Faster Than Angels

[Jonny]

Faster Than Angels
Jennterista Racing Chronicles

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The Jennter Succession Conflict

Chapter 2/2: Business as Usual
Fort Gale // Gibraltar
16th October 2209
14:34.06

Qualifying runs have been underway in Fort Gale. While the initial grid of size of eight craft remained for the 2209 season, the entry list has been growing longer. Jennter has been away from professional AG racing ever since the end of the F9000 league and thus was, despite being one of the oldest teams on the grid, treated like any other new team and had to struggle for qualifikation.

“Quick Nico, our run starts in less than a minute!” Jennters Chief Mechanic, Kai Berbech, spoke to the pilot through the team radio.
“All personnel, leave the box!” he ordered his mechanic staff “Launch systems.”
The ion thruster engine of the Jennter JAG-FX401 craft began to emit a screeching noise. For Nico Bovier this has hardly been noticeable in the cockpit. He tensed up as the craft idled in the pit box and was about to be lifted onto the track.

Then the port opened and the ship has been moved upwards, the sun flooded its canopy.
“Next run in the qualifiers: Craft number 9, Jennter Enterprises, piloted by Nico Bovier.” the trackside announcer informed the spectators.
“Nico is heir to the Bovier family” another commentator spoke “But his younger sister Jana has been in favour of taking over the families business, by his own choice.”

The start signal played and Nico landed a perfect start. He had seven laps from now on to set a competitive time.
But for doing so the young Bovier had to perfect any sweet spot he could find on the track. No easy feat given the lack of practice sessions in the FX400 league and this being his first seconds on the Fort Gale circuit.

“Bovier seems to struggle out there” one of the circuit speakers noted, as Nico touched the same wall for the third time in three laps. “Cut him some slack, Jennter built a very conservative craft this year.” the other returned.

The final lap started and Nico managed to squeeze a tight barrel roll out of the first jump leading into the tunnel. Another one for the straight into the hairpin right-hander and smooth turning out of it lead the pilot into his less favoured section. He winded through the first left-hander of the tunnel esses perfectly and grabbed an ideal amount of speed pads to leap onto the home straight.

On his outlap Nico was briefed of the result by Kai “Great run, really!”
“Thanks!” the pilot smiled into his helmet “But why the tone?”
“We didn’t qualify.” Kai responded disappointed “I’m sorry mate. Return to pits.”

Nico couldn’t help it but slammed his fist against the side of his cockpit.

“Damn it!”

The craft descended back into the pit box, Nico cut off the engine and took off his helmet while the staff started to work on it immediately.
Nico marched back to the Jennter motorhome, avoiding the handful of journalists he would encounter.

“Good run, Nico. Hope we can give you a proper craft next year.” Herman Graf, the Technical Director of Jennter Enterprises Anti-Gravity Racing Division said, as the Bovier entered the motorhome.
He made a noise, then shook his head “No...sorry. I am frustrated because I was under the impression that this lap lasted.”
“He knows that his attitude right now makes no sense.” Jonathan threw in, sitting a bit further away from the other two men and looked into his glass “But it is understandable.”
“Oh it does make sense.” Nico turned to him “Anyway, I’ll be helping out the team to pack up already.”

“Well, I will be watching the race, when I am at a track already…” Jonathan said, looking back into his glass again. For a moment he showed determination in his eyes “Let’s see where they will be at the end of the day.”