[center][h1][b]Thursday 1st September, 2094 Merlion Ultra, Marina Bay, Singapore 1700 SGT [/b][/h1][/center] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]ZONE[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [b]Soundtrack: [url=https://pie.yt/?v=https://youtu.be/h2v8Z_UyYz8?si=oJ-z7YQ03ij1XMUd&pieshare=1] Wolfram Punk - Race - Synthwave Mix[/url][/b] Paul waited patiently as Rosie demonstrated and explained the system and training tool to viewers. Paul was intrigued. It was a little different to the simulator used by Valkyrie who had a proprietary simulator that was connected to astronaut antigravity and inertia simulators to replicate the physical feeling of the g-forces on the pilot in the simulator. He was excited to give this model a try. It reminded him of a souped up virtual reality video game. Paul watched the screens as Jen eagerly volunteered to go first. Paul smiled as he climbed into the hot seat. He grinned at the others and poked fun at himself. He was trying harder not to take himself so seriously. He had started seeing the sports psychologist that Alexander had arranged for him. He had fought it at first. He was surprised when his mother was on board with the plan and told him to start whining and get to work. He looked around at the others. [color=fff200]“Valkyrie has its own simulator that was built in conjunction with the European Union Space Agency. We don’t have as many mods as some of you others. Take it easy on me!” [/color] Paul joked around with his fellow pilots before he plugged in his neural interface and began his run. Paul enjoyed the Zone. His neural interface combined with the cognitive training he had undergone gave him an edge with the Zone. He enjoyed the sensation of going faster and faster. He managed to reach that state where everything faded away and it was just him and the virtual ship. He was in sync and making effortless corrections. He was not sure how well he did with the others. He was feeling pretty damn euphoric until he clipped a wall in a turn unable to match the simulator speed. He unplugged his neural interface with a laugh before cleaning off the cable. He passed it to the next pilot with a smile. [color=fff200]“What a rush! That was fun. Can we go again?”[/color] He went to stand by Jen as he awaited his results. Unlike Jen he had never used the Zone before and had nothing to compare it too. [hr] [center][h1][b]Thursday 1st September, 2094 Annapurna Restaurant, Tsai Wen Tower, Singapore 1900 SGT [/b][/h1][/center] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Curry Night[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] Paul joined the other pilots inside Tsai Wen Tower for dinner at Annapurna. It was a high end exclusive Indian, Malay, and Nepali fusion restaurant. The views of the city and harbor were fabulous. The restaurant was situated three storeys up, hyper-exclusive yachts outside alongside seemingly floating, ultra-modern blocks rooted deep in the earth. Nova and Nordic Call had prior commitments and would be missing the pilot dinner being hosted by Amy. Paul looked over the digital menu kiosk to order. He was intrigued by the offerings and ordered a curry chicken dish with fusion potstickers for an appetizer and water to drink. The meal was already going to be heavy on calories and he was racing this weekend. He didn’t want to add alcohol to the mix. Paul was still embarrassed over his behavior in Hawaii. He kept to himself and listened mostly. Those who knew him better might notice that he was quieter and a little more subdued. He was not quite his normal outgoing charming self. His eyes followed the conversation that started with Harrison and Amy before jumping to Cassie who was still poking at Dorian. She seemed to take anything Dorian said or did as a negative. Dorian just laughed and almost choked on a cracker at her response. Paul’s lips curved up in a slight smile at Dorian’s response back to Cassie. Paul tucked into his food and ate quietly. He continued to listen even as conversation slowed down as everyone dug into their meals. He was surprised by Amy’s question. [color=ed1c24]"Anyway. Question to you all. Everyone's neural link playing up, or you all fine?"[/color] All of the pilots seemed to pause and focus on Amy in silence for a long beat before Amy continued her questioning about Neural Interface issues. [color=ed1c24]"I had some issues back in the last couple races. Worrying, to be honest. They think they got a fix. But I thought you know, nothing of it first either, so maybe, it was something you lot had too. Maybe the ELS or something else just tripped it on something? Anyone?"[/color] Paul was surprised and disturbed by the question. He looked over at Dorian with a questioning look. Paul watched Dorian to see what he made of Amy’s statements and questions. Dorian shook his head in the negative as he responded. [color=39b54a]"Mine is fine. You going through withdrawals in the sub-frontal region? That can...."[/color] Dorian started, sitting up. [color=39b54a]"They fixed that last year though. Did you not go for it?"[/color] Dorian asked Amy, looking a little confused. Amy replied:[color=ed1c24] "We have our own bespoke. Wouldn't have done anything." [/color] Paul wondered why Amy would share this information with them. She must be really surprised and needing answers to share that she had this kind of issue. Dorian made light of it with a joke. [color=39b54a]"Can't help you there then. I'm fine. We had a new one fitted and it's fit as a fiddle. Even in my old age." [/color] Paul smiled as Hamid teased Dorian about beating him and being older. The topic of conversation was brought back to the point by Ava who had pointed out that Amy had traditionally had an advantage with her neural interface processor in the past. Paul looked down at his plate hiding a slight smile. He wondered how their new neural interfaces from Shinichi Biotech compared to Amy’s. Paul frowned as Amy mentioned that she was worried that other pilots had experienced the issue. Leave it to Wedge to make an inappropriate comment turning it into a bad taste joke. Paul rolled his eyes even as laughter from the comment was heard all around the table. Dorian and Hamid continued their good natured bickering back and forth. Dorian nudged him on the shoulder, leaning in. [color=39b54a]“Talk Later” [/color] Paul gave Dorian a hard look and simply nodded. He sighed and wondered if he should have skipped the pilot dinner tonight. He hoped no one really noticed he was quiet. He was struggling with a lot of personal stuff at the moment. He didn’t want it to show. He smiled as he continued to eat and listen to the pilots rag on each. Smack talk went around the table.