Changing Auras
Chapter 1
Time trials were taking place for the Monaco Grand Prix at a race track 1.5 miles outside the city. Gloria Baker sat in her white Porsche wearing a yellow racing uniform waiting to for the signal to go. She was an up and coming female race car driver from the United States with only one win under her belt the Daytona 500. Her victory had caught the eye of a new sponsor Trakker Industries who wanted her to go international and insisted she enter the Monaco Grand Prix
While the Time Trials were taking place on an actual track, the race itself would take place in the city of Monaco. Gloria knew having no familiarity with the race track would leave her at disadvantage, but she was determine to make a name for herself on a global scale and not disappoint her new sponsor.
"Beep…Beep…Beep…Ding."
Gloria pushed her foot to the gas petal and sped off. She was currently in the lead with six other cars tailing behind her. With a good start Gloria already felt confident that her time would be good enough to be accepted for the main race, but that feeling fell short as she notice a purple Nissan in her rearview mirror. She could feel herself becoming slightly uneased at how this car that started in the back had suddenly passed everyone and was on her tail. The purple car moved to the right and Gloria also swung her vehicle to the right to block. The purple Nissan then moved to the left and Gloria follow suit to block.
"Gloria you are making good time," a male voice stated over the radio, "save the competitive driving for the actual race."
Gloria knew he was right and eased up on the gas to let the car pass. As the purple Nissan was passing, by she glanced over to see a woman driving the car in navy blue race uniform and helmet. The woman gave her a hand gesture telling her "See ya later" and moved to the lead. Gloria's vehicle continued to remain a close distance behind the other woman's vehicle and crossed the finish line second.
As Gloria Baker rolled into the Trakker team garage, she kept wondering who the other woman was. She had assumed she'd be the only female race driver in the race, and she knew only a handful of other woman who raced.
"Great job out there Miss Baker," Gloria heard as she exited her vehicle.
"Thanks Clutch," Gloria replied removing her racing helmet, "I thought I told you to call me Gloria."
Buddy Hawks chuckled lightly, "Sorry habit."
"So the time was good enough to qualify?" She asked.
"Yep second fastest time," Buddy Hawks remarked.
"What do you know of the driver who came in the fastest? She quizzed.
"Not much," Buddy confessed, "goes by the name Vanessa Warfield and she is racing under an unknown sponsor. She's not really known in the racing circuit, so she might be making her racing debut."
"Hmm," Gloria replied slightly intrigued, "I think I'll go introduce myself."
"I wouldn't advise that," Buddy stated.
"Why not?" She looked him puzzled.
"We'll I, "Buddy scrambles fast to think of the right words to say to convince her to stay, "I hear she's got a bit of an attitude."
Gloria chuckled, "I think I can manage. Thanks for the warning."
Gloria Baker headed over to the garage where she saw the purple Nissan pull in. As she stepped into the opposition's garage, she saw a woman exiting the Nissan and removed her racing helmet to reveal bright red hair with some black dyed bangs.
The woman snapped at a man who was wearing a black jumpsuit and shades, "Change the oil it's running a bit sluggish."
"Hey I ain't your slave Vanessa," The man says in a sly voice.
"I beg to differ," She remarked knowing Sly Rax was only pretending to be part of her pit crew.
Before Sly Rax could come up with a comeback line, he saw Gloria walking into the garage and chose to hold his tongue. He then did a quick head jerk to Vanessa to indicate for her to turn around.
Vanessa turned to look at Gloria and huffed, "What do you want?"
"I figure I'd introduce myself…," Gloria started
"I know who you are," Vanessa replied crossing her arms, "That doesn't explain what you're doing in my garage."
"I wanted to commend you. That was some good driving out there," Gloria replied in a friendly tone.
Vanessa huffed, "Just because were both women, doesn't mean I want to get a cup of tea and share life stories and gossip. I suggest you go try team Vaillant."
Gloria was taken back by Vanessa harsh tone. Before she could formulate any response, Vanessa exited the garage to the backroom.
Sly Rax then came up alongside next up to Gloria, "Eh don't take it personal. She's got a lot riding on this race. You know I'm available, if you need a shoulder to cry on."
Gloria body language and eyes look to him directly indicating, 'I don't think so.'
"RAX!" Vanessa yelled from the backroom, "You're needed."
"Duty calls," Rax shrugged with a sly smile, as he headed off to the back room.
As Gloria left the garage, she couldn't help, but sense something more was going on.
Once Rax entered the backroom and shut the door behind him Vanessa shouted, "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Rax shrugged, "What she has a nice ass?"
"Enough," Miles Mayhem stated rolling out a map of Monaco on a table, "we have a heist to plan. The Monaco museum will be closed the day of the race. It will be the best opportunity to get the three painting that will lead us to the lost treasure of Toplitz. Vanessa this route along the race track has a sewer tunnel that you'll take to access the sewer entrance of the museum. Nash will orchestrate a black out disabling security. This will allow you to get in and out quickly and back into the race before anybody suspects anything."
Vanessa looked at the map and contemplated Mayhem's plan. She then spoke up looking at Mayhem directly, "I don't see how they won't notice me missing from the race. Even with security down, it will still take time for me to get in, steal the paintings, and then rejoin the race."
Sly Rax threw some smoke bombs on the table and spoke with confidence, "I got that covered. I'll rig these to go off in the middle of the race to indicate you're having vehicle trouble. Nobody will suspect why you're missing from the race, and we'll send the pit crew to your location."
"Does any one suspect you identify," Mayhem question Vanessa.
"So far no," Vanessa replied.
"Good keep it that way," Mayhem stated, "We don't want MASK to know you're working for us. Just make sure you make your presence known at the Monaco Grand Prix Gala, to keep up appearances."
Back at the Trakker Garage:
"How did it go?" Buddy Hawks asked noticing the confused look on Gloria Baker face.
"Well you did warn me about her," Gloria replied trying not to dwell on it.
"I did….I'll give you another warning," Buddy stated, "Our sponsor Matt Trakker should be paying us visit soon, you'll want to stick around the garage a bit longer."
"Just great," Gloria replied with little enthusiasm, "that's just what I needed pampering myself up to some rich obnoxious playboy." Buddy Hawks held his tongue, as he noticed a blond man in a blue suite within earshot.
"This rich obnoxious playboy is actually here to compliment you on your driving out there, "a calm male voice spoke up.
Gloria Baker turned around stun to see Matt Trakker standing behind her at the garage entrance giving a sly smile, as if he wasn't offended by her words but instead intrigue.
Gloria face turn beat red with embarrassment, "I'm sorry Mr. Trakker I should learn to keep my thoughts to myself sometimes."
Matt laughed, "It's quite alright."
"It's not alright," Gloria admits, "I owe you a great deal for sponsoring me in this race. I shouldn't be passing judgement. I guess a prior experience with my last PR manager has led me to be less trusting of rich men looking for favors."
Matt nodded already knowing her full background, "It would appear I will have to change your perception of me. Join me tonight at the gala as my date. It's mostly for a publicity shot, and I hope to talk some business with you, but if you rather…"
"No it's fine," Gloria nods and smiles apologetically, "I'll gladly be your date. Just don't be late."
Matt smiled, "I'll pick you up from your hotel room at 6."
Gloria then glared at Buddy once Matt Trakker walked away out of ear shot. "You could have given me more warning."
Buddy Hawks chuckled at the situation, "You're not very good at heeding my warnings."