FEISAR Italian Subsection HQ, 30 September 2045

As the deadline arrived to find the twelve pilots to fill the promised spots for the HQs of FEISAR, all the Subsections were beyond thrilled for the final races between their contestants. The Italian Subsection was no exception.

Barbara woke up at the first morning lights, breathing the same air of excitement which she felt way back in the Nevada Desert first and after when she arrived here the first day, six long months ago already. Time flies, she thought; a few months ago she was just a clumsy pilot in training, now she's going to face the last of her challenges ahead. There was indeed no other place to feel such speed as this place. After a small stretch to feel her limbs again, away from the torpor of sleep, she went to the bathroom to get her ritualistic wash and get settled for the rest of the long day ahead. Then, once she was over with, she opened the wardrobe of the tight space, she grabbed her racing suit and went to wear it, admiring the familiar blue and yellow stripes adorning it beside the Sponsor's flashy logos to create a rather lovely look overall. After a quick glance at her clock, she relaxed. This time she wasn't going to be late, at least not at the last meeting with the last twenty Pilots.

In the comfortable hall, the large monitor was already flickering with the Director's half torso showing just like the past times in this brief video conference, enough that she wasn't paying any mind about what he was talking about this time. Thankfully, she managed to grasp the conclusion as soon as Marika, sitting beside her friend, pinched her side to keep her alerted.

"In conclusion, you will be divided in two distinctive groups, and by tomorrow we will declare the final Pilot who'll stay officially in the Italian Subsection. As we're speaking, we got the first result of the first three Subsections across Europe."

As he showed the first three Test Pilots, Barbara studied them with all her care - only one of the three were from the Junior Team. Quite promising for the few left in the hall, herself included.

"The Polish and Lithuanian Pilots were indeed quite talented, but I feel surprised by the Sweden one. She was kinda last when we first split for what I remember…" Marika commented with a low tone, tilting her torso enough that only Barbara would listen.

"I saw some Stories she posted in her Socials, she had trained quite hard in the last six months." Sant'Elia grinned with joy as she whispered the response back to her. "I'm quite happy for her in fact. A well deserved position."

The two young Pilots looked up at each other with confidence and a glint of challenge. Anyone here would reach their position too within the next hours at this point.

"And with that, our last meeting is over. It has been a long journey for many of you, and regardless of your final position, I'm more than proud to consider you all still part of the Federal European Industrial Science and Research's ever growing Team. On behalf of my title, I wish for everyone good luck and godspeed, future Anti-Gravity Pilots. See you all at the final ceremony."

And with that last broadcast, it was sure that the only way to meet up with him again will be by winning.

The next day...

FEISAR Italian Subsection Track, Midday

The Head to Head events went pretty smoothly for most of them, and much to the surprise of everyone present there, the Junior Team was gaining the upper hand with the first ten Pilots selected for the next sessions being from their lines, herself included. Those who didn't make it to the finish line got the promised email to be always selected as one of the one hundred Pilots "on hold" across Europe. That only increased the general nervousness and anxiety of everyone, not really wanting to be dismissed like that with a formal email, too bitterly ironic since that's how everything started for all of them. However such concerns were nearly shrugged off right away as soon as they headed to their FEISAR Speed, such was the strength in their wish to reach the top, however the cost.

The climbing felt eternal for Barbara despite the lone ladder was made with four stairs attached to the hull, all the while she felt her heart drumming loud in her chest and ears. Already covered under the racing helmet, the polarized lime green glass uniformed the sight of the track ahead, the sun was already shining above, but the protective glass adjusted the intensity for her to see better once she had crawled inside the cockpit. While she waited for the refuelling and some other checks by the technicians and engineers, she watched the other Pilot plummed down on his seat and get comfortable with the commands - which reminded her that she should as well. Hastly, she gave a quick glance at the large screen in front, minimalistic to don't be distractful, but clean enough to let her have the AG craft's conditions on check - for that she had always appreciated such quality and care over FEISAR's creations, down to the pure technical elements.

"Shield energy is at 80% and rising. Fuel is almost 90%, rising as well. No other messages are present, I see no other issues here." Barbara declared through the comms opened at the racebox for them to pick up.

"Copy. Wait for the signal once they reach 100%." Responded one of the Team's Techs. "Good luck out there on the track."

Once both the datas hit the fullest number, the canopy fell down to seal her inside the Speed craft, soon after it was followed by the other's AG ship.

The large screen in front of them flicked to life, but it remained with the Logo blinking, warning to the rest that it was given the sign to clear out the track. The few people present there literally vanished after a hasty rush outside the track of steel and glass, leaving only the charged ships hovering there, engine ready to blast at the countdown. Barbara sucked in some air to feel reactive of the ambient around herself, while the G-suit immediately activated upon a switch over her chest. Despite all these nearly routinary things came out of her hands and mind with a natural flow, she couldn't help but cripple a bit in anticipation under the pressure of failing. However, she couldn't fall into such mind tricks, she made many sacrifices to arrive this far, she will do her best to achieve perfection today.

The five seconds countdown hammered in her head, each number solidifying her senses in the present moment, until she got pushed back on the seat at the immediate acceleration once they hit the GO!. She maintained her self stability inside the cockpit, grasping tightly her hands on the two handlers to keep the track and the other Pilot on sight, at least one second away already.

The first turn arrived faster than anticipated, but she was quick to react by swiftly turning the steering plank and hitting the areobrake at the same time to facilitate her tight maneuver. The other Pilot was slower to react, but he remained at the front position despite her efforts to surpass him right at the exit. She had to pull back to don't bump against him and sacrifice more precious time.

'Keep calm Barbara, you have three laps after all...' she reassured herself as the increasing speed pushed her back on the seat again once they reached a more stable momentum.

The tight turn eventually opened up to a more high speed curvature of the track, helping her greatly to cut off some more cents off the rival's time and remain with a steady pace across the next section of the track, focused through a handful of chicanes to test their reflexes and speed management. All smooth. This track, which she had raced around for months, now felt like a stroll to the park outside at this point, and the AG craft became almost an extenction of herself under the pressure of winning this Head to Head once and for all. A smile of confidence crept on her lineaments, squeezed shut in the firmness of the helmet's sides, maybe there was a new chance to take.

At the last section of the track, the HUD of her helmet marked that she gained a glimpse more of advantage against her adversary, leaving her some time to breathe and focus even better.

"How is she doing?" A composed voice called in the little FEISAR base attached between the track and the racebox.

Pretty much everyone turned around to see in amazement that Cristina Sant'Elia was there with them. She presented her VIP badge, making sure that she haven't sneaked up there unnoticed and illegally.

One of the men there cleared his throat and looked up at her with a polite smile. "Barbara Sant'Elia is still second as of the start of the second lap, but she's gaining now a great pace! She's truly giving her best today!"

The woman looked pleased as she reached the small crowd, now back all focused on the three screens in front broadcasting the Head to Head race from all the angles. The two yellow AG crafts zoomed through the closest camera as Barbara attempted to surpass him once more. The camera flicked at the exit line, where the chicanes dominated once more the sight, but Barbara has to slow down once more to don't hit him, again.

The third and last lap begun.

Barely 0.500 flashy seconds divided Sant'Elia from him. As equally two of the best racing against one another, it was no surprise that each of them were able to keep the other at stake for this long.

The tight turn brought them again dangerously close to one another, guiding each other outside the curve like a spectacularly coordinated formation, until she had to pull back once more. Carefulness proved to be not so productive, she noted in her mind with mild frustration.

"So close!" She groaned to herself through her gritted teeth as she felt the fetigue of the high Gs weightening on her body already after she pushed this hard throughout the racetrack, slowing her senses significantly as soon as they were back in the open part of the track.

But right when she felt that everything was set and done for her, around the final chicanes her adversary made a mistake by using the airbreaks too early, making him to scratch against the wall with a near picturesque rain of sparks following the arrowed chassis.

Finally, the perfect opportunity at hand.

As he was trying to recover from the mistake, Barbara geared up the engine and zoomed past him with a risky maneuver, chipping away the energy shield of her AG craft as she took that last turn with violence, but scraping away those last cents enough to remain at the front line for the last meters ahead being greeted with the checkered billboard.

The finish line was crossed at maximum speed, declaring her the winner of the final HtH and, at the same time, giving her what she was looking for - the tie with Sofia de la Rente's record of the track. The NEW LAP RECORD message came unexpectedly in her HUD, but it was greatly welcomed beside the win with a loud cheer that reached the Team base of the track.

"Congratulations, Sant'Elia! An astounding final Head to Head! You're the next HQ Test Pilot now! How do you feel?" Spoke one of the engineers present there.

"I'm feeling great! Woo! This was awesome, I can't believe that!" Cracked up Barbara, with the voice full of commotion beside the engines revving way softer in the background.

"I hope you have recorded everything, because I cannot wait to show this to my mum!" And a laugh escaped her. "I've made it mum, I've made it!"

Amidst the cheering daughter's call, Cristina was there to dry her face from a few tears of joy rolling down her cheeks, congratulating herself silently for having supported and carried her so far.

"Yes, I will love to watch this again with you, Barbara."

The next three days...

FEISAR HQ, Strasbourg, 4 October 2045

The fresher air up to that side of France tingled Barbara's face pleasantly, savouring the lovely panorama all around them between the new and old parts of the city. The formal HQ of the Team looked nothing like the one she had seen and lived back in Italy. The building was a marvellous mix of steel and glass, tall but not enough to disrupt the balance of the cultural city around it, winking an eye to the more advanced green technologies developed in the last twenty years or so in Europe. A real diamond of architecture and design, with the FEISAR sign welcoming her inside to join the formal evening of their selection.
For the occasion, her mother Cristina gave her one of her best dresses, a long shiny blue fading to black, shimmering with nearly microscopic strass crystals sewed on the polyester fabric. The length of the dress, however, hid pretty well the sporty black sneakers that she wore to not have her entire legs aching for heels once she'll be back at her hotel. Much to her delight and surprise, even the rest of the one hundred pilots of the final list were invited, all nice and dandy in their formal attires as well. But, although she was well hidden across the other guests, she recognised immediately the lively and familiar face of Marika.
She pulled up herself and recollected all her courage and finally she walked up in her direction, overtaking the other guests to make her way to her Swedish friend. And there she was, with her neatly short hazelnut hair and her dimples when she smiled with the rest of the guests there, making her heart rise like the elevations of their AG engines. She blessed the fact that she had on her face a good dose of foundation, so that she wouldn't look as red as her wine glass she's holding.

"Oh, hey Marika! I see that you're enjoying some French wine hmm?"
Smooth enough, but it caught her attention and brought a good smile on her face as well.

"Barbara! My fullest compliments again, my dear!" She cheered as she pulled her in a kind embrace with her other free arm.

She enjoyed it for as long as it lasted, until they broke the hold to share some timid glances and waited for one of the two to say something.

"I wanted to say—"

"You look gorgeous tonight oh—"

"Oh sorry, you can continue!"

And they beamed with a short but hearty laugh. As they were starting to chat and maybe for Barbara to offer her something, the attention of Marika shifted entirely to someone who had soon entered the feisty hall to join the crowd with a distinguished appearance.

"Oh! Min kärlek!" She sweetly called out as she waved a hand toward the young man, calling his attention right away.

With a short sprint from her position, the two nearly clashed in a vigorous hug, together with their mouths nearly blending together for the sheer passion of their kiss. The air around Barbara felt as cold as her necklace, as suddenly it began to feel heavy as the embarrassment she felt in that moment, and her heart sunk in her chest as if she had dived in negative Gs in that moment, but she quickly recollected herself when she saw the couple approaching her, arms tied up like a freshly engaged couple.

"Barbara, this is my pleasure to let you meet my fiance, Lauritz!" Marika beamed all proud at her friend, who returned a coy smile and a clumsy wave together to greet the young man in their company.

"Hi, Lauritz, my name is Barbara, pleased to meet you too!" She responded and finally she squared them both properly.

They looked indeed like a lovely couple, him with his summer blue eyes and the straw hair as the sunrise clouds, and her like the early September incarnation, with her notes of roasted chestnuts and fresh rainy days as irises. She was just a plain girl in comparison, with only a cool pin to mark her as the special guest of FEISAR tonight, the only thing which differentiated her from the rest – from her even more.
She did her best to listen more to their stories, that he is also one of the selected in the Swedish HQ, that they met there and was almost love at first flight, or some other sugar coated details that the two shared proudly in front of her, just to increase the chance that she won't eat at all tonight. Ultimately, she blessed the Director himself calling the attention of everyone in the room with his microphone, and she was fast to step up away from the couple to reach a more visible spot to see the man, finally in flesh and bones.

"Welcome everyone, and thanks for joining us today to finally present worldwide our twelve Test Pilots of Europe!" He declared, as she noticed only now the cameras settled on that promptly made stage, barely visible under the dimmed lights except for those pointing at the space around him.

Everyone in the room stood up and applauded in unison, filling the room with a better and more cheerful atmosphere for Barbara to finally ease on.

"We start with the first Test Pilot. France!" And an Algerian woman stepped up, gaining a symbolic badge which she presented to everyone with a heartwarming smile.

The list then immediately continued, followed with more applause each time.

"Germany!"

"Poland!"

"Belgium!"

The variety of Pilots at least was astounding, and for Germany it was a Muslim young man to proudly take the badge, surely of their Junior Team as well, while for Poland and Belgium there were other second generations picking up the torches of their homelands at that moment.

"Iceland!"

"Sweden!"

"Austria!"

The "Icy Girls Trio", as they nicknamed themselves, with a honorable mention on the Swedish pilot being the one who started at the absolute rock bottom to take everyone by storm, even Barbara herself was even more proud of her when she finally got the badge falling on her neat tallieur.

"Spain!"

"Lithuania!"

"Romania!"

Some of the HQs acted as a significant conglomeration of more states indirectly, these three especially excelled on that point: the Romanian HQ supported the rest of the Balkans, Spain was working with firm ties beside Portugal and lastly Lithuania united the efforts of their neighbouring Estonia and Latvia. Even their Pilots proudly presented themselves with something uniting them, with the latter wearing a wonderful dress which united their three cultures in one.

"And lastly… Greece and Italy!"

Barbara gulped as she was called beside the last state, the excitement making her legs to tremble slightly as her lips when she walked up the short stairs to be on the stage, now standing side by side with a sturdy man who made her look like a branch in comparison. The Director put the badge first on the Greek man, who appeared like a Bronze of Riace, if she could desccribe him like that, then he moved to her. As soon as she got crowned her neck with the string of the badge, a sense of pride rose in her chest, but her thoughts remained with the rest in front of her, the very last hundred that remained here until the very end. Even though barely seven people of the Italian HQ were present there and who waved at her with more energy than the rest, she felt connected with the rest in the same way. Using one of Director's favourite lines "Race for Unity".
She also saw Marika and her boyfriend Lauritz too, cheering on her like the rest, and she felt mildly embarrassed that she wanted to dedicate that victory for her, it was way better to dedicate that to everyone of the Junior Team, as they were her best rivals and companions throughout this impressive adventure.
Once the presentations were concluded, the Director returned rather serious in front of everyone present there. With a gesture he welcomed with them a man in a burgundy suit with a red flower pin pointed on his jacket. One of the AGF, Barbara noted immediately - of Pir-hana.

"Good evening. I cannot stop to congratulate the new professional AG Pilots in front of all of us tonight. On behalf of the AGF I welcome you in this growing Community by wishing you all the best from now on."

After a small shower of claps, he resumed his simple speech that held more tension than anticipated with all of them.

"It is with my immense pleasure that I can confirm the rumors of a Championship to support the continuing expansion of this sport. As we speak, the Russian Team Qirex Industries confirmed their full operability and presence starting by the next year, but our city of interest is still preparing itself to welcome the new racing sport at their doorsteps."

A heavier silence fell in the hall, but a timid excitement slowly crept through everyone. Everything they were preparing and training for were becoming a reality faster than imagined.

"We plan, beside Mr. Belmondo, to begin with the first Season around the year 2048, at New York. I look foward to be there at the first race of the day along with all of you and the rest of the Teams."

The chatters increased, and Barbara looked around to cross the excited gazes of the other eleven Pilots. In lesser than three years they'll be stepping on the American soil, helping out with the FEISAR Team and enjoying the first season of the Anti Gravity they're living firsthand.
Only when he concluded the speech the other three, actual Pilots of the Team finally stepped up to celebrate altogether. The First Pilot Sofia de la Rente, with her assertive presence, was the first to shake the hands of everyone, followed by the Second Pilot Paul Jackson, a sturdy black man with impressive dreads and a smile of pure joy on his face, and lastly the Reserve Pilot Ami Nakajima, with her vivid pink hair and her lovely way of talking while congratulating the twelve. Sofia, especially, gave a friendly pat on Barbara's shoulder with a proud look on her tanned face once everyone were nearly gone from the stage.

"I've heard about what you did in the Italian HQ. Well done, you have talent there. I cannot wait to see you in action in America." She said with a proud smile on her confident features.

Barbara felt speechless in that moment, to be praised by the first woman circumnavigating nonstop their planet Earth, abroad the first and official AG Craft of FEISAR, felt as surreal as being praised by a celebrity. She only gave a meek smile and nod, too excited to think much in that moment.
The evening continued normally once the Pilots were dismissed to resume with their buffet, but the seeds of a new generation were already planted, and Barbara was finally beside the very first to witness it all in first person.