[center][h1]Race Day Sunday 4th September, 2094 Marina Bay, Singapore 2200 SGT [/h1][/center] [b]Soundtrack: [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B1VcRPxRJU]Metrik - Thunderblade[/url][/b] Paul had spent some time in the simulator the evening before. He practiced against simulations of Nora, Amy, and Bea. He practiced overtakes and the timing of the ELS deployment on the straights. He smiled as he noticed his racing lines smoothing out and his timing got better. He had spent some time with Konrad this morning. He had filled up on electrolytes so much he had to run and pee before the race. Konrad had even given them both an IV with some additional fluids and electrolytes just before the race. It was an effort to help them with the heat and humidity here in Singapore. His team had finished tweaking all the Repeller fields and the antigravitic technology on the ship to help it cut through the moisture laden air without any resistance. They did something to make the energy cost for that more efficient as well. They had done everything they could think of to help him with this race. Paul had done his homework and spent some time in guided meditation and visualization exercises with Dr. Ingold before the race. Paul was feeling good. He was feeling more positive about this race. He had to admit he had been offended by Alexander’s solution to his meltdown in Hawaii but it was helping. Paul was unloading emotional baggage he had not even recognized he had and coming to terms with what he needed to be happy and healthy. For the first time in his life, Paul let go of pleasing everyone else and focused on what he wanted. He stopped worrying about his mother and whether she would be okay. For the first time in his life, Paul gave himself permission to be selfish and put himself first. Paul had spent his childhood trying to fill a role he was never meant to fill. He was never supposed to be his mother’s caretaker. He had spent his life trying to be everything she wanted him to be so he could see her smile and fill the unhappiness and sadness he always saw in her eyes. He recognized now that was not his role or job. He had always moderated what he said and did to please her. He had a few sessions with Dr. Ingold and his mother. It had helped their relationship move to a new dynamic. She was trying to be more supportive of his racing career. It had been cathartic for them both. The last thing Paul had done before heading to the paddock was to call his mother and let her know that she loved him. She had wished him luck and said she would be watching. Paul had an eager smile as he walked into the paddock garage where his ship was. He had his helmet tucked under his arm. Before he headed to his ship, he thanked all the crew for their hard work to get his ship ready. He apologized for any bad behavior he had displayed in Hawaii. He went to Alexander who was in the garage wearing an easy smile. Alexander was in dark gray slacks, a Team Valkyrie button up shirt, and work boots. Paul held out a hand to Alexander. [color=fff200]“I am sorry for what I said in Hawaii. You were right. I was acting like a spoiled brat. You were right to call me out on it.” [/color] Alexander reached out and shook Paul’s hand with a warm smile. [color=00aeef]“That’s my job. Team babysitter and head smacker when things are going wrong.”[/color] Alexander was aware of the eyes of the crew on him and Paul during their exchange. His smile widened as he heard the catcalls and laughter around them from the crew. [i][color=00aeef]Alexander couldn’t help thinking, Yep they would help Paul keep a stable footing.[/color][/i] Alexander’s eyes were full of warmth and humor as he watched a new side of Paul. He was surprised at how well Paul was doing since he had been working with Dr. Ingold. Maybe he should make Dorian take sessions as well. He considered for a heartbeat but Dorian would probably resent it. He thought it might help Dorian with the upcoming transition. He would have to find the right moment to at least make the offer to the senior pilot. Paul gave Alexander a sheepish smile as he heard the catcalls from the crew. [color=bc8dbf]“Bout time.” “We were wondering when you would kiss and make up!” “We expect results!” “Happy to check egos at the door!”[/color] Paul knew he had earned all their playful barbs. He also knew they meant them as a family member would. He knew they would be there to help him if he imploded again. He smiled and looked around at them all. [color=fff200]“Let’s see if I can make my words to Amy come true, yeah?!”[/color] The crew all cheered and laughed at him. Dorian had been nearby smiling and watching. [color=39b54a]“It’s about time, legacy boy!”[/color] Dorian gave Paul a rueful smile. He was well aware that the media and all the fans always compared the results from the two of them. [color=39b54a]“Shall we go try to win this one? I would love to join you on the podium this time but I would have to get through a lot of people to join you. I will do my best to hold back the midpack for ya.”[/color] Dorian clapped Paul on the shoulder with a smile before turning to go to his ship. The mood in the Team Valkyrie garage was good. They were all eager for redemption. [hr] Paul had gone through his prerace checklist. He was sitting in P3 with his hands on the control yoke. He flexed his hands inside his gloves ensuring that he had all the manual dexterity he could get. He mentally reviewed all the information coming in from the ship and its sensors through his neural interface. He focused on his nanites and began his deep breathing exercises to oxygenate his blood. He was as ready as he could be. He sunk into his connection to the ship. He tested all the systems with his ability to tap them through his neural interface before saying he was ready. He was handling the neural load well. He had his HUD set up the way he liked it. He had already adjusted to using the ship’s sensor as well as his eyes to pilot. The glare off the water from the bright lights added a hypnotic and distracting factor. Paul felt in the zone as he pushed away all distractions as the countdown began. And as the teams got ready, running through initial checks, the lights flickered up in red. [b]Four. Three. Two. One.[/b] Paul hit the throttle and managed to get away from the start clean. Paul growled as his move to overtake Nora at the first turn was shut down as Amy defended aggressively, pushing Nora to the outside blocking the whole lane and forcing Paul to give way which cost him some momentum. Paul could almost feel Bea nipping at his heels right behind him searching for her opening. Paul defended his place. The fight was on. Carmella's voice came over the team radio. [color=f7976a]“Max made it past Dorian and Ava; he is now in P9. Good defense Paul.” [/color] Alexander’s voice came over the team radio next. [color=00aeef]“Dorian, do your best. You know better than any of us how fast things can change here in Singapore. You can still get some points. Keep up your defense.” [/color] Paul’s voice came over the radio. He sounded intense and focused. [color=fff200]“Understood. Dorian give them hell back!”[/color] Paul didn’t have time for much more as he and Bea began to battle for every corner and racing line. She would attack and he would defend. He kept his sights set on Nora in front of him. He was slowly making up distance between them on the straights. Nora managed to stay ahead of him. He barely managed to hold Bea at bay as they finished lap two. The heat in the ship was already climbing. Paul was already sweating even with the cooling provided by his suit. Paul had a front row seat to what was happening in front of him. He was charging his ELS every chance his got. Nora was an absolute beast as she kept on Amy relentlessly. She never let up on Amy giving her no quarter. Paul followed her example not giving her an easy fight as he made her defend against him as well. He would occasionally lock her up with his ELS but she always managed to break it shortly afterward. Paul knew that everything would help him in the end. A few laps later Nora made her move on Amy in turn 7. Nora was extremely aggressive and shut Amy out forcing her to take the escape lane in a move that looked intentional and would absolutely be reviewed by the racing stewards as the two ships almost collided. Paul heard Carmella’s excited voice. [color=f7976a]“Push Paul! Close the gap. Shut Amy out and close up on Nora.” [/color] Alexander’s voice came over the team radio next. [color=00aeef]“Amy has rejoined the race but she is now in P6. This is your chance Paul. Remember she is not going to give it to you. Go after her! Fight for what you want!” [/color] Paul smiled as he heard that Amy had fallen way behind them. He put his focus on Nora and pushed the ship hard to keep up with Nora. He was the hunter now and she was defending for all she was worth. Kelly’s ship was not handling well and she almost binned it into the wall several times. She was making the corners by centimeters but she managed to maintain her pace. Alexander’s voice came over the radio. [color=00aeef]“Remember what we talked about Paul. Keep track of your ELS. You can get closer in the straights and then overtake her in a corner but you have to stay close.” [/color] Behind him Dorian was fighting to keep Cassie in his sights even as Max made it past him to fight with Cassie. Dorian then tried to take that position back from Max. The midfield changed position back and forth as pilots challenged and defended their racing lines. Paul was charging his ELS in the corners. He feinting trying to get around Nora but she was not giving him any openings. Paul almost slipped past him but he managed to close the door on her in turn 14. Dorian was now fighting off Hamid behind him. With Jen right behind Hamid harassing him from behind looking for an opening. Then Hamid made an aggressive move and Jen didn’t concede the racing line and an inevitable collision happened as Jen plowed into the side of Hamid’s ship. Carmella’s voice came over the team’s comms even as his ship shut down where it was. [color=f7976a]“Red Flag collision between Lowry and Atlassi." [/color] Paul waited on pins and needles to hear how the two pilots were. Alexander’s voice came over the team comms next. [color=00aeef]“Both pilots are fine. The track is a mess. They are cleaning it up before restarting. The collision doesn’t change anything for our team. When we restart, be prepared to regain the momentum you lost Paul. Dorian this gives you an opportunity to get past Cassie if she was a poor restart.” [/color] Paul’s voice came over the team comms he took a moment to control his breathing. [color=fff200]“Understood. She keeps slamming the door on me. I will keep after it. She will eventually make a mistake and I will be in the position to take advantage of it.”[/color] He did some deep breathing to get his oxygen back up while he waited and calm his racing heart from the adrenaline. He was still sweating like a pig but it was the last thing on his mind he kept visualizing a push past Nora. [hr] At the restart, all ships were back online. And the small matter of the fight was left at the front, with Bea still in a podium position now Amy was behind Harrison and her. [b]Four. Three. Two. One. [/b] Paul hit the throttle hoping to catch Nora sleeping as his ship lunged forward. Paul went immediately back to jostling with Nora over racing lines. Nora had a faster ship. She managed to keep her lead off the line. Paul kept on her fighting for every bit of ELS he could drain and trying to force her to make a mistake that would let him past her. Behind Paul Bea had been distracted by Harrison as he made a move to pass her. Harrison got past Bea and was followed by Amy. Carmella’s voice came over the team comms. [color=f7976a]“Makura has overtaken Ward and was followed by Stirling. Keep your head Paul. Don’t forget defense or Makura will get past you.” [/color] Paul’s voice came over comms. [color=fff200]“I got it. Same shit different pilot.” [/color] Alexander chuckled at Paul’s response. He was usually so careful of his language. [color=00aeef]“That’s the right attitude Paul. The job is the same, harass Kelly while defending against Makura.” [/color] Paul smiled as he made an aggressive move in the corner, shutting Makura down while nipping at Nora’s heels. [color=fff200]“Maybe I will earn a new nickname.” [/color] Alexander’s amused voice came back over the team comms a few minutes later. [color=00aeef]“You will be happy to know that Ward is now joyfully harassing Stirling and is trying to take her spot back from Stirling.” [/color] Paul refocused his efforts on trying to make Nora give way. He dogged her heels. He fought for every corner. His body was being thrown against the restraints as he cornered faster. The g forces an extra weight and wear and tear on his body as he keeps pace with Nora. She kept shutting him down in the corners. She would swing wide and he would try to slip inside for her to shut the door time and time again. Paul could feel his frustration climbing but he knew that was when he made mistakes. He blew out a hard breath as they came out of another corner and the fight continued. He was now defending from Makura as he tried to get around Paul. Paul stayed focused and didn’t give Makura any openings. Paul took advantage of the mag railings and the antigravity nature of the ship. He tried overtakes from might feel like impossible angles as the ship literally went sideways around some of the banked corners and up the wall. His dogfight with Nora didn’t have the same intensity as his fight with Bea at Spa but it had its own moments of inspiration and drama on a very different track. Paul never gave up poking and prodding and trying to get around Nora. They were in the final lap when Paul finally spotted his opening. Nora went wide to make the corner. She needed the outer lane due to the instability of her ship. She miscalculated and had to slow down a bit to prevent hitting the wall. Paul slipped his ship up the inner wall, his canopy almost 90 degrees to Nora’s as he slipped through the opening that was barely big enough for his ship. It wouldn’t have been if he had not taken advantage of the mag strip that curled up the wall and slung him around the 90 degree bend. Paul came flying out of the corner. He smiled as he had practiced this in the simulator. His ship came up to top speed and Nora was gaining on him from behind when he dropped his ELS charge to push his speed up. He managed to widen the gap between him and Nora. In seconds the race was over and he had managed to take the win. Paul did a victory lap and pulled his ship into parc ferme in the winner’s circle. Paul shut the ship down and turned everything off before he unplugged his neural interface from the back of his helmet. His canopy was being opened by an ecstatic crew member as Paul pulled off his harness. He looked up to see Alexander there with the biggest smile. He clapped Paul on the shoulder. [color=00aeef]“I never had any doubt you could do it.”[/color] He helped Paul out of the ship before giving him a back slapping hug. The crew was cheering around them as Paul took off his helmet and handed it to his race engineer. Paul looked over the crew. [color=fff200]“This one was for you guys. You have always stood behind me. I appreciate you all.”[/color] He was then being led over to the cooldown room. He was followed by Konrad the team paramedic who was hovering like an old auntie. [hider=Race Results for Singapore]https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qF6cn-eA0G0sumgf79TvEnPjOHyQP-vZSFV6LNrn_OY/edit?usp=sharing [hr][/hider] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Cooldown Room[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [center][h2][i][b]Harrison Makara[/b][/i][/h2][/center] Paul was chugging more electrolytes as Konrad checked him over. [color=bc8dbf]Konrad: “This was a good improvement over Spa. You are nearly as dehydrated. Your levels are borderline. I think that extra IV of electrolytes before the race made all the difference. Preloading on them helped.” [/color] Paul nodded even as he drained the first Zap Sports Drink. He handed the empty bottle to Konrad. [color=fff200]“I felt the difference. I didn’t feel the drain on my body’s system and energy quite as bad.” [/color] Konrad nodded, content that Paul was in good shape, packed up his kit and left. Paul turned his attention to the other pilots in the room. Paul gave Nora a warm smile and walked over to her. [color=fff200]Paul: “I am glad you didn’t give up after the accident on the moon. I wouldn’t accept a win over you without you giving it all you had. I appreciate that you made me work every inch of the way for it. You know I consider you the rookie to beat this season. I still stand by that statement.”[/color] He held a hand out to Nora. [color=fff200]“Truce? Friends?” [/color] He waited to see how that turned out before turning to address Harrison. [color=a2d39c]Harrison: "Damn. That is rough. Still. Two rookies didn't smack into each other, so we're all winners....would be an easy P1 if you had!" [/color] Paul looked at Harrison and could see the frustration boiling just under the surface that he hid with humor and a toothy smile. Paul gave Harrison just as toothy a smile back before shaking his hand. [color=fff200]“You wish. Sorry Harrison. You are going to have to fight us for every position in every race. Isn’t that right Nora?” [/color] Paul gave Nora a conspiratorial smile. Nora just shrugged and shook his hand. Paul gave her an almost blinding smile. He was hopeful that she wouldn’t hold it against him. Paul took a moment to sit down next to Nora. He still felt sticky with sweat and the heat was still dissipating away from his body. He noted that Nora looked a little unsteady on her feet. That was how he had looked after Spa when Konrad had intervened. At least Nora hadn’t passed out and needed help the way he had. The three pilots decompressed as they cooled off and waited for the racing stewards to give the all clear. The steward gave the thumbs up, and with it, the three walked out. Paul walked out with the other two pilots. He assumed his place on the podium. He smiled and waited through the national anthems. He accepted the trophy with a big smile. This win had been for him and his team. An apology for not believing in himself when they had believed in him. It marked his journey to finding his own racing style and accepting the consequences of his own actions and will. He laughed as he showered everyone on the podium and below with the champagne. [hr] Paul had been surprised when the Delta Hyper crew didn’t interview them right after the race like they normally do. Paul had been immediately hounded by all the news media present for a sound bite after his win at Singapore. He had been pushed into a hasty news conference by a member of Katherine’s team. Her team made sure the questions stayed on track and out of strange places. So it was a week after the Singapore race when Paul found himself asked to join Delta Hyper in a studio. Paul was wearing a team polo, dark gray slacks, and black boots. Paul looked relaxed as he waited for the inevitable question. [quote][color=ed1c24]"Paul, you seemed to be having struggles with your form, with some inconsistent performances, yet still delivering three wins by Singapore. Tell us, how did that win feel, after? And if you're at liberty, tell us, what do the pressures feel like?"[/color][/quote] Paul looked thoughtful as he pondered how to respond. He looked right at the camera before starting. [color=fff200]“Pilots are under a lot of pressure to perform by fans and by our team. It is our job to win races. We are human just like everyone else. We have other pressures in life and other responsibilities to live up to at the same time. The pressures can be intense. Everyone expects something from you. It can be a lot of pressure to live up to, all the things people around us expect from us.” [/color] Paul shrugged a little as it was not a big secret his performance had been all over the place. [color=fff200]“I can’t deny I have had my share of troubles. I am working on them. All I can do is my best. I am putting my all into every race. I feel that realistically that is all anyone can expect from me. I keep training and striving to be better.” [/color] [hr] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Formula AG in the News[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [center][h1][color=fff200][b]AG Source[/b][/color][/h1][/center] [quote][color=ed1c24]This is Shannon Taylor with AG Source here. Keeping track of what happens on the track and off of it for Formula AG fans everywhere! I am following up on a story we brought you a day ago when Team Valkyrie AGR Pilot Paul Mulder was captured by a group of media after the Singapore Qualifying race. He was asked if the three rookies felt that they would be able to get past Amy. Paul pointed out the fact that all three of them had already beaten her at least once. He even went on to state that he felt Beatrix Ward and Nora Kelly would continue to be his biggest competition on the track for years to come. Mulder proved his point as he won the Singapore Grand Prix with Nora Kelly finishing in P2. Both rookie pilots placed higher then Amy Stirling. For a good portion of the race, rookie pilot Beatrix Ward was also ahead of Amy Stirling. Harrison Makura got past Beatrix Ward followed soon after as Amy Stirling fought to regain her place after Kelly forced her off the track. Will we see more races like Singapore? The rookies have a lot to live up to. Don’t forget to follow us as we keep you up to date with what is happening with your favorite Formula AG Teams and Pilots. This has been Shannon Taylor with AG Source.[/color][/quote] [center][h1][color=fff200][b]Social Media Response [/b][/color][/h1][/center] [color=fff200]HydrofoilHater[/color] I can’t believe Mulder one. Kelly should have been fined for forcing Stirling off the track. [color=fff200]ThrusterJester:[/color] I agree Kelly should have been disqualified. [color=fff200]QuantumQuokka:[/color]Mulder did well at this one then he will choke at the next one if he keeps up the pattern. [color=fff200]Bertha:[/color] Sad but true Quantum Quokka. [color=fff200]ValkyrieFan56:[/color]Dorian Hornfleur finished in P9 gaining points for the team. l [color=fff200]Nana2050:[/color] Paul Mulder has proven he has it! [color=fff200]MulderMuse:[/color] Mulder is good and cute! [color=fff200]Paulmulder4eva:[/color] Agreed MulderMuse Paul is dreamy. [color=fff200]RumorMill:[/color] Well if he is seeing a psychologist it is obviously working for him. [color=fff200]DantheMan:[/color] I just want him to be more consistent. [color=fff200]LegacyStan94:[/color] I feel like he is doing well. What is up with all the haters? [hider= Team Valkyrie Characters] https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zrLx5XUgYiVm6KjTpFTWZtJvXc0MX77enkLzINHujKw/edit?gid=0#gid=0 [/hider]