Sure enough, on reentry Yamato gets into first place, in time for the two ships to go swerving into the tunnels. The lead is wider by the time they exit the tunnels, and while the final stretch is -- dramatic, with Altax firing missiles and Yamato darting around to throw them off, he crosses the finish line in first place. Narrowly.

A few minutes later, their comm buzzes.

"Hey, jackasses," Yamato says. "Just checking in to tell you that I'm okay, and I've won. Pan's going to get the winnings, so he can pay off whatever gambling debts he's racked up to whichever Hutt he pissed off."

His tone is fairly light and easy, but there's a definite hint of some adrenaline-induced tremors to his voice every so often.