Faster Than Angels

[Jonny]

Arc: NJRS - #005
Title: External Drive

Nokav Vertigo, Rocky Mountains, USA
Friday, 17th February 2215
14:50.12

The first practice sessions were already completed, but yet another Jennter trailer arrived in the paddock.
Such a move was speculated the whole week, as Jennter registered two craft for this event, but arrived with only one. Patrick and Aurora thus had to take turns with the practice sessions.
Something the size of a race craft was extracted from this trailer, but it was hidden behind a big, white holographic wall. Several other components with Jennter logos were transported into the pits as well.

"A bit late, but I am glad that it arrived now." commented Nico Bovier, overseeing the construction efforts taking place "Patrick should be able to practise tomorrow."
"I am sorry, but I think the robot should fly this craft first." disagreed Linda Greyson, right next to him.
"Patrick is our lead pilot, that's clear. Hmm..." he was rethinking his idea "You are right, it is an untested prototype."
Linda nodded in response "I'll help out the mechanics now!"
"She's nervous, but also visably excited." whispered Nico, seeing the young woman walking into the garage.


Saturday, 18th February 2215
07:56.34

It was soon time for the final practice session of the weekend. Patrick Rouser would pilot the standard JAG-F12.212/5 while Aurora was to test a factory fresh JAG-F12.212/5B. Only a single letter was added, but several vast modifications were to be shown once the lights go green.
"Rouser, ready." noted Linda at the control stands. The number one craft of the team was levitating calmly in the Jennter pit.
"Australis, systems ready. Keep in mind to activate PSS once on track." she continued. Her craft was levitating in a similar fashion, but it appeared to be less stable and lower. It's shape seemed much different from the standard craft piloted by her team mate.

08:00.00

"Patrick, exit." ordered Nico and the white-orange craft shot out of it's garage onto the track.
Half a minute later it was time for the other craft "Aurora, exit. Activate PSS as soon as possible."
A seemingly bulky version of a JAG-F12.212 entered the track, for a brief moment it seemed almost incapable of turning and travelled at low speed.
"Activating PSS." spoke Aurora for the record and suddenly several components of the craft dropped down.

A ring formed around the craft, connected through thick wiring and four rods. Aurora didn't go full speed yet, but after just passing through a handful of the tricky corners this track offers, it became clear to anyone watching.

"An external anti-gravtiy generator?" observed Hiroyuki Arimoto, the technical director of AG-Systems "Not bad."
"That thing looks fragile." commented a Tigron engineer "We'll let 'em have it."

After two warm-up laps, Aurora was given the signal to do two timed laps.
The craft floated way lower over the track, given the extensions surrounding it, it resembled a classic hovercraft a little.
Patrick clocked some lap times already and retired to pits again. His time was currently topping an otherwise empty leaderboard. However, just her first hotlap displaced him to second by over one and a half second.

"Now there are many factors playing into the lap time. Jennter wasn't able to provide a lot of testing time to their pilots this weekend." commented the trackside announcer "It will be interesting to see the further development this session."

An hour later Aurora dropped to P2, but close to the leading Angelus AX2.2_r9 of Gareth Ardos and followed by a Qirex LS12 v2.8. Patrick was only able to maintain P6, but limited the distance to nine tenths.
Linda was jumping up and down in the garage of Jennter cheering "It works!" multiple times and to everyone's surprise ended up hugging Aurora as she climbed out of her new craft.