A BAD FEELING
Race day in Soofki promised to be a challenge. The sun was shining brightly but gusty hot desert winds were blowing about and there was a sandstorm watch for the afternoon, at the height of the race. But the part of the desert that was the racecourse would be less likely to have the sandstorms expected. But the Go Team was preparing, nevertheless.
Pops approached Sparky and addressed the mechanic and crew chief, "Well, Sparky are we gonna make it?"
"I think so but I won't know till Speed gets here with the Mach 5," was his reply when they saw as the white racecar rumbled up. But even over the roar of the powerful engine they could hear the arguing between the newlyweds.
"Speed Racer, you're impossible!" Trixie railed as he cut the motor. She opened the passenger door to let herself out and slammed it in fury.
Speed extricated himself from the cockpit and hurried over to his wife. "Don't walk away from me, Trixie! And don't slam the Mach 5's door like that. Why are you so upset?" Their voices were muffled as they walked away and continued their squabble.
At the car, Pops and Sparky observed as the row between the couple raged on. Sparky pointed at the bickering twosome and said, "See, Pops. That's why I don't want to get married."
Pops grunted as he pulled Sparky aside. "Let's go check on the fuel tanks."
Over to the side, Speed was trying to explain, "Look Trix, this is gonna be a real tough race and the weather report calls for sandstorms--"
"All the more reason for me to navigate," she insisted, her arms crossed stubbornly. "I've faced far worse with you before and you know it."
"Yeah, but things are different now," Speed pointed out but it was futile.
She glared at him and answered, "Why? Because we're married now? So why would that make things different?"
Speed sighed, "Because now you're my wife and as a husband I have a sacred duty to protect you and see to it you are safe no matter what."
Trixie put her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes. "Don't tell me you're going to give me that tired old line about it being too tough for a girl. I didn't buy it when I was your girlfriend and I'm not buying it now as your wife. Remember, I've done it all with you."
"Yeah, you sure have," Speed agreed with a suggestive smile, trying to be charming but his wife wasn't buying it.
"Don't change the subject." She was on a roll, she really had herself in quite a temper. "I can't believe you are rejecting me as your navigator. And after all this time." Her voice broke as tears threatened.
"Aww c'mon baby, you know I'm not rejecting you, be reasonable. This race is one of the most dangerous courses in the circuit this year and I don't want to have to worry about you while I'm racing." He tried to take her in his arms but she brushed his hands away.
"Ohhh! So now I'm a burden on you!" Her hormones had her temper at epic proportions.
"Trixie, I didn't mean that!" Speed protested but she backed away from him.
"Well, you won't have to worry about me. I won't navigate for you, I won't even stick around to watch the race. I'll just go back to the hotel so I'm out of your way!" Trixie cried as she turned and ran away as the tears finally fell.
"Trixie, sweetheart, don't be like that. Don't go, come back, Trixie, please!" Speed called urgently after her but she vanished in the milling crowd in the pits. He went to try to run after her but a hand on his arm detained him.
"Uneasy is the head that wears the crown, huh Speed?" Sparky remarked philosophically.
Speed glared at his friend. "What the hell are you babbling about? What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that you are falling victim to the 'Yes Dear" syndrome. It happens about the time that the marriage begins really setting in."
Speed snapped at his crew chief in no mood for chiding. "Look Sigmund Freud, can the $.05 psychiatry session. I don't need you to counsel me on my marriage. Just stick to cars, Sparky!" He strode to the Mach 5 and vaulted into the cockpit.
He turned the key and revved the engine and then reached in his pocket and pulled out the note from the prince to Trixie he found at the suite before they left. Re-reading the contents, his eyes narrowed to cobalt slits as he gritted his teeth and tried to calm his ki down and focus on the race but he was filled with the desire to throttle Omar, prince or not. But to avoid incarceration for assassinating a royal monarch of a foreign country, he then came to the decision that the very minute the race was over, they would leave Soofki as soon as possible in order to get Trixie away from the persistent prince.
Meanwhile, running through the crowd in tears, Trixie paid little heed to where she was going and was startled by the arms that came out of nowhere keeping her from going any further.
"Well, this was quite a pleasant surprise." Prince Omar was obviously delighted.
Trixie looked into the lupine features of the crown prince and felt strangely uneasy. "H-hello, Your Highness."
"Call me Omar, Trixie. After all we are old friends." He noted her agitated state and inquired in concern, "Why are you so upset, my dear?"
Trixie looked into the warm eyes of the prince and saw an ally. She sniffled and replied, "Speed just informed me that I won't be navigating for him in this race. He says it's too dangerous for me but I went through more danger with him in the last three years then most people have in a lifetime."
"Indeed," Omar agreed. "But I suppose as your husband he feels the innate need to protect you. Truthfully, if you were mine, I'd feel the same way."
Trixie was adamant. "But, I've always navigated for him. Just because we're married now shouldn't make a difference," she said with a stubborn tilt to her chin and tears pricking at her eyes.
Omar reached and brushed the tears from her eyes. "Don't cry, my dove. Why don't you come with me, yes?" He took hold of her upper arm in a gentle but firm grip and began leading her to his private viewing suite but she pulled her arm away.
"That's very sweet Omar, but I really would rather go to the hotel. I don't feel well, actually." Trixie protested but the prince was adamant.
"Trixie my dear you can lay down in my suite and rest and then after the race you can go and talk to Speed. I have a very comfortable couch and I will be trackside for the opening ceremonies." He led her to the door leading to the luxurious accommodations. "Now go ahead."
Suddenly fatigued, Trixie nodded and went though the door. Omar made an imperceptible nod and two rather large burly men in dark clothing followed her. . . .
Back at the Mach 5 Speed was busy concentrating his focus on the race ahead, clearing his mind of everything, including his suspicions about Omar and the argument with his wife. So intent was his focus that he didn't even notice a feminine voice purr his name, "Speed."
Sibana sauntered to the Mach 5 and leaned in, her ample bosom inches from his upper left arm. "Well, I like that! Do you make a habit out of snubbing old friends?" she said with a pout.
Speed glanced up. "Oh hi, Sibana. Sorry, I'm getting ready to race now, nothing personal." He turned his head back to face the front with determination, ignoring her.
Sibana sniffed disdainfully. "I even dressed for the occasion. And you didn't even notice." She put her hands on her hips as she stood back. She was dressed in a skintight jumpsuit with a plunging neckline in the exact shade of her eyes. The hot desert wind caught her long raven tresses and sent them flying to the side of her, making her look even more alluring but Speed was oblivious.
"Uh-huh, nice," he said disinterestedly.
Sibana tried again. She leaned close over the door and said, "I wanted to wish you good luck, Speed," she said huskily as she placed her full soft lips on his in a passionate kiss. Speed's eyes flew open in surprise then dismay as he took his hands and tried to disentangle himself from the eager embrace.
Over to the right at the Ebony Tiger the energetic kiss was witnessed by Kim Jugger, whose eyes narrowed to amber slits as he watched the object of his affections plaster herself and her lips on Speed Racer. He turned away in utter disgust as he leaned in his sleek racing machine so he wouldn't have to see more, his anger burning hotter than the desert wind. She's shameless but for a so-called happily married man he certainly isn't making any attempt to push her away. Wait until the race, I'll make sure Racer pays for everything, including what happened the last time we raced. And I don't care what I have to do. He smiled unpleasantly as he extricated himself and headed into the garage area. . . .
Up in Omar's private suite, Trixie had looked around for the couch the prince spoke of as her fatigue was making her drowsy. Yawning, she then spotted the overstuffed sofa on the side and headed there. She didn't make it because she found herself grabbed from behind suddenly and held immobile. She tried to scream but a cloth soaked with chloroform was pressed to her nose and mouth and she lost consciousness. The two men then scooped up the limp young woman and headed out of the suite. . . .
Down in starting grid at the Mach 5, Sibana finally released Speed from her embrace as he stared incredulously at her. He quickly looked around to see if his wife was around and then said sternly, "I don't think that was an appropriate good luck kiss, Sibana. I'm a married man, for Pete's sake!"
"So where is your wife, eh? She doesn't seem to care that you're about to begin a dangerous race or else she'd be here." Sibana pointed out huffily.
The woman's remark reminded him of how upset Trixie was when she left the pit. "She's around. She just stepped away for a moment," Speed said defensively.
Sibana looked dubious but she shrugged her slender shoulders. "If you say so, Speed. Anyway, good luck," she called as she blew a kiss and strolled off.
Speed sighed, relieved to see her finally leave. He turned his focus back to the impending race.
Sibana flounced off in a fit of temper at Speed's apparent rejection. Obviously, absence did not make his heart grow fonder she hated to admit. Either that or Trixie was a witch and put a spell on him because no man ever rejected her but him. And he did it twice in her life!
She was still fuming about the encounter with Speed when her cousin's teasing voice drew her attention.
"Well my lovely little cousin, you certainly look like you're about to explode," Omar commented in an amused manner.
Sibana pinned him with a glare. "You're quite the cut-up, Omar dear." She turned her back to him with a pout marring her exotic beauty.
Omar drew her aside and murmured in her ear, "I have something of great importance to tell you."
Sibana's eyes widened as she waited. . . .
Meanwhile Kim Jugger was checking with his crew on their fuel supply. Still incensed about what he thought he witnessed at the Mach 5, he dourly informed his crew that he was going to take a short walk to regain his focus on the race. He was on his way to where the Ebony Tiger was parked in the field lineup and was about to turn the corner when he heard a familiar feminine voice.
"Oh Omar, how diabolical and delightful! You really pulled it off," Sibana cooed.
Kim stayed where he was and flattened himself against the wall to listen. What he heard next made his blood run cold. Omar was directing two dark garbed men.
"Take Mrs. Racer to the oasis and the station. I will join you presently. See to it that she's taken care of."
"Yes, Your Highness." Both men replied in unison and then went off.
Sibana tittered like a giddy schoolgirl. "Omar, you are a devil. What are you planning to do with her?"
Omar answered smugly. "I plan to convince her that life with me is a far better choice than life with that arrogant racer."
"And if she doesn't see it that way?" Sibana prodded.
Omar's chuckle sounded ominous and dark. "Then she will meet with an unfortunate 'accident'. And you can offer comfort to the grieving widower."
Sibana giggled, "Oh Omar, you are a fiend!" Arm in arm, they both walked off.
Kim slipped silently away in the opposite direction, his mind reeling with the discovery he just made. He could not believe that the woman that he was in love with could be capable of plotting to end another's life. And such a sweet and lovely woman as Trixie Racer, she did not deserve to be torn from her life and husband. Granted, he had his differences with Speed in the past but now all that was forgotten as he realized that what he had witnessed before was not what he thought. With a grim look of determination, he began to stride to the Mach 5 and inform Speed as to his wife's whereabouts when his progress was halted by the blare of the PA system.
"ALL RACERS ARE TO ENTER THEIR VEHICLES FOR THE START OF THE RACE!"
Kim cursed inwardly as he realized that he had to get behind the wheel of his car. But, he decided that during the race, he would make sure Speed knew what was going on. They had joined forces to rescue Trixie before and he would make sure Speed had his assistance again. He sprinted to the Ebony Tiger to get ready for the race.
At the Mach 5, Speed was concentrating on the mental picture of the race, his mind focused on victory. His radio squawked to life with Pops' voice.
"Well, everything all set there, son?"
Speed replied with confidence. "Yeah Pops, everything's ready to go."
"That's my boy. Have a great race, son and we'll see you both in the winner's circle." The radio went silent as Speed realized that he forgot to tell his father and the rest of the team that he forbid Trixie to ride with him. But he decided since the race rules had stipulated that having a navigator was optional, he figured it was best that she be angry with him and safe, especially considering the rising wind and threat for sandstorms on the course. So he revved the motor and prepared for the green flag.
TO BE CONTINUED…..THE RACE BEGINS AND AS THEY BOTH VIE FOR THE LEAD, KIM JUGGER INFORMS SPEED THAT HIS WIFE IS IN DANGER.
NEXT---A RACE FOR LIFE AND DEATH
