Ryoko is 4 races into her 21 race season. She has a few weeks off. So Petra sends Weiss and Schar on another 'mission'. But this one Ryoko is doing it different. They are going too her house for 'training.'
Schar: Why are we at your house?
Ry: For training?
Weiss: Social training?
Ry: No. Patience training.
Schar/Weiss: Patience?
Ry: Weiss here is for measured and patient. You Schar on the other hand are well...... a loose cannon.
Schar: *mad* What is that supposed too mean!?
Ry: *leer* Your proving my point right now.
Schar: *innocent* oh.... sorry.
They enter her house and go too her 'girl cave.' She asks Schar too take a seat in her driving simulator. Reminds her that is "worth more then her self" and that if it is damaged in anyway, Schar will be in the ER with Ryokos foot up her ass.
Ry: You Schar will be driving Formual 1 cars. Very advanced and very fast cars too drive. But you get too choose. late 80's/early 90's beasts or mid 2000s tech marvels.
Schar: There any difference?
Ry: Well one set has no driver aids at all, a lot of power and manual gearboxes. The newer ones are faster, more aero but have driver aids. Your choice.
Schar wants too drive both. So she does. Ryoko has too teach Schar how too use the manual gearbox but the newer cars have modern flappy paddle gearboxes (which Schar finds boring). She gets the hang of the older cars quickly. Then it is time for her real 'mission.'
Ry: Okay Schar. Time for a real race.
Schar: *smug* Sure why not.
Ry: Oh but you have objectives too complete.
Schar: Okay, name them.
Ry: Well first you have too finish the race. Second is not too hit anything, period. Third and most importantly, finish better then were you qualify.
Schar: Sounds simple enough.
Ry: (Oh you'll see how 'simple' it is.)
Schar does her practice session, setting up the car (with Ryokos help) how she likes it. Her Qualifying run is well... different. Schar finds it greatly frustrating and too her 'impossible' too put in a clean lap without spinning out or crashing.
Schar: Damn it!!!
Ry: So... 'simple' isn't it?
Schar: No... no it isn't.
Ry: Well at least with starting 20th you can surely finish better then that.
Schar grits her teeth. She is then ready for a full race around the Adelaide street circuit (the oldest one). Fast, rough surface and Schar will put in a great amount of work. With the force feedback set too max, as well as the sound. Schar puts on her head phones (as does Weiss and Ryoko) and starts her warm up lap.
Schar: What is the point?
Ry: Get your tires and brakes up too proper temp.
Schar: Got you.
Her warm up lap complete she readies herself for the start.
Ry: Alright. You are on your own, i'll be here on the computer recording lap times and monitoring the car. Just focus on driving.
Schar: Right.
Schar readies herself. When the lights go green she takes off. She avoids the traffic jam into the first few turns and escapes cleanly in 17th. Now the work starts, picking off cars one by one. Some cars are clearly faster so Schar doesn't try too go after them or hold them up. However she is pushing.... hard.
Ry: Hey your wearing the tires out!
Schar: Let me pass this asshole then I will slow down!
Schar does pass for 16th after 9 hard laps. But her tires are junk so she is hanging on.
Schar: When can I pit?
Ry: Soon since your tires are gone. You are in a big space so it really wouldn't hurt.
Schar lays out consistent lap times despite been on worn out tires. When she gets lapped Ryoko calls her into the pits for fuel and tires.
Ry: Alright i'm changing strategy. I planned on 2 stop but now I have it at 3 stops, maybe 4 if you go hard like last time.
Schar: Right.
Schar enjoys her new tires but is being more smooth and less aggressive. After 25 laps Schar is in 14th place. But there is still a long way too ago. Her lap times are similar but she isn't as fast as the best cars. Schar also find out that physically she is doing well but mentally is different.
Schar: (The Institute never had training like this. Hell even missions. I have so much too keep track off, so much information. My line, other cars, myself. Damn.....)
Over the next 10 laps Schar passes 2 more cars too move too 12th. She gets into a rhythm and Ryoko doesn't bother her. Though at half way Ryoko brings her in again for tires only.
Ry: I'll let you push hard for this stint then bring you in again.
Schar: Got it.
Her car now handles so much better with fresh tires and lighter on fuel. Schar sets some amazing lap times as a result. Even setting Fastest Lap. Schar pushes until lap 60 when Ryoko brings her in again and for the final time. She now has the fuel and tires too go the distance but she can't make up anymore spots on track.
Ry: Well Schar it appears you are on a lap all to yourself. Just ride it out.
Schar: Will do.
For the next 24 laps Schar tries too stay out of the way of the leaders and stay on track. By now she has been going for 2.7 hour straight and is tired mentally. But she pushes through and finishes 12th.
Ry: Well done Schar. You did exactly what I told you too do.
Schar: *exhales* Thanks.
Weiss: Impressive. Commander when will it be my turn?
Ry: Soon Weiss. Did you learn anything Schar?
Schar: Yes I have.
Ry: Well?
Schar: This will be on of those times where i'll pass on explaining myself.
Schar is overall puzzled and excited at the same time. Schar and Weiss head back and report too Petra. While they make up some of the things they did they are truthful on what they talked about (while that came while talking among themselves).
Schar: (I don't want too be stuck at Rosenburg for my whole life. Maybe racing is in my future. It was a lot of fun, despite not being real.)
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