to handle interviews as well. 

Rocket Sports Nutrition had jumped at the chance to sponsor the Junior League Team. Their team had been so excited that they offered to do a workshop on their nutritional products for the pilots during the bootcamp. They would be supplying all the pilots that attended the bootcamp with nutritional products for one year. In return they would be advertised as a sponsor for the Junior Team  at the bootcamp. Katherine’s team had worked up an online marketing campaign that included endorsement interviews for the pilots talking about which products they had tried and were using. The junior pilots attending the bootcamp would receive a modest stipend endorsement for their interview. It was a win for the Junior Pilots as they got a little money out of it, and they got to use the opportunity for training on media and endorsement responsibilities. It was another useful thing pilots would take away from the bootcamp. 

The research and development contract with Banshee Microsystems was signed. They would be moving into one of the current unused labs in the engineering department. There was some minor construction work happening to install special equipment needed for building and testing the new microchip and computer systems they would be building for Valkyrie. They would be in the same area as Shinochi Bionics. 

Shinochi Bionics would be integrating another pilot mod update over the summer break when the pilots were back from vacation. The pilots would get the software update and another injection of nanites. This time the target was on strengthening their bones. The nanites and integrated neural interface would be layering a graphene covering along their bones and strengthening the bone density. While their bodies were working on this, they would be required to eat a special diet and their trainers would be pushing them to ensure proper muscle density and tensile strength of tendons as they were also reinforced to ensure no loss of flexibility and strength. 

After reviewing the plans for the bootcamp, Alexander sighed. He knew he had to hire someone to take over the Junior Team. He didn’t think he could get who he wanted to handle it. Dorian was still racing but he might see if Dorian was interested in taking it over after he retired. Alexander would have loved to get Florence to take it over but she was still actively racing. Paul would ask Helena Starcross but she was retired and only took on short term part time projects that interested her. Alexander might approach Jamie Hart about a second chance but he wanted to see what happened with the pilot first. Alexander was frustrated and perplexed. He really wanted a former racer to take over the Junior Academy Team. He would like to get them in place for this year’s bootcamp. At least most of the planning was done for the bootcamp. They would have more say in the next one and would be able to work with the Junior Team that they sponsored. They would have more input to the changes coming to the Junior Team. It was finding someone who was good enough and had the reputation that currently didn’t have a ride or recently retired. Alexander’s eyes lit up as he thought about someone. Sami Lipponen was a former AG racer from about 10 years ago. He was an ex-McLaren driver without a ride. Maybe he would be interested. 

Alexander had Mabel track down  his contact details. He sent off a message to Sami. 

[color=00aeef]Alexander: “Sami Lipponen, this is Alexander Knight. I have a proposition for you. I am looking to hire someone to act as a crew chief for the Valkyrie Junior Team. I am looking for someone to mentor them and oversee the program. There would be support staff of course. I am looking at making changes to the academy and I simply don’t have the time to oversee both teams. I am looking for an interested party that would  be available to start in two weeks. Get back to me right away if you are interested. The Junior Academy Bootcamp is in three weeks.” Alexander signed off and hoped he heard back from him. [/color]

[hr] 

Alexander called Dorian. He had not come back to campus since the pilots were technically on summer break. Dorian didn’t pick up his call. He was not surprised since he was technically already on vacation. Alexander left him a message. 

[color=00aeef]Alexander: “Dorian I wanted to check in with you and see how you were doing. I don’t think I have to tell you I was disappointed in your performance in Montreal. What’s going on? I know sometimes you just have a bad race. You are known for consistently placing during the season but this season you are all over the place. Do you need more support? I also wanted to run a future job opportunity past you. How would you like to take over the Junior Team Academy as the Crew Chief. You would oversee their training and act as a mentor with support staff. It is a potential possibility for after you retire. Let me know if you are interested at all.” 
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[hr] 

Alexander was back to the conundrum of who would replace Dorian. Scarlett was coming along but his gut still said she wouldn’t be ready for the majors for another year. Alexander liked what he was seeing with Ben Hale and sent him an invitation to the Valkyrie Bootcamp. He would like a closer look at the young racer. He also sent out a feeler to Miller Motor Racing’s test pilot Tocho Lister. Alexander had caught some footage of his previous racing before he became MMR’s test pilot. He was interested in untapped talent. Jenny Lowry was not the only pilot out there with talent looking for the right team. Maybe Lister would be a good fit for Valkyrie. Alexander had a few places he could use him. He smiled as he sent the email. 

[color=00aeef]Alexander: “Hello Tocho Lister. This is Alexander Knight with Team Valkyrie AGR Sport. I would like to extend an invitation to come to Team Valkyrie’s campus for a meeting. I have a job proposal I would like to discuss with you. You have my contact information. I hope to hear from you soon.” 
[/color]

Alexander smiled and leaned back in his chair. That cleared most of his must get done list. He would just have to interview folks and wait and see if he would have to keep searching. Mabel came in and caught him deep in thought as his back was to the door. He was staring out his window looking out over the campus. She looked amused as she took a seat in front of his desk and waited for him to notice her. 

Mable laughed as Alexander startled as he turned his chair around from looking out the window to see her sitting at his desk. He gave a girlish yeep. It took Mabel a moment to compose her and even then the giggles kept breaking through. Alexander blushed in embarrassment. 

Alexander gave Mabel a wry expression as he put his face into the palm of his hand. 


[color=00aeef]Alexander: “Laugh it up, chuckles.” [/color]

Mabel smiled at him as her eyes twinkled in a look of mischief he knew all too well. 

[color=f7976a]Mabel: “Don’t forget to eat lunch today before it becomes dinner like you did yesterday!” [/color]

Alexander rolled his eyes and nodded. Mabel was always trying to take care of him and mother him. It annoyed him even as he found it endearing. 

Alexander smirked as he replied. [color=00aeef]“Yes Grandma.” [/color]

Mabel just nodded and gave him an approving look. Alexander’s eyes narrowed a little as he realized she was using positive reinforcement to get him to pay attention to his personal needs. Was she? He couldn’t quite tell but he was suspicious. 

[color=f7976a]Mabel smiled at him. “I have already booked the team’s shuttle for your visit to Los Angeles to see Arianna. I have already notified Wulfric that he will need to notify your security team about the travel.” [/color]

Alexander hated the necessity of having a security team but he had to admit he needed one these days. He was once more recognizable and a target for the press hounds and opportunists. He nodded at Mabel. 

[color=00aeef]Alexander: “Thanks Mabel. Be on the lookout to make travel arrangements for Ben Hale, Sami Lipponen, and Tocho Lister. I will let you know the details when I hear back from them.” 
[/color]

[color=f7976a]Mabel nodded with a smile. “I will have it ready in case. Now take yourself off to lunch or have Chef Jacques send a waitress with a tray.” [/color]


Alexander laughed and nodded. He rose to his feet and followed her out. 


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