-That's right, he could only participate on those 2 races, and he finished 44 the first time and 32 the second one, not a bad result for a new pilot, but those places might not be enough to call the attention of the scouts- Ayr explained to Vander
-We cannot hire him for our team, even though that fucker has some guts, he is really green. Even though he might have the age, he will not be ready for the circuit. We would cause more harm than good if we rush him- Vander had his eyebrows furrowed -And I do not think the team can afford to spend a lot of resources on a "league academy"-
-You are right, but, based on your notes, there are not many pilots on the league that had caught your attention. The best ones have already been taken by other teams either to join the circuit or to sponsor them on the league, we might entice someone as we would give them a chance on the circuit, but I do not think that would be best for the team- Vander nodded at Ayr remark -However we might reach and agreement with a team on the league, to take a spot for Mitkin, and we could watch how he grows-
-Well that certainly would be nice, but I would not would like for us to toy with him, you know very well one of the reasons I agreed to coach with you, was because we would care for the pilots, not just for the results of the team- Vander was serious, he had sat straight looking a bit taller than Ayr.
-I do, I believe the same, that is why we should give him an opportunity in the league. I do not think he will receive the chance by other teams, and, if he has not reach the league in 2 years, not one team would think on recruiting him later. We already seen he has talent, why not care for him?, I will not offer him a contract that would bind him to us, but I do believe we will be a fine option for him to join, when he is ready- Ayr replied
-But what if another team offers him a better deal?- Vander had calmed down a bit
-It will be his choice-
-So we will do charity for the bigger teams then?- Vander said amused
-No, when I joined Gauss Relay, I had a "sell" clause on my contract. If another team wants him, he will have a fee, what we pay for him to join the league. We would have given him a chance to be at the league, that's it, if he is not good enough, then he would be certain he had given it a try, and yes, we would have spent our resources giving him a chance, bat that's it. Do you think that is a bad deal?- Ayr answered with a dead serious tone, he might be smaller than Vander, but he was more well built. Vander and Ayr stared for a moment.
-My bad Ayr, I just wanted to be certain, what we wanted as a team. You are right, not many would have a chance, and that is all we are giving him. You already have someone to take him on the ascension league I expect?- Vander once more relaxed.
-I do, team Warp Racing, I have spoken with the manager there, and have already reached an agreement, but we need to decide if we want to make the investment-
-I do like the kid, I mean, he at least in bringing something different, but as I said he would need a least a year on the league before he is ready for the circuit. We would still need another pilot for this season?- Vander said worried.
-As I was saying, you are not really convinced on another pilot from the league, and I agree with that, you already said that having 2 rookies would be a tough start, and I really think Quinn will deliver, if we get the right support-
-You are thinking on getting a pilot from the circuit then, but we would only have 3 months to work as a complete team, we would need to wait for the team announcement and then try to recruit. That was the problem from the beginning- Vander had once more a complicated expression
-You were thinking on getting a well positioned pilot, as that would round up the team nicely, and maybe by the time we can recruit we get lucky and manage to get one, but what I believe we should look is for a veteran pilot, someone who won't be bothered by the lack of preparation before the season- Ayr replied smiling
-You mean someone about to retire, or who might be booted because he is old -Vander face brightened as he understood Ayr's intention -That is why you also want to invest on Mitkin, we could get a pilot for this season, and if Mitkin is ready he can join next season. We surely can get a veteran on the short time after the announcement and I would not have to worry about the little time we would have to practice. I like it-
-The problem is, we will have to wait to see, which pilots become available- Ayr said scratching his head.
-As a veteran myself, I think, I can probe some information. Do you have anyone in mind?- Vander asked
-Well I would love to get Zeek or Meriden, but I don't think their teams would be stupid enough to let them go- Ayr said worried, he have already been thinking about this possibility.
-I think Dan, Garth or Hunter would be better and more probable options- Vander had retired 3 seasons ago, he knew more veteran pilots than Ayr.
-I am sorry to say so but Dan won't do, he really lost coordination this season- Ayr said in a low tone, it was always harsh to say a fellow pilot was losing skill because of age -I haven't thought about Hunter, but that would be awesome.
-Well, I think we already have decided then, I would try to get information on which pilots might be available so that we can complete the team- Vander said determined
-I would call Mitkin, and see if he is interested in joining the league then-
-Well that's it then, our team for next season would be, a rookie, an oldie, and you kid- Vander said worried -You know, you are really brave doing this, you are on your peak years right now.
-I had a veteran as a team mate once, racing with him and helping him lift the championship was the most fun, I have had on the circuit- Ayr said -I want to race with a team like that again
-Damn, kid you are gonna make me cry- Vander was laughing -Okay, If it's okay with you, I would like to start settling in my office, and began a training program for Quinn- A beep came from Ayr's pcom. Who then turned to look at it.
-The test will be held in 3 days at 10 am, here on our training track- Ayr said after he read Mrs. Abigail message.
-Awesome, that way we can start our training earlier. What are you gonna do now?-
-Well I have thought we would take more time to find a pilot, but I would like to call on my contact from the league, and make sure we get Mitkin, otherwise we would need to adjust our plans. We can go take a look at the MACs workshop if you'd like?- Ayr asked expectantly
-No, I came here just because you kept insisting, I will just install myself here, and then help Sasha with the unpacking- Vander snapped his fingers -Right, you are invited to dinner tonight to celebrate the beginning, and Sasha says it is not a question-
-Okay, that would be nice, I have to thank her for coming here, at what time the dinner- Ayr was grateful for them, they had become his friends right from the beginning.
-Mmm, I let you know as soon as I get home, and send you the address- Vander said after a moment
-Then you will stay here for a while?-
-Yeah, I don't like admitting it but I am really excited, I have designed some nice ideas- Vander smiled proudly. Sasha had said to Ayr, that he was really into becoming a coach.
-Show them to me then?- Ayr said curious about what could Vander have planned.
-Nope, we will have more time tomorrow, you should go and secure our training pilot- Vander smiled and was heading towards, the coach's office -I'll send you the information soon.
Ayr watched his friend went straight into "his" office. He then got up and headed to the workshop. He was looking for a number and his pcom, and made a call. After a few seconds the call conected.
-Hi Ayr, how are you doing, what a lovely surprise to hear from you?- A high pitched voice came from the pcom.
-Hi Mr. Jorck, I do not think you are surprised a lot to hear from me-
-Why not?, It is really rare to receive a call from a respected pro pilot like yourself, to a mere manager from the league like me. Even more so, a pilot who has not sign with any team yet-
-Are you trying to get me to talk, and then sell the information to the media?-
-Me, I would not dare, I am just worried about my good old friend Ayr-
-Jorck how long have we known each other?-
-I don't know? Like 4 months ago?-
-Your standard for becoming old friends with someone are not really high then-
-Well, that depends on how important the people are, he he he, and you my friend are-
Ayr laughed. Mr. Jorck was the talent manager of the team Warp Racing, they were made acquaintances by chance. Ayr had visited his younger cousin, as he was graduating from his university. It turns out that Jorck was his cousin's girlfriend, and they ended dinning together.
Mr. Jorck had been really polite and all during dinner, not once mentioning he was a talent manager from a team on the league, it was his cousin who mentioned and they exchanged numbers. It turns out that Mr. Jorck had been an accountant for many years and had retired a few years ago. He had always been a MAC racing fan to the bones, and managed to get a job as a talent manager, by his acquaintances, and he turned out to be good about it.
After that meeting, Ayr began thinking about the possible pilots for the team, and when he taught about Mitkin, he remembered Mr. Jorck, and called him. It turns out he had been told to behave during that dinner by his wife and daughter, but when Ayr called him, he was overjoyed, more so after Ayr told him, he wanted to sponsor a pilot for his team.
Mr. Jorck had not made any real acquisition himself, since he had just started the job a year ago, but he now had the possibility or bringing and sponsored pilot for the team. Sponsored pilots were good, so the team would surely benefit from one, they original 3 pilots were rather uninteresting, be he had not been able to land snatch a talent. Now he would have a chance.
-Thank you Mr. Jorck, I appreciate the sentiment-
-Tell me Ayr, why do I owe the pleasure of your call?-
Ayr laughed again, Mr. Jorck was really polite, and sometimes it may even appear to be dumb, but he was sure, Mr. Jorck was sly a fox.
-You know we discussed the possibility of having an sponsored Pilot on your team?-
-Yeah, you were really curious about what was needed and what arranges we could made, do you still have any questions about it?-
-No Mr. Jorck, I would like to officially request for your team, to take a pilot, sponsored for me-
-Oh my, thank you for thinking in our team for the opportunity of supporting your pilot. Would you mind telling me about this pilot, so that we can asses him, and reach and understanding with you?-
-Thank you Mr. Jorck, but I won't be giving away information like that, I know as well as you, that you are more interested in this than me, so, why don't I send you the needs I have for the pilot, and with those you can create an estimate of the cost-
-Well, that is true we are interested in a pilot that has caught the eye of someone of your caliber, but we are an established team in the league, we have a reputation to mantain-
-I tell you what, I will provide with the MAC for the pilot as well, so you wont need to worry about those expenses-
-Well that certainty would ease a lot of concerns for our team, but we would have to let go of a pilot form our roster-
-If you like my opinion Cillan, is not really contributing to your team, but that should be your decision-
-I appreciate your thoughts Ayr, but letting go of a pilot is always a gamble, I am not sure about it-
-Well I appreciate you taking time for my call Mr. Jorck, I have already stated what I want, I understand if you are not interested, thank you-
-NO, wait Ayr, I have not said we are not interested, why don't you send me the information you were mentioning and I review it, and send you and estimate. Please remember that I will add the risk we take in losing someone from our current roster-
-Well thank you Mr. Jorck that is very thoughtful from you, however I believe that if you take my pilot, he would do better that Cillan, so I won't accept an extra charge for that roster change. I however would like you, to make the contact with the pilot I will sponsor, and hope to remain anonymous. I could accept and extra cost for that-
-Well my old friend Ayr, I believe, I can send you and estimate in a few hours. It is always nice talking with you-
-Thank you Mr. Jorck, please say hi to Mrs. Jork from me-