Stories of the Fuel Speedway (Volume 3)

By Bernard Bayede

Set against the backdrop of the paradise Island Province of Azania, Stories of the Fuel Speedway Vol. 3 brings back the high octane racing action you've com to expect from Monday Night Fuel and the climactic pay-per-views. When the gorgeous Indian beauty, Devì won the Royal Championship at the Second Formula-X Grand Prix, she made some enemies, none more hungry than Stevie, fresh off her monumental victory in Gauntlet IV. But it would be the even newer faces of the series that would steal the show...

'Plain' Jane Deyi an unsuspecting Xhosa girl makes one of the greatest debuts of all time while Saharan-born Savana will leave you remembering her name for a long time to come.

Meanwhile, some old faces return such as Solo Magubane in an unforgettable homecoming; while other find love such as Touch, Jim and 'The Impaler' himself, Thawn Oberhauser. So strap in as the stakes continuously rise leading to an epic season finale culminating in an all out motorsport WAR!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bernard Bayede
• Release date: May 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215886557

Bernard Bayede

Bernard Bayede is a South African author with a taste for out-of-this-world stories of science fiction and fantasy. Born and raised in beachside province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Bayede has taken his love for sci-fi and fantasy and combined it with an African setting. Bayede has already published his first three books, The Bowman's Apprentice and Other Stories; Ignighted and Planet of the Rings. He is currently working on his fourth book (a sequel to Ignighted) and fifth book, Planet of the Rings Volume 2.

Book preview

EPISODE 1: ALL HAIL THE QUEEN

6th of September – Season 3

Devì had never really been shy about being in front of the camera. In fact, the word shy wasn’t part of her vocabulary which was why she was currently dressed in tight leather pants and matching cropped leather jacket over an even tighter crop tank top. She was hot and she knew it. However, tonight wasn’t about her looks.

Devì had spent the entirety of the off-season using her modelling experience to gain exposure for Formula-X and its most sovereign prize. Now, it was time for her to introduce herself to the patrons of the Fuel Speedway. She’d acquainted herself with the F-X exclusive social network known as the Formulary and it was there that the fans (known as the fandom) made her aware of a unique statistic that she’d be earning tonight. She was the first ever racer to wear the Formula-X championship crown having never participated in a race on Monday Night Fuel.

Of course, this made sense when one considered the fact that she debuted at The Second Formula-X Grand Prix where she’d won the Formula-X Royal Championship. But that was four months ago. It was now September. It was now a new season. And Devì could feel it in the air as she walked through the large doors under large FUEL SPEEDWAY sign and onto concourse for the first time. It was an interesting experience but a familiar one as no one could take their eyes off her, including the racers.

She saw Styles Sithole next to a merchandise stand and Darcy Stevens buying a coconut-covered snowball, both staring a hole through her. Devì wasn’t bothered at all. As far as she was concerned, as long as they understood that she was the center of attention, it didn’t bother her.

I hope you’re taking it in because you only get to make one first impression. The words were spoken by Terrance ‘Moodswing’ Moodley approaching her. I’m surprised to find you walking the concourse. I was sure I told you that as royal champion, you’re allowed to drive right into the paddock?

You did but I wanted to walk the concourse. The people deserve to see their queen in the flesh. Like you said: first impressions, she lied.

However, Moodswing seemed to see right through her. You want all eyes on you, don’t you? But before Devì could say anything else, Moodswing shot his eyes to the entrance, behind Devì. Well, you might have competition on that.

Devì turned around to see three gorgeous women with caramel complexions walking in wearing very low-cut outfits with very leggy bottoms. It earned the attention of the patrons in the concourse with many a man whistling in admiration. Of course, what was shocking about all this was the fact that the three women were the three Koeks: Brenda, Doris and Teresa.

Devì wondered what on earth was going on. Aren’t they Catholic? Is this a cry for attention? Devì didn’t know. All she did know was that they were stealing her spotlight and she wasn’t going to take it lying down.

Moodswing, when is my coronation in the line up?

It’s in the final slot of the night, like you requested, said Moodswing remembering her request to have the last race slot – not to be confused with the last segment slot which was somewhere in the middle of the racecard.

"I’d like to change that. I want my coronation to go on first. As in, right now."

Moodswing looked at her almost dumbfounded. "You know that was the original idea, right? You’re the one that asked to go on last. So I rearranged the whole racecard pulling tonight’s feature race down into a support race slot so you could go on last. And now you want to change all that now?"

This wasn’t the first time that Devì had asked for something in an established schedule to be changed because she didn’t like it. Fortunately, her smile was like her superpower: devastatingly gorgeous and charming as a snake. She demonstrated it. Yes.

Moodswing took a moment and shrugged. Okay. Let me find Glen and see what I can do.

Before the F-X Racing Club President went far, Devì made one more request. And do you have any fireworks about the place? Devì used her smile again… it could get her anything.

LATER AT THE CLUBHOUSE

It was now minutes before the show was about to begin and Devì was ready, complete in a shiny orange ball gown with an elaborate headrest standing in front of a float that was about to slowly make its way around the Fuel Speedway as she made her debut. While Devì waited for her time to come, she listened to Glen as he made last-minute arrangements.

Okay, so the fireworks you requested are currently being placed. And they will be launched high into the sky as requested. Glen’s attention was diverted. Well, well, well. If it isn’t Formula-X’s intrepid reporter, Toney Kunene. What news do you bring?

Toney was about to answer when she saw the look on Devì’s face that screamed: show me some respect. Your majesty. You look lovely.

While no one was under any obligation to call her ‘your majesty’, Devì had made it clear that she was fond of the term by mentioning it – playfully and politely of course – at every possible opportunity during the off season on social media and offshoot interviews. She was glad to see people were listening. Thank you, Toney.

I look forward to your coronation. Toney’s words seemed insincere because as soon as she’d uttered them, she turned to Glen. Well, I just had an interview with Styles about his most recent success with his clothing line in the winter.

Well good for him, said Glen.

I thought success in Formula-X was measured by wins on the racetrack. The silence in response to Devì’s words were deafening. It was clear that Toney wanted to say something to the newest recruit but refrained upon seeing the golden Formula-X champion helm – the crown – under Devì’s arm.

Well speaking of the racetrack, continued Toney, there is one development which I think could lead somewhere. Toney explained the most recent drama in the paddock which started when John Kloof arrived and immediately complained that he wasn’t involved in the Royal Tourney that Moodswing had announced on the Formulary to determine Devì’s first challenger. Kloof was immediately confronted by Penny Potgieter who was in the Tourney and mocked the family man.

Glen smiled. Moodswing is gonna love that. Day one of Season Three and there’s already animosity building. What else is going on?

Toney explained that Wikus Rothschild – another F-X reporter – managed to interview Thawn Oberhauser who’s still bitter about losing Gauntlet IV at the Grand Prix. Thawn said, and I’m quoting here, said Toney reading off a notepad. He said, ‘What happened at The Second Formula-X Grand Prix was a fluke and a travesty. My moment was stolen from me. Rest assured, those involved will get what’s coming to them and I will get my vengeance.

Glen was smiling from ear to ear. "Wow. That’s like something straight out of Kill Bill. I love it."

Toney was amused by this. I can see that, which is surprising. Usually, it’s our fair-less leader who loves a scandal and drama.

What can I say, the sports opera genre is growing on me. What else you got?

Well, Belinda can’t stop talking about her interview with Moodswing about the Formula-X Cup so there’s that.

Excuse me, said the F-X Royal Champion, not caring for all of this. Can we get on with the show now?

Not a problem, said Glen smoothly. We’re all set to go.

Devì, not liking the level of respect that Glen was giving her, decided to throw more of her weight around. And can you tell Moodswing that there’s something else I’d like.

And what’s that, your highness?

The feature-race. Devì hadn’t been looking at Glen when she’d spoke but looked at him now as he gave her a narrow-eyed look. I want to race tonight and I want one of those koeksisters in the race. Devì paused as if waiting for him to respond but then continued when he didn’t. And make sure he bills it as the ‘All Girls Closing Act’.

Now that Devì had sufficiently displayed her powers as queen, it was time to introduce herself to her subjects…

ON THE FUEL SPEEDWAY RACETRACK

The coronation was a spectacle from the word go. It started with confetti seemingly falling from the sky as the float began its long and slow journey across the slanted ‘L’ track. Devì knew that it would remind the fandom of one of Thawn’s ostentatious middle-stage celebrations with him circling the track in his white limousine. Devì had made a point to make hers more Indian themed.

Ever since the Grand Prix, Devì had decided to sport the national colors of India with her attire and race car, the most prominent of which was orange. It was why Devì always included orange in her clothes which included an orange bustier earlier and an orange gown now. When Devì finally got to the middle-stage, fireworks erupted into the sky like it was the 4th of July in America.

When Devì got onto the middle-stage, she took a microphone and prepared to make an address. "Now I know that many of you are a little upset simply by my presence here especially as I defeated arguably the best F-X racer on the roster. But the fact and the matter is, I did defeat him and as such I am your new F-X Royal Champion; your queen.

Now, I am hoping to follow in the footsteps of all the kings that came before me and be a proud F-X ambassador and expose this franchise to the world. And speaking of kings, I would like to acknowledge that as the first ever female to hold this, she said earning a loud cheer from the females in the crowd, the most sovereign prize in sports entertainment, I hope to usher in a new era in motorsports and establish a bright future for female racers in this franchise.

By the time the speech was over, Devì was sure that she had more fans on her side than she had before tonight, but was aware that there were still people who didn’t like her simply because she’d debuted at the top rather than having climbed the ladder like everyone else. But Devì didn’t care because she knew she’d get the chance to win them over… like in tonight’s feature race.

THE FEATURE RACE

Devì took note of the fact that the fandom seemed to warm up to her when they saw her orange and blue vehicle, The Avatar. Rightfully, it was a magnificent machine, built completely from parts that Devì had imported from India. It was followed onto the track by Doris Koek’s The Corporal Faith and Fiona’s The Scarecrow.

The race started with Fiona grabbing this unique opportunity by the throat and taking the lead of their unique 30-Lap 3-way match race. Doris ‘The Nunnery’ Koek followed her in second with the queen in last position. The race remained like this for 10 straight laps until Doris did the unthinkable and used her power-boost button to contest the number one position. It was a move that very few had dared to do outside of pay-per-view.

While Devì could feel the fandom’s doubt grow as she was still last in Lap 20, her plan revealed itself as she finally found a gap and not only passed Doris to capture 2nd place but also passed Fiona soon after to capture 1st just as Lap 21 began. Devì then began to defend her position and successfully held onto the lead to win the race.

As Devì lifted her hand and championship crown in victory, she thought about whether she’d earned everyone’s respect. She doubted it though. But then again, this was just her first appearance this season. Perhaps after she defended her title for the first time, then she’d earn it. However, she’d have to wait for the Royal Tourney to be won before she’d know who her opponent was.

EPISODE 2: THE SEMI-FINALIST

15th of September – Season 3

Styles crossed the finish line and swore. As he took off his helmet, preparing to get out of The Cursed Conundrum, he noted the approaching mechanic – a fourth year mechanical engineering student at NMU in truth, under Moodswing’s internship program – and gave him a stern look. This isn’t working, said Styles. There’s still too much drag.

I know, said the mechanic. I think it’s the filter. We need to change it. Sorry, Styles.

Styles had never known how to be angry at someone who’d apologized. Well that’s why we practice, isn’t it? Currently, they were on the training circuit just outside the Formula-X Racing Clubhouse and adjacent to the Fuel Speedway. Styles waited while the mechanic tweaked what he could and spent the time browsing the Formulary. One series of posts that caught Styles’ attention was the interactions between the F-X Royal Champion and one of her opponents from last week, Doris Koek.

While Devì had attempted to congratulate her opponents on their performances in the main event of last week’s episode, ‘The Nunnery’ – having come last in the 3-way contest – took exception resulting in Glenwood Jacobs intervening and sanctioning a relay race between the teams of Devì & Fiona and Brenda & Doris Koek.

Styles simply smiled and rolled his eyes. Freak’n sports entertainment man, thought Styles. Styles was still waiting when his practice session was suddenly interrupted by three approaching women dressed in very revealing outfits.

Well if it isn’t Mister Monday Night, said Brenda, the eldest sister.

Preparing to kick ass and take names, huh? added middle sister, Doris. As Doris was speaking, Styles’ eyes had naturally veered south of her face and parked on her torso, almost studying her bosom and slim belly. It took what felt like forever for Styles to finally avert his eyes catching those of the youngest sister, Teresa who smirked and mouthed she’s up there, stud, to him giving Styles a sheepish smile. Doris hadn’t noticed any of this.

So are you ready for tonight? asked Brenda, mercilessly changing the subject. I hope you are because I’m rooting for you.

You are? asked Styles, surprised considering that she was the one he’d beaten to advance to the semi-finals.

Yep. Look, if I’m going to lose in the opening round of a tourney, it’s much better to lose to the guy who’s going to win the whole damn thing.

Yeah, added Doris. So you better win, Crusader.

You sound like Thawn, said Styles.

Speaking of that jackass, said Teresa, seamlessly pulling out a green R10 bill and handing it to Brenda who hid a smile, you should be looking over your shoulder. After what that guy said, he’s clearly out to get you, Stevie and Touch.

Teresa was talking about Thawn Oberhauser announcing to the fandom that he was going to avenge his loss of Gauntlet IV from The Second Formula-X Grand Prix. And he was going to do it by defeating each of them in the very near future. Fortunately, rumor had it that Thawn would be taking on Touch Mkhize tonight.

Well Touch will have to deal with him this week because I got my hands full, said Styles.

We hear ya, Styles. Brenda tapped her sister on her shoulder, starting them away. C’mon girls, let’s get out of here, and leave Mister Monday Night to train. He’s gonna need it considering who he’s up against.

As the three gorgeous coloreds left, he couldn’t help but ponder Brenda’s final words. She was right. Considering who he was up against, he needed all the practice he could muster. That was the only way he was going to defeat the former Formula-X Royal Champion, Mandla Xulu.

LATER THAT NIGHT IN THE PADDOCK

Having practiced his heart out earlier in the day, Styles was the picture of calm as he sat in the paddock watching Monday Night Fuel kick off with the commentators doing a pre-show panel that, to their credit, made the Royal Tourney sound incredibly prestigious. Styles liked this because that in turn, made the Formula-X championship crown sound even more prestigious in its own right.

Captain Khumalo and Miss Honeycomb continued by running down the competitors in the semi-finals including their statistics and achievements. This made Styles smile as this made him sound much more impressive than Styles believed himself to be as they had included his success in Gauntlet III and his headlining of Speedom Day in Season 2. Of course, they had also run down his opponent, Mandla.

As the pre-show segment came to an end and the racing began – with John Kloof and Penny Potgieter finally clashing following their spat last week – Mandla came over to Styles, clearly looking for a psychological edge. So, were you paying attention just now? Were you listening to what they were saying? Did you hear them rattle off my achievements?

Without giving Styles a chance to answer, Mandla repeated them. "Twelve Rounds Derby winner; headliner of The First Formula-X Grand Prix; former two-time Relay Champion and Former Formula-X Royal Champion. And let’s not forget that I’ve headlined eight – count them, he said holding up eight digits, eight – pay-per-views."

Styles thought of something clever to say and smiled when he got it. I think the operative and repetitive word in all of that is former but go on.

Mandla gritted his teeth. I don’t think you get how bad this is for you, Sithole. You see, you think this is your chance, your opportunity to get to the top but the truth is you couldn’t be further from the truth. And you want to know what the truth is?

Sure, why don’t you lay it on me.

The truth is that you’re nothing but a minor league, bee-plus player. You’re a career support racer, Sithole. And this opportunity that you think you have; this chance is actually only going to make things worse because after tonight, you’ll be the one thing you don’t want to be. You’ll be canon-fodder.

Styles took this all in his stride, not showing that it had gotten to him. Instead, Styles pondered his brain thinking of how to get back at Mandla when he remembered how much Mandla liked having the last word and smiled once again. "You know something, Mandla. You think you have this in the bag because you’ve been at the top before but the fact is, that will be your undoing.

You see, Steamroller, you don’t want this as badly as I want this. You’ve had it before so you’re just not as hungry as someone like me. And what you don’t realize is that as much as me losing tonight will put me in a worse position than where I am; it will be so much worse for you. Because after tonight, you are the one that will be canon-fodder.

As if on cue, the crowd broke into cheers. While it was for the ending of the opening race which saw Penny come out victorious, the cheers could have very well been for Styles’ verbal smackdown on Mandla. The situation was so poetic that Mandla was forced to walk away leaving Styles with the last word.

ROYAL TOURNEY: HEAT TWO – RACE ONE

By the time Styles walked onto the racetrack, he was in a determined mood. As if it wasn’t enough that Mandla had so thoroughly pissed him off, Thawn had also exacted part one of his vengeance plan and defeated Touch making for one very determined ‘Cryptic Crusader’. Styles revved The Cursed Conundrum, and listened to that engine turn over. He then looked over at Mandla sitting in The Shosholoza and smiled. Styles could feel it… he was going to win this one.

The race started off with a bang with the former king taking the lead, eager to prove his words right. As the first lap finished up with Mandla still in the lead, it was clear that Mandla was well aware that he only had 10 laps to win the race (in contrast to the 15 laps that feature-racers were used to in the weekly main events) and was holding onto the lead for dear life. Fortunately, Styles’ training accounted for Mandla adapting to support races and he began to fight back.

As the laps went on, Styles kept the pressure until the 7th Lap late in the race where Styles finally found a gap. But instead of simply slipping through it, Styles decided to humiliate Mandla by doing what he did best and executed a beautiful power slide and allowed him to make a breath-taking overtake. The crowd went wild as the ‘Cryptic Crusader’ took control of the race.

With Styles taking control of the race, the pace quickened with the excitement rising to an all-time high. The fandom could feel it. They could feel the upset coming. Styles was in the lead, only one lap to go. He was about to win the race and go on to the finals and Mandla could feel it, the desperation rising as the suspense and tension rose. And then it happened… Styles crossed the finish line and the crowd lost it.

Styles was still buzzing from the win when he walked into the Winner’s Circle. The emotion was flowing out of him. So when Geeza Gabashe asked him his feeling on his win, he’d barely heard him. It was a hard fought victory, that’s for sure. Last year, people said I was on the rise but I failed to complete that rise. This year, I won’t make that same mistake.

Geeza then asked what he credited to his success tonight and Styles mentioned his mechanic as well as The Cursed Conundrum itself as if it were a person. But then Geeza mentioned his opponent: the winner of the next race, which was when, for the first time, reality set in and Styles realized that it wasn’t over. His journey towards the crown and the feature race of Arbor Games was one more hurdle away: the Royal Tourney finals starring him and whomever one the next race…

ROYAL TOURNEY: HEAT TWO – RACE TWO

Styles was back in the paddock barely able to sit still with excitement when Darcy Stevens and Jim Kieck made their way to the racetrack. As they did, Styles turned to see a seething Mandla attempting to make a bee-line for him when he was intercepted by Touch who asked him if he wants to be his guest tonight on his talk show. Mandla accepted, relishing the opportunity most-likely talk trash about him.

The second semi-finals started slower than Styles’ race, with Stevie and Jim feeling each other out. It was interesting to watch as the suspense grew as the first and second laps went by with both competitors staying nose and nose with no apparent leader. Styles loved what he was seeing because it told a story.

While Jim had been king once – as the commentators had made a point of pointing out during the pre-show segment – he’d only held the title for a couple of weeks meaning that he was essentially in the same boat as Stevie: he needed this victory to climb to the top and get a shot at the crown.

In fact, the commentators pointed out that Stevie and Jim’s careers were so similar that they were practically identical in that they’d both had a taste of being feature-racers and had even headlined pay-per-views on more than one occasion and were now hellbent on getting to the top of the mountain. This race displayed that as both racers kept the pressure on. But as the halfway mark of the race came about, Stevie began to break away, gaining the lead.

Last week, Styles had been shocked to see the power-boost button used in the feature race as the use of the button on the Fuel Speedway had been unofficially discouraged due to the tight bends and was usually only used on the PPV street circuits. So, when Jim used the button to capture the lead, everyone – including Styles, the fandom and the other racers – were on their feet. To Styles, this showed just how much Jim wanted this.

The next couple of laps saw Jim hang onto the lead for dear life. Unfortunately, Stevie overtook Jim towards the end of the 8th Lap and managed to hold it through to the end, taking the race and being announced as the winner of the race.

Styles looked around at the excitement in the paddock, cheers breaking out from the victory and Styles decided to get in on it. He smiled as he went down to the Winner’s Circle as he knew that this was Mandla’s move. He arrived to the Winner’s Circle just as Stevie arrived there and stared her down. Stevie – like all of the F-X racers by now – had become accustomed to the hallmarks of sports opera and didn’t back down from the stare-down, standing toe to toe with Styles. The build-up to next week’s finals had just begun and it was going to be one hell of a race!

EPISODE 3: ALL THAT SPARKLES

20th of September – Season 3

As Darcy Stevens looked over the edge of the pier, looking out at the ocean watching the sun set, she thought about the night ahead and how nervous she was. She only had one shot at doing this right and it was all riding on her winning tonight.

I haven’t seen you come out here in a long while.

Stevie turned around to see her brother, Pieter ‘Tar’ Stevens. He was dressed in Navy Dress Blues. You’ve been deployed? Tar nodded. But I thought you were on liberty? Stevie remembered the military jargon that Tar used to bother her about when they were kids with liberty meaning leave.

Well, you know me, always want to be part of the action.

Stevie did know him. Tar had wanted to join the Navy since he was a little boy and when he was finally of age, he’d had his application rejected over and over again. When he’d eventually been accepted, he’d become inseparable from his commission, so much so that he had to be forced to go on liberty.

Stevie looked at the time. Then what are you still doing here. Surely your ship is going to leave you.

Well, I wasn’t going to leave without saying goodbye to my baby sister and also making sure she’s in the right headspace for her big race. I know you’re nervous, Stevie.

Does that surprise you? Stevie knew that Tar was confident in her abilities on the racetrack.

"Considering everything that you’ve achieved so far, yes, I am. Stevie, you’re the most talented racer, female or otherwise. I don’t care who’s