[hr] [color=gold][center][h1][i][b]DELTΔ HYPER[/b][/i][/h1][/center][/color] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Episode Seventeen: Mustang Alley[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [hr] [center][h1][b]Friday 3rd November, 2094 21C Mustang Camp Bonneville Salt Flats 1925 Mountain Time (FAS) [/b][/h1][/center] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Festival of Speed[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] Alexander was at the hotel in Salt Lake City finishing up some work using his hotel room as an office before heading out to the Salt Flats and the racetrack. He was pleased to note that the new facility had its groundbreaking and was finally under construction. Alexander was on a video call with George Haffner from Transolar Industries. Transolar Industries had been fast tracked through the team’s new sponsor vetting process. They had passed with flying colors as a solid company with an impeccable reputation for quality. The Board of Directors had given their approval. Transolar Industries didn’t really conflict with any existing sponsors. There might be some grumbling about sharing the spotlight with a new larger sponsor but as long as the team keeps performing it shouldn’t be an issue. All sponsors knew this was why everything was spelled out in contracts in black and white. Contracts detailing exactly what they were getting in return for their sponsorship money down to embedded media shots, how big the logo on the ship was, and banner placement. These details kept everyone honest. Alexander had chosen to go with quality sponsors over numbers. This appealed to Transolar who had been investigating a major Formula AG sponsorship. They didn’t want to compete with Silver Apex’s numerous sponsors and were disappointed with Zygon’s performance. They felt the team culture that was the best fit for this at this time was Team Valkyrie. Valkyrie and Transolar were circling one another. While the lawyers were butting heads and negotiating contracts, Alexander was playing host to George Haffner at the Festival of Speed this weekend. So far things were looking good that Team Valkyrie would be announcing a new primary sponsor soon once those contracts were hammered out. Alexander smiled as he spoke into the camera on his tablet. [color=00aeef]“Hello George. It’s a pleasure to see you. My assistant Mabel Brown has arranged for a car to meet you at the airport and bring you to the festival. She has arranged for your luggage to be delivered to your room. I will meet you there. I just had some last minute things to take care of before I headed out to the track.” [/color] George Haffner was a middle class white man with a bald spot and graying hair. He was wearing a Transolar Polo in the video. [color=82ca9d]“That sounds perfect. I am looking forward to seeing how the team operates at a race. Especially one such as this. What do you have in store for me this weekend?” [/color] Alexander smiled as responded. He would rather be focusing on the race but this was part of his job that he understood needed to be done. It was just a part he didn’t like very much. He was glad that George seemed easy going instead of the typical stuffed shirt who seemed to expect everyone to fawn over them. He appreciated that George was direct and no nonsense. [color=00aeef]“I plan to introduce you to the team and give you a tour of operations. I want you to see how we operate on the ground. I will be available to answer any questions you may have. I have arranged for you to have access to the paddock. You can watch the race from there or in the stands. The view will probably be better from the stands but if you want to be in the middle of the action we can accommodate that. We hope you like what you see.” [/color] George threw back his head in a laugh. [color=82ca9d]“I don’t doubt that I will. We both know this is more of a formality but you never know. I look forward to seeing you there.” [/color] Alexander blushed a little and pushed forward because Mabel was glaring at him from the other side of the split screen. He gulped and ran a hand down the back of his neck squeezing gently as his discomfort showed. [color=00aeef]“My assistant insisted on providing you with a costume for the festival. I want to ensure you understand that you do not have to wear it but it is expected of attendees to the festival. It has a very cyber punk quality to it. She had hoped it would help you enjoy the festivities by blending in.” [/color] Alexander only hoped the man was comfortable with the brightly colored outfit that Mabel had put together for him. He had seen his and was not happy about it but he had been outvoted by Mabel and Lena. She had the weekend free and was here to spend the weekend with her. She was looking forward to the festival and had a very cyber saloon girl type of outfit with a holographic parasol to go with it. She had informed him to loosen up and get with the program. He sighed as he saw the pleased surprise on George’s face. [color=82ca9d]“That was mighty kind of her. Please send along my thanks to Miss Brown.”[/color] George paused and began laughing as he turned to speak with someone out of camera. [color=82ca9d]“I have been informed by my wife who is accompanying me that she will enjoy that. Evidently she was aware of the dress code and planned accordingly.”[/color] Alexander just knew this was one of those things Mabel probably had predicted and capitalized on. Alexander gave a relieved smile and gave George a knowing look. [color=00aeef]“Happy wife Happy Life.”[/color] He gave a shrug. George just nodded and laughed again. [color=82ca9d]“Exactly! I see you understand. See you in a few hours Alexander.”[/color] Alexander said goodbye and hung up. He turned to see a smirking Lena. [color=00aeef]“You and Mabel planned this somehow. I just know it.”[/color] Lena laughed and came over to wrap her arms around him. [color=a187be]“She mentioned that you would probably fight dressing up for the crowds at the festival. It sounds like fun to me. I can’t wait.”[/color] Lena pulled him closer and gave him a deeper kiss before pulling back. [color=a187be]“We are going to have fun this weekend. Yes I know you are working but you are going to need some help since George will have his wife with him.”[/color] Alexander tilted his head in thought as he considered Lena’s point. He hugged her to his chest. [color=00aeef]“Then I am grateful you are here with me this weekend. What am I being forced to wear?”[/color] Lena’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she reveled in sharing with him. [color=a187be]“We are going to match. Relax, I wouldn’t let them put you in anything too heinous.”[/color] Alexander resigned himself to an uncomfortable outfit and just accepted his fate. [hr] Alexander tugged at the thin western bolo style bow tie around his neck. He had to admit it was not horrible but he felt ridiculous and was not a fan of the suit. He had a long Steam Punk coat in a golden bronze color with a black vest under it and an old west style shirt in an ivory color and distressed black leather looking pants. He didn’t mind the cowboy boots that accompanied the outfit. It was the hat that he objected to. It was a leather top hat with a bronze colored hat band that matched the coat with goggles on it that went with the outfit. Lena's outfit was similar to his but she had a corset instead of a vest. She was wearing a cotton gown with a high color and long loose sleeves. The skirt was short with ruffles in the same bronze colored fabric as his coat. Lena had smiled and reassured him that he looked great. Alexander grumbled the entire way out to the festival. He at least got to watch Lena in the sexy outfit. He met George and his wife and they began to tour the festival. George had been put in an outfit similar to his that complimented his wife’s outfit. Again Alexander suspected Mabel had reached out to George’s wife about this weekend. He started the tour off in the fanzone. He pointed out the way the sponsors were highlighted in the fanzone to promote their products to the fans. The tour continued as George got to see the paddock and garage and got an up close personal view of the ships that were being prepared for the race. He got to ask a few questions of the mechanics and engineers working on the ships and seemed pleased with the quick and ready answers about what they were doing and why. He introduced George to Paul in the pilot's ready room trailer. Then he and his wife took off to enjoy the festival. Alexander ditched the hat as soon as he could. Sadly for him Lena kept reminding him to grab it when he set it down. [hr] [@PrinceAlexus] [color=fff200]Paul[/color] [b]@Bea[/b] Wow Bea! I had no idea you were so sensitive about your height! I honestly didn’t notice. You have so much personality you always seemed taller than Han. [color=fff200]Paul[/color] [b]@Bellatrix[/b] Are you sure you want to stay with this crazy group? Welcome to the madhouse! [color=fff200]Bellatrix.[/color] Giants the lot of ya *cloud gif* [color=fff200]Paul[/color] Well I guess next to you that we might seem like giants. 😂 [color=fff200]Bellatrix.[/color] @Paul. Yup, your crazy is my crazy, who else would race at hundreds of MPH though tunnels upside down? Did you call me short…or complement me… or both… [color=fff200]Paul[/color] Actually I called Bea Ward short. You know that’s a fair statement. I do like the tunnel sections because I get to defy gravity. [color=fff200]Paul[/color] Did anyone have to don a costume for their team’s marketing people? I feel absolutely ridiculous. At least I managed to use sponsorship expectations to get out of wearing it for the Delta Hyper interview. [color=fff200]Bellatrix.[/color]And yup, I'll be here all weekend! I have a Fashion student using me as a dress up doll. [color=fff200]Paul[/color] *gasps in horror* Please don’t say that too loud near my marketing team. They will turn the interns loose on me! One outfit is bad enough! [hr] Paul was surprised to receive a private message from Bellatrix a short time later. [b][h2][centre][color=fff200]FAS.[/color][/centre][/h2] [/b] [b][h3][centre][color=fff200]Direct Message. 03-11-2094[/color][/centre][/h3] [/b] [b][color=fff200]Direct message. To Paul. [/color] [/b] [quote]Hey, its Princess Bellatrix. I'm at the Pilots tent, if you want to escape the Crazy, enjoy a cold drink and escape the constant over stimulation for a bit. Or…I ask that sir Paul comes upon Princess Bellatrix of Nordic if he is able to attend for a very late afternoon luncheon. *curtsey gif* Ps. If I see anything, as far as I know you're 21 right… ;) birthdays are confusing… are they not… Bella. :) [/quote] Paul blinked as he considered her offer. He laughed a little at her insinuation but Paul didn’t drink on race weekends until after the race. Paul decided to reply. [b][color=fff200]Direct message. To Bellatrix. [/color] [/b] [color=fff200]Sure. I would like that. I am a gentleman but I don’t know if I have reached “sir” status yet. Just for the record I am 20years old but I don’t drink on race weekends until after the race. See you in 10! [/color] [hr] [b][h2][centre][color=fff200]FAS.[/color][/centre][/h2] [/b] [b][h3][centre][color=fff200]Pilots Tent, evening time. 03-11-2094[/color][/centre][/h3] [/b] Paul entered the pilots tent wearing his festival attire. He had come from the fanzone. He was ready for a break from the heat. He had been good about hanging out with the fans in the fanzone. He was wearing a loose long sleeved ivory cotton shirt that had pirate vibes with motocross looking distressed leather pants and boots with a Mad Max style leather vest over the top. His bright golden hair was spiked with the tips frosted a dark gray. He had a pair of stylish high tech tinted goggles pulled down over his eyes. Paul pulled the goggles up off his eyes as he entered the dimmer light of the pilot’s tent. He closed his eyes and sighed in comfort as the air conditioned cooled air soothed his skin that had dried out in this heat. He could feel his shoulder relax in the cooler air and quieter atmosphere. He made his way over to the service counter and ordered an ice water and a plate with Thai curry grilled chicken kabobs served over rice pilaf with a side salad. He carried his tray over to where Bellatrix was sitting and eating as she waved him over. [quote][color=ec008c]“Hey, over here, make yourself comfortable, get a good spot. Sir Paul of the lands of Valkyrie.”[/color] She said and maybe it was a little silly but she needed to get away from the lense, the cameras and at least in the pilots tent the demands of the sponsors and teams were off for at least an hour or so. [color=ec008c]“The food is pretty decent too.”[/color] [color=ec008c]"Its a little more peaceful here, I was...overwhelmed out there."[/color] She decided to admit and kept off her thoughts, Paul's video was pretty heavy for him she thought quietly but kept off the topic, she did not know him that well.[/quote] Paul laughed at her silliness and set his tray down before giving her an elaborate bow with a flourish. [color=fff200]“At your service M’lady!”[/color] he said in a fake British accent. He winced a little as he straightened and pulled out the chair and took the seat across from her. [color=fff200]“Yeah I don’t do that accent well.”[/color] He gave her a warm smile. [color=fff200]“I understand what you mean. I love that I have fans and I understand how necessary they are but they can feel like predators circling at times.”[/color] He took a long drink of the ice cold water savoring the coolness in his dry mouth. [color=fff200]“It is so hot and dry here!”[/color] He gave her a saucy wink and a smile as he leaned closer in a conspiratorial whisper. [color=fff200]“You should know by the end of the race rumors will be flying that we are having an affair or dating simply by being seen together. It happened when I met with Han to discuss a few things.”[/color] He gave her a friendly smile. [color=fff200]“Welcome to the crazy energy that is Formula AG. Pace yourself and keep taking breaks when you need them. It can be overwhelming and feel like everyone wants a piece of you.”[/color] He took a few bites of food and chewed happily giving her time to reply before he added playfully. [color=fff200]“So I see Astrid has corrupted you already. Drinking beer on the race weekend.”[/color] He made sure she understood he was teasing in good fun and not serious. [color=fff200]“Have you tried to outdrink her yet?”[/color] His eyes sparkled with curiosity and mischievousness. [hider= Team Valkyrie Characters] https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zrLx5XUgYiVm6KjTpFTWZtJvXc0MX77enkLzINHujKw/edit?gid=0#gid=0 [/hider]