NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This is closed for E20 Roleplayers only. Those who showed interest (USEA, China, Germany, Philippines, and myself), please post intros here.

IC:

Saigon, USEA-

The warm Saigon night bit at Kim Seok and Yi Lin-jung, as they inspected their new Hyundai Cycle Company "Cruiser" motorbikes at the garage the Korean Team had rented out. At 350cc, they weren't the most intimidating of machines, nor was their maker one of the most famous-it had only emerged thanks to a government intervention.

Indeed, at the strategy sessions which detailed the race, the KAA Chairman had warned them that though the Korean Automotive Association had organized the rally, they were heavily favored against-the bookies in Vladvostok and in the grungier areas of Pyongyang were betting on the Germans, or even the Filipinos and their fancy Harleys. Therefore, they had to win.

And the trail itself was hard, a test of endurance- Saigon to Quy Nohn, Quy Nohn to Hue, and Hue to Hanoi. Then, it was into Southern China with stops at Hong Kong, Fuzhou, Shanghai, Jinan, Beijing, to Shenyang, then finally to Seoul. Normal roads would be used when possible, but it would be important not to get lost. Or for that matter, run out of fuel, breakdown, etc.

Kim said, shaking his head, "Lin-jung, the bike's good. Now, can I sleep!?"

Yi Lin-jung, who was a shifty as a squirrel getting chased by a dog, said, "No, man. I want this to start off right."

Kim said, slapping his head, "Look. We inspected Bikes 1-10 already. They are titp-top shape. Their starters are good, their fuel lines are good, their brakes are brand new, out of the goddam box. Now, are you happy, or shall I look it over again, oh great chun-an?"

Yi said, "Fine. Besides, I'm getting tired too..."

Kim then said, "Look. We'll be fine. We've got good maps. Our route is planned for us. All we have to do is drive safe, and drive faster than those Germans and their damn RE125. Same with the Harleys. Okay?"

Yi then said, "I guess..."

Kim then said, assuringly, "Look. Let's get some shuteye. Tomorrow morning, I want us and the boys up, awake, and hopefully with food in our bellies, bladders empty, and spirits high."

Yi then shrugged, saying, "Well....alright. But only because you won, Mr. I-Placed-First."

They then locked up, and went to their rented quarters in Saigon for a night's rest before the show....

OOC: I assume you will give us the results after each heat, so we can roleplay each section, if we want.

IC: Wilhelm Bismarck moved his hand across the seat of his brand new RE125. Supposedly, it was the fastest thing around, faster than most cars! While Wilhelm didn't really believe that, he hoped it was true. It sure would be nice to beat these yellow bastards at their own game!

No, he thought to himself. I am an ambassador. I represent Germany and the new image. The image of peace and cooperation. And supremacy. No! Supremacy is nice, but either way I must be as polite as a schoolchild.

"Ahh! It is the "Chancellor" himself. How are things going?"

"Y... your highness!" He kneeled. "Things are marvellous. I just finished going over maps of the area. It seems like the first leg will be rather simple."

The old Kaiser stepped forward and thrust his hand outward, shaking the bikers hands. Kaiser Hubertus was a major fan of racing, especially motorcycle.

"Good good! I do not think I will have to remind you that you represent Germany and Germans all around the world, no?"

"Yes, your highness. I have been told many times. I truely believe that nothing but good will come out of this ra..." He stopped and stared behind the Kaiser.

"Excuse me?" Behind the Kaiser was a young Vietnamese woman. She had shimmering black hair and beautiful brown eyes. The 'Chancellor' could not get his eyes off of her.

"Pardon me, your highness. I was just remarking about how wonderful this race will be for all the world. I am sorry I must leave. There are things I must attend to." He looked around but the girl was not there.

Damn. He thought.

"Well, I wish you the best of luck! Deutschland Uber Alles!"

"Deutschland Uber Alles, indeed, your highness. Indeed."

Parthini']OOC: I assume you will give us the results after each heat, so we can roleplay each section, if we want.

OOC: That might be easier than the original method I was planning. I might roll each section with a d6 die, and RP the results.

OOC: Anyone know a good site for Filipino Bikes?

OOC: Anyone know a good site for Filipino Bikes?

OOC: I believe the US (Galveston Bay) sponsored a Filipino team with Harley-Davidsons. So, you're home free. Use Harley-Davidson KR750s, apparently, they were Harley's premier race bike throughout the 1960's.

EDIT:

Once everybody posts their intros, I'll post up a thing about the race starting, and have everybody assemble at the starting line before I get to rolling dice.

OOC: Oh ok, but this will probably be the last as we will want to sponsor our own soon enough. But I'll do an intro next. Just gotta give me a little time.

OOC: Oh ok, but this will probably be the last as we will want to sponsor our own soon enough. But I'll do an intro next. Just gotta give me a little time.

Harley Davidson is indeed sponsoring a Filipino team,

OOC
but its for you to role play, they are just providing the motorcycles

UI know, but I gotta wait a sec. I gotta head to ab us soon and won't have much time.

bump for Ato-Sara....

Ming Ru, an average looking Chinese man, gazed upon his 300cc motorcycle, courtesy of Yo Industries, and he smiled. A fellow teammate approached Ming Ru with his own smile.

"Hey buddy."

Ming Ru glanced over at the new arrival.

"Oh, its you Huang Ning."

Ning shrugged as he tossed a rag cloth towards Ru.

"Better shine up that bike. No sense in having a dirty bike represent China. It'd be quite embarassing."

Ru said nothing. Ning continued.

"Its a shame that the Russians are not participating. It'd be lovely to tear up some Russkies. They keep doing atrocious things, even after their nuclear attacks aganist us and the Indians. I've heard plenty of stories about the Russkies kidnapping their own people, imprisoning and even executing them for speaking out aganist their government. Looks like the Union did not die after all."

Ru grunted.

"We Chinese are better than these Russkies, we have always been, and we always will. We have built ourselves into a colossal powerhouse in the past twenty years from a nation of broken rubble and ruins. We'd beat the damn Russkies any day, any time of the week.

Hey, how many Russkies does it take to screw a lightbulb in?"

Now it was Ning's turn to shrug.

"Probably a million Russkies, as they constantly screw up."

Both riders laughed as they continued to polish their Yo-300 bike in preparation for the rally.

OOC: Not to be a dick, but remember, Chinese names are "backwards". Unless you meant for them to refer to each other by their last names.

Parthini']OOC: Not to be a dick, but remember, Chinese names are "backwards". Unless you meant for them to refer to each other by their last names.

Thanks for the correction. That has always confused me for a long time (which names are formal and which ones are casual).

Thanks for the correction. That has always confused me for a long time (which names are formal and which ones are casual).

OOC: No problem. I took a year of Chinese last year, so I have the basics down.

Also, there are specific surnames and common names and crap, but unless your into that, don't worry about it.

OOC: A slightly overglorified bump, but...

Also, Imagine Yi talking like Dustin Hoffman and Kim voiced by Robert Redford from "All the President's Men."

IC:

The next morning-

Kim and Yi woke up, along with the rest of the Korean team. Matenance was busy shining the bikes up, and their PR Man was scouting out the news. Kin ate his breakfast of American-style beefsteak and congee-like all athletes, he had a lucky charm, and his was a steak. Yi was studying the map, and scribbling little points, mumbling to himself, "No...we go this way, we save several liters....hmmm..."

Kim was going, "Still fretting over the map?"

Yi was going, "Well, not all of us can be supersitious."

Kim went, "Look...PR said the Chinese and the Germans came into town. The Vietnamese are organizing, but we haven't heard a thing. Same with the Filipinos. And besides, they'll call us when they call us."

He then poked Yi's plate of ramen and said, "Eat up, man. Soup's cold."

bump for Ato-Sara, again..;)

OOC: Sorry got a little side tracked.

IC:

Bao Tanh lovingly tended to his mount. Its metal components gleamed in the bright morning light of Saigon. The King 60 Tourer was the latest model from Kymco Auto and Bao loved it.
A few meters to his right an equally well looked after back sat whilst it's owner was away. This was a LianShi Model 18 Haro and belonged to Nyugen teammate Ling Yu An.
Whistling a tune he had picked up during his Army days he resumed posishing the casing. Behind him someone staelthily crept up behind and wishpered in his ear.

"Boo!" Bao jumped, behind him the sound of Ling laughing could be heard. Bao spun around.
"Asshole" Ling continued to laugh.
"Haha have your fun, did you get the map?" Liang reached into his bag and produced a folded piece of laminated paper.
"Yeah sure, here." Liang lightly threw the map into Bao's hands and trotted off to thend to his own bike.

Bao put his tools away in his bag and unfolded the map onto a bench and began to plan the finishing touches to a particulatr part of the route.

Liang still chuckling to himself finished wiping down an engine part before replacing it, mounting the bike and gunning the engine. Pleased with the roaring sound made Liang smiled to himself as he thought of all the fun he was going to have.

Benigno Aquino Jr. stood with his back to the wall, a cigarette firmly clenched in his mouth. THe three wars had made him less accepting of current trends, and so he'd found a strange hobby in motorcycles. He probably was the oldest one there, turning 30 in a few months. He looked around at his partners, wondering what his father would have said. Probably that he was too old for this crap. OH well, forget them. One day he'd be a reporter, or something else. BUt at this moment he'd simply enjoy his life.

His partner stood working on their bikes. Its amazing how you never know people. Eric Aguinaldo, a great grandson of the independence movement Emilio. He stood next to the Harley. THey were told it was the last time they could use an American made bike for this. After all the new government wished for a more self sufficient country. The old status-quo wouldn't work. It bothered the older generation, but to the middle generation nearing that middle age, he didn't mind. A less America centered Philippines may be good.

"So when do we start this?" He stated to himself as he looked around.

As it turned out, Aguinaldo's question was to be answered, for at the same time, the racers got the call from the organizers, "All teams, pelase report to the starting line on Dong Khoi Street. We will begin as soon as everybody arrives."

Yi then said, "Well, its time to see if we have the right stuff."

Kim then nodded, and said, finishing his meal up, "Yeah. But I'm feeling good."

Yi then shot back, "Ever the optimist are we? Come on."

They then walked to their motorbikes and got on. Starting the engines with the kickstarters, their bikes roared to life, like beasts now unchained from their collars. They then zoomed off, the Cruisers navigating Saigon's streets until they reached Dong Khoi Street and the starting line, where a box was set up with the KAA, Hyundai Cycle Co., and Yo Industries of China Brass and a man with a revolver was waiting to signal the beginning of the race. (OOC: Ato-Sara, Sharina, if you wanna RP Chinese and USEA automotive bigwigs, either company men or from the various auto clubs that organized the meet, feel free to.)

"Well that answers my question." Eric gave a wry grin as he got onto his machine. THe Panhead Engine roaring to life as they both started to head towards the starting line.

The major Chinese automobile company in this timeline is "Yo Industries"- based off the RL one, but with significantly more influence, employment, diversity (cars, trucks, SUV's, etc. instead of just motorcycles), and so on.

The major Chinese automobile company in this timeline is "Yo Industries"- based off the RL one, but with significantly more influence, employment, diversity (cars, trucks, SUV's, etc. instead of just motorcycles), and so on.

OOC: Added Yo Industries to the box where the brass are. A friendly reminder-Don't forget to post your riders assembling ;) .

Ming Ru crouched behind his Yo-300 motorcycle, doing several last minute checks and inspections before the big race. His two teammates, the humorous Huang Ning, and Zhen Jin, the first Chinese woman and likely the first woman in Asia to participate in a male sports event, approached.

Jin spoke first.

"Looks like the race's about to start any minute now. My bike is ready to go. You shouldn't be doing checks at the very last minute."

Ning chuckled at Jin's comment.

"Ru, you lazy bum. Procrainasting until the last minute every time."

Ru turned his head slowly towards his two teammates and responded in a low voice.

"Stop bothering me, otherwise I'll never get the checks done. Go on now- get to your bikes and stop worrying about me!"

Jin shook her head.

"The pride of China is at stake. If one biker shows up late or doesn't show up for the rally, how will that reflect on China?"

Ru waved his hand dismissively, and returned to his checks while ignoring his two teammates. He managed to finish the last few look-overs just as the call came out for all the racers and their bikes to assemble for the race. The three Chinese bikers arrived at the starting point without any incident, revealing nothing of their arguements a scant fifteen minutes earlier.

The team of China was ready to ride.

Gan Ko Lu head of marketing for LianShi Industries walked away from the two men of Team Indochina, the joint marketing effort betwwen Lianshi and Kymco Auto could allow possible new markets to open up further north.
As for winning, it did not matter as long as they got the publicity, though having a LianSHi bike cross the line in Seuol first would be wonderful. Gan Lu chuckled and began to whistle a catchy tune, he was happy.

Meanwhile Team Indochina went to the last checkups on their machines, making sure everything was in order for the long road up ahead.

Wheeling his bike up to the start Bao Tanh breathed in the fresh midday heat and surveyed the other competitors. This was going to be a hard race, but he was confident in his ability, as long as Linag llearned to behave like a normal human being for more than a few seconds, they should do fine. Bao chuckled, yeah like that was ever going to happen.
Liang stood beside him looking at his reflection in the bike's chrome.

Gan Lu took his place along side the other industry representatives nodding to his colleague from Kymco Auto.

"Willy! WILLY!"

Wilhelm shook his head. He was sitting on the racetrack, but he was staring nowhere. His manager, Jarl, was screaming at him to pay attention since the race was going to begin in less than 5 minutes. Wilhelm concentrated and then prayed.

He just couldn't get that girl out of his head.

NO! He must ignore her and continue, for the sake of Germany. Yes. Germany. But she was so beautiful....

The head of the KAA got up, said a few words about Asian brotherhood and the beauty of motorcycling, and then sat down. After his speech, the Hyundai Cycle Co. brass wished the racers luck, and then made way for the man with the revolver, who raised it in the air, and fired....

Yi and Kim then revved their bikes, and zoomed off the moment they heard the shot-for the race was on.

IC General results (feel free to fill in details. Don't hate me, this is how the dice played out):

Results of Saigon-Quy Nohn (Started June 1961), w/ a d6 die:

Korea 3
USEA 3 (tied w/ Korea for Third)
China 6 (1st)
Philippines 5 (2nd)
Germany 1 (Fourth)

In a stunning upset, China does the best in the Saigon-Quy Nohn leg, with the Filipinos in a close second. The bikes and riders of both teams prove surprisingly adept at navigating the rain-soaked roads and monsoon climate of Indochina--right about the time this starts, its monsoon season, so heavy rains play a huge role in how the race plays out.

The Koreans and the USEA are tied for Third. The monsoons claim the Koreans; after getting stuck on a number of occasions, Yi's worst fears come true as the mud from the rains almost causes his bike to become involved in a accident around the Central Highlands some distance from Quy Nohn. Yi himself is fine, but a good chunk of time is spent recovering the machine from a rain-soaked swamp. The USEA, meanwhile, face similar, if less spectacular issues, with mud and rain navigation; they barely pull through with a spectacular push to Quy Nohn to tie with the Koreans.

But Germany does the worst. MZ's RE125 machine, though it succeeds in Continental European Races, seems to be powerless against the monsoons of Asia. The ever-present threat of mud and rain-slicked roads, plus overconfidence and poor visibility results in an accident outside of Nha Trang. Willy is fine, but his injuries and the damage to the bike will result in delays that cause the Germans to come in last.

polite bump

Quy Nohn-Hue

Korea 2
USEA 2
China 6
Phillppines 6
Germany 1

China and the Phillippines tie once more for first, undeterred by bad weather and the hilly terrain of the Central Highlands. Korea and the USEA tie for second. Korea does so after Yi crashes his bike, sending him to the hospital and delaying the Korean team. The unfortunates crashed into are Team Germany's rider, who had recovered from a previous round of injuries, and a truck carrying rice. The Germans recover, but by the time they do so, they enter last place(The consequences on Germany's end and how they recover I leave to Parth).

As Yi recovers, a replacement rider, third place winner Yoo Chun Royung (Korea's first female racer) and a new bike arrive to replace him. With this, they barely squeak by to tie the USEA team, who have their own share of issues with engines, and the closing of the main route after the accident, forcing them to take an alternate path that costs more time.

(So how did all this work?)

you won, just RP out the celebrations and aftermaths of you want

(I meant how did they decide who won? And I'll post that next.)

A dice was rolled I believe

(I meant how did they decide who won? And I'll post that next.)
OOC:
You haven't actually won, but you are tieing for first place with China.


IC:

Bao exhaustedly cleaned the mud cleaned the mud off his bike, the first two legs had been an unqualified disaster.
First there had been that fallen tree and the forest of dense thorns that Liang had hit, then there was the elderly Burmese couple with their horse and cart that they had been stuck behind an hour and he didn't even want to think about the incident with the cows. Bao shuddered as if supressing a horrifying memory.

More recently the Korean Team had, had a serious accident ahead of them, forcing them to take a wide detour around and through several back roads which were little more than slightly less damp strips of earth between two rice paddies. At one point Bao's bike had caught a rock and had careend off into a paddy, getting Bao covered in thick mud and resulting the farmer chasing after them on a rickety old bicycle and a very pointy stick.

Liang was off having his many cuts and bruises attended to, at least it got him out of Bao's hair and shut him up. Bao chuckled, as much an idiot that Liang was, you had to love the way he completely dropped his tough guy act and started with the puppy dog eyes when the cute nurses from the hospital were treating his wounds.

Still grinning Bao observed a young girl travelling around the crowd selling bike related praphenailia, one particular object caught his eye, feeling for money in his pocket, he went and bought the object for four dollars (SEA) and affixed it to the handle bar of Liang's bike.
Trying to keep a straight face, Bao went back to cleaning.
On the handle bar of Liang's bike was securly fixed a small, bright pink bicycle bell covered in flourescent green and yellow stars.

"GOd we got to use the replacement bike." Binigno looked at his partner Eric as he saw the remains of the shocks and brakes of the engine. They'd caught up to the Chinese because Eric finally said screw the roads and had gone up, and down, the mountains directly. He had quite a few bumps and scrapes from the experience, and a huge grin was his way of showing he wasn't phased in the least.

Eric's partner, on the other hand, had made sure to avoid things, and use all the available space he could to race past people. Any obstacle didn't slow him too much due to the extremelly good treads. Also, the Filipino's and CHinese had the advantage that Indochina was much closer to their homes than Europe. Weather in the UIP was almost the same, in fact a typhoon had just hit both men's homes just recently. A European racer hearing that would have paniced, but these two knew it was all in a days work on their island homes.

"Well get it prepped so we can keep this up. Remember one slip up and we're toast." Eric nodded as he prepped the replacement.

Willy was sprawling. He had made some nochalant remark about his performance and Jarl had nearly knocked out one of his teeth.

"YOU ARE A GERMAN! YOU ARE NOT SOME LOWLY CHINAMAN OR AMERICAN OR ITALIAN OR ANYTHING ELSE! GOD BLESSED YOU WITH GOOD GERMAN STOCK AND YOU WILL NOT MISUSE WHAT GOD GAVE YOU!"

It sounded more like a Lutheran sermon than a pep talk, but either way Jarl meant it. He calmed down a bit as he continued.

"I do understand this ridiculous weather hasn't helped, but you really need to get back in the game... I mean it..."

The manager left, half dissapointed, half furious.

Hue-Hanoi

Korea 4 (3rd)
USEA 3 (4th)
China 5
Phillppines 6 (1st)
Germany 5 (Tied w/ China for 2nd)

The Central Highlands, and later as the racers get up to Hanoi, the Red River Delta, still prove challenging, but overall, monsoon condition let up just enough to give everybody a better run. In particular, the pep talk in Team Germany seems to have actually worked, and they stage a dramatic comeback, tying the Chinese for 2nd place. The Filipinos are still in the lead, having gunned the hearts out of their engines and brakes.

Team Korea's new replacement racer, Yoo, also proves to be a good choice, as she helps the team achieve a relatively good run, if you don't count slipping occasionally in mud-soaked roads and getting stuck. Still, the Koreans, despite having rough terrain at home, have some difficulty navigating the Red River Delta, and make it in third.

The USEA, meanwhile, enters fourth. Their run, though professionally handled, has its own host of problems....

OOC: Ato-sara, you can handle the USEA bit on Hue-Hanoi. BTW, love the bit about the cows.

Hanoi-Hong Kong

Korea 4 (tied w/ Germany for 3rd)
USEA 5
China 6 (1st)
Philippines 5 (tied w/ USEA for 2nd)
Germany 4

The coast roads of South China, while somewhat better for all, still pose a challenge for the riders--they too, are subject to the monsoons that played havoc with the riders in Indochina. Also, in the urban areas (ooc: in RL this is the case), traffic along the main roads becomes problematic, with bad drivers, peasants running across roads, and windy roads in the case of Hong Kong.

Getting back on home soil, the Chinese resume their first place position for this heat. The Filipinos, despite riding their machines hard, are forced to contend with a sudden late game resurgence by the USEA and are tied in 2nd.

Germany's late game surge is also met with a recovery by the Koreans, who are glad to be out of the majority of the muck and dirt paths of Indochina, the site of so many bad memories. Both are tied at third place, due to a variety of factors.

In Korea's case, this involves once again getting lost; Yi had a good sense of direction, being the chief navigator along with No. 2. But, his accident forced him out, so now, Kim must go without him--and since he and Yoo are unfamiliar with South China, this becomes a problem. As a result, going through the windy roads of Hong Kong to the goal on Hong Kong Island becomes a nightmare, as Kim is often seen asking locals for directions.

"Damn axle." Eric grumbled as they'd almost decapitated a squirrel when the thing pinged off the engine. It'd taken them a good 10 minutes to replace as the CHinese got the lead in front, and the USEA got ahead of them. THey'd made enough time to catch up and tie with the USEA. For once Eric was glad that his partner had brought so many replacement parts.

"There are so damn MANY OF THEM!"

Willy couldn't seem to get out of the crazed state that he was in. He was from Essen, and he thought he had seen a metropolis, but that was nothing compared to Hong Kong. There were just so many Chinese that he could barely dodge them. And the streets were so crowded... For a nation with an income 3 times that of Germany's, the roads and urban areas were rather poor. In Germany, he could easily swerve in and out between the Urban Trains, since in Essen very few people had cars. The Autobahn was more Southern and Western.

The roads were bumpy too.

Jarl just patted him on the back and handed him a sandwich.

Hong Kong-Fuzhou

Korea 4 (2nd)
USEA 3 (3rd)
China 6
Philippines 2 (4th)
Germany 6 (tied w/ China for 1st place)

The mildly hilly environment of Fujian, Guangdong, and bits of Jiangxi and the coast roads within are still subject to the monsoons and a generally hot, damp climate. However, with Shanghai, the race's halfway mark in sight, inspiration exists to keep going.

Team Korea posts its best run yet, 2nd place. Yi, upon hearing this from his hospital bed in Nha Trang, says, "Good lads...." This run was mainly due to lessons learned quickly in navigating the both the bustling burgs and rural roads of South China. Not to mention, while stopped in Hong Kong, Kim and Yoo actually bothered to study their maps and get in touch with Yi via phone, resulting in much better planning.

Team Germany, meanwhile, ties Team China for 1st, also learning from past experience and benefiting from an accident-free run and excellent handling.

The Filipinos, meanwhile, are not so lucky-a slip near Xiamen, combined with the sudden upsurge of German and Korean activity, causes them to fall behind to last place. The USEA is spared having to take a long detour like in Quy Nohn to Hue, the sudden German and Korean surge takes them offguard, outdistancing them and forcing them to catch up.

Fuzhou-Shanghai

Korea 5 (1st)
USEA 4 (Tied w/ China and Germany for 2nd)
China 4
Philippines 1 (3rd)
Germany 4

The milder climate and the fact the race has reached a halfway mark bodes well for the racers. Team Korea, especially, is glad to have a slight break from heavy rains and blistering heat 24/7. Combined with good luck on the roads near Shanghai, and good bikes, they enter first place for the first time in the Saigon-Seoul Rally.

Meanwhile, the Chinese, USEA, and German teams all fall into 2nd place. For the Chinese and Germans, the stresses of being locked in a dead heat, plus traffic difficulties near Shanghai that affect Team USEA as well, force them to spend time finding a number of alternate routes. Team USEA catches up to the Chinese and Germans, benefiting from severe engine and brake failures on Team Philippines side (that place them in last place), but the aforementioned traffic troubles keep them in 2nd.

Shanghai-Jinan

Korea 4 (1st)
USEA 2 (3rd)
China 1 (4th, tied w/ Germany)
Philippines 3 (2nd)
Germany 1

The trip from Shanghai to Jinan is shorter than many of the other heats, but it also seems to host more automobiles, if a more hospitable climate.

Team Korea maintains its lead throughout the heat; Kim remarks to the Korean Register that, "It feels good right now....we were doing kinda touch-and-go for a while, but we're okay now. We hope to keep this up, so we can go home happy."

The Filipinos, meanwhile, recover, and regain momentum, placing 2nd in a furious ride. The USEA must keep up, but they're not doing as badly as the Chinese and Germans. The Chinese suffer catastrophic engine failure, as one of their bikes give out in mid-run, nearly causing an accident. Meanwhile, the Germans fare little better. They don't suffer any spectacular accidents, but they do suffer their own share of problems.

Eric sleeps in a corner next to his bike. THey caught up only because he sans sleep and raced full throttle ahead while Benigno kept to his normal pace, making sure to move around as Eric set the pace. Now the exhausted younger man slept while his older counterpart worked on the bikes. Another furious race might be ahead and it was anyone's game.

(How many more heats are there?)

OOC: Just three more, Jinan-Beijing, Beijing-Shenyang, and Shenyang-Seoul.

Last Three-"Golden Mile" as it is called by the Korean Team, this is the run that will make or break the final results for our riders.

Jinan-Beijing

Korea 3 (4th)
USEA 6
China 5 (2nd)
Philippines 4 (3rd)
Germany 6 (tied w/ USEA for 1st)

Beijing-Shenyang

Korea 2 (3rd)
USEA 5
China 4 (2nd)
Philippines 1 (4th)
Germany 5 (tied w/ USEA for 1st)

Shenyang-Seoul

Korea 1 (4th)
USEA 4
China 6 (1st)
Philippines 3 (3rd)
Germany 4 (tied w/ USEA for 2nd)

These last three races see dramatic shifts in climate and fortunes, with hills and rain giving way to plains, desert, and even rugged mountains in the case of the Korean run.

Team Korea's promise is unfulfilled, as due to fatigue on the part of the riders, traffic problems, and stress on the machines, which begin to suffer a string of mechanical failures--after all that riding, their bikes are beginning to become fatigued as well, the consequence of occasional dust storms and not-very-thourough matenance. In the mountains of their home Korea, where it is expected that they have a homefield advantage, they end up careening down a hilly mountain road into an old Civil War booby trap which injures Kim and damages Team Korea's bikes. No. 4 and 5 bikes are brought, but by the time the team arrives, it is too late.

For the Chinese, on the other hand, things are looking bright. Consistently trapped in second due to navigating bad traffic jams, fatigue, and the same storms and rugged mountains that pose problems for the Koreans, they are able to hold it together and ride into Seoul first.

The Germans, meanwhile, are locked in a dead heat with the USEA, as the two teams constantly battle to outrace one another. Their bikes in good shape, they often are seen executing fantastic maneuvers and violating several traffic laws in the process of performing U-turns and moves that would make RL motorcyclists blush. They also push their machines and wills to the limit....only to be surpassed by China in the end, resulting in both being tied at 2nd.

The Philippines team's Harleys, as a consequence of their hard driving, are also beginning to scream bloody murder, giving out at unexpected times. However, the Filipinos are more diligent in keeping things together, allowing them to have a slightly better run than the Koreans, leaving only the Korean mountains and the plains of Northeast China as the only problems. They ultimately arrive in 3rd place.

=========

Kim then threw down his helmet the moment he arrived in Seoul and said, "F**k this. I'm tired, I wanna have shower and a nice long nap. That was hell...."

The wound from that old mine acted up, and he screamed in pain. Insult to injury. He just had to make a stupid promise in Shanghai-Jinan, and now he was paying for it. Didn't the Government clean up the countryside? Judging by the ex-Soviet mine that filled his leg full of shrapnel and damaged their bikes, probably not. He was going to crack some skulls soon.

Yi probably would've told him so. He looked at the Chinese, as the Korean Register's sports page correspondents came up to them. Ah well...let the baby have his bottle. In time, the KAA would determine the overall heat results, and see who really did win.

Overall KAA Scores:

Korea 2.42
USEA 4.535
China 4.95
Philippines 3.05
Germany 4.535

The overall scores, as calculated by the Korean Automotive Association, based on the results of the heats, show that ultimately, the Chinese are the Winners of the 1st Annual Saigon-Seoul Rally!

The 2nd place winners, as tied, are the USEA and German teams. The Philippines is in third, followed up by the Koreans, who are in last.

All over Korea, thousands of people who bet on a German or Korean victory are forced to pay up. Also, a sense of dissapointment hangs over the Korean team, as Hyundai Cycle takes custody of the motorcycles and flies Yi home from Nha Trang.

Medals will be present to first, second, and third place winners in Seoul.

"Well that'll teach us to beat up our machines early on." Benigno sighed as he looked at their counting. Soo good in the begining and at the end they just couldn't keep that dust out. Well at least their last year using American machines had been an alright showing.

Eric shrugged as he wheeled the machine that was half falling apart after a hard ride. He looked towards the Chinese team as they celerated victory. "Hey got the idea I'm getting?"

THe older man looked at him. "I was thinking all the SCT members get plastered tonight in celebration and just the fun of it all. Third place ain't so bad. And besides after all this, win or lose I bet we all want to get drunk."

"Go on ahead, I'll just rest. I'm not a young man like you." Eric grinned, that grin that made him look like he was fourteen rather than his real age. "Alright, I'll make sure to remember that I exist after tonight. Can't get too drunk. We got next year to prepare for."

Kim sighed, and decided to be a little more optimistic. After all, this was the team's first time. Not to mention that Yoo had proven herself a good driver.

Yoo, on the other hand, was willing to shake some of the tension off. She needed a drink, and let loose. She wondered if Yi was up for the same, but she shrugged-more than likely, he would just sit and moan...

In other words, she had the same idea as the Filipinos. Talking to Kim, he then said, "Meh. Gotta keep my spirits up."

They then approached the Filipino team, and stretched their hands out to them, saying, "Well, you got third, but you did better than us, eh? Might as well be good sports. Wanna knock back a few beers? We'll pay."

Eric shook the hand with that same big grin, using English as Filipinos learned it as a second language in school. "Well it's a new race for us, so I am sure we'll all do better next year. I remember a saying that defeat teaches much more than victory."

Benigno reached over the bike he was sitting next to return the handshake, though he felt tired in a dozen different places. "And probably more countries will take part next year."

Eric heard the beer comment, and this time a long smirk went beyond anything his grin could even hope to reach. "Beer? I was thinking of something harder. So how about you pay for the beer, we'll pay for the hard liquir?"

Willy took a hit of some Korean beer and nearly vomited.

"FICK! Vas ist dieses Scheiße!" It was funny how one always reverted to the mother tounge in times of anger.

"I need out of this hell-hole..."

Willy stepped out of the bar, sober as a nun. Depressed as a martyr. Second was worse than last. Ah well. Time to get back to the Vaterland and be done with this.

The Kaiser stepped forward, a large box in his hand.

"Your Magesty! I would like to..."

"No need, son. You did your best, that's all that counts. Now, we will celebrate. I heard your reaction to the natives, and noticed the same myself. Nach Deutschland!"

"Nach Deutschland!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 hours later, the Chinese Korean bar was different. Singing could be heard from miles, although it was only 3 men; 3 losers. One, a Biker who had lost to the home team. Another, an Ex Emperor who had lost his country. The last, a poor Engineer who had lost all of his money gambling and couldn't get a ticket back to Germany. He also lost his girlfriend who abandoned him for his wickedness. He had nowhere to go, but when he heard his mother tounge, he joined his bretheren for a good ol' drink.

"Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue,
Deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang
Sollen in der Welt behalten
Ihren alten schönen Klang,
Uns zu edler Tat begeistern
Unser ganzes Leben lang!

"Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue,
Deutscher Wein und deutscher Saaaaaaaaaaaaaa... ungh!"

The three men collapsed. However, a soft female voice was heard finishing the song.

"Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Für das deutsche Vaterland!
Danach laßt uns alle streben
Brüderlich mit Herz und Hand!
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Sind des Glückes Unterpfand;
Stoßet an und ruft einstimmig,
Hoch, das deutsche Vaterland!"

The Engineer sat up and beamed. His love had returned for him, with a ticket to Danzig in the morning. She carried him to the hotel, leaving the two other men, passed out on the floor. 59 bottles were around them, empty.

Eric shook the hand with that same big grin, using English as Filipinos learned it as a second language in school. "Well it's a new race for us, so I am sure we'll all do better next year. I remember a saying that defeat teaches much more than victory."

Benigno reached over the bike he was sitting next to return the handshake, though he felt tired in a dozen different places. "And probably more countries will take part next year."

Eric heard the beer comment, and this time a long smirk went beyond anything his grin could even hope to reach. "Beer? I was thinking of something harder. So how about you pay for the beer, we'll pay for the hard liquir?"

Kim said, "Nah...we'll pay for the drinks. You guys deserve it. I gotta say, you had a good sponsor. Ours asked for the bikes back, something about repairs. Ah well, some can't lose properly."

They turned and looked at the incoming crowd. It was drunk, and clearly getting a little rowdy. Kim then said, "Let's scoot, before they see us."

He then looked about, and saw a nice enough watering hole. Out of it, came a woman holding a man. "They must have been Germans," Kim mused.

"Let's go in there," Kim said.

"That reminds me, we need a new sponsor. Guess that means alot of paperwork." Eric said with a sour expression. THe US Harley company wasn't allowed to sponsor them anymore, and as nationalistic as they might be, that still annoyed them. "Mierda" Benigno stated to himself. Oh well a few new Filipino companies were starting to become created. The economy of the UIP was good, maybe it wouldn't be too hard.

"Yeah let's get out of here." Eric stated as he snuck out, Benigno making sure to lock up their shed so nothing got stolen. Alot of Harley parts, besides he wanted to keep the machine himself.

"SO who is your sponsor anyways?" Eric asked Yoo. Benigno simply lit a cigarette.

"That reminds me, we need a new sponsor. Guess that means alot of paperwork." Eric said with a sour expression. THe US Harley company wasn't allowed to sponsor them anymore, and as nationalistic as they might be, that still annoyed them. "Mierda" Benigno stated to himself. Oh well a few new Filipino companies were starting to become created. The economy of the UIP was good, maybe it wouldn't be too hard.

"Yeah let's get out of here." Eric stated as he snuck out, Benigno making sure to lock up their shed so nothing got stolen. Alot of Harley parts, besides he wanted to keep the machine himself.

"SO who is your sponsor anyways?" Eric asked Yoo. Benigno simply lit a cigarette.

Yoo said, sighing to herself, "Hyundai Cycle. Bastard child of a government-ordered selloff of Korean Motor Company."

She then smiled and said, "The management's not bad, they know and love motorcycles and racing them. But they seemed a bit focused on the bottom line this time around-then again, this was their first race as Hyundai. I wouldn't be surprised they got a little overzealous, what with holding our machines for repairs and not giving them back."

"Yeah, it's a good thing that the US sponsor was so far away. It made it easier for us to freelance ourselves. That's why Benigno was able to ahve so many replacement parts already prepared."

THe older man rubbed his nose with his finger in acknowledgement.

"Either way we'll all be here again. I'm sure they'll want to have this race next year. And since your sponsor has felt what the race is like, they'll probably go easier next time."

"Yeah, it's a good thing that the US sponsor was so far away. It made it easier for us to freelance ourselves. That's why Benigno was able to ahve so many replacement parts already prepared."

THe older man rubbed his nose with his finger in acknowledgement.

"Either way we'll all be here again. I'm sure they'll want to have this race next year. And since your sponsor has felt what the race is like, they'll probably go easier next time."

Kim then said, "Sure. They might let up a little and actually keep the things. And the KAA certainly will want this again. I thought it was fun enough. If I only I could race a Norton though....that'd be sweet."

Yoo then said, beginning a walk to the bar, "So, who's with me?"

"I'm with ya." Eric stated as he follwed after Yoo. "What's at Norton?" Benigno asked Kim as he continued walking. "Is that another route?"

"I'm with ya." Eric stated as he follwed after Yoo. "What's at Norton?" Benigno asked Kim as he continued walking. "Is that another route?"

Yoo then said, "Nah, its some Britbike Kimmy here wants to race against. I for one want to wait a bit."

She then opened the door, and held it open. A man inside was cleaning up the floor, which had 56 bottles of beer on it, and two passed out men were to be seen.

Yoo then said, "Looks like our German friends had the same Idea we did. Let's not end up like them, eh?"

Eric clicked his tongue against his cheek. "Only 56 boittles between them. And I thought that Germans could hold their drink."

Eric clicked his tongue against his cheek. "Only 56 boittles between them. And I thought that Germans could hold their drink."

Kim then said, chuckling, "I guess they have a limit after all."

He then found some clean barstools, and sat down at one of them, with Yoo following. Kim then said, "I'll start us off with a local speciality. Bartender! A round of your best soju for me, my fellow lady racer, and my Filipino friends here!"

The Bartender then said, "You got it. Fine rice and barley rotgut, coming right up." He then began pouring clear liquor into shot glasses, and put them on the bar in front of the spots Kim had reserved.

Kim then said, chuckling, "I guess they have a limit after all."

He then found some clean barstools, and sat down at one of them, with Yoo following. Kim then said, "I'll start us off with a local speciality. Bartender! A round of your best soju for me, my fellow lady racer, and my Filipino friends here!"

The Bartender then said, "You got it. Fine rice and barley rotgut, coming right up." He then began pouring clear liquor into shot glasses, and put them on the bar in front of the spots Kim had reserved.

After what seemed like hours of administrative bull and cleaning up the bikes Bao and Liang walked into the bar and spotted the Koreans and Fillipinos sitting at the counter.
Smirking they grabbed stools and pulled them up, Liang still had a large plaster on his forehead and Bao suspected he saw lipstick on it.....
Bao nodded at both teams and said hi, meanwhile Liang stared meaningfully at some bottles of alcohol

"Let's all get completely pissed!" Roared Liang, Bao rolled his eyes, for once he absolutely agreed.

After what seemed like hours of administrative bull and cleaning up the bikes Bao and Liang walked into the bar and spotted the Koreans and Fillipinos sitting at the counter.
Smirking they grabbed stools and pulled them up, Liang still had a large plaster on his forehead and Bao suspected he saw lipstick on it.....
Bao nodded at both teams and said hi, meanwhile Liang stared meaningfully at some bottles of alcohol

"Let's all get completely pissed!" Roared Liang, Bao rolled his eyes, for once he absolutely agreed.

Kim then said, "There's some contenders! Come! Join the festivities...only the best for the men who tied Germany."

He then said to the Bartender, "Another round!" and the bartender promptly fulfilled his request. In the meantime, they set aside a couple of stools, and motioned for the USEA Team to sit down.

"And long live the SCT besides." Eric said as he downed another shot of something that burned on the way down.

"And long live the SCT besides." Eric said as he downed another shot of something that burned on the way down.

Kim then said, "Here, here!" and drank another shot.