Episode 7: Avalanche
"Konani, try it again." KR said.
I sighed as I started my Severus up for the umpteenth time today, it roared for a second before sputtering and stalling.
I beat my head against the steering wheel.
KR walked around to the driver's side, a laptop in hand as he went over my car's telemetry again and again.
After the horrifying Elite Race on Lumberyard last episode every driver was awarded a new car for free. And of course I took it upon myself to break it in during our extended mid-season break. But for whatever the fucking reason it had started to act up this weekend, the weekend before we start episode seven to be precise.
And the reasons were beyond comprehension, I had all but given up racing in today's events to the point where I didn't even put on a new suit this morning.
So sat in jeans and a tank top, waiting for what I hoped was a stroke of genius from KR.
"Damn you guys are still working on that engine?" Carter asked as his Hyabusa rolled in.
"Don't remind me." I replied defeated.
"I thought something was wrong with the fuel mixture." Bonnie said as she strolled up sipping a cup of coffee.
"I know but we fixed that, and it still won't even idle." KR responded.
"Did you try kicking it?" Tory shouted from atop her truck, she stood on the front bumper, her head half into her own vehicle's engine.
Thunk! Thunk!
"There, try it now." Carter said with a smirk.
Everyone near my car glared at him.
"You know, there might be nothing that can be done." Monroe said.
I nearly jumped out of my seat. How can someone so large be so quiet? I knew I wasn't the only one surprised went he appeared behind my car, checking out the engine himself.
"What'da me there's nothing we can do?" I asked.
"Well S2 does make a lot of different engines every week, maybe someone along the line just made a mistake." Monroe elaborated while pushing some dreads away from his face.
"I suppose that's entirely possible..." KR trailed off.
"Okay, that still doesn't solve the problem." I piped up.
"I'll say, now yer dumb-asses are suggesting that she needs to get a new engine." Tory inferred, still yelling from within her Titan's big block.
KR's eyes light up. "That's exactly what we'll do." he said giving himself a little fist pump.
"Wait what?" I asked stupidly.
"Your car may have been totaled in the last race but the engine wasn't. And we know that engine is working fine we just need to get into the scrap yard." KR explained.
Hm, that would work. Split/Seconds scrap yard was where all the wrecked or damaged cars went to after an event to be reprocessed by S2's engineers. But it was open to all drivers in case they wanted to do a little salvaging. The only rule being that everything from the scrap yard must stay within Second City.
"I don't mean to be a downer on this plan guys, but are you even going to have time to do this?" Bonnie said, "I know you want to help Konani but you do have your own races to worry about."
"Don't worry Bon' we got this, there's somethin' I wanna try anyway." KR said giving Bonnie a pat on the shoulder.
"Let's roll big man." Raven shouted to Monroe as he jogged to his Ryback.
Within minutes the two A-class cars rolled out of the garage and sped away.
"Well that was extremely convenient." Carter said.
I gave him a look as I stepped out of my Severus. He was still seated on his Suzuki, looking as if he wanted to say something more.
I tried to turn away. Too late.
"You know the Platinum Sponsor Gala?" he asked.
"No." I said flatly.
"Oh c'mon hot stuff, you only went once with me, and was it really that bad?" he pleaded.
"Yes." I deadpanned.
He his eyes caught Bonnie's.
"I don't think so Carter." Bonnie said with a smile, "I went with you all three times last season. And trust me when I say I really don't want to sit through one of those again."
"Would somebody toss me some more booze!" Tory shouted.
Bonnie's smile flashed from honest to wicked for a brief second."Tory get down we need to ask you something!" she called.
"Uh, Bonnie I really don't-" I began to protest.
"Hold your fuckin' horses Bunny." Tory shouted in response cutting me off. Instead of dropping off of her truck, she jumped away from it.
I winced as she used my car as a landing pad before starting for the fridge. Beer can in hand she headed back to the group.
"Do even have a liver?" Carter asked as the blonde took a chug.
"Go fuck yer self." She spat.
"Tory, Carter needs an escort to a sponsor event and both Konani and I are busy." Bonnie said.
"How should I put this...?" Tory pretended to think, "Hell no."
"Look Tory, Konani never wants to do anything with me anyway and Bonnie's already gone three times. Just this once then I'll find someone else." Carter explained.
I knew for a fact that Tory was more or less saying yes on the inside, but something else was keeping her back.
"Look Matthews, I don't know any of this high society bullshit that you grew up with, and I would probably just end up fucking something up." Tory replied with a sigh.
"It's nothing like that, we just need to go and look pretty. Maybe bullshit our way through a conversation or two." he said.
"Um, I don't own a dress." Tory retorted.
"Really?" Both Bonnie I said at the same time.
"What did you go to the opening ceremony in?" I asked.
"Jeans and a tank top, same as what you're wearing." Tory haughtily replied.
"That's not a problem; I could have ten dresses for you here in under two hours. I just need someone to go with." Carter pleaded.
Bonnie and I just looked at him.
"Seriously Carter, have you been holding out on us?" Bonnie said with a laugh.
"No I'm not about to buy everyone new clothes, my pockets aren't that deep." Carter said.
"Back up a fucking second, you're a sponsor for Split/Second?" Tory asked somewhat amazed.
Everyone gave her a 'What are you? Stupid?' look.
"No my parents are, but if you must know I am next in line for preverbal throne, but things like not showing up with an escort is going to hurt that chance so if we could please get back to the subject at hand." Carter quickly explained.
"You don't seem like..." Tory started.
"Yeah I know, it never occurred to me that I need to flaunt the fact that I'm billionaire." Carter replied sarcastically.
"Wow, when did the company pass the mark?" Bonnie asked
"Last month actually." He replied,"...whoa, whoa, we're getting off track again."
He looked toward Tory, and for the first time in my life I saw her flinch.
"Trust me Carter trying to impress people…I'm the last fucking person you wanna to bring." Tory said before taking another sip of her drink.
"And why's that?" Carter asked defiantly.
"Goddamnit ya little shit, why the fuck do I have to explain myself to you! You've got enough money to have any whore around here on your arm in a second!" Tory shouted nearly throwing her can at him.
"You think I don't know that?" Carter calmly replied.
The can hit him square in the head. A second later she was in his face.
"So Bunny and Tenma can't go and all of a sudden I'm the only fucking woman in this city? Why when you know I'm just going to make a fucking fool of myself!" Tory seethed.
"Fuckin' Christ Tory I don't care about that, I just want to go with someone I know I'll fun with." Carter said as if it was obvious.
I won't even lie, I was starting be scared for Carter, this had clearly pushed Tory the wrong way. The new "initiative" prone side of me decided to intervene.
"It's not really that bad Tory, it's just a little boring. You just stand around eating finger food and free champagne while Richie Rich over here tries to ass-kiss business partners." I explained.
Carter's eye light up with an idea. "Did I mention the shit ton of free champagne?" he added.
"No, you conveniently left that out." Tory said smugly," I know what you're doing, I'm not retarded."
"Could've fooled me." I snorted...UGH okay I'll admit that wasn't smart.
I heaved as Tory removed her fist from my stomach.
"Fuck, okay look, I'll go with you to your stupid thing Carter, just try to find somebody else next time." Tory commanded.
"Fine." Carter grumbled.
"You know you kinda asked for that." Bonnie told me.
"YES, I know." I replied from my fetal position on the floor.
"C'mon on Tory we need to go." Carter said as he put his sunglasses back on and turned his bike around.
"What? We have to go already?" Tory whined.
"No, yet, we need to get you fitted for dress," He turned around to face her, "Yeeeah, some jewelry wouldn't hurt either, and some shoes...nails, definitely your hair."
"No, you can't kill him yet." Bonnie said stopping Tory's haymaker," wait until after the Gala."
Tory rolled her eyes.
"C'mon, we'll back in time for your first race." Carter added.
"I fuckin' hate you people." Tory growled as she got on the back of Carter's cycle.
"Love you too." Bonnie said with a smile and a wave as they sped away.
I'll be damned; KR and Monroe actually did it.
I was sitting in a new car with an old engine, they had manage to find my old Severus, rip out the engine and toss it into my new one all before my first race of the episode.
I'm going to have to give them a proper thank you later. But I'll think about that after this event.
This is Onslaught, I'd have to bring my A-game if I even want to walk off the trac-
"Hey Tenma can we talk." Tory's voice echoed through my radio.
Ever since Tory, Monroe and I had our little pow-wow. Tory has been showing more, for lack of a better term, normal emotion. Though only in small pockets and light years away from Carter. And I am sympathetic to it, it's just flat out awkward sometimes.
"What's up?" I asked.
"Why in hell did you guys make me do that? I won't know shit for shit what's going on there, I don't want to mess something up for him." she said, her voice getting a little heated.
"You'll be fine Tory, Carter wouldn't invite you if he didn't think you could handle it."
"That doesn't sit right with me Tenma, I haven't done anything for him that would place any fuckin' faith in me."
"I don't know Tory, maybe 'cause he likes you." I replied semi-sarcastically.
"..."
"I know you still have trouble accepting it but we all like you Tory, we won't put up with your drunken shenanigans otherwise."
"Er, am I not supposed to be hearing the conversation?" Bonnie asked hesitantly.
Goddamnit Bonnie.
"I swear to fucking god Bunny if you say anything at all" Tory started.
"Easy Tory, I kinda already figured out you had a thing for Carter, I won't say anything." Bonnie replied with a sigh.
"Uhhh, fuck my life." Tory growled.
"Alright look alive ladies, I hear the chopper pilots are out for blood this episode."
Hell yeah babe, nothing less than a win.
Event 1: Onslaught
Location: Airport Terminal
24 cars, 4 helicopters, and enough ordinance to blow the fuck out of small country. Let's get it done.
I could smell my car's anticipation as I shot into the lead. The T-tube projected text onto the lower part of my windshield just like in an Elimination race.
WAVES 20.
Tsssssh! Booom! The lazy arcs of the first wave missiles exploded beside me as I easily dodged them. The first waves are always like that, then I'm sure some asshole gets a laugh out of this. Around, oh say, wave two shit hits the fuckin' fan.
As soon as I was past the inactive taxi Power Plays it began to rain missiles. My light weight Severus skidded from the shock waves. Shit, that last one was too close.
My helmet's VI is getting laggy again, stupid thing. The special visor we receive with the T-tube for events like these runs a program that can predict the trajectories of the SG Air to Ground missiles. It projects a simplistic but reliable HUD, most of the time.
Today was one of those times.
I fought the instinct to cover my eyes as a brilliant ball of fire slammed my car in the left wall of the track's first sharp corner. Another Cobretti tried to pass me on the outside but only found the business end of a Split/Second brand warhead.
1 down, 23 to, er on second thought Tory's probably still mad about the Gala thing, so there's a good chance she'll blow herself up while trying to run someone over in her Titan.
Like a cannon ball my car shot of the gas station Power Play narrowly avoiding two explosions, the third no so much. My Severus spun from the shock wave as the shrapnel peppered it frame.
I pulsed the gas making sure my vehicle didn't stall, then right out of the spin I put my car back in gear.
"Bonnie!" I grunted as my car's acceleration crammed me into the back of the seat.
"You're still in first place, but the Cyclone that just past you is only down by 2000 poin- er scratch that, you're down by 1000." Bonnie replied.
WAVES 16
The fifth wave must have been a little short when the helicopters had to switch out. I growled as tapped the bumper of a white Cyclone RS in front of me as we flew past the Tower Route Switch. With a bit of my help the Ryback skidded in to the right wall as the shock waves from the last missile in the wave forced our cars to fishtail. As I made my approach to the tighhhhhhhttttHOLY SHIT!
"Aaagh!" I cried as I flicked my car sideways in the first corner. Too late.
The rarely used Level Two Power Play was greeted by an SG missile, the explosion was deafening. Half way through the right turn a viscous wave of fire lifted my two right tires off the ground.
I clenched my teeth as heard the left side of my chassis scrape the ground until it connected the right wall near the entrance of the next turn.
Even as things were slowing down there was nothing I could do.
"What...the fuck? Can they even do that?" I gasped as I began to frantically restart my stalled car.
"Are you okay Konani?" Bonnie quickly asked.
"I'm fine, go check the freakin' rule book." I snarled as my car's V10 fired back up.
"I'll admit that was a low blow, but I don't really think there's anything stopping chopper pilots from doing that." Bonnie explained," You need to be careful, even though all the Power Plays are disarmed, they're still rigged to blow."
"Haha funny." I replied with a forced laugh as I my car slide into the tunnel, I needed to get out of 3rd and fast.
"Pardon?" Bonnie asked innocently.
"Huh? Wait you don't get it?" I replied confused.
"Um yes, what did I say that was so funny?"
"Rigged to Blow? One of last season's episodes? Ugh, never mind."
"Honk Honk mothafucker!" Tory whooped as her Titan rumbled past.
I tailed her through a stream of rockets as we went across the Start/Finish line.
"C'mon Tenma, don't lose to the truck!" the blonde laughed as her Ryback forced a Hanzo GT out of its way and into blast radius of a missile. I swerved left narrowly avoiding the shattered remains of the car and it's S.A.F.E.
"Down girl." I scoffed as I past Tory's truck through the easy chicane.
"Oh don't worry girl, your ass is next." Tory growled with glee.
"Naw that's cool, I think I like you better in my rear view." I poked back.
Into another wave, I shifted my car down from top gear and charged into a power slide though the sharp left hander. I had to cut deeper inside in order to avoid the flaming remnants of the Ryback Cyclone that had been leading the pack.
WAVES 10
"Dun dun duuun, another one bites the dust." I chuckled as my car slide wide to avoid a missile that had been placed right in front of gas station Power Play, detonating it.
"For Sparta!" Tory whooped as I watched her truck careen thought the station's flames and out the other side.
"Tory, that's makes no sense." I said sped past a few poorly placed SGs.
"I'm in the lead right know, so FUCK YOU!" Tory shouted as her truck brushed off explosions near the Route Switch.
Damn, this is not what I want. Battling Tory for P1 during an Onslaught is the worst case scenario for any plan. The involuntary slow down happens every time a missile get close, and with the increased volume of missiles in the later waves, it's getting hard to focus, and now Tory's in front of me. Even while intoxicated she can still manage to make that Titan 4 lanes wide.
Not to mention she drives it like a god damn monster truck. There high chance of me wrecking if try to pass her with sheer speed. Fuck! how am I supposed to do this? I just wish this were some cartoon where I could just ramp off the back of her...truck.
Ooooohhh fuck I'm gonna regret this plan later.
Deep breath...here we go, I'm sorry babe but if we don't survive this.
Steady yourself, let the adrenaline flow...let the rush consume you. I swung my eyes around as if the slow motion wasn't going to work for a second. Not was the case, once again all 5 senses were on overload.
Hehe, I wonder if Tory was some sort of drunken version of this.
The concept was easy enough, reduce the amount of road my car occupies at the exact moment Tory tries to avoid the SG's that will inevitability be aimed to her right while entering the second part of the s-turn.
Yeah, easy peesy lemon squeezey.
Half way through the first curve, engine redlined in third, tires screaming for grip, aerodynamics complaining about being sideways.
I pitched the wheel as for left as it would go, slowly bringing the car back around. I could almost sense the choppers setting up for another salvo, Tory was very well aware of that fact too. The further my Severus swing in the opposite direction the more I could see Tory cutting her Titan deep into the next corner.
Time to see if that B+ in Physics was worth it.
The front suspension barked as my car's front left tire caught the curb that lined the left wall of s-turn's final curve. A wave of sparks blinded me as nose of my Cobertti grinded the shortened pylons, but only for second before the aerodynamic failure pushed the front of my car further into the air.
I heard the rumble of Tory's Ryback as I past it, the back fender of my car craving the corner. Though technically I'm not totally straight up and down, it's enough to slip past Tory and not get blown up.
Holy fuck, that worked. Just like a fucking Redbull race plane I just knife edged my car.
I violent bump broke me from myself indulgent praise, the rear tires had finally come back in contact with the asphalt. My head jerked forward as my car whipped itself back onto all fours. The Severus side swiped the right wall, there was a little lose in speed but nothing my vehicle's massive torque couldn't fix.
SG's rained all the way to the entrance of the taxi Power Play tunnel, a tunnel I was very grateful for because with every shift I pulled away from Tory's Titan.
The last three waves, flawless.
Next Day…
"You sure you should be drinking something cold?" Bonnie asked.
This morning's Elimination hadn't gone all that well I was currently drowning my failure in Amp.
"The engine keeps the cabin warm Bon' I'll be fine." I frowned before chugging down my drink.
"You do know you also have the bladder of a 4 year old." KR added.
I glared at him, but lightened up. I had to be a little grateful; he was changing the tires on my car for me again.
I would, but nobody fucking lets me.
"Hey K' you need some h-"
"No."
Screw you.
"Do you guys know what's taking Carter so long?" Bonnie asked.
Hm, good question they're supposed to be leaving for the gala soon.
I shrugged.
"God I hope Tory hasn't already done something regrettable." Bonnie said as she put her hand to her forehead.
"Me too, I'm not sure what you guys were thinking, making her do this." Raven scolded.
Bonnie sighed," Look if something goes wrong it's my fault, I'll just go with Carter then."
I began to say something when garage was filled with the sound of Monroe's Centaur...woah.
He Cobertti had undergone quite a bit of work, it sported a new more aggressive aerodynamic body kit that also highlighted its muscle car styling. The deployable spoiler had been extended and now curved up and out of its neutral position while still hugging the car. The wider tires were accompanied by a set of rims with a vicious electric blue finish.
KR gave a low whistle when he looked at it. "Hey Evans you do know this is just Spilt/Second and not a FIA sanctioned race right?" Raven joked.
Then it hit me.
I turned away just as the Centaur's doors opened, "Bonnie's let me see the race line up." I asked quickly. She handed me a file that was on the table behind her.
I opened and scanned the started grid.
Turner...Knowles...Rossi...Barnes...Crap.
Xingyuag was starting in position 17.
"Um wow, lookin' good Monroe." Bonnie said almost unsure of her compliment.
I looked up to find Monroe, and took a step back in shock.
"Whoa big guy, is that your racing suit?" I asked.
Never in my life have I seen Monroe in his racing suit. It made you painfully aware just how tiny you were next to him. And from every single angle you could see his muscles bulging underneath the fabric. They weren't grotesque though, you could tell an extreme amount of effort was used to try to keep his body as thin and light as possible, allowing the only weight to be from sheer muscle mass. And holy shit there was a lot of that.
But that's not what caught my eye. On his light blue and white racing suit, in between the various intricate black vulture tribal designs. Right in the middle of his chest was the number '20'. In the same color, design, and outline as the 20 on one of my old go-karts.
I couldn't do anything but smile at him. And through the thick dreads that covered his face I'm sure he was smiling back.
But I twisted my face into a serious frown thereafter. Using the file in my hand I poked his chest.
"So what do you plan to do?" I asked.
"I don't know, but I'll be ready when I do." he low voice bellowed in reply.
I gave him an exhausted but sincere smile, I'm sure that whatever was going to happen he could handle it.
"Tory! You look fantastic!" Bonnie suddenly exclaimed with a clap of her hands, bringing everyone's attention to the entrance of our living quarters.
The fact that Tory had a beer in hand in no way slowed the impact of her appearance.
She was beautiful. I'm not sure where the agreement on what to wear deviated but I couldn't argue with the results. Tory wore a dark almost sinister black Chinese dress laced and bordered in gold, a bright and fierce white dragon crawled its way from the bottom of her formal wear. The dress clung perfectly to her contours more than showing off her toned figure. The gown ended around the lower half of her calf's, and a slit on both side of her dress ran up a very, very, generous amount to her thighs. As it not to be out done, the opened neck exposed quite a bit of cleavage. Topping it off were dragon embroidered flats, and her hair was stuffed into two buns atop her head that were capped with dragon embroidered cloth.
"Who are you, and what the fuck did you do with Tory?" KR said in mock terror.
"Yeah, laugh it up bitch, I'd fucking kick your ass now, but I kinda like this getup." Tory barked back pointing her can of booze at Raven.
"I must say you do look great in that Tory." I complimented.
"Tell me about, I look fuck'n sexy in this." Tory said while doing some crude model poses.
"Yeah but I don't remember the gala ever having a theme." Bonnie pointed out.
"Oh I know, but I threatened to shoot his balls off I had to wear heals." Tory said with chuckle.
"Yeah real funny." Carter said as he exited the living quarters.
Wow Carter didn't look bad either. He wore the male counterpart of Tory's dress, but with classic Carter styling the colors had been inverted making white the primary color with a black dragon as decoration. His jacket was styled similar to Tory's dress only baggier, in had a sort of 'kung fu' master feel to it, that which I'm sure Carter was going for. Golden ties on the right side of his jacket suggested where the clothing might be opened, and like Tory's wear, Carters jacket and pants were laced and line with a gold trim.
"Okay guys, we need to move!" Bonnie announced, "Let's go before everyone in here is late."
Respecting our Pit chief's commands, everyone filed out of the garage as quickly as they could. Tory had opted to drive Carter's Katana for him and ended the argument ensuing argument that followed with a "Like hell I'm letting you drive."
Yep, Bonnie was right all those Amps were a terrible Idea, but not for the reason I expected. For right now I had to take a piss, really, REALLY bad.
"Hey KR, Dead Man's is a three lap race right?" I asked in a pointless whisper.
"You have to go the bathroom, don't you." He deadpanned.
"Shut up."
"Well it's kind of too late now that were sitting on the starting grid." He added.
Fuck, you're not helping K.
"Konani, you're going to have to hold it. This race should last about 10 to 15 minutes." Bonnie advised.
"Yo know what? Shut up, and let me focus. If I don't think about it, it'll go away." I tried to convince myself while clutching the wheel.
"Ha wow, it's your lucky day, They're delaying the race because someone blew too much artificial snow on the track." Bonnie announced, but that's all I heard because I was out of my car and sprinting toward a Porta-john.
Off the track, over the barrier, around the pit booths, arggh person. I nearly knocked over a ref' as I turned the last corner to my bathroom route. I quickly said I was sorry before turning and running, behind me his angry voice advised me to hurry up and that the delay would only last 15 more minutes.
Ugh Porta-johns are disgusting, but I don't care. Nature isn't just calling, it has a gun to my head.
Door locked, suit off, underwear down...
AAAAAAHHHHHHHHGGGHHH, thaaaaaaaaat's niiiiiiiiiiiiice. Sweet, sweet, relief.
Moments later I waltzed out of the Porta-john feeling like a million dollars, having triumphed over my tiny bladder, I knew this race would come just as easily.
Strolling back toward the track I ran into, or more hid from something that took me way off guard. I had to tail him because we were in fact going in the same direction, the track.
All the while I couldn't help but eye the ex-Elite and the distinctive missile like ensigna on the back of his racing suit. No doubt that was Torpedo.
"Hey Bonnie, there's nothing about I guest appearance this race, it there?" I asked as I settled back into my car.
"No, why?" Both KR and Bonnie asked.
"I just saw Andre Wile get into a 530 at the back of the grid."
"You mean Torpedo's here?" Bonnie asked.
"Yeah, and that 530 looks like it had some work done." I added, "What do you think K?"
"I'm think'n someone I know just made a big mistake."
"What?" Bonnie and I asked.
"I'll tell you later, but I can say that 530 is probably illegal in more ways than one." KR replied.
"Fair enough." Bonnie said, deciding that everyone shouldn't press the matter any longer.
The wind in front of us began to kick up as the helicopter holding the light array lowered into view.
"Alright guys take it slow, I've seen both of you fall off a cliff during practice runs, so we don't need any hot dogging." Bonnie explained.
"What about Monroe?" I asked a I started my car's engine.
"...he's opting to keep communication within his crew." our pit chief replied.
"Hm." was KR only response.
I felt a little awkward being the only one knowing why Monroe was being distant for this race. But we have to handle it babe, that's why we're here.
Event 4: Race
Location: Dead Mans Peak
My car screams in compliant as the icy surface prevents it from getting the grip it's used to. A few of the drivers with AWD mods shoot ahead with minimal trouble.
"C'mon!" I yelled as my car begins to move forward along with the rest of the field. As the cars pick up speed, streams of water and snow spin off their tires forming a wave of vision obscuring condensation. I could barely see anyone's flashing rear lights that were required to be on for low visibility races.
And regardless that stopped no one from barreling toward the first turn at full speed.
"Oh shit, first turn, First Turn!" KR grunted followed by the sound of multiple sets of tires screeching. I yanked the E-brake only for a second before violently forcing my car to pitch hard into a sharp left.
"C'mon babe." I said to myself as my car began to drift wide through the turn. Behind me there was crash as someone's misjudge sent him and another vehicle into the icy depths below.
Even my car caught a little canyon edge before shooting out of the corner; I pulled into a Cascade's draft before having the brake hard again for the next downhill hair pin. My hands shook against the feedback as my car desperately clawed for grip through the right turn.
Still in the Cascade's draft, I heel-toed my shift into third, shooting my way past on the inside. I cringed at the scarping noises of the sliding crane Power Play as it slid across the track. My car shook ever so slightly as I drove around it and into the tunnel.
Like kids being told it was recess, my car lurched forward with new found traction inside the dry tunnel. Though that was short lived as tanker truck Power Play erupted near the entrance of the next corner. My body was whipped to side as my Severus impacted the right wall.
And would you believe who pasted me? Monroe's race tuned Centaur barreled past followed closely by Torpedo's 530 GTS. I grumbled as I put my car back in gear, I wish I could figure out what Monroe was trying to prove...
Okay, well I know that, but how is his going to do that by racing?
As I slipped through the small uphill chicane, the woman in question slowly pulled up on my six. It was a blood red FX350 with various Chinese lettering and Vegas Drift logos printed on it.
We roared side by side on the now longest straight away in Second City, beating Airport Terminal's runway section by quit a good distance. It was on the right ridge of a cut down mountain side. And of course it was only to set up for a huge level two Power Play that thankfully no one activated.
But the structure up ahead was arguable more interesting. A tight s-turn was right after the straight which then emptied into a falling crane Power Play, and behind that an ice tunnel. I would have loved it if it was just a giant loop, but they are two changes in direction before it drops you up a hill to the Start/Finish Line.
Xingyuag's Hanzo and my Cobretti traded paint as we slide through the chicane side by side, damn she wasn't going to give an inch was she.
Out of the s-turn I gave a rather forceful slam causing her car to spin. Not even missing a beat her car spun a full 360, never losing any speed as we careened into the ice tunnel. That's' probably why she's the only person who drives a mid-engine car in Vegas Drift, she fuck'n good.
But screw that, I'm better. I pulled behind her car as we tackled the ice fastest way possible, by doing next two nothing. That was the appeal of the ice tunnel section, flooring the petal, pitching your car and gliding the outside wall. It was a great feeling almost like floating. In the ice tunnels the fastest route is the outside wall, it's easier as well since there's little to no grip to begin with. I won't lie, it pretty freaking cool to be gliding at a hundred something miles per hours close to perpendicular with the ground.
Our cars slide from the right wall to the left as the ice tunnel changes in direction. I manually close my rear spoiler allowing myself to close the gap on Xingyuag.
As our car changed direction for last time within the tunnel my Severus bumps into the side of FX350. But that wasn't my fault.
I peeked around my left shoulder to find one of Monroe's garage mates growling down my tailpipes. Went he saw that I acknowledged him, he made a hand jester to me. He brought his fist up to his helmet like it was holding a walkie-talkie, it was more or less the unspoken signal for non-aggressive race communication within Second City.
"Bonnie, let me talk to Carson." I said as my car caught a little air leaving the tunnel.
"Okay, just a sec." she replied.
One extremely difficult s-turn later and two explosive Power Plays later I heard my radio crackle.
"Bonnie!" I complained.
"Hold on, hold on. They have us on a new system and I haven't exactly had the chance to play with it." Bonnie snapped back with no malice, "There, you're through. Play nice Konani."
"Heh, you know me."
Carson spoke as we started the curved climb to the Start Line.
"Konani right?"
"I don't mean to be a douche, but we are racin' here. What do you want?"
"Monroe, he's been off today. Figured you might know why."
"Oooooooh." I let my response creep out as I decided weather on not to divulge the information.
We where through the tracks first corner before Carson spoke again.
"He's feeling it for some girl isn't he?"
I was silent, half trying to keep pace the Chinese driver ahead, half wondering how this conversation was going to go.
"Though he's not talkin', he's acting like he does when he goes on about you, except now it's to the nth degree."
"Er well...yes, you hit the nail on the head." I replied.
"She in this race isn't she, who is it?"
"Ironically she's right in front of us."
The only response was tires screeching behind me, I looked in reviews just in time to see Torpedo spin Carson's Vortex into the mountain wall. When the fuck did he get behind me? As I slide through the second hairpin, the ex-Elite's Cobretti was right on top of me.
But just my luck, KR decided to appear out of fucking nowhere, again. Though he was stalled near the crane Power Play.
"FUCK!" he hissed, within seconds his car was in gear and behind the line Xingyuag, Andre, and I formed.
"God damnit, Monroe isn't driving the way he usually does. To make it fucking worse he's working with his crew." KR explained.
"I can vouch for that as being a total coincidence." Carson spoke up.
As our column of cars came drifting out of the tunnel and onto the straight, we all swerved to avoid a Cobretti Centaur. It was sitting unmoving, in the middle of the road.
And if you'll pardon the expression, that's when the gears in my little Hawaiian head began to turn. I knew exactly was Monroe was trying to do, and how. Plus the fact that he was failing miserably at it too. As Carson's Vortex flew by, Monroe, who I guess was slapped out of the daze he was in, decided to give chase.
After a satisfying shift into 6th, I decided it was my turn to be cryptic and mysterious.
"So, does anyone know how to kill...a vulture?" I asked with a playful snarl.
No one responded. I couldn't help but curl my month into almost sadistic smile, deep down, way deep down. I had been waiting for I moment like this. Thanks to the spoken history from Monroe and Tory, I had confidence. The goody two shoes of this crew was about to take the gloves off, again...but this time I won't fail.
Vixen, Vulture, Wheeler, Maya, Marick, Brawn, Raptor...I gritted my teeth as I thought. The list goes fucking on. This is what I did last season, I didn't win, I just survived.
Well. Fuck. That.
And now my friend, one of the best drives in this damn city, is getting cold feet? What the fuck does that say about me?
"Bonnie, I want to talk to Xingyuag." I said in a low voice. No doubt Bonnie could guess what I was thinking, but she patched me through anyway.
"What?" the Chinese woman spat, obviously upset her driving privacy had been disturbed.
"You wanted know why Vulture Evan's hasn't driven either of us off a cliff yet?" I snapped.
"You his boyfriend right? You tell me." Xingyuag replied making no effort to hide her accent or broken English that came with it.
"Way off there smartass, help me put down a Vulture now or walk off this track in stretcher 'cause I'll have no one else to get mad at when my friend goes into a spiraling depression." That probably sounded less threatening than I intended.
Xingyuag just brushed it off, "A guilty Vulture, hm...why?"
I rear ended her car in frustration as we flew into the ice tunnel.
"Don't try and tell me you already forgave him." I growled.
"...Why you do this, I thought you were close?"
"Are you gonna play this game or what? Either do what you came here to do, or just keep stumbling around your Engrish." I sneered before tapping my brakes. Tired of talking I was ready for some automotive violence.
I couldn't help but smile as I watched Ying follow suit.
As the ice tunnel changed directions, I went ahead and got my groove on. Both Centaur and Severus spun as I clipped the front of Monroe's car. I quick slam from Xingyuag spun him faster.
But for a second there was nothing. Xingyuag and I drifted side by side out of the ice tunnels and through the following chicane. Monroe quietly followed.
C'mon big guy, c'mon on...
"Konani what are yo-" Bonnie started.
"Tell K to deal with Torpedo." I quickly cut her off.
We began climbing to the Start/Finish line and still there was no action from the Centaur driver.
Alarms, red flashing lights, deafening sound. As soon as we started the third lap Vulture Evan activated Dead Man's Peak's Route Switch. Engulfing the entire side of the peak, snow and ice billowed down the mountain side.
That's what I'm talking about big guy.
I grunted as Monroe's Cobretti shunted me, forcing me to fall back. With Xingyuag in front and Monroe and I side by side we barreled off the ramp formed from the fallen debris. It launched us over the hairpin corners of the normal route below and into a secondary tunnel above the track's first one.
I traded paint with the Cobretti as we landed, but before it's driver could answer the Hanzo ahead broke us up. All three of us wobbled into the tunnel's left hand corner, it didn't help that someone used a bar of their Power to detonate the rock wall to the right. Our car's hit the opposite wall with a flash of sparks. With my ride's superior acceleration I recovered first and pulled beside Monroe's Centaur. The tunnel was illuminated again by the sparks that shot from the Vulture's car as I forced it back into the wall.
He tapped his brake and slipped into my draft was we went off anther jump that landed us on the back straight. Well what was left of the straight anyway, our tires screeched as we were forced to swerve around the fallen rock Power Plays that now littered the track.
Alarms sounded again as the track began to shake. The cliff face ahead began to erupt, causing an avalanche laced with more than its fair share of rocks to barrel down toward the track.
This was a level two Power Play that rivaled the size and power of Airport Terminals crash landed plane and combined the lethal roulette of flying rocks that spewed outward when one of cliff faces on Canyon were detonated.
Try as my adrenaline fueled slow down might, there was no way to help me avoid this. The Power Play was designed to sweep the last fourth of the straight away clean of anything the traveled on four wheels.
I flipped the secondary paddle that lower my spoiler as I desperately tried to slip into the draft of the two cars ahead of me. Seemingly oblivious of the icy death that bored down on us, Xingyuag and Monroe tore down the track trading paint as they went.
I could barely keep my hands on the wheel as the road shook like an earthquake, my god we're gonna fuckin' die. The turn off was coming up fast, but not fast enough. OH FUCK we are gonna get caught in this shit!
Monroe pitched his car sideways when he broke out in front, Xingyuag mirrored him, riding as close as I could I fell in line. The three of use drift tandem into the soft corner that was quickly being engulfed in the avalanche.
Whoosh! My vision went dark as the air was filled with a cloud of ice and snow. I could see the ice crystal collect on my car, the sound of rocks landing behind us but being pushed off the track as the rest of the snow that came down in force.
And just like that it was over.
"Oh shi-" I heaved, not even aware I was holding my breath. I quickly yanked my E-brake, pitching the Severus around to navigate the obscenely tight chicane the lead into the ice tunnel.
Our rev limited engines whined as we entered the tunnels, "Ying! I wanna end this." I growled.
"Damnit! How? I hate to say this, but your friend very good." Xingyuag replied with a frustrated snarl.
It's weird how failure seems to reveal a solution as an annoying problem, unlike she who will not be named, stupid racing high heels bitch, I'll have to thank Raptor for the inspiration later.
As we switched directions in the tunnel, I exposed my idea to Ying. And with that we went to work.
Even as we rhythmically twirled around the muscle themed Cobretti, Monroe fought back with the gusto the earned him his nickname. Sparks light up the tunnel as we fought to get Centaur in the position we wanted, but it's driver didn't let up. In a moment when I was closest I could see Monroe's hands and feet blur across the petals, wheel, and gear change. Wheel angle, braking, spins, drifts, control, throttle, this was the skill that kept Split Second's number one Elite at bay for so long.
Like Raven Kamau, the Elites, Tommi Lyn, Maya Strong, and Marvin Maverick, Monroe was simply born to drive.
But in the words of a famous, if not extremely underhanded street racer once said,"...enjoy it while it lasts, there's always someone out there who's a little faster than you are, and sooner or later they're going to catch up..."
With a sharp yet satisfying sound of grinding metal, the nose of my Severus finally gains some purchase under the chassis of Monroe's Centaur. A second later the Hanzo comes out of a late spin planting it rear fender on the nose of Monroe's car.
The Centaur's tires screamed for grip only once before Ying and I had to slide away. The car hung midair and motionless for a hot second in the worst possible place. The instant the ice tunnel changed from right to left.
With every second that ticked by, the scene sped up until Monroe Centaur was violently rolling against the icy wall behind us. Pieces of shrapnel flew off the car as the tumbling began to slow, just over it you could hear the distinctive hiss of S.A.F.E. deploying. A few seconds later the tunnel illuminated, reminding us of the volatile substance our car were powered by.
Xingyuag and I flew out of the tunnel with speed as we approached the last few corners. Her car scrapped mine as we entered the chicane alerting me that our truce was officially over.
I activated the tanker truck Power Play ahead causing her to go wide into the next corner. Side by side we climbed to the Finish line...
"FUCK" I cried as I slide my car wide the around Torpedo's stalled 530...too late. My front end clipped his car spinning me even wider and closer to the ridge.
"No no no!" I whined as the disruption to my car's stability rendered the controls next to useless.
My demise flashed before my eyes as I imaged a bright orange Severus toppling off the track and into the rocks below. We I guess I can't complain too much, it was a pretty kick ass rac-
I cursed as the back of my helmet impacted the seat, outside the scenery had stopped spinning. In fact my car had stopped completely.
I quickly looked into my rear views to find Xingyuag's FX350 sitting beside me, and god know how close the cliff's edge.
"You're good person, it take guts to wreck your own friend like that." the Chinese woman said as she moved her car.
"Heh, doesn't sound like it." I said with a chuckle as I spun my car around and followed Xingyuag over the line.
"Revenge won't help my brother, and I was mistaken to be upset." Ying replied as we stopped our vehicles next to KR's Cyclone off track.
"But you can tell Vulture thank you anyway." she continued before driving away.
"Welcome back." KR said once my radio channel had been fixed.
"Good to be back."
"So I take it you actually managed to kill a vulture."
"Why yes I did, oh ye of little faith."
"I won't pry but I'm guess there's was more to that than I think."
I smiled a bit, "Isn't it always."
"Did it turn out okay?"
Though I helped, it may have been a bit over the top, but "...Yeah I think it did."