Transformers Galaxy Force: Thunder Storm
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers.
Chapter 21
Skids sat on the side of the track waiting for Exiguiser to finish his lap. The Planet Cup Track was long, and it took almost 2 hours to complete it. Skids had been waiting for almost that long, so Exiguiser would be finishing soon.
The young Transformer looked up as he heard a roar above him. Rodimus Convoy flew in and transformed, landing next to Skids. "You can fly?" he asked the larger Transformer, his mouth dropping.
Rodimus nodded and looked out at the track. Moments later, Exiguiser came speeding through, crossing the finish line. The planet leader transformed and walked up to the other two racers, smiling.
"So, Skids, who's your friend?" Exiguiser asked.
"I'm Rodimus Convoy, a friend of Coby and Lori," Rodimus answered, sticking out his hand. Exiguiser shook it, and then turned to Skids.
"Ready to practice?" he asked the younger Transformer. Skids nodded.
"I thought I'd join you and Skids today and race with you. Do you mind?" Rodimus asked.
Exiguiser smiled, "Of course not! The more racers, the more fun it is!"
The three of them transformed and lined up at the starting line. The lights blinked and they took off down the track. Back at Skids' home, Lori smiled. Rodimus was sending a video feed to her PDA so that she could watch. In spite of the size of his vehicle form, Rodimus was keeping up well with both Skids and Exiguiser.
The planet leader was surprised at how well Rodimus was racing. He never would have guessed that the larger Transformer could be so fast. Rodimus neatly passed Skids and began to overtake Exiguiser, who laughed. "Hey, Skids!" he called. "Do you remember how to use a slipstream?"
Skids slipped behind Rodimus Convoy, using the slipstream that the larger racer created to increase his speed. Timing his move carefully, Skids moved out of the slipstream and shot ahead. Exiguiser used the same trick and caught up to Skids as they sped away from Rodimus. He didn't mind; he'd catch up to them.
Watching from the side, Override carefully scanned Rodimus Convoy and compared his form to the readouts she had received. It was a match. She thought carefully about how she could ambush him. She could always just pick him off, but that would be too risky; she didn't know how strong he was, or where his weak points were. She scanned the track and noticed the loop, and idea forming in her mind.
The racers approached the loop. Skids and Exiguiser were matching the other's pace, and Rodimus had caught up and was following close behind. The loop was large, and if you didn't have enough speed, you wouldn't make it. It was also the place where you didn't make any moves to pass or overtake, or you'd fall. You could also fall if you were distracted, or say, shot at.
Override waited until Rodimus was at the top of the loop, and then fired. Her blast struck him in the side, and he began to spiral downward. He managed to transform in mid-air and landed heavily on his feet. He felt something pop in his ankle and winced, sitting down. He knew he just broke something.
As soon as they got to the bottom of the loop, Exiguiser and Skids stopped and transformed, walking over to their injured friend. Rodimus had already pulled out his tool and was fixing his ankle when they walked up.
"What happened?" Exiguiser asked.
"I got shot, what do you think happened?" Rodimus replied, annoyed.
"Will you be okay?" Skids asked, worried.
Rodimus nodded, "I learned a few things from Coby. I'll be fine." He stood, testing his foot. It still hurt slightly, but it would bear his weight until it healed. He'd have to refrain from being in Human form while it did, as the damage would convert into a sprain.
"Just as well, you should let someone look at it," Exiguiser said. "Make sure the damage isn't as bad as you think."
"I'll let Coby and Lori look at it," Rodimus reassured. "I trust them. They saved my life once, so I owe them mine." He transformed and flew off.
"I wonder who shot at him," Skids thought aloud.
"Let's go find out," Exiguiser answered. They transformed and began to make their way around the track to where Override was.
Ducking back into her hiding place, Override mentally kicked herself. Her blast had hardly even caused any damage to Rodimus Convoy. But there was more to it than that. Rodimus was a target who had a life debt, and he seemed to take it seriously. She had to find a better way to get him to her client. But what could she do? Thoughts raced through her head.
I could just abandon the job.
No. I've never received a job that I haven't completed. I need to complete this one.
Threaten the lives of those who he owes his life?
Bad Override! Bad! Bad! Bad! How many times have I heard about the Human, Coby, helping Exiguiser? Enough to know that the two of them are friends. I don't want that ignorant, arrogant offworlder mad at me. Besides, I'm a bounty hunter, not evil. I need to find something he's good at and beat him at it.
The only thing I could beat him would probably be a race.
Yes! Beat him in a race! That's the Speedian way!
Override grinned to herself. Racing was the way of life on Speedia, and it had been a long time since she had had any new competition. She quickly transformed and drove off before Exiguiser and Skids found her. This could be exciting.
