[center][h1][b] Team Valkyrie Headquarters Monday August 7, 2094 Late Afternoon Aachen Germany [/b][/h1][/center] Alexander had a meeting with Cavan now that the ships were back in the paddock. He joined Cavan in his office in the engineering department. Alexander noted that the mechanics and engineers were already in the process of tearing the ships apart and inspecting them for damage. Alexander smiled as he accepted a cup of black coffee from Cavan who understood his need for the black nectar. He gave a sigh of satisfaction as he sipped at the rich dark brew. He took a moment to enjoy his coffee before starting the conversation they needed to have. [color=00aeef]Alexander: “Lipusv is sending some engineers to help out till we get more hired. I want those ships torn apart and reworked again. Whatever Dorian had asked to be done needs to be rethought because the Nürburg race was a disaster. I understand their frustration. See what we can do rework the engines and try to find some more speed without compromising the stability, handling, and ELS. The next race is Hawaii and my sources say that ELS will be critical. So whatever you can do to support those systems for the next race would be great. I should have new engineers hired after the next race. We also have a research and development contract happening later today with Meridian Aerospace to develop a new engine for the new ship. Once the agreement is signed, work should start shortly after the race in Hawaii. I do want you to consider separate setups on the ships tailored to the way each pilot races. Paul has better technical skill and is better in the corners than Dorian. Dorian has the experience and has a better sense of how things need to change from track to track but his age is showing. Dorian is better with the ELS systems than Paul. Paul has worked hard to bring his skill level up but Dorian has a better intuition on when and how to deploy the ELS. Any concerns or questions?” [/color] Cavan had been listening as he sipped at his coffee. He had been nodding along. He had been expecting something like this after what happened at Nürburg. Cavan had a pretty good team of engineers. They were stretched a little short with trying to maintain the current ships and work on the plans for building next year’s ships at the same time. Work had to be slowed on next year’s designs to handle the immediate needs of the race season. The extra engineers would free everyone up to be able to contribute more to the design sessions and then the prototype testing as they tried what worked. Cavan’s brow furled in thought as he considered what kind of support he needed from Alexander. [color=c4df9b]Cavan: “We have run into a supply issue on some proprietary parts for the antigravity engines that have created a bottleneck. Certain elements used in their manufacturing have been backlogged or supply has been limited in certain raw materials. If you can do anything about that, it would help.” [/color] [color=00aeef]Alexander nodded. “I was aware of some of it. Send me the list. I will run it past Lipusv to see what the hold up is. Maybe she can help get it for us through the government contracts.” [/color] Cavan smiled as it was so different from his days at Fitzroy when he had to make due with what they had on hand. Cavan gave Alexander a grin. [color=c4df9b]Cavan: “I want my anniversary off. Babysitters for the kids and tickets to the art museum and reservations at that hot new restaurant everyone is raving about the Gilded Spoon.” [/color] [color=00aeef]Alexander’s eyes crinkled as he let out a genuine laugh. “You are on your own buddy. I commend you for planning ahead though. I will confess, talk to Mabel. She is a godsend with getting stuff like that done and will remember to order the flowers when you don’t. That is why I pay her well and treat her right. You have to convince her to help you though.” [/color] [color=c4df9b]Cavan looked panicked for a moment and then excited. “Damn your right I did forget the flowers. Really I can ask Mabel for help?” [/color] [color=00aeef]Alexander laughed again and shook his head. “Cavan, you should know by now that Mabel does what she wants too. She is her own person. My advice is to ask and see what she says.” [/color] [color=c4df9b]Cavan smiled happily. “Thanks for the advice.” [/color] [color=00aeef]Alexander nodded and then moved on to his next point. “Dorian’s engineer Remy Deschamps will be promoted and moved to join the main engineering team at headquarters when Dorian retires. Feel free to lean on him for help with the new ship designs or ideas on how to tweak the ships for the individual racing circuits. He has experience from working with Dorian over the years. Carmella is good and brings fresh ideas with her as she does setup for Paul. However the experience Deschamps has shouldn’t be wasted. It might be beneficial to host some team collaboration brainstorming sessions to get those ideas cross pollinating to see if we can come up with new ways to do it.” [/color] [color=c4df9b]Cavan nodded in agreement. “That was on the schedule for tomorrow morning. Today is all about tear down and looking for wear and tear and damage. I will reach out to Carmella and Remy and ask them to join us.” [/color] [color=00aeef]Alexander moved on to more updates Cavan needed to know about. “Next weekend Banshee Microsystems will be upgrading all the computer systems here at headquarters and that includes here in engineering. I wanted you to know so you can plan for it. The plan is to get it all done on Saturday. You can be here to supervise if you want too but I don’t think you will get much done that day. We also are bringing in Radian Security Systems to overhaul all our security systems which will begin next Monday. They shouldn’t disrupt your work too much in their initial assessment. Once we have agreed to what the updates will look like, you will be informed of any changes that impact your department.” [/color] [color=c4df9b]Cavan nodded and felt a worry and tension he had been unaware he had been carrying release. “You know it was a worry in the back of my head after hearing about the charges against Brendel. I think it is a good idea and prudent of you. I am glad you are taking those steps now.” [/color] [color=00aeef]Alexander finished his coffee. “I appreciate that you feel that way. Well I am off to my next task. Let me know if you need anything else.” [/color] [hr] [b][center][h3][code]Formula AG Pilot Group Chat[/code][/h3][/center][/b] [color=fff200][b]Amy Stirling[/b][/color] You're one bad social media post away from having George Russell energy @Paul [color=fff200][b]Paul[/b][/color] @Amy Stirling Why Amy you say the nicest things about me! Are you trying to flirt me? [color=fff200][b]Ben Hale[/b][/color] Why have I been told to bring trunks to Hawaii? What shit is Delta Hyper planning? [color=fff200][b]Paul[/b][/color]@Ben Hale I was already packing my board shorts. I want to try surfing. I am hiding Dorian’s speedo though and buying him some board shorts! His speedo is almost indecent. He is such an exhibitionist. [color=fff200][b]Harrison[/b][/color] Can recommend Basqueatoes in *W3W co-ordinates* afterwards, really good Basque food in New Hilo area [color=fff200][b]Cassie Neves[/b][/color] You are taking the piss. Wait, they do Patatas Bravas in Sweet Ch....fucking hell I'm in [color=fff200][b]Astrid[/b][/color] I'm on that too, I'll book us a table :) [color=fff200][b]Paul[/b][/color]@Astrid Count me in! I don’t think I have ever tried Basque food. [color=fff200][b]Amy Stirling[/b][/color] Speaking of, I thought I'd sort out Singapore food too, given you can't have any fun there without being arrested lately. Tsai Wen Tower for a spot of dinner? [color=fff200][b]Dorian[/b][/color] @Flo Mason Agreed, it was crazy. Me and Paul should be able to, I think? [color=fff200][b]Ava Villarosa[/b][/color] I'm in, I think Bea too? [color=fff200][b]Cassie Neves[/b][/color] Sure, me and Han can come [color=fff200][b]Harrison[/b][/color] Not sure about Nora but I'm down [color=fff200][b]Paul[/b][/color]@Dorian @Amy Stirling Sure count me in for Singapore too! Sounds like fun. Avoiding arrest is always good. [hr] [color=gold][center][h1][i][b]DELTΔ HYPER[/b][/i][/h1][/center][/color] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Episode Twelve: Hot Like Lava[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [hr] [center][h1][b]Thursday August 17th Waimanu Valley, Hawaii Island, Republic of Hawaii, Federated American States 0500 EST [/b][/h1][/center] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Surf's Up[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] Paul yawned, having been woken up before dawn at the request of the Delta Hyper producers. It was cool before dawn on the island. Paul was dressed in warm athletic gear unsure what he was walking into. The team was staying in an apartment tower that had been rented out to FIAR for the race. He was sharing an apartment space with Dorian and Alexander. He felt picked on since Dorian had not received the early wake up call. He felt like going to his door and knocking on it to wake him just so he was not alone. He decided it was not worth listening to him gripe about it all day. He refilled his sports bottle with water before grabbing his bag. On a hunch he had stuffed his board shorts in it. Breakfast was not a possibility so he scarfed down a protein bar on his way out of the apartment. He was soon picked up in an old Japanese minivan that looked like it had seen better days. The exterior paint was pitted from the salty ocean air and it was rusted in a few places. Paul’s knowledgeable eyes saw the beefed up suspension underneath it that gave the minivan better clearance and traction on different types of terrain. The suspension showed mud and dings from rocks showing it was well used. It was nowhere near what you might see on a rally car but it was better than a bog standard minivan designed for suburban streets. Paul chuckled as he could almost see a soccer mom driving the kiddies to practice. Paul climbed into the very back of the minivan and pulled his bag off and promptly used it for a pillow. Maybe he could go back to sleep for a bit. Paul managed to drift off with the chatter of the other drivers lulling him back to sleep. He was awakened after being thrown against the window next to him when the van rocked hard to one side and then back as it hit a pothole in the road. [color=f7976a]He heard Harrison complaining about Bea’s driving. "Bea, slow the fuck down! We're not on track, we're in a shitbox van!"[/color] Paul rubbed the red spot on the side of his head with his fingers. [color=fff200]Paul added his voice to Harrison’s. “Yeah you almost gave me another concussion with that last pothole. Can we try to avoid those?” [/color] Paul smirked knowing that his comment about her driving was likely to set Bea off. He grinned knowing it would just make her all the more competitive this weekend. Paul looked out the window now that there was more to see. The van was angled down a switchback gravel road that had been cut into the side of the mountain. It was clear the road was not maintained very well or used very often as indicated by the huge ruts and potholes that marked it. The view out the window was stunning. The sun was just starting to come up. False dawn gave just enough light to see what was ahead of them. Paradise was the only word for it. They were headed down into a wall of green trees and plants and the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean crashed into the shoreline in a strip of white. They were too far away for more definition than that. He couldn’t wait for the sun to come up so he could see everything better. [color=f7976a]Jenny started to come to Bea’s defense. "Relax, she's only crashed on gravel.....actually, never mind!" [/color] Just as the van rocked heavily once more and everyone was thrown back into their seats once more. Paul put an arm up to brace himself more securely in place. The other van occupants added their swearing to the atmosphere. The van continued to make its way down the side of the mountain on the incredibly scenic route down into the idyllic valley. [color=f7976a]Max’s voice was full of awe as he commented on the view. "The view is mental from here! God, what have you got us doing, Rosie..."[/color] Max commented, looking out through glass on the winding, granite-black gravel road, the Waimanu Valley one of few to not be completely ruined by the volcanic eruptions on Big Island, and left untouched as a paradise. [color=fff200]Paul answered Max. “Well I have to believe it has something to do with the request to bring swimsuits. It has to be something on the beach or in the water.” [/color] Paul continued to watch out the windows but the view was soon swallowed up by the close packed trees on either side of the van’s windows which blocked the view of the valley. The van pulled up a slight rise and came down the other side of a gravel parking area in a small clearing with a path further to one side. There was a fog hanging over the area that was just beginning to lift as Paul stepped out of the ancient minivan. Paul was annoyed to see the bright and perky Rosie. His eyes narrowed a little envious of his caffeinated state. Paul could use a cup of coffee about now. They got them up at the crack of dawn! It was the only courteous thing to do after the long trek out here and being awake before dawn. Paul had to chuckle at his thoughts since he now felt like he understood Alexander’s addiction to coffee a little better. That wouldn’t stop him from teasing him. It was a running joke among the staff since Mabel was always trying to reduce his coffee intake. He would have to team up for Mabel for their next shift of shenanigans. Paul tried to pay attention as Rosie beamed at them. No one should be that perky at the ass crack of dawn. [color=ed1c24]Rosie’s excited and perky voice cut through the morning fog like an excited Chihuahua barking. "Hello all, and welcome to Hawaii! So, we brought you to paradise, and while here, we thought we'd introduce you, and the viewers to something rather different. How comfortable are you all in water?" [/color] Paul managed to mumble something. [color=fff200]“Adequate.” [/color] [color=ed1c24]Rosie waved them to follow him like an eager beaver. "Well....if you'd like to follow me, let me show you what we have planned."[/color] Paul walked along with the other pilots following Rosie as they led them down the path through the woods to a sandy beach with a small group of huts to one side. Rosie had them stop with their backs to the huts facing the ocean. There was the Delta Hyper crew there filming and a few people who looked like they lived here. One was a typical blonde surfer type girl and the other was a darker skinned Tongan with a burly build. The Tongan introduced who they were. [color=7bcdc8]"Aloha kākou, welcome to Waimanu. I'm Tane, and this is Katie, and here to show you a bit of real Hawaii before you go out and race all over it. So, who here has surfed before?" [/color] Paul smiled at the question. That was one of the things he wanted to try while he was here. Paul loved anything that let him go faster. When he was younger skateboarding, skiing, and snowboarding had been favorites of his. His mother had demanded he try other things than motorsports. He also wanted to try paragliding and parasailing while he was here but wasn’t sure if he would find the time. He had never tried surfing but it seemed the thing to do when visiting Hawaii where it had been born. [color=7bcdc8]The female instructor Katie added her voice to the conversation. "We'll show you all you need, and get you started out here." [/color] [color=fff200]Paul answered the instructors' questions. “I have never surfed before, but it was on my list to learn while here in Hawaii.” [/color] Shortly after Paul had been ushered into one of the huts where privacy dividers waited for changing areas. He was given a wetsuit and told to change. Once he was outfitted for the water, he was led back out of the hut and handed a surfboard. Katie took Paul in hand along with others who had not surfed before. She began with the basics of how to stand up on the board. To Paul’s dismay they didn’t immediately head out to the water. She had them drop their surfboards in the sand. She then had them practicing popping up into a standing position in one smooth movement like a jump. Once she felt they had the basics down, she went on to demonstrate how foot placement and keeping your center of gravity and shifting would guide the board. She went over how to safely fall off the board. They were given warnings about not being crushed into the reefs and rocks below by the waves as they went over the top of them. She told them how to paddle out. He did learn why they had to be up before dawn. Evidently that is when the waves were best for surfing. Paul didn’t think surfing much would be in his future but he still wanted to try it. Finally they were sent off into the ocean under the watchful eyes of their instructors. Kane had paddled out with the experienced folks and was playing lifeguard and judge. He was on hand to pull them out if they got into trouble. Paul got a workout just getting out far enough to catch a wave. He managed to get his board turned around. He watched for the swells of the waves to see how the experienced folks were choosing their waves. After hearing Katie’s explanations he finally understood what he was looking for. He waited for a good one and a clear spot. He began paddling like mad. He could hear Katie screaming at him. [color=7bcdc8]“Paddle faster Paul!” [/color] His board was moving faster and faster. He got his knees under him still paddling. He could hear Katie screaming at him again. [color=7bcdc8]“Now Paul NOW!” [/color] The board began to dip down the face of the wave’s crest. Paul felt his center of gravity changing. He tried to pop up like he learned on the beach. He managed to get up on his feet and promptly lost his balance as the board kept going with the momentum of the wave and he didn’t manage to catch it before he fell off the side of the board. Paul swam up the surface and there was his board attached to his ankle by the tether. He paddled back out to where he had started. He turned his board around and tried again. He fell off the board about a dozen more times before he finally managed a shaky ride all the way into shore. He thrust his fist into the air with a big smile. He had done it. He could see it would take practice like when he was learning skiing to get faster. It was a pleasant way to spend time at the beach. He was hungry though. He wasn’t sure about getting up so early to indulge in surfing as a hobby. Maybe if he lived closer to a pleasant beach such as this one. He certainly wouldn’t want to try to surf in the North Sea. The thought chilled him and caused him to shiver. Paul was not the best surfer that day. He didn’t embarrass himself but it did take him some time to get the hang of it. [hr] [center][h1][b]Thursday August 17th New Hilo, Hawaii Island, Republic of Hawaii, Federated American States 1800 HST [/b][/h1][/center] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Solarpunk[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] After leaving the beach, Paul went in search of food. He spent some time walking around the neighborhood where the apartment was. He found the foodtrucks. He took pictures on his phone of the amazing city to send to his mother. He knew she had probably already been here for work but he couldn’t help thinking she would love to take photos of the city. He saw an art mural draped and almost hidden by plants and smiled. He took a picture and sent it to his mother. The art felt like a hidden treasure one had to find to enjoy. He liked the whimsy of his own thoughts. Paul had been left mostly to his own devices. He had been approached by fans with questions which he answered. The fans were even different to what he was used to seeing. They didn’t ask for photos so much as more information about him. He tried to answer honestly based on the terms of what FIAR had arranged for the race. He laughed when others asked him if he really liked the Zap drinks they always saw him drinking after a race. He told them that he did but he had his favorite flavors and they were orange and cherry. The fans here seemed more real and genuine somehow. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it but they were different. Paul wandered around exploring the city until it was time for his Delta Hyper interview. [hr] Paul found himself sitting on the roof of one of the buildings in the middle of a garden-like setting. The buildings were eco-friendly with green roofs. He laughed as he took a seat on the familiar yellow sofa even as the backdrop was not the traditional wall with the Delta Hyper symbol on it. The Delta Hyper Symbol was freestanding on a metal stand in front of the wood wall. It still felt very familiar despite the differences. Paul was wearing cargo shorts and a Team Valkyrie polo shirt and sneakers for his interview. [quote][color=ed1c24]Aurora: "Hello Paul, and welcome to the Delta Hyper couch once again. With the season taking us to such incredible places, from the surface of the Moon to the legendary race tracks of Europe, how are you feeling about our unplanned visit to Hawaii?"[/color][/quote] [color=fff200]Paul: “Hello Aurora, always a pleasure to be here. I am excited to be here. I never thought I would get the opportunity to race here after it was removed from the circuit. I am excited to try a new track. I want to thank the fans here in Hawaii. They have been so warm and welcoming to me. I want to thank them for inviting Antigravity Racing into their home here in paradise. The food has been incredible so far. I am enjoying Hawaii. I plan to explore some more while I am here and get to see more of Hawaii and the culture here. I want to try paragliding and maybe sailing.”[/color] Paul looked thoughtful as he wrapped up his answer. [center][h1][b]Friday August 18th Moa Tempesta Circuit, Kanaloa Island, Republic of Hawaii, Federated American States 1400 HST [/b][/h1][/center] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]The Tempest[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] Paul got a solid good night’s sleep. He was at the track after eating a light breakfast. He was ready to see what Cavan and the team had done to fix the ship for this track. Paul was ready as he took his ship out on its practice run. Carmella and Cavan’s voices in his ear. He brought the ship up to speed as the engine warmed up. Paul began to push the ship hard to see how it was handling. He could see why ELS would be a factor on this track. It was a tight and twisty track. There were only a few good areas for overtakes. He lined up for the first corner. The ship on what he felt was an optimal racing line. The ship rocked unsteadily on the exit. [color=fff200]Paul: “The handling coming out of the corners is rockier. Can we do anything to stabilize that better.” [/color] He continued around the track. He loved the lava tube tunnel. He put the ship through a 360 degree corkscrew down the tunnel since he was the only ship on the track. He let out a joyful Wahoo down that section. Once the lava tube spit him out again he gave some more feedback. [color=fff200]Paul: “Can we adjust the gravity skirting to be tighter to the ship. It will give me better clearance for passing down the tube. It felt like it flared out in the corkscrew maneuver." [/color] Paul continued through the track. He kept a close eye on the energy levels and the constant slow downs and starts from the corners ate into the ship’s energy reserves. He would have to watch that during the race. Paul once more noted the issue and turned it over to his engineers to see what they could do about it. “The corners and chicanes are eating into the energy reserves. Is there anything we can do to help efficiency or reclaim more energy from the track? That is going to be vital for ELS defense and attack on this track.” Paul finally pulled the ship back into the temporary paddock. He thanked the engineers and mechanics and left them to it. [hr] [center][h1][color=fff200]Social Media[/color][/h1][/center] [center][b][color=fff200]From: Paul Mulder @ValkyriePaul: [/color][/b][/center] Well here we are in paradise! Wish me luck on the track! My thanks to all of you fans for your support. [picture of the valley from the beach with the waterfalls in the distance] [color=fff200]MagnetoMuppet:[/color]Wow it’s beautiful there. [color=fff200]Nana2050:[/color]Thanks for bringing us along Paul! [color=fff200]Hater101:[/color] Why are you thanking him? He doesn’t deserve it. [color=fff200]Papabear34:[/color]Beautiful picture but it doesn’t tell us anything about the circuit. [color=fff200]HydrofoilHater[/color] Another distraction tactic so we don’t focus on his poor performance in the last race. [color=fff200]ThrusterJester:[/color]@HydrofoilHater 100% agree with you. [color=fff200]QuantumQuokka:[/color]Yes it is lovely but are you going to come through for the fans in paradise? [color=fff200]Bertha:[/color]@QuantumQuokka No he is going to choke again! [color=fff200]ValkyrieFan56:[/color]I think it is nice that he is letting us know what’s going on up to the race. This circuit is different, no fans will be onsite. Everyone will be watching virtually. [color=fff200]Nana2050:[/color]I like it. I feel like I get a better understanding of what’s going on in the race with the commentary. [color=fff200]MulderMuse:[/color]That’s beautiful and I like that he shared what he is seeing. [color=fff200]Paulmulder4eva:[/color]The only thing that would make that picture better is him in it topless in swim trunks… [color=fff200]RumorMill:[/color]I heard they scrapped and rebuilt the ships after Germany. [color=fff200]DantheMan:[/color] Yeah they needed to do something different. [color=fff200]RumorMill:[/color] Heard they are trying for more speed and better ELS for this track. [color=fff200]LegacyStan94:[/color]We will just have to watch and see. We will have a better idea after qualifying. [color=fff200]OfficeDrone#12:[/color]I am hoping this race will be more like Spa. Germany was so boring to watch. [color=fff200]SuperfanAGR54:[/color]@officedrone#12 I couldn’t agree with you more. I want to see movement on the grid and overtakes. [hider= Team Valkyrie Characters] https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zrLx5XUgYiVm6KjTpFTWZtJvXc0MX77enkLzINHujKw/edit?gid=0#gid=0 [/hider]