by Ryk Brown
“Remember, it takes more than being the first to cross the finish threshold to win the heat.”
“Points; I remember,” Nathan assured his instructor.
“Most important is that you do not make contact with the gate.”
“That one’s kind of obvious, isn’t it?” Nathan replied.
“Not even with your shields.”
Nathan looked at Master Koku. “You get penalized if your shields touch the gate?”
“No, but making contact with the gate will drain your shields of energy. Depending on how late in the heat the contact takes place, you may not have time to recharge your shields before you reach the finish threshold, and points will be deducted.”
“Right,” Nathan replied, his attention turning back to the race. “How long are the first heats?”
“Five minutes,” Loki replied.
“These guys are pretty good,” Nathan said, his eyes still glued to the array of camera views on the massive view screen in front of them.
“You are easily impressed,” Master Koku said.
“You’re not helping,” Nathan replied, his eyes never leaving the view screen.
“I am not here to help, I am here to teach.”
“You’re better than these guys,” Josh insisted.
“Suli Noma is female,” Master Koku pointed out.
“I didn’t know there were female Gunyoki pilots,” Nathan admitted.
“There were none in the original Gunyoki, centuries ago, as our population was not yet at safe levels, and the women’s lives were considered too critical to the future of Rakuen to risk them in combat. That changed more than a century ago, although to this day, it is still a male-dominated event. I did not think this would surprise you,” Master Koku said. “Do not the women of your world fight alongside the men?”
“Oh, they do,” Nathan assured him. “It’s just that the further away from Earth we travel, the more common it seems to be that the women do not partake in risky professions. Usually, for the same reasons.”
“Noma just took the lead,” Josh reported. “She forced Kunai to swing wide on gate eleven, and he almost didn’t make gate twelve.”
“It is a common tactic,” Master Koku explained. “She used his fear of collision against him, sliding in between him and the next gate, and then accelerating momentarily to force him to the outside.”
“How many points are taken off for missing a gate?” Nathan wondered.
“Fifty.”
Nathan glanced at the old man. “But you only get one hundred points for winning the race.”
“And eighty for finishing second,” Loki added.
“Precisely why one wishes to avoid missing a gate. Unless your opponent performs equally as poor, it is nearly impossible for you to win once you have missed a gate.”
“Noma just tagged gate fifteen,” Josh said. “Her starboard shield is down to eighty percent.”
“There are only five gates left,” Master Koku stated. “She will likely finish with ninety percent shield strength.”
“How many points is that?” Nathan wondered.
“A single point for each percent,” Master Koku explained.
“Kunai just tagged eighteen!” Josh reported. “But he’s only down ten percent.”
“He must have barely brushed it with his shields,” Master Koku observed.
“Through nineteen, burning for the finish gate!” Josh exclaimed. “And……Noma wins it by half a length!” he announced, throwing his hands up. “This shit is so cool!”
“How do we know who won?” Nathan asked.
Josh pointed to the status screen. “Noma took it, by four points.”
Nathan sighed. “What’s the purpose of the points again?”
“I thought you studied the Gunyoki races?” Loki said.
“I was concentrating more on flight tactics than race rules,” Nathan admitted. “I was counting on you guys for that.”
“The champion from each ichi advances to the final round. The ichis scoring second and third in overall points face one another to determine which will face the ichi with the highest score at the start of the finals.”
“So, it’s by the ichi’s score, and not by the pilot’s?” Nathan asked.
“That is correct.”
“That seems weird.”
“The races are deeply rooted in the tradition,” Master Koku explained, “even if the training and commitment, once demanded of the Gunyoki, has been all but lost.”
“I didn’t really think Noma was going to win,” Josh said.
“Why, because she’s female?” Master Koku wondered.
“No, because Kunai jumped out in front of her from the start. That was one tough move she pulled to get around him.” Josh laughed. “I love tough chicks.”
“Speaking of which, where is Jessica?” Nathan wondered.
“She is on a recon assignment, elsewhere on the platform,” General Telles replied.
“When do I fly?” Nathan asked.
“You will be flying in heat six, Ichi Konsai’s second heat, of round one,” Master Koku explained.
“Are they going to have that reactor ready by then?” Nathan asked General Telles.
“They have been working on it all night,” he assured him. “Commander Kamenetskiy promises it will be ready.”
* * *
“Vlad, mind if I borrow Quory for a minute?” Jessica asked.
Vladimir looked over at her from his position below the Gunyoki fighter, a curious expression on his face. “Da?”
“That means yes,” Jessica told Quory, taking him gently by the arm, and leading him away from the others.
“But, they might need me to…”
“They’ll be okay for a couple minutes,” Jessica insisted, refusing to take no for an answer.
“Very well,” Quory agreed, realizing that he didn’t have a choice. “What can I do for you, Lieutenant Commander?”
“I was wondering about something,” Jessica began. “The transfer airlock logs indicate the ship was delivered to the bay two and a half hours before we arrived. Is that correct?”
“I believe it was more like three and a half hours,” Quory corrected.
“Oh, yes,” Jessica agreed, “Rakuen timekeeping is still a little confusing to me.”
“Of course.”
“The logs also show that a second ship arrived less than an hour before we did, and departed half an hour later.”
“Yes, that was the shuttle I was on.”
“Why did it take half an hour to unload one guy?” Jessica wondered. “For that matter, why didn’t they just use the passenger bay for the main platform?”
“I brought my own tools and diagnostic equipment along with me,” Quory explained. “Those black cabinets over there,” he added, pointing to the far wall.
“But you were sent to instruct us on maintaining and servicing the Gunyoki fighter. Why your tools?”
“I don’t go anywhere without my tools.”
“Even if you don’t expect to use them?”
“I felt your team deserved a fair chance, like anyone else,” Quory explained. “I did not know if you would have the proper tools. I’m sorry if I offended you. I assure you, I only had good intentions.”
“And you did not use those tools on our ship, before we arrived?”
“Why would I?” he asked, a confused look on his face.
“I don’t know…to check that everything was in order before turning it over to us?” Jessica suggested.
“It was completely inspected by one of our lead mechanics just hours before it was moved to your bay. Further inspection would have been a waste of time.”
Jessica looked the Rakuen engineer directly in the eyes as her tone turned ominous. “You are aware of my reputation; my training; the things I have done?”
“Uh, yes,” Quory replied, suddenly becoming nervous.
“Did you know that I have been training with the Ghatazhak for the last sev
en years?”
“I was not aware,” he replied, becoming more uncomfortable with each passing moment.
“So, you’re telling me that you did not lay a hand on that ship, while you were waiting for us to arrive.”
“No, I did not. Why do you ask?” Quory’s expression suddenly changed. “Did you find something wrong with it?”
“What was the name of the mechanic who performed the inspection prior to moving it here?” she asked.
Quory looked from side to side, and then leaned in closer to Jessica. “Are you going to rough him up?” he wondered.
“I’m just going to ask him a few questions, just like I’m asking you,” Jessica assured him.
Quory thought for a moment. “I’m not sure I should say,” he admitted, recoiling slightly in case his inquisitor did not care for his response.
“Trust me,” Jessica said, reaching up and straightening his collar rather firmly. “You should.”
“Uh, Darrien Genn,” Quory told her, becoming nervous again. “But you did not learn this from me.”
“Learn what?”
“The name of the…” The light came on. “Ah…”
“Where would Mister Genn be right now?”
“Here, on the platform, of course. Yokimah Racing has three entrants in this event.”
“Which bay?”
“I am not sure,” Quory admitted. “But it will be any of the bays between thirty and thirty-nine. Those all belong to Yokimah Racing.”
“Thank you, Quory, you’ve been most helpful,” Jessica said, turning to leave.
“You’re not going to hurt him, are you?” Quory asked, his conscience getting the better of him.
“Not if he’s as forthcoming as you have been,” Jessica replied. She stopped, and turned to look over her shoulder at Quory. “You have been honest with me, right? Because I’d hate to have to rough you up.”
“No, that would not be pleasant,” Quory agreed, quickly adding, “and completely unnecessary, I assure you.”
Jessica just smiled. “Good.”
* * *
Nathan’s heart raced as he guided his Gunyoki fighter down the start corridor. To his right was his opponent, Valen Takoda; his Gunyoki fighter painted in reds and greens with a logo of some type of ferocious-looking animal on its side.
Nathan glanced at his flight display as his ship vibrated mildly from the low-power, constant burn of his engines to bring his ship up to start speed.
“Okay, Cap’n, this guy’s no problem,” Josh assured him over comms. “He’s a newb, just like you. His first event. He barely passed his quals. He’s got nothing. Just fly clean lines, keep your speed up, and you’ll smoke him. By the time…”
“I got it, Josh,” Nathan said, cutting him off. “I appreciate the pep talk.”
“Okay, twenty gates, even spacing, nothing too wild,” Josh reminded him. “Five to six is a tight turn to port, and fifteen to sixteen is tight to starboard, followed by tight to port to seventeen.”
“I remember,” Nathan assured him. “How are we looking back there, Loki?”
“All systems are good, and our new reactor is putting out thirty-two percent more power than the old one. Race Control should be releasing us from auto-flight in about twenty seconds.”
“Outstanding,” Nathan replied, trying to sound confident. “Just keep your eyes on my lines and, whatever you do, don’t let me tag a gate.”
“You got it, Captain.”
Nathan glanced forward, spotting the start gate coming at them fast. He moved his right hand down to his throttles, and placed his finger on the thrust engage button.
“Ten seconds to start gate,” Josh warned.
The auto-flight indicator light shut off, releasing control of the ship to Nathan, so that he could fly the race.
“Be ready on that throttle,” Josh added, “in……five……four……three……two…THROTTLE!”
Nathan jammed his throttles all the way forward, his engines spooling up to full thrust in less than two seconds, pushing him back into his seat as his ship lunged forward.
“Engines are at full power,” Loki reported. “Acceleration curve is good. Five seconds to the first turn.”
Nathan glanced from the sensor display at the center of his console to the forward window, spotting the flashing marker lights of the first gate, still a kilometer away and closing fast. Another glance out his window showed him that his opponent had accelerated right along with him, and they were running neck and neck. That would give him the advantage for the first two gates, both of which were left turns. If he kept his speed up, and used his nacelle angles properly, he could gain a small lead, which he could use to keep his opponent behind him, going into the first right turn at gate three.
Nathan rolled his fighter a bit to the left. The center of the approaching gate was below his flight path, and the next gate was high and left, so he wanted to pass through the gate high and left, as well. Seconds later, the upper left curve of the gate streaked over their canopy, only a meter away.
“Not sure you want to cut it that close, Captain,” Loki warned. “Remember, when deployed, our aft laser cannons sit nearly a meter above the hull.”
“Understood,” Nathan replied as he pulled his nose up, and held his power at maximum.
“Thirty seconds to the next gate,” Josh warned. “Fifteen seconds to planned max speed.”
“Turn rate looks good,” Loki reported. “Bogey is half a length back and two meters below.”
“Keep your gate entry low, so he has to fall back to avoid tagging it,” Josh suggested.
“That’s the plan,” Nathan replied. “Entry angle check?” he asked Loki.
“A little high,” Loki replied, confirming Nathan’s suspicions. “One more degree on the gungines.”
“Do we really have to call them that?” Nathan wondered.
“Yes,” Josh insisted.
“That’s it,” Loki reported. “Thrust cut-off in five……four……three……two……one……MECO.”
Nathan held his engines for two more seconds, then switched them off and pulled his throttles back to idle.
“We’re a little fast, Captain,” Loki warned.
“Nah, you’re fine,” Josh insisted.
“Ten seconds. Bogey is swinging wide to avoid falling back,” Loki reported.
Perfect, Nathan thought as he glanced up at the approaching gate. A few seconds later, the bottom edge of the gate slid under them at dizzying speed, and Nathan increased his throttles to thirty-two percent, pressing and holding the thrust button as he changed the angles on his engine nacelles to turn a little more, in order to line up with the next gate.
“You’re going to need extra thrust…” Loki began. “Never mind, I see you already added the extra two percent.”
“Cap’n doesn’t fly like an old lady, Lok,” Josh teased.
Cameron sat in the command chair at the center of the Aurora’s bridge, her eyes, like everyone else’s, glued to the feeds on the main view screen provided as a courtesy by Gunyoki Race Control. So far, Nathan appeared to be holding his own, but the race had just started.
“Go to full power as soon as you clear gate three,” Josh recommended over the loudspeakers in the overhead.
“We’re already faster than planned,” Loki warned.
“He’s right,” Nathan argued. “Takoda’s going to add power and try to overtake us, and it’s a diving right turn to the next gate, which favors him.”
“Just don’t overdo it,” Loki warned. “Or you’ll have to reverse your thrust to slow down for the turn to the following gate.”
“Just give me a number to stop at,” Nathan instructed.
“Oh, crap, just a second,” Josh pleaded. “Uh, six seven five…no…yes…six seven five.”
“Six seven zero would be safer,” Loki suggested.
“Of course it would, grandma, but Takoda’s already at six six eight.”
“Gentlemen, which is it?” Nathan ask
ed.
“Six seven five!” Josh insisted. “You can make the turn and there’s no way Takoda can pass you on the inside without tagging the gate.”
Cameron turned her command chair slowly around to face her tactical officer, a worried look on her face. “This does not sound promising.”
“At least he’s in the lead,” Lieutenant Commander Vidmar replied, trying to keep a positive attitude as they listened to the comms chatter.
“That’s it,” Josh urged from their control room back on the race platform. “Six seven three…six seven four…six seven five! Now, tighten your line and force him to fall back, Cap’n!”
“Tightening,” Nathan replied, trying to sound calm.
“Takoda is not going to yield,” Master Koku warned.
“He doesn’t have a choice,” Josh insisted.
“He does not want to be the first Gunyoki pilot to lose to an outsider.”
“But his only play is to fall back, or tag the gate,” Josh replied. “Either that, or… Oh, fuck.” Josh quickly turned back to his console. “Cap’n, he’s going to try to force you to move.”
“He already is,” General Telles said, watching the view from the chase cameras as the opponent’s fighter moved closer to Nathan’s. “And he’s accelerating.”
“He’s four meters and closing!” Loki warned.
“At six seven five?” Nathan exclaimed. “Is he crazy?”
“It’s an ego thing!” Josh explained. “Master Koku called it!”
“Three meters!”
“Channel all available power to the starboard shields,” Nathan instructed.
“Already on it,” Loki assured him. “Shields at one hundred and ten percent.” Loki glanced out the window to his right at the opponent’s fighter, its cockpit slightly aft of theirs. “Jesus…two meters!”
“Hold your line!” Josh urged. “Gate in five seconds, then hard climbing left!”
Nathan’s eyes danced between his flight displays and the fighter that was about to collide with him, gritting his teeth, determined not to yield.
“Three……two……one…”
As their ship passed through the gate, there was a sudden bright flash to their right, followed a split-second later by a second flash and a bone-shaking jolt, which knocked their ship to the left.
