DNN2

"Do you think we'll see much from the new-look Lautern this year? Popular opinion is that they're on the back foot right now."

"They won the world championship last year, Sam."

"Feran Andoal won the world championship, and he's moved on. As a team, Lautern came fourth. You have to admit it's a little embarrassing to drop behind Augir for the first time in seven years. Last time Andoal took the title, Lautern took the teams trophy too."

"It was a bad year for them, for sure. But one could say it's good to see Augir back in the top three, the sport needs those younger teams."

"Ever the optimist, Terry. But let's talk about the all-new Lautern lineup. Andoal and Corredeira have moved on, Watson and Starlight are out of the sport after a torrid performance last year, and in their place we have two rookie riders, Nikita Coro and Lyonne Ertku, and two yearling drakes, Incandesia and Phosphora, clutchmates from the famous Phoenix ranch down in the Carthadian desert."

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"No expense spared on the names, to be sure."

"Hah. These have to be two of the biggest dragons we've ever seen enter the sport, right?"

"Could be. They're mighty creatures, and I know the stable, they'll be well-prepared."

"No expense spared at all in that department. Is it a cost-saving, then, to bring in rookie riders? Is that a weakness?"

"You know better than to ask that, Sam. We've both watched Niki and Lyonne come up through juniors. They're both junior champions. They were even teammates their first year in Carthagia, back in '50."

"You're right, I'd forgotten that. That was a hell of a year in the rookie wyverns, too. So you're optimistic for their chances this year?"

"Very, they might be the most exciting team on the grid. Just what the sport needs."

"Can they be competitive with things so tight at the top?"

"Absolutely. I'll eat firewood if we don't see them both on the podium before long."

"Race wins?"

"Always a tall ask- a big ask, for a rookie. But the drakes are strong, and I expect great things."