When I first wrote this story I didn't plan it with chapters but just wrote it out over email and sent it to myself. Afterwards I went through it and tried to divide it into even chapters of roughly five pages each. My point is that any cliffhangers are completely by coincidence. You have been warned.
After checking out the rest of the compound and seeing just a flash of the courtyard (and the mysterious crates and barrels being locked into containers), Doc and Tex crept back towards the exit they had discovered at the back. They were about to slip out when Tex heard a voice.
"Well, Darrell, I think Dinoco will do the business good..."
"What in the blazes?" the oil baron muttered to himself, coming to a halt. That was his voice. It was an interview he had had over 15 years ago. The confused car turned around and headed into the direction of the sound. It was in a room he and Doc had glanced into that only had a tv that was turned off. Nothing interesting.
"Dinoco," Doc whispered from behind him. He was about to follow the Texan but a flash of light blue distracted him. There was a chip of Dinoco blue paint on the wall. Same shade as Strip's. Keeping an eye on Tex, Doc ducked into the other doorway.
Tex felt for a strange few moments that he had just walked into one of those sci-fi movies Cal watched sometimes. The closer he came to the room the more he recognized his own voice and he slowly began to recall the situation surrounding the interview. The memories from the past and the recent events of the past few days drifted together, forming a clear picture. In reality this happened in only a few seconds, but those seconds felt a whole lot longer to Tex, like he was seeing everything in slow motion.
"It was a shame we couldn't come to an arrangement," the Tex from the past said. "But Douglas just wasn't ready to compromise."
15 years later and he was faced with the worst fear he didn't even know he had. Douglas Monfield pointing a gun at his best racer and good friend.
He immediately berated himself. He should have told Marshall to check for any name changes. But it was too late for that now.
"Douglas," he greeted, usually cheerful tone coming out with a bit of apprehension. "I expected to meet a car named Monroe, and now you show up."
"I'm one and the same," the Monroe replied. "Although I didn't expect to see you here... Should have known better that to build a base near the Hudson Hornet's hometown... You always had a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Doc, Tex immediately thought. He had lost sight of him when he had been distracted. Hopefully he'd gone and gotten Sheriff. Deciding to ignore his former rival, he glanced at Strip. His friend looked as relaxed as could be in this situation. He wasn't wearing a tire block, but the gun coming out of Monro... Douglas' tire was pointed straight at his engine block. He was holding himself in a way Tex has come to realize he did whenever the stupid axle still bothered him.
"Hey Tex," the race car greeted, and his voice came out even, sending a small rush of relief over Tex. He instantly relaxed.
"Hey Strip," he responded. "Good to see ya. Cal's been missing his trainer. Guess I'll have to pay you half for the days you've missed."
"Didn't know you were still paying me," Strip quipped.
"Alright, cut it out," Monroe growled. "You know why he's here, Dinoco?"
"I think I got the gist of it," Tex said, small grin dropping. "You're still angry that I bought up the business you were set to own and cut you out. This is some kind of revenge plan, using my racer to get to me."
"Nice to see you haven't changed," Douglas smirked. "So very smart... You were always too clever for your own good."
"And smarter than you are," Tex rolled forward a little. "Don't you see how stupid this is? You could have found something else to do but instead you let it get personal. You should never let it get personal, boy."
"Seemingly wise words, but you're not fooling anyone," Monroe stated. "Coming in here alone was really stupid."
"You saw me on the camera," Tex guessed, prodding Douglas to see if he had seen the Hudson Hornet as well.
"Imagine my surprise," Monroe smirked. "Driving by and seeing you right here in my humble abode. I thought I would need to go all the way to Dallas."
"Well, I've come all this way for you," Tex started. "Now let Strip go and we can sort this out like gentlecars."
"I don't think so," the car glared coldly at Tex. "It's only fair that since you took something of mine, I should take something of yours."
Strip's eyes widened just slightly. Monroe really was going to kill him!
"Now, don't be ridiculous," Tex drove forward but slammed on his brakes as Monroe pushed the gun into Strip's side. "Killing another car won't do an ounce of good."
"Perhaps not," Monroe shrugged, and Tex realized that he wouldn't be able to talk the car out of this. His judgement wasn't clouded with emotion, he had thought this through and already made up his mind. "But the look on your face will be worth it... And I promised this old lady I'd get back at the racing board... What better way than to kill a racing legend."
"Douglas. no-" Tex watched in horror as the trigger moved and Weather's eyes closed instinctively.
"You think he's a legend?" A new voice cut through the room and the trigger slid back into place. Tex almost sagged in relief but the feeling disappeared when he saw Doc come into a side door.
"Stay where you are," Monroe warned, pointing the gun towards him then back to Weathers. Doc complied and looked straight at the car, the look he always gave McQueen when the rookie did something stupid.
"You must not know a whole lot about racing," his gaze didn't waver from Monroe.
"Yeah, I don't," Monroe didn't look to impressed. "But I do know you're supposed to be retired and you're probably the one who decided it was a good idea to come here."
"Guilty as charged," Doc drawled. "Now, I'm gonna give you a little history lesson and you better listen carefully. I still hold the record for most wins in a single season, and if anyone's gonna beat that, I'll be training them. I won the Piston Cup three years in a row. This was on a dirt track, mind you, before they switched to asphalt. There's only one racing legend in this room, and that's me."
Tex realized that Doc was stalling. So did Strip.
"Now hold on one moment, Doc," Strip took the bait. "If I rightly recall, I have seven cups at home. You only have three. Does that really make you the legend or just the lucky one?"
Doc replied quickly, not wanting Monroe to catch onto what he was doing.
"It makes me the one who quit while he was ahead."
"I don't suppose your crash in '54 had anything to do with that?" Strip asked, internally wincing at such a low blow. He shot Doc a quick apologetic look but the older car gave a small nod before 'jumping' to his defense.
"At least I didn't have to get pushed across the finish line," he snarled convincingly, delivering a low blow of his own.
"Qui-" Douglas tried to cut in but Strip beat him to it.
"Look, Fabulous," he bit out, taking hold of every angry moment in his career where he had to refrain from throwing an insult towards Chick Hicks. "You might have been a good racer on the dirt, but the sport has moved on. I was a darn good racer in my time and managed to outdo you. Best to move on and accept that." The blue car turned towards Doc, making sure Monroe's shot wasn't as clear as the car would like. Unfortunately this meant he wasn't shielding Tex anymore, but it was a risk he would have to take.
"That's not racing," Doc scoffed.
Tex stayed quiet, waiting for his moment.
"Then you should show me what is, grandfather," Strip bit out. Doc almost laughed. He might have been old enough to be Strip's father but that was taking it too far.
"Even better, why don't we let the kids settle it," he said sweetly. "Or is Cal going to get creamed next race by Lightning."
Strip was about to retort, but Monroe had caught up to their scheme by that time.
"Enough, he ground out, cutting next to Strip.
"Stay out of this," Doc growled.
"I don't think so," Monroe had his weapon pointed at Doc now, and the old Hudson Hornet backed up a smidgen, suddenly realizing what he had done. "Seeing as you're both so wonderful, why don't I shoot you as a pair?"
Doc's world froze as he heard a shot go off.
It had taken Finn and Holley longer than Finn would have liked to reach the compound. They had reached Siddeley rather quickly but due to a helicopter presence in the air the two cars had to parachute into the forest and trek the rest of the way towards the compound. As a result, they arrived there just as the helicopter was making its fifth circle around the compound while waiting for the forklifts to make room for it to land in the courtyard.
Finn found part of the destruction caused earlier by McQueen and Weathers and followed it back to their target. He nodded to Holley when he saw the coast was clear and the two drove quietly to the elusive back door. Holley pulled her taser as Finn opened the door. She went in first and he followed. The same bleak hallway that had greeted Tex and Doc earlier was waiting for them. Holley was surprised by the emptiness of the compound, but she figured there couldn't be more than 20 or so vehicles working here, and they were all in the courtyard.
The two cars crept forward along the hallway, pressed against the wall. Both of them heard the voices at the same time. Or first, one voice.
"Then you should show me what is, grandfather."
Holley frowned. She recognized that voice but couldn't place it. She was about to access voice recognition when a voice she did recognize was heard.
"Even better, why don't we let the kids settle it."
Finn recognized the voice as well.
"Or is Cal going to get creamed next race by Lightning."
That was definitely Doc Hudson.
Finn drove forward, body so close to the wall it was a marvel he didn't scratch his paint.
"Enough."
Holley didn't recognize that voice at all.
"Stay out of this."
"I don't think so."
By now Finn had reached the doorway where Holley knew the voices were coming from. She stayed back, and quietly allowed her gun to come out of her other tire. She watched as Finn glanced around into the doorway, leaning forward ever so slightly and ready for his order.
"Seeing as you're both so wonderful, why don't I shoot you as a pair?"
Holley didn't even have time to process those words before Finn had released his gun from his right tire. Leaping out from his safe spot behind the wall, Finn shut his left eye. Holley's eyes widened as the agent aimed and pulled the trigger in the spam of a few semi-seconds.
A loud shot rang out through the hallways.
The bullet traveled straight past Doc. The Hudson Hornet would later swear he felt the little projectile whoosh inches from his right eye, heating up the air around it like Lightning would heat up asphalt at the beginning of a race. The bullet didn't hit him, but went straight for it's mark. Right above Monroe's (or Douglas - Doc really didn't care at the moment) right tire, just underneath the hood. It penetrated the car's axle and caused him to drop the gun with a shout of pain.
The gun clattered to the ground as the buzzing entering Doc's ears seemed to rattle his mind. He watched Monroe's weapon as it clattered onto the ground, spinning twice before it came to a halt with the barrel pointed towards the wall. He didn't breath. He felt frozen.
Strip was the first to react. Switching his gears into reverse race car practically plowed into Monroe's side, sending the car slamming into the wall. Hours of frustration along with the fear of almost being shot gave Strip enough power to force Monroe into a spin. Monroe's pain was dulled by adrenaline enough that he ended up scrambling for the gun but Doc had gained his senses enough to shove it out of the way.
The sound of a gun cocking caused the three cars to freeze, Monroe about to make a grab for the gun again.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Tex's voice sent a shiver down Monroe, and he turned to see the Texan lazily pointing a Smith and Wesson classic 6 shooter revolver at him from his right tire. Gone was the friendly business car with an almost jolly-like grin. In it's place was a hard, ruthless car who would do anything to protect what was his. Monroe felt another shiver go down through his engine block.
"Is concealed carry even legal in this state?" He attempted a last-ditch attempt at intimidation or bravery.
"Well son," Tex drawled, his voice low. "I don't rightly know. But don't you worry too much about that now."
Doc's head was still reeling from the fact that he had almost been shot, but he forced his mind back into the game.
"Lightning?" he asked Strip anxiously.
"They left him outside," Weathers was of the same mind. Kicking Monroe's gun further away he headed for the door, only to look hesitatingly back at Tex.
"You alright?" He asked, glancing towards Monroe.
"Yeah," Tex nodded, not taking his eyes off the criminal. "You go on ahead."
Strip nodded and raced after Doc who was already heading towards the courtyard. His mind, a blur of thoughts, finally settled on who in the heck had fired that bullet? He needed to know that. He needed answers. But first, he needed to find Lightning.
Monroe was left with the angry business car. He briefly wondered if Tex would shoot him seeing as there were no witnesses. Speaking of witnesses, the car looked around to see who had shot him. It certainly hadn't been Tex.
"Your security?" He asked Tex when he didn't see anyone.
"I highly doubt it," Tex said, gun unwavering. "But I owe my thanks to whoever it was. You were free to play any game you wanted with me, Douglas. But you crossed the line when you threatened someone I care about. Try this again and I'll make an example out of you to anyone who might try anything similar."
Monroe stayed stubbornly quiet knowing that any chance of escape right now for him was useless. All he could hope for was that those stupid race cars would be stopped by his security outside.
Strip tried call out to Doc that he should wait but the Hudson Hornet heard the sounds of a helicopter in front of him. It had finally landed! Throwing caution and his own safety to the wind, Doc burst into the courtyard - just in time to see a helicopter take off with McQueen.
"Kid!" He called out.
Lightning, who looked pretty petrified, glanced down as he saw his crew chief.
"Doc!" He shouted. "It's the guy from the Grand Prix!"
Lightning disappeared from view and Doc saw an orange Gremlin looking down at him laughing.
"Tell that stupid tow truck we got his best friend!" He shouted gleefully. Doc's engine revved in fury. Stupid World Grand Prix. His attention was torn away from the helicopter as three Ford Raptors surrounded him.
"These the guys that took you?" he asked Strip who had come up beside him, remembering Marshall's theory back at the track.
"Ones and the same," the Raptor with the bent grill leered. "Now are you going to come quietly?"
Doc's eyes narrowed as he saw the helicopter starting to fly out of the compound towards the main road. If he could just get a clear shot towards the gate. But the Raptors were closing in and he didn't see any way past them...
A huge BANG and CLANG caused the Raptors to look behind them. Doc's face grew into a grin when he saw Mack and Gray towering over the forklifts in the background, the gate in total shambles around them. The Raptors turned around slowly, dreading what they would see. The sight was made worse when an old Jeep and a grey Chevrolet Silverado drove in between the trucks.
"You're all under citizen arrest," Marshall said, and before the forklifts could react he shot a small smoke grenade out from his tire. The chaos stunned the other cars but Doc was used to disorder and raced between the Raptors.
"Doc!" Sarge called out to him.
"Take care of these guys," Doc responded, slowing down his speed just a fraction. "I'm going after McQueen."
The Hudson Hornet screeched past the gates, Strip Weathers following, being one of the only cars there able to keep up with him. The Raptors tried to follow but Mack blocked their way.
"Oh, no you don't," he growled. Gray slammed into them from the side the Raptors were powerless against the semi's engine.
Some of the smaller cars (Rick included) slid past the semi, making headway towards the gate.
"Where do you think you're going?" Sheriff asked, blocking the way. Him and Smokey had heard the crash and had raced towards the gate. Rick made to drive past but Sheriff had a tire block on him faster than the car could blink.
"What the-?" the car protested but was interrupted as Smokey slammed into a forklift, causing it to fall onto it's side.
Sarge quickly established a grid with Marshall and blocked the rest of the cars from escaping. Mack and Gray struggled to see through the smoke but were able to stop at least two of the Raptors and the two tow trucks from going anywhere.
A new set of helicopter blades sounded from above them and Rotor appeared.
"Some of them are making a break it," the chopper said over the comm he was wearing with Sarge and Marshall.
"Not for long they won't," Sarge growled.
"Go after Weathers," Marshall ordered. "Tex'll have our hides if anything happens to him."
"Copy that," Rotor took off after the other helicopter, turning his spotlight on.
After the smoke had settled and the chaos had subsided Sheriff drove over to Sarge.
"Excellent timing," he stated. "Not sure if it's legal but I'm certain any judge will let it slide."
"It's not exactly over yet," Marshall came next to them. "McQueen is still unaccounted for."
The two semi-trucks were guarding the prisoners in one corner of the compound. Smokey had opened one of the containers and saw barrels and barrels of oil. Sarge confirmed that it was indeed Allinol oil, probably the last batch that had been manipulated. Mack started panicking.
"This means Lightning's been taken by one of those Grand Prix bad guys!" He exclaimed. "They're going to kill him!"
"Calm yourself, soldier," Sarge barked. "They won't kill him."
Despite his words of reassurance, Sarge glanced at the sky uneasily.
"Sarge is right," Marshall agreed. "McQueen is way too valuable."
Tex came out at this moment prodding a grumpy looking Monroe with his gun as the car moved slowly on purpose.
"Marshall," he called out. "You were right about revenge. I think you remember Douglas... Now goes by the name Monroe."
"Yeah, I think I do," Marshall said grimly. "You wanna tell us who the car in the chopper is?"
Monroe stayed persistently quiet.
"We'll get him to talk later," Smokey said. "Right now we gotta move and see if we can help the kid."
Him and Sheriff started securing the prisoners while Tex called Marshall aside.
"Remember that funny business with the World Grand Prix last year?"
"Yeah," Marshall nodded. "We know it's connected."
"I think someone's already after McQueen," Tex whispered. "You'll notice Douglas is limping and he wasn't shot by me."
"You're saying there's some sort of secret agent around?" Marshall certainly hadn't expected this curve ball.
"I think so and hope so," Tex glanced up. "Cause even with Rotor, we are hopelessly outgunned."
I really like writing action scenes, but writing it with cars was a whole new experience.
