FADE IN:
VFX. CLOCK
Designed like a rev-counter and glows red. Hangs above the garage door. Under five minutes to go...
INT. APOLLO RACING GARAGE - DAY
The mechanics step back. Moping the floor clean. Power tools and trays slot under the benches, making way for:
INT. AQUILA-16 - DAY
Tero wriggles to get comfortable. Tightening the belts over his shoulders. Adjusts the straps on his racing gloves.
AYAME (V.O.)
How does the brake pedal feel?
Tero pumps the pedal a few times.
TERO
Better.
AYAME (V.O.)
Right. Then what are we --
Tero hits the big red button.
EXT. APOLLO RACING GARAGE - DAY
AQUILA-16 backs out with the help of the mechanics. It joins the queue leaving the service park.
INT. AQUILA-16 - DAY
Tero fiddles with the brake bias levers.
AYAME (V.O.)
Target time to beat is a forty-four point seven-five. Non joker. Set by Kenji in the Epsilon.... There’s enough time for two runs.
TERO
Is that code for ‘Send it’?
AYAME (V.O.)
Set engine mode to max... please.
TERO
... Aight.
The engine dial hits level five. He eases onto the throttle, rolling the car towards the -
EXT. START ZONE - DAY
AQUILA-16 stops at the line. ENGINE ROARING to go once more.
DEX (V.O.)
Kenji’s number six Epsilon’s coming around the final corner.
A THROATY 4-POT WHIZ BY. Slowly, the lights turn green...
INT./EXT. AQUILA-16 - MOVING - DAY
The flag drops!
Launch control disengages. The boost knocks Tero into the bucket seat. The claustrophobic cabin shakes from the harsh vibrations.
- AQUILA-16 takes flight at maximum velocity. Reaching speeds excess of 160KM/H -- the nose dips down under heavy braking
CLUNK. CLUNK. CLUNK. Multiple downshifts. REVS rise and drop instantly. Tero feeds the steering enough for -
- AQUILA-16 snaps into a spectacular four-wheel drift. Holding a tight and perfect line around the hairpin. Leaving a trail of destruction behind.
EXT. SORA CORNER - DAY
THROTTLE WIDE OPEN. AQUILA-16 attacks the fast right kink. Loose dirt and gravel flicks into the air. It carries the immense speed to
EXT. MOJAVE FORK - CONTINUOUS
It darts right - sliding sideways - ENGINE SCREAMS IN ECSTASY. Rear tyres churning out a wall of dirt...
EXT. JOKER EXIT - CONTINUOUS
... across the track. Three-hundred horsepower ERUPT as AQUILA-16 flashes past the checkpoint. The change in surface stabilises the Aquila.
EXT. LEVEL ONE, SPOTTER’S TOWER - DAY
Dex moves along the open platform, tracking the orange and white Aquila. Watching it slice past the chicanes in a blur. Bits of plastic tumble onto the dirt.
DEX
(Into the mic)
Did you smack the hay bales?
TYRES SCREECH IN PROTEST. AQUILA-16 executes a clean out-in-out at Forest Corner.
AYAME (V.O.)
Hush... He’s setting purple sectors.
... linking corners with absolute ease. Making it look easy. AQUILA-16 ducks out of view... and comes flying back in again.
Gets serious air time...
CLICK. Dex snaps the picture perfect moment with his WASP (Wireless Accessible Smart Phone).
AQUILA-16 nails a faultless landing. Initiates a Scandinavian flick around the final corner...
INT. AQUILA-16 - DAY
Tero slowly reduces the steering lock. Modulating brake and throttle at the same time. Steers the car right up to concrete wall and across the line!
EXT. LEVEL ONE, SPOTTER’S TOWER - DAY
Dex run over to the leaderboard as it updates. He can’t help but smile.
DEX
(Into the mic)
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
That’s a forty-four flat. You’re at the top of the ladder.
AQUILA-16 ROARS PAST TRIUMPHANTLY.
INT. AQUILA-16 - DAY
Tero short shifts to fifth gear right on the change of surface. The car wriggles underneath him. Brake markers comes thick and fast.
He STOMPS the brake pedal... repeatedly. Immediately jumps on the radio.
TERO
The brakes shat themselves again.
The HOWL OF THE ENGINE subsides.
INT. APOLLO RACING GARAGE - MOMENTS LATER
Tero, Ayame and Katerina go through the data at the Engineering Station.
AYAME
Are you sure that was the only time it happened?
TERO
Yes.
KATERINA
The data confirms it.
AYAME
This can’t continue. We need to have this sorted before qualifying.
KATERINA
I’ll have the crew do a full brake service and change anything that’s suspicious including the brake master cylinder and hydraulic system.
AYAME
Please do and make sure to send a report on any failures we find to the URA.
KATERINA
Understood.
Katerina heads off to the back of the garage.
AYAME
(To Tero)
How were the settings for that last run?
TERO
Good.
AYAME
What changes are you going to make?
Tero tosses the Chronicle at Ayame.
TERO
We’ll leave it as is -- SHIT!
Mikko makes his grand entrance. His eyes locked on his prey:
MIKKO
Terry! --
Tero backs away.
MIKKO (CONT'D)
-- Don’t you run away from me. Come here and give me some good content!
A chase ensues.
TERO
Dun wanna!
Mikko and the cameraman corners Tero. They go live in three... two... one...
MIKKO
I’m currently with Tero from Apollo Racing, driving the number sixteen Sora Aquila phase one. You had quite an eventful shakedown, is everything alright with the car?
Mikko shoves the microphone in Tero’s face. Tero knocks - BUMF! - it back, grumpily.
TERO
... Yes, mostly.
MIKKO
You spent half of shakedown in the garage. What sort of issues did you run into?
TERO
Nunya bu --
Ayame’s glare makes him rethink his answer.
TERO (CONT'D)
-- Minor brake complications.
MIKKO
Is the issue solved?
TERO
Almost.
MIKKO
You delivered the fastest lap in shakedown with a forty-four flat. What’s your main goal for the event?
TERO
To survive.
MIKKO
Do you think you can maintain this speed and make it to the finals?
TERO
That’s the goal.
MIKKO
Final question for you: Do you think you can win this event?
TERO
(Shrugs)
Don’t know. We’ll find out tomorrow.
MIKKO
Congratulations on setting the fastest time. Hope you have a good event.
The light on the camera blinks off ending the interview. Mikko lets his frustration show.
MIKKO
You bastard. Why couldn’t you make the interview more entertaining?
TERO
I told you I didn’t want to do it, ya fucker!
Mikko attempts to give Tero a noogie. The two squabbles like children much to the delight of the team.
AYAME
Stop mucking around you two!
Ayame twists Mikko by the ears.
AYAME (CONT'D)
Let Terry go. We have work to do.
MIKKO
Ah! Sis -- That hurts! Okay, okay. Okay!
Mikko lets Tero free... but gets a kick in. Tero retaliates.
MIKKO (CONT'D)
You better win the qualifying heat.
TERO
Why? So you can try and torment me again?
MIKKO
You bloody know it.
Ayame rolls her eyes.
AYAME
You’re both so immature.
TERO/MIKKO
He started it!
The boys glower at one another.
MIKKO
You have a death wish?
TERO
Bro. I will end you.
Ayame gives Mikko a shove.
AYAME
Don’t you have somewhere you need to be?
Mikko checks the time.
MIKKO
Oh shit--
(To the cameraman)
Why didn’t you say anything?
As Mikko rush out, Dex walks in, carrying a shit ton of food. They share an awkward fist bump.
DEX
What did I miss?
AYAME
Excellent, you’re here.
Dex tilts his head like a confused puppy.
DEX
Huh?
Ayame takes the food from him.
DEX (CONT'D)
H-hey! I was just about to demolish those!
AYAME
I need you to accompany Tero to the Media Zone and make sure he goes through with his media obligations.
Dex and Tero GROAN in unison.
DEX
Can’t he go alone? I want to eat.
AYAME
No.
A vein appears on Ayame’s forehead...
TERO
Can’t I skip it? I’ve already hit my quota.
AYAME
No.
The vein grows bigger...
DEX
Can’t you go with him? You’re better at this than I am.
AYAME
No.
... And bigger...
TERO
Can’t I just stay here and chill until Q-one? You won’t even notice I’m here.
SNAP.
AYAME
Go!
She points to the door. Dex and Tero freeze.
AYAME (CONT'D)
(Whispers)
Just. Go.
The boys drag their feet to the
FADE TO BLACK.
