Ah, thanks. Wondered by it says 4A-6A…
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[/SARCASM_MODE=OFF]
Because it’s 4-6 east coast time.
It’s 2-4 where your team is (provided you’re already in Montana).
2 Likes
According to the narrative my team’s waking up at the end of the time block…so…
Apologies, that was so undignified and juvenile of me but I can’t bring myself to remove it and will blame my Alzheimers for the outburst.
Erm…what outburst?
Shhhh…
5 Likes
Gran has an excuse. But Mopey? OK, well, he’s an idiot and has an excuse. But Spanners? Ok probably took one too many spanners to the head.
5 Likes
Team Rockport
Leo: zzzzzzzz
Zack: seriously mate, do you expect anything other than zzzzzz?
And I’m off to bed as well, too bad I have exams ongoing, otherwise I would’ve contributed a bit more to the RPing
4 Likes
Saturday, 6AM - 8AM 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: 952 mi FS: 1/2 MRL: +1 FTG: -7
Last Town: Sheridan, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 54 degrees, clear
Notes: Team is asleep at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Sheridan, WY. Team wakes up at end of time block and will be on the road an hour later.
@Elizipeazie:
BD: 0 mi OD: 782 mi FS: 3/4+ MRL: +1 FTG: -5
Last Town: Columbus, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 55 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes up at 7a and will be on the road at the beginning of the next time block.
@BannedByAndroid:
BD: 0 mi OD: 822 mi FS: Full MRL: +2 FTG: -2
Last Town: Billings, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 54 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes up at 7a and will be on the road at the beginning of the next time block.
Ongoing issue: Vehicle is making a clunking noise from the front going over bumpy roads. SES light is on.
@kobacrashi:
BD: 0 mi OD: 822 mi FS: FULL MRL: +1 FTG: -3
Last Town: Billings, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 55 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes up at 7a and will be on the road at the beginning of next time slot.
Ongoing issue: Car is making a grinding noise when turning right.
@Madrias:
BD: 0 mi OD: 952 mi FS: 1/3 MRL: +1 FTG: -6
Last Town: Sheridan, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 54 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes up at end of time block and will be on the road 1 hour later.
Ongoing issue: Rattling noise in engine.
@yangx2:
BD: 0 mi OD: 822 mi FS: FULL MRL: +1 FTG: -9
Last Town: Bozeman, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 55 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes up at the end of time block and will be on the road 1 hour later.
@mart1n2005:
BD: 0 mi OD: 681 mi FS: FULL MRL: +1 FTG: -3
Last Town: Bozeman, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 55 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes up at 7a and will be on the road at the start of the next time block.
Ongoing issue: Jury-rigged RR suspension mount. Unknown how long it will hold.
@Mikonp7:
BD: 172 mi OD: 1021 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +6
Last Town: Buffalo, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 55 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Sheridan, WY. Team is starting to feel slightly fatigued.
Ongoing issue: Oil pressure gauge is reading slightly low toward the end of the time period. Routine check at last fillup indicates car is losing oil at an abnormally high rate. Team had to restock oil from the gas station in Sheridan because they ran out.
@Centurion_23:
BD: 0 mi OD: 822 mi FS: FULL MRL: +1 FTG: -4
Last Town: Billings, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 55 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes at 7a and will be on the road at the beginning of next time block.
@Xepy:
BD: 0 mi OD: 822 mi FS: 1/2 MRL: +0 FTG: -9
Last Town: Billings, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 56 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has stopped for the night at the Best Western Plus in Billings, MT
@Private_Miros:
BD: 154 mi OD: 835 mi FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: +0
Last Town: Billings, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 55 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Billings, MT. Slipping issue still exists, but is less pronounced as the terrain is now flat.
Ongoing issues: SES light is on, transmission slipping slightly.
@Boiled_Steak:
BD: 0 mi OD: 822 mi FS: 1/2- MRL: +1 FTG: -11
Last Town: Billings, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 56 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes up at end of time block and will be on the road in an hour.
Ongoing issue: Slight hesitation at high speed. More pronounced now that the speed limit has increased. Radiator has failed, and team cannot move until it is fixed.
@GetWrekt01:
BD: 0 mi OD: 911 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -8
Last Town: Hardin, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 54 degrees, clear
Notes: Team is asleep at the Lariat Motel in Hardin, MT
@Ryan93:
BD: 142 mi OD: 425 mi FS: 1/2 MRL: +1 FTG: +0
Last Town: De Borgia, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairgrounds
Weather Condition: 56 degrees, clear
Notes: Waypoint complete: Lookout Pass. This vehicle has passed into the Mountain Time Zone (ET-2)
@abg7:
BD: 108 mi OD: 872 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +2
Last Town: Billings, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 56 degrees, clear
Notes: See below.
CRITICAL FAILURE: Sudden oil pump failure, engine seized up. Final MRL/FTG: -1 (meh)/+2 (feeling fresh)
@Radster:
BD: 99 mi OD: 780 mi FS: 2/3+ MRL: -1 FTG: +0
Last Town: Big Timber, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 54 degrees, clear
Notes: ISSUE: Car won’t crank at all on first start. Team traced it to a starter issue. They were able to get it on the road (delayed an extra 15 minutes) but the bad starter is still on the vehicle, as none was in their spares.
@SkylineFTW97:
BD: 0 mi OD: 822 mi FS: 2/3- MRL: +0 FTG: -9
Last Town: Billings, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 55 degrees, clear
Notes: Team is asleep at the Best Western Plus in Billings, MT.
@findRED19:
BD: 0 mi OD: 952 mi FS: FULL MRL: +1 FTG: -9
Last Town: Sheridan, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 55 degrees, clear
Notes: Team is asleep at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Sheridan, WY.
@Jaimz:
BD: 13 mi OD: 611 mi FS: FULL MRL: -5 FTG: +0
Last Town: Butte, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairground
Weather Condition: 56 degrees, clear
Notes: Spanner has diagnosed the suspension issue: all the bushings in the rear suspension are shot. No parts available at this time, so team is moving on for now.
CRITICAL FAILURE: About 2 minutes before cresting Homestake Pass, vehicle starts shaking and the engine starts making a horrible banging noise. 2 miles later, a rod goes through the block.
FINAL MRL/FTG: +1 (meh)/+0 (feeling fresh)
@Caligo:
BD: 0 mi OD: 681 mi FS: FULL MRL: +1 FTG: +0
Last Town: Bozeman, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 55 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes up at 7a and will be on the road at the start of the next time block.
Ongoing issue: There is a slight smell of fuel in the cab.
@Aaron.W:
BD: 0 mi OD: 822 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +1 FTG: -9
Last Town: Billings, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 55 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes up at 730a and will be on the road 30 minutes into the next time block.
Ongoing issue: AC compressor failure (irrepairable, comfort penalty)
@Keikyun:
BD: 0 mi OD: 822 mi FS: FULL MRL: +2 FTG: +0
Last Town: Billings, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 54 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes up at 7a and will be on the road at the start of the next time block.
Vehicles that are traveling in packs:
None that are on the road currently
Note: vehicles within ~5 miles of each other are within CB range. Group chats via social media are available.
Team Greasy Lightning
(To come later)
7 Likes
Maroon Marauders - Part 7
Early morning, Billings, Montana
The Maroon Marauders’ race came to an untimely end when their car ground to a halt due to oil starvation. Denny and Gary quickly traced the issue to a seized oil pump. The latter was succinct about his team’s misfortune: “Well, I guess that’s it for us. But at least we survived the first day. And we already know that as of now, several other teams are having issues of their own, some of which could also be terminal - if they aren’t already. So, how was it?” The other three team members replied: “Decent, to say the least.” Within minutes, the team arranged for their car to be shipped back to Los Angeles to have its engine rebuilt - and booked a flight home as well.
Epilogue
Two weeks after the end of the rally, Gary sold the rebuilt GEC GC4 to its new owner. Suddenly he was in need of a car once again, and after some searching, he came up with this:
It was a 1992 GEC GS4 4.0, a large 2-door luxury coupe built on the same platform as the GC4, but powered by an all-alloy V8 as standard. After some haggling, he finally bought it for just $15,000, which was a bargain considering its good condition after nearly 30 years and 300,000 miles. Immediately he started working on it, and within a week, all of its faults had been diagnosed and fixed. Feeling satisfied, he drove off into the sunset once again, searching for potential teammates for the next banger rally - if there would ever be another one at all.
3 Likes
Team Harcourt-Entwhistle
Stage…It was fun while it lasted.
Spanners - Good news, excellent news and bad news…
Gran - Excellent news to start with…
Spanners - Bacon butties were delicious and the tea was pretty decent for these parts…not Yorkshire decent but very nice.
Gran - Good news?
Spanners - Well I found out why the rear was loose…the rubber bushes are all …well, gone!
Gran - That would explain it…and the bad news?
Spanners - You know the extensive parts collection we brought?
Gran - Yes?
Spanners - Well I forgot to add them…it’ll be on the list for next time!
Gran - Can we get some more?
Spanners - Yes, but not at this time of the morning. We’ll pick some up on the way.
Mopey - So the car’s still driveable and we can fix it later.
Gran - Well it’s 7 o’clock. Let’s hit the road.
Mopey - What’s that noise?
Gran - Why’s the car shaking so much?
Spanners - It’s probably just a fuel prob…
Car - BANG! Rattle, rattle, wheeze…wheeze…cough…splutter…SSSSSsssssssss…
Gran - Is it an electrical fault?
Spanners - Sort of…the rod has come through the side of the engine and knocked the distributor off…**
Gran - So…it’s not fixable?
Spanners - If we had a spare engine then yes…
Mopey - Oh well…we aren’t the first to fail.
Gran - I’M choosing the next car!
Team Harcourt-Entwhistle head off to the airport thinking of the lost opportunity…
Good luck to everyone else. We’ll see you on the next adventure!
** This is attributed to Murray Walker and Ferrari mechanics.
6 Likes
Saturday, 8AM - 10AM 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: 79 mi OD: 1031 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +0
Last Town: Buffalo, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 57 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes up at beginning of time block and is on the road a little over an hour later, after taking time to refuel in Sheridan.
@Elizipeazie:
BD: 161 mi OD: 943 mi FS: 1/2- MRL: +0 FTG: +0
Last Town: Sheridan, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 57 degrees, clear
Notes: None.
@BannedByAndroid:
BD: 152 mi OD: 974 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +0
Last Town: Sheridan, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 56 degrees, clear
Notes: ISSUE: Team got a flat tire on the highway. It has been changed out with one of the two spares, but it took a little longer than expected due to rusty lugnuts.
Ongoing issue: Vehicle is making a clunking noise from the front going over bumpy roads. SES light is on.
@kobacrashi:
BD: 153 mi OD: 975 mi FS: 1/2+ MRL: +0 FTG: +0
Last Town: Buffalo, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 57 degrees, clear
Notes: ISSUE: Someone left a light on overnight, and the battery was dead in the morning. A little extra time to get going due to needing a jump start.
Ongoing issue: Car is making a grinding noise when turning right.
@Madrias:
BD: 80 mi OD: 1032 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +0
Last Town: Sheridan, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 57 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes up at the beginning of the time block and is on the road slightly over an hour later, due to refueling in Sheridan. INCIDENT: A rock hits the windshield at speed on the highway, causing a chip.
Ongoing issue: Rattling noise in engine. Chip in windshield.
@yangx2:
BD: 82 mi OD: 904 mi FS: 3/4 MRL: +0 FTG: +0
Last Town: Crow Agency, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 57 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes up at the beginning of the time block and is on the road 1 hour later.
@mart1n2005:
BD: 155 mi OD: 836 mi FS: 3/4+ MRL: +0 FTG: +0
Last Town: Billings, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 57 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Big Timber, MT
Ongoing issue: Jury-rigged RR suspension mount. Unknown how long it will hold.
@Mikonp7:
BD: 146 mi OD: 1167 mi FS: FULL MRL: +1 FTG: +8
Last Town: Sturgis, SD Next Waypoint: Red Cloud Park
Weather Condition: 57 degrees, clear
Notes: Waypoint complete: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Team has refueled in Sturgis, SD. Team is currently stopped attempting to replace their turbo from spare parts, as they found a cracked oil fitting was causing the leak. Team is feeling a little tired.
Ongoing issue: Cracked turbo oil fitting (repair underway)
@Centurion_23:
BD: 0 mi OD: 822 mi FS: FULL MRL: -1 FTG: +2
Last Town: Billings, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 57 degrees, clear
Notes: Team is off the road, replacing wheel bearings and a bad fuel rail.
@Xepy:
BD: 0 mi OD: 822 mi FS: 1/2 MRL: +2 FTG: -4
Last Town: Billings, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 58 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: 165 mi OD: 1000 mi FS: 1/2 MRL: +0 FTG: +2
Last Town: Buffalo, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 57 degrees, clear
Notes: None
Ongoing issues: SES light is on, transmission slipping slightly.
@Boiled_Steak:
BD: 0 mi OD: 822 mi FS: LOW MRL: +0 FTG: +1
Last Town: Billings, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 58 degrees, clear
Notes: Parts store is now open, team is almost done replacing radiator.
Ongoing issue: Slight hesitation at high speed. More pronounced now that the speed limit has increased. Radiator has failed, repair in progress.
@GetWrekt01:
BD: 0 mi OD: 911 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -11
Last Town: Hardin, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 56 degrees, clear
Notes: Team is asleep at the Lariat Motel in Hardin, MT
@Ryan93:
BD: 135 mi OD: 560 mi FS: 1/2 MRL: +2 FTG: +1
Last Town: Deer Lodge, MT Next Waypoint: Gallatin County Fairgrounds
Weather Condition: 57 degrees, clear
Notes: Team has refueled in Deer Lodge, MT. Team has stopped for a POI stop at the Montana Auto Museum in Deer Lodge, MT (will bleed 30 minutes into next time frame)
@Radster:
BD: 160 mi OD: 940 mi FS: 1/4 MRL: -1 FTG: +0
Last Town: Crow Agency, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 57 degrees, clear
Notes: None.
Ongoing issue: Unreliable starter.
@SkylineFTW97:
BD: 0 mi OD: 822 mi FS: 2/3- MRL: +2 FTG: -2
Last Town: Billings, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 57 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes up at 9a and will be on the road at the start of the next time block. TEAM MORALE IS HIGH.
@findRED19:
BD: 70 mi OD: 1022 mi FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +0
Last Town: Buffalo, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 57 degrees, clear
Notes: Team wakes up at 8am, and is on the road a little over an hour later, after finding a self-serve car wash.
@Caligo:
BD: 41 mi OD: 722 mi FS: 3/4+ MRL: +0 FTG: +0
Last Town: Bozeman, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 57 degrees, clear
Notes: Team investigates fuel smell. Issue traced to carburetor; carb has been rebuilt from kit from parts store. This took most of the time block.
@Aaron.W:
BD: 122 mi OD: 944 mi FS: 1/4+ MRL: +0 FTG: +0
Last Town: Crow Agency, MT Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 57 degrees, clear
Notes: None
Ongoing issue: AC compressor failure (irrepairable, comfort penalty)
@Keikyun:
BD: 159 mi OD: 981 mi FS: 1/2+ MRL: +2 FTG: +0
Last Town: Buffalo, WY Next Waypoint: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Weather Condition: 58 degrees, clear
Notes: ISSUE: Vehicle was very hard to start this morning, and occasionally lurches or loses power at speed. Team has refueled in Billings, MT
Vehicles that are traveling in packs:
974-975 mi - Hessenburg, Reduit
1031-1032 mi - Keystone, Sinistra
Note: vehicles within ~5 miles of each other are within CB range. Group chats via social media are available.
Team Greasy Lightning
Jen and Fuzz found their way to the breakfast lounge, though less with their eyes and more with their noses. Fuzz was the worse off of the two, as his bout with insomnia the previous night left him with only a few precious hours of sleep. Still, he noticed Rick had already grabbed a table, and a so-called “sensible” breakfast.
Sensibility, to Fuzz, meant something entirely different. He loaded up a plate with a large pile of scrambled eggs, four strips of bacon, two sausage links, and two pancakes from the device he jokingly referred to as a “pancake printer” the first time he saw one. It was a name that stuck with Jen and Rick, and they would refer to it the same way.
He slid his plate onto the table and was about to sit down when his near-flatlined brain reminded him that he had neither a fork, nor a cup of coffee. He turned to grab a cup, and bumped into Kayden.
The eldest Tigrilan gave a half-grumble, half-growl. His eyes were barely open, and he seemed a little… off.
“Rough night?” Fuzz asked softly.
Kayden nodded.
“Right. Time for coffee, then?”
“Coffee?” Kayden muttered quizzically.
Fuzz nodded. “Yeah. Coffee. Don’t tell me you don’t dri…” he stopped himself. “Ah, yeah. You probably don’t even know what coffee is.”
Kayden shook his head.
“Wake-up juice. A little liquid kick to get you going after a long night,” Fuzz explained as he walked the warrior over to where three decanters sat atop a table, flanked by cups, lids, creamer, sugar, and stir-straws. “But don’t drink it straight if it’s your first time. It’ll be too bitter. Add some sugar, creamer, or maybe both, to make it taste better.”
Fuzz pressed the dispense button on the full-caffeine decanter, and filled a cup to just shy of full. He then ripped open a creamer and a packet of sugar, dumped them in, and stirred it. He then placed a lid on top. “You can take it on the road with you, too. Fill up, everything here is free.”
(@Madrias - to you!)
5 Likes
Team Tiger Trouble
Kayden looked at the coffee that Fuzz had just poured, still slowly figuring out what to do.
“I would advise caution on this. There are a few substances in this ‘coffee’ that we have no records of.” Nova warned, though Kayden ignored his AI advisor, pouring a cup similarly to how Fuzz had done. He added a creamer and a packet of sugar, took a sip, and gave a deep, almost pained grimace. He grabbed five more sugar packets, added them, and stirred them in, this time managing to take a sip without looking like he was about to be sick. He then loaded up a plate with the unusual flat bread-like circles, several burnt bread squares covered in butter, and a rather large helping of sausages, bacon, and scrambled eggs.
Kaylie and Jaden arrived a few minutes later, when Kayden was halfway through his first ever cup of coffee.
“This coffee stuff is great. You two definitely need to try it.” Kayden mentioned, before saying, “Fill a cup up with about a claw length to the top, then add one of those round creamer things, and six of those sugar packets.”
Kaylie followed Kayden’s advice, while Jaden, being the actual eldest, tried a sip without adding anything, and pulled such a miserable face at the sheer bitterness that Kaylie cracked up laughing. After altering the coffee until it was drinkable, the two joined the table with similar plates to Kayden’s one.
“So, Kayden’s the oldest, right?” Fuzz asked, looking up at the huge tiger-man as he finished his first cup of coffee, then returned with a second cup.
“No. I am.” Jaden said. “I’m five years older than the Twins, Kayden and Kaylie. Yeah, I know, I look like I’d be her twin brother, but Kayden has the warrior’s blood. Technically, Kayden’s a bit of a genetic mutation, like… Blue or green eyes, or red hair for you. Our kind live a long time, about 130 years or so. Well, with his nanites repairing all the damage to him, Kayden will outlive us all, go straight past 200 until his body just gives up.”
“If it’s not considered rude to ask, how old are you?” Fuzz asked.
Kaylie spoke up with, “Jade’s 72, Kayden and I are 67. I know, we don’t look it, but we are a long-lived race.”
While the mild shock was just barely starting to wear off, Nova piped up with, “That is in Tigrilan years. Converting time between Tigrilan years to Human years, Kayden and Kaylie are 102.51 years old. Jaden is 110.16 years old.”
Kayden glared at his wrist computer, before finishing yet another cup of coffee. By this time, Kaylie and Jaden had finished their first cups, and they were just starting to feel the effects.
When Jen got up for more coffee, it was obvious that something was just a little off about Kaylie and Jaden. “I can smell the colors.” Kaylie mumbled, then giggled as Jaden stared into his nearly empty cup as if he was having a vision. Kayden seemed almost unaffected, despite having a lot more coffee than the other two.
However, almost unaffected wasn’t quite unaffected enough, as Kayden looked at Fuzz and said, “It feels like time has slowed down.”
When Jen, however, said, “We need to go, we can’t let a bunch of old folks win,” Kayden responded by grabbing a pancake, still dripping with syrup, and tried to hit her with it. Because of her coffee enhanced reflexes and training from having a brother, Jen neatly ducked out of the way, and Rick caught a pancake to the face with enough force to nearly knock him out of the chair.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, take it easy, Kayden, she didn’t mean anything bad by that.” Fuzz said, moving to stop Kayden from trying any further attacks.
After the Tigrilans finished their meal, Kayden showed that even he was feeling the energy of 7 cups of coffee. He looked up at the ceiling, spotted a spider, and despite being in robes, made a decision to squish it. He bent his knees, took a deep breath, then leaped into the air, twisting as he did to kick off of the ceiling, getting the spider in the process of flipping back the right way up. After he landed, he said, “I’m going to get some more of that coffee for the trip.”
Fuzz shook his head, then said, “It’s against the law to drive impaired, Kayden. No more coffee, one of you needs to be sober for the drive.”
Kayden managed to get his lightly loopy siblings into the Sinistra, and started the rattling engine.
“It sounds like purple.” Jaden said, and Kaylie nodded in agreement. “Definitely purple, with a distinct smell of clouds.”
Kayden shook his head, getting out onto the highway. The trip seemed to be so much slower than he remembered from the night before, and yet he still couldn’t prevent the minor disaster.
He saw the rock kicked up by the truck in front of him, and had enough time, thanks to his coffee-enhanced reflexes, to swerve and catch the rock in a spot of the windshield where it would do less damage.
THWACK!
Kaylie yowled, Jaden gave a startled hiss, and both of them lashed out with claws, ripping gouges out of the back of the passenger seat and tearing the glove-box door off. Jaden banged the door against the dashboard, trying to unstick his claws, while Kaylie told him, “Stop that, the orange makes the purple smell green!”
Kayden asked Nova, “How long will these effects last?”
“Using your previous known records for recovery before you were given nanites, and the low-level toxicity of this ‘coffee’ that all of you consumed against my advice, I would estimate that the natural two should recover in about two hours.”
Kayden shook his head, then got on the radio.
(CB) “While the coffee was great for me, I’m going to be dealing with these two for three of your hours.” Kayden said. In the background, Jaden could be heard saying, “I think I can smell turtles quacking.”
7 Likes
OOC: are those two stoned on coffee?
3 Likes
OOC: Yes, in a way. Their body chemistry is different than ours, and so they’re having a different reaction to coffee than we would. Kayden would be just as badly affected if he didn’t have nanotechnology purifying his blood to keep the worst of the effects from causing him any issues. The other two are going to have a mighty headache after this.
4 Likes
Team “Buy Skyrim”
6:30 AM
The alarm ringed. Then Naomi woke up after a long rest. She then prepared herself, and ate some breakfast. Just 30 minutes later Nathan returned home after helping Nathan fixed the car, and he went to the living room’s table, where Naomi is eating her breakfast, wearing a white shirt that she bought in visitor shop in Lookout Pass, and a pair of blue jeans.
VINCENT: Whoa, where’s everybody? Can I really imagine…oh. Naomi. You’re here.
NAOMI: Darling, I’m here. Do you think I’m invisible?
VINCENT: Right…sorry. Are you eating breakfast? Save some for us. We’re doing serious stuff outside.
NAOMI: Is it about the car?
VINCENT: Yes. I just helped him to fix the car as we have seen a bunch of issues happening on the journey. looks at her By the way, wow, you’re beautiful with this shirt on, I liked it.
NAOMI: blushes Thanks, I bought that shirt from a store yesterday. It’s one nice shirt…
At the same time, Nathan came out with a wrench and a hammer, with an oily shirt.
NATHAN: Alright, kids, the car’s ready!
NAOMI: Do you fixed the issues? I just wish
NATHAN: Don’t worry girl, the car’s pretty much fixed, I mean, we just drove it around the place and nothing serious has really happened!
NAOMI: Thanks, uncle!
VINCENT: Alright. Erm…Uncle Big Nate, can we go now?
Nathan suddenly walked away from his niece and her boyfriend.
NAOMI: Nathan?
NATHAN: grabs a cup of coffee Let me finish this goddamn coffee right away, but I can promise, after this we will go. And who’s gonna drive?
3 Likes
Meanwhile at Team Gizzle
some time later; now in Montana
To Zacks annoyance, Jayson seemed overly excited about crossing into a new time zone and state. After refueling and a general inspection for bodywork damage, which resulted in no damage to be found, they decide to check the car’s fluids again.
Z: Everything lookin’ good. Now it’s time for-
J: [while joyfully hopping around the car] The Automobile Museum!! This is gonna be awesome!
Z: Lemme grab a coffee real quick.
Zack dissapears into a bakery across the road to get some coffee and sandwiches. He arrives holding 2 paper cups of coffee and two sandwiches, one of which is tossed across the the area to Jayson. The Eminem-knockoff immediately digs into the Sandwich.
J: [with is mouth still full of sandwich] Yo bro. Did you know that they have my absolute dream car there?
Z: For fucks sake i’ve understood that you get a hard on when hearing “Anhultz Superkroon”…
J: [annoyed AF] no need to be THAT pissed…
in the Museum
J: There it is! Look at that sweet baby. Did you know that the famous rapper 1$ used one of those for his first Video?
Z: Whatever…
J: Boy… Calm down… Those cars are just incredible! [spots a 1967 Keika Katana] OH LOOK A KEIKA!!!
Z: Anyway… I’ll go have a look around myself.
J: Lemme snap a pic of these two beauties.
Z: I’d rather have two other thi- Oh hello there!
J: Eh… I don’t care.
Zack walks off towards some random female employee.
Z: Excuse me? I am kind of “lost”. May i ask for a small tour around this place? I really want to learn something about these mastrpieces of transportation.
Marie (M): [winking] Hello young man. Surely i can show you around the beauties of ours.
Z: Sounds great! But it seems like there’s only only one beauty here to have some fun with… [dirty laugh]
Marie lets out a shy chuckle and starts the tour. They head for the Superkroon and Katana which still are being admired by Jayson. Upon seehing the other two have their tour, he rolls his eyes and reluctantly joins them, as he knows that he’ll be third-wheeling for the whole tour.
At the end of the tour, Jayson was eager to continue heading east, but Zack seemed to have different plans…
Z: Yo Pimp. I’ll catch up in half an hour. I have some stuff to do… [winks]
Zack, with his arm across Marie’s shoulder, heads off towards a “staff only” door.
you know what happens behind that door 
J: As always…
Jayson leaves the museum and walks over to the car to practise some of his rap-lines.
to be continued
5 Likes
Charles: ATTENTION!! UP AND AT-EM YE SKULLY WAGS!
Both James and Nathan instantly jump out of bed, completely stunned.
Charles: UP, UP, UP, UP! GET TO IT!
Nathan: Uh, did you have coffee this morning?
Charles: He,he, they got a complimentsry breakfast. Now back to drill sergeant mode: NOW GETS YER BEDS TIDY AND TIGHT BEFORE YE GETS THE PRIVILEGE OF BREAKFAST!
James whispers to Nathan: Did you tell him?
Nathan whispers back: Uh, uum, yeah?
James rolls his eyes now completely understanding why Charles is so excited and energetic this morning
The trio has their breakfast a couple of tables down and takes note of the strange cat people and greasy lightning team, both who leave before them.
They approach their car after enjoying their complimentary breakfast to notice it’s not exactly as they left it…
James: What the heck? What is on the car?
Nathan: Is that a dick? Someone drew a dick on all our windows?!
James: Oof! he gets a whiff of the smell and wrinkles his nose in disgust.
Nathan: That stinks!
Charles: Sorta smells like my veggie chips
Nathan: Yeah, only drenched in dirty wet socks!
James: What the? What? Who did this?
Nathan: I don’t know.
Charles Dipping his finger into it to get a better whiff and a small taste. Dis here is Vegemite!
Nathan and James: Gross.
James: Now to get it off before Charles drives.
Nathan: I know, CAR WASH!
They take the limo to a near by automatic car wash and proceed to drive it in. The front half gets sorta washed, but there’s Vegemite sticking around still, and the rear half was totally missed… So they then decide to do another car wash, but this time they back it in. The rear gets a little better, but the front is still sorta sloppy. After they finally get it out of the car wash again (because backing a limo through a car wash is a totally sensible idea). One of the gas station workers sees their troubles and points them in the direction of a self-serve car wash.
They’re finally on the road again.
Nathan: I want to know who did this!
James: It had to be someone who stayed in the same hotel as us.
Nathan: Well, who do we know that stayed then?
James: There was the greasy lightning team…
Charles shouts from the driver seat: The Cat costume team!
James: I don’t think they were in cat costumes…
Nathan: Are you saying they’re not necessarily humans?
James: It’s a possibility…
Nathan: I sure hope it’s not them who pulled this prank on us… I don’t know if I want to mess with them.
James: Most likely not them… They did seem a bit off, like they are new to the area or U.S.
Charles: Whatabout dat eye lash cars then?
Nathan: They looked like they got hit by the same team who pranked us.
James: So that leaves just greasy lightning then?
Nathan: I think so, either way I’m not messing with the cat people -er things… beings? They looked pretty tough!
Charles: Well sonny! We can cach 'em! He stomps the gas and is already speeding
James: Woa! Cowboy!
Nathan: Take it easy!
3 Likes
Rick and Jen exchanged confused glances.
“What the hell was that?” Rick blurted.
Jen looked up at the mirror and caught her brother’s eyes in the rear seat. “You had something to do with this.”
“No, honest, I swear! I haven’t done anything!”
Rick chimed in, “Yeah. Those guys started acting weird well before we left. If was after they sat down for breakfast.”
Fuzz shuddered. “Oh God. Could it be… the coffee? I mean, they’d never had it before?” His guts began to churn.
Jen paused, then let out a relieved laugh. “Oh, good to know it’s not my husband who’s the drug dealer, it’s just my cop brother after all.”
FFRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPP
“Oh, Jesus, Fuzz,” Rick gagged as he fumbled for the window switch. "You’re having fruit and cereal for breakfast tomorrow morning.
Fuzz, much relieved by the passage of such quantities of gas, slapped his belly. “I could turn that into nuclear waste, you know.”
(OOC: The small tunneled public interwebz access I have at work went down last night. If it’s still down tonight, no chance for a time update.)
4 Likes
Team Trinity
Ivy Mike jumped up from the seat where he’d been sleeping, ears turning all directions. The cat scrambled to the passenger seat where John was dosing off slightly. They had left the Inn earlier than planned.
John, slightly groggy, noticed Ivy Mike on his lap, staring intently at him, and before he well realized uttered:
Seriously, aliens and nuclear waste!?
Matthew looked over, skeptical.
Where did that came from?
Doesn’t matter! Step on it! We need to verify some information!
4 Likes
Team Beer Blokes & BBQs
In dialogue:
S = Sam
T = Tom
M = Mike
T: Man that was a good nights sleep, I’m glad we chose this place
M: Good thing you’re well rested then, you’re up for driving next
S: Before we go anywhere we need to fix those issues we found at the servo
M: I almost forgot, we don’t wanna be bursting into flames in the middle of the highway, or have a wheel fall off.
S: Lets not waste any time, we’re already going to be a fair bit behind once we’re done with this.
They drove to the nearest repair shop and began the lengthy repair process.
3 Likes
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:
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
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