Rewritten: 6/17/18
The road to Salt Lake City drastically changes from desert to pine forest once the crew had crossed over the mountains of Price Canyon. 5 hours and 300 miles after leaving Monument Valley to crossing Tucker on the US-6 highway, Jake's crew and followers begin to see legitimate snow falling in the region. While they weren't crossing the highest mountains north of them, snow was able to be seen in the hills despite technically driving through desert still. Entering the city limits of Provo proved otherwise as they now see green grass on melted parts of the path. With another hour of driving and dealing with traffic once again on the I-15, they finally reach Salt Lake City, completely covered in snow. The roads were very slippery due to the ice-covered asphalt as the drivers were encourage to drift through intersections making it difficult to gain traction. Another HQ set by the 5-10 Outcasts was stationed west of the city as the drivers head there to station themselves. By this time, it was already at night, yet the snow-covered city brightens the night sky above. The crews were exhausted including Jake's; they immediately get some rest for the night and start their first week of races/challenges driving perf spec vehicles in/out of town.
Snow continues to fall in the next couple days as Jake's crew tackles the slippery roads of Salt Lake City including out in the mountain highways. They equip their perf specs with tires to handle the ice yet still dealt with sliding their cars. They adapt their drifting skills to the challenges around town as well as all 5-10 drivers in this winter season. Cops in the city wouldn't dare to chase after them on the ice roads not capable to drive in these conditions despite their best attempting to pursue the racers. Challenges like time trials and race lining were difficult to complete due to the ice as some were completed during times of Spring or Summer. The 5-10 Outcasts including Jake's do their best in the city, though going outside city limits was a different encounter. Still in perf specs, Jake & crew take on the Big Mountain Pass east of SLC on the UT-65. The road was closed off for civilians due to winter season but that didn't stop racers from heading up and taking on Ice drift racing. This was a very dangerous time to go up, but the crew was determined to take on the best 5-10 drivers in crew Touge battles in these conditions. The roads were narrow, but drivers kept it slow on the turns including straights. In all as expected, Jake's crew or at least he and Dwayne survive the battles while the rest of the crew spectate over their skilled driving on the ice. Just when they thought it was over, they still had another week's worth of challenges, this time going on raid specs farther out of SLC.
The crew now switches over to take on the thick snow off-road. Alicia doesn't get her own vehicle however and instead rides shot-gun with Grease in his Touareg NF. While they were yet to go farther out of SLC, one of their starting raid spec races/challenges led them out to the Bingham Canyon Mine southwest of the city. The mine was off limits, but of course that didn't stop racers from trespassing into the property. Using the gravel roads that were meant for the dump trucks to use, racers used it as their sprint race paths all around the area. Despite getting races/trials out of the mine with Jake's crew leading most, cops were called in the property and were prepared to chase out the off-road racers in their own off-road vehicles using Ford F150s. They were recent placement vehicles in the departments of the region, able to compete against the 5-10s' raid vehicles scattered in the Mountain States originally to go after traffickers for the MC at the time. They were ran out of the mine but still get pursued out in the snow. They run east and evade police going up afew mountains as well as a neighborhood in Eagle Crest Trailhead. Soon after they head to their next location up in Twin Peaks, and it was there where they hit the ski slopes.
The mountains were pure white with snow, even at night giving a dark blue shade by the moonlight above. There was one point of day that clouds covered the mountains entirely and where the crew begins their challenges. Seeing it was a skiing location, the hills hardly had any trees to run into, but instead had to avoid downhill skiers/boarders going through the slalom paths. The majority of challenges were uphill climbing and scramble trials, yet this proved difficult running their tires through very thick snow. After some struggle, the crew then faces another downhill race starting up at a closed ski jump and having drivers making their way down through a ski resorts and end it by going down Little Cottonwood Canyon Rd heading back to the suburbs of Sandy. The race was decently long, almost like a crew race Jake's crew would face with a city V2. However, that was gonna take place farther east in the higher rocky regions as they now prepare for an expedition to the Unita Mountains. They win the race once again.
The Unita Mountain range was the most breathtaking region Jake and his crew went through. Despite all of it covered in snow, the valleys gave a whole lot of room to drive around as well as frozen lakes to glide across with their heavy raid vehicles. The crew spends the next few days in the area, staying in warm rented cabins through the freezing nights. There were no roads, traffic, or cops to bother them except for other racers they were going to face. Challenges yet again were hillclimbs and scramble, but now there were raid vehicle time trials set in the valleys for them to break or reach close to against other racers. Races were also the same going through forests in the valleys as well in the hills.
Despite completing races in the region, back at the cabins Jake & crew would take time to enjoy themselves. Indoors at night without internet or TV, they would play table poker or other card games near the fireplace while drinking liquor at the same time having drunken conversations. Outside during the day, they head out to the frozen lakes just to fool around by ice drifting in circles trying to make the best donuts. Jake and Alicia also spend time together doing basic things in the snow like building snowmen or making snow angels. Grease would join in despite the two secretly wanting to be alone together but decide not to give him the cold shoulder and just spend time together like a group of friends. Aaron however, was the only one not enjoying the cold weather. Most of the time he stayed inside the cabins relaxing in his turtleneck sweater and drinking hot cocoa thinking of Miami on the tropical beaches rather than having snowballs being thrown at him by Grease, Jake, even Dwayne at one point poking fun at his cold misery. Dwayne on the other hand would join Aaron anyway, only to plan out events in the area and keeping the raid vehicles in shape not having time to mess around. When it came to heading out, the crew gets back into serious mode and continues conquering challenges until their meetup with the SLC V2 and his crew in the area. Sure enough, they get a message to meet up not too far from their cabin, abandoning it once they finished.
The crew meets the V2 at another part of the valley east of them near Kings Peak. By this time the sky was blue with the noon sun shining down on the pure white surface. The V2 and his crew had an uphill challenge for all drivers which almost sounded simple. The first crew with the most drivers to get over Kings Peak wins Utah. Jake thought it was a joke until he realized how very difficult it would be. The mountain was steep but not too steep from where they were starting from. They could get a raid vehicle over unless there was support using the tow hooks on their cars. The mountain was also littered with rocks which could be an advantage but one mess up could have one of them tumbling down from where they started. Drivers also needed to work/communicate together, finding a less steep path to get them over the other side signaling the finish. If one driver from each crew doesn't make it, they could continue up but having all four drivers over will guarantee a win to the crew that finishes first. To make this interesting though, each crew attach themselves with the cable hooks on their bumpers, able to reel or loosen with the heaviest driver leading. One screw up could have the whole crew tumbling down as they must not hold tight on the cables dragging down the lead driver or snap the cable entirely. They set themselves at the bottom, waiting for a flare to signal them to go and push forward. Both crews take it slow but have a speeding start to gain height on the slope.
This surprisingly was the riskiest race Jake's crew had gotten into, keeping their distance with the tow cables and only reel in if the lead gets over the mountain. Grease, along with Alicia on co-seat had the heaviest car which wasn't saying much as the crew counted on him to lead and keep moving up, gripping the rocky slopes without slipping. The V2's crew also stuck alongside with them reaching higher up. Their lead driver makes it over first but now the rest had to reel up using the lead as an anchor hanging over the other side of the slope. A few grueling moments later, Grease makes it over the edge as it was their turn to tighten their cables and reel their cars up. It was easy to snap the cable as they try not to pull too much of the combine weight with all 3 on slope pulling on the first cable. The driver taking last can be pulled up as the next lead driver on the slope tries to make it over. Aaron who was taking last, struggled to keep grip pulling Dwayne's raid car down as he struggled to gain movement. Dwayne reels his hook until tension started to break one of the fibers. Meanwhile the V2's crew left side was also dealing with the same situation as each was having their cables breaking fibers. Aaron gains grip on the rocks and pushes the gas while Dwayne loses his weight and also punches the pedal to move upward. Just a few meters left, Dwayne eventually makes it over leaving just Aaron to make it up, while the other crew had one last driver to make it up as well. It was all up to the last driver to bring it home.
The last drivers seemed to have the most struggle on the climb. They were slipping on rocks as well as not gaining speed to push up. Aaron only had a few meters left as he now reels his cable in to pull himself up. The driver left from him was not far off as both now have all crew drivers over the edge as they race to detach their cables on their hooks and start speeding down the slope. It was anyone's race as both were neck and neck on the way down taking big bumps on the rocks keeping themselves from rolling down. Suddenly, one of the drivers on the V2's crew takes it too hard and flips his car over, rolling down the hill. Unfortunately, Jake's crew also suffers the same fate as Dwayne loses it, slowing down but still flipping his Camaro down the slope. However, while taking damage on his vehicle, Dwayne was able to land on his wheels as he slowly makes his way down. The other driver however wasn't so lucky. The driver breaks an axle while landing on his wheels causing Jake's to make all the way down the valley despite Dwayne suffering damage. Both got knocked around but survive the rolling death cages, yet both lose their vehicles in the process. Jake's crew win the crew uphill challenge but were now a car short to face the V4 on the Mountain States Rush. They hope the 5-10 Outcasts could lend another vehicle back at the HQ as Carson rides along with Jake with no seat and drove back to Salt Lake City. The V2 meets up with the V4, Isaac, back at the city as well, waiting another day for The Rush.
Despite the enthusiasm, Dwayne's injuries start to affect him, suffering a minor concussion and other bruising from the flipping out back at Kings Peak. The adrenalin fades as he starts to feel sore as the crew got back and slept through the night. Either way, his raid vehicle was pretty much wrecked, not in condition to race on a possible 1000 mile race. Dwayne will still come along but won't race this time, leaving Alicia to now get back into it as the HQ now gives her a raid vehicle. Alicia surprisingly was given a raid spec 370z Fairlady, only to realize that it was her old car given the permanent upgrade for hers to keep again. The 5-10 Outcasts had kept her old vehicle, realizing her uncle decided not to sell the car at all. Her car got overhauled yet again, but it was not just her engine. She still had the red paint and vinyl's on it still recognizing it from exterior, but inside the interior was stripped apart leaving only a professional looking race dash and surrounded by a roll cage. She sits inside, ready to take on the road again or in this case now the off-road terrain. Dwayne now rides the co-seat with Grease as the crew prepares to head out to meet Isaac outside of the city.
The crews meet down in Provo east of Utah Lake. The V4, Isaac, including the defeated V2s were there to face Jake and his crew for the Mountain States Rush. When meeting face to face, Isaac knew they were involved in the hijackings of their circuit specs as well as Logan himself knowing about it, expecting them to take the cars. As they listened through phone speaker held up by Isaac. All Logan could say to Jake was to pass his last best driver again, and better come to the west coast with 5 circuit vehicles if they could get the last 2. By now he was testing the crew's abilities against his drivers. They don't know what Logan may have planned for them across the next region, but one thing's for certain they were expected to show up without the Outcasts backing them. Then again, Logan didn't mention the crew could be backed by the resurrected StreetRats. Jake had a plan for Logan as well; however, they must get passed Isaac first like he said. Isaac prepares them at an intersection close by. Some 5-10s were there to see the race take place as they line up again on opposite directions. Their race path… there was no race path except for the Checkpoint in Las Vegas and ending in Phoenix. Using their raid vehicles, they could take shortcuts through off-road terrain if desired. They could rest or get gas but must be sure to be the first crew to reach the last city checkpoint. With both sides now ready to take off, they wait for the intersection light to go green and launch out to the main road leading them out of the city. The race would go on for under 800 miles of driving from start to finish.
Once again Jake's crew went their own way as they take advantage of going off-road and taking specific roads through the mountains and going off-road again now crossing through desert. Looking at the GPS they looked to be leading Isaac's crew when reaching Vegas. Having an opportunity, they quickly fill up at a gas stop including filling on quick snacks and energy drinks as they plan to go the whole way without rest. It would take them another 5 hours to reach Phoenix Arizona taking both interstate and off-road paths finding a quick route down. Unfortunately, while going through the desert, Aaron driving the RUF 3400K gets a flat after going through a couple of sharp rocks and has been wearing out the tires ever since the crew got their raid cars. This was the last thing the crew needs as they quickly stop and replace the tire/wheel for Aaron. Dwayne looks at the GPS for Isaac's crew and oddly there were no blips of them on the map. The crew assumed it was a glitch while continuing to replace the wheel and got back to the race for another 3 hours. By this time, it was already sunset as they finish up and kept moving. The GPS still doesn't work for some reason as they couldn't tell if they were ahead or behind. They try and rush themselves, worried that they might be far behind, eventually making it to Phoenix and head for the finish checkpoint in the center of town.
As they reach closer to the finish, they see no drivers waiting for them, not even 5-10 Outcasts waiting to greet them. At first the crew thought they were in the wrong street, only to realize it was the right spot. There was no sign of Isaac or his drivers either. Jake thought something was not right, they park at a nearby parking lot, stepping out only to get an unsuspecting call by Logan himself. Jake puts it on speaker for others to listen showing Logan on screen.
Logan: "Sup posers. Congratulations to you and your piss-poor faction now dominating the Mountain States region. You're now free to drive anywhere you wish from this region to the East Coast. Was it worth it?"
Jake: "What the hell is going on here, Logan? Where is everybody?"
Logan: "I guess you and your crew didn't get the memo. The Rush has been cancelled for you, Kid. Isaac dropped out only to head back to L.A. including the other V4s while you chumps carried on like a bunch of clueless idiots. Heh, at least you could say you won the whole eastside region for those Outcasts punks."
Jake: "So you're just gonna let go of this region for us then, give us the rest of the east part of the US just like that? Since when did you decide to give up what you worked for for the 5-10s?"
Logan: "Like I said, Kid. It's all yours to drive around now. The rest of us don't need it anymore. You and the Outcasts already beat the factions in every territory, shutdown everything the 5-10s had worked for in those 4 regions. Took out the businesses I set up out in the south, you've done enough damage already. Every last 5-10 had already moved out west while the Outcasts now control everything from where you are. You punks wanted the whole US so bad for your weak faction, well you now got it. But the West Coast will still remain mine, Kid. I rule here, I control every driver that runs here making millions from businesses. Sure, you took out some of my businesses out south, but I make more selling cars rather than that dope and guns you destroyed out east."
Dwayne interrupts: "The Outcasts are taking back everything including the West Coast, Logan. You and Shiv's work had done enough trouble for the 5-10s already."
Logan: "heheheh, what a surprise that I would see your face again. Been a long time since I've talked to you, V2. Or should I say, traitor."
Dwayne:"You're the one that's the traitor here as*hole, like the rest of you pieces of sh*t that ran the MC after V8 Dayton got shot 6 years ago.
Logan: "That V8 was a weak ass excuse of a leader for the 5-10s, Heh.. at least that's what Shiv said to me back when I met him, a cool guy I might asked. He made the 5-10s a whole lot better than what it was. You know, it was him that inspired me to join the MC to tell you the truth."
Dwayne:"And I can see where you get your influences from. He killed the original V8 to get his rank, much how you tried to kill me to get mine. Only a true scum son of a bitch would betray the 5-10s. Well I ain't one of them, and you call me a traitor to the MC? Shiv got what came to him back in California, another Taylor became V8, and we've cleaned up his mess that he left behind, including yours."
Logan: "And to that I say, bravo (Clapping in background) You and those Outcasts just destroyed your own MC's power and legacy throughout the whole country. And that new V8 will only make it worse. But what do I care. You, the Outcasts, and V8 will never get a hold of the West Coast. You can keep the rest of the United States all you want. As for the true 5-10s here, I'm their new V8 now. And If you want it, then come and get it. All you need is some circuit specs, and my guys will let you in. What are you waiting for? You still got 2 more vehicles left. You and those Outcasts go try to steal them if you can. I won't mind." (Hangs up)
Meanwhile some drivers came around to meet Jake and the others in the area. One of the drivers was Maxwell, as he comes out of his vehicle to meet them. Max informs them that Logan's 5-10s have all left to the West Coast, only to find out Jake & crew had already got the message. The Outcasts have taken full control 4/5ths of the United States, leaving only now to enter the forbidden region. Jake needed two more circuit vehicles if they were going to be let in the West Coast. Already acquiring 3, they wonder how they were going to find the last 2. Maxwell was about to tell them that, finding the whereabouts of the final 2 vehicles only to tell them by next morning. As the day came, they get the details. These vehicles were about to be sent out to a buyer but were currently being test driven on a racetrack. It wasn't too late to take them. While the location of the vehicles was unknown, their test drivers had been spotted out in the Mojave Desert about to head to the location. The crew set out quickly to locate the drivers as Max also comes with them.
It takes them almost at noon to reach the Mojave as they located the test drivers in street specs on the highway. Jake's crew were still riding in raid specs as they go out to stop them. Despite fighting it out, they manage to take out both drivers and running them off the road, getting information out of them of the circuit cars' location. They get their IDs as well as Max and other drivers hold them until getting the vehicles. They were given race uniforms to disguise themselves including seeing out helmets to hide their faces. Jake and Dwayne would be the ones to take the vehicles being dropped off at the location. Their location was a newly built race track in the middle of the Mojave, not too far from Las Vegas. Grease and Max drop them off outside the parking lot for them to walk in the back entrances; it was up to them to drive out of there with the cars. Entering the track pits, they spotted the cars just waiting for them to be driven as they take them on to the track. Not giving themselves away they do a couple laps around the circuit until making their escape. Once they were called in, they find an opening leading them out to the parking lot, only to suddenly be spotted by black circuit vehicles chasing after them. It was Logan's 5-10 drivers seeing that he did mind them taking their cars after all by making it hard for them to escape. Being inside a circuit car for the first time, Jake and Dwayne get a first experience. The cars had fast acceleration and superb handling, taking turns through the track and getting use to the grip race tires driving out. They immediately call back Max that they had the vehicles, but Logan was on their case. They were told to head back to Las Vegas, losing their chasers in the city if they can and head to a hidden location. After losing the drivers they finally head back to store the cars.
Hiding out in another abandon parking complex, the Outcasts store the 5 circuit cars for Jake's crew to drive; only now they were needed to be repainted, taking them a couple of days. Meanwhile, Jake makes a call to Logan, keeping the number he left to them back in Phoenix. Jake waits for an answer.
Logan: "Well.. look who decided to call back. I heard you already stole those last two vehicles from me. Did you like what I set upped for ya on the way out? I would have told them to kill you on the spot. But then again, why not just run you off the road instead. Would be a lot funner"
Jake: "Enough talk, Logan. We got your circuit rides, enough for my crew. And now we're finally coming after you. We're gonna settle things straight this time."
Logan: "What makes you think I'll let you race me again? How do you know I won't just kill you once we meet face to face, huh?"
Jake: "Why haven't you the last time?"
Logan: "I would have put a bullet in you and your new girlfriend back in Miami. You only lucked out when I had a gun facing towards my head. I let you take the South, the Mountain States, whatever. But after what you faced out there, how determined you were to come all this way just to beat me, I must admit you got my impression again. You proved you could drive, Kid, and now I'm waiting to race your crew if you complete what I have set up over here, minus the Outcasts of course."
Jake: "I'm not gonna bring the Outcasts to the West Coast like you said. You didn't say I could bring another group along however. You, your 5-10s against me and the StreetRats once again. They want a rematch. This time we all race each other as I expect it to be."
Logan: "Hmm, very well them. But as I said, you got some specific races/challenges to do once you get here. It don't matter if your StreetRats beat all the races. If you say you're the best driver, I expect you to beat my records, my races, my rules. You and your crew do that, I'll let you race me along with the V4s. If we meet again I promise you this, I won't point a gun at ya this time, no bullsh*t. So what's it gonna be, Kid?"
Jake: "I won't take that promise after last time. But I will race you, I will take back my LaFerrari, and I'll take the West Coast."
Logan: "Heheheh. Ohh still crying for your car after all these months I see. My drivers will expect you to cross the state border to California, no Outcasts, just your 'StreetPests'. Don't be late."
Jake: "I plan not to." (Hangs up)
The circuit vehicles were already repainted and loaded onto auto loaders as well as their raid vehicles. Jake, his crew and the StreetRats MC lead by Maxwell all meet out in the Mojave to cross into the California border. After being out of the state for so long, Jake was now heading back to his home city of Los Angeles, finally coming back to familiar territory. From this point on there was no turning back after this.