[center][h1][b]Thursday 1st September, 2094 Marina Bay, Singapore 2030 SGT [/b][/h1][/center] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]ZONE[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [center][h2][i][b][color=39b54a]Dorian Hornfleur[/color][/b][/i][/h2][/center] [center][h2][i][b][color=fff200]Paul Mulder[/color][/b][/i][/h2][/center] Paul climbed into the automated vehicle behind Dorian. He could feel the awkwardness and tension between them. Paul had been avoiding Dorian since Hawaii. He was frustrated and angry and knew it was not Dorian’s fault even as he wanted to blame Dorian for all his bad luck on the track. Paul was embarrassed that Alexander had saddled him with a sport’s psychologist that was providing progress reports to Alexander. Dr. Ingold had told him that the details of his session were private and would not be shared with her employer. The progress reports had more to do with how willing Paul was to work on his issues and the progress he was making overcoming them. That didn’t reassure Paul. He sighed as he knew that avoiding Dorian was childish and just made him look even more childish. Paul had been quiet during dinner because he didn't want to say anything he couldn’t take back. It was like he was unleashing years of angst and frustration and he seemed incapable of controlling what came out of his mouth. Dorian broke the silence first and it was about what Amy had said. He was surprised by the vehementness of Dorian’s reply. [color=39b54a]Dorian: "Something is fucking wrong with her. I've never seen her actually scared." [/color] Paul could see by Dorian’s body language that he was serious, frustrated, and concerned about Amy. Paul decided to break the ice and try to offer some camaraderie to Dorian about the situation. [color=fff200]Paul: “I have to admit. I didn’t understand much about what Amy was asking. I love my new neural interface. It is so much faster than our old one. I also feel better that we have a new one after everything that came out about Brendel.” [/color] Then Dorian jumped in and targeted him with his performance in Hawaii. Paul felt his body tighten with tension. He was surprised when Dorian broached the topic first. [color=39b54a]Dorian: "If it's Hawaii that has you down, look....these things happen. Ship just doesn't feel right. You think you're useless. And it's shit." [/color] Paul stared at Dorian with widening eyes. He was surprised that Dorian had any clue how he felt. [color=39b54a]Dorian: "When I was young, I suppose I was hungry. Impatient. But if you are seeing someone, don't bottle up. It's better to talk. And I'm here too, Paul. I have nothing to lose but one last hurrah."[/color] Dorian was smiling at him again. [color=fff200]Paul: “I just don’t understand how my performance can slip so badly from track to track. It’s frustrating and I have all this anger that just seemed to bubble up out of nowhere.”[/color] Paul found he was rambling to Dorian of all people. He sighed as he felt like a bottle of champagne that had blown its cork and was bubbling over. Dorian didn’t deserve the rough edge of his tongue or his anger. Paul was surprised when Dorian admitted that he was feeling the same way. [color=39b54a]"But if it's that...then sorry, I can't help you there. Because I'm thinking the fucking same." [/color] Paul sat back against the seat back realizing he had leaned forward to emphasize what he had been telling Dorian. Paul felt his face heat with embarrassment. [color=fff200]“I am sorry Dorian. I know my performance is not your fault but I still took it out on you. I am trying hard not to. I feel like such a failure and fraud. I keep asking myself if I deserve to be where I am. I feel like such a disappointment to those who have supported me. I just don’t get what’s going wrong.”[/color] Paul paused for a moment and raised an eyebrow at Dorian. [color=fff200]“Did you just hit on me? Man you know I don’t swing that way!”[/color] Paul sighed and gave Dorian a wry smile. [color=fff200]“I can’t seem to find a girl I can trust. I can’t relax enough to try dating one. Maybe it is sexual frustration but I don’t want to be that guy who has a reputation for playing the field and ends up in court over child support.”[/color] He let Dorian get his laughter out of the way before he changed the subject again. [color=39b54a]Dorian: "She's always been pushing. Always so....greedy. Cassie was like that too. It scared me. I suppose I didn't trust you at first because I thought you might be the same. But even Starcross was wired up for her time. Shame we're not."[/color] Dorian leaned in, shaking his head. Paul tilted his head to the side. He felt like he was having two separate conversations with Dorian. He was struggling to keep up. [color=fff200] “Do you mean Amy? I assume you are talking about the pilot modifications.” [/color] [color=39b54a]Dorian: "Alexander will push the wetware on you. He's got to extract the best pilot he can. If you don't feel comfortable, don't be afraid to push back. You are the biggest star of the European Union right now. He isn't."[/color] Dorian leaned forwards, hands on knees. Paul was surprised by how Dorian felt. Alexander had already told Paul he wouldn’t force him to take on any augmentations that he didn’t agree with. [color=39b54a]Dorian: "Do whatever you need to do. The pilot isn't bigger than the team, Paul. But the team needs a pilot who can win. So we get it done here, however we can. Or any chance of us catching Zygon, let alone Al-Saqr, and we are done."[/color] Dorian finished, knowing that mentally, Paul was in a tricky place. Paul felt the tension coming back at Dorian’s words. [color=fff200]“I know man. I am sorry I have shut you out Dorian. I hope you can forgive me. I was just so overwhelmed with emotions I don’t usually have. It’s been unsettling to say the least.”[/color] He sighed remembering that Dr. Ingold had told him that he was dealing with unresolved issues regarding his father’s death that were probably triggered by the Spa race. [color=fff200]“I am feeling the pressure to perform. I still have no fucking clue what went wrong in Hawaii. I have been practicing overtakes and cornering. I have been working with Shinichi to improve my reaction speed with the neural implant. I have been working to try to improve my lung and heart function using the new electronic neural pathways. Have you noticed that the integration seems to get better and better? It’s like the nanites are learning and improving the longer they are there. I am hoping for another good race.” [/color] [hr] [center][h1][b] Practice Friday 2nd September, 2094 Singapore Marina Bay, Singapore 1600 SGT [/b][/h1][/center] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Humid Heat[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [b]Soundtrack: [url=https://pie.yt/?v=https://youtu.be/xLYiIBCN9ec?si=D3iRfEjk_jbGV_Xi&pieshare=1] Linkin Park - Irisdescent[/url][/b] Paul was sweating inside his race suit. The heat and humidity were hard on him. He was in excellent health but he came from a much cooler climate. He was going to have to remember to hydrate. The electrolyte solutions were going to be important for him here in Singapore. He was looking forward to this course since it was similar to Monaco and Paul loved the road courses. He was a little nervous after Hawaii but determined to do better here in Singapore. He was trying a new visualization and calming exercise that Dr. Ingold had been teaching him. She had come with the team and was here to support him through the race. He had not been happy about it at first but the more he worked with her. The more comfortable he was with her and it was nice to have someone he knew he could vent too here at the race with him. He had apologized to Dorian and had already said hello to him and they had shared what they knew and talked about to help each other here in Singapore. Paul had been sharing with Dorian some newer tricks he had learned as the nanites continued to build and augment a secondary neural system overlaid onto their nervous system. Paul was working with his neural interface to help his body acclimatize to the muggy heat of Singapore. When Paul had first landed in Singapore, he had felt he was trying to breathe through a soggy towel. It had gotten better the more he was on the ground. He continued to sweat more than he was used to. He had been drinking water and Zap sports drinks nonstop. He had not gone out sight seeing. He had only gone to the pilot dinner. He had stayed out of the public eye as much as possible. He wanted to stay focused on the race and what he needed to do to pull out a win here in Singapore. The press had been hounding him for statements since his poor showing in Hawaii. He had given a few statements before he left Hawaii. He didn’t want to let the negativity of the culture vultures get into his head. Paul knew he had been a Gonk in Hawaii. Security had politely let Paul know that they had turned away several Joytoys that had been sent by fans. Paul was horrified that anyone would go to those lengths or think he would enjoy that for the sake of his performance. He was grateful he traveled with well trained security. Paul was in for another surprise as Alexander’s voice joined Carmella’s in his ear. Paul had not noticed him joining the other engineers at their station. Paul had just finished his prerace checklist when Alexander’s deep voice came over the radio. [color=00aeef]Alexander: “Good afternoon team! I will be joining you at all the races from now on. This is where I should have been. Carmella please review the race strategy for me and Paul.” [/color] Carmella sounded a little flustered but was soon in her element as they reviewed the race strategy. [color=f7976a]“We need to adjust the ship for climate changes. This muggy heat might affect the metal alloys in the ship. It might not sound like much but at these speeds even a half a second difference can make a difference. Practice is going to be crucial as we dial in the ship for this track. Singapore is a road course. It is going to be a place where skill shines. It has opportunities for overtakes but it takes skill and tenacity. You need to take advantage of the mag track while playing defense. Are you ready Paul?” [/color] Paul swallowed and pushed his outside worries away. It was just him, the ship and the track. [color=fff200]“Ready.” [/color] Paul took his ship out to the starting line. He began his warm up lap and then went after it. He pushed his speed and tested his handling. He knew the race would look different at night with all the neon and lights along the track. His practice session was in the afternoon. Paul used his link to the ship to help him navigate around the track. He knew he would need it at night. It would help him to get more comfortable with it now. He was able to handle more and more of the ship’s sensors and information as he continued the cognitive training with the team’s specialist and Shinichi’s research team. Paul felt like he merged deeper with the ship each time. This time he was aware of the heat and moisture that pinged off the hull of the ship as read by the sensors. It was a peculiar sensation as it almost felt like his biological response was sweating. Paul had blazed around the track. Alexander remained quiet on Paul’s first lap reading over the data. He watched Paul’s performance especially in the corners and straights. He waited until Paul had finished his first run before speaking. He waited first to see if Carmella had spotted what he had noticed. [color=f7976a]Carmella: “Great first lap Paul. We need to go over the data. Park the ship in the paddock. We need to make a few adjustments while Dorian does his run. Then I want you to take the ship back out again. Did you notice anything you want us to address?”[/color] Alexander waited and listened. He was curious if Paul had been working with his engineer or fighting their suggestions. This was a good way for him to see how that was going. [color=fff200]Paul: “The handling feels sluggish. It's almost like there is extra resistance in the corners. I am not sure what’s causing it but it is slowing the ship slightly. Like there is extra drag on the air brakes.” [/color] Alexander smiled and nodded at least Paul had noted the difference. He waited to hear Carmella’s reply. [color=f7976a]Carmella: “Yes Paul. That is what we need to adjust. The ship needs to be adjusted for the heavier moisture content in the air. Once we make some adjustments. It should respond better.” [/color] Alexander’s voice was full of satisfaction and warmth as deep tones came over the radio once more. [color=00aeef]“Nice work team! Let’s get those adjustments made. We also need to test the ELS to make sure the moisture doesn’t impair that. You need to test that on your next run Paul. Paul you did well in the corners but you are leaving yourself open to ELS attacks on the straights. I know you are out there right now by yourself but this is a good time to practice defense and get more comfortable with the track. Take 15 minutes while Dorian does his run and then let’s do it again.” [/color] The Valkyrie paddock was full of energy and focus as the mechanics and engineers got to work trying to adjust the tension on the air brakes and the damping field that provided safety for the ship in the case of a collision. They were going to use the field to help repel the moisture in the air. A few adjustments to the antigravity field would also help with the handling. The team made the most of their practice runs as Paul and Dorian both managed to get three runs in during their practice hour. [hr] The various pilots were in the interview booth. This was getting tiring, no doubt, it was pushing them because after a humid, hot run in the sun, practice was over, and Aurora was back there again, run ragged this afternoon with various activities. They were probably no doubt, pissed off, not wanting to be interviewed again. But there they were again. [color=ed1c24][quote]Aurora: "With the humidity, how are you feeling?"[/quote][/color] [hr] A cut inside the Delta Hyper booth. Paul was giving his charming self to the camera and Aurora as he was back inside the Delta Hyper booth. He had just come from practice and was sweating buckets. His golden hair was dark with sweat and flattened to his head from being in his helmet. Paul laughed at Aurora’s silly question. [color=fff200]“Hot and sweaty! I am not used to this heat and humidity. But my trainers and medical team are taking good care of us.”[/color] Paul held up his current bottle of orange Zap sports drink. [color=fff200]“As you can see they are pouring electrolytes into us. It is a new challenge all its own. I am working hard to ensure we have a good race here in Singapore. I was very disappointed in how I did in Hawaii. I don’t want to disappoint my fans by a poor showing here in Singapore.”[/color] [hr] [hider= Team Valkyrie Characters] https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zrLx5XUgYiVm6KjTpFTWZtJvXc0MX77enkLzINHujKw/edit?gid=0#gid=0 [/hider]