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Round 15 of Formula AG
Sunday 8th October, 2094
Qualifying
Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Interlagos, São Paulo, Brazil
São Paulo AGP
1400 BRT
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[b]Soundtrack: [url=https://pie.yt/?v=https://youtu.be/xo1VInw-SKc?si=FqeHVtG34_XHRed7&pieshare=1] Fight Song - Rachel Platten[/url]
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Paul knew that the mechanics and engineers had been working round the clock to fix the ships and recalibrate what they could before the race. The team had managed to set Paul up with a virtual reality simulator to reproduce the ship’s current quirks and setup. Paul had spent all his free time in the simulator trying to learn how the ship was going to react on the track in Brazil. Dorian was having even more trouble with the issues with his ship. Dorian didn’t seem to be as flexible and adaptable as Paul. Paul assumed it was an age issue although the two ships had taken different types of damage. It was possible that there was less they could do to repair Dorian’s ship. Paul was happy to get P5 in qualifying after everything they went through in Argentina. He was not content to stay in P5. He trained hard and worked tirelessly with Carmella and the mechanics to calibrate and adjust the antigravity skirting, air braking system, and sensors that had to be repaired and replaced. Paul was feeling more confident in the ship and what it could handle after his work in the simulator. 

One of the pit crew helped Paul into the ship. They carried a large umbrella to shield him from the rain. His helmet and race suit was water repellent but they were taking no chances with the moisture in the delicate electronics. The crew member used a towel and wiped off his helmet and shoulders to ensure the area was dry before closing up the canopy. Paul carefully took the cord with the clip and plugged the ship into his neural interface. Paul always experienced a rush as data began streaming into his consciousness from the ship’s sensors and computers. The new computers that had been upgraded just before Argentina were stronger and faster than the old ones. They used a new and unique encryption process to help bolster security for the ship’s systems. It was part of the security upgrade package from Radian Security Systems and Banshee Microsystems. Paul employed some of the techniques he had learned from Doctor Ainsworth, the team’s neural specialist, that had been developed in conjunction with Shinichi Bionics. The training techniques had helped Paul sort, compile, and utilize the massive amounts of data coming in from the ship. It took Paul a few minutes of meditation and visualization as he dropped into a cognitive state that allowed him to focus on the race and the ship. Paul could read the ship’s hull temperature and the amount of water that was rolling down the sides of the ship from the rain. He could see the track easily using the numerous cameras, radar, and lidar systems on the ship. Could flip through various camera settings such as low light and infrared at will. Paul was in the zone as he began his prerace checklist talking to his race engineer over the radio as they went through the list together. 

Paul was sitting in his ship at the starting line. He was in P5. His ship’s livery had been repaired and repainted to be sure all the sponsors got their advertising as promised for the race in Brazil. He pulled on his racing gloves and massaged the heavy tech fabric that was heat resistant down between his fingers to help ensure he had maximum dexterity. Paul was wearing the bog standard Valkyrie livery for the race. He had already closed his racing helmet up using his HUD to help with the prerace checklist. He had already reconfigured his virtual dashboard with the sensors and readings he would need for the race. Paul was feeling comfortable and focused as he waited for the race to start. He smiled as he heard Alexander’s familiar voice break into the channel. 

Alexander was sitting with the Team Valkyrie engineering team for the race. He was wearing what had become race day normal for him. Alexander didn’t bother with one of his suits on race day. He wore what the other engineers did when he was in the team’s paddock. He was wearing dark gray uniform pants, a button down Team Valkyrie shirt golden yellow with the logo in gray on the pocket, and work boots. His long hair was pulled back in a pony tail so it didn’t get tangled in his headset. Alexander was sitting between Carmella, Paul’s race engineer, and Remy, Dorian’s race engineer. 

Alexander spoke into the microphone attached to his headset. 

Alexander: [color=00aeef]“Okay Team I want to remind everyone what our strategy is. We know that the Dorian has been impacted by the damage to his ship significantly more than Paul. This has impacted our strategy for this race. Dorian will do his best to run interference for Paul from his position on the track without endangering himself. He will do his best to finish in points if possible. Paul will utilize the improvements made since qualifying to try and capture as many points as possible for the team. Paul, remember to take it easy on the antigravity system. No fancy rollovers here. We are unsure if the antigravity skirting will maintain its stability and integrity if you push it too hard. Best of luck everyone! Let’s get the job done.”  
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Paul rolled his eyes at Alexander’s reminder. As if he could forget with everyone reminding him. He was known for getting the most out of his antigravity when the conditions were right. Brazil would not be that race for him. He would just have to do his best using what was working well. 
 
Paul’s hands rested lightly on the control yoke as the countdown began as the lights began to flash in sequence at the starting line. Paul got a good start but was unable to gain any positions before the first turn. Paul gritted his teeth and charged forward. He managed to gain some moments in the corners and was slowly gaining on Kais. 

Then Kais managed to get past Cassie and Paul saw a chance. He followed in Kais’ wake allowing his ship to steal speed from Kais’ by following in the shadow of Kais’ ship. He allowed Kais’ ship to clear the choppy dirty air by staying in the ship’s rear drafting. He was able to slip right past Cassie as Kais passed her. Paul’s stability allowed him to stay in the slipstream shadow of Kais’ ship slowing him down while speeding Paul’s ship up. Paul made his move as Kais slowed to enter a turn. Paul threaded the needle on the inside slipping ahead of Kais. Paul was just coming out of the corner when his ship did an emergency shutdown. Paul had been focused on his fight with Kais when Carmella’s voice came through the radio. 

Carmella: [color=f7976a]“Red flag due to collision!”[/color] Paul was being directed back to the starting line for a restart. Paul was uncertain what the grid looked like. Carmella filled him in as they waited for the race to restart. Cassie and Nora had collided. Nora was out. Bea had been forced off the track by Amy and had dropped to the back of the pack. Paul would be restarting in P2. 

Carmella’s voice came through the radio, her tones soothing as she told him what was going on. [color=f7976a]“Cassie and Kelly collided and then Kelly’s ship shut down. Both pilots appear to be okay. Cassie will be continuing.” 
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Paul set his sights on Amy. He knew Amy would be a hard fight. Paul was watchful to keep an eye out for the dirty tricks she liked to play. Paul had been studying Amy’s racing footage. He had noted she skirted the racing rules to create incidents to end those who would challenge her. It was technically legal but Paul’s ship was somewhat delicate. He couldn’t take any extra punts in this race. He was careful to be sure he had clearance in the corners. Unfortunately it forced him to be somewhat cautious. He couldn’t quite find a line to overtake Amy. He managed to get ELS on her a few times but she always managed to break away. Kais behind him forced him to stay on the defensive. The race was about three quarters over when Alexander’s voice came over the radio. [color=00aeef]“Dorian’s handling is gone. He is retiring. Stay defensive Paul. We need the points. Defend P2.”  [/color]

It was a nerve wracking race but Paul managed to keep P2. He crossed the finish line and breathed a deep sigh of relief. He pulled into parc ferme and shut down the ship. Paul popped open the canopy and the team were already running up cheering him on. He smiled as today’s win was as much the engineers and mechanics as his. He smiled and thanked his team. He hugged Dorian and patted him on the back. 

[color=fff200]Paul: “I am sorry about your ship Dorian. Tough break.” [/color]

Dorian just smiled and hugged Paul back. [color=39b54a]“It was worth it to see you take P2 today.” [/color]

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[color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Cooldown Room- brazil[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color]

Paul was still in his racing suit although a team member had taken his helmet back to the paddock for him. He was standing and watching the race footage in the Cooldown room. He was sipping on a Zap energy drink. It might have been raining earlier but it was hot and humid in Brazil. Paul was still sweating as his body cooled down from the exertion and the heat in the cockpit. 

He watched the screens that showed Amy’s move on Bea. He nodded thinking so that is what happened to Bea. He would ask his simulator trainer to compile some training on how to defend against Amy’s dirty tricks. He would have them go back through her career footage and pull together a good training simulator for him. It would be helpful for him to face stuff like that in the simulator before he sees it on the track. If there was a way to defend against it, he needed to learn it now. Paul was focused on the screens as it also showed the collision between Cassie and Nora when Amy’s voice cut into his concentration. 

Amy: [b]"Clean defence. Did it to me in Belgium....backing off the outside line was a a choice, Bea." [/b]

Paul didn’t say anything as he remained focused on the screens. He felt bad for Nora. She would soon be out of contention for the championship if her season didn’t start to turn around. Paul was getting close enough that he might be able to challenge for at least top 3 in the championship standings. 

Amy addressed him directly. [b]"You are fast, Paul. After the start of the season, I wasn't sure where you would go....you got some skills. But I ain't giving over that easy! Gonna be seeing you challenging me for the title next!" [/b]

Paul looked confused as he replied to Amy. [color=fff200]“I would not expect you to be easy. I kind of thought I already was challenging you.” [/color]

Paul allowed Amy to hug him. He just shook his head as Amy was a driver he didn’t understand. 

Paul turned to Kais and offered him a hand shake. [color=fff200]“Thank you for a great race.”[/color] He clapped Kais on the shoulder before following Amy out to greet the screaming fans of Formula AG for the award ceremony. 

[color=gold][center][h1][i][b]DELTΔ HYPER[/b][/i][/h1][/center][/color]

[quote]Aurora: [color=ed1c24]"Paul, a solid finish in P2 again, and despite that damage you looked like you're finally hitting a purple patch of form. It looks like Amy really frustrated you, and you fought for quite some time with Kais too. Do you feel from a race management point of view, you did all you could after Beatrix crashed out?"[/color][/quote]

Paul: [color=fff200]“I feel like I could have done more but I played it safe. The ship had been repaired the best the mechanics and engineers could while in the field but I was told the repairs might not hold if I pushed too hard. I protected the team’s position in the points. I will be back after repairs for the next race. Hopefully I can keep producing solid finishes. Who knows, maybe I can gain enough points to challenge Amy for the championship.”[/color] Paul left that with a charming smile and wink. 

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