Need For Speed Fortune Valley Stories

Chapter 9 - Open Skies Part 1

10:35 p.m. Airfield 73. Garage. "Branden! Branden!" Jordan called as he ran up to my room and I opened it. "What is it?" I asked. "You won't believe what I just found." Jordan answered. "What did you find?" I asked. "If I tell you this, do not get mad at me or get shocked." Jordan answered. I nodded. "Okay, you know the Demon Lords has a Silver M3 GTR." Jordan replied. "Wait? Is it silver and blue?" I asked. "Yeah, it's a metallic silver with a Royal Blue and white line scheme." Jordan answered. "That's our car! Damn it, I can't believe they stole it! We've gotta get it back!" I replied. "Mom!" I called. "Yes?" Adena asked. "You remember the M3 GTR that I was wrecked in?" I asked. "Yeah, what about it?" Adena asked. "The Demon Lords it and we gotta get it back." I answered. "We can but where's the location?" Adena asked. "Jordan, location!" I commanded. "Located at the ARK Tower Construction Site." Jordan answered. "We can get there, let's go." Adena replied as she ran to the R34. I got in the car as well. 5 Minutes later. ARK Tower Construction Site. "We're gonna go over the plan one more time. First off, drop me off to an area I can use to sneak into the construction site. I have a few sticky bombs I can apply to the enforcers. And finally, you should get something on your phone named detonate on your contacts. When it's on your phone, press detonate to activate the bombs and then get the hell out of there. I'll let you when I get the car." I said. "Seems like we're about to do something stupid." Adena replied. "Definitely." I said as I took out my pistol and the sticky bombs. I ran stealthily to the construction site without getting caught. I put the sticky bomb under the enforcer car and climbed onto it which was close to a pole on the road for me to pull myself up on. I grabbed onto it and pulled myself up. I climbed onto the pillar and made it to the gravel. I hid behind brick walls when I saw a few guards standing by it and then they walked away. Once they walked away, I ran to the enforcer cars near it and I put a few sticky bombs under them. Then I got in the M3 and I started it up. "Alright, hope it still functions." I said as I drove off. "What the hell, who's driving the car! Get the target!" The enforcer exclaimed. "Activate it now!" I commanded. Adena took out her phone, went into the contacts list and pressed the detonate button which caused the enforcer cars to explode. "I'm good! Now go!" I commanded. "Now to see how it still functions." I said as I drove into the interstate which lead to the highway and to Airfield 73. "I got the car, mom. Let's take it to the garage so Dom can take a look on what's under the hood of it and what kind of tech is equipped." I called. "Good, escape from the cops as well. Once you escape, meet me at the garage." Adena replied. Minutes later. "Lost them." I said as I drove into the garage with the M3. "You returned the car right mom?" I asked. "Yes. It's outside." Adena answered as she pulled the lever under the left driver's side to open the hood. "Alright let's take a look under the hood of what's so special about this M3." Dominic replied as he opened the hood to check what's under the M3. "We all know the canyon duel is next stay focused." Letty commanded. The others nodded and we went back to doing our thing. The next morning. "Hey, Branden. I came to tell you about the M3. It's got a killswitch under the hood that can be used to kill a car engine dead in its tracks." Dominic said. "Okay, that's what Nova gave to them and I'm assure it's the tech that the cops have. You removed the tech right?" I asked. "Yes I did." Dominic answered. "Good." I replied. 14 hours later. "What's with the added man power? Why are we bring an extra support van with us this time?" Cordelia asked. "Before we came out, Letty and I made a list on what we knew that we need. When we looked at it side by side. Turned out 3 cars wasn't gonna be enough. I just wanted everybody here to know we're upping the antic of those guys. Now let that sink in real good. We got a long haul ahead of us. So be careful out there, got it?" Adena answered. "Got it." Cordelia, and Dominic replied. She got in van 2 and he got in van 3. Gillian and Jordan got in van 4. Jovanna got in van 3. Adena got in van 1 alongside Letty. Ellie and I got in our cars. I turned on the ignition of the car and it's exhaust breathed freely after it started. She turned on her ignition. The headlights and underglow neon were starting to glow. "Let's roll!" Adena commanded. On the road Mount Providence. "I'll be honest with you. The way things are going may be the biggest challenge Ellie has ever faced." Letty said. "You've got to be kidding me. Considering the drivers she has gone up against. I'd be surprised we'd find anything she challenged. I mean we are talking about the last time she went up against that Gavin jerk back in Palmont." Adena replied. "Tomorrow's race won't make it out like a walk in the park, most likely." Letty said. "Huh, what can be tougher than going up against a professional?" Adena asked. "Take my word for it, the toughest opponent isn't the guy you're racing." Letty answered. "Sorry, I don't get your meaning." Adena replied. "You will soon enough. I'm gonna take a little nap if you wouldn't mind waking me up when we get there. It would be nice and appreciated." Letty said as she moved the seat down and took a nap. "Uh yeah, sure." Adena replied. "Go up the guy you're racing. What does that even mean?" Adena wondered. Fortune Valley Resort & Casino. "Heads up. They're here." Luna called. We arrived at the parking lot and we parked our cars. We got out of our cars as well. "Is it cool by you if we start our practice runs?" Gillian asked. Luna nodded. Gillian gave a thumbs up to the team which means they can do practice runs. "Alright, let's go. I want you guys to do 5 runs at 80%. Branden and Ellie, we picked this course because it is designed to train you and give you extra skills on your techniques. Now let that smooth in real deep." Letty commanded. "Branden, you're all set and ready to go." Dominic said. "Looks like we're good over here as well." Jovanna replied. We got in our cars and exited the parking lot. We drove off to the course. "Man, I'm getting the chills looking at those cars. The guy in the GT-R is fast but the chick in the Z. Damn she's hot." Luna said. "How can you tell they're hot chicks man? We're going up against those guys tomorrow." Prina replied. "I know right. Those guys are very good. But there's this one thing about girl that's leading the team. She's an interesting one. After all, it may seem like a fun battle." Luna said as she looked at Letty talking to Adena. A few runs later. "How is she handling Ellie?" Jovanna asked. "The load's mostly a lot to the rear and the downforce is a little low. The braking seems to be a little too the rear as well and fill her up with gas. Premium gas. Make it 20 liters." Ellie answered. "Do you want me to raise it up a bit and raise the downforce as well? I can also adjust the braking bias a little to the front if you want." Jovanna suggested. "I think it should help when we come up with setups like these. Some setups may have to change probably due to the weather." Ellie replied. "You sure the modifications are gonna work on this Z?" Cordelia asked. "They will. That's the way Ellie likes her car. Sis, get the premium gas jerry can and put in the fuel tank." Jovanna answered. "Got it." Cordelia replied as she opened the gas tank and took out a jerry can. She fills it up on to the gas tank and the car's fuel was refilled. "You want one?" Jovanna asked as she handed Ellie a water bottle. "Yeah, sure." Ellie answered as she grabbed it and took a sip. Gillian and Jovanna were working on the Z's settings. "Hey, Mrs.Lee. What's up with the 4th van? We've got nothing but just spare tires. But what is this sport bike doing here?" Jordan asked. "The sports bike? I lended it for our drivers to use so they can check out the course during the day. It'll only be available to them before the battle begins." Adena answered. "You know Ms.Disantos has been making great ideas and smart moves lately. I think this is a pretty good idea." Dominic replied. "Okay, you're all set Ellie. Just let me know if the new setup works. If it doesn't work, we'll try something else." Jovanna said. "I appreciate the help Jovanna. I'm off now." Ellie replied as she drove off. I drove into the parking lot as well. "Branden, how does the new setup feel?" Gillian asked. "I think the new setup helps. But there a few things we need to adjust." I answered. "What would you like me to adjust?" Gillian asked. "Adjust the downforce because it's too high so make it in the center between high and low so medium basically. Then we need to fix the suspension because the car is wobbling all over the place. When it's wobbling I can't find a way to floor it when I use the half throttle accelerating method. Also let's switch the tires as well. I think that's all I need." I answered. "Got it, I'll get to work on it." Gillian replied as she handed me a water bottle and started working on the car. I grabbed it and took a sip of my water. "Branden you good?" Cordelia asked. "I'm okay, I'm just getting used to the new features and modifications we have in the R34. But there are only a few adjustments we need to make to the car which is the suspension, downforce, and tires. They should help me though so I can learn ways to conserve my tires and my fuel." I answered. "Hope it works for you." Cordelia replied. "It's done. Just to let you know I had to switch the braking pads and brakes as well. It will cost you a bit of control and a little stopping power." Gillian said. "Thanks Gillian. Time to see what this course has to offer." I replied as I drove off and exited the parking lot. "How is she handling?" Letty asked. "She's handling like a greased piston." Gillian answered. "That's what I thought. Now Branden seems like he's in the right place." Letty replied. "Yeah, now he's got his head screwed on tight and wasn't the same ol dumb person he used to be. I can tell he has changed from problems he has been in." Gillian said. "We all know Branden is a veteran. He may surpass all of us. He's gonna keep getting better and better every time. That's just the way this kid is." Letty replied. Franklin Dome. I was breaking into the corner and drifting at the same time. The next day. Fortune Valley Hotel. Room 654. 2:30 p.m. Man, practice wore me out. It seems like we're only renting this room for only a day. What a night." I said. "I know right, everyone else gets to have their own room and we get to have our own room by ourselves because we're the drivers and we are a couple." Ellie replied. "Yeah, I'm gonna sleep now. Can you turn off the lights?" I asked as I fell asleep. Ellie turned off the lights and went to sleep. I fell asleep into a dream. In dream. "Huh? Where am I? What is this place?" I wondered. "Shit, I'm tied up!" I said in my mind. "Where am I?" I asked.  "You're in my room daddy." A girl answered. "Who are you? How am I here? And why are you calling me daddy." I asked. "Just relax daddy, I'm here to have sex with you and I want you to impregnate me just so you can get me pregnant to have your baby. Put your dick inside of me." A girl answered as she took her pants and climbed onto me. "I'm stuck. I can't get out." I said in my mind as I was tied up. "Oh god! Gahhhg..." I moaned. "Ahh... harder... harder..." A girl moaned as she was riding on me. Travels back to present. "AAAAHHHH!" I screamed and it woke up Ellie. I started panting as I felt scared. "Branden are you okay?" Ellie asked. "I just had a nightmare. I'm fine." I answered. "Are you sure you want to talk about it?" Ellie asked. "It's okay I'm cool." I answered as I went back to sleep. Ellie went back to sleep as well. Room 595. "You know Letty, it was a good idea for you to rent out a room for all of us. It was a smart move." Cordelia said. "What can I say, we all don't want to sleep outside. The drivers can sleep in a cool area and we can do that as well. Last year, it was only them sleeping in a cool room and all of us we're hot and sweaty. Now here, we're in a nice cool room." Letty replied. 6 hours later. Outside. Ellie and I knocked on the door and the person that opened it was Letty. "There you guys are. Come have a seat for a few minutes we are gonna start eating right now because in 2 hours, we have to get to the race." Letty commanded as she opened the door. We walked to our table and took a seat. "What do you have for us to eat?" Ellie asked. "Letty and I went to the store before the race and we made some prime rib. We also have plenty of meat we can use for barbecues. Trust me, they're fun. I'm grilling the prime rib right now. While you two we're sleeping. We decided to marinate the prime rib and we added some garlic salt, pepper and some buttery marination. You know the usual for what every type of meat can be marinated with." Adena answered as she was grilling. "We also provided vegetables as well if you guys want any. It's important to eat before you start the race so that way, you can get a head start without starving during the race." Letty replied. "I'll pass it to the table. Is it done?" Ellie asked. "Yeah, it's done." Adena answered as she walked to the table and puts the prime rib there. "That's big, let's cut it so we can all have a piece. You can start eating as well." Letty commanded as she grabs a knife and cuts it into a single slice. She hands one to me, Ellie, Adena, Jovanna and Cordelia. "You know, Mrs.Lee. The idea of buying food isn't bad at all. I mean it's important for racers to get their carbs before the race right?" Cordelia asked. "Yes, because you don't want to feel like you're starving or feel like sick for example in the middle of race. It's important to have you energy for the race so that way you can have a better focus." Adena answered as she took a bite of her prime rib. I took out my cigarette and my lighter. I lit it up and put in my mouth to take a smoke. "You sure you got time for a smoke?" Letty asked. "Well sometimes, not every time." I answered as I was smoking. 2 hours later. Downhill start. "Huh. A Lamborghini Diablo. Not what I expected but I'm not gonna lose." Ellie said as she saw the Lamborghini Diablo. "Yeah, that car must be fast. It's got real fire in there. I just hope you smoke em fast before the finish." Jovanna replied. "What position would you like to be in for this run? We've been doing this every time at every race we go to." Adena asked. "You know what, let's do a flipping coin. If it's heads, I'll lead. If it's tails, I'll chase." Luna answered as she flipped the coin and grabbed it quickly as soon as it flipped. It was pointed tails. "Tails." Adena replied. "Then that'll do it." Luna said. Ellie nodded and got in her car. "Alright, line em up people! The Z33 in front with the Diablo chasing!" Adena commanded. "I wonder how the race is gonna turn out. My guess is something is gonna happen." Gillian said. "Yeah, I think something might happen at some point." Cordelia replied as they saw the cars at the start. "I'm gonna start the countdown!" Adena exclaimed as she was starting the countdown. "I will get my revenge on Ellie and won't lose that race like last time when I raced her for that crown!" Luna said in her mind. "3, 2, 1! GO!" Adena exclaimed as she waves her arm and puts it down which is the signal to start. "They're off at a fast start!" Gillian exclaimed. "Go Ellie!" Cordelia exclaimed as they cheered. "The driver in that Lamborghini Diablo, Luna Rosa. Do you remember that racer Letty?" Adena asked. "The one who was hyped to take on Lee but instead took on Ellie for the grip crown. Yeah I remember her. Who like her would show up at a battle like this?" Letty wondered. "Not good, now this will be a tough battle. Branden, though. Is up against a professional volleyball player." Adena replied. "Race car drivers have a sense of meaning and skill. If we were on the circuit it may come down to us having an advantage or not but who knows. On the street, we have an advantage. So who knows how this battle will turn out." Letty said. Braxton. They were racing down the hill and Ellie was still in the lead while Luna is chasing. "The car is completely different. It's control and balance has changed. I can try to pull this off if I don't make any mistakes in this race." Luna said in her mind. "There's a rhythm change on the final section of this course. If you ask me, Ellie will make the move there. After the last hairpin, they'll approach a turn that leads to the highway. That's where the finish line." I said. "Can she do that against a pro?" Jordan asked. "She has to do it against a pro. That is when she will have to show her true potential. But something is else is saying a thing to me. It's saying if I was Ellie, I would make a move there." I answered. "Whoa! Dude I don't even know what the hell your meaning is." Jordan replied as he felt scared and confused. "You don't get what he's saying, do you? Let him finish. Branden, continue on." Jovanna asked as she gave a facepalm to him. Ellie turned into the corner and gripped the inside of the turn with a inner wheel lift. "Wheel lifting huh? You must be all that good aren't ya? Well you must be very fast then." Luna wondered in her mind as she saw her movements with the car. "Here they come." I said as I heard engines revving from the twisty turns. "Whoa! They haven't even broken a sweat yet!" Jovanna exclaimed as she witnessed their driving skills. "Okay, I think Ms.Disantos had said something like this technique called the Yajima Zone. It may have something to do with the cars she mostly drives with like the Z or any car she's specific with. I don't know how to think of it or out of it but only Ms.Disantos. All I could say is during practice, when I was behind Ellie. I caught off guard when she warped through that turn. That's what the Yajima Zone is. At some point, a rhythm will change on this course." I said. At some point, Ellie warped on the turn. "What was that? Was that my mistake? I can't keep my guard down. Remember, you lost to her. Don't lose to her again." Luna wondered in her mind as she saw Ellie warping. She blinked and warped again. "Again? Is that my mistake again? Better not be. The thing that's bothering me is that I'm upset." Luna wondered in her mind as she started to pull away. Starting point. "There's a point of changing the rhythm?" Adena asked. "That's correct. You just have to pay attention to the braking control and acceleration. You can be able to change the rhythm of this race... the 2 cars are around this point... what will happen is the change of outcome of this race... Ellie will enter the Yajima Zone soon along with the opponent..." Letty answered. "I think you said something like the Yajima Zone. What in the world does it mean??" Adena asked. Flashback to Ellie's race against Azlynn. "It's hard to explain but... this is not something new that has been happening for a very long time. I noticed it since my first battle with Yajima along with Branden in Tri-City Bay. I'm assure you remember it became more refine after the battle between The Demon Lords. It's something between her and the cars she's specific with. This is usually from her own practice technique... when we were observing Ellie's driving, we realized she has gone from a different level..." Letty answered. "I wonder. How much does Ellie practice everyday?" Adena wondered. "In racing. People often refer to it as 'One with the car". But in reality, you can't use a 1 ton machine as your arms and feet. Only with Ellie that you will see this rare situation. When she's at the edge of losing grip, she can control the car to it's best position. She can also freely drift the car to the best line if possible. When she drives like that, she makes the Z33 function like a 4WD!" Letty explained. "That's impossible! How?" Adena asked. "Well of course it's not. The Z is still an FR. The Z has given the spectators a false feeling as well as the opponents who follow her. A skilled driver would also understand. Because the opponents can copy the same line and still not be able to achieve this result. Best explanation is when someone quickly points the front to the exit corner, and accelerate at the fast moment which should be able to give it the fastest existing speed. But this technique will also cause the car to lose control and be unstable. Which is why I cannot explain it clearly." Letty answered. "I cannot believe that there are things that Letty can't explain..." Adena replied. "Of course there are ways I can explain, especially with Yajima and her Z33..." Letty said. "I cannot use any logic to explain this phenomenon!!" Adena replied. Ellie floored it and the car backfired. To be continued.