Chapter 2: Race and Observe
Chapter 2 Race and Observe
Tiana's voice came through the team radio.
"MzJ 6 aka, Planet Ferrous, my race track and my victory."
"Not so fast little lady, you'll be in second place eating my dust when I win!" This came through the radio in Tiana's truck, the husky voice of Tom who was short himself.
Ping.
The radio chimed as Tiana used a sound tone device to cancel out Tom and she said. "Who are you calling little, small fry your the same height as I am so you are in no place to be short with me!"
No one said a word and continued to drive the truck's speed along the sandy surface leaving a dust cloud in their wake as the 5 drove along in a delta formation.
About an hour had passed, no problems thus far in the race.
All teams used separate routes that each team believed would be the fastest.
As the Grey team raced along, the mountains came into view, it would still take around two hours to reach, the communications line was quiet although all five team mates looked towards the mountains with a feeling of unease as that last notice that was heard came to mind, a warning about pirates.
"Team Grey, last chance to back out and choose a new root.
After some consideration I've decided to put this to a vote.
All in favour of a new route?
Say I"
After a few minutes of waiting no responses came Ray sighed and hit the communications button and spoke clearly .
"To the mountains we go, keep your eyes open, let's keep the comms link open, we will inform each other of their progress, I'll be in the front, Tom you're the rear guard Mike your infront of Tom then Tiana and Lauren then myself are we ready Grey Team?"
"All good, the back of this train will be safe with me!" Tom called out over the line.
Next to call up was Tiana." I'm too cute so keep this piggy in the middle safe!"
Lauren called up next "I'll have your back Ray lets win this!"
After a few moments of silence Mike decided to pipe up.
"I'll take my spot, and Lauren is right, let's win this!"
With that out of the way they drove hard towards the mountains where a pass cut through a large portion of the mountains, it was not without its drawbacks in a large number of places. High speed was out of the question and there are rockfalls to contend with.
From above the Grey team looks like a sand storm hurtling through the land.
They all applied brakes slowly so the trailers stayed in control, they stopped about 200 metres away and waited.
After 5 minutes Ray called out! "Let's get through this!"
Ray drove off first followed by Lauren,Tiana, Mike and Tom. Team Grey entered the pass through the mountains.
While the team was racing along unaware of the danger lurking close by. The unknown ship that had entered the planet's atmosphere, the pirate ship had touched down and its crew was scavenging an old mine operations building on a path not too far from where team Grey are headed.
Watching the sides of the pass become narrow, Ray calls out to his teammates.
"Time to slow it down, it's getting tighter in here and remember to stay left."
"Roger!" They all call out.
"The back is clear, the ground seems harder here, less dust in the air." Called out Tom.
"Roger that the front seems clear to no debris, is everyone fine no warning lights or low battery lights ? Asked Ray.
"This is Tiana all good here."
"I'm fine too, all is good although a burger would be nice." Remarked Mike.
"This is Lauren, all is well I second the burger statement." In Laurens truck she could not help giggling with a smile on her face.
"This is Tom calling out to say yes to the burgers and no lights and great battery!"
Then silence rained for an hour, there was a sudden shadow over the truck of Tiana.
"SHADOW ABOVE SHADOW ABOVE!"
Tiana yelled into the radio.
Tom then called out "Unidentified ship sighted it just went to the right!"
"Keep moving, Mike, get the anti aircraft cannons ready!" Ordered Ray.
"On it! Time to shoot!" Mike called out almost singing.
They kept on while keeping an eye on the sky. Many tense moments passed, with no further sign or sight of the ship from before.
"Let's keep going, it might have been a survey ship?" Mike asked rhetorically to no one in particular.
"Right," Lauren stammered.
Not too far from the grey team, the ship that passed overhead had returned to the abandoned mine sight where the main ship and pirate crew were gathered.
The ship opened a channel calling the captain to inform him of the four trucks not far from his current position.
A smile crossed his scarred face as he called out to the helmsman.
"Let's get that cargo, those trucks are mine!" His yell caused all his crew to flinch.
The ship's comms channel called"All hands return, battle stations we are on the hunt!"
Men quickly returned to the ship and soon were ready to make way.