Page 82 of Hyperspeed
“Alright, mate?” I said, shaking his hand while taking my seat. “No date tonight?”
“No.” Sam pouted, resting his elbows on the table. “Ailor said there were no seats left.”
“Gotta put a ring on it, my guy,” Jax cut in from my other side. “Then they have to let you bring ’em.”
“He’s gotta find someone to put a ring on first,” I added. Before tacking on, “And a cock ring doesn’t count.”
As the three of us tumbled into fits of childish laughter, the hairs on the back of my neck rose.
Looking across the table, I caught Rev watching me, only half listening to whatever Saelix was saying. Lifting my half-filled glass to my mouth, I sent him a flirty wink over the rim. He rolled his eyes and turned back to the conversation, but with his hair up, he couldn’t hide the way his ears twitched, and his skin shimmered pale pink.
Dinner passed in a quiet flurry of fleeting glances from Rev, winks from me, and the occasional smirk, traded like secrets across the table.
There were six courses, and every dish was a lesson in the art of torture as I watched Rev’s purple tongue curl around his fork. Every smack of his lips and moan of approval made my dick harder. So much so that if I were to stand up, I’d be taking the table with me.
While Rev finished his sorbet, I considered sneaking away to the bathroom to find some relief, but the emcee’s voice cut in, announcing the start of the award presentations. It meant a shitload of long speeches, but at least I’d have something to look at that wasn’t Iskari food porn.
Lunvara hobbled onto the stage, aided by the CRF’s vice president, a middle-aged human woman called Denise. The old man grabbed the microphone and began speaking at a pace that aged us all by a century.
It took about ten minutes for him to reach the end of his sentence, and I was glad when Denise took over. In contrast, she hurried through her lines with fleeting glances at the bar, like she needed a drink—or ten.
“Tonight is about more than just trophies,” she started, eyeing the sea of guests. “It’s a celebration of the people behind the vehicles. The drivers who risk everything, the teams who build brilliance. The engineers, strategists, pit crews, and every person who pours their heart into making the Astro Space League so great.
“So far this season, we’ve seen speed redefined, limits tested, and outstanding performances that remind us why we love racing. We’ve watched rookies prove their worth and veterans reaffirm their legendary status, and witnessed unforgettable moments on the track that we’ll replay for years.”
I glanced at Rev, who was watching Denise like everyone else.
Call me sentimental, but as Denise highlighted all the things that made the ASL fantastic—the passion, the innovation, the risk-taking—I realised I was wrong about the rookie.
I’d accused him of trying too hard to prove his worth among the professionals. Called him a wannabe who should’ve stayed in the underground league.
But Rev had belonged from the moment he arrived at the paddock. He hid his emotions from the world, but behind the mask, there was a fiery determination that burned in his eyes. His desire to leave his mark on the league was unmatched, because he wasn’t in it for fame and fortune.
His intentions were altruistic, using the opportunity to bring recognition to an entire group of people. A group that had struggled more than I realised because of circumstances beyond their control. He didn’t want the Iskari to suffer anymore. He wanted to set new expectations, eliminate prejudice, and take them into a new age of independence.
All the while, he was carrying the burden alone, fighting tooth and nail in every race.
So yes, I was wrong. So very wrong.
He had moments of recklessness, but his brilliance shone through. And when he caught me staringagain, his soft smile set my chest aflame.
“You’ve shown that racing is as much about character as it is about crossing the finish line first,” Denise continued. “And before we hand out the awards, let me say this. Whether you’re walking away with recognition tonight or not, you’ve given us something to cheer for. You’ve kept the spirit of racing alive, and for that, the Cosmic Racing Federation thanks you.”
Applause rippled through the room, and Lunvara took a seat on the stage, ready to hand the awards to Denise.
Zylo won Veteran of the Year, and Jax and I won Best Duo. I was lucky enough to also win Fan Favourite and Driver of the Year. For the fastest and most consistent pit stops, Vortex Racing won Best Pit Crew, while Zenith received the Tech Innovation Award for vehicle upgrades.
The guests celebrated each one with enthusiasm, but the relief was palpable when there was one award left on the table.
“This final award is extra special,” Denise announced. “The award for Standout Performance is about more than a single race. It celebrates the driver who didn’t just meet expectations, but obliterated them, and this year, that honour goes to a name I think we’ll hear for a very long time.
“From the moment they took the wheel, they showed us what it means to race with raw instinct, precise control, and a level of adaptability beyond what we often see in the league. More than speed, it’s about style, guts, and heart. It’s about showing up to one of the most competitive leagues in the galaxy as though they were born to be behind the wheel.
“So, for the first time, the winner of this award is a rookie. This season isn’t just the best rookie season the ASL has ever seen; it’s the kind of season that forges legends. That’s why I am honoured to present the award for Standout Performance to Revvak Arathiel.”
For a moment, the room held its breath, the weight of the words sinking in. Then everything shifted.
The applause was deafening, and Zylo, Saelix, and Tavoris stood from their seats, followed by every Zenith team member in the room. Everyone else followed their example, including me, until the only person still in his seat was the winner himself.
