The Art of Stealing Cars by Kara Tezla
Disclaimer: I do NOT own any of the Acceleracers Characters. although I wish I did
Summary: The Teku and the Metal Maniacs go to LA to race, but what happens when their cars start disappearing?
Author's Note: Wow, how did I ever make time for this chapter? Between Volleyball, School, and Homework, I'm swamped… but as they say somewhere-that-I-can't-remember: "The show must go on!" btw, ignore the lines that are at the end of this chapter, if they're still there when I post this, because my computer went wacky for a bit
Chapter Three: Bargaining for Woofers
"Mark!" Kara called, exiting her canary yellow Dodge Stealth
pulled into the warehouse that served as home for her gang.
"Kara!" Mark echoed, stepping out of his small "office", which was actually an old storage room. He was busy scanning a couple of papers that sat pinned to a clipboard. His mousey brown hair was messy, as always, and his black t-shirt covered the top half of his tan cargo pants. Green eyes looked up from the clipboard at her, his mouth curving into a smile.
"Hey," Kara said with a gleam in her eye.
"Wait," Mark said, his eyes finding their way back to the clipboard. "You don't need to say a word. I already know that look," He turned and started walking towards the main room.
Kara sighed. "Mark,"
"Ask your brother!" He said, waving his hand over his shoulder at her.
"But he's nothing like you, Mark!" She said, running after him. The best way to get Mark to do something was either to flatter him, or to bribe him, and Kara's mind wasn't exactly pouring out ideas at the moment.
"Stop the flattery, Kar, I'm not doing anything for you."
Oh. That was just wonderful. Now she had nothing against him. "Ma--"
"No."
Kara stopped walking and thought for a second. She would have to use bribery. "What if I threw in a brand-new Apple iPod mini?"
"Already got one,"
Shoot. "What about a new... CD player AM/FM radio with a built in XM digital radio and mini DVD player?"
This made Mark stop and turn around. "Where do you think you're going to get one of those? I've never even seen something like that before."
"I've got my sources," Said Kara, not even knowing herself where she would get something like that.
"Well, if you do happen to stumble upon something of that magnitude, then my answer is yes. But for now, if you're looking to bribe me, and you cannot find the CD, XM, DVD mix thing, then I need a new woofer system for my car."
Kara nodded vigorously. "Agreed!"
"But!" Mark objected with a grin, never looking up from the clipboard. "I must know what is expected of me first."
It was Kara's turn to grin. "Well..."
VVVVVVVVVV
All five of the Teku finally arrived at Racer's Cafe to see a dozen other racers all clad in different gear sitting at various tables around the room. Vert's face had shifted from the usual smile into a hard glare, not really enjoying the fact that Reverb had disappeared. Shirako, though, looked as he usually did, and if he was unhappy, he sure didn't show it. Kurt stepped forward as an African American waitress waltzed toward them.
"Kurt, honey! I thought you were never comin' back here!" She said, giving Kurt a one-armed hug.
"Mari! It's so good to see you again." Kurt smiled.
"Well, who are all these guys? Did you finally get a gang or somethin'?"
"Well, no, I joined one. This is the leader of the Teku, Nolo." He motioned to Nolo, who had now stepped up beside him.
"Nice to meetcha, Nolo,"
"And this is Vert Wheeler, Shirako Takamoto, and Karma Eiss,"
Mari nodded in welcome. "Well, hon, let's get you guys seated, then I'll see what I can find about grub around here." She led them to a table that had room enough for all of them, then she handed out menus. "Just tell me when you're ready," Said Mari, walking towards the entrance of the kitchen.
"Who was that?" Asked Vert.
"That was Mari Zaane, one of the 'nicer' girls around here."
"Um, 'nicer'? What do you mean by that?"
"Have you ever met a girl that's in a gang, Vert? They aren't all that nice, well, most of them, anyway."
"Mari's in a gang?" Said Karma, glaring at Kurt.
"Um, yes, I... think she is," Said Kurt, his eyes wandering a little. He snapped back to look at Nolo. "Who are we supposed to meet? Did he ever give you specifics?"
Nolo shook his head. "No, he just said to come here,"
"Oh,"
Just then, what looked like a teenager in a black hoodie and tan cargo pants walked in. Looking around, he too was approached by Mari and they started talking. She motioned to the table where the Teku were seated. He nodded and approached the small group of racers, who had silenced themselves. Even Shirako's music was off.
"Which one of you guys is Nolo Passaro?" He said, green eyes glancing from person to person.
"I am," Said Nolo, standing up. "And you are?"
A blank expression crossed the teen's face. "I am here on behalf of my employer... to give you this." He swung his backpack onto the table, pulling out a large envelope.
"Um... thanks," Said Nolo, taking it out of his hands.
The brunette teen nodded and left, he couldn't believe that he was getting a brand-new system just to do that!
Nolo sat back down, everyone's anxious eyes were on him.
"So? What's in it?" Said Shirako impatiently.
Opening the package, Nolo pulled out paper, on top, was a letter addressed to him. It read:
Nolo Passaro and Co.
If you wish to ever see your precious, expensive, and very unique cars ever again, I hope that you would follow the following directions very carefully.
1) Call the phone number included in this envelope.
2)Ask the person who answers it to talk to Mr. Tezla.
3) Mr. Tezla will tell you where you need to leave the papers that are included in this envelope.
4)Fill out the papers and leave them where you were told to.
If you follow these directions as they are, your cars should be back in the garage by this time tomorrow. Make sure to fill out the papers completely. You have my apology for not making the meeting tonight. Dinner's on me.
Regards,
K.T.
Nolo looked in the envelope, and there, stapled to the side was a $100 bill. He ripped it out.
"Whoa," Said Vert, his eyes opening wide. "What's that for?"
"That can't be for our cars," Objected Karma.
Nolo, who had gone back to looking at the letter, the name Tezla jumping out at him. "Dinner," He said absently, his mind wandering a little.
"Dinner? So he's paying for our food?"
Nolo just nodded. "Yeah, and I gotta call this guy," He showed the letter to Kurt. "Do you recognize that name from around here… you know, besides Dr. Tezla?"
"Actually, yes, I do," Kurt said, thinking. Everyone at the table leaned forward, waiting for Kurt to go on. Even Shirako's headphones had slipped down to around his neck. Kurt took a deep breath.
"The Tezla's are quite well known around here… partially for their amazing racing skills," He paused, wanting to build the suspense. "And…"
"Just get on with it already!" Shouted Vert. All the heads in the place turned to look at the noisy teen, and you could almost hear a cricket chirping in the background.
Kurt smiled, but as he opened his mouth to speak, it dropped of his face, only to be replaced by a look of subtle fear. "And, for their ability to steal cars right from under people's noses."
VVVVVVVVVV
"So what do you want me to do, again?" Asked Alex Tezla, Kara's twin brother.
"How many times do I have to explain this to you to get it through your pretty-boy head? Huh?" Kara said, who was absolutely fed up with her brother's "blonde moment".
"All I want you to do is to answer the phone when they call, and then look at me, and I'll tell you what to say, okay?"
"Ah, I know, sis, but I just love to get you mad." Alex said, grinning at his polar-opposite.
Kara rolled her eyes and punched Alex hard, but playfully, on the shoulder. "You better watch it, 'cause someday that sense of humor of yours is comin' back to bite you in the butt."
Alex laughed. Why did his sister always have to be so serious? She had been like that ever since their brother, Luke, had died. This whole "gang" thing had been his idea, and Kara had always looked up to him and Josh, their oldest brother. Then they were dropped like a rock into the lap of their Dad's brother, Peter Tezla, after their parents died in a car crash. He didn't care for the kids; he just let them all run free in one of the many mansions that the guy owned.
And when Josh was old enough, he went off and joined the army. By then, Uncle Peter was planning this whole "Wheel of Power" thing, and all of the kids were now teens and could drive. Kara was the best out of the three of them, but Uncle Peter always acted like he never cared. Luke ran away, taking Kara with him, and Alex followed, not wanting to be left behind.
It all led to this point. Stealing cars and making money. It was all that mattered to Kara anymore, that, and getting back at her Uncle Peter.
"Hey! The telephone is ringing!" Shouted Mark in his best German accent, pointing at the tiny cell phone that lay on the desk. Alex and Kara stopped to look at Mark. It was time.
There you go. Now to my longer list of reviewers applauds:
Wings: Yay! not about the site not letting you review, 'cause that stinks Hey, I never said Shirako wasn't yours! He is! But, hey, can I use Trin? She fits the profile of one of the characters that I'm planning on sticking in. j/w. And that whole fireball incident? Well, that happened to me! I knew exactly what it felt like to have your taste buds fried off. I've also gotten other people to try them, and I really enjoy the look on their faces! It's hilarious!
RacerBoy-Chase: It's cool. I didn't plan on it… but I wouldn't be giving me any ideas! Kara, being my own character, is sorta modeled after me and my personality, except my parents are still alive and well, and I don't really steal cars. lol.
Nikki Wylde: Yeah, I've seen bits and pieces of 6teen, but never really sat down and watched it. I'm more of a Cartoon Network person, myself. But get around to working on Sabrina, cause it sounds like a good story!
Brenda: Thanks! Reviews are ALWAYS appreciated! grins