Chapter Six:

Race To Settle The Past

With the help from Governor Nolan, Rally and team we're able to rebuild, and were also able to re-open the store on Christmas day. Rally decided to celebrate by having a Christmas party/sale in her shop. May, Becky, Misty, and Bill, all spent the day there. Smith had now an official job as Rally's assistant in the store.

The door opened: "Well, things certainly look cheery in here today." Rally got up: "May I help you…?! Sahara, why are you of all people here?!" She asked a medium height, blonde girl about the age of 25. She grinned wickedly: "I see you still haven't forgotten me Rally Vincent." Bill looked at Smith who simply shrugged, then looked to Rally: "I'm going to go out on a limb here. But I take it you two have had some kind of past history?"

Sahara acted surprised: "Rally, you haven't told them about me yet? Why, I'm quite disappointed that you haven't told them about your old partner." By this time, Rally was getting heated, and pulled her pistol out from underneath the desk: "GET OUT OF HERE! I do not associate myself with COWARDS!" Anderson hugged her and whispered to her ear: "Rally, that's enough. Just calm down, this is not a problem to solve with violence." Hearing his voice brought some sense back into her, as she lowered her arms.

Seeing this, Sahara giggled: "So I see someone has finally tamed that wild heart of yours. I think I've had enough fun for today messing with you. See you later Rally!" she spoke cheerfully as she left the shop and drove off.

May looked at her friend confused: "What in the world just happened here?" she asked bluntly. Rally let out a deep sigh, and gathered herself together: "Thank you Smith for interfering. Knowing me I probably would've shot her." Misty crossed her arms: "Alright Rally, spill it! What exactly went on between the two of you that made you hate her so much?"

Rally took a sip of cider before revealing: "Alright guys, I'll tell you. Before I moved out to Chicago, I lived in a small town called "Mokena" a few hours south of here. I remember the day very clearly. I had just gotten my license as a bounty hunter and was issued my first case with the Mokena PD. Sahara, was partnered with me for this mission. It was a small drug ring bust, something that I easily could've done by myself. But the powers that be decided it was safer for me to have a partner, so I went along with it."

Becky smiled: "Besides, you wanted the glory of your first mission all to yourself. I know how you can be Rally." She smiled: "Yeah. I was pretty anxious to kick some butt at the time. We got to the house where the deal was going down, Sahara's role was to back me up…But…When I kicked down the door and the gun's started blazing, she got cold feet and ran off. I was able to take them all down, but because of her cowardice I got shot twice. Luckily, May found me on the side of the road and took me to the hospital."

Smith pondered: "So your grudge towards her for that event still stands huh? I have an idea about how you can settle this. I got you this as a Christmas present, because you like racing. It looks like it could be more useful than I thought now." Rally was slightly confused, but took the gift anyway. She opened it up, and inside the wrapping was an entry ticket to Chicago's third annual Muscle car classic race. She grinned: "If there was one thing that me and Sahara had in common, it was a love for racing muscle cars. This will give me and her a chance to settle the past for good."

Bill laughed: "Two muscle car cats going all out for closure. This is going to be one fun race to watch." Rally couldn't help but to wonder: "Smith? Is Sahara actually going to be racing in this tournament?" He nodded: "Yep. She was the one who told me about the race in the first place. That she was curious if you were going to be in it. I think she also wants peace from the past."

Two weeks later on New Years day, Rally pulled up her GT 500 to pit road of Chicago Land speedway. "Welcome everyone to Chicago's third annual Muscle Car Classic tournament! This race will feature a special two lap showdown between the winners of the two five lap preliminary elimination rounds! Expect last year's champion Sahara to be a threat to go all the way again this year!" A rather enthusiastic announcer shouted over the tracks PA system.

Smith gave her the thumbs up as he approached the window: "Alright Rally. She's good to go. But be careful when someone comes up from behind. If the person moves to the outside suddenly, you will lose the draft, which will sacrifice both speed and handling. You qualified fifth, so that shouldn't be much of a problem." She smiled: "Ah, don't worry about me. Just think about how we're going to celebrate my victory." She replied confidently as the Shelby roared to life.

He sighed as he stepped back and watched the field of ten cars begin their pace lap. Bill put his arm around Anderson's shoulder: "Hey, don't worry about it. Besides, she never listens to advice given to her anyway." Smith nodded: "Yeah, you're right. Its just a race, its not like anything is going to happen." Becky walked up to them: "I wouldn't say that. I looked at the registration papers for this race. A man name Kai Keno has entered. I dug up some info on him, and I didn't like what I read."

Bill crossed his arms: "Come on kitten, why do you always have to drop the piece of coal upon us?" he asked sarcastically. "Because, it's part of my job to help keep Rally and you guys alive." she replied slightly irritated. Smith was curious: "Alright Becky, what did you find out about this guy?" she took a breath: "He is an ex Yakuza driver. He actually spent five years in prison for multiple accounts of manslaughter. He was also charged with murder, but that case was dropped due to a lack of evidence. He has since been placed under house arrest, supposedly going to rehabilitation."

Anderson didn't think too much of it: "I'm sure that he realized what he did was wrong, and is trying to fix his life. Its probably just a coincidence that he entered the same race as Rally." Bill sighed: "I don't know about that. No matter the conditions, if something threatens their organization, the Yakuza will call upon all their members to try and defend their ways. All we can do is keep an eye on him and warn Rally of the possible danger via radio..."

His voice was drowned out by the cheers of the crowd and the scream of ten muscle car engines throttling to full speed. Rally held her position for two laps before making her move. She quickly passed her competition and was in second place with two laps to go. "Man, this is too easy. All I have to do is pass this guy I have the checkered flag secured!" she thought to herself.

"Rally!" she heard a voice in her ear: "What is it Smith, I'm kinda busy now!!" "Its about that driver ahead of you. He has ties to the Yakuza, be weary of him when you try to pass!" "10-4. Passing with caution!" She tried to pass him on the outside, but he blocked her attempt. She tried to make a move on the inside, but again his reaction time got the better of her. One lap to go.

Rally knew she had to make a move, and fast. On the final turn, She tapped the back bumper of her opponent's Chevy SS Camaro, causing him to slide up the race track. Suddenly, he rammed her, causing glass from both cars to crack or shatter. Seeing that he was reaching for his gun, Rally took action on the straightaway by forcing the two cars into the wall.

The assassin's Camaro hit at nearly a head on angle, the impact causing his car to flip over onto its roof. At the same time sending Rally into an uncontrolled eighty mile an hour slide across the finish line, winning the race. Somehow, all the other cars manage to avoid hitting her in the smoke as they weaved around the Shelby. There was silence in the crowd, as they were concerned for Rally's safety. But after she took off her helmet and got out, a roar erupted from the stands.

"The winner is Rally Vincent!! What a finish ladies and gentlemen!! That was one heck of a crash but it doesn't look like she's un-hurt, and the car still runs!!" Vincent took the checkered flag from the stand, got back in and did a burnout as she headed for pit lane. She parked her car into the garage, and took a sigh of relief as she got back onto the ground. Smith came up to her: "Nice driving there. You're not hurt are you?"

She shook her head: "No, but I am still a little winded from when he rammed me. I had to put him in the fence, otherwise he was going to pull his gun out on me." Sahara came up to her: "Alright, I admit you're a pretty good driver Rally. I look forward to meeting you in the finals! After seeing this, don't think I'm going to go easy on you." Vincent grinned: "I couldn't have it any other way. Look forward to the challenge."

They spent the waiting time replacing the front window, which was nearly shattered from the last race. Rally was able to catch some rest before the event, and was ready when the track alarm went off, signaling the final race was to begin. She heard the announcer as she got into the Shelby: "As expected, they were no match for Sahara! Can she defend her championship, or will upstart racer Rally Vincent be able to pull off a major upset!? Everything will be on the line in this next race!"

"Gee, so much for no pressure. Shelby VS Shelby huh? This is going to be interesting." She thought to herself as she started the 500. "R-aallly! You can do it!!" May cheered on her friend as she left pit road. Unlike the first one, this pace lap went by quickly. The rivals glanced at each other, and then took off as the green flag waived. Sahara got the whole shot and the early lead.

"Oh no you don't." Rally floored the gas pedal, she wound up catching and passing her rival as the first lap ended. Coming out of the back stretch to the final turn, Sahara caught up to Rally and nudged her back bumper. This forced Vincent to move up the track, and allowed Sahara to pull along side her as they exited turn four. No one was sitting as the two came flying down the front stretch in a dead heat.

In a last ditch effort, Rally was able to get even with Sahara as they crossed the start/finish line. "Oh my!! It's too close to call!! We're going to go to the instant replay and decide the victor!" After the cool down lap, Rally and Sahara got out of their cars and looked at the jumbo tron on the track. From the camera angle, it looked like a photo finish.

"Ladies and gentlemen! The race has been declared a tie! They finished across the line at the same time! The trophy and bragging rights will be shared by these two young women! What a turn of events!!" Instead of going to Victory Lane, the trophy presenter came out to them.

Trophies in hand, they held each other's arms up high in celebration. "Rally…Thank you for allowing me to settle things between us. I've had a heavy burden on my shoulders ever since that day. Can you forgive me for what I did?" "Yeah, I think I can let it go now. But don't expect us to become friends or anything like that, I just won't hate you for it anymore. Besides, friendship ruins our little rivalry." Rally replied as she smiled.

Sahara laughed: "You got that right Vincent. Well, I'll be leaving Illinois after this, but we'll meet again further down the road I'm sure. See ya!!" She waived good bye as she got in her car and left. Smith and the gang walked up to Rally: "Awe. She left without us saying farewell. Did you two finally kiss and make up?" May half teased her friend.

Rally nodded: "Yeah. The past between us has been settled. But our rivalry lives on, and I look forward to the chance of competing with her again. C'mon guys, lets get out of here and celebrate." May jumped about two feet in the air: "Yeah, let's party for Rally!!"