Chapter 46: Chasing Rain

It was raining once again on the first level and Arron was lucky enough to be standing out in it trying to buy lunch for both Kix and himself.

The heavy downpour of rain seemed far worse than all the rainstorms he had encountered during his stay in the Megacity.

When the service bot at the food stall finished preparing the food, he swiped his hand over the scanner and paid for two steaming hot synth dogs. He made sure to order it with all the extra toppings and synth fries.

Using his full strength he rushed back to the waiting APC's open passenger side door.

Arron hopped into the seat holding the two disposable cartons in his hands. The door automatically closed causing the loud downpour outside to be muffled.

Kix was watching a holo-vid that was being projected above the dashboard.

“Here you go, it has a bit of rain added to it as a free topping,” said Arron as he handed over one of the still steaming synth-dogs to Kix.

“Nice,” said Kix. He did not look away from the holo-vid and just grabbed the offered carton and took a large bite out of the steaming synth-dog.

“Ugh... I need to start making my own lunch,” said Kix, his gaze had been pulled away from the holo-vid to stare at his lunch.

Arron watched the holo-vid with a bit of interest.

“I didn't know you liked robo-motocross,” said Arron pointing at the video.

“I don't, this is footage from our new case we were just put on.”

Arron turned back to the holo-vid and watched quietly as ate his lunch with the loud drumming of rain on the roof of the APC.

There were over 50 illegally modified hover-bikes of all types both brand new and old versions speeding down the cramped side streets passing through the main high trafficked streets in an unspecified industrial zone.

The race had been recorded from several different angles by the drones flying above them.

As he continued to watch the race a square pole popped up in the middle of the side street ahead of the hoverbikes.

Its appearance was too sudden and caused the two leaders of the race to ram right into it.

Their bikes were completely crumpled. The two riders were sent flying into the middle of the street where they were repeatedly hit by the passing hoverbikes and stopped moving.

Several of the passing hoverbikes that were trying to dodge the obstacle instead slammed into the nearby paraconcrete wall, creating a large explosion that killed the rider instantly.

A rider behind one of those who crashed was turned into a human flaming torch after he was engulfed by the explosion. The burning rider lost control and crashed into the wall creating another explosion.

After the rest of the racers successfully passed the obstacle there were only 40 people left.

Arron continued to watch as the number was slowly whittled down to only 6 people who managed to finish the race.

“What is this?” asked Arron.

“Each of the bodies that were recovered from that site were all linked to someone who had an absurd amount of debt owed to many different companies. They were all forced to take part in the death races to pay off a portion of their debt.”

“Why would anyone join these races?”

“Because of their SCS. With such a massive debt it drops them down to D rank and It won't improve until they can pay off. Which they can't. People like them... their situation is far worse than the other D ranks. ”

“Then shouldn't we go and talk with those companies?” asked Arron.

“It's no use, they'll all deny any wrongdoing. Even if they took responsibility they are just a front for the gangs that actually own or control them. Since the Office of Reason is too busy cracking down on separatists and non-believers this was given to us.”

“How long has this been going on?” asked Arron.

“This holo-vid is several months old and is nothing new. There have always been these types of things happening to the people down on their luck,” said Kix.

He swiped left to bring up a new holo-vid. “This is the reason we were given the case.”

The video was short it was a compilation of several speeding hoverbikes crashing into hovercars casing large explosions killing both the racer and the occupants of the hovercar.

“The idiots recently started to have the death races in residential zones. Now, several innocent civilian lives have been lost.”

“How are we going to stop this with just the two of us? What information do we have?”

“We just have to interrupt their race and capture a few of them. We'll leave the rest up to the interrogators back at the M1 HQ. It's what we're paid for and what the other government organizations are paid to ignore,” said Kix with a shrug. “As for the information we have. The rumor going around on the underground holonet says that the next race will be sometime today in Sector 11. We'll only be able to find out if that's true if they start streaming. They seem to be taking a page from separatists playbook and using bootleg streaming signals to allow people to watch.”

Toothbrush's face appeared floating over the dashboard just then. “The holobrodacast you asked me to keep an eye out for has just started. We are still trying to triangulate the zone they are in.”

The live stream was sent to both of them and began playing.

“Welcome to all our viewers! Today we have a dangerous and challenging race in... Sector 11!” said a robotic voice as the drones flew up high to reveal several hoverbikes lined up in the pouring rain.

“Remember, those who win the highest bid before each designated checkpoint, will be able to decide what challenge the racers must face!”

“Tooth we're in Sector 11 which zone is it?” asked Arron.

“It's....zone 3 near the park!” said Tooth as he furiously typed on his holokeypad.

Kix finished the last of his lunch, flipped the sirens on. The APC'S engine roared as it shot down the street, heading towards the park.

The windshield was constantly being hit with the pouring rain making it hard to see outside as the heated windows tried to keep dry and clear.

The hovercars in front of them all made way for them as they sped through the afternoon traffic.

“There! I see them,” said Arron pointing to the right.

There were 70 or more hoverbikes with the riders all in black leather and tinted helmets covering their faces. The only color on them was the numbers on their back and helmet which were all different shades.

On the live holo-stream, the sirens of the APC could be heard as it sped towards them. Several of the riders could be seen turning around to look behind them.

“Looks like we have one or two uninvited M1 guests,” said the robotic voice. “Fear not! This changes nothing the show must still go on! This only adds more of an exciting touch to the race!”

“Let the race begin!”

The hover-bikes all shot off flying down the side street near the park, water spraying everywhere.

Kix and Arron were in close pursuit right behind them.