Chapter 1 – Initial Rumble!
The story opens in downtown Wheeling, West Virginia. There is the usual hustle and bustle, as people go about their business.
All of the sudden the scene is interrupted by a severe shaking.
"Earthquake!" people cry.
"This isn't California! We don't get earthquakes here!" says one citizen to another.
"We do now!"
The shaking lasts for about one minute. The damage is noticeable, but not catastrophic. People are dazed and confused.
It's a beautiful day in San Francisco. Alex is here to compete in the Street Luge for the Out of This World Games (OTW Games). Sam and Clover have come along for a vacation and moral support, during their summer break from school.
"There are some pretty steep hills here in San Francisco! I hope I'm good enough to do well in the OTW Games!" exclaims Alex.
"Alex, you'll do fine!" says Sam encouragingly. "You've beaten everyone, including David, at the Regionals. Your good enough!"
Clover adds, "Besides, OTW Games attract a ton of cute boys, as participants and spectators!" as she eyes a few contestants as well as spectators.
Alex is getting ready for the first heat of the race. She is number 5, and will start in the middle of this 8 person race. She is the only female in the race and is taking a lot of flack as she goes to her starting position..
"Hey, chick-a-dee! The spectator's section is on the sidelines!" says Cal, the racer in position 1.
"Don't expect any favors out there!" warns Pesto, the racer in position 7. A number of other guys voice their agreement. Alex is starting to feel a little intimidated.
"Don't listen to them, Alex! They're trying to psych you out!" says Clover.
"That's right, Alex! They're afraid their egos couldn't take losing to a woman! You definitely can beat them!!" encourages Sam.
With her two friends providing the emotional support, Alex is no longer intimidated. "Yeah, girlfriends! I've beaten guys before!" She then says to no one in particular, but aiming the comments at the other racers, "Let's get this race started!"
All the racers get into their starting positions. Alex confidently takes her spot as the flag goes down to start the race.
They're off! Coming off the line, Alex has made a nice move and is in third place, behind Pesto, and Cal, but ahead of the rest. Coming into the first turn, Pesto tries to force Alex off the course, but she deftly swings around him and takes over second place! She is gaining on Cal, as they come to turn two. Cal tries to crowd Alex down low, but she once again swings to the high side and is now neck and neck with Cal going into turn three! In turn three it is Alex who takes the low line, and Cal is forced high as he falls to second place. Alex has a small lead going into the fourth and final turn. She again takes the low, fast line and emerges a good two lengths ahead of Cal. She ends up winning the heat by three lengths of a luge! The top two contestants in each heat make it to the finals on Friday. Alex is one of them!
"You won! You won!" cries Sam as she hugs Alex.
"You did it, Alex!" cries Clover as she also hugs Alex.
"Thanks, guys! I'm in the Finals Race!" says Alex, happily.
"Don't expect me to take it so easy on you the next time, babe!" says Cal disgustedly.
"Take it easy on her? As if!" says Clover.
"Yeah, we could tell all you guys were holding back out there when each one of you tried to force her off the course!" says Sam.
"Come on, Alex! Let's celebrate your making the Finals!" says Clover happily.
"Right on, Clover!" says Sam. The gals start to go to their hotel, chatting happily.
When they open the walk-in closet in their hotel room, they are WOOHP'd!
"Isn't there ANYPLACE we can be safe from a WOOHPing?" asks Clover, as the gals go flying down the access shaft.
"I'm beginning to think WOOHP really is one big ant colony!" says Sam.
The gals land on their circular landing cushion.
"Hello, ladies! Dressed for success?" says Jerry with a sly smile.
The gals let out a collective groan.
"What's up, Jerry?", asks Sam.
"A very disturbing phenomena. The city of Wheeling, West Virginia experienced an earthquake today for about one minute!" Jerry plays the video footage.
"Earthquake? In West Virginia?" says Alex in disbelief.
"Yes, Alex," responds Jerry. "You see West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee are close to two tectonic plates! Back in the mid-1800's, a severe earthquake in the area actually changed the course of the Ohio River to what it is today. It was so severe, it rang church bells in New England!"
"Frrreaaakky!" says Clover.
"What is more disturbing is that the quakes appear to be man made!" continues Jerry.
"Who would want to cause earthquakes?" asks Alex.
"That's what you are about to find out! You should go to the fault line in Tennessee and talk to Dr. Terran, an earthquake expert. He can fill you in on the details. To help on this mission you'll need the RATVAT, bungee belts, laser lipsticks (now in wild cherry), drill-suction-jet go-go boots, binocular-analyzer sunglasses, x-ray m-ray contact lenses, barrette listening devices, truth spray, and jet pack backpacks
"You'll travel via your jet/copter! The RATVAT is already on board! Good luck, Spies!"
With that, the girls are off. "Whoooooaaaaaa!!!!"
