Gabatrix: The Magenta Racer

Chapter 9: A Night at the Village of Zo't'za

"So, tell us the whole experience," a reporter asked Neo. The camera drone hovered in place as Serrein was not that far from him. Her arms were crossed as she seemed disinterested in the event. Vala'rein was using her arm to help provide a system of support for the racer to stand upon. His leg still remained offline as he looked at the camera.

It was not long after the race had just finished. Neo could see the replays of the ending of track 5. Serrein's hoverbike had slowly coasted into the finish line with Neo right behind her. It was one of the slowest last laps but one that ended before the timer ran out. Serrein had taken fifth place, and Neo had willingly taken last place. Despite this, the audience seemed appreciative of everything that had happened. Yutilians were not far from their seats and location. Other staff members had watched in earnest of the other vehicles that had long powered down.

"I saw that Serrein was in need of help," he explained to the reporter. The Yutilian journalist was recording everything as her fingers typed endlessly on her tilon device. "I had to make sure that she was going to pass the finish line," he continued. "The damage that she had was extensive. It couldn't be repaired there. I was thankful that the villagers here were able to provide a part to keep her hoverbike operational."

"It.... will be returned to them," Serrein added. There was a look of annoyance in her voice.

"And what about your leg?" the reporter asked. Her English had a very thick accent that was similar to French, Spanish, and Japanese mixed into one.

"There was a part that would keep her hoverbike operational with a circuit that came from my leg. I will.....need to have the part back."

"You actually sacrificed your ability to walk?"

"Until I get the part back, and if it still works, yes. Otherwise, I will be limping for the rest of the championship till I get a replacement."

"Neo, your sacrifice in walking....was it because of...." The reporter struggled with the words. "Your desire to apologize for your outburst on the Shal'rein, prior to the championships?"

"I can assure you that Neo doesn't have any bad feelings against the Itreans or the Shal'rein," Vala'rein explained. "He is my mate."

"Yes," she replied back. "What are your comments on the fact that Meifen has taken first place in the entire championship?"

"She lost to Gip'grenda on this track!" Serrein said sternly. "I don't care if she has enough points to take first in the championships. She lost to her on this track."

"Bullshit!" yelled a distant voice. Neo knew that it was Meifen that said it. The Martian driver seemed agitated as she could see that the cameras focused on her.

"Looks like Meifen has something to say," the reporter said. Meifen marched forward to the three.

"It doesn't matter if that little Yutilian beat me. She barely did, and so did Vala'rein in track 3," Meifen explained. Her hands were waved outward. "In the end, I beat you two fair in square. Face it, your little vehicles can't drive fast, and you suck as drivers."

Serrein bared her teeth at her. Vala'rein was considering having to put his hands onto her sister if Meifen would keep pushing it.

"I don't care if you took first place, you bitch!" Serrein yelled at her. Her finger was pointing at her. "In our rules, if you can't beat the person in front of you, then you still lose."

"Says the person that broke down in the track....." Meifen said as she gave a vicious smile to her. "Guess it pays to have your precious boyfriend come and save you from weeping all the way to the finish line."