CAPTURE…RECOVERY…VICTORY!
Racer X intently observed the battle for the lead taking place and with resolve, dialed the channel on his radio that Speed transmitted on, and picked up the mike to speak to his brother.
"Shooting Star to Mach 5, come in, Speed."
Speed heard the deep voice of the masked racer over his set so he picked up his mike. "Mach 5 here. Go ahead Racer X, what's up?"
"Speed, has Inspector Detector told you about the smuggling of the Rubicon I?"
"Yeah, he has."
"Well, I was just informed that the gem's in Jordan's car and he's gonna try to get it over the border to the checkpoint. Can you stay ahead of him, the checkpoint's about ten miles away."
"He's been getting some runs on me but the Mach 5's been pullin' ahead. But I haven't opened up the throttle yet," Speed answered. "You got a plan?"
"Uh-huh. I want you to open 'er up and get in front of Jordan by about a second and a half. Think you can do it, Speed?"
"No sweat," Speed replied airily.
Racer X smiled at his brother's cockiness, the kid truly was something else. "Okay, you do that and I'll get right under his bumper and we'll box 'im in. Then, I'll give you a signal and we'll force him off the road. So are you game?"
"Just give me the sign, I'll be ready."
"Okay, Speed, let's do it!" Racer X exclaimed, feeling the adrenaline pound through him as he put his quarry, Jordan, in his sights.
Back in the Mach 5, Speed was keeping one eye on his rear view mirror and he saw that Jordan was trying to get another run on him. With a look of grim determination, Speed floored the accelerator and opened the throttle of the Mach 5 all the way. The powerful vehicle shot forward in response and Jordan's car was falling behind again. Speed glanced in the mirror and smiled.
"Okay Racer X, now it's up to you."
Racer X observed the Mach 5 as it shot in front. He jammed down his pedal and the Shooting Star gained rapidly on the bumper of Jordan's second-place car. He inched up under the rear bumper as the checkpoint loomed ahead. The time was ripe to make his move and he picked up the mike to relay the message to his brother.
"Okay Speed. Now!"
Speed eased up from the gas and then as Jordan's car came to his bumper, he turned his steering wheel over to the left as the Shooting Star did the same, keeping right under the Elite Team car's bumper. Boxed in by both cars, Jordan found himself trapped and saw that all three vehicles were heading over to the soft shoulder of the road and to the embankment. He tried desperately to free himself but it was pointless, his car was completely blocked from making any move so he jammed on the brakes just as Speed and Racer X did the same. All three cars fishtailed and then each separated and came to a screeching halt, raising a cloud of dust, Jordan's car hitting a large rock. Both Racer brothers extricated themselves from their vehicles and rushed to the Elite Team car.
Figuring that no gem no matter how rare or priceless wasn't worth him risking his neck, Jordan attempted to free himself to flee but was caught in the twisted frame of his race car. Both Speed and Racer X got to the right side and ripped the window netting off to reach inside. The impact had sprung open the glove compartment and Speed grabbed the parcel and threw it aside while he addressed the runner.
"Jordan, can you move? Are you hurt?" Speed asked as he reached in to take hold of Jordan's arm.
"I-I think I can move," he said in a shaken voice attempting to pull his legs out from near the collapsed firewall. Speed firmly grasped under Jordan's armpits and pulled with all his strength, his biceps and triceps cording with the strain. The odor of spilled and leaking gasoline was overpowering.
"Racer X, give me a hand, huh. We gotta get him outta here before the whole thing blows sky high," Speed snapped.
Racer X rushed to the other side to extricate Jordan's left leg, pinned between the seat and the panel. Working hurriedly, he finally was able to push the limb free as Speed pulled Jordan from the passenger window the momentum causing both men to fall backwards. Racer X came and snatched up the parcel and took one of Jordan's arms and Speed shot to his feet and grasped the other as the trio galloped away from the twisted, flaming wreckage.
"C'mon she's about to blow!" Racer X barked as they continued to run. And as if on cue, there was a huge explosion, the car shooting flames and enormous palls of black smoke to the cerulean sky. All three men watched as the car continued to shoot flames up, like a Roman candle.
The whirring sound of a helicopter sounded above the trio as they looked skyward and saw as a chopper gradually descended and landed beside the burning hulk. The hatch opened and Inspector Detector and two officers climbed out and ducking under the rapidly rotating propellers ran over.
He addressed the Racer brothers as his men handcuffed and dragged Jordan to the waiting chopper. "Great job you two. The IPF has just taken Eval "Oil" Harte into custody in Sylvania. I'll tell you more after the race."
"THE RACE?!?" both Speed and Racer X roared in unison whirling to face each other. "I forgot!!"
Both bolted for their vehicles, hurdled over the side and into their respective cockpits, fired them up, and took off. Now it was as always a battle between the Mach 5 and the Shooting Star for victory in the Grand Prix. Inspector Detector watched as both cars tore off and then entered his helicopter
Both sleek racing machines were at the checkpoint, getting final fuel and tire checks and Speed was at the wheel waiting when he overheard snatches of a conversation at the check in station. Two men changing his tires spoke.
"…so did His Excellency get out of the palace safely?"
"Yes, thank goodness. They were only smoke flares that some helicopter dropped by the palace. But His Excellency, and his entire staff thought that the palace was under fire so they evacuated."
"Why would someone do that?"
"I have no clue. Some say it has to do with all the international police officers being in Mont Royale and the search for the Rubicon I."
The two men finished their task and Speed took off but their words ran through his head. So that's why I haven't heard from Trixie. Why would she do something like that, that's not like her to be so reckless. He sighed in irritation and after everything His Excellency's done for our wedding, and us what could she be thinking? Well, I'll have to talk to her about it whether or not she wants to see me before tomorrow he determined grimly as he focused on the race, scowling. He was already beginning to feel like a husband, responsible for his future wife and her actions.
He was maintaining a two second lead on Racer X as they both barreled along the course, heading into the city limits. The citizenry were lined up as the Mach 5 screamed past with the Shooting Star not far behind and the cheers came through to each driver's ears over the roar of their engines. Speed gripped the wheel of the Mach 5, sheer determination and resolve etched on his sculptured features as the crowd flew by in a blur.
The finish line was located right at the entrance to the presidential palace and the winner's circle right at the gates leading into the formal gardens. Both Speed and Racer X were practically side-by-side, roaring to the finish line in a photo finish as the checkered flag waved and the spectators cheered. The IRC officials reviewed the final photograph and after an indeterminate time it was decided that the Grand Prix was a tie, with both Speed Racer and Racer X being declared the winners.
The IRC officials came up to the winners circle as both the Mach 5 and the Shooting Star crept into the area, followed by the wildly cheering crowd as fans ran alongside the two vehicles patting them like one would pat the winning thoroughbred of the Triple Crown. Speed grinned and waved at the throng as he felt the pleasure of knowing that he and his brother both were victorious. He also scanned the crowd for his family, his crew chief, and his fiancée.
In the Shooting Star Racer X was feeling ambivalent about his tie with Speed only because he knew that the two of them had really battled and neither could overcome the other. And a part of him had grown so used to the persona of the mysterious Racer X that he abhorred all the fuss and crowds that came along with winning. But, with the recovery of the Rubicon I and the tying of the Grand Prix, the only thing left was to attend Speed and Trixie's wedding and then return to his family. He was both eager and reluctant at the same time.
His reverie was interrupted by Speed who had exited the Mach 5 and threaded his way through the celebrating crews that had congregated at the two cars. He leaned into through the window to address his co-winner.
"Hey Racer X are ya gonna stay in here or come with me to get our glory?" Speed said exultantly.
He smiled at his kid brother and marveled how no matter the march of time, some things never changed, Speed was as always bubbling over with enthusiasm. "Sure am. Just give me a second, okay?"
He doffed his gloves and then hoisted himself up and over the side while Speed stood aside and watched, his own thoughts filled with that twinge of familiarity at Racer X's mannerisms and even his gait as he strode over to the podium with him. The top official of IRC was waiting there with the trophy and presented it to the two racers
President Gabriele, who was smiling delightedly, reached to grasp Speed's hand, pumping it energetically. "Congratulations my dear friend on a fantastic race!" he exclaimed and then turned to Racer X. "You too, sir, what a tremendous finish. Well done!"
Speed returned the smile and commented, "Thank you, Your Excellency and I'm glad to see you're all right. I understand that you had a bit of a scare earlier."
Before Gabriele could answer, Inspector Detector came up and clapped both men's shoulders. "Gentlemen, I want to say thank you for your assistance in recovering the Rubicon I. Both Jordan and Harte are in custody and we'll be rounding up the rest of their accomplices."
Pops, Sparky, and Trixie all were heading for the podium to congratulate Speed. Trixie gasped when she realized that she couldn't see Speed with the wedding less that 12 hours away. But she needed to apologize to Inspector Detector and President Gabriele about her earlier actions. When she had landed, she heard the air maintenance men talking about the "attack" on the president and realized that what she did may have been a big mistake. At the conclusion of the race, she decided that she had to confess her error but as she heard Speed's angry tone as he called out to her it frightened her so she tried to hide herself behind Pops bulk as the trio approached the podium.
Speed, ever vigilant, especially when it came to spotting the object of his deepest affections, called out, "Trixie! Hey Trix, c'mere. Trixie!" But she tried her best to avoid him much to his growing annoyance.
"C'mon, Trixie this is ridiculous! I want to talk to you, for crying out loud!" he was getting more incensed as she maneuvered herself to hide behind a bewildered Pops. "You have some explaining to do!"
"Speed, why are you getting so upset at your bride-to-be?" Gabriele inquired curiously, taking note of Speed's slight scowl. He turned to the president apologetically.
"I'm terribly sorry Your Excellency. Trixie was sent by me to check on you during the race and I was surprised to hear that you had fled, thinking you were under attack. I heard that it was smoke flares that Trixie had thrown down from the helicopter that frightened you and your staff. Please accept my humble apology for her actions." He glanced reproachfully at what he could see of his fiancée, hiding behind his perplexed father as she had her head down, blinking back tears.
Inspector Detector cut in. "Now just a minute there, Speed. Trixie's action helped my men to capture one, Ratt Skulkor, a notorious assassin with ties to HISS. My men had spotted him trying to break into the palace and her timely diversion enabled them to nab him. Thank you Trixie."
Before Speed could say a word, President Gabriele stepped down from the podium and walked over to Trixie behind Pops. Her lovely face bore the color of shame as she waited for his reprisal. Instead, he gently took her left hand, raised it and kissed it reverently as her engagement ring caught a stray sun ray and sparkled. Trixie was dumbstruck as Gabriele spoke.
"Trixie, how can I thank you? Your timely intervention prevented what could have been my early demise. I owe you a debt of gratitude, my dear." He bowed before the flustered girl.
Now deeply shamed by his attitude toward his beloved, Speed tried to make his way to her to make restitution. Trixie, seeing the determined way her future husband was approaching her, not trusting his motives and still not wanting to see him before the wedding, took off immediately melting into the milling throng.
"Trixie! Come back, Trixie!" Speed cursed himself silently as he caught a glimpse of the tears in her eyes as she vanished into the crowd. A hand clamping on his shoulder startled him.
"Take it easy, Speed. Trixie'll forgive you and after tomorrow she'll be at your side for the rest of your life." Racer X reassured him in a brotherly fashion.
Speed tried to grin and it came out as a grimace, his eyes looking forlornly into the crowd where she had disappeared.
Later that evening, Speed entered the palace, all alone carrying a single, perfect red rose. The rest of his family, Sparky, Janine, Lilly, and Calcia were all out celebrating his tie in the Grand Prix but he felt terrible, Trixie's conspicuous absence gnawing at him. All through the celebration dinner, he barely ate a morsel, mentally lambasting himself for the way he jumped to the conclusion that Trixie had made a mistake in smoke bombing the palace during the race. He was feeling guilty about the entire incident realizing that it was at his prodding that she had done it. She saw the potential for disaster and had acted on it like she always did. So why did I question her judgement this time, and treat her like a child, I'm such a jerk!
He asked the servants of her whereabouts and they all told him that she was in her room. He thanked them and made his way up the curving staircase and to the West Wing and all of their quarters. Speed tiptoed silently along the hall until he came to the door to Trixie's room and softly rapped on the hand carved surface.
"Trixie?" he called softly, meekly. "Baby, are you in there?" There was no response and his heart dropped so he tried again.
"I-I don't blame you for being sore at me, Trix, not one bit. I never should've spoken to you like that in front of everybody and I'm sorry. I just wasn't thinking. When I didn't hear from you and then I heard about President Gabriele and his staff taking off 'cause a helicopter dropped smoke bombs down on the palace, I was upset. His Excellency has done so much for us and for the wedding, I felt badly, I thought we'd done something wrong. And I say we 'cause it is we, honey, I'm the one that sent you back there. But as usual, you were dead on doing what you did, your decision was the right one. Please forgive me, angel, I'm just too dumb at times."
There was a soft rustling behind the door and Speed heard a sound of sniffling. Great, genius, you made her cry. When they were passing out the brains, you must've been under a rock! "Trix? Are you there?"
Even muffled by the closed door, her voice was quavering. "Y-yes, I am, Speed."
Relief flooded through him. "I-I'm so, so sorry, baby. I acted like a complete, arrogant jerk and right before our wedding, please, please forgive me," he begged.
There was total silence for a pregnant endless moment, a moment where Speed felt himself dying inside, fear that he had done irreparable damage to the trust and love he and Trixie had built and nurtured for three years eating him alive. He imagined her throwing his ring back at him, calling the wedding off and the thought caused a cold clammy chill to course through him. Then after what seemed an eternity she spoke.
"I-I forgive you, Speed. And I-I'm sorry if I caused you any embarrassment."
Speed was so thankful for her forgiveness that he felt his whole body go limp. He hastened to reassure her. "Oh baby, baby, you could never embarrass me. Don't you know that I'm so proud that you're gonna be my wife and have my name? I'd be so lost without you, Trix."
He continued, remembering the bloom in his hand. "I-I brought you something, honey, that was so sweet and beautiful it reminded me of you. I know you can't see me before the ceremony but I want you to have this, with all the love in my heart. I love you." He knelt and placed the rose gently propping it against the door. "So I'll just leave it here and say good night, sweetheart. I'm gonna go into my room now, okay?"
With those words Speed slowly rose and turned to head into his room. He went inside and closed the door, keeping it open a crack to see if Trixie would come out to get the rose that he left her. Sure enough, she opened the door, bent down and picked up the rose, holding it reverently as she breathed in its fragrance and she looked so lovely and vulnerable that Speed was tempted to run to her and crush her in his embrace. But he quashed the urge as she slipped behind her door and closed it. With a sigh, he closed his door completely and tried to ease the lonely ache in his heart and heat in his loins.
In his hotel room, Racer X as Rex Racer stood on the terrace in the cool of the evening and looked up into the star-studded sky. The full moon hung up there like a silver disk, against the dark backdrop of the starry clime and a gentle zephyr was blowing, ruffling his hair. He sighed as he mulled over the events of the day, how he and Speed joined forces to stamp out evil once again and the thought brought a smile to his face. He spoke aloud to his brother in absentia.
"Well, Speed I guess we make a pretty good team, huh? But I knew that when we were growing up together, we had a bond so strong that no matter what, it could never be broken. And so here we are. You're not a kid anymore, Speedy and you proved that on the course today. Putting yourself at risk to save Jordan's life I never would've been able to recover that gem alone. And tomorrow, you'll vow to love, honor and cherish Trixie until death do you part. You'll be a married man with a family of your own. How I envy you, little brother."
He sighed again and spoke again to someone else who was gone. "Oh Julie, how I miss you, my love. As I stand up and watch Speed wed tomorrow, you'll be in my uppermost thoughts and I'll imagine you by my side, saying the same vows that would've made you mine forever. But I'll be happy for Speed and Trixie, and carry you with me as I do always, in my heart."
A cloud, scudded across the shining lunar face as if it sensed the melancholy mood of the man below then hid the moonlight as Rex sighed and turned to go inside.
TO BE CONTINUED….FINALLY, THE DAY ARRIVES WITH ALL THE JOY AND A BIG SURPRISE FOR THE ENTIRE RACER CLAN
NEXT---THE BIG DAY!