Episode 9: Leviathan

"What the fuck is that?"I fumed as I made a 'would somebody come look at this shit' gesture with my hands.

But seeing as I was in my car waiting on the start grid I'm pretty sure no one noticed.

"I'm pretty sure that a wrecking ball unit modified to tow the Survival trailer, but I could be guessing." Carter said in all seriousness.

"Thank you, Carter. Your observational abilities never cease to amaze me." I replied with a much sarcasm as possible.

"I think she was asking of what it was doing here." Dingxiang's calm and collected voice was soothing enough for me not to take another jab at Carter.

"I can see why Bonnie likes doing this, AC on full blast, free drinks. Being a pit chief rocks." Carter exclaimed.

Apparently Bonnie had been requested somewhere, and Carter who didn't have a race scheduled for this morning decided to sub for her. Fuck my life.

"All I have to do is sit back and pretend to look at this telemetry and playbook." his said before taking a loud sip of his claimed free drink.

Well Carter is going to be no help at all, what a surprise.

"You and D' better get your game face's on, you go live in 60." Carter announced.

"Best thing I've heard all day." I grinned, my car swayed back and forth as I gave it some gas.

Let's give 'em hell babe.

Event 2: Survival

Location: Storm Drain Speedway

My back slammed the back as my seat as the Severus's acceleration shoots it forward leaving the 3 drivers ahead of me in the dust.

I plowed into the rig's uneven slipstream without so much as a tremor as I flew past and pitched sideways into the first corner. A bit wider than I wanted I thought before swinging my car straight again.

The smoking blue barrels begin to throw themselves at me as I and anyone close begin to swerve madly to avoid them. Sparks kick up as my heavy turning begins to force my chassis to make contact with the ground.

"What the fuck?" I barked trying to dodge barrels and readjust my shocks.

"Who's been messing with my shocks?" I asked anyone.

"You were, idiot." Carter answered me immediately.

Oh right...

"Eyes up boys and girls, those wrecking ball just went green." Carter warned.

With a plume a smoke and screech of metal on metal the unit's arms activated. But as I flew past the next truck, the arm's just sat there, waiting for something.

I slid into the next left turn just as a Nero pulled alongside me.

"C'mon." I growled to myself.

We raced two wide through the explosive barrels and around rigs. Flames burst from his exhaust pipes as he braked late into the turn. The front tires broke grip as the Cobretti didn't just drift by but power slid past me with an aggressive plume of wheel smoke. We passed the next rig on opposite side as our cars careen around the pillars that split the track in half.

Paint and sparks fly as we make contact again, barely avoiding another rolling set of red barrels.

Like the over baring arm of an abusive father, the wrecking ball came down. Hard. The road ahead splintered from the steel ball's impact before ripping an arc like path behind it, obliterating anything in its way.

I'm sure my ABS was at least happy as I slammed my brakes. The wrecking ball slid across the track with alarming speed.

I squinted as the Nero ahead of me met the massive ball of steel, my Severus shuddered from the explosion as flames and debris washed over the frame.

"I'll admit that was pretty kick ass." Carter's voice chuckled.

"Shut up Carter." I growled. I flew past another two volleys of barrels the slowed my momentum to a dangerously slow crawl.

My tires grinded the concrete as I yanked the E-brake sliding my car way from path of another wrecking ball.

"I bet the ratings are going sky rocket after this." Dingxiang grumbled as his Kanobo barreled past me.

"Hell yeah, I'd pay to watch this, bonus points if you take one down." Carter laughed.

Wait...

As my car flew past the rig I tried to take a peek inside, but the windows were heavily tinted. No way to know it there was a separate crane operator.

Time was of the essence.

"Dingxiang, I say we give it a shot."

"What?" Dingxiang and Carter said at once.

"I want 'Split/Second Rig', to be on my list shit I blew up this season."

"I pretty sure it's not possible Konani." Carter argued.

"Nonsense, if this sport has taught me anything it's that anything on wheels can be destroyed. Period."

"Eh, I've come back from the dead once already, why not make it a two 'fer?" Dingxiang replied.

"That's the spirit. Keep up if you can."

I launched myself out of Kanobo's draft and into wide left corner. My Cobretti slid a beautiful arc around the turn as the wrecking ball swung at me in vain. I watched as the arm quickly returned to a neutral position before the rig went past the pillars.

I cut in front on the truck avoiding the wave of barrels from the next one ahead, which curiously hadn't brought its arm...

"The wrecking balls are human controlled." I announced, watching as the arm barely missed striking the low hanging bridge.

"Eh, that's good and bad. Tenma, 5 o'clock." Dingxiang called.

I slid my car wide into the turn, cutting off the approaching vehicle. A set of tires behind me screeched in response as the driver veered to the other side.

I glanced at my side mirror just in time to see said vehicle take a blue barrel to the windshield.

I tapped my brakes as the damaged Ryback flew ahead, meeting its demise via 1000 pounds of circular steel.

The Severus sliced through the flames and debris as I steered it wide around the oversized rig. It honked angrily as I sped past.

I matched with my own rage as the rear tires of my ride ignited with a plume of smoke. My car danced in front of the truck, clouding the driver's vision with wheel smoke.

I which I had thought of a cool line to use until the rig shunted me out of the way. The Severus spun once before I had it back in gear, I held my breath as it slid dangerously close to a red barrel.

"What exactly was the plan there hot stuff?" Carter scoffed.

"Shut up." I barked. My tires squealed as I sailed past more volatile containers.

"Hm, well just so you know, you've got about 60 seconds until sudden death. I suggest trying to be hero before that happens." Carter replied.

I grunted with impatience while swerving around another wave of ordinance, the constant hiss of gaseous explosions was beginning to wear on my nerves.

The low morning sun blinked out of existence for a brief moment as the rig ahead reactivated is wrecking ball arm. The ground rumbled as the steel ball fell onto the track, drawing a line of heated dust and fractured concrete behind it.

It swung behind the rig once...twice...three tim-

I dove. I heard the growl of another engine behind me, too low to be Dingxiang's Kanobo, just another competitor trying to sneak a tow from my draft.

I ignored it, focusing on the scream like sounds of the wrecking ball tearing across the track toward me. I could hear the rig's motor working overtime to try and push the ball forward.

We rounded the next corner just as the 10 second warning sounded. We approached the next set of pillars with a good clip. The perhaps overzealous copilot continued to plow the wrecking ball toward my tailgater and I.

I couldn't have asked for a better set up.

"Here come's the pitch!" Dingxiang laughed. A loud bang resonated across the track as the Hanzo SUV slammed into the right side of special edition Split/Second rig. The cab's suspension creaked as it swayed from the impact.

I flipped the paddle on my F1 style wheel, My Cobretti's spoiler went vertical in response. The Cyclone behind me shuddered as its plowed straight into a wall of air.

As the Ryback skidded, I would have reveled in watching the wrecking ball consume it but I had to pull back. I drew sparks from my car's chassis I slid a hard left. The red barrel seemed to skip across the ground in slow-mo, barely missing my Severus as it twirled overhead.

Success.

The boom arm against pillar didn't just cause a loud bang, it sounded like a full on explosion. The mechanical monster of an arm shattered, taking the top part of the rig with it. The green Hanzo slid away as Dingxiang locked his brakes; I on the other hand floored it.

But I had to look back.

Concrete exploded as the damaged rig tipped over and dug into the track. Red and blue barrels sailed through the air detonating sporadically. Sparks generated a wave of burning debris as the trailer wrapped itself around the next set of pillars.

I yanked the E-brake and spun my car to a stop, facing the wondrous, flaming pile of wreckage that was a Split/Second Survival rig.

"Fuck yeah, that goin' on a highlight reel!" I whooped.

"I'll be damned, you guys did it." Carter's voice echoed through my helmet in astonishment.

"You okay, Ding'?"

"10-4, ready for more." the Chinese driver's pleasantly attractive voice replied.

"Well then," carter laughed, "I guess by rig DNF...thiiisss...racee...

Fuck. This adrenalin bullshit only happens when something bad's about to happen. Something that my eyes don't see...can't see...

Couldn't smell…couldn't hear...couldn't-

My vehicle was in reverse before the brain signals even reached my hands. The bite of threaded tire on concrete wasn't there. The rear wheels spun, slowly crawling the vehicle backward.

The downed trailer that lay across the track buckled...warped under the impact. The rig that had begun its trek through the trailer of its accomplice was starting to slow. It's speed being replaced by the rumble of canister after canister exploding.

I was breathless as my vision went white. Weightlessness...I must have been on a cloud...

And just like other rigorous activities of the past, the euphoric feeling ended as soon as it began.

As my eyes began to win the argument with my brain about resuming work, I found myself staring not at a sheet of white, but one of grey.

I inhaled sharply.

Cool. I'm still breathing, which by default should mean I'm not dead.

I pushed at the large gray blob before me, finding that it was metallic. Upon further inspection I found myself to be upside down. Yeah, weird, I know.

I would appear that in the massive explosion, that I honestly should have seen coming, a large piece of shrapnel lodged itself inside my over turned car stopping the S.A.F.E. from completely forming.

HOLY FUCK, HOLY FUCK I ALMOST DIED. Again.

"Carter..." I coughed. I pulled at my restraints attempting to free myself.

With the lack of response I assumed the radio was in some way fried. I gritted my teeth as yanked at my jammed seat belt. Being upside down was beginning to press a rather uncomfortable headache on my temples.

The quickly approaching rumble wasn't helping either.

Ah shit.

The small space of already small unlicensed exotic car filled with foam quickly shrank. My stomach became nauseous as my crumpled Severus was lifted into the air with me still inside.

"Owwww." I groaned. My head felt like someone had driven a knife threw it. The next groan was one of frustration, while my car was now right side up, I was still stuck inside.

"Knock, knock!" some chuckled while rapping the front part of my car.

I froze, even through the S.A.F.E. foam I knew who it was: Blitz.

"Today Trel." he griped.

"Shut up." said the even lower voice of Rigg, followed by a sound I liked even less. A circular saw.

I bit my lip in fear, leaning as far away from the saw as possible. A shower of sparks was spewed onto my helmet as the tool began to splice through the remains of my Cobretti.

It felt like an eternity before the blade disappeared and the crude door was pried away.

I barely had time to breathe before the barrel of a magnum was thrust into my face.

"Get out." Trel growled.

"Seatbelt." I groaned weakly.

The firearm was holstered and replaced with a serrated knife that made short work of my restraints.

I began to remove my helmet before a powerful arm grabbed the back of my suit and yank my out of my seat.

The feeling of weightlessness was sickening. I landed on my back with a painful grunt, my helmet landed beside me with a crack.

I just laid there, dazed. Staring up at what must have been the world's highest ceiling.

I just laid there, scrunching my eyes closed. Trying to become small, small enough to disappear. To disappear, to make this moment go away.

I could feel him crouch beside me. He gave the side of my face a light pat.

"Wakey, wakey Tenma." Blitz's disgusting voice said.

I opened my eyes slowly and glared at him.

"That's more like it, now get up." he barked yanking me upward by the arm.

I got to my feet, but I just stood there. Hurt, confused, and once again, afraid.

"Are...are you going to kill me?" I asked, trying to keep from crying.

"Hell naw. I just want to have a little conversation." Blitz replied with a sly smile, "Walk with me." he added before turning and walking away.

That's when my still throbbing brain picked up on where I was: a warehouse. The contents of which were tens of hundreds of cars. Not just Cobrettis, Rybacks, and Hanzos, there were BMWs, Aston Martins, Watsons, Audis, Nissans, Soldats, and Ferraris. There were even a few Prototype cars.

I timidly began to pace behind Tyson, "Where are we?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Heh, ya like it don't cha'?" He smirked, stopping in front of jet black MC12. "I call this place 'The Basement'. It's were I make all of my, entrepreneurial transactions."

"You mean were you sell the cars you steal." I frowned.

The man rolled his dark brown eyes before beckoning me toward a more open area. About 50 feet behind me the rows and rows of cars stopped. A pair of hydraulic lifts was to the left and right. And in the middle sat a metal table accompanied my an simple fold out chair. Papers seemed to be scattered haphazardly atop it.

But that not was made me cringe, it was the Barrett .50 sitting on top of another table beside the paper filled one.

"You see this Tenma? These are some of my best trophies." Blitz announced, he held his hand out, displaying a row of 6 cars suspended above eye level on the back wall.

"But this car and this gun are my two favorite things in the world." He carefully patted the rifle.

"What do you want with me?" I quickly asked.

He slowly strolled around to what he pointed out to be his favorite car, an AMC Javelin.

"Look, I think you and me. We got off on the wrong foot." he said in all seriousness.

"Are you fucking kidding me?! Of course we did you asshole, you tried to kill me and all of my friends!" I growled.

"Eh, shit happens. I'm willing to overlook that."

Rigg was the only reason I didn't try to lunge and strangle the little douche.

"Listen ya feisty Japanese chica, do you know why I let-"

"I'm Hawaiian." I interrupted.

"Same thing." he replied with a roll of his eyes.

"Fuck you."

"I'm working on it."

"What?"

"Hey I'll be straight with you, you're fuckin' hot. If I could, I'd plow you into next Tuesday." Blitz emphasized with a few hip thrusts.

My face scrunched into the most extreme expression of disgust I had ever displayed.

"When I became the big boss of S2, I made sure to lower the bar for those who could enter in this season. I invited the scourge of the highways here to Second City."

From disgust to confusion.

"I wanted the roughest and toughest motherfuckers to come here to Second City. Not those pro-driving pansies from last season. I was going to pool together the greatest drivers in the world."

"Okay, time out." I formed a "T" shape with my hands, "What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Oh, are we going to have a civil conversation now?" Blitz chuckled

"I know you're not as stupid as you look Tyson. Tell Trel to put the guns away and we just might."

Blitz shot glance toward Rigg, but the wingman shook his head.

"Unlike you I'm not so easily swayed by pussy." Rigg scoffed

I flipped him the bird.

"Once again I'll ask, what is it that you want?"

"Isn't it obvious? I want to keep my business so I can do whatever the fuck I want with the thousands I make."

I pinched my forehead in frustration, "I understand that, it's clearly enough for you to kill over."

"Damn straight."

"Why the big fiasco in the parking garage?"

"Oh. I was honest to God, going to kill all of you cunts. But you sure did fuck that up." Blitz growled.

I stepped back slightly, the thought of running flashed through my mind. Where the fuck was I going to run to anyway? I don't even know where I am.

"But I'm glad ya did, you reminded me that I wouldn't have made this far in the underground car market if popped a bullet in every driver I didn't like."

"What? Are you talking about when we made out?"

"Oh yea, we're more alike than I had originally thought."

"Whoa, let me cut you short there frat boy. Whatever you got out of that-"

"You live for the thrill." Blitz cut me off.

"Excuse me?"

"It's sure as hell hard to find. But you're a person who doesn't drive for money, reputation, or even to be a better driver. You drive simply for the danger in driving."

"What are you..."

"Wait," Tyson held up his hand, "replays."

It took him about five minute to fish around the multitude of tool boxes and cabinets to produce a dust covered flat screen. He took another five minutes setting it up.

"Episode 3, I bribed the Vulture to go ape shit in the race, perhaps putting a couple of you faggots out for the season."

The TV showed a rerun of episode three's final cut, the Canyon race event where Monroe activated the Route Switch on the first lap. The camera switches from Evan's Centaur to Tommi, Tory and I. Instantly I could see the difference in our vehicles, the way mine moved looked more controlled, calculated, completely the opposite of what I felt inside.

"Episode 5, I would have loved it if Maya or Maverick could have fucked at least one of you guys up."

This clip was in the same 'right from the TV' format giving wild and action oriented camera angles of my move on Maya's Severus. If it wasn't for the fact I could physically see myself driving inside the Cobretti, I would have called bullshit. I used my spoiler to destabilized the airflow over Maya's car, how the fuck? I barely understand how that could have been remotely possible but the replay I was watching currently proved otherwise.

"Do you see the point I'm trying to make here? You don't crack under pressure, you excel...no, not even fuckin' close. You thrive in it, you crave it, you need it."

I looked from the screen, to Blitz, and then back again.

"So what? You think I'm some sort of adrenaline junkie?" I replied, perhaps a bit too slowly.

"Damn straight."

"Well that's just awesome, what the fuck do you want with me then?"

"I want you to drive for me."

Hm, I must have heard that wrong. I sounded like he-

"How do you think these cars get delivered huh? Drivers Tenma, drivers."

My stance widened, my fisted clenched, my rage peaked, "Why the fuck would I work for you?! After everything thing you've done, what could possibly make me consider what you just said?"

Tyson breathed a large sigh and stood still for a moment. He checked his phone for something before strolling over the second table.

My bowels churned as I was suddenly reminded why I was stuck here in the first place. I don't think I'm ever going to get used to having a rifle pointed at me.

"I like you Tenma, I really do. But if you speak to me like that again I'll blow your goddamn head off."

Okay, okay lets chill for a second...let's think of something that won't get me killed.

"Besides the gun to my face, why would I even think about working for you?" I asked as calmly as I could manage.

"What, didn't I just explain that?" Tyson replied with a raised eye brow.

"Not really."

"What could be more thrilling than driving stolen, multi-million dollar cars cross-country? Treacherous roads, out running cops, how could you turn this down?"

"You can't be serious..."

"Do I look like I'm kidding?" Tyson said while frowning as much as possible and pointing to his own face.

I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration again, how is this guy master minding this operation? I feel like I'm talking to a hyper active 12 year old.

"Okay, let's say, hypothetically speaking, that I do agree to this. Will you leave my friends alone?"

Blitz paused for a second, he glanced at Rigg who shrugged. Then he turned back to me, "I guess so...plus it has been kind of a pain in the ass trying to get rid of them."

I began to breathe a sigh of relief before Blitz, unfortunately, began to elaborate.

"Yeah, but Gigantor, Raven, and angry McWhores-a-lot are probably still gonna get wasted."

I glared at him for the ump-teenth time today, "What the fuck, why?"

"Because!" Tyson said, comically mocking my voice, "they would be the easist to ice without leaving evidence, while conveniently being the only three who aren't afraid to die, sort of."

"Seriously!?"

"What? They'd be the only ones with balls enough to fuck up my business even after I put a gun to their face."

Wow, now is not the time contemplating the fact that Blitz actually made a valid point.

"Listen Tenma, I feel like we're talking in circles now, so I'm just gonna lay out the bottom lines. And since I do like you, I'm gonna give you some options, savvy?"

Through my glare, I nodded slightly in agreement, to which Tyson had Trel go retrieve something.

"I really like making major bank off the cars around here but your stupid little friends know too much for my liking. And there's only 3 ways I can currently think of that will, more or less, stop me from hounding your bros."

I don't give a fuck about your options, I'll do anything to-

"You let me tap 'dat ass whenever I want, and I'll stop right now."

"What..." No...no..no no no...

"You heard me, no questions asked, no strings attaches, I let all of your bros walk."

"Are you...you would risk all of this for a quick fuck?" I asked astonished.

"Eh, I wouldn't say risk...Option two: you drive for me, and I whack your three most volatile friends."

"No deal." I said immediately.

"Hm well you might not like this last one then..."

"How is having sex with you not the worst one?"

"Hey, don't knock it 'til you've tried it honey."

"What's my last option Tyson?" I deadpanned.

"I'd imagine if I killed you right here and now, an' made that fact obvious, the chaos of ensuing investigations should allow me to safely move my operation elsewhere. And I would let your bros off the hook as a bonus."

"Why the fuck would I chose death over sex?" I asked almost laughing.

"I donno, some chicks have this like, lesbian level determination not to have cock." Blitz replied in all seriousness.

Before I could respond the familiar sound of a Severus's V10 cut me off. Rigg parked the solid white Cobertti next us before stepping out and handing me a small box. I reluctantly grabbed it, my hand dipped slightly from its surprising weight.

"As you can see this was set to be Strong's ride but I think you would be far more capable with it."

"Uhhh?" I unintelligently began to question.

"It's equipped with what would have been Live Wire's weapon had its development not reached a snag before the start of Season 1."

"Why give me this now?"

"A gift to sweeten the first two deals."

"What's in the box?" I asked pointing to the black container in my right hand.

"Colt M1191." Rigg answered to my surprise, he snatched the box away and opened it. He produced the handgun and presented it to me before going through a lighting fast series of instructive motions. Safety, magazine loading, the works, 90% of which went right over my head.

Before I knew the gun was back in the box and in my hands, probably never to be seen again.

"I didn't think you'd be too keen on the whole gun thing, but you're gonna love this." Blitz said pointing to the Severus.

"I tell you what, the Germans can build some nasty stuff girl, they call it the Internal Dragoon MK1. It disrupts air pressure using electromagnetic waves to create compressed, high speed wind within seconds, pretty sick right?"

Well fuck, I don't want to agree with him...

"Not convinced?" he continued with a smirk, "hows about a test drive..."