Epilogue
The blue lights go out, and the first red turns on.
The second red turns on.
She knows this track. They’re on Mars, halfway between Olympic City and Clarke’s mom’s house, so neither of them can claim home field advantage. It’s on-planet, which plays more to Julian’s strengths, but it’s a test track for Formula Melee and has some bizarre elements, which plays to Clarke’s.
Third red.
She knows the voice in her ear. Hodge and Lennox are here showing support, but it’s just a quick break for them from post-season recreational interstellar rallying.
Clarke has prepped for this with Amira, and it’s Amira who’ll talk her through what’s ahead.
Maki’s in her support crew. Sara’s cameras are overhead.
Matthew’s commentating. Her family is in the stands.
The whole Council of Moms is in the stands.
Fourth red.
She knows there’s a sticker on the wing of her ship that says Connor Bennett, and she knows that somewhere, he’s watching and cheering them on.
Final red.
She knows her competitor. Five minutes before they got into their ships, he’d kissed her and said, You’ll still love me when I leave you in the dust, right? and Clarke’d said, You’re cute when you’re delusional.
The lights go out.
Clarke and Julian race.