NationStates Jolt Archive

(OOC: Yes, you could’ve guessed it. A car show from me. Other brands and visitors are welcome. Just be aware that this has always been a Van Luxemburger automobile party, and this is the first time extra brands are welcome.)

The Grand-Ducal Palace, built over 100 years ago, is traditionally the place where the Van Luxemburger Concours d’Élegance, this year for the 116th time. Unaffected by war, crisis, or monetary shortages, the Concours was always organised. Classic automobiles, modern automobiles, introductions; a lot of the Van Luxemburger car world revolved around this single event.

And now, it took place for the 116th time. Once again, in the Palace Gardens. However, there was a change for this year: there were extra places reserved for foreign manufacturers. While it would probably remain a local business party, the Grand Duke now welcomed foreign involvement.

OFFICIAL GRAND-DUCAL COMMUNIQUE TO THE WORLD
REGARDING THE 116TH CONCOURS D’ÉLEGANCE IN LUXEMBOURG

Greetings,

For years, the Luxembourg Concours d’Élegance has been a local automobile show, exhibiting the best of both worlds: classic automobiles in perfect condition and brand new high-tech modern cars. This year, we plan on expanding the event with another feature: We have opened up to foreign automobile brands to come and exhibit their newest models in the Palace gardens in Luxembourg.

However, There is a price for this. Like all participants, foreign exhibitors will have to pay for the construction of their stand; the place itself will be free. We also would like to ask brands to notify us of their participation, so we can reserve a spot for them. We also request that special events (such as a new model presentation) will be reported to us, so that we can add this into the visitors’ guide handed out at the entry.

If you want to sign up, contact the Office of the Grand Duke at secretary@gdpalace.vl
We thank you for your interest!

Signed,
Grand Duke Koen van Luxemburg

List of Participants:

VLT Automotive Group N.V.
Automobili Monteluci/Automobili Lepanto (part of VLT Automotive)
AIAL (Association of Independent Automobile Brands Van Luxemburg)
International Automotive Manufacturers’ Alliance
Grand-Ducal Classic Car Preservation Fund

List of events:

- Monteluci: presentation at the start of the Concours
- Saudar Automotive: 2009 Model presentation

(OOC: The palace gates will open right now, but it will stay open throughout the length of the RP. You can join in at any time, be it manufacturer or visitor. )

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff216/PhotoOrbath/SaudarAutomotives.png
To - Grand Duke Koen van Luxemburg

Greetings, I'm Dave Saudar, CEO of Saudar Automotives and I am interested in reserving a spot for my corporation. Among the several 2008 models we hope to bring, we will be unveiling several 2009 models.

http://www.atddm.com/tac1.jpg

Unto the Office of the Grand Duke;
Grand Duke Koen van Luxemburg

Greetings unto his Grace the Grand Duke,

We of the Tanaaran Automotive Consortium wish to reserve a location. It does not need to be near an entry, in fact we would prefer one in a corner if possible. The good folks from VLT Automotive Group N.V. might remember us from the TMZ Automotive Excellence Exposition of the previous year. While we will not be debuting any new models, all save one will be our 2009 models. We have our travelling display, complete with lighting, curtains, seating, sound system, driver simulator and computer interface. Also whom would be best to contact concerning hotel reservations for our display technicians and our presentation staff?

Sincerely,
Daniel Dinwiddie,
Director of the Tanaaran Automobile Registry
on behalf of the tganaaran Automotive Consortium

From: The office of the Grand Duke, Van Luxemburg
To: Dave Saudar, Saudar Automotive, Orbath
Subject: RE: Concours d'Élegance Luxembourg exhibition

Dear Sir,

I thank you for your interest in Van Luxemburg. We have reserved a spot for you on the Concours d'Élegance. The Auditorium has been readied for an introduction to take place after a Monteluci presentation taking place right at the start of the exhibit.

Signed,
Grand Duke Koen van Luxemburg

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: The office of the Grand Duke, Van Luxemburg
To: Daniel Dinwiddie, Director of the Tanaaran Automobile Registry
Subject: RE: Concours d'Élegance Luxembourg exhibition

Dear Sir,

I thank you for your interest in Van Luxemburg. We have reserved an extra large pitch in a corner of the exhibit, as per your request. You will not need to reserve a hotel, the Palace itself will be used to house exhibitors from out of town. There will be enough rooms available for your staff. If this will not be sufficient, they can stay at the 5-star Hotel Nationale du Luxembourg (L'Esplanade), which has been hired by the organisation to serve as backup.

Signed,
Grand Duke Koen van Luxemburg

(OOC: People are still welcome to join in anytime. The first day will start about.. now.)

Luxembourg. The Capital city of Van Luxemburg, home to the Grand-Ducal Palace. And home to the Concours d’Élegance every year. This year was no different to other years, leave for the extra international attention.

The concept for the Luxembourg Concours d’Élegance was old, very old. It had endured 116 years of cars, from the first fragile attempts to the latest high-budget approaches. Most Van Luxemburger marques used to present their new vehicles on the Concours, save from several models and brands that used several other shows around Van Luxemburg and, indeed, around the globe. The Lepanto 21 HP was the first car to appear here, in the Palace Gardens. That was 1892. A year later, Automobili Lepanto was a fact. This year, they took their first VLT-funded supercar, the 650 Moiano, to Luxembourg. 116 years of history, 116 years of cars. Monteluci presented their first Pangea here, in 1907. The Tipo 188 debuted under the watchful eye of the Palace here in 1934. Two years ago, a new Monteluci presented itself here, under the wings of VLT. The first VLT L3 came to Luxembourg in 1946, the start of a successful business venture that would conquer the world years later. That very same L3 was now on the very same field, now property of the Grand-Ducal inventory.

Heritage, tradition, history. Those were the words that symbolised this exhibition of Van Luxemburger automobile history and power. Maybe it could be seen as one huge patriotic event, lasting for years to come. But maybe it was just what it was: a car exhibition that had survived the hands of time. Sometimes, to survive time, one had to make adjustments to the formula, just like now. Foreign brands had been invited, the organisation had advertised all across the world to make the Concours d’Élegance just a bit more international. But one still had to find out if that new approach had the desired effect.

One thing was for sure: Van Luxemburg and it’s automobiles would be stronger than ever now. With their influence having grown over the years, they could present ambitious projects, that spawned high-quality cars that could cater to everyone.

Of course, the major eyecatchers were the exhibits and lounges of both VLT (http://www.tourjour.nl/materials/pers_images/070327_070327_hispeed_lounge_amsterdam_cs.jpg) (and all of it’s assorted brands) and Monteluci/Lepanto (http://blogsimages.skynet.be/images_v2/000/055/983/20071012/dyn010_original_550_367_pjpeg_55983_63de1a792bbabf4a378b69beb39118b8.jpg), which shared an exhibit separate from their owner, VLT.

Together, they made up around 20-30% of the entire show, exhibiting all cars they produced, and a lot of what they had produced. It was a stylish place, the Monteluci/Lepanto stand, catering to the brands’ customers, now and in the future. Salesmen walked around in both suits and loose recreational clothing, talking to anyone and everyone who would be friendly enough to start a conversation with them. Children were allowed inside the Lepanto, older people, who knew that one of the 650 PS supercars would surely be out of reach for them, opted for a sit in the Duca, or curiously looked at a car covered under a black cloth with the company logo on it.

On the VLT stand, it was busy, but mostly with people interested in either a small car or an ultra-luxury car: The VLT L5, and the L6 aswell, had been losing a lot of customers to the Monteluci Duca lately. Nevertheless, the L5 still sold well, but not as much as intended. This was however not a problem, as the profits came in by the sales of the somewhat more expensive Duca. On the other hand, outside Van Luxemburg, The L5 and L6 outsold the Duca again. It was a strange internal strife between the three models, that not only were competitors to themselves, but also to several outside models: the Courtemanche Perette for example, equipped with the company’s special hydropneumatic system (Which was brought in from Citroën by the owner of Courtmanche after he left France)

No matter who would sell better, everyone enjoyed being here once again; the yearly tradition continued. So far, several foreign companies had already signed up to join the Concours, and it would simply be a wait for more. Multiple new models would be presented by both domestic and foreign companies, joined by a few ambitious projects.

A few of those new, ambitious projects would be presented in the Auditorium, where Monteluci chief Alfredo Monteluci gave a presentation, assisted by his son and project development leader Giancarlo Monteluci. Press was slowly filling the huge auditorium, while the screen yet only produced the well-known blue-and-white Monteluci logo. The presentation was about to start.

(OOC: People are welcome to join in on the presentation and ask questions, if they want. Monteluci will present what models they’re currently developing. Although there are no pictures involved, several specifications will be unleashed. A second presentation will be done in a few days, to present a new, facelift model.)

The display area was floored in gleaming black marble that was ever so lightly veined with traceries of gold, and the walls of the corner were hidden behind very special screens. They were the filter fields for carefully emplaced holographic projectors - projectors that when activated made one believe that one was looking out on to a vista of Montguard, Capitol city of Tanaara.
It in fact, was a live real time broadcast of the view from the highest of the hills that the city draped over. From the Monarch’s Watch, the highest tower of Mount Royal, the royal palace, one could see the broad twists and windings of indigo ribbon that was the river that rolled through the hills, the deep greens and browns of the lush forest that covered the rolling hills. The city almost completely hidden within that forest save for the 'cloud towers' that rose up past the verdant canopy here and there, many reaching over two thousand feet to hide in the clouds as their names suggested...It was a panorama none visiting here had ever seen, and it was, in so many not always whispered words, awe inspiring.

Standing floral arangements and numerous large potted plants hid the projector's frame works and cables, and lent a breath of spring time gardens to the spacious, oversized display. The scent of fresh baked cookies and the rich aroma of fine brewed coffee mingled delectably with floral and forest. The scents had been as carefully chosen as all else to bring a tang of authentic Tanaara to the ambiance. And the cookies and coffee would make visitors feel welcome, always a very Tanaaran outlook.


But the cars were what caught and held the eyes...

Little could have detracted from the vehicles laying, spread out for the visitors delectation. On fine rugs of oriental styling, their hues subdued to play off the dazzling resplendence of each individual example of the ongoing evolution of the coach builders hallowed art, they shone.

Like rare gems, the acme of a jeweler's art brought to touchable, drivable life by the genius of Tanaaran automotive designers, they gleamed under the luminescence of the display's individually designed lighting components.
Three areas of seating, each subtly specifically designed for the tastes of the people whom the cars in that zone would appeal to, was home to one of the three senior Presenters. They were not salespersons perse, but directors, advisors, and supremely knowledgeable about the cars the graced. They not only had the technical knowledge, but had spent hundred of hours behind the wheels of the vehicles, in all varieties of terrain, road conditions and weather. So what they said about their charges, both good and bad- for they were very candid about the offerings, believing that it was better to know the down side as well- came from knowledgeable, hand on advocates.

But they tended to let the cars speak for themselves.

And the C.I.’s that these technological marvels could be equipped with weren’t shy about doing just that…

The Saudar Automotives exhibit had been carefully planned out before anyone had even arrived. The idea was to give people the feeling they were important, something their cars had done since they were produced. Most of the cars were luxury cars but many were affordable. It attracted people that weren't exactly rich because they could feel rich in one of the cars. Feeling rich usually meant feeling important, hence the theme.

The ground had been carefully covered in a brillant red carpet, which, combined with the large, movie style lights strategically positioned throughout the exhibit made the carpet sparkle and gleam like red rubies. The older 2008 models, older but still not outdated were parked on an angle alongside two raised platforms.

Among the 2008 models were a combination of salesmen, people who had designed the various cars but also people who owned them, regular people brought in who loved the particular vehicle. Like an awards show, photographers prowled throughout the exhibit, waiting for people to arrive so they could begin taking pictures.

The most eye catching thing about the exhibit was what was on the platforms. Sitting on each of the platforms was a shape covered in a leather tarp with the Saudar Automotives logo on it. On one stage, sitting around the shape was piles and piles of silver bars, on the other piles of gold bars. Surrounding both the stages was an army of security guards and in front of them, a steel barricade keeping crowds out of reach of the stages. Slightly farther back were rows and rows of chairs. This would be where the 2009 models would be unveiled.

TO: Van Luxembourg

Falkner Motor Company would like to take in your nation's auto show.

Signed,
Wolfram Falkner
CEO and President of Falkner Motor Company

OOC: I think this is the year of the ruby, as I selected these yesterday but didn't have time to include them in my previous post.

Only two of the cars in the Tanaaran Automotive Consortium's display were in other than hues of deepest, jewel rich ruby, The first was the most popular 2008 model, the Accolade and it ws in shades of bronze, cream, and burnished metal.

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7946/accoladeaf8.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=accoladeaf8.jpg)

And near it lurked the high performance supercar, the 2009 Vanguard, in carbon fiber matte shadowblack...

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/9871/vanguardye9.th.jpg (http://img405.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vanguardye9.jpg)
The rest of the supremely luxurious vehicles were:

The Casacde http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4721/cascadeuh7.th.jpg (http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cascadeuh7.jpg)

The Lumiere http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/267/lightcarmk7.th.jpg (http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lightcarmk7.jpg)

The Revellie http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7076/reveillelt5.th.jpg (http://img156.imageshack.us/my.php?image=reveillelt5.jpg)

and four more ranging from luxury sedans at very attractive prices to high performance sports cars for those with very deep pockets indeed.
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/4330/fourmoregy6.th.jpg (http://img156.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fourmoregy6.jpg)

Like the anti social deviants they were, the Imitoran display was off in a side corner, away from most of the others. None of the cars were on stages or show stands, no fancy lighting, no special sound systems. The cars sat on the ground, wreaking of leaded fuel and race gas. The front ends of the cars displayed proudly the battle scars of rock pits and chips. A few were even decorated with "speed dents".

Vinyl decals, on some, were splayed over windows and doors, proclaiming the armament under the hood. Others had none, hiding what exactly it was pushing the power to the ground. All sorts of make and manufacture were represented, from A3s to Z06s. Many had been rolled in the night before, with miles ticking away on the odometers, few of the cars having been trailered.

And in the middle of it all were the usual suspects. The Northampton Boys, as they had been dubbed, the fastest of the fast. To the dismay of some and excitement of others, a turf war had been brewing. It was a known fact that to even come remotely close to succeeding in Northampton, you had to have something extreme. And they did.

Towards the center of it was an E60 M5 in a custom shade of blue that the owner, a one Ryan Fortier, had dubbed Nitrous Blue. The hood was open and the German V10 displayed for all to see. The trained eye would notice the ITG competition filters being fed into the individual throttle bodies. From there, it was an unknown until it came out to the exhaust tips, styled after the quad AMG style set up. Ryan knew what was there, as did everyone who had heard it run the night before. The V10 was uncorked, to say the least.

Slightly offset was the Supra. The one that had made the name for Psychosis, the one that had been leaving strips of black rubber from a one hundred mile an hour roll. Off slicks. It had no special display, no special sound system, nothing that set it apart from the rest of the large Imitoran offering. Instead, written on the ground in front of it in a black spray paint was a simple phrase: Black. Boosted. Bad Ass. The latest dynometer estimates had put it around 1800 horsepower.

At the wheels.

And behind all of that was his newest toy. It was his fun car, his so called "Hoon Mobile". A toy and nothing more. It consisted of a Chevrolet LS3 V8, modified with an intake, long tube headers, exhaust, throttle body, and cam. And of course, the always requisite nitrous. The engine was mated to the 4L65-E automatic transmission. The entire set up had been removed from Ryan's recent toy, a C6 Corvette, after it had found its way into a tree in a freak drifting accident. Needing a new home, it found it in the body of a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am. The body was restored to pristine condition, and of course, Ryan had it painted a deep, jet black, with a gold Fire Bird splayed out across the hood. Ryan was also quick to point out the T Tops. The car had been good to him thus far, and he was, in turn, good to it.

It was this Trans Am that he was leaning up against, along with his main partner in crime, Steven Salazzo, head of Angry Triangle Tuning. He had brought a good number of rotary power toys that had their own section of the show cordoned off. But now, he was with Ryan, relaxing. The TMZ expo had been a serious selling point, but this was nothing more than a fun car show for the Imitorans.

"So," Salazzo asked, eying an Audi R8 across the arena, "you gonna take the IPDI public."

Ryan shrugged. "I might. If nothing else, I'll see if any of the big name manufacturers around here want to provide vehicles. BMW and GM have been nice with the 550s and G8 GTs, but not everyone in the world uses them for chase cars and security cars and what not."

They were talking about Ryan's newest venture, the Imitoran Performance Driving Institute. The former Special Forces operator had spent plenty of time learning how to really drive, and was hiring up some of the best drivers in Imitora, and training private security firms in Imitoran the finer points of pursuit and evasive driving. He had planned on letting a few of the big names at the show know about it, and start accepting students from outside Imitora.

"And Charli? Ya gonna do that this week too?"

"Yup."

"Think she'll say yes?"

"Would be nice."

"Well, she always seemed like the kind of girl that would put her destiny in the hands of a slightly aged teenager."

Ryan just smirked.

"And you know I'm right. Lets go check out the Van Luxemburgian cars. I'm sure they would have something that would do nice for the school."

From: The office of the Grand Duke, Van Luxemburg
To: Falkner Motor Company, Brydog
Subject: RE: Concours d'Élegance Luxembourg exhibition

Dear Sir,

I thank you for your interest in Van Luxemburg. We have reserved a spot for you on the Concours d'Élegance.


Signed,
Grand Duke Koen van Luxemburg


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

'Everything is ready, you think? I should get going by now.' the young man spoke to the people that accompanied him, leaning over a map of the show floor, placed across the hood of a Donkervoort D8 GT, parked inbetween an enormous amount of other cars, stretching as far as one could see.

'Everything is ready. The Marechaussee and Grand-Ducal Guard have confirmed that they are on their guard positions and the garages have been locked off. We can head upwards from here.' a man spoke.

'Very well then. Let me see, I heard Fortier is here. I still want to thank him for the Dominator I acquired. And I want to visit Saudar, to congratulate them with their IAMA membership. I guess we can combine those two?'

'Ofcourse, sir. It's your show, basically.' one of the men spoke, while they took the lift upwards, to the exhibition floor. As the lift swiftly moved upwards, the most important of the four men was already waiting for the doors to open, and show him the first glance of this years' Concours. As the doors opened, he quickly stepped out, walking forward at quite a pace. He then suddenly slowed down again, and quickly greeted the guards outside the lift with a quick military-style salute before walking on onto the ground floor. Using the door to exit the palace and enter the gardens, where the exhibition took place. He quickly walked along the Monteluci and VLT stands, greeting some people he knew.

Walking past the Van Luxemburger exhibits, he eventually ended up at the Imitoran stand. This would be his first stop while on a tour along all the foreign marques on the concours this year. As he approached someone who seemed to belong to the Imitoran exhibit, he was already looking around if he could find Fortier by himself.

'Excuse me, I'm looking for sir Ryan Fortier. Tell him that the Grand Duke is waiting for him.' the young man said to the Imitoran, while still looking around the stand.

(OOC: Imi, the Grand Duke is also the de-facto owner of VLT and all of it's assorted companies. He can tell you a lot of Van Luxemburger cars aswell, if you'd ask him to. Thought you'd like to hear that, after your last post.)

BazEx was a relative newcomer to the scene of Bazalonian Automobiles but had seen tremendous growth in recent years. Perhaps it was Verona who specialised in the local Bazalonian market that left such a gaping whole for them to conquer in the arena of exporting to foreign markets. And as such it was their first chance to show what they had.


To: The office of the Grand Duke, Van Luxemburg
From: BazEx Motors
Subject: Exhibition
Date: 2/9/2007

BazEx Motors is a growing Bazalonian Car Manufacturer that specialises in Export markets. As such it would be our great honour to be accepted as an Exhibitor for the 116th Luxemburg Concours d'Élegance.

Thank you, for the time and we hope to hear from you soon.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/VanLuxemburg/Headers/GDHeader.png

To: BazEx Motors
Subject: RE: Exhibition

Dear Sir/Ma'am,

We thank you for your interest in Van Luxemburg and the Concours d'Élegance organised in Luxembourg. We have reserved a spot for you on the exhibition floor, which is ready for your arrival.

Signed,
Grand Duke Koen van Luxemburg

OOC: Hey VLB can you please check you TGs again.

A small child put his obviously grubby hands on the flank of the Vangaurd as he looked, with brightly curious eyes, into the red leather and alcantra clad interior of the supercar.

There was a sound of a gently clearing throat and the lad maybe all of sex jumped a bit when suddenly a pair of racing nomex clad feet and legs appeared next to him. The figure squatted down to be more on the youngsters level. "Think it looks spiffy? I do. Climb on it. it's okay"

The voice was cheerfully welcoming, but the C.I. was wincing internally at the though of what those grubby little hands would leave behind. His voice was a warm male tennor, that of a well educated but comfortably casual man in his late twenties.

He, for he had chosen to consider himself male, didn't bother the kid with all the facts about his under-the-hood technological marvels. He could tell by the boy's clothes that his family was well off so when the lad left he'd be clutching a full color, trifold brochure 'to give to dad'; or so it was hoped. The Vanguards were the TAC's latest supercar, but it had features that were sure to appeal to those who wanted 'green' with their speed...namely fuel cells, and in a car able to do zero to sixty in almost the same time a McLaren F1 was.

A few feet away an auburn haired beauty looked up from where she was deep under the hood of the Cascade. She stepped way shaking her head slightly and murmuring to herself "They are just so cookie cutter"

Thanking the courteous presenter, Charli Firewalker moved on to brouse another group's offerings. She was not impresssed by most, all of them seeming to be rubber stamped. However, in her purse was a piece of paper that did excite her immensely and she couldn't wait to show Ryan. But with the show just opening he was sure to be busy, so her objective would have to wait.

The BazEx Motor exhibit tried to rival the Imitorans, In terms of low-key, unlike many of the producers BazEx had yet to form any Brand recognition at all. So they decided to let the cars speak for themselves.

The Exhibit was decked out like a well, equiped Garage with various tools, all recognisable by mechanics or people that worked on their car alot as tools they'd have at home or at work. A bit of grease here and there but it had the look of a well kept place, obviously someone who took pride in their work.

The car displayed on show, the BazEx Johnson GX, didn't look all that impressive, it was infact quite standard fare, it could of looked like any other car on the road. It's interior also didn't stand out, it had all the basics but didn't scream out "luxury" or "tosser with too much money". It obviously wasn't a car for someone who wanted to show off, however that is where the "standard" stopped.

Underneath the hood was an electronically controlled engine, that could make efficient use from fairly standard petrol Octane ratings to fairly insane levels of octane, much higher than the standard fuels of the more petrol-headed countres. It was designed as a versatile car, being able to handle various fuels as well as able to produce as little as possible polution from the Exhaust.

Granted just how well it performed this job was reliant on the fuel and the setting in the cars on-board computer, all of which were easily alterable, using a USB-type secure bubble connection. For the less inclined there were a number of standard configurations for the more common fuel sources, each having a performance, economical and green variants.

Of course using the interface provided you could add and create your own, up this slightly down that slightly. etc.. of course the settings where based upon the standard configuration.

The Johnson GX was designed as the ultimate mechanic's car, easy to use, manipulate and designed to make life under the hood as easy as possible without skimping on security nor quality of the ride for the participant. As for everyone... It's not what's under the bonnet, it's how she rides that is the real issue.

The Falkner display featured different models from the cheap, reliable Model 500 to the new Phoenix which was goning to be reveal at the show, but it was currently under a cover. Paul Klaus was the VP of Foreign Sales and was incharge of the entire display.

Paul was standing next one of the Lobos, a Wolfenhaller model of the Land Rover Defender. He looked at all the displays by the other companies. He used to being around companies and he liked to see what new things were on or coming to the market.

The Imitoran whom the Duke had questioned had been bent over in the engine bay of a rather tastefully done Mustang. He had been eying a somewhat stealthy turbo set up strapped to the modular V8 when the voice had snapped his attention back to the real world.

Excuse me, I'm looking for sir Ryan Fortier. Tell him that the Grand Duke is waiting for him.

It was a simple matter of culture that Imitorans held royalty in little respect. The Imitoran hadn't meant to be rude, it was simply the way things were. "Well, I bet the Duke is."

He turned his attention back to the engine bay when a brunette elbowed him gently. "Be nice," she all but demanded.

The Imitoran turned back to the Grand Duke, and shrugged. "Don't really know Ryan all that personally. He deals with cars I don't normally drive. But I think I saw him and some others heading over that way," he said, motioning to the VLT display.

'Thanks, then I'll follow him over there.' the young man answered, without a trace of hatred because of the unfriendly greeting. After glancing over the Mustang for a few moments, he walked on, towards the VLT display.

Greeting some people he knew along the way, sometimes halting before an exhibit, it took him a while to get to the VLT stand. Since he had met most of the salesmen walking around on the display before the show opened, he could quickly identify Fortier on the exhibit.

'Sir Ryan Fortier? Is that you?' he quickly tapped him on the shoulder, having approached him from the back.



Meanwhile, on the Tanaaran display, the boy was recalled by a somewhat concerned father. Around his belt, a VIP card identified him as 'Georg Walter Jr.', director of one of the most important electronics companies in Van Luxemburg, Walter Technologie.

'Lukas, hierkommen, jetzt! Nicht in die Autos sitzen, Ja! Ich hatte es dir doch gesagt!'*

*Lukas, get over here, now! Don't sit in the cars! I told you so!

The father then approached the sales person, making excuses for the fact that his kid had escaped hiswatchful eyes for a few moments and got seated. Meanwhile, the boy had joined his father, looking somewhat dazed because of his fathers' irritation.

'I'm sorry for that, sir. He slipped from my attention for a moment. Oh, I might introduce myself. Georg Walter Junior, director of Walter Technologie.'

Slowly but surely people began to trickle into the Orbathian exhibit and admire the cars. Cameras flashed as photographers took pictures. Men and women in red and black suits paced the exhibit, carrying trays of food, everything from cocktail shrimp to chocolate covered ants. The exhibit felt more like a lavish party and in some cases this was bad, leading people to stand and talk among themselves and pay no attention to the cars on display.

From a loudspeaker a voice boomed;

''The unveiling of the first two 2009 models will be occurring at 6:00 p.m! This is something you don't want to miss so stick around!''
---------------------------------------
Dave Saudar sat in a small office placed just out of the way of the SA exhibit. It was just four large dividers placed in such away to allow a small doorway. Dave typed madly away at his computer, sending off email after email to managers at foreign plants. He sighed, finally finished he closed the laptop. He checked himself over. His black leather shoes shone better than some soldiers boots, his black dress pants were free from wrinkles and so was his white shirt. He fumbled around in the pockets of his sport coat before deciding he had everything he needed. He stepped out of his office and walked out to his exhibit. His first order of business was to take in the other corporations exhibits.

He looked over a pamphlet, finally deciding to visit Falkner exhibit. He'd heard of some of the other auto corporations before but this one was new. It didn't take him long to find the exhibit and he began admiring some of the vehicles. Finally he found himself looking at a vehicle called the Lobos.

OOC:Brydog If you want to have your VP come over and speak with Dave it'd be ok.

Ryan turned first, more at the shoulder tap than the words, to size up the Duke. One didn't spend as much time in the specialist side of combat without learning a few tricks, so he would want to know who was able to sneak up on him before responding. However, he wouldn't have such a change.

Sir Ryan Fortier? Is that you?

Steve spoke up first, looking first at the Duke and then at Ryan.

"Sir Ryan Fortier? When did you get a title?" he asked, more sarcastic than confused.

"I didn't," Ryan responded. "Yeah, I'm Ryan, what can I do you for?"

'I'm sorry for that, sir. He slipped from my attention for a moment. Oh, I might introduce myself. Georg Walter Junior, director of Walter Technologie

The C.I. had, though the internet interface, let the presenter for his area know that the lad's father had arrived and now would be a good time for human to human interaction. Donna took a quick peek in a convienently located mirrored surface and headed toward the Vanguard with a pleasant smile on her face and brochures in hand.

In the mean time the holographic 'salesman' - the Vanguard itself - waved away the father's apology. "Oh it's okay Mister Walter. I wouldn't have had my door open if I weren't wanting to show every one the interior." The C.I. said with a smile. His outfit looked like that of a race car driver, nomex suit covered with patches, helmet on his off hand. "Would you care to take a closer look at the interior, or the engine compartment?"

The hologram turned slightly to 'look' at the just now arriving young woman "Donna, this is Mister Georg Walter of Walter Technologie, and his son Lucas. " He made the introductions and gestured towards the small holograph projector discretely planed near by. "Unfirtuantely until they give me a manipulator arm, I'm afraid I have to depend on Donna here to open certain parts of me." He chuckled.

"Pleased to meet you, Mister Walter, and you too Lucas." One she'd shaken Georg's hand she took a moment to go to one knee and speak directly with Lucas "If your father says it's okay I have fresh baked cookies and cold milk at the table." She stood and looked at the Director of Walter Technologie as she gestured to the sofa, side chair and coffee table where she had been sitting. "Is it permissible for Lucas to have a cookie?" There was a tray with sugar cookies, and two insulated caraffes. One with coffee and the other with milk.

Down the vast hall Charli had finally made it back to the Psychosis exhibit. She looked around for Ryan, her shoulders drooping slightly when it became apparent that he wasn't around. But her momentary disappointment couldn't overshadow the other things on her mind.

She had been working hard the last year setting up her own business, Wild Fire Ltd up and running. She'd put every penny she'd had into it and while contracts had come in, what profit there had been she plowed right back in, taking just enough of a salary to cover her living expenses. Her and anything resembling a non bare necessity had become utter strangers and she almost hadn't come along to the Concours. But Ryan had persuaded her that she needed a vacation and so she had given in.

It was one of her insistances that she pay her fair share of everything, and sometimes it caused arguement between her and Ryan. But as just a live in girl friend she payed her own way..and things were about to get a lot tighter. She was very glad that as she held Tanaaran Citizenship she had excellent free health care, even while living in Imitora. Her hand dropped to the purse slung over her shoulder and she thought about the various papers within.

‘Ah, good. I’m Koen. I bought one of your Dominators a while ago, I’d like to thank you for that car, really, that’s all. I usually park it near the vehicle lifts in my garage, and that means a lot. I use it very often. Ideal for quick conference meetings in Esch-sur-Alzette, almost 200 km from here.’

The Grand Duke then quickly looked around him, glancing around the VLT automobiles.

‘I see you found my company as well. Next to Grand Duke of this country, I’m also the owner of the VLT Automotive Group, including VLT, Monteluci and Lepanto here.’

Meanwhile, he sat down on the hood of a VLT L7 (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13231453&postcount=12), causing some of the salesmen walking around the display to look at him in a less friendly manner. However, the three men that had arrived with Koen and functioned as lookouts prevented the salesmen from saying anything, because of their protective stance.

‘But let’s get to the point I wanted to make. In return for the Dominator, is there anything I can do for you?’

Tanaaran display

‘That would cause no problems for me.’ Walter spoke to Donna, before he turned to his boy, who spoke little English.

‘Die Frau sagt das Sie Kekse und Milch für dich hat.’ Georg said to Lukas, who replied.

‘Schokoladekekse? Ja, gern!’ He said, his eyes tinkering.

‘He asks if they are chocolate. He likes those a lot.’ Georg said to Donna, while smiling. He then followed her gesture and walked to the sofa, followed by his kid.

‘By the way, is there any chance you have got a brochure of that Vanguard laying around somewhere?’ He spoke, while looking to Donna.

To: The office of the Grand Duke, Van Luxemburg
From: Cyadon Motors, Damanucus
Subject: Exhibition
Date: 2/3/2008

If it is at all still possible, I wish for Cyadon Motors to join the Concours d'Elegance, as part of our expansion into the international market. Along with our stand at the show, we would also like to hold a "rollout show", where we will unveil our newest models for 2008 and 2009.

Miles Frubush
CEO, Cyadon Motors
Massidon, Holsenn Province, Nomadic Peoples of Damanucus

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/VanLuxemburg/Headers/GDHeader.png

To: Cyadon Motors, Damanucus
Subject: RE: Exhibition

Dear Sir,

We thank you for your interest in Van Luxemburg and the Concours d'Élegance organised in Luxembourg. We have reserved a spot for you on the exhibition floor, which is ready for your arrival.

Signed,
Grand Duke Koen van Luxemburg

"Well," Ryan said, "I'm glad the Dominator is working out for you. I made sure that the engines going out were in the condition to handle daily driven applications, so I like hearing they are working well."

Ryan took a long look from where he was standing at the L7, and admired the general shape. When it came to that level of luxury cars, he had always been an Audi kind of guy, having spent some wheel time on an A8. However, the look of the L7 was a bit more substantial. It was the one thing Ryan couldn't get around, the fact that the loaded Audi A8L looked like a bigger A4. However, that hadn't stopped him from contemplating delivery of an RS4 for Psychosis. They had done enough work on some Lambos and Porsches to get a hint of what the VAG family had to offer, and an Audi would be nice. He also wondered, though, how it would reflect on the Imitoran BMW owners, who had made a point to frequent Psychosis as of late.

"You know, I don't really need anything specific done for me. But, I was having a look around, and that one over there," he pointed towards an L5 GT on display, "may fill a gap in a project of mine. What can you tell me about it?"
___

At the Psychosis display, intermingled amongst the rest of the cars, another woman wondered, looking for her own catch. She had stopped to look at a private Ferrari collection, which had held her up, and her husband had slipped off somewhere. However, Charli Firewalker did present a familiar face.

She slipped up besides Charli, who was looking at, but not really at, Ryan's nitrous blue M5, when she spoke.

"Boys and there toys, right?"

The M5 was part of a pair of fraternal twins. Elsewhere in the show, over at the Angry Triangle display, sat a similarly modded E60. The lone piston powered vehicle sat surrounded by the rotary powered offerings of Steve's own shop. Ryan and Steve had decided to run the next Imitoran Player's Run as a sort of team effort, leap frogging their way to the finish lines. Steve's had been painted a deep crimson red to offset the royalish blue of Ryan's.

"I take it your looking for Ryan? I'm looking for Steve, and I think it would make sense that those two are somewhere ogling over something fast and talking about it like teenagers would a cheerleader," she chuckled. And she was right. Ryan had once referred to the FD RX-7 as a MILF. The ensuing conversation between he and Steve had sounded like locker room talk.

And while Charli's mindset had been somewhat else where, the situation was not one she really needed to worry to much about. While she had been living pay check to pay check with Wild Fire Ltd., Ryan had been pulling in cash with Psychosis. After retiring from the military at the ripe young age of thirty seven, he took half his rather substantial officer's pension, and dropped it into Psychosis. The rest went into a personal savings account that he let people who went to school to learn how do the investing.

With the increase in size and scope, Psychosis took off like a rocket. Especially with the chief tuner being on hand, and less likely to get shot. In fact, it had done well enough to move the shop from Temple to Northampton. In Temple, the average customer would bring in about forty to fifty thousand worth of work. In Northampton, BMW, Supra, Porsche, Viper, and Camaro/Trans Am owners were apt to spend much, much more. Between the custom building services Ryan offered (including the only 3.5L stroker motor for the Supra, and an extensive line of Chevrolet based small and big block offerings), along with their own line of performance parts, and excellent connections in the aftermarket industry, it wasn't unlikely for Psychosis to pull in several hundred thousand dollars a week. It still wasn't money on the level that Bendigo pulled in with Bat Shit Crazy tuning, but when you exclusively worked on super cars, it was hard to compete.

Between Psychosis and his own side business of security advising the occasional contract, Ryan was making more money than he ever came close to in the military. And in Imitora, that was saying something.

However, that was not at all what Anneka had come to talk to Charli about, and instead, she motioned over to the VLT display.

"I think they headed off that way, and you look like you could use some company. Lets see if we can go find the children."

Charli hadn't really liked the move from Temple to Northampton. Temple had been crowded enough but in Northampton...she was just glad that Ryan had agreed that she needed some room, and they'd manged to find a large enough house...well a large enough garage- semi attached to a very nice house on over seven acres. Which was barely enough to give her the privacy she not only craved but needed. Ryan kept saying he was only going to keep a car or two at the house, but as of the moment he had five and then Charli had her venerable GNX and a nice but bare bones 750i BMW - it had been intended to be for taking important people about for Wild Fire Ltd, but it had ended up also as her daily driver, for economies sake.

"I think they headed off that way, and you look like you could use some company. Lets see if we can go find the children."

Slightly startled by Anneka's voice Charli looked up confused at first, then her expression cleared as she realised what her friend was saying "Er...sure". She'd definitely been drifting. Charli half stood hurriedly then sat back down harder than she indended, having gone suddenly pale, then every so faintly green. Nausea swept over her for a second and then was gone.

'It is a VLT L5 GT. Follow me, we'll have a look at it.' Koen said, as he rose up from the L7 bonnet and slowly walked to the L5.

'It's got a 4.4-litre V8, 450 PS. We usually say it's got a top speed of 292 km/h and an acceleration of 4.9 seconds to 100. However, I must say we're always a bit on the safe side with those numbers. It'll certainly be a tad faster than we say.' He said, as he opened the car door.

'Anyways, this car costs around 60 thousand today, I believe. That is, with a very complete standard equipment. Everything is on it, Leather, four-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control, adaptive lights etcetera. That's a thing you might consider when you want to compare it to, say, an M3 or RS4. In terms of price, but also in terms of performance.'

As he gestured into the interior, he continued talking.

'Take a seat, if you're interested. Our Autobahnpolizei units have been using this car for a while now, and they quite like it. However, they're all changing to modified Monteluci Duca's right now. It was a better deal for them to have Duca V6 Biturbo's retrofitted with 470 PS V8's by the factory, with modified suspension etcetera. Cheaper, faster, etcetera. But that doesn't mean this car is inferior. I've personally tested it on several occasions, the needle goes well past 300.'

Ryan and Steve followed the Duke over to the GT, taking a good, close look.

Take a seat, if you're interested. Our Autobahnpolizei units have been using this car for a while now, and they quite like it. However, they're all changing to modified Monteluci Duca's right now. It was a better deal for them to have Duca V6 Biturbo's retrofitted with 470 PS V8's by the factory, with modified suspension etcetera. Cheaper, faster, etcetera. But that doesn't mean this car is inferior. I've personally tested it on several occasions, the needle goes well past 300.

Ryan and Steve both took the Duke up on his offer, taking time to sit in the driver's and passenger's seat, observing the gauge cluster set up, the pedal set up, and feeling the clutch and shifter as they went through the gears a few times.

Then came the important part. Ryan reached under the dash, a slight tug, and the hood popped open. Lifting it up, he took a good long look at the engine bay at hand. After a few moments, he turned to Steve while gently lowering the hood.

"We can fab up some parts no problem. Intake, headers, exhaust would be all we need, hell, we are running less on the G8s and 550s. I'm sure we can do some work with the ECU should we need it."

Steve nodded, taking a quick look at a sheet of paper he had brought with him. "They can do some of the stuff we need at the factory, as well."

Ryan nodded in turn. "What did we figure the numbers to be."

"Thirty each. Plus an assortment of around twenty other cars, mix of three ers, a couple of A6s, some Panther platforms, and a handful of trucks."

Ryan took another long look at the L5, and turned back to the Duke. "What does bulk order pricing look like. Say, 25 of these, in black, with just concealed flashers, no sirens or anything. And a suspension tuned to some specs we have written out?"
____

Anneka helped Charli up, noticing her ill look, and, after making sure she was ok, began heading over to the Van Luxembourger area. The spoke briefly about what the two had seen thus far, about Ryan and Steve's new venture with the driving school, and her own with the Wild Fire Ltd.

They stopped short of the edge of the VLT display area, Anneka noticing Steve and Ryan talking with a well dressed man who looked like he knew the cars. "Looks like they are talking business. Steve did say something about picking up some more cars for that school of theirs. Need to give the instructors an edge."

She turned to Charli, and looked her once over for hardly a second. "Ok hun. Before we head on over, I gotta ask. How far along are ya?"

Charli's face had lit up when talking about Wild Fire. Apparently being 'stuck in an office' wasn't being as hard on her as she had feared, but then again it often ended up that her office was at the base camp of a wild fire fighting effort.

"Ok hun. Before we head on over, I gotta ask. How far along are ya?"

Charli's face went pale and worried. "How did you know?" She asked in a startled whipser. One of the papers in her purse was one that had been faxed from her doctor's office just an hour ago. He wanted to see her again, soon, as he had some concerns.

"I'm eleven weeks along" She'd never been regular in her life, and yes, after a long discussion, she and Ryan had been trying but she had begun to think it was futile.

Anneka just smiled.

"Hun, I've done two, and Steve and I are working on our third. You start to learn to pick up on things when you do it a few times," she smiled.

Anneka chuckled a bit, watching over the unfolding car show. "You'll love it. You'll be a great mom, Ryan will be a great older brother. Of course, I'm not sure he's going to want to sell the Porsche for the minivan, so to speak."

Of course, it was all more of a joke. Ryan would be a great father, and he didn't have a Porsche. In fact, he had a few sedans that would be perfect for carting around a mini Fortier. They were spread between his shop and his garage, but it was enough.

"Eleven weeks. Good then. I remember you telling me you and Ryan were trying, so its not like he's going to be blind sided. Well, I guess its time to start planning the showers and such," she finished, still smiling.

Well, I guess its time to start planning the showers and such,"
That made Charli go pale again and her whisper went even fainter 'Oh no, please, no showers...Doc Welborn" she fished in her bag for the fax "says some of the test results don't look right..." Her eyes huge as she tried to once again come to grips with the information the fax contained. "and he thinks the ultra sound shows twins."

She looked overr to where Ryan, Steve and the other guy stood and her face went soft, then more than a little scared. "I miscarried before..."

Miles, along with his crew of presenters and technicians, observed the great building which played host to the Concours d'Élegance. The great many brands --and cars--that made up the exhibition amazed them. Many of the appearing brands had brought anything up to thirty models with them; they only had six, "as a taster."
"Come on, let's get set up," Miles told the team; "we're already late as it is. Bring the cars around the side; it's the quickest way in." And immediately, they scattered to do their respective jobs.

Miles Frubush
CEO, Cyadon Motors, Damanucus
at 116th Luxembourg Concours d'Élegance

'25 cars would make 1,488,500 dollars. What if we leave it that price and put the cars on your doorstep in Imitora with all modifications requested done?'

He then walked around the car to reach the two men, before offering them a brochure of the L5.

'If I can interest you in another pair of Van Luxemburger quality products, I'd recommend to visit the auditorium soon enough. Monteluci will have something to unveil there.'

(OOC: ....but it will take me some time to get it ready, not all images are in yet...)

TAC Display

‘Schokoladekekse? Ja, gern!’

Donna's eyes lit up as she showed him the plate full of cookies. "We have chocolate chocolate chunk, chocolate chip with pecans, and oatmeal with golden raisins, cranberries and walnuts and, of course, the ever popular sugar cookies" She pointed each type out and let him select his own while pouring him a cup of milk.

‘By the way, is there any chance you have got a brochure of that Vanguard laying around somewhere?’

"I most certainly do" She beamed as she produced the handful of brochures she had taken up earlier and handed him the top one. "Would you care for a cookie Mr. Walters, and some coffee perhaps? Were there any particular questions that you had? I've had mine for" Donna stopped for a second to make the conversion mentally. "ten months now. I drive to work every day and that's about a two hundred hundred mile round trip. And I do road rallies on the weekend, so I've put the Vanguard through it's paces in all sorts of weather." She loved the car and made a good advocate for vehicle.

Tanara used the 'common' calendar - the Gregorian calendar- for dealings with outsiders, but internally used a variation of an older calender. Those used to it made the changes with ease but this was Donna's first trip outside the Fatal Terrain region and she still had to think the conversion.

Ryan nodded.

"It sounds like a good deal to me. If we like 'em, we'll be sure to order more." His eye drifted back to the L5 GT, and he looked over at Steve. The other Imitoran nodded in a silent agreement. It wouldn't take much more than a quick hack, and the 4.4L V8 would definitely be more than capable of out running and out gunning the other cars at the school. It would force the students to rely on skill and what they know over raw acceleration. And they weren't that bad looking, either.

"We'll take care of any paper work you need us to handle, get the bank information, and the like. And we'll be sure to check out the big show," he replied.

On the other side of the exhibit, Anneka had slipped her arm into Charli's and gently turned to walk her away. Steve and Ryan had been deep into the business of whatever was going on, and they were able to move away, unnoticed.

"Hun, its ok to be scared. I know you are. And having a miscarriage before, yes, that tends to complicate things. But I think you'll be ok, you seem like the kind of girl who can handle herself. And twins? That's even better," she smiled. Expertly, she dipped her hand into her purse, dug for a half second, and out came a business card.

"Just in case you are looking for a second opinion," she added, handing it over to Charli. "He's good in my book, so far two for two."

She stopped, and turned back to look at the VLT display. It looked like Ryan and Steve were wrapping up whatever they had been involved with, and she led Charli back towards the two. "Besides, look at it this way. Like it or not, Ryan is going to be your own personal servant for the next nine months, and trust me, it has more than enough perks. And your boobs get bigger. I liked that part."

Besides, look at it this way. Like it or not, Ryan is going to be your own personal servant for the next nine months, and trust me, it has more than enough perks. And your boobs get bigger. I liked that part."

The first made Charli giggle and not so soundlessly, but she mock frowned at the last "I think he likes mine the way they are, ...but if they have to get bigger for him to be happy we may have words..."

She tucked the card in her purse as she let Anneka guide her back over toward the boys. "I'll give a call if I need a second opinion or for information I'm not getting from Dr. Welborn."

Moments later she was giving Ryan a light hug "So did you find some models useful for the school?

She had decided she wsa going to wait a day or two to tell him however.