Lap 2
Lucy: "Please… raise your heads again. I'll help you find the parts. We need to separate quality, quantity, and price."
Kuma stood up and brushed his hair back elegantly. Kamui stood up as well and positioned herself proudly next to him. Both nodded and started walking toward the exit, but then they stopped and turned back.
Kuma: "Almost forgot… we haven't seen anything yet. And we'd definitely get lost."
Kamui: "We also haven't seen Ryu Suzaku and Jack Levin yet."
The other three looked at them and exchanged a knowing glance that said it all: We know.
Tanaka: "If you would please follow me."
Tanaka took the lead, Jody walked beside him, and they guided Kuma and Kamui through the building.
Tanaka: "This is the restroom."
Kuma: "Wow! Even the bathroom looks futuristic. Nothing like our Dumpmachine 3000."
Kamui: "That's the future for you. We don't even need toilets anymore. You do your thing and boom—it's gone. Like magic!"
Tanaka rubbed his forehead again and quickly changed the subject while Jody simply shook her head.
Tanaka: "Oh… my… oh… my… Let's move on, shall we?"
Kuma stepped out of the restroom, and Kamui followed shortly after, now walking beside Jody.
Kamui: "Psst… Jody. Psst… Jody."
Jody smiled warmly at her.
Jody: "What is it, Shogun Frogun?"
It was clear she was slightly annoyed but trying to brush it off.
Kamui suddenly realized how stupid her made-up name sounded and gasped. Jody's smile widened when she saw Kamui's expression.
Jody: "Finally realized how ridiculous that name is?"
Kamui: "Yeah… I found a better one. How about Millennium Falcon? Of course, only if I get a hero suit."
Jody placed a hand on her chin, clearly thinking about it.
Kuma stood by the wall with Tanaka.
Kuma: "Should we give them some time? These lovebirds?"
He pointed at Jody and Kamui.
Tanaka was not amused. His face remained emotionless, without even reaching for his tissue.
Tanaka pressed a button on the wall in the hallway. A door opened, and he walked in.
Tanaka: "This is our command room. I spend most of my time here."
Kuma felt a shiver run down his spine. Kamui and Jody reacted to the loud opening of the door and entered the room together with Tanaka.
Jody (quietly): "We'll talk about this later. Millennium Falcon… or Kamui. Whatever you prefer."
The door closed, and the dark room suddenly lit up as if by magic.
Windows appeared, revealing the city. They could look over the rooftops and see the sign Mute City.
Kuma: "I can even see the racetrack… yesss! I want to drive so badly."
Kamui: "Me too…"
They looked at each other, then at Tanaka and Jody. Jody and Tanaka exchanged glances.
Jody: "You need training before you're allowed to drive an F-Zero machine. It's not something you can just do right away."
Tanaka nodded in agreement.
Kuma: "I've played enough games. Call me the Gaming Master!"
Kamui: "Yeah, he even knows shortcuts nobody else knows. Not even you."
Jody laughed, and Tanaka chuckled.
Jody: "Games don't make you fit to drive these machines."
Tanaka: "I would reconsider relying on your gaming experience."
Kuma was shocked and immediately started acting dramatic.
Kuma: "If you don't acknowledge my strength, I'll just steal one and prove it. Like GTA!"
Kamui pinched his side.
Kamui: "Shh! They can arrest you, idiot."
Kuma: "Oh… right. You heard nothing."
Tanaka walked toward a statue and paused for a moment.
Jody gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
Kuma observed the room, noticed the desk, and sat down in the chair.
Tanaka's face turned pale.
Kuma: "This is a really comfortable chair."
He noticed a red button.
Kuma: "Hmm… I really want to press it."
He pressed it.
Tanaka tried to stop him, but it was too late.
Kuma (over the intercom):
"Ryu Suzaku, Jack Levin, Lucy Liberty, and Clank Hughes—you are ordered by Tanaka himself to report to his office. You messed up. Except Lucy. She did nothing wrong."
Kamui shoved Tanaka aside and pressed the button as well.
Kamui: "Attention, everyone! We are the new racers: Millennium Falcon and King Falcon!"
All over the building, staff members looked up. Some even stopped eating in the cafeteria.
Jody stepped forward, her expression turning stern.
Jody: "Care to explain what you were about to say?"
Kuma grinned awkwardly.
Kuma: "Nothing serious… just that you love anything related to your brother. Andy Summers. Captain Falcon."
Jody froze.
Jody: "Where did you learn that?"
Kuma: "To us, you're heroes."
Kamui: "Exactly! So… Jody, would you train Millennium Falcon?"
Jody slowly relaxed.
Tanaka: "Oh… my… oh… my… Get out of the chair. Let's continue the tour."
A short time later, the others arrived: Ryu, Jack, and Clank.
Kuma's eyes lit up.
Kuma: "Finally, the old married couple and Tarles are here!"
Ryu and Jack looked at each other in confusion, while Lucy and Clank giggled.
Jack: "Hey! We're not an old married couple!"
Clank shook his head.
Clank: "If I hadn't explained it to you, you still wouldn't get it."
Kamui laughed and stepped up to Clank.
Kamui: "Are you sure your name is Clank?"
Clank stepped back, confused.
Clank: "Of course. Clank Hughes."
Kuma grinned.
Kuma: "Looks like Clank, but we both know you're Tarles."
An argument broke out while Kamui turned toward Lucy.
Kamui: "Just let them be. They're not really mad."
Lucy wasn't sure, but Jody placed a hand on her shoulder.
Jody (quietly): "Let them be. That's what men do."
Then she smiled genuinely at Kamui a clear sign of acceptance.