 
--=< SECTION 1 - THE STARTING LINE >=-----------------------------------------
From the starting gates, the racetrack shifts to the left and then levels
out to run parallel to (and just below, as far as elevation goes) the paths
that lead to the stadium's other race courses. It goes on straight ahead for
about another hundred meters before things start shaking up.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PATH 1: THE STARTING LINE CHALLENGE: MEDIUM BONUS: NONE
After the straightaway, the track jinks upward at a 90 degree pitch. It
then flattens out with another sharp 90 degree shift in pitch, and begins
to furiously zig-zag left and right to force the swoops into some serious
cornering maneuvers.
DIFFICULTY: 15 MAN (pitch changes) 15 MAN (turns)
------------------------------------=< Stadium: The Flipside, Underground >=--
The 'Sudden Darkness' is brought into position from the Public Garage up to the Starting Line by it's racer, Jeric. Clad in the standard protective gear, he flexes his hands quickly before taking a look over towards the others racers on the track. SWOOP: Ubrikkian Phantom-Q -- Blue Lightning drifts out to the starting blocks, the pilot adjusting his gloves before donning his helmet. Lander offers a wave to the crowd before taking the controls and preparing for the start signal. The red swoop moves to the starting line, Ryshel settles the white helmet into place after that and prepares for the race. Her eyes go to the stands once looking to someone there and then her attention is all on the track again. The AV system at the still new Flipside arena flickers to life and the announcer booms through the arena competing with the DJ's for attention. "That's right race fans it's the season finale of GSL's racing circuit! This is our first heat of the event and it promises to be a pleaser. In Grade 3 is an Independent favorite, Lander Muriyat on his faithful Blue Lightening, Grade 2 has Rryshel Quinn back to the circuit after some time off racing still for her Team Callandor! And in Grade 1 we have new comer and Desert favorite racing on the Rim Team, Jeric Czernich! GSL would like to thank all the racers and sponsors that make this possible. This event is sponsored by, FineLine Spaceways, Race Like the Wind Repulsor Sports Inc (Mt Marin), Fox Tech Industries, The Rim Consortium, Rendili Shipyards, NovaCom Cybertronics & ComCor-Sigma Racers take your marks!!" The light tree lights up and flashes, Red red red Yellow yellow GREEN! "And their off!!!!" As the light turns green, the newcomer to the tracks, Jeric Czernich, immediately switches the thrust into Over as he leans his body forward slightly to avoid some of the wind caused from the movement of his swoop. A slight smirk begins to play across his lips as his vehicle lurches forward and he prepares for the turns.
SWOOP: Case S-6c Akula -- Sudden Darkness shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
-3 10
<SKILL> Jeric rolls a 19 for his GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill. A Good roll!
As Jeric proceeds through the turns, he's not running into too many problems. That is, until he makes a critical mistake. He zag'd when he should have zig'd and his swoops make brief contact with a barrier, offering minor damage to the vehicle and forcing Jeric to emit a soft string of curses. As the start of the race is signaled, Lander throws the throttle into Overdrive and launches from the starting blocks. He hunches low over the body of his swoop in preparation for the hard jinks and turns coming up. <SKILL> Lander rolls a 25 for his GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill. An Excellent roll!
SWOOP: Ubrikkian Phantom-Q -- Blue Lightning shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
5 39
The jinks and turns of the first section seem to cause little trouble for the experienced Wroonian swooper. Lander grins beneath his helmet, tosses another wave to the crowd and prepares himself for the next section. Leaning close over the swoop Ryshel slams into overdrive and the swoop rockets forward across the starting line. The slim form moves with the swoop leaning into the turns.
SWOOP: Ubrikkian Phantom-Q -- Crimson Myst shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
5 20
<SKILL> Ryshel rolls a 31 for her GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill. A Heroic roll!
And as the Crimson Myst manuevers through the first section of the course Ryshel doesn't seem to have any trouble at all taming the track. She concentrates on the track through to the next section, all business here. "Our hosts may not be on the sponsor list but that doesn't mean all Hutts are heartless!" The Announcer continues, "The Rim Consortium is a first time sponsor to the GSL, Visit the Rim you'll never know what hit you!" The Announcer glees. "And Lander pulls to an early grade 3 lead showing off for the local crowds! Ryshel looks like she is Grade 3 but team Callandor only races grade 2! And Ooooo! Its getting rough already for the poor Grade 1 new comer. Watch it Jeric this track eats stock swoops! Crossing the section marker its Lander with 59 SRU, Ryshel with 48 and Jeric scraping together 30 SRU!"
--=< SECTION 2 - BURNING INFERNO >=-------------------------------------------
The track straightens out and slopes steeply upwards. Once the racers
have reached the peak of their climb, a sharp turn aims them towards a
building that is perpetually on fire, then takes them straight at the burning
inferno.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PATH 1: TOP FLOOR CHALLENGE: MEDIUM BONUS: NONE
The easiest path takes racers close to the burning building, entering at
the highest floor. Only the tops of the flames reach here, but the heat
is very noticable, and there is smoke to contend with.
DIFFICULTY: 15 MAN (flames) 15 MAN (smoke)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PATH 2: THROUGH THE CENTER CHALLENGE: HARD BONUS: 10
The harder path takes brave racers straight into the raging inferno,
entering several floors beneath the easier path and taking racers clear
through the burning building. The heat is intense and visibility is poor.
DIFFICULTY: 20 MAN (flames) 20 MAN (low visibility)
------------------------------------=< Stadium: The Flipside, Underground >=--
Alright, Jeric can't afford to beat his swoop against the barriers to many times. It's just not good for the swoop .... or for his health. Dropping the engine power of his swoop, Jeric throttles down to 'full' before steering his swoop towards the path that takes him straight through the raging Inferno.
SWOOP: Case S-6c Akula -- Sudden Darkness shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
4 3
<SKILL> Jeric rolls a 21 for his GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill. An Excellent roll!
The Raging Inferno causes droplets of sweat to bead down his forehead beneath his helmet and then Jeric shakes his head slightly as his swoop soars through the flames. Go figure .... take the harder route and he's able to make it away without bumping into things. Keeping the throttle in overdrive, Lander doesn't waste a second in aiming for the more difficult path through the raging inferno. One doesn't get the winning SRUs by taking the easy path all the time.
SWOOP: Ubrikkian Phantom-Q -- Blue Lightning shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
4 40
<SKILL> Lander rolls a 18 for his GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill. A Good roll!
SWOOP: Ubrikkian Phantom-Q -- Blue Lightning dives through the flames as if they weren't there. Lander really makes this section look easy, especially when he pulls a full 360 flat spin to avoid some burning debris. He smirks and shakes his head a bit as he flies into the next section. It's through the center of the inferno for Ryshel, she stays low against the swoop's frame keeping the machine in overdrive. This track, she knows, can eat you even if you're careful so she's not holding back.
SWOOP: Ubrikkian Phantom-Q -- Crimson Myst shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
3 21
<SKILL> Ryshel rolls a 16 for her GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill. A Good roll!
Okay.. so as the Myst comes out of section two the back end is singed and the side is a little out of whack. Seems Ryshel smashed into something in the dense smoke before coming out the other side. "Out of the frying pan and into this fire!" The announcer excites. "Any of you racers get too close to the flames and need a new paint job Jeric. You might look into Fox Tech's swoop division, purveyer of fine swoops, swooping paraphernalia and other useful items. Fox Tech, We're Indie too! And its Lander taking the harder path into the flames. He clears them easily and passes on to the next section with 131 SRU. Team Callandor is setting a blazing pace through this inferno. That is one hot bike, But ew!" The crowd is on its feet cheering. "Crimson Myst is getting a little more crimson there getting a little too intimate with the flames. She smokes it through the section with 84 SRU. Woah! Even the new guy is heading with the pack. Didn't his coach tell him not to play with fire! But he's making it look too easy lets hope he lets cocky! He clears the 1/3 marker with 59 SRU!"
--=< SECTION 3 - DROP OF DOOM >=----------------------------------------------
Racers exit the burning building and are faced with a deadly drop. Two
paths lead racers straight down some fifty stories, into the bowels of the
moon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PATH 1: 45 DEGREE DROP CHALLENGE: HARD BONUS: NONE
This path is a 45 degree drop straight down into the moon's unknown depths.
DIFFICULTY: 20 MAN (steep incline)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PATH 2: 90 DEGREE DROP CHALLENGE: VERY HARD BONUS: 10
This path is a 90 degree drop straight down into the unknown depths of the
moon. When racers reach the bottom, they have very little time to pull up
and level out.
DIFFICULTY: 25 MAN (steep drop) 25 MAN (pull up)
------------------------------------=< Stadium: The Flipside, Underground >=--
Leaving the engine set in full, Jeric comes out of the burning building and with nothing more then a mere movement of the controls, he angles his swoop so that he catches the 90 degree drop.
SWOOP: Case S-6c Akula -- Sudden Darkness shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
4 3
<SKILL> Jeric rolls a 28 for his GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill.
Child's play ... well, perhaps it's not exactly child's play and waht happens next should be captioned with 'Don't Try This'. As the swoop begins to drop straight down, Jeric keeps his hands firmly on the controls as he raises himself upwards on the seat before finally lifting his body so that he can 'stand' on seat and offer a brief wave with his right hand. This lasts for only a moment as he lowers himself back down, pulling up extremely hard so that he can level out in time. Once again, he's made it through without damaging his swoop. Fueled by his success in the flames, Lander aims for the 90 degree drop. He keeps the throttle in overdrive. The sooner he gets to the drop, the sooner he gets to the bottom perhaps?
SWOOP: Ubrikkian Phantom-Q -- Blue Lightning shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
5 41
<SKILL> Lander rolls a 19 for his GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill. A Good roll!
And over the edge he goes! About halfway down, a gust of wind catches his swoop and scrapes it against the wall of the drop for a moment or two, but Lander manages to regain control and make an easy landing with little more than cosmetic damage to the swoop. Shifting down to full for the 90 degree drop Ryshel pushes forward with a little more caution because of her damaged swoop. She'll want to finish the race to have the funds to get the machine fixed.
SWOOP: Ubrikkian Phantom-Q -- Crimson Myst shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
10 13
<SKILL> Ryshel rolls a 27 for her GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill. An Excellent roll!
It seems that the slower pace paid off for Ryshel. She and the Myst clear the drop and easily pull up at the bottom before she races for the next section. "Another fine Swoop shop that caters specifically too the Pros is Race Like the Wind Repulsor Sports Incorporated, Mt Marin office. Race Like the wind and no one will hear you scream!" The announcer advertises. "The Blue Meanine on his Blue Lightening takes the harder path as expected. He's running smooth but a little slow lets see what he does here. He's holding it steady and Oooo! Tough break as he embraces the track's side. That's going to cost him more speed as can be seen by his weak 190 SRU showing at the halfway marker. Quinn dives for the Drop. Her swoop is still smoking a little from the inferno. But it doesn't seem to hold her back as she gains a lot of speed she lost in the tower. She's across the halfway point with 137 SRU. Czernich again takes the rough but fast path. He's pushing it but that is what we like to see here in the Galactic League no timid pilots here! What is he doing?!? Standing in jet assited free fall?!? Is he insane!? I guess not as he clears the half waypoint with a spectacular 95 SRU!! This Sarian was made too swoop apparently!"
--=< SECTION 4 - THE MAZE >=--------------------------------------------------
Once racers have arrived in the unknown depths of Nar Shaddaa's lower
levels, they are faced with a dangerous maze that is legendary throughout the
galaxy. Sections of half-sealed tubing provide just enough guidance to keep
racers on course, but the openings leave the racers vulnerable to attacks
from the beings and creatures that call the lower levels their home.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PATH 1: UNDER ATTACK! CHALLENGE: VERY HARD BONUS: NONE
As racers speed through the dark and winding underbelly of Nar Shaddaa,
vagrants and other creatures lash out at them as they pass, hoping to
turn a would-be winner into a bite-sized meal.
DIFFICULTY: 20 MAN (dark, winding path) 25 MAN (vagrant/creature avoidance)
------------------------------------=< Stadium: The Flipside, Underground >=--
Having cleared the drop with no problem, Jeric turns the 'Sudden Darkness' towards the only path available to him. The one with the Dark and winding path and he chooses to keeping his swoop in full for the time being. Why mess with something when it's working.
SWOOP: Case S-6c Akula -- Sudden Darkness shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
4 4
<SKILL> Jeric rolls a 18 for his GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill. A Good roll!
The Darkness and Winding Paths cause little problem for Jeric but what's this, creatures and vagrants lashing out at him? Somehow, Jeric manages to barely avoids the pests as he soars towards the next section. Little choice is given for this particular section, so Lander dives into the dark tunnel, throttle still in overdrive. That seems to be the only gear this swooper knows how to use.
SWOOP: Ubrikkian Phantom-Q -- Blue Lightning shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
5 41
<SKILL> Lander rolls a 19 for his GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill. A Good roll!
Lander seems to be doing better on this section than the last time he raced this track. At least he didn't hit anyone this time. He flies through the tunnels and emerges from the other side unscathed. Ryshel disappears into the depths of Nar Shaddaa to do battle with the inhabitants below. She goes in at full speed knowing what comes in the future sections of the track.
SWOOP: Ubrikkian Phantom-Q -- Crimson Myst shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
10 14
<SKILL> Ryshel rolls a 20 for her GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill. A Good roll!
She lost speed but she made it through safe and Ryshel is ready to face the challenges presented by the last two sections of track as her swoop begins to pick up a little speed heading for section five. "And into the sewers they go, wonder if ComCor remembered to feed those Vagrants. ComCor that's Communications Core is your home here on the Bandit moon for all your electronic needs. Got a Vagrant on your Back? Comcor surely has a solution!" The Announcer exclaims. "Muriyat has got his work cut out for him and the sewers can make or break a race. He's confident still and swoop looks still in good condition and he clears it but still on the slow side with an accumulated 251 SRU. Crimson Myst looks like a tastee snack to me lets see if our little pals agree. Spewing sewage behind her there are certainly some wet and frusterated Vagrants in her wake. She's 2/3 through with 168 SRU. The Rim racer takes his sudden darkness into the stench. They are hungry lunging and leaping but the Hutt sponsored racer denies them their snack leaving more for his masters to eat later likely. He's past the 2/3 point with 120 SRU!"
--=< SECTION 5 - HUFFS AND PUFFS >=-------------------------------------------
The track heads back up and out of the depths of Nar Shaddaa once the
vagrant maze has been surpassed. Racers are lead back up to rooftop level,
where heavy gusts and violent winds assault them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PATH 1: EASY TUBE CHALLENGE: MEDIUM BONUS: NONE
This tube only has a bare minimum of protection for racers, leaving them
at the mercy of the strong winds.
DIFFICULTY: 15 MAN (wind) 25 VEL (wind/G1 ONLY) 40 VEL (wind/G2-G4 ONLY)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PATH 2: HARD TUBE CHALLENGE: HARD BONUS: 10
This tube offers no protection to racers. They are left entirely at the
mercy of the violent winds, which gust up to 150 km/h, strong enough to
slam them into the side of a nearby building if they aren't careful.
DIFFICULTY: 20 MAN (wind) 40 VEL (wind)
------------------------------------=< Stadium: The Flipside, Underground >=--
A decision and one that had to be made quick by Jeric. The choice of tube's and it would appear that he choses the one that offers no protection from the violent winds as he switches his engines back into 'Over'.
SWOOP: Case S-6c Akula -- Sudden Darkness shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
-4 9
<SKILL> Jeric rolls a 29 for his GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill. An Excellent roll!
Oh, looks like Jeric made a good choice when he took the one with no protection. Wait! Seems like he's lost control of the swoop in the winds and then his swoop smashes into the side of the building, capturing his leg inbetween the swoop and the building. When he finally regains control, one side of his swoop is pretty damaged and who knows how his leg feels. As the next section looms before him, Lander heads for the harder of the two tubes. You don't get very far in life without taking chances. Hopefully, this chance will let him keep on living. He keeps the throttle in overdrive as he enters the tube...
SWOOP: Ubrikkian Phantom-Q -- Blue Lightning shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
3 40
<SKILL> Lander rolls a 24 for his GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill. An Excellent roll!
The winds buffet the Blue Lightning mercilessly, but Lander manages to get through with no trouble at all. He certainly is getting better at this track as time goes on it seems. He tightens his grip on the controls and steels himself for the final section. Having made it through the underbelly of the moon Ryshel knows that anything can knock her out of the race now and yet in order to win she must risk all. So into the tube lacking protecting, the swoop racing ahead in overdrive.
SWOOP: Ubrikkian Phantom-Q -- Crimson Myst shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
4 20
<SKILL> Ryshel rolls a 17 for her GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill. A Good roll!
The Crimson Myst is buffeted a little by the wind but the slight figure mounted upon the machine manages to keep control and escape from the section unscathed. It might have been a little touch and go there, but this girl is too stuborn to let a little wind ruin her race. "I bet those racers are glad for the wind to blow the stench from their nostrils, Does Lander have nostrils?" The Announcer teases. "If you need new Nostrils Novacom's new line of medical droids is sure to assist with any cosmetic surgeries needs. Novacom building a better tomorrow today. Though a blustery day Blue Man Lander doesn't get blown away. He enters the final section with a conservative 325 SRU. Quinn looks like she wants to winn she takes the gutsy gusty tube and she's GOOD she enters section 6 with 218 SRU!! What is Czernich doing?!? A stock swoop cant go that fast!! Is He nuts! He clears the section but he's lucky to be alive. But that boy sure knows how to put on a show!" The crowd roars their approval of the carnage. "Jeric enters the final section with a hard earned 154 SRU!"
--=< SECTION 6 - THE END IS NEAR! >=------------------------------------------
The last leg of the track that leads to the finish line is difficult no
matter which way racers go. The tubes split off, leaving some racers skipping
across rooftops towards the final straightaway while others take a pluging
dive towards the infamous trash compactor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PATH 1: ROOFTOP JUMPING CHALLENGE: HARD BONUS: NONE
Racers must jump their swoops from building to building. Short lengths of
track have been affixed to the spires of each tall tower, with a jump pad
at the end to help launch racers to the next subsequent landing area. The
last jump pad has to launch racers up onto the final straightaway that
leads for the finish line.
DIFFICULTY: 25 MAN (rooftop jumps)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PATH 2: THE COMPACTOR CHALLENGE: VERY HARD BONUS: 40 SRU
This path dives straight down at a sharp angle towards the ground. Flames
burst from the sides of the walls intermittently, and at the bottom lie
the gaping jaws of the trash compactor that open and close with a
powerful force in timed precision, so that if racers can negotiate
their entry, they can avoid being crushed. Once racers leave the other
side, they head back up to the straightaway break for the finish line.
DIFFICULTY: 25 MAN (steep drop) 25 MAN (flames) 30 MAN (compactor avoidance)
------------------------------------=< Stadium: The Flipside, Underground >=--
Pain and anger flow through Jeric's body as he enters the final stretch of the race and another choice comes to mind. If he wants to win his grade, he's going to need to take changes and that's exactly what he does. Dropping the engine power from Overdrive to 3/4's, he makes his way down the harder of the two choices.
SWOOP: Case S-6c Akula -- Sudden Darkness shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
7 -8
<SKILL> Jeric rolls a 32 for his GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill. A Heroic roll!
This time, his choice of the harder path paid off. Somehow, Jeric manages to keep control of his swoop down through the drop. Coming through the flames without so much as a mark, the newcomer to the track even manages to avoid the Compactor before heading on towards the straightway break that leads to the finish line. Keeping the swoop in overdrive, Lander heads for the path leading to the compactor. This is the final section and time to lay the cards on the table.
SWOOP: Ubrikkian Phantom-Q -- Blue Lightning shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
5 40
<SKILL> Lander rolls a 21 for his GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill. An Excellent roll!
SWOOP:SWOOP: Ubrikkian Phantom-Q -- Blue Lightning drops down the incline, heading fast towards the compactor. Lander tries to time his passage through the gaping jaws, but manages to get himself singed in the process. Finally, he flies through the compactor, missing being flattened on top of it all. Having been through this section of track before Ryshel is more conservative, shifting down into full for the run through the compactor. She needs this section to have the ghost of a chance at winning her grade.
SWOOP: Ubrikkian Phantom-Q -- Crimson Myst shifts gears and provides:
Manuvering Velocity
10 13
<SKILL> Ryshel rolls a 39 for her GROUND VEHICLE OPERATION skill. A Heroic roll!
A wise choice is seems for the Corellian female, the Myst makes it cleanly through the drop, the flames and she shoots through the smashing compactor with near perfect timing to the straightway and the end of the track beyond. "The end is near! And as all good things must come to and end so too this heat, lets see if any of our racers get mashed! If they do I am sure that FLS, Fine Line Spaceways will e happy to rush them to some medical assistance. FLS the official shipping company of the GSL, When it has to get there fast as a g4 swoop send it FLS! Lander takes the low route towards the compactor. He easily slides down the slope and Oowie! That's enough to turn blue hair red. Smookin! No mash though as he sputters over the finish line with a modest 387 SRU. Callandor needs the speed bonus and takes the insane route. Down the slope looking oh so fine, past the flames leaving them in her crimson myst and past the crusher at top speed! She sets a blazing 302 SRU as she crosses the finish line! What is Jeric doing? We should have known folks we should have known!!" The crowd is on their feet for the finish. "He makes the drop, past the flames and YES he's done it he lives! Jeric clears the course with a total of 206 SRU! Amazing! GSL would like to thank all our racers and sponsors and in particular, FineLine Spaceways, Race Like the Wind Repulsor Sports Inc (Mt Marin), Fox Tech Industries, The Rim Consortium, Rendili Shipyards, NovaCom Cybertronics & ComCor-Sigma See you next heat folks." The announcer concludes. |
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