Getting off Track
Posted on Fri Nov 30th, 2012 @ 3:46am by Bomoor Thort & Berry
1,749 words; about a 9 minute read
Chapter:
Chapter II: Era's Dawn
Location: Swoop Stadium, Coruscant
Timeline: 1445 (Local Time), Day Six
Excitable chatter filled the large silver stadium housing this season's Official semi-final Swoop Bike Championship. All sorts of people came to see these events - fanatics, gamblers, ex-racers, even some of the upper class came to sample the thrills. The track itself was longer than most - a looping track, part of which was in the stadium and the rest was outside on raised platforms. There were several viewing boxes built into the stadium, with a view of the entire inside course and the rest of the track viewable via private screens. Several boxes were reserved for holonet commentators. Most people were standing around the track's edge or on the lower seats.
Bomoor had managed to secure a standing spot by the track's edge. It was the best he could get with a last minute entry but he was rather pleased as he could see into the racers' area from there. His ithorian physique did help somewhat as he craned his long neck upwards.
He could see a few of the racers from here - several he either did not know or could not make out but he recognised Flyss Gover, a Zabrak racer known to constantly modify his bike, often pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable within the official rules. He saw the powdery-blue face of Peo Chinu, the Pantoran hotshot, more famous for her photo shoots with her bike than riding it. Bomoor was surprised she had made it to the semi-final this season, but he had been out of the loop for some time now. There was old "Dodger" too pacing around by his bike, looking somewhat agitated.
Bomoor brought his neck down and glanced around, Where was Bería he wondered, Perhaps I should not have let her get snacks alone. Perhaps I should go and look for-
Bomoor's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden blast from the speakers, "Goooood Afternoon Swoop fans and welcome to the semi-final in this season's Swoop Bike Championship! We've had a really exciting season so far and..."
The announcement continued and Bomoor's mind was diverted from young Bería's whereabouts.
Berry scampered frantically around the stadium, eyes wide as a green fried vegetable of some kind was being waved around on the stick in her hand, half eaten. Now she remembered what she forgot—Alungand!! And his mechanic Eva! Boy was she scary, screaming at her to turn faster and stop dragging her feet (literally).
The part-Aquar's brows knit in worry as she stood among the swarms of beings flowing from the snacks to the freshers to the tracks.
"Hey," Berry asked a big Twi'lek man. "Where do all the racers go?? I'm late!"
The guy sneered at her. "Where they all go—the racer box!" He scoffed and walked on.
Berry fidgeted in place, frowning worriedly around. But where was the racer box?? She did what she could only remember Grandpa telling her to do and closed her eyes.
She breathed out, the feel of everyone around her growing stronger. Yeah, this was how it had to be on the tracks if she was going to win—wait, not win, but almost win. Al and Eva kept telling her that she had to let Jesper win if Al was gonna get the money...but you have to almost win because no one can beat Jesper.
The more she thought of them the clearer they felt in her mind. There! Left. She turned and began walking, her sandaled steps sure as she walked around the people, knowing exactly where they were going to be before they were even there.
Unfortunately, she forgot to worry about objects and ran right into the guard, since they don't leave their spot.
"You're not allowed in here," a deep voice boomed in her face.
Berry's eyes flew open and she stared up at the burly man. "Huh?? But I have to! I'm racing!!"
The man, a huge Gran, glared down at her with his three eyes. He was used to the easily-impressed fans, swarming the racer box entrance for a peek at their stars. "Then lemme see some ID."
"ID?" Berry repeated, brow furrowed in confusion. "Uh, I don't have any." She grinned. "Although people on Velusia know me by Blue Bead Berry, maybe you know?"
"No, I don't," the guard stated. "Now leave or I'll have to throw you—"
"Noooo, I caaaan't!" Berry whined, brows knitting. "I gotta help Alungand and—" She dodged his grabbing hands, as his threat was real.
Suddenly another voice pierced through the fan chatter, and it was sharp. "Berry!"
The part-Aquar went on her tiptoes, trying to look around for the voice. "I'm here!"
The guard turned and frowned at the mechanic. "She with you, Eva?"
"Unfortunately." The human woman had tanned skin and a strip of cloth tied around her spiky black hair. Her brown eyes often flashed with an intensity that scared off suitors and customers alike, but it was her skill with machines that drew them back (not sure about the suitors part, maybe her beauty helped).
It was now that her eyes famously flashed at Berry, her brows lowered in a glare. "You're. Late."
"I knooow," Berry continued to whine. "This guy won't let me go by."
The Gran grunted and stepped aside...anything to stop the girl from whining.
Berry grinned. "Yay!" She scampered over to Eva. "Okay where's the bike?"
"Waiting for you!" Eva snapped as she dragged the part-Aquar over to the bike. It was obvious the mechanic wasn't happy with this arrangement...but it was better than nothing. Al needed the money, especially after he was being so stupid with those tables...she couldn't blame the guy for drowning his sorrows after his mom died, but this was just too far.
As they passed the waiting racers the golden-green skinned girl caught some attention. Was the twerp a new racer? It wasn't hard to tell she was a bit....green. The attention was quickly shed as soon as it was caught, for most if not all the racers were busy eyeing the main challenger today--Jesper Tranth, resident rich boy and three-time finalist. He had a haughty nose and a strong jawline fit for a recruitment poster. His shoulder-length black hair was tied back at the neck, with a wavy lock dangling in front of his cold proud green eyes. Dreamy, his fans said. But he had only eyes for himself, and was busy even now preening in front of the rabid females bursting at the rails. He liked the attention, and what could beat winning a race? How such a handsome face remained unscarred by the tracks only the money trail could tell, as he won through other means than racing.
"Here." Eva shoved a helmet into Berry's hands. It had the standard goggle front and was much too big for her head...but it would have to do.
Berry glanced at the pretty and mean lady and grinned. "Hey, don't worry." She pat her shoulder. "I'm going to ~almost~ win, okay?"
The mechanic mustered a faint smile for the optimistic girl. "Kid, you obviously haven't been to a race before, especially one with Jesper. But thanks for trying."
A sudden cheering erupted from the crowd and Bomoor turned to see the first racer make his way onto the track - it was Duncan. He was giving the crowd some slow waves but it looked like his mind was on the race, as it should be.
The announcer piped up again, "Ladies and Gentlemen, our first racer today, holder of course records on the Taris Lower Track AND the Duro track as well as two-time Championship winner, please give a warm welcome to Duncan Reed!"
The cheering grew. Bomoor clapped enthusiastically but did not join in the shouting of the crowd (despite the fact that he could probably out-shout most of them). The absence of Berry became apparent once again, Where has she got to? She'll miss the first race. He tried to detect her in the force but the packed stadium made it difficult.
Duncan had mounted his bike, preparing for his first run of the track. Each racer would run their first set before the second round started. There was a momentary lapse in cheering as the lights on the track began to count down, everyone eagerly awaiting the green light.
Three buzzes chimed and then he was off, along the first straight of the track. There were no corners to turn but there were already hazards to dodge. The man-made Coruscant track had obstacles built in - Friction Grinders and Gel Strips could greatly reduce the acceleration of the bike and take precious seconds off the final time. Dodger was good, he weaved between the obstacles and continued to speed up and he was out of the stadium in no time leaving the crowd to turn to the large displays to view his continued progress.
Duncan managed a good time, 34:08 was a fast run for a track of this size but he had lost a few seconds towards the end on a couple of Gel Strips. The crowd were still cheering as he made his way back into the Racer's Bay, beckoning on the next racer. Bomoor checked the programme he had picked up. The next racer should be Allegan Hojon - Bomoor knew him as another old pro on the Swoop circuit but he hadn't heard much about him recently.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, our second racer of the afternoon, until two years ago, this man held the record time for this very circuit. Can he claim it back today, please welcome, Allegan Hojon!"
Cheers erupted just as before and Bomoor looked down to the track to get a look at Allegan. He suddenly halted his clapping. Something was wrong - the masked figure mounting the bike was familiar, No, it couldn't be, Bomoor tried to reassure himself, focussing harder in the Force, No... It is... It's her! It was not Allegan, the experienced Swoop racer, sitting on the bike but instead it was none other than the yellow-green skinned young girl who should have been standing next to him this very moment. The cheering had begun to die down as the starting lights illuminated and the countdown began.
"Damn it!" growled Bomoor, "I've got to stop this. I need to get down to the track!"
TBC
RSS Feed