Once More (Unto the Breach) [FINAL RESULTS]

Community Challenges & Competitions
300

Previous time block

Saturday, 10AM - 12PM 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: 177 mi OD: 1208 mi FS: 3/4+ MRL: +1 FTG: +2
Last Town: Rapid City, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 73 degrees, clear
Notes: Waypoint complete: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Team has refueled in Sturgis, SD.

@Elizipeazie:
BD: 136 mi OD: 1079 mi FS: LOW MRL: +0 FTG: +3
Last Town: Buffalo, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 73 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has suffered a flat tire. Tire replaced with the spare.

@BannedByAndroid:
BD: 155 mi OD: 1129 mi FS: 1/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +2
Last Town: Gillette, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 73 degrees, clear
Notes: ISSUE: Vehicle is having significant hesitation and occasional misfiring at high speed. It is making it difficult to maintain the current speed limit.
Ongoing issue: Vehicle is making a clunking noise from the front going over bumpy roads. SES light is on.

@kobacrashi:
BD: 157 mi OD: 1132 mi FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: +2
Last Town: Sundance, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 74 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sundance, WY
Ongoing issue: Car is making a grinding noise when turning right.

@Madrias:
BD: 160 mi OD: 1192 mi FS: 3/4 MRL: +1 FTG: +2
Last Town: Rapid City, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 73 degrees, clear
Notes: Waypoint complete: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Team has refueled in Sturgis, SD
Ongoing issue: Rattling noise in engine. Chip in windshield.

@yangx2:
yangx2
BD: 21 mi OD: 925 mi FS: 3/4 MRL: -5 FTG: +3
Last Town: Crow Agency, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 73 degrees, clear
Notes: See below
CRITICAL FAILURE: Input shaft disintegrates, total transmission failure. FINAL MRL/FTG: +1 (meh)/+3 (Feeling fresh)

@mart1n2005:
BD: 153 mi OD: 989 mi FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: +2
Last Town: Buffalo, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 73 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Buffalo, WY.
Ongoing issue: Jury-rigged RR suspension mount. Unknown how long it will hold.

@Mikonp7:
BD: 40 mi OD: 1207 mi FS: 3/4+ MRL: +0 FTG: +4
Last Town: Rapid City, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 73 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has finished replacing turbo from spare parts. Team is feeling tired.

@Centurion_23:
BD: 0 mi OD: 822 mi FS: FULL MRL: -2 FTG: +4
Last Town: Billings, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 72 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has replaced two bad wheel bearings. Team is off the road, replacing a bad fuel rail, and will be done at the end of this time block.

@Xepy:
BD: 88 mi OD: 910 mi FS: 1/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +0
Last Town: Crow Agency, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 73 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes up at 9a ET and will be on the road at the beginning of the next time block.

@Private_Miros:
BD: 156 mi OD: 1156 mi FS: LOW MRL: +0 FTG: +3
Last Town: Sundance, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 73 degrees, clear
Notes: Team scheduled for fuel stop in Sturgis, just a few miles away.
Ongoing issues: SES light is on, transmission slipping slightly.

@Boiled_Steak:
BD: 139 mi OD: 961 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +2
Last Town: Sheridan, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 73 degrees, clear
Notes: Radiator replacement complete. Team has refueled in Billings, MT
Ongoing issue: Slight hesitation at high speed. More pronounced now that the speed limit has increased.

@GetWrekt01:
BD: 0 mi OD: 911 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -7
Last Town: Hardin, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 73 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes up at 11a and will be on the road at the beginning of next time block. Team is not fully rested.

@Ryan93:
BD: 128 mi OD: 688 mi FS: 1/2+ MRL: +2 FTG: +1
Last Town: Bozeman, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 72 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has crossed the Continental Divide at Homestake Pass. Team has crossed Bozeman Pass. Waypoint complete: Gallatin County Fairgrounds.

@Radster:
BD: 151 mi OD: 1091 mi FS: 1/2+ MRL: +0 FTG: +2
Last Town: Gillette, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 73 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sheridan, WY. The starter once more fails to get the car going after the fuel stop, and the team loses time getting the car back up and running.
Ongoing issue: Unreliable starter.

@SkylineFTW97:
BD: 156 mi OD: 978 mi FS: 3/4+ MRL: +0 FTG: +0
Last Town: Sheridan, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 73 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sheridan, WY. TEAM MORALE IS HIGH.

@findRED19:
BD: 157 mi OD: 1179 mi FS: 2/3+ MRL: +1 FTG: +1
Last Town: Sturgis, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 73 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sundance, WY. Waypoint complete: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum

@Caligo:
BD: 169 mi OD: 891 mi FS: 1/2- MRL: +0 FTG: +2
Last Town: Crow Agency, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 73 degrees, clear
Notes: None.

@Aaron.W:
BD: 154 mi OD: 1098 mi FS: 1/2+ MRL: +0 FTG: +2
Last Town: Sundance, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 73 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sheridan, WY
Ongoing issue: AC compressor failure (irrepairable, comfort penalty)

@Keikyun:
BD: 159 mi OD: 986 mi FS: 1/2+ MRL: +1 FTG: +3
Last Town: Buffalo, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 73 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has stopped in Buffalo, WY for a 1 hour restaurant stop, and to diagnose issue. Team has diagnosed a failing fuel pump, and is in the process of replacing it from spares at the end of the time block.

Vehicles that are traveling in packs:
910-911 mi - Kuma, Vector
1129-1132 mi - Hessenburg, Reduit (CB range only, no visual)
1207-1208 mi - Keystone, Zetas

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

Team Greasy Lightning

Jen: Cursing at the Zetas Goni of the Treadkillers as it manages to pass her
Rick: Holding on for dear life
Fuzz: asleep in the back seat, having odd nightmares about alien anal probing

5 Likes
301

Team Beer Blokes & BBQs

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

M: Well that’s the second wheel bearing on, time to move onto that pesky fuel rail
S: Hopefully this goes as smoothly as the wheel bearing did, the other teams are probably 500 miles ahead of us now
T: Well we’re out of contention for now, how about we just have some fun
M: You know what Tom, for once you’re right
T: That’s something I haven’t heard you say for the longest time
M: Yeah, treasure it, it’s probably not gonna happen again anytime soon
S: Boys.
M & T: Sorry
M: Lets stop screwing around and get back to work

They continue to fix the issues with the fuel rail, slowly but surely getting there.

4 Likes
302

Team Tiger Trouble

Kayden could definitely feel the aftereffects of the coffee starting to wear off for him. Unfortunately, Kaylie and Jaden were still recovering naturally, and while they had gotten over the worst of the effects, they were now full of restless energy.

Kaylie stretched in the back seat, before trying to rile up her older brother, swatting the back of his head. Jaden turned and tried to return the favor, starting a slap-fight in the car just after the check-point. When one of Jaden’s wild swipes clipped Kayden, however, Kayden didn’t hold back. Without even bothering to take his eyes off of the road, he swung a savage backhand that caught Jaden in the gut, knocking the wind out of both ends of him.

As they pulled into the gas station, Jaden gave a pitiful groan, while Kaylie glared at him. “You really couldn’t hold it? What is it with brothers and… ugh… farting in small, enclosed spaces?”

“I didn’t want to do that earlier. I don’t need to know what color my gas smells like.”

Kayden shook his head, before returning the nozzle to the pump, then settled back into the driver’s seat. “Never again.” Kayden growled out. “I don’t care how much it supposedly helps wake them up, nothing good comes from that coffee stuff.”

Nova spoke up with, “Apparently, you are one of the few species that cannot handle the ingredients and compounds in coffee. I contacted Sentinel to get more information, and he contacted Hunter, Mal’s AI, who informed us that the Khalans have very little difficulty with coffee in small amounts, and Mal has no trouble at all. Mal also reported that his friend has a little difficulty with coffee. Nowhere near as bad as the two others in this vehicle, but enough that he only rarely drinks it. Mal’s report also includes the fact that this friend of his often drinks his coffee either unmodified, or by adding a second ingredient, one that all records state is typically consumed on its own. I do not know why he would make tea with his coffee, but Mal reported that his friend has something similar to a religious experience after consuming it. And if you think you are going to try it, Kayden, I will turn off the purification systems in your nanites and let you experience all of the effects this time.”

Kayden chuckled, then said, “I wouldn’t try it. The coffee was bad enough.”

4 Likes
303

Team Rockport

Not much to update really other than a couple of zzzzzzs for the crew. They’re waking up at 11 and will be on the road after 12pm. Post-sleep update will come later.

304

Team Rockport

Post Sleep Update

Zack wakes up first, only to witness Leo’s sleeping like a child: Half body on the bed, half on the floor.
“This guy… He’ll never change… Perhaps that’s a good thing. He seems much happier than me anyway. Who am I to judge?”, thought Zack as he stood up. After getting dressed up, packing up all the necessary item and making a fresh cup of tea for two, Zack wakes Leo up.
After taking their tea, they’ll go downstairs and get some breakfast for them. Leo suggests to also fill up on all the necessary fluids they might need. They’ll be leaving for Sturgis again at the next hour block.

4 Likes
305

Previous time block

Saturday, 12PM - 2PM 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: 1387 mi FS: 3/4+ MRL: +0 FTG: +3
Last Town: Murdo, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 88 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Murdo, SD. This vehicle has passed into the Central Time Zone (ET-1).

@Elizipeazie:
BD: 158 mi OD: 1237 mi FS: 3/4 MRL: +1 FTG: +2
Last Town: Rapid City, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 87 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Gillette, WY. Waypoint complete: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.

@BannedByAndroid:
BD: 148 mi OD: 1277 mi FS: 3/4 MRL: +0 FTG: +3
Last Town: Rapid City, SD Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 88 degrees, clear
Notes: Waypoint complete: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Team has refueled in Rapid City, SD.
Ongoing issue: Vehicle is making a clunking noise from the front going over bumpy roads. SES light is on. Hesitation and misfiring; car cannot exceed 80 MPH.

@kobacrashi:
BD: 168 mi OD: 1300 mi FS: 1/2 MRL: +1 FTG: +3
Last Town: Stamford, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 88 degrees, clear
Notes: Waypoint complete: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Team has passed into the Central Time Zone (ET-1)
Ongoing issue: Car is making a grinding noise when turning right.

@Madrias:
BD: 161 mi OD: 1353 mi FS: 1/4 MRL: +0 FTG: +3
Last Town: Murdo, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 88 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has passed into the Central Time Zone (ET-1)
Ongoing issue: Rattling noise in engine. Chip in windshield.

@mart1n2005:
BD: 163 mi OD: 1152 mi FS: 1/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +3
Last Town: Gillette, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 87 degrees, clear
Notes: None
Ongoing issue: Jury-rigged RR suspension mount. Unknown how long it will hold.

@Mikonp7:
BD: 165 mi OD: 1372 mi FS: 1/4 MRL: -1 FTG: +3
Last Town: Murdo, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 88 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has passed into the Central Time Zone (ET-1)

@Centurion_23:
BD: 158 mi OD: 980 mi FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: +2
Last Town: Buffalo, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 87 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has finished all repairs at start of time block. Team has refueled in Sheridan, WY

@Xepy:
BD: 174 mi OD: 1084 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +1
Last Town: Gillette, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 87 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sheridan, WY

@Private_Miros:
BD: 154 mi OD: 1311 mi FS: 1/2+ MRL: +1 FTG: +5
Last Town: Stamford, WY Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 88 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sturgis, SD. Waypoint complete: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Team has passed into the Central Time Zone (ET-1) Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued.
Ongoing issues: SES light is on, transmission slipping slightly.

@Boiled_Steak:
BD: 155 mi OD: 1116 mi FS: 1/4 MRL: +0 FTG: +4
Last Town: Gillette, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 87 degrees, clear
Notes: None
Ongoing issue: Slight hesitation at high speed. More pronounced now that the speed limit has increased.

@GetWrekt01:
BD: 170 mi OD: 911* mi FS: 1/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +0
Last Town: Hammond, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 86 degrees, clear
Notes: Team is taking an alternate route to Sturgis. Their OD mileage will not be updated until they rejoin the main path. No other notes this time period.

@Ryan93:
BD: 160 mi OD: 848 mi FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: +3
Last Town: Billings, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 87 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Billings, MT. Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued.

@Radster:
BD: 155 mi OD: 1246 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +1 FTG: +4
Last Town: Rapid City, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 88 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sturgis, SD. Starter did work properly this time. Waypoint complete: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
Ongoing issue: Unreliable starter.

@SkylineFTW97:
BD: 142 mi OD: 1120 mi FS: 1/4+ MRL: -2 FTG: +3
Last Town: Gillette, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 87 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has an issue deep into the time period with overheating. At the end of the time block, they are on the side of the road, replacing the thermostat, radiator hoses, and filling the radiator with coolant and stop leak. This will bleed into the next time period.

@findRED19:
BD: 148 mi OD: 1327 mi FS: LOW MRL: -3 FTG: +3
Last Town: Murdo, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 88 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has passed into the Central Time Zone (ET-1)
INCIDENT: As the team pulls off the freeway in Murdo to refuel, they are t-boned by a pickup that ran a stop sign. At the end of the time block, police and EMS are on scene. (See PM - you MUST respond with your choice)

@Caligo:
BD: 166 mi OD: 1057 mi FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: +4
Last Town: Gillette, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 87 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Buffalo, WY.

@Aaron.W:
aaronw
BD: 121 mi OD: 1219 mi FS: 1/2+ MRL: -2 FTG: +4
Last Town: Rapid City, SD Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 88 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sheridan, WY
Ongoing issue: AC compressor failure (irrepairable, comfort penalty)
CRITICAL FAILURE: RF suspension collapses unexpectedly after hitting a piece of road debris. Car skids gently right off the road and into the ditch. No injuries, but car will not be repairable within the scope of the competition.

@Keikyun:
BD: 117 mi OD: 1103 mi FS: 3/4- MRL: +0 FTG: +3
Last Town: Gillette, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 87 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has finished replacing the fuel pump and refueling.

Vehicles that are traveling in packs:
1081-1084 mi - Kuma, Vector (CB range only, no visual)

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

Team Greasy Lightning

Fuzz pulled up the weather app on his phone, selecting the national weather map and zooming in on the upper Midwest, before setting the radar stream in motion. He grimaced at what came up.

“Hey guys,” he piped up. "We might run into some weather in a few hours. Looks like a couple bands of thunderstorms in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

Jen nodded. “Got it. Have you let the other teams know?”

“Yeah, just a sec here,” he typed furiously away on the screen keyboard.

(OOC: Fuzz is warning the other teams in the chat room that there might be bad weather later on in the day.)

8 Likes
306

Team Tiger Trouble

Jaden grabbed the big tablet as the chat room pinged that a new message had arrived. After reading the report about thunderstorms up ahead, he informed Kayden, who simply nodded. “We’re already driving conservatively, Jade.”

Jaden shrugged, then replied to the message.

Thank you for the information, but Kayden is already driving carefully. A question, however: Will water get in through a chipped windshield?

Jaden laid the tablet across his legs, watching the world go by as Kayden put mile after mile behind them.

Kaylie spoke up, “If it rains hard enough, it might wash that foul-smelling gunk off of the car.”

“It might, but I couldn’t quite justify cleaning it off when both of you were rather impaired.” Kayden replied. “But we do need to stop soon. The fuel gauge is at a quarter capacity again, and we should probably change the oil before things get worse.”

5 Likes
307

Pit Stop US

They are traveling on the highway, notice the fuel gauge is low, and decide to get off to fill up the tank.

James (in passenger seat): Take the next exit, Murdo.
Charles (Driving): Sure ting!
Nathan is in the far back, munching on some snacks.

They stop at stop sign. Initially Charles sees it is clear, and proceeds to turn toward the gas station.
Charles: OH!

A pickup truck rams right into the driver side of the limo, causing it to buckle and skid a bit as the momentum dies.

The police are on site, and the ambulance is departing. The camera crew did happen to catch the incident and now James is addressing the audience.

James: This was a close one. Poor Nathan was taken to get his injuries checked out, and Charles here is going to take a nap. The EMTs said he is probably having a concussion and should not drive.

Charles gives a wave to the camera from the back.

This is a sad lesson today, but it could have been worse. Please wear your seat-belt when in a car equipped with them, and never drink and drive. We will not be finishing up the roadtrip, it would not be the same without Nathan. And the Limo has seen it’s last miles. We will be back for our next episode when Nathan is cleared by the docs.

They wrap up the episode there.

James notices the little package in the trunk of the Limo from the start of the race. He curiously takes it out…

4 Likes
308

Previous time block

Saturday, 2PM - 4PM 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: 166 mi OD: 1553 mi FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: +5
Last Town: Sioux Falls, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sioux Falls, SD. Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued.

@Elizipeazie:
BD: 161 mi OD: 1398 mi FS: 1/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +4
Last Town: Kennebec, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has passed into the Central Time Zone (ET-1).

@BannedByAndroid:
BD: 156 mi OD: 1433 mi FS: 1/2- MRL: +0 FTG: +5
Last Town: Kennebec, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has passed into the Central Time Zone (ET-1). Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued.
Ongoing issue: Vehicle is making a clunking noise from the front going over bumpy roads. SES light is on. Hesitation and misfiring; car cannot exceed 80 MPH.

@kobacrashi:
BD: 157 mi OD: 1457 mi FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: +5
Last Town: Kimball, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Kimball, SD. Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued.
Ongoing issue: Car is making a grinding noise when turning right.

@Madrias:
BD: 116 mi OD: 1469 mi FS: 1/2+ MRL: +0 FTG: +4
Last Town: Kimball, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled and performed an oil change in Kennebec, SD.
Ongoing issue: Rattling noise in engine. Chip in windshield.

@mart1n2005:
BD: 158 mi OD: 1310 mi FS: 1/2+ MRL: +1 FTG: +4
Last Town: Murdo, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sturgis, SD. Waypoint complete: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Team has passed into the Central Time Zone (ET-1). ISSUE: Transmission is now making a low grumbling noise at any speed above 15 MPH.
Ongoing issue: Jury-rigged RR suspension mount. Unknown how long it will hold.

@Mikonp7:
BD: 157 mi OD: 1529 mi FS: 1/2- MRL: -1 FTG: +5
Last Town: Chamberlain, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Kennebec, SD. Team is exhausted and will auto-stop in Sioux Falls, SD, unless otherwise specified. ISSUE: Temp gauge is reading slightly higher than normal.

@Centurion_23:
BD: 159 mi OD: 1139 mi FS: 1/2 MRL: +0 FTG: +3
Last Town: Gillette, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 91 degrees, clear
Notes: Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued.

@Xepy:
BD: 177 mi OD: 1261 mi FS: 1/4 MRL: +1 FTG: +3
Last Town: Kadoka, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Waypoint complete: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum

@Private_Miros:
BD: 160 mi OD: 1471 mi FS: 3/4+ MRL: +0 FTG: +6
Last Town: Kimball, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Kennebec, SD. Team is feeling a little tired. ISSUE: Radio occasionally loses then regains power, “auto” climate setting is blowing full heat (switching to manual mode allows A/C to run properly)
Ongoing issues: SES light is on, transmission slipping slightly.

@Boiled_Steak:
BD: 149 mi OD: 1265 mi FS: 3/4- MRL: +1 FTG: +6
Last Town: Rapid City, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sturgis, SD. Waypoint complete: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued.
Ongoing issue: Slight hesitation at high speed. More pronounced now that the speed limit has increased.

@GetWrekt01:
BD: 175 mi OD: 1256 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +1 FTG: +3
Last Town: Rapid City, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sturgis, SD. Waypoint complete: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.

@Ryan93:
BD: 168 mi OD: 1016 mi FS: 1/2- MRL: +0 FTG: +6
Last Town: Buffalo, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 91 degrees, clear
Notes: Team is feeling tired.

@Radster:
BD: 168 mi OD: 1414 mi FS: 1/4+ MRL: +0 FTG: +6
Last Town: Kennebec, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has passed into the Central Time Zone (ET-1). Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued.
Ongoing issue: Unreliable starter.

@SkylineFTW97:
BD: 106 mi OD: 1226 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +1 FTG: +3
Last Town: Rapid City, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has finished their cooling system repair. Team has refueled in Sturgis, SD. Waypoint complete: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum

@findRED19:
Team opted to withdraw from the event rather than continue severely damaged and minus one team member.

@Caligo:
BD: 149 mi OD: 1206 mi FS: 1/2- MRL: +1 FTG: +7
Last Town: Rapid City, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Waypoint complete: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. ISSUE: Team had a tire go severely out of balance/out of round due to heat deformation. They have changed the tire using one of the spares. Team is starting to feels slightly fatigued.

@Keikyun:
BD: 162 mi OD: 1265 mi FS: 1/2- MRL: +1 FTG: +4
Last Town: Murdo, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Waypoint complete: Red Cloud Park. TEAM MORALE IS HIGH.

Vehicles that are traveling in packs:
1261-1265 mi - Kuma (CB only), Aria and Kiaqua (CB and visual)
1469-1471 mi - Sinistra, Ardent (CB only)

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

Team Greasy Lightning

(Very little going on… South Dakota can be very boring. Rick has taken over driving, Fuzz is shotgun. Team is looking for some place to stop and rest/eat in southern Minnesota)

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OOC: Oh boi, Rapid City to Red Cloud Park seems like one straight highway, gonna make use of it as much as I can to RP lol.
off to last exam wish me luck

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Team Tiger Trouble

“Twin Suns, the smell!” Kaylie growled, as she changed the Sinistra’s oil. “Kayden, get Nova to analyze this metal trash, see if she can find out whether it’s mains or rods.”

Nova quickly responded with, “1974 and onward, Sinistra Motors used different metal alloys for the rod, main, and camshaft bearings. It was supposed to allow for easier terminal failure diagnostics. If you would place a small sample of the contaminated oil in my sample tray, I can provide a result in approximately three Earth hours.”

Kayden shrugged, then held out his right arm, where Nova’s main chassis was attached to the armored plating there. “Don’t get any of that on my fur, and try not to get it all over Nova’s gauntlet. I don’t need an irrational and upset AI who can make my life rather difficult.”

Kaylie dripped some of the oil into the extended sample tray, and scraped a bit of the metal sludge in as well. Nova closed the tray, then informed Kayden, “I am going to be busy, so try not to get yourself injured, into a fight, or poisoned while I’m not watching your nanites. They should work at normal rates if any of those things happen, but I can’t actively put them into combat regeneration mode. So, if you have a run-in with Mal or his Hybrid friend, don’t spar with them, and whatever you do, don’t kick the Hybrid’s tail again. Those venomous spines will ruin your day, and I won’t be aware enough to kick up your regeneration to avoid the paralysis this time.”

Jaden, however, was busy with sliding the passenger seat back, the driver’s seat forward, and taking control of the car. Kaylie noticed what Jaden was doing, and warned him, “It’s harder than it looks, Jade. No computer assistance here, at least, nothing like we have back home.”

“It’s just an Earth transport, how hard can it be to control?”

“I’ve flown fighters that were less difficult, and our land-craft are easy to control. This is like trying to drive one of our hovers with the drift compensation turned all the way up, the driver’s assistance computer completely disabled, and three times the forward thrust engine. Oh, and if you hit water on the road, or push the limits of grip, it goes from maximum drift compensation to none at all.” Kayden replied.

“Point taken, but I still want a turn at it.” Jaden said.

The three of them got back into the car, and Jaden left the gas station in a loud squeal of tires, the Traville’s 5.2 liter “L-Series” 60-degree V8 roaring loud enough to, for a short time, drown out the rattle. All three of them were shoved back into their seats hard as they returned to the highway. He backed off once they encountered traffic, and the roaring died down to the muted growl and continuing rattle.

Kayden, however, was feeling better now that someone else was driving, and grabbed the radio with a grin.

(CB) “To our fellow competitors in range, I have a message for you. Catch us if you can!”

Kaylie started laughing the instant that Kayden let go of the button, then said, “Never thought you’d resort to what the humans call ‘trash talk’ over the radio.”

Kayden grinned, then said, “It’s psychological warfare. Part of my training, and it might push others to make a mistake.”

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There will be no update tonight, FYI. Extra day to catch up on any RP you guys may be behind on.

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Team Rockport

The Long Straight Highway, Weird Dreams and Random Bullshittery

Leo has been on the steering since they left Sturgis. Zack hasn’t been feeling too well for the last few hours. Thus Leo decided to take over and let Zack rest. Even after resting for a while, Zack has this weird feeling, almost as if he’s in a restless state. He can’t stop thinking, can’t concentrate on something, and he has been sweating quite a bit. Leo looks at Zack concernedly, before saying,

Leo: Hey man, do you want some tea?
Zack: I’m constantly sw… sweating, Leo. I don’t think a cup of tea is… going to help with that.
Leo: How about some iced coffee? We’ll stop by one of those mobile coffee shops and buy us two cups of ice coffee.
Zack: That’ll do, I… I guess. I’ll try to take a short… what is it… Ah! a short nap after taking the coffee. It won’t k… kick in before a certain time, and I’ll be somewhat rested.

Leo can’t help but notice Zack’s sudden stutters and pauses. He is now even more concerned. Zack on the other hand is trying to relax as much as he can. He feels like he is completely fine, and anything that’s disturbing him is only his mental state.

They both stop for a quick two cups of iced coffee, which barely took a minute, since they’re now going through a phase of “No time to waste” period. Zack drinks his coffee in very short sips and without wasting any time, takes a blanket and instantly shuts his eyes off, in hopes of having a quick half-an-hour nap. Effects of caffeine don’t come in right away, hence it doesn’t take much long for Zack to delve into a light sleep.

Shudder

September 20th, 1976. Zackary Arlen Kenway wakes up in his bed, covered in sweat. His heart is racing, mind is restless and he is trying to remember this very weird dream he just saw. He saw a dream where he’s almost 40 or more years in the future, attending a race with a person named Leo, in a car that’s badged with the same brand as his own, Vector!

“But it’s… impossible… Some of the technology I saw on that car, no way they should be achievable only within 40 years!”, thought Zackary, thinking of the Vector E3 GTS he saw in the dream. “There were many other cars there, some were actually from this era, rest were things I had never even imagined could exist. What is this terribly weird dream I just saw. What’s the reason for me to see this?”

He looks at the clock, it’s almost 5AM in the morning. He needs to leave for the factory soon, as he has to overseer the latest Vector Motors products in development. Although he couldn’t help but think about the automotive innovations he saw in his dreams, soon he fell fast asleep.

Shudder again

Zack wakes up, looks urgently at his wristwatch, it’s been 35 minutes since he drank the coffee. He is all awake now, fully conscious and not as restless as he was before. But he saw a rather peculiar dream. He saw himself as an almost middle aged man back in the 70s, who happened to be the owner of Vector Motors itself.
“Cheeky weird dream, eh”, he thought to himself. He is only 26, how could he be a middle aged man in 1976 when he’s 26 now?

He decided not to share all this with Leo just yet, as it will only increase Leo’s concern. Besides, Zack is feeling more relieved as time passes by, so crisis has been averted, so far.

So who’s the real Zack? Is it the 70s Zack or the 10s Zack? Or could it be both? Perhaps they belong in two different universes. And for some bizarre reason, one verse’s Zack collided with the other’s, hence this exchange of life through dreams and what not.

PS: No I am not on some sort of Narcotics or weed

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You wouldn’t be the first to invoke time travel on the forum. Plus, I’m fairly sure that if anyone was going to be under suspicion, it would be me. I just have a creative mind, and I come up with my best ideas when I’m over-caffeinated and sleep-deprived.

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Me when I’m supposed to be working on work due very soon. I’ll try to get some RP in over the weekend though.

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Previous time block

Saturday, 4PM - 6PM 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: 77 mi OD: 1630 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +2 FTG: +0
Last Town: Jackson, MN Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 90 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has stopped for dinner at Pillars Pub and Eatery in Jackson, MN. They are also going to spend an hour at Ashley Park (this will bleed into the next time block). ISSUE: car starts running quite rough as they pull into town. Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued. TEAM MORALE IS HIGH.

@Elizipeazie:
BD: 157 mi OD: 1555 mi FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: +6
Last Town: Sioux Falls, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sioux Falls, SD. Team is feeling a little tired.

@BannedByAndroid:
BD: 128 mi OD: 1561 mi FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: +7
Last Town: Sioux Falls, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: ISSUE: During routine checks while refueling in Sioux Falls, team found a radiator hose that was near failure. Hose has been replaced, team is back underway. Team is feeling a little tired.
Ongoing issue: Vehicle is making a clunking noise from the front going over bumpy roads. SES light is on. Hesitation and misfiring; car cannot exceed 80 MPH.

@kobacrashi:
BD: 160 mi OD: 1617 mi FS: 1/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +7
Last Town: Sioux Falls, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 91 degrees, clear
Notes: Team is feeling a little tired.
Ongoing issue: Car is making a grinding noise when turning right.

@Madrias:
BD: 159 mi OD: 1628 mi FS: 3/4- MRL: +0 FTG: +6
Last Town: Sioux Falls, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 91 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sioux Falls, SD. Team is feeling a little tired.
Ongoing issue: Rattling noise in engine. Chip in windshield.

@mart1n2005:
BD: 151 mi OD: 1461 mi FS: 3/4+ MRL: +0 FTG: +7
Last Town: Chamberlain, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Chamberlain, SD. Team is feeling a little tired.
Ongoing issue: Jury-rigged RR suspension mount. Unknown how long it will hold. Transmission making low grumbling noise above 15 MPH.

@Mikonp7:
BD: 8 mi OD: 1537 mi FS: FULL MRL: +1 FTG: -5
Last Town: Chamberlain, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sioux Falls, SD. Team is exhausted and has checked into the Days Inn in Sioux Falls, SD.

@Centurion_23:
BD: 164 mi OD: 1303 mi FS: LOW MRL: +1 FTG: +4
Last Town: Rapid City, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 91 degrees, clear
Notes: Waypoint completed: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Team has passed into the Central Time Zone (ET-1). Team is feeling a little tired.

@Xepy:
BD: 170 mi OD: 1431 mi FS: 1/2+ MRL: +0 FTG: +6
Last Town: Chamberlain, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Murdo, SD. Team has passed into the Central Time Zone (ET-1). Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued.

@Private_Miros:
BD: 0 mi OD: 1471 mi FS: 3/4+ MRL: +3 FTG: -3
Last Town: Mitchell, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has stopped for dinner at Marcos Pizza and a walk through Dry Run Creek Park. This takes the entire time block. Team is feeling slightly fatigued.
Ongoing issues: SES light is on, transmission slipping slightly.

@Boiled_Steak:
BD: 155 mi OD: 1420 mi FS: 1/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +9
Last Town: Chamberlain, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has passed into the Central Time Zone (ET-1). Team is feeling tired.
Ongoing issue: Slight hesitation at high speed. More pronounced now that the speed limit has increased.

@GetWrekt01:
BD: 172 mi OD: 1428 mi FS: 1/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +5
Last Town: Chamberlain, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has passed into the Central Time Zone (ET-1). Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued.

@Ryan93:
BD: 151 mi OD: 1167 mi FS: FULL MRL: +1 FTG: +8
Last Town: Sturgis, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sturgis, SD. Waypoint complete: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Currently, team is taking a full POI break at this waypoint. Team is feeling very tired.

@Radster:
BD: 53 mi OD: 1467 mi FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: +5
Last Town: Mitchell, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: ISSUE: The team refuels in Mitchell, SD. This time the starter fails completely. A new one has been obtained from a parts store, and repair is in progress. Team is feeling tired.
Ongoing issue: Unreliable starter (REPAIR IN PROGRESS).

@SkylineFTW97:
BD: 153 mi OD: 1379 mi FS: 3/4+ MRL: +0 FTG: +6
Last Town: Murdo, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has passed into the Central Time Zone (ET-1). Team has refueled in Murdo, SD. Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued.

@Caligo:
BD: 173 mi OD: 1379 mi FS: 3/4 MRL: +0 FTG: +9
Last Town: Murdo, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has passed into the Central Time Zone (ET-1). Team has refueled in Murdo, SD. Team is feeling tired.

@Keikyun:
BD: 155 mi OD: 1265 mi FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: +5
Last Town: Chamberlain, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 92 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has crossed into the Central Time Zone (ET-1). Team has refueled in Chaimberlain, SD. Team is feeling a little tired. TEAM MORALE IS HIGH.

Vehicles that are traveling in packs:
1379 mi - DMV, Menderson
1420 - Aria, Kiaqua
1428-1431 mi - Kuma, Vector (CB only)

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

Team Greasy Lightning

BRAAAAAAP

After letting go a mighty belch, Fuzz turned to his sister and exhaled slowly, forcing the cloud of Buffalo Sauce stench to drift her way. Other diners were casting dirty looks their direction, but they didn’t care.

“Rude,” she wrinkled her nose at him.

“Flavorful,” he corrected.

Rick shook his head and took another sip of beer. “It wasn’t even that good. I give it maybe a five.”

“No way! That was at least a 7!”

“Nope. Too short, your pitch was all off, and there was just no flair to the whole thing.” Rick lifted his glass and took a large gulp, intentionally forcing down a swallow of air with it. He placed the glass back on the table, then held his finger aloft.

Fuzz crossed his arm and smirked. There was a minute of silence. “Uh, huh,” he started. “That’s what I…”

BRAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaAAAAAPPPPPPPP!

Fuzz almost fell backwards out of his chair when the cloud of pilsner fumes overwhelmed him a moment later. “Okay! Okay! I give up!”

Jen laughed. “You boys are amateurs. Let me show you how…”

Both men, in unison, shook their heads and shushed her.

“What?” she grinned. “Can’t handle the idea of being beaten by a girl?”

“Oh, I know you’ll do it. And then you’ll be burping up little bits for the rest of the night, and I don’t wanna hear that when we’re in the car,” Fuzz explained. “Seriously, it’s like listening to little clips of a walrus dying. With sounds and smells to go with it.”

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OOC: You mean 1428? :thinking: got me confused for a sec

317

Yes. Obvious typo has been corrected. :stuck_out_tongue:

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Team Tiger Trouble

Warning: This one’s extra long because I’m introducing a character for the future. Whether or not he shows up in this run entirely depends on whether I make it to the end. That said, please enjoy this extended length post.

This time, when the three stopped for gas, Kayden headed inside to pay for their gas, and to pick up some snacks and drinks for the road. With the Traville gassed up, and Jaden driving, it left Kayden and Kaylie more than enough time to try the various items that Kayden had grabbed.

“Okay, so far, these cheese curl things are a bit… I don’t really like them.” Kaylie said, passing the bag up to Kayden and Jaden. Kayden responded by passing back a bag of gummy worms, then opening the bottle of cola and drinking about half of it.

Nova, despite her previous warning that she wouldn’t be paying attention to his nanites, piped up with, “Don’t pass that to either of your siblings. That drink contains the same two primary compounds that were in the coffee earlier, though in much lower quantities, but there are additional additives that may alter the known effects. Despite the reduction in quantities, this drink is affecting you at a greater intensity than I would have predicted.”

Kayden looked at Kaylie, who looked disappointed at the realization that the delicious smelling cola was completely off-limits. “Fine, but I will find something interesting in this bag of snacks, and I’m thirsty.” Kaylie grumbled, before grabbing the bottled water and the turkey jerky.

Jaden decided to take a chance, letting go of the steering wheel with one hand in order to try the cheese curls. “I don’t know, they’re not all that bad. A bit unusual, but not bad.”

Kayden finished the bottle of cola, then had a look of pure misery on his face after Jaden hit a pothole. “Twin Suns, Jade, try not to drive through road craters.” Kayden growled, trying to ease the rather intense discomfort he was feeling. Suddenly, and without warning, as Kayden took a deeper breath, Jaden hit another small pothole, and the trapped air caught Kayden as he was about to growl at his brother. Instead of a loud, but contained growl, the belch rattled in his throat, producing a tremendous Tiger’s roar, louder than any Kayden had ever done before.

“By the Seven Sisters, Kayden, my ears are ringing!” Jaden yelled, barely able to hear himself after Kayden’s unexpected roaring belch.

“I feel much better now.” Kayden said, as the trapped air was certainly quite gone. “And believe me, that could have been a lot worse.”

“How could it get worse than that?” Kaylie asked.

“I know people who could have done actual damage to the car because of that.” Kayden mentioned, as Jaden shook his head.

“I have a hard time believing that Mal could do worse, Kayden.” Jaden said. “Two heads isn’t necessarily going to make him any louder.”

Kayden laughed, then said, “No, Mal isn’t the one I was referring to. The Hybrid who travels with him, if he drank that stuff, might have shattered the windows.”

“How in the name of the Seven Sisters can he break glass?” Kaylie asked.

“Some idiot mixed up four races worth of genetic material. He can vocalize in any of the various long-range ways of those in his blood. So, he can roar because he’s a quarter Leoni, and he howls because he’s a quarter Khalan. But he’s also a quarter Drakian, so he’s got the ability to use powerful resonant notes that, on occasion, give him the ability to shatter glass, break crystal, things like that. Technically, he could learn to weaponize that, but he has no need to.”

Jaden asked, “Why not?” At the same time, Kaylie asked, “What’s that last quarter, then?”

Kayden smiled, then answered with, “That last fourth is Malurian.”

Jaden gave a look of horror, and Kaylie’s ears went pale. After a few moments, it was Kaylie who spoke first, with a half-breathless oath, “Twin Suns. How did they get one of those involved?”

“It’s from his actual birth mother. The Humans and the Malurians look the same, and apparently, the only difference is that the Malurians have some kind of mind powers. He didn’t pick up much of their abilities, but, he has a very strong command of fire.” Kayden replied.

“Seven Sisters and Twin Suns.” Jaden said, giving a fearful look at Kayden. “Whoever did that created a monster.”

Kayden laughed before responding, “If you ever meet him, don’t say that to him. His name, it translates from Leoni to mean ‘Chimera’ and he went out of his way to shorten it to get away from being called a monster, even indirectly.”

Kaylie puzzled over it, then smiled. “I know a little bit of Leoni. Kivenaal. ‘Beast-of-Many-Parts’ specifically, but the humans have mythology for a Chimera, a beast formed of many other beasts.”

Kayden nodded, then said, “He shortened it to ‘Kiva’ in order to hide the meaning. Still doesn’t help him with his looks. The humans have a lot of great mythology, and if you combine enough, you can describe him quickly. He’s effectively a demon werewolf, with a lion’s tail that ends in venomous spines. Horns and all, so he used to get called a ‘Hellhound’ quite often.”

“Please tell me he’s not all red?” Jaden asked.

Kayden chuckled, then used Nova’s handheld to show his siblings a holographic image of Kiva. The Hybrid stood in the image in cowboy boots, a duster, and the iconic cowboy hat, his black fur occasionally streaked through with dark red stripes, and his hat showing his horns poking through, his lion’s mane a tangled black mess, and his tail curled loosely behind him, the tail tuft looking almost like a lion’s, except that the ‘fur’ looked more like porcupine quills. In his right hand, however, was a ball of reddish orange fire, and he stood staring at the camera with a grin, as if he was amused about something.

“I assume his style of clothing is normal somewhere?” Jaden asked, seeming a little thrown off by the strange Hybrid.

“He told me he’s a fan of a type of movie, called a ‘Western.’ This is him when he’s feeling ‘normal’ out in public.” Kayden replied.

“Strange, but oddly appealing.” Kaylie commented, only for Kayden to shake his head.

“No, Kaylie. He’s not your type, not unless you like practical jokes and pranks. He’s a known trickster, and I’m honestly quite surprised he hasn’t done anything while we’re here.” Kayden replied.

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Previous time block

Saturday, 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: 0 mi OD: 1630 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +1 FTG: +3
Last Town: Jackson, MN Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 86 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Team has spent an hour at Ashley Park. The car refuses to restart after the park. Team is presently replacing a failed distributor. Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued. TEAM MORALE IS HIGH.

@Elizipeazie:
BD: 153 mi OD: 1708 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +8
Last Town: Albert Lea, MN Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 83 degrees, light rain, dark clouds ahead
Notes: Team is feeling tired.

@BannedByAndroid:
BD: 151 mi OD: 1712 mi FS: 1/2+ MRL: -1 FTG: +9
Last Town: Albert Lea, MN Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 78 degrees, rain, lightning visible ahead
Notes: Team is feeling a very tired and will auto-stop next time period unless otherwise specified.
Ongoing issue: Vehicle is making a clunking noise from the front going over bumpy roads. SES light is on. Hesitation and misfiring; car cannot exceed 80 MPH.

@kobacrashi:
BD: 152 mi OD: 1764 mi FS: 3/4+ MRL: -1 FTG: +9
Last Town: Albert Lea, MN Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 76 degrees, light rain
Notes: Team has refueled in Albert Lea. Team has passed through a thunderstorm. Team is feeling very tired, and will auto-stop next time period unless otherwise specified.
Ongoing issue: Car is making a grinding noise when turning right.

@Madrias:
BD: 74 mi OD: 1702 mi FS: 1/2- MRL: +2 FTG: +2
Last Town: Albert Lea, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 83 degrees, light rain, dark clouds ahead
Notes: Team stopped for dinner at Pillars Pub in Jackson, MN. Team is feeling a little tired.
Ongoing issue: Rattling noise in engine. Chip in windshield. TEAM MORALE IS HIGH.

@mart1n2005:
BD: 154 mi OD: 1615 mi FS: 1/4 MRL: -1 FTG: +9
Last Town: Sioux Falls, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 86 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Team is feeling very tired and will auto-stop next time period unless otherwise specified.
Ongoing issue: Jury-rigged RR suspension mount. Unknown how long it will hold. Transmission making low grumbling noise above 15 MPH.

@Mikonp7:
BD: 8 mi OD: 1537 mi FS: FULL MRL: +1 FTG: -8
Last Town: Sioux Falls, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 88 degrees, clear
Notes: Team is asleep at Days Inn in Sioux Falls, SD.

@Centurion_23:
BD: 156 mi OD: 1459 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +5
Last Town: Chamberlain, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 88 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Murdo, SD. Team is feeling tired.

@Xepy:
BD: 178 mi OD: 1609 mi FS: 1/4 MRL: +0 FTG: +9
Last Town: Rapid City, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 87 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Team is feeling a little tired.

@Private_Miros:
BD: 170 mi OD: 1641 mi FS: 1/3+ MRL: +0 FTG: +3
Last Town: Jackson, MN Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 86 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Team is feeling a little tired.
Ongoing issues: SES light is on, transmission slipping slightly.

@Boiled_Steak:
BD: 155 mi OD: 1568 mi FS: FULL MRL: -1 FTG: +11
Last Town: Sioux Falls, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 88 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Team has refueled in Sioux Falls, SD. Team is EXHAUSTED and will auto-stop in the next time period.
Ongoing issue: Slight hesitation at high speed. More pronounced now that the speed limit has increased.

@GetWrekt01:
BD: 166 mi OD: 1594 mi FS: 3/4+ MRL: +0 FTG: +8
Last Town: Sioux Falls, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 87 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Team has refueled in Sioux Falls, SD. Team is feeling a little tired.

@Ryan93:
BD: 0 mi OD: 1167 FS: FULL MRL: +4 FTG: -8
Last Town: Sturgis, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 88 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has stopped for dinner at One Eyed Jack’s Saloon, then checked into the Super 8 motel in Sturgis.

@Radster:
BD: 122 mi OD: 1589 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: -1 FTG: +8
Last Town: Sioux Falls, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 87 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Team has finished replacing the starter. Team is very tired, and will auto-stop next time block unless otherwise specified.

@SkylineFTW97:
BD: 158* mi OD: 1537* mi FS: LOW MRL: -2 FTG: +9
Last Town: Sioux Falls, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 87 degrees, clear
Notes: Just before end of the time period, the temporary repair on the radiator gives out. Team is currently 2 miles west of Sioux Falls, waiting for a tow. (The mileage marked will be post-tow. Team has no spare radiator and will have to wait for parts stores to open in the morning in order to repair). Team is feeling tired.
Ongoing issue: Radiator failed, team has to wait for parts stores to open.

@Caligo:
BD: 165 mi OD: 1544 mi FS: 1/3 MRL: -1 FTG: +12
Last Town: Mitchell, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 87 degrees, clear
Notes: Team is EXHAUSTED and will auto-stop next time period.

@Keikyun:
BD: 155 mi OD: 1587 mi FS: 1/2 MRL: +0 FTG: +6
Last Town: Sioux Falls, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 87 degrees, increasing clouds
Notes: Team is feeling tired. TEAM MORALE IS HIGH.

Vehicles that are traveling in packs:
1379 mi - DMV, Menderson
1420 - Aria, Kiaqua
1428-1431 mi - Kuma, Vector (CB only)

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

Team Greasy Lightning

“What the shitballs kind of whack-ass crap is this?” Fuzz cursed as the replacement distributor failed to slide down all the way for the 7th time.

Jen laughed at her brother’s misfortune. Rick, at least, was a little more helpful. He had pulled up a Keystone enthusiast’s forum online, and was reading a thread on 80’s V6 distributors.

“Have you checked the alignment mark on the tube versus the one under the cap lip?” he asked.

“For the fifth time, there is no mark! Yargh!” Fuzz popped out of the engine bay, setting the replacement part on top of the intake manifold before the urge to yeet it into the park took hold of him. He took a moment to calm down, breathing deeply and flexing his fingers as he paced around the crippled Senator.

Rick shrugged. “I can only tell you what I see. I mean, they say the point timing mark is 90 degrees off from the body alignment mark.”

Fuzz narrowed his eyes. “There are two marks? Is there a picture?”

“Yup.” Rick held out his phone.

Fuzz screamed in anguish. He snatched the distributor up, popped off its cap, and shoved it in Rick’s face. “This. This is the mark you kept telling me to line up,” he pointed to a mark on the rim. He then pointed to a small, round, smooth spot on the shaft of the distributor. “This looks like a casting mark to me. But it’s the damned alignment mark? What the shit is…”

He growled, snapped the cap back on the distributor, and rammed it down the tube, this time falling into place without an issue.

“Hey,” Jen snarled. “It’s not his fault. He’s trying, but he’s not a mechanic. He’s just learning all this stuff.”

Fuzz sighed. “I’m sorry. I just… I really hate goddamned distributors. I’m glad modern cars don’t have them anymore.”

He ran the plug wires and coil wire back to the new part, and plugged them all in. Without an ounce of further drama, the Keystone roared to life as Rick turned the key.

Some of you may notice a speed drop once you get into Minnesota. This is due to a reduction of the speed limit. It will only get slower from here, ladies and gents… with the large population centers of the upper Midwest and East Coast looming…

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