Bad Batch Episode: Faster

Switching partners on a team was no easy task. This, the Jedi, the royal family, and the Bad Batch were quickly finding that out as enchanted professor Garrett Heartwood brought everyone a lesson plan that involved everyone with a horse from Equinaro matched through the Ride of Love ceremony, and everyone randomly switched horses in an effort to practice teamwork and cooperation with someone new. The plan was everyone spend five weeks with their new partner, and the assignment, everyone was to write a report of their progress and what they learned from their experience.

As you might expect, not everyone was finding this assignment easy.

Anakin got matched with Crosshair's horse Maybelle, and Wrecker with Master Koth's horse Zipp. At first, these two were happy because they got horses who were fast, strong, and not afraid to jump into new places. But, Anakin quickly found that Maybelle was as energetic as she also was affectionate, meaning she did a lot of licking and got up in his business sometimes. And Wrecker, he found that Zipp could be a little bossy, as in she made her dominance known early on.

Hunter was placed with Master Plo Koon's horse Citrus, whereas Echo got Hunter's friend Indira. Echo didn't find too much trouble with Indira; she was pretty calm and enjoyed being stroked and brushed, especially on her neck and behind her shoulders. But, Hunter quickly found that Citrus was a little more excitable, and a greedy guts for snacks.

Crosshair, he got Master Yoda's horse Magenta. Even though she wasn't a diva anymore, she did have a bit of a habit of bursting out her music, and a lot of energy too.

Omega got her aunt Kara's little horse Diamond. They got along pretty well. To be fair, they did already live in the same house, and looking after Diamond wasn't too different from looking after the younger kids. Tech, however, he believed he had it the hardest.

Comedia had better self-control at home and at school, but she was still a silly-corn and had a need to get her jokes out. So, when the five new horses joined the Batch and Mila on the Marauder, and Tech went to sit in the pilot's seat... fart!

Everyone was laughing or disgusted, and Tech froze with embarrassment until he found a whoopee cushion on the seat.

"Comedia, do you not ever get tired of placing these on chairs?" Tech asked.

"What do you think?" Comedia laughed.

"I do not understand the question."

"Find your sense of humor then."

But, Tech just got to piloting.

"Don't worry, Amor." Mila said. "I've got a prankster cousin back home. I know how to deal with jokesters."

The Batch got to Ord Mantell for yet another mission for Cid. Naturally, Zipp, Citrus, Comedia, Diamond, and Magenta were all curious about the place. Cid, though, didn't look too happy when she saw one horse walking on the ceiling and another digging into her secret mantell mix stash. I think you can guess which pony did what.

Nevertheless, Cid sent two of the Batchers and their horses on a mission. Hunter and Echo were sent to deliver some nerf nuggets, which meant they took the Marauder and left the others at the parlor.

To pass the time, Tech was browsing on his tablet while Mila was looking at a bridal magazine, trying to figure out her wedding dress. Crosshair, on the other hand, just sat wordlessly watching as Omega and Wrecker sat at a table to play a game of Dejarik. More than one actually, as they made a bet that the loser buys the winner a carton of Mantell Mix.

Wrecker was sure he would win this time.

"Ha, ha! Got you now!" Wrecker said.

"Don't be so sure." Zipp sang.

Wordlessly, Omega made her next move, and...

"What-" Wrecker gasped.

"Told ya." Zipp said.

Omega laughed and said, "Now you owe me two cartons of Mantell Mix."

"That's my girl." Qui-Gon said, ruffling Omega's hair.

True to his word, Anakin was not letting Omega on more missions without proper supervision. It was only when he wasn't looking that the batch could get her away from her parents' protective clutches. And since her parents were busy elsewhere, her grandpa volunteered to look after her. Omega didn't say it out loud, but with the other kids back home, she liked getting to have Grandpa Qui-Gon to herself.

"Not so fast." Wrecker said stubbornly. "One more game. Double or nothing."

"Hey!" Cid exclaimed. "Quit running up the power bill. It's time to get to work. I got another job for you."

"Hunter and Echo aren't back from the other mission yet." Omega pointed out.

"I would not call transporting 50 cases of nerf nuggets a 'mission'." Tech said. "Nor is it a proper use of our skill set."

"That depends on your definition of 'mission'." Mila said.

"Yeah, well, your skill set will come in real useful on this one." Cid said. "Especially you, Muscles, and you too, Jedi. You're gonna be my security crew."

"We will require a more detailed briefing than that."

"No time. The shuttle's waiting."

Wrecker tossed Omega her helmet, and the latter said, "Maybe it'll be fun."

"Works for me," said Wrecker.

Tech sighed.

"My thoughts exactly." Crosshair said.

"If you want a mission, Tech." Mila said. "Every world is unpredictable in its own way. Just wait 'til we have kids."

So, the group of humans and their horses followed Cid to a shuttle that would take them to their next mission in a place called Safa Toma.

The Batchers donned their armor, and Qui-Gon wore the hood of his Jedi robe over his head to avoid being recognized. The horses, with the exception of Diamond, provided transportation, but Comedia seemed more interested in bouncing than trotting.

"Comedia, will you please stop jumping?" Tech begged. "You are going to make me sick!"

"Sorry!" Comedia said, stopping.

Tech would've fallen off if it weren't for Mila's telekinesis catching him. Looking around, the place did seem rather shady.

"I am beginning to understand the need for added security in a place like this." Tech said as he caught his breath.

"Safa Toma can be a little rough around the edges if you don't know what you're doing." Cid explained. "But lucky for us, I know my way around. And if things get dicey, that's where you come in."

"You heard her, Omega." Qui-Gon told his granddaughter, holding her hand, while Omega kept Diamond on her lead since she was the smallest. "Stay close."

The group arrived somewhere they heard crowds cheering and engines whirring. Omega especially was fascinated by what she saw next. A race.

Qui-Gon took a look at the track; it reminded him of the pod race on Tatooine where he found Anakin all those years ago as a young boy.

"Whoa!" Omega gasped.

"It's called Riot Racing." Cid said.

Comedia gasped when she saw a pod crash and drop its rider.

"Wow! Did you see that?" Wrecker said.

"Who wouldn't see that?" said Magenta.

"It appears anything goes out there." Tech said.

"Definitely different from the races I've competed in." Zipp said.

Over the P.A, the announcers announced another racer coming out.

The smoke's cleared and Tay-0's taken the lead from "Hyper" Rod!

And on the screen came the very racer announced.

"That's my new racer, Tay-0." Cid said, pointing at the screen. "He's a real ringer. He's gonna make me a lot of dough."

"Clearly, you haven't been to a horse race." Mila said. "The trick to winning that is knowledge."

And then came the crossing of the finish line.

And Tay-0 wins! The crowd goes wild!

"Follow me." Cid said.

The others followed Cid to the pits to meet Tay-0, who was revealed to be...

"Greetings, Boss Lady." said a blue droid that hopped out of the racer pod. "Did you enjoy the show? It was impressive, wasn't it? Did you see me out there?"

"Someone went heavy on the boastful programming." Magenta rolled her eyes.

"Your ringer is a droid?" Tech said.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. You have a problem with droids, human?" Tay-0 said. "You think you can make the split-second calculation to win out there? You want to challenge Tay-0?"

"I do not have enough information about this sport to determine that at this time."

"Then take a seat, spectacled spectator."

"Hey, make fun of my fiance's glasses again, you're gonna lose an eye." Mila said angrily.

"Spectacled spectator," chuckled Wrecker, playfully punching Tech's shoulder.

Comedia laughed a little too.

"All right, all right. Save it for the course." Cid said.

"You don't have to say it, that's- I was about to save it for the course." Tay-0 said.

"Sure you were." Zipp rolled her eyes.

"Excuse me. I can't talk right now. It's time I prepare for the next race. Which I'm going to win. Tay-0."

"Dad doesn't brag half that much." Omega said.

"Let it go, Omega." Qui-Gon said. "He's not worth the time."

The humans got to helping Cid out as security. That came easy for Zipp, seeing as she was a royal guard.

Omega watched in fascination as more droids helped Tay-0 with fixing up the ship.

"This is a 12 series speeder," said Tech. "They were not built for racing speed or durability."

"Which is why we modify them." Tay-0 said. "Behold and be amazed. Impressive, is it not? Tay-0 is an artist."

"Ciddarin Scaleback." said a new voice.

Diamond took a glimpse at the owner of the voice, and quickly hid behind Qui-Gon.

The owner of the voice, named Millegi, chuckled and said to Cid, "It's been a long time since I've seen your shiny claws around Safa Toma."

Millegi also caught a glimpse of Mila as she stepped forward.

"I don't believe I've ever seen your pretty face around here, Missy."

"The name's Mila, not Missy. And I'm already taken."

Wrecker, of course, stood guard, as did Zipp. Qui-Gon's main focus was protecting Omega.

"Millegi." Cid said, crossing her arms. "I'm busy. Get out of my pit."

Millegi caught a glimpse of the new crew. He looked humongous, even to Qui-Gon, who kept a hand at his lightsaber in case he needed it.

"Not gonna introduce me to your new crew?" Millegi didn't seem impressed. "They're not gonna help you win. We're not racing horse-drawn carriages, you know."

"Oh, I know I'm gonna win." Cid said.

"You think your droid can beat my champ?"

A scary looking lizard-like racer approached the scene and said something in Nosaurian, and laughed.

"What's he saying?" Wrecker asked.

"You do not want to know." Tech said.

"I'm going to hypothesize it's nothing we could say in front of the young ones." Mila said. She caught another glimpse at Millegi and didn't like the way he was starting to look at her.

"If you're so confident, how about our standard side wager?" Millegi said to Cid. "Let's see who has the better racer?"

"Deal." Cid said without hesitation.

"Just like old times." Millegi chuckled, and again flirted, or tried to, with Mila. "See you soon, Beautiful."

Tech, however, seemed concerned. Mila wasn't the only one to notice how Millegi was looking at her.

"I do not like the way he was looking at you." Tech said. "It suggests he may be attracted to you."

"It wouldn't be the first time that's happened. Let's just say it's one reason my father is so protective of me when it comes to my love life." Mila sighed. "Don't worry, though. I know how to deal with creeps like that."

"The familiarity between him and Cid, however, suggests this race is personal."

"Don't take it personally, Mila. He's like that with every pretty girl he sees." Cid though. "Watch your back though."

The race went on. All the racers went so fast you almost didn't see them coming or going. It made Diamond wonder if Kara could run faster than these things and beat them in a race.

The humans watched from the sidelines with Cid. Of course, Wrecker was hungry, as always, and went to the concessions with Comedia to find something to eat.

"What'd we miss?" Wrecker asked, seeing as Comedia was busy munching on some fruit.

"Jet Venim and Tay-0 are in the lead." Tech said. "Given the unpredictable nature of this course, I cannot determine who the victor will be."

"It sounds like the kind of challenge Anakin would have a field day in." Qui-Gon said.

Like Tech said, the course was unpredictable. There were obstacles that came in from random spaces, booby traps, and sometimes the pods shot laser bolts that ended up hitting the spectators.

A friendly reminder to all our spectators, be mindful of blaster fire. Safa Toma Speedway is not liable for any injury, death, or disintegration. said the announcer.

"I hope parents don't think about bringing younglings here, in that case." Qui-Gon said.

Thank you. And speaking of injury and death, the lead racers are approaching Gambler's Gulch.

"Don't take the left tunnel!" Cid exclaimed into the comm.

"Tay-0 knows what he is doing." Tay-0 replied.

"What's wrong with the left tunnel?" Omega asked Cid.

"It's a death trap." Cid answered.

"This whole race is a death trap." Wrecker said.

"You said it." Mila agreed.

Final lap and Jet Venim remains in the lead, but- Uh-oh! The challenger is closing in fast!

"He's gonna do it! Tay-0's gonna do it!" Cid cheered.

Too bad Omega didn't bring her pom poms, or she could really cheer him on.

Meanwhile, Millegi watched from his space on a TV. He took out his comm, and gave some instructions to his champion.

"Get him in the crunch."

Tay-0 continued to race super fast, but he didn't see the racer behind him bring out some metal claws and grip his ride from behind.

Uh-oh! It's "Steel Claw" time! I feel a Venim crunch coming on!

"Get out of there!" said Cid over the comm.

And then, Millegi's racer brought out what looked like a little buzzsaw and dug into the front of Tay-0's ride.

"Come on, Tay-0!" Omega begged.

But, no good, as Tay-0's speeder tumbled and crashed into the wall.

And Tay-0 takes a tumble!

And Jet Venim crossed the finish line first.

Qui-Gon put a hand over Omega's eyes, but Omega peeked out.

With the race over, Cid's crew came to check the wreckage.

"This speeder is in bad shape, but some of it is salvageable." Tech said.

"Lucky for you," said Mila to Cid. "I've got plenty of experience making amazing inventions from close to nothing. This should be easy as one, two, three."

"That's the least of my problems, Goggles and Wife."

"Hey! Found Tay-0!" Wrecker called. "Or most of him."

"Is this piece important?" Diamond said, picking up a part in her mouth, only to turn it into diamonds by accident. "Oops!"

"How'd she do that?" Cid asked.

"That is none of your concern," said Qui-Gon before anyone else could say anything.

"Maybe we can put him back together." Omega suggested.

"I'm here to collect, Cid." said Millegi, coming over.

"You'll get your credits." Cid told Millegi. "Just give me some time. I'm good for it."

"That's not how this works. You are out of time." Millegi said.

"Wanna step in?" said Cid, looking back at the others. "I didn't bring you here for the company."

Millegi then eyed Diamond next to the part she'd changed to diamonds.

"How does a little thing like you make this?" Millegi said, eyeing the valuable gemstones. "If Cid don't got the credits, you'd be fine payment."

Diamond squeaked. Then Qui-Gon grabbed her.

"My granddaughter's horse is not for sale." he said firmly.

"You might wanna rethink that." Millegi said, his men raising their weapons.

The other humans raised their weapons and every unicorn there made their horns glow, threatening to strike as well. And Qui-Gon ignited his lightsaber. That seemed to scare some of Millegi's men.

Then, Omega had an idea.

"Wait! How much does she owe?" Omega asked.

"More than you and your grandpa got, kid."

He had no clue how wrong he was. Someone apparently didn't tell him a king and a princess were on Cid's team at the moment

"Well, we're not done yet."

Millegi chuckled and said, "Looks like you're done to me."

"One last race. If you win, we pay you double. If we win, we get Cid."

"You don't know what you're getting into, kid."

"I'm inclined to agree with him, Omega." Tech said.

"I'm inclined too." Wrecker said.

"Same here." Crosshair said.

"We don't know anything about racing."

"But I do." Qui-Gon said.

"As do I." Zipp added.

"They're gonna hurt Cid, and take Diamond if we do nothing." Omega said. Then she turned back to Millegi. "Do we have a deal?"

"We race tomorrow. And I keep Cid as collateral." Millegi said, and sure enough, he had his men take Cid. "For your sakes, you better be able to pay up."

"For your sake, you better be ready to get crushed!" Zipp said, flying to exceed Millegi's height.

Millegi wiped his face, Zipp spraying as she was saying.

"Pretty lady is welcome to join me," said Millegi.

"Hard pass." Mila said.

"You heard my wife." Tech said. "She said no."

"If you ever change your mind." Millegi smirked.

Now Tech believed he was beginning to understand how Mila felt when Phee flirted with him.

Everyone began working hard to put the ship back together while Tech and Mila worked on Tay-0.

"This speeder's in worse shape than I thought." Omega said.

"After that crash, I'd be surprised if it had no dents at all." Qui-Gon said.

"How's Tay-0?"

"Partially operational." Tech said. "With a few more adjustments he may be capable of racing."

"And a few new parts." Mila said. "How's the search, Comedia?"

"Still searching." Comedia said, her back end sticking out of a box she was digging through.

"Uh, that is hilarious." Tay-0 chuckled. "I am more than capable. I am ready to-"

Then Tay-0 freaked out when he saw the rest of him.

"Where are my arms and legs?"

"Scattered." Mila said. "Just relax and you'll be all better in no time."

That was when Wrecker and Crosshair came with what parts of Tay-0's limbs they could salvage.

"That should be all of it." Wrecker said.

"We'll need to grease a few parts." Mila said, seeing a few parts that appeared rusty and sticky.

"Oh, I got some of that in my joke bag." Comedia said. She reached into her bag and came over with a bottle of slippery grease in her mouth.

"Gracias, Comedia." Mila said, taking the bottle and getting to work.

While Mila got to greasing the sticky parts, Tech prepared to connect the servos.

"No, that's not how you connect the servo." Tay-0 said. "Let Tay-0 instruct you on how to do this properly."

Tech said nothing.

"Tech knows what he's doing. You don't see us telling doctors how to construct a human." Mila said.

"You know, instead of repairing him," said Wrecker. "we should be taking out that gangster."

"I could do that, no problem." Crosshair said, ready with his rifle.

"We cannot apply our military tactics to this situation." Tech said. "Millegi is dangerous and connected. Even if we extract Cid and escape, they will seek retribution."

"And, that, in turn, could endanger the rest of the family." Qui-Gon said. "Regardless of royal status."

"Rumor has it," said Tay-0. "The last sponsor who failed to pay Millegi is now taking a permanent pit stop in the eastern sand dune."

Diamond gasped and hid inside the box Comedia had been searching through earlier.

"Don't let them take me!" Diamond said.

"Diamond, don't worry. No one's gonna take you." Magenta said. "Not on our watch."

"You forget, I'm a professional guard." Zipp said. "These feathers of mine ain't just good for tickles."

"Too bad we didn't just bring your teacher along," said Comedia to Omega. "A werewolf could definitely take that guy down."

"I'm not sure he would." Qui-Gon said. "Garrett isn't typically the violent type."

"Which is why we have to win this race and save Cid." Omega said.

"This is not the first time Cid has required our assistance due to her dealings with individuals of questionable integrity." Tech said.

Qui-Gon sighed. "Questionable may be an understatement. It is a problematic pattern."

"Uh, hey, yeah. Did you forget you were working on me, or is your wife gonna do all the work?" Tay-0 said. "'Cause it seems like you're just having a conversation about nonsense over there."

"It would go a lot faster if you would be patient and hold still." Mila said. "I swear, my little sister Rosella had an easier time staying still when I dressed her as an infant."

"How about a little less chatter, a little more spanner?" said Tay-0.

Everyone went to sleep in the speeder that night, but Diamond felt scared. Jewel pegasi were an endangered breed of equine, and to this day, she still didn't know why. When she was barely two years old, her father, Quartz Crystal, a quartz pegasus, disappeared one night when he left looking for food. Ruby searched everywhere, but he was never found. No pony even knew if he was still alive.

Diamond did have a hypothesis though. Knowing the greed of certain bipeds in the universe, and the fact that jewel pegasi had a more controlled gemstone equivalent of the Midas touch, it was quite possible that the reason there were so few left was because of poachers. And now that she had to leave her mom behind so early in her life to be with a person, Diamond often worried about Ruby being all alone back in Equinaro.

In her heart, Diamond believed her father never meant to leave on purpose. She didn't know if he was alive, but she did know that if she could find out what happened to him, it might put her fears to rest. For now, she curled up beside Omege, who was also curled up beside Qui-Gon, and she managed to fall into a somewhat peaceful sleep.

The next day, Millegi entered a special room in what looked like a bar of some sort. In that room, Cid sat on a couch.

Millegi poured a drink into a little cup and proposed a toast.

"To old times."

"Not interested in old times," said Cid. "I've changed."

"Hustlers like us never change." Millegi smiled. "Sooner or later, those outcasts you'r hanging out with will get to know the real Cid."

"I might surprise you."

Millegi laughed and said, "I doubt that."

Millegi took a sip from his bottle, only to spit it right back out and start gagging and spitting.

"Pleh! Tastes like sour milk."

Cid tried not to laugh at the sight before her. And she caught a glimpse of a certain silly-corn peering in through the window, and she was laughing at the prank she'd apparently left. Cid didn't rat her out, but she gave Comedia a look that said Nice one.

Meanwhile, Tech and Mila stood at the rail to watch the racers before Tay-0 would go.

"You're next, Tay-0." said Omega as Tay-0 was now repaired and ready.

"Think you can win?" Wrecker asked.

Tay-0 laughed and said, "I will ignore that obvious question. Yes, I can."

"I would ease on the overconfidence and increase your caution if I were you." Qui-Gon said.

"Yeah, you lost last time." Wrecker said.

"That was a miscalculation." Tay-0 insisted. "One I will not make twice."

"You know, seeing these racers, it reminds me a little of that game Omega and Boba were playing at the arcade the other day."

"Indeed, however in this case, we do not have multiple lives, a reset button, or the option of entering more tokens to continue." Tech said, not looking up from his tablet.

Tay-0, however, decided to get up in Tech's business.

"I'm sorry. Why are you, uh, studying the track layout?" the droid asked.

"I am analyzing the course and patterns of the racers." Tech answered. "It is fascinating."

"You are doing it wrong, human." Tay-0 said. "Calculations won't help you. It is all about strategy and skill, of which you have zero."

"I believe your strategy to be flawed."

"As do I." Mila added.

"It would be wise to divert power to the reflector shields from your primary weapon system."

Tay-0 laughed at Tech and said, "An amateur mistake. And precisely why Tay-0 is your only chance at victory. Open your eyes, human-"

"The human male's name is Tech. And this human girl's name is Milagro." Mila said.

"Whatever. If you want to win out there, offense is the best-"

"Look out!" Qui-Gon said, Force pulling Omega out of the way of a speeding racer and into his arms. Zipp managed to quickly fly up out of the way too.

The speeder missed Omega and Zipp, but not Tay-0.

Ooh! We have a wipeout in the pits! The announcer said.

"Omega, are you alright?" Qui-Gon said.

Omega didn't answer though. She just jumped from Qui-Gon's grip and saw the aftermath.

"Whoa!" Wrecker exclaimed. Even Crosshair was shocked.

"Is everyone okay?" Zipp asked. Everyone else confirmed they were alright.

"Tay-0?" Omega ran over to the wreckage, Wrecker following and finding half of Tay-0 still intact... barely.

"Uh, I don't think he's gonna be able to race." Wrecker said.

"Safa Toma's a dangerous place." Millegi said, approaching the group with Cid.

"He's fine." Cid said, approaching the damaged droid. "Snap out of it, tin bin!"

"I regret nothing." That was the last thing Tay-0 said before shutting down for good.

"Tough luck. Looks like a forfeit." Millegi said. "No racer means Cid loses. And so do you."

"We have to do something." Omega said to her grandfather. Even though their family was wealthy, even if they did pay Millegi the money, he would probably still want Diamond and use his connections to get to her.

No one else was sure what to do at first, and then Tech spoke up.

"I will be the racer."

"What?" Wrecker said. He laughed

Jet said something in Nosaurian.

"He's not joking." Wrecker said.

"You heard him. The bet's still on." Cid said to Millegi.

"I never stop a fool from giving his life to make me rich." Millegi said. "Especially one with a pretty girl to make available."

"I wouldn't be your girl if you were the last male in the universe." Mila said firmly.

"We'll see, Beautiful."

Tech was silent, but he was angered by that remark.

Mariverde chuckled as she looked into her mirror with a new plan in mind.

"Why did I not think of this before? The most strategic member of a team with a 100% success rate, he would make a fine addition to my plans. Now that he has his status as a husband being challenged, and in a race where anything goes, he will be perfect bait for my mariclavas."

A little butterfly flew onto Mariverde's gloved hand and she transmitted black magic to it before she sent it off.

"Fly away, my pretty. And we'll show this so-called genius a video game he'll never forget."

Mila didn't show it in front of Millegi, but she felt worried about Tech.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Tech?" Mila said. "You saw what happened to those other racers. I don't want that to happen to you!"

"I have studied the course the most, and with my calculations, I have a high chance of winning and surviving." Tech said.

"I know you're smart, Techy-Bear, but I've grown to learn calculations can't solve everything."

Tech couldn't say he really blamed Mila for worrying. They'd been engaged for seven months now, and walking down the aisle was one step they had yet to cross before they would get to what Mila dreamed of the most: having a family.

"I understand and appreciate your valid concerns, Mila." Tech told her, caressing her cheek. "But I must do this to help Cid, and in part to show that Millegi that he cannot have just any woman he feels like, especially not one who is engaged."

"Very macho of you," chuckled Mila. "But I can take care of myself in that area. Last man who messed with me, let's just say he's developed a fear of wells now. Nevertheless, it's very sweet you want to prove your commitment so strongly."

"But, just in case anything should happen..." Tech paused.

Mila was silent this time, and Tech leaned in and kissed her.

The crowd was cheering once more as the racers got to their speeders.

All right, place your bets! said the announcer. Our racers are ready. Safa Toma's Riot Champion, Jet Venim. Bosco "The Mad Bomber" Brix. "Steel Claw" Kane. "Viscious" Vid Santari. Haxxon "The War Gnome" Trajanix. "Quick-draw" Quasar. "The Trickster" Flash Raktor. "Hyper" Rod on his Seven Deuce Blaster. And finally, Tech.

The crowd fell silent at that moment.

Tech? Anything else on this guy? No? Guess he's a late arrival. Is that his name? Tech? Just Tech? Okay, and here we go.

"You can do it, Tech!" Mila shouted.

The racers got to their marks, and they were off.

The racers went at practically the speed of sound, Jet Venim in the lead to start.

Everyone else was at the pits, praying and cheering for Tech to keep going.

"What place is he in?" Wrecker asked. "Last, but he's catching up."

"Tech, you gotta be in front to win!" Wrecker shouted into the comm.

"I know what I'm doing. It's called strategy." Tech said.

"No, it's called losing."

As expected, the other racers were not there to play nice.

Uh-oh. "Mad Bomber" Brix is up to his old tricks!

"Tech, don't take the left tunnel. Cid said it's a death trap." said Omega on the comm.

But, Tech had other ideas.

"Transmit the schematics of the left tunnel to my display."

"On it," said Mila.

"Right now? Shouldn't you just focus on not getting blown up?" Wrecker pointed out.

"I can do both." Tech said.

"Have a little more faith, Wrecker." Mila said. "For all our sakes."

Then she saw something.

"Uh-oh! Your shields are overheating!"

"Yes. I am allowing for adequate energy to be distributed from weapons to shields." Tech said.

"Tech, they're all over you!" Omega said.

"I need more speed." Tech confirmed.

Tech soon came to the pits.

"Tech's coming in," said Omega.

"Well, what's he doing?" Wrecker asked.

And something dropped from Tech's speeder.

"Apparently, dropping his weapons." Qui-Gon said. "Tech! Are you aware-"

"They were slowing me down." Tech said.

It was on-screen too that this happened.

"Hey, look, we're on TV!" Comedia said, waving to the camera. "Hi, Daddy!"

As for Tech, dropping his weapons proved to be a smart choice as he made his way through another tunnel.

"That worked. I now have increased speed and maneuverability." Tech said.

"Yeah, that's great, but you're still in last place." Wrecker said.

"The next tunnel's coming up again," said Omega. Then she and Mila noticed something on the tablet. "Wait. A large part of the track is missing. That's why the racers avoid it."

"It is also the shortest tunnel. I can use it to my advantage." Tech said.

"It's too dangerous. The speeder can't make that jump!"

"It will if I'm going fast enough."

Tech steered the ship, dodging the last racer's blaster fire as they both made their way through the left tunnel, to everyone's great shock. Tech was catching up!

As he got closer to Jet, Tech was about to be boxed in by Jet and Steel Claw, but then... at just the right moment, Tech steered the speeder out of the way of Steel Claw's steel claws, and he grabbed Jet Venim's speeder instead.

It's going to be close! And the winner is...

Everyone was silent as a cloud of smoke appeared from the exit of the tunnel, and they stared in anticipation to see who won. And the winner was...

Tech!

Everyone cheered as Tech won the race.

"You did it!" Omega cheered, running up to her brother.

"You sound surprised." Tech said.

"Yeah!" Wrecker cheered. "I thought you were a goner."

"Congrats, Tech!" Comedia said, making confetti rain down on everyone.

The crowd chanted Tech's name as he was victorious, and Tech was caught by surprise as Mila spun him around in a hug.

"I knew you could do it!" Mila said, happy tears in her eyes, seeing Tech had gotten out unscatched. She held him in a dip and passionately kissed his lips. The crowd seemed to cheer louder as the kiss was shown on the screen.

Millegi and his men still had Cid in the bar after the race was over. And they were soon joined by Cid's pit crew.

"We're here for Cid." Wrecker said.

"That was some racing out there, Goggles." Cid admitted.

Cid got down from her chair and seemed a bit awkward.

"I-I-uh, I guess I owe you one."

"Yes. I would agree." Tech said, his tablet in one hand, his bride's hand in the other.

"I'll make it up to ya." Cid said, annoyed. "Come on. We're outta here."

"Ya know, you're welcome to stay, Beautiful."

"Call me 'Beautiful' one more time, I'll treat you to a knuckle sandwich!" Mila said.

Millegi chuckled and said, "Come on, he may be a good racer, but are your standards really this low? I mean, look at you."

"Appearance isn't everything."

"You heard her," Tech said, stepping up again. "she's not interested in you. So, go find your own woman!"

"Before anyone does something they'll regret." Mila said, pulling Tech away and out of there.

"Watch you're backs with Cid, though." Millegi warned. "It don't always go both ways."

Mila rolled her eyes.

"Some men." Mila said.

"You said it wasn't the first time you were harassed by another man." Tech said. "Why did you never share this?"

"Would you wanna talk about being harassed?" Mila said. "Don't worry, I never faced anything too violent. But I have come close. Millegi there just wouldn't quit flirting, that's nothing compared to guys I've met who can't keep their hands to themselves. I was fortunate enough to have the smarts to get out, get help, and teach the perps a lesson. Others are not always so lucky."

"It irks me to think that anyone could dare to treat you in such a manner, especially given that you made it clear you are taken."

"Well, some men don't care if a woman is taken. They only care that she's got the looks, the body, the things he wants. Some just always want what they can't have. It's despicable, but it's a real thing. And they'll always look for ways to blame the victim. Let's just be thankful it was only verbal this time. If he'd gotten physical, it wouldn't end well for him."

"If anyone ever does threaten you in any way, Mila." Qui-Gon said. "You know you can always turn to us for help."

"And I feel very blessed to have friends like you, Qui-Gon." Mila said. "Support from friends and loved ones is the best kind of support anyone can get."

Tech took Mila's hand and said, "I promised your parents when we got their blessing to wed that I would protect you as well, and I intend to see it through."

Everyone got back to the shuttle, and Tech put his tablet down for a moment, and on it landed the mariclava, which no one saw. And then, when everyone got back to Ord Mantell and the Marauder, Tech picked his tablet up and froze as he felt odd.

It is frustrating, isn't it? So many bad things, all of them out of your control. But I can give you the power to put others under your control. Gamer. I am Mariverde. If you accept these powers, you shall have the power to have anyone you wish under your control, and trap them in a world with challenges they can never face. All I ask in return is that you bring me the crown jewels of Solaris. Do we have a deal?

Tech, however, attempted to snap himself out of it, but instead of avoiding the mariclava's spell, he passed out.