The Anime-zing Race
Episode Seven
Author’s Notes
Well, I’m back from an event-related delay. Those are always bad, because
that means that not only do I miss a week, but I also don’t really have any time
to catch up. So I’m still scrambling to get episode eight done. But hey, the
events weren’t bad. Went to a Rockapella concert, and won 3 DVDs in a Dance
Dance Revolution tournament in Eau Claire. The series? Nadesico! Those really
came in handy for this episode… enjoy!
Recap
Kannonji: (VO) Last time, on the Battle Athletes leg of the Anime-zing Race!
(Various recap of highlights from Episode Six, showing whatever is appropriate.)
Kannonji: (VO) Tensions mounted between Ash and Meiling over a packet of powder!
Meiling: (VO) Like hell am I going to help him. I don’t
care if he tries bossing me around- Syaoran will always stick up for me.
Kannonji: (VO) The Road Block forced some teams to work together, and Arima's running saved the day!
Mihoshi: (VO) It was an amazing feeling. After spending
so much time as opponents, to put it all aside for this little race, and then
to actually win it! It was so much fun.
Kannonji: (VO) In the last group of teams, Takato and Henry took the Fast Forward and finished the leg on top!
Takato: Now it’s all or nothing. We used our Fast
Forward, and it’s up to us now to hang in with the pack. It’s only going to get
tougher from here on in. But you know something- I think we can do this.
Kannonji: (VO) While Sakura and Tomoyo became the sixth team to fall by the wayside!
(Rapid shots of the five teams in various positions along the sixth leg.)
Kannonji: (VO) We're down to the final five- what'll happen tonight on the Martian Successor Nadesico leg of the Anime-zing Race!
**** THE ANIME-ZING RACE
****
11 TEAMS OF 2:
TAKUYA & ZOE (The Digi-Destined- Digimon) {ELIMINATED}
SAKURA & TOMOYO (The Best Friends- Cardcaptor Sakura) {ELIMINATED}
SPIKE & JET (The Bounty Hunters- Cowboy Bebop) {ELIMINATED}
ASH & BROCK (The Trainers- Pokémon)
AEKA & SASAMI (“Team Princess”- Tenchi Muyo) {ELIMINATED}
MISATO & RITSUKO (“The NERV Girls”- Evangelion) {ELIMINATED}
SYAORAN & MEILING (The Cousins- Cardcaptor Sakura)
TAKATO & HENRY (The Tamers- Digimon)
YUKINO & ARIMA (The Dating Couple- Kare Kano)
KIYONE & MIHOSHI (The Police Officers- Tenchi Muyo)
GARY & SAMUEL (The Grandson/Grandfather- Pokémon) {ELIMINATED}
12 LEGS…
15 SERIES…
5 COUNTRIES, 2 PLANETS, 3 DIMENSIONS, AND A SPACE STATION…
**** THE ANIME-ZING RACE ****
Leg Seven
(University Satellite. Various shots of girls walking the hallways, lifting weights, playing sports, and other fine activities. Akari Kanzaki is walking down one of the hallways.)
Akari: This is University Satellite. This space station, hovering miles above the Earth, is the site of the annual Cosmo Beauty competition finals. This is the sixth Pit Stop in the race.
(Shot of Ash and Brock arriving. Both are very happy with the result.)
Akari: (VO) Teams arrived here at the end of the last leg for a mandatory rest period...
(Shot of Takato and Henry moving their trays down the line of the cafeteria.)
Akari: (VO) ...which allows them to eat...
(Shot of Meiling sleeping, latched on to a very uncomfortable Syaoran.)
Akari: (VO) ...sleep...
(Shot of Yukino and Arima taking on Kiyone and Mihoshi in a tennis match. Mihoshi loses her grip on her racket, and it just about kills Arima.)
Akari: (VO) ...and mingle with the other teams.
(Akari is at the shuttle terminal with a card.)
Akari: The five teams remaining have no idea what's in store for them next. They'll have to figure out for themselves how to get to the next yellow-and-red route marker using clues found in sealed envelopes.
(Shot of Yukino and Kiyone talking at the jungle airport.)
Akari: (VO) Will Yukino's friendship with Kiyone pay off as they travel through space?
(Shot of Syaoran and Meiling running through halls en route to the Pit Stop.)
Akari: (VO) And will Syaoran and Meiling be able to deal the loss of their friends, especially since they start in last place.
(Takato and Henry check in. Both are happy, Henry a little
moreso.)
Akari: (VO) Takato and Henry were the first to arrive at 0719 Universal Time...
(Takato and Henry are back on the mat. Henry has a card in hand.)
Akari: (VO) ...so they'll be the first to depart at 1919. What, you thought we used Eastern Standard or something?
(Henry opens the clue and reads.)
[TAKATO & HENRY- Digimon Tamers- First to Depart]
Henry: Find the ruins of Utopia Colony somewhere on the Martian surface.
(Takato slaps his forehead.)
Takato: This just keeps getting better and better.
(Rapid shots of a shuttle flying to Mars, followed by a
taxi driving to a giant hole in the ground. Dr. Inez Fressange explains like
she always does.)
Inez: (VO) Teams must find the ruins near the former Utopia Colony that hold
dominion over so many of life's little quirks like teleportation. The ruins are
located on Mars, and to get there, teams will need to find a shuttle service to
take them there.
(Takato and Henry are walking to the terminal when they bump into Anna Respighi, little cutie and teammate of Akari and Kris. She takes a couple steps back and bows.)
Anna: I'm sorry!
Takato: Hey, don't worry about it.
Henry: Yeah. Hey, maybe you can help us!
Anna: I... can I?
Takato: Yeah! We're in a race and we need to figure out how to get to Mars.
Anna: Oh... Miss Kanzaki and Miss Christopher were talking about that.
Henry: You know them?
Anna: Yes. They're my teammates. I live with them.
(Takato and Henry each put a hand on either of Anna's shoulders.)
Takato / Henry: You have our deepest sympathy.
(The two begin to walk forward, taking Anna with.)
Henry: So how does travel to different planets work?
Anna: Um... well... I'm from Earth but I know how to get to Mars.
(They lead her to the terminal.)
Takato: We found this girl, Anna, who stays up here and she agreed to help us get to Mars. You know, being nice is always a good idea. We got a leg up in the race, and we've made a new friend!
(Arima is shaking his head, smiling.)
[YUKINO & ARIMA- Dating Couple- 2nd to Depart]
Arima: Boy, the fun never stops.
(They walk to the terminal.)
Arima: (VO) I guess I was a little more grounded than I
thought. Mars, huh? Never thought I'd be going there.
(Takato, Henry, and Anna arrive at the terminal.)
Anna: I think there's only one major terminal on Mars. There's a counter here to check when the next flights are.
(There are several counters and offices. The three approach one in particular.)
Clerk: What can I do for you?
Anna: Mr. Matsuki and Mr. Wong need to go to Mars.
Henry: As soon as possible, please.
Clerk: Okay... do you have clearance yet?
Anna: (to Henry) You have to go through a security clearance before you can reserve seats.
Henry: Well, let's get going then.
Takato: Just remember that we want on the next flight. Okay?
(The clerk nods as Anna leads Takato and Henry to security.)
(Kiyone and Mihoshi read the clue, smile, and head out.)
[KIYONE & MIHOSHI- Galaxy Police Officers- 3rd to Depart]
Mihoshi: Boy, Mars... we haven't been there in awhile.
Kiyone: Not since the Diemosian Cult case... that was more than a year ago.
Mihoshi: I still wonder how six people can declare war on the entire galaxy.
Kiyone: We're hoping that a few teams will get scared about planet jumping. On Earth, it seems like a big deal to go from a space station to Mars. To us, it's just another day on the job. That mentality will come in handy.
(Yukino and Arima arrive at the terminal. Takato and Henry are nowhere to be found.)
Yukino: Okay. I don't see the Tamers anywhere.
Arima: They weren't that far ahead of us.
(They approach a counter.)
Yukino: We need to get to Mars.
Clerk: Okay, can I see your clearance?
Arima: Our what?
Clerk: Your clearance. Until I see it, I don't need to go further. Have a nice evening.
(The clerk goes back to his computer. Yukino and Arima look around for some clue to tell them where to go.)
(Ash reads the clue, smiling.)
[ASH & BROCK- Pokémon Trainers- 4th to Depart]
Ash: Brock, we're going to Mars.
Brock: I'd rather be scoping out Venus, but I'm not one to be picky.
(They begin the journey.)
Ash: We're pretty confident now. Now, we not only have a good rhythm, but we also have some motivation. Meiling still has the cure to my curse, and although I'm going to keep asking her to give it to me, the more she refuses, the more I'll want to beat her.
(Kiyone and Mihoshi arrive at the terminal, and don't even go near the counter before making a turn.)
Yukino: Kiyone?
(Yukino slithers towards Kiyone. Kiyone raises an eyebrow.)
Kiyone: Let me guess. You didn't know about the mandatory security clearance.
(Yukino shakes her head. Kiyone smiles.)
Mihoshi: Everybody knows that for interplanetary travel, every person must make a valid security check before booking seats, and if more than twelve hours after booking, again when boarding the flight.
(Yukino glares at Mihoshi.)
Yukino: Thank you Miss Know-it-all.
(Yukino glares again at Mihoshi.)
Yukino: Why do I suddenly feel really depressed?
(Kiyone takes Yukino and walks down the hall. Mihoshi and Arima follow.)
Kiyone: Come on, it's not that bad.
Mihoshi: Yeah. I've had to administer tons of these, with intergalactic security resting upon my decisions!
Arima: Suddenly space travel doesn't seem so safe anymore...
(They walk away.)
(Later, Henry walks in, putting on his vest. Takato walks behind, carrying both bags.)
Henry: Wow. Now that's a thorough inspection. Sorry you had to see that Anna. We forgot you were in there with us.
(Anna is walking behind the two, blushing heavily.)
Anna: I'm sorry!!
Takato: So now can we get those tickets?
Anna: Yes. You check in your bags too.
(They walk up to the counter and easily are able to secure tickets to Mars. They turn in their backpacks. After doing so, Henry looks at them as the three walk away.)
Henry: And now we already went through security, so we don't have to worry about it again?
Anna: No. It's very fast from here on. It isn't extensive at all.
Takato: Great. And thanks for all the help Anna. We really appreciate it.
Henry: Say, we don't leave for another half-hour? Want us to walk you back to your room?
(Anna is nervous.)
Anna: Um... you don't have to.
Takato: It's no trouble at all.
Anna: Do you even know where it is?
Henry: Turn right, hang a left, up the stairs, through the door, down the hall, left into the elevator, fifth floor, turn right and sixth room on the left.
Takato: Trust me. After all we went through to find it, we're never forgetting that again.
(They walk off as Ash and Brock arrive to find no other teams there.)
Ash: Think it's easy again?
Brock: We can only hope.
Ash: Um... where's everybody else?
(Takato, Henry, and Anna are on the elevator.)
Henry: (VO) Yeah, we were obviously being polite. Anna helped us out a great deal, and I wanted to show our appreciation. But you might say there was also a strategic element in taking her to her room. This way, none of the other teams could know how we got tickets. We weren't going to lie if they asked us, but they can't ask us if we're not there.
(And finally, Syaoran & Meiling start. Meiling is
holding up what looks to be a credit card.)
[SYAORAN & MEILING- Cousins- Last to Depart]
Meiling: A card? Don't we get money?
Syaoran: (VO) We lost our alliance partners and we have Ash angry at us. But we've been successful lately when we run our own race. We can't concentrate so much on what everybody else is doing that we make a mistake.
(Kiyone & Mihoshi and Yukino & Arima get back and get their tickets for the same flight. Again, they dropped their bags off. They sit down as Ash and Brock return.)
Ash: There they are!
Brock: We’ve been looking all over for you!
Kiyone: For the last time Brock, we’re not going on a date with you!
Brock: Even I say please?
Ash: Look, you can reject Brock all you want, but we need to know how to book tickets. The desk says we need to get clearance. Clearance for what?
Yukino: That’s the puzzle. You’ve got to figure it out!
Arima: It wouldn’t be a challenge if we told you right out front.
(Kiyone raises an eyebrow at Yukino and Arima.)
Ash: Some help you are.
(They walk away. Kiyone is a little annoyed.)
Kiyone: You know, we don’t mind helping you out, but it’s not right to tell that to them after we told you.
Mihoshi: Yeah. You don’t want to be called a hippo kit, do you?
(Chibi-Yukino hangs her head.)
Yukino: Sorry, Kiyone.
Kiyone: Don’t worry about it. It just bugs me. You already made up for it by not bringing attention to Mihoshi’s horrible attempt at using vocabulary words.
(Takato & Henry drop Anna off at her room. She opens the door. Kris has Akari pinned down in some sort of compromising position.)
Kris: Oh. Anna. Back from your walk?
Anna: Uh… yes…
(Takato and Henry are left hanging with their mouths open, simultaneously attracted and repelled by the scene. They both turn and walk away.)
Takato / Henry: Sorry to bother you… carry on.
(They break into a run to get back to safety.)
(They get back and are immediately mobbed by Brock and Syaoran.)
Brock: Takato! Buddy!
Syaoran: Henry, I’m wondering if you could, uh, help us to…
Henry: Jeez, security clearance is down the hall. Be patient, it takes awhile.
(Syaoran and Brock grab their partners and run down the hall. Takato and Henry join the two teams that already have tickets.)
Yukino: You know, you take the fun out of all this.
Henry: I’m assuming you’re in alright?
Yukino: Yeah. But we were hoping they wouldn’t find out how to do it.
Kiyone: If they miss this shuttle, we have a big edge this leg.
(The shuttle begins to dock.)
Yukino: Well, if security takes as long for them as it did for us, everything’s forgiven Henry!
(Those three wait until boarding begins and get aboard. The shuttle is still there when Syaoran and Meiling bound towards the clerk.)
Meiling: We have clearance! We need flight to Mars!
Clerk: Sorry, you just missed it. If you don’t have tickets now, it’s too late to get you on board.
Syaoran: But we need to be on that flight. We need to get to Mars.
(Ash and Brock rush in and get behind them in line.)
Clerk: I’ll see what I can do to get you there, but there is no way you’re on that shuttle.
(On that shuttle, Yukino and Arima are watching and waiting.)
Yukino: Take off… take off… take off…
(The, uh… landing gear is removed and the shuttle begins to move. Yukino cheers.)
Yukino: You boys are safe again!
(A row ahead of them, Takato and Henry smile.)
Henry: Hey. We aren’t going to tell lies, but if we aren’t there, how can we?
(Back down, Meiling watches the shuttle take off as Syaoran arrives.)
Syaoran: There’s another shuttle arriving soon. It’s going to the Moon, but it goes straight to Mars after that.
(Meiling is still a little angry.)
Meiling: You know the only reason that those lovebirds got on is because of the cops. No way those two could have had a clue either.
Syaoran: I guess that’s the way it works. It’s not about what you know, but rather who you know.
Meiling: This stinks. Let me guess, we’re stuck with Ketchum too.
(Syaoran nods. Meiling leans her head on his shoulder.)
Meiling: I don’t think any of us really like Yukino all that much. She’s a sneaky little fox, but that’s not the problem. She always tries to hide it! She’s always acting like the perfect lady, but I think she is one of the most competitive ones in the game!
(This is fun- a map of the inner solar system! One line
takes off from a space station on Earth and goes straight to Mars, while the
other bounces off of Earth’s Moon.)
Inez: (VO) Teams are on one of two shuttles to Mars. The first shuttle, carrying
Takato & Henry, Kiyone & Mihoshi, and Yukino & Arima, is a direct
flight from University Satellite to Mars. The other shuttle, holding Syaoran
& Meiling and Ash & Brock, will make a fifteen minute stopover on the
Moon, and will arrive fifty-five minutes later.
(The Moon is in view, but Ash starts to walk forward on the shuttle. Brock follows.)
Brock: Hey Ash, where are you going?
Ash: To talk to the pilot!
Brock: Why?
(They knock on the door, which opens. Surprisingly, it’s a very simple pilot/co-pilot/navigator set-up.)
Navigator: Can I help you two?
Ash: Yes. We need to get to Mars as fast as we can, so is there anyway to speed this up?
(Brock face faults.)
Co-Pilot: We always travel as fast as safely allowable.
Ash: How about shortening the stopover?
Brock: We can’t ask them to do that.
Co-Pilot: Actually, we are a little behind schedule. Everybody who’s on the flight should be there by now, so it’s a possibility.
Ash: But…?
Pilot: But we need to unload a shipment of machine parts. We don’t usually carry cargo… but they paid us a lot of money for it. That’ll take fifteen minutes to unload.
(Ash and Brock look at each other, then at the pilot.)
Ash / Brock: Do they need any help?
(Ash and Brock are hunched down under the shuttle as it’s docked. Working together, they pull out boxes and guide them into the station. A couple other workers make sure the cargo arrives safely. Since Ash and Brock are motivated, they finish quickly. The shuttle takes off again.)
Brock: (VO) It was Ash’s idea to help them finish the delivery faster so they’d take off sooner. With us helping, it freed up time for the crew to make their maintenance checks and we ended up getting done in half the time! We don’t know if the few minutes we saved will make a difference, but there’s nothing wrong with helping people out now and then.
(Mars. The arrival terminal… looks exactly like an
airport. The shuttle arrives, and three teams are fetching off-road taxis, as
opposed to most, who go after land shuttles to various settled locales. Takato
and Henry win the taxi lotto this time.)
[TAKATO & HENRY- Currently in First Place]
Takato: Utopia Colony.
(The cab driver shakes his head.)
Henry: Okay, thankfully we have a map. And this place is actually on it. Let’s see… go straight I think. Which way is west?
(They look around. It’s Mars. It’s still very much uncivilized, with red ground and mountains in the horizon.)
Takato: I don’t suppose the sun sets in the west here, does it?
Takato: We tried to treat it like any other situation
in the race. We can admire the scenery after we do what we’re supposed to. But
when we were in that taxi, there was no getting around it- we were on a
completely different planet. We were millions of miles away from home, in
completely unfamiliar territory. There’s no way we could treat it like any
other situation.
(Kiyone and Mihoshi are having better luck. They’re
off-road too, but seem to know where they’re going.)
Kiyone: Okay, yeah, that mountain matches with the one on the map. We’re on the
right track. Any sign of the others, Mihoshi?
Mihoshi: I don’t see them.
Kiyone: Cool.
(Yukino and Arima are having problems in their cab.)
Yukino: Do you have any idea where this place is?
(The driver shakes his head.)
Arima: It says on the map that it’s a landmark.
(Arima leans forward and shows the driver the map.)
Yukino: Why don’t you just stop and look at it?
Arima: It’s better to not move at all than move in the wrong direction.
Yukino: Besides, we’re driving on dust anyway.
(They stop as Arima and the driver read the map. Arima climbs into the front seat.)
Yukino: Great. I don’t even know where our terminal went.
Arima: Don’t worry. We’ll be back on track eventually. We just have to find it first.
Yukino: How long’s this going to take?
Arima: Just be patient!
(Yukino is both scared and surprised that Arima raised his voice at her. She looks down. Then she gets out of the taxi. Arima looks up quickly.)
Arima: Yukino?
(Yukino walks out onto the Martian surface. She looks around at the desolate area. There is no civilization in sight, and a whole lot of red. She crouches down, putting her hands around her knees.)
Yukino: (quiet) Where am I?
--
(Yukino is still crouched down. Arima comes in. He crouches down and holds her.)
Arima: We’ve been through a lot worse than this.
Yukino: No we haven’t. We’re on a completely different planet- and we’re lost. I don’t see how it can get worse.
Arima: Well… not winning for starters.
Yukino: All the hard work on Earth doesn’t mean a thing if we’re not on it.
Arima: Then we just have to get back to Earth. And we will. We just have to go through Mars to get there.
Yukino: Arima…
(Arima picks her up, and they share an embrace for a moment before walking back to the taxi. It drives off, hopefully back to some form of civilization.)
Yukino: (VO) Arima means the world to me. He’s always
there whenever I’m down. I was so overwhelmed by all of this. I wasn’t ready
for Mars. I don’t think Arima was either. But he knew, and I know now, that we
could get through it if we just stay together. If it wasn’t for him… I’d be
lost.
(While they struggle, Kiyone and Mihoshi have had no
problems whatsoever. They are the first at the ruins. To summarize- it’s a
giant crater. Both GXP officers walk up to the route marker.)
[KIYONE & MIHOSHI- Currently in First Place]
Mihoshi: (VO) We reached the ruins way before any of the other teams. We
knew we’d have an advantage up here, but we didn’t realize it would be by this
much. Better make sure we use it!
(Kiyone fetches the clue.)
Kiyone: Detour- Jump or Fall.
(Time for Get to Know the Nadesico! Here’s your host, Inez
Fressange!)
Inez: As you all know, a Detour is a choice between two tasks, each having its
own benefits and drawbacks. In this Detour, the teams will need to reach the
bottom of the cavern by one of two means- Jump or Fall.
(Inez holds out a funky blue crystal that begins to glow.)
Inez: In Jump, teams will need to attempt a Boson Jump that will transport them from the Martian surface to the bottom of the cavern. I will explain to them, in depth, what they must do, and they will receive these Tulip Crystals to assist the process. Teams will have three opportunities to execute a Boson Jump. I will make sure they remain safe, but besides from retrieving them after an unsuccessful attempt, I will not help them. If successful, teams will end up at the bottom of the cavern instantly… or possibly before they even left. If a team Boson Jumps to the wrong location three times, they will be automatically escorted to the bottom by Aestivalis.
(Inez demonstrates by Boson Jumping to a ridge down the cavern.)
Inez: In Fall, teams will take the more physical method of rappelling. Since the cavern is 14 kilometers deep, teams will only rappel down the first 250 or so meters to a designated ridge. Afterwards, another Aestivalis unit will take them the rest of the way down.
(Kiyone and Mihoshi have to think about this one.)
Kiyone: Well, we’ve got the lead, so it would probably be a safer bet to rappel down. If nothing else, falling’s one thing you’re good at.
(They head over to get strapped up.)
(The second shuttle arrives. Both Syaoran & Meiling
and Ash & Brock race out to get taxis. Ash and Brock manage one first.)
[ASH & BROCK- Currently in 4th Place]
Brock: So you know where this is?
Driver: My cousin works at the Jovian War Memorial around there.
Ash: That’s a bit out of the way for a war memorial.
Driver: That’s one reason nobody shows up.
Brock: What’s your cousin do there?
Driver: He’s the other reason nobody shows up- he stands there with a shotgun and scares tourists away. My cousin’s not quite right in the head.
(The Li cousins are behind them, watching them intently.)
[SYAORAN & MEILING- Currently in Last Place]
Syaoran: Keep following them. There’s no way they can shake us out in the open.
Meiling: And then we pass them during the challenge. All right!
(Takato and Henry finally make it to the ruins and get the
Detour.)
[TAKATO & HENRY- Currently in 2nd Place]
Takato: Detour- Jump or Fall. It’s basically trying to teleport or trying to
rappel.
(Henry looks through the clue.)
Henry: This Boson Jumping looks a little risky. If we can’t pull this off, we could really be set back.
Takato: So you think we should rappel?
Henry: Let’s look at the cavern.
(Takato and Henry peak their heads over. It’s a long way down. However, Kiyone and Mihoshi are effectively moving downwards quickly.)
Henry: Do you want to try it?
Takato: I’m willing to try it, I just don’t know how fast I’d be.
Henry: Why don’t you try it for a little, and if you can do it, I’ll follow you.
Takato: Okay.
(As Takato dons the gear, Kiyone and Mihoshi complete the rappel in record time.)
Kiyone: So where’s this Aestivalis thing?
(A standard humanoid mecha flies up. It remains floating while its cockpit is level with the ridge. Out pops full-time cook, part-time pilot Akito Tenkawa.)
Akito: Need a lift?
(Mihoshi, already particularly susceptible to the girl magnet type, smiles nervously.)
Mihoshi: Oh, um… hi… I’m Mihoshi… er…
(She salutes.)
Mihoshi: Detective First Class Mihoshi at your service! Wait… that’s not right either. We’re not really serving you. In fact, you’re serving us.
(Mihoshi giggles. Kiyone finally gets fed up.)
Kiyone: Mihoshi! Quit the semantics and get in!
Mihoshi: Is there enough room?
(Kiyone throws Mihoshi into the Aesti. Akito catches her. Kiyone steps in. Needless to say… it’s a little bit cramped. Akito is already in a compromising position with Mihoshi, but is getting a good feel of Kiyone at the same time.)
Kiyone: Damn, they could have planned this a little better!
Akito: I’ll say! I can’t imagine this getting any worse.
(Cue something to make it worse. A vid-screen pops out of nowhere. It’s communications officer Megumi Raynard.)
Megumi: You better not try anything funny Akito!
Akito: What?! You think this is my fault they didn’t give us enough space to take them down?! And how the heck did you see us?? We’re not even in the right time period!
(Megumi smiles goofily.)
Megumi: Oh, Ruri and I are taking the tapes they get from back here and beaming them to everybody on the Nadesico.
(Akito frowns.)
Akito: (dry) What?
(A second vidscreen- chief engineer Seiya Uribatake.)
Seiya: Who picked you do the escorting?! How do you get all the lucky breaks?!
(And a third- second-string helmswoman Erina Won.)
Erina: Tenkawa! Quit the chatter and get down there! We’re getting paid good money to host this race, so stop being such a pervert and get moving or we’ll be accused of interfering with their progress!
(And a fourth- pilot Ryoko Subaru.)
Ryoko: Look at you, taking advantage of those women! Tenkawa you pig!!
(Erina shoves Ryoko’s vid-screen aside.)
Erina: Pig!
(Seiya jumps in front)
Seiya: Pig!
(And to make matters worse, pilot Izumi Maki puts her vid-screen in front of all the others.)
Izumi: Three pigs in a blanket.
(The three in the Aesti, and the four on the vid-screens, all look at Izumi’s screen as she snickers at her own bad joke.)
(Takato begins his descent, but he doesn’t get far. After about a yard, he looks down and begins to stress, especially with the sight of Tenkawa’s Aesti shooting straight down into the void and disappearing.)
Takato: Henry… I don’t think I can do this.
Henry: You sure?
Takato: I’d feel safer trying the teleporting.
Henry: Okay. Don’t worry about it. Try climbing back up.
(Takato manages to move upward far enough for Henry to pull him back to the cliff. They go to Inez.)
Inez: Ready to try the fun one?
Henry: Yeah. So explain to us how to do this.
(Inez develops a faint smile.)
Inez: Explain… first off, take these Tulip Crystals...
(Takato and Henry each take a crystal as Inez begins her long winded explanation. Skip all that, until…)
Inez: Ready?
(Takato and Henry shake their heads.)
Inez: Perfect. Again, I’ll just be making sure you don’t get killed. Picture your destination, and when you summon enough energy, you’ll be taken there.)
Takato: Okay. I’m picturing… deep cavern… deep cavern…
(After much concentration, they are whisked away.)
(The place is pitch black. They pace around, and are actually ankle-deep in water.)
Takato: Um… are we there?
(Out of nowhere, a voice responds. Strangely enough, it’s that of Excel.)
Excel: Yep! You’re here! The bottom of the hole! I was going on my typical recession of faith, loyalty, and devotion to Lord Il Pallazzo when he reached for a rope and before you know it…
(In a flash of white, they disappear again while Excel keeps babbling.)
Excel: Any chance you could help me out of here? Hello??
(They return to Inez. Inez is shaking her head. Takato and Henry both look down.)
Inez: You missed. You missed by a lot. You have to be very relaxed. Focus. You have to generate positive energy, while remaining focused on the destination.
Henry: Right. Okay. I’m picturing the bottom of the cave again…
Takato: This time for sure!
(Yukino and Arima finally make it to the ruins. Yukino
gets out, smiling.)
[YUKINO & ARIMA- Currently in 3rd Place]
Yukino: We made it!
Arima: Took forever, but I knew we’d get there eventually.
(Arima fetches the Detour as Yukino watches Takato and Henry.)
Arima: Detour- Jump or Fall. In Jump, attempt a Boson Jump that will transport you from here to the bottom of the cavern.
Yukino: Is that what they’re doing?
(Yukino points to Takato and Henry. Arima looks up just in time to see them vanish.)
Arima: Wow.
Yukino: That’s easy! We’ll do that one!
(They rush over, and get the crystals and the same spiel from Inez. They head to the same place as Takato and Henry were at.)
Inez: Remember to concentrate on the destination.
Yukino: Right… big empty hole on Mars.
(After some concentration, they get it to work.)
(Akito has reached the bottom of the cave and lands. There’s a big glowing cube on the bottom, but it’s just part of the scenery. This time, at least. Kiyone and Mihoshi run to the route marker as Akito flies back up. Next to the route marker is a punch clock, with five slips nearby.)
Kiyone: Route Info- punch in and wait for Inez to arrive to help get you to the Nergal Factory in the year 2198.
(Mihoshi takes the team punch card and clocks in.)
Mihoshi: Done and done.
(Shots of Inez walking in front of the Nergal factory.)
Inez: Teams will be asked to wait at the bottom of the cavern until every team arrives. When the last team arrives, I will use the powers of the ruins to take them back to the year 2198 and Boson Jump them to the Nergal factory where the Nadesico was born. Teams, leaving by staggered start, will find the route marker just outside the factory.
(A city street. Takato and Henry appear and look around.)
Takato: This doesn’t look like Mars.
Henry: No… this looks almost… familiar.
(It sure is, as a familiar voice greets them.)
Jeri: Takato? Henry? What are you doing here?
(Takato and Henry resist the urge to scream. They turn around and see Jeri, who is confused.)
Jeri: I thought you said you wouldn’t be home for another couple weeks!
Takato: Uh… well… I didn’t think we’d be home for another couple of weeks either!
(Shot of Ash and Brock, still on the road to the ruins.)
Driver: We should be there soon.
Brock: Great.
(Without warning, Yukino and Arima pop in and drop on top of them. Upon seeing this, the driver slams on the brakes, allowing the taxi behind them to get past.)
Ash: Wa?
(Yukino is sitting on Ash and looks around.)
Yukino: Where are we?
Brock: How come you get all the luck?
Ash: Yukino! You’re on my head!
(Yukino looks down.)
Yukino: How’d you two get here?
(Arima is very civilized about sliding off Brock.)
Brock: Hey, we caught up to the lead pack!
(Yukino and Arima vanish suddenly. The driver shakes his head and continues driving.)
Brock: Maybe not…
(Both Takato & Henry and Yukino & Arima reappear before Inez. Takato is still talking to Jeri, but shuts up when he realizes that she’s not there any more.)
Inez: Wow. That’s all I have to say. Wow.
Takato: Sorry. I was, uh… kinda thinking about home.
Henry: Who would have thought teleporting would be so difficult?
Inez: Well. Step up to the plate again.
(They both step out and concentrate. Before doing so, Yukino whispers into Arima’a ear. They see a taxi pulling in.)
Takato: Are we that far behind?
(Syaoran and Meiling get out of the cab and run to the route marker.)
Henry: Great, we’re going to get eliminated…
(Takato and Henry concentrate one last time, and vanish. Yukino and Arima do the same, but instead of closing their eyes, they look into each other’s. They disappear. Syaoran sees it.)
Syaoran: Wow… where’d they go?
----
(Syaoran and Meiling read over the Detour.)
Syaoran: Jump or Fall.
Meiling: We are so jumping.
(Syaoran is less hasty, but takes one look at the cavern and turns back to Meiling.)
Syaoran: We are so jumping.
(The two walk over to Inez.)
Inez: I hope you two have better luck.
Meiling: What do you mean?
Inez: Never mind. Let me explain what you should do.
(Inez does so. Meiling just about falls asleep by the time Inez finishes.)
Inez: Got it?
Syaoran: Yes.
(Meiling jolts herself awake.)
Syaoran: This is just like any martial art. Concentrate, focus, and clear our minds.
Meiling: Piece of cake!
(Meiling grabs Syaoran’s hands as they meditate for a moment before vanishing.)
Inez: (sotto) Let’s see where these two end up…
(Kiyone and Mihoshi are playing cards at the bottom of the cavern. Both are obviously bored and growing impatient.)
Kiyone: Well where the heck are they?
(Mihoshi quietly picks a card from Kiyone’s hand, smiles, and throws down it and a card from her own hand.)
Mihoshi: Pair of sevens, you lose!
(Kiyone looks at the lone joker in her hand.)
Kiyone: Can we please play something with skill involved?
Mihoshi: Nope! My deal!
(Suddenly, Yukino and Arima pop in. Yukino looks over at Kiyone.)
Yukino: Please tell me this is the place.
Kiyone: Yeah. You guys did the jumping?
Arima: Got it on the second try.
Kiyone: Nice. Better go punch in by the route marker.
(Yukino and Arima head towards it.)
Yukino: Then what?
Kiyone: Mihoshi deals you in.
(Arima punches in as Yukino joins the game.)
Arima: (VO) We focused on each other. It was the best
way to keep our minds clear and not accidentally end up in the wrong spot. I
guess it worked, especially since we got there before the Tamers.
(This time, the Tamers are in a hotel room. They look around.)
Henry: This is definitely not the right place.
Takato: Um… Jeri?
(A scream. The two look in that direction and see a flaxen-haired young woman wearing only a towel. She goes by the name of Raye Hino and she’s obviously pissed.)
Raye: What are you two doing in my room!?
Takato: Um… that’s a good question!!
(Raye chases them out of the room and into the hallway. Takato and Henry bowl over a few people as Raye continues the pursuit. Fortunately, Raye is unable to catch them before the two are retrieved.)
(Ash and Brock arrive at the Detour.)
Brock: Ah… one of the options is teleporting. I guess Yukino missed.
Ash: Let’s not go that way then. What’s the other option?
Brock: 250 meter rappel.
Ash: Well, they never said this game was supposed to be easy. Let’s do it.
(They walk over to get squared away.)
(At the bottom of the cavern, all four are playing Old Maid. Yukino throws down two cards.)
Yukino: Two queens…
(In pop Syaoran and Meiling… right in the center of the game.)
Kiyone: Hey, watch where you’re coming in!
(They look down, then quickly hop out of the way.)
Syaoran: What just happened?
(Meiling hugs Syaoran.)
Meiling: We did it! Come on!
(Meiling and Syaoran head to the route marker and punch in.)
Syaoran: I guess it was our experience with martial arts and magic that helped us. We got it on the first try while the Tamers failed three times.
(As Ash and Brock begin their rappel, Takato and Henry return. Inez now has her face buried in her hands.)
Inez: The first two times, it was just the wrong planet and the wrong time period. This time it wasn’t even the right dimension.
Henry: But I was thinking about Mars!
Inez: Then how’d you end up on the Moon?
Takato: Do we have to try again?
Inez: No. I’ll put you out of your misery. Hikaru!
(A yellow Aestivalis arrives, piloted by anime otaku Hikaru Amano.)
Hikaru: Hi everybody!
Inez: Since you failed three times, Hikaru will give you a ride down.
(Takato and Henry climb into the Aesti. As before, it’s a pretty tight squeeze.)
Hikaru: So, have you done the Gekiganger leg yet?
(Ash and Brock are still descending when the Aesti flies past them. Inside, Hikaru is making chit-chat.)
Hikaru: So what series are you from?
Takato: Um… Digimon I guess.
Hikaru: Oh! I think I’ve heard of that one! That’s the one with the weird alien cat-girl that runs the video store!
Henry: Uh… no that’s not it.
Hikaru: That’s not Digimon? Oh… was that the one with the robot cat?
Takato: I think that’s Doraemon!
Hikaru: Oh… is it the one with all the weird things trying to destroy humanity and the only hope is a bunch of kids that jump into these big… well they’re sort of like robots but I think they’re alive. You know, it’s the one with all the weird religious imagery.
(Takato and Henry think for a moment.)
Henry: Yeah, that’s it.
(Ash and Brock reach the bottom of the rappel course. Akito greets them.)
Akito: I’m here to take you the rest of the way. Just, uh… hop in.
(They do so. Here the three guys are cramped even more than the first two situations.)
Ash: I don’t see how this possibly could get worse.
(Hikaru pops up on the vid-screen.)
Hikaru: Akito! How’s your shipment this time?
Akito: I can’t feel my legs. There’s not enough room.
Hikaru: Oh. There’s plenty of room in mine! Right boys?
(Takato is crouched down between her legs while Henry is bent around the seat.)
Henry: Uh… no problem Hikaru.
(They complete the ride down and join the others. Takato and Henry get their first and get to the Route Marker.)
Henry: Route Info- punch in and wait for Inez to arrive to help get you to the Nergal Factory in the year 2198.
(Takato punches the slip.)
Henry: I’m really surprised we couldn’t execute a Boson
Jump properly. Maybe we weren’t focused or something. Whatever it was, it
really cost us some time. Two teams got ahead of us because they were able to
do it. It’s not a good sign.
(Soon thereafter, Ash and Brock arrive and punch in.)
Ash: (VO) I don’t know whether we picked the wrong
Detour or what. But we were in last again. I’m starting to get tired of it.
We’ve got to do something to get ahead.
(Before the last two teams can jump into the game of Memory Mahjongg… er Old Maid… Inez Boson Jumps to the bottom of the cavern and approaches the route marker, taking all the punch cards. Everybody stops and watches her.)
Inez: Is everybody punched in?
All: Yep.
Inez: Good.
(They await her next instruction.)
Inez: Whatever you’re playing, deal me in.
(Massive face fault.)
Ash: But don’t we have a race!?
Kiyone: Yeah. Don’t tell me we have another relay!
Inez: Let me explain…
(Sweatdrops begin to develop as Inez does what she does best.)
Inez: I am about to transport all of you back in time to the year 2198. When you arrive, you will be inside a Nergal factory. Once there, you’ll all be leaving via a staggered start. Everybody knows what that is, right?
(Everybody nods. Inez appears frustrated and walks up to Ash.)
Inez: (to Ash) Everybody knows what that is, right?
Ash: Yeah. I know what that…
Inez: That’s not the answer I’m looking for.
(Ash takes a second to figure it out, then sighs.)
Ash: (forced) No, Dr. Inez, I don’t know what a staggered start is. Please explain to me.
Inez: That’s better. A staggered start means that you will leave at the same intervals that you arrived. In this case, Syaoran and Meiling punched in 37 minutes after Kiyone and Mihoshi. Therefore, they’ll take off 37 minutes after Kiyone and Mihoshi do. Understand?
(Everybody nods.)
Inez: Since you all seem to be in a hurry, let’s take care of this.
(Inez closes her eyes and concentrates. The cavern seems to come to life, until finally, it is replaced with the backdrop of an abandoned factory. Inez opens her eyes.)
Inez: Welcome to the year 2198. Kiyone and Mihoshi? Ready to go?
(Kiyone and Mihoshi nod and strap their bags on tight as Inez pulls out a watch.)
Inez: Go!
(Kiyone and Mihoshi run through the factory, looking frantically for the exit.)
Mihoshi: Kiyone! I see a sign!
Kiyone: Shh! Don’t let anybody know where the exit is. It’s almost like a maze in here.
(They continue running.)
Kiyone: (VO) We had a huge lead. Almost forty minutes. We were the only ones in the lead group that didn’t get lost, and we were the only ones in the lead group who didn’t have any trouble with the Detour. But those other teams are way too good for us to relax.
(They make their way to the exit and find a route marker next to five all-terrain vehicles. Kiyone gets to the route marker.)
Kiyone: Take an all-terrain vehicle and use the supplied tracking device to reach the mobile battleship Nadesico stationed in the vicinity.
Mihoshi: Let’s take this one!
(Kiyone runs over to the ATV Mihoshi was hopping into the driver’s seat of. She scoots Mihoshi over.)
Kiyone: Fine, but I’m driving.
(Mihoshi takes the tracking device and turns it on.)
Mihoshi: Roger!
(Kiyone drives off.)
(Rapid shots of an ATV cruising over the Martian surface
en route to the Nadesico. Finally, the hosting job is handed to pilot Ryoko
Subaru.)
Ryoko: (VO) Teams have to choose an all-terrain vehicle and find the spaceship
Nadesico, currently at port nearby. To find the location, teams will need to
figure out for themselves how to use a tracking device attached to the
passenger side of the ATV.
(Next, a shot of the hangar bay on the ship, and the Aesti units in the background. Ryoko is standing by the route marker.)
Ryoko: Once aboard the ship, they’ll find the route marker in the hangar bay.
(Yukino and Arima run through the factory and out the
door.)
[YUKINO & ARIMA- Currently in 2nd Place]
Arima: Over here!
(Yukino follows him out the door and to the route marker. They read the clue.)
Yukino: Why don’t I navigate and you drive?
Arima: Sounds good?
(They choose an ATV and hop aboard. Yukino immediately fiddles with the tracker until she gets a signal. She smiles and points.)
Yukino: That way!
Arima: Roger!
(They take off.)
Yukino: (VO) I think the key to operating the ATV’s was
being able to communicate as team members. Whoever was driving didn’t know
where they were going. But we work together extremely well, and it helped us a
lot there. The way Arima and I work together may be one of the few advantages
we have over a team like Kiyone and Mihoshi.
(Syaoran and Meiling take off soon after Yukino and Arima.)
[SYAORAN & MEILING- Currently in 3rd Place]
Meiling: Here’s the stupid door!
(They walk out and find the route marker.)
Syaoran: The Nadesico?
Meiling: Insert obligatory reference to Kinomoto’s dead mother here.
Syaoran: Better yet, let’s get going.
(It takes Syaoran awhile to get the ATV to operate and it takes Meiling even longer to get the tracking device working properly. Finally, they get it, and are off to the races.)
(Kiyone is still driving through the Martian surface. She’s starting to get a little nervous.)
Kiyone: Mihoshi, are we even close yet?
Mihoshi: Well… let’s see…the beeping noise is coming from the ship and the bleeps on the tracker represent… um… well I’m not sure if they represent us or the spaceship.
Kiyone: Wait… so you don’t know if we’re going in the right direction?
Mihoshi: I guess not…
Kiyone: So where have you been telling me to go all this time?!
Mihoshi: Well I have to say something! We have to keep our lines of communication open!
(Kiyone stops right there and looks at the tracking device.)
Kiyone: We’re going the wrong way!
Mihoshi: Oh… really?
Kiyone: You drive. I doubt you’ll hit anything so it’s safer if I navigate.
(The two switch sides and Kiyone directs Mihoshi in the opposite direction.)
(Takato and Henry leave.)
[TAKATO & HENRY- Currently in 4th Place]
Henry: Okay, Route Info- take an all-terrain vehicle and use the supplied
tracking device to reach the mobile battleship Nadesico…
Takato: Nice.
Henry: I’ll drive. You navigate.
Takato: Good call.
(They choose one of the two remaining and Henry steers it out of there.)
(Finally, Ash and Brock bring up the rear. They don’t get
much of a choice of ATV.)
[ASH & BROCK- Currently in Last Place]
Brock: Think you can navigate?
Ash: Uh…
Brock: Good enough, let’s go.
(Ash has no idea how to use the tracker, which does not bode well as they depart.)
Brock: (VO) I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little
nervous. Last place, and stuck navigating ourselves? I was just hoping we’d be
able to make it to the next route marker, let alone avoid last place.
----
(The horizon unveils the mighty Nadesico as one ATV charges after it. Yukino & Arima slowly arrive on board and “dock.” They run inside and ask around until they find the engine room. The route marker is just off to the side of the hangar.)
Yukino: Road Block. This person must have good mechanical skills.
Arima: I’ll give it a shot.
(Ryoko stands before her red Aesti unit.)
Ryoko: A Road Block’s a task that only one team member can perform. In this Road Block, that person must receive a temporary nano-injection and fly one of these Aestivalis units.
(Shot of an Aesti flying along the surface of the planet. Soon, a small yellow sentry robot, a Jovian Lizard, greets it and opens fire.)
Ryoko: (VO) They’ll have to seek out and destroy a Jovian drone called a Lizard. Once they do so, they must return to the launch pad to receive their next clue.
(Back to Ryoko, standing in an office with Megumi.)
Ryoko: However, not everybody can handle the injection of nanomachines into the bloodstream. If a body was to reject the treatment, it could be potentially fatal. Therefore, while they were going through their security clearance at University Satellite, everybody was tested for nano-compatibility. If anybody is ill-equipped to handle the treatment, their teammate will be required to do the Road Block.
(Arima is seated in a doctor’s chair. Megumi walks in with what looks like a futuristic glue gun.)
Megumi: Okay, just sit back and relax. I’m a registered nurse, so don’t worry at all.
(Megumi drops the gun.)
Megumi: Whoopsies!
(Megumi kicks it once before picking it up.)
Megumi: Now I’m just going to give you a little jab in the neck. This will sting for… well… awhile… but it’s the only way you’ll be able to fly the Aestis. There will be a few interesting side effects, but since it’s a temporary treatment, it should be gone by tomorrow.
(Arima is a little nervous, but hides it.)
Arima: All set.
Megumi: Cool!
(Megumi drives the apparatus into his neck. He clenches his teeth, and the chair. Before long, the back of his hands begin to glow metallic.)
Arima: What the… what the heck happened to my hands?
Megumi: Like I said! It’s an interesting side effect. But this way you can pilot now, so go do your Road thingy.
(Arima is seated in a ground-frame Aesti.)
Seiya: (VO, over a loudspeaker) Stand-by for launch!
(Yukino is up by a window where she can see the action. She sees the Aesti take off to the surface.)
Yukino: Good luck Arima…
(Takato and Henry have managed to stay on track and are
the next to approach the Nadesico with their ATV. They see Arima take off as
well.)
[TAKATO & HENRY- Currently in 2nd Place]
Takato: Whoa…
Henry: Whoa later. Let’s get there first.
(They are at a steady pace, but from out of nowhere, Mihoshi drives her ATV right past them. Kiyone isn’t watching at all. She’s transfixed on the tracker.)
Kiyone: We should be getting close…
Mihoshi: I’ll say! Look at that thing!
(Kiyone looks up. Even for an officer, the ship of dreams leaves her in awe.)
Kiyone: (in awe) I think you can steer her the rest of the way…
(They continue, followed by Takato & Henry, with Syaoran & Meiling behind them.)
(Ash and Brock, meanwhile, are good and lost. Brock stops the ATV completely while Ash continues to attempt to figure the tracker out. Brock leans in.)
Ash: Sorry, I’ve never used one of these before.
Brock: Hmm… maybe we’re just a little off-center. We need to get that tracker directly at the top and centered.
Ash: Why don’t you rotate around until it is?
Brock: Good idea.
(Brock slowly begins to drive into a circle as Ash watches closely.)
Ash: Little more… good! Straight ahead!
Brock: Right!
(Brock floors it.)
Ash: Look out!
(Brock brakes just in time to stop the ATV from plummeting off a cliff into a canyon.
Ash: So much for that idea…
(Kiyone and Mihoshi are at the route marker.)
Kiyone: I’d better take this one.
Mihoshi: Aw…
(Kiyone reads the instructions.)
Kiyone: I’d definitely better take this one.
Mihoshi: Good luck!
(Kiyone goes to get the treatment while Mihoshi heads to the viewing area. Takato and Henry arrive. Takato fetches the clue.)
Takato: Road Block. Why don’t you take it?
Henry: Sure.
(Meanwhile, Arima is having problems with his mech.)
Arima: Clear my thoughts…
(He closes his eyes and focuses on moving the Aesti while keeping his hands on the interface. He succeeds a little bit, but his train of thought is interrupted by a Jovian unit flying by.)
Arima: There it is.
(Arima tries reaching for his gun, but is unable to do so with the right amount of precision.)
Arima: Not good.
(Outside the nano-treatment room, former playboy and current pilot Nagare Akatsuki waits. Seiya walks up to him.)
Seiya: What are you doing here?
(Akatsuki looks up at Seiya.)
Akatsuki: Well, someone has to get them all situated.
Seiya: When you say them, you mean that cute cop girl, don’t you?
(Akatsuki eyes Seiya, but doesn’t respond. Seiya is clearly annoyed, then turns around and snaps his fingers.)
Seiya: Damn, he stole my idea!
(Seiya walks away, while Akatsuki stands there with a smooth grin. Kiyone exits the room, in a standard Aesti outfit. But before Akatsuki can say a word, Ryoko takes Kiyone by the arm.)
Ryoko: You look halfway sane, you can take my unit.
Kiyone: Great, thanks.
(Akatsuki is left stunned. Especially when Henry follows and turns to Akatsuki.)
Henry: So where do we go now?
Akatsuki: Uh… Uribatake!!
(Syaoran and Meiling reach the hangar bay. Syaoran reads the clue as Meiling watches all the Aestis.)
Syaoran: It says this Road Block needs mechanical skills. I guess I’ll do it.
Meiling: Okay…
(Syaoran reads the details as Kiyone and Henry take off. Syaoran’s eyes bug out.)
Syaoran: I have to do what?
Meiling: I know, you’re so lucky.
(Out in the field, Arima is actively pursuing the Jovian sentry. Arima has managed to shoot at it, but is unable to aim precisely enough to hit it.)
Arima: Come on…
(Kiyone and Henry’s Aesti’s enter the fray as two more sentries shoot in out of nowhere.)
Henry: How the heck do I fly this thing?
(Henry begins by taking baby steps to get a feel for it. Meanwhile, Kiyone is doing a little better getting a feel for flying. She has that down. It’s just a matter of hitting the darn thing.)
Kiyone: C’mon… where are you?
(Arima narrowly misses one while Henry is still focusing.)
Henry: Okay… it’s like MegaGargomon… feel the motion…
(Henry gets a little better.)
(Upstairs, Yukino, Mihoshi, and Takato are watching the scene. Takato isn’t worried much, but Yukino’s starting to pull her hair out.)
Takato: This must be difficult for them.
Mihoshi: I’ll say. Kiyone should be ready by now.
Takato: Ready for what?
(Inside the mech, Kiyone finally gets the locking system to work. She gets a Jovian on target and opens fire. It blows up.)
Kiyone: All right!
(She zooms past Arima and heads to the hangar. Meanwhile, Arima and Takato are both pursuing the same drone. They both approach from opposite directions, with attacks charged and ready to fire. Arima is extremely focused, and has his sights set. Henry, however, is trying to use his eyes as lasers to shoot the thing down. He finally lets it loose and opens fire.)
Henry: GARGO MISSILE!!
(He unloads with everything at about the same time Arima opens fire. They were about the same distance apart, but Henry’s massive attacks hit home first and the sentry blows up before Arima’s attack reaches. Both acknowledge it, as Henry heads back to base while Arima goes after the other one.)
Henry: I think I had a huge leg up in the Road Block. The task basically required us to become one with our weaponry. I’ve been one with my weaponry before. I’ve bio-merged with Terriermon. We worked together, so it was pretty easy for me to work with the Aestivalis as well.
(Kiyone docks. Mihoshi is waiting for her. Kiyone receives a high-five and takes the envelope from Ryoko. Kiyone hands it to Mihoshi.)
Kiyone: You read it. I need a breather.
Mihoshi: Go to the next Pit Stop- the bridge of the Nadesico.
(Kiyone and Mihoshi run off.)
(Rapid shots to the bridge of the Nadesico. The Pit Stop
mat is in front of the stations. Captain Yurika Misamaru takes the helm.)
Yurika: Teams must make their way through the Nadesico and get to the twelfth
floor. They must find the bridge, the Pit Stop for this leg of the race.
(Arima doesn’t have too much trouble taking out the third unmanned craft. He returns to the hangar as Syaoran takes off in his Aesti. Syaoran has no clue what he’s doing, and is unable to move for the first few minutes.)
Syaoran: Uh oh…
(Syaoran moves his hands around, but nothing is responding.)
(Henry gets off and high-fives Takato as they get their clue. They read it and head out as Arima’s Aestivalis lands and Yukino arrives from her spot.)
(Outside the Nadesico, Ash and Brock finally have the
right direction and charge towards the ship on their ATV.)
[ASH & BROCK- Currently in Last Place]
Brock: We got lost on the ATV’s… extremely lost. But we weren’t going to
give up. We were hoping other teams would make the same mistakes we did, or at
the very least, got tangled up on a task.
(The bridge. Kiyone and Mihoshi enter the area, proceed past helmswoman Minato at her station and walk up to the Pit Stop mat. The screen on the route marker reads “NADESICO” in large green letters, with “MARS” in small white letters. Along with Yurika is navigator and science officer Ruri Hoshino. Kiyone and Mihoshi step on the mat, both eagerly anticipating the result. Yurika salutes the two.)
Yurika: As captain, I welcome you aboard the battleship Nadesico!
(Kiyone and Mihoshi both smile and return the salute.)
Ruri: Kiyone and Mihoshi?
(Ruri holds the pause for dramatic effect.)
Ruri: You’re team number one.
(Kiyone smiles, clearly savoring the moment. Mihoshi hugs Kiyone. Kiyone happily receives it.)
Mihoshi: We did it!
Kiyone: Yes we did…
(Mihoshi goes on to hug Yurika, who remains cheery and accepting. She also tries hugging Ruri. Ruri takes a step back initially, but can’t dodge it for long. Ruri doesn’t react to it at all.)
Mihoshi: (VO) All this time, we kept telling ourselves
that we were going to do well in space. And we did! We finally did it! We
proved that we can do this! And now we just have to keep doing it!
(Meiling is watching Syaoran’s mecha as it remains still on the battlefield. The sentry is pacing around at a distance.)
Meiling: Come on Syaoran… do something… I need you.
Meiling: I was a little worried when Syaoran wasn’t
doing anything out there. But I reminded myself to have faith in him, because
my fiancé will always pull through!
(Ash and Brock reach the Road Block.)
Brock: Mechanical Skills… goody…
(Brock sees Ryoko doing a status check on her Aesti.)
Brock: Mine!
(Brock glances over the clue, then throws it down and approaches Ryoko.)
Brock: Hey! Mind if I try to get through your Road Block??
(Akatsuki intercepts and leads Brock to the injection room.)
Akatsuki: Please… you really should come up with a better approach.
Ryoko: Like you’re any better Akatsuki!
(Takato and Henry reach the mat.)
Yurika: Takato and Henry? You are the second team to arrive!
(Takato and Henry high-five.)
Henry: To think we were worried for a second.
Takato: Great work, Henry.
(Syaoran is still fixed and trying to focus. He places his hands on the console. He opens his eyes briefly and sees the sentry flying past in a circle. He watches this a couple times before shutting his eyes again. As soon as he does, the Aestivalis springs to life and darts towards the drone. The Aestivalis pulls out its railgun and fires on it. Syaoran opens his eyes- he has blown thine enemy into tiny bits… in thy mercy. He signs and returns to base.)
(Yukino and Arima check in.)
Ruri: Yukino? Arima? You’re team number three.
(Arima’s disappointed with himself. He gets a pat on the shoulder from Yukino.)
Yukino: It’s okay. Next time.
(Brock is out and about with his Aestivalis, trying to destroy his target. He’s doing perfectly fine, except for some shaken nerves because of his position in the race.)
Brock: Where are you?
(It makes its presence known and shoots out in front of the Aesti. Brock darts after it, chases it down, and slices it clean with the sword.)
Brock: Now I just hope we can beat Syaoran…
(He flies back.)
(Syaoran departs and greeted by Meiling.)
Meiling: What were you waiting for?
Syaoran: I wanted to get a feel for where I was. I had to concentrate.
Meiling: Took you long enough!
Syaoran: Well we did it, and we aren’t in last. Let’s just check in.
Meiling: Okay.
(They read the clue and head to the Pit Stop as Ash runs down from the observation room. Ash is looking back and forth between the departing cousins and his teammate. After what seems like forever, Brock arrives and Ryoko gives Ash the clue. Brock wraps everything up and joins Ash.)
Brock: Where to?
Ash: Bridge. Pit Stop. Li’s are already on their way.
Brock: Running time again?
Ash: You know it.
(Brock straps his bag on and the chase is on again.)
(After a brief montage of shots to imply a race to the finish line, it isn’t really. Syaoran and Meiling reach the Pit Stop mat.)
Yurika: Welcome aboard the Nadesico!
Ruri: Syaoran? Meiling? You’re team number four.
Meiling: Wow. All that and we gained a spot.
Syaoran: It’ll work.
(Another brief set of shots as Ash and Brock reach the bridge. Brock takes immediate notice of Minato’s rather busty uniform, but Ash manages to keep him in check and literally drags him to the Pit Stop. Brock sighs, waiting for the inevitable.)
Yurika: Wait a minute? How come you were attracted to Minato, but you’re not reacting to me?
Ruri: Captain, shouldn’t we be discussing the task at hand?
Yurika: I want to know why…
(Brock takes Yurika’s hands.)
Brock: I’m sorry for any misunderstanding.
Ruri: Ahem… Ash and Brock? You are the last team to arrive.
(Both are clearly dejected.)
Ruri: Unfortunately…
Brock: Hold on… in the last seconds I have…
(Brock walks up to Yurika and tries to steal a kiss.)
Yurika: No! Get off! My heart belongs to Akito and only Akito!!
Ruri: Idiots… will you let me continue?
(Brock subsides.)
Ruri: As I was saying… unfortunately… this is a non-elimination leg.
Ash: You mean?
Ruri: You are still in the race.
(Ash takes a huge sigh of relief. Brock now hugs a very confused Yurika.)
Ash: But why did you say it was unfortunate?
(Ruri shifts her eyes.)
Ruri: Oh… no reason.
Yurika: Wait a minute! But they got last place! How come they’re still in the game? What’s this non-elimination business? Would somebody please explain what’s going on?!
(Out of nowhere, Inez walks in.)
Inez: Certainly. Have a seat.
(Ruri, Yurika, Ash, Brock, and Minato are seated around Inez. However, Minato is sleeping.)
Inez: This is the first of three pre-determined non-elimination legs. Since there’s three teams at the end of the race, to have every leg eliminate one team would make the series only nine legs long. Since the producers can’t allow that to happen, they designate non-elimination legs in order to stretch the race out a little bit. It allows teams to race through more venues and give them a more enjoyable experience.
Yurika: So they get off scot free?
Inez: Not necessarily. The positions remain the same. These two will still start in last place next leg. And a team like Kiyone and Mihoshi got a big jump- from third to first.
Ruri: Of course, this doesn’t really matter, since you’ll probably get stuck together on a plane or something right away next time.
(Inez glares at Ruri.)
Inez: Please. Anyway, this leg can be used as a warning to you two. That you’re in danger of being eliminated if you have another performance like this. Most likely, however, this leg can be used to sell our series to fans at home. I consider that more likely, since this is the first of three straight series licensed by A.D. Vision.
Yurika: So basically, this whole episode accomplished nothing but trying to sell Nadesico and stretching out the race into more episodes?
Ruri: Essentially, yes.
(Ruri turns to the camera.)
Ruri: We just wasted an hour of your life. See you next
week.
End Episode Six
Author’s Notes
I think Inez explained the concept behind the non-elimination legs
sufficiently. They do get on my nerves once in awhile, especially last season
when they put two non-elim legs in a row. A team finished last in the first
non-elim, went for the Fast Forward and won the second non-elim, ended up
equalized on a plane to Malaysia, and was eliminated that leg.
Interesting fact: in case you haven’t noticed, a different team has finished
first in each of the seven legs. This was not done intentionally, but is rather
interesting nonetheless.
And just so I don’t get nailed by the science buffs, I’m pretty sure the Sun
actually does set in the West on Mars.
As for the teleporting, here’s a brief lowdown on each failed teleportation:
T&H 1: Pictured deep cavern, ended up at bottom of the hole from Excel
Saga.
T&H 2: Thought about home, ended up in Shinjuku with Jeri.
Y&A 1: Pictured big empty hole on Mars- ended up on Ash’s head.
T&H 3: Thought about getting eliminated, pictured Mars- ended up with
Sailor Mars at hotel housing guests and eliminated contestants for Anime
Survivor 5.
The possibility of a negative reaction to the nano-treatment is semi-important
since it does contribute to one character’s death in the series. I mentioned it
to appease fans. If I remember my statistic correctly, it affects 23% of
people. I didn’t want to use that to affect any teams unfairly, so we’ll just
say Takato and Meiling couldn’t have gotten the treatment.
Megumi Raynard seems to be a jack-of-all-trades, as she is not only the
communications officer, but also an anime voice actress and a registered nurse.
Clearly, she’s a personification of legendary voice actress Megumi Hayashibara.
Hayashibara is also a nurse, and there’s a classic story of how she used her
nurse training to save a man’s life during a banquet in her honor.
Since we’re on the topic of voice actresses, it’s interesting to note that
Brock has the same Japanese voice actor as Yurika’s beloved Akito. I also was
planning a scene between Ash and Jovian Yukina Shiratori (who has the same
voice actress as Pikachu… and actually has dialogue!), but was pressed for
time. On the English side, it’s fun to note that Jeri and Anna Respighi have the
same voice actress.
Next Week on the Anime-zing Race:
* Back to Earth, back to present. But will the time jump throw teams
overboard?
* Ash & Brock decide to roll the dice in a risky venture separating them
from the pack.
* And language problems are a Road Block topic as the teams travel to Paris.