The Race

[childofrebellion]

The stands are a mixture of good quality and finding seats where you can. Thanks to the help of Pan, Cassian was able to get Barry, Cisco and Gabe seats with a good view of what's visible of the track and then the screens showing the other sections.

Cassian's down with the ships with Yamato, Pan came by to help them but is now up in the stands.

Comments

Re: In the stands

[run_barry]

"I think him and Yamato have got this," Barry says, watching as other ships pull in as well.

Listening to Cisco, Barry shakes his head and says to Gabriel, "He made some tweaks, but Cassian and Yamato definitely put that ship together."

Re: In the stands

[sticktothemission]

"You guys got some talent."

It's pretty impressive to put a ship together, more so on a time limit.

He keeps tapping out his slow beat, watching, and suddenly sits up sharply. "Here he comes."

Re: In the stands

[makes_the_toys]

"You know it," Cisco brags.

He hops up and climbs onto his chair, waving and cheering like a madman as Yamato approaches.

"YEAAAAAAH! GET IT!!!"

Re: In the stands

[run_barry]

Barry's on his feet, cheering loudly over the crowd, but also on watch in case Cisco falls off his chair.

"GO MASTER ILO!!!" Barry shouts.

Re: In the stands

[sticktothemission]

Gabriel ducks a flailing arm as he cheers, ending on a laugh.

"Those things can fucking move."

But they're in more of the drawn out part of the race now where passing other ships is a bit more of a challenge. Gabe grins, watching as Yamato steadily gains on the ship in front of him.

"Go baby, go baby, go baby!"

Re: In the stands

[makes_the_toys]

"Yeah they can!" Cisco enthuses. "And our dude can really fly 'em. Damn."

Cisco is totally impressed by Yamato's skills.

Re: In the stands

[run_barry]

"He's totally got this," Barry says with confidence, watching as Yamato moves up yet again.

Re: In the stands

[sticktothemission]

Gabriel's cheers turn into a groan as another ship pops afterburners in the outer space portion of the course, sending Yamato back into fifth.

"Cisco, you know the specs, tell me he's got tricks left."

Re: In the stands

[makes_the_toys]

Cisco frowns as Yamato loses ground, considering the course, the ship, and what he's seen of Yamato's skills.

"Yeah man, yeah. He should have plenty of fuel for some afterburner kicks of his own. He's gotta time it right though, if he burns too soon he'll gain ground but won't have enough to keep it at the end."

Re: In the stands

[run_barry]

Barry leans forward, watching more intently.

"He's coming up on the last lap soon," Barry notes. "Everyone's going to start pulling out the stops soon."

Looking up at the board and watching the ships fight for position, Barry asks Gabe, "Aside from the guy in front who else do you think he should watch out for?"

Re: In the stands

[sticktothemission]

Gabriel considers the leaderboard as Yamato claws his way into second (second, way to go!)

"Either of the ones in third or fourth. Don't think they've popped afterburners yet and they can try copying Ilo's trick on the next reentry."

Doesn't mean it'll go well, but they can try.

Re: In the stands

[run_barry]

Looking over the race setup and thinking about what they've seen so far, Barry nods to Gabriel's analysis.

"Yeah, he'll be ready for it, though. I know Yamato has plenty of tricks of his own."

Re: In the stands

[makes_the_toys]

Things are getting intense and Cisco throws his hands over his face.

"Oh man, I can't watch this."

His hands open and he peers through his fingers.

"Ohhhh, I can't not watch this!"

Re: In the stands

[sticktothemission]

"He's got this." Gabriel nods once, showing certainty. The caverns go smoothly though the racer in front's able to put distance between him and Yamato. It's a heck of a lead.

"Here we go, last lap."

Re: In the stands

[makes_the_toys]

"Totally got this," Cisco nods, slowly lowering his hands. "He's gonna-- HEY! THAT'S A FOUL!"

Re: In the stands

[run_barry]

As the race grows more intense Barry sits on the edge of his seat watching the action while one foot taps out an anxious and speedy rhythm. He flinches when a weapon is fired Yamato's way, but keeps his seat and breathes in relief when Yamato dodges the attack.

Barry frowns when a quick look at the standings shows Yamato has dropped back a few places again.

"He's going to have to make up ground, but I don't think all of those other ships stopped to refuel," Barry notes, then shouts out, "Go Master Ilo!"

Re: In the stands

[sticktothemission]

Gabriel winces slightly when he realizes he's put a crimp in the armrest. Gonna have to watch that.

He joins in on Barry's cheer, following up with a sharp finger whistle. "That's gotta give him an edge, there's a way to go yet."

Re: In the stands

[run_barry]

Barry glances down at the armrest then flashes Gabe a 'whoops' expression and smile.

Turning back to the race, Barry hollers as the ships continue to battle for positioning.

"They're not allowed to do all that stuff, are they?" Barry asks, realizing he doesn't even know if weapons are okay in this place.

Re: In the stands

[makes_the_toys]

"I should've made him a bigger force field. Or chariot spokes or something," Cisco laments

Re: In the stands

[sticktothemission]

Gabriel's scowling a bit. If he didn't know anyone on the track, the weapons fire would be exciting.

But not when it's aimed at Yamato.

"His reflexes are sharp, shit hasn't thrown him off yet." He grins, sharp and confident. "Pretty sure he's gonna manage first on this next reentry. He handles them real clean."

Re: In the stands

[angry_friendship_wolf]

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.

Re: In the stands

[run_barry]

Barry basically holds his breath for the entire end of the race. It's a nail biter, that's for sure, but when Yamato's ship makes it across the line Barry throws his arms up and cheers.

Hearing Yamato call them up, Barry's own voice is a little shaky when he replies.

"Hey congrats, man! Nice flying."

Re: In the stands

[makes_the_toys]

Cisco leans over to holler into the comm, "WOOOOOO! Way ta go! Knew you could do it the whole time."

Re: In the stands

[sticktothemission]

Gabriel's grinning on Barry's other side. "Wonderfully done, Master Ilo!" He's careful to use his persona's cadence as a reminder to them all who Yamato is here.

It's probably unnecessary, Barry lives as a superhero, but it doesn't hurt.

Re: In the stands

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato almost feels bad about that tremor in Barry's voice. He's pretty sure his reckless flying is at least some percent of the reason behind it.

"You did, huh?" He says to Cisco, amused. "You had more faith than I did, then."

It occurs to him that this is the first time he's heard Gabriel using his persona's particular cadence. It's -- almost jarring, but he rallies.

"Thank you," he says, "all of you. We're headed over to the winner's area, there's probably going to be snacks and stuff. You're all welcome to join us."