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Post by crazyfishie on Jan 8, 2009 12:32:41 GMT -5
As much as he hated himself for thinking it, Cho had to admit that watching the races wasn't the same without Errol in the lead. Certainly, the mechanic had nothing but distain for the man- he had grit his teeth and muttered in agreement during any of the man's little fits or complaints- but he couldn't help that feel the dead racer's absence took away from the race.
Or rather, maybe it was the fact that when Errol raced, Cho knew he had crafted the zoomer his Commander rode. Maybe it was the idea that it wasn't Errol racing, but Cho himself, in a sense. When the bispecles mechanic had seen the precious zoomer he had spent hours working on go up in flames with its rider, he had felt that a part of himself had gone with it. Now he looked down at all the unfarmiliar racers with their unfarmiliar zoomer (many of which had flaws the KG mechanic would easily point out) and felt like he was just simply watching, rather that participating.
As for the rider, who cared?
The man didn't say much to Cho unless it was a complaint. If it wasn't the engine it was the controls and if it wasn't the controls it was the thruster. Cho just let the comments pass him by, replying with an "I understand Commander" or a "I'll get right on it sir". He wouldn't tell the man what he REALLY wanted to say. Too much risk there and Cho needed to stay close to the guys on top. Though it was hard sometimes.
Especially after that "Someday she'll be MY mechanic" thing! That had just gone and ticked the man right off! That arrogant prick had a lot of nerve. That made that little girl a better mechanic than him?! Nothing! Errol just simply knew how to take people for granted.
Cho wasn't about to have any respect for the dead. Some of them simply didn't deserve it. Although, Errol's death hadn't been a total waste. Cho was now Head of Mechanics for the KG. It was a very nice upgrade for him. Very nice indeed.
He got up and shoved past the cheering crowds to exit the stadium. The races were just too boring nowadays.
He walked quietly through the arched halls leading to the Stadium exit. On his right he saw a door that would take him down into the garages if he chose to open it. While he no longer had a garage to man, a simply introduction would get him past anyone who tried to stand in his way. After all, if the Head of Mechanics for the KG was there, that could mean there was something wrong in the stadium. If there was something wrong it would have to be fixed so that the safety and entertainment of everyone could be perserved.
Well, safety for the spectators anyways. You could sugar-coat it any way you wanted, but the racers lives were always on the line.
It almost made him wish he could find someone as ballsy as the dead Commander. It would be nice to be able to make some racing zoomers again, even if it was only a hobby.
These days his skills were put to use fixing up the city. He and his crew repaired construction equipment, the controls at the Power Station, surveillance devices, and whatever else the new Governess told them to fix. During the Baron's rule Cho had always repaired KG transports, KG patrol zoomers and any of the Baron's various combat machines (some of which he helped design). The change was noticeable, but it didn't bother him.
Cho knew that in this world the important thing was to survive. And, really, as long as he was fixing up damaged machinery, he was happy with his job.
Still, it would be nice to feel like he was part of the races again. Maybe with some luck that'd be a thrill he could get back.
The mechanic found himself outside, at the top of the stadium steps. With the Baron out, the cleaning of the city had begun very quickly. Below him, people were going about their everyday business. Some were heading away from the stadium and into another sector; some were running past him on the stairs, hoping they did not miss the next race as they were already late; some were jsut sitting by the fountains, talking laughing, or reading. With all images of the Baron removed, Cho had to admit Haven City seemed to have gained a kind of radiance.
He stopped by one of the fountains and sat on its edge. He watched a couple of KG patrollers, dressed in their new blue armour. Yes, things did seems a lot less dangerous now.
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Post by Ara on Jan 9, 2009 14:29:26 GMT -5
Now, if one was to become a good racer, it was, in the end, inevitable that he'd need a good mechanic. And a good mechanic needed a garage. Oh ho, but not ANY garage. This garage had to be the best of the best. Because that's what champions were made of. And Blaid knew exactly what champions were made of, being one himself.
And champions didn't come cheap.
But silly things such as money were of little concern to this certain man. He had plenty of creds, and found that he didn't mind one bit throwing them around when he wanted something done. And in just this instance, he found he wanted something done.
Cha-ching. He now had his own garage.
Cha-ching. It was furnished with the latest tools, machinery, and spare parts on the market.
Cha-ching. The best stock racing zoomer was now sitting in said garage, with two more to be used if this one crashed, or they were in line to be cannibalized should such a need arise.
Now all Blaid needed was the mechanic, and his little racing world would be complete.
There was one person he had in mind, and that was the person he was going to get.
Now, Blaid wasn't the sort to care about the little things. The Baron had fallen from power? So? Krew dead? It was bound to happen to that floating tub of rancid lard. He had it coming. And from what he'd heard, Krew had gathered himself a bunch of bad karma. His demise hadn't been the most pleasant of experiences. The thought brought a thin little smile to the man's lips. Now Krew's turf was fair game, and Blaid full-well intended to take it, through any means necessary.
But that wasn't the current plan on Blaid's agenda. No, right now he was at the stadium, surveying what he'd just purchased. It had taken a few days to get the garage cleaned up, and a few more to ship in everything he'd requested. Something about a cell group of terrorists blowing up shipments was the reason they gave for the late delivery. Blaid found such antics to be in very poor taste.
Nevertheless, things were here now, and through a series of bright smiles, choice words, and a few creds changing palms, he'd found out where the mechanic he'd wanted was. Cho was his name. Apparently he'd been the mechanic to the previous Krimzon Guard's commander. The KG Commander himself, Erol, had unfortunately died during one of the races. Blown up be dark eco or something. He never trusted rumors to be full truth. The thing that did remain the same, however, was that it was the fault of a young boy named Jak and his little pet, Daxter. Perhaps he'd look into meeting those two at some point.
Right now, though? Cho was Blaid's main concern. But if concern was to be had, it didn't show on his face. No, he put on his brightest smile (the one he'd used for Kras City media) and ventured to the top of the stadium, having heard from a passer-by that the mechanic was currently there.
Immediately, Blaid spotted Cho near one of the fountains, and he strode up to the mechanic, offering a gloved hand. "Afternoon. Cho, was it?" His grey eyes searched the mechanic's face. "I've got a problem I hope that you can help me with..." He put on a face of mock worry, eyes flickering towards the garage area. "I'm fairly new in town, and am working on winning a few races. My problem is I own a very nice garage, top of the line tools, and a few racing zoomers. But they're stock, and I refuse to race on such sluggish machines." That smile was back, but it held a hint of something else. Hunger would have been a good word to use.
"Unfortunately, I haven't found anyone to be my mechanic. I don't have time to work on the zoomers myself. Know anyone I might be able to talk into working for me?"
Cha-ching.
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Post by crazyfishie on Jan 10, 2009 0:05:09 GMT -5
Cho's thin eyebrows shot up when a hand suddenly appeared in front of his face. He took a glance upwards to find a man with a painted smile plastered all over his face. Cho didn't shake the hand in front of him, but cocked his head to the side and listened as the man spoke. New in town. is set to start racing. Just in need of a mechanic. Cho didn't say anything for the longest time, watching as various looks crossed the man's face. Very well practiced and all of them fake. How did he know? Simple. Cho fakes every single one of those faces when he was trying to get something.
Oh, and then there was a look of wolfish hunger too. He knew that one really well.
Cho frowned at the man, but not for his obvious acting. He knew this guy from somewhere. The KG? No. He didn't have the tattoos. He had never seen him at the racetrack before, that was certain. It was somewhere else...
Ah. Of course.
"You're a regular at Catat's Fantasy, aren't you? I see you almost everytime I go there," he said. "You gamble a lot. Usually you're a big winner. No doubt you count cards." How did Cho guess this? Well, for starters, he was a card counter too. no one won so many times without a little brain work.
But that wasn't his concern. Countign cards, while frowned upon, was not technically cheating. No, what his concern was how this man approached him with an offer to be a racing mechanic at the exact moment that the KG was lamenting on how he missed his hobby. This was no 'lucky break' and Cho knew it.
Really, what were the chances of some random guy wishing to join the race circut finding not only the Errol's former racing mechanic, but also the Head od Mechanics for the KG? Slim to none. That's what.
Cho had to admit, he felt this guy and him had a lot in common.
"You can drop the act. You aren't just asking random race-goers about mechanics. You've been hunting me down, haven't you?" Cho grinned. "While i recognize your face, I don't have a name to go with it. Mind fixing that problem?"
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Post by Ara on Jan 10, 2009 0:37:07 GMT -5
Well, well well... Wasn't this guy the sort with a sharp eye? He seemed to know how to read people. Well, two can play at that game...
The smile he had plastered on his face gained some authenticity. "Catat's Fancy. You've caught me." He dropped his ignored hand and instead reached into his breast pocket, pulling out a cigarette. He rolled it lightly between his fingers, but didn't yet light it. His steely grey eyes searched Cho's face. "I'm not sure whether to feel flattered, or in want to report you for stalking." He raised a thin eyebrow, shifting so he stood fully erect. "No one's caught my little scheme there, and I plan on keeping it that way." Then again, the place rarely was host to what one might call an 'intellectual individual.' And if they were smart, the girls there kept them rarely in a good state of mind for thinking.
"Consider the act dropped," He said in reply to Cho's' suggestion, his voice turning far colder, and far more intelligent. "I have, in fact, been looking for you. Though I haven't lied about having a garage, tools, and any parts you need ready." He let a devious little smirk cross his face before he gave a little bow of his head. "Blaid."
He lightly placed the cigarette between his lips and producing a lighter, lit it. After a short drag, he rolled it to the side of his mouth and raised an eyebrow. "Now that your problem's fixed, care to help me with mine? I want to hire you to be my mechanic. With the lack of certain Barons and eco-freak boys running around, I'm sure you don't have as much to fix, and the time you spend dedicated to my endeavors will be far more worth your efforts, I assure you.
"One of the reasons I'm in Haven is to test the racing waters. And you and I both know that you'd be a big help in that field." A small wisp of smoke escaped his lips as he offered that white smile of his, "So what do you say? Or will I have to find other methods of convincing you?" He looked like he'd rather not go to that extreme. "I sense we're men of similar taste, and would work well together. If all else fails, I'll guarantee you a year's pay, whether you stay on as my mechanic or not."
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Post by crazyfishie on Jan 10, 2009 19:52:35 GMT -5
Cho chuckled. " Stalking? Hardly. I just don't think it's natural for someone to win all but their first of ten games without some sort of trick." he said. "Although, it is a trick I am familiar with. Don't worry. I'd hate to see an outstanding fellow like yourself floating face down in the pumping station because some people just happened to be sore losers."
Cho listened carefully to what the man said now that his little act was dropped. It was much easier to concentrate this way, listening to words rather than watching false expressions. Now,. it seems like this guy wanted only the best to work as his mechanic, no doubt why Cho was his target. He may not have been fully appreciated by the ex-Commander, but there were others who understood his worth. Cho got the feeling that this Blaid fellow was one of them.
"You've got it a little off on my lack of work. The new Governess in demanding and it's my job to see that things aren't only fixed when they are broken, but that they stay fixed. Routine maintenance is a must." he said. "Suffice to say, it's not a matter of if I will, but rather one of if I can."
He removed his glasses and absentmindedly cleaned them against his shirt. "However, I agree with you that we are similar. We both know what we want and we'll do what it takes to get it." He examined his glasses and placed them back on his face, pushing them up the rim of his nose. "It's obvious that you want the best, and this seems like nothing more than a harmless racing partnership. Such a relationship works in my favor. Though one can never be sure that someone might have ulterior motives that could harm him."
Cho got to his feet and grinned. "Though I'm not the kind of man who makes a decision without looking into things first. Let's have a look at your garage."
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Post by Ara on Jan 12, 2009 0:14:36 GMT -5
"Natural, it's not, but beneficial? That's a completely different story all together. At least I know to be a tad more careful in my endeavors in the future." He was amused though, at the thought of himself lying dead near the pumping station. If anything came down to that, it would be him doing the killing most likely. Especially being that he'd done it before. Blaid inclined his head to show that he understood when Cho explained just what his job entailed. It was indeed understandable that the KG vehicles and machinery would need work, but he also wanted a good mechanic. And, well, his interests were always top priority, at least where he was concerned. "And such a relationship also works in my favor." He smiled cheekily at the mechanic. He was going to have to step lightly around this man, if he agreed to become his mechanic. He seemed a trustworthy person, but Blaid wasn't too sure where Cho's moral compass lay. For the time being, racing was all he was going to discuss with the man, should he take Blaid's offer. "Good man, making educated choices. I've just finished furnishing the garage, so it should be in good order. And if there's something you don't like, feel free to let me know. Anything can be re-arranged." That said, he flicked the end of his cigarette onto the street, putting it out with the tip of his shoe. "This way." ((Hmm. Should we just keep it in this thread, or do you wanna move it to one of the garages? Either way, I'm good. Just lemme know what you wanna do. ))
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Post by crazyfishie on Jan 17, 2009 0:31:47 GMT -5
((Lets just keep it here. We've only got a few posts in this part XD))
Cho followed Blaid back up the familiar steps towards the equally familiar garages. It had been months since he had actually been in them. He felt relaxed around the familiar sounds. Metal clanking against metal, screws being turned into place, cursing from someone who couldn't get a part to stay, jokes and conversation flying back and forth between garages, and the occasional tune being sung by one of the mechanics. Cho let it all sink in and felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him. He had missed the garages.
It had only been a few months since he had last been inside one. After the Commander died on the track, Cho had found it apparent that he was on the wrong side of the struggle for power in Haven. He had sought out and joined the Underground. He didn't care who was rulign the city, as long as he was on their good side. Although, the new Governess and Kg commander (both former Undergorund members) knew this all to well and chose to keep him within sight most of the time.
Hmm....yet another reason to take this man's offer. A chance to get away fro mwatchful eyes. Cho let out an audiable chuckle. He didn't speak though, instead following Blaid close as he weighed the consequences of joining as this man's mechanic.
He only saw plus points. He could escape the untrusting looks of the higher ups, get his glorious hobby back, feel like he was part of the sppedways again, and he got some extra pay to boot.
Now, if this man' garage was like he had said, Cho would be sold. At least for as long as the job benefitted him.
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Post by Ara on Jan 20, 2009 13:54:11 GMT -5
((Woo woo, postie time... Sorry it's taken me this long... >.o))
Much like Cho, Blaid was quite happy to be around the garages. The oil and metal and smell of electricity and technology that meant zoomers were being tweaked, fixed, broken down, and rebuilt. That there was a sense of gearing up to be the best. It was a good feeling.
Especially because in Haven, racing wasn't everything. Oh yes, it was indeed something that people thought about, but Kras City was a whole different monster. The entire city smelled like a racetrack, and everyone there wanted to show their stuff. Here, that feeling was secluded mostly to the racetrack and the garages. Not that Blaid minded. A little change in atmosphere from time to time was welcome. Especially if it meant the Catat's Fancy.
They arrived at the garage shortly, and Blaid produced a set of keys with which to open it. "Here we are..." He said lightly, unlocking the door and opening it for Cho to peer inside. "If you'd excuse the feeling of disuse, I'm sure you'd find everything you need to work here. I'm sure you'll give it your own touch after a day or two, should you choose to come under my employ." The cigarette he had in his lips rolled to the corner of his mouth. "Anything in here's for your use... Of course, I only expect the best work though." Blaid raised an eyebrow and gave a somewhat hopeful (greedy?) smile. "What do you think?"
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Post by crazyfishie on Feb 21, 2009 14:07:16 GMT -5
Cho entered the garage and looked around, making sure to scurtinize every inch of the room. It wasn't as big as the one he had worked in under Errol's employ, but how could it be? Blaid was fairly new in town and held no status to the level of the former commander. At best he would have only been able to hope for an average sized garage. The size didn't bother Cho. He had worked in tight spaces before and it wasn't as if an average racing garage was a cramped corner.
Cho walked slowly around the garage, judging every inch of it. As much as he hated to admit it to himself he was....impressed. The quality of the tools was far superior to anything Errol had provided him with. Then again, that may have been because it gave theb astard an excuse to blame Cho when something went wrong.
Cho picked up a wrench and turned it over in his hands. "These tools are of excellent quality. Where did you say you were from again?"
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Post by Ara on Feb 25, 2009 10:29:58 GMT -5
Blaid stood near the doorway as Cho inspected the garage. He'd crossed his arms lightly over his chest, eyes searching the area as if trying to catch anything wrong with it before Cho could. Not that there was much to be caught. The place, while somewhat small, cleaned up quite nicely, and he'd taken great care to have the setup be the most attractive it could be. Appearances, to Blaid, were quite close to everything.
When it seemed that the mechanic had done all the looking he needed to, he'd picked up a wrench and inspected that. A satisfied little smirk appeared on the man's face and he pushed off the wall, striding over to where Cho was. He picked up a smaller wrench and held it as if testing the weight as well. "I spare no expense when it comes to racing, my good man," he said lightly.
"I'm not sure I did say where I was from." Blaid shrugged. "I hail from Kras City. I'm sure you've heard of it... I got tired of the racing scene over there," a comment which, in itself, was wholly true. His full motives for coming to Haven City, however, were a bit more involved than that. "And I thought I'd try my hand against the racers here. I sincerely hope I'm not disappointed."
He sat the wrench down and took a deep breath, savoring the smell of oil and the electric tang of the hovercraft mechanisms the zoomers seemed to emit. It didn't matter what city you were in, that smell was always the same. Call it a staple, call it a comfort, but whatever it was, Blaid loved it. "And like I said, I do my best to get the best for everything I do. That includes getting the best for my help. I might be new to the city, but I'm not new to the business of racing. All aspects of it are important, from the racer himself, to his crew and his crew's tools and morale. If there's anything else you'd need, snap your fingers, and I'll have it appear."
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