Cape Town //// South Africa
1800 GMT
Pilots Present:
Nora Kelly
Hyeon-Ae Han
Paul Mulder
Kais Zenix
Beatrix Ward
Amy Stirling
After the race, and after Bea’s check up and her interview, the next part came along. In Auckland, none of our pilots had been interviewed yet in the collective limelight, given how much Delta Hyper had hogged the limelight and followed each of the pilots, almost as if it was a documentary on each and every one, but it didn’t take a genius to work out that Cape Town had practically written itself as a drama.
The pilots were in a small green room, altogether in a tight, small confined space, as the tables and chairs were being set. Even in such an advanced age where you’d think a drone or something else had gotten it, media still needed to complete their overlays and check it over, manually. Dressed in a polymer-removed version of her race suit, the kind that was more of the undersuit rather than the actual overlay that sat above it providing protection and connection to the craft, Amy seemed to be rather versed in this whole affair.
“You lot really couldn’t help yourselves back there, could you? Now they have us here asking away. I mean, it generates clicks. Well, standard protocol, I guess. They’ll ask shitty questions. We try and not give a shitty response. You’re all adults, I guess.” Amy barbed at basically everyone, although perhaps some care was leaking out of her. One of her aides from Silver Apex had come by and was brushing her up, and a thumbs up.
“30 seconds, everyone!” The runner called, as Amy looked in.
“Okay, so they’ll try and create tension. Probably worth saying, whatever you do, don’t give them anything too much of a headline. I don’t want to be in the same photo where you say something really poor in taste. But, it’s all us.” Amy seemed almost more self serving, the private image behind perhaps contrasting with what Bea had seen once before, but then again, she was to the point. This was not something she wanted to be in, but hey, pressers like this came up on random allocation and she was sharing it. And race winner, well, they had much to ask.
Paul was glad that he was seated at the end. He was still in his racing suit. He had it partially unzipped due to the heat. He was grateful someone had thought to put out glasses of water for them. He grabbed his and downed half of it one gulp. He was eager for a shower but they had caught all the pilots before they had a chance to disperse for post race clean up. Paul always felt the pressure when he was talking to the press. He always felt like he was being compared to his father. He was confident enough to be his own man however, he was a rookie. That didn’t mean he hadn’t been racing for years. He had his own experiences and education forming his opinions. He looked over at Amy’s snide remarks as she tried to lay blame for the impromptu press conference on the shoulders of the rookie drivers. Paul met Amy’s eyes and shrugged.
“I won’t censor what I am thinking to spare Apex or your feelings Amy. That stunt Hart pulled was dangerous. I was almost a casualty of his stunt too. That was not a blocking maneuver and you know it.” Han, wearing her typical form-fitted racetrack uniform suited for media appearances - ironically nearly matching Amy on this point of ‘fashion’ - clicked her tongue as Paul shot back at the podium champion. Whatever her opinion on the matter, she kept it to herself at first, and instead looked into a hand mirror to fix her hair. When she closed it, it came with a brief tut.
”By all means, duke it out at the table. I'm sure Apex will humbly explain how it was an unfortunate error by unskilled rookies if you don't.”“Unskilled is right, moves like that only fit a bludger.” Nora interjected, adding her two, very australian, cents to the discussion. Nora was well kept and wearing a Southern Cross-branded shirt and sweatpants, having been nabbed for the conference shortly after de-suiting and debriefing from the race, but before she could return to her usual mode of dress. As she spoke, she momentarily glanced back where the pilots had walked in from, where Owen Keating, SCs principal, could be seen by those on stage. Whether he was here to offer moral support or reign in the fiery pilot was anyone's guess.
”If you don’t like the press, you chose the wrong line of work.” Bea replied to Amy, at least having had time to change into a team branded button up and cap for this thing.
”Besides, it's neither one of our first press rodeo.” She added, swallowing a ‘Don’t overestimate me.’ at the comment about being adults.
Kais offered a sideways glance at Amy that should’ve said enough as to what he thought of her comment, if not her as a person, even if he had to admit: he
kind of agreed. He sat up straight, the Al-Saqr Falcon splayed boldly across his chest, and he donned his frown as he briefly locked eyes with his team principal Omar, seated in the crowd. They had some choice words before, about the attempted protest between the Falcons and the Condors regarding the ruling of Jamie’s conduct that led to the crash, a protest that resulted in nothing concrete. And now he was seated
here. Damage control? As far as he could manage, sure. But it was just as much to hammer Al-Saqr’s point home as well. What a day… He sighed ever-so-slightly to himself after Bea offered her thoughts.
“I don’t like the press.””I noticed. You’re making a face like you just found out someone ate all the biscuits and returned the empty box in the cupboard.” Bea privately wondered what Kais
did like aside from winning and naps. Everyone liked that.
”A bit of unsolicited advice: Poke fun at those who annoy you. They’ll learn eventually.” Bea’s final comment earned something like a humored breath from Han, who nonetheless did not dive back in.
Perhaps it felt fitting that all the pilots in the center of it were here. With Aurora as a moderator, a gaggle of both beamed in, as well as actual journalists were sitting in the small crowd that made up the press conference, as the pilots came in, took seats, and faced the music.
“Welcome all, and thank you for the pilots coming over for this conference on short notice! I imagine you have many questions, let’s start with the hand raised at the back?” Aurora let them ask away, the wolves now unleashed. Wolves, because whilst everyone was media trained, pilots and obviously the journalists to an nth degree, each and every one of those reporters wanted a headline. Giving them one was always an option, but after all, media was a fickle thing, and perception could be seen for quite literally, a couple billion people to stew over on the internet and beyond.
“Dave Harris, Autosport. Kais, Bea, we’re all thankful you’re okay, but would you say you would do anything different if fighting together again? And if any other pilot has an opinion, how do you feel you’ll manage this incident as a group of pilots, regarding safety?” One journalist piped up, loud and brash, and direct to point.
Bea gestured to Kais, letting the older driver speak first.
Kais shifted in his seat.
“Look,” he began, taking a moment to let the moment settle.
“No matter how you slice it, it’s every man for themselves out there. And I’m not going to let myself be held accountable for the sloppiness of another driver. If you wanna overtake, I get you, it’s my favorite thing to do as well, just don’t do it in a saturated corner, and especially not in mine.” Kais leaned back, clearly annoyed. The racetrack may be a battlefield, but that still didn’t excuse
blatant recklessness. He knew better than anyone: quite the opposite…
”Kais pretty much said it all.” Bea nodded along,
”We’re all still human, jokes about excessive mods aside, so I get that mistakes sometimes happen, but a bit of self reflection would’ve been nice to see.” How was it that a Canadian hasn’t apologised for something and Canada hasn’t apologised for the Canadian not apologising?
”I’ve seen the top-down, I’ve seen the onboards, I don’t think there is anything either one of the two of us could have done differently, want or not.”Amy let the two go, shrugging before she took a neural line, but well, it would make sense for Silver Apex to draw the attention out. Nothing to hide her end, that was all Jamie, but well, she was honest about it herself. Given she was just as cut-throat as Kais was once, probably best not to be a hypocrite. “Well, we went racing. Things happen, people contacted. And I’m sure people will talk about it, but things happen. But I mean, it doesn’t change anything for me. Just reminds me of the risks we take, and we accept those, including our safety group, which I know will think on it. Wish it hadn’t have happened, but I think if I was there, I’d have maybe tried to take them on the next complex. But you take what you can and it can swing the other way sometimes.” Amy covered Jamie a half, but well, she wasn’t going to go all that way for him. A defensive response, but, just an honest one here felt like she could just defuse.
Paul waited until the primary racers involved in the incident had a chance to respond before he chimed in. Paul noted that Jamie Hart was notably absent from the press conference and Amy was the only veteran pilot at the press conference.
“I noticed that Jamie Hart didn’t join us this evening. That is a shame. I would love to hear his answer to that question. Racing is an aggressive competitive sport. We all want to win. We are all going to push our craft to make that happen. That doesn’t mean we have to be stupid about it though. Our safety on the track is in the hands of every pilot out there on it. Formula One had specific rules for an overtake for just this sort of problem. I know Kofi has proposed a Safety Committee composed of a group of racers. I think it is a good idea. Who better to help determine the rules we need to follow than us?” ”I agree that introducing a degree of peer oversight could be a good way of introducing accountability. I can see that it might be an unpopular idea among some of our more hotheaded comrades, however.” Hyeon-Ae cut in in conspiratorial support of Paul, smiling calmly as she folded her hands over each other.
“Ach.” Kais couldn’t help but jump in.
“In the moment, no one’s going to be pulling out the rulebook, especially not in fights, as you’ve seen today. Not even the judges, apparently.” That should do the trick.
“And, if you’re going to board up the sport with that much oversight and rules, why not have the entire thing run by robots and drones while you’re at it?” Two people could play the taunting game. And who was she calling hotheaded?
”You need rules in a race, otherwise you’re not determining the winner, but the survivors.” Bea offered a counterpoint to Kais,
”That being said, I’d start with a consistent enforcement of current rules before heaping on more. The same team of stewards and the same race director for every race. They don’t even have to travel to the venue if you want to argue it’s too much workload, with the amount of information each team sends back to the factory in real time that should be a non-issue and the sport gets to look good for cutting back on emissions because that’s 40 plus less flights every season.”Nora waited for the other pilots to finish, considering exactly how much to say. After another quick glance at Keating, she faced the audience with a wry smile. “Maybe it sounds a bit furphy given the ratbag I used to race in, but the race, the sport, is only as good as the people competing in it. End of the day, we’re the ones the fans come t’see. So I think it's a fair dinkum to do what we can to see each other through. Besides, ain’t worth winning if it’s dirty.”
The interruption came as Aurora picked out another journalist, and let them speak.
“Shannon Taylor, AG Source. In terms of the technology pilots are increasingly getting access to, how do you feel about the route your augments and implants are taking? Do you feel they help you to race clean, or do they just add risk?”
Paul was amused at this question. “I am one of the pilots with the least amount of augmentations. I can see where the few I do have does help me race cleaner and reduce my risk on the track. They help with my reaction times which I really needed today to avoid the debris on the track in front of me.” “Nora spoke up earlier than she had previously, clearly intrigued by the question. “Maybe it’s just me, but I came into Formula AG having already proven I could fly with the best in the Interior with almost no Augs. On top of that? With how deep I go I’m a little worried about what a crash’d do to me, but you can’t be the best without taking risks.”
”They definitely help. How important the neural link alone is cannot be understated given the amount of information coming at us from the ship. Without it we’d need a second race engineer to handle it.” Bea began before turning down a more divisive path.
”On the flip side, I personally believe there is a difference between man and machine and that neither one should become the other. So I definitely think it can be pushed too far, but it is something FIAR can keep a hand on such as by changing regulations regarding ship construction to keep the teams too busy perfecting the ship to think about us pilots like LEGO figurines.” Layla probably would’ve disagreed with that had she been there and even Amy had shades of Adam Jensen to her. Frankly, the thought of the team going ‘You’re too slow, we’re shoving another computer in your skull.’ without any say in the matter was among the few things that terrified her. That, and venomous animals.
Kais shrugged. “I disagree, and we’ve seen why today. No amount of regulations matter if you’re not in control of your craft in the moment. And augmentations and tech can be the tools to do that.
If you can handle them, I’d take the augmented ‘risk’ over soft racing every day.”
“Idrissa Dama, AfricaToday. Do you agree, or disagree that a change to the circuit is needed in South Africa? Do you feel it’s too rewarding for speed, and not enough for technical skill?”
Paul: “Thank you for that great question. I disagree that the circuit needs to change. Part of the challenge for me as a racer is being able to adapt and overcome different circumstances. That is part of the excitement with Formula AG. I mean if you want boring tracks that are the same in the circuit, Go watch Nascar turn left and repeat! Valkyrie used our skill and talent to place where we did today. We used strategy and worked to our advantages and I am damn proud of how we did here in Cape Town. I also know there will be tracks that will be more favorable for Valkyrie ships. You will see us excel there.”
Paul winked at Idrissa. “Next race is in Tokyo. I will see if I can put my money where my mouth is. My goal is to get into the top 5 in Tokyo.” Kais just rolled his eyes at the question.
“The speed’s what makes the sport worth it. Not to mention that apparently even this track required technical skill that not everyone had…” A shrug finished off the answer. Next.
“Like Kais said, technical skill is necessary here. If only speed mattered Amy would have taken third today, if that, and she still took first. If that doesn’t prove skill helps, then I don’t know what will.” Nora paused for a moment before continuing, almost under her breath. “Though not everyone with the skill to race knows how to use it well.”
Bea clamped her hand over her mouth to stop herself from laughing at Kais’ jab before answering.
”Should we also make the same changes to Marmolada and Bonneville? Maybe bulldoze half of Monaco and Singapore to add some straights because they don’t reward speed enough?” She shrugged,
”There’s nothing wrong with different circuits rewarding different driving styles and craft. I think if anything, having every track be the same would make it boring.
You need variety, which is why I think most of the fans are happy Nora is here to provide some.” She added a light-hearted jab at the reigning driver’s champion.
Hyeon-Ae leaned forward as she deigned to participate in this meeting of the minds for once.
”I agree with Ms Ward and Mr Mulder. To take an incident as this one and quickly push for alterations to a track is a reactionary measure that will harm the sport as a whole in the long run. Punishing a track for highlighting speed is also problematic for the same reason. The answer should not be to limit our options.”“Julie Planchard, WTFAG. How much are you all as rookies interacting? It seems you’re all in the sport with a lot of energy, a lot of fire. Do you think that’s what has made the last two races so exciting, you’re all proving your own points?” Another voice asked, knowing that in that moment, the pilots had been in their own silo- and she wanted to poke them a little.
Paul laughed at the question.
Paul: “When do we have time to interact? We are either training, doing press, training some more, or traveling? Most of us live on separate continents crying out loud. I would argue that bringing new energy and drive to the sport is what has made it so exciting to watch. We have more to prove.” Amy chuckled in response to Paul’s response, knowing he was just getting into this, and used to the circus.
“You really need your own private shuttle. Here to home in two hours. I know a guy, hit me up.” Amy giggled, looking to Paul, poking, yet keeping it light.
Paul looked confused as he looked over at Amy before he smirked at her before responding.
Paul: “Why would I need a private shuttle when I can hang out with my team when I am traveling for races? My team has my back and it is always more pleasant to travel with people you like.”
Paul was implying indirectly that Amy’s team didn’t like her.”The faster you get home, the more time you have to adjust to the next time zone you’re going to.” Bea offered a practical answer to Paul’s question before turning to the journalist.
”It will come. Inevitably all drivers in a series eventually become acquaintances if not outright friends because we spend, what, a fifth of a year in the same place?” Bea guessed, going off of the fact she knew she spent around 120 days away from home.
”Plus you have six rookies in the same season, all trying to find their footing within the sport and the team. We’ll have more breathing room later, especially over the summer break I expect.”Chuckling softly, Hyeon-Ae looked down the line of racers briefly.
”Let me extend the branch then. After Tokyo you are welcome to mingle on my dime; it's an unspoken duty to offer hospitality. We'll have a good get-together, as the saying goes.”Kais knew this time would come, in a way. He just hadn’t expected the invitation to the lion’s den to come so quickly, and so publically at that. Yes, Hyeon-Ae presented herself as a picturesque cool fox, but
under the ashes, there is fire, as they say. Maybe it was just his exaggerated sense for danger, but Kais felt there was more to this than met the eye. And, as always, he would be expected to go into the fray. He flashed her a look, and with a feigned smile to match, he let a soft mutter escape from under his breath.
“How gracious.”Paul met Han’s eyes and gave her a wink. There was the twinkle of mischief in his eyes as he replied to Han in a flirting tone.
Paul: “Well Hyeon-Ae, I will be sure to attend and thank you personally for the hospitality.”
Paul couldn’t resist trying to poke Han. He knew that she got lambasted in the press as being a robot and inhuman. He didn’t really think that was fair to her. He respected her skill and poise. He understood what it was like to grow up under a spotlight. ”You’re on record saying that, no take backs.” Bea grinned at Han,
”I guess host duties fall to us for Silverstone.” She gestured between herself and Amy.
”If Jen and Henry pitch in, this lot might not even eat us out of house and home.” She added to Amy.
”It's a promise. Keep me honest, yes?” Han returned with a charming smile to those who addressed her, before addressing her last comment playfully to the press.
“Strewth, sounds like Tokyo's gonna be ace to me! We’ve already finished in Auckland, but once we come around to the Great Barrier Reef later in the season we’ll have to show off the finer points of Aussie hospitality as well. That said, I’m excited to get to know my fellow rookies more. Like Bea said earlier, it’s only natural we all get to know each other better.”
“Elise Vogel, Eurosport. A question for all the rookies- two races in, how are you adjusting all to racing in Formula AG? Do you feel it’s a big change for you, or was it what you expected?”
Hyeon-Ae smiled and leaned forward ever so slightly, glancing down the line of gathered pilots on her left, eschewing her right just this once.
”I think it has been an illuminating experience so far; there is clearly a lot of skill on the field - a lot of practice that has gone into getting to this level. Still, I think there are already signs as to who will perform beyond their potential, and who will inevitably burn out before the end of the season.” Paul leaned forward and looked at Han. He gave her a wink since he had enough skill to hold her off today. He assumed she wasn’t talking about him. He then turned back to the reporter.
Paul: “I have been racing in one form or another for years. I think most have. I think the only significant change is the number of people who recognize me on the streets these days. I was already putting in the hard work with training and traveling for races. So there has not been as much of an adjustment there. Better quality ships and I have to thank the amazing team at Valkyrie AGR Sport. They have been amazing to work with. I think the only difference there is the amount of support I now receive as a racer.” ”I agree with Paul. The point of the Junior series is to see if you can handle it, both on and off the track. So no, I wouldn’t call it a big change, closer to going from Elementary to High school. Same things, just slightly more, slightly harder, with bigger fallout if you fumble.” Between boats to cars and rally to circuits, her career has had more significant changes, perhaps coloring her view a little. She’d raced on the world stage before even Junior Formula Antigravity so she had an idea of the pressure and the publicity? She thrived in it.
”Care to share with the class?” She leaned forward to look at Han when she addressed the Korean woman about her last sentence.
Han offered a soft but unyielding smile back across the table, tilting her head ever so slightly.
”Industry secrets, of course~,” she began with a hint of mischief in her voice, almost certainly for the cameras and spectators' benefit.
”...but I think it's fair to speculate that some driving styles are not sustainable on more complex tracks. Consistency of results is important.”Nora once more glanced offstage, then winced. “Honestly, the competition’s the biggest thing for me. It’s tighter than where I’ve been racing the past couple years and there’re more regs, but I don’t have to watch for knives in dark alleys either. That’s a ripper change right there.”
“There are many things I’m still getting used to.” Kais said before he even thought about it. In the corner of his eye, he saw the faintest smile appear on Omar’s face. Maybe his comment wasn’t just directed at the interviewer.
“But adapting and keeping up is part of the game as well. Frustrating as it can be sometimes, racing with Al-Saqr keeps me sharp.”“Yahan Uwais, BBC Sport. Great racing today, but I am sure you have your personal picks coming up in the season. Which race would you say you are each looking forward to the most?”
“Wadi Rum.” Kais answered without hesitation.
“Beautiful track. Pure flying. Just strap in and go hard.” A small, almost shy smile of childlike joy appeared on his face. It was possibly the one and only track that could get you closest to
escape velocity. Well, aside from…
“That said,” He continued.
“I’m so glad Layla’s not here, you wouldn’t hear the end of it.” He looked at the reporter who seemed to smile knowingly herself.
“Luna, eh?” Amy piped up. “You know me. Silverstone. Home race. Nothing beats it, and we’ve been going there technically since 1950, so you know, it’s got some history!” Amy chirped up, looking to Bea, guessing she’d have a similar answer.
”Wouldn’t have expected to say this two days ago, but I am looking forward to Italy and Turkey.” Both circuits named were very similar to Cape Town in what kind of ship they demanded.
”And Istanbul Park was where I scored my first win in JFA, so it has that going for it too. That aside, Silverstone is home of course, and Belgium and Canada are both some of my favorite circuits.”Paul smiled and looked a little embarrassed. He looked down and waited for some of the others to share before he gave his answer.
Paul: “I am looking forward to the Monaco Grand Prix. As you know my father, Audrick Mulder raced in Formula One before switching to Formula AG. Monaco was always his favorite track. I am looking forward to racing in his footsteps.” Hyeon-Ae sat silent, leaned back ever so slightly and content to let everyone else talk. Did she not have favorites? Or did she just not want to hog the spotlight too much?
”With the way your ship handles, I’d be looking forward to Monaco too.” Bea poked Paul a little, vividly imagining herself chasing the control stick across her entire cockpit to keep the mercurial Carrera Condor ship pointing in the right direction around the Principality. Although she would normally consider that a fun day out, it wasn’t very compatible with trying to achieve results.
Paul laughed as he heard Bea’s reply. He chuckled and winked at Bea. He wanted to be a smart ass and ask her if she was jealous but he knew that would invite trouble. He shrugged because that was one area where Valkyrie ships reigned supreme. Nora also stayed quiet. Some of the tracks she was interested in had been mentioned, and others she would leave as a surprise. And besides, she hadn’t run any of them herself.
“Kiara Fisher, Polynesia Live. This year is shaping up to have one of the most interesting sets of rookies on the grid. You all seem to be quite diverse in your origins, do you think that’s what gives you the edge you’re individually looking for?”
Nora looked over to the Polynesia Live reporter and responded with a mischievous smile. “I like to think the last few years in the Interior made me wise up to a lot of tricks, and gave me a few of my own on top.”
Paul looked down the line at his fellow racers. He pondered the question. That question held a double edged barb for Paul. He couldn’t discuss where he came from without someone bringing up the fact that he was a racing legacy.
Paul: “Well I think the fact we come from so many different backgrounds is great for the sport. It helps connect Formula AG to fans from all around the world. Which helps act as a unifying force for our world. When I think about where I come from, I don’t see a racing edge. I feel a connection to the past and my father. That is what I get from thinking about my origins.” “...” Kais fell quiet. This was exactly the question he was dreading. And he wouldn’t answer. He glanced briefly at Omar, then averted his gaze. No. Not now. Not ever. Not again.
Unwittingly stepping in to save Kais from possibly having to answer, Hyeon-Ae leaned forward again and offered another modest smile.
”It takes undeniable talent to reach this level of competition, but even talent and history is not enough. What truly separates the weak from the strong is hard work, practice, and determination. A true racing prodigy is made with time invested.” Content with her non-answer, she sat back again.
”Where you raced before has an effect on your driving style and can be an indicator of expected performance if you previously raced in comparable categories, yes, but beyond that, the past is irrelevant on the track. What you did before, where you come from, it doesn’t matter.” She shook her head,
”Talent isn’t inherited, skills are gained through work and no one controls luck.” Any combination of at least two was needed for success, a slight variation of the ‘airspeed-altitude-luck’ trinity pilots knew ever since the Wright brothers took to the air.
”Off the track, that’s another question entirely.”Aurora looked around the room, lots of hands raised, as she picked out one last one.
“Alright, over there, last question for the pilots.”
“Thank you, Aurora. Hans Bakker, RTL. How are you all feeling about your performances for the first two races? Do you think your teams are impressed with you, and you have given a fair representation of what you are capable of? That you are all worthy of your seat? Or do you think there is more to see?”
The room had a quiet to it, before the first response came back. It was a brutal, horrid question to ask. Journalists were pricks at the best of times, and that was going to get under some people’s skins. Germans and interviews, what a combo.
Paul did his best not to growl at the reporter but he knew the question or something similar was coming. Unlike his competitors, Paul was asked this question frequently. He had also been asked if he felt he was living up to his father’s legacy. He had been accused of “buying” his seat or that he got it from nepotism based on who his father had been. While Paul loved the idea of measuring up to his father’s success, he hated when the comparisons to his father somehow tried to tarnish or belittled his father’s accomplishments. As if his actions somehow reflect poorly on his father’s memory. The fact that they are talking about his dead father and made assumptions about him and their relationship. The questions always felt invasive and left him feeling angry. He felt they were poking at something that was private but because of who his father was...the reporters felt entitled to pry into his relationship with his father, nor did they care as long as they got their sound bite. He met the reporter with a serious look. His previous playful and relaxed air was gone.
Paul: “I feel good about my performance so far. I hope to continue to build on that momentum. My team is not there for me to impress. Each member of my team has their job to do and I have mine. I might be in the driver’s seat but my performance on the track is a team effort. I hope to live up to their aspirations and perform well. I think I have proven I have skill especially with this race here in Cape Town. I have learned a great deal since I came to Valkyrie AGR. I believe like any of us that my skills will grow with experience. I only expect to get better. I earned my seat through hard work and dedication. I work hard to show my appreciation for my seat. I know that I still have areas to grow in. Am I worthy of my seat? Well I don’t believe Valkyrie AGR would have signed me if I wasn’t. I think you will see more from all of us rookies as the season continues.”
Paul left unsaid the obvious facts that all racers had to have confidence, believe in themselves, and the skill to compete at this level. The question was absurd because only a handful of athletes in the world had what it took to compete at this level. Kais took a hard look at the person asking the question. ‘Worthy’ he said… What a dirty, dirty question. If only he knew the journey he had gone through to become a racer. All of them, presumably. Only to… Kais glanced down, his hands steady on the table. Skilled? Definitely. Room for growth? Always. But ‘worthy’? That was…
something else. One last glance at Omar said enough. Then he looked at Paul, whose demeanor had shifted to one Kais was very familiar with. Kais smiled sympathetically, its mournful edge unmistakable. Then he spoke.
“I think Paul said it all. Let’s wrap it up.” Bea looked across her fellow pilots before circling back to Hans.
”Well that question went down about as well as a certain overtake…” Poke fun at those who annoy you, they’ll learn eventually.
Nora laughed briefly at Beas comment, but otherwise took one look at the emotional tone of the room and decided it might be best if she didn’t comment.
Hyeon-Ae, ever the politician, followed Nora’s example with a soft snicker.
Following the end of the questions, Aurora interrupted the last, and knew it was time to end it here.
“Okay, thank you all for your questions everyone. That just about wraps us up. Thank you Amy, Bea, Nora, Han, Kais and Paul for your time!” Aurora beamed, as the journalists tried to still keep their hands raised, wanting a cheeky response, but not getting one. With that, the pilots were ushered out, and back towards the green room, where likely their teams were waiting for them.
They were like children, given how many staff were likely responsible for each pilot’s welfare, let alone just engineering. Had their own minders, fixers, people to look after it all, then their own agents, and people working their public angle. But, before they came back to that, the green room at least gave Amy a chance to look over, take the others in.
“Not bad. We didn’t kill each other.” She commented with a certain dryness, like she was just glad to get that over and done with.
“Paul’s not getting a lift with me home though. He sleeps okay with his engineers in tow, apparently.” She giggled, knowing that while Valkyrie had their way of doing things, so did the others. She didn’t take it too personally, as she grabbed her refillable bottle of water and sipped away, looking at her Omega, checking the time, and her next appointment.
“Right. I’m sure you’re all busy with your new found fame. See you all in Tokyo. There’s an Izakaya place that really rocks, and I can recommend it. I’ll send it in the group chat.” Amy added, all of them looking more or less confused, no doubt.
“There is a group chat you know? Thought it may be about time to add you. Anyway. Ciao.” She chuckled, leaving the room on that note, pinging everyone an invite to it.
Like the driver WhatsApp groups of old, maybe it was some affirmation that Amy knew they weren’t getting dumped here. Perhaps almost a point of confidence. Maybe she wasn’t liked, but she knew how the politics worked here, and well, she knew her point was made.
Paul rolled his eyes at Amy’s comment. Like he wanted to hitch a ride with her to give her something to hold over his head. Paul didn’t feel the need to feed Amy’s ego. He just shook his head and let it go. He could admit that Amy Sterling was a talented racer but she was abrasive as hell. Great. More socials. Kais thought to himself. He turned to the rest of the group a final time and nodded.
“See you all in Tokyo, then.” He said, and gave Bea a firm pat on the arm as he made his way to the exit. It was high time for a nap…
”Ask Layla to give you the cliffnotes.” Bea would probably end up doing that for Ava anyway, another member of the grid that liked her ‘me time’.
”See you all in two weeks.” She gave the group a collective wave, too surprised by Kais’ gesture to return it in time.
Hyeon-Ae smiled politely, if a little distantly now that the main event was over. Her eyes were scanning the moving crowd a bit away rather than fully watching the people beside her.
”I should return to work. Feel free to reach me if you desire it. Have a pleasant evening, everyone.” she eventually offered noncommittally with an elegant bow of her head and drifted towards her rapidly approaching aide. Sanbeng handed her a phone and ushered her away further.
“I’d be in rare form t’knock back a get together, I’ll rock up.” Nora commented, and accepted the invitation on her phone. Amy was her main competition besides Harrison, and while the Aussie woman was serious about not missing parties, she was just as serious about finding any edge she could. Long as they were on the level anyways. “I’ll see all of you at the next Big Smoke, then.” She said, turning to leave without waiting for further responses.
The cameras of Delta Hyper followed Astrid, as she walked through. She was chatting to engineers, as the scene, with barely a cut in audio shifted to the sofa. Frustration, mostly, given how the race, and the last had gone. Nordic Call were not a backmarker team, they were mid-table, and they were not performing well. There was a lot of chat between Astrid and the Team Principal, Erin Becker, Danish-German no-nonsense, no bullshit former pilot that now led this fearsome bunch of Nordic racers into the top. A lot of staring at data. And thinking where to go next. The scene cut back to Astrid, on the sofa, hat on her lap, her look candid, yet pointed at camera.
"So, I guess two weekends in a row of a lack of results. We're almost an afterthought to you at home, I suppose." Astrid stated, clear for the record, knowing full well.
"And do you think that's going to change in Tokyo?" Aurora asked, the dry Scandinavian pilot not taking too long to ponder on that.
"Yeah, obviously. We were on two circuits that didn't fit us. Doesn't take a genius to realise that."
The scene shifted, looking at the Nordic Call team, looking through the craft, the aurora-beaming craft a unique one, and carrying their sponsor's title alright. The camera came back to Astrid once again, as the actual Aurora asked away.
"How do you think Jamie is doing at Silver Apex? Think there's any regrets going on there, given the pressure of what he is competing against?"
"He knew what he signed up for. Big lights. I don't blame him. But he left a good thing." Astrid mused, sighing, unfolding her legs.
"Besides, he's missing the fun." Astrid smirked in her addition.
Soundtrack: Fred Again... & Swedish House Mafia- Turn On The LightsThe cut was a clean one, to a nightclub, pounding lights, absolutely the vibe, as Astrid walked up top in VIP, looking in, the sound of some old vintage dub-plates from Fred Again blasting out. And a smirk forming on her face, wearing a tight white shirt and shorts, her blonde hair left to run as she watched on at the scene below. A night out, and one that didn't go undocumented. Given how sterile most AG teams were, it seemed refreshing that Astrid barely seemed to care. Or invite others.
"You're the party girl of the grid. Do you think that ruins your focus?" Aurora asked, Astrid chuckling with a shrug.
"Well....you have to have fun sometimes! But I have a side hustle of organically crafted gin that absorbs about ten kilos of carbon for every bottle made. So sometimes that means business. And going out and into that world, and the party. Keeps it real."
And that was the scene cut, inside a lab-like environment with puffins flying outside the large window of the distillery in the Faroes, not exactly a place you'd typically make gin, yet one that still had its own flair to it. Astrid was like if you blended Kimi Raikkonen with a botanist, and the masses of algal bloom, as well as the large tanks were not something she didn't understand. Not like a celebrity endorsement, no, this gin was actually of her creation.
"You seem to talk from a place of care, yet you seem to indulge perhaps a lot in many, many different things. Do you think you are spread a little thin?"
"Not at all, Aurora. I'm just enjoying it while I can. Racing is one part of a pilot's career, and so long as I get results, it matters. And we are very proud of our CSR at Nordic Call, thank you very much. Maybe a bit more than Harrison, we don't shout about it. Like I proved last season, I know what I'm doing, some places just don't suit us. Leave me alone when I'm on grid, when I have a point to prove. Maybe now a bit more." In a cold, character, she cracked, giving an absolute Cheshire smile as the music faded gently in an echoing trance.
South Africa Analysis- The Principals
The cut to an empty sofa was then filled with Peter Thatcher's presence once again, the smartly dressed, clean looking, white-shirted principal looking around, sipping his water down, looking to Aurora. She hadn't even asked the question, but he was ahead.
"Right. South Africa. Tough race for us, strategy wise, Harry, our Strategist was out there trying to pull strings, but when Southern Cross are just that fast, it's hard to pull back. Yet Amy is that good, isn't she? So, I suppose, we learned something from it, and well, we have an opportunity to really maximise our gains in Tokyo. You want to hear something from me controversial? F*ck off. We're Silver Apex. It'll take a lot more than that to take us on, and our pilots showed today they've got grit. Like I said, so many teams are now reacting, not proactive in getting in front. And while I know they have a lot up their sleeves, what Amy did to get P1, and how Jamie fought into P4 shows we're still capable, even on a circuit without speed. I will say, Nora Kelly is raising eyebrows, she is showing some incredible pace. And Beatrix Ward? She wasn't bad either. But that top level is brutal, and her and Kais both learned that today. Fighting for position is tough."
Peter's commentary was brutal yet had a comic edge to it, almost like Amy's, but then again, he was a master shit-stirrer, and well, he knew how to shut up the press. He knew his team, he knew his crew, and nobody would really say otherwise. Ego, sure thing, but you were allowed one when you won title after title.
Owen Keating came back with a similar viewpoint, the Southern Cross principal in a Koru-backed navy blue and yellow shirt, the colours of the Southern Cross backers, as well as the various sponsors across his sleeves, more candid, the balding Aussie to the point in a way perhaps contrasting Peter.
"Well, Peter's got his points, but we made him sweat. Good race overall, but shame not to get more. We need it, given you all know how hard we work- we're underdogs, and we live, breathe this and passion's what will win us it eventually. And, Nora is bloody fast. She's proving that the talent pool we're working with is as competitive as you can imagine, and we do look in some unorthodox places. Perhaps beyond the glitz and glamour that Silver Apex go for, we have to try something else. And on our budget, to keep up with them, I won't say much but it proves just how blardy hard we work and we will be keeping them honest. We want to be feared. We're making them look back a lot more now!"
Léon Alonso, Carrera's principal, had a more astute look.
"What was it my grandfather said? All the time, you have to leave the space. And I don't think Jamie did, nor Kais. They shut the door. Racing like that, it's not going to work well for us. We had an opportunity to do better. And we did not. That falls to me to answer, but I cannot say the same for other pilots putting Beatrix into danger. She has proven just how talented she can be. And we back her, and she will come back, fighting more than before. As for the others....well, Ava proved why she is so talented. She took advantage of the chaos, and made it pay. We have a craft that can compete now. I imagine the other teams are looking our way, but our hard work by our engineers, and the modifications we've made have certainly given us an opportunity to get some points. As for other pilots.....well, Nora Kelly has blown us all away, nobody saw her coming. The team principals may give a different answer, but we are all impressed. Perhaps there is another racer in La Coruna that I could find who has her pace, no? Nah, I am just kidding, but I suppose perhaps it shows there are other ways into Formula AG, yes?"
Al-Saqr's Omar had joined in too, cup of coffee in hand, shrugging at the question.
"Well, Bea did not help herself. Perhaps a lack of experience at the top, made her forget just how much they fight? I won't go into it, or else you'll make a headline. But Kais is aggressive, but not rash. There is no room for second guessing. And he did not second guess, when he had no option to do so. We will be back in Tokyo, and I am sure that other teams realise the pace is there, even if certain events happened that did not allow us to show what we are capable of. Layla may not have started well, but she backed herself and made a solid points finish, all things considered. Amy is of course, a freak of nature, but even she is not unstoppable. She may not have cracks, but we will make some in time!"
Jinwoo shrugged, but looking away from his tablet. He was a lot less detailed in his response, but the Korean didn't really need much to add.
"And all that chaos got us nowhere. Sometimes, opportunity can happen, but you need the right tool. We will do better in Tokyo. Cassie's ship will be reviewed, fixed, and ready for the next race, and well, we stand to do better on a track that relies less on pace, more on strategy. We are patient. We can do better."
Last, but not least, a space for Alexander Knight to speak his piece. This was analysis, not exactly an interview- more to the point, reflection on the race from his point of view, and Aurora was picking him up on that.
"We heard from the other Principals about the race in Cape Town. What's your analysis, as a former racer? Who's one to watch, and who caught your eye in that race, outside of your two pilots?"
Christchurch, New Zealand
Southern Cross HQ
Immersed on a neutrally linked pushbike was a weird thing to be, but suddenly being surrounded by a lush jungle landscape, noise and all, made it easy to push, on tarmac that felt real, even if absolutely none of it was, and you could just tell, just about beyond it. Like something from Ray Bradbury's "The Veldt", AR and neural tech had come so far now that you could step in, but look for the tiniest of markers, and you could remind yourself this wasn't real. People HAD gotten stuck inside, and that had very, very quickly gotten some fixes. In a world where tech moved so fast, regulating and policing it came just as quickly, making sure that you always had a marker in the sky to quickly check your perspective meant you had a little control. And of course, a way out if you thought it.
The cycling however, was all real, the bike under him reacting exactly like a real bike should. Cardio, and it hurt, as part of a usual test post-race, after getting home to New Zealand. Nora of course, had joined in on hers and was in Harrison's network, and the session was nearly done, as Harrison exhaled hard, bodysuit doing well to kill the sweat, but he was feeling bonked right there. Pulling the port, the AR course and illusion disappeared and the grey exterior that surrounded the gym setting came back in, Nora finishing up. Techs came over, seeing they were done, and the usual diagnostics, VO2 max, heart rate, augment impacts, and so on, were all there to see. No wires were normally required, but for the amount of data that Harrison and Nora were logging, it was nice to have a better track than not.
With the completion of that, Harrison looked across to Nora, the curly-haired, tanned Aussie contrasting against Nora's paler complexion as they walked out of the Southern Cross gym.
"Hey, mind if I grab you a sec?" Harrison asked, as they headed out of the room, knowing it had been on his mind for a while, and he had found his gym bag, containing some inhalers for the augments and implants in this particular setting, and something else he wanted to show Nora.
"Got something I thought I'd show you." Harrison added, digging his hand inside of the drawstring, pulling it out.
With it, Harrison opened his hand, revealing a small pendant. A Pounamu stone, a piece of solid green jade, a jewel prized by the Maori, and normally, beyond a value that most Maori would ever consider. But this one had a particular sentimental value, one Harrison wasn't sure if to show her at all, if it wasn't for the fact he trusted her. After the interviews, conversations, everything, he seemed to get a feel that she wasn't here to stake him out. A rebel in her own way, one he distrusted given her Interior Circuit connections, but for a moment, he wanted to make it clear this was something he promised his last team-mate, now retired and enjoying life in the Chatham Islands.
"I thought I'd give this to you. Tane Lo'fana, the pilot who retired last year left it with me. Said it meant the world to him, but it was more tied to his Waka, his raft, than anything at all. And you're piloting it, so given you look like you're here to stay, I thought I'd pass it on. As a charm. The team don't know that of course, given he retired. But, between us, I thought it would be the right thing to do. Your craft's got a lot of Koru on it, the swirly design. So it pairs to it. I know we're not Kiwis, but....I wonder if we need something else to keep us going faster." Harrison sincerely commented, presenting it in his weathered palm, knowing this might be a bit strange to her. He awaited her response, before brushing his face with his hands, wiping off the sweat, knowing Nora was probably a bit the same, and maybe a little confused why now.
"Look. For what it's worth, I know they look at us and compare us on everything, even if they do tell us to be a team. But, we're going to need everything if we want to beat Amy, and....much as I hate to say it, we may need to work out how, together. And, being honest...Amy hasn't been like this in a while. In that interview, she looked riled up because of you. Like you got under her skin, so many people are talking about you, which means we're two on one with her. She expected you to be good for one race. I want to win that title as much as you do. But, we need to stop her winning it too, whether that's you or me, we need to make sure we knock her off her perch. You with me on that one?" Harrison asked, knowing this was going to be hard.
She was competing with him. But, in that moment, Harrison almost felt like there was something to be done here. Even if perhaps he hadn't known just how far her underworld connection linked into her, doing something more than just pretending everything was fine would need to get them through this.
Ji Motors Facility, Somewhere in Songdo, Incheon, Seoul, Korean Republic
Zygon HQ
Cassie seemed to be fuming, coming out of the meeting she had in the glass-fronted admin building, and it was perhaps in passing that Han was there, with her entourage, Cassie waving her over, the polo-shirt wearing Scottish-Portuguese racer with a mighty scowl on her face.
"Han, whatever you're doing, please explain to the Engineering team that two failures in a row in a weekend isn't good enough. We can't compete like that. Shit happens, but whatever we're doing, maybe they understand your point of view better than mine, they don't seem to care at the moment. Earworm or not....that wasn't acceptable given we could kick the root cause out at the time. I bloody knew it, but nobody apparently takes on my opinion." Cassie sighed with her pent-out frustration just showing that she was out of options here for anyone to even ask, as she looked around, perhaps a little frustrated with the day so far. It was a long one, given perhaps she was venting onto Han, and well, she had to be a bit more measured. But she had time to at least re-evaluate how she had said it.
"I know the team has its way of doing things. But this collective way of committees isn't going to work. You can't win by bloody spreadsheets or sit down meetings, when we know what needs to be done...someone needs to do something. I don't think they get it. Sorry. I just don't appreciate not being listened to when I know my ship alright." Cassie commented, knowing this was a smear more at some other engineers, maybe Jinwoo, but right now, Han was the only person that Cassie could even tell without causing some ruckus. And she'd probably tell. Good. Cassie knew they'd listen to her at least.
Even in Valkyrie, she'd been a hothead, but well, she knew her craft well, and putting engineers in their place was sort of her business, given she was keen on the analytics, and was actually the pilot in command. She knew what it was doing, data be dammed. And she did not need someone to tell her otherwise. Sometimes, it was a point of contention- and right now, Cassie, despite her talent and knowing her craft, was perhaps not rubbing along nice with the management at Zygon. But who could be really surprised?
El Rancho del Sud, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Carrera Condor HQ
The analytics over the crash, and the wrecked chassis, alongside Bea's new one sat in the factory floor, the wreck a nasty one, and nothing really could be salvaged from the chassis at all, bar a few electrical components and a few other elements. But hey, 100% circular recycling ships meant every single component, metal, plastic, glass, rare earth mineral, nanotube, got put back into use again. From the glass window looking in above the floor, outside of the sealed area, Ava knew Bea was probably hurting, looking at what it was, or at the very least, morbidly curious.
"Sorry I never got to chat to you much after the race. I can't believe they dropped that interview on you so fast. You need to say no, Bea. Even if your head is fine. They'll get a feel for it." Ava was motherly, perhaps a bit much, as she sighed, drinking down coffee, very, very milky, but she didn't operate without it.
"You are definitely better at that than me though. But if you don't mind me asking....how exactly did you work out Amy was going to get Silver Apex to help us? Do you wonder why they did? I mean, I guess there must be some technical help, but our craft now goes faster than theirs on the speedtraps when we were in South Africa, because we have a speed-focussed craft. I'm just saying, they know we may not take the title, but do you think they saw an opportunity to undercut others?" Ava asked a question, perhaps a rather open one, as she leaned against the glass.
"I just wonder what she's doing, that's all. I am taught to look for patterns, so I wonder if she sees a chance to screw other people over. And if she's offering that to anyone else now. I think she was sincere with you. But it just raised my pulses. And after your crash too. Not that anything in the telemetry says it caused it. We just had a rockship, that's all." Ava mused, knowing Bea and Amy were certainly friends, but well, the interview, and her general demeanour seemed to reflect that things were changing, rapidly. Perhaps almost like a mentor, she had that to say.
"Aside from that, there is an Asado tonight with the team. You coming? I can't remember if I ever went to a decent steak place in London, but muy bien, the real stuff, here you cannot beat it. Leon is cooking, too." Ava changed the topic like a full 90 degree bank, knowing food always got things going. And well, she didn't have much to add. Not too much to run with.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Arabic Union
Al-Saqr HQ
Layla pulled herself out of the simulator, the feeling almost as close to reality as it could be. Of course, it it wasn't for that teeny, tiny little interface that reminded her this was fake, like Harrison's cycle through a lush jungle on a thin tarmac trail. You didn't want to do a Veldt on yourself, after all.
"Argh, damn turn through Shibuya just keeps getting me. Kais, you got any read on this? The ship is fucking horrible there. I'm screwing with setup, but if you can get me that corner right, I will get you back on the straights and the MAG section in Sector 2." Her honest tone cut through, as if she was as tall and as big as him.
"I mean, what are we doing? Ship's hardly got any stability. And we are skating like thugs on ice, the ELS sections here are nasty. That upgrade though hits something different everywhere else, ship's stupid fast out of corners now. You feeling comfortable about it? About you know....the fact this is a little more experimental?" Layla asked, knowing full well this was a risky one to take on. But, she was all game if Kais was. She sighed, knowing Kais was dry as ever. But, they were team-mates. They had a job to get on with.
"I still can't believe Jamie got away with nothing. But let's not do anything rash. If we keep him behind, I think we're made here. And we may have the craft for it this time. Want to run the race sim again?"
Somewhere in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England
Fitzroy Orbital AG Racing
The industrial unit that made up the factory must have had about a fifth of the staff of Silver Apex, and whilst still up to most of the standards, from clean rooms to spotlessly clean workbenches, like you'd expect any Formula AG team had, it felt significantly advanced, yet well, that wasn't much on others. It was probably about five to eight years out of date, perhaps the last time that Maxwell Fitzroy, billionaire, almost trillionaire now, had put money into this place.
He had tried shoving money into this place back then. He hadn't won, and well, ever since, it was a moving billboard, even though he was repeatedly told that waiting would have been the best option after a little investment. That of course, was not how motor racing worked- you could shove money into it but poor hiring, poor management decisions, and execs between him and the team, constant changing had then led to just a general disdain for running the team. The mood had gone downhill, false promises, talent from elsewhere turning up, drying up, and running away. Your classic dumpster fire of a project, that sometimes spat something okay out, and then any good left. A culture that was just depressing, but you couldn't fault anyone on the ground for that. They did their bits, but they weren't going to stand a chance against top level teams with equipment that wasn't up to scratch.
Henry was just about the only reason he hadn't gotten rid of it. And it was going to be there, so long as it carried on. He knew dad cared, but....maybe he just preferred him to enjoy his playboy lifestyle elsewhere? And just keep the name in the press? It felt like he knew, but still, it was the way of the world. To some at least.
But when money frankly printed itself from asteroid mining and launches, you didn't need much more than than that billboard. The two engineers, by the large hologram looked through, looking across to each other.
"Designs are looking poor for the next run. What are we even prioritising?"
"Well, from my time back at Silver Apex, and what they're doing, this aspect here's next for aero. So, looking at this.....ah reet, hang on, getting a ring." It was a murmur in the background for Henry Fitzroy, the trust fund child wondering what the hell they were even bothering for. This year's ship was a dud.
The murmuring changed, as one of the engineers came past, patting Henry on the shoulder.
"Henry. You there mate?" His voice was of perhaps some concern, glass tablet in hand, as he looked a little deep in thought.
"Yeah. All here. What you saying, Cavan?" Henry replied as he snapped out of looking at his analytics, as Cavan, the engineer holding the phone sighed, not knowing how to put this. Apart from the only way he could. Directly.
"Is your dad selling up? Because I just got a phone call telling me John just got put on gardening leave and redundancy, and they've got an investment bank sniffing around our data room. The hell is going on?"
"Fuck. No, he'd have told me first...."
"Well, look at this. Whatever he's doing, he just put the feelers out." Cavan put it across his desk.
Fitzroy was actually selling, or at the least, looking to give away some portion of it. Maxwell hadn't even told Henry about this, and the sheer look of a total what the fuck came across him, as he scrolled through and replied.
"What's he doing? Wanting a stake to give away to someone?"
"Or, he wants out. So that means we might be sitting here waiting for change this season, and that means we're gonna be stuffed. There is always next season. They might throw some money our way, but if that happens, it is gonna take time. I know you keep saying your dad's going to come by next week but he needs to understand this isn't working, we don't get any more resources and we are going to be in double digits for delta. And we are trying bloody hard here. You know that. Sandra found a way for us to keep up with stability and fix that thing, but it won't do enough to put us far up." Cavan didn't give a single fuck. The Yorkshireman spoke what he did, said what he thought, and probably repeated it for good measure. Now in particular, given Henry was here somewhat holding the team's attention together, and in lieu of a Team Principal that wasn't busy with his own marketing work, was the best way to tell the owner to hurry the hell up.
"You sure about that tone?" Henry replied, as Cavan shrugged, looking over at a couple of engineers. Piping up in front of Henry was of course, a pretty bonkers way to go, but the Chief Designer armed with that information knew that nobody was going anywhere, not while conversations were going on. And jobs were on the line.
"Honestly Henry? We're trying to pull off a miracle here. Trying to be honest with you that it's not easy, I won't sugar coat it but we can't do any more than what we can, ship's just not going to go any further on this design. So I'd be thankful if you get on the burner and find out, the lads here are gonna be worried to bits, jobs might be on the line and that's where we stop kissing arse. Not often I say it, mate, but morale 'round here is shite. And you said you'd be by and listen to us, you'd do us well because it's all hands on deck for us as a team, and starting again means we go further back. I know you understand I'd never cut you any crap if it got you positions. We can do it, but get us an answer." Cavan replied, Henry panicked, and thrown back. Because Cavan was normally passive, but right now, he knew that if Henry wanted answers, he had none to make up. And the Yorkshireman, in classic Yorks fashion, didn't really sugar coat it, in a way that put it out there.
"I did, I did...just....crap. Let me figure out. Stay here, alright?" Henry said, as Cavan looked to the other engineers, the Fitzroy racer leaving the warehouse with a run, phone to ear.
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