[center][h2]Wednesday July 7th, 2094, 16:21
The summer break[/h2][/center]
[center][b]Bea Ward @MadBea[/b]: 
[i][Selfie of Bea in a hospital bed, smiling at the camera with a ‘V for Victory’ gesture.]
Back to the hospital, this time intentionally. If heart replacement surgery is anything to go by, I’m in for a week of misery and painkillers before I can start moving around, so I’m going to need something to keep myself distracted. Therefore, I’m opening another art contest. Until Saturday 10th, you can send in whatever art you’ve made to the cloud storage linked below.

No porn. You know who you are.

Just starting? Send it anyway. I’ll divvy them up into categories so even the beginners among you can get something.
After it closes, the top three in each category get a painting of their choice. List of available ones likewise below, so you can go window shopping.
After I’m out of here, we’ll make a stream out of going over the winners, as well as seeing where some of you may have some room for improvement, so be sure to let me know if you don’t want your name or work out there in your submission.
See you on the other side!

[Link to art gallery]
[Link to submissions page]

#FormulaAG #BeaDrawsStuff #ArtContest[/i][/center]
[hr][center][h3]Collab with [@FourtyTwo][/h3][/center][hider=To sleep, perchance to dream…]In a quaint forest track, the sound of the WRC car roaring along echoed through the night, the backfire of the engine clattering as the light went past the trees, the wind breaking through pines, with a slight drizzle.

With it, in the spectator stands, a hand pulled on Bea’s shoulder, currently a weird apparition.
“Hey there. No shock that I thought this is what you would be dreaming of.” Amy’s voice gave a wry chuckle, as the entire thing dissolved, fading into a weird branch of grey and white, colouring the infinite abyss open, as she stepped through, the sight of her in some weird white overall without branding no doubt a shock to Bea, completely immersed in what was now no longer a dream, no longer something else, but in her mind.

What felt like effectively a white room, but it seemed far more complex, and weirder than that.

“Sorry to bother you. Thought it would be a good time to pop around. Relax, don’t worry. We’re inside your subconscious, they’re currently operating on you, and yes, I know, this is definitely weird. We’re in the bit of your neural link that normally doesn’t get to play around with your prefrontal cortex, and your layers of memory. It’s rude of me, I know, but if you want, shove me over and I’m gone.” Amy retorted, poking against Bea’s shoulder, the feeling definite, actually tangible to Bea. Dreams didn’t poke a nerve.

Because this wasn’t a dream state. This wasn’t a hallucination, something brought on by drugs, sure, but the wire inside let Amy rummage around.
“Yes, that is weird. But, do you mind hearing me out before you kick me to the side? I think you probably deserve to hear it.” 

[color=#1EFF24]”You’re not who I expected to see here.”[/color] Bea finally spoke up when she got over the initial ‘WTF’ of the situation, sounding equal parts surprised and disappointed. [color=#1EFF24]”Not winning me over with the change of scenery either. But go on, I have nowhere else to be. I doubt Ivan would appreciate me going elsewhere right now.”[/color] She giggled.

Amy shrugged, looking around the abyss, without much to comment on the scene her self.
“Me neither. You pick where we go. Show me, if you’d like. You’re in control of this as much as I am.” Amy smiled, looking about, looking over, sitting on the floor, made of what felt like felt despite being frankly made of void.

With that, Bea looked intently off to the side, with nothing at all happening. [color=#1EFF24]”I guess a shirtless Carlos Sainz was too much to ask for.”[/color] She shrugged, the void morphing into a churning mass of colors before settling on a yacht on a calm and open sea. Good, she’d have to stop calling herself an artist if she couldn’t muster up the imagination to change her own dream. Or whatever this was. Way over her understanding of neurology.

Amy tittered, hearing her make that comment, before looking around at the new void, clambering onto the water and seemingly walking against it, before sitting back up. “So, here’s the thing.” She looked out, then back across. “It’s been an exciting few months for you, gone from strength to strength, currently having some new lungs, and some impressive hardware fitted. It’s good. May I make one suggestion, though?” Amy commented, looking over, clambering up and inside.

“Just keep an eye on your team-mate. Ava’s talking a lot to Kais. I think you probably have it owed to you to know she’s more interested in feeding intel to Al-Saqr at the moment, and it’s why her mind isn’t on things. Now, I’d tell you that in person, but the reason we’re in here is because I think you know this is a bit more informal, and you now know I’m not quite….well, as neurally gifted as a normal pilot. Until about eight weeks ago, I was alone in that. But the only way it went through was via the upgrades that you received. And Ava gave them to Al-Saqr. Who then, are now melting their minds.” Amy commented, looking around, sitting slack in the chair, looking out at the void.

“It melds your implant to the ship, makes it more refined, closer, and bit by bit, the ship starts to take over your brain. Starts to merge if you push through the last guardrail. But actually, it gives you something more. Gives you the ability to worry less about your body, and more about the infinite possibility beyond. I found that out a year ago. What Ava doesn’t know is that Kais and Layla, especially Layla, are playing with fire. What they lack is the understanding that they’re being monitored by the Arabic Union’s internal teams. I heard all of it. Layla’s got noble dreams of being truly able to live in the cosmos forever, but……I think you know people like your dad would find this tech tantalising for other reasons, let alone someone with far worse intent. And if they find out there’s Carrera’s code in there, even a trace….well, I thought I’d tell you personally to watch your back. Layla already messed with things once in Portugal. She’s not in control.” Amy commented, unfolding her legs, leaning against the rail, shrugging her head.

“Now, you could tell FIAR, sure. But for everyone involved, I thought it’s best I tell you, and here was the best way, and you had some info before anything else starts happening, because it’s best if it’s kept quiet. And the only person that might be able to even spot it is me. We’re talking beyond quantum now..” Amy added, shifting the cloud in the sky, looking up, then looking back.
“This isn’t going to be regular, don’t worry. You’re anaesthetised, and have a wire sticking in you. It makes doing this a bit easier while I’m asleep in my house to keep this on the down low.” 

[color=#1EFF24]”This… This is…”[/color] Be eventually got out, [color=#1EFF24]”Absolutely insane.”[/color] Genuine fear in her eyes and voice likely not seen since she nearly put Gazza through a utility pole in 2088, and with Amy’s apparition the closest thing to a representation of something to be afraid of, she started backing away before she took  deep breath.

[color=#1EFF24]”Nope, no, I know what this is. Anesthesia. The last time I went under, I thought a bear was playing cymbals in the next room, so this is relatively benign.”[/color] She started pacing back and forth.
[color=#1EFF24]”Dad despises neuralware, and that got passed on to me. So this is all just my brain panicking about that. None of this year’s upgrades are even mods, it’s all been ship-side because we’ve been a hundred years behind monkeys, to quote Alejandro.”[/color] Her pacing now took her through railings and out of bounds of the ship, [color=#1EFF24]”And suggesting Ava might not be trying because I don’t know if I’m genuinely doing well or getting lucky. And you’re here, because… Because I still know you more by your public persona, which frankly, in the nicest way possible, is a ruthless-”[/color] She cut herself off before swearing, [color=#1EFF24]”So the perfect messenger for doubts and fears. There we go. Occam’s Razor: satisfied.”[/color] She finally took a proper breath.

Amy looked around, shrugging, as she didn’t have to flicker much. She instead, flickered to Monaco, to above where the casino floor was, and where Kais and Ava were leaning against a wall.
“You sure?” Amy asked, mid conversation between the two before them.

“Apex pushes pilots, the mods they’re taking on are silly,” Ava elaborated, “but even this by their standards seems stupid. So maybe even Amy doesn’t know what happened. Someone is seeing what comes next. Something Amy hasn’t even realised. It’s out of character, even for her.” Ava added, staying close within the pillar’s shadows.

“The only other thing I can think of is Amy having come from Zygon. That is the only other firm that has anything immediate to benefit. They’d do something like this. But maybe I’m misjudging.” 

“Zygon, huh?” Kais rumbled under his breath as he stared back onto the main floor, to Amy... and Han. Yes, he always had an uncanny feeling about her... Something about her, beyond her unreadable mannerisms, something he couldn't quite put his finger on yet, something alien yet eerily familiar. And that, more than anything, made all his alerts go up on red.

“Find what you need to. But watch your back... If this goes into the wrong hands, we are screwed.” 

“We already are…” Kais answered with a sense of detached acceptance. It was true, he felt, at least when it came to him. He was born a beast of sacrifice, and it seemed even now that was to be his fate. “So be it,” he nodded. “That’s when I do my best work anyway.” His tone was flat, controlled, but empty in a way.

Amy walked up to them, as if they weren’t a thing, shrugging.
“I’m ruthless, arrogant, hell, I’m amazed you didn’t call me a bitch. All those things are fair. And sure, I took risks more than any pilot. Your heroes all do, and everyone has in this game to get ahead, it’s why you’re getting a new set of lungs most of us even think is a big step. But when I said I’d have your corner….I wasn’t lying.” Amy stated, pointing them out.

“She is trying. She’s good people, Bea. But she comes from a world where she has unfinished business, and sees every nail as something to hammer. Maybe she’s doing it to Al-Saqr to weaken them? Maybe just because she just hates me. I can’t read her mind. But what I do know is, you clearly have talent. Something about you. Just don’t get screwed by the others. That’s all I’m saying.” Amy added, in her black coloured dress now stepping against a pillar, looking out as Ava went back down, as did Kais, after their conversation, the Silver Apex pilot looking back to Bea.
“Questions?” 

[color=#1EFF24]”Ooooooor - hear me out - all of this is more bullshite I made up.”[/color] She tried to mock what she believed was - in essence - herself, but sounded unsure of whether she was subconsciously gaslighting herself to believe… all of that Bond stuff, or if she was consciously gaslighting herself into ignoring it and living carefree like she always does.

Amy pointed out downstairs, leading the way, seeing Bea’s actual self, then the rest of them, coming in mid conversation between Bea, Harrison, Max, and the Princess, storming off.

”Al-Saqr aren’t the only ones who can soar high.” Bea called back to the latter half of the Arabic team’s slogan with a cheeky grin. Not being happy to see the Kiwi was practically a physical impossibility. ”I can hardly take all the credit though, I recall having a very charismatic sidekick at Marmolada.” She continued in good humor, committing Caroline’s expression and the sight of imaginary steam escaping out of her ears at being ignored at the drop of a hat in her peripheral vision to her memory.

“Italy was amazing. I was going to say, after that, my phone is ringing off the hook, and bloody hell, it even convinced Owen to go easy on me with risky stuff. You seem to be the common denominator for all this thing on the grid, you know…”

”To quote: Well, don't ruin your brain, the rest of you we can rebuild.” She repeated Carrera Condor head physician’s words verbatim, herself having heard them in her first month with the team.
“Only fair Dorian got a chance to shine this time. I’m a bit surprised Paul didn’t get a part.” Max interjected, “Has me wondering what they’ll have in store for me in Utah.”
“Dorian was a good fit for the gentleman spy thriller theme they were going for.” Harrison shared, nods of agreement all around.
”Yeah, you and I have more of a superhero vibe.” Bea gestured between herself and Harrison, earning a fist bump from the Kiwi. His plan worked flawlessly, and the hitherto ignored princess scurried off somewhere else.

[color=#1EFF24]”Of course I remember this, [i]I was there[/i]. And seriously?”[/color] She gestured to Caroline’s face, [color=#1EFF24]”How could you NOT remember this? Look at her. She looks like an overheating boiler.”[/color] Bea giggled like a child at the sight once again.

Amy chuckled, enjoying her humour in this situation, simply walking through Harrison and up to the other side of Bea, looking back to her, shaking her head.
“I remember it, just weird to be looking back at yourself not through a camera lens, or a drone, isn’t it?” Amy asked, pirouetting around, chuckling, looking around at it all.

“Tell you what. If you think you’re dreaming. Why don’t I show you something else?” Amy knew Bea wasn’t quite taking this seriously, so with it, the scene seemed to vanish, almost to black.

And burnt a little, enough to make even Bea feel it. A normal neural link couldn’t support it. But Amy’s could. Hers absolutely could, even if her body inside an ice bath right now was climbing up the thermostat.

And it came back, light up again, inside a medical room, somewhere with palm trees outside, and within it, lay Layla, on a hospital bed, doctors surrounding her, as Amy walked on through.
“This isn’t quite known to you yet. If you think you’re dreaming, I wish this wasn’t what was dreamt up.” Amy added, looking back over, shrugging her head, leaning in, looking at her.

“I respect her. On the track, she may not have been as scary as Harrison, or outright as suicidal as Nora and Kais, but, she saw what I saw. I should hate her but you know, takes a lot of bravery to take the unique opportunity one gets from unparalleled computational power and biomodifications. She’s seen the bond. And I hope I hear something soon. It’s only a matter of time with a mind like that she emerges back in. Or elsewhere. I’ll try and help if…well, no idea how.” Amy added, taking her hand, feeling the warm contact of Layla’s metal, looking to Bea.

“There isn’t anything in there, Bea. She had a brain haemorrhage in Montreal. And it fucking hurts because I can’t tell anyone I knew she was delving too deep into the stuff you can’t. Sorry you had to find out. But this is why I’m worried. And why you need to just be careful.” Amy said, solemnly to Bea, looking across. If there was any doubt, Bea would have certainly felt something in her body now that felt very, very much like she wasn’t in her own, if for a moment, knowing the touch would be as if it were real.

[color=#1EFF24]”More things you’re showing me inside my own mind, high as a bloody tree. We already mentioned Tweety birds here, and she’s always been fucking nuts with…”[/color] Bea gestured to Layla, whether it was ‘her’ or ‘it’ up for debate even more now with Amy’s claim of ‘head empty’. [color=#1EFF24]”You want to show me proof of something? Show me something tangible. [i]Out there[/i].”[/color] She pointed to the windows of the room, not realizing in the moment that wasn’t an actual window as she was getting notably heated. No more scared and uncertain, more scared and mad.

[color=#1EFF24]”And let’s say this is all true. Why can’t you tell? Why couldn’t you before this supposedly happened? Because you’d expose yourself, is that it?”[/color]

Amy nodded, quiet, almost as if she was sorry for herself, breathing out a cold, hard look.
“Because I’m in over my fucking head!” Amy added exasperatingly, and looked back at Layla, before back across. “Because….how the fuck do I? The only person that knows even half of what I run on is our neurosurgeon, really. AI iterates, it makes its own bonds, this is shit I don’t understand. And I don’t know how to stop this. And worst, I can’t even say it out loud. Fuck FIAR, I don’t want to die. Okay?” Amy uttered, taking Bea’s hand, and with it, ripping her out of this room, back into darkness.

And into what was a cold, darkened one in Silver Apex’s HQ, the logo on the wall giving it away, and there, an ice-bath, with Amy in it.
“Exposing myself is half the problem, Bea. Layla and Kais are smart enough to know they can’t say anything either. If I do, the ship will tear the other part of me out. A guardrail of it’s own. I’m as much that thing outside, as I am Amy Stirling.” Amy added, looking over, sighing, as she felt her own temperature slowly, steadily grow.

“We’re all ready to die racing, aren’t we. Nora and Ava nearly did. You’re the only person I can confide in left, Bea. And now Jen’s joining, I wouldn’t wish this on her either.” Amy added, sighing as she put her hands in her head, sighing hard, exhaling and looking up.

Bea took the scene in, forcing herself to take this insanity seriously for a moment. [color=#1EFF24]”What about Jamie? On his way out, unlikely to touch a ship for years to come, leaving… frankly disgraced may not be a strong enough word. Few would look twice at the story of such a pilot spilling dirt of the team that chewed him up and spat him out?”[/color] She tried, none of this trickery her wheelhouse. [color=#1EFF24]”Claim this big, people will at least have to look at.”[/color]

“Jamie didn’t know. Never had access to it.” Amy sighed, nodding. “We hoped he’d learn the ship on his own. But how do you learn something without a bond like it?” Amy asked, knowing as valid as a question was, he’d blame something else.

[color=#1EFF24]”Guess who else didn’t know about this until a minute ago?”[/color] Bea pointed at herself with both hands.

Amy nodded, knowing pity wasn’t going to be thrown here. And that was fair. “Nope, you didn’t know. But, I’m out of ideas. The feeling of not telling someone bottles up. And, given you’re the closest thing I can call a friend, I suppose I owed you an apology. You at least deserve the truth.” Amy added, sighing, thinking about it a little more, getting nervy, visibly so, more than Bea had ever seen her.

“And….because I need to trust you with something else.” Amy added, walking over to her arm, raising her own moving it out of the way of her neck. With it, she passed across a small node, holding it in her carbon-like hand.

“If what happens to Layla, happens to me, I can’t have anyone in Silver Apex come in. The AI inside there is being pushed back and is why you’re feeling the heat. It’ll run riot on our servers given how much further I am than her. She could at least find her way home…..so you might be able to hold onto a shard of me. I know you have no reason to trust me. And I know you’d think I’d want to take you over. Believe me, it would be the last thing I’d want, not someone I care about to be swallowed up. But that imprint of my memory, if you can sequence it into about a petabyte’s worth of storage, and keep it somewhere safe, might be the only version of me left stable enough. I’ll finish the season, Bea. But I might not make it to the next. It’ll drop into a self-contained part of Carrera’s stores. Yours to then take and look after if…anything happens. You will know where to look.” Amy asked, sighing as she knew she was asking a lot. Bea had the option. Receive, or push back. 

[color=#1EFF24]”I meant leak it through him. Man’s never admitted mistake anywhere I heard him speak, if he thought he could spin it to salvage his career he’d probably run to the Moon and back with it.”[/color] She got an exasperated word edge-wise before falling silent, listening to Amy speak further.

[color=#1EFF24]”I… I don’t know how to even begin unpacking anything you just said!”[/color] She said, sounding genuinely apologetic and confused like a deaf bat.

Amy nodded, knowing this was difficult.
“I suppose, I’m politely asking if you could keep a version of me alive somewhere in case that body there, goes to shit. I know this isn’t ethical. Or good at all. But give me that option at least, Bea. I can’t go to anyone else. Nobody without rattling them to bits, or anyone who would run.”

[color=#1EFF24]”I get the ‘what’, it’s the ‘how’.”[/color]

”Anything that can take a petabyte on an encrypted, petabyte’s worth of storage. Without internet access. A dormant copy. Fuck. I sound so selfish when I put it like that. I’ll be written automatically onto your servers, onto an access only you can find. Up to you to then move me over, offline..” Amy sighed, looking on, watching as the temps clambered on the digital display.
“Sorry to push you, Bea, but I haven’t got much time. I’ll shove you back into your head before mine cooks though.”

[color=#1EFF24]”Your birthday!”[/color] Bea blurted out, brains crumbling for something that could look innocuous to an outside observer, and sending one’s birthday to their ‘friend’ as AMy put it - still felt surreal, that - shouldn’t be suspicious. [color=#1EFF24]”If at least one percent of this isn’t a fever dream, text me your birthday.”[/color]

Amy shuffled around, itching her cheek a second, nodding.
“Okay. But this will be a lot more tricky. Only reason I’m in your….wait, you’re in my head. Hang on. I can show you now.” Amy realised, running over and yoinking her, the fade quick, as the two suddenly phased into something Amy hadn’t entirely realised with that.

“Wait. How the fuck are we here?” Amy looked on, seeing ten year old Amy sitting there, playing with her new console, her father pacing up and down on the phone, as grown-up Amy looked to Bea. She walked through the room.

“This wasn’t the plan..” Amy added, walking past a calendar, pointing it out, the circled red colour on there, more to herself than anything. Her mother came in, with a cake, and Amy realised something strange.

“Why was nobody at my birthday?” She watched on, looking to Bea, almost as if she’d forgotten this part. “I mean, I remember my dad was busy, and mum was there but…..I had friends at school. I had a lot? Why am I alone?” Amy asked, her father coming through. It was a blur. Oddly, the voices weren’t heard. But soon enough, ten-year old Amy was up after blowing out the candles on her cake, and out of the room, as Amy stood on, silent.

“I don’t remember that at all. Shit, is this collapsing in…no that is definitely the date. That was it, but there were way more people. I remember that.  I had Cara there, Sam there, Lyra over there, it was….it wasn’t this. Did I make this up?” Amy added, looking to Bea, now actually more confused by any of this at all.

Even if this hadn’t been real, Bea’s heart still sank. Maybe it was all the movie nights with her dad, but only one thing came to her mind when she saw this happening. [color=#1EFF24]”That far gone?”[/color]

Amy’s entire body language sagged, as she walked over to Bea, shaking her head, exhaling hard.
“I had….a pretty sheltered childhood. I don’t quite get this though. This….this wasn’t what I remembered..” She added, one slice taken for the road, Amy’s mother, the Korean half of Amy’s own ethnicity, scurrying around and getting the rest taken away, feeling more burning heat start to pierce into the render. She pointed her childhood friends out in where they would have sat, more for her own sake. But was now worrying about another question. This wasn’t meant to be shown to Bea. Or even herself. She had a feeling this was even stranger.

“Shit. you need to go back. Look. I’ll text you. But this might be a bit more difficult now. I can’t come back to see you like this. If I do this while you’re conscious, it’ll probably fry me, and you. Or worse. I’ll think something through during summer to work this out.” Amy iterated, not quite sure of her own past now, come to think of it, because this was not the memory she had of this event. The right date. Yet the details rearranged. Walking over, Amy took her hands, holding tight, in the synthetically warm grip.

“Listen, please don’t tell anyone about it. I know it’s tempting. But I’m pretty sure that would fuck me up worse. How it is now, I can try and look after this. Figure out Layla too. Please, Bea. You’re just about the only person I really trust now.“ Amy uttered, a little bit stunned, broken, and swept away by this.

[color=#1EFF24]”Petabyte storage, no connection. Camera looking out of a window. Talk to you at Spa, if not sooner.”[/color] Bea simply nodded, having seen and heard enough to take things seriously even if as just a precaution. Worst comes to worst, a petabyte would fit a lot of digital art.

“Thanks Bea. You’re a real friend. Cheers. I didn’t think it would come to this. But at least it gives me a chance to go somewhere once…well, hopefully future me works this out.” Amy added, the render cutting back, and it most likely, more certainly, making Bea feel a little bit less out of body. She wasn’t intruding, somewhere else. She was back. Back in Bea’s own headspace. Back to the yacht.

Amy took one last chance to look over at Bea as she clambered over the railing, smiling back.
“I think you’re gonna be awake soon. Check your phone in a few minutes. I think I’m going to puke a lot when I wake up. Sorry, details…..comes with literally pulling someone into my head.” Amy added, chuckling, in a bit of awe of what she had quite done. No doubt the AI behind her ship had helped in that regard. Stepping onto the water, Amy appeared to float on it, walking over, looking up and down.

“Jen has a good taste in boats though. I see why you were such friends. Any friend of yours, Bea, I’ll look after too. I’ll see you after summer.” Amy smiled, giving a salute, walking backwards, towards oblivion.

[hr]

The anesthetic had finally worn off. Yes, the anesthesiologist swore up and down the after effects used to last a lot longer just 20 years ago, but without a reference that rang hollow. Her neck felt like shit and every breath came with dull pain where the ribs had to be separated to let the doctors work.

Her phone pinged, the sound of a dog’s bark heralding an incoming text message. Probably dad asking her to call him back when she feels up to it.

And yet, she found herself unwilling to reach for it. The last time it took her this long to punch in four numbers was when she forgot her PIN and was down to the last attempt before the phone locked.

“12 / 12 / 66

See you in Spa”

Fate decreed that Amy wouldn’t be the only one throwing up upon waking up that day.[/hider]

[hr][color=gold][center][h1][i][b]Double Stint[/b][/i][/h1][/center][/color]
[hr]
[color=#FF757F]”Good morning, evening, afternoon or whatever it is wherever you’re joining us from for episode 179.”[/color] A tall blonde woman spoke in Irish-accented English, adjusting the old-fashioned studio mic hanging from the ceiling in front of her.
[color=#626DFC]”We’re back, even if the racing isn’t yet!”[/color] What looked like her male version from a mirror dimension piped up with a heavy German accent.
[color=#FF757F]”And we’ve got some big updates to cover here. As always, I’m joined by my lovely brother Gerhard.”[/color] She pointed to him, her hand disappearing from her camera window and appearing from off screen in Gerhard’s.
[color=#626DFC]”And I by my amazing twin sister Ingrid,”[/color] He mimicked the same gesture, [color=#626DFC]”And welcome to the Double Stint.”[/color] They both said at once.
[color=#626DFC]”Like Ingrid said, we have a lot to cover on today’s episode, but even before we get to that, we gotta introduce our guests, don’t we?”[/color]
[color=#FF757F]”Absolutely! We’ve had big names on here before. We had Max Wedgewood, Ben Hale and even Felix Burkhart, and today the list is joined by Bea Ward and her race engineer, Alistair Vale!”[/color]
The guest cameras appeared on screen. Alistair’s backdrop was the Buenos Aires skyline, but he was clearly still off duty if his ‘House of the Dying Sun’ TV Show t-shirt was anything to go by. [color=#129914]”Greetings.”[/color]
Bea was recovering at home, a strip of gauze infused with a regenerative gel taped over where she’d been cut open sticking up from underneath her t-shirt. [color=#1EFF24]”Helooo!”[/color] She waved, trying to remain her usual self despite the fatigue, painkillers and the fact that despite them, breathing still hurt where the ribs had been split to give Ivan room to work.
[color=#FF757F]”Thank you both so much for making time to join us today. How are you spending your last days of the mandatory off time? Must be nice to switch off properly for the first time since…”[/color]
[color=#626DFC]”Between Italy and Portugal?”[/color] Gerhard quickly filled in.
[color=#129914]”Yeah, it’s been great. Finally had time to go back to Greece with my wife again. It’s absolutely amazing this time of year.”[/color]
[color=#626DFC]”Enjoying the food?”[/color]
[color=#129914]”Aye, I’m overfished like the North Sea.”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”Plus he’s glad to be rid of me for four weeks straight. Enjoying the quiet.”[/color] Bea giggled.
[color=#129914]”That too.”[/color] Alistair smiled in response.
[color=#626DFC]”And what about you, Bea? You’re obviously not vacationing, I trust you’re coming along well?”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”i knew what I was getting into, but yea, it’s a process.”[/color] She shrugged, trying to play it off. [color=#1EFF24]”It’s better than last time, there were some advancements in painkillers since, these ones I can drink with and they don’t taste like the North end of a Southbound goat.”[/color]
The three sets of laughter coming out of disgusted faces were a mark of success.
[color=#FF757F]”I saw your art contest stream last Saturday, you already look so much better than then.”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”Thank you. Did you send anything in? I know you draw.”[/color]
Ingrid’s brain momentarily stalled when a racing driver casually dropped being aware of her hobbies. [color=#FF757F]”I- I did, but didn’t win anything.”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”Really? Tell you what: Since I still can’t do most of my hobbies, you’re pretty much saving me from going stir-crazy, which calls for something given in return. Why don’t you two pick whatever you like from the gallery and I’ll bring them to Nürburgring.”[/color] Bea offered as casually as if she was suggesting she pay for your bus ticket, [color=#1EFF24]”You’re both going, right?”[/color]
[color=#FF757F]”I- ja, we are. Wow, danke shön!”[/color] Ingrid briefly slipped into her native German, Gerhard looking absolutely ecstatic over his sister’s joy.
[color=#1EFF24]”Don’t mention it.”[/color]

[color=#626DFC]”Shall we move on to the news?”[/color]
[color=#FF757F]”Yes, we’ve got a lot from FIAR as well as from some teams.”[/color] Ingrid recovered some traction.
[color=#626DFC]”Including yours. You teased some upgrades after Canada, what can you tell us?”[/color]
[color=#FF757F]”Yes! All we got from Carrera Condor was the Cerro Fitzroy outing with you, Ava and some press.”[/color]
[color=#129914]”Yeah, Ava definitely would have preferred no press,”[/color] Alistair said, himself having been in the same boat while he was racing. [color=#129914]”But then it wouldn’t have been worth much as a PR activity for the team’s sponsors.”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”It’s fine, we kept their presence to a minimum and I have a deal with her since Monaco: Every time the PR attention is starting to annoy her too much, all she has to do is work ‘orange juice’ into a sentence so I know to pull them away.”[/color]
[color=#129914]”You’ll have to change your code word now.”[/color] Alistair noted.
[color=#626DFC]”Maybe now no one will ever be sure if Ava isn’t speaking in code and will not brother her in the first place?”[/color] Gerhard suggested, earning laughs from around the figurative table, Bea having to cut herself off when her ribs protested.
[color=#129914]”Oh yeah, that would be her ideal world.”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”I’m working on her. Socializing introverts is difficult.”[/color] Bea chuckled. [color=#1EFF24]”She’ll be here the next time you send an invitation over.
But back to the upgrades, you’ll have to wait until Monday 26th.”[/color] Bea shook her head.
[color=#626DFC]”Alright, we can wait a little longer.”[/color] Gerhard nodded, not looking too happy about it.

[color=#626DFC]”Moving on, I think the biggest announcement made by FIAR was the mention of possibly adding ship-disabling weaponry-”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”If that goes through, I’m out the door.”[/color] Bea interrupted Gerhard, pointing behind herself with her thumb, [color=#1EFF24]”I hear Rallycross is fun this time of the century, hillclimb is also up my street, I got a taste at Pikes Peak in June and I’m hoping to get a shot at the 24 hours of Le Mans next year, so that could be an option. If you want a contest of screwing each other over regardless of actual performance or talent, have fun, but I’m here to race.”[/color]
[color=#129914]”The other changes are a double-edged sword, as any loosening of regulations gives more room for varied designs, but inevitably one or two teams will find what works significantly better than the rest, and they will dominate until the other teams change their ships to catch up and we end once again with no variety.”[/color] Alistair offered a more measured opinion, [color=#129914]”Great if we’re the ones who got it right, awful otherwise.”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”But points for the onboard nanite repair system.”[/color] Bea piped up with an unquestionable positive.
[color=#129914]”Agreed.”[/color] Alistair nodded, [color=#129914]”It’s a proven system that salvaged several of my races in the past, I still don’t know why FIAR ever got rid of it beyond cost.”[/color]

[color=#FF757F]”On the topic of races you took part in, Alistair,”[/color] Ingrid moved on to the next point, [color=#FF757F]”I think it’s safe to say we’re all relieved no one was injured, but devastated to hear Moa Therma got cancelled.”[/color]
Nodding all around.
[color=#FF757F]”But the replacement circuit I seem to recall being one of your all time favorites, right?”[/color]
[color=#129914]”Aye, Coalescence is an amazing track, with characteristics that could benefit us if they keep the same layout.”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”I will take a trip to Hawaii instead. That’s my mum’s home, and since I’ve never been despite that, I’m looking forward to that. Diving gear’s already packed.”[/color] Bea added her own bit, having been looking forward to Rwanda. [color=#1EFF24]”And a possible race in Iceland? Yes please! But I would replace Monaco, not Nürburgring. And don’t give me the ‘tradition’ excuse, Nürburgring has just as much history, is an [i]actual[/i] race track and any history people ever talk about in relation to Monaco is F1, not FA.”[/color] She went on, earning a roughly 70-30 split of approving and disapproving emojis in the stream’s chat and cheers and applause from both Germans present. [color=#FF757F]”One of us. One. Of. us.”[/color] They both chanted, a decent amount of the approving chatters joining in.
[color=#FF757F]”And while still on the topic of schedule changes, your thoughts on the FAS AGP change?”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”I would love the replacement to be Sebring. I know it’s not set up for AG racing, but neither is Marmolada for 50 weeks in the year, right?”[/color] Bea asked rhetorically.
[color=#1EFF24]”As for Mexico, sounds great. Replace Singapore and it even fits the schedule as part of the South American leg.”[/color] She added, shrugging. It would also get rid of a track Carrera weren’t expecting to do well at.
[color=#129914]”If it were up to me, I’d go to Laguna Seca instead. Also not AG rated unfortunately.”[/color] Alistair shared his two cents.

[color=#626DFC]”Alright, I think we can’t put this off any longer,”[/color] Gerhard changed the topic again,[color=#626DFC]”Because half the chat is screaming ‘NOVA’ in all caps.”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”I love the livery.”[/color] bea simply shrugged, green featuring in either her livery or helmet at any point in her motorsports career.
[color=#626DFC]”Two of their prominent sponsors were connected to Carrera Condor after Monaco, weren¨t they?”[/color]
[color=#129914]”Orchard and VIXN were working with us after Monaco, yes. Ultimately it fell through, unfortunately. They had some demands we couldn’t or didn’t want to meet.”[/color] Alistair shrugged.
[color=#1EFF24]”Yep, have you seen some of VIXN’s clothing?”[/color] Gerhard and Ingrid nodded, [color=#1EFF24]”They’re not big enough, and there’s not enough of them to get me to wear that in public.”[/color] She grinned.
[color=#626DFC]”Shame.”[/color] Gerhard shrugged, leading to Ingrid facepalming and Bea trying to give him a nasty look but breaking down laughing halfway. [color=#1EFF24]”Ah, suppose a compliment’s a compliment. I’ll allow it.”[/color]
[color=#FF757F]”Spekaing of sponsors seemingly changing sides, Tetracolor is being linked with Harrison now. Why did you turn them down, I expected that to be more up your alley?”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”Because their product is shite.”[/color] Bea fired off without a heartbeat’s pause, [color=#1EFF24]”And I guess they knew they’re not getting me to endorse something I wouldn’t use if they paid me to do it when it’s a thing I know a thing or two about.”[/color]
[color=#626DFC]”You ditched a sponsor over that?”[/color] Gerhard raised an eyebrow.
[color=#FF757F]”What’s so wrong with their products?”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”The artist’s paints they offer take forever to dry compared to competing products and they seep into soft supports like paper or canvas so they’re unnecessarily hard to work with, their model paints also dry for a long time and cost almost twice what you can buy equivalent products for and the house paints I guess could be okay if they work as advertised.”[/color] Be counted on her fingers.
[color=#626DFC]”How do you feel about Florence Mason coming back to race for NOVA?”[/color]
[color=#129914]”Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso also came back after a hiatus, and neither won a thing. We’re not worried, not yet.”[/color] Alistair shook his head.
[color=#1EFF24]”What [i]does[/i] worry me is a Silver Apex advisor and a Silver Apex junior now driving the biggest shitebox on the grid. Is this another VCARB situation, Silver Apex fielding four cars now? Is that what’s happening? Because that better not be what’s happening.”[/color] Bea suggested.

[color=#FF757F]”Let’s hope not. That covers the AG news. Now, with apologies to Alistair, we also have a few questions for Bea about her ‘extracurricular activities’ at Pikes Peak and possibly elsewhere…”[/color] Ingrid closed that segment before moving on to the next…

[hr][center][h2]Saturday July 24th, 2094, 21:35
Mont Saint-Michel, France[/h2][h3]750 meters North-West of the commune[/h3][/center]The French waves lapped quietly against the hull of the Vernal Gale, like the sea singing a lullaby to the setting sun. Having fallen asleep on deck earlier that day and gotten sunburnt and a mild heatstroke as a result, Mrs. Ward had retired to the master cabin early and the elder of the Ward sisters wasn’t a night owl on the best of days, leaving just Bea and Frederick on the deck, gazing across the water at the old commune lit up in dozens of colored lights against the Eastern night sky.
[color=#2488FF]”If I may, what got you so up in arms during that last round of meetings?”[/color] Fred asked. Since Bea was still technically in recovery from her surgery, she got dispensation to attend said meetings remotely much like the Monday debriefs, which allowed the Wards to extend their holiday and Frederick to see Bea looking like she wanted to punch something firsthand.
[color=#1EFF24]”They’re shifting the goalposts.”[/color] Bea took a sip of her brandy, bigger than usual. [color=#1EFF24]”They’re now aiming for P5 in constructors’”[/color] She shook her head.
[color=#2488FF]”You have doubts?”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”The only reason we’re even this close is because Cassie’s ship died in South Africa, Hyeon-Ae got punted in Italy and now the DSQ. If they hadn’t cheated and been shite, the idiots probably still would have gained on us.”[/color]
[color=#2488FF]”Your ship also died in South Africa.”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”From P7 to nowhere, Cassie had trouble in qualy too so we got fucked. Next?”[/color]
[color=#2488FF]”We also lost a big haul at Luna.”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”And they in Monaco.”[/color]
[color=#2488FF]”Look on the bright side: Even with illegal ships, they still lost positions. Yes, we had a slow start, and it has been messy, but that is simply a fact of multinational collaborations. Zygon, on the other hand, can’t even cheat properly and one of their drivers looks ready to walk.”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”Hmm. Real bright.”[/color] Bea shifted on the deck couch, leaning back against her father and resting her head on his shoulder, ignoring the fact that on the back of her comatose revelation, she was tethering on the edge of walking out on the sport as a whole as well. [color=#1EFF24]”Ava and I also sat in on the latest financial meeting. I don’t know how you and Eva deal with this. None of them have a damn clue! Investors this, CEO that,”[/color] Bea ranted on while subconsciously strangling an invisible chicken with her hands, having been stewing over this for over 12 hours now. [color=#1EFF24]”Two hours before that, it was the engineering meeting. Reality check, know what Felix said? ‘Five plus years behind, on the level of civilian industries.’ His words! And I’m sitting there, essentially hearing ‘Do the improbable now so we can do the impossible tomorrow and make the investors happy,’ not a word or clue about how, just do it, who cares we’re a hundred years behind monkeys, and forcing myself to sit still and not throw a chair at them, because I’m halfway across the globe and for [i]some reason[/i], it’s illegal to throw chairs at stupid people!”[/color] She finally took a breath, [color=#1EFF24]”At least I have the painkillers to fall back on as an excuse this time around, but Christ!”[/color]
[color=#2488FF]”What do you mean ‘hundred years behind monkeys’?”[/color] The Ward patriarch aksed, surprised. [color=#2488FF]”Was the budget that small?”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”No. Apparently Ronaldo had been coasting on his past achievements and fell asleep on the laurels.”[/color] She spat more than said the previous Chief Technical Director’s name, [color=#1EFF24]”No wonder he blew up like he did when León told him about Felix, I’d be mad too if someone just took away my free money trough...”[/color]
[color=#2488FF]”I’ll speak to Alonso and Burkhart. If they have a handle on what the team’s missing the most, maybe we can help bridge that gap between seasons.”[/color]
She reached up and hugged his shoulders, whispering with a giggle. [color=#1EFF24]”Best. Dad. Ever!”[/color]

[hr][center][h2]Monday July 26th, 2094, 09:56
Buenos Aires, Argentina[/h2][h3]”The Ranch” (Carrera Condor Formula AG Team headquarters)[/h3][/center]The scene opened with Bea in a team polo, a pair of jeans and aviators from her sponsored line walking down a path in the Carrera Condor compound, a wide open pampa as the backdrop. [color=#1EFF24]”Fair ladies and handsome gentlemen, welcome to the ranch again. As those of you who have seen last Saturday’s art stream have no doubt noticed, I no longer look and sound like I‘m dying.“[/color] She pulled down on her collar slightly. Where seven days ago there had been a noticeable scar, now only unbroken skin remained. [color=#1EFF24]”Now, what was the purpose of that medical procedure, you ask? Two things:
One, I now have fully artificial lungs that are designed to contract more than meat lungs can, including the alveoli. No, I definitely didn’t have to look up that word five minutes ago, why do you ask? Anyway, now I can get the damn breathing fluid out of my lungs in under a minute with no outside assistance, and the tiny bit that remains anyway is inconsequential because synthetic tissue doesn’t get inflamed. Yay for comfort! Side note, I am now also immune to pneumonia. Neat!
The second part is a series of ports around my torso for filling and draining body cavities with that same immersion liquid. In effect, I can now pull several hundred sustained Gs and feel like I’m sitting in my living room. What’s that?“[/color] She held her hand up to her ear, [color=#1EFF24]”Ah, just the centrifuge cursing my name. I’m not immune to crashes, it helps if the seat belts and survial cell do their job but if an object hits me going at mach fuck it’s still curtains, but forces don’t really bother me anymore. This is the final stage of liquid immersion, this is the stuff aerospace pilots were getting before being replaced by drones, the only thing that could pull more Gs than them were missiles.
But that’s not all that’s new!”[/color] She gave the camera finger guns before the scene cut away…

…and back to Bea, sitting inside the ship, the drone hovering over the open cockpit, looking down. [color=#1EFF24]”The alert among you have noticed some buttons missing, most notably on the throttle stick.”[/color] She pointed out the redesigned ‘engine power controller,’ [color=#1EFF24]”We’re no longer using seven buttons to manage the ELS system! It’s all in here now.”[/color] The drone turned to center her in the frame as she pointed to her head with both hands, [url=https://i.imgflip.com/58187s.jpg]an ancient meme[/url] briefly flashing over the screen before the shot cut once again, this time to Bea walking through a hallway.
[color=#1EFF24]”And it’s thanks to Sarif Industries that not only does our neural link now work faster, it does so without any modifications of our implants or the ship’s hardware. Progress!”[/color] She made a wide gesture with both hands mimicking [url=https://a.pinatafarm.com/620x465/97b297acf9/spongebob-rainbow.jpg]another old meme[/url], the rainbow and the word ‘progress’ actually appearing between her hands.
[color=#1EFF24]”Now, my education ends at F equals M times A, and on a good day I might remember what a Newton is.”[/color] She pulled out a piece of paper out of her pocket to read, the side facing the camera reading ‘In case of a not good day.’ [color=#1EFF24]”Kilogram meter over second squared, so I have no idea how that is possible. It would be amazing if I had access to someone who knew how it works and could explain it in a clear and concise manner. Someone like Mike Howe, the head of Sarif Industries’ neurocontrol division.”[/color]
She reached a table and leaned against it, the camera panning to the other side to reveal - to the surprise of everyone whose IQ rivaled their shoe size - Mike Howe himself: A short, pale man one coat of bodypaint away from cosplaying a skeleton with a wrinkled shirt only tucked in on one side and a frosted tips haircut straight out of 1995 completing the look. [color=#1EFF24]”Hi, Mike! [i]Howe’s[/i] it going?”[/color]
“It’s goin’ great, thanks for askin’.” Mike replied with a notable Texan drawl.
[color=#1EFF24]”So, can you explain the magic?”[/color]
“To be as clear and concise as possible, the encodin’ algorithm - how the data is stored in the system - was really inefficient by today’s standards. Really, you guys were 15, 20 years behind the curve. Just by changin’ how it handles the data, we were able to up efficiency by almost 35%. More data in the same space, like goin’ from writin’ plain English to Shorthand. Speeds up information exchange between your head and the ship.”
[color=#1EFF24]”And that’s it, you did [i]only that[/i] and the difference is night and day?”[/color]
“See, thing is, if your startin’ point is this low, a small hop can feel like the world high jump record.” He shrugged, “Next season, we’ll have Zygon and and Southern Cross green with envy from the word ‘go’ with what we’ll have time and budget for.”

Another cut, this time in the ship bay wearing a disposable cleansuit over her clothes. [color=#1EFF24]”But wait! There’s more!”[/color] Bea turned around, the drone following to bring an engine on a stand into frame behind her. [color=#1EFF24]”The Alicorn lives!”[/color] She shouted with excitement, gesturing toward the engine with both arms. [color=#1EFF24]”Yes it took half a season, we, uhhh… We cooked a little too hard - literally - and it needed some time to simmer down. But it’s live now, thanks to the legend himself, the man with the plan, Felix Burkhart.”[/color] The German, much more put together under his cleansuit than the previous featured specialist, entered stage right.
[color=#FFF200]”Hello.”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”This thing isn’t the only one you took one look at and went ‘How have none of you figured this out yet?’ What else have you done?”[/color]
[color=#FFF200]”While I appreciate the compliment, I wish it were that easy.”[/color] Felix chuckled, [color=#FFF200]”Let’s start with the engine, I see you’re excited about that. To recapitulate, the problems with that lay in cooling it sufficiently during the race. In the state it was in when I joined the team, there would have been a 40% chance of a minor failure and a 15% chance of something like what happened to Ava in Portugal, every race. The engineers have done all they could with active cooling, but since the races are run on a set time, we put a thermal capacitor in the ship. You’ll notice a small hump on the bottom, under the engine. We added a tank containing wax, specifically polyethylene-based wax sourced from a nearby sugar cane farm.”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”Well now I’m definitely not escaping the sugar rush jokes.”[/color]
[color=#FFF200]”Haha, probably not. Wax has high latent heat - the amount of energy required to change it from one state of matter to another, in our case melt it. Since we can’t dissipate the heat produced by the engine fast enough, we’ll store some of it in the wax and cool the ship down after the session is finished. It has added some weight, but the Alicorn will be more than enough to compensate.”[/color] Felix explained, pointing out key parts on a simplified diagram of the ship projected onto the wall behind him. [color=#FFF200]”The mounts are an intentional weak point, so in the event of a crash, the wax tank will break off. If it were to rupture while containing a liquid phase, it will do so away from the ship.
With increased funding given the team’s successes this season, we were finally able to transition from copper to silver wiring. In doing so, we have increased the efficiency of the energy system and saved some weight. Silver also offers less electrical resistance and higher thermal conductivity, meaning less heating, easier cooling and a more reliable system. This isn’t anything groundbreaking, we simply caught up. I’m honestly stunned by what the energy department has managed to do with what they were working with.”[/color] Technically speaking there was an issue with silver tarnishing, but that was something regular inspections could keep them well ahead of.
[color=#1EFF24]”No more budget builds?”[/color] Bea asked in jest.
[color=#FFF200]”In a manner of speaking.”[/color] Felix nodded with a smile, [color=#FFF200]”Our last improvement concerns the AG unit. You’re looking at a complete overhaul of the flight control software handling it. No more just something that makes the ship float and protects you from g-forces and impacts, directional inputs will now make it pull the ship to one side or the other. This should eliminate the understeer drift, but we haven’t had time to implement the changes meant to make the ship more stable over uneven surface or through quick changes in direction.”[/color]
[color=#1EFF24]”All of that in this short time span?”[/color] Bea asked, genuinely giddy with the news. They fixed the problem she was struggling while retaining the one she could easily deal with. Ava was a lot less pleased by the order of things. [color=#1EFF24]”What’s that you’re planning for the future?”[/color]
[color=#FFF200]”In essence, rather than simply reacting to external stimuli, We plan to make it predict how the ship will be affected by turns or the surface under it and adjust accordingly, preempting the manual corrections you’re doing now.”[/color]

Last cut, Bea walking toward the simulator wearing her new racing limbs - A fullerene nanotube biopolymer composite, bright green wireframe shell with circular openings for maximum weight saving while retaining the toughness required to punch through the canopy if necessary - another benefit of the Sarif Industries partnership. [color=#1EFF24]”And there you have it. A boatload of upgrades, right up my alley. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”[/color] She pointed over her shoulder to the simulator with the biggest, most dopey grin imaginable before turning around and running off toward it like a kid after an ice cream truck as the video faded to the outro screen.

[hr][center][h2]Friday July 23rd, 2094, 18:58
Buenos Aires, Argentina[/h2][h3]”The Ranch” (Carrera Condor Formula AG Team headquarters)[/h3][/center]A knock on the door heralded a rare visit at such an hour. His colleagues wouldn’t have knocked, so this was someone from outside the office. That made Lúcio Gallegos, the #18 team’s neural link specialist, swing his feet off the desk and silence the music - currently on a Brazilian rap rock track about brotherhood and working toward a common goal - blasting in his ears, removing his left ear bud to comply with the company policy.
[color=#1EFF24]”Hey, Lucho.”[/color] Bea greeted him as she poked her head around the door, a bit less chipper than she usually carried herself, but he chalked it up to it being late and after a cardio session. There was one area Ava had the younger driver beat with no sign of a change. [color=#1EFF24]”Got a minute?”[/color]

Truth be told, Lúcio had been among those who bucked at Ward’s signing. He damn nearly quit over seeing homegrown talent get sidelined in such a way for an externist - not even someone from their own junior team - because of money after not even a year. Her being English was just icing on the carrot cake. He hated carrot cakes. But he soon had to admit the powers that be made the right choice. Japan and Italy would’ve been hard to argue against.

Alright, it also helped that she treated her whole side of the garage to a fancy dinner if they did well, and ‘doing well’ relative to what had been expected of them until this point was a frequent occurrence. In the last three months, that made five trips to a type establishment he’d only ever been to on his wedding and he didn’t even have to pay for the cab.

“Sure, what’s up?”
[color=#1EFF24]”I need a favor.”[/color] The rest of Bea appeared from behind the door, shutting it behind her. [color=#1EFF24]”How far back do you keep neural link activity logs?”[/color]
“Still have Joaquin’s saved, why?”
[color=#1EFF24]”Are they in a format understandable by mortals, or do I need to go through you to know what I’m looking at?”[/color]
“You’ll get the gist of it, but you’d need either me or Nicol and Ivan to understand it fully. Why?” He demanded again.
[color=#1EFF24]”Could you get me copies of mine? Starting with Auckland.”[/color]
“I can, but what is this about?”
[color=#1EFF24]”Just an idea. Probably wrong, but I want to try to look at it myself before I take up anyone else’s time with it.”[/color] She explained, taking her hand out of her pocket for the first time since she entered the office and placing three pieces of wax paper on Lúcio’s desk. VIP tickets to the BattleTech World Cup finals in Vegas, one adult and two children’s. Of course she of all people would’ve clocked that he and his kids wanted to go off of social media.
“Done.” He nodded immediately, “Just races?”
[color=#1EFF24]”[i]All of it.[/i]”[/color] She stressed, [color=#1EFF24]”Race, qualy, practice, photo ops, any time it activated for even a fraction of a second.”[/color]
“O…kaaaay. Thorough, whatever it is you’re doing. Got a server you want it on?”
[color=#1EFF24]”Porton Dawn.”[/color]
“Done by breakfast.”
[color=#1EFF24]”Thank you.”[/color] She turned to leave, pausing in the door. [color=#1EFF24]”Don’t stay up for too long, we’ll need you all sharp for Belgium. They won’t know what hit them.”[/color] She gave him a smile and a thumbs up before leaving.

[hr]
[center][url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TrLdbYUu7LJQf9_6F1zblN3WfwvCU8R3W8Xskd8b3vI/edit?usp=sharing]Carrera Condor NPCs[/url][/center]