Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Mrs.Salamone
English9AP2
October2,2014
RacingForJustice
ChapterI
ItwasabeautifulsunnymorningonJune24th,2015inthestunningcityofLos
Angeles,California.Therewasntasinglecloudinthesky,andthesunbeatdownon
thecitywithablazingheatof95degrees.Thewholecitywaspeacefullygoingabout
theirbusiness.TylerMartin,a22yearoldchampionoftheFormulaDriftRacingSeries
waybackin2012,wasdoingwhathealwaysdoesontheweekends,workingonhis
550HPScionFRSDriftCar.Asforhisapparel,hetypicallywearstheusualforarace
cardriveraTShirtwiththeFormulaDriftlogo,grayLevijeans,andcustomtailored
DCShoeswithhissignaturelivery,andhisiconengravedinthesole.Tylersbest
friend,KevinPeterson,rodehisbikeoverfromdownthestreetandwalkedintoTylers
garage,packedwithcars,bikes,partsandtools.Tylerhowever,wasnowheretobe
seen.
Tyler?HeaskedYouinhere?Tylerrolledoutfromunderneathhiscarand
setdownawrenchonthetable.Hisfacewascoveredinblackgreasefromthecarand
hisclotheshadathickcoatingofdustanddirtonthem.
Yup,businessasusual.Iminstallinganewexhaustsystem.Whatdoyouneed
bro?Heasked.Kevinpulledapieceofcrumbleduppaperoutofhisbackpocketand
handedittohim.
TheNiseiShowoffisthisweekdowninLittleTokyo,youknow,likethewithall
theimportsandpartsandstuff.Iwasseeingifyouwantedtogo.Kevinwondered.
Tylerreadthroughtheflyerthoroughlyandtheneventuallyansweredback.
Yeah,IjustheardaboutthisfromtheSpeedhuntersblog.Maybewecango
andourcarscanbeintheshow.HeflippedoverthepamphletandshowedittoKevin.
Oh,anditsaysherethatwecanreservespacesintheshowifwerelookingto
takepartinit.Tyleradded.Heglancedoverathiscar,thenbackdownatthepaper.
Idontknowifmycarisshowqualitythough.Imightneedtolowerthesuspensionabit
moreHesaid,scratchinghishead.
Alright,then.repliedKevin.Illgogetmycarreadyfortheshow,Illmeetyou
thereinlikehalfanhour.Hehoppedbackontohisbike,androdehometopreparehis
SubaruWRXfortheshowaswell.
Asthecarspulledintotheshow,thelinestartedtogrowandthecrowdgot
denseranddenser.Kevinfoundhiswayovertospacenumber278andparkedhiscar
andnexttoTylers.TylerglancedatthebackoftheSubaruandnoticeditwaspullinga
bigtrailer.
HeyKev,whatsinthetrailer?heasked.Kevinranovertothebackand
gesturedforTylertocometakealookforhimself
Here,Illshowyou.Canyougoonthatsideandhelpmeopenthedoor?Tyler
steppedtotheothersideofthetrailerandunlatchedthelock.Withoutwarning,the
hugedoorcamesmashingdown,whichrevealedhis1996MazdaRX7whichheused
todrivebeforehepurchasedhisFRS.Thecarwascoveredinasheetofdust.Itwasnt
rusty,butitstillhadveryclearsignsthatithasntbeendriveninyears.Itspaintwas
startingtochip,andsomeofthesponsorshipdecalswerepeeling.Thecarwasahuge
pieceofmemorabilia,becauseafterall,itwasthecarthatstartedTylersracingcareer.
Ohwow,myMazda!Whatsthatthingdoinghere?Hechuckled,ashestaredat
whatseemedlikeanancientartifact.Justlookingatthatbringsmewaaaaaybackto
myfirstchampionshipwinin2012.Whydyoudecidetobringit?
Well,eversinceyougavethiscartome3yearsago,itsliterallyjustbeensitting
inmysheddoingabsolutelynothingwhatsoever.SoIthoughtIshouldbringithere.
Kevinreplied.TylerstaredatitforafewsecondsandthenshiftedhisviewtoKevin.
Doesitstillwork?Heinquired.
Ihonestlyhavenoidea.respondedKevin.ButIguesstheresonlyonewayto
findoutright?Tylersmiledandjumpedintothedriversseat.
Ha,right!Tylerjumpedintothecarandpulledthekeyoutoftheglovebox.He
satdownintheCorbeauracingseatsandgraspedhishandsaroundthesteeringwheel.
Tylerfeltaroundinsidethecarsinterior,whichfeltstrangetohim,ashehasntseenit
in3years.Hefinallyputthekeyintheignitionslotandpushedthebigilluminated
EngineStartbutton.
Ok,momentoftruth.saidTyler.Theenginestruggledforabit,butitfinally
roaredtolife.TylerandKevinlaughedabouthowthecarstillworkedafterallthattime.
Alrightthen,letsgolookaroundattheothercars.saidTyler.
ChapterII
Thelotwascoveredinhundredsofcars,sponsoringtents,andpartstands.Even
someofthemostwellknowntuningcompanieswereattheshowsuchasForged
Performance,EvasiveMotorsports,Bisimoto,andSPEngineering.Therewasan
unimaginableamountofvehiclesbymanufacturersincludingHonda,Nissan,Subaru,
Toyota,andmanymore.Nomatterifitwasadriftordragcar,showcarordailydriver,it
wasthere.Thecrowdgatheredaroundlikeacolonyofants,andfilmedcarsasthey
rolledinandoutofthehugelot.TylerandKevinwalkedaroundforhourscheckingout
cars,buyingparts,andgaininghelpfultipsbythetopmechanics.Tylerthensawatent
andimmediatelypointeditouttoKevin.
Hey,Checkitout!ItstheT.M.DriftTeam.Thatsmyteam!Icantbelievethey
showeduphere!TylerandKevinbothranoverandTylerbegantotalkwithManny,
oneofhispitcrewmembers.HeyManny,howsitgoing?askedTyler.
Oh,supTyler.Imdoinggreat,thanksforasking.Wewerehopingyoudshow
uphere,takealookatthis.HehandedabrochureTyler.TheRedbullDriftShifters
raceseriesisgonnabehereinLAforthenextcoupledays.Youinterested?Iheard
theresgreatcompetitionthisyear.
Yeah,Imnotbusyatallthisweek.Idontseewhynot.Heanswered.Manny
smiledandshoutedovertotheotherguys.
Hey,Tylersenteringtherace.Getthebackupcarsready.
Wait,youhavebackupcars?Ithoughtitwasjustthenewone.askedKevinto
Tyler.
Ohyeah,theresanS13,anM3,andtheresaSuprabeingbuiltattheHQin
SanDiego,Illhavetoshowyouitsometime.Ialsohavesomeothercarsbackatmy
place.Tylersaid.Anyways,Manny,weregonnacontinuetolookaround.Illbeatthe
racetomorrow.
Alright,seeyouattherace.Mannyresponded.
TylerandKevinkeptwanderingaroundtheshowuntiltheypassedanotherteamstent.
Itread3rdStreetDriftTeam.Tylerbegantowalkovertotenttoaskiftheywere
joiningtherace.
Tyler,wait.Imprettysuretheresagangsomewhereintownwiththesame
name.advisedKevinsuspiciouslyasheglancedatthetent.
OhcomeonKevin.Thosegangsarelonggone,andeveniftheyarestill
around,thisiscompletelydifferent.WhywouldtheycometoaJapanesecarshow
anyways?Tylerassured.Kevinsighedandfollowedhimovertothetent.
Alrightman,butImtellingyou,Ivegotareallybadfeelingaboutthis.Kevin
cautioned.
Dude.Seriously.Itsnothingtoworryabout.Justfollowme.Tylerinsisted.
Okayfine,butifitturnsouttobeagang,ImsayingItoldyouso.Heresponded
astheyapproachedthetent.Therewereafewguysstandinginthetentworkingona
Nissan350Zfortherace.OnemannoticedTylerandKevin,sohewentovertogreet
them.
Hi,mynameisBrunoMagadino.Imthefounderofthe3rdStreetDrift.Itsnice
tomeetyou.HesaidasheshookhandswithTyler.
ImTylerMartin,youveprobablyheardmynamebefore.Heboasted.Areyou
guysalsojoiningtheDriftShiftersevent?
Yeah,ofcourseIveheardyourname!Youreoneofthebestknownracers
thesedays,especiallyafterthewinin2012.Alsoyes,wearejoiningtherace.Were
lookingforwardtoseeingyouaswellastheotherracerstomorrow.Brunocommented.
Thanksfornoticingmeman,seeyouround!Tylercalledastheyonceagain
continuedtolookaroundattheshow.TylerlookedovertoKevinwithanobnoxiously
smuggrinonhisface.Somuchforthembeinggangsters.Thatguyseemedpretty
cool.
Wellmaybehesnot,butIstillhaveastrangefeelingabouttherest.Explained
Kevin.Kevinwasalwaystheonetobeskepticalabouteverything.
Yeah,yeah.Anyways,Imgonnaheadhomenow.Imprettysureweveseen
almosteverythinganyways.Feelfreetocomeoverifyouwant.Tylersaid.
Okaythanks,Illcomeover.Ivegotnothinggoingonprettymuchallsummer.
hedecided.
ChapterIII
Theybothwalkedovertotheircars,takingalastlookateverything,and
navigatedthealwayscrowdedstreetsofLosAngeles.TheyfinallyarrivedatTylers
house,whichhedescribesasaHumbleShack.Itwasanenormousmodernmansion,
overlookingtheLAshoreline.Ithas4floorswithafullyfinishedbasementandattic.
Thereare5bedrooms,3.5bathrooms,andmanyotheramazingfeaturesincludinga
scaleddowndrifttrackforRCcars,a3cargaragewithaliftandstorageunitsforparts
andtools,andagameroomwithhightechracingsimulatorsequippedwithRecaro
Raceseats,SparcoSettantaShiftKnobs,andcustomHydraulicEBrakeshookedupto
a4KOLEDTVmonitorforagenuinedriftingexperience.Throughouttheentirehouse,
therewerealsothingssuchascarRims,Shocks,Trophies,andPicturesrelatingto
eventsandracesthatthefamilytookplaceinoverthepastyearsofracingthatwere
hungonthewallsaskeepsakes.
TylerandKevinsteppedintothehousethroughthegaragedoor.Tylersdad,
Trevor,wassprawledacrossthecouchwithabagofLaysPotatoChipsandacanof
BudweiserwatchingthefootballgameonESPN.Ittookquiteabitforhimtopeelhis
eyeballsawayfromthemassiveTV,butheeventuallydidandthenwelcomedthem
home.
HeyKevin,itsnicetofinallyseeyouagain.Heboomedwithhismouthfullof
chips.HeimmediatelystaredbackattheTV,andscreamedwildlyastheteamscoreda
touchdown.
HelloMr.Martin.Kevinwaved.TheybothgrabbedaPepsifromthefridgeand
wentupstairstoTylersbedroom.Astheywerewalkingdownthehallwaytohisroom,
Tyleropenedthedoortothebedroomofhis17yearoldsister,Kayla,anddecidedto
sayhello.
HeyKayla!Howsitgoing?screamedTylerinapurposefullyobnoxiousvoice.
Kaylawastexting.Sheslowlylookedupathim,clearlyunamused.Kaylawastheonly
oneinthefamilywhodidnthaveacareerinracing,oranycareerforthatmatter,and
shefoundTylerextremelyannoying.Tylersparentswanthertoembracethefamily
heritage,butapparentlyshedoesntfastcarsandfame.
Goaway.Shecommanded,andinstantlydirectedhergazebacktothephone.
WhatdidIdo?Hechuckled.Iwasjustgonnagiveyouthis.Hetossedhera
TylerMartintalkingactionfigurethathegrabbedfromhisteamstentattheshow.
What.WhywouldIeverwantthis?IhavetherealTylerMartinasmybrother
anditsnotanybetter.Kaylademandedasshestaredatthetoy.
Justpressthehand.Tylersaid,smiling.
Fine.Kaylamutteredasshepressedthedollshand.Hi,ImTylerMartin!Ima
racecardriver!Itsaid.Kaylawasagitatedatthefactthatthedollgaveanaccurate
representationofTyler.Allshedidwaslookupwithanannoyedglareonherface.
Wow.Itssadbecauseyouactuallyintroduceyourselflikethat.TylerandKevin
bothlaughedandwalkedtoTylersroom.Thewallswerecoveredinpostersandparts,
andontheshelvessatOfficialT.M.DriftTeammodelcars,RCCars,andother
productsrelatingtohimselforhiscars.Hisbedsheetsweredecoratedwithlogosofhis
sponsors,andheevenhadaminifridgedesignedwiththesameliveryashiscarthat
wasfilledwithhisTyleradesportsdrink.
Kev,youwantsomeTylerade?Itsmysignaturesportsdrink.Heaskedashe
chuggeddownanentirebottle.
No,thatstuffisdespicable.Itsonlysugar.Whydoyouevenhaveitanyways?
Like,seriously.Kevinquestioned.
Yeahthatsthepoint.AndIdontknow,theteamcameupwithitforsome
reason.Iguesssomebodythoughtitwouldbeagoodidea.Tylerrespondedashe
finishedthedrink.Anyways,Ishouldprobablygetmycarreadyfortherace.Tyler
tossedtheemptybottleacrosstheroom,attemptingtomakeitintothetrashcan,which
wasanoldwheelfromhispastcarthatwasextendedandhadabaginsideit.He
missedandsighedloudlyashewalkedoutandheadedbackdownstairs.Kevinjumped
outoftheseatandfollowedhimdowntothegarage.Heopenedthedoorleadingtothe
garage,andthelightsautomaticallyfadedonforacinematiceffect.Tylerwalkedover
andpulledanenormoustoolboxoutfromthecabinetsthatranalongthewallsofthe
garage.Hethenpressedabuttononaremoteandthecarstartedtoraiseuponthelift.
So...Whatdoyouneedtodotogetyourcarreadyanyways?Kevinaskedas
thelookedaroundthegarage.Andwhichcarwillyouuse?
IllprobablyjustusetheScion,Imreallyusedtothatcar.TheZ32doesnteven
workanymoreandtheInfinitiismystreetcar.AllIneedtodoisprettymuchjustswitch
outthetires.Tylersaidashepulledoneofthemoff.Afterafewminutesofboringand
repetitivework,hefinishedputtingonthelastoneandloweredthecarbackdownto
Earth.Hewentoveronelastmandatorychecktomakesurethecarwasintopshape
fortheracethatwascomingup.
Well,thatjustaboutdoesit.Youwantmetodriveyoutotherace?Tylerasked.
Nah,Illtakemyowncar.Illmeetyouthere.Kevinreplied.Seeyoulater.
Kevinheadedoutthedoorandwalkedovertohishouse.Shortlyafter,Kevinpulledinto
thedrivewayinhisWRX,soTylerfireduphiscar.Hebackedoutandsignalledfor
Kevintofollowhim.Theybothdrovethroughthetwistingstreetsandfollowedothercars
untiltheyeventuallyarrivedatthesiteoftherace.KevinstoppednexttoTylerand
rolleddownhiswindow.
Whereareyousupposedtogonow?Kevinasked.
Idontreallyknowwhatweohwaitnevermind,myteamisoverthere,said
Tylerashepointedtoatent.Imgonnagooverthere,soIguessyoucanparkover
theretoo.Theybothdroveovertothetentandsteppedoutoftheircars.Thetrackwas
setupinaclosedoffsectionoftheLAstreets.Therewasevenasectionwherepeople
couldtryouttheRCCarsonaminiracetrack.Peopleswarmedtheconcessionstands,
waitinginlinesofhundredsofpeopletogetclassicgrilledAmericanburgersand
hotdogs.Dozensofcars,enginesscreaming,whippedaroundthetrackfollowedbyan
enormouscloudoftiresmoke.Thepitswerefilledwithhundredsofcarsbeingworked
onandpreparedfortherace.Thesoundsofpowertools,bangingmetal,andwailing
turboswereallaround,andcarswereconstantlybeingtruckedinbythedozen.Tyler
andKevinwerebothamazedatthecrowdofthisyearsrace,andtheskillofsome
otherdrivers.
ChapterIV
HeyTyler,youmadeit.saidManny,Tylerscrewmember.
Ofcourse!Tylerreplied.Iwouldnevermissoneoftheseraces.
Ha,yeah.Mannychuckled,Anyways,yourcarshouldbegoodtogo.Wewere
gonnagiveitatune,butitlooklikeyoualreadydid,so
Okay,wellIshouldprobablygoovertostagingnow.Tylerrepliedashehopped
inhiscar.Thestagingareawasanenormouslineofcars,builtandracedbytheworlds
topdrivers.Theracewasonasmallareaofthepublicstreets,enclosedbyyellowand
whitebarriers.Thetrackhadavarietyofdifferentobstacles,includingthetrailerofa
SemiTruckthatcarsneededtodriftunder.RedBullusesaspecialtypeofsystemto
determinethewinner.Abunchoflasersensorsattachedtotheobstaclesmeasuresthe
distancethateachcarcomeswithinit,andscoresappropriatelybasedonhowclose
theycangettotheobstacle.Onebyone,driversdroveandgotranked.Carsincluding
Supras,Silvias,RX8sandevensomepickuptrucks,screamedaroundthetrack,untilit
waseventuallyTylersturn.
NextupwehaveTylerMartin!Tylerhasonlygottenintothedriftingsceneback
in2012,butdontdoubthisskill,cuzhesgotplenty.HewasthechampionofFormula
Drift,andhessuretonotdisappointtoday.LadiesandGentlemen,TylerMartinandhis
ScionFRS!ScreamedtheannouncerasTylerdroveuptothestartingline.
Well,heregoesnothing
.hethoughttohimself.Herevveduptheengine,
watchingcloselyatthelight.Afteraseeminglylongmomentofsilence,thelightflashed
green,andthecarflewofftheline.TyleryankedontheEBrake,andswungafullleft
turn.Theengineroaredashedriftedaroundametallargebarrel,comingwithin
centimetersofhittingit.Heproceededon,flyingdownthetrack,anddriftedunderthe
truck,withahugecloudofsmokeandthescentofburningrubberfollowinghimlikea
shadow.
But,ashewasabouttoexitthetrack,anallblackSUVcamespeedingoutof
nowhere.ItrammedthroughtheplasticbarrierandstruckTylerscardirectlyinthe
center.Thiscausedittoshakeandspinviolently,andthecarflewoutofcontroluntilit
smashedintothesideofthewall.Tyleralmostblackedout,buthesawthattheengine
hadcaughtfire.Hestruggledtoripoffhisharness,buthefinallysethimselffree.The
crowdwasdeadsilentwhentheywatchedinterrorastherescueworkersrushedtothe
trackandtriedtopullTylerfromthecar.Thedoorswerecompletelycrushed,withthe
locksjammedintothesidepanels,makingitnearlyimpossibletogetthemopened.
TheyhadtousetheJawsofLifetoprythedooroffthecarandpullTylerout.They
immediatelyputTyleronastretcherandrushedhimtothehospital.Asheglancedout
oftheambulancesrearwindow,hewascompletelydevastatedatthesightofthe
flamingmangledheapoftwistedmetalanddistortedpartsthatusedtobehiscar.
ChapterV
Thenextmorning,Tylerwokeupinthehospital.Hetriedtomove,but
excruciatingpainshotuphisentirebody.Hesatinthebedandcontinuedtothinkabout
theaccidentuntilthenursecameintotheroom.
Tyler,afewvisitorsareheretoseeyou.shesaidasTylersparentswalkedin
followedbyKevin.Theyallhadworriedlooksontheirfaces.
Hey,howsitgoingsport?askedhisdadashesatontheseatnexttoTyler.
Itsgoingfine,thanksforstoppingin.ThedoctorsaidthatIfracturedmyright
armandthreeribs,hesaidIcouldbeokaytoleaveinaweek,butIwontbefully
healed.Ijustneedtowearthespecialbraceandeverything.hereplied.
Well,trytakeiteasy,okaysweetie.saidTylersmomasshehandedhimaGet
WellSooncardandputflowersonthetablenexttothebed.
OkayTina,Ithinkweshouldheadhomenow.Tylerneedshisrest.saidTylers
dadtohismom.TheywavedgoodbyetoTyler,whowavedbackwithhissomewhat
functioningleftarm.Kevinstayedintheroomhowever,totalktoTyleraboutthe
accident.
Um...So..Iknowyouprobablydontwantmetomentionthisbut,Impretty
suretheoneswhohityou,purposely,werethosemafiamembers.Kevinbegan.He
triednottousetheIToldYouSovoicethathealwaysuses.
Yeah,Ikindoffiguredthat.Butwhatwasthereason?Whyme?Tyler
wonderedasheturnedontheTV.Thenewsstationswerealreadycoveringthestory.
Itmightjustbethattheywantedtowintherace.Redbullgivesmajorawardsfor
thewinnersoftheirevents.Kevinresponded.
Yeahbuttheresmuchbetterdriversthanmeandtheycouldvewaitthatsit!
Theyregoingtotakeouteverydriveronebyoneateachraceuntiltheresonlythem.If
theresnocompetition,theywinbydefault.Dude,wehavetodosomething.saidTyler
ashesatupinhisbed.
Ithinkitwouldbebestifwejuststayedoutofit.Kevinansweredworryingly.
No,we
have
todosomethingnow.Theywontstopuntiltheywinthemoney,
andgangstersdontexactlygivetheirmoneytocharity.Tylerprotested.
Buthowcanweevendoanything?Kevinreasoned.
Theresonlyoneway.Webecomecops.saidTylerwithasomewhatrevengeful
grinonhisface.KevinwasshockedatTylerspretentiousness.
Wait,areyouserious?heasked,completelypuzzled.
Ofcoursedude!OnceImoutofhere,IllgototheHQ.Theyllconvertthe
MazdaintoacopcarandIlljointhepoliceforce.Tylerexclaimed.
Yeah,butthattakesyearsoftrainingtobecomeapoliceofficer,andeventhen
youwouldstillbeaKevinwasinterruptedmidsentencebyTyler,whowas
continuouslyplanningouteverydetailtotrackdownthegang.
Trustmedude,Ivegotmyways.MyfriendThomasMitchellisaPoliceOfficer,
Imsurehecanhookmeup.Tylersaid.
Okayman,butonceagain,itsallonyou.Kevinsaidashewalkedoutofthe
roomandheadedbackhome.
Tylerspenttheweekinthehospital.HehadendlessTVandallyoucaneatfood
aslongasthenursewasstillpatientenoughtobringittohim.Healsohada
spectacularviewoftheLAskylinefromoutthewindow.Forhim,itwasakindof
paradise.Oncehewasokaytobecheckedoutofthehospital,hecalledKevinandtold
himthathewouldpickhimuptobringhimtotheteamsHQ.
Heyman,howyoudoing?TylersaidhappilyasKevinclimbedintoTylerscar.
Dude,howareyoulikethisaweekafteryougotsideswiped?heasked.Tyler
justlaughedashepulledawayanddrovetohisdriftteamsheadquarters.TheHQwas
amassivebuildingmarkedT.M.Industriesontheside,anditwasfilledwitheverything
relatingtocars.ItwasbasicallyanenormousversionofTylershouse.Ithadmultiple
storagebayswithliftsandtoolsineachoneforfixingthedriftcars.Therewasalsoa
gameroom,kitchen,andbedroomsforeachmemberoftheteam.Ashepulledup,he
enteredthroughthefrontgatesanddrovethroughoneofthemanygaragedoorsinthe
sideofthebuilding.Theybothclimbedoutofthecar,whichwasimmediatelytakento
oneoftheserviceareasbythecrewteam.
Whoa,thisplaceisimmense!commentedKevinImgonnagolookaround
Tylerbegantowalktowardsthemainoffice.Atthefrontdesksatthemechanicand
supervisor,MannyLewis,whohappilygreetedTylerwithasmileafterseeinghim
almostfullyrecovered.Tylerwasbackonfeetquickly,buthiscarwasawholeother
story.
ChapterVI
Well,Ifitisntthebigmanhimself,hechuckled,Itsgreattoseeyouingood
conditionafterthataccident,thoseguysreallydidanumberonyou.andyourcar.
Mannypointedovertothegaragearea,wheretheFRSsat.Itwasstillnomorethana
twistedframeandafewparts.Alloftheotherworkerswereswarmedaround,
constantlytweakingwhatlittleremainsofthecarandcallinglocalshopsandteamsfor
moreparts.
Ohwow,atthisratetheymightaswelljustbuyanewone.Tylersaid.
Yeah,buteventhestockversionsdontcomecheap.AbrandnewFRSwillset
youback27grand.Mannyreplied.IthasalsobeenconfirmedbytheLosAngeles
PoliceDepartmentthatyouwerehitbyatruckbelongingtothe3rdStreetGang,but
theirlocationisstillunknownasofthispoint.
Yeah,andtheyremostlikelygoingonacrimestreaktotakedowneveryracer
inthecity.Tylerinformed.Ivealsodecidedthatbecomingapoliceofficerisalikely
optionnow.ImgreatfriendswithOfficerThomasMitchell.
Thatlldo...Imstillyettomeethim,butyoushouldtakeanyopportunityyoucan
get.Thegangisstillalloverthenewsandallthestationssaytheyneedtobestopped.
Mannyadvised.
Illgivehimacallsoon.IneedtogofindKevinandtakealookatthecar.Tyler
saidashewavedwhilewalkingoutoftheoffice.Tylersteppedoutoftheroom,making
hiswayovertoservicebaynumber4,wherehiscurrentcarsat.Oneofthemechanics
stoppedworkingbrieflytotalktoTyleraboutthedamagereport.
Manthisthingstotalled.Tylersaidtothemechanicashestaredathisteams
workandmoneygonedownthedrain.
YeahIknow,heresponded.Thechassiscanbefixed,thebodyworkis
basicallygone,andtheenginecomponentsareprettymuchjustscraps.Ifyouarestill
consideringgoingbacktothatrace,IdsuggesttheS13.Thisthingwontbemovingat
all,atleastforawhile.
EithertheS13ormyoldMazda.Thatcarwasthebestintheindustryback
whenIranthe2012series,anditevenfiredupatthecarshowafewweeksback.I
knowitwouldneverfailme.Imnotsureyoureawareofmydecisiontojointhe
L.A.P.D,butifIdo,IdhaveyouguysconverttheMazdaintoapolicecar.Tylersaidin
return.ThemechanicnoddedhisheadandreturnedtoworkontheFRS.Tylerwas
onceagaingreetedbyKevin,whohasbeenwanderingaroundwithintheHQinthe
meantime.
Youandyourteamhavereallygotagreatsetuphere.Thegameroom,thetrack
thekitchen,Imean,youcoulddefinatelylivehereifyouwantedtowithnohassle.
Kevincommented.Also,haveyouspokenwithOfficerMitchellaboutyoujoiningthe
force?
Tom?No,wehaventtalkedyet.Iwasactuallyabouttogodrivedowntothe
policestation,youwannacomewith?Tylerasked.
Nah,Igottaheadhome,thanksanyways.Kevinresponded.Hesatdowninhis
owncaranddrovehome.
HeyManny,comehelpmebringtheMazdadowntothepolicestationonthe
trailer!Tylershouted.Mannydraggedthetrailerandhitchedituptooneoftheother
workerstrucks,aliftedblackFordF150Raptor,TylerthenclimbedintotheMazdaand
loadeditupontothetrailer,whichwasratherdifficultconsideringthatthecarwastoo
lowtodriveuptherampandnotbottomout.Ittooksometimeandalotofpushing,but
thecarwassoonhookedupandreadytogo.Alrightythen,Imofftotalkwithmyfriend
aboutjoiningtheL.A.P.D.
Okay,seeyouround.Hookusupifwebecometheonestoturnthatthingintoa
copcar.Mannysaidashewaved.Tylerweavedthroughoutthetwistinggridlocked
streetsofLAandmadehiswayovertothepolicestation.Tylerarrivedandmaneuvered
themassivetruckandtrailerintoasmallareanexttothepolicestation,jumpedout,and
enteredthebuilding.Coincidentally,OfficerThomasMitchellwasalreadyatthefront
desk.HelookedupandsmiledtoseeTylerstandingthere.
ChapterVII
HeyTyler,longtimenosee,huh?HesaidasheshookTylershand.Itsnice
toseeyouingreatshapeafterthathorrificaccident.
Ha,Iguesseverybodyknowsaboutthatnow.Imjustheretotalktoyouabout
becominganofficertotrackdownthe3rdStreetGang.Tylerreplied.
Ohyeah,definitelydude.Ofcourseyoullneedbasictraining,butotherwiseits
fine.Iknowhowwellyoudrivebeingaracerandall,andwedoneedsomeprodrivers
inthepoliceforce.Justcomerightthisway.repliedTomashesignalledforTylerto
followhim.TomshowedTylersomebasicmovesandweapons,aswellasother
essentialknowledgerequiredtobecomearookiepoliceofficer.Thetraininglasted
abouttwoandahalfhours,butTomalsopromisedtoteachhimmoreontheway.As
theywalkedtothebackroom,TompresentedTylerwithauniform.
ThisisyourofficialLosAngelesPoliceDepartmentuniformandbadge.
Welcometotheforce,OfficerMartin.Tomsaidwithpride.
Wow,soImofficiallyacop.Tylersaidashestareddownastheshinygolden
badge.ThismeansalottomeTom,thanksforthetraining.
Ihaventasked,butyoudonthappentoalreadyhaveacardoyou?Heasked
astheysteppedoutthedoortoparkinglotofthepolicestation.Thisiswherewekeep
ourcars.
Yeah,IvebroughtmyoldMazdaRX7along.Ijustneedtoknowthe
requirementstogetmyteamtoconvertittoaPoliceInterceptor.Tylersaid.
Well,itneedstoolstorage,lights,frontbars,andabackseatareaforthe
criminals.Alsoitneedstolooklikeacopcar.TominformedTyler.
Okay,IlltextmymechanicbackattheHQtokeepthatinmind.IthinkIllalso
headbacktherenow.Illseeyoutomorroworsomethingwhenthecarisready.Tyler
said.
Alright,Itsbeennicefinallyseeingyouafterallthistime.RespondedTomas
TylerclimbedbackintotheRaptor.TylerdrovehisshortcommutebacktotheHQ,
wherehisteamwasassignedatasktoconverta650horsepowerdriftcarintoaPolice
Interceptor.TherewerealreadyguysfromPlatinumWrapswiththepolicecarvinyls,as
wellasafewotherswiththelights,cages,andothervariousaccessories.Sincethecar
wasmeanttogofast,itwaseasytomakeitintoahighspeedpursuitvehicle.Tyler
didntwanttointervenewiththework,sohejustbrieflytoldMannytocallhimwithinthe
nextdaytolethimknowwhenthecarisdone,thendrovehomeinaNissanSilviaS13,
oneofthemanybackupcars.Oncehearrived,hesathimselfinfrontofhiscomputerin
hisroombecauseheddecidedthatitwouldbeagoodideatoresearchthegang,and
getaheadstartifhewantstotrackthemdown.Hefoundoutsomevitalinfosuchas
whatcarswereeitherboughtorstolenbythem.Thisincludedtheexactonethathegot
hitby,ablackedoutCadillacEscalade,licenseplateconvenientlyspelling3RDSTRT
Youwouldthinktheydwanttobestealthyaboutit,
hethoughtashewrotesomethings
downinasmallnotebook.Healsofoundoutwhatracesthatthe3rdStreetDriftTeam
registeredfor,thenextonebeingHyperFestinoneday.
Theteambettergetthecar
finishedquickly,
Tylerthoughtashecontinuedtotakenotes.Outofboredom,he
glancedoverattheclock,whichwasdesignedtolooklikeacar'stachometer.Itwas
2:34intheafternoon,andsincehehadnothingtododespitethefactthathelivedina
massivecarthemedmansion.
Hedecidedtogotothelocaltrackforafewhours,andhefiguredthathemight
aswelltaketheNissanSilviaforaspinwhilebothofhiscarswerebeingworkedon.As
itturnsout,theclosesttracktoLosAngelesisWillowSpringsInternationalMotorsports
Park,whichisabout90milesaway.However,itwasopendriftday,sohestilldecided
totakethetimetodrivedownthere.Hesteppedoutofthehouse,leavinganoteforhis
parents,andclimbedintotheNissan.Hedroveonthefreewayforanhouruntilhe
finallyarrivedatWillowSprings.Theparkinglotwasfilledwithcars,mostlyownedby
peoplewhobuiltthemusingpocketchange.Therewereonlyafewofficialteamsatthe
practiceday,andsinceitwasallforfree,hejustdecidedtodrivewithoutanyhesitation.
Ashethrewthecarintothecorners,herealizedthatthiscarwasnothinglikehis
currentcars.Ittooksometimetogetusedtoithavingonly450horsepower,butitwas
unbelievablyfuntodriftdoortodoorwithrandompeoplethatwerealmostathisskill
level.Tylerracedaroundthetrack,doortodoorwithothercarsforalongtime,and
whenhedecidedtogo,itwasalready6intheevening.
Ohwow,Ishouldgetgoing
,
Tylerthoughtasheglancedathisphone.Bythetimehegothome,itwas6:30.He
grabbedaquickbiteatInNOutBurger,andthengotacallfromMannyaboutthecar.
ChapterVIII
HeyTyler,youwannacomedowntocheckoutthecar,theguysarefinished
withit.hesaidasTylergobbleddownthefood.
Wow,youfinisheditthatquickly?!Tylersaid,amazedattheirworkingskill.
Yourealizeitsbeenlike5hourssincewestartedright?Mannyreplied.Allwe
didwasputpolicestickers,lights,andcages.
Ha,yeah.Illcomedownsoon,ImatInNOutrightnow.Tylerchuckled.He
hungupthephone,finishedthelastofhisburger,anddrovebacktotheheadquarters.
Whenhearrived,hewasmetbyManny,aswellasTom,whowasalsocalleddown.
Afterall,TomwastheonewhotrainedTylertogethisofficialpolicebadge.Thecarwas
presentedintraditionstyle.Thegaragedooroftheservicebayslowlyopened,and
revealedonlytheflashingofblueandredLEDlights.Asthelightstothegaragefaded
on,thewholecarwasrevealed.Thecar,whichwasbeingdrivenbyamechanic,slowly
rolledout,andtheroarofthequadrotorenginefilledthebuilding.Thesideofthe
vehiclereadLosAngelesPoliceEnforcer,andsinceitwasoriginallyadriftcar,there
wasalsoadesignthatsaidToProtectandSwervefortheironiceffectthataracer
wasapoliceofficer.
Thisdefinitelyhastobethebestlookingandsoundingcopcarofalltime.Tom
saidastheybothstaredatthecar.
Yeah.Bestpartis,itsmine.Tyleradded,amazedatwhathadcomeoutofa
19yearoldcarthathadbeeninashedfor3years.TylerstaredblanklyatTomand
askedWellnowwhat?Wegotthecar,nowwejustneedtofindthecriminals.
Idsaytojustgetsomesleepandwecanstarttrackingtomorrow.Itsalready
like6:30orsomething.Tomreplied.
Okaythen.Imgonnaheadhomeandstartrestingearlyfortomorrowmorning.
IllseeyouthenIguess.TylersaidasheclimbedintohisnewlyrevampedMazdaRX7.
Seeyouearlyinthemorning,dude.TomsaidasTylerdroveaway.Whenhe
arrivedathishouse,hewasgreetedbyhisparentswithasmileonbothoftheirfaces.
Congratulations,Tyler!Wereproudofyouforbecominganofficialpolice
officer!theybothsaidatthesametime.
Thanksguys.Ineedtogetsomerestformyfirstmissiontomorrow.Tylersaid
ashewalkeduptohisroom.Eventhoughitwasonly6:45intheevening,hestill
managedtofallasleep.Thenextmorning,atexactly6:23AM,hereceivedacallfrom
TomtomeethimatthePoliceStationwithKevin.TylerdrovedownthestreettoKevins
houseandrangthedoorbellasmuchtimesashecouldbeforeKevinfinallycamedown.
WhatinthenameofEarthareyoudoing?Kevinaskedwhileholdingamugof
coffee,stillhalfasleep.
Yourecomingwithmetotrackdownthegangsters.Tylerrepliedhappily.
What,like,now?Kevinmutteredexhaustedly.
Yeah.Tylersaid.
Ughhh.Kevinmutteredashecloseshisdoor.Hecamebackmomentslater
inshortsandaTShirtandhoppedintoTylersnewcar.
Dontworry,thiswillwakeyouupTylersaidasherevvedthemassiveengine
andflooredthegaspedalashepulledaway.MinuteslaterhearrivedatthePolice
StationandgreetedTom.
Riseandshine,huhKevin?Tomlaughed.Kevinonlyrepliedwithagroan.You
readyforthisTyler?
Ofcourse,man.Ibroughtanotebookfilledwiththingswemightneed.We
shouldprobablygonow.TylersaidtoTom.Tomhoppedintohisowncar,aChevy
CorvetteZR1,andtheybothdroveoffinsearchofthenotorious3rdStreetGang.After
awhileofdriving,theybothwoundupinthesketchypartsofthecity.Allthepeople
wereawakeanddoingtheirmorningroutines,whichmostlyinvolvedguns.
Howarewesupposedtofindtheirhideoutinallofthis?Tylerasked.
Idontknow.Idtrycheckingdownneartheolddocks.Wecansplitupwhenwe
getthereuntilwefindsomething.Theybothdrovecautiouslydowntotheloading
docks,andbegantosearcharounduntiltheyfoundsomething.TylerandTom
separatelypatrolledthearea,checkingeveryabandonedwarehouseandstorage
building.TomthencontactedTylerusingthewalkietalkies.
Tyler,IthinkIfoundsomethingthatmightbethegangshideout.Comedownto
thewaterfrontnearalltheboats.Hesaid.
Imonmyway.Tylerresponded.Tylerdrovedowntothewater,whichwas
filledwithhundredsofoutofcommissionedshippingboats.OncehemetwithTom,they
allsteppedoutofthecars.
Thosefourabandonedboatshavemakeshiftwoodenbridgesconnectingthem.
Andlook,thereareabunchofstoragecontainersofthatbigone,forcarsmostlikely.
Tompointedout.
Alright,letsgocheckitout.Kevin,youcanstayinthecarifyouwant.Kevin
trudgedoverandcollapsedbackintotheseat.TomandTylerslowlyboardedtheship
usingsomewoodenboardsthatwereplacedthere.Theboardwaswideandthick
enoughtosupportacar,butthedecidedtowalksotheycanstayundercover.They
carefullymovedthroughoutthefourinterconnectedships,untiltheyfoundthemselvesin
thebasementofthebiggestone.
Shhh,IthinkIheardsomethingfromaroundthecorner.Tomwhispered.They
quietlywalkeddowntheemptyhallwaytoaroom.Thedoorwaswideopened.
Illlookinside.Tylersaidashepeeredinside.Theresawholebunchofpeople
sittingatatable.
Whatshouldwedo?Tomasked,stillbeingasquietaspossible.
Idontknow.Weshouldjustlistenuntilwehearsomethingsuspicious.Tyler
whisperedback.
NowthatTylerMartinistakencareof,wereonestepcloserto50grand.saida
voicefrominsidetheroom.Nextweeksraceiscomingupsoon,andthatswhenwe
takeouttherestoftheracers.
TylerandTombothjumpedintotheroomwithoutwarning,holdingtheirgunsup.
Thatsallweneededtohear.Putyourhandintheair,youreallunderarrest.
Tomsaid.Themenatthetableputtheirhandsupexceptforone.Themanstoodup
andwalkedtowardsthem.
ChapterIX
Well,well,well.IfitisntTylerMartinhimself.Youmightremembermefromthe
show.ThenamesBrunoMagadino,Irunthisgang.Imafraidthatwewontbetaking
ordersfromyou.Showem,boys.Brunosaidastheyallpulledoutguns.Tylerand
Tombothduckeddownbehindthedoor,whichgavealltheotherstheperfectopening
toruntotheircars.TheybothchasedBrunodownthenarrowhallsoftheboat,who
keptoccasionallyshootingatthemandslammingdoorsbehindhim.Brunothenranup
astaircasetotheshipsdeckandclimbedintoaholeinthesideofstoragecontainer.
Whentheygottothedeck,theywerenearlymoweddownbyanSUV,thesameone
thattookoutTylerduringtherace.
Getdown!TomyelledashepulledTyleroutoftheway.TheSUVcame
speedingoutfrominsideofthecrateanddrovedownthebridgetoescape,followedby
twoothertrucks.TylerandTomrandowntherampandjumpedintotheircarstochase
afterthem.
Wow.Ireallyhavingabadfeelingaboutthisone.Kevinsaidsincehehasbeen
sittinginTylerscarthewholetime.
Stayoptimistic,Kev.Tylerchuckledasthebothspedawaytohuntthegang.
Thetrucksweavedthroughnarrowalleysofwarehousesandstoragecratesforseveral
minutesbeforesmashingametalgatetoexittheshipyard.Sinceitwaspracticallya
onesidedracebetween650horsepowersupercarsandafew3tontrucks,theodds
whereclearlyinfavorofTomandTyler.Thecarsbeingsolighthowever,madeit
difficulttobeabletotakeoutthetrucks.
Tyler,weneedawaytotakeoutthetrucks.Iftheygetintoheavytraffic,they
couldputciviliansatrisk.TomsaidastheychaseddowntheSUVs.
Yeah,wecanrequestaroadblockoraspikestripifwedontdosomething
aboutthis.respondedTyler.
Bynow,thegangstersweremakingtheirwayontothefreeway,whichwasfilled
withinnocentpeoplethatcouldbeingreatdanger.
Dispatch,highspeedpursuitonLincolnBoulevardhighway.Requestingbackup,
over.Tomsaidtothemainpolicestation.
Imgonnatrytotakeoutoneofthetrucks,Tyleryelled.Itcouldalreadybetoo
latebythetimebackuparrives.Tylerflooredthegas,rocketingthecarforwardswith
brutalaccelerationforce.Asheclosedinonthetruckinbackoftheconvoy,heturned
sharplyintothecorneroftherearbumper.Thiscausedthetopheavytrucktorotate
sidewaysandflipover,leavingittotalledatthesideoftheroad.Tylerglancedinthe
rearviewmirror.Backuphasarrived,andonecarstoppednearthewreckagetoensure
thatthecriminalsdontgetaway.Theother3carsjoinedthechasewithTomandTyler,
buttheywouldsoonbenouse.FordCrownVictoriastopoutat130milesperhour,and
thechasewasconstantlyacceleratingpastthatmark.Theywerejusttheretocatchthe
criminals,assumingtheyarestoppedintime.TomandTylerbothacceleratedtoone
sideofthesecondtruck,sandwichingitbetweenthebarriers.Thetruckturnedtoo
close,whichalsomadeitflipover.
OnetogoTyler,keepitup!Tomexclaimed.
TheonetruckleftwastheonedrivenbyBrunoMagadino,theleaderoftheinfamous
gang.Hewasntplanningongivingupeasily,andhetriedtotakeoutTylerscar.Asthe
SUVswervedviolentlytotheright,Tylerjammedonthebrakes,avoidingbeing
smashedtopiecesbyafewmerefeet.Thetruckscrapedthesideoftheconcretewalls,
butBrunosaveditbeforealsoflippingover.
Idontknowaboutthisone.Tylersaid.
OfficersMitchellandMartin,fallback.Aspikestriphasbeenplantednearyour
location,oversaidavoicecomingfromthewalkietalkies.Thespikes,asitturnsout,
wereabout500feetawayfromthem,anddrivingoveroneat160milesperhourcould
befatal.TylerandTombothjammedontheirbrakesatfullforce,causingthemtospin,
butstillsafelycometoastop.Theywatchedinhorrorasthetruckattemptedtoswerve
totheside,thenranoverthespikeswhilehittingthebarriers.Thetruckwentintoa
highspeedsomersault,flipping13timesbeforecrashingtoahalt.TylerandTomboth
ranover,handcuffingthe5menthatwereinthetruck.Theywerecheckedfor
significantinjury,andwereescortedtothepolicestationbythebackupcruisers.
Sothatsthat.Tylerannounced,stillinshockatwhathadhappened.
Iguessso.Tomreassured.
Wannagetadonut?Tylerasked.
YeahTomreplied
ChapterX
So,whatdoyouthinkaboutyourfirstdayonthejob?Tomaskedashe
muncheddownhisbreakfastatRandysDonuts.
Itsalotofwork.Ilovedoingthingsforjustice,butImjustaracer,andIwantto
sticktothat.Tylerresponded.
Thatsfine.Youcanstillbeanofficer,butyouonlyneedtocomeinwhenwe
needyou.Tomsaid.
Oh,solikeavolunteertypeofthing?askedTyler.
Yeah.saidTom.
Okay,Imcoolwiththat.Tylerreplied,finishinghislastbitesofhisegg
sandwich.AlsoIjustrealizedthatHyperFestistoday.Ithinktheteamalreadysigned
meup.Youwannacome?
Sorry,Igotworktodo.MaybeKevinwantstowait,whereisKevin?Tom
asked.Theybothglancedoutthewindow.KevinwasasleepinTylerscar.Apparently,
hewassleepingthewholetime.Theybothlaughed,sinceKevinhadmissedallofthe
action,evenwhenthecarswerealmosttakenoutby3massivetrucks.
IthinkIshouldjustbringhimhome.IshouldprobablygoTylersaidashe
wavedatTom.
Seeyousoon,TylerTomaddedasTylerwalkedoutsideandheadedhome.
WhenhearrivedatKevinshouse,hehadtowakehimup,buthewasaverydeep
sleeper.
Kev,Kevin!KEVIN!!!!screamedTylerwhilerepeatedlypunchinghiminthe
shoulders.Tylerwassurprised
Huh,what?Kevinaskedashejoltedupintheseat.
Yourehome.Tylersaid.
Oh.Thanks.Kevinacknowledgedashestrolledovertohisfrontdoorstepand
trudgedinside.Tylerthendroveallthewayacrosstown(again)toHyperFestLA,andin
thelot,histeamwasalreadywaitingforhimwiththeNissanSilviaS13.
Iknewyouguyssignedmeupforthisagain.Tylerchuckledasheshookhands
withManny.
Yeah,Iknowright.WedecidedtobringthisoldthingsinceyourScionisnteven
inmovingconditionyet.Mannyreplied.
IlovetheS13,Itmakesitallthatmuchbetterthatthesteeringwheelisonthe
rightside,too.Tylercommentedasheclimbedintothecar.Ijustarriveandtheraceis
abouttostart.Thisoneisntforanyprizethough,Itsjustforfun.
Justforthecrowdsentertainment.Mannyanswered.Tylerenteredthetrack,
filledwithcarssuchasCorollas,MiataswithV8engines,andtonofothercarsthatwere
attheotherrace.Thehornblasted,andthecarsbarreledofftheline.Tylerwasinawe
thatthetiny2.0LiterSR20Nissanenginewasmanagingtokeepupwiththecarsthat
hadnearly1000horsepower.Theracelastedforalmostahalfhour,beforethedrivers
wereorderedtogolookatthemainshow.Tylerexitedandmaneuveredthecarbackto
histeamstent,andclimbedbackoutofit.
Man,thatwassomeintensestuffrightthere.Itremindedmeofthatopentrack
day.Tylersaidashewipedoffhisforehead.
Yeah,itlookedincrediblyfunthough.Mannyadmitted.
Itwas.Tylerlaughed.Tandemsthesedaysareinsane.Tylersphone
suddenlyranginhispocket.Tylerreachedinandpickeditup.ItwasTom.
Hey,whatsupTyler?IthinkIfoundusanothermission.Tominformed.
Onthesameday?Whatisit?Tylerwondered.
YoumightwannacomeoverandseethisTomreplied.
THEEND