Ayr had left Vander, to wander around on what would be his office. He remained at the team meeting room, ordering the vids he had compiled based on Vander's notes, he had seen the ascension league, but he could not spend much time judging the pilots, since the league and the pro circuit season shared dates.
He had been read the notes, and started watching vids a few weeks ago. From the notes he was certain Vander would make a wonderful coach. He was able to become a professional pilot thanks to him, he knew how good he was at coaching, and now Vander was focusing on the work as a coach.
He had also prepared some vids, his grand father had recommended from the amateur circle. His grand father was a passionate MAC fan, he watched the pro circuit, the ascension league, and from time to time the amateur circle. He had send him a lot of vids, and he watched them, keeping only the important ones to save some time. He was waiting for Vander so that they can began reviewing the vids.
Among the notes made by Vander, there was a pilot he mentioned a lot. Ayr had watched every race from that pilot. He was certain he understood what Vander saw in that pilot, and had already investigated information on the pilot, so that they could make an offer soon. The pilot had been on the ascension league for 2 years and was 21 year old, it was still an excellent moment to grab a pilot for training.
The last pilot was the problem, before he was forbade to mske any public moves by the committee until the team announcement, he had already thought on pilots from the pro circuit. They were not a option now. The team will lack experience, as he would be the only pilot from the pro circuit. Most teams usually had two veterans and a rookie pilot, they would have to two rookies instead.
-I like the office, you and Sasha did and awesome job- Vander was sitting next to Ayr on the main table -I am guessing you already notice from my notes, that I an interest on a pilot right?-
-Mercury Quinn- Ayr said, to which Vander nodded in response- You really have a good eye for talent-
-Most teams don't look for that kind of skills, but that is an excellent opportunity for us- Vander smiled a bit bitterly -I can really make those skills grow and, we already know you match perfectly with them-
Mercury Quinn was a pilot that maintained an stable position on the ascension league. The first season managed to finish 24, and last one ended on 18. Mercury was part of team Burning Rockets, a low tier team on the ascension league. Mercury had only managed to win 4 races on the league across 2 seasons, that is why not many teams had paid attention, but had managed to do so steadily. Mercury was a steady and patient pilot, not many scouts focused on pilots like that, but Vander had noticed because, he was like that.
He had incredible luck, to be offered a trial run for team Gauss Relay, where he had the chance to display all of his ability, and was promptly taken in by the team, and groomed believing he would be a stellar support pilot, and he delivered. He was however underutilized, and it was not until Ayr joined the team, he showed that even though he was calmed, he had the skills to become a champion. Many fans still regretted not noticing his abilities before, and turning him their star pilot.
Vander had seen in Mercury a similar way of driving to his own. He watched carefully every race, and observed many of his old flaws. He was sure that once Ayr read his notes, he would agreed with him.
-Yeah, I believed that as well. It will not be that difficult to get our missing pilots after all- Ayr laughed -I already have her contact information, so we could make an offer. Would like to make the call, right now we do not have a talent manager, so I guess is on us, but you are going to be the coach, so, what is it gonna be, you or me?-
-Her? You mean to tell me Mercury Quinn is a girl?- Vander was surprised
-What? You did not know the pilot gender?, ha ha ha ha, man, really. You have analyzed the vids, and have not once cared for the life of the pilot, what a truly focused coach you are- Ayr was laughing out loud at Vander confused expression -That is another reason why the scouts have certainly some doubts on recruiting her. There are still too few girl pilots on the pro circuit, so is always a gamble- Ayr concluded -You have a problem with the pilot being a woman?, come on, I know you are old school but I am certain Sasha has educated you better- Ayr said as Vander still had a complex expression, but he recovered after the last comment.
-No that's not it, I think that explains a lot more, and I think she would do better that what I have thought. I will speak with her, give me her number- Vander said determined, Ayr smiled and made a few inputs on his pcom, sending the number to Vander's pcom.
-I will call her from my office- Vander stood up and went straight to his office.
Ayr was still laughing, to think Vander was so dense he did not bother looking into the pilots background, well he had always been that way. He was a professional, only caring about racing. After a few minutes he returned.
-How did it go? -Ayr asked really curious, he had wanted to make the call, but Vander had discovered her, and he would be the coach, so that would be a nice touch.
-Well I explained we are a new team on the pro circuit, and that we wanted to test her. We would cover the expenses of her trip and after watching her results, we could discuss about her joining the team. She would however had to sign an agreement of privacy, since we are a new team- Vander explained.
-Is it really necessary to go trough the test?- Ayr asked
-While we already know what she is capable of, remember she is a rookie, and even though she seem calm, I would like to make her go through a normal screening process, that way she will be more certain about her abilities. I do not want that she mistakes our necessity with her being the next MAC legend. You were a special case, really concerned about becoming the best- Vander said with a serious tone.
-Wow, to think that you could take so many things into account, you really are gonna be a fine coach, more so when you think that a few minutes ago you thought she was a he- Ayr laughed, Vander only making a sour expression.
-You will never let that go-
-Not a chance, I can hardly wait to tell it to Sasha- Ayr laughed a bit more, and Vander just scratched his nose.
-I told her, we will contact her soon, with the information about the transportation and the privacy agreement, I hope, I have not made a mistake there-
-No that is okay, I am sorry, I have been trying to hire someone for the manager position, and have already some candidates but I haven't been able to make it happen. I will have an assistant call her later, and arrange the test. Would you like to be the one conducting it? or should we keep a low profile?- Ayr asked.
-I think, it would be okay if I do it. There is no problem with her knowing me, since she does not know what my job on the team will be-
-Well that is settled then. We need one more pilot, and we are good to go- Ayr said, as he sent the information to Mrs. Abigail from his pcom, and asked to organize the test -I have seen you have more candidates in mind, but I would like to show a few vids from the amateur circle. Afterwards we can began discussing- Vander nodded and turn to look at the main com display, hanging from ceiling.
-You have enough time to watch the amateur circle?- Vander asked amazed
-No, you know my grandpa, he is a really good fan, so he send me a lot of vids and I filter them so we can have a bit more options-
-Your pilots must be too young if they are in the amateur circle and not it the ascension league, they would not get us out of our current problem- The amateur circle, was an relatively open place for mac racing. It was monitored by the MAC Pro Circuit Committee, but had its own administration.
The legal age to enter the Pro Circuit was 17 years old, before that the Ascension League allowed pilots from 16, since the MACs racing were slower than those in the Pro Circuit. The Amateur Circle was the first official place for MAC racing to begin, it permitted from 15 years old to compete, the MACs were slower than the league.
The circle was a place were people tried to gain enough attention to enter the league and from there, maybe gain a spot in the circuit. A pilot good enough for the circuit would have already been picked form the circle to the league, so Vander knew Ayr was impressed by a young pilot, one wich they could not hire for the season.
-Well, why don't you look at the vids, and we talk afterwards- Ayr gave some commands to the com on the table and the display, began showing a clip of a race.
-What number I am suppose to look at?- Vander was watching the vid, 5 MACs were close at each other, and were about to reach a short turn, the pilots had 2 choices at that point, make a sharp break and release or use the wall as track, which required more skill.
-Watch the vid- Ayr said. As the pilots were approaching the turn, the first one began to break, he soon was passed by the one behind him who did the same, but made a smooth transition. The third one climb on the wall but had to break to achieve it. The fourth one however accelerated and managed to climb the wall, he however panicked once he was inside it and ended going along with it falling behind, and had to adjust quickly otherwise he would miss the next turn. The fifth one make a mediocre turn.
- Number 34, right. That fucker managed to adjust the MAC angle on the burst to climb, but had not prepared to abuse it, he probably was not sure if he could make it- Vander was wondering -What lap are they?-
-7- As if Ayr had know what would Vander ask, the vid advanced towards the next lap, on the same turn. MAC 34, once again accelerated right before the turn, and managed to get on the wall, this time however he slowed down immediately to try to adjust faster, but only managed to make the turn slower.
-This fucker, s trying to figure out how to fucking take the climb, as he races?- Vander was intrigued
-He losses 3 positions with this bad try, so he makes a regular break and go on the next lap, so I am gonna skip it to the last try- Ayr said amused at Vander who moments before did not want to look at at the vid.
Number 34 was on place 21, he had lost 4 spots from his first try, and took the rest of the race as best as he could, but did not managed to overtake anyone. On the last lap he reach the turn alone, and once more make a fast burst of speed before the turn, he once more managed to climb the wall, but this time he tried to adjust the angle as his grav track allowed him to advance on the wall, we was trying to return to the regular track and then take the next turn. But on his angle position he almost make an spin on his axis, he ended up taking more time on the turn.
-That pilot is Evan Mitkin, he is 16 years old, and that was his second race on the circle- Ayr said smiling
-He is old enough for the league, why is has no team, offered him a spot on the league?- Vander asked, he surely had talent, for sure every big team had scouts in the circle, they could offer him a spot on the league and watch it form there.
-Because that was his last race on the circle, he had qualified for the race by the timing session before. He only raced twice on the circle, because both times they happened on the same planet, Val Entia-
-Well makes sense, not many people on the circle can afford to participate in every race, most of them cover the expenses themselves- As Varden said, the circle had more tracks in total, than the circuit and league, because most of the players as the name said, were amateurs, it was not rare to find some pilots only competing on their local races. Ayr had been spotted like that for team Nova Nebula.