Lani: hi...this chapter might be a little short, sorry, i was gonna add it onto chapter 2 but i didn't want it to be too long. i think its a good length though.
"Welcome race fans to another turbo charged season of high stake, high-speed racing." the announcer on the big screen said. "As usual, yours truly, G.T. Blitz will give you a pit row view of all the action as the best racers of the world swap pain in their quest to claim the Kras City Grand Championship Trophy. In the end, only one wheel jockey will claim the prize as the greatest racer in the land. And we'll be here to cover all the thrills, chills, and spills! This season's first race kicks off in a few minutes. So stay tuned and keep those engines hummin'." The screen went black.
"The first race." Jak said.
"I fear this affair will end badly." Samos said. "As a wise man once said, be watchful of those in front of you but beware of those behind."
"What wise man said that?" Daxter asked.
"I did!" Samos said.
"Look, none of us are happy about this." Torn said.
"We are." Brittany said.
"None of us care about you!" Torn said sitting down. "As I was saying, we might as well make the best of it."
"My father provided everything we need to win." Rayne said. "One of us can do it if we all--"
"Your father got us into this mess." Ashelin said. "So zip it before I come over there and play daddy."
"Well, well." came a voice. It was the man from the big screen. "I was told we had some fresh waxed rookies this year but I had to eyeball it for myself. G.T. Blitz is the name. I'm the Kras City Racing Commissioner and the star of the highest syndicated sports event on the planet." A camera hovered through the room. "I just came by to wish you luck and to skid down a few rules." The camera fell on Jak and he glared into it."No side bets," G.T. went on. "No cheating, no rule breaks or we'll break you. You in gear? This is show buisness boys, and girls. Only the best racers move up to the bigger events, so make me happy, and make the crowd scream."
"Let's race." Jak and Lani said in unison. Jak looked at her, but she looked away and crossed her arms.
"First off, I'll need profiles of all the racers." G.T. said. "To let the world know what new racers we have this year." Each racer filled out a form. "Geez..." G.T. said to himself while looking over the profiles. "You've gotta be kidding me. Can they get any younger? No one wants to see a bunch of kids on the track." Soon after they all filed out of the room and took an air train to the first race track.
---
The first combat race took place in the barren streets of Spargus City.
"This should be easy for you guys." Brittany said
"Yeah, since you live here and all." Emily said. Lani walked quietly and stared at the ground.
"What's wrong?" Trinaty asked. "You're not still thinking about Jak are you?"
"No." Lani said.
"You're not nervous are you?" Brittany asked. "You love racing!"
"I know." Lani said. "This is just my first real race."
"It'll be ok." Emily said. "Just concentrate on the road."
All of their vehicles were waiting for them at the starting line. Each driver checked their car before the race began. Lani sat in hers and adjusted her seat when Jak came over.
"Wanna make a deal?" he asked. "Don't shoot me, and I don't shoot you."
"Why would you go easy on me?" Lani asked.
"Oh, I'm not going easy on you." Jak said. "There's no way I'll let you take a higher postition than me that easily. I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I don't need help." Lani said. "I can do it on my own."
"I know you can." Jak said."It's dangerous, but I know you can win. I want you to go out there and show them that you can do whatever you put your heart into." Lani looked up at Jak. He had a slight smile on his face. She could tell that he was worried.
"All racers proceed to your vehicles." came G.T.'s voice over the mic.
"Make me proud." Jak said walking away. He went back to his car on the other side of the track. Brittany's car was next to his.
"How'd it go?" she asked.
"Good." Jak said.
"She said she's never raced like this before." Brit said.
"I know she can do it." Jak said. Daxter popped up next to him.
"You'd better get us out of this alive." he said.
"Don't worry." Jak said.
The light was a steady red. Then the numbers 3...2...1...and the race began. The crowd cheered as the cars sped off down the track. All of the racers were off to a good start with one of the veteran racers in the lead. But the real battle for first had yet begun.
Lani: i was gonna replay this level and record it so i can write down a good race in detail...but im lazy. XD you should know that about me by now. if not... IM LAZY! L-A-Z-Y...but in the end...you know what happens...
The fans cheered as the first car crossed the finish line, closely followed by the other racers. G.T. walked over to congradulate the winner. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't what he'd expected. Newbie Jak had won the race! G.T.'s hovering cameras followed to film the interview.
"You saw it here folks..." G.T. said. "At least those of you who didn't die yawning or switch to the bran channel. An unknown driver wins his first big race...in lack luster fashion." G.T. turned to Jak and the cameras focus in on him. "So tell us, what happened out there? Were you frightened?"
"No!" Daxter cut in.
"Well wait till ya race against the big name drivers." G.T. said.
"It gets worse?" Torn asked. G.T laughed.
"Much." he said. "Think you can handle it?"
"Give him a break!" Keira cut in.
"I'll take that as a 'no' or a 'no comment'." G.T. said. "And with that, let's take it down to Greaser in pit row. That's a wrap. Listen. I'm not getting much smoke off you guys. I need more spin, more heat! Ratings are down 13 points on that last race. Not happening. If you want to get in the club, you gotta win a lot more and you gotta win big! Accumulate serious points and maybe I'll give you another interview." He laughed. "If you're still around." G.T. walked away with him cameras close behind.
"Good work Jak." Torn said. "That's one race closer to keeping ourselves alive."
"Hey, has anyone seen Brit or Lani?" Emily asked. Everyone looked around but they did not see them.
"Did they cross the finish line?" Jak asked.
"Yeah, I saw them." Trinaty. "They made it alright."
---
Down on the track Brittany stood by Lani's car.
"C'mon Lan!" Brittany said. "Race is over, get out of the car already!"
"What's going on?" Jak asked walking up to them. He saw Lani sitting in her vehicle, wide eyed with hands glued to the wheel.
"Great." He thought. Jak slid Lani's hands off the wheel and pulled her body out of the car. She was trembling.
"You alright?" he asked.
"Can't feel my legs..." Lani said. She slid to the ground and threw up.
"Maybe this wasn't a good idea." Brittany said.
"She's just shocked." Jak said. "She'll be fine...I hope." He helped Lani to her feet and they went back to the others.
Inside, Jak told Lani to rest on the couch.
"You'll be alright." Jak said to her. "It's your first race like this. Don't feel bad, it happens to a lot of people."
"If she keeps this up, we'll never get out of this alive." Ashelin said quietly as Jak came over.
"Putting her down isn't going to make this any better." Torn said. "Be happy someone is risking their life to save ours."
"I'm not going to rely on them to save me." Ashelin said. "Those kids are only getting in my way."
"I would agree." Keira said. "They are somewhat in the way."
"We thought you said she could do it Jak." Ashelin said.
"It was her first race." Jak said. He looked over at Lani. She sat with Brit, Em and Trin. They were looking over at him, obviously hearing the arguement.
"Whatever." Ashelin said. "Just keep her out of my way. I don't feel like dealing with amatures."
"They're slowing us down Jak." Keira said. "We need racers with actual skills--"
"She's 15!" Jak said loudly. "What do you expect? You want too much out of them. What if you're first race was win or die? How would you feel? Their lives aren't on the line, but they're putting them in danger for us. Lani tried as hard as she could. Can't you at least be a little greatful? She's scared and I'm sure you were the first time you set foot on the track." He walked away from the group and walked toward the other girls. Lani looked upset.
"Sorry about that Lan." Jak said.
"Don't." Lani said. "I know it's true. I'm no help."
"Oh don't listen to them." Brittany said. "You have all season to improve."
"Yeah, we'll show them that we can race." Emily said.
"I don't even think I placed in the top 6!" Lani said. "What good is that?"
"Don't be so hard on yourself." Jak said sitting down next to her. "You were close. You crossed that line with your life. That's all that matters now." Lani smiled and hugged him. Keira looked up and saw what was happening.
"Great." Keira said. "At this rate, I'll never get him back. Need to keep and eye on that girl...She's messing everything up!" Daxter came and sat on the back of the couch by Jak.
"Ya know," Daxter said. "Except for a little rash in the nether regions, I feel fine. Maybe Krew was bluffingabout the whole poison thing?"
"Highly doubt itDax." Lani said.
"I had the bottle analyzed."Ashelin said. "Therewere traces of Black Shade at the bottom. A rare and deadly plant found in the Wasteland. We were poisoned alright."
"Father never cut corners." Rayne said. "Trust me. It's the real deal."
"Never fear..." Daxter said. "When the going gets tough...Jak will get us out of it!"
"We're just gonna have to win the whole thing." Jak said.
"Against those lunatic racers out there?" Daxter asked. "What're the odds?"
"You don't wanna know." Torn said.
"No offense guys." Ashelin said. "But like I already said, I'm not going to trustmy life to anyone but me. Just stay out of my way. I'll win."
"Well somebody had better win." Daxter said. "Or I'm going to be very pissed...and very dead."
Lani: and this is as much as I have so far. i can't say how long it'll be till i write more. I hope you are enjoying what I've got so far. Oh andi thank those of you who left me reviews that weren't rude and childish. its been a while since i got nice and helpful reviews.whats with you OC haters? 3 of these are actually real people! if ur against Lani, you're against me. XP
