Mercury was staying on Nû Hotel, in Ruan Prime City. Mr. Donovan had left her at the reception, and asked if she wanted to see go sightseeing, but she was tired from the travel, doing an hyper jump always left her a bit stiff, so she had decided to stay and rest for the evening.
The hotel was incredible, just a tad better than the one the team had stayed when they had come for the classic. It was 9 pm local time, almost every plant adhered to a 24 – 28 hours per day, even though each planet had different conditions, days were counted in that way. Beta Prime had two stars on its solar system, leaving the planet with short nights lasting from 6 to 3 hours.
The hotel as most buildings had windows which regulated the light, creating a longer artificial night. Mercury had asked for room service, not wanting to visit the restaurant. After she had received the details for the test by mail, her nervousness had not ceased.
She had relaxed while she had talked with Mr. Donovan, but now, all alone, she felt pressure. This was one of those life changing moments, it would define her as a pilot. She had recently talked with her father about her doubts, and the possibility of being able to reach the circuit.
She felt she could do it, that she had the skills needed, but after her training and the results this last season, she seemed a bit lost on what to do to continue improving. She was a pilot, and would not stop being one, even if it was only in the league. It was not a bad call, the league was good money as well, but it had been so hard, to talk about the possibility, still she had not given up, she would keep doing her best, that was how the conversation had ended, and now, she had a chance.
She would show her skills as a pilot tomorrow, and that was the end of it. She took a long and hot bath, and went to bed, she needed to be in top condition. As she laid on the bed, every bit of doubt she had, seemed to be trying to get to her. She connected her pcom, to the room sound system and began playing music. Nervousness and doubts were always there, but she had always stopped them once she was inside the MAC, tomorrow would be no different. She took a deep breath and imagined herself, inside the MAC cabin, until she felt asleep.
An alarm woke her up at 7:15, she got up feeling rested, and took a quick bath. She was ready by 8:15 and looked at the schedule Miss Lily had sent her. She recommended having breakfast at 8:20, as her transport would be ready at 9:00, Mr. Donovan had told her, he would be coming for her, at 9 am sharp.
Her flight back home was scheduled for tomorrow morning, she would not abandon the hotel, so she would not be carrying her luggage around. As she got in the restaurant, she noticed few people, probably because of the hour. She approached the host at the reception.
"Hi, I would like to take the breakfast, I believe it is already charged to my room" Mercury said to the Host.
"You must be Miss Mercury Quinn" Mercury nodded as a reply "Everything has already been taken care, Miss Lily had suggested your breakfast, or would you like to have a look atour menu?" The host was very kind, but Mercury was surprised at Miss Lily's attention to details.
"Thank you, I had what Miss Lily suggested"
"An excellent choice, please come this way Miss Mercury, your breakfast will be brought promptly" The host took her to a nice table which gave her a nice view towards the city main avenue.
My god, I really have to thank Miss Lily for everything. I could really get used to being treated this way, she thought. After just a few minutes, a waiter brought her breakfast. French toast and butter, organic strawberry marmalade, a fruit cocktail, and 2 eggs sunny side up. Beta Prime was famous for its excellent quality products and it showed. She devoured everything on her plate. Once she finished, a cappuccino was brought to her, on a paper cup, it was almost time to go. Once more Miss Lily had delivered.
She went to the reception, 10 minutes before 9, and to her surprise, Mr. Donovan was already there, sipping through a portable coffee mug, and was engraved with a legend that read "Best Grandad" on the side. It gave a homey feeling, contrasting with Mr. Donovan suit.
"Good morning Miss Mercury, I hope you had a nice rest" He said as he saw her coming from the restaurant.
"Thank you, Mr. Donovan, I did, and just had a wonderful breakfast, please be sure to thank Miss Lily for me, good thing I am not married, otherwise I would demand my husband to treat me the way Miss Lily has treated me" Mercury smiled, as she drank from her small cup.
"She has a keen eye to details, I will make sure to pass on your appreciation, she will appreciate it" He laughed "We can go now if you like, it could give you an opportunity to look at the place where the test will be.
"That would be awesome Mr. Donovan, you read my mind" Mercury said grateful. She wanted to arrive before and have a look at the track. Testing a pilot changed from team to team, some where more extensive and thorough but everyone would have her in a MAC trough a course or track.
"Follow me please, Miss Mercury" Mr. Donovan began walking with Mercury behind they left the hotel from a side door, that took them to the parking space. There was no sign of yesterday shuttle, but there was a gravcar, with the same legend 'Evens and Odds', and it was where Mr. Donovan has heading. The gravcar was the Regular Model from Akari Mori Inc, it was one of the most sold models in the galaxy.
She instinctively went to the co driver's seat, Mr. Donovan smiled, but did not said anything about it. Mercury had not noticed as her anxiety was surging again.
"I like having a co-driver for a change" Mr. Donovan remarked once they were both at the gravcar, Mercury realized she had done it without realizing it "It is ok Miss Mercury, please try to relax a bit, we are only a few minutes away from our destination"
"I have been wondering that, for a moment I thought the test might take place in the classic track, but for all I know Ruan is not that close to it" Mercury commented with curiosity, Beta Prime had one of the greatest fans regarding MAC racing, it would not be weird if they had other tracks.
"We are heading to a private track, it is relatively new, and currently it is only half he length of an official MPC track, but I am sad to say, that is all I am allowed to tell you, Miss Mercury" Mr. Donovan said apologizing "We will be there in a few minutes, please try to relax while we go there"
"It is all right Mr. Donovan. Would it bother you if I put on some music for me?" She always listened to music before any race, she wanted to take on Mr. Donovan offer, but she did not wish to be rude.
"Go ahead, don't mind me Miss Mercury" Mr. Donovan replied and started the gravcar. She took 2 small earpieces from ger pcom and started playing music. Mercury closed her eyes as the gravcar advanced, just a few minutes later, she felt the gravcar had stopped.
They had parked, outside a small building that led directly to a MAC track. The track was surrounded by a tall fence. To the other side of the parking space, she noted a large but weird looking building, as it was a warehouse that had been changed into something else.
"We have arrived Miss Mercur" Mr. Donovan said once he noticed she had removed her earpieces.
"Where are we, Mr. Donovan" She felt her nervousness on her skin.
"This track is called, Test Track 1" He laughed as he said it "I hope it gets a better name once it is complete. Please accompany me Miss Mercury, I will take you to the one responsible for testing you, he will answer all your questions.
Mercury took a deep breath, before she went down the gravcar, and followed Mr. Donovan, they where heading int the small building next to the track.
The building also resembled a warehouse, as they went inside of it, she noticed the building was designed as a team house, in a larger scale. There was a small cafeteria near the entrance, and a main display meeting room. A tall man with silver hair, was watching something on a com display. She noticed on the main displays were relaying live feed from the track.
"Good morning Mr. Meir, I have brought Miss Mercury" Mr. Donovan said to the tall man, who quickly turned towards them, Mercury felt her legs becoming weak as she noticed who he was.
"Good morning Mr. Donovan and thank you for bringing her here" Vander 'Cold Silver' Meir was the person in front of Mercury.
Miss Mercry, this is Mr. Meir, he will be the one responsible for testing you today, but I do believe you may know him" Mr. Donovan said kindly to Mercury, waking her from the surprise.
"Hi, sir, Mr. Meir, I am Mercury Quinn, I am here for the test, I am a MAC pilot" Mercury had almost spat, as she spoke quickly. 'Have I just spitted on Cold Silver?' she hoped not.
"Miss Mercury Quinn, my name is Vander Meir as Mr. Donovan has just said, I will be assessing your skills during this test. I am also a MAC pilot, nice to be your acquaintance" He extended his hand to Mercury. She Must have had her mouth still open, but in front of her was for real 'Cold Silver', a pro circuit champion. One of her favorite pilots, and he would be the one supervising her test. She felt her brain was about to melt. Mr. Donovan blessed the man, he cleared his throat loudly, she snapped form her thoughts and responded Mr. Meir extended hand.
"Thank you, Mr. Meir, nice to be your acquaintance" That was all her brain allowed to reply.
"I'll leave you in Mr. Meir care, Miss Mercury, once the test is over, I will be taking you back to the Hotel" He gave a small nod at Vander Meir and winked at Mercury before leaving.
"May I call you Mercury, Miss Quinn?" Vander asked politely
"Please do" Mercury responded fast as lighting.
"Come with me, sit down, Mercury, I would like to talk to you about the test" Vander pointed at table where the displays were. She followed him and sat in front of him.
"I will go right to the point Mercury, as I told you on our call from four days ago, a team I represent is interested in having you as a pilot for next season" Vander looked at her with worry, she was visibly nervous, and he was trying to calm her down.
"Wait, you were the one who called me before?" Mercury was startled.
"Yes Mercury, now please relax a little" He smiled at her, trying to comfort her, but it seemed as she would not calm down anytime soon "Mercury, we believe you have the skills necessary to race in the circuit, a team is interested in making you one of their pilots" Mercury snapped at those words, Vander smiled as he was waiting for that response.
"You truly are interested in me?" Mercury had composed a little.
"I do not like to waste resources Mercury, neither does the team. We had you come here, because we would like to observe your ability firsthand. After that, discussed with you about joining our team. I was tasked with assessing your performance, so, once more, calm down, and focus Mercury, it is time to race now" Vander was talking in a very calm manner, and his low tone enhanced the effect.
"Thank you, Mr. Vander Meir for this opportunity" Mercury had calmed down a little and was more collected.
"That's better Mercury. Let me explain, you will have 6 laps on this track, it is a simple course. It was two long straights, a series of consecutive turns, and various obstacles; nothing you have not seen in the league" Mercury nodded as he explained "We have a MAC prepared for you for this test, it is a pro circuit MAC, as you know it is faster than what you are used to in the league, having that in mind, the first 2 laps, the MAC will have a lock on its top speed, used this two laps to recognize the track, for the last 4 laps I will remove the lock on the speed, and that would be your time to showcase your speed. Is everything I have explained clear?" Vander noticed she had been focused on his words the whole explanation.
"4 laps in total, the fist 2 to get a feel of the track with locked speed, then I would have for more laps to race as fast I can" Mercury resumed his explanation.
"Good follow me then, I will show you the MAC you will be using today" They passed the meeting room, and walked towards the track.
Outside the building there was a small garage shop, similar to what you would find in an official track, at the end of it, right on the track, was a MAC, it had a very simple design similar to the standard in the circuit, but it had no colors apart from the grey the primer gave it..
This Mac Opened towards the sky, it had been arranged that way, since most opened sideways, this would soon be standard in the circuit and league, as it allowed a batter chance for pilots, to leave the MAC in case of collision.
"This is a standard pro circuit MAC; it should not have many differences with what you are accustomed to race in the league. This button here however is an addition, he pointed at a button near the cabin ceiling, it will eject you from the MAC in case of an emergency, keep that in mind" Mercury nodded "Do you have any other questions regarding the MAC or the test, Mercury?" Vander asked as they were next to the cabin.
"How come, you are going to be the one testing me?" Mercury replied, all her nervousness had disappeared as they had entered the track, much like it always happened, when she would race.
"That is not a relevant question towards the test" He snorted "However if you can drive as I hope you will, I will tell you" He handed the key to Mercury "There is a helmet in the pilot seat, I will be on the radio. It is time, to show everything you have Mercury" he winked at her and returned to the building.
Mercury got inside the MAC and closed the cabin. She started the MAC with the key, the engine started immediately, she began checking the systems as she always did before every race. She exhaled, and placed the helmet on her head, a little tap, let her know the coms were up.
"I am ready" She said having opened the communication channels.
"Begin when you wish, Mercury" Vander's voice answered back.