[color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Delta Hyper Interview[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] "So, last question for Auckland. After your first race in the championship, is there anyone you would like to say thanks to?” Hyeon-Ae smiled warmly at the question. “I want to thank the whole Zygon team for coming together to make this possible; and my uncle for working hard to give me this opportunity!” [hr] [center][h2]Monday March 8th, 2094, 09:20 UTC (17:20 local) Seoul, KR[/h2][h3]Hyeon-Ae’s Residence[/h3][/center] The airy penthouse suite held little in the way of personal belongings. Fashionable late-century furniture in off-white colours. Paintings of mainly abstract art, famous artists arranged as an afterthought wall decoration around the apartment rather than any real artistic interest or grouping. Fashionable clutter and decorative items straight out of trendy magazines or house advertisements. Everything was tidy and untouched. Even the luxurious serpentine couch was unbothered by creases. Most people would assume it was a showroom for living space advertising, not a home with a resident. In the middle of the room, steadied with nigh straightened arms on her trendy carpet, Hyeon-Ae leaned into her next push-up. She had lost count a while ago, and just kept at it until she would feel herself working up a real sweat. With a body like hers, it was easier said than done. She estimated it had been a good fifteen minutes at least. Not that it mattered. The eerie quiet of the apartment, with nothing but the sound of her workout clothes’ shuffling fabric, persisted for a long time, until a call from her earpiece broke her focus. Hyeon-Ae lifted a hand to accept the call and resumed her workout. “Go for Han.” She offered curtly. “Hyeon-Ae,” the voice on the other end began. Zhou Yijin, lead engineer. “Happy back in the civilized world?” “Of course. So happy.” she replied in a deadpan tone. “How is the shaking fix going?” “Bad news, I'm afraid. Can't do anything about it, it seems.” For the first real time since she started, Hyeon-Ae stopped her workout routine, paused midway like a statue. “...What? Why not? Didn't you say you were a miracle worker at the team dinner?” “Don't quote things I've said while drinking,” Zhou snapped back quickly. “Anyway it's not on us. Suits nixed the upgrades. Improper use of company resources.” “Using a racing team's resources to increase performance is improper?” “You know how it is, here. Everything has got to come through the chain. Can't mess with what works.” Hyeon-Ae scoffed. “Yes… what works. Have you given Neves the good news?” “I'm about to call her after this. Look-... You have more pull than you think. Maybe you can get your uncle to make a few calls, or something. Getting Ji Motors fully involved and integrated was a massive deal. Other than that, we're dead in the water.” “Yeah. Thanks for letting me know.” she replied calmly, and hung up after another click on her earpiece. Finally alone with her thoughts, she resumed her workout. She'd sooner die than ask that simple-minded oaf for help. Last time she asked him for anything, he dangled her in front of his perverted civil servant contacts like a piece of meat. No doubt he'd treat her request with the gravity of a niece asking for a toy, and look for a way to get something he wanted out of it. No. She didn't need help. [hr] [center][h2]Monday March 8th, 2094, 11:43 UTC (19:43 local) [/h2][h3]Zygon HQ: Garden[/h3][/center] “I understand your frustration, Hyeon-Ae [i]ssi[/i], but these things take time for a reason.” Team Principal Jinwoo argued calmly, pushing his glasses up to rest properly on the bridge of his nose. From his seat in the Zygon headquarters garden, he glanced out over the tranquil sight, motioning for Hyeon-Ae to sit down beside him. The pilot remained standing. Jinwoo sighed and looked back at her. “The Hans bring a lot to the table, but that doesn't mean we can upend years of tradition to do as you please.” “All I wish is for the team to adapt to the challenges ahead. Is that truly unreasonable, in your mind, [I]timjangnim[/I]?” “Of course not. I understand your passion, I am not lost to it. But Zygon is a finely tuned machine of many moving parts; letting each department manager sign off and moving it through the chains of command is how we got this far.” “I am not asking you to *change*, or Zygon for that matter.” Hyeon-Ae professed with a deep sigh. She took a few seconds to formulate her words, at least for appearances sake. In truth she had already decided what to say before coming here. “I am just worried that what momentum we have is going to waste when everyone seems content to just keep to… business as usual. Drinking their coffee and reading their mail. Sending a request to be looked at in two weeks. Bickering over office status. We have a chance to make something happen, with a willing engineering team and two fresh pilots. Work with me here, Jinwoo [I]timjangnim[/I]. I just want us to live up to our potential. We can do better than this. We don't have to sit on our hands and see what happens. We can write the future.” Long silence. For a moment she considered if she had overdone it, but the easily read conflict on her superior's face made it clear he caught the hook. She resisted the urge to smile. Team Principal Jinwoo raised a hand to smooth out his hair absentmindedly and then sighed. “You remind me so much of the fire I had when I first started. And I am not blind to what you are saying. Perhaps some things… some departments… could do with a bit of a wake-up call, a mobilization. I'll see what I can do, Hyeon-Ae [I]ssi[/I].” “If there's anything I can do to help, let me know,” Hyeon-Ae cut in with a practiced warm smile. “I don't think it's fair to ask this of you and then send you into the fire alone, after all. I am happy to shoulder a burden.” “That's sweet of you, but you should focus on your performance in the next race.” Jinwoo shot back, and Hyeon-Ae looked away briefly to control her disappointment. “You need to keep hitting high targets if this is going to be more than a flash in the pan. You did good, but the department heads are still unconvinced.” “Of course.” She returned calmly and bowed her head, even as her fist clenched ever so slightly. “I'll be sure to focus on improving as a pilot, [I]timjangnim[/I]. Thank you for your time tonight.” [hr] [center][h2] Tuesday March 9th, 2094, 04:10 UTC (12:10 local) [/h2][h3]Zygon HQ: Marketing Department[/h3][/center] “I can see it now; A sleeping dragon wakes! Perhaps an azure tint to hint at Zygon as the reawakened Guardian Dragon of the East.” the young woman pondered aloud from behind her desk, tapping at his chin. “I'll leave all that to you; mythology is not my strongest suit. I am just happy you like the idea, Nayeun [I]ssi[/I].” Hyeon-Ae professed in turn, a demure smile painted across her features as she sat on the visitor side of the desk in her designer suit. “Like it? I love it! I've been withering in this office, picking out floral arrangements for publicity stunts.” she murmured to herself, trailing off at the end before refocusing on Hyeon-Ae. “I'm only a little confused why you came to me, and not my boss? It's not that I mind, Hyeon-Ae [I]ssi[/I], but I am just a team leader in the marketing department.” “Well…” Hyeon-Ae began, leaning forward conspiratorially. “At first it was because I was hoping to build some connections with other people my age in the company. I was hoping to get some good friends in the long run, yes? But admittedly, your colleague, marketing manager Baek, is in charge of the other marketing team, and I am-... Not so fond of her after our dealings.” She chuckled softly, covering her mouth with a hand and averting her hand. “And I felt going directly to Department Manager Park would be a bit arrogant. You know?” Naeyun smiled faintly, looking distant for a few moments. Thinking, clearly. Possibilities to one-up the rival team, perhaps? That's what Hyeon-Ae imagined, anyway. “Well, that's fine by me. Baek is a bit stuck in the old world; too caught up with prestige and coming off as perfect. People like companies to have a bit of grit these days. Perfect images are what got us in all that mess in the history shows.” Hyeon-Ae simply provided a genteel nod, folding her fingers together over her knee and smiling. “I'll work on a spotlight idea and present it to Department Manager Daehyun. I think he'll agree that using our current momentum is a good idea. Right off the bat, I'm thinking maybe you do a joint showcase with Neves. Play up the strength and power aspect to make it invigorating…” Naeyun continued, before shaking her head and waving it off with a brief gesture. “I'll put together something good with my team, you'll definitely hear from me.” Naeyun rose from her seat and smoothed out her pencil skirt before leaning forwards to offer a handshake. Hyeon-Ae stood in turn and shook her hand with a warm smile, placing a second hand on hers. “I am eagerly looking forward to our future collaborations, Marketing Manager Lee.” [hr] [center][img]https://i.ibb.co/XyfgyDG/Screenshot-2024-08-31-09-56-32-240-com-android-chrome-edit.jpg[/img][/center] [hr] [center][h2] Thursday March 11th, 2094, 05:20 UTC (13:20 local) [/h2][h3]Seoul, Myeondong Shopping Street Café[/h3][/center] “That's such a great picture, Jinyeon. You're so pretty in dresses.” Hyeon-Ae's voice held a soft and inviting tone, smiling across the table as the older woman retracted her phone with an embarrassed chuckle. “Thank you~. It doesn't happen that much. My husband barely goes to any gatherings any more, and no one is throwing wine parties for office drones like me.” “Then I'll make sure to invite you for the next one I hold, after the next race. No one should be caged like that.” Jinyeon smiled warmly and tucked her phone away, returning to cradling her tea mug as she looked down. “...No, no. I couldn't ask that of you, Miss Han. You meeting with me and talking, and the autograph, and everything… I know you are just doing it as a favor to my husband because I wouldn't shut up about you working with him, heh.” She brushed her fingers along the sleek porcelain and seemed to lose a little bit of that luster she'd had before. “I admired your journey, that's all. What you did and said, even so young. I could never have done that.” Hyeon-Ae frowned in turn, watching the older woman talk herself out of any semblance of confidence. With careful grace she made a decisive reach across the table to put her hand over Jinyeon’s. “It's true that I came here because your husband asked me, Jinyeon [I]nim[/I],” she offered calmly. The words made Jinyeon look back up as Hyeon-Ae continued. “But I am still here because I enjoy your company. My favor to your husband ended when we said hello and I gave you my autograph.” “Oh…” Jinyeon mustered a little sheepishly. “I wouldn't want to be selfish, Miss Han.” “If you cannot be selfish, Jinyeon, then what did I fight for, back then? It's okay to be selfish. I'll invite you and your husband to my party. If you want it.” she replied crisply and retracted her hand to grasp her own coffee. “Then, I'd like that… I wouldn't mind being friends with you, Miss Han. I mean, I… I want that very much.” Jinyeon managed after a few moments of internal conflict, allowing herself a bemused smile. Hyeon-Ae merely nodded, her own smile returning as she lifted the cup to sip at the luxurious brew within. Being friends with the wife of a board member, especially one who wasn't part of the chaebol family at the head of the Zygon conglomerate, would pay off in the long run. After a bit of shared silence, Hyeon-Ae led the conversation to the dog she'd seen in the latest picture. Building a relationship was easy, but took time. [hr] [color=gold][center][h3][i][b]Motorsport Korea: [/b]Internal revisions in Zygon, sources say. [b]Futurism International:[/b] Zygon board member says “[Zygon] will rise like a phoenix,” sparks division. [B]KR Industry:[/b] Zygon Heiress Park Iseul confirms “restructuring” on the cards. [b]EASIAN: [/b] Korean racing & automotive giant seeking talent beyond borders, according to insiders. [b]AGRPLUS:[/b] Changes at Zygon start of revival, or death throes?[/i][/h3][/center][/color] [hr] ([Url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19piUFhfdWItsUOtrGhnCSnFv8nLVsaw3nJXQnCKhAMY/edit?usp=drivesdk]Zygon Characters[/url])