Mercury Quinn picked up the small bag that was her luggage. The Beta Prime space port was in fact, several stations in orbit. Only two of those were used for regular transit, all other were used for exports and trading, as Beta Prime, had the largest agricultural industry in the galaxy. She liked the port, it gave incredible views on the planet, this was the second time she had come, as the Farmlands Classic, had been part of the league last season.
She had ended the race as 31, her worst result last year. The track was hard, it had an absurd number of consecutive turns, but racing in the Farmlands, was something any pilot dreamed about, one of the oldest tracks in MAC's history.
Mercury was lost in her thoughts as she, passed through the security check points. She was thinking on how incredible she had felt, when she received the call to join Ascension League, but that that been 2 years ago. At that time, she was certain, she could make an impression in the league after her first year. The team scouts could pay attention to her, and another call would come, to be drafted by a team in the pro circuit, but things had not gone as she had expected.
The league was hard. Her initial confidence had quickly change, it was completely different for the Minor Circle. Every pilot in the league, knew only the best would reach the circuit, you had to stand out if you wanted to become a pro.
The league forced pilots to seek any advantage, over the others. Managers who had connections with pro teams were looked after, as they could in theory provided a test opportunity for a pro team. Some pro teams were willing to try pilots, but you would have to pay a fee for it.
MAC racing was so big, that The League, was in itself a profitable business, pilot earnings were very respectable as a result. It was not rare to see some pilots spent their entire careers on the league, even if you managed to get in the circuit, more often than not, rookie pilots in the circuit would find their way back in the league as they were dropped from a team.
The league scene had an unspoken rule, the first 8 competitors at the end of the season were those who probably would appear in the circuit. Some of them were sponsored already by pro teams or were about to be. The real struggle began at 9th, competition apart from those first places had always been relatively even, you needed something to stand out, anything to give you an edge.
Some mid to low tier teams in the circuit, would look from something different in their pilots. Some teams had begun focusing on recruiting female pilots as they were still lower in numbers than man, in order to gain attention from fans, which translate as income for the team. With these kinds of things, in the last years their had been an increase in cosmetic surgeries by pilots, they were looking for any advantage, over the competition.
When she had entered the league, she had made friends with another female pilot, Mitsue Holtz. Mercury knew she was pretty, but her friend Mitsue, she was stunning. She always draw attention, wherever they went, but Mercury had not paid much attention to it, that was until, one of her teammates suggested she could "improve" her image, she had decent results, that could perhaps earned her a spot on the circuit.
Mercury had been mad about the suggestion, she talked with her friend Mitsue about it, but was surprised when Mitsue said it was an honest suggestion, she had already scheduled a date for her, to get some adjustments. Mercury was at a loss for words, Mitsue was already stunning, and in her opinion a fine pilot, but she was still thinking on "improving" her image?.
Mercury had argued with her friend, the fight ended badly. She was adamant a pilot should measured only by their skills, but Mitsue replied that the MAC scene, was a show as well. She knew she was talented, but after a year in the league, she had realized she might not have what it took to be a champion, but she did have enough talent to compete in the circuit, and that was her dream. She would do anything to get there, even if she judged her, she would not mind.
During the half year break, Mitsue went through the surgery. What was already stunning had been sculpted to perfection, Mitsue quickly become a sensation withing the league. By the end of the season, Mercury had placed better than Mitsue, however Mitsue had already been drafted by team Pulse Breakers.
That made Mercury wake up, her friend had achieved her goal. Did she had what it took to reach hers, the way she wanted, if you believed that skills would have to be the only measure, did she had them?.
She had trained like never before, for the last season, her result had improved, she felt like next season she would do better, but she was not certain she could be within those first eight places. The season had ended, the team she was racing with, had not called her on extending her contract, they were looking at their options, but she had been the best pilot in the team, she would get a call from them soon, but she had been expecting a call for someone else, but no scouts or agents had reached her, that was until 3 days ago.
Some team from the pro circuit wanted to test her. She did not work with agents, so the call had come to her. Anyone interested in her, would have to asked for information with her current team, for her it limited her options, but it meant that, if someone was interested in her they would put up a bit of work, and in return she would be more serious about it.
The call had been brief, they said a team was interest in her, they wanted to assess her skills in a test run and asked if she was interested in the opportunity. She immediately replied with an affirmation, and the caller, told her she would receive the specifics on her pcom, shortly, and that was it.
Once the call was over, she had been overjoyed, her hard work had been noted, and she would have the chance she was looking for, earned by her skills and efforts. After a few minutes had passed, she was panicking, she had not asked anything else, and nothing had come to her pcom, she was just about to call back, when a mail arrived with the information.
The mail had a round ticket to Beta Prime, it had hotel reservation, and a short schedule with the times of transportation, and the test. It mentioned for her to bring her pilot clothes, but that was about it. The mail had been sent by Miss Lily Marceau, she had not provided any additional information about who she was, other than her number, and asked to contact her in case of any questions.
Mercury laughed, to think just last week she was nervous about her team not calling to renovate her contract, and now she was about to be tested for a pro circuit team. She had reached the main station on the port, according to Miss Lily, someone would be waiting for her here, she then noticed a middle-aged man in black suit approaching her.
"Hi, are you perhaps Miss Mercury Quinn?" He asked with a polite an gentle voice
"Yes, I am" Mercury answered happily.
"Miss Marceau, arranged for me to pick you to take you to your hotel, Miss Quinn" the man explained, and Mercury nodded "My name is Donovan Vera, please to meet you" he offered his hand, and Mercury responded with an energetic handshake.
"Thank you, Mr. Donovan, Miss Lily, sure took care of everything"
"Please let me take your bag" Mr. Donovan smoothly took the bag from Mercury "Come with me, miss, I have already reserved a shuttle" Mercury was impressed, shuttles were flyers which could left the planet orbits, they were the most expensive transport in a planet.
"Thank you, Mr. Donovan, are there any other pilots coming for the test?" She asked curiously. Most teams, prepared specific dates for testing, they would have many pilots gather for the test making it more competitive. Hell, there where even some teams who just offered you the chance, you had to get there yourself. Mercury had thought the test would involve a lot more pilots, but it seemed like she was receiving high profile treatment.
"I was told by Miss Lily, I should not disclose any information regarding the test" He answered with an apologetic face.
"Right, I am sorry Mr. Donovan, I am just nervous" Mercury quickly apologized, it should be standard treatment. Most teams conducted their testing keeping their identities hidden as they would not want to raise awareness on their plans.
"However, for all I know there is anyone else we were asked to pick up, and that has nothing to do with your test" He looked at her and gave her a small wink. Mercury smiled, maybe some team really liked her as a pilot, if they had arranged for her personal transportation, took care of everything, and would only test her, that meant interest. She could feel her nervousness increasing.
As they left the station, they headed for the private hangars, Mr. Donovan took her to a middle-sized shuttle, it had a small legend on the side that read 'Evens and Odds', she had never heard of a company called like that. The shuttle was designed for 8 passengers.
"Please Miss Mercury step inside" the shuttle, opened form behind, a ramp descending towards them, the lights from inside the shuttle all lit up. The shuttle looked impeccable, Mr. Donovan placed her luggage on the cargo area, and went for the pilot seat.
"Choose to sit where you like Miss Mercury, I get on us airborne shortly" He told her, as he checked the shuttle systems. Mercury decided to sit behind Mr. Donovan on his right, that way Mr. Donovan would just have to turn slightly to talk with her "If you are ready Miss Mercury, will be on our way"
"Thank you, Mr. Donovan, that would be nice"
Mr. Donovan had them off the hangar bay, and from orbit, very quickly and skillfully. From the front window, an incredible view on Beta Prime was showing, as they were about to enter the atmosphere, and in moment, the vastness of Beta Prime came into view. Mr. Donovan registered the flight coordinates on the shuttle, and after a replied came on his com, the shuttle accelerated.
"This a really nice Shuttle, did you rented it" Mercury was curious about the legend on the side of the shuttle.
"Thank you Miss Mercury, I am glad you like it, we try to keep it in the best condition we can, it is not rented, you see Evens and Odds is specialized in transportation, locally" Mr. Donovan smiled, he was happy with her remark about the shuttle "Do you like shuttles Miss Mercury?"
"I guess every MAC pilot, likes anything that goes fast, and my curiosity came from the model, I have not seen it" She was no connoisseur on shuttles, but she did travel a lot, and had not seen this particular model.
"Well, this the standard transportation shuttle, from McKintod, also a local producer- Mr. Donovan said proudly.
"Well, it really seems impeccable" Mercury added to the satisfaction of Mr. Donovan "Are we far from our destination Mr. Donovan?"
"No Miss Mercury, Miss Lily accommodated your arrival, to be in sync with the planet rotation, saving us quiet some time. We will arrive at our destination in about an hour" Mr. Donovan replied.
"Wow, Miss Lily has an eye for details, doesn't she?" Mercury was impressed with the care for her transportation.
"She does, even though she has just started her hob, I think she will do fine" Mr. Donovan had a smile on his face, perhaps Miss Lily, also worked for Even and Odds, Mercury wondered.
"If I may ask Miss Mercury, have you been on Beta Prime before?" Mr. Donovan asked politely.
"Yes, I was here, just 5 months ago" Mercury replied enthusiastically, she had loved racing here, even though her bad performance.
"Business or pleasure?" Asked Mr. Donovan with an straight face, but after a second delivered a wink to Mercury.
"Business, I came to race, the Farmlands Classic was part of this season tracks in the league" She said proudly "I had always wanted to race here, but honestly I did poorly" but there was no shame or regret on Mercury's face.
"Don't be too hard on yourself, Miss Mercury, the Farmlands Classic, is recognized as one of the toughest tracks on the galaxy, many people don't even finish the race the first time they take part on it" Mr. Donovan added with care.
"You are a fan of MAC racing, Mr. Donovan?" Mercury asked intrigued.
"You have to, if you are born in Beta Prime. It is the planet passion, along with farming of course" Mr. Donovan added smiling "I am an avid follower of the circuit, but I am a bit embarrassed to admit, I do not watch the league often" Mr. Donovan admitted embarrassed.
"I understand, but don't worry. The league has an incredible fan base as well, not circuit levels, but we are over other sports for sure, and it is more understandable when you can be proud of your local pilot" Mercury nervousness had disappeared as she talked about MAC racing with Mr. Donovan.
"You like Ayr Lite, Miss Mercury" Mr. Donovan asked mischievously.
"He is one of my favorite pilots, not the top. However, I do believe however he is one of the best three pilots at the moment, that opinion as a fellow pilot from the league, but what he has achieve in the Farmlands Classic, that is just something else, I don't think even Dorian Tur was that dominant on his prime, in his best tracks. Specially after running in the classic, I believe no one else will break his legacy on the classic" Mercury was truly surprised of how dominant Ayr always looked on the classic, he made it seem easy.
"He did grow up in the actual farmlands, Miss Mercury, to be fair he has an advantage there" Mr. Donovan laughed.
"You know him?" Mercury was surprised, and curious at Mr. Donovan.
"Yes, Miss Mercury, I can say with a straight face I do know Ayr, but almost anyone from the farmlands district 04, can tell you the same" Mr. Donovan said as if it was nothing important.
"Then I think you should consider yourselves lucky" Mercury replied, ending that topic, for her it was very clear that if it was truth, they were lucky.
"We will arrive at Ruan Prime City shortly, Miss Mercury" was Mr. Donovan reply, but he was smiling.