Monday February 28th, 2094
Ji Motors Conference Room 74-9-B
Seoul, Korea
12:34 KST
The well-aerated office space was both spacious and luxurious, though it seemed none of the suited people found the atmosphere anything but cloying and clammy. A row of businessfolk, awkwardly pretending to stare at the data on their pads. On the other side of the expensive conference table sat Hyeon-Ae, glaring a storm from beneath a black and red designer cap, seemingly held back mainly by the two people sitting beside her.
“It would be better if we pivoted to a more aspirationally calm and soft-spoken image, Ms Han.” Marketing manager Baek suggested crisply before pushing up her glasses, looking across the table to the race-pilot. “It is the preferred contrast to Ms Neves' more carefree appeal, according to focus tests.”
Hyeon-Ae's fingers drummed against the table rhythmically, and the portly Sanbeng beside her sat a little straighter as he cleared his throat to speak. “Ms Han’s contract stipulates that she will take Mrs Baek’s words into consideration.”
Baek nodded, satisfied, and flipped another page on her virtual journal. “Management also would like to extend their wishes for a promoted lean of cohesion and camaraderie between the pilots. A public show of support prior to the race from Ms Han would boost interest in Ms Neves in domestic demographics - an important boon for long-term viral growth.”
“Is she too important to attend this meeting?” Hyeon-Ae cut in, lips thinly pressed together as she eyed the now panicking corporate suits.
Sanbeng jumped in with a brief clearing of his throat yet again. “I believe such can be accommodated, with respect to happenstance. What Ms Han means is, surely such a direction should be discussed with all parties for, ah, mutual understanding.”
Manager Baek smiled, humorless and hurried. “We have a separate engagement with Ms Neves. It would be troublesome for Ms Han's schedule to sit through minor discussions and details for matters of no concern to her. Now, if you turn to page 72, please review the agreement on quota for support of the Sanghyok Waterway…”
As virtual pages shuffled, the air stilled for a time from sound, but the tension remained.
Episode One: Finding their Feet
A long montage of pictures over classical Korean music sped past; first of what could only be paparazzi footage of a young girl in tow with a cadre of businessmen and the esteemed uncle and Ji Motors Executive Affiliate Manager Han Kangmin - here helpfully labeled for your understanding - and later organized photos as this shy youth blossoms into a athletic and fashion sensation. Remnants of organized photoshoots, team pictures and trophies, clips from a children's show. It's relatively late that racing enters the sequence at all, sparse clips of Hyeon-Ae in the pilot seat or emerging from her ship, squeezed in between activism at a podium for a large crowd of mostly women and footage of her as a complete celebrity - appealing, inviting, beautiful.
After which the transformation is complete, and the young adult proves herself on the track and in training; candid shots behind the scenes picturing her in deep discussion with the crew, the unyielding and cool determination she seems to hold in the pilot seat, and a flourishing montage in high-speed of all (well, the nice ones) of her race finishes over her career - an adrenaline packed finish that repeats with a ferocious zoom past the camera at different angles.
With the familiar transition to the interview couch, Han is sat in an elegant manner across from her host. One would think she was about to go out to the track soon, adorned in a gorgeous team colored uniform that hugs her form and closely mimics how the media traditionally portrays suits rather than the more burdensome reality.
"Welcome to Delta Hyper, Han! So, whilst known to your audience in Korea, would you like to introduce yourself to the fans worldwide?”
“
Ye,” the well-mannered pilot replied in Korean, proffering a mild smile and bowing her head lightly towards the camera. “Hello, everyone! I am Han Hyeon-Ae - that is Hyeon-Ae Han for those of you watching from the Europa and the States. It is sometimes a little confusing.” Fortunately the show rearranges her name and provides helpful translucent labels for her name in real time to go with her brief introduction. “It is my hope you will enjoy watching me race. I have dreamed for a long time to be where I am now, and I wish to inspire others to also live their lives to the fullest.” she offered with a renewed smile, nodding to her own statement.
Aurora beamed a warm smile: one of those she was known for. “That’s so lovely of you to say. Now, to get a little more specific, you weren't always looking at a career in AG racing?”
Hyeon-Ae in turn smiled courteously, looking stellar and elegant for a few moments before offering her own insights. “Yes, that is correct. Ever since I was a child it was my dream to soar like this, but there was not much hope for it. I had much energy, you know? My uncle tried to make me compete in many sports, tried many things. In the end he understood, the dream was still there.”
“And now you're here.”
“Yes! I am so blessed, and that is my hope to other women as well; do not give up your dreams. You are capable of reaching for the stars.” Hyeon-Ae quickly continued, brimming with an energy that reinforced her otherwise modest smile.
“To men as well, perhaps?” Aurora shot back, a sly smile with directed editing to zip back and forth in the exchange. Hyeon-Ae chuckled softly, covering her mouth in humble embarrassment.
“Yes, of course. I apologize. Man or woman, you should reach for your dreams.”
“Let me quiz you on a matter on many fans' minds, Hyeon-Ae. Cassie Neves.” Aurora began, with a dramatic pause as if to catch Hyeon-Ae off-guard. The elegant race pilot remained unperturbed, smiling pleasantly. “A talent coming in from Valkyrie to Zygon - a whole continent apart, and to a team with traditionally homegrown talent. Fans can't seem to agree if she's a saviour or saboteur. What are your thoughts?”
Hyeon-Ae gently moved a lock of hair to tuck it behind her ear, taking a few moments of silent - and elegant - contemplation. “Ms Neves is a very good pilot,” she began with soft, measured words, leaning towards Aurora as if sharing a secret. “Valkyrie has taken a big loss, in my opinion. Perhaps their machine was not enough to handle her spirit. However at Zygon we recognise talent and make dreams come true. I am grateful that such a strong personality will help elevate my team to new heights.”
“And as for Zygon itself,” she continued with a new confidence in her tone, preempting Aurora's questions. “We are prepared for a new season of challenges. There are many talents on the grid. I doubt it is as many who have Zygon’s professionalism and skill.”
Team Radio Highlight: Qualifying Lap, Auckland
“Great time, Hyeon-Ae
ssi. We beat our projection data on this one.”
“It could have been better ...but it is good.”
Round 1 of Formula Anti-Gravity
Saturday March 4th, 2094
Qualifying Day
Oceania AGP
Auckland, New Zealand
1856 NZST
“The stick is fighting me on my left yaws still, I thought we talked about this.” Hyeon-Ae stood firm in the center of the room, arms stretched out. Around her, a few of the crew helped her untangle and remove the mess of cabling and layering that made up the bulk of her suit's exterior.
“Perhaps it is an issue of wearing it in,” the man opposite her remarked as he pulled up the specs on his viewpad. With a mere glance at the pilot with nothing to do right now but mouth off, he preempted her reply with haste. “I'll take a look at it to be sure.”
Hyeon-Ae sighed sharply and pursed her lips, standing still to let others shed her external skin. There was no point in arguing. They’d hit the target and more. Perhaps she should pretend to be happy. Stepping out of the last of the suit and gently working her shoulders back and forth. “Well done, today. Let's keep this up tomorrow and I'll take you all to the fanciest place this city has to offer for a team dinner.” She didn't really wait to scan their faces; the brief moment of confusion and elation on the few in view was enough. She nodded to the coordinator and stepped away towards his viewpad. “I didn't say before, I wasn't sure, but I think I'm shaking the rig in extended inversion..” she continued and gestured at the specs, leaving others to mutter and speak among themselves.
An hour later, Hyeon-Ae was dressed to the nines in what passed as casual according to her virtual stylist; hypermodern form-fitted black with sleek angular cuts, though now somewhat different from its original pure black sheen with a wealth of Zygon patches and colored embroidery added. She was fond of the thick Zygon cap, however, made her feel less exposed. The blasting music and the chaotic din of fans blocked out anything else, and so staying by the VIP sections made sense. This was where she was in her element. Shaking hands, taking pictures, autographing. The little tells of ecstatic glee were easy to pick out even in a crowd like this. And the paddock was pulsing with activity tonight. Walking between two sections of activity, she heard Cassie calling out to her, and redirected with a steeled breath.
She went through the crowd straight to her rival and ally, offering a trained friendly smile. Seizing the moment, she laid her arm over Cassie's shoulders as she looked at the cameras and her interchangeably. “I am sorry, Cassie
ssi. A challenge to overcome, for you,” she explained with a jovial tone. “I hope I did not use up all my good fortune today. But we reach for the stars here, yes?” Hyeon-Ae smiled at the cameras, and released Cassie from the brief, casual embrace. “I promised the crew a great partying. Tomorrow, the winner pays.”
Hyeon-Ae smiled for the cameras and engaged for a bit longer before the fiery Cassie found a new thing to be excited for, and the Korean native found her way towards her original goal, folding her arms and elegantly bowing for a heap of fans before walking into the chaos proper.
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