Attack and Counterattack

A Speed Racer Fanfic by "Freddo"

Chapter Five: "Race Day"


July 13, 1968

Inside the Master's TARDIS

The Master hummed to himself with a warped smile on his face while he worked the controls in the black-walled control room of his TARDIS. "Chameleon Circuit is working fine...I have taken two hundred thousand pounds from UNIT's cash reserve so that Team Omega will be somewhat discomfited...and I have the Doctor dealt with, as I feel I can use Captain Terror for my own ends. Terran fool. His petty ambitions blind him to the greater picture..."

The Master smiled as he looked at a computer screen. "Block transfer equations. I need not sabotage Logopolis as I have planned for years to control the block transfers that make up the framework of the Universe. No...the crystal globe, the jewel that Speed Racer carries, will enable me to do so. Not even the R'Khells know of its full power. Perhaps not even its maker knew what use his "magic" artifact could be put to. But, I know. Only another Time Lord could understand the advanced maths behind such a scheme. But, I need time to concentrate, and I need the Doctor out of the way. So, perforce, I had to leave his demise to others."

The Master studied the Doctor's face on his viewscreen. "Unfortunate, really, Doctor. It would have been ravishingly wonderful to break your neck myself. Better yet, to cut out both of your hearts and watch them quivering in my hands. No, I must give you an anonymous end, flying off a mountain somewhere as you race your moronic Terran-style groundcar in this race. But, as the Terrans say, I have greater fish to fry. I need time to concentrate, to begin to...perform the needed calculations myself. That requires time...and patience. Unfortunate that the Celestial Intelligence Agency on Gallifrey does not know the trap they put themselves into when Cardinal Gerda and the Valeyard wanted me to watch you and sent me to Earth to do it. They were afraid of your great ambition, Doctor. They looked in the wrong place. It should have been me that they should have been frightened of. Thank the Cosmos for the Valeyard and his petty ambition to steal your regenerations, Doctor. You certainly have not improved with age, my dear, dear Doctor."

The Master flicked a switch on the console of his TARDIS. "The socket is nearly complete. Now, as I take the crystal...it will go here, when I reach El Tigre and set my TARDIS atop that pyramid. Luckily, I can disguise it as the remains of the topmost course of the altar. Then, I can use the power of the crystal to tear down the block transfer equations that formed the Universe, and, protected in a time bubble...recreate another Universe in my image."

The Master smiled at the Doctor's image. "Once, back on Gallifrey, you said my ambition was to play God. I'm afraid you were close but to no avail. My ambition, Doctor, is to BE God!"

At that, the Master's cold laughter filled the control room of his TARDIS.

In the meantime, at the raceway in Maine, the race was just a few hours from beginning. Speed Racer and Trixie were, unfortunately, in the middle of an argument.

"Speed, I don't like this last-minute change of yours. I want to be with you in the Mach Five."

"Trixie, I've decided that this race could well be very dangerous. I'd prefer that you stick to spotting in your helicopter. Sparky can navigate with me."

"But Speed, he hasn't studied the course like I have...like we have. You'd be reducing your chances to win if you pushed me away now!"

"Trixie, I've made up my mind. You're spotting for me, and that's it!" yelled Speed. "Sparky?"

"I've been studying the course," said Sparky Sabu. "I'm ready."

"OK, fine...I know when I'm not wanted," huffed Trixie. "I'll be on my way to the airfield. You'd better not be looking at anyone during the race, Speed."

"Like whom would I look at?"

"That pretty blonde we encountered the other day! If you look at her, I'll...I'll...I don't know what I'll do!"

At that, Trixie ran off towards her Mercedes convertible after taking a copy of the map. She didn't look back at her boyfriend.

"Love to know what's gotten into her," said Sparky.

"She's just being a woman, that's all!" huffed Speed. "But I want her kept safe."

A while later, Trixie arrived at the airfield. She slammed the door of her convertible with a huff and began to walk towards her blue and red helicopter.

A moment later, she noticed a white Mustang pulling up beside her Mercedes. Then, she noticed a familiar blond woman in a yellow and black firesuit getting out in a huff with a small notebook in one hand and a flight helmet in the other. The young woman muttered a few choice curses in Japanese and slammed her car door shut. "Derek, you're acting like an idiot!" she muttered under her breath.

That's the woman I saw at the beach the other day thought Trixie. I wonder what she's doing here?

The woman noticed her and smiled slightly. "Oh! I'm sorry you had to hear me cursing...my husband's..."

"Just like my boyfriend?" asked Trixie.

Nova Wildstar's eyes went wide at that. "Let me guess. Speed said that it would be too dangerous for you to navigate with him in the race, so he's asked you to fly spotter?"

Trixie said, "Uh-huh."

"Guess what; I'm in the same boat. Oh...since we didn't properly introduce ourselves the other day at the beach...I'm Nova Wildstar; Derek's wife." Nova extended a hand.

Trixie shook hands with her. "Trixie Shimura; girlfriend of Gregory "Speed" Racer."

"Pleased to make your acquaintance," Nova said pleasantly. Then, she saw a hint of suspicion in Trixie's dark green eyes. "Let me make an educated guess...you're a bit jealous of your boyfriend right now?"

"I thought he pushed me away as an excuse to leer at you throughout the race. He's looked at you several times; you are very pretty, and..."

"I think of myself as a practical woman," said Nova. "You're prettier than I am."

"Oh?" said Trixie, who felt that Nova was just being modest. "Thank you."

"And I'm devoted to my husband, Commo...uh...Mister Wildstar. Anyone else who'd make a play for me would get slapped across the face. I'm good at aikido."

"I study karate," said Trixie as they walked towards her helicopter. Trixie noticed a yellow and black helicopter sitting nearby.

"What level are you?"

"Black belt," said Trixie.

"That's impressive," said Nova with a low whistle. "Don't think I'd want to be fighting you."

Trixie laughed to herself. She was beginning to like the woman she had thought of as her rival...she seemed much like herself in some ways.

"Tell you what," said Nova as she walked towards her helicopter. "I know that we're competitors...but I'll do what I can to watch your back during the race...Derek's told me there will be some weird characters out there."

"Thanks. I'll be spotting for Speed, but I'll do what I can to keep an eye out for you, too. I think you'll make an interesting opponent."

"Thanks," said Nova as she got into her 'copter. She began her pre-flight checks...not as familiar with her Bell helicopter as Trixie was with hers. However, for a woman who held licenses and certifications in several advanced 23rd century combat aircraft, the Bell's controls actually seemed a bit simplistic.

While Trixie began her pre-flight checks, she thought Well, with one threat out of the way...so to speak, all I have to worry about is Speed and that stupid globe. I wish he would've trusted me enough to take that thing. It's been making him act weird the past few days. I've never seen him as possessive about anything in his life. I hope that concentrating on it won't make him make some error in judgment during the race. Damnit...I'm so worried about him! I hope he'll be all right...even though I'm still mad at him for pushing me out!

Trixie then popped a little salute as Nova flew off. I wonder what she has to do with all of this? she thought. She seemed awfully interested in that globe, too. And she said it has supernatural powers? I think Speed should have given it to the police...but...he won't listen to reason about things. Just like him that time with the GRX...he's playing with fire...and there's not a thing I can do about it...except watch over him. Speed, why the hell do you have to be so bull-headed about some things?

It was an hour to race time.

In Team Omega's pits, Derek Wildstar was going over the course with Hiyoshi Bando from the Argo...he was a member of the Mechanical Group who would serve as his navigator and mechanic, much like Sparky was serving as Speed's navigator and mechanic.

He looked at the Doctor's car...a black and yellow one like his that bore the number 07. "You're having that girl come with you?"

The Doctor zipped up his white firesuit. "Jo Grant is more than a 'girl', Wildstar. She is a fully qualified UNIT agent, and, as such I feel confident with her serving as my navigator." The Doctor looked at his car and then looked towards the back portion of the pits. "I wonder where the Master has gotten to? He just withdrew his entry to race with us."

Then, the Doctor spotted him. "Pardon me, Wildstar."

"Doctor, be careful," said Jo.

The white-haired Time Lord just walked off, oblivious to everyone else. He spotted the Master near a large, tall crate. "So, you're not racing with us?"

"Why should a rat remain on a sinking ship, Doctor?" smiled the Master.

"What do you mean?"

"You're going to lose; and the Time Lords have summoned me for important business. So, to answer this urgent summons, I must leave you...and Earth...to your own foolish devices, Doctor. For now, let this be my "fare thee well" to you."

At that, the Master smiled and stepped into the packing crate. "What do you think you're doing?" demanded the Doctor.

"Leaving on my summons," said the Master pleasantly. "I'll see you at El Tigre in a few days...if it is your destiny to survive, that is."

The Master shut the packing crate. A moment later, it faded away with a familiar wheezing groan.

Jo came up to the Doctor. "He's gotten away!"

"Damn him," hissed the Doctor. "That crate was his TARDIS!"

"Are you taking yours?"

"No, I can't. We have a job; protect Speed Racer. We can't leave that job to one man. Henceforth, I have to race as we planned. I just pray that the Master doesn't have some little scheme of his own..."

"Do you think he does?"

The Doctor nodded. "Yes, Jo...I think he does. I wish I knew what he was up to. He should never have been on our side in the first place. I should have tried harder to convince Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart that he could not be trusted!"

Starting time. Speed Racer's heart sped up as he sat in pole position in the Mach Five with Sparky.

"Trixie said that the road is clear but there's some tricky turns once we get off the course, Speed."

Speed smiled. "I think we can handle a few turns, Sparky."

"Look at those IRC people," said Sparky. "They're really going over those Team Rouge cars...and the car Acrobatic Team's cars, too!"

"Maybe they'll all get disqualified," said Speed with a smile.

A judge looked under Captain Terror's car as Speed spoke. A moment later, he emerged from under the car on a crawler as Captain Terror began to rev his motor. "Okay, your car checks out."

"Good. I thought that it would," said Terror with a grinning death-like rictus on his ugly face.

"Sir, car Number 13 checks out, too," yelled another judge as he emerged from under Snake Oiler's car.

"I toldja it'd pass," sneered Oiler. "See...nothing to worry about!"

"Viper, how goes your car?" asked Captain Terror as judges emerged from under the hood of car number 17.

"Fine, sir," said Viper, who was a new member of the evil Car Acrobatic Team.

"How about you, Cyanide?" asked Captain Terror. Cyanide Murder was a veteran of the team who hadn't been chosen for the Great Alpine race long ago; the race that had claimed Poison, Ugly, Tiger, Ender and others...and the race which had almost claimed the life of Snake Oiler himself. Snake had been badly burned and had nearly died in the hospital after the race.

"My car is fine, too, m'lord," said Cyanide.

"And, you, Madman?"

"They just passed me, sir," smiled Madman Cobra.

"Wonderful," said Captain Terror. "The tale of five is completed. The circle is now complete. And, we shall humiliate Speed Racer and finally earn our just vengeance with the help of the elements!"

The Car Acrobatic Team stood and snapped fascistic straight-armed salutes at their leader.

"Look at those guys, Bando," muttered Derek Wildstar in his car.

"Yeah...don't they remind you of the Gamilons heiling Desslok?"

"Yeah...and that Terror guy sounds like Leader Desslok, too," smiled Derek. "I wonder if he and His Blueness are related?"

"Better not ever let him hear you saying that, sir. He's got an itchy trigger finger, His Blueness does."

"With allies like him, we don't need enemies," snickered Wildstar.

"Wonder if they're gonna pass the R'Khells? They're looking over their cars now."

"Let's hope they're all disqualified," said Wildstar.

Some time passed while Team Rouge's cars were inspected. Karnaz smiled as his car was passed, followed by cars #67, 68, 69 and 70...which belonged to Ratzen, Viggatz, Patna, and Yagenz.

The head inspector was going over the results with Judge Olde Codger and shaking his head. "They did it, Judge. These cars are clean."

"Okay, they pass...unfortunately," said Codger.

"I am glad to hear your opinion of my racers," said Karnaz. "We need not resort to tricks to win, after all. Did you check the Car Acrobats? I'm sure they were carrying something. I sense nothing but worms behind the smile of Captain Terror."

"You, Karnaz, have spiders in your smile," said Codger. "And, the three words that best describe you are..."

"And I quote," smiled Karnaz. "Stink, stank, stunk? Am I correct?"

Codger glared at Karnaz as he looked "innocent". Then, as Codger huffily turned his back on him, the R'Khell warrior began to laugh insanely.

"You're vile, sir," said Viggatz, complimenting his boss.

"You make me ill," smiled Patna.

"Nausea is our business," said Yagenz.

"Can I find a fly and pull its wings off, sir? Our business is sadism," said Ratzen.

"No, our business is VICTORY, you fools!" roared Karnaz. "If you pumpkinheads don't show some discipline, I may throttle you with my mind."

"Can't I strange a bunny on the road?" asked Ratzen. "I want to kill a little baby honey bunny."

"I want to step on a kitten," said Yagenz as he picked his nose.

"I want to poison schoolchildren with chlorine gas," laughed Patna while he picked his teeth with a sliver of metal.

"I'd love to rape, kill, pillage and burn," whispered Viggatz while he scratched his crotch.

"Quiet, fools," said Karnaz. "People are looking at us."

"Don't be uncivilized, sir," said Yagenz as he ran a hand over his five o'clock shadow and then belched.

Karnaz shrugged, thinking, I asked Mikma for our best warriors. He sent me idiots. I will run him through with a sword after I conquer Earth

"Ooooooo oooo ooo eee ooo aarrrghh uh uh uh uh uh uhn..."

"Quiet, Chim-Chim!" whispered Spritle Racer over the noise of the motors revving up. He and his pet chimpanzee had just climbed into the Mach Five's trunk with a picnic basket and bags of pilfered candy when no one was looking. "We can't have anyone hearing us!"

"Arrrrghh ooo ooo ooo ooo booo uh uh uhu uh grunnnghhh"

"Excuse me, Mister Racer," said a judge as he came up. "Is there something wrong with the Mach Five's timing?"

"The engine's purring away," said Sparky. "I didn't hear anything."

"Me neither," said Speed as he dreamily ran a hand over a soothing globe of crystal in his pocket.

"You'd better check your rear suspension later on...or your exhaust system. I could've sworn I heard a weird chattering noise."

"Nothing wrong with the Mach Five," said Sparky. "I went over her with a fine-tooth comb."

"Okay, I'll take your word for it," said the judge. As he walked around the back of the Mach Five, a banana peel flew out from under the barely-cracked trunk lid. "Or else, I'll be a monkey's uncle!"

At that, the judge slipped on the banana peel. "Arrgh! Nononononononono!"

The judge slipped and slid right into the side of the Shooting Star. "Racer X! Is there a monkey around here?"

"Impossible. You know that monkeys and racetracks don't mix," said Racer X in a deep, confident voice.

"Okay...fine..."

Racer X looked over at the revving Mach Five and noticed eyes glittering out from under the trunk lid. He smiled slightly and put a finger up to his lips.

"Uh-oh, I think Racer X saw us...think he'll tattle?" whispered Spritle.

No, little brother, I won't tattle thought Rex. Speed's going to need all the help he can get

Illuminated numbers were going down the starting pole a minute later. "5...4...3...2...1..."

The race's pace car, a 1967 GTO, pulled out first, followed by the rest of the pack as the light went green. The fifty-one cars went around the track once in a ceremonial lap, and then the pace car pulled off as the green flag came out.

Immediately, it was a free-for-all as the sleek race cars began to accelerate, jockeying for position. The Mach Five took an early lead, followed closely by the Shooting Star, with the Doctor in third place, Snake Oiler in fourth place, Captain Terror just behind him in fifth, and Derek Wildstar taking sixth place. Wildstar, Zoomer Slick, Janine Trotter, and Hap Hazard, who had decided to re-enter racing after a term as an instructor, all formed a close pack that kept Team Rouge from getting anywhere near the front of the pack.

"Let's do it," said Yagenz as he drove up beside Karnaz.

"Not yet...we're still on the track, idiot! Wait until we get out into open country. Then...we shall act."

The cars went five laps, and then, the pace car went ahead, pacing the drivers out onto the open road, where, with the assistance of the State Police of Maine, the Trans-America Race would begin in earnest.

"You've got a good spot, Speed," said Trixie from the air in her helicopter. "Get into the left lane, and hug that road until we get onto the interstate."

"I've got you," said Speed with a smile as he thumbed the mike...the globe forgotten for the moment as the trill of a new race pulsed through his veins. "I'm going to take all of them!"

"That's the spirit!" said Trixie with a smile as a tear ran down her cheek...a tear of happiness. He finally sounds like his old self again...my Speedy... Trixie thought. Hopefully, he'll stay like that throughout the race...and I can't wait until we reach the finish line!

The Great Trans-America race has begun.

When will Karnaz and his men strike?

Will the Master's mad plot to destroy the universe succeed?

Who will win the race?

Will Speed survive? Can Team Omega and Racer X keep him safe?

Stay tuned for Chapter Six: "Trixie and the Air Pirates"

TO BE CONTINUED....

To Return to the Introduction for "Attack and Counterattack" click here