Speed Racer: Race Against the Sun (Part 1)
[Intro Music]
Chapter I: Deja Vu
Havanna, a cool breeze wafts over Speed and Trixie, who lounged on beach chairs on the Cuban Coastline, "This is nice." Speed smiled, sipping his drink.
"We should do this more often...just when there isn't a race looming over us." Trixie looked over, winking at him.
"I know, I know." he sighed, "I'll make it up to you when it's over, I promise."
"How're you two doing? You'd better be relaxing!" Pops said, a big cigar hanging from his lips, the smoke smelling of tobacco and lemon.
"Dear, you can't just order people to relax." Mom Racer giggled as she held his big hand.
"I suppose." He surrendered, "I wonder how Rex is doing looking after Spritle and Chim Chim." Pops wondered.
Back at the Racer household, Spritle and Chim Chim creep to the kitchen as a menacing voice comes from the shadows, "What's that noise? I hope it's not a mischievous little boy and his pet monkey." Spritle and Chim Chim panic and run away, Rex chuckling in the darkness as he sat on a big reclining chair.
"I'm glad Rex agreed to watch over them, he's been trying hard to make up for being away." Speed said.
"I'm surprised he agreed, to be honest. Although, it's not like he's got much to do." Pops said.
"Speaking of things to do... where's Sparky? I hope he hasn't been working on the Mach 5 all day." Speed asked.
"No, we tuned the car correctly for the course earlier today. Sparky said he was going to explore downtown."
"Downtown? Alone? I wonder what he's up to." Trixie wondered.
"Probably checking out the grid. Wanna go for a swim before we head back?" Speed asked.
"Sure! I wanna get as much vacation as possible before we have to get to work tonight!"
Meanwhile, a festival was being held near the grid of the race, where Sparky was scouting out the competition. Nothing was going crazy yet, but the teams were working on their cars in their temporary garages flanking the track, the doors open for the public to see the mechanics and engineers tuning the car for this unique race. But one car caught Sparky's eyes, it was far smaller than the rest...and yet it gave him this weird feeling, so he made his way over to the garage where it sat, "Ummm, excuse me?" he asked one of the mechanics.
One of the mechanics looked over and adjusted his glasses, "Yes? Wait...are you Sparky, Speed Racer's mechanic?" he asked, the team suddenly perking up.
Sparky was genuinely taken aback, "Y-Yeah, I'm Sparky."
"Nice to meet ya! I'm a big fan!" The mechanics shook his hand one by one.
"W-Wow, I dunno what to say."
"Well, that isn't true, you had a question, remember?" The lead mechanic smiled.
"Well, I was wondering...what is that car? It's like nothing else here." he asked, pointing to their car, "It's a wedge-like a sports car, but it has a tiny wheelbase, I've never seen anything like it."
"Yeah, it has four-wheel-drive, too! But that's our own touch, Lancia didn't equip the Stratos with AWD in the factory." the lead mechanic bragged, "Our car is 100% function over form, there's nothing on this car that shouldn't be here. She's got a turbocharged 1.6 liter V6 making 190 horsepower, and a 5-speed gearbox. It may not sound like much, especially compared to the Mach 5, but we have all that power in a car that weighs under a ton. So it's light, small, maneuverable, and powerful, sadly your large, unwieldy, and heavy car can only brag about power output, but you know for a fact that rallies aren't won with power. Frankly, Sparky, our car is the perfect rally vehicle, and you're gonna have to go to very far lengths to keep up with us." The lead mechanic crossed his arms, smirking smugly.
Sparky swallowed, nervous by this team, "I wanna get mad, but he's right, the Mach 5 isn't going to be enough this time, it's not exactly nimble. This whole thing hinges on Speed and Trixie." he thought.
"So, may the best car win?" the lead mechanic asked, holding out a hand.
Out of respect, Sparky took it, "One more question."
"Shoot."
"Who's your driver?"
"Well, none-other-than your championship rival, Sparky."
"You don't mean…" Sparky was cut off as a small hand touched his shoulder.
"Hey, Sparky!"
Sparky looked behind him, "H-Hey, Lovelace."
"I see you've met my team's lead, don't let him get into your head too much." She chuckles.
"I'm surprised you're not in your normal car." He said.
"Well, me and Speed are close in the championship points. He's only beating me because I didn't finish the No Limit World Race. A mistake I need to correct. So I had to dig into the family savings and build a rallying monster. I need it to stand a chance."
"Wow, you're really serious about this championship, huh?"
"Of course, I am!" Lovelace snapped, "What are you saying? I should let Speed win?"
"N-No, of course, I'm not! I just never saw you so intense."
"Well, this just goes beyond racing anymore, understand?"
"Okay, okay! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit a nerve."
Lovelace sighed, "Just… let my people work now, Sparky. The Goldminter garage is closed." She said, walking off, her team closing the door to their garage.
"Phew...that was a little weird. I'd better let Speed and Trixie know." Sparky said, walking off the grid and jumping onto a moped to drive the short distance to the hotel.
Chapter II: Anxiety & Adrenaline
Back at the hotel, Speed and Trixie were all set for the rally, wearing their signature gear, "You got the map?" Speed asked.
"I have everything, Speed," Trixie confirmed, holding up her yellow and black checkered bag.
Speed slung his new duffel bag over his shoulder and grinned confidently, "Alright, let's go." he said before Sparky burst into their room!
"Speed!" Sparky shouted as he crashed into his friend, knocking them both to the floor.
"What the...sheesh, Sparky! What's the matter with you?" Speed said, brushing himself off as he got up.
"Lovelace Goldminter has made an entry!"
"Well, of course, she did, we're nearly tied in the championship. I'm sure we'll come out on top." Speed said.
"But she brought some new kit, Speed."
"Huh?"
"What do you mean, Sparky?" Trixie asked, concerned.
"She brought this new kind of rally car. It's tailor-made for off-road driving; the thing is easily the smallest in the field. It looks like just another wedge, but this is a monster, Speed. You're going to be at a big disadvantage on the off-road segments; it's going to come down to your skill versus hers. It's like her lead mechanic said, your only advantage is power when you put the two machines together off-road."
"Well, I guess we'll have to see about that. But the ceremonies are going to begin in a half-hour, let's get down to the grid." Speed said as the trio left the hotel.
The sky was blue and orange as the sunset, the sounds of instruments filled the air as people danced in the streets and on the balconies of their colorful homes. The cars were pushed to the grid by the numerous teams, a commentator stepped up on a podium behind the grid, "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen to this year's Carrera Contra el Sol!" The crowd erupted, "Tonight, the greatest racing drivers in the world take on the next stage of the WRL World Cup! In this unique rally, drivers have no choice but to push their cars to their very limits in a race between each other, and the Earth's orbit itself! The race will start as the sun sets on the horizon here, in Havana and will finish all the way down to Santiago, as the sun rises! But where a normal trip would take a little under 12 hours, we're only allowing drivers to take the main roads to hit their checkpoints in Santa Clara and Camaguey before finishing at the border of Santiago. All other terrain will be treacherous gravel and mud as these 20 cars tear up the countryside in complete darkness!"
Speed let out a deep exhale, anxiously tapping his foot, "Don't worry, Speed. I got you." Trixie comforted.
"Just do your best out there, Speed. It's going to be a while before you hit the off-road terrain so you can gap them before then." Sparky said, looking over to Lovelace's car, she sat stoically awaiting the command.
"Got it." Speed answered, getting very intense and focused as usual.
"Alright…" Trixie plugged an aux cable into the Mach 5's radio, "...Check 1,2."
"Check." Speed said.
Trixie flicked a switch, "Check, Trixie." she said.
"Check. We're good on this channel. We'll head to the helicopter and trail you two now that we're all set." Pops and Sparky said, having put on large headphones.
"10-4, Pops, and Sparky. Be careful." Trixie said. "Good, radio's working for the early segments." Trixie smiled as Speed closed his eyes and took some breaths, as the commentary recapped the season thus far, Speed's blue eyes darted from the course to Lovelace's car.
"We hope you enjoy the race as much as we have! Now, the sun is just about to go halfway down the horizon...we go to the grid and anticipate the start of the race. The beautiful Miss Cuba will fire the gun to begin the race!"
The orange and blue sky was a calm backdrop to the anxiety below, adrenaline pumping through the veins of every driver and navigator, "Trixie, game plan." Speed said.
"As soon as we launch, hit the belt tires. Lovelace's mechanics were bragging about their 4-wheel drive, which means they'll get a perfect launch, but with the belt tires deployed, I think we can match them."
"Got it." Speed said as the sun went lower on the horizon.
"Drivers, start your engines!" The announcer called, the usual roar of mechanical beasts echoed through the old and colorful Havana streets, Speed pressed the D-Button, deploying the deflector shield, so he and Trixie didn't get pelted by debris kicked up by the cars. All 24 cars revving their engines on the start in anticipation as the sunset reflected off of Miss Cuba's eyes, she took the revolver with both hands and raised them to the sky, her fingers squeezed slowly, one-click the hammer goes back, two clicks, the hammer slams into the blank cartridge causing a loud *BANG* as the announcer shouts with excitement, "...AND IT'S GO-GO-GO!"
Chapter III: The Narrows and the Jungle Stage
White tire smoke plumed as cars screeched on the old brick city square, all except for two cars, as Lovelace and Speed bolted away from the pack! "As expected, Racer and Goldminter are ahead of the pack!" the commentator exclaimed. Lovelace's smaller motor buzzed loudly as her smaller, lighter rally car passed the Mach 5 as they pushed their suspension to the limits, their wheels bouncing over the uneven old brick and stone roads.
"This isn't working out as we planned!" Speed said.
"Calm down, we just started. This road is going to bottleneck in 100 meters, your first turn is right-6, into the left-2 uphill." Trixie replied.
"Got it." Speed said, refocusing on the race. His hands were busy working on the wheel of the Mach 5, trying to keep it stable as Lovelace's car flicked pebbles at them, that clacked off the glass bubble. Speed heel-toed and downshifted as they entered the sharp right turn, this was when Lovelace gained a lot of ground, "Her car is so small, it's perfect for the terrain!" Speed whined as he took the long left turn uphill. The Mach 5 gained ground when it had room to stretch its legs and be run in full anger. Behind them, the other cars were bouncing off each other and the old stone buildings, sending sparks and pieces of fiberglass and aluminum flying all over the road.
"Caution, Speed. Right-1, over a crest in 50 meters."
"Perfect." Speed said as the two cars hit the small hill in the road, Speed hit the A-Button and soared over Lovelace, who pressed her brakes in shock. Speed hit the B-Button just before landing as he turned the wheel hard, drifting into the sweeping right turn; Speed's eyes darted to the mirrors, and he swung the car in-front of Lovelace's.
"Good job. We're heading back into a dense city area again, and it'll be the last time before we get to all dirt roads. This is our chance to pull away while it's difficult to pass!"
"Got it." Speed said as he led the pack into the old city. The crowds cheered as they stood on the side of the road, some braver spectators holding their arms out, hoping that they could feel the passing metal and fiberglass of the moving vehicles, "This is the only thing I hate about rallys." Speed comments as he aggressively moves the wheel, keeping the Mach 5 stable.
"90 Degree left into Right-4 into a Left-2 in 30 meters." Trixie informed before looking up from her map, "I know, I wish they'd put up barriers at least."
As they sped through the narrow streets, a man was watching from a rooftop, he was holding a large radio, and he held it up to his mouth, "Trick, this is the Cuban, they just passed the halfway point of the first stage so be ready for when they get to the jungles."
"The Cuban? What kind of name is that?" Trick Idler asked, sitting in a hotel room near the finish line.
"Well, I'm Cuban, and we're in Cuba, if we get found out about our plans, what're they going to do? Rifle through everyone on the island to find one man? It's called being covert, Mr. Idler." The Cuban said.
"Yeah yeah, just have the Razer ready, or you won't get the money."
The Cuban laughed, "Of course, Mr. Idler. The Razer is being prepared as we speak."
"Good. Then, may our driver win."
"Very good, Mr. Idler." The Cuban said as they turned their radios off. The Cuban threw the receiver to the street below and placed his hands in his pockets as he lit a cigarette and walked down from the roof. A group of his lackeys waited for him, "Get ready, boys. We're gonna take Speed Racer out, along with everyone who gets in our way." The Cuban pulled the slide action on his handgun and placed it in his gray/blue suit coat, the henchmen following him out. The Cuban, along with his muscle walked into a limo as the others flanked him on dirt bikes and followed the race as the last car passed them by.
"What're we gettin' involved in this race for again, boss?" The enforcer asked Cuban.
"That Goldminter girl is basically a princess. If we can get her, we can shake her father down and get rich! With Trick Idler and the 3 Roses Club's help, we can grab her, get the cash, and get out of Cuba, finally!"
"Where will we go?"
"I was thinking Armenia, something low-key."
"Sounds good, boss!"
"I know it sounds good; that's why I'm the boss. Now, we have to get to the Razer and stop Goldminter from coming out of the jungle section!"
Back in the uneven and chaotic streets, orange and yellow light reflected from the Mach 5's mirrors as some cars in the midfield got impatient and tried to go side-by-side, causing a pile-up! The series regulars that were hanging back in the field had to switch to plan B to try and exit the city and rejoin the track, it was a significant setback, and they would have to drive very aggressively to catch up to Speed and Lovelace!
"You'd think they'd understand why this part of the course is called 'The Narrows.'" Speed said, glancing for a moment in his mirror.
"Honestly, you'd think they'd save their energy for the highway stage." Trixie replied as she looked down at her map, "Okay …there's going to be a right-4 into left hairpin into a right hairpin that'll have a left-3 leading out into the jungle section."
"Got it." Speed said as he feathers the gas and brake through the last part of the difficult section.
Behind them, Lovelace shadows their movements, "Good! The jungle sections are where I'll get em'!" she smiles as she picks up her pace, getting right it to the Mach 5's sharp rear end.
"Most of the cars have gotten through the first stage of the rally through the narrow old city streets as they enter the jungle!" The commentator says, watching the yellow and red lights of the cars disappear into the trees as the sun disappeared totally over the horizon.
The dark rainforest suddenly glowed yellow and red as small animals and insects ran out of the way of the roaring mechanical predators flying through the dirt road carved through the jungle hundreds of years ago on their way to a small town where they could turn onto the highway. The Mach 5 was losing ground to Lovelace's purpose-built rally car, "I knew this would happen!" Speed whined.
"Of course it was going to happen, she built that car specifically to beat us, but she'll be a sitting duck on the power section, be patient. If you can get in front when we're on the highway and stay in front, we'll win. Just be patient and stay as close as you can." Trixie said, throwing out more directions.
The Mach 5 was practically sideways as Speed drifted around a dirt corner, throwing the brown-powder from the back wheels, catching up to Lovelace just a little bit.
"I wish the WRL never put in the rule specifically to stop us from doing shortcuts." Speed sighed, glancing at the C-Button.
"To be fair, some of the trees we cut through were in protected areas." Trixie cringed a little bit thinking of the time they cut all those threes during the No Limit World Race last year, and how the Mammoth Car did the same as it pursued them.
"Yeah, I guess so." Speed said as they reached a little straightway, "Finally!" he smiled, pressing down on the skinny-pedal. Lovelace's little wedge-shaped car buzzed furiously, but it wasn't anything compared to the raw power of the Mach 5! The white, blue, red, and gold sports car caught up to the rally car, the dirt road was too narrow to pass, but as Trixie said, that wasn't Speed's goal; he needed to stay on her and pressure her into a mistake.
Lovelace's gaze went to her rearview mirror, which was blinded completely yellow as the Mach 5's headlights flooded her cabin with light, "I can't pull away!" she panicked.
"I'm gonna make a move! Hang on!" Speed said, jamming his finger against the A Button. The four-hydraulic metal rods slammed the ground, Lovelace's eyes widened as the yellow-lights lit her cabin up in the dark jungle. Specks of dirt and pebbles clinked against her car's bodywork as her headlights became brighter thanks to the Mach 5 hovering over.
"AIEE!" Lovelace screamed as she slammed on the brakes, but the Mach 5 was going fast enough that even if she kept moving, Speed would've just cleared her. The huge white GT-race car slammed on the ground, spraying Lovelace's windshield with sparks, mud, and gravel, bottoming out as it landed before disappearing ahead, "This guy's crazy!" Lovelace shouted, slamming a fist on her wheel, pursuing to the best of her car's ability.
"Oof!" Trixie grunted as they landed, immediately going into a drift around a long dirt corner, "Sheesh, at least you gave a warning first. I hope when we get old, we don't end up in wheelchairs from all the hard landings thanks to the jacks." Trixie said, rubbing her back.
Speed chuckled, "We can only hope. That landing was a little harder than usual, though."
Trixie brought up a flashlight, holding it in her mouth as she shook the map, getting it readable again before taking the light between her fingers, "Okay, Speed. Here we go again, and there's another winding section coming up until we get on the highway to Checkpoint 1 at Santa Clara." she said.
"Okay, let's go." Speed said, becoming focused again, clutch drifting around another long corner before coming upon a crest, Speed stepped on the gas as the Mach 5 and the Stratos jumped the ridge one after another, Lovelace being able to stay right on Speed through the tighter corners.
Chapter IV: Comeback and Conspiracy in Santa Clara!
In Santa Clara, there was a massive party in the streets as the people awaited the racers. The Cuban and his crew had taken the highway there, "Status on the Razer?" he called into his radio.
"The Razer is in position, boss. How's the race?"
"They haven't arrived yet; I'll let you know when they do." The Cuban answered as he looked to the TV, "Hold on." he said, turning the TV's volume up.
"Here come the leaders, they're about to pass a clearing so we can update you...that Mach 5 is in the lead! Speed Racer somehow took the lead during some part of the stage, incredible!" The commentator said before the Cuban put the TV on mute again, bringing up his radio.
"Racer is in the lead, if he stays there, go for second place. We're not looking to start trouble with him; we just want the girl!" The Cuban said on the radio.
"Copy that, boss, we'll be waiting for the next update." The driver of the Razer said.
The Cuban changed the channel of his radio, "Trick Idler, come in."
"What do you want, Cuban? Sorry to inform you that my cars have already been taken out of the race." Trick's voice was angry, almost yelling at how his race has gone.
"Well, it sounds like you need better drivers." The Cuban cackled, "Anyway, the Razer is in position. I'm about to send out my riders to flank it, just to make sure."
"Yeah, at least that's some good news. Keep me posted." Trick said.
"Copy that." The Cuban smirked, turning over to his men, he nodded and the riders rushed to their dirt bikes, riding off into the night to support their secret weapon. The Cuban sank back into his lounge chair, watching the race coverage and sipping on a beverage, "I hope that this scheme is worth it." he said
His second looked over while leaning on the wall beside him, "What do you mean, boss?"
"I'm just thinking. On the one hand, we need to build a reputation here...on the other hand, I can't help but feel like we went in too deep with this one. Too big for our britches. But we gotta make that splash, you know?"
"I know. Don't worry, we get the girl, get the ransom money, and then we can use the money to build our empire here. You got this, boss. You're a smart guy." His second said.
"Yeah...I guess it's just nerves." The Cuban got up, "Let's get to the limo… I wanna be at the checkpoint in Camaguey." he said as he and his second left Santa Clara right as Speed and Lovelace were coming up on the city.
"Alright, Speed. I have the paper ready." Trixie said, handing him his checkpoint slip.
"Thanks." Speed replies, putting the deflector shield down. He stops at the checkpoint booth, brakes squealing as he does.
"I can't believe you got in the lead there, Speed." the checkpoint guy said, taking the slip and stamping it.
"It was a little rough." Speed laughed.
"Alright, here ya go, now get going!" The checkpoint guy said, handing Speed back the slip. The Mach 5 sped off into the city of Santa Clara to their designated exit to the second jungle stage.
"Time till the sun crests?" Speed asked.
"We've got eight and a half more hours, Speed," Trixie replied, looking at her watch.
"Cutting it close." Speed gritted his teeth.
"Wait...where's Lovelace?" Trixie asked.
"Huh?" Speed glanced in his mirrors, the modified Stratos was suddenly gone, "She either broke down...or she's up to something." Speed said, his hands working overtime to keep his car stable on the uneven street, luckily Santa Clara's main street was wider than Havana's back alleys that led to the rainforest.
"I'm willing to bet it's the latter," Trixie said, the path through Santa Clara was a straight shot, so she could rest her eyes for a moment until they got into the next stage. But right on cue, the Stratos's engine buzzed and shouted as it suddenly cut the Mach 5 off from one of the narrow side streets that merged onto the main road!
"Oh!" Speed exclaimed, slamming on the brakes, the Mach 5 slid on the gravel and stones as he gently let off the brakes and back onto the gas.
"Ow!" Trixie said as the Stratos pelted them with rocks, Speed pressed the D Button again, the bubble coming up to protect them both.
"Sorry, I forgot to put the shield back up, that was my mistake." Speed said.
"It's okay, but we have to get her back for that!" Trixie said.
"We will." Speed replied, stepping on the gas, getting right on the back of Lovelace's car.
Lovelace looked back, "Can't brake check, or he'll just jump over me. Gotta get a little naughty here." she said, she moved over to the left, giving Speed just enough room to get by.
"She's opened herself up!" Speed shouted, going for the hole.
"I've got you!" Lovelace said, as Speed got alongside, she swerved to the right, bashing the Mach 5 in its left-front fender.
"Hey!" Speed said, backing off from the little car, "She knew she couldn't brake check, so she baited me instead!"
"She's even making me impatient. But we should stay behind for now." Trixie said as they left Santa Clara, entering the jungle section again. But above, black clouds formed over them, extending their time in the dark.
Trixie got the map ready as drops of rain tapped the dome of glass around them, "Okay, Speed. Now we have to fall back a little bit; we can't have her slinging mud into our faces again, we need to wait until the power section coming up to Camaguey. So pay attention to my directions."
"Got it." Speed said. It pained him to back off of the gas, but he had to, allowing Lovelace's brake lights to be just barely visible in the rainforest ahead of them.
An hour passed, as the two became tired, the lightning was the only thing keeping them awake as thunder crackled following the flashes of blinding blue light. But then, a pounding in the forest caused Speed and Trixie pause, "Speed, what is that noise?"
They looked around as Speed drove, "I don't know. Whatever it is, it's bad news." Speed said as something else was snapping and cracking, and it wasn't the thunder; it was the trees!
"Should I, Speed?" Trixie said, hand on the glovebox.
"Might as well, you're gonna have to slide it back, though." Speed said.
"I just have this gut feeling that things are about to get more complicated than winning a race again," Trixie said, taking two .45's out of the glovebox, sliding the actions back, and loading around in each.
"What the?!" Speed said, the driver and navigator's gaze moved to the jungle where huge circular yellow lights came from the trees and slammed into Lovelace's car! The Stratos sent flipping into the dark rainforest! "Lovelace!" Speed shouted, slamming on the brakes. The two got out and looked at the ravaged forest and dirt road, looking as if a colossal beast had eaten its way across the jungle.
"Speed...we have to look for her," Trixie said.
"I know, Trixie. I'm just getting tired of being in danger every week." Speed replied, the two got back into the Mach 5, Speed put the car back into gear and followed the deep gashes made into the road by the mysterious vehicle.
Speed and Trixie had just witnessed the power of the mysterious Razer, the Cuban's secret weapon, to hold Lovelace Goldminter for ransom. Now, they sit stopped in the middle of the rally course, far in the lead. But will they keep this lead now that they have to take on this detour? Will they come back before the sun rises over Santiago?
Find out on the next episode of...Speed Racer!
[Outro Music]
Hey, everyone! It's Josh, the author here! Sorry, these later episodes have been taking so long to get out, I've been working on my novel series ("Special Defense Unit") that I've been selling on Amazon. So I've been pretty busy getting that written, edited, and the artwork completed for promos and the covers... it's been a lot of work, so Speed had to take a back seat for a while. But I've been getting more reviews as of late, and since I'm taking a small break from working on my third novel, I figured I should finally finish Race Against the Sun (Part 1). Now, for Part 2, I'm going to try and get to work on it as soon as possible because I hate leaving at cliffhangers. Still, I wouldn't expect it to come out like...next week or possibly even next month, and it really depends on what happens with my main series because I have a novella coming out in February. I just knew I had to get this out as racing season begins soon for 2020! Thanks for reading! Stay Tuned for the next episode of Speed Racer!
PLUGS: If you are interested in my other work, you can check it out by going to Southpaw-Comics on Facebook and Deviantart, as well as my website: southpaw-comics