Episode 5: Untamed Ace
Event 2: Race
Location: Airplane Graveyard
My still fucking cold tires clawed for grip in vain as my back end threw sparks over the canyon's railing. Not even 15 seconds into the first lap and shit had hit the fan faster the Tory could down a can of beer. I knew team Afrika was good but these new drivers are fucking head hunters.
My Severus skidded as the tanker truck Power Play on the left exploded, but it wasn't enough to keep me from opening the shortcut ahead. I went in shaky as a bright white Severus rear ended me. Sigh, the one time I get to race another Severus...why in hell does Afrika love Cobretti anyway?
"Monroe, you got the Power Play?" I asked as my car slid out of the shortcut's tunnel.
As soon as the words left my mouth one of the bride supports located ahead detonated, light years away from me. Though an unfortunate racer ahead wasn't so lucky. I tapped my brake letting the Team Afrika Severus past, the last thing on my mind is going two wide past the canyon edge with one of those guys.
Monroe and I careened into the chicane sliding side by side. Our cars caught a little air over the next hill before going into the next chicane. But my exit was a bit shaky as a bright white 530 GTS rear ended me. I peered back to see a Slipstream also in tow.
Christ, these assholes were not gonna make this fun for anyone where they.
We flew past the gas station Power Play just as it was activated; my Severus fishtailed down the road. I barely avoided the wrecking ball as it swung across the track.
"FUCK!" I screamed, the air brake on my Severus flew up as I slammed on the brakes and swerved left. I grimaced the flaming train missed my car by a few inches.
Tires screeched as pitched my car into a hard right following Monroe, who amazingly enough had managed to slip under the train Power Play. Our rev limiters whined as both of our car slid out of the corner. I peeked in my rear view and watched a the Team Afrika 530 GTS gave a violent yet subtle twitch as its driver shifted a standard transmission.
The road ahead light up as another driver had his car splattered across the track from the crane Power Play.
"That Pursuit was in P1, watch it Maya's got room the run now." Bonnie advised, "Keep it tight and don't let her through the short cut."
"Yeah, we know." I grunted as I tapped the blue button on my steering wheel. Maya, Monroe and my car slid sideways as the massive water tower to the right exploded. All of our cars grinded against the outside wall letting the...damnit. As I put my car back in gear the other two Team Afrika Cobretti's slipped past Monroe and I.
My Severus was barely able to get back up to speed as the airplane Power Plays ahead detonated. Still I was able to draft Monroe into the left hand hairpin. I floored it as I exited the corner, the engines on the helicopter holding the plane fuselage Power Play fired a bit too soon for my taste. The entire track shook as the Power Play rolled behind me. I breathed my sigh of relief way too soon. I slammed on brakes again as the track's last Power Play slid in front of me.
"Konani! Slingshot!" Monroe said.
"Engage." I chucked, not really sure why though. Monroe's Centaur slipped away as we exited the corner, my own car ripping out of the slipstream and into the draft of the Maya's Severus. We flew into the shortcut as it dropped-
"Oh shit!" that jump was bigger than I remember. Every part of my Cobretti complained as it bottomed out a little bit.
"Monroe?" I asked once my car had stabilized itself.
"No problem I'll catch up." his deep voice bellowed into my helmet.
Heh, I don't doubt it. Fortunately I have my own problem to deal with.
Smoke engulfed my rear tires as I drifted into the right turn, closing the gap on Maya's ride.
I shifted up and blew the tanker truck Power Play causing the white Severus to serve wide into the short cut ahead. The sound of my V10 echoed beautify inside the short cut's tunnel as I pasted Maya and gave the Cobretti Slipstream a not so friendly bum.
BOOOM! The rock wall on the right erupted into a wave of shrapnel, rocks, and fire. I barely kept my car on the road as the shockwaves coupled with the shower of stones pushed my car closer to the canyon.
"Fucking shit!" I screamed in pure terror, the 530 GTS had hit it brakes hard, blocking my patch away from...the...NO, not here motherfuckers!
Just like in the race with Tommi Lyn, everything thing seemed to slow down. I could see the brake rotors on the 530 beginning to glow bright red as I slid around its brazen kamikaze move. I could feel the back left spring of my Severus stretch as its tire left the road. My car vibrated violently as the under =side of its chassis grinded on the canyon edge, fighting to keep grip on the three wheels that where still touching the road.
And just like last time the moment ended. I tapped my brakes forcing my car to straighten out and off the cliff's edge just before the railing ahead could slice my Severus in half.
"Christ, Konani how much Amp did you have this morning?" Bonnie exclaimed, the relief obvious in the voice.
"Just enough." I said, nearly breathless myself. "Monroe?" I asked wondering if he had caught up yet.
"Kinda busy." his said, the sound of metal on metal filled the background. I looked in my rearview to find Monroe butting heads with Maya as they entered the chicane. But my focused quickly turned back to racing, gotta widen the gap. Hit my marks, watch the apex, not too much power.
My car slid into the sharp right hand turn with prefect angle, three more hairpin turns and I'm home free. The Severus roared as it sailed toward the crane Power Play and the entrance to next corner. I drifted past it with almost no trouble, my car rocked a bit at someone behind me activated late.
"Crap." Bonnie said in an exasperated tone.
"What's up?" I asked while beginning to line up for the next right hander.
Bonnie didn't say anything at first but then release a long sigh.
"I just received word that S2 wants you to let Team Afrika win this race." Bonnie said anxiously.
"What?" I growled nearly missing the entrance to the turn.
"They want you pull back or you won't receive any credits at all for winning." Bonnie explained.
"That's bullshit." I said angrily.
"They want you to back off as well Monroe."
Monroe didn't say anything but in my rear veiws I could see his Centaur let Maya's Severus past.
"You have got to be fucking me." I yelled, purposely going wide into left hairpin letting the remaining two Team Afrika Cobertti's pass me. That would have been fine but just as Maya's Severus drifted past I saw her blowing a kiss at me through her window.
"Aggrh! That bitch!" I yelled flipping her off.
"Bitch!" I yelled kicking the back tire of my car. I threw the 3rd place metal in my hand toward the garage's scrap pile. Or would have been our garage's scrap pile, but this was Monroe's garage so the metal bounced off the wall before falling to the ground.
"Okay I get that S2 wanted you to throw a race." KR said, he was sitting on the work bench in front of the cars next Bonnie who downing her usual cup of coffee.
"But why did they want you to throw so late?" he asked.
"The hell should I know? I had that race in the bag man." I fumed, "the bag."
"Well S2 has been manageable for the entire season thus far so something was bound to happen sooner or later." Bonnie reasoned.
"So how did your event go this morning?" Bonnie asked KR.
He held up a gold metal engraved with the Onslaught event insignia. Figures.
I opened my mouth to say something when Monroe's garage began to shake. Tory's Ryback barreled in and braked hard, stopping inches from the wall.
"Sup' guys, so what's this I hear about S2 Productions fucking shit up?" she asked as she jumped out of her truck.
"Konani had to give up a win for Team Afrika." Bonnie replied.
"Pffft, that's fucking hilarious." Tory said pretending to wipe a tear from her eye.
"Shut up." I scowled.
"Oh grow up Tenma." Tory said, walking over and giving me a hardy slap on the back. I reeled a bit, damn you and your man hands woman.
"You're lucky you're a popular driver, the higher ups can't pull that shit but so many time before people start getting curious." Tory added.
"But still it's a smart move despite how unfair this is." Bonnie said.
I glared at her but she was right, aiding Team Afrika or The Clan almost always results in substantial ratings boost.
"Hey where the fuck is Carter?" Tory asked, "wasn't he supposed to be here like 20 minutes ago?"
"Shut up, you showed up late too Tory." KR responded.
"Whatever, I'm gonna kick that kid's ass when he gets here anyway."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at Tory's comment, if you asked either of them right out they would deny it, but ever since Tory got on board she and Carter have been inseparable. Even though Tory seems to always be ignoring him, and Carter still tries his hardest to hit on me, I've noticed that when you see one you can always be assured the other is close by.
"Speak of the devil." KR said as Carters blinding white Katana rolled in followed by a light blue Cobretti Vortex with white rims and a Cobretti Cascade.
"What happened dumbass? You get lost?" Tory asked as Carter stepped out of car.
"As a matter of fact I did, thank you." He replied with a frown.
"Can we go eat now?" Tory whined.
"Yes we can." Bonnie replied, "someone be sure to watch her alcohol intake." she added.
"Fuck you Bunny." Tory snarled before getting back in her truck.
As quickly as we could we all piled into our respective cars and exited Monroe's garage one by one. Before I got completely got into my ride I stopped Monroe from getting into his.
"Your friends aren't coming with us." I wondered aloud.
He shook his head, "Naw, Carson and Manny have a race soon." Monroe explained.
And with that, we left.
Downtown Second City, the one and unfortunately only place in this god forsaken city that has all the eateries, clubs and recreational areas. I say unfortunately because the Downtown area doubles as part of the Downtown Central track for Split/Second events. That fact alone keeps even the toughest drivers around on edge. Why we do this? Well a lot of drivers have little choice since it's the only place to eat for 60 miles. I'm still regretting no bringing my Beemer and leaving it in the parking area outside the city. Drivers smart enough to have a second vehicle usually leave in between each episode, most of which head straight to Vegas. Me? I'm fucking stuck here unless I can find someone to ride with but that's usually more trouble than its worth.
"Shit, the cafeteria is going full swing today." Tory said as we were searching for parking spaces.
As a consequence of this being the only eating area almost all the crews come here to butt heads, show off their rides, or sometimes even start an impromptu street race. Of course an even worse problem arises from a big crowd of vigilante drivers. I can't seem to make it through without being hit on by every guy I accidently make eye contact with.
"Guys, over here." Monroe's deep voice flows from the secondary radio in my car.
"Whoa, check it out, Vulture Evans has his own private section." Tory commented.
Though Monroe's private section was a little far away from the cafeteria, we managed to park all our cars next to each other, but before any of us could step out KR stopped us.
"Nobody move." he commanded, I froze.
"Don't shit ya self Raven, whats the problem?" Tory asked.
"Everyone get out normally but check out the parking garage on the right." he said followed by the sound of his door opening.
I stepped out of my Cobretti as nonchalantly as possible while staring hard at the parking garage KR had pointed out. As soon as I saw it I turned away.
"Wow, that...how has no one noticed?" Bonnie said as we walked toward our group.
"Because no one is looking for it." KR answered.
Sitting on the second highest level sat the Zonda we had seen early when KR showed us the live feed of Port Bridge. But even more interesting than that was the two cars sitting on either side of it. An Assoluto Bisonte and Watson Revenge Racer, two unlicensed cars like the ones here in Second City. To see those two super cars outside of their respective cities let only inside this one was-
"Fucking crazy." Troy said, more or less finishing my thought.
"I guess S2 has been more busy that we thought." Carter added.
"What do you think Evans?" KR asked.
Monroe only gave a concerned expression before shrugging.
"HEY ASSHOLE!" a female voice yelled from behind us. Before any of us could turn I heard a fist strike something.
Monroe reeled back in pain as the woman's punch connected with his jaw, but instead of following up with another attack she slide back and stanced up.
"Bitch, fight me!" she demanded.
She was Chinese but like some many women around here she was impossibly curvy, not quite as ridiculous as Tory but still. Where does S2 find these people? But despite being Chinese she was on tall side, almost as tall as Carter. As if some other ethnicity diluted her oriental heritage, evident in her softer cheeks.
"Bad move ya cunt!" Tory said as she swung at her. But Monroe's assailant didn't even flinch as she deflected Tory's punch away and placed a knee in the blonde's stomach.
"Acch! Fuck!" Troy said as she dropped to her knee coughing spastically.
"Why are you-" Bonnie started to say before Chinese woman shot her a look stopping her speech mid-sentence. Also successfully stopping my need to complain.
But I know better now I'm not about to let that...er. Monroe shook his head at me as he took off his hat and jacket.
"All yours Vulture." KR said as he stepped away from Monroe. As the woman began to walk toward Monroe I ran to Tory's side.
"Are you alright?" I asked.
Tory coughed before pulling something from underneath her shirt.
"Fuckin'...bitch isn't gonin' no fucking where." she said as she revealed her pistol.
"Easy there Tory." Bonnie said as she snatched the gun from the still disoriented blonde, "Monroe can take care of himself."
Tory growled at her, but gave up as she sat up deciding it was probably better to watch.
"I've been waiting long time for this." the Chinese woman said, her accented finally breaking her English.
Even though I could barely see through his dreads I could tell Monroe didn't want to do this, but I intuition was telling me it wasn't because of the reason I thought.
The woman took one step before her clearly athletic legs launched her into the air. Like something out of an old kung fu movie the female fighter unleashed a fury of mid air strikes before landing and continuing her onslaught. What baffled me was that Monroe was keeping up, not even moving at half her speed he blocked, dodged and parried every one of her moves. The rush was too much for her as she lost her footing long enough for Monroe to thrust his palm into her stomach forcing her to slide back. She recovered with near superhuman skill as she back flipped up onto KR's Cyclone.
Unfortunately at this point a crowd was beginning to draw creating a wide arena around our cars and the eating benches next to the parking lot.
"Your skill is impressive Evans" the woman spat as she stanced up atop KR ride, except this stance was noticeably different.
"Why are you doing this?" Monroe voice softly said...not the tone he should probably be taking.
But the woman only growled before charging Monroe again.
"Monroe!" I commanded, he gave me look like this was the worst thing in world he could doing right now before carrying out what I silently demanded.
Before her next punch even got close, Monroe grabbed her shoulders and spun her around. He quickly finished with a blindingly fast bear hug from behind.
"The hell? Let me go!" the woman screamed as she struggled to break free from Monroe's iron grip.
It stayed like that for a good 15 minutes, long enough for the crowd to disperse due to an anticlimactic fight finish.
Monroe sat on the hood of my Severus as we gathered around waiting for her to give up.
"Jesus Christ, just stop, you not getting out of this." Tory said, now having recovered.
"So anybody want to take a stab at what this may be about?" Carter asked.
"This is Second City, it could about any fuckin' thing." I said sarcastically.
"True." KR agreed.
"You stupid black friend almost killed my brother!" the woman yelled.
"Sorry lady but that's pretty fucking vague, Vulture Evans has put plenty of people in hospital." Tory fired back.
"What, no I haven't." Monroe argued.
Tory quickly lifted her shirt in response revealing a long scar that traveled from her right hip and stopped a little below her right breast.
"35 stitches. Episode two, Downtown Central. That was my truck you wrecked the fuck out of." Tory retorted.
I instinctively rubbed my arm, trying to feel the stitches I had gotten from episode one. Thankfully they were long gone.
"Okay Troy you proved your point." Bonnie said placing her hand on Troy's forcing her to put her shirt back down. Then she turned to the unnamed woman.
"Tory's evidence is valid, but you have to realize that this is the name of the game. Your brother signed the wavier just like everyone else here." Bonnie said receiving a very annoyed frown from the woman.
"If it counts for anything, I am sorry." Monroe said as he released her from his grasp.
It took less than a second for the Chinese woman to turn around a resume punching Monroe in the chest. Tory moved to interfere but Raven silently held out his hand stopping her.
"My...brother's...in...coma...because...of...you." the women said, her speech broken with each hit, tears began to well in her eyes.
Her punches began to slow as the tears streamed down her face; she eventually collapsed into the man she was trying to kill, sobbing into his shirt.
Sometimes I guess you just need to let it all out, but there was no doubt that there was more to this than her hospitalized brother.
"Well this is officially stupid." Tory complained as she turned on her heel and began walking away. "C'mon Carter, I need some alcohol in my veins." she added.
Carter looked once at me before turning to follow her.
"So what now?" I asked aloud, "I mean we don't even know this chick's name."
"At least she's not much a screamer." KR commented
"Easy K, we need to find out where her garage is so we can escort her back." Bonnie said.
"Easier said than done Bon', we should at least figured out what she drives." I replied.
"FX...3...50." the woman in question said weakly. She stood up and slowly back away from Monroe.
Without another word she turned and walked away from us, Monroe began to hold out his hand as if to stop her but opted against it.
"I like how that problem solved itself." I said with a crasser than usual tone, I blame my hunger.
"Hm, well I'm going to go grab a bite." KR said as turned to go as well. Bonnie who was still looking toward the unnamed woman with a concerned face turned to follow KR.
"Hey. Konai, hold a second." Monroe said stopping me from following my other two friends toward food.
"Hey, we'll catch up." I called out to them, Bonnie said okay while KR just waved without turning around.
"Yeah big guy? You know I'm really hungry." I sighed.
"I know a better place than the cafeteria." he said.
"Oh reall-" I began to say before he effortless lifted me onto his shoulders. This was more or less our thing now since that little incident. I enjoyed the view, and I think he enjoyed the company. Either way it was a fun way of getting around.
I held tight as Monroe's massive form lumbered away from the cafeteria, away from the parking lot, across the street, and deeper into the city.
As we jumped over a series of dumpsters and fences I couldn't help but again be amazed by how well Monroe moved with 150 lbs of Hawaiian girl on his shoulders.
"Konani." African American said as we landed cleanly from what I swore was a 15 foot drop.
"Yeah, what's eatin' ya big guy." Oooo, poor choice of words. Damn am I hungry.
"Do you believe in love at first sight?" he asked.
I nearly fell from my seat. For two reasons, first being that Monroe was asking the question. Second being that the first person I thought of was Raven.
"Er, interesting question. Why the..." Then it clicked.
"You don't mean..." I started to say, but he answered my question by nodding his head.
Wow, it's only the afternoon and I already feel like I might actually need some beer to make through the rest of this day. I don't even like beer.
I must have said something aloud because Monroe commented by saying he couldn't drink anyway.
"Wait, how old are you anyway?" I asked just as the question formed in my mind.
"20."
I yanked his dreads forcing him to stop.
"What? How?" I asked.
Monroe shrugged.
I sighed telling him to continue on, I hope this place we're going has alcohol.
The sound of rain outside did nothing to ease my hangover as I rose from bed. Fuck, I've got to remember I have no tolerance for alcohol what so ever. How did I even get back to the garage? What time is it anyway?
I searched for my phone, eventually locating it on the night stand beside me. 1:26 am. Fuck, no more afternoon drinking. God I hope I didn't do anything stupid in front of Monroe, can't fuckin' remember.
I slide out of bed and adorned the nearest pair of clothes, sweat pants and a tank top...that..urggh, is clearly too small. Stupid fucking double D boobs. Where's a t-shirt when you-, ah there we go.
I found some socks, grabbed my phone and proceed to trudge into the garage. Maybe some Amp will get rid of this headache.
"Arrggh!" I whimpered as the florescent lights of the garage proceeded to slap me in the face as soon as I walked in.
"What the fuck, who's in here?" I asked as I squinted trying to locate who was in the area.
"You have no stomach for alcohol, you know that?" KR said from underneath his Cyclone.
"Shut up." I said while walking toward the fridge and removing a can of my favorite energy drink.
"Well trust me on this, it could have been much, much worse." KR replied.
"Mmhm." I said half listening, half having trouble opening up this stupid can. Without looking up a trudged of to our eating table and dropped into a seat. The Amp finally open, I took a swig. That's when I saw Carter.
He was sitting at the other end of the table, both elbows on the table, his face being cradled with his hands. From where I was, I could see he wasn't wearing a shirt.
"What happened to you?" I said before taking another chug of my drink.
"I slept with Tory."
Few words can describe the choking sensation I felt as my energy drink spewed from my mouth.
"What the hell? What do you mean you slept with her." I asked trying to keep my voice at non-yelling level.
Carter didn't say anything, he just sat there looking even more distraught.
Two minutes and one can of Amp later the shock of the information had subsided enough for me to ask Carter another question.
"Dude what happened? How did this happen." I quickly asked.
His face slowly lifted towards me, the expression he wore was a horrifying mixture of fear and worry.
"We were drinking...then it started raining. Really hard. We were going to wait it out in my car..." he said slowly.
I raised my eyebrows beckoning him to continue.
"Raining...I didn't really notice how drunk we were until it happened." He said.
Before I could respond he continued, "We fucked...we fucked in my Kantana. You can still see the fucking stain Konani." he said shaking.
Stain...wait, "Were you using protection?" I hesitantly asked. Carter shook his head.
Shit. "Where's Tory?" I asked. Carter pointed toward his Hanzo.
I got up and walked toward it, Tory was sitting in the driver's seat snoring. The jacket the Carter was wearing the day before was draped across her shoulders covering her chest and torso.
I couldn't help but put my hand to my face, this situation was getting worse by the minute.
"Hey Carter." KR suddenly said.
"Yeah man." Carter replied uneasily.
"If it's any consolation, I've known Tory for awhile now, and she's not as easy as you think."
"Huh?" Carter and I both said.
"It may not seem like it but Tory doesn't sleep around as much as you might think. Even completely drunk she's very selective of those she lets get that close to her."
I looked back at Carter who didn't say anything but I could tell he was perking up.
"And the fact that you were able to gain her trust that fast, is to me, astounding." KR continued, "So I'm pretty sure she's not going to shoot your balls off when she wakes up."
Carter breathed a huge sigh of relief before glancing at me. I nodded back at him, he may be a little at ease right now but then again we still don't really know Tory's opinion on the matter.
"Just a thought, but you might want to put her in an actual bed." KR said from the other side of his Ryback.
"Yeah." I agreed.
With somewhat renewed vigor Carter jogged over to his Hanzo an opened the door. He pulled her out as carefully as he could, straining once or twice he cradled her for second before making his way toward the living quarters.
Hm, my can of Amp is empty.
"So," I spoke as I sat on the table closeted to KR's Ryback.
"Puts things into perspective doesn't it." Raven said as he sat down on his car's hood to face me. He grasped a bottle of water he was that he had left on the top of his ride and began taking a sip.
"How do you think Tory's really going to react when she wakes up?" I asked.
"Like I said before, even wasted beyond belief, Tory wouldn't have let something like that happen unless she wanted it." KR replied.
"Carter and Tory, that doesn't even sound right when you say it." I laughed a little, but I still had a haunting suspicion the Carter might have wanted more than just one night of drunken sex.
The South African shrugged, "I like to think that everyone here, everyone that became a contestant in Split/Second is here for something different."
I furrowed my eye brows at KR for a few seconds before asking, "Really...so why do you think you're here K?"
"I don't know. I always go where the thrill is, hoping to find that thing that keeps me going."
Thrill huh, wait a second..."That decal you put on the back of car, the only one you reapply after each wreck..."
As I spoke he dug something out of his back pocket and showed it to me. I was right, it was the decal of a hand flashing the peace sign, Written underneath it was 'Have we met before?'.
"You were in the Pure Tour." I exclaimed.
"Only a hand full of drivers around here have this, only those who where in BRTV's first big event are given this." Raven explained.
"Wow, the Pure World Tour, that was like the SSX circuit expect with ATV's right?"
"Yeah, those where good times but they reminded me why I came to America, I was looking for something, faster."
"Faster eh?" Not something I would totally peg KR for.
"I'm surprised you're taking this Carter and Tory thing so calmly."
"Me too, as much as Carter seemed to be gunning for me in the past, maybe the thought of him going after someone else has put me at ease."
Raven chuckled, "So you think one drunken romp with Tory is all it took to completely forget you?"
"Damn, when you put it that way..."
"Don't sweat it, who knows, they do seem to hang out a lot."
"So how's my baby doin'?" I asked pointing to my bright orange Severus, trying for some reason to change the subject.
"I put a fresh set of wet's on, but it's the only set. S2 has been getting kinda stingy lately with supplies. If you blow one of these you're done for the day."
"Damn."
"Yeah but I did add something new." KR said as he jumped off his car.
He opened the driver side door of my Coberrti and pointed out a new steering wheel.
"Oh, fancy." I said dropping into the seat, feeling the new wheel. That's when I discovered two secondary paddles above main ones on the new F1 style steering wheel.
"I was finally able to get manual control of your spoilers airbrake feature." KR explained. Though he won't admit it I could tell he was brimming over with pride from his work.
"Goooood stuff man." I said with a rather obnoxious yawn, "I gonna go back to sleep."
"G'night." KR said as he went back to working on his Cyclone.
All I could muster was a wave as I trudged back to the living quarters.
God Amp tastes ever better the when you don't have a hangover. In fact the only sucky part about this morning is that fact that you can't see 5 fucking feet in front of you.
I strolled up to the open garage door, quietly letting the mist from the down pour outside shower me.
Rain, so much rain. Every driver got an alert on their phones detailing that the morning events were to be canceled until the weather let up. Nice to see even S2 has a limit.
I took another hardy chug of my drink.
"Morning guy's" Bonnie said with a yawn from behind me. I turned to greet her and froze at the sight.
"Lookin' sharp today, Bon'" I said. It hadn't even occurred to me how pretty Bonnie actually was. Well that and the fact she usually always wearing a jacket and baggy pants. But today she sported a black business skirt that ended 3/4th down her thigh and a white blouse that revealed just the right amount to cleavage to be sexy yet subtle. Her shinny brunette hair was down and around her shoulders instead in the usual pony tail. To top it all off were some rather aggressive solid back 4 inch heels.
From his position of leaning against the side of his Ryback KR gave a low whistle.
"Wow, thanks guys. You sure you think it's not too much." Bonnie said nervously tugging at her skirt a bit.
"Don't know, what the occasion anyway?" I asked.
"Media, a couple of big magazines want to interview the crew chiefs." she replied before taking a sip of her coffee.
"Speaking of the media, you guys know Afrika is still calling us out." KR said as he walked up to us.
"Don't remind me man, it's bad enough S2 has their back know." I groaned.
"I've been thinkin' about that actually." Raven said.
"Time out K, I know that face, that's your scheming face." I said, shooting him a glare.
"Too late." KR said with a smirk.
"It's not like we didn't expect something like this to happen eventually." Bonnie added.
"Yeah I guess even for an entire production team some habits die hard." I said.
"I know, I know, something just isn't sitting right with though. I want to find out-"
"Somebody hide me!" Carter screamed as he sprinted out of the living. He almost slipped on the rain sprayed floor near the open garage door before diving behind his Hanzo.
"I'm gonna guess that means Tory is awake." I laughed a bit. But soon shut up as the next person came barreling in.
Tory was fucking pissed. You could hear her teeth grind as she stomped into the garage. What scared me is the fact that she came in pistol first. And while Carter had managed to at least get a new racing suit on, Tory came in wearing nothing but black panties and Carter's jacket. The blonde must have thought she was clever because the handgun now had a silencer attacted.
"Where the fuck is he?" Tory growled as she finally caught site of the group.
"Good morning to you too." Bonnie said while taking another sip of her coffee.
"Shut up, ya stupid bitch. Don't be jealous just 'cause your body ain't this hard." Tory scoffed looking at Bonnie's clothing before moving on where our cars were parked.
I wasn't even going to lie, I was a little jealous of Bonnie myself. She could still look beautiful with needing a ridiculously curvy body like Tory and to a lesser extent me.
"You know you taking this rather calmly." Bonnie said to KR as Tory crept closer to the Katana.
"Yeah man, even I'm starting to get a little worried." I added.
"Trust me it's fine." Kr said, "We should probably be worrying more about Event 4."
"THERE YOU ARE! You ass-faced cunt, I'm gonna make you eat your own dick off!" Tory yelled.
With speed I never thought possible, Carter vaulted over his car and made a b-line toward us. He would have made it too had Tory not thrown a chair at him.
Man I such a terrible person, half of me was truly fearing for Carter but the other just wanted to laugh.
"Stay down ya little faggot." Tory barked as she lunged onto Carter's stomach grabbing his neck and forcing his head to the floor with the barrel of his gun.
"Chill out Tory, you're not going to kill him." KR said. The blonde hesitanted long enough for everyone to notice.
"And you the fuck not?" she growled.
"We for starters the safety on your Desert Eagle is still on." KR said smiling a bit.
Tory didn't say anything as she just looked back down. She repositioned her gun and tightened her grip around Carter's neck.
"And why are you going to kill this guy over a one night fling? You've done this countless times before without needing to murder somebody. " KR continued.
Either she's been backed into a corner or just blown a fuse, regardless I've never heard Tory quiet for this long while under fire.
"Acck, do I get a say in this?" Carter couched through Tory's grip on his throat.
"Actually that sounds like a great idea." Bonnie agreed, Tory shot her a look that could have killed the average person.
"Christ Tory, you think I would have done this had I known you'd be this fucking pissed at me?" Carter said while forcing Tory's hand off of his neck.
You could tell Tory was trying to think of a retort, but still she froze up.
"C'mon Wheeler, we may have only been friends for a short time, but we're still mean we're friends. Right?" Carter said with a surprising amount of maturity.
That did it. It was as if the word "friend" was the trigger she needed to be set off.
Tory dropped her gun and brought her now free hand back, balling it into a fist.
KR released and impatient sigh as he stepped forward grabbing Tory roughly by her extended arm, yanking her off of Carter.
"Stay out of this Kam-" She started to yell before Raven cut her off.
"Oh grow the fuck up Tory this is as much your fault as it is his!" KR barked, "at least Carter was mature enough to apologize, but instead you have to make a big fuckin' deal out of something I'm pretty sure you're okay with."
"OKAY WITH-? Why would I want to fuck this little maggot?" Tory barked back.
"You tell us." Bonnie said calmly.
Tory was going to say something but it was cut off by the sound of a supercharged V8. Monroe's Centaur rolled in dripping rain as it parked next to Carter's Katana.
"This a bad time?" he asked as his massive form stepped out of the Cobretti.
"No, of course not." I replied comically waving my hand to dismiss the scene before him.
"Nice to see to you Monroe, is anyone behind you?" Bonnie asked.
"Yep." He said as he walked toward the group, offering a hand to help Carter up.
Seconds later the garage was filled with even an even louder noise as two more vehicles pulled in.
Lyn's 440 Ultimate came to a stop beside KR Ryback followed by the unmistakable paint job of Brawn's Elite 440 Special.
"Well, I have an interview to do." Bonnie said as she tossed KR and unrecognized set of keys.
Before anyone could say anything she left for the living quarters, quickly making her way to the front exit.
"Okay, since I'm obviously out of the loop you wanna fill me in?" I asked KR.
"No problem, but first go put on some clothes." KR said glaring at Tory. She complied while flipping off the entire group upon her departure.
"Wow, what's her deal?" Tommi asked as she strolled up.
"Grown up stuff kiddo." I replied patting her on the shoulder, she frowned.
"I'm surprised you manage to convince an Elite to show." KR said.
"Well I couldn't find Vixen but Brawn said he would do it." Lyn said with a smile.
My heart skipped a beat. Vixen? He wanted Vixen? Why did he want her...does that mean they...NO!"
"You guys mind if I smoke." said a muscle toned man as he walked up to the group. Though not overtly muscular, Brawn looked the part of what his stage name suggested. And he made no effort to hide it in his top black tank top. In fact the only racing paraphernalia Brawn wore were the pants and gloves. A pair of blue sunglasses rested on top of his short buzz cut.
He scratched his goatee for a moment before fishing in his back pocket and retrieving a pack of cigarettes. He offered it around to the group, when everyone refused he shrugged and lit one up.
"So what's up K?" I hesitantly asked...Vixen...
Stop it Konani, this is not the time...
"Well because of Monroe," KR said giving the tall man a look, "Afrika and The Clan are going to start getting worst sooner or later."
"So you think it's gonna be sonner?" Carter asked.
"Naw, ol' K'aged Rage is going at how he used to." Brawn said with cynical laugh.
"How do you know the name?" KR quickly replied.
"Brah, you weren't the only wheelman in Miami." Brawn said with a puff of smoke.
K'aged Rage, or I guess Caged Rage, so that's where KR comes from. And here I thought it was something to do with his name Raven Kamau...which would have kinda made sense.
"Oh don't think I don't know 'bout you too Vultu'ch." Brawn said sending a smirk toward Monroe.
Unlike KR, Monroe made sure to keep whatever he was feeling behind his dreads.
"In fact I think the only ones who haven't raced a little dirty around here would be the ladies." Brawn continued.
Wow, sheesh I guess that is true...wait what about Carter?
"Thanks for that Brawn, may I continue?" Raven said with a bit of a scowl. The Elite chuckled to himself before waving KR on.
"As you can see I wanted to put together the most stacked team I could before the next race." KR explained.
"You wanna hit Afrika and The Clan before they hit us." I reasoned.
"Bingo." Brawn chimed in.
"Well damn, can't argue with the result." Carter commented, taking time to look at the group.
"Whoa shit!" Tory voice echoed throughout the garage.
"Goddamn, I'm gone for 5 fuckin' minutes and Elite Jr and Brawn show up?" the blonde exclaimed.
"Yeah, and your probably not going to need that racing suit." KR said.
"What?" Tory replied with a frown.
Raven tossed Carter the keys that Bonnie had given him earlier.
"While most people around here would let Tenma and Evan's last race go, somethin' else just doesn't sit right with me." KR spoke.
"Are, are these what I think they are?" Carter said, suddenly unable to control his excitement.
"You know it man, I just finished fixing it up." KR replied.
"Hell yes!" Mattew's yelled as his sprinted into the living quarters.
"What the fuck is he so happy about?" Tory asked, somewhat taking the words right out of my mouth.
I almost jumped at the high pitch squeal of an engine being fired within the living area.
My mouth dropped as Carter rolled back in on solid white Suzuki Hayabusa. Save the back and red kanji that decorated the side of the bike. Even the aftermarket rims where a blinding white.
"Where have you guys been hiding that?" I immediately asked.
"That Konani, is a secret." Carter said with a huge grin, but it quickly faded.
"The only reason you're letting me use my bike is 'cause you want me to do something right?" Carter said.
"Go find out something, I don't care what, but is S2 is doing something I wanna know." KR commanded.
"Can I keep my bike afterwards?"
"We'll see."
Carter did a small fist pump and mouthed "yes" to himself.
"Wait, you expect me to believe this dumbass, who barely drive his own car, can ride a bike?" Tory said laughing.
Well that certainly made sense...
"Don't laugh too hard, you're going with him." KR said.
Tory ceased laughing.
"You can't be fuckin' serious." Tory snarled.
"Someone's got to let Brawn take their place in the next race. Plus I figure you and Carter could use some alone time." Raven replied, not budging an inch as Tory began to stare him down.
"That's bullshit why don't you make Tenma or somebody do it." Tory said enraged.
"KR's lookin' for a team player missy, and I've seen how you drive, you're better off going with biker boy over here." Brawn said.
Tory swirled around and took a step toward the Elite as if ready to throw down, but she took a look a Carter, then back at Brawn, and gave up.
"Gonna need some fuckin' beer." She mumbled as she trudged back toward the living quarters.
She returned moments later out of her racing suit and into denim shorts, boots, a t-shirt, and a rain coat.
"I'm gonna fuckin' remember this Raven." Tory hissed at KR before sitting behind Carter on his Hayabusa.
Opting against a helmet, Carter put on some matching white sport sunglasses. I'd be lying if I said he didn't look good sitting on his motorcycle in a matching white racing suit and shades.
"Hey Carter!" KR called out to him.
"Yeah?"
"Show Wheeler how you really drive."
Tory rolled her eyes while Carter just smiled to himself. The bike fired back up with a roar.
It's pilot revved it a few times before...no fucking way.
Like it had been rehearsed a thousand times, Carter shot forward from his burnout and pitched the bike sideways power sliding it through the garage door and out into the rain. The twin exhaust pipes spat a little flame before the Suzuki sped away.
"Any else think that was pretty freakin' cool?" Tommi asked.
No doubt.
"So what know K?" I asked.
"Isn't it obvious, we're gonna go play Spilt/Second." he replied with a canine bearing smile.
You know that say people say when they claim that rain is soothing or something like that? It's a fucking lie.
I've been sitting at Airport Terminal's Start/Finish line for 20 minutes now and the only fucking thing that keeps popping up in my head is Vixen.
Why would K want her to be part of our little team anyway? Stupid Vixen and her stupid racing high heels. If I see her again I'm gonna smack the Brazilian off her face.
"You been mumbling for a pretty long time Konani. What's wrong?" Bonnie's voice suddenly filled my helmet.
Damnit Bonnie, why do you have to be so caring? That not even the worst part, I know for a fact I could ask KR what's between him and Vixen and I he would tell me...but I can't...
"I'm cool Bon', so how was the interview?" I asked trying my hardest to sound calm.
"About as boring as you'd expect, but thus is the life of the crew chief." Bonnie said with a chuckle.
Vixen and KR...
"How are Afirka and The Clan shaping up?" KR voice asked across the radio.
"About as bad as we expected, Maya Strong and Marvin Maverick are starting in positions one and two, three from each of their crew are scattered up and down the line giving their force a grand total of eight drivers." Bonnie answered.
"Goddamn, that's a third of the field, and here I thought S2 was supposed to at least keep the Elites in the know." Brawn laughed.
Well at least I'm gald to see Brawn isn't an asshole like his brother. But he did raise an interesting point.
"No big deal, these guys won't even know what hit 'em." Lyn's peppy voice echoed across our headset's
"Big talk little lady, this won't be like your first race in the Canyon." Brawn advised.
"Brawn's right, stick with him for this race, Lyn." KR added.
I could almost hear her frown of discontentment.
"Green in 30 guys, look alive, just because there's an Elite here doesn't mean this race is in the bag." Bonnie said.
Brawn laughed to himself.
I pulsed the accelerator to my Severus letting the engine's power sway the car.
Gotta stop thinking about Vixen, this is not the zone I need to be in babe.
An image of Maya Strong blowing a kiss to me off earlier this week seeped into my mind.
Yeah, that's more like it...
The light array flashed yellow, yellow.
"Hit 'em hard guys, and good luck." Bonnie said as the lights flashed green.
Event 4: Race
Location: Airport Terminal
Even in the rain my car's superior acceleration boosts me from 4th to 3rd, and I wasted no time giving Marvin's Ryback a hardy bump.
"Nice, don't let either of them switch the first route." KR replied.
No problem, I rode the black Vulcan's bumper through the large chicanes before Monroe voiced a warning, the right hand taxi Power Play detonated causing our hyper cars to slide. The rain muffled the explosion behind us as a driver behind eat a mouth full of flaming cars.
"Excuse me." Tommi said as her car flew past and entered sharply into the next corner.
I yanked my e-brake as well adding to the already wondrous sound of multiple cars drifting cleanly into a turn. I traded a little paint with a Clan Firestorm before sliding into the next gentle right hand curve.
"Lyn!" KR started to complain at the girl decision to take the lead, but Brawn stopped him.
"You didn't really think she'd stay back here for long did you?" he asked.
Christ, the race just started.
KR just sighed before saying "Gas Station!"
The once prefect station erupted into fire, its metal structure peeling away like a flower. My suspension complained as I cut across the road and into the shortcut, the Power Play's latency wouldn't allow it to be activated anytime soon.
"Open wide!" I growled as I activated one of the waiting bus Power Plays, Maya's ride lifted a bit from the shockwaves. I would have followed up but Brawn sped past giving the white Severus a ram forcing them both to spin.
"TENMA, next bus!" Brawn demanded, I tapped the blue button on my wheel again. But instead of spinning Brawn and Maya even further, four controlled blue streams of something spat upward from Brawn's Elite 440. His exhaust pipes didn't just spit flames; it powered them out as the sound of his engine when from a low growl to a high pitched whine. Not only did the shockwave from the Power Play not affect his car, he even put a dent in the flaming bus as he scrapped past it.
"What the hell was that?" I asked while as sailed past Maya who had managed to stabilize herself after losing a significant amount of speed.
"The car can artificially increase its weight by using 4 turbo fans to increase down force." Bonnie said in astonishment.
"That's the mod baby, and I must say I love it now that I've had a chance to use it." Brawn said with a chuckle.
As we sailed past the Tower Route Switch, Brawn activated his upgrade again and locked his brakes stopping him almost instantly.
I barely avoided him as my car slide through the turn, the Clan Firestorm wasn't so lucky. With no way to stop or change direction the black Ryback clipped the back of the immovable Elite spinning the car into the air and colliding with the guard rail.
"You could give me a warning." I fumed.
Brawn only laughed back. At least he was enjoying himself.
As I slide into the sharp right hander I could hear KR's Cyclone and Monroe's Centaur creeping up.
Monroe past me as we swung our car's into the follow up left hand hairpin. Up ahead Lyn was flanking Maverick's Vulcan while fighting his two wingmen all the way into the tunnel.
I held my breath and shifted up as we entered the tunnel as well, but curiously nothing was activated.
"Two of Afrika's drivers just formed up on Maya behind you, it's probably going to start getting ugly now." Bonnie informed.
"'Bout time." KR said, "Lyn hit the Route Switch!"
"On it." she replied followed by the rumble of the Start/Finish line.
The rain did nothing to diminish the theatrics of Airport Terminal's technically first Route Switch Power Play. Fire, sparks, and dark smoke shot skyward as the road ahead collapsed into the underground parking garage. Monroe, Raven and I went three wide over the gap, sparks showered the flames behind us as we landed in unison.
We were barely a fourth of the way through the garage when I could feel the ground rumble again.
"Brawn just switched the route again." Bonnie explained.
"Perfect." KR said, "Tenma, Evans, split 'em up. Lyn, hit 'em hard!"
Out of the 90 degree left corner, Monroe and I slide in between the custom Coyote and Cyclone RS behind Marvin's Vulcan.
"Two down." Raven said with a growl as he activated the car Power Plays on either side of the garage.
It's amazing what simple timing and great teamwork can do.
"EAT IT!" I whooped, as Monroe and I slammed into our opposition forcing them into the wall the instant the Power Play's detonated. The added force of the shock waves crumpled suspension and blew off doors as the two Rybacks bursts into flames.
Seven cars, two of which were completely on fire, caught air over the parker garage exit.
KR's Cyclone Special flew ahead us no doubt gathering a healthy Power bonus for midair passing.
At this point I'm sure Marvin Maverick must have known he was fucked.
As we swerved through the spent bus Power Plays Lyn and K pulled up alongside Marvin's Vulcan and sandwiched him. Through the down power I could see his rear lights flash blood red as he tried to escape but Monroe came up from behind sealing him off.
"If you wouldn't mind doing the honors." Lyn said with a dark chuckle that I'm sure surprised everyone.
But I obliged, I tapped the blue button on my steering popping the third and last truck Power Play.
Even with my over dislike of the Clan and Team Afrika, I have to admit that last move was pretty brutal.
Monroe broke away a second after the flaming truck Play moved, KR and Lyn slide away moments later leaving Marvin and his Vulcan to run into the obstacle at god knows how fast. The black Ryback collided with so much force that the fiery truck skipped forward a few feet upon impact.
"Man you guys should hear some of the Clan chiefs up here, they are pretty angry." Bonnie said.
"They'd better be." Brawn exclaimed.
As we drifted onto the runway I could see Maya's Severus shoot from the second Route Switch part of the track. Brawn's 440 and the Afrika 530 GTS were hardly giving her any room.
But just as Brawn was about to pass he tapped his brakes.
"All yours, show Team Afrika how real Cobretti pilots drive." Brawn said with a very spirited snarl.
"K?" I said unsure of Brawn idea, both Lyn and Raven's car dropped back a little.
"You hit high, I'll hit low." Monroe said.
Well then babe, you ready for one more push?
My Severus growled as I shifted up.
I thought so.
Our cars spat flames as Monroe and I barely made it behind Maya's group through the shortcut at the end of the runaway.
"We'll keep the rest of the field back here, you two go settle your score." KR said as he, Brawn, Lyn, and few other drivers were forced to take the long way.
Using my car's torque I slid into the turn effectively changing the next two turns into one large curve. Monroe closed the gap behind me riding inside my draft.
A Slipstream, 530 GTS, and Severus stood between me a victory, and you know what the fucked up part is? Vixen...I hope she's watching this.
"Monroe!" I commanded. Instantly the Centaur broke out of slipstream and up the small hill toward the Start/Finish line. His machine shunted the back of the Slipstream causing it to skid.
Roar. I shifted up and got behind the rival Cobretti just as we all caught a little air over the bump caused by the second Route Switch. Monroe landed a split second sooner and slammed on his brakes allowing the Slipstream to land its back tire on the front of my ride just as I touched down. It's suspension popped it back up and flipped it over causing the car to careen into right wall upside down.
Up ahead the 530 GTS detonated short cut Power Play early stopping us from using it against Maya. We barreled through it closing the distance on the Afrika drivers.
Monroe and I double tapped our level one Power Play buttons causing the track ahead to erupt multiple times. The shockwave waves battered all four of our vehicles, Maya taking the worst of it. Her car accidently collided with her wingman's while trying to right itself.
"Oh boys and girls here comes the biiiiirrrrrddddiiiiiieeeeee." Brawn's voice said, slowing down.
That's a more that a little creepy. I could feel my old arm injury flare up though...wait...
The slowdown is me...
I looked around noticing that things had seemed to mellow out, I saw the Power Plays Monroe and I activated, each flame as it bent in the rain, each spark...
Monroe must have been experiencing something similar to this.
To the right of me he had already started to slide his car into a wide drift, but the angle and speed, it should have been impossible. But I could see it happening as my arms and legs began causing my vehicle to partake in the same action.
My Severus seemed to slip sideways, moving behind Monroe's Centaur, his wake of disturbed air sucking me in. I didn't even have to see, I could smell the flames as they flowed over the back of our car's.
God this is euphoric, I'm not even sure if its me driving anymore. In fact I'm fuckin' sure is not me.
I held my breath, in slow-mo, as the front of my car kissed the dangerously solid apex leading to the runway.
GOD is that a massive fucking airplane. It was already on runway sliding toward us at breakneck speed.
As if actually responding to my thought patterns, my body began to tighten the drift angle to force a tighter turn. Monroe's Centaur did the same, almost guiding my car with a vortex like slipstream.
We passed Maya who was still having trouble stabilizing her car from the previous Power Plays.
I could her engine redlining, the screech of her tires as they slowly regained grip. Unlike her teammate she was going to survive this Power Play.
I could not let that happen.
She's going to pitch in and dip into my draft, fucking Christ is she seeing in slow-mo too?
The sound of 800,000 pounds of crashing aircraft getting closer was beginning to make things difficult. How the fuck does S2 keep this thing in the air...
AIR! That's it!
I swear I grunted with how much effort this was taking but my body seemed to be fighting me every step of the way. FUCK, just let my do this!
I screamed to myself as the plane got closer still, I was beginning to move out of its trajectory and so was Maya. My fingers on my right hand seemed to crawl to the secondary paddle as I forced them to move with all my might.
Something must have snapped because, time just stopped.
I looked back. I could see her helmet, her face out the corner of my eye.
I easily pulled my left hand away from my steering wheel and stuck up my middle finger.
This is what happens when you mess with my friends, and when you mess with me Maya. I'm sure there's some long drawn out story for why the name of you and your boyfriend's crews are inherently racist, but I don't give a shit. This is the name of the game, and while I might not know what I'm searching for, I can tell you what I'm doing right here and right now.
I'm playing Split/Second.