With Space Race Championship out now, and it being Star Wars Month, this is the perfect time to get some previews going. Both sci-fi / fantasy worlds, with Star Wars being an influence for Space Race Championship. So, for this first preview of the story, I’m pulling a passage from the third chapter, where the stakes are high even though the championship hasn’t yet begun.

“Situation report,” Lee called once the crew of the Surveillance Cruiser had redirected his call to the security team now stuck in battle protecting the lone Space Kicker.

“We’re doing everything we can,” one of the team stated. “Only trouble is even with six of us this one is tricky work.”

“One?” Lee asked. “The ‘craft or cruiser?”

“The Falcon. We suspect the mini cruiser might be waiting somewhere to strike.”

“What I’m going to do will cause them to react. Be sure to protect me as I collect the Space Kicker.”

“Okay, Mr. Johnson, sir.”

Lee knew his dad was recognised among the security teams. Half of it was made up of members of the Craftile Armed Forces, which was also another plus.

Lee accelerated toward the still moving Space Kicker, which suddenly shunted sideways as a CSP missile struck the opening in the body.

“You were right, sir. The mini cruiser has come into play.”

“Get three of your team onto it for distraction. I’ll handle getting the Space Kicker to safety with the remaining three.”

“Will do, sir.”

His dad had garnered a lot of respect from these men, and they were showing it in return to Lee. So long as he didn’t mess up any orders that would get them hurt, he felt they’d keep that level of respect for him.

It would have been enjoyable for him to have command had the situation not been so serious.

“Are we able to confirm the pilot as active?” Lee asked.

“Unconfirmed, sir. We have reason to believe he is only half aware of his actions.”

Lee didn’t like the sound of that.

The DSSC was now ready to try for its first collection. The portside docking grate was now open, with Lee edging the speed of the super cruiser ever so slightly to get it alongside the Space Kicker.

“Whoa!”

Lee felt the impact as something exploded within the hangar. Lasers off to his left indicated the three security members had reacted fast to draw the Falcon away. Lee concentrated on focusing on the camera which would show the Space Kicker outside.

“Abort!” rang through the speaker.

Lee pulled upward.

Another missile had come out of the darkness.

“The Falcon is no longer in play,” a report sounded. “It managed to quickly dock with the mini cruiser. Repeat: Mini cruiser is now primary target. Protect the super cruiser with everything you’ve got.”

Lee looked at his scanner to see gravity was near to pulling the Space Kicker down through the atmosphere. He had one more try before the very risky manoeuvre of getting it inside while wild turbulence shook them both.

“Keep that mini cruiser as far from us as possible,” Lee said. “There’s only one chance while still in space. I want that chance to go as smoothly as possible.”

An affirmative came through, but Lee barely heard it. He lined up for the next shot at getting the Space Kicker inside. He kept the outward camera in focus so he didn’t have to look at what damage had been caused.

The Space Kicker was now in view.

Lee pushed the right stick to slide around the Space Kicker.

Another explosion.

Whoever these people are, they’ve gone beyond scare tactics, Lee thought as he fought to right the super cruiser.

The Space Kicker was now trailing smoke. The faintest tinge of blue meant they were now inside the atmosphere. Lee alerted the security team of that, hoping they could keep the mini cruiser in space.

“Good luck,” was the last thing Lee heard before signing off. He didn’t need the distraction of open communication.

The DSSC rumbled and shook. He could see the Space Kicker veering away from him in an erratic pattern. Up, down, side-to-side. It started to tumble through the air, and Lee was sure Tom had been knocked unconscious from the blast of that missile.

“If you wish it, it will happen,” Lee repeating a saying that had been passed down in the family, and hoped and wished with everything he had that he could pull this off. It needed to be done quickly and without causing any more damage.

Is this mission a success? Find out by reading Space Race Championship, available directly through Foreshore Publishing. Or, find it in bookstores such as Foyles and Waterstones.