EDEN: Dark Universe

CHAPTER | SIXTEEN

The race seemed to glide into slow motion for Jack as the Black Rabbit's pod transformed into a streaking ball of flames and debris. Had it been his fault? No, but during times like these, blame mattered very little. Maybe Talia could have prevented it. Maybe Jack could have come up with another plan. Maybe Arissa could have noticed the Rabbit sooner.

Maybe they should have tried rescuing the Rabbit right along with Jaeek instead of disabling his pod. Thinking of rescue brought Jack back to harsh reality. They were still stuck in the race. The world left its slow-motion state and returned to full intensity as Jack refocused his wits. The past was the past, and as far as Jack knew the puzzle of time travel had yet to be cracked. Even if the F.A. managed to lock that one down, Jack doubted he would be gaining access to it anytime soon.

"I'm sorry, Arissa," Jack said as he made his pod bob, duck, and weave around weapons fire.

"We'll talk about it later." Her words were sharp, curt. Jack knew that voice. It was the voice that said she was putting all of her energy into holding back her emotions, holding back how she truly felt. "I'll find her, somehow."

"We will," Jack replied. Despite his strict policy against promising to accomplish unlikely things, he added: "I promise."

"Thank you."

A few more seconds of muffled explosions blasting against Jack's pod passed before Kane spoke up.

"Talia, are you there?"

"When am I not?"

"Just checking." He grumbled. "How many racers are left to deal with? My pod's getting worn out."

"There are currently thirteen racers remaining," Talia said. "That includes my three favorites."

"You're too kind," Jack said, butting in.

"I never said you were one of my favorites."

"Ouch" Jack said. "Fine, let's get down to it. I'm pretty sure it's time to start talking about our exit strategy."

"You don't have one?" Arissa asked.

"No, I thought you did."

"Only half."

"Great. Look, Kane and I will be able to take down the other racers," Jack said as he blasted another competitor, bringing the number down to twelve. "But when it's all said and done only the winner is going to survive this thing. So what do we got?"

"We were hoping we could disable the auto destructs," Arissa said, glancing at Talia, who only shook her head. "Looks like that's out."

"Seems like a substantial issue to me," Kane said, fully calm.

"It is."

"When do the pods blow?"

"I'm not certain," Talia said. "But it's likely that the device is triggered as the winner crosses the finish line. That would make for the greatest spectacle, and this is an ad-based entertainment revenue."

"I'm sure the crowd will love it," Jack said. "I'm guessing finishing with a tie isn't an option?"

"The finish line is rigged with a laser micrometer. The winner can be determined by a matter of microseconds."

"Not a very wide margin of error."

"No."

Jack thought about the problem, then realized it might be time for a sacrifice. "Arissa. We might have to let Jaeek win and hope Talia can figure out the self destructs anyway."

"You're kidding. And you explode for a good cause? That's way too heroic for you."

"Maybe, but I don't see another way. Jaeek, as soon as you cross the line, you fly directly into the Odin's cargo bay, got it?"