The Commanders' Round Begins!

Posted on Wed Sep 20th, 2023 @ 4:57am by Commodore Tohru Honda & Captain Maho Takahashi & Captain Shimakaze Zh'gero & Takeshi Nakazato 'Zack'
Edited on on Thu Sep 21st, 2023 @ 9:11pm

1,346 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: The Fast & The Fleet

Heading into the Commanders' Round, the score was once again tied- this time 4 all. Despite wins from Commander Tristana and Lieutenant Kujo, Commander Scott and Lieutenant F'rar had fumbled their races, allowing the score to once again fall into a tie. Thus, breaking it would fall on the command staffs of the two ships.

Lieutenant Commander Teruzuki Ch'gero understood the stakes as his white Toyota GT86 was lined up alongside the black Nissan Skyline GT-R from the NightKids. Teruzuki hadn't known that Lieutenant Nakazato had come back from his forced retirement until the Myogi's former Third Officer had emerged from the GT-R with Captain Takahashi in his passenger seat.

As Teruzuki got out to check his tires one final time, Shimakaze approached her Chan husband.

"Teruzuki, you should know that your opponent is not a real Starfleet Officer anymore." Shimakaze explained. "So don't even worry about holding back. It all rides on this downhill run, so race like the badass I know you are."

Nodding, Teruzuki proceeded to begin checking his tire pressures. As he rounded the front of the GT86, he saw Nakazato waiting against the GT-R. The Andorian could feel the aura radiating off of Nakazato. The infamous Black Lightning himself...

"I'm Takeshi Nakazato of the Myogi NightKids." Takeshi said once Teruzuki was in earshot.

"Teruzuki Ch'gero of the Haruna SpeedStars." Teruzuki responded. "So, tell me; Black Lightning: What is a man who lied under oath and lost his commission doing here?"

"Well, haven't you ever heard of carrying a legacy?" Takeshi asked. "The NightKids were my baby before Starfleet, and my friend sought my permission to use the NightKids name. I don't see you parading around with permission from the original SpeedStars..."

"There was no notable organization with the SpeedStars name that we needed to obtain permission from." Teruzuki responded, going back to checking his tires.

"Yeah, right." Takeshi said. "You can quit the BS Trash talking; I can see your hands are shaking. You won't have to worry a thing; I'll be sure to make it quick."

"We'll see about that." Teruzuki said. "Just because you're a civilian doesn't mean I'm going to go easy on you."

"Then how about we cut the chatter and get this thing started?" Takeshi said, opening the door and getting into the GT-R.

Nodding Teruzuki also got in and buckled himself into the GT86.

Tohru stepped out in front of the two cars and raised her hand into the air:

"Alright, we're starting the countdown!" She declared. "Starting in 5! 4! 3! 2! 1! GO!"

Both drivers went into first and shot off the line. Takeshi might have had the all wheel drive, but Teruzuki's car was lighter, and the Haruna's Third Officer was able to attain the early lead.

Takeshi had been slower off the line, but allowing Teruzuki to take the early lead did have its advantages, as Teruzuki would be going all out trying to speed away from Takeshi, and would use up his tires as a result.

"The GT86 is in the lead, and the GT-R is in second! But... Something's wrong; the GT-R doesn't seem to be contesting for the lead..."

"I hope you know what you're doing, Takeshi..." Maho muttered.

That's it, Nakazato; accept defeat and fade into the dust where you belong! Teruzuki thought, drifting through the corners at full speed.

I only need to use my tires enough to keep you in sight. Takeshi thought. But, even if I do lose sight of you, going balls to the wall like that will start to slow you down soon enough...

As the course went on, the differences in Takeshi and Teruzuki's techniques became clearer.

"This doesn't seem like Teruzuki at all: He's usually cautious with his tires, but tonight he's going all out like a wild animal trying to run away from a hunter. Meanwhile, Nakazato is taking these corners with the efficiency of a professional circuit racer!"

As the two racers approached the halfway point, the consequences of Teruzuki's recklessness were beginning to arise: Teruzuki's drifts were bringing him closer to the guardrail with each corner.

What's going on? Teruzuki thought. My cornering hasn't changed, and yet, I'm getting closer to the edge with each passing corner...

Teruzuki yanked up on his handbrake, throwing the GT86 into a drift trying to outrun the GT-R, which was steadily making up the ground it had lost in the beginning.

Why are you gaining on me? Teruzuki thought. My technique hasn't changed! Is something wrong with my car??

I must admit, this has got to be a new record; Takeshi thought. All your tires' grip is gone by the halfway point.

As Teruzuki drifted, trying to get away from Nakazato, the GT86 clipped the guardrail, sending the car skidding as Teruzuki was barely able to regain control.

Damnit, I think I know what's up... Teruzuki thought. It's my damn tires! I've run them ragged trying to run away with the race, and now they're acting up on me!

Alright, time to end this: Takeshi thought. There's a hairpin coming up; that will be where I make my move...

"This is the 30th corner hairpin: I can hear them coming!"

The two pairs of headlights appeared from around the corner. The GT86 was still in the lead, but the GT-R was right behind it:

"The GT86 is-! Hold on, what's the GT-R doing??"

He's not slowing down for the hairpin? Teruzuki thought. Are his brakes shot?

There should be a drainage ditch on this hairpin: Takeshi thought. Alright, Ch'gero; time to take you to school, courtesy of Takumi Fujiwara himself!

As Takeshi overtook the GT86, he maneuvered towards the inside of the corner, hooking his inside tires on the storm drain.

"Holy shit!"

Takeshi rode the storm drain through the hairpin, steering out of the ditch as the hairpin spat him out on the straightaway.

"I... I'm not sure what I just witnessed... But I think the GT-R just used a gutter run to pass the GT86!"

Maho nodded and smiled as the news came over the radio.

Well played, Zack; She thought. Just goes to show we can all learn from one another... Even from someone we lost to ages ago...

By the time Takeshi passed Teruzuki, the Andorian had already used up most of his tires' grip, and thus, he was unable to successfully chase down Takeshi.

"This is the finish line: I can see them coming! The GT-R's out in front: The GT86 is right behind, but he's got too much ground to cover: This race is the GT-R's!"

Damnit; so much for going all out and not holding back: Teruzuki thought. I knew I should have run this in my own way. I might have actually beaten his ass, too!

Up at the top, Tohru received the transmission about the GT-R's victory.

"Understood." She said, turning and raising her hand into the air: "Winner: Takeshi Nakazato! Score: NightKids - 5, SpeedStars - 4!"

As the NightKids celebrated taking the lead once again, Maho looked up as the holographic scoreboard was updated. Though the NightKids had gotten off to a rocky start, Maho was proud that they were in the midst of a comeback. She knew that from this point on, there was no way they could lose; as Keisuke and Ichika weren't about to make it easy on their Haruna counterparts, and Shimakaze...

As the scoreboard disappeared, Maho looked back down at Shimakaze, staring disapprovingly at her.

Well, the last thing Maho was going to let happen was Shimakaze winning...

Posting by

Commodore Tohru Honda
Task Force Jomo Commanding Officer

Captain Maho Takahashi
Commanding Officer
USS Myogi

Captain Shimakaze Zh'gero
Commanding Officer
USS Haruna

Lieutenant Commander Teruzuki Ch'gero
Third Officer
USS Haruna

Takeshi Nakazato
Disgraced Starfleet Officer

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