FourtyTwo
Sylvan
MrSkimobile
Jazz
Enzayne
rabidbacon
Autumn Moon
Infinite Cosmos
Koesohh
EstylwenDELTΔ HYPER
Episode One: Finding their Feet
"Passion indeed! And no doubt, many will look at Miller Motor Racing with a keen eye. Outside of Southern Cross, you have one of the youngest line-ups on the grid. Do you think you make up for experience with trying something new, like your enhancement shows?"
"New is... the unknown, and that is far more dangerous than any implant or modification any Team can bring to the table." Ulrich replies in a rare moment of profoundness when juxtaposed to his usually casual and devil-may-care demeanour. As he leans back in the sofa, Hugo jumps into the young racer's lap and he happily gives the pooch some well deserved pets for sitting still for so long. The enhancement in question was ELS/Neural Hybrid System. Though many Pilot's neural imports were sleek and barely stood out, Ulrich's had squarish, slightly bulkier plates and spread out over a slightly larger area on the back of his neck.
"However, like I said, Miller Motor is investing in the future." Ulrich added as he tapped the system with his finger. "This system is going to be a new tool to me, but new tools are not going to get me and Wedge over the finish line. It will be our skills, our guts, our unknown."
Pre-Race Party
After quickly watching a posted supercut of his and Bea's rally days with the new hashtag of RallyBrave thanks to the latter's interview, Ulrich had pocketed his phone before finally attending the party. Of course, Ulrich would be hitting the fan zones first giving out high fives and seflies galore alongside pit mascot Hugo and/or Max if the opportunity arrived. He would be wearing fairly plain clothes, not too dissimilar to his interview outfit. Black t-shirt and jeans, an MMR baseball cap to match his dog and a golden chain that displayed a holo-charm- a holographic image display about the size of a pendant that flicked between calligraphy of "Honor, Resiliency, Victory", motivational one word slogans.
However, as soon as Ulrich spent at least half an hour his opportunity to go mingle with celebrities was cut short by the buzz of his phone. As he pulled it out, he just as quickly declined the call from his Father... but any reprieve would be short-lived and the Panzer knew that his father wouldn't relent until he answered. Ulrich would quickly find Max and apologise before beckoning Hugo to follow and leave the party.
At first he struggled to find a place to take the call, but eventually he found a quiet hallway where he hoped there would be no prying eyes spying or wayward ears listening.
"What?"
"No, the races haven't even started yet. What do you exp-"
"No! You're shutting up now. I got myself this far, and as soon as I've dug you out of the hole you got yourself into we are done! DONE!"
Ulrich angrily jabbed the end call button before pacing around the hallway, breathing in through his nose and out through his mouth as he's been taught to try and calm his emotions. With his hands resting behind his head, he looked down at Hugo who was staring back up at his master. After a slow exhale, Ulrich crouched down and offered his companion a small smile. "You've got my back, hey Hugo?"
Grid Photo
As the sun beamed down on the competitors, Ulrich was happily waving to the crowds that surrounded the starting line as the picture drone was weaving between all the pilots and the ships. Donning his red and blue racing suit, reminiscent of the old Formula 1 suits outside of the general material and technological upgrades over the years, Ulrich looked over his helmet and caught a glimpse of himself in the reflection of the visor.
While the rest of the competitors were chatting and jibing at each other, he couldn't help but think about the phone call last night. He really had no choice. Even though he always believed he wanted to win more than anyone else, now he had to win. Even if he couldn't reconcile with his Father, the rest of the family needed him... so he had to help, and to do that he had to win.
