Idle Reflections
On the floor, near the back wall of DFM vehicles, there were two stunning motorcycles, the 300RR and the 600RR. These motorcycles boasted a beauty that somehow surpassed even the sleek lines of the SSW.
The 300RR featured a predominantly black exterior with striking hints of red throughout. Its design leaned towards a more aerodynamic and sporty aesthetic, making it an eye-catcher for those who appreciate sleek and agile bikes.
In contrast, the 600RR was adorned with a fiery red as its main vibrant color, complemented by accents of metallic silver.
The 600RR boasted a parallel twin engine with a 270-degree crankshaft, a feature increasingly common in newer bike models for its smooth power delivery and distinct sound. Allotted on both sides were Aero brakes, designed to allow riders to stop on a dime, providing unparalleled safety and performance. The headlights and taillights were infused with LEDs, ensuring improved visibility in all conditions, while the integrated turn signals in its mirrors added a sleek, modern touch.
The 600RR also featured a CrystalVision dash, a top-tier digital display that provided easy-to-understand ride information, enhancing the overall riding experience. With a top-end speed nearing the 153 mph range, it promised both power and precision.
Dragonfire Motorsports has been a formidable player in the motorcycle industry for many years, but primarily overseas. It wasn't until recently that they introduced American versions of their bikes, starting with a 300cc beginner model. This entry-level bike quickly gained traction, standing out in the competitive market and proving why Dragonfire was so popular abroad. Their latest release, the 600RR, is propelling them into the mainstream, offering a compelling package at a price point significantly lower than its competitors.
With an MSRP of $7,699, the 600RR is an absolute steal considering its features and performance. Sawyer sat on the bike and almost immediately felt a connection. The weight beneath him was substantial, yet not as heavy as the SSW. On the left throttle, there were controls to navigate the CrystalVision dash, which displayed essential ride information. The bike came with three distinct riding modes: Rain, Sport, and Street, each tailored to different conditions and riding styles. It also featured two levels of traction control that could be toggled on and off, adding an extra layer of safety and performance customization. Additionally, the bike was equipped with a state-of-the-art connectivity system, allowing riders to link their phone to the bike for GPS tracking and other advanced features.
As Sawyer lifted the bike to feel its weight, he knew at that moment what his next motorcycle would be. He gently set the bike back down, dismounted, and walked over to the salesman who had first greeted him.
"What's the out-the-door price for the 600RR?" Sawyer asked, his voice steady but filled with anticipation.
"Give me one second to check!" the salesman replied enthusiastically. He quickly hopped on his laptop resting on a nearby table. After a few minutes of typing and clicking, he returned with a smile. "Around $9,400," he said.
Sawyer's eyes widened as he heard the number, though he kept his composure. "Okay, thanks," he replied. Before the salesman could say another word, Sawyer was already halfway out the door, his mind racing with thoughts of how he could make this dream bike his reality.
As he donned his helmet and gloves, Sawyer thought to himself, 'How the hell am I supposed to come up with that kind of money…?' He thought as he rode back home. As he arrived, he noticed Ezekiel pulling up at the same time. Ezekiel drove in front of where Sawyer was parked and lifted his visor, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Ready?" Ezekiel asked eagerly.
"Sure, but don't you need your exhaust?" Sawyer replied, confused as he noticed that Ezekiel didn't have the full exhaust system with him.
"Don't worry about it," Ezekiel said with a grin. "A mechanic came up and picked it up earlier, so it's already at the shop."
The two flipped their visors down and drove off, the sound of their engines blending into the pulse of the road. During the ride, only one thought consumed Sawyer's mind: how he was going to come up with the money for his next bike. The out-the-door price was beyond what one could earn from a regular job within a year, especially when factoring in any upgrades he would want. He realized he needed to find a faster, more lucrative way to make that money.
They eventually pulled up to a junkyard with a closed gate, guarded by a camera mounted high above, scrutinizing every arrival. As the camera registered their presence, the gate began to slide open slowly, groaning with the weight of rust and time. They rode in, the landscape before them a chaotic tableau of discarded vehicles and miscellaneous debris.
Sawyer glanced around, taking in the sight of totaled cars, battered bikes, and a myriad of other junk scattered throughout. The place reeked of oil and decay.
In the back of the junkyard, a faint yet familiar hum reached Sawyer's ears, growing louder with each passing second. The faint sound of a motorcycle being worked on, a sound he had come to known after countless hours worked on his motorcycle. His curiosity piqued as they approached the source of the sound. Eventually, his eyes locked onto a row of motorcycles, each resting on its kickstand in a meticulous line. The hum emanated from a somewhat large, open garage where a bike was suspended on a lift, steady in the air.
As the duo arrived, the three mechanics inside paused their work, turning their attention to the newcomers. A gleam of recognition and satisfaction, more of a heartfelt welcome than pure excitement, spread across their faces as they saw Ezekiel remove his helmet.
"Ezekiel, how have you been, my brother?" one of the mechanics exclaimed, approaching Ezekiel with a broad smile and wrapping him in a brotherly hug.
"I've been good," Ezekiel replied, his tone relaxed.
The mechanic's eyes then wandered over to Sawyer, scrutinizing him with a hint of suspicion. "Who's this?" he asked, his gaze lingering on Sawyer.
"I'm Sa—" Sawyer began, but was quickly cut off.
"He's a new member. His name is Sawyer. I asked him to come," Ezekiel interjected hurriedly, wanting to diffuse any tension.
A few more seconds of awkward silence ensued, the mechanic's eyes still fixed on Sawyer. Then, a smirk spread across the mechanic's face. "A friend of Ezekiel's is a friend of mine!" he declared, stepping forward and giving Sawyer a hearty hug.
"You here to get the exhaust installed?" the mechanic inquired, tossing a dirty, oil-stained rag onto the back of a wrecked motorcycle nearby. His tone was casual but carried an undertone of professionalism.
"Yes, sir!" Ezekiel responded with palpable excitement, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. The group made their way over to Ezekiel's motorcycle, which was parked neatly in a line with several others. The machine gleamed under the harsh garage lights, reflecting its meticulously maintained condition.
Ezekiel handed the keys to the mechanic, who took them with a nod. The mechanic mounted the bike, maneuvering it into the garage bay. The sound of the engine echoed through the space.
"This thing is sick! Adding this full exhaust system will only make it that much better!" The mechanic exclaimed, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. He expertly parked the bike and dismounted, giving it an appreciative pat. "Come back in three days and we'll have this thing installed and ready to go," he told Ezekiel.
"Sounds good," Ezekiel replied, turning to walk back toward the entrance of the garage. His excitement was palpable. Sawyer lingered for a moment, curiosity getting the better of him.
"You work on all types of bikes?" Sawyer asked, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity. The mechanic turned, stepping closer to Sawyer until he was mere inches away, his intense gaze locking onto Sawyer's.
"Yeah, except that sub-par shit. We don't do those," the mechanic replied, his tone firm and slightly disdainful. His eyes bore into Sawyer's, making it clear that quality was non-negotiable in this garage. The air between them was thick.
"Even DFM?" Sawyer asked, curiosity lacing his tone. The mechanic scoffed lightly, his eyes wandering before focusing back on Sawyer.
"Yeah, we work on those, but why would you want a motorcycle like that?" the mechanic retorted, scoffing lightly.
"I'm thinking of getting one." Sawyer said confidently. He walked back toward the entrance, thoughts of the DFM still swirling in his mind. As he walked away he heard the mechanic scoffing lightly behind him, but chose to ignore it.
"Ready?" Ezekiel asked, seeing Sawyer approaching. Sawyer swung his leg over his bike and settled into the seat, the rhythmic rumble of the engine vibrating beneath him as he started it up.
"Is there any way to make money fast? Maybe like nine grand?" Sawyer asked, watching Ezekiel put his helmet on. Ezekiel paused for a brief moment, finishing the adjustment of his helmet before responding.
"Yeah, but it would require you to become a member of the MC, no more just hanging around us. You'd have to be 100% completely in. Ready for that type of commitment?" Ezekiel replied, his tone serious.
"I was already planning on it anyway," Sawyer said, a slight smirk skipping across his face.
"Alright, I'll set it up," Ezekiel responded, closing his visor with a definitive snap.
Ezekiel's eyes wandered back to the junkyard before he hopped onto the back of Sawyer's bike. The two journeyed back home, the roar of the engine blending with the hum of the city. As they arrived, Sawyer parked in his spot, the bike's engine gradually winding down.
"I see why you like that 300…!" Ezekiel exclaimed, pulling off his helmet and shaking out his hair.
"She's not bad, right?" Sawyer said, a smile spreading across his face as he removed the key and pocketed it.
"You going to school tomorrow?" Ezekiel asked as they began their ascent up the stairs.
"Nah, I got something to take care of tomorrow," Sawyer replied, turning left toward his door.
Ezekiel turned right and paused in front of his own door, glancing back at Sawyer. "Alright, I'll see you later," he said, a momentary pause punctuating his words as if he wanted to say more but thought better of it.
Sawyer opened the door to his apartment, the sound of the lock clicking behind him echoed through the empty space. He placed his helmet and gloves carefully on the living room table.
He immediately began to undress, shedding the weight of the day along with his clothes. Slipping beneath his covers, he felt the cool sheets against his skin. His eyes were drawn to the ceiling. Hours slipped by as he lay there, the silence of his apartment amplifying the ticking of the clock.
Peeking to the right, he caught sight of the setting sun, its golden light casting long shadows across the room. He turned his head back, releasing a heavy sigh that seemed to resonate with the walls. Once again, his gaze fixed on the ceiling, the weight of the world pressing down on him.
'System, show me my experience and quest,' he thought, a blue window materialized above him, floating gently.
[Experience Points]
|███████████████████████████| 96% to next rank
[New Progress]
Complete your first MC mission
'So it does work like that…,' Sawyer mused, the thought resonating in his mind like an echo. His mind drifted back to the police chase, that heart-pounding moment when he had narrowly escaped a deadly intersection. He had wondered then how it was possible to survive such a perilous situation, and that was when the window had appeared, revealing upgrades and abilities in his peripheral vision. The realization dawned on him that he could control what the system showed, rather than having the entire screen pop up at once.
Curiosity piqued, he decided to test his theory. 'Stats,' he thought with intention. The blue window above him shifted, morphing into a detailed stat screen.
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SYSTEM MENU
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[Name: Sawyer Knight]
[Rank: Novice
Physical Stats:
Strength: 10
Health: 3
Ability: 11
Toughness: 27
Dexterity: 6
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Available Stat Points: 4
'Well… from what I understand, I can upgrade my strength stat by working out. Toughness can probably be increased naturally too,' Sawyer thought, his mind dissecting the details of his situation. 'Dexterity should improve the more I become experienced with riding. The health stat would be harder to upgrade… And as for the ability stat, I don't know too much about it yet. I'm not sure if it can be upgraded through "natural" means.'
Sawyer pondered these thoughts and decisions, his gaze fixed on the glowing blue window hovering above him. His eyes lingered on the ability stat. Unlike the other stats, its usefulness seemed to hold a deeper, more complex potential, something that could only be unlocked with time and perhaps, a bit of discovery.
From what he knew, the ability stat improved his effectiveness in skills and abilities provided by the system. It increased his adaptability, determining how quickly and well he could learn and master new skills, both in riding and in life. It was a key component, amplifying his overall competence and potential for growth.
His eyes also darted back to the health stat, which hadn't increased since he was given the system. This stat, crucial for his well-being and resilience, remained stagnant. 'For the time being, I don't know how to increase the health stat, but if it works the way I think, then it can't be ignored….'
He pondered a little while longer, carefully considering his options before voicing his decision in his head. 'System, use two stat points for health, and the remaining two for the ability stat.' Almost immediately, the available stat points decreased to zero as his health and ability stats increased by two each.
The glowing window above him vanished, leaving the room in semi-darkness. Sawyer turned to his right side, pulling the covers up to his neck, seeking comfort in their warmth. His eyes slowly drifted shut as the sun finally set, casting long shadows that mingled with the encroaching night.