childofrebellion | The Race

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."

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.

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."

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

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.

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."

Over in the winner's circle, Cassian has been dealing with officials and the bounty hunter and protocol droid from the Hutts. Pan is beside him looking concerned and nodding where he needs to as Cassian plays the part of the bargaining and tired clerk.

A race official, a human spots Yamato and waves him over, "Come and get your trophy and some images for the holonet."

In the winner's circle, there is a spread of fancy food and spectators of various species in fancy dress giving everyone a careful look. Cassian is carefully turning his head whenever the floating camera droid goes by.

It's probably a good reminder.

Barry schools himself a bit and replies, "You did great, Master Ilo. Awesome flying. We'll meet up with you there."

Just as soon as they can get through the crowd and all.

"For sure. If I had money, and knew how to bet, and wasn't worried of running afoul of a space bookie, I'd totally be rich right now," Cisco responds, still enthusiastic.

"C'mon, let's go where the party's at!" Cisco says, getting up and urging either Barry or Gabriel to lead the way.

"We'll see you soon."

Gabriel will lead. He's the biggest of them and he's not about to be shoved aside by anyone.

Super strength does has it perks.

He moves slow enough to avoid being rude in the path he's making, but steady enough that it only takes them about 15 minutes to make it through the crowds. Gabriel keeps checking the pockets with the merchant's package and the model to make sure they don't get pick pocketed. He definitely wants to take home those souvenirs.

"Master Ilo!" He waves as he bellows, throwing in a little drill sergeant to cut through the noise of the crowd, just enough so Yamato knows they've arrived.

Yamato reluctantly lets himself be dragged around for holonet images, turning bright red and looking like he'd rather be anywhere else the entire time.

Gabriel, Barry, and Cisco arriving is a welcome excuse to duck away with a quick "Ah, some of my business associates are here, excuse me."

He strides over to them, trophy held loosely in one hand.

"Hey, you guys. Got here just in time," he says. "Tell me if you see the guy who came in second, I should thank him for a good race."

Attempts on his life notwithstanding. Or maybe a little-withstanding, those were fun too.

Altax has arrived, he's in a corner, giving fake smiles and glaring at Yamato.

Cassian makes his way over with a tray of glasses of sparkling wine, "To celebrate the victory."

Having friends with super strength definitely has its perks.

Following behind Gabriel, Barry is happy to have a blocker to get them through the crowd, and he grins wide when he sees Yamato.

"Master Ilo!" he greets, just managing to refrain from giving Yamato a hug in case that ruins whatever image Yamato has worked out here.

Barry's smile to Yamato flickers just a little when he hears who Yamato is searching for.

"You know that guy just tried to blow you up, right?" Barry reminds in a low voice.

He's all for sportsmanship, but when a guy shoots missiles at you he kinda forfeits the post-match handshake.

Cisco snaps photos all along the way, and he's quick to crowd to Yamato's side, trying to snag a selfie when they arrive in the winner's circle.

When he sees the tray of glasses Cisco steps forward to take one.

"Ooo, yes, the bubbly!"

Gabriel takes a glass when offered, nodding thanks to Cassian as he scans the crowd. There are a lot of eyes on Yamato, not all of them pleased.

"If you need backup, just let me know," he says easily. "I am your security adviser after all."

Yamato looks a little bemused at Cisco's selfie-taking, but he doesn't try to stop him.

"Thank you," Yamato says to Cassian, taking a glass of wine. To Barry, he adds: "Sure, but no hard feelings, right? It's not like he succeeded."

That makes it all better.

"Will do," he says to Gabriel. "Hopefully nobody tries to start a fight."

"I don't think he will. That's bad for his reputation, but no going to iffy cantinas after," Cassian says quietly as he moves himself into the shadow cast by Barry's tall and Gabe's bulk.

Altax makes him way over after an official prods him to say grudgingly, "Good flying."

"Doesn't really make up for him trying... " Barry says uncertainly.

Trying to focus on the moment and celebration, Barry takes up a glass and salutes Yamato with it.

"In any case, congrats. You make one hell of a pilot, man."

"Pfft, tell that guy to bring it," Cisco snorts, checking out the picture he just took and nodding in satisfaction. "We got your back."

Or rather, Gabriel and the others have Yamato's back, because when Cisco sees Altax approaching he joins Cassian in the lee of the other two, slipping himself behind both Gabriel and Barry.

So this is the shitbag. Gabriel lets his eyes narrow ever so slightly but holds his tongue.

He'll follow Yamato's and Cassian's lead, but he won't look friendly about it.

Yamato flushes bright red all over again at Barry's compliment, ducking his head. "T-Thanks."

He grins widely when Altax approaches, stowing the trophy over his arm so that he can reach across and clap a hand on the other pilot's shoulder.

"Thank you. You flew well too," he says. "Enjoy the party, okay?"

Altax gives Yamato's hand a glare before giving a sort of smile in return, "Yes, I will, but you had some luck on your side."

Then he goes off, the crowd parting before him.

Pan follows after with a worried look and gives Yamato's hand a big shake and considers hugging him, "Thank you again. And your friends, your drinks and food here are on me and my company."

Cassian puts a gentle hand on Pan's shoulder, "We appreciate your kindness and we'll be in contact about bringing you more business."

Barry stands beside Gabriel, glancing at the bigger man then watching Altax. Barry doesn't really do the intimidating thing, but he's still a very obvious presence of support behind Yamato during the exchange.

He's unimpressed by what Altax has to say to Yamato, but dismisses it easily.

"He seemed nice," Barry deadpan comments, turning his attention back to Yamato and the others when Altax is back in the crowd.

The offer from Pan gains a smile and Barry nods to him. "Glad it worked out," he says.

It's well known that Cisco's self-preservation instincts often leave much to be desired, and he Cisco almost, almost has something to say to Altax.

Being in behind four others who would probably disapprove is enough for Cisco to bite his tongue, and instead he just snaps a pic of Atlax's unhappy face and throws up a thumb and forefinger 'L' from behind Gabriel's shoulder when Altax walks away.

"What a whiner."

Okay, so he had to say something, but it's mostly muttered at his phone and hopefully Atlax is out of earshot when Cisco says it.

Gabriel watches Altax go, trying to memorize features.

"He's going to be out for you if you race with him again," he warns Yamato as he turns to face him. "But excellent job today. It looked like fun." He raises his glass to join in on Barry's salute and pretends to take a sip.

Old habits.

The Race

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