Disclaimer: See first chapter.
He was an orphan and the greatest racer in the world next to Racer X. Few people knew it because he rarely entered small, local races. He was a month younger than Speed Racer, with glass-blue eyes and jet black hair that spiked in the back and tapered bangs that hung over his eyes (think Yugi's style, but a lot tamer). His name was Rocket and he had a unique gift: he could touch a car and know instantly how powerful it was and what its capabilities were. He could sit in a racecar, and the moment the engine started up, he would know if there was the slightest thing wrong with it. Rocket had learned how to 'listen' and 'feel' a car through training with Racer X, then he'd taken the strategies and perfected them into an art other drivers referred to as 'whispering'.
Rocket was a friend to honest racers and a terror to dirty drivers. The young legend knew Tony Munick was one of the legitimate drivers even though Munick's father was a known fixer, so when Tony pulled in to the garage looking for help, Rocket offered his assistance readily. After Tony explained his dilemma, the Car Magician carefully and expertly ran his hands over and along the WindRunner. After running his fingertips over the sleek, black hood, the legend spoke while continuing his inspection.
"So, you want to win this race fair and square."
"Yes."
"In the WindRunner."
"Yes. What is it, Whisper?"
Rocket sighed deeply and shook his head.
"Sorry Zinger, but she's not up to it. Your father must have realized it too, that this baby's built for straight speedin', not cross country. She just doesn't have it in her. I'm sorry."
"Aren't there mods that you could make to her, Rocket? I want to win but if things don't go in my favor, someone is going to get hurt. I don't want that at all!"
Rocket patted the Forvettillac and grinned,
"Now you are talking my language, Munick. Now I can work. She'll be ready in time for you to pick her up and eat breakfast tomorrow. In the meantime, take the Rinock to Cyprus Point and warn Speed that your daddy is gunning for him. Then go ahead and take the Rinock for a spin. She handles exactly like the 'Runner will when I'm done tuning her, so get used to the config."
GOSPEEDGOSPEEDGOSPEEDGO
Speed was taking a break (his first in three hours) and was running scenarios in his mind for dealing with black ice, sand traps, and pesky reporters, when his peripherals caught movement to his left. Then, before the young driver could react, a very large fist lifted him off the ground by his collar! Speed tried to yell for help but all that came out was a strangled squeal. The boy then realized that the giant held him by his throat and not by his collar. I wish Pops hadn't insisted that I practice alone! Sparky stayed but he had to go get lunch because SPRITLE ate the lunch Mom packed for us! Speed struggled harder but the big man laughed and increased his grip. The boy panicked as his hold on reality began to loosen and his struggles grew weaker as the world grew dark around him.
Within minutes, Speed Racer went limp and the man carried his victim to the waiting Mach 5. The giant laid the unconscious, half-throttled driver across the crimson seats and taped a note to the victim's shirt. Then, the attacker left as silently as he had appeared.
Five minutes later, Sparky arrived. He looked at the Mach 5 and grinned, "Right where I left you." He looked at Speed, whom he figured was asleep. "NOT where I left you. SPEED! Wake up!" Sparky yanked Speed's head up, then gasped in horror as he realized that the young driver was more than simply dozing.
"Speed?! Speed snap out of it! SPEED!!" the faithful mechanic frantically tried to coax his friend back to wakefulness. Finally, the driver's eyes flew open, and not knowing anything but the fact that he was being pinned down by strong hands, Speed began to struggle against Sparky.
"Whoa! Take it easy, Speed! It's me, Sparky. Easy!" the struggling stopped abruptly and Speed began to relax, until he untaped the note secured to his shirt and read it out loud:
"Mammoth will finish the job if you even place. This is—"
"—A serious threat, Speed." finished a new voice. The racer and the mechanic turned towards the sound. Speed grinned shakily in greeting and Sparky greeted the newcomer verbally.
"Tony Zinger! What are you doing here? Preparing for the big race?"
"That's part of it, Sparky. I'm here to warn Speed that my father is gunning for him, but I guess I'm too late. I'm sorry, Speed. It's kind of my fault you got attacked and will continue to be attacked until the race is over."
Speed held up a yellow gloved hand, "Wait a sec! How is MY getting nearly throttled to death your fault? You've always raced fair and square so I have a hard time believing that you had anything to do with—"
"I entered the cross country race, Speed. My father wants me to win but you're too good a racer and he knows it. I will race fair and square no matter what, but my father won't. Mammoth has hurt more competitors over less than winning. He will KILL you if my father tells him to."
"So, what do you want me to do, Zinger? I hope you don't expect me to throw this race, because you know how I feel about doing that."
"No, Speed. You know I wouldn't ask you to do anything like that. All I ask is that you be careful from now on. Don't even go outside by yourself, even to wash the Mach 5! My father knows where you live so even your house won't be a safe haven. Don't worry, your family will be safe. My father knows enough about you that he'll leave them alone. One more thing; could you maybe. . .run the track with me? Please?"
Speed Racer grinned and hopped into the waiting Mach 5 and started the engine with a grin.
"Let's see what you got, Zinger!"
"Oh, you are so very ON, Racer!"
- -
The two racers sped off down the practice track, for the moment both forgetting about the threat as engines roared and driver and car became as one. Tony eased the Rinock over the sand traps seconds after Speed made the transition from sand to slush, gritting his teeth as the electric blue car shadowed the Mach 5 curve for curve. Tony knew that under normal circumstances Speed would have deployed his Grip Tires for better traction, but since this was a test of skill and not speed the grip tires stayed in their sheathes. This proved to be a disadvantage to the driver of the Mach 5, since his competitor's car was built for cross country, giving Tony a slight advantage and he passed the white car with an innocent shrug and a grin. Speed quickly regained the lead as the mud gave way to an asphalt S curve, giving Tony his trademark, good-natured wink and wave as he sailed past. Tony laughed and promptly passed Speed again only to be caught by the Mach 5 on the C curve of grass.
For a moment, both cars were neck-and-neck as they rounded the final turn and entered the Black Stretch. The stretch was one big piece of slick, 'black ice' and was a mile long. Halfway down the stretch, Speed suddenly spun out of control and swerved into Tony's path, barely missing the Rinock's front fender as he fought to bring the white car back into the race. Speed's efforts only made matters worse and the young driver was forced to use the grip tires. Once the Mach 5 was safely running, however, Speed retracted the grips and resumed his pursuit of the Rinock, his jaw set in determination and his mind set on finishing this mock race even if he didn't win.
As the two cars crossed the finish line it was Tony who was the victor, racing across the line a split second before Speed Racer. The Mach 5 was literally a hairsbreadth away from crossing first when Tony gave the Rinock one final push, bringing the car in first place.
- - -
A man watched the mock race through a pair of binoculars with a grin on his face. "Hey, Trace, I think ol' Rocket is at it again. Your kid is driving the Rinock and just beat Racer fair and square!"
"The Rinock?! Where's the 'Runner?!"
"Who cares? Boss, you're missin' the point. Tony just BEAT Racer in a MOCK RACE! This may be your link to Rocket! Give me the word and I'll bug the car. You could have another driver on a leash in two days."
"Do it.I'll take it from there."
"With pleasure!"
