CHAPTER 289: CHAPTER 289 THE COMPETITION GOING FORWARD (2)

The first change to the competition was that the six events that were supposed to have come after the promotional concert had been reduced to only four now.

Also, the timetable had been moved up since so many days had already passed while the organizing committed decided whether the competition would continue or not.

Now, the remaining events would all be completed over the next day and a half.

With three being held tomorrow, and the final event being held early on the day after.

The point destruction of the events had been changed as well.

Since there were originally supposed to be two more events in the competition than there were now, those points had been distributed to the reaming four events to keep the overall scoring the same.

However, it was not an equal split.

While the three events scheduled for tomorrow would all be worth twenty-five percent more than the previous ones, the final event, which was going to be grander than any of the others, would be providing double the points for each placement.

’This is definitely more advantageous for those in the lower rankings.’ Avery thought, seeing through the organizer’s intentions.

With the increase in point total per event, it diminished the value of having placed higher during the first half of the competition.

Now the possibility of a comeback was far greater, as just getting first or second place could see someone ranked closer to the bottom rocketing towards the top.

Then there was also the double points for the final event. With a maximum of twenty-four points up for grab for whoever got first place, it could potentially allow for the rankings to be shaken up even at the very end.

No doubt this had been done to garner more interest.

Everyone that was interested in the competition was going to have someone that they were rooting for, but if that person was effectively eliminated because their score could never get high enough, then they would probably stop watching.

Considering everything that had already gone on, those in charge wanted the last two days of the competition to be bigger than before. Even if things were not exactly fair.

To add more benefits to those in the bottom half of the rankings, the organizers announced that ranks eight through five would each be selecting one of reaming four competitions. With the individual getting to pick the final one being chosen at random.

’Now I almost wish that I had placed lower in the earlier events. They’re not even trying to maintain a semblance of fairness.’ Avery thought after these changes had been explained.

There was some murmuring coming from most of the competitors and the single team members that accompanied most of them.

Kasandra had begun angrily whispering to Avery about the changes, but no one spoke up in complaint.

It was obvious that the organizers had come to a decision, and any input from the competitors was not going to change their minds. Not unless a majority of them became obstante and refused to participate at least.

Still, no one here was going to raise a fuss about how the competition was not quite as fair as before.

Even though it was almost certain that the bottom four in the rankings were going to pick the events that they were most confident in, that merely meant that the other competitors needed to be confident in their skills anyway and win.

When the holo-projector in the center of the table activated and displayed the names of ranks eight to five, the conversations in the room died down.

Everyone was keen to see who would be chosen to pick the final event that would be worth double the number of points compared to what could be obtained from each event in the first half of the competition.

The four names quickly began spinning around on the screen and stopped one at a time. This would determine the order in which those in the bottom half of the rankings would choose an event.

’Looks like Liesel is going first, followed by the two dedicated test pilots from their respective corporations. And the one that gets to pick the finale is Jack Huxley.’

Avery glanced over at the man, and the famous former racer and current actor wore a pleased look on his face.

He was exuding an air of confidence, and though he was currently ranked sixth, he seemed to believe that he was going to be the one to win in the end.

Once he was finished analyzing Jack’s reaction, Avery turned his attention towards Atlas Himmel.

Clearly no evidence of any wrongdoing on his part had come out, but Avery still believed that the man was cheating somehow. His foreknowledge of the events during the first half of the competition had been far too great to just be chalked up to skill. At least, that was what Avery believed.

’He won’t have that advantage anymore since the events are going to be revealed to us as each person chooses one. Still, he doesn’t look the least bit bothered.’ Avery thought.

It was impossible for him to tell if Atlas really did not care, or if he was good at hiding his emotions.

Either way, Stifur’s representative was not showing any emotions regarding the changes to the competition and looked mostly disinterested in what was going on.

"Okay, here is a list of events that can be chosen for the three to be held tomorrow. Liesel Kaizer, you are to pick first." The head of the organizing committee said.

A list of twenty-three possible events then popped up on the holo-display.

The range of possibilities was pretty wide, but all of them did pertain to mission that those in the Alliance Police might find themselves undertaking. Since the goal was to pick out a new vessel to add to the force’s fleet.

For a few moments, Liesel scanned the options before she found the exact one that she had been looking for.

Ever since it had been decided that she would get to choose one of the events, she had already known which one that she wanted.

’Now that’s a surprise. She must be pretty confident in a fight if she picked that one.’

There were quite a few whispers among the other competitors and their team members after Liesel took her turn picking an event.

After all, what she had chosen would likely give her no advantage.

"So, the first event tomorrow will be a free-for-all battle between all eight competitors. That is certainly a good choice to bring interest back to the competition." The head of the organizing committee said. A satisfied expression on his face.

With it decided that everyone present was going to be fighting each other tomorrow, each of the competitors began looking around at the others. Gauging the level of confidence that the others had.

’The two test pilots look like they know this is not the event for them. Jack Huxely on the other hand, doesn’t look particularly bothered by it even though he doesn’t have much combat experience. Now what about Liesel, since she is the one that picked the free-for-all battle.’

When Avery glanced over at the great great granddaughter of the famous mercenary he idolized, she met his gaze with her own.

For a just a moment, her piercing red eyes seemed to be gazing into his very being, before she flashed him a mischievous smile.

After that, she looked away from him and started chatting with her copilot sitting next to her.

’Why do is suddenly have a funny feeling that I’m in danger.’ Avery thought, still unsure of what Liesel Kaizer’s intentions were.

Once a bit more time went by and everyone settled down, the next to events were chosen by those in rank eight and then seven.

With both of them being test pilots, they naturally chose events that focused more on flying skills than combat.

From previous events, it was already obvious that they were lacking in fighting ability compared to everyone else in the competition. If either of them wanted any chance of pulling things around, they needed to focus on their strengths.

"Now, Jack Huxely, if you would not mind choosing the final event."

The list on the holo-display shifted as the head of the organizing committee hit a few keys on the control panel in front of him.

Seeing as how the last event was going to be worth more points than any of the others, the options were grander and on a larger scale compared to what had been shown so far.

For several minutes, Jack Huxely examined the list, looking like he was carefully assessing the pros and cons of each of the possible choices.

However, for those that had been watching him closely, it was apparent that he had already figured out which one he wanted right from the start. His eyes had immediately been drawn to one of the events the moment the list had appeared.

"Hm, I think that I’ll pick this one."