Once More (Unto the Breach) [FINAL RESULTS]

Community Challenges & Competitions
196

Team Rockport

Day 1 2-4P, Repair Chronicles… But fixed!

Leo: Well, this is it, pull over.
Zack: The people at Pete’s Garage were generous enough to lend us some space to repair our car. Would you think that they’d help us quickly identify the issue?
Leo: I’d hope so. Looks at a mechanic Hey buddy! Can you help us?
Mechanic: Comes close How may I help you guys?
Leo: We called 30 mins ago about a coolant issue in our car and reserving a space for us in the workshop.
Mechanic: Oh yeah… The GTS trim aye? Everything’s stock I’d assume?
Zack: Except for the battery and some AC parts, yeah. Why?
Mechanic: I’d take a wild guess and bet my money on the Water Pump.
Leo: While leaving the car Huh? You mean the pump is dying? But it hasn’t even run 80k miles!
Mechanic: Well I’d assume so. This thing is old enough to already have faulty Water Pumps, paired with the fact that the GTS trim had a cheaper water pump than it needed, yeah.
Zack: Well that just sucks. It’s gonna take just over 2 hours.
Mechanic: Yeah about that.
Leo: Shit man! We’re gonna be so far behind!
Zack: Talking ain’t gonna help, let’s just get on with it to fix it.

The two men start taking prepping for Water Pump replacement. They’re both tired, have had lost some confidence due to the unexpected issue and are upset, but they’re still plowing on with it. To make the time more of use, they start talking while sipping on some tea they brought with them.

Leo: Okay first thing’s first. We’re gonna be behind Takes sip
Zack: Have you seen some of the cars? Most of them are so rinky dinky! Like remember how we laughed while passing that Sinistra? That thing was ticking like a time bomb!
Leo: I suppose so, yeah. While taking out a part only to realize this has nothing to do with repairing or taking out the water pump
Well… shit.
Zack: Put it back on, please. Takes sip and rolls his eyes over
Leo: That Guangzhou was ahead of us though…
Zack: We would’ve passed them if the Water Pump didn’t decide to just fuck off… Dammit!
Leo: Zack… I think we shouldn’t have this race mentality with everyone. We haven’t revealed ourselves much to anyone and so haven’t they. It’s best to assume that they’re more or less like us.
Zack: I… But… Okay maybe. You have a point. But right now we’re not really close to them you know? Let’s just get on with this and get back on the road. Well have our lunch at Spokane. Has fancier restaurants and is a bigger town.
Leo: Fine by me! Takes sip of his 6th cup of tea
Zack: Also you’re driving from this leg remember?
Leo: I do chief! Should I carry on driving like you did or should I change strats?
Zack: Not this early on. Keep on with the current strats, we’ll see later.

Just over 2 hours later, the tired bois have managed to replace the water pump and also fixed some other small issues that might pop up as headaches later. They’re going back on the road with some fast food taken from a drive through and are on their way to Spokane… To get some food!

Look mum, I fixed it!
PS: @yangx2 I guess we’ll interact when my bois catch up with you again, we are stuck at repairs and shit lmao

PPS: I realize that the repair work is supposed to bleed into the next time period. I just wrote everything a bit early on.

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197

TEAM COYOTE JIM

Nothing eventful has happened in this stint sadly. But they listened through a couple of cassettes!

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198

The D-Team

Other than numerous gear changes and some waffles being made, very little from the Trio in the box-truck.

@Keikyun and the Shitbox Crusaders are next to them on the road it seems, and well within CB range.

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199

Pit Stop US

Charles: awake now Hey, theres some chatta on te radio
James: Well, let’s see whats up
C: [on radio]: Black suit here, hows yer drive been?
J: to Charles Black suit?
C: Yeah, gots ta have a handle when ya talkin on the cb
J: Black suit? Thats our handle now?
C: [On radio]: Where ya stoppin next for food or rest? Wella join ya.

———

@VicVictory back to you
(Also can do more rp when I get home, at work rn)

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200

“We’re not sure yet. We’re looking at dinner maybe in Missoula or even Butte, then on as far as we can before we get to tired. We’re hoping to make out out of Montana today, but we’re not sure.”

Fuzz waited until after Jen stopped transmitting, and added and aside, “Plus I’d like to try to catch up to our cat friends.”

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Previous time block

Friday, 6PM - 8PM Eastern Time

Legend of Terms:

POI NOTE: I will NOT be pre-warning of upcoming POI points. I will ONLY auto-stop teams for two things: fuel and, when completely exhausted, rest. Anything else you want (including tourist POI, restaurants, premature fuel, rest at any point before complete exhaustion), YOU need to PM me in advance (before I run the time block that you’d complete it in). Also, please don’t map out everything from here to the end in one PM… try to keep it within a couple time blocks. Remember: Tourist POI and sit-down restaurants (not fast food) give bonuses to morale and fatigue, but take some time. Tourist POI also give points to the POI award at the end.

BD: Block Distance. This is the amount of mileage covered during the current 2 hour period.
OD: Overall Distance. This is the total distance that the team has covered since the event started.
FS: Fuel Status. Approximate fuel reading on the vehicle’s fuel gauge.
MRL: Morale modifier
FTG: Fatigue Level
Last Town: Last town of note that was passed (will not include tiny villages)
Next Waypoint: Should be self explanatory.
Weather Condition: Current weather condition at the end of the time block.
Notes: Any notes I have for your team during this time block. Including POI results, car issues, etc.

VicVictory:
BD: 179 mi OD: 523 mi FS: 1/3 MRL: +1 FTG: +5
Last Town: Clinton, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairgrounds
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, increasingly cloudy
Notes: Waypoint completed: Lookout Pass. This car has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2). Team has refueled in St. Regis, MT.

@Elizipeazie:
BD: 133 mi OD: 398 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +1 FTG: +3
Last Town: De Borgia, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairgrounds
Weather Condition: 90 degrees, sunny
Notes: Team has refueled in Spokane, WA. Waypoint completed: Lookout Pass. This car has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2)

@Fayeding_Spray:
BD: 156 mi OD: 524 mi FS: 1/2- MRL: +1 FTG: +8
Last Town: Clinton, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairgrounds
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: ISSUE: Clutch starts slipping as team goes over Lookout Pass. Waypoint completed: Lookout Pass. This car has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2). Team is feeling tired.

@BannedByAndroid:
BD: 146 mi OD: 496 mi FS: 3/4- MRL: +1 FTG: +5
Last Town: Missoula, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairgrounds
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Team has refueled in Kellogg, ID. Waypoint completed: Lookout Pass. This car has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2). Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued.
Ongoing issue: Vehicle is making a clunking noise from the front going over bumpy roads.

@kobacrashi:
BD: 152 mi OD: 485 mi FS: FULL MRL: +2 FTG: +6
Last Town: Missoula, MT Next Waypoint: Lookout Pass
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Waypoint completed: Lookout Pass. This car has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2). Team has refueled and obtained chicken in Missoula, MT. Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued. ISSUE: car has started making a grinding noise when turning right.

@Madrias:
BD: 102 mi OD: 480 mi FS: 3/4+ MRL: +3 FTG: -1
Last Town: MIssoula, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairgrounds
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Team has stopped in St Regis, MT to refuel and investigate the engine noise. They have also stopped for 1 hour at Jakers Bar and Grill in Missoula. This will bleed into the next time period.
Ongoing issue: Rattling noise in engine.

@yangx2:
BD: 75 mi OD: 423 mi FS: 1/2+ MRL: +3 FTG: -1
Last Town: St Regis, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairgrounds
Weather Condition: 91 degrees, mostly sunny
Notes: Team has stopped for 1 hour POI stop in the ghost town of Burke, ID. Waypoint complete: Lookout Pass. Car has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2)

@mart1n2005:
BD: 136 mi OD: 360 mi FS: FULL MRL: -1 FTG: +3
Last Town: Kellogg, ID Next Waypoint: Lookout Pass
Weather Condition: 90 degrees, sunny
Notes: Repair from previous time block bleeds into this block. Team just barely misses rush hour traffic in Spokane.
Ongoing issue: Jury-rigged RR suspension mount. Unknown how long it will hold.

@Kubboz:
BD: 143 mi OD: 414 mi FS: 1/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +4
Last Town: De Borgia, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairground
Weather Condition: 91 degrees, partly cloudy
Notes: Team has refueled in Coeur d’Alene, ID. Waypoint complete: Lookout Pass. Car has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2)

@Mikonp7:
BD: 36 mi OD: 352 mi FS: FULL MRL: +1 FTG: -1
Last Town: Kellogg, ID Next Waypoint: Lookout Pass
Weather Condition: 89 degrees, sunny
Notes: Team has stopped in Kellogg, ID to refuel and rest until night time.

@Centurion_23:
BD: 73 mi OD: 400 mi FS: 3/4+ MRL: +1 FTG: +1
Last Town: De Borgia, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairground
Weather Condition: 91 degrees, mostly sunny
Notes: Team has stopped in Kellogg, ID to do some shopping, top up fuel, and diagnose their vehicle. Waypoint complete: Lookout Pass. Car has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2)

@Xepy:
BD: 147 mi OD: 436 mi FS: 3/4- MRL: +1 FTG: +5
Last Town: Saint Regis, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairground
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Team has refueled in Coeur d’Alene, ID. Waypoint complete: Lookout pass. Car has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2)

@Private_Miros:
BD: 152 mi OD: 480 mi FS: 1/2- MRL: +1 FTG: +3
Last Town: Missoula, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairground
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Waypoint complete: Lookout Pass. Car has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2). Team pulls into Missoula, MT a few minutes before the end of the time block for refueling and diagnosis of the SES light. This will bleed slightly into the next time period.
Ongoing issues: SES light is on

@Boiled_Steak:
BD: 145 mi OD: 461 mi FS: 1/2+ MRL: +1 FTG: +6
Last Town: St Regis, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairground
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Waypoint complete: Lookout Pass. Car has moved into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2).
Ongoing issue: Slight hesitation at high speed. More pronounced now that the speed limit has increased. Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued.

@GetWrekt01:
BD: 59 mi OD: 283 mi FS: 3/4+ MRL: +3 FTG: -2
Last Town: Spokane, WA Next Waypoint: Lookout Pass
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, sunny
Notes: Repair from previous time period has bled into this period. Team has stopped at Europa Restaurant in Spokane (1 hour break). This will bleed into the next time period.

@Mythrin:
BD: 141 mi OD: 436 mi FS: 1/2+ MRL: +1 FTG: +5
Last Town: St Regis, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairground
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Team has refueled in Coeur d’Alene, ID. Team got caught behind two semis (lorries) blocking the road and going slowly over Lookout Pass. Waypoint complete: Lookout Pass. Car has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2)

@Ryan93:
BD: 5 mi OD: 283 mi FS: FULL MRL: -4 FTG: +5
Last Town: Cheney, WA Next Waypoint: Lookout Pass
Weather Condition: 91 degrees, sunny
Notes: Team has moved on to Spokane, WA and is currently borrowing space in a garage to replace a leaking head gasket. They will be off the road for several hours.

@abg7:
BD: 153 mi OD: 491 mi FS: 3/4- MRL: +1 FTG: +4
Last Town: Missoula, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairgrounds
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Team has refueled in Kellogg, ID. Waypoint complete: Lookout Pass. Car has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2).

@Radster:
BD: 156 mi OD: 482 mi FS: 1/2 MRL: +1 FTG: +8
Last Town: Missoula, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairgrounds
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Waypoint complete: Lookout Pass. Car has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2). Team is a little tired and hungry.

@SkylineFTW97:
BD: 69 mi OD: 399 mi FS: LOW MRL: +3 FTG: -1
Last Town: De Borgia, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairground
Weather Condition: 91 degrees, mostly sunny
Notes: Team has stopped for a POI break at the ghost town of Burke, ID. Waypoint complete: Lookout Pass. Car has crossed into the Mountain Time Zone (EST-2)

@findRED19:
BD: 136 mi OD: 480 mi FS: FULL MRL: +1 FTG: +5
Last Town: Missoula, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairgrounds
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Team has refueled in Kellogg, ID. Waypoint complete: Lookout Pass. Car has crossed into the Mountain Time Zone (EST-2). Team has refueled in Missoula, MT and is heading back to the freeway at the end of the time block. Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued.

@Jaimz:
BD: 70 mi OD: 378 mi FS: FULL MRL: +3 FTG: -1
Last Town: Mullan, ID Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairground
Weather Condition: 88 degrees, mostly sunny
Notes: Team has stopped for a 1 hour POI break in Coeur d’Alene, ID (downtown park beach). Waypoint complete: Lookout Pass. Car has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2).
Ongoing issues: Car has a squeak and slight lateral shift of the rear going over bigger bumps. Small crack in windshield. Car has a dead (and now kinda smelly) deer strapped to the top.

@Caligo:
BD: 111 mi OD: 394 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: -1 FTG: +8
Last Town: Mullan, ID Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairground
Weather Condition: 90 degrees, mostly sunny
Notes: Team has refueled in Coeur d’Alene, ID. INCIDENT: Radiator side tanks crack and leak out significant coolant on the approach to Lookout Pass. Team replaces the radiator from their spare parts inventory along the side of the road. Waypoint complete: Lookout Pass. Vehicle has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2). Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued.

@Aaron.W:
BD: 146 mi OD: 408 mi FS: LOW MRL: -1 FTG: +5
Last Town: De Borgia, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairground
Weather Condition: 91 degrees, sunny
Notes: Team has refueled in Spokane, WA. FAILURE: A/C Compressor has failed. Replacement not possible (PM me for details if you have questions), comfort penalty applies going forward. Waypoint complete: Lookout Pass. Car has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2)

@Keikyun:
BD: 137 mi OD: 420 mi FS: 2/3+ MRL: +1 FTG: +3
Last Town: St Regis, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairground
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Waypoint complete: Lookout Pass. Car has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2).

Vehicles that are traveling in packs:
480 mi - Sinistra, Ardent (both in Missoula) , Torg (getting on freeway to leave Missoula)

Note: vehicles within ~5 miles of each other are within CB range. Group chats via social media are available.

Team Greasy Lightning

(Somewhere east of Clinton, MT, near the end of the time period)

“Hold them off. They’re coming up on the left!” Jen said excitedly, her eyes on the Strig hatchback that slowly closed in on them.

Fuzz checked Team 49’s onslaught with a left lane change, leaving the right lane blocked by a slow-moving semi. “I got em.”

He was formulating the next move to keep their competitors down, and the opportunity presented itself in the form of an Ardent Hood with its cruise set at the speed limit in the right lane.

c’mon, c’mon, he thought to himself.

“Jesus, Fuzz,” Rick griped. “Don’t get us killed.”

Fuzz put the idea down with a stern PFFT

“They’re still on us!” Jen exclaimed.

“I can see that. I have mirrors, you know.”

Their luck ran out a mile down the road as traffic worked against them. The little hatchback managed to get the lane advantage on Fuzz, and an old Sinistra Savage lumbered along in their lane.

“Goddamn you. Long skinny pedal on the right,” Fuzz shouted in futility at the driver of the Sinistra. It was too late. Team 49 and their cheap little Strig Mirae had masterfully navigated the roadway and passed Greasy Lightning’s proud, yet maimed, Keystone Senator.

“Great going, Team 49,” Jen chirped through the CB. “You got us. But we’ll get you back.”

oh yes we will, Fuzz grinned.

Most of you will have noticed a big jump in speeds after the cars reach Lookout Pass. This is because the speed limit is 10 MPH higher in Montana than WA or ID.

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Team Tiger Trouble

(At a gas station in St. Regis)

The Sinistra rattled into the nearest available pump, where Kayden switched the engine off and got out to try the improved refueling procedure. At the same time, Kaylie popped the hood and Jaden moved the driver’s seat forward and the passenger’s seat all the way back.

Kayden stuck the card in the reader, picked the premium gasoline, and put the nozzle into the fuel filler.

Kaylie pulled the dipstick, wiped it on a shop towel, then checked the oil. “Not good. There’s metal particles in the oil, and it smells horrible. We’re going to have to try to fix this, and quickly.” She put the dipstick back, her tail twitching with annoyance.

With a full tank of gas, Kayden retrieved his new credit card, put the nozzle away, and got into the passenger seat. Jaden settled into the rear bench seat, and Kaylie started adjusting the seat and mirrors before starting the car.

“So, Nova, what can put metal shavings in the oil and make an internal combustion engine sound like it has a basket of gralliks in it?” Kayden asked.

“Most signs point toward a failing bearing, either a main bearing on the crankshaft, or a rod bearing on a connecting rod. One is semi-field-serviceable, the other is a bigger issue. If I were you, I would hope for a rod bearing, there may be a larger variety of options available.”

Jaden asked, “Does Earth even have gralliks?”

Nova was quiet for a few seconds before responding with, “Something rather similar. The closest thing to a grallik is a rattlesnake.”

At Jakers Bar and Grill, Kaylie parked the Sinistra, and the three Tigrilans quickly got out of the car, heading inside. After a lot of stares, they were seated, and that’s when the chaos started.

“We would like to get 20 of your Campfire Burgers.” Kayden said, watching as the server’s eyes went wide.

It took a while, between attempts to convince the three that 20 burgers was a lot of food, that it was going to be a very expensive meal, and that there was going to be a bit of a wait, but eventually the burgers were delivered.

“Just for your information, these food items contain cheese, which could have some unpleasant effects when combined with enclosed spaces, such as inside the transport.” Nova warned, though the warning went unheeded as hunger took over. Kayden, despite having 9 burgers to himself, was done first, while Kaylie was on her fourth out of five, and Jaden was slowly closing in on burger number six.

This left Kayden with plenty of time to chat on the radio, using Nova’s handheld as a reasonable facsimile of a smartphone.

(CB) “Anyone in range of this transmission?”

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203

The D-Team

Somewhere between Coeur d’Alene, and Smelterville.

Gen: “You know we’ve been riding this thing pretty hard since we left that Gas Station… might be a good idea to back down a bit.”

Tom: “Yeah.” The grey haired man chewed on a cigar as he thought. “Slow down and get left behind the rest of the group you mean.”

Malik: “That’s especially bad, we’d be sitting ducks for any police tailing the race. And i’m sure there’s plenty FBI and CIA along the way tailing those weird cat-people.”

Gen: “So… we’re not slowing down… Got it.” She eyed the temperature gauge as it seemed to steadily creep up as Malik kept his foot down.

A few miles later
Malik shouted in surprise as suddendly the cab and hood were both filled, and covered with a thick layer of nasty tasting steam or smoke, the driver palmed for the four-way indicator and swung the box truck to the side of the highway blindly as he carefully depressed the brake pedal, he and the rest of The D-Team choking on the thick steam as he piloted the now striken barge ashore. by the taste of the steam and the look of the temp gauge, the team knew what’d happened, and Gen, from behind the cargo door let out an annoyed, choked groan.

Gen: "Well, I did tell you to take it easy. we’re lucky to have a spare and for the radiator to be five feet from anything else… just a shame we’re out of spare coolant, and risked cooking some piston rings.

Malik: “How long to fix it Gen, we don’t have time to wait around and point fingers.” He said this quite ironically, standing with his arms crossed behind her, doing nothing but tell the young mechanic to work faster.

Gen: The female mechanic pulled her head and upper body up from inside the engine bay and looked down at the now useless driver. “Like twenty minutes tops. Just go and… carefully get the spare radiator from the back of the truck please? I have to take this one out.”

Malik rolled his eyes and walked off to the back of the truck, begrudgingly doing what he was asked.

Living on a diet of waffles and cigars, as well as the constant duress of the stiff suspension, V8 rambling, and rough shifting was really taking it’s toll on The D-Team, they were going to need some real food and rest soon, or there was going to be some serious in-fighting.

The D-Team is always on the CB Net, and would definitely be worth attempting to wave down should any other of the drivers ahead have a breakdown.

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204

Team Rockport.

Zack and Leo have finished working on the car. The water pump is replaced and running perfectly, there is no Ethylene odor present and they’ve also bought an AC air freshener with a switch (which should give approximately 0.0005% morale boost jk). Now they’re headed for Spokane to get some food in their system and also to make sure they don’t start hitting each other with a wrench if they start having mental breakdowns. After all, they’re far behind and exhausted.

Leo: And take a right… Yeah that’s the parking lot. Hurry up man, I’m famished.
Zack: It looks pretty expensive, the restaurant. But I guess we should treat ourselves after dealing with this much issues.
Leo: Exactly. Besides, we aren’t the only ones to break down.
Zack: Yeah I heard another team is also with us in Spokane, but at the other side of the town, repairing their car.
Leo: Ah damn. Wanna go meet maybe?
Zack: Fuck no! Others have done over 400 miles, we haven’t even crossed 300 As they enter the lobby There is no time for meet and greet Leo.
Leo: Fair point. It hurts to think that we were so far ahead, I think we were in second place right?
Zack: Yes. And there’s more to come, speed limits in the mountain pass are very strict. And I’m not siding towards dangerous driving just yet.
Leo: Yeah me neither. You know what? Screw this! Let’s just have a seat, grab some food and enjoy our 1 hour break.
Zack: Let’s do that, please.

Will continue after my bois finish eating

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Team Trinity

The Ardent Manhatten rolls to a halt next to a parked Sinistra. Alice looked tired from the last stretch of driving. The gearbox was acting up again and the car smells a bit of oil. The team needs a rest and Matt needs to check what the check engine light is about.

Ivy Mike is fidgety since the car stopped, but still allows John to put on the leash. John makes a cryptic statement.

We are where we want to be.

Matthew does the necessary diagnostics on the engine and the error codes clearly and unexpectedly show gearbox trouble. Most pressingly is an overheating issue, so Matt has little option to go and search a service station where they sell gearbox oil. Let the whole thing cool down and add oil, that should keep the gearbox alive for the trip.

Meanwhile Alice and John have stretch there legs, had a walk around, and came over to the Jakers Bar and Grill at the other side of the parking lot. Ivy Mike hisses.

What’s got into your cat, John, he used to be a cute fluff ball?

John smiles.

This is why it was good to push on. We might have passed another team of interest, but this one is most interesting indeed. We should limit ourselves to observing.

John says he’ll go and get some other food for him and Matthew and instructs Alice to go inside, get a table - some charming needed to be done to get admitted by a strangely freaked out table attendant - and take notes.

Matthew, having found some gearbox oil, and John are enjoying a Denny’s burger. They occasionally toss a piece of meat at Ivy Mike. Afterwards he will continue with the maintenance of the Ardent.

Inside the Jakers Bar and Grill Alice is fully aware of what has caused the panic in the joint, the interest of John, and her purpose of being there. She stares at the three Tigrilans. She has not touched her food since it arrived. She picks herself together and begins taking notes on appearances, behaviour and conversation.

Suddenly jolting up and turning red, she feels cold sweat running down her spine. The CB radio. She took it with her into the place. So when one of the Tigrilans, the one eating the most - and most ravenously at that - speaks into his CB radio, hers echoes:

“Anyone in range of this transmission?”

@Madrias

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Maroon Marauders - Part 4

Early evening, east of Missoula

Having refueled their car just before crossing the state line, the Maroon Marauders continued to maintain a steady pace. Few other teams were within sight, but at least they were running near the front - fourth overall, in fact. And thanks to the car’s comfortable ride and plush interior, they had not yet shown any sign of fatigue.

It was then that Gary began talking to himself: “So many of the other teams are having issues so soon, I hope at least some of them are equipped to deal with major mechanical emergencies. And even if they do, there’s no guarantee they can hold out for the whole race. I’m just hoping they stick around long enough to give us some real competition. In the meantime, we could be better off sticking to our plan of steady driving until the time comes to take a break.”

Denny somehow heard him and silently acknowledged the team’s plan to stick to their usual pace. With that, the Maroon Marauders continued on their way and drove off into the sunset… For the first time in the race.

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Tiger Trouble

@Private_Miros

Kayden heard the CB “echo” and turned to face the source of the sound, his eyes focusing on Alice of Team Trinity. He spoke to his siblings in Tigrilan, “Anything happens, find safety,” before getting out of his seat. He walked toward Alice with a tiger’s grace, each step light on the floor, nearly silent despite his nearly 400 pound body, and despite wearing a robe that would make a Sith Lord jealous.

He sat down at Alice’s table, then said, “I believe introductions are in order. I am Kayden of the Tigrilan Warriors. Who are you?”

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Team Trinity

Alice composed herself - silently swearing at John.

Nice to meet you Kayden. I am Alice of Team Trinity! Just having dinner here while my team mates are fixing the car.

She looked down at her untouched plate, and briefly considered saying “sorry, I hadn’t noticed you”, but that would have sounded less than convincing.

I am happy you guys came to say hi. I usually like talking but I drove the way here and felt a bit tired.

She had half stretched out her hand in his direction, but held back. She wasn’t sure whether shaking hands, or a paw, or whatever, was a good idea. Ask him something neutral, she thought.

How is the trip going? What brings you here?

Quickly adding:

To the competition I mean.

Meanwhile outside, John watched Matt as he added oil to the gearbox when Ivy Mike tugged on his leash and scratched the door to get back in.

We’re compromised. John mumbled.

We’re what now?

Finish up and go get Alice, we need to get going. Look at the clouds. I don’t want to be driving in the dark and in the rain.

John got back in the car, leaving Matt confused. But he shrugged and started packing up. Having done so, he walked into the direction of the Grill place that Alice was having dinner at.

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Tiger Trouble

Kayden smiled as Alice asked how the trip was going, and what brought them into the competition. “Our trip is going about as good as one can expect in transports purchased for less than 30 silver Crowns. Our transport rattles like a grallik nest, and we have had a few mishaps with learning our vessel. As for our reason for being in the competition, we are using the journey to explore. I believe the word you might use is ‘tourist’ to describe us. And to answer your unspoken question, we are here because our ship is out of fuel for our faster than light engine. It is only a minor problem, we are searching for a compatible replacement fuel to make it home.”

Kayden smiled before asking, “So, you know why we are here in this challenge, so I ask the same in return.”

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Team Trinity

Faster than light!? How does that work?

Composure, Alice. John always said: “never show them what you know, yes. But more importantly, never tell them what you don’t.”

Fuck John, right now.

We’re… tourists as well in a way. We do the trip for the adventure. To see the country. And to compete. It’s nice to be among the leading cars.

Actually, there might be an opening here. Why am I thinking about openings? I ought to be thinking about getting away from this huge tiger-human from who-knows where.

My friend Matt is a good mechanic, he could take a look at your rattling car. Not sure he is familiar with Graellinks [mispronounced] but he sure knows his ways around all kinds of vessels.

Matt enters the restaurant and freezes. He sees the two Tigrilans at the table first, huge, animal-like, yet strangely human. He follows there gaze and sees the tallest of the entities standing over Alice. She looks composed, but she seems to shiver a bit.

What is John planning with this, Matt wonders, putting pieces together. Alright then, get Alice out of here I suppose.

Alice! we’re leaving. John is in the car already!

Alice smiled at Kayden and shoved her chair back, grabbing her note book.

I need to go.

Adding the invitation.

Feel free to meet up with us further down the route if the car still rattles. Maybe we can talk again.

Looking at the big cat she could she him half-looking at the food.

You can have it, if you want. I had enough.

That was a lie. She was suddenly hungry. But she was happy to go. She didn’t dare to look back at them. Matt saw the three Tigrilans look at him. He simple nodded at them while letting Alice past and then turned around and walked with her to the Ardent, hoping that they would not immediately follow.

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211

Tiger Trouble

Kayden shrugged as Alice asked how the faster than light engine worked. “What little bit I know, it is a combination of localized wormholes and strong enough shields to keep your ship from breaking apart. Nova or Sentinel could tell you more, but I doubt that either of us have the time to listen to an AI explain how it works.”

As Alice then offered Matt’s assistance in looking at the rattle in their car, Kayden nodded lightly. “Perhaps when next we meet. You mentioned earlier that your partners were already repairing your vessel.”

As Alice left with Matt, the three Tigrilans shared a momentary glance at each other before watching the pair retreat back to their car.

“Trouble?” Kaylie asked.

“They are up to something.” Jaden replied, looking at Kayden. “She was able to keep it together, but she was just as frightened as the rest of the humans in here.”

Kayden nodded lightly, though said, “She could have unnaturally high self-confidence. Or a lack of a self-preservation instinct. We have to consider those options as well.”

Kaylie gave a toothy grin, then said, “You should have turned up the intimidation a bit, maybe you could have scared a little more information out of her.”

“The humans don’t work like that. Some can be intimidated, but others fight back. I prefer to use my blade as little as possible.” Kayden replied.

Nova added in, “The humans have an interesting saying that goes well with what Kayden is saying. ‘You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.’ Frightening another team for information might get us a bit of useful or useless information. Being polite may get us a little bit of useful information, and possibly some help in the future, if we require it.”

Jaden grinned, then said, “And the Wise One has spoken. If no one else is going to eat that, I will. Twin Suns, traveling makes me hungry.”

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212

The Thompson Family

Greg, Rick, Kate, Danny
Danny: Dad, it’s getting so hot!
Greg: Oh, let me make the A/C blow more, wait what?! It seems that the AC is broken.
Danny: Oh great!
Opens window
Danny: Dad, I want to replace our minivan…
Greg: With what?
Danny: I don’t know. But the other day I saw a Module XR-20. It looks cool not going to lie.
Kate: Just have a wagon.
Greg: A crossover would be fine… The Module seems to be awesome!
Rick: You want SUVs, you go with the Corsica Yosemite. I mean it’s a Corsica. It’s reliable and popular.
Danny: Not as cool as the Module…
Rick: I have to agree on this one…
Greg: Why not a Saminda or an Auxuras?
Rick: They have many recalls. You want your car to be recalled? Hell nah!
Greg: Hmmm… I don’t really want to replace our trusty Hokuto though…
Danny: You buy that Module, we’re going to be the coolest in school.
Greg: Not really, I heard someone brought a Shromet Levine RINO to school. It’s absolutely purple.
Danny: Oh, well then…
How about we buy a truck?
Danny: What truck?
Greg: I don’t know, a Tanaka Biome?
Danny: That’s generic…
And so, they continuously talk about cars., to be continued…

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213

Team Rockport

Zack and Leo are done eating. They’ll be leaving the restaurant shortly and head for their next waypoint.

Zack: Proceeds to take out wallet
Leo: You’re paying for the gas, drove over 200 miles, paid for all the repair works. I think I should be paying for this.
Zack: But… Dude I appreciate it but Leo, I brought you into this. And besides it’s not cheap.
Leo: You brought me into it and I wanted in. Just let me take care of this for now. Also I’m driving until our next two waypoints I guess…
Zack: Not a hard limit, as long as you could hold.
Leo: Alright!

Bills have been paid, it’s go time. Leo takes the driver’s seat finally. He gently turns the ignition key as the 4 Liter V8 rumbles back to life once again, ready to churn up miles. They’ve got a lot of catch up to do, many obstacles to overcome. But they have faith in themselves and their car

Yeah that repair work really fucked me over innit

4 Likes
214

RK Series Racing; Chapter IV; debuff for Connor

With the team in a fairly good mood, nothing much happens at first, until the fuel gauge nears the E mark.

Tonsom: “We should start looking for some fuel…”
Redwood: “Yeah… better safe than sorry.”

Not even 10 minutes later, the car comes to a halt at a small-ish gas station in Spokane, WA.
Tonsom gets out and starts to refuel the car. The other two follow, for differing reasons.
Redwood wants to get some walking distance after sitting for 4 hours, and Connor exists the car just for the sake of proximity to Tonsom.

Tonsom: “I think we should switch drivers… i’ve driven for YEARS, but i need a break…”
Redwood: [while trundeling up and down the length of the Dione] “Guess it’s Connor’s turn then.”

Connor, without a word, get’s into the driver’s seat and starts adjusting his seating position and steering column.

Connor: “I am ready.”

A few more minutes of refilling pass. Then, everyone gets into the car and Connor starts the Dione’s 5 cylinder turbocharged engine. Though getting the gearbox into gear seems to be a challenge as Connor tries to aim for the gear stick, but misses it entirely.

Tonsom: [obviously annoyed] “Something wrong, Connor?”
Connor: [in denial] “No. I’m fine.”

He reaches for the gear leaver again, yet fails to grab it.

Tonsom: [more annoyed] “U Kiddin’ me?? You’re missing the shifter by about a foot there, boy!”
Redwood: “If you’re hurt you shouldn’t be driving, u know that?”
Connor: [defeated] “It’s the damage dealt before we went to the so-called Great Automation Run 2…”
Tonsom: “Wait… you haven’t got around to get that fixed?”
Connor: “How can you fix something if there is nothing to fix it with and nobody able to fix it?”
Tonsom: “Aw FUCK! So… where’s the issue?”
Connor: [hesitant] “I would like to have my coin back.”

Tonsom, very reluctantly, hands out the coin again…

Connor's Coin Fuckery

Connor rolls the Coin around his left hand knuckles a few times.
Then he flings the coin across to his right hand in a perfectly straight line.
The coin quickly flies back to his left hand, repeating the process back and forth a few times.
To finalize the calibration process, the coin flies back to his right hand once more and comes to a stop with it´s edge between his right index and middle finger.

Totally not ripped off, but shhhh

Afterwards, Connor pockets the coin and tries to grab the gear lever again. This time, the attempt is successful, but Connor cannot exert enough force to actually put it into gear.

Redwood: “Wait… what?”
Connor: “I had to shut off Thirium flow to the affected area to prevent further leakage. Power is severely limited.”
Tonsom: “So you are saying that you now have the coordination to drive, but not the literal strength?”
Connor: “In a sense, yes. And this problem will persist until we can repair the damage.”
Redwood: [trying to break the less-than-optimal mood] “Okay… you cannot shift on your own, right?”
Connor: “Yes.”
Redwood: “How about me doing it for you?”
Tonsom: [confused] “How’s that gonna work, smartass?”
Redwood: “Please! Let me finish!
A friend of mine has a right-hand-drive car which i drive fairly frequently. I can shift with either hand. He could call out the desired gear and i’ll do the rowing.”
Tonsom: [not particularly impressed] “I don’t know how a 19 year old kid could come up with THIS abomination of an idea…”

A moment of thinking in silence…

Redwood: “Here’s the exact plan i have.
Connor will be driving, obviously. When desired, he will call out the gear he wants. I’ll engage the gear wanted and repeat the callout to confirm the gear change being done, thereby letting Connor know when i’m done sifting.”
Tonsom: “Huh… you can try… seems like we don’t really have a choice anyway.”

The team begins setting up their semi-automated gearbox. Tonsom enters the car in the rear left seat after paying for the fuel. Redwood occupies the co-driver seat, ready to take on his new job as a voice-controlled gearbox operator. The car is about to hit the road again.

Connor: [calm] “Okay… Egange first gear.”
Redwood: [putting the Dione into 1st] “First.”

The car rolls out of the gas station and onto the open road.

Connor: “Second.”
Redwood: [after completing the shifting] “Second.”

Not even half a mile later, Connor floors it to gain speed onto the highway.

Connor: “Third!”
Redwood: [putting in third] “Third.”

…

Connor: “Fifth.”
Redwood: [taking longer than usual, having expected 4th] “Err… Fifth.”

Tonsom: “Well… seems to work… but try and get yourself fixed when we stop for rest, okay?”
Connor: “I can try, but no promises.”

About 25 minutes later, Redwood wants to meet some more people.

Redwood: “Err… RK Series Racing to anyone in range. Just… ehhh… wanted to have a chat to kill so-”
Connor: [audible] “Fourth.”
Redwood: "Right…

Fourth."

Redwood: “Sorry… we have some gearbox issues… again if anyone’s up for some chit chat or something, i’d appreciate meeting new people!”

note: Text in blockquote is audible through the CB.

Teams in range:
@Centurion_23

@SkylineFTW97

@Caligo

Teams for telephone contact:
@Mythrin (you have to initiate it in this case, though)

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215

Team Beer Blokes & BBQs

In dialogue:
S = Sam
T = Tom
M = Mike

M: Well, we’re here, lets head inside for something to eat
T: Finally, I’m starving.
S: You’re always starving Tom.

The trio head into the waffle house to grab some food, while waiting for their waffles to arrive, they decided to talk about some of their competition

T: There sure is some weird cars in this comp, we have a semi, a ups van with a v8, a hearse, and a shitbox with eyelashes just to name a few.
M: The weirdness doesn’t stop at the cars, some of the competitors are a little odd too, the giant tiger people for one, and that robot in the anhultz.
S: I wonder how those tiger people got here, they can’t be from this planet.
T: Probably from somewhere in a land far beyond our understanding of space I guess.
M: I wonder how everyone else is faring reliability wise.
S: I heard along the grape vine that some teams have had a few issues, but most are still sailing smoothly like us.
M: Speaking of, I should probably give the car a quick once over to make sure nothing’s gone awry.
T: And here comes the food, let’s not waste any more time.

They finish their food and head to the gas station check over the car.

M: Welp, time to see what hidden nasties we’ve been neglecting have shown up.
S: Hey, there’s a hardware store just over the road, Tom, could you pop over there and see if they have any earmuffs while Mike and I check over the car?

Tom walks over to the hardware store and the two of them get to work, starting in the engine bay

M: Everything’s looking fine as far as cooling goes, all the hoses seem to be tight, no leaks that I can see.
S: Can you smell fuel?
M: What kind of question is that? We’re at a fuel station for gods sake, of course I can smell fuel.
S: I know that, I meant from the engine. As soon as you opened the hood, the smell of fuel got stronger.
M: Oh, right. I’ll look over the fuel system now then.
S: I think the smell is the strongest over here.
M: Oh yeah, I can see where it’s coming from. Right there, from the fuel pulsation dampener.
S: Well that’s no good, we might need to tell Tom to pick up a fire extinguisher while he’s over there in case a fire starts under here from that leaking fuel.
M: That would be a good idea, besides, I can’t do anything about it here, I need a proper workspace and tools to fix this.
S: Next town that has a shop with the right facilities is Missoula, and that’s about 2 hours away.

As they look over to Tom, back with the earmuffs, they notice a familliar white van stopped at the traffic lights

M: Hey isn’t that the team with the weebs in it?
S: I think it is, and surely you must have another way to refer to them as, that’s a little insensitive of you.
M: diverting attention away from himself Sorry Tom, but you’re gonna have to go over to the hardware store again, we found a fuel leak and want to have a fire extinguisher handy in case something catches fire.
T: sigh Okay.

Tom heads back over to the hardware store, and the two finish checking over the engine bay, finding no other issues.

M: Where did we put that jack, I want to check the suspension.
S: I think it’s buried somewhere in the middle.
M: Ugh, who packed this thing again?
S: You did.
M: Oh, right then.

Mike dug through the mountain of spares, food and camping gear they had packed for the trip, eventually finding the jack and the two jack stands they packed.

M: This wheel feels a tad loose, I think the wheel bearing’s gone bad.
S: It feels like a similar story on my side too, looks like more work for when we stop in Missoula.
M: We’re gonna need to drive like the wind to have any chance of winning after this setback.
S: As long as you don’t bin it in a divider like the truck or get caught by the cops, do whatever you need to.

Tom returns from the hardware store with the fire extinguisher as requested. They made room for it in their pile and set off as soon as possible, not wanting to lose any more time than they needed.

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