[color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Delta Hyper Interview[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] Aurora:[b]"So, last question for Auckland. After your first race in the championship, is there anyone you would like to say thanks to?"[/b] Paul Mulder: [color=fff200]“Well I have to thank the whole team at Valkyrie. I wouldn’t be here without them. If I had to single out a person to thank…” [/color] He paused as he looked very thoughtful as if he was really considering her question. His face lit up with a warm genuine smile that softened his handsome face. [color=fff200]Paul: “I would like to thank my mother. After what happened to my father, it is understandable that my mother does not really want me to race professionally. She accepts that it makes me happy and has embraced supporting me. She supports me despite her fears and how she feels about it. I know she loves me and wants me to be happy. I know she worries, but having her support means the world to me.” [/color] Paul looked directly into the camera as he continued. Paul: [color=fff200]“Thank you Mom for loving me and supporting me to find my own path in life. I love you.”[/color] Paul blew a kiss and then put his closed fist over his heart. It was the same thing he had done at the beginning of the race that cameras caught in the cockpit. Most people will conclude correctly that the gesture was meant as one of respect and love for his mother. [color=gold][center][h1][i][b]Valkyrie AGR Team Plane[/b][/i][/h1][/center][/color] [center] [h1][b] Monday March 6th, 2094 [/b] [/h1] [/center] [hr] The Valkyrie AGR Sport team had decided to travel on the Monday following the race. Everyone checked out of their hotels and met at the private airstrip that could accommodate the large heavy cargo plane. Anyone who decided to fly by other means did so on their dime. There was room for the entire team and their gear on the company plane. Alexander knew there was enough room for one more passenger and offered Aurora a spot on the team plane to Germany if she was inclined to use it. He was still working on getting back into her good graces after their poor beginning. Alexander had coffee and a bagel in his room before checking out and riding with some of the other team to the airport on a shuttle arranged by the hotel. The plane was due to fly out at 9:00am. Customs was fast and easy since they were taking a private plane. Everyone was expected to be at the hanger by 8:30am for their 9:00am departure. They would be back in Germany by 6:00pm. The bio-fueled jet space plane was fuel efficient and fast. The plane could be converted to a space shuttle and could get out of the atmosphere providing transport to tracks that were in space. The custom cargo plane was set up for the team. The plane was painted black with the company’s gold logo and branding on the side. The entire rear of the plane was a cargo area with ramp for loading the team trailers which held all the equipment and the ships that the team used at each race. The team trailers had special cargo locks on them that locked them into special brackets in the cargo hold to keep them from shifting. The front of the plane had two passenger decks and the cockpit. There was a door into the cargo area from the cabin side of each deck with a storage compartment with shelving to store the passengers’ luggage. There were webbing straps and tie lockdowns to keep everything in place and from shifting in flight. The passenger door to the aircraft folded down into a ramp that telescoped down to meet the tarmac. The door folded in and sealed flush to the outer skin of the aircraft. The cabin could be pressurized with oxygen systems and sealed for travel not just in the upper atmosphere but also in space. Across from the passenger door along the wall was a stairwell that winded up to the second passenger deck. Each deck had room for 50 passengers. The front of the plane was set up like a luxury private plane with reclining white leather seating. Some of the seating were arranged in conversational groupings and others were set into small cubicles that had privacy screens that could be activated. All of the seats could be laid flat to make a bed passengers could sleep in. Thick black plush carpet reduced the noise of the bio-fueled jet plane while adding to the luxurious feel to the interior. Running gold and white lights outlined the black carpet and lit the aisle. Soft white recessed lighting provided interior lighting. Dark wood finishes and gold accents added to the feeling of being surrounded by luxury. The plane had seating for 100 passengers and four stewardesses. The team typically traveled with approximately 60 to 80 people. There was a small kitchenette area where prepared meals, snacks, and drinks were stocked. At the front of each cabin were two seats for the stewardesses that faced the rear of the plane. This allowed them to watch the passengers during the flight and attend to their needs. On board wifi via satellite allowed passengers to stay in communication and enjoy private entertainment while the plane was in flight or get some work done. Alexander had received a message from the board of directors via Leopold that they were very displeased with the team results in Auckland. Alexander explained to Leopold that the results were the work of Dominic. He had yet to implement any changes. He had let everyone follow their normal procedure to see where the changes needed to be made and what he could possibly improve upon. He had a contract and they were just going to have to suck it up. He had an airtight contract and control for this season. He told Leopold to tell the board of directors “Change takes time. I have been here for 4 days. Results will happen before the end of the season.” The board was pressuring him for plans to get results already. He still had to conduct strategy meetings with the team before he could put a plan before them. Alexander knew that the board was not going to like his response. They had not been happy about his full control clause in the contract. They didn’t like relinquishing any of their control to him. He was giving them an honest response though. Change would take time and resources before they paid off. The team had to work with the stricter rules inside the European Union. Their racers were limited by the types of augmentations they were allowed to receive. That meant he had to find new ways to help his pilots be all they could be. Alexander Knight had a very strong sense of morality and code of ethics. He was almost sure he would be battling head to head with the stronger personalities that were in leadership positions within the team. Alexander was paranoid about the board of directors and other leadership within the racing team trying to push unethical and illegal tactics like in the past. He had been so young back then. Excited about getting a second chance at life. He had been so naive about the ethics and integrity of the leadership of the team he had raced under. He still had nightmares about Audrick’s crash. He still felt a pervading sense of guilt about his death. He still was plagued with what ifs. [i][color=00aeef]What if it had been him instead of Audrick? What if he had said something to Audrick? What if he had gone to the racing commission back then? Would they have believed him? Or would they have been bought off like the investigators into Audrick’s crash?[/color][/i] Thanks to Alicia, he had been given a chance to help his daughter and atone for his sins. He was determined to protect Paul from those kinds of choices and decisions. Alexander used his time in the air to schedule the large conference room at headquarters for strategy meetings with each department: engineering, mechanical, medical, training, marketing, and pilots. The next day would be full of back to back meetings. He had scheduled hour-long meetings for each department with a whole team in for a mandatory team building lunch. He then spent the time reading more about how the team was currently set up to run and the budgets for each department. He typed his questions into the tablet as he reviewed all the information and personnel files that had been forwarded to him. Alexander rubbed at his tired eyes. He had so much work to get done in such a small amount of time. He would need to consider help for him as well. He would need an assistant. Alexander would need to interview potential administrative assistants to help manage his schedule and the workload. He groaned as he thought about how hard it was to find his last administrative assistant. Alexander hated sycophants that only wanted to be associated with him due to his fame or what they thought he could do for their careers. He might have been out of the limelight since he quit racing but that didn’t mean people didn’t recognize who he was. It was not like he hid his past or anything. There were still people who thought Alexander was wealthy from his racing years not understanding all the legal proceedings had stripped away his fortune after he walked away. Alexander had been leading a team of engineers at an American company working on energy efficient mass transit systems for cities. When he had landed the lead position, the company assigned him an administrative assistant. He had issue after issue with the people assigned to him at first. The first was a woman in her late twenties who was a sexual harassment case waiting to happen. After the third time Alexander declined her invitations for a sexual encounter he had the recordings from the hidden camera in his office sent to HR. They sent him a very nice, meek young man next. He had lasted all of 2 days. Timothy was sensitive and broke down in tears after the third materials supplier chewed him out over the phone. He didn’t have the backbone Alexander needed. The next woman was extremely competent and in her late thirties. She was organized and appeared to be the perfect assistant. Then Alexander came in one morning to find that his current project files were up on his computer. He knew he had closed and shut it down the night before. After checking the cameras, she was taken into custody for corporate espionage. Alexander went through 5 more assistants before the company had to start looking to hire from outside. Alexander had to settle for a temp at this point. That was when Miss Mabel Brown came into his life. She was ancient but had a spine of steel hidden beneath a sweet exterior and was an organizational fiend. Her job was only meant to last until the company could hire some new employees. Within the first week, she had resolved his supply issues, his office had never been more organized, and his schedule saluted her like a general. He had called HR and told them to hire and offer her a significant salary increase. He had never regretted it. His eyes lit up as inspiration struck. He checked the time before making a call. He smiled as the phone call was picked up and an old familiar voice greeted him. [color=f9ad81]Mabel: “It's about damn time you called me Alex. How is that precious daughter of yours? Have you been sleeping and eating and taking care of yourself?”[/color] He laughed as her words washed over him. She was one of the few people who had ever really cared and tried to take care of him. She mothered him like he was her own son. [color=00aeef]Alexander: “It is good to hear your voice Miss Mabel. Arianna has come through the implant surgery and is responding well to the integration. She is going to be okay. With these implants she will have a fairly normal life.” [/color] He paused for a moment before continuing. His voice was full of guilt over leaving her behind. He didn’t regret his choice but he was sad that it might have impacted this wonderful woman. [color=00aeef]Alexander: “I am sorry I had to leave so suddenly. I had to take this opportunity for her. How are you doing? Did they assign you to the new head of engineering?” [/color] [color=f9ad81]Mabel: “Honeychild, you know that company didn’t want to hire me when you twisted their arm and made them.” She cackled evilly before continuing. “You know they didn’t wait till you were out the door before telling me that they didn’t have a position for me. They offered me a very nice severance package which I took.”[/color] Alexander was angry at the company he used to work for. Mabel had worked as his assistant there for the last 5 years. She was a great employee. She was not popular with other employees in leadership positions because Mabel guarded his office like a dragon and didn’t play office politics. They could have found her a position. He knew it came down to the bottom line. Most of the company thought younger meant better trained and smarter. There was something to be said for experience though. Alexander let the anger go and smiled as he asked his next question. [color=00aeef]Alexander: “How is retirement treating you Mabel?” [/color] Mabel snorted before answering him and sounding frustrated. [color=f9ad81]Mabel: “Well my great grandkids are off to college. My daughter is hovering like I am going to need an emergency room in the next day or so. My sweet daughter in law has brought me dinner twice, and you know she can’t cook. My son suggested I take up crochet! …. CROCHET ALEX!” [/color] Alexander could only laugh at the exasperation in her voice. It was the only appropriate response in this situation. His mental image of anyone trying to stop the force of nature that was Mabel Brown and get her to sit still long enough to crochet brought tears to his eyes as his laughter got harder. He drew a few curious stares from others on the plane. Mabel was yelling at him over the phone telling him to stop laughing. He smiled and shook his head as he resumed the conversation. [color=00aeef]Alexander: “I am sorry Mabel but that was funny. Your children don’t know you at all! So I take it retirement is not going well?” [/color] [color=f9ad81]Mabel: “I am bored to death Alex. There is only so much baking I can do. My family is driving me batshit insane. I don’t blame you for leaving to take care of your girl though. It was the right thing to do. You don’t worry about this old woman. I will be fine. I just need a new hobby. Maybe I can find inventive new ways to terrorize my horrible neighbors.” [/color] Alexander knew his instincts to call her were right. He just chuckled as he couldn’t help being curious. [color=00aeef]Alexander: “What have your neighbors done to deserve your wraith Mabel?”[/color] [color=f9ad81]Mabel: “Well for starters, their damn garbage can is always overflowing and spilling down the side. They never clean it up. You make the mess, you should clean it up. That is not too much to ask. They play their music loud enough to wake the dead all hours of the day. I am a music fan. I love music. I don’t mind loud music. I like heavy metal. I listen to the classics like Metallica and Ozzy Osbourne. I don't appreciate loud music at midnight when I am trying to sleep on a Wednesday night. I can see having a party on the weekend. Or occasionally but this every damn night! Don’t get me started on their poor parking skills which leads them to blocking my driveway.” [/color] Alexander couldn’t resist asking. He had to know: [color=00aeef]Alexander: “You said invent new ways implying you are already terrorizing your neighbors. What have you tried so far?”[/color] Mabel replied with amusement in her tone. [color=f9ad81]Mabel: “Well Alex for starters, I left a broom and dustpan with a bow on their porch. I always give their children candy everytime I see them. I make sure to bring them baked muffins with extra sugar and fiber on Saturdays. I have ordered pizza delivery for them twice. When they refuse to pay I just call the nice delivery boy over and take care of him. I had one of my great grandsons place a realistic looking rubber snake next to the driver’s side door of their car. I always tell those nice door to door solicitors that my neighbors are easy marks and encourage them to stop by their place. I set up a basketball hoop in the driveway for my great grandkids and encouraged them to invite the neighborhood kids to play. I make sure they have snacks and drinks so they can play for hours.” [/color] Alexander laughed again, shaking his head. The woman was diabolically strategic and evidently determined to kill them with kindness. Alexander sobered as he finally got to the point of his call. [color=00aeef]Alexander: “Mabel, how would you feel about moving to Germany? I could really use your help. I need someone I can trust to have my back. Unless you are truly happy being retired. I want you to be happy.” [/color] Mabel’s laughter rang out over the line before she answered him, still chuckling. [color=f9ad81]Mabel: “Alex you silly man. My bags are already packed. I have been waiting for you to call me. This will be a new adventure for me. I had to get my passport though for that family cruise my daughter in law insisted would be a great family vacation. I can be there tomorrow.” [/color] Alexander gave a deep sigh of relief. Mabel brought something special to his life. He couldn’t imagine working with anyone else. His smile couldn’t get any bigger. Alexander’s voice softened with warmth and affection. [color=00aeef]Alexander: “Thanks Mabel. I appreciate your willingness to relocate to help me. This would be much harder without you.”[/color] Mabel’s voice was full of maternal warmth and sass as she replied. [color=f9ad81]Mabel: “Well someone has to look out for your sorry ass and remind you to eat and sleep. Give my love to Arianna when you speak to her next. Good bye Alex. See you tomorrow.” [/color] [color=6ecff6]Alexander: “Have a safe trip and text me your flight details. I will arrange to have a car pick you up.” [/color] Alexander heard his text notification go off. [color=f9ad81]Mabel: “Already done. And Alex, Get some sleep tonight.” [/color] Mabel hung up the phone on him. He smiled as he pulled her flight details.He texted the car service that was contracted to the race team and gave them her flight details and where to drop Mabel off. He then assigned her one of the apartments available at team headquarters. He sent an email to HR to get the employee paperwork ready for her to review and sign. He let them know her position and starting salary. He felt a huge relief and felt as if some of the weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He could hang on a few days until Mabel got there and got started. [hr] [center][b][color=aba000]ValkyrieAGRSport: The ValkyrieAGR Team has made it home to Germany. Don’t forget to buy your gear and tickets for the next race. We will see you in Cape Town, South Africa! #LetsGoValkyrieAGR #DeltaHyper #FormulaAG #LionsHeadOrBust[/color][/b][/center] [hr] OfficeDrone#12: Reliable source from inside ValkyrieAGR says Knight is bringing in some of his own people. SuperfanAGR54: That sounds typical for an uptight controlling a$$hole. DantheMan: Insider sources say he plans to strip the team’s talent. Superfan2075: I don’t care if he gets results. DadBod89: Rumors from the top say the Board is not happy with Knight. Hater101: Why should they be? He hasn’t done anything for them yet! Papabear34:Alexander Knight Sucks! #knightfail #bringbackdominic Nana2050: Change takes time. It is only expected that we will see some changes in personnel. Knight is doing his job. #realitycheck GeorgeFly: Results are what matter. Africa will be telling. ValkyrieFan56: @GeorgeFly I agree with you. Will update from Africa. Weedhead81:[message removed by content filters] SexyM@m@5:I have a friend who works at Valkyrie. Rumors are all teams scheduled to be in meetings tomorrow. Paulmulder4eva: Can your friend get me Paul’s digits? Britball12: Boring! Mombaby: Can your friend get me Dorian’s number? BatDave: I am Batman. Sexygranny4U: Can you friend get me Knight’s number? Weedhead81:[message removed by content filters] Look out for the next installment that will cover the action for Tuesday!