She took it. “Wouldn’t have been possible without an honest machine,” she answered. He smirked, and for a second, the rivalry softened into kinship.

The horn blasted.

At the starting line, neon lights flashed. Opponents lined up like predators: the chrome-plated Titan from Bayfront Syndicate, the sly Sand Serpent with its oversized tires, and Rook, a veteran with a stoic face and a history of last-second moves. A crowd pressed rails and leaned forward, phones raised, breath held.

Through Coral Crescent and past the luminous reef, the racers hit the boost pads—some caught them clean, others misjudged and somersaulted in a spray of spray and laughter. Luna timed her boost to the rhythm of the track, conserving for the Tunnel of Echoes where echoes distorted perception and confidence crumbled. In that dim corridor of shadow and light, she kept steady, eyes on the reflections that warned of trickier lines ahead.

The sun sat low over Seaside Cove, painting the palm-fringed cliffs in syrupy gold. Tiki torches sparked to life along the boardwalk, their flames dancing in time with the distant roar of engines. Luna “Luna-Bug” Reyes eased her hand off the steering wheel and listened—felt—the heartbeat of her buggy: a tuned V8 growl, a promise of speed. Tonight’s race was more than prize money; it was a chance to prove to the island that grit beat gimmicks.

“Same time forever,” she said.

“Same time tomorrow?” someone called.