Tenric's Gambit: III

part III

“Gentle Beings,” the announcer began a moment later. “It appears that Tenric’s Gambit has failed. After his dramatic rescue of a fellow racer and death-defying battle to take the lead it seems…”

The spectators saw it before the announcer had and a sharp intake of breath was heard from everyone followed by a rousing cheer. There on the heads-up display a green dot, Tenric’s dot, had emerged from the backside of a neighboring asteroid. The other two lead ships had just recovered their vectors and were speeding away from the area. The Announcer, having found his voice by now, was even more enthusiastic than before.

“Against all odds and in defiance of reason itself it appears that Tenric not only survived the collision, but is still in the race!” It came out as a nearly unintelligible shriek, but no one was paying attention.

The vid feed hastily swung in the direction of the asteroid and needed a moment or two to lock onto the ship. When it did the cheer died as disbelief took over. There in the center of the display were the remains of Tenric’s Headhunter. One wing had been sheared off near the engines and the nose looked as though it had been chewed on by a hungry rancor. There was a nasty looking black smear behind the cockpit usually occupied by the shield generator and another along the port side. It seemed impossible that the ship was still space-worthy, much less pilotable.

“Wait!” The announcer called out. “It appears that Guurk and Halphon have changed course.”

As the crowd watched in stunned disbelief the two other lead ships took up escort positions to either side of Tenric’s ship. Even as they did one of his engine exhaust valves gave way and was blown off.

“Well now I shall have to retire my friends.” The announcer continued in a subdued tone. “For I have witnessed this day not only the improbable and impossible, but also the height of the racing spirit. I have just been informed that both Halphon and Guurk have comm’d their withdrawal from the race. It appears they are each using their damaged shield generators to extend a bubble around Tenric’s ship.”

There was a burst of traffic over the comm. channel and the announcer continued.

“Both Halphon and Guurk have confirmed their withdrawal. They claim they are honoring the pilot who saved their lives by warning them about the rogue asteroid in time for each to escape the collision. Both affirm that Tenric would have won the race had he not changed course to warn them.”

Surely enough all three ships now flew in tandem with Tenric’s wobbling at the center. Together they moved out of the field and headed toward the finish line. The other racers, having now caught up, came screaming toward the finish trying to beat the limping trio. Their lead had been too great though and all three crossed the finish together a few seconds ahead of the pack. The crowd cheered wildly and several made attempts to hug Dale as he stood there blinking, trying to fathom what he had just seen….