Here we go,
thought A11_4_ON3 as the
track ahead curved to the left.
Now they get to
see what I’m made of.
He eased up on his throttle, dropping back
from the group one pod length and moving
into position behind ECHO. If he could
eliminate her from being a serious contender,
he could easily walk away with this race.
Z1P_ZAP’s voice came over the comm.
“What’s he doing?”
“Don’t worry about him,” ECHO said.
“Focus on the race. Treat him like any
other racer.”
They reached the curve. A11_4_ON3 slid
into place so that he was just to the left, behind
ECHO. She did exactly what he thought she
would do: followed the track’s curve and stuck
close to her team. She slowed slightly to keep
control of her turn.
A11_4_ON3 didn’t slow down. He
slammed the throttle as hard as he could and
continued going straight rather than following
the turn. He smashed into the back left corner
of ECHO’s pod. The impact spun her so that
12
