Rewritten: 6/18/18
What was unexpected on their way to a local train station to travel out west in Miami, Jake and crew were stopped on their tracks after witnessing Alicia's shop go up in flames, leaving her uncle with nowhere else to go and losing the family business. While they told him to come with them he refuses to leave the state. He rather stay behind to clean up the mess, whatever was left at least. Hoping to cover the insurance, he wanted to rebuild the shop as much as he could, staying at an inn for the time being to retrace his steps and inform his employees of what happened. Alicia wanted to stay behind to aid her uncle, thinking she would be better off staying to support him rather than going out in the west with her crew. Jake didn't want to leave without her, but her uncle agrees with what she said thinking it would get too dangerous especially confronting Logan back at the west coast. As much as she wanted to go she had no choice. She apologizes to them, thinking this will be the last time she'll drive with them. Alicia gives them all a hug including Jake, hoping they can do it without her. As they walk back to their cars, Jake suddenly comes back to her, getting her attention. Telling her that if he doesn't come back, he decides to gives her one thing. Jake gives her a lip to lip kiss lasting for a few seconds, it was the first time they've kissed on the journey. As he lets go and heads back to his car catching up with the rest, Alicia quietly says goodbye to him.
The crew reaches the Miami Train Station not too far from where they were only for them to wait some more by getting their tickets as well as waiting for an auto train to transport their cars. Waiting for a few hours there was finally an auto train to take their cars including themselves to the west. Even though they would rather drive, they rather find a quicker way over as well as resting themselves and their vehicles. The train was ready to leave with them inside, looking back at Miami one last time and prepare for a different kind of Journey on rails instead of road. They plan to stop at Santa Fe New Mexico and drive off from there.
On their way stopping from city to city, town to town they reach out in the open just sitting by their assigned train seats and just look out their windows viewing the scenery passing by. Despite Alicia not sitting along, Jake sat next to Grease throughout this journey while the rest had their own individual seats. It takes them days to cross the US. They stop at other stations, pass through towns or cities, but most of the time they were passing through fields, hills and eventually mountains. As they pass further through Texas the green prairies begin to turn yellow. Closer and closer the green grass starts to disappear as well as trees with nothing but lone bushes here and there. Eventually they begin to see desert getting close to the state border. By the time they crossed over to New Mexico, they were officially in the Mountain States region. While still in the middle of nowhere crossing more miles, they eventually hit rockier hills and tall trees going through mountains. Right now, they wanted to just stop the train and drive on the nearest road, excited to drive on this kind of terrain. While they were only getting a glimpse of what the region has to offer, it was clear that this will be the most exciting region the crew will be driving so far. It was a shame for them that Alicia was missing out, but actually, she had already experienced it driving with Logan & crew, taking the Route 66. The crew eventually makes it to Santa Fe.
Meanwhile back in Miami as days passed, Alicia and her uncle had been staying at a hotel all this time. They pretty much had no home at the moment. While they had family in the US, they were out of state. Uncle was still filling out documentations for the business, possibly moving to another location in or out of the state, yet there was no case at the moment. As for Alicia, ever since the crew left her behind, she started to feel ill a few days later. There were times where she didn't want to eat or do anything for a whole day even with her uncle aside from driving; all she was now thinking about was Jake after receiving that kiss from him feeling a spark. For the past days it bothered her. No matter what she does he was somehow on her mind, imagining him, thinking of talking to him, remembering the times they were on the road as well as meeting back in LA. As she tried talking to her uncle about it, her uncle knew what she was feeling. Alicia was feeling lovesick, she was in love with Jake as he pointed it out yet there was nothing he could do about it, even suggesting that she should have went with them despite agreeing she shouldn't. He also suggested calling him but she thought it wasn't a good idea. Alicia started to regret her decision to stay yet she wanted to give her uncle company. Even if she didn't receive the kiss she started to like him more and more during the months they've driven around the country, talking to him including hanging out the most when visiting the cities and stops. Unlike Logan who she thought she loved, Jake felt like the one who really cared and connected with her. She tries to not think about it too much and tries to help out her uncle.
(Transitioning) Back out west after getting off the auto train with their cars, the crew drives a couple more miles till nightfall. They pass through Albuquerque which was one of the major spots for their next rivaling faction "The Snakes". They keep moving however crossing through open desert on what is known as the famous Route 66. They pass by a couple of lone gas station filling up at one of them as well as receiving partial souvenirs. Though wanting to drive through the real experience, they continue to take the old Route 66 path rather than the 40 interstate passing over Laguna Pueblo. While it wasn't as exciting as they expected it was only partial of what it has to offer. The sun already sets as they get close to Gallup, stopping at an inn out of town including a diner close by. They were still under 500 miles from their destination of Las Vegas, while they wanted to get there as fast as possible, it was too tempting to take the regular roads rather than the interstate. Still trying to get rid of the bitter taste after leaving Miami, the crew decided "Why the hell not?" and take the long way over the next morning just to enjoy themselves on open road. It would take them 8 hours rather than 6, crossing over Arizona as well as Utah until reaching the Nevada border.
Taking the long way turned out to be a great Idea to Jake and the others as they experience more of the rocky desert landscapes going through Arizona. Once again, they were the only ones on the road taking the 98. They saw nothing but red rock mountains, mixed with greenery of trees and bushes as well as a pure blue sky. They pass through the Colorado River on the Navajo Bridge, giving them a peek of the canyon that would only lead down to the majestic Grand Canyon National Park. Still going through the 89A road there was lots more to be seen for the crew as they now head through more rocky and greener landscapes heading through Jacob Lake, taking a small stop there for gas. There were still long ways to go yet the crew were enjoying every minute of it. It was still a shame to them that Alicia couldn't experience it along with them as the sun setting gave the desert landscape a more beautiful view. They finally get back on an interstate, taking the I-15 which now leads them to Las Vegas. They make it there by nightfall seeing the neon lit skyline out in the distance.
The crew enters the city at possibly the right time of day getting off the freeway and down the road to the Las Vegas Strip. Lights, casinos, and adverts litter all around them as they start thinking about trying out the casinos and clubs with Jake & Aaron being the most tempted on gambling & music, while Grease would rather see shows and Dwayne not being too interested, focusing on what they were here for. They were suddenly greeted by crews from the 5-10 Outcasts as they lead them to the location where they needed to go. Dwayne suddenly remembers where they were headed as there was a spot where the 5-10s get their specific vehicles from, west from the strip. Where they head to was what looked to be an occupied backlot for stunt/offroad cars used for shows/arenas, but inside closed gates was something different. Inside the gate was a hidden Dealer/Workshop for the 5-10s storing all of their raid spec and offroad race vehicles. This was the place where the crews buy their cars for raid jobs/races around the US and was also the place where the Outcasts got their raid cars for Jake's crew to do the jobs all this time. As long as they had the 5-10 mark regardless, they were able to buy them in secrecy for a cheap price depending on level, and luckily for Jake's crew, Dwayne still had his ink to be approved.
The Outcasts crew that led them there gave them all temporary starter cars to own until leaving the region, knowing that they were going to need them for the qualifier that the 5-10 Snakes will host outside the city. Races and challenges in the region will mostly be off-road as this was a requirement that the crew needs in order to be let in the qualifier. They get their own raid spec cars; Jake gets a Ford Mustang 2014. Carson gets a Chevy Camaro1969. Grease gets a Volkswagen Touareg NF and Aaron gets a Ruf 3400K. The off-road vehicles were specially modified to keep up with any driver for these races. As they received more info from the Outcasts that led them to the area, they get the location of the meetup starting tomorrow afternoon. The qualifier was happening up in the Charleston Mountains west of Vegas as the crew plans to head there the next day. While there was no time to practice their new vehicles, they were pretty much use to it already.
The next day they head out of the city and went up to Charleston, but instead of the roads they now take the desert terrain riding their raid vehicles. They leave their other cars back at an HQ controlled by the 5-10 Outcasts as they won't be needing them till heading for the next city in the region. They bounce and rock through the desert until reaching the Kyle Canyon Road leading up to the mountain. On the way they also pass across other racers heading their direction going through greenery of trees. Because it was around the winter season at this point, the farther they head up showed some snow still on the ground yet none was on the trees that were melted off in the afternoon sun. They went on a gravel trail that leads them to a parking area where the 5-10 drivers were meeting. Tents were set up with other raid vehicles filling the spot yet this was no festival. As the crew got out to meet at a circle, they see the V4 of the Mountain States standing in the middle. Once again it was another of Logan's crew drivers and Jake's other opponent from LA, Isaac Rojas. However, instead of a Koenigsegg it was an actual race buggy. The crew awaits to challenge the others heading higher up.
The qualifier was much different than the qualifiers from the past regions aside from different specs of vehicles. Instead of a tournament it was just one race with all faction crews starting from higher ground of the mountain and ending down at the bottom heading out of Charleston. The first crew to make it to the bottom gets to move on around the Nevada region to complete races and to face the first V2. While it seemed a very quick race, there were dozens of obstacles down the gravel trail. Trees, rocks bumps, etc. were the main obstacles to avoid. In past qualifiers, most crew would never make it to the bottom giving the reason there was only one sprint race. It was all about surviving environments when it came to off-road racing. Jake and his crew line up with the rest of the faction crews up on the very top of Charleston. Below there was not a specific path as it was up to the crews to find their way down without wrapping their vehicles around a tree or flip out on a single rock. Crews had to carefully go through the forest. If one driver from a crew gets stuck or wrecks out, they can still finish without him/her but need most of their crew to finish in order to get a possible win down the mountain. A flare gets fired in the air signaling the racers to go, as dozens of raid vehicles spread out going down taking their own ways. One of them right away flips their car over on a small bump down, showing how easy it is to screw up in this race. Jake's crew carefully sticks together down the mountain.
A number of racers disappear through the trees going their own path. Jake leads his crew much like he did in the past jobs as he weaves through the trees, avoids rocks & bumps and finds an open path down avoiding thicker forests. Some drivers get eliminated in back of them even in front witnessing a driver losing control and head straight for a tree wrecking his/her car. This was a very hazardous race to Jake's crew, one risk could really screw them over especially after just getting their raid specs in Vegas. They take their time and not rush their way down. Even if a crew finishes first or second after, having a full crew make it will guarantee a win unless one manages to make it first. Many drivers don't make it down as the they now reach the gravel trail they went up from and take it all the way down back on the road. One crew was ahead but it was unclear if all in one crew was together. Jake's crew was spread out while taking the trail/road. Still communicating on radios they keep track on who's still driving. A few miles down the road they hit desert with rocky hills surrounding them still. They see the finish ahead with another flare signaling the finish line. A number of drivers had already crossed, but which crew made it down with all four? Jake makes it down with all of his crew seconds after him. Eventually, all surviving drivers make it down, and out of all factions, two full crews make it down with Jake's being the victor, able to move on with the challenges around the state.
Progression: Mountain States
The Mountain States region was the largest out of the others. Because raid racing was popular here, most of the races/challenges were spread out of the city with road racing being rare in cities and open highways. Because of this it would take days perhaps weeks to complete the acquired number to race the V2, taking Jake's crew hundreds of miles out in the state. Races took place out in open deserts, hilltops, canyons, mountains, even snow in some areas with no boundaries or paths to take. As so, Jake's crew starts off on paved road races/challenges on the first week using their perf specs in Vegas or outside. The next week already heading into the new year (2016) they drive out into the open Nevada Great Basin Desert.
Heading out there meant easily getting stranded. With little road drive on and hardly any gas stops or motels, the crew packs up with gas canisters, food/water as well as sleeping bags and camp fire kits to prepare to face the Backlands of America. If lucky they would cross by lone motels and gas stations, but it was unlikely since they didn't take the main roads. To the crew it was a modern wild west taking raids instead of horses challenging other racers out there. Most of the challenges were uphill climbs including trials going through open dirt trails. Doing them at night was more risky, relying on their extra headlights and the moon to find their way around the paths. When it came to doing Jobs for the 5-10 Outcasts, they were mostly transport missions picking up stranded racers who wrecked or dried up on gas, transporting them to a nearby location. Their GPSs would also lose signal as the crew now relies on old fashion methods to navigate the region. (Maps, Compasses) Despite the difficulties they faced out there, they complete enough races/challenges to meet the Las Vegas V2, making their way back.
As they head back to Vegas during early morning, the LV V2 sends them a message to meet with their raid specs not in the city but outside heading east. The V2 challenges them at the Valley of Fire State Park for a long terrain crew race mixing paved road, dirt and mud going through a dry rocky river as part of their path as well as a dirt track going through a mining yard. The race would end at Echo Bay near Lake Mead. The crew sets a waypoint and immediately heads there for the challenge. When they got to the meeting location, the sky was covered by thick grey clouds, almost storm like resulting in rain which could lead to rolling on mud later on in the race. They meet up with the V2 and his crew, prepared with their lineup of raid vehicles. Right away the sky starts drizzling as the two crews line up near the Silica Dome roundabout parking road and prepare for a slick road race up the Fire Canyon Road until they reach the dry riverbed near the Fire Wave Landmark. Once again a flare signals the drivers to start moving.
The first two miles on the slick road was the only easy section of the race with both crews still staying together until the river section. They drop down to the riverbed running over rocky and barely muddy terrain all the way through. There were large rocks scattered on the path making it easy for the vehicles to pop and turn over on their side or top. To make it more difficult, it had started raining all the way covering the whole trail full of mud and getting on the racers' windshields. The rest of the way was now off limits to civilians but that doesn't stop the drivers whatsoever. They went through slowly with the V2's crew leading as Jake's still sticks with them behind, going on for another 3 miles of winding turns, mud and rocks until reaching an actual dirt road heading down the mining field. Rain still pours down making the mud road more stickier for the two crews heading into the area. They go around a route in the area before heading up a hill taking a way out. Part of Jake's crew takes lead with the V2's in mid position sandwiching them now exiting out on to the Overton Power Access Road down a much narrower, bumpier dirt road down. It was here where the race officially starts.
Another dirt path takes the two crews down a 15 to 20 mile route to Echo Bay as they start pushing their raid vehicles up to top speed on long straight dirt roads through the terrain. At first they stumble through chicane turns but since they could go through off road they bypass them all cutting through small streams, splashing through rain water already filling up the rivers. Some of them they jumped over, others they almost wipe out on by steeper drops, forcing to slow down on sections. After crossing those streams they now reach a long straight narrow dirt trail. There was still more obstacles ahead of them; more river streams, chicanes, steep hills to get around and jumping over main roads as well as a tiny canyon going through the Valley of Fire Wash and other large dry rivers, forcing them to take the dirt path down and up without dropping in. Jake's crew still leads by two drivers while the rest still fall behind a number of yards. The obstacles still continue long way till eventually the sun starts to break through the grey clouds as Grease and Carson who fell behind catch up on the last half of the race. Just a couple miles left including crossing over the Calico Wash, Jake's crew had a chance to win now with G & D taking the middle. They hit the Echo Bay Road as the parking lot few meters down was the final checkpoint. Jake's crew wins with two drivers of the V2's crew coming in last, winning the state of Nevada for the 5-10 Outcast and for them to move on to the next city. The V2 gives up Las Vegas easily, proving a fair race.
The crew heads back to Las Vegas to switch over to their perf spec cars to travel down to the next city. As for their raid vehicles, washed up back at the HQ, the 5-10 Outcasts would give them transports, having some of their drivers take their cars on 2 medium size car carriers on a specific route. Where the crew was heading next was back in Arizona taking on Phoenix as their next city. While the region was large, there were not that many major cities to control there. Cities like Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, Albuquerque, Denver, and Salt Lake City were the only choices to choose as the crew chooses the closest cities before reaching the West Coast. They would leave the next day, but not until doing one last job in the city first.
The crew gets info for their task as they needed to break out a valued driver being taken by one of Logan's 5-10s out of the region and into the West. While there was no description on the person for the crew, it was important to break him out as he had intel on their rival's big business ring in the West Coast involving exports on high value stolen cars. The Outcasts needed these cars for the crew to face the races/challenges in the West Coast as Logan, the V4 of the region had the dealers locked down for every 5-10 Outcasts that comes there in preparation for their arrival. Jake's crew is gonna need them if they want to enter the next region, as it was a new spec of car to require. Logan is banning 5-10 drivers racing for the Outcasts for the WC qualifier regardless what the V8 says, but with Jake and the rest they'll have a free ticket in as long as they had the specific spec that they need to take from them, going up against the 5-10 Bears on their own. Logan was trying to make it hard for them now; if they wanted that car spec from the region they might as well try taking some from him, but needed to find them. This driver they needed to break out may have the answer.
Jake's crew sets out on their own raid vehicles heading for the location near Goodsprings. By this time it was evening hours as the crew gets there. As they pass through the small town and through the mountains taking the Sandy Valley Road, they spot what looks to be a black armored truck heading out west just a few miles from the state border. The crew gets a positive ID of the vehicle as they work together on how to stop this vehicle without really injuring the captured driver inside. The crew has an idea to try and turn over the truck, but it was tricky to pull off. Taking their chances, Jake orders Dwayne, Grease, and Aaron, to get in front of the truck. They were in a certain position as one took the left side while two took right side. As they all pass the truck, Jake orders the go ahead with all three drifting towards each other in front of the truck and flash their headlights, missing one another. This freaks out the truck driver, punching the breaks to avoid crashing while also being blinded. The truck steers left as Jake makes a shunt on its back corner, causing the truck to flip on its side skidding to a stop. It was unknown at this point if the captured driver in the back was alright. The crew gets out in masks and tries busting the back doors open, finding the driver inside with a bag over his head and arms tied. Carson looks for the truck driver up front, finding him unconscious. Before the truck driver could wake up, they immediately take the captive driver away on one of their vehicles still with the bag over. They find a spot back over the mountain to untie him.
Already dark, the crew stops at a flat hilltop to untie the driver. The driver wonders what was going on as they take him out of Greases car, having the only co-seat. Jake with his mask off takes the bag off the driver's head and reveals who it was. Jake was in shock.
The driver recognizes him: "Jake?"
Jake: "..Maxwell?"
Right away they gave each other bro hugs, surprised to meet each other again.
Jake: "Where the hell have you been all this time, dude?"
Grease questions Jake: "You know this Guy?"
Jake: "He's my best friend, man. My vice president of the StreetRats. (To Max) But.. how did the 5-10s capture you in the first place?
Maxwell: "I knew about their shipments, knew of their trade routes. The Streetrats got in touch with these old 5-10 drivers calling themselves Outcasts and say they could use me to disrupt their exports. Next thing I knew while driving out on my own to Vegas I got caught up by Logan's drivers. They captured me as I got over the state border, didn't want me to get to them.
Jake: "The StreetRats are still around?"
Maxwell: "Yeah, well, some of us. We're only a small group now, allying with the Outcasts to rebuild our MC. Ho.. How did you even find me?"
Jake: "The same guys that sent me. They're helping me battle the 5-10s, told my crew to find you out here, dude."
Maxwell: "My god. All this time I thought you were in prison or something. How did you..?"
Jake: It's a long story, bruh. I'll tell you on the way back, tell you where I've been."
The crew takes Maxwell back to the Outcasts' HQ. While on the way, Jake tells him the whole story. How he met his crew, what states he went to, who was involved, and how they were going to take down Logan. Jake introduces his team, mentioning Alicia who was unfortunately not with them. For almost half a year since LA, Jake and Max were separated, reuniting again as well as hearing news of bringing back their motorclub together again in helping from the Outcasts. Maxwell gets to meet the man who started it all, talking to Dwayne. While the 5-10s will still be around, new leadership will be taking place under the Outcasts, promising to give the StreetRats another chance and giving back their territory of Los Angeles until Logan's faction is defeated in the region. Maxwell hopes to see Logan get locked up as he tried doing to his former MC President.
(Transitioning) Meanwhile back In Miami, few days before Jake & crew met the LV V2, Alicia was still living at the hotel with her uncle. While her uncle got back the insurance money, it wasn't enough to completely rebuild the shop back in Wynwood yet still able to buy back all equipment. Uncle had to find another location but there was no property available in the area. He continues to search online while Alicia almost gives up on him while still feeling regret for staying. One night she started dreaming of Jake being there with her coming back from the west, she wakes up moments later while being hold in his arms as he just vanishes in the dark motel room with her just sitting on the bed holding the air. She then checks her phone for her crew but there were no messages. Seeing that her uncle was still asleep on the other bed, it was then she got up, puts on some clothes jacket and boots and attempts to leave on her own out west. Leaving her uncle a note she quietly walks out and to her car, only to have a fight with second thoughts and her heart, having a moment. It was around 3AM as she hears street racers' roaring engines in the distance as well as having a group of racers pass by her street. She makes up her mind and decides to leave, listening to her heart. She drives off into the night.
Her Uncle wakes up in the early morning only to see that his niece had disappeared from her bed. All he found was a note saying she was heading west on her own hoping also her uncle will find a property without her. While he was disappointed, he understood her feelings, strong enough to have her travel thousands of miles by herself just to get back to her crew though mostly for Jake. Transitioning to Alicia, she drives her Exige S down the highway with the morning sun in back of her, finding her way to the Mountain States region. It would take her days to reach where her crew would be.