Before the Run - Part 1
Amy was busy replacing the three windshield wipers on the Truckling when the news came in about their starting location. She looked up as Luke came running across the garage, managing to kick over a tool box in his combat boots on the way, sending tools all over the floor. Luke stepped on a garage creeper in his haste to get over there in a hurry, using the wheeled contraption as a rather unstable skateboard.
“What’s the rush, Luke?” Amy asked as Luke bailed off of the creeper, sending it flying across the garage, where it slammed into the door of the paint booth.
“Location data for the race start just came in. Affix winter blades to the wipers, we’re starting in Canada.” Luke said. “A little way outside Quebec City, if these coordinates are correct.”
Jake and Cody came running out of the break room with the same news, only to see the trail of destruction leading up to the car, and Luke talking with Amy.
“So, looks like it could be as cold as the inside of a glacier at the start, and somewhere in the southern US, we’re stopping, so… Let’s make sure the heat and the A/C work.” Cody said.
“Yeah, and now would be a good time to drain the coolant and actually make sure it’s a proper mix. Otherwise, we’ll freeze up.” Jake added.
“So, winter wipers, coolant change, heater and air conditioning. Anything else to add to the checklist?” Amy asked.
“Bring some spare clothes, because we’re going to need winter gear and we’re going to need warm weather gear. The run’s supposed to be over 3,000 miles, so we need to increase our supplies to compensate.” Luke replied. “Thankfully, we’ll be able to find hotels and campgrounds on the way, so lodging is covered, and food’s easy enough to deal with, there’s plenty of grocery stores, we have a hot-plate and a charcoal grill, plus there’s always fast-food. Fuel is, at least, a minor concern. We get 24 MPG, and we have an oil-leak somewhere, which we need to keep an eye on.”
“Forgetting something, Luke?” Amy asked.
“No. Transportation has already been figured out for how to get there. I’ve already gotten the three of you a business-class flight ahead, and I’ll drive the Truckling over the border on the back of our flat-bed tow truck. I’ll have one of the Raceworks Division drive the tow rig back home.” Luke said.
“Wait, you mean… I get to go on an airplane?!” Cody said, grinning.
“Yeah, and business class, too. Not the cramped seats of economy.” Jake said. “You’re not coming by plane, Luke?”
“Of course not.” Amy said. “Last time we went through an airport, Luke caused a bit of a stir. He’s made of metal, and, well, they didn’t like that he’s got this huge chunk of lead shielding around his upper chest. Naturally, Luke tried to explain it, but…”
“But the idiot heard ‘Reactor’ and went, if you’ll pardon the bad pun here, thermonuclear. Suffice it to say that I’m not allowed on airliners. Private planes, sure, but not an airliner. Not that I particularly care. I don’t fit in their definition of a ‘seat’ anyway.” Luke said, finishing Amy’s statement.
“Wait, so… You’re nuclear?” Cody asked.
“Of course. What, did you think I was just a walking bucket of batteries?” Luke replied. “No, I was assembled with enough fuel to last 25 years.”
“And it’s safe? Like, I’m not going to turn green or have my hair fall out from being around you?” Cody asked.
“You’re safe, Cody. Luke goes through a quarterly maintenance check to ensure his lead shielding is still intact. His last service record was-”
“11 days, 5 hours, 14 minutes, and 33 seconds ago. A complete pass, though if you desire, I can have the results printed for you, with necessary redactions to keep classified stuff classified. Suffice it to say that you’re in more danger from the cell-phone in your pocket, listening to the radio, sitting in front of an old CRT television, or laying on the beach on a sunny day. I’d be more worried about flying in an airliner full of people than about sitting in a car next to me. So many germs.” Luke said.
“No thanks. I’ll take your word for it.” Cody replied after a few seconds.
“I appreciate that. The report is 25 pages long, double sided, after all.”
A few days later
Amy, Jake, and Cody sat in their hotel room, having broken into the board games to pass the time. However, their messing around with Clue was broken up by screeching tires in the hotel parking lot, followed by a couple minutes later, a knock on the door. Amy got up and let Luke in, then said, “Been a while. Third game of Clue those two have played, and that’s after two games of chess and one of checkers. Was dreading the eventual game of Monopoly. How’s the Truckling?”
“As predicted. Heat works well, and that V6 cruises nicely. So, the start is in a couple days, and we’re here. Enjoying the vacation so far?” Luke responded.
“Yeah. It’s not as chaotic as I expected. I’m sure that’ll change soon, though.”
