EPISODE 10: GATHERING FOR THE SPACE RACE

"What race?" --Gilliam

Prologue: Narrator: The history of racing in space goes back many years. Before the development of the Munchausen Drive, races were held in the Sol System using primitive spacecraft. With the construction of FTL craft, the scale of the races expanded. Even today, competitions that descended down from them continue to take place throughout the galaxy. Spaceship development factories and their subsidiary companies risk losing prestige by sinking funds into corporate ships, while unknown privateers enter their own ships, trusting in their abilities. Whether they're corporate or private, pilots in the race are all shooting for the same goal, the fame and glory bestowed on the winner. It spurs them on in these dangerous races. These races have become well-known for the difficulty of their courses, not to mention the speed involved. Year after year, many ships continue to participate, but the ultimate glory is given to the one who overcomes all of these obstacles.

Episode 10: Gathering for the Space Race

The Outlaw Star finally reaches Dailong spaceport on Heifong. Jim worries about landing at such a big spaceport as the docking fees are sure to be high, but Gene's confidence that it'll work out is unswayed. On the tram through the city, Gene is embarrassed by Jim's excitement at seeing such a big city for the first time. Eventually, though, Gene can't help a peek at the sights himself and is duly impressed. Suzuka asks where he's headed to and Gene tells her he's going to the offices for the Heifong Space Race to enter the Outlaw Star.

The pretty female registration official Gene and Jim talk to explains that the race is open to anyone, the entry fees can be paid by a business or individual, and the ship's class doesn't matter, either. Gene wants information on the other ships, but that's against the rules. He's really only interested in one ship, but the woman still won't budge. Gene turns on the charm, but she stands firm. Getting nowhere with that, Gene at least figures he can get her phone number, but she eludes the come-on with the office phone number. Gene is given some forms to fill out and told he needs to deposit 150,000 wong into a signed account. What?! Where's he going to get that kind of money?! Gene protests that the race can't be open to everyone if it requires that steep an entry fee, to which the official replies that private pilots who can't afford the entry fee usually just find a sponsor. It'll be tough for a first-time entrant to find a someone willing to back them, though. Gene snaps that he -will- enter the race and he's going to win it as well, but before he can blow all future chances with the pretty girl, he tones it down with a sheepish smile and an admission that he doesn't know how.

At a food stand, the crew enjoys a meal. Jim complains about the impossibility of getting the entry fee, but Gene insists that they have to get into the race for two reasons. One, they need to promote themselves before they can expect any big jobs, and two, MacDougall's in the race. Jim asks if Gene's sure, and while he doesn't have proof, Gene confides having seen MacDougall's ship on the news broadcast while they were at the Toward Stars Inn. Fine, but that still leaves them with no entry fee, so how're they going to pull this off? Gene asks Melfina and Suzuka for input. Suzuka cautions Gene with the adage "Neither a borrower or a lender be." Leaving her part of the tab, she excuses herself. Gene asks where she's going and she replies that she has no interest in space races and there's nothing else that needs her help right now, so she's off to do her own thing. She'll contact them when the race is over. Gene's a bit miffed, but there's nothing he can do. Jim wants to know the next step, and Gene says they'll just have to go see their old friend.

At Luo Family Headquarters, Fred's happy to see Gene and Jim again. Strange, he doesn't even seem to notice Melfina. Gene's a bit surprised that Fred's there, but Fred explains he's doing so well in business he can afford to spend some time back at the divine office. Gene escapes a more physical greeting from Fred, protesting that he wants to discuss strictly business, apparently having filled Fred in on the phone before coming over. Fred agrees to sponsor them. After all, it's good advertising. But.... the Outlaw Star has to finish in the top three or the expense account becomes a loan and Gene will owe him even more money. Jim figured as much, but Gene's not put off, giving Fred a figure of 400,000 wong. Fred was prepared for this and has his bodyguard bring over a draped mannequin. With a flourish, Fred unveils a yellow and pink outfit with frills enough to erase even gender ambiguity, informing Gene that when he wins, he'll wear it in the winner's circle as a condition of Fred's sponsorship. Jim wants Gene to back out before risking that kind of humiliation, but Gene sees no other choice. Jim demands that at least Melfina should be spared, prompting a rebuke from Fred for Gene's bringing her along and risking her being seen. Gene demands to know what Fred knows about Melfina. All Fred confesses to is knowing the Kei pirates are looking for them but especially for Melfina. Gene asks if Fred has plans on selling them out, but Fred assures Gene that continued business with him is much more profitable. Gene and crew take their leave of the lovesick merchant, Gene explaining they have a lot of work to do in the remaining 30 hours before the race and hoping Fred has fun watching them. As they exit the room, Fred's bodyguard tells Gene he's counting on him. Gene's surprised to hear one of the bodyguards actually cheering him on in the race, but the bodyguard explains he's talking about Gene returning the young master's affections. Yeah, right.

The Outlaw Star departs Dailong spaceport, Gilliam gushing over the smoothness of the launch and the joys of big city ports. Jim complains about the cost when they only spent half a day there, which Gene brushes off with a remark about the impossibility of doing anything without money. Spread a little around, though, and you can get just about anything. Melfina brings up a display of the course for the start position for the race. Gene asks Gilliam for maps of the Heifong area, which Gilliam has, his library being on par with a Space Forces cruiser. Gene alludes to the race, but nobody's told Gilliam anything about it. Furthermore, why isn't Suzuka with them? Gene postpones an explanation.

At the Start Point Station, Gene and Jim survey the hangars. MacDougall's ship isn't there, Gene's sure he would know if it was. He suggests they check out the pre-race party and Jim agrees. Jim's a bit worried about leaving Melfina alone in the ship, but Gene's taking Fred's advice to keep her out of public view for now and Melfina wanted to stay behind anyhow. Jim decides he'll at least bring her back some cake from the party.

On board the Outlaw Star, Melfina asks Gilliam to access Heifong's largest database. Gilliam links into the Dailong University databank. Melfina wants to know if there's any information that can tell her who she is and why she was created. In spite of his directives against self-reflection, Gilliam is able to sympathize with Melfina's situation and promises to do all he can to help.

Gene looks around the party as the emcee announces that the 13th annual Heifong Space Race has 13 corporate and 29 private entries this year. Gene wonders if one of the faces there is MacDougall. Jim points out that it won't help to look since they don't even know what MacDougall looks like, but Gene can't get it off his mind. Jim suggests he at least enjoy some of the perks of their expensive venture, such as the fantastic food offerings. Gene relents and heads for the buffet table, but is distracted by a pretty pair of legs in a short waitress dress. He heads on over to offer her a drink, which she accepts, turning around. It's Aisha! Gene and Aisha stare at each other in disbelief, then Gene offers a disarming "Uh.. hi!" Aisha is not disarmed. She's outraged. She's finally found him again!

Aisha backflips onto a table, destroying it, then thanks the God of all Ctarl for his providence in letting her come face to face with her nemesis again. She hitchhiked all the way there, determined to get her revenge. Poor Aisha, she was forced to do heavy labor for her passage, drifting and drifting until she finally reached Heifong, where she had to take a waitressing job just to earn enough to eat. And now, just as she was lamenting her misfortunes, who should show up but Gene Starwind himself! Gene rues his bad luck while Jim calls it ridiculous. Aisha snarls that she's in charge here. Well, maybe she's not. Her boss shows up, telling her to behave herself. Aisha quickly accuses Gene and Jim of starting the ruckus, but her employer doesn't buy it and has her dragged out by his security men. Aisha continues to protest until her boss says she won't get paid if there's any more scenes. She deflates and whines as she's dragged out the door. Aisha's boss apologizes to Gene, who brushes it off as no big deal.

Back at the ship, Gilliam's had no luck finding anything. Melfina understands, not having had high expectations. Gilliam suggests checking out the pirates via the Space Forces, but isn't sure that'll meet with better success. He promises to keep trying, though. With him and Gene promising to help her find the secrets of her past, Melfina is sure the mystery will be solved eventually. Gilliam announces Gene and Jim's return. Jim has a doggie bag from the party for Melfina to make up for her missing out. Gene informs Melfina that they have to resupply the ship, run maintenance, and get some rest since they only have twelve hours before they start. Gilliam still doesn't know where they're starting for.

A news announcer builds up the start of the space race as the ships prepare to start. Fred and a bodyguard are watching closely from Fred's office. The Outlaw Star crew goes over the course. They start at Heifong IV and head for Heifong III, a binary planet with a difficult checkpoint between the two. After that, they head for Heifong V, a gas cloud, and an asteroid belt. The next checkpoint has two options, the longer course to the second planet or the more risky one to the first. Gene likes it already. Then they return to the main world Heifong, a total distance of 1.6 billion kilometers. Gilliam apparently knows about the race now as he exhorts the crew that since they're in it, they might as well win. Gilliam is sure that the superior Outlaw Star can do it, and Gene shares his confidence, but also swears to hunt MacDougall down. Jim reminds him that they have to place in the top three, but Gene isn't worried. Jim starts calculating. If they place in the top three, they'll have 200,000 wong left for themselves after subtracting the entry fee. The very thought fills him with maniacal glee.

The announcer explains that the ships will start at two minute intervals. First off is the Blue Continental, piloted by Ernest Blue a privateer veteran of six Heifong Space Races. Melfina runs through the final checks as the Outlaw Star awaits its turn to start. Gene tells everyone to relax, they're #26 so they have a while. Ship #7 is described by the announcer as unusual, the Ctarl-Ctarl trader Niburu-Boribori piloted by Nubata Kunono. A Ctarl-Ctarl ship?

On board the Niburu-Boribori, Nubata queries none other than Officer Aisha Clan-Clan as to how she would like the race run. They haven't even started yet and a tone of pressed patience is in his voice. Aisha gives him permission to do what he wants until she gives an order, but her orders are to be considered as coming directly from the Empire. Nubata sighs, wondering what an Imperial Officer is doing on Heifong, but his navigator warns him that they can't disobey the Empire. Nubata petulantly announces to Aisha that they're going now.

Melfina brings the Newton Reactor and Gravity Cycle Unit online. The announcer gives notice that the El Dorado, which placed 5th last year and is the favorite this year, has arrived just in time to take it's place in the starting lineup. What's this?! It's MacDougall's ship! But wait, the announcer gives the captain's name as Harry William. Not MacDougall?

It certainly looks like the younger MacDougall as Harry explains to a race official that he was held up by an ether current storm, but assures them he can be ready for his scheduled starting time in seven minutes. The race official wishes him luck. Harry's pilot informs him of an incoming transmission from the Outlaw Star, but Harry tells him to ignore it, he doesn't know that ship.

Back on the Outlaw Star, Gene is frustrated at being ignored. The race official warns him that the open channel at the start point is for emergency calls only. As the El Dorado starts its run, Gene wants to start up immediately and close in on it, but Gilliam and Jim warn him not to risk disqualification from the race when he's not even sure it's really MacDougall. Looks like Gene's going to have to wait to find out about the El Dorado's captain. The El Dorado gets the green and Harry tells his pilot Leo to go ahead and cut loose.

Suzuka listens to updates on the race from a casino. Hearing the announcement that following the Penelope Corporation's Bonaparte, newcomer Gene Starwind is scheduled to start in the Outlaw Star, she places a bet of 20,000 wong on Gene's ship.

As the Outlaw Star pulls into position, a man on the Start Point Station takes notice of the ship that seems very familiar to him. Another man asks Professor Khan if everything is alright, Khan nodding it off as nothing. To himself, however, he recognizes it as the XGP15A-II and wonders what it's doing here.

The Outlaw Star launches, Melfina announcing the distance to Heifong III as 230 million kilometers with a total race ETA of 1000 hours. Gilliam doesn't want anyone playing with the autopilot, but at Jim's request, promises to blow the hatches off of anyone who slows them down.

Fourteen hours into the race, the Bonaparte is in the lead as the fastest ships reach the first checkpoint. Fred's bodyguard wonders where Gene is, Fred suggesting patience since they started in the middle of the pack.

Melfina brings them into orbit around Heifong III. Jim checks to see where the checkpoint is and finds it right in the middle. Gilliam points out that the other ships are using the strategy of going up over the binary planets and then dropping through the plane of revolution. Melfina displays two options. They can either take the same route as the others, or they can time the revolution of the planets and cut across vertically. Gene wants to know which is faster. Gilliam points out that the route the other ships are taking is safer, but that's not what Gene asked. Melfina informs him that the vertical route is faster, so Gene picks that one. Gilliam is quick to tell Gene of the factors that make it too dangerous to try, such as the planets' gravity, orbital velocity, and magnetism, but Gene doesn't want to be bothered with details and takes them in. Gilliam cautions that when they disrupt the planets' gravity, a tidal effect will occur and send out intermittent waves. Jim asks if he means seawater, but Gilliam labels it more metal. Gene doesn't see anything, so he isn't concerned. As they pass the first planet, Gilliam warns of a massive object closing in from the planet. Gene wants a little more description, Gilliam replying that it's probably a wave. Gene hurriedly asks for an escape route, but there's no way out. The wave sweeps towards the checkpoint as the Outlaw Star rushes along on a converging path.

To be continued!

Next Episode: I finally caught you, MacDougall! That guy thinks he's so cool because he's good-looking, but under those good looks he's not to be trusted. That's the problem with kids these days, I'm tellin' ya! And then, to make matters worse, that hysterical cat girl comes over here in the middle of the race! Is this exciting or what?! The Outlaw Star is racing ahead to win! Next time on Outlaw Star, Adrift in Subspace! You better get ready!