Seventy-seven seconds is all you need to manage in order to stay in the rankings.
Seventy-seven seconds, surrounded by a blur of mixed colors and high energy, will keep you in the race for one more lap.
Seventy-seven seconds is breaking even.
Anything less than seventy-seven seconds and you're a legend. A legend to be remembered throughout all the star systems long after all their suns have gone out.
In a domed convention center on an off-planet satellite the biggest televised broadcast was taking place. Inside the excitement and intensity was tangible. Thousands of voices all speaking at once, each relaying information of the day's developments to their respected start systems, made the very walls of the dome vibrate. A thousand different languages all meshed together in one big cacophony of sonic chaos were instantly hushed as a dozen overhead light flickered.
"The racers will now take the stage." A loud female voice boomed from all directions. Her voice echoed throughout the newly established silence. The walls creaked, as if contracting from the sudden lack of sonic bombardment. The lights above dimmed and all eyes were focused on a grand silver stage than stretched somewhere around a hundred meters in a straight line. The stage faced the onlookers like some kind of mammoth idol awaiting worship. It would not be unsatisfied.
"First to take the stage is Saldone Quilo from the Prefuis System." The loud female voice said. The crowd burst into a roar, louder than the one it was formerly in. Cheers, shouts and cries from a thousand languages ushered the small humanoid onto the stage.
Saldone Quilo was a Fiod, a small two legged humanoid with translucent skin, two arms - each accompanied by a three fingered hand - and a large egg shaped head. On the head were two bulbous eyes that resembled black holes more than ocular organs, a small harmless looking mouth, and two antenna.
Saldone nervously walked along the stage. Confident as he may have been in his racing abilities, the sight of thousand screaming reports broadcasting to the deepest edges of the star systems was no doubt intimidating. But Saldone made his way to a humble chair on the opposite side of the stage. There he stood, turned to completely face the crowd - mouthing thank you's in as many languages as he knew - and confidently sat down.
The chair was made of a soft and cushiony materially originally designed by Earthlings. Saldone noted how comfortable it was in his head before his attention was directed to a panel of nine figures sitting just in front of the stage.
"Mr. Quilo." A male voice boomed. It was one of the panel members speaking through the sound system. The crowd excitedly turned to nothing more than faint murmurs. The voice continued, "You have been chosen to represent the Prefuis Star System in this season's games".
The crowd was silent. It was as if every creator inside was holding its breath.
"Yes," Saldone began. "I am humbled by the opportunity."
"As you should be." The voice continued. "It is a great honor to sit on that stage and take place in these races. Are you confident you can complete all nine and return to your home planet of Titarion a true champion of the multiple star systems?"
"It will be taxing, to say the least," Saldone said. His voice was wavering, his nerves were better placed in his craft, on the track than at public speaking. "however, race five will take place on Umbrock, Titarion's sister planet. I'm confident that being so close to home will put a turbo boost to my abilities." At that the crowd exploded in cheers. Those from the Prefuis System could be heard loudest.
"Quite empowering words, Mr. Quilo." A different male voice chimed in. The crowd hushed. " We hope to see you do just that. Thank you."
Saldone nodded to the judges and the crowd cheered more loudly. Lights flashed above and the booming female voice began to speak again.
"Next to take the stage is Unit_374." Again the crowd went nuts. It was the first time in the history of the Multiple Star System Anti-Gravity Craft Racing Association, M.S.S.A.G.C.R., that a member of the 01 Star System was allowed to participate. For decades it was outlawed to have a cybernetic race take part due to the fact that there is an unfair advantage for a racer who essentially is its craft. So in order to participate 01 needed to create a racer to pilot the craft, giving it the same delay between thinking of how to move the craft and actually moving it. Needless to say, all eyes were on Unit_374. There were billions of credits throughout the millions of gambling halls within the multiple start systems betting on Unit_374 being a fake. All the same, the fans wanted to see what it could do behind the controls of its craft.
From behind the backdrop of the stage walked a slender bipedal android. It was encased in an off-white plastic skin that glistened in the lights and sparkled with every camera flash. It had a small rectangular chunk of metal that rested where a head should have been, but it was too narrow to give the illusion that anything more than processors and wires were inside. In the front of it were eight circular LEDs, a facsimile for eyes. They were arranged in two columns: each with two small LEDs above a large LED which in turn was above another small LED. Unit_374 had a stiff and jagged walk, as if it was deliberately designed to move that way. Despite all that, the crowd loved it and eagerly quieted themselves as it reached the chair beside Saldone Quilo.
"You may sit." The first male voice ordered. Unit_374 did. It turned its rectangular head piece to look at Saldone, and blinked. The blink began with the top two LEDs and sequentially made its way to the bottom. Saldone felt that it looked more like an idle light show than a blink. He smiled at Unit_374 before it turned to face the panel members.
"Unit_374, you are the first cybernetic racer to officially participate in the Multiple Star System Anti-Gravity Craft Racing Association," A new voice, a female one said. "how does that feel?"
The android tilted its rectangular head piece and the LEDs cycled through several colors before all turing the same shade of bright green.
"We wish only to convey gratitude to the Multiple Star Systems." The 01 Star System is comprised of four planets that all share a single collective consciousness. Every member of the 01 Star System speaks for the collective consciousness. "We are aware of how difficult it was to be granted admittance into these great games. We would also like to deliver a personal 'thank you' to the Tyberoux for assisting in that admittance." The crowd went from completely silent to a roaring monster of bleeding hearts in less than a second.
"A very touching statement, Unit_374." The first male voice spoke. "Your stock has no doubt risen." There was a mass chuckle at this.
Craft racing represented more than just the races themselves, they represented status among the multiple star systems. To have a racer from your star system was something wars were started over. Armies have performed genocides on entire planets over lost races. It was the racer who became the face of its respected planet and star system. So it was strategy, more so than actual gratitude that compelled Unit_374 to thank the Tyberoux. At least, that's what many of the reporters believe. They knew that if the more the viewers liked a racer, the more funding that racer would get. Funding could be used for obvious things like the craft, its maintenance, and even the racer's attire. But more interesting uses of funding might be air time during interviews, because a racer who is always on the public's mind stands a better chance for its star system than the racer standing in their shadow.
"Next to take the stage," The booming female voice began. "is Ishible D'ontox from the Gael Star System." The crowd cheered again, louder than before. The emotions of all creatures within the domed convention center were raising with each new introduction.
From behind the stage emerged an ivory figure wearing what appeared to be a crimson apron. It was however, a formal garment wore by only the most highly regarded Autechron. The crimson represented their sun, a dying class M hypergiant, an ever-powerful fire God. The Autechron people worship their sun God, who they named Kaku, above all other things, to be covered with its color is an honor very few are able to hold.
D'ontox gracefully walked, waving his long white arms in broad gestures to all, across the stage. He stood before the panel.
"You may be seated." The second male voice boomed. So he did, beside Unit_374. The android focused its attention to D'ontox's skin. It was completely white and flakey, as if it were ash clinging to the man's skin. This, the android calculated, was not as it appeared. The ash was in fact, millions of scales that the Autechron people used not only as a form of Ultra Violet protection from their sun, but it also served as a perfect camouflage. These white scales possessed every color in the light spectrum, which is why they appeared as such. In moments of heightened emotional stress or fear the scales can hone in on specific patterns that surround them, allowing the Autechreon to literally disappear.
"Mr. D'ontox," The second male voice continued. "given the political climate surrounding your star system, it comes as a surprise to everyone hear, albeit a pleasant one, that you chose to be a part of these races."
"It is true," D'ontox voice was deep and guttural. "that my star system finds itself at the brink of war with the Sonicarious System." There were murmurs throughout the dome, this was the first time a representative openly spoke of the Sonic War. "I bear no ill will to Exai Cer in fact, I consider him to be one of the greatest racers of our millennia. Having said that, my devotion to my sun God has no equal. If my people should need me on the battlefield, then by the name of Kaku, I will be there."
The crowd roared and shook the walls of the convention center again. Each voice then speaking frantically into their broadcast feeds with news of the war and D'ontox's moving words.
"Fortunately, for the fans of this great sport and all of us here, you have a larger task at hand, in the name of Kaku." The second female voice spoke suddenly. The crowd quickly hushed.
"That is correct." D'ontox said straightening his posture. "My lord's representatives wish to keep the peace as long as possible, or at least until the games are over. They believe that the friendship Exai and myself share might alter the opinions of both the Autechron and the Voidlings, possibly preventing further warfare."
"Very insightful words. Thank you, D'ontox." The female voice spoke. He simply nodded.
"Next to take the stage is Exai Cer of the Sonicarious Star System." The first female voice boomed throughout the convention center triggering a what many Earthlings refer to as 'golf clapping'.
From behind the stage emerged a small humanoid figure, somewhere around 150 centimeters in height and 30 centimeters in width. The tiny figure had muted violet skin that burst into black at the ends, a very narrow mouth and a massive head. Earthlings use the slang term, hammerheads to describe Voidlings, because their heads protrude out in a very similar way to the Earth native sharks. Voidlings lack any ocular organs, instead their heads act as tuning forks, picking up all vibrations. Voidlings are extremely sensitive to sound, however not wounded by it. The golf clapping was a sign of respect more than anything else.
The Voidling threw his hands in the air encouraging everyone inside to begin cheering at full volume. They eagerly obliged. At that, Exai confidently strutted to the other side of the stage.
"A memorable entrance, as always, Mr. Cer." The second male voice boomed. "You may sit." Exai did so. He turned to face D'tonox, and smiled at him.
"Tell us," The voice went on. "what will be the hardest part of those games?"
"As my buddy, D'ontox already mentioned, the war." Exai said. "The war will be taxing, of course. But I, and all these other racers, need to keep our eyes on the prize. Not just because it could prevent a war, nah! But because winning these races in a victory second to none!"
The crowd cheered.
"Indeed, it is." The second male voice agreed.
"Next to take the stag,." The first female voice boomed yet again. The crowd were all eagerly awaiting the next participant to present himself. If what the rumors have mentioned in the multiple star system tabloids were true, then history was going to be made in the next few moments. " Alex Quibly of the late Sol Star System." Needless to say, the volume had reached an all time high. A mixture of cheering, clapping, booing, and whistling tore through the domed building making the window shake.
From be hid the stage walked a meek human male with dark brown skin, the bones in his shoulders jutting against the thin polyester of his silverfish grey uniform. He waved his right arm proudly as he carefully walked across the stage, all the while observing his entire surroundings. He stood beside Exai.
"Mr. Quibly, you may sit." The second male voice spoke from behind his panel. Alex sat. The convention center was still.
"Some refer to you as a criminal, others call you a saint. What do you have to say in response, Mr. Quibly?" The second female voice asked.
I uh," He paused and looked around. "As most of you know, I will be racing for my freedom. My permanent freedom." He added. "I sit before you all here today as a man with his back against the wall, so to speak. I will be racing for myself and for any others who might object to Tyberoux religion." There were harsh whispers from the audience. That was a very harsh statement to have made so publicly.
"And should you walk away from these races as its champion, what then?" The first male voice asked. Alex shrugged.
"I guess we will have to cross that bridge when we get to it." He smiled nervously.
"For the sake of the Multiple Star Systems' political stability, let's hope we never have to." Harsh words, but the exact ones on nearly everyone's minds.
"Next to take the stage, Sandra representing the Tyberoux and their Atra Star System." The first female voice called out across the wide dome convention center. The crowd went wild, this was what they had been waiting for, the conflict of the century.
From behind the stage walked a small human female with pale white skin. She turned to face the audience as she walked, her arms waving mechanically in the air. Her mouth drooped down, a small bit of drool dripping from it. Her pupils were fully dilated giving her a unsettling appearance. She turned away from the audience, exposing the back of her neck where a tick the size of a watermelon had nested itself.
This was the Tyberoux, a race of parasitic ticks that bore themselves into the spinal columns of their hosts taking complete control over them. The ticks were a fleshy yellow color, like the flesh of a calloused foot. Their small legs were completely engrained into their host, making removal of the Tyberoux extremely painful. On the skin surrounding the Tyberoux was swollen and puffy skin that was a pale blue color, that color haunted Alex Quibly's nightmares. He inched himself away as Sandra stood just in front of him. She faced him, her eyes hallow and vacant, he could see her tears ducts beginning to leak - a common reaction to remaining open for so long - but even still, it made him feel like she was crying for help.
"Sandra Tyberoux, you may be seated." The second female voice said. The woman sat, Alex inched away from her as subtly as he could.
"Is something the matter, Mr. Quibly?" The first male voice asked. Not subtle enough it would seem. He said nothing, but he didn't have to, every creature in the dome knew he was afraid the Tyberoux would jump on him and convert him back into a host.
"Just as well." The second male voice added. Then turned his attention to Sandra. "Sandra, why have the Tyberoux decided to join this season? It seems strange that the most powerful religious empire of the Multiple Star System to participate in a racing sport."
"To the people of the Multiple Star System," Sandra began, her voice disengaged as if she was speaking in a trance. "these races represent the culmination of their shared efforts. Much like the Earth sport of Futbal, the M.S.S.A.G.C.R. bring the eyes of our star systems together on a single ideal."
Sandra paused.
"There are those among who consider the Tyberoux a parasitic menace," All eyes shifted to Alex. He sank in his chair. "participating in these races are simply an attempt to be viewed as just another species."
It was true. The auditioning trials were more tense than usual this season, having both a cybernetic racer and a Tyberoux racer made more than a few star systems upset. But the two racers won their trial races and appealed to the judges. The handicap had been set: the Tyberoux has to control its human as well as its craft. With those odds it still managed to beat a course record by six hunted milliseconds. The Cybernectics made their own handicap when they created an android to do the racing. The android would have to traverse the course just like any other racer. These made the Tyberoux and the Cybernetics allies.
"Eloquent words, as always, Sandra." The second female voice said. "Thank you."
"Next to take the stage, Xhouz of the Mus Star System!" The first female voice cheered. From behind the stage walked a six legged creature that resembled an Earth crustacean but with a thin layer of shaggy fur on it. The head of the creature looked canine in appearance but with a single methodical eye. These creatures were known as Landi and they were some of the fiercest racers the Multiple Star System would ever know. Xhouz delicately walked across the stage.
"You may be seated, Xhouz." The second male voice ordered. The Landi did.
"Your people have held a long standing winning streak in the M.S.S.A.G.C.R., is there any reason for us to believe that this season should be any different?" The second female voice asked.
"None." A low and scratchy voice escaped the Landi. "I was bred to be a racer and I am the best the Mus System has created." He looked at the others sitting beside him. "The sooner the races begin, the sooner my words will change from threat to fact."
Cheers roared throughout the dome. Landi pride was among the highest in the multiple star systems.
"We shall soon see. Thank you." The first voice added. Xhouz nodded as the first female voice began another introduction.
"Next to take the stage, Briton Overseen or the Calcanious Star System!" The crowd cheered again. From behind the stage appeared to some as a giant ball of ectoplasmic energy with seven long tentacles dangling from it as it hovered across the stage. To others, a lean humanoid with tan skin, two giant brown and white wings where arms should be and a majestic owl head walked across the stage. But to many, a seven foot tall barn owl adorably waddled across the stage. This was a creature known as a D'caied. They were beings of such high evolutionary state that no creature other than themselves can truly see what they actually look like. Most people in the Multiple Star Systems are content with the giant owl persona.
Briton stood next to Xhouz waiting to be seated.
"You may sit, Mrs. Overseen." The second female voice ordered. Briton sat.
"You return again for another attempt at the gold medal. How certain are you that you will win it this time?" The first male voice asked.
A voice appeared in the minds of all creatures within the convention center.
"The sabotage of my last craft will not be forgotten," Briton began, her voice a soothing croon in the minds of all the viewers. "I have however, let bygones by bygones. With the recent increase in sponsorship, I find no it hardly unlikely to walk away from this season with nothing less than gold."
There were cheers, people cried, her words had resonated with them on a highly emotional level.
"Brilliant." The second male voice said, more to himself even though it was amplified for the convention center to hear. People cheered again.
"And finally, our last contestant!" The first female voice boomed. "Luno of the Aquis Star System!" Gutteral cheers exploded as members of the Aquis Star System cheered their representative on. He emerged from behind the stage, a massive seven foot tall Dolphinian. His pale grey skin covered in a tight fitting foamed neoprene suit. It glistened against the lights, proudly showing the fact that it kept his skin moist. He raised an arm, water trickled off it. His face had a constant childlike smile on it that made viewers love him. He stopped beside the giant owl and faced the panel.
"You may sit, Luno." The second male voice said. He did.
"Your star system will be hosting the first race in this season, can you tell us anything about the conditions of craft racing beneath the Aquiant Sea?" The second female voice asked.
"Aquian is the only planet in our system that isn't entirely covered in water. The terrible desert planet serves best for," He paused to show his distaste. "foreigners as they watch the races. But the pressure of the sea will be no problem at all, Dolphinian glass is the strongest in all the star systems. We take pride in that." The crowd cheered.
"There you have it, folks." The first female voice boomed throughout the convention center. "All nine racers have made their introductions. We'll see you all next week on the planet Aquian in the Aquis Star System, be sure to bring your snorkel gear; its gonna be a sight to see!"
Transmission End.
Cut to commercials.
-Jestro
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