CHAPTER 3: High Stakes in Mute City

After dealing with Goroh, Falcon
visits a club to try and relax...

Falcon took a good look around. He saw many lights and neon signs-par for the course for Mute City. He needed to find a club-he was quite stressed after his ordeal with Goroh, who, he was certain, would be competing in the upcoming Grand Prix. He found a club & pulled in, but he didn't see the sign:"Bet Races-CASH".

Falcon walked in and saw many familiar faces. Jack Levin greeted him as he entered, Bio Rex was gulping down an ale near the bar, and Dr. Clash was working behind the counter; this was his part-time job. He sat down and ordered a shot of intergalactic tonic (similar to whiskey) when he heard the door open. Silver Neelsen, a 55-year veteran of F-ZERO, was heading his way, yelling,

"What a scam! Bets of 2,000,000 space credits? Hah! What can I do with this 1 coin?" Just then, he bumped into Mighty Gazelle, the cyborg who had nearly died in the big crash four years prior, and the coin went flying. All eyes were on it as it rolled along the bar, and just as it started to slow down, Falcon plucked it. Neelsen went to get it and bumped into Falcon. He looked up &, in awe, said,

"You're the famous Falcon..." Falcon nodded, and Neelsen damn near had a heart attack. He gasped,

"Please, I beg of you-enter the BET race."

"Wha...? Wait a-!" said Falcon.

"Please...! Consider it an old man's last request."

"Just calm down, old man."

Just then, there was an announcement on the screen: "We will shortly be closing registration for the next race."

"The next race is going to start!" Neelsen grabbed Falcon ("Hey, where do you think you're taking me? Wait!") and dragged him to his machine. He pulled out his old racing uniform, which, as it turned out, fit Falcon perfectly. It was very colorful, and had Dr. Clash in stitches.

"Just perfect!" was Neelsen's opinion of Falcon's appearance. He got in the Falcon and was airlifted to the track. It had no curves, just right angles. Eleven other racers were involved, and Falcon started in second place. Halfway through the race, there was a ten-racer pileup. Dr. Clash and Falcon were the lucky ones, but Falcon was able to pull it out by an inch, quite literally. He won over 2500 credits.

Before the race, Falcon and Neelsen had agreeed on a 50/50 split. At the winner's circle, Neelsen tosed a bag at Falcon's feet, saying,

"Here, this is your share. Take it." Falcon was about to do so when he saw Black Shadow on the screen. The automated reporter was saying,

"Once again, Black Shadow is running riot in the Lightning Area. All citizens are advised to evacuate immediately. We repeat. All citizens are advised to evacuate immediately." Falcon dropped the bag and the costume and ran for the Falcon, jumped in, started it up, and darted off toward the Lightning Area, thinking,

Damn him. Will nothing stop him from wanton destruction? That was all he thought about as he approached the bridge connector to I-951.

TBC...

NEXT: Challenge of the Bloody Chain