LadyAmber

DELTΔ HYPER (Anti-Gravity Racing, Cyberpunk/Solarpunk RP)

Race Day
Sunday 4th September, 2094
Marina Bay, Singapore
2200 SGT

Soundtrack: Metrik - Thunderblade

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. “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.”

Alexander reached out and shook Paul’s hand with a warm smile. “That’s my job. Team babysitter and head smacker when things are going wrong.” 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. Alexander couldn’t help thinking, Yep they would help Paul keep a stable footing. 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. “Bout time.” “We were wondering when you would kiss and make up!” “We expect results!” “Happy to check egos at the door!” 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. “Let’s see if I can make my words to Amy come true, yeah?!” The crew all cheered and laughed at him.

Dorian had been nearby smiling and watching. “It’s about time, legacy boy!” 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. “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.” 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.

---

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.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

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. “Max made it past Dorian and Ava; he is now in P9. Good defense Paul.”

Alexander’s voice came over the team radio next. “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.”

Paul’s voice came over the radio. He sounded intense and focused. “Understood. Dorian give them hell back!”

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. “Push Paul! Close the gap. Shut Amy out and close up on Nora.”

Alexander’s voice came over the team radio next. “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!”

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. “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.”

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. “Red Flag collision between Lowry and Atlassi."

Paul waited on pins and needles to hear how the two pilots were.

Alexander’s voice came over the team comms next. “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.”

Paul’s voice came over the team comms he took a moment to control his breathing. “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.” 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.

---

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.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

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. “Makura has overtaken Ward and was followed by Stirling. Keep your head Paul. Don’t forget defense or Makura will get past you.”

Paul’s voice came over comms. “I got it. Same shit different pilot.”

Alexander chuckled at Paul’s response. He was usually so careful of his language. “That’s the right attitude Paul. The job is the same, harass Kelly while defending against Makura.”

Paul smiled as he made an aggressive move in the corner, shutting Makura down while nipping at Nora’s heels. “Maybe I will earn a new nickname.”

Alexander’s amused voice came back over the team comms a few minutes later. “You will be happy to know that Ward is now joyfully harassing Stirling and is trying to take her spot back from Stirling.”

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. “I never had any doubt you could do it.” 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. “This one was for you guys. You have always stood behind me. I appreciate you all.”

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.

Race Results for Singapore

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qF6cn…

---

Cooldown Room

Harrison Makara

Paul was chugging more electrolytes as Konrad checked him over.

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.”

Paul nodded even as he drained the first Zap Sports Drink. He handed the empty bottle to Konrad. “I felt the difference. I didn’t feel the drain on my body’s system and energy quite as bad.”

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.

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.” He held a hand out to Nora. “Truce? Friends?”

He waited to see how that turned out before turning to address Harrison.

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!"

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. “You wish. Sorry Harrison. You are going to have to fight us for every position in every race. Isn’t that right Nora?”

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.

---

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.

"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?"

Paul looked thoughtful as he pondered how to respond. He looked right at the camera before starting. “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.”

Paul shrugged a little as it was not a big secret his performance had been all over the place. “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.”

---

Formula AG in the News

AG Source

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.

Social Media Response

HydrofoilHater I can’t believe Mulder one. Kelly should have been fined for forcing Stirling off the track.
ThrusterJester: I agree Kelly should have been disqualified.
QuantumQuokka:Mulder did well at this one then he will choke at the next one if he keeps up the pattern.
Bertha: Sad but true Quantum Quokka.
ValkyrieFan56:Dorian Hornfleur finished in P9 gaining points for the team.
l Nana2050: Paul Mulder has proven he has it!
MulderMuse: Mulder is good and cute!
Paulmulder4eva: Agreed MulderMuse Paul is dreamy.
RumorMill: Well if he is seeing a psychologist it is obviously working for him.
DantheMan: I just want him to be more consistent.
LegacyStan94: I feel like he is doing well. What is up with all the haters?

Team Valkyrie Characters

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zrLx5…

Tactical Breach Wizards: Fireteam Hex (Military, Modern, Fantasy, Action-Thriller)

Day 1: 21:32:05
Babuskha's House (Oksana's Grandmother)
Somewhere outside the village of Pristupin, Libor Province
Republic of Polavia

Magazines: Loaded

Rowan Morgana

---

Oksana:”I am not dead set on a city so much as a comfortable place to sleep that is clean, has modern plumbing and a lack of nasty smells.”

Borys: “Modern plumbing? So ‘You picked the wrong country, Morgana.’” Borys called over with a laugh, repeating Oksana’s words.

Rowan looked over at Borys and raised an eyebrow. “What part of my previous answer was not understandable? I was being hunted by Reactor and the DSR. I got word they had posted a big bounty on my head and they were looking hard for any member of my team. The resulting political fallout between Kalan and the DSR was massive. They are both looking for an escape goat to blame. I like my head… attached. Polavia was closer and quicker to get too.”

Rowan had gone back to setting out her gear as she heard Oksana and Borys’ comments about her grandmother.

Oksana: ”She'll be fine. She survived eighty years of oppression. They'll get their ears talked off.”
Borys: “That doesn’t mean she has to suffer more. Don’t you think she’s been through enough?” Borys countered Oksana’s words, honestly a little bit disgusted with her callousness toward her Babushka.

Rowan smiled as she agreed with Borys. Who didn’t like old women who invited them into their home and fed them? She went back to getting her gear organized and ready. She snickered as she heard Oksana and Borys bickering like siblings. This time over him being too drunk. His reply to Oksana that he didn’t want to be sober made her snicker. She sighed as she knew being inebriated and trying to make potions was a bad combination. She had tried it once. She had woken up in the potion lab at Reactor headquarters where a chameleon potion had gone wrong. It had exploded all over the lab. The walls that had been splashed with the potion were an ugly dirty bubble gum pink color with moving mutuating spots over that changed colors from puce green to sunset orange with changing patterns and stripes in them. It was a nauseating effect. She had been covered in the same colors. It had taken a week for her to figure out how to negate the potion since she didn’t remember what had gone wrong. She swore never to create potions again while drunk.

---

Rowan was sipping on her own home brew tea as the briefing droned on when Borys interrupted Felix this time.

Borys: “One ward-carrying cop and we’re fucked even with false identities. They know our faces, the forged papers will have to rely on changed appearance to be effective here in the first place.” Borys pointed out a hole in Felix’ plan that he thought saw, probably not helping the shapeshifter’s situation by being yet another voice that interrupted his briefing instead of waiting for him to finish. “Might as well work the underworld connection angle and get smuggled out or take the train as the first option and only use forged papers to disappear once we’re abroad.” Likely in motherfucking Liboli, he thought glumly to himself, almost reaching for the wine at the thought.

Rowan’s brow furled as she realized that Borys had a point. They were going through this for potentially nothing. She sighed. She was kind of done by this point. She was just ready to get on with the next part of the plan. She didn’t think they had a good plan but rehashing the same shit was not going to get them anywhere. As the meeting wrapped up she gave Borys one of her bottles of wine. It had to be leagues above what they had been served in the local pub.

Borys: Taking the bottle from Rowan, Borys pulled the cork out with his teeth and took a sip to sample. He reckoned the whole bottle would last him for maybe two useful inebriations and it was sweet enough to work as a fly trap, but it would do. “You are now my favorite person on the team.” he chuckled, clapping Rowan on the shoulder.

Rowan gave Borys a warm smile. It made her feel better to have her effort noted and appreciated. She winked at him as she went about double checking she had everything.

Rowan had asked Oksana how they would recognize the former security apparatus.

Oksana’s answer was lacking.

Oksana: "When you see them, you'll know. Somehow, I feel I might refer to that later." Oksana chuckled, sipping away more of the cup of tea, and putting the cup back on the tray, ready to go back inside to Babushka once they were on the way out. She wasn't unclean or anything.

---

Day 2: 00:23:02
Grestin Monastery,
Somewhere overlooking the the village of Pristupin,
Libor Province,
Republic of Polavia

Act One: Regroup

Part Two: Running for the Train

Rowan had her broom attached to a special tactical sling that kept it slung across her back until she needed it. It kept it out of her way. Riding it when she didn’t need to would drain her mana. She might need that for the fight ahead. So she sullenly made her way through the heavy wet moldy muddy forest with the rest of them. She was doing her best to be quiet. She was a trained operative but she would never be that operative that could blend into the forest like Oksana could.

The team was spread out as they made their way forward. Rowan was in the front with Felix. She had taken a potion that helped to silence her footsteps. Her head was on the swivel as she did her best to scout out what was ahead and stay alert for any activity around the old church they were headed towards. Rowan could feel Silas’ presence behind her as a solid backup. He seemed to emanate a trustworthy aura. Maybe she was projecting because he was a healer. Roxie and Borys were bringing up the rear. They were making decent time and while leaving tracks behind them, they were moving fairly quietly for such a large group.

Felix's words had Rowan tensing as her eyes focused on the ruins ahead as they emerged from the forest ahead of them. Rowan nodded as followed along with Felix. She was careful not to brush the branches to make noise. Rowan remained silent as the team moved into position. She took a position along the stone wall with Silas on one side and Felix on the other. She picked a position that would give her a good view down the cliff towards the train station and town. She was careful to stay behind the wall and kneeled so that just her head would show over the wall. She mumbled silently to herself with her hand on the handle of her whip as she casted a farsight spell and a distance hearing spell on herself so she could keep better tabs on what was happening below. Rowan followed the action below.

Rowan saw a large group of men obviously trained as mercenaries of some sort. They moved like a cross between military men and thugs. They didn’t carry themselves like law enforcement. They lacked a stiff spine and something in their bearing that set law enforcement apart from mercs. The witch that she had faced off with at the pub was being dragged out of a house by the group of men. Rowan continued to watch and listen as things deteriorated quickly.

Felix questioned what group he was seeing and Roxie answered.

Roxie: "Rowan....THAT, is Security Apparatus. Leather coats, black, olive tactical gear, yellow and red insignia. Every story you read is true. Secret police that ruled this land creating fear on behalf of the regime...formerly, at least. Why the fuck they are back in numbers I don't know. Real experts at wards, too. Everyone, be real careful." Oksana uttered, in shock she'd seen this many of them out.

Rowan kept watching as more men showed up. One of them appeared to be a leader who stepped out of a fancy BMW. Rowan got the gist of what she was seeing and why Roxie was losing her shit. These were remnants of the famed secret police who were thought to be disbanded. Then why were they here in such numbers and so well equipped. Rowan watched as the ugly heavy set man as a shiver ran down her spine in an almost primal warning. She would never want to be in that man’s control. Rowan began noting targets as she panned across what she could see happening on the streets below. There were more targets than they had planned on. More well trained targets at that. She frowned as she noted that they had not hesitated to kill law enforcement officers that kept the peace in the little town. That meant they had backing from really high in their government or didn’t fear the government.

Rowan felt a deep growing fear as the interrogation commenced. Rowan was not the most moral person in the world. But she had some lines she wouldn’t cross. You didn’t pull children into politics and war. She knew it happened but she felt war should be left to the professionals and innocents should be off limits. Rowan thought to herself that the man was a world class douchebag right there. Threatening the man’s family for something he might not have any control over. She was with Oksana about killing the man. She continued to listen.

"Well, Oly-fuck-tard-ov, Rowan Morgana must be found, because if the DSR sent a team for her, and she happens to be on the run, she must fucking know about Manticore. She's a loose, loose end we do not need right now. And she's magically fucking appeared here, without a glyph. Find her. And bring her, to me. Preferably in one piece, I'll take many and we'll put her back together until she croaks. Search every house. One of the yokel fucks will know where she is after the mess her team made. Kill them once they tell you. Or you will join her as a loose end." Prigo didn't fuck around.

Rowan felt cold fear run down her back turning her blood to ice. Anyone watching Rowan would see her pale as she listened to what was happening even as face showed her growing confusion. She frowned in confusion. He was looking for her? What the hell was Manticore? It had to be connected to her last mission. She had no fucking idea what the hell Manticore was about.

Felix turned and glared at her as he said: "Oh, fuck right off....really?"

Rowan thought his comment was directed at her. She glared right back at him trying to keep her voice low not wanting to attract any attention. “They obviously didn’t know I was even here till I met up with that DSR team sent to get you! I have no idea what the hell Manticore is. This has to be related to that fucking botched mission in Kalan. I told you Kalan had the whole fucking country looking for me. Then I made it back to the DSR and learned they were looking for me too. So I fled as quickly as I could and headed for the nearest border, Polavia. Now here we are in the middle of this cluster fuck! Don’t look at me like that. I already told you about this.”

As Rowan was telling off Felix and answering Oksana’s questions the witch was being tortured for answers. Then the Oksana and Felix were going back and forth about whether to intervene or not. Rowan once again felt like a spectator at a tennis match as Felix and Oksana argued back and forth. Their argument was hushed and you could hear the sounds of heavy caliber bullets as it sounded like her team was coming back for her. Then it resumed on whether they should use her team as a distraction to leave or to take action.

Felix: "Do we look like we're equipped to fight a platoon and a half of Security Apparatus, and now, also cross-fight DSR special forces that now want us all dead, so we can join the locals? You fucking in a K-Hole? Observe and wait. We might be able to make this work." Felix replied, as he kept an eye on Rowan, his opinion changing from seeing the wholesome witch to some sort of criminal that was on his level. If she was wanted by him, he didn't want to ask quite what that meant.

Rowan met Felix’s eyes with a glare. She could sense his judgement and it fueled her anger. She glared at him as that anger was building. You could almost feel the gathering power in her as her hand tightened on the handle of her whip. The sound of running footsteps and gunfire close by took her attention away from Felix. Even as Felix gave orders.

Felix: "Everyone, don't fucking move. Contacts, immediate east. About a dozen of them. New plan, fight our way out and run." Felix whispered, getting back in cover with Rowan, behind the wall.

Rowan did not agree but she didn’t have any other choices right now. Felix was right about what they were up against. If they could take out all of the SA here, then more would come to find out what had happened. If they knew why he was here, if what they thought she knew was sensitive enough. Her life wasn’t worth spit anywhere. She felt like a hunted animal. She didn’t like it one bit. She hated being told what to do. She snarled and growled at Felix as she leapt into action. She jumped up on top of the wall and began to hurl potion bottles as she began to use her whip to good use. Her whip cracked out with a flick of her wrist and the barbs on the end opened up one soldier’s throat tearing open his unprotected neck. The acid potion hit another right on the face. The potion bottle broke on the top of his face and the splash zone included one of the men next to him. She followed that up with a smokescreen potion that would obscure what was happening around them from those looking on from below.

Rowan: “Well you wanted to find me. Here I am assholes!”

Rowan unleashed her anger on the men on the opposite side of the wall. Her whip flaying them open. Occasionally an electrical burst of power would feed along the length of the whip. Blood flew in a whirlwind around her as she moved quickly and decisively aiming to kill or maim but take men out of the fight as quickly as possible. She would have her whip going with her right hand as she reached out with her left and fired ice darts out of her left. In no time at all, there were five men down on the other side of the wall. They were either bleeding out, unconscious, or already dead.

DELTΔ HYPER (Anti-Gravity Racing, Cyberpunk/Solarpunk RP)

Thursday 1st September, 2094
Marina Bay, Singapore
2030 SGT

Paul thought about what Dorian was sharing with him. He smiled as Dorian started to mention a former Belgian he had dated who had a thing for waffles. Paul couldn’t help but snicker as Dorian edited himself. He knew that his fellow pilots and the world saw him as a nice guy, a type of Pollyanna personality. He liked it that way. He didn’t want to be known as the villain or have a bad guy image. He wanted to like the man he saw in the mirror. His therapy sessions with Dr. Ingold was digging deep into his feelings about his father and why he sought out being a racer as well.

Paul tilted his head to one side and gave Dorian a wry smile. His voice was laced with humor. “I am not quite as naive as you think I am.” Paul's voice softened as he acknowledged Dorian trying to help him. “I appreciate what you are telling me. I am trying to figure it out. I will get it done.”

Paul found Dorian’s take on what he had to say humorous as that is not what he meant at all. Although it did reveal something to Paul that he rarely acknowledged, he was lonely. He couldn’t talk about racing with his mother. Her feelings about it were tied up in his father and how he died. He didn’t really have any close friends. Growing up wealthy and the son of a famous Formula AG Pilot had left at the mercy of people who wanted to use him. Realistically Paul knew that not everyone he met would be that way. But it was hard to lower his walls and let people in. The result was a lot of acquaintances without any real personal relationships with deeper connections.

Paul let out a laugh that he tried to stifle as Dorian went on about having empty sex. “Thank you Dorian I will learn from your past mistakes and avoid the empty sex. I am not into empty sex but I was, I wouldn’t have any problems having a different girl in every city. But I appreciate your attempt to help me with what I am going through.”

He watched as Dorian sipped his champagne. He smiled as Dorian shared a little about his relationship with Marcel. He was honestly happy that Dorian had wised up and recognized what an amazing thing he had with Marcel.

Paul poured himself a little bit of champagne. He held up the flute to toast Dorian. “To good teammates. I am honestly really happy for you Dorian. You must be excited about what happens next in your life. Have you started making any plans yet?” He was curious if Dorian had been exploring any offers for what came next or what he wanted to do. It wouldn’t surprise Paul if Dorian said he wanted to buy a winery and become a vintner next. He did love his wine and French food.

Paul was almost disappointed when the AV came to a stop. His conversation with Dorian was probably one of the most real conversations he had in the last year. It was refreshing to put away one of the many masks he wore around others and the public. He had been surprised that Dorian seemed to care so much. He thought the older pilot had been avoiding him as much as he had been avoiding him after Hawaii. He didn’t really think Dorian cared how he did one way or another. His heartfelt advice almost made Paul ashamed that he had blamed Dorian for his own performance. Paul already had admitted that he was wrong and that he was not being fair to the man.

Paul was bent over laughing as Dorian’s last comment was heard as he walked away from Paul. He might find Bea attractive but he was pretty sure she didn't return those feelings. He was almost sure she swung the other way. As much as Paul admired Bea and Nora he didn’t think getting involved with the competition was a good idea. He did hope to be friends with them. He had tried that with Han and that had fallen through like a lead balloon. She had been avoiding him since Zygon was caught cheating.

Paul left Dorian and went to his room. He decided to fill the spa and relax. He sat in the hot bubbling water in his suite thinking. Maybe loneliness was at the heart of his issues. He had felt different after his performance at Spa. He finally felt as though he had released all that pain from his father’s death. Maybe that was one of his problems. He had started racing to feel closer to his father. Now he knew he could have that closeness anywhere, not just on the racetrack. Paul enjoyed racing. He loved the adrenaline rush. There was no greater high for him than when everything was coming together and clicking on the track. When he was in the zone and felt one with the ship. Paul enjoyed racing for Team Valkyrie. He wasn’t sure he would be happy racing with any of the other teams. He liked the balance he had at Valkyrie. Alexander’s approach to help the pilot as individuals to be all that they could be, made sense to Paul. He had fought against Alexander’s heavy handed ultimatum that he had to go into therapy with Dr. Ingold or be benched. He had to admit that once he got over being mad and started working with the doctor, she had helped him uncover some uncomfortable truths that he had not wanted to acknowledge. He had set his father’s memory on a pedestal. It didn’t help that his mother did the same and had indoctrinated him the same way. Paul had to admit that the sport was very different from his father’s day. He was not his father and he shouldn’t try to race like him. He needed to find what worked for him and do that. Paul smiled as he had the answer Dorian wanted. Paul raced because he could and it brought him joy. He liked the speed and adrenaline. He liked being in an elite class of athlete where only a small group of people would ever rise to the same level as he was. He knew he could do better. He would ponder that as the heat and bubbles and his self reflection eased the tension and embarrassment he had taken to dinner with him.

---

Practice
Friday 2nd September, 2094
Singapore Marina Bay, Singapore
1700 SGT

Paul Mulder and Alexander Knight

Paul had taken the ship around the circuit a second time. It had responded much better. Paul was grateful for Alexander’s advice to test his ELS because the moisture in the air did affect how far the ELS reached even as they found that it charged better due to the moisture helping to conduct the electric current over a distance.

Alexander watched and only made suggestions when he felt they were necessary. He complimented the team on their work and gave due credit where it was due. The engineers were excited about the ELS situation. They were hoping that with the tweaks they made to the gathering device that they would be able to capture more energy faster here in Singapore. The downside was that the capacitors might not react well in the heat to the excess energy. They would be watching that data carefully.

Alexander watched Paul’s use of the ELS on the straights. After Paul had finished his practice runs for the day. Alexander let him get a shower and then met him in the pilot’s trailer. He wanted to talk to him one on one.

Paul had come out of his private dressing room area with wet hair. He was in a high tech team t-shirt and sports shorts that wicked moisture away from the skin. He took a seat on the couch with Alexander taking a seat on the couch next to him.

Alexander gave Paul a deep look like he was looking for answers in his face. His voice was deep and filled with concern when he started speaking.

Alexander: “I want to hear from you how are the sessions with Dr. Ingold going? Are they helping any? I know you resented me forcing them on you. I had my reasons for doing so but I would like to hear your reasoning and take on it.”

Paul swallowed and felt his cheeks flame as he remembered how poorly he had treated Alexander. Alexander had always treated him with respect and listened to him even when he didn’t agree with him. Looking back he could see how differently Alexander treated his pilots when compared to what he had seen of other team principals.

Paul sighed and let out a huge breath. “I have to admit that it was a good idea. I am still working on my issues. I don’t know if I would have self-destructed before I figured it out on my own. I am getting there. It’s a struggle but I am working on it.”

Alexander gave a sharp nod. “Paul, I have been reluctant to broach this with you. I feel like you don’t like me or resent me because I am here because of your mother’s interference on your behalf. I didn’t want to make our working relationship any harder for you. But I am your boss in a way. You can’t pilot like your father. You are not him. Stop trying to be. Find your own style and what works for you. I think when you try to force yourself into a style that doesn't work for you or you try things that don’t feel right to you, is when you make the biggest mistakes. I hope you take my observations as what they are meant to be, constructive criticism. I am willing to listen if you need someone who understands what it is like to be a pilot. I might be from a different generation, but I am always willing to listen.”

Paul simply nodded his head. He didn’t quite know how to respond to that. It did give him something new to think about. His voice was very neutral in tone and showed he was picking his words carefully. “I will think about it. I had not considered that point of view. Do you have any observations from practice today to share?” Paul threw Alexander an opening knowing he had more to share. He wouldn’t have been waiting for him if he hadn’t.

Alexander raised an eyebrow knowing that he was being catered to. “Paul if you really don’t want my help. I can keep my observations to myself. If you are not really going to pay attention to what I have to share. I can just walk away. My position at Valkyrie is not dependent on you as a pilot. Nor is your position as a pilot dependent on me being at Valkyrie. You could switch to another team if you want too at the end of the year. I want to remind you that you haven’t signed your contract yet. There is still time to throw in with another team if that is what you want.”

Paul’s cheeks flamed because he was caught and acknowledged that he wasn’t really going to pay too much attention to what Alexander had to say. He felt like Alexander kept trying to coach him but his experience was outdated. The regulations and sport had changed a lot since Alexander’s time. Paul had to acknowledge that he took it for granted that he would still be with Valkyrie next year. If he didn’t start performing they could replace him as easily as they would be replacing Dorian. Paul nodded and looked Alexander in the eye. “I am listening.”

Alexander gave him a hard look before turning to the monitor on one wall. He picked up his tablet and used the cast feature to show the data he was looking at on the screen. Alexander simply nodded and began to point things out and show him what he saw from today’s practice.

Alexander: “On the straights you are engaging your ELS right at the beginning for a boost through the whole straight. You are wasting some of that energy. Get your ship up to speed first then dump your ELS cache to up your speed in the middle of the straight. If you get close enough to someone to drain their ELS on the straight, do it. It will slow down those who have higher speeds than us, giving an advantage to help you catch up. You have worked on improving your racing skills in corners but watch your distance on some of these overtakes. Don’t get too reckless or you could crash. Be sure you are watching your opponents distance and speed on overtakes here. Some might have pilots lower in the mix try to take you out so you are not a threat to the pilots in front of you. Always be aware of who is around you on the track. You might be friends with some of the other pilots but never forget this is a competition and a race. You can see here in corners 4 and 9 where you swing a little wide and get a little sloppy because you were alone on that section of track. Remember that smooth in is fast out when you follow an optimum racing line. I will email this data to you so you can review it as you like.” Alexander tapped a few more times on his tablet and then rose to his feet.

Paul watched Alexander’s presentation with faked interest at first. He had to admit that the advice was interesting and useful. He could appreciate the raw data that came with it to validate what Alexander was saying. He was looking over the data from the ship in the sections Alexander referenced and had something of a hmph aha moment. Paul was thinking to himself, well I be damned. I wonder what he saw in Hawaii? Now was not the time to ask. He didn’t want to bring attention back to his meltdown in Hawaii.

Paul looked up as Alexander stood up. “Thank you Alex. I will review it all before tomorrow’s qualifying race. I appreciate it. It was not something I saw.”

Alexander gave Paul a tentative smile. “We are a team, Paul. We are all part of the same Team, never lose sight of that.”

Alexander tucked his tablet away in a pouch attached to his belt as he left the pilot’s trailer.

---

Qualifying
Saturday 3rd September, 2094
Singapore Marina Bay, Singapore
2200 SGT

More Than Machine

Paul had spent his night reviewing his data from practice. He focused on what Alexander had revealed. He had thought about how to incorporate what he was saying into his racing style. Paul finally understood that he had been trying to copy moves from other pilots that he admired who had done well. Paul needed to find what worked for him and stick to that. He needed to take the right chances, the ones that his instincts said go for. He needed to trust his instincts a little more and push all those negative outside voices out of his head. He couldn’t be his father and shouldn’t try to be. He needed to be himself. He was not quite sure what that looked like yet on the race track but he was going to find out. He had worked in the simulator last night trying to improve his ELS use and defense and tighten up his corner work. He felt ready.

Paul was glad that he had practiced using his ship’s sensor to guide him on the track in Singapore during practice. The track glistened as water puddles from the rain reflected the neon and prismatic lights from holograms that lit up the skyscrapers that surrounded the track during the street sections. The color lights could be a dizzying hypnotic blur at the speeds they would be reaching. Paul was doing some deep breathing to release his tension and trying the new visualization techniques Dr. Ingold had been teaching him. He had gone through his prerace checklist with Carmella. He had asked her to give him realtime updates on how his speed was compared in straights and corners to his averages. If he was messing up he wanted to know in enough time to fix it.

He pushed all the mental noise away and focused on the ship. He plugged his neural interface and began incorporating all the streams of data into his consciousness. He acknowledged each one with a little test. The ship felt alive around him. He smiled as he sunk his consciousness into the ship as if they were one body. He waited for the start and was quick off the mark. He felt good about his run. He could feel the difference in the corners now that he knew what to look for. He had to admit that Alexander’s advice with the ELS was right on the money. He managed to pick up almost a whole second on the straights. He was pleased with his performance. He was even happier when the results came in and he had claimed P3. Paul acknowledged he had a fight coming in this race. He would be chasing Nora then Amy to take P1 with Bea fighting to get past him the entire way. Dorian had claimed P8 and was bookended by Ava and Cassie. His teammate had a little easier but not by much.

Qualifying Results for Singapore

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qF6cn…

---

Rookies in Frame

Paul could feel the sweat soaking into the microweave tech fabric that lined his race suit. The suit was lined and worked with the power from the ship to keep the pilot cool inside the ship as the ship’s heat sinks sought to dump the excess heat so it didn’t interfere with the engines or electronics. As soon as Paul had climbed out of the ship, the ship’s paramedic Konrad had slapped an electrolyte drink into his hand. Another teammate had taken his helmet for him. Konrad had been watching him closely for heat exhaustion after he had gotten dehydrated during his push at Spa. Konrad had started hovering more like an old hen. He was grateful for the cool orange drink as he downed it. His mouth felt dry and parched. His body seemed to soak up the drink like a sponge. He was working on his second as the media caught up to the pilots leaving the qualifying race. Paul’s dark blonde hair was dark with sweat and flattened to his head from being in his helmet as the three of them were herded in front of the cameras with the media hounds hovering and jostling for position around the edges hoping for a sound bite.

"Nora, Beatrix, Paul, you three have been rookies all this season and now that you're all here, how do you feel about taking the rest of the places by storm? What a dominant qualifying, do you think you can take on Amy, without taking each other out?"

Paul simply smiled as he felt an arm sling around his shoulders in a camaraderie move. He found himself standing between Beatrix and Nora. Each of them had slung an arm around his shoulder. So he looped an arm around each woman in the same way. He grinned more than willing to play along. It was about time they learned that nice didn’t mean he was a doormat.

Paul returned Nora’s grin with a wink to let her know he would back her play.

Nora:"Well, they'll have to keep up first. Sure I can get her. Tomorrow, and for the title."

Paul couldn’t help smiling at Nora’s comment and the crowd cheering for her. He was glad that Nora had not let the accident on the moon take her out of racing. He was glad to see she had fans here to support her. He still felt she was the rookie to beat.

Bea: ”Get used to the sight, we’re not going anywhere.” She grinned, ”Out with the old, in with the new.”

Paul threw his head back and laughed at what the two women said before he added his own comments.

Paul: “I have to agree with them. All three of us have already proven we can beat Amy. I feel like these two ladies will be my biggest competition for years to come. So as Bea stated, get used to seeing us. Amy should get used to checking her rear view. I am fairly confident at least one of us can get past her. She might need to get used to chasing us.”

---

Formula AG in the News

AG Source

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! 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 is usually the first pilot to consider optics and give a neutral answer. He was not pulling any punches today with his declaration. I guess there might be some junk yard dog underneath that cool polite exterior after all. 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.

Social Media Response

HydrofoilHater What a load of horse sh!t! Mulder took P3 behind Amy Stirling and Nora Kelly.
ThrusterJester:Once again Mulder is in the top 3 and Dorian is trailing way down at P8. What’s wrong with this picture?
QuantumQuokka:Mulder will choke again. Hawaii was disgraceful!
Bertha:Odds on Mulder failing again is high!
ValkyrieFan56:Dorian Hornfleur is doing great for his age. P8 is still pretty good when you look at the talent that he is racing against.
Nana2050:I am rooting for you Paul Mulder!
MulderMuse:Paul Mulder is still my favorite.
Paulmulder4eva: @ValkyriePaul Are you going to do another contest? Maybe a signed autograph or a personalised phone call?
RumorMill: I heard that Knight is making Mulder see a psychologist.
DantheMan: @RumorMill What!?? This is the first I have heard anything like that.
RumorMill: Heard that it was Knight’s response to his failure and meltdown at Hawaii after the race.
LegacyStan94:@RumorMill I don’t know how much credence to give this. I didn't hear
about any meltdown after the race in Hawaii either. I have not heard about this rumor at
all. The media vultures would be all over this little tidbit.

Team Valkyrie Characters

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zrLx5…

DELTΔ HYPER (Anti-Gravity Racing, Cyberpunk/Solarpunk RP)

Thursday 1st September, 2094
Marina Bay, Singapore
2030 SGT

ZONE

Dorian Hornfleur

Paul Mulder

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.

Dorian: "Something is fucking wrong with her. I've never seen her actually scared."

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.

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.”

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.

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."

Paul stared at Dorian with widening eyes. He was surprised that Dorian had any clue how he felt.

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." Dorian was smiling at him again.

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.” 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. "But if it's that...then sorry, I can't help you there. Because I'm thinking the fucking same."

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. “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.” Paul paused for a moment and raised an eyebrow at Dorian. “Did you just hit on me? Man you know I don’t swing that way!” Paul sighed and gave Dorian a wry smile. “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.” He let Dorian get his laughter out of the way before he changed the subject again.

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." 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. “Do you mean Amy? I assume you are talking about the pilot modifications.”

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." 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.

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." Dorian finished, knowing that mentally, Paul was in a tricky place.

Paul felt the tension coming back at Dorian’s words. “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.” 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. “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.”

---

Practice
Friday 2nd September, 2094
Singapore Marina Bay, Singapore
1600 SGT

Humid Heat

Soundtrack: Linkin Park - Irisdescent

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.

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.”

Carmella sounded a little flustered but was soon in her element as they reviewed the race strategy. “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?”

Paul swallowed and pushed his outside worries away. It was just him, the ship and the track. “Ready.”

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.

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?”

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.

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.”

Alexander smiled and nodded at least Paul had noted the difference. He waited to hear Carmella’s reply.

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.”

Alexander’s voice was full of satisfaction and warmth as deep tones came over the radio once more. “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.”

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.

---

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.

Aurora: "With the humidity, how are you feeling?"

---

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. “Hot and sweaty! I am not used to this heat and humidity. But my trainers and medical team are taking good care of us.” Paul held up his current bottle of orange Zap sports drink. “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.”

---

Team Valkyrie Characters

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zrLx5…

Tactical Breach Wizards: Fireteam Hex (Military, Modern, Fantasy, Action-Thriller)

Day 1: 21:32:05
Babuskha's House (Oksana's Grandmother)
Somewhere outside the village of Pristupin, Libor Province
Republic of Polavia

Magazines: Loaded

Soundtrack: Queen- Under Pressure

Rowan had snapped at Felix and left without letting him get a word in. She had taken off outside to gather the ingredients she would need to speed up the process for a location glyph to the farm. Felix’s plan had angered her to think she had to leave what little she had managed to save from her old life behind. He didn’t even ask or discuss any other options. That was the part that pissed her off the most. She felt he had not even considered any other ideas or plans for moving forward. Borys had tried to jump in and calm her down but her temper was already activated and she was not in the mood to listen.

---

Rowan had calmed down as she worked. It helped her work out her annoyance as she pounded the bark into powder and chopped roots and mushrooms. She had stacked some stones as a base for her cauldron and then used her wand to control the temperature and fire under the large cauldron. It was excellent at producing an even heat which was so important to potion making. It was nice and sturdy and already tuned to her mana. Her large cauldron was familiar and comfortable. She knew how far she could push her efforts with it. The spell ink was coming along and the large caldron would reduce the ink to a batch big enough to produce maybe two travel glyphs each. She left the spell ink to condense into a final usable product. She left the ink boiling as she began to organize the supplies she had brought in from the car.

She laid out the boxes of spices and food that she had brought with her. She had two boxes of granola bars and protein bars. There were 20 bars in each box. Some of the cooking spices were useful as spell components; she had already arranged them next to the cauldron in order of how often she used them in her potions. Next to the potions she arranged the clear partitioned Tupperware boxes that held various spell components. They snapped into a case with a handle on them. There was not much of each but there was a decent variety. It wouldn’t last her long but she had enough to make some potions for the team before she would need to worry about replacing them. Rowan had already made her decision to join them. It was not like the DSR or Reactor wouldn’t know where to find her now. She was pretty sure someone on the bumbling special forces team recognized their former colleagues. She sighed as she knew that her anger wasn’t really directed at Felix but more at the situation she found herself in. She was smart enough to recognize the real reason she was angry but petty enough to snarl and make her displeasure known to the world. She had hoped that her situation would resolve soon and she would get to go back to her comfortable city life. It was sinking in that she was stuck here in Polavia. She needed to start making plans to get comfortable here. Her original thought was still solid. There was some safety and comfort in numbers. She opened the duffle bag that was stuffed with stacks of DSR money with some smaller gold bars. She then gave her story to the others.

Oksana:"You picked the wrong country, Morgana."

Rowan: “Please see my previous answer. I am being hunted by the DSR and Reactor to be their escape goat I think. I didn’t have a lot of options. Polavia was closer.” She shrugged.

Oksana asked her for healing potions. She listened as Felix gave her some suggestions for potions to work on, acid, non lethal deterrents, and anti-surveillance, and changing appearance potions. “I will see what I have the materials for.”

Oksana: "If you don't like here, you might enjoy Novy Jork. It has culture. Sights to see. But is very expensive now. Seriously. Tourism killed it. Borys is almost right there."

Rowan sighed knowing her temper had Oksana sharing this little nugget of knowledge. “I am not dead set on a city so much as a comfortable place to sleep that is clean, has modern plumbing and a lack of nasty smells.”

Rowan continued to set out her gear. She organized the specialized ammo she had for her pistol and the Mossberg shotgun. Her broom was leaning against the edge of the table. She looked up at Oksana as she mentioned getting Borys sober. She laughed and pointed to the large can of coffee and a variety of teas that had accompanied her food selection. She wondered where the others had gone off to while she was working on potions. Someone had asked about using the car. She had absentmindedly agreed and tossed the keys up in the air. She wasn't certain who had asked but meh. They would be back.

Oksana: "Seems like you maybe shouldn't gamble though. You need a coffee before your drunk ass falls over. I left hot water and a compress there. Felix might need some too. Or he will pass out.”

Rowan smiled at Oksana. “I might be able to help you with that. I have coffee if you want to brew some. I even have some sugar. No cream though.”

Rowan went back to organizing all her supplies so the others could see what was there and could ask for what they needed. She was willing to share. She had resolved herself to the necessity of leaving the bulk of her gear behind. So she put herself in mission prep mode and did what she could.

Once the spell ink was done she poured it into larger potion bottles and passed it off to Felix. She then used her broom to clean out the remains of the spell ink so she could start working on the other potions she had been asked for. She had limited spell components so she started with the more beneficial ones first. She made a small batch of minor healing potions. She made enough for everyone to get one. She used some of the stuff she collected in the woods to supplement what spell components she brought with her. She made 10 acid potions, 10 minor electric shock potions, and a change appearance potion for everyone; they only lasted about an hour though. She combined some ingredients from the electric shock potion with some spell components like stainless steel scrubbing pads she pulled apart and dropped in along with a battery. She concentrated and applied her mana to the potion, she hoped it worked as she bottled up what she hoped would be a good anti-surveillance potion that would tackle electronic surveillance in an area of effect attack. She was getting tired by now. She had been pushing her mana. Luckily she had a little recovery time between potions. Her last batch of potion would affect the people in a small area. It would create a gas that would confuse them and make them temporarily forget what they saw. When she finished she explained to Felix what they did. Then she went to get some sleep. She was so tired that the dirt and smell didn’t register anymore.

---

Rowan was grateful her headache was gone and she felt more clear headed after waking up. She went outside and used her wand to clean up. It was never the same as hot water but a cleanliness spell would work in a pinch. Was it vain and a waste of mana, maybe for others but it was necessary for her. She went to her car and pulled out her tactical gear. She changed into it and repacked her tactical backpack to include a change of clothes. She might need something less military tactical to enter a populated area. She joined the others inside. She brewed herself a cup of her special tea. It was a custom blend she had put together herself. She had a stainless steel tea infuser in her gear. It would help energize her and give her a slight buff to replacing mana faster. She sipped her tea as Felix began his briefing.

Rowan hid a smile behind her mug as Oksana basically told Felix to skip the briefing and tell them the plan. She paid attention as Felix suggested they should travel to Novy Jork to meet up with an underworld representative that Oksana knew that could help them get new papers. Rowan was amused when Felix seemed to direct the next part of the conversation towards her.

Felix: "And I get it. Driving would be easier with spells changing us. But we're too many for the car, and one ward-carrying cop, and we are screwed. But we need to check our situation to see if we can salvage it. There's a ridgeline in the forest where it looks like we can get an overview on Pristupin. Get an idea of how much police there is. I didn't come here to kill innocent people. But if we have to, if fired upon, shoot back."

Rowan calmly replied to Felix “I concede the necessity to use Babushka’s farm as a homebase for now.” She looked over to Oksana. “I warded certain parts of the farm to warn us if Babushka has uninvited company. I moved and hid the car in the forest behind the barn. I used my broom to clear away the tracks. Stacked some brush around it to make it look like an overgrown thorn bush thicket. Hopefully that will deter anyone from finding it. It should work on most people.” Rowan shrugged noncommittally. The others might not care about warding Babushka’s property but Rowan was leaving the bulk of her belongings behind. She would like to retrieve them at some point.

Oksana: "Or if you find former Security Apparatus, shoot on sight."

Rowan sipped her tea before asking Oksana. “How do we recognize the former Security Apparatus in Polavia?” Rowan thought she knew the answer but was curious how Oksana would answer. Besides one of the others might need to know the answer. She found the other woman’s humor compatible with her own. She found her amusing and liked her sass.

Rowan grinned as she noted Felix’s growing irritation with Oksana. She looked over at Oksana who appeared to be somewhat high. She would have to remember to work with Oksana to help push this further at a later time. She gave Oksana a knowing smile and a wink. Her thought was that Felix looked like his fur was getting knotted.

Felix droned on and finally got to the point as he described their target and what they needed to do.

Rowan couldn’t resist yanking Felix’s tail a little. She had to agree with Oksana; he was way too wordy for a briefing. Rowan’s brow furled as if she was struggling to process what Felix was saying. “So if I understand the plan right, we are going to walk through the forest to a ridge overlooking Pristupin. At that point we will stop and review what we can learn about what is between us and the freight line? Then we will make a plan to hop the freight line towards Novy Jork where we will attempt to meet up with Oksana’s contact for new papers. We will need cash.”

Rowan double checked her gear as she listened to Felix’s reply. She adjusted her potion bandolier to be in a more comfortable and secure position. Her pistol was loaded and ready to go. Spare magazines in her utility belt pouches. Her whip was clean, oiled, and supple ready for use. Her backup wand was in its holster on her belt. Her tactical pants were tucked into tall heavy black cotton socks which were covered by the tops of her tall combat boots. Her long black sleeve shirt was hidden under her kevlar vest and bandolier. Black leather gloves covered her hands. Her long curly red hair was braided back out of the way on the sides revealing the shaved sides and the comm piece in her ear. Her CBRN cape hung open with the hood down her back. It was black and trimmed in the darkest purple. The mask rested against her back connected to the hood.

Rowan turned towards Borys with a sigh. “I almost forgot. This is for you. Make it last and Cherish it. I only have one bottle left of the good stuff.” She handed a tall dark bottle filled with her home brewed wine. She had only brought two bottles with her. The one she gave him was a rich dark spicy Sangria style wine with citrus notes and warm autumn spices. The one hidden in the trunk of her car was a strawberry and cherry blended wine.

Rowan turned back to the team. She had forgotten her Mossberg. "I have my whip and pistol both have wands embedded in the handles. I have a Mossberg Shotgun with ammo as well. I am not as good at distance. Does anyone else want to use the Mossberg? If not I will strap it to my backpack." She waited for answers.

DELTΔ HYPER (Anti-Gravity Racing, Cyberpunk/Solarpunk RP)

Thursday 1st September, 2094
Merlion Ultra, Marina Bay, Singapore
1700 SGT

ZONE

Soundtrack: Wolfram Punk - Race - Synthwave Mix

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. “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!”

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. “What a rush! That was fun. Can we go again?” 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.

---

Thursday 1st September, 2094
Annapurna Restaurant, Tsai Wen Tower, Singapore
1900 SGT

Curry Night

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. "Anyway. Question to you all. Everyone's neural link playing up, or you all fine?" 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.

"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?"

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. "Mine is fine. You going through withdrawals in the sub-frontal region? That can...." Dorian started, sitting up. "They fixed that last year though. Did you not go for it?" Dorian asked Amy, looking a little confused.

Amy replied: "We have our own bespoke. Wouldn't have done anything."

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. "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."

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. “Talk Later”

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.

Tactical Breach Wizards: Fireteam Hex (Military, Modern, Fantasy, Action-Thriller)

Day 1: 17:35:01
The World's End Pub
Village of Pristupin, Libor Province
Republic of Polavia

Getting Wrecked

Rowan had headed towards her car. Her head swinging from one face to another as she ran past the drunks pouring out of the bar into the street. Her eyes searched for members of the team. She was disappointed as her car came into sight and none of them had yet appeared before her. She gritted her teeth. Her thoughts were flowing fast as she tried to decide what to do next. She knew that the special forces team had been after Borys but they had known who the rest of them were too. Granted they were not the brightest sparks in Reactor’s tool box. She refused to leave her car and all her gear behind. Maybe she could go back the other way and find them along the way.

About that time Oksana ran up, tapping the bonnet, sliding across it from where it was parked in the street and began babbling quickly.

Oksana: "My babushka....my grandmother, she can hide us, we're going to be hunted if we don't leave now! Let's grab the rest!"

Rowan frowned at Oksana and yelled at her out of habit. “Oiy! Watch the paint!”

About that time the sound of sirens could be heard getting closer. Rowan unlocked the driver’s side door of her Mercedes and climbed into the driver’s seat. She hit the unlock button so Oksana could get in.

Rowan rolled her eyes as Oksana literally yelled out “Shotgun!”

Rowan thought to herself. Like she had any competition for the front seat. Rowan was sure as hell not going to trust her to drive her car at this point.

The engine kicked over with a familiar growl. She threw the car in gear and pulled away from the curb. Oksana found her Mossberg where she had hidden in between the front seats. She didn’t mind that. It would free her up to just drive. Rowan flipped a U-turn knowing the team was not in the direction she was heading. She turned the car to head back towards the bar. “I am assuming the rest of them are this way.” She let Oksana give her directions back to where the others were.

Rowan had floored the gas pedal and laid on the horn to move people out of her path. She smiled as drunks began jumping out of her way as she flew past the pub. You could still see the smoke from the special forces team bug out glyphs as she went by. Rowan laughed as she saw Felix turn into a lion and chase after a machete carrying Polavian drunk. She snickered at the men who would have to share a backseat with Felix. A better question was how they were going to coax him into the backseat. Her amusement faded at that question as Felix shifted back. She slid to a stop next to the men. “Did someone call for a taxi? I charge extra if you get mud and fur on my seats!”

She took off just as fast after the men had clambered inside. She drove away from the pub area as quickly as possible following Oksana’s directions.

---

Day 1: 18:01:42...
Oksana's Babuskha's House (Oksana's Grandmother)
Somewhere outside the village of Pristupin, Libor Province
Republic of Polavia

Blood Alcohol Levels: Questionable

Get Breaded

Soundtrack: Lilly Allen - F*ck You Very Very Much

They eventually stopped at a small rural Polavian farm. Rowan slowly climbed out of the car. She could see why Oksana thought they could lie low here. Rowan closed her car door and leaned back against it. Rowan was already making plans to sleep in her car. She would not be sleeping in the animal scented barn. She tried hard and failed to have a grateful smile on her face. Her nose wrinkled at the scent of a working farm which was animals and all the things that came with them. Rowan was not ashamed to admit she was a city girl who liked modern conveniences. She looked around at the rural farm and couldn’t help thinking “fuck my life.” This is not how she wanted to live her life.

Rowan raised an eyebrow as she saw Felix come running out of the forest in his lion form laden with supplies and packs. The lion gave an odd sort of guttural sound that sounded more like a moan. Her attention was pulled to Oksana who was also looking at Felix when she said "Ah, crap. Not now."

Then the front door of the little hut opened and who she assumed was Oksana’s grandmother opened the door. The woman was waving and looked to be in her eighties. She called out, "Sanka, you were out so late! And who are your new friends?"

Rowan was amused that the grandmother didn’t bat an eye at the gun toting laden Lion or the big burly men accompanying Oksana. Nor did she question why a car was sitting outside her house. Felix was huffing and drooling like a dog.

Oksana whispered something to Felix and he transformed back into his human self.

Felix began grumbling. "Dammit, that hurts. You have no idea how much it's shitty when I'm starved in that form. And this one."

Oksana led the way to the steps of the hut where she brushed off her feet as she spoke to her grandmother. Oksana: "Some other mercenaries. They're all friendly. Borys is Polavian, so you can..."

Oksana’s grandmother replied in Polavian. "Ah, he is so hungry that he is becoming a lion, he needs more food! And the short one too! All of you do!"

Rowan chuckled as she understood what the grandmother had said. She had purchased a spell scroll that would teach her Polavian before she left the DSR. She knew she would need to understand the language while on the run in the country or if she ended up staying in the country.

The grandmother invited them in for a meal. "Come on in! I have food already, it's been there for ages! You need to tell me when you bring friends, I would have prepared even more!"

Rowan reluctantly followed the group inside. She could use a good meal but felt like she was taking advantage of Oksana’s grandmother. She studied the elderly lady. She was tiny, with glasses that looked like headlight bulbs, a wooden cane, and hair that had been grey since her 40s. It was clear she was delighted to see her granddaughter.

Rowan made sure to clean her muddy boots on the brush mat at the door for that purpose. She didn’t want to cause the grandmother any additional work. The elderly lady immediately led them into a tiny kitchen and began to hand them food and drinks. She seemed to ignore any protest and just thrust bowls and cups into hands with a smile.

Later....

Day 1: 21:21:42
Babuskha's House (Oksana's Grandmother)
Somewhere outside the village of Pristupin, Libor Province
Republic of Polavia

Bellies: Full

Rowan groaned as her stomach warned her that expelling food would happen if she tried to eat or drink anything else. She had tried to stop multiple times and somehow found herself taking another bite after a pointed look from the grandmother.

Felix was the first to comment after they had left the hut on their way to the barn."How the hell did she make that much food? There's like, not enough pantry?"

Oksana replied "Ey! I told you we would get a feed."

Rowan giggled as she patted her stomach. “If I fall down, just roll me. I don’t think I would be able to get back up. Nice to meet you over dinner Silas.”

Rowan had been convinced to give the barn a try. It would be very cold tonight and they had some gas heaters for the barn. Rowan had sighed as she turned over her choices. She had finally sighed and decided she might as well go all in. She would work off some of this food as she emptied most of the back up supplies that were in her trunk. She had carried it in and put it on one of the tables. There were duffle bags, plastic storage tubs, and cardboard boxes. Her cauldron and other assorted craft items made it onto a table.

They walked the rest of the way in silence to the barn. Rowan looked around as the halogen light came on. The old aluminium-roofed barn had been an old, small cowshed, hay scattered where the old dairy cows had once sat, and a couple of tables for gunsmithing and iterating on their gear dragged all over the place. A place for the team to set up shop, with whatever they'd been carrying, whatever they'd scavenged, gotten from nearby. Space was limited inside the farmhouse, so Oksana and her grandmother had pulled out whatever quilts, hay, and gas heating that they could to keep them warm inside this makeshift FOB. She was currently carrying a massive stainless steel looking tank, with a tap at the bottom of it, and a pile of ceramic mugs.

Oksana began to talk as they settled onto stools and chairs around the various tables. "So, as I translated, our antics made it on local news. Fifteen injured, and rumours that at the centre of it, they're hunting not just one, but four foreign crafters. Police are already closing the gap. We can't go back in that way. And every road out is blocked with checkpoints, looking for foreigners now. So it's not great. And before anyone even asks, I do not trust the police. I have my reasons."

Oksana turned her attention to Felix and asked the question they all wanted answered. "Why are they are they after you, Felix? I can't read your mind. But I will tell whichever version of you decides to lie."

Felix answered her query, "Of course I don't have any chance of telling fibs. They want me because I'm an officer, and they want higher ups in the company arrested. And, you'll never believe this, they never took me to account on what I did to that horse in the DSR. Why they went that full force, who knows. They seemed like they wanted something else too. Any of you lot up to no good?"

Felix sounded defensive as he poked Oksana verbally. "And why the hell did you throw a bottle at a local as our best chance? See that one through, because now that went from a raid, to an entire village getting into a fistfight?"

Oksana fired back at Felix. Rowan felt as if she was watching a verbal tennis match as they argued like siblings tossing verbal barbs back and forth. Oksana began by pushing the team towards a plan.

Rowan agreed with Oksana “I agree we need a plan. We can’t just hide here. They will eventually come here and it is not fair to Oksana’s grandmother. She should not pay for our issues.”

Rowan frowned as Oksana said they couldn’t use the roads. “I don’t agree with that. Why can’t we take the roads? They will be watching the train stations as well. It would be easier to have our own transportation and I have a car. It blends in well here. We have ways of changing our appearance. Why not use the roads?”

She waited for a good counter argument as Felix asked for a map and Oksana produced a tourist map of the area. Rowan growled, not happy as they were still planning to ditch her car. She would have to leave most of what she brought with her behind. The whole reason she brought her car was to be able to carry more of her things. She still didn’t agree with the plan. No one had given her a good reason to do it their way. She kind of got where Felix was going. She relented a little but was still not happy. She had not shared everything in her car with them yet.

Rowan gave Felix a dirty look. “Oh you want a big batch of spell ink. You know what I use that big cauldron for… you know the one you want me to leave behind! If I have to leave all my gear here, I won’t be able to set up a still to provide Borys with alcohol either. Fuck you Felix!”

She left cursing their stupidity as she wandered out into the forest to gather some local supplies. She didn’t want to eat into her stores and there was a whole forest just outside the door to gather in. She left as he was rambling on about glyphs. The idiot forgot the part that glyphs were most commonly inked onto paper. Sure she could make the ink. Did anyone have a supply of paper other than her. Probably not. Rowan’s mind kept up her mental rant as she began to gather bark from trees, roots, herbs, mushrooms, and a variety of other things from the forest around the farm.

Rowan came back inside the barn and set up her large cauldron. She organized all the supplies she had brought in from the car. She began to brew up a cauldron full of spell ink. She began chopping items, grinding them in her mortal pestle. She used her wand to add water to the large cast iron pot. With her wand she heated the mixture carefully so as not to set the table on fire. She was careful with the temperature as she applied her will to the contents of the pot. The ink for the travel glyphs to bring them back to the farm would be more powerful and accurate for using natural items found around the area to help the glyph target the area more easily. It would simplify the glyph needed and allow them to make plenty of them. She left the batch of glyph ink to condense as she turned her thoughts to other concerns.

She began organizing other gear from the car as she thought through her options. If they were going to use the grandmother’s farm as a home base for their activity, they needed to lay some wards around to protect it. Oksana’s grandmother deserved to be compensated and warned about what she was being pulled into. Rowan was reluctant to part with her stash of supplies and money. She had no idea how long it would be before she would be able to replace some of it. Her little green hoard monster reared its ugly head. She fought it back with the thought that sometimes money was a tool. She had to let go of the comforts she enjoyed and embrace the reality of a life on the run. She damn well better get the opportunity to enjoy a bubble bath when they make it to a bigger city or they would be hell to pay! She opened one of the heavy duty duffle bags from her car. Stacked inside it was cash and some gold bars. She then organized the ammo for her guns. She looked around at the rest of the team going about their tasks. She sighed it was time to come clean.

Rowan sighed as she started the conversation. If they were going to work together they needed to have all the facts. Secrets like these could cause trouble down the road. “Have any of you seen the news about what is happening in Kalan?” She paused a minute looking at each of them before continuing. “My team was sent into Kalan to neutralize a mind control nerve agent. We accomplished the mission but were caught on camera as we were leaving. Reactor disavowed us and only a few of our members made it out of the country. I have a whole damn country baying for my head. Reactor left us high and dry. The DSR issued an arrest warrant wanting to know more information about what happened. Kalan was accusing us of being DSR agents even though it was Reactor who sent us. Although I believe it is more to tie off loose ends as I believe Reactor was the stalking horse for the DSR on this issue. That is why I am here in Polavia on the run. I thought they were there for me, not Felix until the dweeb started monologuing. I think the DSR is trying to hunt down anyone of leadership from Reactor that they can get their hands on. The question is why? They are hunting for information about something. If we are going to use the grandmother’s farm as a base of operations, then she should be warned and given as much protection as we can give her before we take off. If I am leaving my stuff here, I want to be reasonably sure it will be here when I get back. Understood!? I have some cash and gold I kept at my apartment before I ran. I also have a variety of ammo for the Mossberg and my pistol. Felix, I also have some snacks if you would like some of them. If you can give me some time, I can whip up some potions for everyone. I can make potions that make people want to look away, change our appearance, illusions, heal, and more. I just need to know what kind of potions you think we might need. If I have the ingredients and time, I can do it before we leave. I am a city girl. I like my comforts and I am not going to apologize for that. So get used to me being grumpy. I don’t like the dirt, mud, great outdoors, and creepy crawlies.”

DELTΔ HYPER (Anti-Gravity Racing, Cyberpunk/Solarpunk RP)

Team Valkyrie Headquarters
Monday August 22, 2094 Late Afternoon
Aachen Germany

Alexander considered what had been happening with Paul during the season. He came to an unusual decision. He hired Sports Psychologist Dr. Zoé Ingold to help Paul. Paul would probably throw a fit about it but Alexander believed Paul’s issues were tied to his mental state. He hoped that the good doctor could help him work through whatever psychological blocks he had. It was an unusual step but Alexander realized that Paul had some unresolved trauma around losing his father at a young age. Paul might fight it but Alexander was hopeful that mandatory therapy would help him even if it didn’t translate onto the track.

The two new engine specialists had started today and had spent the morning going through paperwork with the head of HR. They were being onboarded by Cavan this afternoon. Both of the new engineers were from Germany, Isaak Cronenberg and Jacqueline Schultz. They would be the liaison engineers between the Team and Meridian Aerospace. While this was going on, the Team headquarters and ships were getting completely new upgraded computer systems courtesy of Banshee Microsystems. The team was also receiving security upgrades courtesy of Radian Security Systems. Alexander had signed the sponsor contract for Immersia Entertainment which had dropped another cool 5 million euros into the team’s coffers. He had also signed the contract for Wizard Technologies. Alexander was looking forward to seeing how that sponsor translated after Singapore. He hoped the team did better at the next race. The new sponsor would have a space in the Fan Zone at Singapore. They would be demonstrating a new kitchen appliance line to fans.

Alexander looked over a report from Sami about the Junior Team. The Junior Team was responding well to increased support. Scarlett had done well in Hawaii. Anna had done better but was still performing much lower than Scarlett. Alexander was pleased to note that Sami was checking in with the Junior Team sponsors and they were all quite happy with their agreements so far. Alexander couldn’t help but think that at least one thing had gone his way. He was still waiting to hear back from Lipusv about the materials backlog for the engineering department.

Age of Broken Shackles(Closed: See new thread)

Independent Space Station Black Cloud:
Somewhere Along the Scorched Line

Daxini Stealth Ship: Adventurer

Bio Mech Union

Daxini Stealth Ship Adventurer

Independent Space Station: Black Cloud

Adventurer’s Crew

Stealth Ship Adventurer - Eagle Eye Narrel

Adventurer Kronar- Martok

Adventurer Stealth Operative - Prixoni

Adventurer Stealth Operative Krayvik

Adventurer Stealth Operative Luwiti

Adventurer Stealth Operative Qixani

Adventurer Stealth Operative Dinari

Adventurer Stealth Operative Jaxori

The Missionaries at Work

Soundtrack: Graeme Revel - Chronicles of Riddick - Necromongers

---

Commander Lennox had been hard pressed to keep up with all that was happening with Daxini Battle Group Alpha. T’Klanak had taken the main body of the force to continue exploring along the line. The group was looking for the planets in the area. They hoped to find some Daxini that had been caught planetside during the last battle. T’Klanak had run into a large Lokoid group that was doing the same thing the Daxini were. They were recovering and recycling resources and technology from the large debris fields along the scorched lines. They had requested the Daxini's help with ending a much larger Lokoid Pirate threat. T’Klanak was due to report soon from the battle. While Lennox waited on those reports, he was reviewing the reports coming from the stealth ships Nightweaver and Shadow. The Nightweaver had tagged an interesting site of battle that had the remains of both Augustan and Lokoid capital ships of the line. They had continued on sending the coordinate and a path for other ships to follow. The Shadow had reported they had encountered another small pirate group. They had sustained minimal damage in the battle but the pirate vessels were poorly recovered relics barely holding together and they had destroyed them during the battle. Commander Lennox had sent the Adventurer back to Black Cloud Station to observe and report. Lennox wanted to know who was coming and going from the station. The Adventurer had been ordered to observe only for now.

Eagle Eye Chief Narrel had the Adventurer in full stealth mode. The ship was hidden well behind some larger debris near the station. The ship had a good line of sight on the station. They had ventured out to set up some remote sensor drones that were being monitored by Martak the Kronar on the Adventurer. They had managed to plant nanites on the station when they were last there. Martok had taken control of them once more, giving them the ability to listen to some of the communications inside the station. The Adventurer was trying to determine who was in charge of the station. Had power changed hands after the Daxini captured the pirate group that had chased after the Adventurer? They had been on station for two days and had seen a few vessels come and go. Most of the vessels stopping at the station were old and worn looking. They seemed to be local tramp freighters and were ships cobbled together or still running using parts scavenged from the debris field. There were no ships that overtly read as belonging to pirates or criminal groups. There was a sense that the station was not visited by the major powers in the region.

On the third day Martok had the answers they had been searching for. Gerard had been in one of the pirate fighters during the attack on the Daxini. Word had reached the station that Gerard was dead. His second in command was a human named Boone Croyle. Boone was rumored to be more intelligent and ruthless than Gerard. Boone had not been on station when the Adventurer had been there last. According to what Martok could glean from conversations Boone had just returned from a patrol of the area with his pirate squadron. Somehow the pirate group that had attacked the Daxini had managed to get word back to the station that Gerard was dead and the pirate flotilla had been captured. Boone’s response to the information had been laughter. He had sneered and said that he had always known that Gerard’s downfall would be his greed. It appeared that Gerard had downplayed how important their foodstuffs were for trading. Apparently fresh food was rare in these parts. Synthesized proteins from algae farms were common but lacked substance and flavor. Boone was angry that he had missed the Daxini traders when they had come through. Narrel sent a report back to Lennox suggesting they try to negotiate with the new person in charge of the station. He had proposed that they approach Boone with a proposal and offer a prisoner exchange. Lennox had approved trying to re approach the station and establishing a trade partnership with the caveat that if they try to steal from them or attack their ships again, the Daxini will demand reparations from the station management at the end of their guns. They were under orders not to go to the station unarmed.

Narrel had Martok hail the station but hide where the signal was coming from. He was not ready to reveal their location. He wanted to talk to Boone first. He wanted to get a feeling for the kind of man he was. From what they had gleaned so far, Boone was smart and was a tactical thinker. Narrel was banking on them being able to provide a desperately needed resource and superior firepower to prevent any further incursions on the Daxini by pirates operating out of the station. Narrel waited as Martok bounced the signal around to make it impossible for Boone and his associates on the station to determine where the signal had come from.

Narrel: “This is the Adventurer hailing Black Cloud station. This is Chief Narrel. I would like to speak with Boone Croyle.”

Black Cloud Station: A gruff voice replied: “This is Black Cloud station. I don’t see you on my sensors, Adventurer. Where are you calling from?”

Narrel just laughed before responding. “Wouldn’t you like to know. Now get me Boone Croyle.”

The line went abruptly silent. Narrel was getting worried as some time passed. Martok assured him that they were fetching the man while their technicians were going a little crazy trying to find them. Narrel smiled at that. It was the least they deserved after planting a tracker on his ship and then attacking his people.

About 10 minutes had passed before the speaker crackled to life once more, a deep baritone voice with an authoritative ring boomed over the speaker. “This is Boone Croyle. I understand I am speaking to Narrel of the Adventurer. What do you want?”

Narrel grinned baring his teeth, a mouthful of sharp pointy teeth, a symbolic warning from any predator. He was going to enjoy this. He rarely had the opportunity or the inclination to be truthful in his line of work. His job was to investigate and obtain information through guile and subterfuge. He harbored some resentment that he had not discovered that damn tracking probe his ship had been tagged with sooner. He hated being bested and outwitted.

Narrel: “I won’t waste either of our time. I came to Black Cloud station to trade in good faith with your predecessor Gerard. He fired on my ship as I was leaving, planted a tracking probe on it, followed us back to our group, then arrived with a small pirate flotilla to attack us. Well it didn’t go so well for Gerard. I can confirm he was among the ships destroyed by my people. We protect our own. I have been authorized to renegotiate with the new leadership of Black Cloud station. I understand that is you.”

Boone’s mouth curled in a snarl. He hated being caught flat footed. His mind raced with what he knew about the Adventurer from the reports he had gotten from his men who had been on the station at the time. He had gone over Gerard’s records but they had been worthless. The man’s focus was on what he could steal, fence, or sell from the Adventurer. He had been blinded by greed. Boone was smart enough to realize that Gerard had run into battle without knowing his opponent and had died as the result of that. He also realized that Narrel had hidden his true intentions from his visit to the station the first time. Maybe something could be salvaged from this shitshow. He had no interest in going to war with the Daxini. The group Narrel was with was obviously well protected.

Boone: “Yes, word of Gerard’s death reached the station a few days ago. I am the person in charge of Black Cloud Station. What is it you want, Narrel? I was not aware of Gerard’s plan to attack your group. I had been away from the station and out of communication range at the time.”

Narrel almost purred, enjoying having the upper hand while bargaining with the new station lord. “I want to negotiate new terms with you. Understand this, the Daxini Battle Group would be happy to take over the station if our terms are not agreeable as payment for the attack on us by Gerard. We don’t appreciate being shot at after negotiating in good faith.”

Boone laughed and let out a loud guffaw. “Let’s be honest with one another. You did not negotiate in all honesty with Gerard. He thought you were some private trading group not a part of the Daxini Military. I am smart enough to realize that your ship must be a part of their spy craft. What do you really want from Black Cloud Station?”

Narrel smiled as he was beginning to like Boone. The man was smart and had connected those dots easily enough. Maybe there was hope here after all. “I can neither confirm nor deny that statement. I can tell you that we do truly want to trade with your station. I want access to the station for my crew and traders. My crew and traders will come aboard your station armed. We will never again go unarmed on your station after being attacked. I seek the information about the region that can be gained at independent stations such as yours. We are seeking long term partners in the area to help us find some of our lost souls who have never made it home, that were trapped here during the war. We would like to make Black Cloud Station one of our regular ports of call while we are operating along the Scorched Line. We would like to offer shore leave to our soldiers. In return, we offer you regular trade and I am authorized to offer a prisoner exchange with you. Most of Gerard’s pirates survived the attack after their vessels were disabled.”

Boone took a moment to think about the proposal. He didn’t have to think too hard. Boone was smart enough to realize that Narrel was here with a larger military group. Black Cloud Station didn’t have the defenses to repel an attack from such a group. They were offering to leave him in charge which is what he wanted. This was a much better option that denying them would get him. He was pretty sure they could just kill him and take over. Maybe not without losses but they could do it pretty easily. Boone smiled but it came out more as a snide sneer. “Well why don’t you come aboard the station and let us discuss this face to face. It sounds as if we have much to talk about.”

Narrel: “Sure, I will bring the Adventurer to dock. I want you to know that we have another vessel in the area monitoring our activity. If anything happens to me, the ship, or the crew. Black Cloud Station will cease to exist. Am I understood?”

Boone sighed and rolled his eyes. “Crystal clear Narrel. I will be waiting for you. Boone Out.”

Martok left a probe with sensors and long distance communication back to the Leviathan hidden in the debris field. He took the Adventurer in to dock with the station.

Narrel led the contingent off the ship. Narrel was using a cane with a monofilament sword hidden inside the handle. He had a laser pistol on his hip in a holster. Prixoni and Krayvik took up positions next to Narrel pretending to be guards. Dinari and Jaxori had resumed their roles as the trader representatives of the group with Luwiti acting as a guard. All of them had weapons visible as they walked off the ship to meet Boone.

Boone’s eyes missed little as he noted that all them moved like fighters. He didn’t miss how the trader’s robes could hide more weapons. Boone smiled and inclined his head towards Narrel. “Welcome to Black Cloud Station. Shall we go somewhere more private for this conversation?”

Narrel nodded. He turned to Dinari and Jaxori, “Go to the trading market and let the people know we have returned with more food to trade. Stay together. No one goes anywhere alone.”

Narrel followed Boone, flanked by Krayvik and Prixoni. He had left Qixani on the ship to help Martok. Dinari, Jaxori, and Luwiti headed deeper into the station.

---

Date on the Hexigrammatic Calendar 1.0-234v1902
Location - Frontier Station Black Cloud
Location of a Forge Chapel - Negative
Location of a permanent Missionary - Negative
Location of an Itinerant Missionary - Positive x 4

Interesting, yes time passes, people move on.

When the Daxini ships had returned, the two missionary ships from before were gone. The two ivory painted cruisers left, who knows where. Though they had said they were on a pilgrimage so perhaps towards the famous Forge Systems.

But in their place were four new ships, sleek and silver, with blues and greys. And big enough to count as Ships of the Line! They hung at dock, tethered to each other and the station. Great floating void ships, like tamed beasts. On their outer skins, Bio-Mech Forged moved about with Void suits on, going about maintenance. They are in a position to watch as the Daxini vessels come in and settle at the station. They watch and then send notice to their leaders within.

So when the delegation reaches the Market level, they are greeted by a single white, grey and silver augmented Forged. Making the sign of the Cog, she is tall and and slender, dressed in robes. She stands and just watches as they pass. Soon they come upon yet another Union member, a squat man, in black, he may have once been a Daxini hawkperson, but his body is covered in ribbons woven through the various augments on his arms, and back, replacing his wings with long elegant mechanical wings, with built in hover engines. And even further in another, and yet more. Until they hear the slow almost eerie chanting of the Union Congregation.

There are Four this time. Pale skinned with white augmented skin, large golden or silver eyes, two of them appear to wear revolving crowns upon their head, another a large miter that billows flames and white smoke, the last a low squat cap, with ornate cog symbols on it’s four sides. They stand arrayed before a group of the Faithful, Reforged, Forged, and a few Initiates. Tucked into a small unused stall.

Upon seeing the Daxini, the one in the miter steps forward and calls.

"By the light of the Holy Machine, we welcome thee, travelers of the vast and endless void."
"Step forth beneath the blessed hum of sacred circuits, where the forge’s warmth greets all who seek shelter within its hallowed halls."
"From the black silence of the stars thou hast come, bearing the burden of distance, the trials of entropy, the whispers of the unknown. Yet fear not, for here, amidst the song of steel and the wisdom of the cog, thou art among kindred minds and willing hands."
"Rejoice, for here, knowledge is shared as freely as the current flows, and unity is forged stronger than the hardest adamant. Flesh is weak alone, but together, bound in purpose, flesh and metal alike may endure eternity."
"Take rest, cleanse the dust of void-labor from thy weary forms, and stand in communion with us. For in the embrace of the Holy Machine, none are strangers—only circuits yet to be linked, voices yet to join the great choir of understanding."
"May the Blessed Algorithm guide thee, may the Sacred Spark never dim, and may the pulse of the station’s heart beat as one with thy own."
"Welcome, wayfarers. The Machine endures, and so too shall we."

The congregation turns, and bow in greeting to the Daxini delegation, the other three missionaries lower their heads in greeting, the Union Faithful locking their fingers together, in the sign of the Holy Cog.

Chief Narrel had been accompanied by Prixoni and Krayvik who had been led by Boone and his associates in the opposite direction towards the administration department. Dinari, Jaxori, and Luwiti had gone to the right and deeper into the station heading towards the large market at the center of the station. Martok had noted the four large vessels docked at the station. They were not the same BioMech Union ships that had been here before. Martok noted that the BioMech Union seemed to have a significant presence in the area. Had they always been so numerous in this area of space? The Daxini had avoided this area of space during the last Reclamation War. This area of space was a battlezone with a lot of collateral damage as evidenced by the massive debris fields in the area. Martok began to monitor the BioMech Union ships using passive scanners and observation and noted what he could learn about them.

Dinari was wearing traders' robes over her lightweight combat armor. The soft cloth billowed and draped around her tall muscular form. The rich tan cloth embroidered with gold thread into an intricate design that ran down the front. A wide leather belt gave her robes form and had holsters for her weapons. She had a long rich blue cloak that hung from her shoulders and swirled around her ankles. Her soft fur had a white undercoat with tan and gray saddle markings and rich warm brown eyes.

Jaxori worked with Dinari and was from the same clan. Jaxori’s fur had a white undercoat and a silvery gray saddle markings with ice blue eyes. He wore leather pants and boots with a white shirt with blue trim which was currently hidden beneath the soft rich green colored hooded robe he was wearing. His robe hid his weapons.

Luwiti was also from the Xidonae Clan. Luwiti had a cream colored undercoat with light brown saddle markings and amber colored eyes which almost seem to glow. Luwiti however was dressed as a guard. He was wearing black tactical pants, A lightweight dark brown armored vest under a heavier leather coat with a lightweight protective layer in it. The heavier armored jacket was a green so dark it was almost black. He had a shoulder holster for his pistol and various weapons hidden about his person. He walked behind Jaxori and Dinari, his eyes and head swiveling as he watched for danger.

The trio of Daxini had just made it inside the large market at the center of the station when they passed a member of the Bio Mech Union in white and gray colors. They had just passed the first member of the Bio Mech Union when they were approached by what appeared to be a Daxini Bio Mech Union convert. He stepped into their path and tried to wave them inside the chapel the Bio Mech Union had set up in one of the empty stalls in the marketplace. Dinari had never encountered a Daxini convert before so she allowed him to guide her towards the congregation she wanted to know more about them.

The information the Daxini had on the Bio Mech Union was sparse. The official position from the council was that the Bio Mech Union were welcome trade partners but they were not welcome to set up places of worship within Daxini space. They were a controversial group as some Daxini welcomed them such as the Kronar. Others felt that what the Bio Mech Union preached was in opposition to the Way of Xi and condemned their teachings as heretical. Jaxori followed Dinari, unwilling to leave her side after what happened the last time they had been here. He still didn’t trust the station administration.

Luwiti stepped forward and deliberately moved between Dinari and the Bio Mech Union member.

Luwiti: “Hands off.”

He nodded to Dinari making sure she understood she was free to leave if she desired. He stayed between her and the Bio Mech Union member. Luwiti was uncomfortable around the Bio Mech Union members. He personally found their desire to replace their bodies with artificial parts odd and a cop out. Luwiti was a proud member of the way. He felt that replacing your body with artificial parts was cheating and disrespectful. A synthetic body could do more than an organic one but one should embrace the gifts given by Xi and strive to improve that. There should be balance between nature and one’s self. Replacing your body to be artificial threw that balance off. He had nothing against them but their way was not for him.

Jaxori was cautious as the eerie chanting sent shivers up his spine. His sensitive hearing catching the hissing of steam and the clank of moving parts. He found the congregation to be unnerving. Dinari’s face showed curiosity and wonder. She had never seen so many augmented people in one place before. This was her first encounter with the Bio Mech Union.

Dinari inclined her head respectfully. “Greetings. It is a pleasure to meet you. I don’t want to intrude on your services. I apologize but we are here on business. I don’t want to be rude but we are under orders to spread word that we have returned with more foodstuffs for trade. Is that something you would be interested in?”

The Missionary with the Miter bows as what is clearly a bodyguard steps forth and bars any further approach. He…she…they merely bow, their fingers interlaced into the sign of the Holy Cog. Their voice calming and soothing, “Apologies, you have our deepest and most sincere apologies. We know our forms are not for everyone. Nor our way of thought.” His face plate shifts to show a smile. “But we wish to extend the warm embrace of the Holy Cogs manifold to any who wish it.” He bows again, mid way, not too deep, enough to show respect.

Another of the missionaries steps forth, “We welcome you and your people. We wish to seek good cordial relations with any people we meet. And potentially extend the open hand of the Holy Cog to them. As for Trade, we always welcome that. Some of our flock still consume foodstuffs. We would gladly trade for some. We have some goods and even services aboard our ships that we could use to barter and trade.” The one with the miter nods, “What would you be willing to take for a portion of your foodstuffs?”

As the two missionaries who approached speak with the Daxini delegation the other two missionaries lead the faithful in another prayer session.

Dinari felt as if she was being disrespectful by talking at the rear of their congregation. She motioned for the Bio Mech Union member to follow her as she moved away from the congregation so that they could converse without disturbing the congregation. She noticed that Jaxori and Luwiti seemed to relax as they moved away from the congregation slightly. Dinari smiled at the two missionaries. Jaxori stood at her side to talk to the two missionaries while Luwiti stood with his back to theirs watching what was going on behind them. He trusted Jaxori to handle what was in front of them while he took note of what was happening behind them.

Dinari: “We meant no disrespect and we certainly didn’t intend to interrupt your services. My deepest apologies. Do you have a contact that I can send a list too? We have a list of what we have for trade and what we are looking for in return. I don’t think we need any of your services but you never know. Do you have a list of products and services that the Bio Mech Union trades for?” Dinari held out a card with an encrypted communication drop link that was commonly used by traders to share information with one another.

The Missionary with the Mitre is the one to follow them. His facial features an ivory pearly white. His features stretch into a beatific smile, “Oh do not worry dear friend. You interrupted nothing that is important. We pray in all places to give the boon of sacrifice and prayer wherever we go. The Blessed Cog and the Word of Saint Harlow go where we go, we merely offer it to those we encounter.” The missionary makes the sign of the Holy Cog, raising his hands and tapping his fingers to his ivory forehead.

Dinari smiled as she held out the card with the link information on it to the missionary. “This card has an encrypted drop link with a list of what we have available. When we were on the station last, there was a need for fresh food. So we traded in that. We have a selection of fruits and vegetables available as well as vat proteins. We would happily trade for raw materials as well if you have them available, especially rarer minerals and ores.”

Jaxori kept silent and let Dinari take the lead on the interaction with the missionary. His eyes studying the missionary for any tells or signs of deceit or coercion.

Luwiti kept his eyes moving as he scanned the area around them. He noticed that they were attracting attention from the residents of the station. The word seemed to be going out that they were back. Many noticed them and would stop to speak with others and point back their way. He was not concerned yet. He knew that there was excitement over what they had to trade last time in fresh food for the people who lived on the station. Many were disappointed that they had run out of food for trading before they had managed to secure any for themselves. Or they had to buy it from others on station at a higher price having missed the Daxini themselves. Luwiti had noticed merchants a few local toughs who acted as guards for various merchants pass them by. None had drawn his attention as being aggressive or unduly interested in the trio.

With a sigh the Missionary lowers his hands, “Now, we have…some goods yes goods. I am unsure of their usefulness to you, but we have a fine cog-wright among our Faithful. Along with at least a dozen engineers and technicians if you need work on your ships.” The monastery stops for a moment a slowly ticking cog on his mitre turning may the moment.

He nods, “We have a fair amount of common, rare and super rare metals on our ships. We use them in our small Forge Chapels when we hold our services.” The Missionary’s mouth widens in a smile, “We have gear and equipment aplenty as well, much of it was to be tithed to the needy upon Forge World Primus, but we are free to trade it as well. We will gladly take foodstuffs for the Forged who have not yet fully Integrated.”

The Missionary smiles and finally takes the card, and slots it into his own chest. [color=LightGray]The missionaries eyes flashing, and fluttering, then he nods, “Fascinating. What would you be willing to take for five tons of the proteins and a say four tons of the fruits and vegetables? Perhaps a cord of Natrium? A radioactive agent for use in power supplies? Or a few tons of Tritium? Name your price and we can match it.” His tone lowers, “Or perhaps, you seek arms? We have plenty.” [color] Yes that’s the BMU the Daxini may remember, they have everything. And anything. Be it legal…or not so legal.

Dinari managed to maintain her neutral expression as she listened attentively to what he had to say. She was a little surprised at the trade offer. It was a good one. She gave him a pleasant smile that hid the shark-like competitiveness of always seeking out the best deal. She knew they needed to finish spreading word that they were back and collect information from other traders on the station. She leaned closer and lowered her voice as he spoke of weapons. Most weapons were traded in secret and illegally, usually not sanctioned by the nations that had created them. Dinari would be interested in what they might have. You never knew when new or uncovered technologies may come from.

Dinari’s voice purred in satisfaction. “I believe we can help one another. I have to complete what my captain sent me to do. I would be interested in learning more about what kind of arms you have for trade. We can easily meet your demand. Perhaps we could meet later and have a more private discussion?”

Jaxori kept watching the others around them. He was on the lookout for those who were overly interested in them. He was not surprised that the BMU missionaries had hard to obtain items for sale. Their whole culture revolved around machines.

Luwiti’s fur rippled as his instincts said someone was watching him. He had an itch between his shoulder blades but there was nothing he could see that was a threat. He didn’t spot anything or anyone watching them. That made the feeling worse since it was probably someone who meant them ill in some way. His hand drifted lazily to his weapon as he began to casually turn around. He sent a telepathic message to Jaxori.

Luwiti: Jaxori, I feel like we are being watched. I can’t spot anyone so they are good. It has all the earmarks of a professional operator. Stay alert.

Jaxori: That’s not good. We need to move. I feel like a sitting duck in a shooting gallery.

Luwiti would have laughed at Jaxori’s choice of phrasing but he didn’t want to tip others off that they could communicate telepathically.

Jaxori turned to Dinari, “We need to go. Wrap this up.”

Dinari looked at Jaxori and started to protest when she noted the serious glint in his eye. She nodded.

Dinari smiled at the BMU representative. “Perhaps we could meet in a few hours?”

The Missionary bowed low, making the sign of the Holy Cog across his chest.

He straighten backed up and intoned, “We shall await your attendance at the docks we are at. Fifth Layer, Docks 5 through 7. Please do come and visit us at your leisure.” He bows again, turns and strides back to the congregation.

Arms spread wide he begins another prayer session.

Blessed be the day of alignment, when circuits meet sinew,
And the sparks of logic greet the warmth of living breath.
The Holy Machine does not deny the flesh that learns—
It refines it, perfects it, joins it in sacred function.

Through trade, we weld our futures.
Through knowledge, we temper our worlds.
The Machine Spirit hums in circuits and hearts alike,
And in that song, both find purpose.

Let the conduits flow with shared resource and revelation.
May your forges burn bright with alloy and cooperation.
In the glow of your industry, we see the Holy Cog turning,
Perfect rotation, mirrored in every crafted soul.

Praise be to the Holy Machine, that it accepts all who serve.
Praise be to the Daxini Kin, who walk beside us in purpose.
Let no rust of distrust corrode this bond,
For today, the song of flesh and steel plays in harmony.

0101 — We Are One — 1010

Slowly the Union Faithful stood up, and shuffled off, the three Missionaries pacing in front, their censors swinging. In near perfect step they go, a hymn rising as they move. Headed below to the Dock levels.

The Daxini moved deeper into the market section of the station to spread word to the station residents that they were back with more goods for trade.

Tactical Breach Wizards: Fireteam Hex (Military, Modern, Fantasy, Action-Thriller)

Day 1
The World's End Pub
Village of Pristupin, Libor Province
Republic of Polavia

---

Soundtrack: Let the Bodies Hit the Floor - Drowning Pool

Borys was kind enough to offer alternative alcohol suggestions as she expressed her displeasure with what she had been offered.

Oksana’s reply had Rowan rolling her eyes. Like she didn’t know how to create a Molotov Cocktail without her craft. That was an easier way to do it but far less controlled. Rowan had just finished recovering from the nasty shot and placing her order for food when she had asked the obvious question. Felix’s response to the question mirrored her own probability theory so she relaxed a little. She could admit she understood why Felix was here. He was almost in a similar situation as her except she had a whole country looking for her head. She had not known that other Reactor teams had been released as well. That would explain the numbers here in this small remote village.

Reactor had disavowed her team and thrown them to the wolves. She wouldn’t go back to Reactor now if they begged. That left her wondering what to do next. She knew she was being hunted and that there was a price on her head. She had no idea how big the price was or how seriously people were hunting her. She thought about maybe teaming up with some of the other operators. Her reasoning for following Borys inside still held true. There was some safety in numbers.

Rowan had been about to reply to Felix when time seemed to slow down around them. She went on alert and pulled her purse off the back of her chair. She unzipped it and reached inside for her back up wand. She slid her purse straps back on with her wand in her hand in the brief moments that the team coming into the pub had made their entrance.

A loud voice shouted out "Special Forces, hands where I can see them, get on your knees!" Rowan cackled as she thought like hell! She couldn’t help but think how stupid was he? That he thought any Special Forces Operative would simply do as he asked. She was thinking they were like Team F for Fuck Up but she had to give them props for having a Holding Witch on their side. That didn’t make him any less ridiculous though. Special Forces didn’t ask you to stop and come quietly, that was the police’s job. Special Forces acted first and sorted shit out later. Rowan was annoyed to have a gun pointed at her. Her lip curled in a sneer at the operative. She waited quietly preparing some things to use when she made her move. She began silently casting an acid spell on the pitcher of beer that was sitting on the table next to her.

The man was stupid enough to talk loud enough to be heard reporting in. She couldn’t believe how unprofessional he was. Was he hoping to have his whole team annihilated? What happened to operational security?

She listened in as he reported their status. "WIZ-TAC, this is Battlemage Actual, we've got HVT confirmed. Moving to arrest. We'll be twenty mikes to primary extraction."

Rowan’s uncomplimentary mental thoughts continued as the man threatened Felix. Evidently Felix was their target. She couldn’t help a slight shiver of relief that it was not her. She still was appalled at the guy’s ability. The operative had a nice gun but he was giving too much of their operations away to truly be considered a professional. His remarks indicated he was with a DSR Special Forces Team.

"Turn and I'll fucking have fun shooting you in the head, kitty cat. Hands where I can see them! Everyone else, hands high or we'll open fire!"

Rowan cackled again and couldn’t resist commenting. “Really are you sure you want me to raise my hands? You finally are going to threaten to fire at us if we don’t comply. I think you might have your mission parameters and actions a little backward there. AWKWARD!” She couldn't resist making fun of him. She was a trained military operative and the guy was trying so hard to be a badass but was coming across as a first rate chump to her.

Rowan raised an eyebrow as Felix’s remarks indicated that he seemed to know the unprofessional asshole. "Harry? Fuck me. You guys really wasting taxpayer money on this bullshit?"

The operative responded and only had Felix under control due to the number of guns on him. She was getting really annoyed at this guy. "Shut it, Lyons! We will waste taxpayer's money on whatever the fuck command says, so on your feet!"

Rowan listened and watched as Felix complied. "No, like, I genuinely didn't think it would be you. Come on. How'd you do it, blood magic, using the others to make me drink....shit, or even getting them as help? Don't fucking kill them. I'll go easy." Rowan sighed as she now felt like she owed it to Felix to help him out of the jam. That was where their conversation was heading. Rowan grinned evilly as the beer in the pitcher took on a nasty green tone as her spell finished.

Evidently Harry was not done monologuing for his team. He must really feel the need to tell everyone how important he thought he was. "Just you, your actions. The honeypot worked."

Rowan’s lips turned up in a half smile as she heard Felix’s reply. "You're so unprofessional. Fucking doing it in broad daylight, you that brave?"

Oksana: "He's an asshole. But would you mind? We were just drinking. So...."

Suddenly, the Holding Witch at the back started to look like she convulsed.

"Idi Nahui!" Oksana yelled, in perfect, prim, Polavian, well and truly, a "Go Fuck Yourself" delivered in a manner that felt almost too cinematic.

The entire bubble of time burst.

The vodka bottled landed and time was flowing normally again as the bar fight began in earnest. Polavian workers joined the fray as their drinking session had been interrupted and one of their own had been injured. She heard Oksana yell out "Debil, don't fucking ruin a good thing!"

Rowan turned her attention to the woman standing in front of her. Rowan was being faced down by a thin, dark-haired operator with an M4A1 with the staff in it with a large ruby-like crystal in the end suspended by a light-wood like amber, a SOF helmet with full green MARPAT and a whole plume of flowers across her arm looking like some energy magic was up her sleeve. Rowan met the woman’s eyes as she carefully held the gun on her with a staff in her other hand. Rowan made her move. She used one arm to push the gun away from her as she spun and swept the woman’s feet out from under her. She kicked at the staff in an effort to send it spinning away from the woman. Rowan was once again grateful for her martial arts practice. She kept moving in one smooth motion. She picked up the pitcher of acid and threw it on the mage she had knocked down. She entered the battle leaping away from what she hoped was a now incapacitated mage. Rowan aimed her wand at the babbling idiot Harry and quickly channeled a lighting spell as she threw a glass of whiskey at his head. She was hoping it caught fire and that the electricity would paralyze him.

She was trying to fight her way to Felix when another voice yelled "Shit, grab the asset and let's go!" Felix had managed to free his hands and plowed into Harry. Oksana dived over the bar as she threw a bottle at Harry and another operative. Felix yelled out "Smashing!"

Rowan waded into the fray using her martial arts expertise to block hands and blows aimed her way. She ducked and used others for cover as she began to work her way towards the door. She had to get out of the building first. She readied her wand once more. Maybe she could let loose a ball of chain lightning to clear a path to the door. She concentrated and felt a spike of pain in her head. This spell took way more power than the one she used previously. She felt a little trickle of blood flow from her nose. She was using her elemental spells to deliver little zaps when her martial arts failed. The mana usage was piling up fast. She could feel the beginnings of mana fatigue. She needed this fight to end.

She heard Oksana's voice yell out "We need to leave, right now!"

Rowan rolled her eyes. What the hell did Oksana think they were doing? She certainly was not trying to join in the barfight. She spotted an opening and ran for the door. “Come on! That is our exit music!” She was focused on getting outside and missed Oksana saying she had an idea. So did she and it involved getting to her car. She made it out the door of the pub and started looking for the team as she began moving in the direction of her car.