Hover Car Racer Read Free

individual and the hover car would be no exception to this rule.
    Soon after the spectacular arrival of this new form of human movement, came the arrival of a new kind of person: part race-car driver, part fighter pilot, all superstar.
    The hover car racer.

CHAPTER THREE

    The official presentation of prizes was enough to make Jason puke.
    Smiling for the cameras, LeClerq handed Barnaby the winner’s trophy, a gigantic bottle of Moet champagne, and a cheque for a thousand dollars.
    Jason did notice, however, that Principal LeClerq’s offsider, the ex-racer Scott Syracuse, was not on the stage. In fact, Syracuse was nowhere to be seen.
    LeClerq shook Barnaby’s hand, then he took the mike. ‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ he said. ‘This being the end of the regional season, I have another presentation to make. With his victory today, young Master Becker has topped the local competition ladder, and as such, has won for himself another prize: he has won an invitation to study at the International Race School. Master Becker, it would be our honour to have you as a student next year.’
    With that, LeClerq handed Barnaby the famous goldedged envelope that every young racer dreamed of receiving.
    The crowd roared their approval.
    Barnaby took the envelope, thanked LeClerq, and then he punched the air with his fist and popped the cork on his champagne bottle and the festivities began.
    Watching from Pit Lane, Jason just stared at the scene with his mouth agape, devastated.
    Beside him, the Bug shook his head. He whispered something in Jason’s ear.
    Jason snuffed a laugh. ‘Thanks, man. Unfortunately, you’re not the Principal of the Race School.’
    Then he spun on his heel and went back to their pit bay to load up the Argonaut .
    The Bug scurried after him.
    When they got back to their bay, they were surprised to find that someone was already there.
    Scott Syracuse was standing in the doorway to their pit bay. He was leaning inside it, peering up at the Argonaut ‘s damaged tail section.
    ‘Er…hi there. Can I help you?’ Jason said.
    Syracuse turned, leaning on his cane. He levelled his cool gaze at Jason. ‘Master Chaser, isn’t it?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘An appropriate name for you based on today’s effort, don’t you think? Scott Syracuse. I’m here with Professor LeClerq. I teach with him at the Race School.’
    ‘I know who you are, sir. I have your bubble gum card.’ Jason felt stupid as soon as he said it.
    Syracuse nodded at the Argonaut . ‘Your steering rudder’s broken.’
    ‘Yeah. I got hit by some debris from that crazy kid who tried to pull a 9-G banking turn.’
    ‘When did that happen?’
    ‘About nine minutes in.’
    Syracuse stopped, turned abruptly.
    ‘Nine minutes in? So how did you steer after that? Thrusters?’
    ‘Yep.’
    ‘Let me get this straight. You lost your steering nine minutes into the race. But you continued on anyway, steering with your pedals instead of your steering wheel.’
    ‘That’s right, sir.’
    Syracuse nodded slowly. ‘I wondered…’
    Then he looked directly at Jason. ‘I’ve got another question for you. You started the race differently to everyone else - you headed out for the gates on the western side of the course while most of the others went north-east. Then you got hit and changed your race-plan.’
    Syracuse pulled a map of the course from his back pocket. On it were little markers depicting all of the 250 gates on the course.
    ‘Can you tell me what your original plan was?’
    Jason swapped a glance with the Bug. ‘What do you say, Bug?’
    The Bug nodded - eyeing Syracuse warily.
    Jason said, ‘My little brother here does our navigating. He’s the guy who plotted our course today. We call him the ‘Bug.’
    Syracuse offered the map for the Bug to take.
    The Bug stepped behind Jason.
    Jason took the map instead. ‘He’s a little shy with people he doesn’t know.’
    Jason handed the map to his brother, who then quickly - and expertly - drew