DISCLAIMER: I do not own nor wish to appear to be the owner of Speed Racer/Mach Go Go Go and all products and merchandise thereof.
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Speed didn't bother putting back on his suit coat. He just stalked up to corporate building of Signet Black. He didn't fear the Security either, he figured that they won't think the same man they had just escorted out wouldn't be bold enough in coming back the same day. He walked easily through the foyer, finding the elevator with ease. He slammed the button to the floor that he wanted and tapped his foot impatiently as he waited. He all but ran down the hall to stand at the President's door, he knocked hard on the wood and had the conscience thought his knuckles would be sore, at the least, if he hadn't already torn the skin. The door swung open and Speed was greeted with a Cheshire grin.
Speed walked past the man, gruffly hitting his shoulder into the man. The President hissed then slammed the door.
" I thought I told you to call?"
Speed turned around leaning his hip against the ornate desk, " I figured you would want to talk in person. Phone being the coward's way out and all."
Snake smirked, " I see..."
" Alright, I will be the spokesman for one of your stock cars and one of your men can be the face of the Cyclone." Speed sighed, " Now were is she?"
The President 'tsked' shaking his head, " No, no no. It is not that simple. There is much more you need to offer."
Speed's brows furrowed, " There were no more terms that you spoke of...I don't have nor want to offer you anymore."
" Well, seeing as to how much trouble I had to go through for you to even consider my proposal, the least you could do is grant me one more favor," the President smirked.
Speed gritted his teeth, " What is it?"
" I want to race you."
" What!"
A Cheshire smile, " I want a race, a televised race. At a Signet sponsored track. Me against you, no one else. You can drive what ever you want but not that damned Mach 5."
Speed's mouth was in a frown, " Why?"
The President groaned, " I had always felt that I could beat you all those years ago. However, you had that Mach 5. A remarkable car, yes, but with all those buttons and gadgets you always had an unfair upper hand." the man grimaced, " I want to beat you fair and square." he cleared his throat, " If you win, your woman will be returned to you and our deal is off. If I win the deal remains and you will have to become a member of my company permanently."
Speed ran his hand through his hair, " That is a ridiculous request. You are the President of a huge corporation and all you can think about is how many times you lost during your career? Either you don't have your priorities straight or you are one greedy bastard."
Snake smiled, " You decide. Now."
Speed pushed himself off of the desk, " Fine."
" You are not even going to contest my terms?" the President smirked.
" I didn't win all those races because of the Mach 5." Speed tilted his head up and looked down his nose at the lanky man, " I don't need to contest them."
" Cocky s.o.b." The President snorted.
" Whatever," Speed turned toward the door, " Time and place?"
" Next Thursday at Ringers. Race starts at 4:30 p.m."
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" Hello, Speed?"
" Yes Inspector?"
" I talked with your father. He consented to the procedures."
" Thank you sir."
" He's in grief, but he wants to talk with you."
"..."
" He's not angry."
" In that case, could you tell him I will talk with him Thursday?"
" ...I can do that."
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Sparky chuckled, " He wants to race! That has to be the stupidest thing I have ever heard."
Speed nodded, " Yeah, but I consented. Can you get me a car?"
Sparky nodded while sucking his Pepsi through a straw. After a noisy swallow he spoke, " Yeah, no prob."
Speed walked across the room and stood in front of Sparky who sat on top of the small fridge. Speed stared sternly into his eyes brows slightly furrowed in concern. Sparky leaned back popping the straw out of his mouth, his features reflected his questions. Speed didn't speak he just continued to study his friend.
When Sparky had returned to the apartment he had immediately switch to comfort and advise mode, watching Speed's emotions and listening intently when Speed went into an angry tirade. He was Speed's support wall, the one person that he could lean and depend on. Now Speed felt a little guilty looking over Sparky's features now. He had been so caught up in his own anger and pain that he had neglected to see the deep concern that Sparky held for the missing Trixie. It was clear now that the young man truly did care for her and Speed felt somewhat embarrassed that he never tried to console him.
" Hey man," Speed stared awkwardly, " she's going to be alright. Inspector Detector himself is heading up the task force that is looking for her."
Sparky nodded sipping his soda, " I know. It's cool."
Speed sighed and took the cold beverage from his friend's hand once the straw was coming up to meet his mouth again, " No it's not alright," Speed swirled the liquid in the can, " I mean... I can tell you are worried. I am too , but you are holding back...something...I..I am sorry that I couldn't protect her."
Sparky's brows drew together furiously and he jumped down from the fridge. Striding over to the window he hit the glass upon reaching it, " Does it really matter! No one could have protected her because we never saw it coming." Sparky turned and glaring spat, " Don't try and make me feel better. It's useless." He dropped his head, " I won't feel better until I know she is alright. That she is safe."
Speed frowned, " Very well. I was just..."
" I know, I know," Sparky waved his hand, " I'm just...well...scared."
" He said he won't harm her that he doesn't want to kill her."
Sparky looked up through chestnut hair, his brown eyes having grown dark, " That is exactly why I am worried. He is not right in the head. And Trixie is a beautiful woman."
Speed's brows rose in understanding, but he said nothing. He really didn't think that Snake Oiler would sexual assault Trixie. He really felt that Snake was just using her as leverage. That he had no need for her other than that.
" Anyway...I will need the car by Wednesday. The race is on Thursday and I want to be able to check it out and test drive it and all."
Sparky nodded, turning back toward the window, " Yeah, like I said, no prob."
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" Wow look at all these people!" Sprittle had his head pressed against the glass of the Sky Box.
" What do you expect little buddy," Sparky slapped his shoulder, " Speed hasn't raced in years. There's even camera crews here."
" Really? That's alright!" Sprittle tried to sound upbeat, Speed had told him the night before that Trixie wouldn't be there and why. He had also told him that Sparky had a soft spot for her and that he should try not to bring it up.
Pops was pacing, wringing his hands together, he looked up at the clock. 4:28. The race was going to start in two minutes. Then this horrible ordeal would be over and his son could properly grieve. He looked over at the Inspector who was talking quietly into a walkie talkie. Pops sighed and went over to him.
The Inspector looked up and nodded at Pops' approach, " The man we have on Snake says that he was just getting ready for the race. He didn't make any phone calls and everything right now looks like it's on the up and up. Apparently he really wants to race Speed."
" I just hope we can find Trixie before the race is over. Then that way he won't have the upper hand." Pops spoke quietly, but Sparky still heard him. The muscles in his jaw contracted and Sprittle noticed. The young boy reached over and took Sparky's hand. He looked down with eyebrows raised, but understood when Sprittle smiled slightly and squeezed.
Sparky bent down, " Thanks man, but I'll be alright," he let forth a smile that sent reassurance to the small boy.
The announcer spoke up and the crowd grew wild. The four males in the Sky Box look out the clear glass each with a different thought and concern in his head.
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Trixie found it cruel that her captors thought it necessary to leave a radio in her mist. She used the distraction however, to keep from thinking about her bound wrist and ankles and the blindfold that was just a touch too tight. The distraction did not keep her mind off of escape though and therefore she set about wiggling and straining her wrist. She stiffened at the sound of Speed's voice a peaceful rush of relief washed over her body before she sourly realized that the voice came from the radio and not from the presence of the man himself. She stopped her struggling and listened to the commentators in silence.
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The race was under way the two drivers having already gone four laps. The task force was still on the hunt for Trixie while the race was commencing and Speed was in the lead for now. Sparky had told the Inspector that if they had found Trixie that he was going to accompany they to the site. When the Inspector tried to argue Sparky just became more determined and in the end the Inspector nodded his head in agreement.
It was at that moment that the Inspector's beeper went off and the whereabouts of Trixie was reveled.