The Ninth Circuit
Act 2
As the long seconds ticked away they saw the field ahead of them change from red to yellow. It seemed like they would be sitting there forever waiting to be freed. Then in one giant second it changed to green and the one hundred contestants sped forward in a mad flock of adrenaline. The beginning stretch was nearly identical to that of an animal stampede. Some ten or racers were jostled about and knocked into each other. On the screen at their table Starfire, Raven, and Beast Boy winced a few times as they saw many ships being destroyed in the beginning alone.
"Good morning circuit fans!" A square at the top left of screen appeared and the commentator smiled back at the audience. "Joining me today is Ninth Circuit veteran and winner Tobias Norr." Another alien looking man waved back at everyone. Beast Boy and Raven glanced at each other uneasily. "Well let's see where we stand with our intrepid racers today. "Looks like Tobias' own son Simian is taking the lead, followed by Gorkin of the Citadel (closely watched), with Calora from Viridian 3 close behind…"
"What about Robin and Cyborg?" asked Beast Boy ignoring the commentator.
"They are making their way towards the front,' replied Starfire pointing to a dot on the screen that bore their 'T' insignia. Raven returned her attention to small the two men.
"Now Tobias what do you think about the Earthen new comers to the race, Teen Titans I believe they're called." Tobias shrugged with his hands laced together.
"Well you know with every race only time will tell but honestly I don't see how they'll be able to stand much of a chance. In fact they're probably approaching the Calamerain's unstable sun."
"We'll keep that in mind Tobias, but perhaps now would be a good time to bring up a word from out sponsor; SF Guard. Protect your family from the harmful energy of solar flares, because remember, being incinerated will be a drag on anyone's day," he said with a toothy smile.
--------
Robin piloted the ship past a number of vessels close beside them. He saw large ball of light up ahead and recognized it as the sun from the panel guide.
"Cyborg how're shields looking?"
"Pretty good, if you skim the corona ventral shields should hold up just fine-" Just as Cyborg finished his sentence another ship flew past them so close it jostled them about roughly. "What the-who was that?"
"Val-Yor," said Robin with a hint of loathing. He might have gotten into a rant about him but a beeping caught his attention. "Cyborg, computer says we have a master caution within the shield generator." Cyborg seemed to be way ahead of him. His eyes widened as he found the problem.
"We're loosing shields!"
"What! Get em' back! We're about to pass over a sun with solar flares shooting out everywhere!" Cyborg sent what appeared to be a message then pulled off a panel off to the side and went to work. Robin silently prayed as they drew closer and closer to the sun's corona. Now just seconds from passing over it Cyborg crossed two wires and earning both sparks and momentary ventral shielding. A flare shot up from the sun's surface and hit them directly in the bottom hull. The T-Ship spun about out of control then floated about off course. Robin moved his neck about. He tapped his headset. "Cyborg? Cyborg are you alright?"
"Just peachy," replied Cyborg.
"Do I want to know how close that was?" asked Robin looking back at the sun.
"Hee hee no," said Cyborg trying to make many of the ship's functions return. "Looks like the flare knocked out everything except life support. Shields are gone, weapons are off line, and main thrusters are out. I'm sorry Rob, but we're dead in the water." Robin beat the back of his head against his seat.
"Hyper drive?"
"It was deactivated for the race," reminded Cyborg. "All we have is impulse power, but it'll be awhile before I can get us moving again." Robin hit the dash in front of him in frustration.
"Do what you can."
"Robin and Cyborg are no longer moving," said Starfire. Raven and Beast Boy moved behind her and looked over her shoulder. "See, they are drifting off course and are falling far behind." Beast Boy heard his comm. link beeping and opened it.
"Hey guys Cyborg sent me something." He set his comm. link on the table for them to see. "It says just before passing over the sun they completely lost shields."
"A malfunction perhaps?"
"I don't think so Star," said Beast Boy with narrowed eyes. "I'd bet anything Cyborg double checked then triple checked everything before they left."
"Then they were sabotaged," said Raven. The three of them looked about afraid that someone might be listening. "There's probably five thousand other people here, how can we find one person out of all that?"
"Well maybe we can narrow it down a little bit," said Beast Boy. "Let's see, who hates us and would go to whatever lengths to see us loose?"
"Val-Yor," said Starfire without even thinking.
"Val-Yor?" repeated Raven with skepticism. "I can see how he'd be suspect number one but I really don't think it's him."
"Why not?" asked Beast Boy. "He's a pompous jerk who hates us because we don't call Starfire names, it fits perfectly." Starfire had been nodding agreeably.
"I'm sorry guys but it just doesn't fit," said Raven. "There's no way he could have gone near the T-Ship before the race started, security would've sent him packing."
"Well someone has done this to them," said Starfire. "And if not Val-Yor than who?" Raven gathered up the small panel.
"The best way to find something is to start looking I guess, Star why don't you come with me and Beast Boy stay here in case Robin and Cyborg try to communicate." Beast Boy nodded while waving them off.
"Sure I'll just stay here…" They stopped and looked back at him. "While you guys go off and have all the fun." Starfire met Raven with a small smile and nodded toward him.
"Beast Boy I will gladly exchange places with y-"
"Yeah that'd be great!" Starfire almost giggled and took Beast Boy's place the table.
"We'll be in touch Star."
"Be careful," called Starfire. Her warning was not without merit. If the saboteur was still abroad he/she was not likely to allow others to discover them. Starfire looked back at the screen with a short sigh; the other racers were far ahead of them.
"Ra-R-Raven." Starfire picked her head up as Robin's static voice broke through her comm. link. "Sta-Starfire, can anyone here me?" Starfire nearly ripped it open.
"YES! I mean yes, Robin it is I Starfire. Are you and Cyborg okay?" In his pod Robin nodded with relief.
"Yeah we're okay….ish. A solar flare knocked us out and we've been drifting. How far behind are we?" Starfire checked the screen and minorly winced again.
"If you achieve impulse power within the next few minuets you will be one half hour behind." Robin lightly ground his teeth and tapped his headset.
"Cyborg, how're we doing?"
"We're good actually," said Cyborg. And as he said so the panels and lights came back to life and Robin could literally hear the ship returning to normal.
"We have power," said Robin. He gunned the engines and began heading back onto the course. Starfire saw them moving again and smiled. Though behind as they were she noticed several other ships were quickly becoming derelict or destroyed. Their recent conclusion suddenly came back to her.
"Robin, you and Cyborg must use caution. Raven, Beast Boy, and I have reason to believe the T-Ship was tampered with." Robin furrowed his brows as he moved past the floating wreckage of another ship.
"Sabotaged, by whom?" Starfire shook her head.
"We do not know, Raven and Beast Boy have elected to investigate the matter." Robin nodded.
"Alright we'll keep our eyes open, but with this in mind you better keep watch yourself."
"Understood, I will remain here should Raven and Beast Boy discover anything." Starfire closed her comm. link and returned her attention to the screen that displayed now just forty of the original contestants. Robin and Cyborg were quickly moving up but they were still a long way from coming in first. Starfire's attention was suddenly grabbed by the commentator.
"Well Tobias it looks like our human contenders have finally managed to get back in the game."
"You should never underestimate the power of an unstable sun," said Tobias. "I don't know about the rest of you but I'm eager to see how they do with X'hal's whip or even the Morpheus nebulas. Much better then they did with that sun I hope."
"You've got that right Tobias; in fact I bet if they had the newest model of our other sponsor I'm more than certain it would've been smooth sailing. The Proteus class XL700 is sleek, handles like most day dreams, equipped with the latest in weapons and shields, and has been designed with the competitive racer in mind. Remember, if you're not behind the control stick of an XL700 you probably won't win."
--------
Cyborg made a few more adjustments to both the engines and shields as they approached what looked like an asteroid field. He looked ahead and checked the guide once more.
"Heads up Rob, I think that may be what they call X'hal's whip."
"You don't say," said Robin as he narrowly avoided a few incoming pieces of rock. They seemed to have moved up to remaining active racers. Both he and Robin gulped as the boy wonder piloted the ship into the cloudy haze of space rocks. Cyborg glanced to his right and saw with growing discomfort the smallest of rocks found its way into the thruster coil of another poor soul. The engine promptly jammed up and exploded in a burst of flame.
"LOOK OUT!" Shouted Cyborg Robin did a barrel roll and evaded the spiraling debris. Robin was forced to make similar maneuvers constantly to circumvent the endless bombardment of both large and small asteroids. At one instance Robin pulled up on the stick and back flipped the ship followed by yet another barrel roll off to the left. Cyborg grew physically ill and shook his head.
"Please don't do that again." As they progressed further the ship began to take hit after hit from the flying asteroids. At least twice Cyborg thought himself crazy for thinking that Robin was actually steering into them. "Hey Rob! Do you think you could try not to hit every single one!"
"I'm doing the best I can Cyborg!" Barked Robin. "It's like these things are following us." And so it seemed indeed. For every time Robin steered the ship away from one group of asteroids another took its place. They passed another competitor who, at the moment, was obviously more concerned with finding a way out of the field then he was with wining. Squinting his eyes to look ahead, Robin saw what he deemed light and the other edge of the asteroid field.
--------
Starfire bit her nails nervously but she frequently calmed herself knowing that Robin and Cyborg were making very good time. She felt thankful that they were finally reaching the end of X'hal's whip and was glad that the worst was over. Unfortunately Starfire couldn't have been more mistaken.
"Well it looks like a good number of racers have successfully navigated X'hal's whip," said the commentator. "Gorkin, it seems, suffered some minor hull damage and has had to break off to make repairs. Val-Yor remains in third trailing Simian and Calora still manages to keep her place in the lead." Starfire nodded as if they speaking only to her. Tobias began talking again.
"I tell you what though; no other section of this race scared me more than the Morpheus nebulas."
"Annnd with good reason Tobias, for once inside the nebulas he or she is soon struck with extreme mental euphoria." Starfire's mouth dropped. "This is defiantly the part of the race that separates those with will power and those without." Starfire raggedly reached for her comm. link.
"Raven." Raven's face appeared on her small screen.
"What is it?"
"Please tell me you have found something." Raven shook her head.
"Nothing so far, why?"
"They are about to enter a network of nebulas that will induce mental euphoria." Raven blinked a few times.
"Wait a second; are you saying they're going to get high?" Beast Boy's face took up half the screen.
"High! They can't get high they're flying through space." Starfire rubbed one of her temples.
"Apparently it is not completely incapacitating, I suppose we will simply have to hope they have the mental fortitude needed to fight it." Raven looked over at Beast Boy's half and he merely shrugged his shoulders.
"We're going to try Garan's office, we figured that would be as good a place to start as any. Keep us posted." Starfire nodded and set her comm. link back on the table. On the screen she saw the T marked dot moving closer to a bluish green area, which could only be the nebulas.
--------
Robin nodded back at Cyborg and he dropped the ship to half impulse. Apparently rumor had gone around that anything over half impulse would have ignited highly volatile fumes in the surrounding area.
"There you go Rob," said Cyborg. "Easy does it." He looked around curiously and saw that numerous ships had stopped completely. "What're they doing?" Robin shrugged after making multiple scans.
"I don't know but there's nothing wrong with their ships; everything's at full power." It was then that a feeling came over him. He looked about at the variances of blues and greens. "You feel that?"
"What?"
"I dunno…I feel pretty good though." Cyborg watched him curiously from his pod then relaxed back in his chair.
"You know I didn't just a second ago but now I'm feeling like a million bucks." Robin nodded and leant his head back."
"Yeah, things are going just great. Sure we almost got disintegrated by a solar flare and pulverized by a billion asteroids but…life is……just swell."
"Amen bro, but…I don't think we can-uhhh-stay here." Robin loosely turned his head.
"What?"
"We're in a racing man…we're..umm…we're in a race…….thingy."
"Yeah but for what?" asked Robin now utterly unaware that they were also no longer moving. "What are we trying to reach in the long run? I think it is totally…wrong….for anyone to just run and run for something they don't even know is waiting for them." Cyborg chuckled while rubbing his eyes.
"Dude what're talking about?"
"I don't know let's ask Starfire. Hey Starfire pick up!" Starfire jumped slightly. She reached for her communicator and opened it to see Robin with nothing but relaxed contentment. She also noticed a lot if not all of the racers were currently distracted by the nebula's effects.
"Robin?"
"Hey Star, listen could you do me a favor?" Starfire nodded. "Could you run to the store and get me some of those skitales I really like?" She regarded him strangely.
"Robin, we are in another solar system." He then looked around as if now realizing his surroundings.
"We are?...Cool." She buried her face in her hands.
"Oh dear…" Robin began laughing.
"That's right Starfire, you're my dear."
"EEP!" She squeaked and snapped her communicator shut. He tapped the small screen a few times.
"Why'd she hang up on me?"
"I don't know man," answered Cyborg who was currently absorbed in the pattern of his blue technology. Trying to get even more comfortable Robin moved his foot passed a series of switches and began a countdown. 'Self destruct has been activated,' said the computerized voice.
"Oops," said Robin nonchalantly.
"Dude turn that off," slurred Cyborg as though hearing an alarm clock. Cyborg finally opened his eyes and saw the number counting backwards. "Hey just FYI; we've only got thirty-no twenty nine-no twenty eight-no twenty seven-no.."
"There you go," said Robin. He shoved a piece of ruined console under his seat. "Wow that was close…..I bet we could've been blown up." Cyborg nodded and turned on his side. He looked longingly out at the swirling colors.
"Hey, you think I'll ever find someone?"
"What?"
NOW WITH RAVEN AND BEAST BOY…………….
Raven allowed only her head to move through the wall, making sure that Garan's office was empty. She found it vacant and proceeded to bring the rest of herself along with Beast Boy inside. He shivered once the energy completely fell away from him.
"You'd think after six or so years I'd be used to that." Raven shrugged. "So, where do we start?"
"His personal computer files I guess," said Raven already sitting down at the desk.
"Okay but what if it's rigged and when you try to access it a bunch of alarms go off?" Raven looked up honestly not having considered that. She put an index finger to her lips entering thought. "Did you hear me Raven?" Her eyes glowed with her aura and a specific piece was pulled out from under the desk. She blindly handed the security device to Beast Boy.
"Good call, thanks."
"Uhhh, you're welcome." He threw it away and pulled a seat next to her. "Anything?"
"Only thing I can get into at the moment is a real time display of the race."
"What good does that do, we can just ask Starfire what's going on."
"There's something different about this one," said Raven trailing off as she read. "What this tells us that Starfire can't is the condition of every other ship. Look at this…" She pointed to numerous position dots. "Over the past two hours dozens of the contestants (the ones that are left) have been experiencing massive power failures."
"Like Robin and Cyborg."
"Exactly, and I think this makes my point." She pointed to one other dot that had become stationary. "Val-Yor just lost primary thruster control and his shields are at a minimum."
"Aright so it wasn't him, so who was it?" Raven zoomed in on the only moving dot at the moment. She sat back in her chair as if her highest suspicions were confirmed. The racer's picture displayed up in the corner of screen.
"Calora, the one that Garan himself has sponsored." Beast Boy cast a bewildered look around the office.
"But Garan seems to have a pretty cushiony job, why would he need to rig the race."
"Because he didn't." They both looked up and saw Garan being pushed inside by a host of security. His hands were bound and he looked thoroughly worried. Tryon walked up to the front of desk, reached over the monitor and turned it off. "I think that's enough sight seeing." Both Titans put up their hands. Beast Boy chuckled a few times.
"You know if…if bad guys could just learn to keep their secret offices locked…"
BACK WITH CYBORG AND ROBIN……………………
Cyborg looked out at the other ships with drooping eyes and saw some of them beginning to leave.
"Rob, I think we should go now."
"What for?" asked Robin as if being nagged about something could probably wait until the commercial. Cyborg slipped on a spare oxygen tank and his senses began to clear.
"Because we're going to loose if we don't!" he shouted through his headset. "Look I figured it out, the stuff is being translated through life support; get your spare oxygen on so we can move out of here."
"Okydokee," replied Robin. He did so and almost instantly his mind cleared from the fogging effects of the nebula. "Cyborg, how long have we been sitting here?"
"You know what I don't think I'll tell you, you're much to young to have a heart attack." Robin raised his eyebrows somewhat.
"Okay then, here we go." Returning to half impulse Robin moved the ship out of the nebulas, leaving many others in their wake. Robin looked at his rear display uneasily. "Shouldn't we try to tell the others how to snap out of it?"
"I doubt they'd pay much attention," said Cyborg pulling off his oxygen mask. "Okay, life support's clear." Robin removed his own as well.
"We're out, ahead full Cyborg." Cyborg nodded already on the verge of suggesting it. They both heard and felt the ship's engines reach their full potential. As Robin was sure it was safe for the moment he dialed the ship's comm. link.
--------
Starfire sat up straight suddenly at the sight of the Robin and Cyborg moving again. She sighed heavily knowing even she would have had a difficult time fighting off effects such as those.
"Starfire?"
"I am here Robin."
"Cyborg and I made it out, what's your status?"
"I have not heard from Raven and Beast Boy for some time now. You are but one of three ships still moving throughout the course." Robin frowned in confusion.
"What? How's that possible? Who are the other two?"
"Glgrdsklechhh's racer and Calora."
"Then there's definitely some sabotage going on here." He paused as his sensors picked up a distress signal off the starboard bow. "Star we're gonna have to get back to ya alright." He closed his conversation with her and took the ship closer to the derelict space craft.
"Rob you think we can afford to veer of course again?" Robin considered how far ahead Calora was and deemed it a necessary detour.
"We can when we have a chance to help someone," said Robin resolutely. As they drew closer however Robin began to doubt his decision once he saw that the ship in question was in fact Val-Yor's.
"You've got to be joking," said Cyborg astounded that Val-Yor would even consider asking for help. Robin broadcasted a hail on all frequencies almost hoping Val-Yor wouldn't answer.
"Derelict vessel we've received your distress call and are moving in for assistance."
"Stay away from me Troq lovers!" Robin rolled his eyes.
"Your life is in danger Val-Yor, I think even you can grasp that for the moment so let us help you."
"I said leave me alone!" Cyborg shrugged his shoulders.
"You heard the man, he doesn't want help. Oh well nothing we can do." Robin glanced back at him then looked back down at Val-Yor's ship.
"Listen, we're the only ship that's going to pass by you. Either you give up your stupid pride for just a little bit, or we leave you here like you said and maybe you'll be rescued." There was a pause; obviously Val-Yor was considering his options to the point of a migraine.
"I will dock with one of your pods," came a disgruntled voice over the comm. link. Robin moved the T-Ship directly beneath an access hatch in Val-Yor's hull and let the two ships connect. As Val-Yor reluctantly climbed in Cyborg stopped him.
"Ah! Hold on a second." Val-Yor stopped in mid climb and stared at Cyborg through the clear tube. "I just want it made clear, for the record, this is the second time we're saving your sorry butt." Val-Yor looked away and resumed his decent. "We'll want points for this."
"Whatever," he grunted.
"No I happen to agree with Cyborg," said Robin detaching the T-Ship from Val-Yor's. "I think twice merits something in return."
"Like what?" asked Val-Yor rudely. Robin, obviously enjoying himself, smiled and shrugged.
"I'll think of something." With Val-Yor now as their passenger Robin re-entered the race what he hope would be the last time.
Raven, Beast Boy, and Garan sat huddled together while Tyron corresponded with Calora over the wire. Raven discretely moved her hands about trying to wiggle free of her bindings. She had considered using her powers to free herself but the fear that they would fire on Beast Boy and Garan held her back.
"You said the Titans wouldn't be a problem!" barked Calora face. Tryon narrowed his eyes at her.
"They're not, what are you complaining about?"
"They've been back in the race for hours now, are you holding up your end of our deal or aren't you?"
"You just worry about crossing the finish line," snapped Tryon. "And I'll worry about a few trouble makers. As Tyron had been speaking to his accomplice Raven's fingers had found the orb on her hand guard and tapped it.
--------
Starfire at the table closely keeping watch over Robin and Cyborg. She sat in silence but was soon alerted by the sound of one of her own orbs. Her eyes moved down to it and saw watched it curiously.
--------
"You never thought to keep a close watch on him?" asked Raven incredulously. Garan looked down at the floor in a mortified way.
"He's an assistant; he barely says two words to me every day."
"Ah yes," said Tyron walking back over to them. "It's the quiet ones you always need to watch out for."
"So who else is in on this?" asked Beast Boy. "Is it just you and Calora?"
"Just the two of us, low profile is much better." Garan began to stand up but guards pushed him back down with their weapons.
"Can I ask you a question Tyron?"
"If you must."
"Why are you doing this? If you stop this now I promise both a raise and a promotion by morning." Tyron snickered and turned away from him.
"I'm sorry Garan but after years and years I'm just tired of being your pet. When Calora crosses that finish line we will split the winnings fifty/fifty."
"What about the others?" asked Raven. "They're floating aimlessly in space while some are still in the nebulas."
"We consider them to be….acceptable losses," said Tyron hesitantly. He motioned for the guards to stand before them. "Now I'm sorry boss, but you and your heroes have ventured too deeply for your own good." They took aim and Raven prepared to quickly raise a shield around the three of them.
CRASH
The door was suddenly blown open by a blast of green light. Starfire soared in through the smoke and created more than enough confusion for Raven to free herself then Beast Boy and Garan. Garan promptly dove under the desk while Raven and Beast Boy dealt with the small contingent of security guards. Starfire sensed two of them sneaking behind her, spun around, and melted their weapons with steady streams from her eyes. Gorilla Beast Boy banged the last two together like a pair of cymbals. Tryon made a feeble attempt to crawl out of the room but Raven spotted him out of the corner of her eye. She encased him in her energy and held up against the wall.
"You didn't think I was going to forget about you did you?" He smiled weakly. "Starfire, where are Robin and Cyborg." She and Beast Boy walked around the desk and peered into the screen.
"They are approaching Calora; she has increased engine efficiency to one hundred and fifteen percent."
"Looks like I'm going to win after all," gloated Tyron up against the wall. Raven tightened her hold on him making him choke slightly.
"Don't count your gold coins just yet."
BACK IN THE RACE………………..
Robin avoided obstacles wherever while Cyborg poured as much into the engines as possible. Every now and then Val-Yor would rudely interject a comment about their ship or spout an unnecessary suggestion.
"SHUT UP OR JUMP OUT!" Shouted Robin as Val-Yor made another remark. Cyborg grinned and saw a ship appear on his forward sensor.
"Heads up Rob looks like we're coming up behind Calora." Robin stared ahead and saw the stern of her ship. "We must be close to the finish; I'm picking up heat blooms in her thruster coils. If she doesn't slow down soon there won't be anything to finish with."
"Then she's obviously desperate," said Robin. "Hang on." Not far behind them the ship piloted by Glgrdsklechhh's man was doing its best to keep up. Calora spotted them in rear scope and inwardly snarled. She coaxed as much as she could out of the engines but was forced to hold it for fear of overloading her ship's core. She glanced out the window and finally saw Robin and Cyborg moving alongside her. Robin waved with a mocking smile. She glared back at him and taped a series of keys. A panel on the side of her ship opened and fired a ball of energy at them. The weapon hit dead on and shook them about.
"A quantum torpedo," said Robin. "I'm not sure that's the universal greeting between athletes."
"I think it's the universal greeting when you don't like someone," said Cyborg. "Shields are holding, weapons ready." Robin purposely fell back behind Calora and targeted some key systems. His shots impacted her shields and inside sent various sparks about her cockpit. She drew back and in the same instant ran the side of her craft into theirs. The three of them jostled about and Robin responded in kind. Cyborg made a quick scan of her ship and found a weakness. "Robin, if you can get a shot off just below her rear deflector that would put her out of business."
"Her shields are at maximum," said Val-Yor as though Cyborg had said something idiotic.
"Nobody told you to start talking," said Robin completely ignoring his protest. He did exactly as Cyborg said and with one well placed shot Calora's ship went spinning off course. She cast a fearful look about her compartment and sprinted back towards an escape pod. She managed to escape her ship just as it erupted in a sizable ball of fire. Now aside from Glgrdsklechhh's ship Robin and Cyborg moved unopposed all the way for the rest of the race. Within minuets the sight of the large station came into view, where they would be greeted by a large crowd of onlookers. Starfire, Raven, and Beast Boy reached a spot with a good view after handing Tyron and his men over to the actual security.
"Here they come!" Said Raven. Having more fun than two human beings should be allowed to have Robin and Cyborg rocketed toward the finish line at full speed. They gave shouts that could have rivaled the large crowd as they moved past the green field. The only other ship to cross with them moved past it at a speed that clearly displayed the pilot's disappointment.
"What a day this has been for The Ninth Circuit," exclaimed the commentator. "I tell you folks this is certainly a first in Circuit history, Earth's premiere appearance in the race has proven to be is grandest. And sorry Simian didn't quite make it ouf ot the nebulas." Tobias held his hands up.
"All depends on one's will power, next year he'll do better. And I have to be honest I really didn't think two humans could navigate such a treacherous route but I stand firmly corrected."
"And you know what this means Tobias, celebration. And before we close tonight here's a word from yet another one of our sponsors. Celebrate tonight with a refreshing glass of Corilliean ale. Nothing hits the spot or kills more brain cells more than the beverage brewed in the planes of beautiful Corillia. Please drink responsibly may cause severe hair loss."
LATER AFTER THE RACE………………..
Robin and Cyborg walked into their rooms and were greeted with a small party. At least twenty five other invitees were present along with the Centari police, who apprehended Calora not long ago. Starfire ran forward and hugged both her friends tightly.
"My friends you did so well!"
"Yeah apparently this is a first in Circuit history," said Raven. "They're putting your names and pictures in the hall of memorable wins."
"Sweeeet," said Cyborg.
"So," said Beast Boy. "Where you guys having as much fun as I know I would've had?" Robin began walking him by the shoulder and shook his head.
"Naa it was really boring, you would've totally zoned out."
"Are you serious?" Robin smiled.
"Are you kidding I hope we get invited again next year THAT WAS SO AWESOME!"
"I SECOND THAT!" Shouted Cyborg high fiving Robin. "So are partying then heading home."
"Looks that way," said Robin about to try some of the crimta. He motioned for Starfire to follow him to the only spot that was remotely private. "Star, about what I said earlier...when I was all weird." She silenced him with a smile.
"I am not angry or embarassed, just surprised slightly." Robin nodded in both relief and disapointment. "But Robin what became of Val-Yor?" asked Starfire. Robin curved his mouth into a somewhat evil grin and merely ate the rest of his alien shrimp.
"And after you book my press conference with the Calamerain governors I need a flight to Sullust." Val-Yor desperately tried to keep up with Garan as they walked and Garan speed talked. "Ahh Diaana how are you today?" he asked pleasantly as they passed a woman down the halls. "Once "And don't you forget my appointment with Xanderbelt; I've been waiting for months to have my ears shaved." Bound by the debt he owed the Titans once again Val-Yor banged his head against the wall in misery.
The End
Maybe other episodes will be divided up. Do you guys like it better that way or do you not really care? I'd like to know. Hoped this turned out okay. Laters!