Space Race (Space Race 1) by Nathan Hystad (book recommendations for young adults .TXT) 📕

pace, but a few days after the attack at the Board’s HQ, they’d lifted the flight restrictions. This allowed us to practice and watch as Holland used his Pod Sprinter to run a track set around the entire Hawaiian islands. We observed from the comfort of Pilgrim’s cockpit, linked into Holland’s helmet to discuss strategy.

The kid was a natural, but I could also see the countless hours of practice in the Pod’s movements. He anticipated turns like a real pro, and had reflexes that almost made me jealous. I wondered, if the two of us competed when I was in my prime, how the race would go.

Other than that, I spent a full day working with Luther and R11, combing the mapping systems, and planning for anything that might spring our way.

I wasn’t certain of our chances and continued to worry about making it to the end. Bryson’s news that Proxima was within our reach triggered something in me. I wanted to see it so badly. It was all my grandfather had sought when he departed on Obelisk, and the thought that I could see it through burned a fire inside of me.

I was tired of Earth, and the rules the Corporations imposed along with it. If Bryson and SeaTech could control a planet, we could leave this behind, do things our own way. His way, I supposed, but Bryson Kelley seemed to be a man of his word. I hoped that was true, because I was motivated to lead. Maybe that had been Bryson’s goal after all.

With two days left, we decided to take a break from it all and relax, knowing there would be little down time after today. Holland suggested going to the beach, and we agreed wholeheartedly.

The sun was bright, the day warm after the morning’s tropical rainfall. I sat on a beach chair, watching the waves roll and crash before dissipating. I couldn’t remember a time I’d been calmer. After a few minutes of staring into the ocean abyss, my eyelids grew heavy and I drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Until someone splashed me awake.

Jade stood in front of me, blocking the sun. She was dripping wet from a dip in the ocean, and I tried not to stare at my bikini-clad teammate.

“You going to stay here all day or join us for a swim?” Jade twisted her curly hair, sending a pool of water to the sand by my feet.

Luther and Holland were tossing a ball around in the ocean. “Race you to the…”

Jade ran off before I finished, and I chased after her. She tumbled into the water, splashing me as I neared the shore. “You lost your first race. That doesn’t bode well for the team.”

“Arlo always wins,” Holland said, tossing the ball to me. I caught it and shrugged as I waded further in.

“Sure. I had a good track record.” I chucked it to Luther.

“Pods are different now,” Holland said.

Jade smirked at the banter. “You know what would be fun?”

“No, but I have a feeling you’re going to tell us,” Luther shouted from twenty feet away. He threw the ball, falling backwards into the water.

“Arlo and Holland should race Pods. One time. For practice.” Jade looked impressed with herself, but I wasn’t sure.

“He doesn’t stand a chance,” Holland told her.

“Is that so?” I caught the ball after it skittered off the surface for a bounce. The water was so warm, and I realized I’d forgotten how to have fun. Letting go of an adult’s complicated thought patterns wasn’t easy, but there, playing in the water, I felt a tinge of something from a long-forgotten pastime. It was nice to remember life wasn’t always so difficult.

“Sure, I could take you.”

“Fine.” It was time to put my retirement in the past. I’d show this CEO-in-training how good I really was.

Jade applauded, laughing with Luther. “This is going to be fun!”

____________

The course was set, with ten Rings over the water and islands. Since it was short notice, I hadn’t expected much of a turnout, but apparently, Bryson had given most of his people time off to watch. There were thousands of spectators lining the beaches—and viewing from their homes, as Bryson set recording drones all along the track and activated our Pod feeds.

At first glance at my assigned pod, regret filled my senses. It was the first time I’d raced in almost twenty years, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to do this again. The second I sat inside, my nervousness vanished. Despite the fact that my partner and mentor wasn’t present, I felt him in my heart and mind, whispering words of encouragement.

Holland was using the Pod prepped for Space Race, with the number 11 painted on the hull. Mine was an exact replica but was factory gray. The entire unit hummed with energy as I powered it up, and I admired the rounded cockpit, feeling right at home.

Maybe I’d been short-sighted in my retirement. This was something I should have been doing my whole life. The screen glowed a soft green, with indicators blinking on as I sat through the pre-flight routine.

My hand found the yoke, and I wrapped my fingers around it. I could fly this thing with my eyes closed.

I glanced out the window and saw Holland’s Pod ten yards away. We were both pointed toward the first Ring half a kilometer from the island, with sandy beach under us.

Holland wanted a race, and he was going to get it.

“You all set, Arlo?” Luther’s voice was in my ear. Jade was Holland’s team contact and would be guiding him from the ground.

“I’m set.”

“Let’s show this kid who the boss is, okay?”

I didn’t reply as the clock counted down from ten. The entire SeaTech population was watching us in anticipation of a glimpse into the real race. I wasn’t about to disappoint them.

It hit one, and I sighed, gunning it on zero.

My back pressed into the leather pilot’s seat, and I let out a whoop of joy at the feeling.