[center][h2][color=fff200]Sunday August 22nd, 2094
Moa Tempest, Hawaii[/color][/h2][/center] 

Alexander had watched Paul struggle over the weekend. Dorian was thriving and managed to win the race. Alexander was puzzled as Paul should have done similarly well. It was unlike Paul to be short with the press. He knew for a fact that Paul had been looking forward to this race. He had not expected to get the opportunity to race in Hawaii. The last minute change up was something he was looking forward to. This circuit should have played to his strengths. This was the first time Paul’s interviews had ever shown any hint of frustration or anger. He was usually quite gracious and eloquent when on camera. 

Alexander didn’t ask Paul to join him. He went in search of him away from cameras and other team members. Alexander knew Paul well enough to know he was isolating himself. Paul was always harder on himself than any other critic. Alexander found him where he thought he would. Paul was in the data center trailer. The team was still working on packing up the paddock equipment. Alexander paused in the open doorway and watched Paul for a few minutes. Paul was pouring over the data from the race. Paul’s body language was rigid with tension. His face showed frustration and his eyes flashed in anger and impatience. Alexander’s shoes made a scuffing noise on the floor as he stepped into the trailer. Paul didn’t even turn away. He just scowled and called out in an angry voice. [color=fff200]“Go away!” [/color]

Alexander smiled and raised an eyebrow. This was a side of Paul he had not really seen before. [color=00aeef]“I won’t leave since I came to check in on you. I can see that you are already spiraling and acting like the spoiled prima donna everyone accuses of you being. Just because you have raw natural talent doesn’t mean that a career in racing is going to be easy for you. You have something to prove to yourself but your performance is not consistent. Why do you think that is?” [/color]

Paul had whirled around at hearing Alexander’s voice. All that rage and anger was focused on Alexander now [color=fff200]“Don’t stand there and act like you know what it is like to be me. You might have been my father’s best friend but you are not him. You can’t replace him in my life. Stop acting like you have that right.” [/color]

Alexander let the words wash over him. He had a feeling this would come to a head at some point. There were things about being a professional Formula AG Racer that no one could prepare for. This was a make it or break it moment for Paul. He would either use this to push himself forward or he would fade away as has been and almost star. He would have to live with the regrets of never knowing if he was truly good enough to make it. 

Alexander straightened and stood tall. He squared his shoulders and looked Paul directly in the eyes as he spoke. His voice was direct, ruthless, merciless as he told Paul what he needed to hear. He didn’t hold back and coddle him. He was brutally honest with him. Alexander’s eyes narrowed a little as he focused on Paul. [color=00aeef]“Paul, if you want to rise to be a champion it takes more than talent. It takes drive and grit. No one who is competing with you on that track is just going to hand it to you. You are going through the motions of what you think it takes. You are eating right. You listen to your trainers. You spend your time in the simulator. You pour over the data from your races. You listen to your engineers when they talk about strategy. You do your best to ensure that you are on good terms with everyone in the team and the media. Champions don’t get frustrated when the work gets hard. Champions push the team and lead the team in the direction they want it to go. The team looks for the pilots to lead them to victory and do their part of it. But you have to want deep in your gut. You have to know what you are willing to sacrifice and give up to get there. You have had a fairly easy life even without your father. You have not had to struggle to get to where you are.”[/color] Alexander paused as he saw Paul rise to his feet and take a step towards him, his hands balled into fists at his sides. 

Paul’s voice lashed out in anger as his body shook with fury. [color=fff200]“Fuck You! You have no idea what I have gone through because of my father dying. I have had to fight to be seen the same as every other pilot on the track. I had to do it with accusations of nepotism and buying my way in the whole way. I work harder than Dorian on my training and fitness. You do not have the right to try and tell me that I don’t want it bad enough. That I am not motivated enough. Who the fuck do you think you are?!”[/color] Paul took another step towards him. 

Alexander used his voice like a whip as it rang with truth, authority, and experience. [color=00aeef]“I am your team principal! I decide who gets the seat in your ship. You should remember that before you speak to me that way. You asked me not to baby you. Well I am giving it to you straight Paul. You still haven’t figured out your why. Why do you race? Don’t give me that bullshit line about being closer to your father. Deep down in your gut… why do you want this? You think you are doing everything you can, yet you are inconsistent as hell. What has changed from race to race Paul? The only thing that has really changed from race to race is you. Some races you have the focus and drive, other races you seem distracted and lost and make mistake after mistake. When you can answer why… then you will know how to fix it.” [/color]

Paul looked thunderstruck and confused as the anger and rage seemed to drain out of him like a balloon with a pin hole in it. Realization was setting in that he had just been highly insubordinate the man who could yank him out of the ship. 

Alexander slipped his hands into his pockets and just watched as Paul seemed to be unraveling before his eyes. He nodded once before continuing. [color=00aeef]“You need to do some soul searching and decide if you really want this. Because I have other drivers that would love to have your seat. You need to get your shit together. I know you can do better Paul. I have seen you do it. You need to be willing to give it your all like you did at Spa in every race. Not just the ones you deem important to you. I better not hear of you taking your anger and frustration out on the team.” [/color]

Alexander left Paul with that and turned and left him alone. All Alexander could do was wait and see if things changed. In the meantime, he still had a whole team to run. He had other people who needed direction and time as well. Paul didn’t even seem to notice that he had left. 

[hr] 

[color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Factory Settings[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color]

[color=ed1c24][quote]Aurora: "Alexander, Paul, thanks for the invite! I was recently at the Carrera Condor factory, who appear to be fast growing to be challenging you, alongside the historic Zygon and Al-Saqr teams. What are your thoughts on how you're being pursued, and how do you plan to react to make sure you keep up the heat on the top three in the constructors this season? Are you looking to continue snatching wins when you can at circuits that suit you, or do you think it'll be a different approach needed for the rest of the season?"[/quote] [/color]

Alexander nodded to Paul to answer for himself. 

[color=fff200]Paul: “My goal is to try to win at every race. Just like the other teams, we have circuits which our ship is better suited for. I continue to try to identify where I am weak and how I can get the most of the Team Valkyrie ship. All I can do is train harder and try to turn my weaknesses into new found strengths.” [/color]

[color=00aeef]Alexander: “We will continue to snatch wins whenever we can. Team Valkyrie is in a year of growth and change that started with them hiring me. The goal is to focus on long term growth and stability for the team. That has been the goal all along. I am sure Delta Hyper is aware of the changes to Team Valkyrie’s Junior program and new sponsorships. We are trying to rebrand our thinking to give the fans of Formula Ag the most we can for their support. We are building and doing our best to position ourselves in contention for this season with an eye on championships next year.” [/color]