2022 Shitbox Rally - Out of This World! (Results Out!)

Community Challenges & Competitions
144
PART ONE: NEVADA

JDM Specialists

March 3rd, 2022

Dublin, Ireland

Local time: 4:20 PM

Weather: Sunny and Clear

The engine of the 1988 IVERA CVX Rollback truck rumbled into life, the black diesel smoke spewing into the air. Aidan let the engine run for a short while, before he turned it off and climbed down from the cab. He walked to the door of his shop but stopped short and turned to at the large tow truck. How he’d managed to buy that thing for 3300 Euros was beyond him, but the truck was solid and was one tough SOB and even though it leaked oil all over the parking lot, and was less economical than a Hummer H2 and it still got the job done. Then he was reminded of what they were doing, after seeing his luggage waiting in the building’s entry way.

He sighed and continued to look out the glass door off the building. Pavel had said would be there half an hour ago and yet there was no sign of him or his SFVM. A wrench clattered in the workshop bringing his attention to the two other professional dumbasses that made up Team Oil Crisis.

Owen and Max were loading up the supplies and their gear into the Magistrate wagon. The sound of the workshop door closing made Owen pause from what he was doing and look in the general direction of the door. Aidan was making his way towards them.

“You get everything loaded yet?”

Owen nodded. “Yup, just can’t seem to figure out how to get enough space for the dog and our giant friend.”

Chuckling, Aidan walked past him and proceeded to adjust the weapon crates and began stacking them on top of each other. “They can be stacked, mate. There’s a reason why we’ve got the high roof on this thing.”

Owen smiled. “Thanks for the help. Has Pavel come back yet?”

“No. I don’t know what’s taking him so long. He said he had a way for us to get to the United–” Aidan stopped as Pavel’s beige SFVM pulled into the parking lot. “Look who finally decided to show up.”

Pavel and Karl emerged from the vehicle, followed by Gunther. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Pavel encountered traffic jam. But, I’ve got a way for us to get to America.”

“Well, I hope its worth it if you’re this late. You’ve gotta learn to be a little quicker man.”

“Pavel knows.” Pavel said.

Karl stood up from disconnecting Gunther’s leash. “Commandant, You will be surprised to see what he’s got in mind for us.”

“I can’t wait. But now I need you guys to help out with loading the car onto the rollback over there.” He pointed to the white truck parked near the dumpsters. “We’ve got to leave at least before five if we want to make it to the airport on schedule.”

Everyone acknowledged with a simple nod and within the next 15 minutes they had finished packing up the cooler with their food, loaded the Magistrate onto the rollback, and were ready to go.

Aidan had opened up the gun crate containing the pistols and set it on on a workbench. “Right, you guys. Who’s got the Glock?”

“Me.” Karl said flatly.

Aidan tracked down the handgun, removed it and then handed it to Karl.

“Makarov?”

Pavel walked up and retrieved it from the box.

“USP?”

Owen and Max walked up and Aidan gave them the sleek pistols.

The only gun that was left in the crate was the brushed aluminum Desert Eagle.

Karl, Max, and Pavel were getting in the car while Owen remained in the shop, watching them get in.

When he spoke up the Irishman in his voice was replaced by an unknown accent. “Y’know, I’m still not sure if we should go through with this escapade. Are you sure its wise for us to blow our cover if we know that psychotic emperor is still alive?”

Aidan’s voice did the same. “Owen, listen to me. We are safe, there’s no way for him to know that we or our family fled here. If we’ve not been hunted down this whole time, its not likely we will be at all. Stop with this pathological fear getting killed.”

Owen sighed. “Alright, but if we all get massacred, don’t say I didn’t tell you so.”

“I have a feeling that Team Shift Happens are not what we think they are, but I’m certain they mean us no harm.”

“I hope so.”

He proceeded to walk towards the SFVM but tensed and turned around.

“Did you bring the wrenches?”

Aidan nodded. “All of them are in the back of the car under a blanket.”

The tension faded and Owen resumed his walk back to the car.

Dublin Airport

March 3rd, 2022

Dublin, Ireland

Local time: 4:50 PM

Weather: Sunny and Clear

---

The rollback and the SFVM were waved through the security gate and were escorted by an airport police vehicle. The police car broke away and when Aidan returned his gaze to the tarmac ahead of him, he spotted the giant Ilyushin IL-76 sitting in front of the hangar in all its Soviet glory. Pavel had really out done himself.

“You never cease to amaze me Pavel.”

“Thank you, Capitan.”

“Does this thing have the range to get us to Vegas?”

“Da. Its only the car and our stuff and it does not weigh 20 tons. We’ll have enough fuel to get us to America. I’ve also called upon a tanker to help us refuel over Chicago.”

“Fair play, mate!”

Pavel beamed.

“Pavel has your back always.”

Ilyushin IL-76

March 3rd, 2022

Somewhere over the North Atlantic

Local time: Unknown

Weather: Unknown

The plane jolted. Aidan opened his eyes and looked around the car, everyone except for him was asleep and almost immediately he found he needed to go use the bathroom. But, on a plane with a darkened cargo hold it would certainly be interesting. Seeing as the plane was empty except for the Magistrate it was pretty easy to answer this call of nature. 2 minutes later he returned to the car and drifted off to sleep.

Las Vegas International Airport

March 4th, 2022

Las Vegas, Nevada

Local time: 3:30am

Weather: Clear

By the time the plane touched down in Vegas, the team was refreshed and ready to go. A two hour journey laid ahead of them and they hit the highway almost immediately. Pavel was still asleep in the back with Gunther, Max and Karl were studying a map of the area they were to meet the other rally participants and Owen was sitting in the passenger seat staring straight ahead. The night began to slowly fade into day as they continued.

The side of a remote mountain road, Nevada, USA

March 4th, 2022

Unknown, Nevada

Local time: 5:40am

Weather: Clear

The sun grew brighter and lit up the vast desert landscape with the morning growing stronger. Aidan was laying in a prone position with a pair of binoculars in hand, with Owen beside him. The Magistrate was parked nearby with the rest of the team waiting nearby.

“They’ve got a campsite or something down there, got a nice fire going.”

“What else ya see?” said Owen shielding his eyes from the sun.

“There’s an old truck down there and some tents, and some people or something mingling about. It’s all I can see right now. Are you satisfied with what you see Owen?”

Owen nodded. “We can go say hi, but be aware of your surroundings and the same goes for the rest of the guys.”

“Have we ever let you down?” Said Aidan

His response was met with an eye roll.

“Alright, lets get going.”

To Be Continued (I have no time to get to the next part, so that’s coming tomorrow)

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Team hillbilly rollers
Part 0.5 - Interference problems

The van was heading towards the camp site after an unnecessarily long trip through the desert, since Janne did not teleport it to the location he first thought about.

M: “How about learning to navigate?”
J: “There is just fucking sand everywhere, try to do it better yourself!”

The fact that they had a battered Union Magistrate with auxiliary lights on the roof ahead of them indeed did confirm that they were on the right track. When the old wagon, looking like a world war 3 survivor, was signaling to turn towards a field where some other shitboxes was parked, they knew they had arrived.

J: “Look, we arrived, unlike the time when Marie traded the map for a bottle of cheap wine that tasted like window cleaner!”

M: “I prefer not to talk about it!”

When the van rolled into the campsite, Andreas was looking for a good spot to park, while taking a sneak peek at the other cars this far. He saw a red Yamada ASR-4 that almost looked too serious for this. A battered IFAZ Bogatir that he thought that Janne must love. A white Hakaru Carica that looked so innocent that one could start suspecting things. A blue Claussient 25, “Where did they find one in such a nice condition???”. Busy with looking for a spot to park, he noticed a silver Schnell XL53 when suddenly he managed to put the column mounted shifter in “low”, leading to an abrupt downshift with the engine screaming loudly.

J: " Don’t worry, it is the 4Z engine, it will cope with abuse!"

Once again, the easy path was to follow the Union Magistrate. Andreas reversed the van into the spot beside it, and the team was climbing out.

“Nice wagon”, Andreas said to team oil crisis when he noticed Marie stealing a bottle from the Bricksley belonging to the host.

A: “Marie lacks common sense sometimes. Here, take some packages of snus as a compensation. Where we come from, everyone is using it, just squeeze it to a ball and stuff it under your upper lip”, he said to Rukari.

Janne was grumbling at the suggestion to put away his teleporting equipment.

J: “Fine, but I have to turn it off first, or else it will suffer a meltdown!”

He grabbed the remote. “Let’s see. Rewind, rewind, eject?”. Nothing happened, except for the IFAZ Bogatir belonging to team Wayfarers starting to beep its horn.

“How about play, record, eject then?”, with the result being that the hazard flashers on Team fallen angels Claussient 25 started flashing.

“Ah, stupid me, stop, record, eject is of course the right sequence”, nothing happened except for the IFAZ still honking and the Claussient still flashing.

"But this SHOULD work, he said with some confusion. He opened the battery lid just to see this text on the batteries:

“Expires May 2002
Made in Archana”

“CRAP!”, he thought.

J: “HELLO, DOES ANYONE HAVE AAA BATTERIES???”

@TheYugo45GV
@BannedByAndroid
@Madrias
@Caligari

(Think that was all interactions, also, happy if ANY team will help with batteries)

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Team Mravolinski-Chitco

Team data and prologue: 2022 Shitbox Rally - Out of This World! - #30 by MrdjaNikolen

Gathering supplies and big changes: 2022 Shitbox Rally - Out of This World! - #118 by MrdjaNikolen

Last part, which explains swapped characters and inclusion of Aydar: 2022 Shitbox Rally - Out of This World! - #140 by MrdjaNikolen

Entering the camp, BDBF

Our team made very good progress, partially bcos Aydar had drove rather quickly and partially bcos we had low standards on what “good progress” means.

There were plans on how to introduce ourselves, especially with our beloved Pi.
Those plans had proven themselves unnecessary when we caught a glimpse of few strange figures.

Pi would prob not be too striking.
There is enough weird looking individuals around for her to fit right in.

One of those, two headed one, had introduced himself as Malavera and as one that made sure of legality of vehicle and paperwork.
If our group thought we have strongest fighters, that was quickly put aside when Malavera lifted front part of truck, aproximately 1155 kg, without much issue.

Aydar too was impressed by show of strength.
He is only member of our team that can do same.

After sticker was applied on designated place by Klimentol and truck was parked with roll net up and tailgate down, they decided to join cacofony of flashing and sounds near campfire caused by Janne from Team Hillbilly Rollers.

We concluded that noone of us had need for remote, so we had limited resources to help this inventor in distress.

These “limited resources” were attracted to Marie, mainly bcos of bottle.

-Can i get a sip?

Marie: Yes, but beware that i expect some alcohol beverage in return.
Or, ya know, something.

-Oh my, this is wonderful. Your supplier has some skills. Can i get some?

-“No”. Answer of, interestingly enough, maker of said moonshine-Rukari.
“Yes, we are hosts, but arent appreciative of ppl just taking stuff without asking…like she did.
If you ask nicely however, we can work something out.”

Klimentol: Chicota will likely ask for a sample. Im sure he would gladly decide to gather samples of all beverages in convoy just for fun of it.
There is reason we do have 152 liters of beer stacked in our vehicle in two tanks for exactly reason of not emptying other ppl of their alcohol.

Marie left bcos “she needed to pee”.

Team had settled down near campfire.
VerBanka decided to talk with some of other ppl around campfire and befriended Rufus.
I was happy to investigate other people near campfire, when i wasnt busy consuming burgers
Klimentol decided this is good time as ever to talk like a dog…with a dog. He was positively surprized by Gunther’s understanding of English, but decided they would communicate normally instead.
He also confirmed that Pavel was likely tallest human he encountered, to great pleasure of Pavel. Klimentol also speaks Russian, which also brought pleasure to Oil Crisis designated brute.
Pi decided that gesturing is way to go (she doesnt know English) until someone had idea of carrying some stuff with her.
Klimentol was stopped to translate to Pi what kind of job is in question, so he did just that.
One temporary attachment to Pi’s back later, she and said someone had went to work.

Andreas was wondering about whereabouts of Marie. Aydar and Chicota were kind enough to investigate, but first needed to get back to Kontir to get few things first.
Slurping from pickup bed noted they had unexpected visitor.

MARIE

She stopped slurping from one of tanks and realized she is likely busted. Glance confirmed.
“Oops. Look i really wanted to check it out…you really couldnt find better beer?
Also more convenient packaging could have been done”
Chicota: No about quality, we went for cheapest stuff we could find. Sometimes worry about packaging myself, but i can manage. Seems same can be said for you.

Aydar sniffed air with some worry.
“Have you by any chance, opened black tanks?”
(Note: Beer is in red tanks and thats what she was drinking through straw she obtained)
Marie: Ofc, really wanted to find beer. That was terrible btw. You could have found better tasting drink.
Aydar: You DRANK that?
Marie: Yes, took few sips. Might serve well enough when and if beer runs out, has that exotic punch to it.
Aydar: We really couldnt be held responsible for you getting poisoned by petrol, so we shall pass on that.
Marie: Petrol?
Chicota: Petrol indeed. Thats our spare fuel
(Sigh) Looks like we found you, just to grab few things and we are returning back to group.
You would be open to hang out anytime, but…maybe note down teammates and us beforehand.
Andreas was worried.

Story was told, Andreas wasnt really amused at first, but everyone had quite a few laughs afterwards.
Marie had got hold of moonshine she “got” from Team Shift Happens.
“This…much better stuff.”
Chicota: For such heavy drinkers as me, lot of stuff like our beer, is better. I doubt our friend would keep up with capacities that we can consume.
It is tho, quite good stuff.
If you want to know how to rate American petrol tho, feel free to ask expert.

Marie blushed. Cheap beer wasnt worth the risk she commited. This was enough risking for a good while.

Andreas: I could have guessed. Just needed some time to recall when this big dog mentioned your beer reserves. (Points at Klimentol, who shrugs in response). Also saw you taking time at truck and figured she was busted.
Chicota: I feel she could have drank to point of wasoing herself.
Andreas: SHE ALREADY DID. Look at our van
Its pink.
Chicota: Barbie van? Oh ye, i mean girls do be girls, she likely never really grew up…
Andreas: It was supposed to be black. Flat. Fucking. Black.
Chicota: Marie had other ideas.
Janne: Yes, to waste herself while painting it.
Marie: I really thought it was flat black.

Chicota: I dont know how these guys will handle your drinking problem. Im robot, i cant possibly get drunk even if i try. Getting that drunk in unknown is recipe for disaster.

Klimentol: Well i doubt you will have any problems dealing with her.
By you, i mean Chicota.
When she decides to visit bcos, ya know, she wants drink buddy and wouldnt mind cheap beer, you will be responsible for her.

Chicota: Ye, idea of someone making me company is appealing…prob enough to outweigh issues.
If she does take it too far and is at our truck, make sure to prepare a tent or unlock either door of van so i could put her in. (This was directed at her teammates; Chicota also decided to lift Marie and decided he can carry her easily).

…and this is story of how (likely) BDBF (Best Drinking Buddies Forever) had met.
Feel free to expand the duo with some other alcohol appreciators

@Knugcab is free to note few more things and further define these enjoyment moments.

Someone else could decide to employ Pi as either means to actually carry something or as kinda table that just so happens to walk on its own as help to their character or characters.
Pi was originally made to handle a cargo of about 50 kg (iirc thats about 110 pounds for Imperial enjoyers), but she likely can handle tad bit more (she was still able to properly run with cargo i mentioned, ofc said cargo was securely attached to her back)
Who this “someone else” is, aint my worry.

I hope i kinda stayed in character for other fellas

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We have a few AAA batteries if you need em. They might last a bit long, but not for the full 8 weeks

AAA Batteries.

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Well, they are just needed to shut off his teleporting unit since it seems to have interference problems with the electronics of the other cars, so that’s a deal I guess. (adding it in RP later probably)

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The First Campsite, Nevada, USA

March 4th, 2022

Unknown, Nevada

Local time: 6:10am

Weather: Clear

Team info: 2022 Shitbox Rally - Out of This World! (Entries Closed!) - #29 by TheYugo45GV

Reminder of what the car looks like

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The winding road slowly straightened out as the Magistrate reached the flat part in the valley. Aidan was finishing off his sandwich, Karl was asleep again and Max was doing whiskey tasting with Pavel. Owen on the other hand was taking pictures of the desert landscape with his Nikon camera.

“You know, Nevada looks absolutely beautiful in the morning.” He said, Looking at the camera’s screen.

Aidan rolled the window down and let the fresh air enter the cabin. “Yeah, I think so too, there’s not a cloud in the sky and the sun is the absolute cherry on top.”

There was a clink of glass on glass that came from the back seat which prompted Aidan to look behind him.

“Max, don’t drink all the whiskey. We’ve only got two bottles and the last thing we need is you getting drunk.”

Max turned to face forward again. “Hey, its only the second glass I’ve had.”

“Might I remind you that drinking in the morning is the behaviour common of an alcoholic.”

“No shit.” said Max, rolling his eyes.

Chuckling, Aidan shook his head and continued looking at the road ahead of the car. “It’s okay to have one glass if you’re doing a tasting, just make sure you don’t hammer yourself before we get there. I don’t want–”

Pavel suddenly piped up from all the way in the back. “Capitan, you might want to have look in mirror.”

“Why’s… Oh my god.”

Almost immediately, Aidan began cracking up, while everyone in the back turned to look out the rear window to see what triggered the fit of laughter.

Owen was confused by this.

“Why are you laughing?” He spotted the pink van in the rear view mirror. “Oh, wait. Is it the pink van that’s behind us?”

Aidan was still smiling but still recovering from his laughter. “Yeah man. I think it’s an IP Freeway Star forward control van. 4 cylinder engine or something like that, makes it slow as hell and never sold in North America as far as I know.”

The group eventually reached the turn off for the meeting point which was a dirt road that led to the campsite. It took a minute to find an available parking space and Aidan considered parking on the other side of the camp ground but settled on the empty spot right next to the Bricksley van truck thing. The 4.5L V8 ran for a second and then was shut off, falling silent for the first time that morning. Once the engine was off, Aidan, Max, Karl, Pavel and Gunther got out of the car. One of the team members from the pink van complemented their car and Aidan gave him his thanks. Shortly later Owen emerged as his teammates walked over to the nearby camp fire. He stood for a moment and sharply inhaled, the cool dry desert air and the smell of the smoke filled him with a feeling of joy. Then the smell of something grilling on a BBQ filled his nostrils making him look around but a voice behind him made him tense and when he turned he saw a snow leopard looking being who also appeared to look like a tiger standing near a smoking grill and wiping some dirt off of the armour he or it was wearing.

“Yeah?” he asked the being.

“You should try to relax, my friend. If there’s anyone stupid enough to try and attack the camp, we’ll make short work of 'em.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to do all morning, it’s not easy. You sure there’s enough fire power here?”

“Yeah, enough to overpower even the most heavily armed attackers. My teammate, Rukari, over there, has got this cannon rifle, I’m uncertain as to what kind of ammo it takes. Malavera’s got a sidearm and so does my brother Jaden, I myself have a blade and our radio operator who’s also mine and Jaden’s sister, Kaylie, has a metal arm that can pulverise a concrete wall up to 10 inches thick.”

Owen leaned against the side of the Magistrate. “That’s reassuring to hear.”

“There’s also Kivenaal, Rukari’s brother. The guy could turn the sand beneath our feet into glass, that’s how strong he can make those magic flames of his. But if he’s not willing to go full on flamethrower, he’s got his revolvers.”

“Well, That is quite something.”

“Yup, and that’s just us. What have you brought just out of curiosity.”

“Me? M16 A2 with an M203 40mm grenade launcher mounted under the barrel, I don’t know what else we’ve brought.”

Kayden nodded. “I see, bullets and grenades could come in handy at some point.”

“True.” said Owen.

“I’ve got a question for you, I’ve not seen you and your friends over there,” Kayden pointed to the four guys gathered by the fire talking. “At any of the races my friends and I have taken part in and yet, you seem unfazed by the fact you’re talking to what is effectively a bipedal tiger. You want to tell me about that?”

Owen moved closer to Kayden and his grill and lowered his voice. “You might have guessed that the accent in my voice is Irish, right?”

Nodding, Kayden moved closer to hear Owen better. “Uh huh.”

“Well, none of us are really what we say we are.” Owen’s voice suddenly transitioned into a strangely familiar accent that Kayden recognised but couldn’t quite put his finger on. “I’m not Irish, nor is Aidan. Pavel isn’t Russian, Karl isn’t German, Max isn’t a New Zealander. Gunther is the only being that is real out of the six of us.”

“So what you’re saying is, you aren’t from Earth?” asked Kayden.

“No, none of us.”

“What are you then?”

“I’ll ask the guys when we can reveal everything. They said we were going to do that when we got here. Gather your team and meet us back here near our car. You guys’ll be in for a surprise.”

“I can’t wait.” Kayden smiled broadly. “Burger?”

“Nah, Maybe a bit later still am finishing off that pasta I ate on the way here. Thanks for asking though.” Owen said, the Irish accent returning to his voice.

“No problem.”

To Be Continued (Sorry, if I broke Kayden’s character in anyway.)

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OOC: @TheYugo45GV Nope, didn’t really break Kayden’s character at all. However, Jayde and Jaden are two separate people. Jaden is here right now, Jayde, the teammate, will be arriving after the driver’s meeting.

Okay, I’m going to address the elephant in the room before it becomes a problem, and that is taking control of characters from other teams.

Please, ask first. I know, it takes more time to write your posts if you have to ask everyone you’re trying to play with about how their characters should be handled, but it’s better than, perhaps, accidentally breaking character for someone else.

I understand, this is new for a lot of us to be doing these post-by-post role-playing games, and it’s easy to do. The only reason I am taking control at all is to get people into the camp, and the only other times I’ll take control will be to describe the stages.

This isn’t aimed at anyone, it’s just a general notice. I don’t want it getting out of hand and people getting angry with each other because someone keeps playing someone else’s characters, so I’m saying something early and explaining my part.

I’ll make another post when I’ve got either more interactions to react to, or when I get more cars / teams in.

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I see, I shall make the appropriate edits to fix my errors.

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Also, I was simply paraphrasing what you had Kayden say in what you wrote. From Owen’s perspective that is.

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No problem. I didn’t have a problem with what you did, actually, so I’m sorry if it felt like I was calling you out, because I wasn’t.

I figured I had to mention it at some point, and while I should have made a double-post, there’s a part of my mind that keeps telling me not to double-post, even when it may have been more appropriate.

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Yeah, I guess it helps to let people know to ask before they do anything. Also, the updated version of the Magistrate is heading your way.

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its more than a week from my last update, gonna quickly finish this soon, and it will be short since i don’t really have the ideas to update the story

also, no changes from my team structure other than an updated car

@Knugcab Nope, as the team only has prepared enough batteries for use by their own team.

So, this is the news. On yesterday a stroke of unknown light has shone through the deserts near Vegas…rumors says that there are some people coming out of the portal which looked like two girls…

PROLOGUE

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2022, somewhere around Las Vegas

On the next day the trio went to a garage on an undisclosed location, which Carol has prepared some items for the race by purchasing items from a nearby shop.

Meanwhile, the other two girls are still fascinated about the things about the current age. Maria was looking at a smart speaker and tried to plug her iPod in but failed.

*M: “Whoa, is that some sort of a speaker? Why it looks weird? It’s…”

takes out iPod and wires

M: “Not working. Hope that Alexa (one of Maria’s friends) will not…”

Alexa: “How can I help you?”

M: “The fuck!?”

By the time Maria was fidding with the device, Carol came back from outside, while holding the keys for the Claussient.

C: “Lucia, Maria, Come outside.”

Both Maria and Lucia came outside and saw the car, which is now modifed with a roofrack. Carol also mentioned that the car is not really touched as she feared that spare parts for this car are non-existant on such vehicles, although she did inform them that the vehicle is pretty reliable.

With that done, the girls then started preparing for the race, which would happen in March 4th.

Fallen Angels of the Past

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TEAM HILLBILLY ROLLERS
PART 0.6 - Can I play Tetris?

Janne heard someone shouting for him from the silver Schnell. Appearantly Team Slow had some, albeit marginally, better batteries than the ones Marie had put into her VCR remote. He presented himself as Janne from team Hillbilly Rollers, grabbed the batteries one of the team members gave him and told them that if they had troubles with something, they could just ask him for a favour in return.

He spotted a red EAAC Aphrodite Ishtar, which he was drooling a bit over, before he pushed the buttons on what once upon a time was a VCR remote in the right “Stop, record, eject” sequence, which silenced the horn of the IFAZ and shut down the hazard flashers on the Claussient. Shortly afterwards, the Game boy played a beeping sound and he unplugged something that once upon a time was the Ms. Pacman cartridge (but now was connected somehow to a backpack by something that was looking suspiciously alike something that once upon a time was a taillight harness from a Volvo 240) from the console, took off his hard hat and backpack, managed to scratch the paintjob on the van with the aerial without giving a damn, and put all the equipment in the back of the van.

Some other cars had arrived. One of them was a Kontir Cunningham and… oh please, no! It looked like if Marie already was getting in trouble with the team members, why was he everything but surprised? Since it looked like if Andreas was already there taking care of stuff, he didn’t care too much at the moment, though. Another one was a Mara Kanyon, which didn’t surprise him at all. “There is no shitbox race without a Mara”, he thought, and hoped that the car would hold up better than Marie’s archanan batteries had done. He didn’t have the time to think, before he had to jump to the side for a Dunav 3300 that seemed to enter the campsite at about Mach 2.

“HEY, WATCH OUT, HOW THE FUCK ARE YOU DRIVING?”, he was shouting to them, without too much hope that they would hear at all. After it came something that looked like if you had put wheels under Pacman, he didn’t have time to look too much at that, because he thought that it would be about time to check out what Marie was arguing with Team Mravolinski - Chitco about, but it seemed like they had settled their argument already. Janne presented himself to the team members and apologized for Marie’s behaviour. “Ehm…she is not the most…civilized, human being, or whatever she is…”

M: “HEY! I heard you.”
J: “I know and I don’t care!”

After some small chatting with Andreas, Marie and the members of Team Mravolinski - Chitco, Andreas had some ideas that Janne didn’t like very much.

A: “You know that teleporter stuff you made with that bunch of crappy electronics…”
M: “DON’T CALL MY VCR REMOTE CRAP!”
J: "Eh, I put it down 15 minutes ago, of course I remember it…
M: “Can I play Tetris?”
J: “NO!”
A: “It seems like it can disturb the other cars quite easily! Can we use it as a weap…”
J: "Forget it! To start with, this is not Deathrace 2000, we are here to have fun and so should the other teams too, we should not be assholes to them. Besides, all the interference problems are just bugs, I don’t know how they work and I would rather just get rid of them, they should not be there. We could as well fry our own ECU with it, and then we would be stuck in the middle of the desert.
M: “Please, can I play Tetris?”
J, A: “S - I - G - H !!!”

@interior @BG004130 @MrdjaNikolen

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2006 HAKARU CARICA SE 4WD EMBARKS ON CROSS CONTINENTAL RALLY
03/03/22, 10:23 AM
NV, USA (JDM Specialist Garage "AsianImports")

After pre-shipping inspections, checks and a list of other items and requirements filled out, the car was relocated to a Japanese Import vehicle specialist in Nevada by air. However, due to the 25 year rule in the United States for importation of registered cars, the garage was not equipped to deal with the CZ62F Carica, and could only offer a thorough check of the vehicle before the event.

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With the car checked over, Team Gearknobs was ready to move to the most difficult stage of the day - Shopping for their items.

Shortly after almost knocking over an entire stack of liquidation motor oil and getting utterly confused by the checkout system at a nearby location, the team was now finally ready, and began to plan what to do in case of emergencies. After Ed checked over the oil cap to check for milky residue and declared it A-OK, the team left for the campsite later in the day.

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The Witchlight

Ambay was leaning on the Aphrodite, taking a whetstone to the head of his Great Axe. He was keeping an eye out, watching all these interesting people mill around the camp. The Desert was good, friendly to his kind. There were many like Elist, though untainted. He did not enjoy this company.
“Finne. What are these machines?” Ambay called to Finne, far louder than he really should have, “I know nothing, and am curious.” The dwarf gave a very loud, and obvious sigh of irritation, before rounding the car.
“Well,” he pointed towards Team Gearknobs, “That one is a car,” he pointed towards Team Slow, “That’s also a car,” finally he pointed towards Team Oil Crisis, “and that one is also a car. We both come from the same place, we don’t know shit.” Ambay gave a sideways glare at Finne, before sliding his Great Axe into the holster on the back.
“I am going to find someone to talk to, find about their vehicles.” Without allowing Finne a chance to speak, Ambay wandered off towards the other side of the camp.

Kira, in her Human form, exited one of the three tents they had set up, sliding her Kimono-ish shirt on. The sun hadn’t been kind to her fox form, overheating and whatnot, so she made the conscious choice to be in her human form. I wonder if we’re gonna get much attention she thought to herself, before noticing that Ambay had wandered off. A brief moment of panic ran through her head, but decided against her better judgement to spend precious time looking for him.

“Hey, Kira…” Finne had wandered over, and dropped himself in the seat next to her, “Might be a good idea to introduce ourselves to some other teams, aye? Or at least try and get in ahead of Ambay on most of the teams” He chuckled to himself, grabbing one of his daggers.
“You worried about how everyone else is gonna think about us?” Kira chimed, noticing Finne’s disposition.
“Maybe. Ambay is a seven and a half foot tall Lizard, Elist looks like a fucking Demon, I’m far shorter than any of these people, and You’re a damn fox! We’re either gonna be the most interesting team, or the one everyone avoids. I guess it depends if any of them… read… fantasy? Or know, like, Myths.”
“I’m hoping no one is from… What’s this worlds version of Tian Xia… Japan, that’s it. I had a look on your phone, it seems like my kind in their myth are very… hit or miss.” Kira chuckles, then blushes as she thinks of all the… art she saw. Daikitsu would not approve

Hi, Small RP ooc note: Anyone can really interact with my team as openly as they want to, just be sure to follow the “suggestions” in the original team post, or just DM me if you are worried :peace_symbol:

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Team Shift Happens

Team Information

Previous Chapters:
The Plan / Getting the Truck / The Email
A Trick and a Wager / I Hate Scorpions!
Let’s Get This Party Started / First Arrivals

Shitbox Rally Starting Party, 7 AM Local Time

Things were starting to get interesting as everyone had a chance to interact. Kayden had made a lot of burgers in the last hour, not that he minded, and was now watching over the campsite while eating a burger, taking a break from cooking for a while. It was while he was chewing a bite of his triple burger that he spotted Ambay of Team Witchlight wandering toward the middle of the camp.

Rukari smiled as Andreas repaid him for the bottle of moonshine with a few packages of snus. He emptied out the ashes in his pipe, which had gone out a while ago, put the pipe away, and opened one of the cans, putting a portion tucked into his upper lip, close to his double-set of canine teeth. “Thank you,” Rukari said to Andreas, setting the cans near his murdaira for now as he finished whittling the cork ball. With that done, he set it aside near the rifle-cannon, picked the cans back up, and tucked them away into a pouch on his belt. He’d share this with the others later, but for now, he just wanted to relax.

Kaylie glared in Janne’s direction as he set off the horn on the Bogatir, and then nearly blinded her as the lights started flashing on the Claussient and caused her left arm to give a really nasty twitch. When he tried ‘stop, record, and eject’ to no further effect, she growled loudly at him. Before she could decide whether he was doing this on purpose or whether things were just not working properly, Janne asked everyone if they had any AAA batteries. “Rukari!” Kaylie yelled, “What batteries does your cassette player use?”

“Two double-A battery,” Rukari replied.

Luckily, Team Slow came to Janne’s rescue with a pair of somewhat old, well-used AAA batteries, and afterward, his mysterious device was no longer creating a problem, as the horn stopped blaring, the lights stopped flashing, and Kaylie didn’t have any further interference with her arm. She stared at Janne, pointed to him with her chrome left hand, and said, “If you even think of weaponizing that, I swear by the Twin Suns of my homeworld, I will punch you. Left handed. Square in the chest.”

When Chicota of Team Mravolinski-Chitco asked Rukari if he could get a bottle of moonshine, Rukari shook his head. “Neyi. Takes much time to make, and is much needed for our team. Vikasi sehaal. Make a trade, maybe then we give bottle of Neihzmarin vo Jailehn.”

Kivenaal watched all of the teams from a bit of a distance. He knew he should be more social, but at the same time, worried about how he’d be received given his physical differences. In a way, he was tempted to go talk with the people of Team Witchlight as Elist had horns on their head, so there was at least some common ground, but while he didn’t know the deity, he could tell Kira’s robes were a little special, and that made him more than a little nervous. He was already running from his past, had seen the death of his world, had been captured by his own people because of what his physical form represented. He didn’t need someone else telling him to embrace his heritage, that because he looked like one of the Valraadi deities, he should embrace it and let it become part of him. Likewise, he was avoiding Charlotte of Team Blazers, as he had a general sense that there was more to her than she was letting on. It was a gut feeling, but he’d learned in the Last War to trust his gut, to trust his instincts. So, for now, he would observe those two teams from a distance, until someone from them interacted directly with him. He pulled the brown paper bag of oven-roasted honey-glazed scorpions out of his messenger bag, reached into the bag, and popped one in his mouth.

Malavera could almost feel Ambay staring at him. He’d been staring at him for almost five minutes now. With a sigh, Malavera reflexively hit the screen lock shortcut on his laptop’s keyboard, then turned around and asked, “Can I help you with something?”

“What are these machines?” Ambay asked.

Malavera, for a few moments, stared at Ambay with both heads wearing a puzzled expression. Then he shook himself out of it, realized that a while ago, he was the same way, and replied, “New here, too? These are what the humans call ‘cars,’ though some of them can be put in different classes. Generally, if it has a large open box at the back, like ours, it’s a truck. If it’s a large closed box, it’s either a wagon or a sport-utility-vehicle. That last one, we call it an SUV because it’s shorter. That,” Malavera said, pointing to the atomic-pink brick, “is a van. Not all of them are like that, but generally, they’re meant to carry cargo, not people, and even when they have seats, they’re not the most comfortable thing to ride in. As for how they work, these are carriages that pull themselves,” Malavera said.

“By magic?” Ambay inquired.

“Not really. I mean, there’s a saying that any sufficiently advanced technology can look like magic, but no, these don’t use magic to move. These are powered by an engine, which turns a set of gears, that turn the wheels. An engine is, to put it as simply as I can, a number of chambers to contain explosions that then push a piston that turns a crank,” Malavera explained.

When Ambay wandered off, Malavera sat back down at the table, opened up his laptop, logged back into his user session, and continued updating the Shitbox Rally social media page.

(OOC: Obligatory translations: Neyi = No. Neihzmarin vo Jailehn = Unfreezing water of moonlight, which is just a fancy way of saying moonshine.)

(Also OOC: @Knugcab Hope you don’t mind that I made your remote also irritate Kaylie with her robotic arm. She’ll calm down once she realizes that the teleportation device wasn’t deliberately weaponized and won’t be used in that way.)

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Nah, I think that it was a kind of nice way of spicing up the story tbh.

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Team Mravolinski-Chitco

Team data: 2022 Shitbox Rally - Out of This World! - #30 by MrdjaNikolen

Last part: This post is literally reply to it

Fiddling with the car and getting the radio

Our team had decided rather smartly to get back to the car and prob prepare ourselves even better.

I decided that being in desert is perfect time and place to notify more adept mechanics about my desire to keep my phone charged, which wasnt really accepted all too well.

Still, having nothing else to do and being dealt with the challenge, they decided to make a separate way from alternator so i could use my charger.
Possibility of making direct line from it to phone would prob require making or having spare USB plug around, so that was rejected as option.

Klimentol got to work on some solution for that, trying to do it with limited amount of wire.
Oh, we also forgot to pack something more meaningful as way of communication, and since we heard its possible to borrow some CB radio, that should have been done as well.

Pi and myself would encounter very unpleasant surprize in shape and form of some typical baddie that we usually encounter elsewhere.
Good thing this idiot had brought knife and hammer into fistfight, so Pi and myself were able to deal with him.
This was kinda nasty and it seems that our team would indeed have something to repair: Pi got hurt, getting most of what our opponent had to deliver, was still capable of trundling along tho.

We had also met Ambay.
“You are also here for rally?”
Question was met with serious stare.
“Yes. Why?”
“Hmm, seems we are yet to meet everyone involved. We just had a fight with that lad currently being chased to rest of desert by that dog (Aydar decided to react and he was “dog” in this case). Wanted to make sure we arent gonna drop in such issue again.”
“I see.”
I realized this huge individual isnt particularly talkative so we left him be, continuing for radio.

Malavera therefore got a visit not soon after.
"Sorry to interrupt, Malavera, but we realized we might need CB radio.
Pi decided to join me on way to here.

=======================================

“Hmm, how we could pay for moonshine?”
Klimentol noted: “Very simple. You offer them something you have or know how to do that they dont have or know how to do.”
Chicota: “That much is clear. But what would go in that category?”
“Well, after some more time spent with them, we might know that answer. Until then…you have lot of beer for reason.”

VerBanka noted: “How is it going with that adapter?”
Klimentol answered with ironic smile: “You oldtimers could have really asked at less convenient time.”
“Better now than never. I see our good boy had returned from his walk”
Klimentol (looked upwards to see Aydar returning): “Dont you know such big dogs are dangerous, you should have kept him on leash.”
Aydar chuckled on remark of another dog of team.
“VerBanka, do you hear him? You…walking ME…on a leash?
Wouldnt make a single difference from bystander’s perspective.”
VerBanka: “True. Lot of other teams have big invididuals anyway.”

“Gentlemen, we have CB radio now. More precisely, we rented it from hosts.”
Aydar: You are ok?
Indeed, Pi got most of attacks. Tbf…she kinda dealt more damage too.
Aydar: Will take care of that. You two are free to explore the camp, maybe could bring buckethead with you.
Chicota: Hey
I could be needed here
Aydar: Fair.

Both humans had plans to rest for a little bit tho and maybe greet some members of other teams that would come by and say hello

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The First Campsite, Nevada, USA

March 4th, 2022

Unknown, Nevada

Local time: 7:00am - 7:10am

Weather: Clear

The team had spent most of the latter hour talking to the other participants and learning about their car choices, Owen had come over and asked the guys if they wanted a burger since one of the hosts had some in progress, on the grill. Aidan wasn’t massively hungry while on the other hand, Max and Pavel were. Karl was busy familiarising himself and Gunther with Klimentol, one of the members of Mravolinski-Chitco, who was also a dog*.

While Karl and Gunther were conversing with Klimentol, the rest of the team went back to the car.

Owen looked around before he began his question, the Irish accent no longer in his voice.

“AIdan? When do you think is a good time to reveal ourselves?”*

Aidan turned around to face him. “Did you tell the hosts yet?”

“Sure did.” said Owen, nodding. “I’m certain they are itching to see what we truly are.”

Walking around to the back of the car, Aidan sighed nervously. “Remember, This is the first time we’ve revealed ourselves in public so don’t make a huge fuss.”

“Understood.”

“Make sure you get the—” Owen was cut off by the blaring train horn like sound of the Bogatir parked nearby. “What the hell? How’s that happened?”

“It might be mister robot over there with his antenna.” Said Aidan pointing to the man he was told was Janne.

Shortly afterward, Janne pressed a few buttons on the remote in his hand and the horn shut off. Both Owen and Aidan then heard Kaylie threaten Janne.

“I’m not sure he’s even thinking about weaponizing it at all.” Aidan called to her still keeping the Irish accent.

Kaylie turned around with a scowl on her face, stared at them for a moment, before she smiled and then picked up her Carburettors for Dummies handbook which she began reading.

Owen turned to look at Aidan with concern. “Is now a good time?”

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll go grab the wrenches from the trunk. You go get Karl to come over here.”

Owen made haste to walk over to Karl. He whispered without the Irish accent in his voice.

“We are proceeding with the plan.”

“Now?” Karl’s voice no longer had any hint of German.

“Yes, now.”

“Ok,” The German accent came back. “Gunther, you wait here. I’ll be back.”

The two returned to the station wagon and went round the back. Aidan, Max and Pavel were waiting for them.

“You ready?” Aidan asked with the unknown accent.

Max nodded. Same accent as Aidan. “Yeah.”

Pavel’s gruff voice remained the same but the heavy Russian accent disappeared from his voice too. Owen’s voice and Karl’s voice also had the same accent as the other team mates. Aidan removed the blanket covering the wrenches that had been waiting patiently, and there they were. Five large wrench-like weapons sat there in the trunk, each bespoke to its respective team member, although each shared a similar design. These were their Omni-Wrenches*, a weapon that skilled warriors like them wielded in battle and seen as a sign of respect in their old society. The tall, narrow, double sided, gold and platinum plated “wrench” belonged to Pavel. The average sized one and the most rugged looking one belonged to Owen. Max’s “wrench” was the most elegant with the hard angles being replaced by softer more flowing corners. Karl had the most normal looking one and Aidan since he was the highest ranking out of all of them had the black and silver, combat focused one of the group. While Aidan’s wrench could be considered the best one of the five, each of the Omni Wrenches were the best in their own regard.

Aidan sighed and then exchanged glances with his team mates before shut the trunk of the Magistrate.

*OOC note: I strongly advise you look up what and Omni-Wrench is as it’ll help you imagine what the ones my team have look like. (PS I’m writing this at like 1 am so if the grammar is off that is why. Also, why I’m dividing it into two parts)

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A polite reminder: Two days remain for entering before the deadline!

If I don’t have team information and a car by the end of the day, March 25, you are not in the rally, so please, get your teams filled out and cars sent in.

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