Shut Up and Drive

[Asteria Sigini]

Theme ​

Location: Ord Cantrell, Resort​

Through word of mouth, Siggy had heard about these sort of races. They were race, they were loud and above all else, they were dangerous. Yet people of all walks of life flocked to them, placing bets and flashing credits. The elite rubbed shoulders with risk takers, all whilst thrill seekers came from far and wide to make a name for themselves. It was set to be an eventual day. The weather was promising, and as midday spanned into night, most enjoyed the good natured revelry.

Then the rain came in. Heavy, unrelenting rain. Unusual for Ord Cantrell; disappointing murmurs began to circulate in and amongst the crowd. Would the races be cancelled? And what about the money already taken by the bookies? Honestly, Siggy wasn't sure what to make of such rabble. They had nothing like this on Hapes; many polite society ladies would find such displays vulgar and boorish. But from an early age, Siggy (along with her twin brother, Cas) had a fondness for speed. Their uncle Julius purposefully flew at speed, just to entertain them.

Whilst some onlookers retreated in nearby shelters, Siggy weaved in and out of the crowds, eyeing the aligned speeders and bikes. Despite the poor conditions, many of the racers looked ready as ever; they wouldn't be deterred by bouts of miserable weather, not when there was a chance of glory. They were just waiting now, waiting for the final word from higher up. If they got the green light, then it was time to ride.

There certainly was a buzz of excitement in the air. But something gnawed at Siggy. A feeling of unease. Every so often, she glance about her, checking her surroundings and various people huddled within her proximity. It was hard to discern one face from another, especially with the masses of people in attendance.

With nothing, and no one, standing out, Siggy shrugged it off and moved towards the crowd of the observation pits. Best place to get a front row seat. The racers were willing. The audience rearing.. It was now, or never.

@Herrith

 

[Alika Kazaczecho]

Alika finished tightening a bolt on her swoop, tucked under her vehicle and currently safe from the rain. Rumors had it the race was still going to go on, others had said that the organizers were shutting it down. She really needed a race right now. That was what kept her from going insane, after all. She pulled herself out from under the bike, running a hand along the main console before tucking her tools into a saddlebag and shutting the pouch. It was too damn hot in the workshop right now as other racers either packed up or tuned their vehicles, so she was forced to hang her jacket on a handlebar and remain with nothing but a tank top to keep from burning alive in this humid swamp of a garage.

She watched as the doors opened, slightly surprised that they were going on with the race, then let a smile grow as she pulled on her jacket and heard the cheers and jeers of other racers. Kaz slid onto her bike, powered it on, then pulled her helmet over her head, bringing it out of the garage as one of the first and lining up at the start line. Her bike hummed and growled as she checked the loose stabilizer at her right, shaking it with a hand before lowering her visor over her eyes and glancing up to the crowd.

Time to win. Credits and fun awaited. Alika revved the engine and rose a hand in the air.

 

[Asteria Sigini]

Spectators hooped and hollered, yowling for actions. Not even the rain could drown out their collective cries. Siggy had to admit, she was getting caught up in the moment. There was a surge of adrenaline, a rush of endorphins. It came avidly with the rush of engines, the working of the throttles. For a moment, Siggy forgot her discomfort and ambled closer to the front.

There were a number of strange aliens, the likes of which Siggy had never seen before in flesh. Their speeders and bikes were far more impressive though. Many were of various shape of design, something rattier than others, with the odd few looking a little worse for wear. Still, this was meant to be a collection of professionals, those who had been trialled and tested in baptisms of fire. Surely, a little rain couldn't hurt them.

A Twi'Lek of the most curious colour ambled into the centre of the lanes. "Racers!" Her hands shot up, "Are you ready? On my mark..." She paused, allowing the anticipation to swell, "Go!" With that her hands came shooting down, signalling to the racers to let it rip. She showed no fear as the death traps flew pass. She even cheered, utterly as enthralled as the crowds.

When out of view, nearby monitors played out the live events. There was a running commentary booming from displaced speakers. When one racer jumped ahead, the crowds would cheer, though as soon as one faltered and burnt out, they heckled. It was a tricky track after all, one with winding turns and deceptive angles. It was meant to challenge even the most experienced. Skill alone wouldn't win this race. The lucky driver needed a dash of the devil's luck.

​

 

[Alika Kazaczecho]

Alika, having been riled up by the outstanding crowd, returned her attention to the track and gripped her controls after drying her gloves on her pants. She eyed the other racers coming out and adjusted her helmet, knocking it on the side to make sure it wouldn't fall off as she waited for the light. She revved her engine again, easily the least whiny there, and she glared at a Quarren sitting on a throne of rattling junk. A Twi'lek came onto the line, drawing the attention of the crowd as she called for the race to begin. Alika ducked close to her speeder as the Twi'lek rose her hands, opening up the throttle as she held the brakes and shooting off down the track as the order to start rang out from the skinny girl.

Kaz shot to second almost immediately, praising her swoop as a bike with slightly faster acceleration took off ahead. But how fast was it? What was its top speed? She switched to a lower gear and took a hard left as the turn came up, opening up on her engine again. The speeder ahead was slightly faster, just slightly, on the turns and acceleration. But she had the top speed. Just needed a long enough straightaway. A few more sharp turns made her lose her ground, and she nearly rammed right into a wall but saved herself by overriding her stabilizers. Alarms rang out now. What the hell was that speeder ahead of her running with? Pure coaxium? That thing was insane. She rounded the corner a half second behind it and found a straightaway, opening up on the throttle as her engine growled. She shot past the speeder and took a sharp left and a quick dip between street signs.

In the lead now. Alika was right about the top speed. That right side stabilizer just had to hold out while the rain cooled it down. Or she'd be kamikaze spinning till it reset. That was around two seconds. Two seconds to die, more like.