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

We both shot toward the first checkpoint, our Pods neck and neck. He entered a split second before me, but that was okay. I rarely gave it everything I had until a third of the way through. It was a mental trick I’d picked up early on.

Holland wasn’t pulling any punches. His Pod cut through the air, speeding for a straightforward line toward me. Instead of allowing him to intimidate me, I just lowered, keeping my pace steady.

“Nice evasion,” Luther said in my ear piece. “Checkpoint is 0.7 kilo from you. You’re slightly off target.”

I wasn’t used to having someone talk so much. My grandfather had kept silent, being supportive if he felt it was necessary.

Holland entered the second Ring farther ahead, and I let him take it. Bryson’s son was no doubt feeling confident right now, and that was just what I wanted. It always made the victory so much sweeter.

I checked the wind conditions and spotted the current I was going to utilize. Most racers paid attention to the wind and tried to avoid currents and turbulence. I was cautious when needed but preferred to use them to my advantage where possible.

The yoke and throttle vibrated in my hands, and I closed my eyes briefly as I sped toward the third Ring. I was slightly closer to Holland. This went on for a few more checkpoints, with me gaining inches each time. I had Holland where I wanted him. Luther tried advising me, but I ignored it, focusing on my timing.

The next checkpoint was hard right, and I circled long while Holland went short, cutting the corner the best he could. I caught the wind and sped by him, giving the thrusters everything they had.

Holland bumbled, nearly missing the checkpoint, but he made it through, and then there was one left, a single Ring at the end of the race, back near the beach where we’d started. My competitor wasn’t giving up, and I could almost sense him beside me. I anticipated his move a split-second before he acted, and rose higher while he dodged left. He lost momentum, while I kept mine, sailing through the final checkpoint to victory.

“You did it, Arlo!” Luther shouted.

“Did you doubt me?”

“Well…if we’re being honest, yes!”

The people were gathered tightly on the beach, filling it for miles in both directions, and when I settled the Pod back to the starting position and opened the door, their cheers were deafening. The entire race had lasted under twenty minutes, but I was drenched in sweat. I unzipped the SeaTech uniform to the waist and hopped out. Holland landed next to me and walked with his head low.

Bryson, Jade, and Luther approached, and I set an arm over Holland’s shoulder. “You were amazing,” I whispered past the applause.

He glanced up. “You think?”

“Sure. There are a couple areas you could improve, and I’d be happy to discuss them with you later,” I told him.

He smirked and lost his sour expression. “That would be great. I can’t believe I almost beat Hawk Lewis.”

“You didn’t expect to?” I asked, shocked.

“Heck no. You’re a legend.”

“But at the beach…”

“That’s just part of the game. Trash-talk. Jeez, Arlo, where have you been?”

Bryson went to his son, speaking quietly, and I joined the rest of the team, waving at the crowds of people. Now I was ready for the Race.

____________

I woke that final day before the Race with a surge of energy, and sent my mother a message, telling her I was going to miss her. She replied, saying she still had no word from Dad, and that concerned me. She was proud of the fact that I was in the Race, but she said so with the undertones that I would be the first team booted from the competition. I wasn’t going to let that happen.

I walked outside as a morning downpour subsided. This island welcomed the rain first thing, watering the lush tropical plants for twenty minutes or so before the clouds dispersed, leaving the place with the fresh scent of flowers, ozone, and life. Bryson had been raised here, and I couldn’t for a second imagine that leaving would be easy for him. It was a true paradise.

I walked to the edge of the parking lot, between the two high rises, one with Sea on the top, the other with Tech, and used the vantage point to stare out at the ocean. It was such a wonderful sight. There were countless fish and various underwater lifeforms that didn’t understand the complexities of the human struggle. They had their own issues: seeking food, struggling to stay alive from the constant duress of predators. We weren’t that different after all.

“Arlo Lewis, what are you doing out here all alone?” Jade’s voice was a welcome interruption. She joined me at the end of the road, watching the waves for a few moments.

“Seeking some perspective.” My PersaTab chimed, and I tugged it from my pocket, reading a notification from Capricious.

“Your ship’s messaging you?”

“She likes to keep in touch,” I joked. It was an alert. “Looks like someone or something’s been trying to access my database. I better go check it out.”

“A pilot working on the network? Why don’t you leave it to the pros?” she asked.

I watched her, admiring her dark eyes as they glimmered in the sunlight. Her curly hair fell to her shoulders, and she’d left it down, covering the memorial rings in her ear. “Is Jade Serrano offering to help me fix a breach?”

“Maybe she is. I’ve been hoping to visit this mysterious Capricious since you mentioned her. Come on, we have a few hours before the final meeting Bryson scheduled. Let’s make good use of it.” Jade walked toward an idle Pod, and I climbed in after her, setting the destination. It took us to the pad where my ship waited, basking in the morning sunlight.

Jade whistled, and I doubted it was an appreciative reaction. Compared to Pilgrim, my girl was