OSPREY…SWOOOSH
UO: I might actually get this chapter out this month.
Ichigo: Good because Ash has been getting antsy
Andrew: Ah whatever at least we are getting updated
Orihime: No racing this time right?
UO: No but enjoy this break because the next race was a suggestion by a fellow reader.
Tatsuki: It isn't Le Mans is it?
UO: No but Andrew and Ichigo might prefer it. DISCLAIMER PLEASE!
Andrew: UnitedOsprey1991 does not own Bleach Tite Kubo does. He also doesn't own the tracks, the future drivers and the manufacturers they are owned by their respective owners. He only owns this plot and the concepts of Andrew, Rebecca, Maria and Raoul.
Normal: Dialogue
"Italics and quotations": Radio, track announcer, phone conversation
Underlined and Italics: Lyrics or TV broadcast
'Italics and apostrophe': Thoughts
Bold: Yelling
Bold and Italics: Yelling in head:
Name followed by a colon: In-race TV Announcer
Chapter 23: Siesta of planning
Sunday July 3rd: About 7:30 AM
When we last left the drivers they had finally reached the end of the long stretch of racing. Two months eight races and seven countries took its toll on the drivers and most were ready to take advantage of the long break.
Which is exactly what the two points leaders were doing. In his room, Ichigo was dead to the world clutching Orihime close. Said girl was watching him sleep and giggled. For all his toughness he was really a big kid. She laid her head down on Ichigo's chest and traced her finger around his muscles and thought about what had transpired this year. When they were assigned to cover this team, she had doubts they could be a good camera crew especially since like the team they were assigned were as green as they were.
She smiled to herself. So many adventures later and she wondered where this people were her whole life. For so many years, Tatsuki was one of her only real friends and she had this large shell around her. She was always shy about her looks even though Tatsuki and her parents kept saying she was beautiful. She had been offered a few modelling contracts but she never wanted to show her beauty, she would rather be capturing it.
What this beauty did, however, was bringing unwanted attention to her. Most of the time she politely declined and many of the boys backed off. Some however did not take the hint and Tatsuki eventually had to fight them off. But the damage was done, she hid herself behind her shyness and her slightly quirky nature.
Orihime pouted and looked at her chest. She could barely make out her toes outlined in the sheets. Her chest was always the envy of other girls being near a D-cup size when she graduated high school and had steadily grown in size since then. Now she figured she was over an E-cup. They also seemed naturally perky as she never had to worry about sag. That was why she could feel her breasts completely, she never needed a bra unless she was feeling modest, which until this year was almost all of the time.
Now looking back at the man that made her come of her shell, she wished she met him sooner. She never would have done half the things she experienced this year without him, Tatsuki and Andrew. She rolled onto his chest and looked at his face. Had it really been two weeks since they confessed? It seemed like an eternity ago. As she watched, she didn't even fight the urge to lean down and kiss Ichigo. She held the kiss for a few seconds before she felt a hand hold her in place and she moaned as a tongue entered her mouth and easily submitted to it. They broke free and Ichigo opened his eyes.
"What a way to wake up. Morning Hime." Ichigo said smiling.
"Morning Ichigo." Orihime said.
"What were you doing?" He asked sitting up slightly.
Orihime squeaked and buried her blushing face. "I…I was watching you sleep. Sorry but you were so cute."
Ichigo chuckled. "Its okay. I do the same thing to you." He said stroking her hair. "What time is it?"
Orihime glanced at the clock. "7:40 I've been up for the last 20 minutes."
Ichigo grunted. "Too early." He said closing his eyes.
Orihime sat up to get out of bed. "I'll leave you to sleep then. I am going to go help—EEP" Orihime tried to say but Ichigo wrapped his arms around her and held her back against his chest. "Ichigo let me go." She called out.
Ichigo shook his head. "Nope. Sorry Hime we aren't getting up till I feel ready to wake-up."
Orihime pouted but before she could protest, Ichigo fell asleep. The red head girl knew couldn't escape and to truthful she didn't want to try. She closed her eyes and fell asleep against Ichigo's chest.
In Andrew and Tatsuki's room, Tatsuki had woken up and actually got out of bed. Seeing Andrew asleep, she quietly turned on his game system after replacing the disk. She had shown some interest in video games but Andrew made her pick up the controller. She had popped in one of the RPG's Andrew had and opened up her file. It was still in early in the game but she had some progress. She pulled up a chair not even bothering to cover up her boxers and bra considering the only person who would see was still asleep and he wouldn't mind the sight.
She had started playing the game and was about an hour into the game when she heard shuffling. She looked over her shoulder to see Andrew slowly waking up and feeling around for presumably Tatsuki.
"Tatsuki? You here?"
"In front of ya. Put your glasses on."
Andrew did so and crawled to the edge of the bed. "I knew I could convert you." He chuckled and patted the bed next to him. Tatsuki hopped onto the bed and kept on playing.
"You know we could make a day out of this. Two of us playing games, being lazy bums not caring about the world." Andrew said curiously.
Tatsuki giggled as she finished off another mob. "Who knows? So our next break will be after Hungary which is for a month. What are we going to do?"
Andrew rested his chin on the bed. "Well the obvious thing is to go home and crash there for a month leave my car in Japan and drive one of my dad's cars. I've checked flights there is no direct flight from Hungary, think the cheapest first class flight goes through Paris to JFK
Tatsuki hummed. "Okay, we have enough money regardless of the flights." Tatsuki said accepting another quest.
"My question is…do you want to come with me?" Andrew asked seriously.
This got Tatsuki to pause the game. "I've…never been separated from Hime for than a couple of weeks. I am concerned about her. She is the sister I never had."
Andrew looked at his girlfriend. "Do you trust Ichigo?"
Tatsuki looked down at that. Andrew rolled over to grab his phone and scrolled through his pictures.
"Take a look at this." He said holding up his phone. Tatsuki took it and smiled. This was from one of their double dates the week after Indianapolis. The two couples had separated and Ichigo and Orihime were sitting at the lake, well in this photo more like napping. The way Ichigo was holding her, it looked like he was ready to guard her against an army. It was cute to say the least.
"Heh, yeah. After what we've been through I trust him."
"Even if Ichigo decides to do "That?"" Andrew inquired.
"Hime is a big girl. I trust her to be responsible." Tatsuki answered.
Satisfied Andrew put his phone away after checking the time. "It is 8:30 I think we should get ourselves dressed and then get on the road. Dad's already up more than likely. We want to get going to Orlando right?"
Tatsuki nodded and saved the game. Turning off the system she walked over to her clothes making sure to sway her rear. Andrew groaned. "You are killing me here."
Tatsuki gave off a cat-like smile. "Orihime wasn't the only one with modelling offers. Glad to know I get that type of reaction."
"Your figures I am surprised you turned them down. Though I am warning you now, you tease me like this one day I ain't going to hold myself back from jumping you."
Tatsuki turned around to face him. "Well then until that happens I hope you have practice pitching a tent." Tatsuki said and then turned around and walked to the shower.
Andrew looked down and blushed. "God damn it. Two can play that game Ms. Arisawa." He said growling."
An hour later everyone was up and ready to go. William had pulled the rental around to take the group of four drivers and camera crew. The two girls were reminded to send in their July stuff by the end of the month. The show they were filming was going to start being aired in August and the June stuff was probably going to be shown in October. Considering they had been checking in regularly they were being given some leeway.
Chad and Uryuu decided not to come. Chad was going to visit Isane and Uryuu was needed for a company function Ryuken was attending.
William loaded up the last of the bags. "You guys say your good-byes."
Ichigo had hugged his sisters and separated. "Okay let's roll."
They waved their good-byes and started to drive off. They watched as their plane took off and headed roughly in the same direction.
"So guys which parks do you want to go to during our little trip?" William asked.
"I think Disney world will be cool! Tatsuki and I went to the one in Tokyo!" Orihime said/
"I vote Universal, I've been wanting to get my adrenaline pumping outside of the car." Andrew said.
"Sorry Hime, my vote is Universal but we are here for two days we could do both or we could also do Sea World." Tatsuki said.
Orihime lit up at that. "We can see all the animals there! Okay then let's do Universal and then Sea World."
Ichigo laughed at her innocence. "It will be great." He looked out the door of the Chrysler they were in. "It will be nice to be away from the track for a while." He said with a smile on his face.
(As the camera fades play Tunnel of Love by Bruce Springsteen. If you guys have a better song let me know)
The four young adults were in high spirits in the crowds. They looked four college students getting ready to go wild.
As the music settles in, the four were on one of the roller coasters in Islands of Adventure as they started to drop. They were screaming their lungs out but the smiles could not be wiped from their faces as they moved to another ride/
They then went on the Jurassic Park ride. Orihime was especially frightened by the dinosaurs and when the drop came the impact knocked the wind out of everyone. When Ichigo looked at Orihime she suddenly was full of energy. The other three just chuckled and they moved on.
After they had lunch they went into the Universal Studios side of the park. They went into a ride that doubled as a shooter. The flashing lights only served to add to the excitement as they shot aliens and fueling vivid imaginations.
After a few more rides they left Universal Studios and enjoyed a dinner at a sports bar near their hotel. William hadn't had the chance to really interact with the two couples but seeing them act like normal and not like stars made him proud especially his son. They watched the NASCAR A division race with his son cheering on his friends in the division.
The next day was the holiday itself and they moved onto to Sea World. They moved through the park see the exhibits. The girls laughed as a couple of the penguins were acting like the boys.
They then watched the whale show pull off their stunts. They were a little close to the show and they got wet from the splashing. The slight sputtering they did was nothing compared to outright joy they had.
Later that night all two couples were watching the night sky with a couple of drinks in their hands. Ichigo wrapped his arms around Orihime and laid his on her shoulder. Tatsuki and Andrew were arm in arm watching the beautiful lights of the parks.
(Fade out song)
Andrew looked at his friends. "I want to thank you for spending the holiday with me. It means a lot."
Ichigo chuckled as he sat down with Orihime in his lap. "No problem, Andrew. Thanks for letting us celebrate with you. It's been really fun."
Andrew nodded and took a sip of his beer and the looked up in the sky. "I asked Kisuke before the green flag if the astronauts who were just launched will make it. He said they would make it what about you guys?"
Tatsuki looked up in the sky. "I think so too. They wouldn't send up people without thinking they could."
"You think will be racing on Mars one day?" Orihime asked.
Andrew nodded. "Yes I do. The need for speed is universal. Who knows, the first alien civilization we meet could be race fanatics."
He picked up his beer. "To the remaining nine races, and to the future of our team and more importantly our relationship between us whether they be brotherly, sisterly or romantically."
"Here, here." The three clinked their glasses and drinks as the fireworks show began.
Hiroshima Japan July 5th about 11:00 AM Japan Time
Aizen was not in a good mood. His team was over two hundred points behind in the team standing when at this point last year they were less than thirty. His the closet driver, Gin, was close to seventy points back and his two best drivers were close to the point where they might be eliminated with a few races left. He needed a plan to mess with these drivers. He couldn't exactly move against them publicly, mainly because twice he had gone against them and both times his men got arrested and more importantly the two groups he put money in were disbanded along with several affiliate groups.
Now the European Union was starting get on his butt as a result of this. This delayed his buyout of Shell for another month, all the while his stock and company were bleeding money. At this rate he might be able to finish the year before his team would be forced to close up, that is if he wasn't arrested first. He made plans to get some more including selling subsidiaries, cutting some salaries. But if he wanted to destroy the Kurosaki team, he needed to do it now.
His thoughts were disrupted when Grimmjow and Ulquiorra showed up. "Are you okay?"
Grimmjow rubbed his head. "Yes, but damn it, that was a hard crash. Don't know about pale face here."
"Shut up, it was your plan to wreck them and you paid the price for it." Ulquiorra said turning to the hot headed driver.
"Enough both of you we need to show some unity. We are two hundred points back in the team standing and you both are nearly a hundred points back. I paid you to be the best and yet these rookies are making you look like idiots."
"Tch…we'll out race them and we'll come back." Grimmjow said not even caring.
"No you don't understand, if we don't do something, they can clinch the team title as early as China and you can be eliminated as soon as India. Those Kurosaki drivers are too good. Which is why I am taking a little precaution in the next race." Aizen said.
"How so?" Grimmjow asked.
Aizen chuckled. "The next race will provide enough cover to pull off these plans. But it will only happen if you qualify,"
"Why we all qualify for each of these races." Ulquiorra said.
"Not this week. Because of the Grand Prix's want for returning to the past, the next race is a return to the past." Aizen said. "Because of that they are limiting the number of drivers in this race."
"How far back are we talking?" The pale racer said.
"Beginning of Grand Prix racing far." Aizen said. "In fact, the march of time necessitated a new track."
The two nodded and left Aizen to his thoughts. "This race will truly be hell for you Kurosaki." Aizen said laughing.
Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Airport, 11:30 AM Eastern U.S Time
The group of five had just flown in from Orlando not less than an hour ago. Because William was the only domestic traveler, they had to go through a little extra security in Orlando. William's flight would be four hours prior to theirs and in a separate terminal so they would have one last meal at a sports bar in the airport.
They were all munching on some appetizers when William got a call. He looked and the ID said "Isshin."
He looked at the younger adults. "Sorry business calls. Order me a grilled chicken sandwich I have to talk to a client.
Andrew gave him a thumbs up before his mouth started burning and he gulped down his drink. He walked out of the restaurant and answered the phone. "William Michaels."
"Hey William what's going on? How was the holiday?"
"It was really fun. Your son and the girls were great. Honestly thank you for letting them come with us.
"No problem. I figured after two months they need some time away from the cars and all. Speaking of which the Mustang is waiting for Andrew at the manor."
"Good. You got the flight info."
"Yep. Will pick them up at 5:30 PM our time. They are going to be feeling the jet lag for a while."
"Speaking of time difference shouldn't you be asleep."
"Yeah. I will go to bed in a few minutes. Good thing as the CEO I set my own hours. We have some more information concerning Aizen. Ryuken sent it to you."
William looked at his E-mail and found the link. He scrolled through it and widened his eyes. "Is this real?"
"Very. If Aizen doesn't do anything, the team will be insolvent by the end of the year. The company might not make it to next season. First idea is to sell some of the subsidiaries and then possibly cut his workforce. He's starting to get desperate."
"And he might hurt our kids?"
"If I know the track we are going to, it will be the perfect way to hide something."
William sighed. "So much forest too many spots to hide. Are we ever going to tell the boys?"
"Yes. More than likely during the break after Hungary. It will give them time to burn off their anger.
"Okay. Just make sure my company doesn't suffer."
"I won't. In fact if we succeed you could be seen as a hero."
"Heh…I only do what's right." William said.
"That's why your one of my carriers. Anyway I need to get some sleep."
"Night then." William said hanging up. He sighed. 'I hope this works out. The boys have such a bright future in racing.'
He walked back to the restaurant to eat his troubles away.
Three hours later they had said their good-byes to William and made their way over to the international terminal. Considering they were still four hours away from the flight the seating area around the gate was still sparse but there people going to the other gates.
Orihime and Tatsuki had gone off to the bathroom leaving the boys to watch their bags. Ichigo was taking a nap and Andrew had plugged in his game system.
"Excuse me is this seat taken?" Andrew looked up to see a girl about the same age as Tatsuki but she looked like one of those pampered heiresses. "Yes. My girlfriend is sitting here." He said figuring what she was doing.
The girl pouted, her first attack failed. "Well she isn't here. Can't you let a pretty girl like me sit down next to a young man like you?"
Andrew chuckled. "When I see one I will let her sit here. Until then have a nice day." He said dismissing her and then focusing on his game. He then felt something remove the console from his hands.
"You have a pretty girl that wants to talk to you and you are focusing on a game over me?" The girl said.
Andrew growled. By nature he was a laid back fellow. As such only two things really set him off. One was making fun of his autism and the other was taking his game console. He stood up and he noticed he was a few inches taller than the girl. Ichigo had been woken up by the increasing volume and watched the events unfolding.
"Do you know who I am?" He asked calmly.
The girl smiled. "You are Andrew Michaels, one of the rookie sensations of the Kurosaki team. You are also one of the most desired bachelors on the circuit and quite honestly you would be quite the catch for any woman. As for me I am the heiress to Chanel, Joanne Rivera, and I am looking for a boyfriend. You would want a person like me."
Andrew chuckled. "Well I see you did your basic homework. But here is a few things you want to know." He glanced over and winked. "First, we just spent the last two months hopping all around the world, so I am a little irritable. Second, you see the guy next to me?" The woman looked over to see Ichigo waving his hand. "That is Ichigo Kurosaki. He is a fellow driver like me and more importantly the heir to the Kurosaki-Ishida Enterprises, well he and his cousin Uryuu Ishida, another driver are. He is also my friend. So I have some connections to see you destroyed." At this Joanne blanched. If there were was a company that could bury hers or at least her reputation it was the Kurosaki-Ishida Enterprises. "Third, he is already taken by a very beautiful girl who happens to be great friends with my girlfriend who is just as beautiful. She is a black belt so she can probably take you out, because as a gentleman I don't fight girls outside of spars. But that is not what I am mad about. You took away my game system without my permission and I am a little on edge. Now considering those factors I would suggest you move along." Andrew said. "Oh and if you need some persuasion, my girlfriend is right behind you." He said pointing over her shoulder.
Joanne gulped and turned around to see the two girls. Tatsuki smiled and waved.
"Before you run, I'll take this." Andrew said taking his game system back. Joanne fled getting people to clap and him to bow.
A few minutes prior
Tatsuki was grumbling about the bathrooms being far away from the gate. (They always seem to be.) Orihime was looking at all of the shops that were in the terminal. They were heading back to the gate when they spotted some girl moving to talk with their boyfriends, more specifically Andrew. Feeling a little pissed off, she was about to march over when Orihime held her back. At her questioning look, Orihime just tilted her head. Tatsuki watched as Andrew stood over the girl. She saw him turn his head slightly and wink, which reassured her and then heard him verbally lash out at the girl. The two girls walked over in time to hear the end of Andrew's rant.
"Oh and if you need some persuasion, my girlfriend is right behind you." Tatsuki smiled and waved at the girl and watched her run-off. She heard clapping and Andrew bowed.
He turned to Tatsuki. "Hey there beautiful." He said kissing her. When they released, Tatsuki laughed. "I guess that's one way to announce our relationship."
Andrew shrugged. "No one knows your name yet and if some people would kindly not take photos out of sake of privacy that would be great." He said raising his voice at the people about to take the photos on their phones. All of them put their phones away at that and returned to normal.
The three standing sat down and Andrew was about to continue to play his game when a timid voice was heard.
"Excuse me?" Andrew looked up and saw a shier girl of about 18 with silver colored hair and with a grey t-shirt and blue jeans. She held something in her hands. "C-Can I have your autograph please. Y-you are my favorite driver." She said handing the item in her hands. It was a shirt with his face and car number on with a U.S flag behind him. On the back was him in his car outracing two other cars that looked like Serenity and Ulquiorra's cars.
Andrew softened his look. "Sure. What's your name?"
"S-Sonja. I got this shirt at the gift shop here at the airport, b-but I haven't had the chance to wear it." (Having been through this airport several times they have a gift shop like this save is NASCAR)
Andrew chuckled. "Well then, I think I'll give you some motivation to wear it." He said signing it. Sonja was blushing red as he handed the shirt back. "Where are you going?"
"J-Japan. I'm starting school there in a month but I n-need to adjust."
"I take it your on this flight?" At her nod. "Are you nervous?" She nodded again. "It's a little hard being away from home especially a place like Japan. Different language different culture, it can be a little intimidating being so far from home."
Sonja nodded. "I-I know. But I know I can make my family proud. The only thing is I'll miss everyone I know. This is the first time I've left the country for an extended time."
Andrew smiled. "I know the feeling quite well. I've been away from home for the last six months. I've only slept in my own bed maybe nine days and they were in the last couple of weeks. But if there is anything I learned being away, is that you can make incredible friends and they can help alleviate the homesickness." He said looking at Ichigo and the girls. "I'm sure a cute girl like you will find great friends.
"Y-you think I'm cute?"
Andrew nodded. "Yeah. Just need the right motivation to bring it out. I bet you'll find it."
Sonja beamed and hugged Andrew. Releasing him she walked away with more confidence then she had before.
"You have a way with words you know." Tatsuki said.
Andrew shrugged his shoulders. "It's a gift." He said as some more fans came up to them.
When the time came to board, the four were booked into first class which gave them seats that could turn into beds and room for them to stretch out, the perks of such a class. The two couples were seated next to each other but they would move themselves once the flight was underway.
Two days later Thursday, July 7th about 10:30 AM
After flying nine hours and then sleeping off some of the jet lag, the group of four was now walking through Karakura as a way to get out of the house and to finally adjust their bodies to the time zone. As they walked they heard some commotion on one of the streets in front of them. They walked over to see what appeared to be a film set. Tatsuki's eyes lit up as she saw a couple of things she recognized. "No way. Their filming a Kamen Rider film here?"
Ichigo raised an eyebrow at Tatsuki. "Never took you for a tokusatsu fan Tatsuki." Tatsuki just stuck her tongue out. "Blame Hime. She was into these shows and she got be to watch a couple of episodes and well the rest is history. Wait…holy cow it's the 100th anniversary season either this year or next year. This would be what the fourth or fifth generation of riders or something."
"Kamen Riders?" Andrew asked.
"You know the show Power Rangers in the U.S?" Tatsuki asked. At Andrew's nod she continued, "That is based on a series called Super Sentai."
"That I knew." Andrew cut in.
"Well the same guy created a show called Kamen Rider, which translates to Masked Rider. It's a much darker show with more focus on the rider. Sometimes they will have other riders come in especially during the movies."
The four walked over to watch the filming process. After a few minutes, the director started arguing with his producers.
"Where the heck are the actors we hired for this show?" He shouted in Japanese.
"I am sorry Shogo-san. But the actors had other commitments. We might have to put the film on hold unless we can find two actors that could fit these roles."
Shogo growled and began tearing his hair out. "Where the heck will we find two actors who not only know how to drive sports cars but also can fight and act on short notice." He was about to stomp off when he spotted the group.
Andrew saw the look on the director's face. "I don't like that look." Shogo walked over and peered at the two boys. "Hm…You two are perfect! Oh boy I can celebrities on this and people will want to see this series."
Ichigo rubbed his head. "Look I don't know if a. We can really act b. I don't think our contracts will allow us to."
At this Ichigo's phone rang. He picked up the phone and saw it was his dad calling. He answered and for the next couple of minutes they argued over the phone about Ichigo acting in this film. He eventually handed his phone to the director for negotiations which went for a couple of minutes and then the phone was given back and he hung up.
"So we can do all the non-armor scenes and you can do the voice overs. What do you say?"
The two were about to deny it but then they felt something off. They turned to see their girlfriends and were a little freaked out when they pulled off the one thing that could get them to comply. The dreaded Puppy Dog Pout.
"Please~~~~!" The girls said simultaneously. The way they pleaded scared them especially since Tatsuki was not one to act like this. They immediately caved and agreed.
A few minutes later they were now in front of the camera after meeting the main actor. The rider theme this time was in fact racing theme where the main character was a driver recruited into a police force. Considering Andrew and Ichigo were actual drivers, it added to the appeal. Their characters were high-ranking riders who were called out to help the main rider.
The director motioned the set to be quiet and yelled out action. When the filming began the observers were amazed at how natural the two boys seemed to be. When it got to the non-transformed fight sequences they knew how to hold back. The director was drooling over the actions and was able to get some more fight scenes just using the two fighting. They even got a couple of scenes in the cars alongside the titular rider's bike. In the end the director and the whole crew was glad to have them aboard. They would have a couple more scenes to shoot the next day but by and large the film's scenes involving them were finished. As the foursome drove back, the girls giggled.
"That was so much fun don't you think Ichigo-kun?" Orihime asked.
Ichigo mumbled getting her to giggle. Ichigo turned to Andrew. "So how was your first real acting gig?"
Andrew shrugged. "That was fun. Though with our schedules I don't think we could do many. I am glad our acting amused you two girls." He said looking at Tatsuki who had a megawatt smile. He just kissed her boyfriend which got him to calm down. "You were good. Can't wait for the film."
Andrew nodded as they headed back to the mansion.
Friday July 8th about 11:00 AM
Isshin and Ryuken had called a driver's meeting to discuss the next race. Isshin was especially prudent in discussing the next race as it was going to be a much bigger test than Daytona, possibly their biggest.
"Thanks for coming in. We feel with the race coming up, you should be prepared." Isshin said.
Ryuken looked over at the drivers. "The next race is in Germany and the circuit will be nearly 13 miles long.
This got all of those in the meeting to widen their eyes.
"T-Thirteen miles?!" Tatsuki sputtered.
"I-Is there a track that long?" Orihime asked timidly
"Wait I thought Nuremberg was 3.5 miles. It is nothing we should be worried about." Ichigo said.
"What madness is this? You must be out of your mind, father." Uryuu said.
"They wouldn't dare." Andrew whispered catching everyone's attention. "They f***king wouldn't dare to use that track for Grand Prix racing." Andrew said standing.
"What track are you talking about?" Ichigo said.
"Nordschlife. The Nürburgring Nordschlife course." He said leveling a glare at the two owners. The silence said it all. Andrew cursed and walked towards a window. It had started to rain slightly.
"What is this, Nordschlife?" Orihime asked.
(Play Treachery Bleach OST. Imagine each image as I describe it)
Andrew sighed. "In 1925, Germany broke ground on a closed circuit track to test the fastest machines the country had to offer. Mercedes, Porsche you name it. The circuit was called the Nürburgring. It was built with three configurations. Nordschliefe or the Northern Loop, Sudschliefe, the Southern Loop and Gesamstrecke, the Whole Circuit. The whole circuit was over 16 miles. After a couple of years, all races were transferred to the more popular Nordschliefe, which was 14 miles long." Getting the audience to gulp. "For several years, it was the ultimate test of F1 and other racing series, but as the speeds improved, so did the dangers. In 1970, the F1 drivers boycotted the track after a series of fatal accidents cause the track's safety to come into question. Still they raced on the circuit until 1983 when they built a new circuit, the GP-Strecke course which occupies parts of the old Sudschliefe course. For over ninety years none of the major circuits would race on the shortened but still dangerous Nordschliefe. It was almost like a curse.
(Switch to Precipice of Defeat OST)
"What makes it so dangerous?" Tatsuki asked.
Andrew turned to face the group. "What isn't dangerous is the question. There are 154 turns all designed to make you work for the win. The track is in and around a mountain forest so the weather is constantly changing. It could be sunny one part and rainy on another. Its length will make spotters useless. The elevation changes up a 1000 feet and the speeds get absolutely ridiculous. The fastest time ever set on race trim was still over 6 minutes long and that was in 1983."
Andrew closed his eyes. "If a company wants to show how good their production car is, they take it to this course. But as far as racing goes, only endurance racing and classic race cars now use this circuit. This was mainly because of T.V coverage and safety concerns. I would imagine they are going to shrink the field?" He asked Isshin.
Isshin looked at the info chart. "Yes they are limiting it to twenty do to the size of the track and the number of laps they will run."
Andrew sighed and looked out the window. "If they truly wanted the best drivers they got it. Twenty racers, twenty laps. Those that qualify will truly be the best in the world. If we ever wanted to prove we belong this would be the race.
"Is it really that bad?" Ichigo asked.
Andrew nodded. "There are many names for this circuit but with amount of fatalities in sanctioned races and during public drives, there is one name appropriate for it."
He looked at the hologram in the middle of the room. "They call it, the Green Hell."
End of Chapter
UO: Bet you love that cliffhanger. This was a psudeo-filler. Some plot elements were added and the set up for the next race was shown. This is shorter than normal because I will be traveling next week. Hopefully I can work on my next chapter of Journeys a bit
Tracks mentioned
Nürburgring: A legendary track on par with Indianapolis. It is an old track having been completed in 1927. Nordschliefe is the most well-known circuit, having hosted grand prix races for over fifty years before time and safety caught up with it. It still exists for Sports Car Racing. It is featured in many racing games as one of the marathon levels. The German Grand Prix used to be held on Nordschliefe but now it alternates between the GP-Strecke and Hockenheimring.
Preview: They swore to never race here again. Yet for the 50th anniversary of the World Grand Prix, they dare go into the maws of the Green Hell. The racers must survive the track, other cars and mysterious sabotage to win here. Who will survive? Find out.
Next time: Germany's Green Hell
Next Update is Journeys of the Dreamer
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