Space Race (Space Race 1) Nathan Hystad (ebooks children's books free .TXT) 📖

“Strong heart, strong mind,” Holland said. It was probably a saying from his father. Most of what he said could be traced to his mentor.

“That’s fine, but the therapy. Isn’t that taking it a little far?” Jade complained. She hated talking with the team of doctors about her past, her dreams, and her present state.

“A strong mind…”

“All right, we get it. Everything is connected, but when do we take number eleven for a test ride?” I draped my towel over my head.

“He hasn’t told me. But it’ll be soon.” Holland started for the showers.

An hour later, I was clean and in a fresh SeaTech jumpsuit, sitting in the doctor’s office. My therapist was an older man who loved to wear beige pants and a white shirt with the Corporation’s logo on the chest. Doctor Gunner’s Tab was always in his hands, his leg crossed to prop it up so I couldn’t read his notes. I wondered if Bryson Kelley would take time to read the assessments or not, but I could only comply with the hopes this charade would end soon. We didn’t have long before the Race began, and talking to a shrink wasn’t going to win us the rights to Proxima.

“How are you today, Arlo?” His voice was soothing, and he wiggled his foot while he waited for a response.

“I’m okay, Doc. You?” He hated it when I asked him questions, but would answer the trivial ones, so I took it as a win.

“I am well. Did you sleep all right?”

“Look, can we cut to the part where you tell me I shouldn’t have punched a CEO, and that I need to focus on being present instead of projecting my issues onto unrelated targets?” I didn’t know what set me off, but I was suddenly tired of this.

He made a few notes, not speaking. “Arlo, I’m here to help you win the Race.”

“And how are you going to do that?”

“Have you ever been in a situation where you acted impulsively?” He raised his gray eyebrows.

“Of course I have,” I muttered.

“And perhaps, if you were able to assess what made you feel angry enough to strike that man, you might have made a rational decision.”

“He had it coming. Frank Under only wanted his product safe, and for me to leave those innocent people stranded while they were killed. Not on my watch,” I said defiantly.

“Seems reasonable. So you’ve determined that it was the proper choice?” he asked.

It made me think. I pictured the smug CEO’s face as he told the public how proud he was of a heroic pilot’s actions, and when we were behind closed doors, how he’d flipped into a raging madman. He’d cursed me for losing time and product, and for damaging his ship. Punching him had been the logical course of action, despite being dropped by the largest Corp and throwing my dreams away.

“It was the only choice.” My words felt like a monumental achievement, like a chapter had finally been closed.

“That’s what your new boss was hoping to hear. SeaTech wants you to make those impulsive selections, Arlo, and not to be cautious because of your previous ones. You’re to fly and lead this team with the heart of a hero.” Doctor Gunner pointed to his chest right where the logo sat. “Do you understand?”

“I get it.”

“Terrific. Why did you give up racing when you were at your prime?” The question came out of nowhere.

“I’d tired of winning. I’d won the races, set the record times.” I smiled, thinking that some of those records still held, despite the improved technology.

“There’s nothing more?” Doctor Gunner asked.

“Like what?”

“Mr. Kelley wants to be certain you can disassociate yourself from what happened to Mr. Lewis on his trip to Proxima.” The doctor wiggled his foot up and down, staring at me with interest.

“If Bryson wants to know if I can still race and not throw it because of some deep recessed anger at the loss of my grandfather, then tell him he has nothing to worry about. I worked through that years ago.”

“Very good. You’ve done well… congrats.”

Despite my initial hatred for the sessions, we’d had a real breakthrough, and I was lighter for it. “Gotcha, Doc. Does this mean…”

“Our time is up. I think you’re wanted on the island.” Gunner smiled and clutched his tablet close as I walked away.

“Thank you,” I told him from the exit.

“You can thank me by winning the Race,” he said.

Jade stood in the waiting room, and Luther walked out, his posture stiff. “Time to move on.”

“What did you guys discuss?” I asked them.

“I had to work through my rage issues with smug pilots,” Luther said, his tone friendly.

Our time together had bonded us, and I could imagine Bryson pulling the puppet strings from an office and chortling.

“I had to deal with some stuff, but she really helped, if you can believe it,” Jade relented.

Holland was the last to join us, and I was glad he was being forced to do the same sessions as we were. He wasn’t getting off any easier. His eyes were slightly watery, but he smiled affably. “Guess we’ve passed the first round. Dad wants us at the volcano.”

“I don’t like the sounds of that. Which of us do you think he’s sacrificing?” I asked.

“Definitely the kid. It’s always the innocent virgins that make the best sacrifices, right?” Luther asked, nudging Holland on the shoulder.

“Funny, guys. The volcanoes are no longer active,” he said.

And just like that, we’d completed a physical and therapy-filled week.

____________

The Pod settled on the ground in the high altitude, and despite the fact that it was a balmy eighty-five near the beach, it was windy and chilly up here. Bryson held a Tab, and as usual, he was alone as we approached.

“Welcome to phase two,” he told us.

Jade braved the question: “How many phases are there?”

“That depends on how you perform.” His response was quick. He’d anticipated being asked.

“Where is she?” I asked. We were up so high, the clouds