Author's Note: My deepest and humblest apologies to all those that have been reading, reviewing and following this story. I'm sorry for the extremely long stretch of time between updates and owe you an explanation. This story fell victim to my growing disinterest in contributing to the Cyborg 009 section and as my interest went in other directions I neglected the principle I always adhered to, to update stories in a timely fashion so please forgive me. I'm still considering removing the story from this section and re-posting it in the Speed Racer one so if I do, I will make note of that in my profile.
BATTLE PLANS
The ride back to the beach house in Choshi was silent as both couples were contemplating the events of the spoiled evening. Both Speed and Joe were moody and uncommunicative, with both women wanting to offer comfort to their beaus but afraid to breach the walls the men had put up.
Joe drove in his usual breakneck manner, scowling as Francoise stared ahead, her own delicate countenance showing the strain as in the backseat Trixie was seated stiffly by a sullen Speed, periodically glancing at his rumpled appearance in concern. She ventured a timid query.
"Speed, are you okay?"
His response was to grunt as he glowered, his cobalt eyes turned almost ultramarine in pent up fury as his hands balled into tight fists.
Trixie sighed as she murmured, "I guess I'll take that as a no." She reached her hand to take hold of his but he pulled away.
"Just leave me alone now, Trixie."
"Humph!" she huffed, offended by his attitude. "I was just trying to help!" She turned and stared out the side of the convertible at the rolling landscape and did not speak again the rest of the way back.
In a short time, the red Karmman Ghia pulled into the circular drive before the elegant façade of the beach house. Joe killed the motor and lights but nobody moved, the atmosphere in the close confines in the vehicle still thick with the tension of the events at the restaurant.
Joe sighed to break the ice as he remarked quietly, "Looks like we've got quite a fight ahead of us."
Speed replied grimly, "Yeah. And believe me, the Car Acrobatic Team can be as formidable a foe as you can get. But I don't get it, Terror told me after the Trick Race that he and the team held no more hard feelings especially after we defeated the Spies Incorporated syndicate. It just doesn't make sense."
Francoise commented, "And the one called Python is a cyborg. Which means only one thing." She and Joe exchanged glances as they said in unison, "Black Ghost."
At that moment, another vehicle crept up behind them, the twin beams illuminating the interior of the Karmman Ghia momentarily as the powerful roar of the high performance engine died. The sound of a car door opening and closing was heard then the tall white and black form of Racer X came to the car.
He addressed the group. "I see you're all here." He noticed the roughed up appearance of his kid brother and observed, "I also see you've been in a fight, Speed. What happened?"
Speed opened his mouth to reply but Trixie answered instead, "We were out having dinner and ran into Snake Oiler and his partner and they picked a fight with us."
"Is that so?"
Speed threw a glance at her and nodded, "Yeah, she's right. Him and his partner, Python decided to hit on our girls so Joe and I had no choice but to knock their blocks off."
Racer X nodded as he remarked, "Typical. Snake's a troublemaker and he's always had a knack for getting your goat, Speed. Why are you so surprised?"
"I'm not," Speed insisted and then he continued with a sigh, "I just thought that after Terror had helped us defeat Spies Incorporated before, he and his team would act honorably. I guess I was wrong."
Joe glanced at Francoise and spoke up. "Look, I'm not as familiar with the Car Acrobatic Team and your ongoing conflict with them but I do know this. Black Ghost is an organization that thrives on chaos and if they are involved even remotely in the race you can be sure that it bodes no well. Especially with the disappearance of the uranium stores."
Racer X nodded as he said, "Agreed. So let's head inside and plot our strategy."
He headed to the door as Joe and Speed both leapt over the sides of the convertible and opened the doors for the ladies. Once out, the guys took hold of their girls to go into the house but before he went to follow behind the cyborgs, Speed grabbed Trixie and pulled her back.
She answered with a quizzical frown, "What's the problem, Speed? We need to go inside, everybody's waiting."
"Let them. I want to talk to you first." He placed his hands on her shoulders and gazed directly at her as she avoided his eyes.
"What do want?" Trixie asked coolly.
Speed took a deep breath. "I know you're mad at me and I want to apologize for being such an SOB since we left the restaurant. I was way out of line."
She glanced up at him reproachfully. "That's for sure. You practically bit my head off before," she sniffed.
Speed was contrite. "I know and I'm sorry, sweetheart. But the whole thing with Oiler and Terror got me really uptight. I hate being accused wrongly for something, you know that. Remember how I was when Kim Jugger accused me of destroying his car?"
"I remember," Trixie responded, softening her expression. She embraced him and murmured, "And I forgive you, but what are you planning to do to? They obviously are bent on revenge."
Speed sighed as he pulled back. "I don't know, Trix. I just have a very bad feeling about this whole set-up." He frowned grimly as he stared out at nothing but saw his next Mount Everest. . .
Inside, Joe invited Racer X to have a seat in the parlor as he turned to Francoise. "I'll go and get Dr. Gilmore and you alert the others, okay 003?"
"Right away," she said as she went to do his bidding.
Joe turned down the hall and knocked on the doctor's closed study door. He was asked to come in and he entered as the doctor and Pops were pouring over some plans.
"Excuse me gentlemen, but Racer X is here to discuss something important about the race with us," Joe announced as both men looked up.
"And who is Racer X?" Gilmore wanted to know.
Pops answered, "He's a racer on the circuit. He had a bad rep but is actually a pretty decent guy, always helping Speed. Don't worry, we can trust him." He asked Joe, "Where is he now?"
"He's out in the parlor. Doctor, I had 003 gather the rest of the team."
Gilmore nodded as he rolled up the plans. "Good. We'll be out there presently."
Joe nodded and exited the study as Pops assured the doctor, "You can bet that if Racer X has something to tell us about the race, it's important."
"Hmmm," Gilmore responded as they both headed out.
In the parlor, Racer X waited as a commotion sounded from the far hall where the game room was located. He smirked as he heard the conversation, friendly banter between the cyborgs like a real family.
"Man!" exclaimed Jet. "I was just about to beat you in nine-ball. Figures that we have to have a meeting now."
Albert snorted, "Yeah, keep dreaming. I had you as I usually do."
"Yeah, right," Jet scoffed as Francoise admonished them.
"Stop bickering you two, we have a guest." They entered the parlor and both stopped the banter when they saw it was not empty.
"Evening gentlemen," Racer X said as both 004 and 002 stopped and gave him a questioning look.
"Who the hell are you?" 002 demanded as the masked racer rose to greet the cyborgs
"002!" 003 gasped and then conducted the introductions. "This is Racer X, a well known racer on the Formula 1 circuit."
Jet smirked at her and said, "Since when do you know so much about racing, 003?"
She bristled as she got ready to retort but 009 entered and stood beside her. He sent a withering look to 002 and said, "Since we were told by Speed, 002. So stop picking on her."
"I'm not picking on her, I just asked a question. Sheesh, don't get your panties in an uproar." 009 scowled at him as Albert took control.
"Okay everyone settle down." 004 proffered his hand to the guest. "Good to meet you, Racer X. I've read quite a bit about you."
Racer X took his hand and returned the greeting. Knowing the press and its penchant for exaggeration he said wryly, "I'm sure."
The two cyborgs, 008 and 005 then entered the room, 005 carrying the bassinet that held the still slumbering infant cyborg 001. Geronimo set it down and Francoise went over to peek at him making sure he was all right. He spoke telepathically to her.
I'm awake, 003. Pick me up so I can participate in the meeting
Francoise did just that, cradling Ivan in her arms and taking a seat next to 009 on a davenport by the window. A scratching sound on the glass where a large black crow peered in at her and winked, startled her.
Joe was alerted to her reaction and became concerned. "Something wrong?"
Still holding 001 securely Francoise gestured behind them to the window. "That crow startled me."
"I see." 009 noticed the bird and then with a grin, opened the window and let him in. The crow then immediately morphed into the smiling bald-pated former actor, 007. He bowed and then addressed the French cyborg.
"I didn't mean to startle you, 003." He took a seat on an easy chair near her.
Francoise smiled as she replied, "That's all right, 007. I just didn't expect you to come in that way."
GB stated, "I had just gotten back to the restaurant after running an errand for 006." He glanced at 009 and added, "He told me all about what happened with those two racers."
009 sighed heavily as he said, "Yeah, the two of them were starting trouble with Speed and I and as we were going outside to settle it, they attacked us and we, uh kind of wrecked the place." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"I saw. 006 is still there trying to clean up."
Joe said decisively, "When we finish here, I'll go back and help him. After all, I was one of the ones that caused the damage."
Pops and Dr. Gilmore then entered the parlor and then Racer X rose to greet the two elders. "I'm glad you're here gentlemen."
Pops gestured to the diminutive scientist. "This is Dr. Isaac Gilmore, the designer of the Tempest and leader of Team Dolphin. Doctor, this is Racer X."
Both men shook hands as Pop asked looking around, "Looks like everybody's here. But where's Speed?"
As if on cue, the front door opened and Speed and Trixie entered the house and the parlor to join the group.
"Sorry we held things up," the Formula 1 defending champion apologized as he led his girlfriend into the waiting throng. His father stood annoyed with arms akimbo.
"So where were you?" Pops wanted to know.
Speed replied, "We were outside talking." He squeezed Trixie's hand as she blushed.
The Racer patriarch snorted, "That's very cute but you were the one to set this up with Racer X. You should know that it was rude to keep us waiting. The race is your first priority, I don't think I have to tell you that, Speed."
His son sighed, "No, Pops you don't." They took a seat on the spacious sofa next to Pyunma and then he stated, "Okay, Racer X we're all present and accounted for."
"Wait!" A strident voice called out, "Don't start without us." The precocious baby of the Racer family scampered in to the circle, followed by his simian friend.
"Spritle, what are you doing out of bed?" Pops admonished, "This meeting has nothing to do with you."
The boy protested, "But Pops, Chim Chim and me need to know what's goin' on if we're gonna help to catch the crooks who stole the uranium." Chim Chim squealed and nodded his head vigorously.
"How do you know about that?" Speed asked his kid brother.
Spritle looked smug as he folded his chubby arms and replied airily, "Oh we have our ways." Cowed by Pops' glare he added, "Besides it's been on the TV about the uranium and the race so we just figured it out and we figured you'd be helping the police Speedy, just like you always do."
Everyone in the room laughed as Speed sighed resignedly and Pops continued his reprimand. "I want you to go back to bed. Now."
"But Pops!" Spritle whined as he pointed to Ivan, nestled in 003's arms. "How come that baby gets to stay?" At the continued defiance of his youngest, the Racer patriarch was showing his own building anger in the way his countenance was turning beet red.
Seeing the storm clouds gathering on his father's craggy brow the masked racer sought to defuse the potential powder keg. "It's all right, Pops. Let him stay, it doesn't matter," Racer X alias Rex Racer said about his baby brother.
Spritle eyed the tall man with a grateful smile. "Thanks Racer X. At least someone here appreciates my expert crime fighting skills."
Leaning against the wall Jet grunted and sighed impatiently, "Okay fine. Now that the kid's happy do you mind if we get on with this?" The rest of the Go Team and cyborgs all nodded in agreement.
Racer X nodded as he began, "The IPF has learned that the uranium stores lifted from Kiev will be transported across the border during the race. Spies Incorporated has enlisted the aid of the Car Acrobatic Team."
"I knew it!" Speed expostulated. "I had a feeling that Terror and his boys had their filthy hands in something fishy! That explains the rotten attitude toward me. "
Racer X continued, "And that's not all. Our undercover operatives have also discovered that several Third World dictatorships have enlisted the services of the rogue organization Black Ghost from within their local chapters of Spies Incorporated. It appears that quite a few of these dictatorships are tired of the domination of the superpowers and want to level the playing field by acquiring nuclear capabilities."
"Hmmm." Dr. Gilmore closed his eyes as he sighed and stated, "I was afraid of that. 001 has been picking up vibrations that Black Ghost was making a comeback." He addressed the infant cyborg. "Have you heard anything else, 001?"
Ivan sat up in Francoise's lap and answered audibly for the benefit of Speed and company:
"There has been some indications of increased radioactivity coming from northern Japan pointing to the existence of a rather simple reactor. This is usually tied into the creation of unsophisticated nuclear weapons or dirty bombs as they're called as they are heavily laden with radioactive isotopes."
"That's got an ominous ring," 004 pointed out.
"The reactor is very crude and geared to provide elements for the production of fast and cheap nuclear weapons, sold to the highest bidder. Black Ghost has researched the cheap production of nuclear weapons since 1949 and since this company Black Whole is a subsidiary of the so-called defunct Black Ghost organization it adds up."
Racer X snorted, "Typical of Spies Incorporated they enlist the aid of other nefarious organizations and sit back so they can do the dirty work. This time, however, it seems they have a formidable ally."
"Indeed," Dr. Gilmore remarked. "I'm afraid that's very true. As a former operative of Black Ghost I can tell you that the head, Scarl is most cunning and absolutely ruthless. He will stop at nothing to achieve his objectives."
Joe sighed as he said, "And he's been relentless in trying to destroy us. You see, we all defected from his organization because we refused to be turned into weapons to promote global war."
Sparky made a long low whistle. "So all of you are…..machines?"
"Cyborgs," Albert corrected. "Humans with transistorized and mechanical parts that give us special capabilities."
The crack mechanic gazed at Francoise incredulously as he added, "You too?"
She smiled as she admitted, "Yes but of all of us, I'm the one with least amount of circuitry. I can't fly or accelerate and I'm not as strong as the others." She frowned and looked down in dejection as 009 reached and squeezed her hand to console her.
"That's true, 003 but without your telescopic vision and supersonic hearing we would not be able to be successful in our missions. You're a vital part of the team," 008 said with a smile.
"Amen to that," GB seconded.
She smiled as the rest of the team chimed in and Spritle looked at her in eight-year-old awe. "You mean you can see through walls and things?"
003 nodded and the Racer baby said, impressed, "Wow!"
Changing the subject Jet then said, "So now that we know Black Ghost is back in the saddle again where do we go from here?"
Racer X said, "We know that uranium has disappeared from a major reactor in the Soviet Union. We also know that the Trans Asia Race takes off in Moscow. In addition, we know that the Car Acrobatic Team who is affiliated with Spies Incorporated has a corporate sponsor called Black Whole Enterprises, a subsidiary to Black Ghost and they're entered in the race. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that SI is behind the uranium theft and are going to transport it to the finish line in Shanghai for transport to the reactor in Japan. So we need to stop that from happening."
Speed said with a glint in his eye. "I bet I know what we do next."
His older brother grinned and said, "Right. We go after the Car Acrobatic Team and stop them from reaching Shanghai."
"And how do we do that?" 002 demanded as the rest of his comrades cast glances at the irascible youth from the Bronx.
"You have a plan for us, don't you Racer X?" Trixie inquired.
The masked racer replied, "I do. And here it is…,"
The entire group of cyborgs and members of the Go Team gathered around as he began to map out a strategy for the race, crowding in a huddle that pushed Spritle out. He pouted and protested.
"Hey everybody! Don't leave me and Chim Chim out!" He and his chimpanzee buddy both tried to push their ways back into the circle but the adults were too absorbed by the strategizing to notice so both exchanged glances and headed out, their heads hanging. . . .
Early the next morning, the Go Team and Team Dolphin were busy preparing for departure to the capital of the USSR, for the start of the week long race across the largest continent on the Earth. They ate a hearty breakfast prepared by Chang and then proceeded to get all supplies and the two racecars loaded on the Dolphin. It was quite an operation with Sparky, cyborgs 004, 005 and 007 all hard at work arranging the cargo in the proper places.
Joe and Speed along with Trixie and Francoise stood as the final race supplies, replacement auto parts, tires, and fuel canisters were loaded in the lower hold of the huge ship as the two sleek racing vehicles, the Tempest and the Mach 5 awaited their turn. Finally after the last fuel canister was stowed onboard, the men turned to each other.
Joe said cordially, "Go ahead first, Speed." Albert came over and nodded in assent.
"Get in the car and drive it up the ramp till 005 points you to where we'll store it," he directed as Speed nodded and leapt into the cockpit and behind the wheel. He fired up the Mach 5 and pulled it onto the ramp and into the hold to where Geronimo was guiding him. He parked the car and came out to stand near Trixie.
Satisfied, Albert announced to his comrade, "Okay 009, you're next."
"Gotcha."
Joe hurdled the side of the Tempest and started the motor. With a roar, the sky blue machine headed over the ramp and 005 guided it into a spot next to the Mach 5. He killed the engine and joined the trio at the ramp, his face showing a mixture of excitement and apprehension, drawing the concern of 003.
"Joe, what's wrong?" she asked as he came to her side and she saw the dark expression on his handsome face as he stared off into the distance, scowling.
Joe's mind was filled with the thoughts of the race and even more the looming and inevitable battle with Black Ghost. The fact that other people were involved made him even more anxious as he pondered on the plans made to thwart the evil death machine this time. Like a cockroach, the organization was proving to be almost impossible to destroy and he was quite worried, yet determined to get the job done once and for all. His eyes narrowed and then he noticed Francoise's pretty face filled with concern.
He smiled and wrapped an arm about her as he replied, "Nothing, koishii, just competitive nervousness. Don't worry." He kissed the tip of her nose as he squeezed her shoulder.
Her tropic eyes were unwavering as she studied him intently. She then responded sagely, "You're not fooling me. I know you're concerned about Black Ghost and what Scarl is planning."
Joe sighed resignedly as he nodded and said, "Yeah."
Speed heard his concern and assured him. "Don't worry, Joe. We'll get the job done and try to win the race." The coal haired racer grinned and gave a thumbs up as his girlfriend Trixie nodded in agreement. Joe could not help but smile at the sweet ignorance of the two, with Black Ghost involved they had absolutely no idea what was ahead.
Albert came down the ramp and clapped his hands. "Okay everybody. Let's get onboard, we're leaving in about twenty minutes." He gestured to the boarding hatch and the two couples headed over and boarded.
As they made their way to the bridge, Joe's brooding continued as he wondered what lay ahead for them all in the race and what else was about to happen. They entered the bridge and took seats as Pyunma and Jet made final pre flight checks.
Soon the roar of the Dolphin's turbines hummed as the large craft slowly slid into the water off of the subterranean cove where the Dolphin was docked and she disappeared beneath the bubbling surface. She then ascended up and into the stratosphere and banked east, heading to Asia and what dangers awaited her passengers at the race. . . .
NEXT……CHANGE UP