STORY: Limit Gear - Fires From Within
Episode One
[SCENE ENTER: The afternoon sun is beginning to set in the distance, signalling approximately 7:30pm against the orange sky and turning the downtown buildings way off on the horizon into gold towers. The wind blows through the trees of a quiet suburb.
FOCUS scrolls down, then centers in on a small red house, just slightly different from the ones around it. Two people walk out to the driveway and get in a yellow Subaru. The car cranks to life and pulls away from the house.
CAMERA cuts to a low street view by the left front tire as it cruises down a small street, then stops as the car pulls up to a stop sign and away from the camera. CAMERA changes again to the inside view of the car. A young man, Ryu Haneda, is driving at the wheel with black hair. A teenage girl, Akane Tanaka, sits in the passenger seat aside from him. She has been listening to his car stereo up until now.]
Akane: Thanks for the ride, I appreciate it.
Ryu: No sweat - you needed a lift, didn't you?
Akane: True, even though I don't live that far down from you. Just didn't feel like walkin' today.
Ryu: [with a smirk] Sounds like someone needs to exercise.
Akane: [slightly offended] Uh-huh, like you're a stud. [Purses lips for a moment, then sees her house up ahead] Okay, this is my stop.
Ryu: See you around, ok? Let me know how things work out. If you ever need a wrench hand, you know who to call.
Akane: [already out the door and walking] Yeah... my repair shop!
Ryu: [flirt attempt #1: crash and burn] Sheesh, so much for mistake-free living.
[Ryu creeps back down the street and after a few turns, rides down the main avenue. He turns on the radio.]
Radio Announcer: SO! Now we all know what not to do for the next few weeks. But anyway, what about that traffic situation? Let's go to our traffic cams right now.
Okay! River Highway 24 is doing great, minimal weekend volume, things should cool down by the evening hours. Intercity 90 is all right, although some construction eastbound is going to slow everyone down around the Harvest Street exit. That's the latest on the traffic buzz...
[Ryu clicks off the radio as the announcer continues. He pulls up onto the River Highway 12 onramp and accelerates smoothly down the entranceway. He merges effortlessly onto a 4-lane divided highway and works his way up to 65 (mph) on his speedometer. He pops in a mix cd, and then punches the gas.
The turboed engine spools up like a jet fighter and plants power to the ground. All four wheels spin, madly grabbing for traction. Seconds later, his yellow Subaru peels away OFF CAMERA to the distance.
TIME OF DAY changes; the setting sun has since set, and the once orange sky is now approaching a dark purple. The highway lights of High Mountain Drive dance off the car's exterior as it rips down the highway at speeds fast approaching 155. He slows down to negotiate a series of curves. Entering the first, he flicks the clutch while stepping on the gas, then lets go, giving a quick flick to the right on the steering wheel. He drifts through the first sharp curve at over 100 mph, and copies the style through the following curves.
FOCUS down the road, on elevated highway above a residential zone. Ryu slows down to pace a white Nissan. He blinks his flashers, and the white car answers back. They rev their engines and take off.]
[Both cars disappear into the distance down the highway. CAMERA cuts to a small restaurant off of a local street in the city as the yellow Subaru and the white Nissan pull in. Ryu steps out of his yellow Subaru Impreza STI. His friend, Rex Hayabusa, steps up from his Nissan 240.]
Rex: You have to admit I had you.
Ryu: Had who? 2 tenths of a car length, AS I was coming off of the last s-curve. That, and I had to slow down for a bus and cement truck in front of me.
Rex: My man, my man, accept your circumstances, you have been dealt with by the white ghost, my 240!
Ryu: if you recall properly, we always set the concrete slab at the end of the mountain road as our finish line, and I was pulling on you by then.
Rex: By then, but you didn't pull away, did you?
Ryu: Waitaminute. The antenna on your 240 is in the back window. How come the 240 I saw had an antenna out the back?
Rex: [Big sweat drop down forehead, answers in stammered voice] Uh... I... wanted to put it outside the car. Didn't I tell you I was getting headaches with that thing in the car?
Ryu: [smirk on his face, eyes narrow] Yeah, you also didn't tell me your incredible capacity to lie. [big smile on his face, jumping up and down] I WON! I WON! I WON WON WON!
Rex: Keep it down, will ya?! I don't want the whole neighborhood to hear!
Ryu: [stops jumping, but still has big smile on face] Hehe... you almost had me for a moment. You've got the tab! I'M EATIN GOOD TONIGHT!
Rex: [thoroughly disappointed]I figured I should've taken another way into town...
[CAMERA cuts to the inside of the restaurant as they sit down at a booth.]
Ryu: so, are you ready for tonight?
Rex: What's to be ready about? We've been doing well on the circuit. None of us have lost badly, which means that people recognize how persistent we are.
[Cut to Ryu]
Ryu: It IS the second weekend of the month.
Rex: And that means...
[Cut to Rex as he taps his fingers on the table]
Ryu: That means that second-tier racers are going to be out on the highway. We have our work cut out for us tonight.
Rex: YOU have your work cut out for you, but my new hybrid turbo won't. Hehe...
[Camera slides away to a showroom-like scene, with Rex announcing beside his white Nissan...]
... my T4 hybrid turbo is the final piece of power left on the 240! Soon everyone will know just how much power this car has! HAHAHA! I WILL RULE THE HIGHWAY! JUST WATCH ME!
[Camera slides back to Ryu, completely unfazed] Uh-huh. Come down off that cloud you're on and figure this out with me: where should we race tonight?
[Cut to Rex as he realizes he didn't impress Ryu at all]
Rex: Um, Wangan south. Yup... definitely south. [Confident look in his eye returns] That way everyone challenging me will be caught off guard with my T4. Heh heh heh...
Ryu: I'll ride with you through Wangan south, then peel back up north at the last tunnel service area. [Whips out a map as camera cuts to table] I'll head up north through Ginza to the Inner Loop.
[Camera cuts to each point on the map now]
Then we'll stop at the western service area,
ride back down to Daiba,
head down Wangan south again briefly,
and then peel back up in the vicinity of 13-Gochi to the Yokohane northbound. By the time we hit Ginza again, we'll head north and east out to the other end of the tollway.
[Cut back to Ryu]
This will give us time in the straights in the southern districts, while also giving us time in the north traffic section. Speed Box has continually doubted our ability to race through the upper corners of the inner loop. Tonight they'll see differently.
[Rex, eating noodles and talking between big bites of soup] Are you sure? Last time we went up there, none of us scored real well. My pocketbook is still sore from the money I lost to them. They always run hybrids, Ryu... [light bulb pops over his head] ...which is why tonight IS the best time to ride the northbound inner loop! HA!
[Hiroshi and Yamcha Tanaka, two other friends to Ryu, enter the restaurant]
Hiroshi: Did you practice the technique?
Yamcha: Every now and then I bog the third gear, but the car has more than enough power to compensate.
Hiroshi: That's the issue. The car can compensate, but if you work hard and nail the third gear change when you NEED to, you'll blow your opponents away.
[Sees Ryu in booth] Bee!
Ryu: [turns around] Yellow's always been my color, man.
[Minutes and plump stomachs later...]
Yamcha: Ryu, are you sure Speed Box is even going to consider us a threat?
Ryu: They will if they realize our improvement as a group. Not choosing to defend your records and status is one thing, but they will retire before they let competition walk all over their territory without racing at least one of them.
Hiroshi: Speed Box usually always comes back up north, don't they?
[CAMERA cuts to a sequence of Speed Box team racing rivals. Ryu voiceover]
Ryu: Speed Box is one of the few second tier groups that has a place they always come back to. Second tier racers either race in one area or wander the entire area at will. Speed Box has earned their corner, and is regularly a tough opponent to beat, let alone defeat well. We will need to focus on beating them on corners, where their NSX VTEC machines need to work hard to maintain power.
[FOCUS back on table, all four racers]
Ryu: Yamcha's Porsche and my Subaru both have all wheel drive, so even with my car, the Speed Box leader has a handful. Rex's 240 has a T4, so especially with his drifting skills, he should be a respectable threat to their streak. And you, Hiroshi... what was the status on your last set of upgrades?
[FOCUS on Hiroshi's car, a Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R]
Hiroshi: I recently put new restriction-free piping on the car. It breathes REAL well now. And after the carbon-fiber hood and aluminum rollcage, as well as dumping 500 pounds off the curb weight, the added horsepower in the six-cyl turbo should make racing a real gem tonight.
I also put some lighweight racing rims on, and fixed my turbo controller to handle tweaks when I need them instantly to power.
[CAMERA cuts away to cars leaving restaurant at night]
Ryu: Then we have what we need. It's time to go, gentlemen... the Silver Wrenches have a party to attend.
[The 4 cars weave through city streets to the Rainbow Bridge. Turbo sounds echo through the onramps as they all scramble up and over the bridge. CAMERA cuts to a parking lot down by docks past the bridge as the Silver Wrenches (Ryu's Subaru Impreza WRX STI '02, Rex's Nissan 240 '96, Hiroshi's Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R, and Yamcha's Porsche 911 twin-turbo) all pull in consecutively into parking spaces, under the cover of night and loud music from other racers in the lot. Vans are parked in another area, with ground effects and trunks stuffed with audio equipment pumping out music. Spectators and racers alike crowd the lot, looking at cars parked with chrome exhausts, engine bays crammed with the basic fast modifications, and ground effects and car designs.
FOCUS back to the Silver Wrenches as they get out of their cars. Car alarms chirp soon after.]
Ryu: Good turnout tonight.
Rex: I'll say. You'd think every corporate sponsor in south Tokyo came to this!
Yamcha: You're pretty quick to forget what we do, kid.
Rex: Quit calling me kid, flathead!
Hiroshi: Please, people, let's focus on why we came here. [Partially suppresses urge to insult] Even if Yamcha's car has more horsepower than yours ever will.
Rex: [Fuming that his car was insulted, frustrated because Hiroshi is right]I HEARD THAT!!!
Ryu: Guys, let's keep it in park, ok? We know why we came here.
Rex: OOOH! I know, I know... WOMEN! [Rex turns to a dribbling mess as a few ladies go by]
[Yamcha successfully restrains Rex seconds before he asks the local women out on dates]
Yamcha: Give your hormones a rest for one night, man! ONE! (Thinks to himself) When will this kid ever learn?
[CAMERA cuts to Ryu as he and Hiroshi continue wandering the crowd, walking past rows of modified cars in various colors]
Hiroshi: What are we looking for tonight, fearless one?
Ryu: Opportunity, fast money, something special, I don't know... but I DO know this is just the first stop... and it's not even 10:30 yet.
[Ryu talks just long enough to bump into Ace Wasachi, 2nd-in-command of Speed Box]
Ace: fancy meeting you here, Ryu! Congrats, great to see you're out here.
Ryu: You know I'm never one to shy away from second tier.
Ace: Even though we're still beating you? Badly? [Hiroshi turns face to one side, cartoon expression of blushing and embarrassment]
Ryu: Defeat teaches the teachable many things. And it leaves the winner unaware of the future if he does not prepare for it.
Ace: We've always been ready for the Wrenches before. Why now, why tonight, do you seem so confident? I've never heard this kind of voice before.
[CAMERA pans back to Ryu] You'll see pretty soon... or maybe you *won't*.
Ace: I like your attitude. It sure is boastful, but I like it. See you around, Bee...
Ryu: See you at the upper north corner, Ace... I'll be looking for your team. Be ready!
[CAMERA cuts to 2nd parking entrance as a group of 3 Honda Integras roll in, each in gunmetal silver with black alloy wheels and GT-style wings. The Dark Eagles - Tenchi Kundo, Ichido Tanabe, and Urusei Yasachi, step out of their cars clad in black clothing. Their entrance is a respected and recognized one as the fans and racers look at this second-tier group arrive.]
Tenchi: [scans the crowd] I wonder if the Silver Wrenches are here. Their presence is always a catalyst for good racing.
Urusei: [flashes a surprised look at Tenchi] Those has-beens? They're not even worthy of their third tier spot! The only reason they are where they are is because racers have gotten sloppy!
Ichido: [laughs] Perhaps Urusei has a point. Why do you esteem them so highly, Tenchi?
Tenchi: [continues scanning] They may not look like it, but they may be the next movement on the highway circuit. They race with purpose, not randomly like some of us do.
[CAMERA shifts to clips of Silver Wrenches in action, Tenchi voiceover]
They have incorporated various driving styles to see which one fits their methods. They possess some of the more thoroughly modified cars on the circuit, especially Ryu's Subaru. What their cars lack in power, they make up for in handling and talent, already placing 2nd in several Inner Loop races consecutively.
[CAMERA back on Tenchi, talking to his team]
They are NOT pushovers. They are NOT easily beaten. We must focus on getting them down straights, as that is where our cars will shine. You must not let them lead for an instant - a rule of honor in highway racing is that the dueler follows the duelist's lead. There is no draw... lose your focus for a moment and you have lost.
Urusei: [frustrated, apathetic] Jeez, racing's not a fencing match! You just go at it.
Tenchi: [Turns to Urusei] And that would explain your win-loss record?
Urusei: [thoroughly embarrased] Uh, yeah.
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[CAMERA cuts away to a small town, a considerable distance away from downtown Tokyo. A small side street hides a garage. FOCUS continues to zoom in on the garage as its windows randomly flash with light. Finally, a pneumatic lift can be heard lowering. The flashing lights cease.
Inside, an NSX is slowly lowered to ground level, while a group of mechanics walk away. Two figures walk up to the car, both wearing business suits. One of them is in his mid thirties, sporting long, black hair and a scar in his right cheek. The other is holding a pen computer in her left hand and is scanning the car with what appears to be a barcoder machine.
The businesswoman walks around the car, pressing different buttons on her scanner and writing results on her laptop. FOCUS shifts to businessman over his left shoulder as businesswoman continues inspecting the car.]
[businessman thinking to himself]
Businessman: The specifications on this car read like a fighter jet. Double-tuned suspension with lowering control arms, a 2nd generation turbocharged i-VTEC engine with external wastegate, and a cryofreeze intercooler: capable of delivering practically freezing air down the intake. Then there are tires that would be banned for city driving.
[FOCUS shifts to car as we hear businesswoman pushing more buttons on scanner, various parts on car now begin to glow]
Racers will not know what to do about a car like this. More than 700 million yen has been invested into this automobile. It must dominate the streets. It will dominate. Talon Research Enterprises must succeed at gaining a share of the racing market, and I will be the one to make it happen.
No one even knows who I've picked to race this car on the highway tournament. It will blow everyone away. Finally, Shinjuku, a car worthy of your team's heritage. But you will pay for brushing me aside like a common scientist. You will pay with every last drop of your reputation. I helped bring you up in this. Now it's time I pulled you out.
Say what you will, Shinjuku... your fame, and days, are numbered.
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[CAMERA cuts to a scene of a central Tokyo Police station. Evening traffic drives past the building as a few police cars head out into the night. Inside the building, business goes on as usual, with criminals being booked and held behind bars and officers discussing their evening patrols. Two officers, Rokaici Tendo and Hakaida Satenki, walk down a crowded hall as they prepare to patrol the swing shift, in the middle of conversation. FOCUS shifts to Rokaici, a fairly well-built officer with spiky black hair, across from his partner, Hakaida. She is putting on her policeman's hat.]
Rokaici: I kept telling them the Golden Swords were responsible for the heists, but no one wants to hear me.
Hakaida: [FOCUS to Hakaida] It could have been the garlic chicken sandwich you had for lunch...
Rokaici: Cut it out. You are just as suspicious of this as I am. I can't put my finger on it, but something's up, and I'm not satisfied with what I see.
Hakaida: [CAMERA cuts back to Rokaici] The bottom line here is that the Golden Swords were only seen in the vicinity of the area of the heist. No cameras captured footage of any members actually stealing anything, and so far, it's only the two of us who have this theory.
Rokaici: Something is going on out there. I want to know.
Hakaida: That's true enough, but we'll have to stop playing mental charades and focus on the evidence we have.
[CAMERA just behind the two officers]
Eyewitnesses report a group of modified vehicles tearing down 23rd street. Two minutes later, there is an explosion at the Tokyo Bank Trust Building. Eyewitnesses see both events, but the cars reported do not show up at the building. Instead, a different vehicle exits with three suspects getting into the car as it leaves. No other tire marks were present at the scene, which means the criminals were either incredibly confident, or they lost contact with each other.
Rokaici: The last idea would check with what other officers said - they reported the same group of modified cars split and headed to three different areas. But no one saw where the different vehicle went. It looked like a Previa, but I'm not sure.
Hakaida: [CAMERA cuts to building as officers leave] In any case, we'll need to keep our eyes peeled. We still need to track down the suspect that mugged six people in three hours...
Rokaici: [stops walking] Man, that's too much. We have got to put a lid on this city before all this stuff boils over.
[CAMERA cuts to a Toyota Cressida police car, slightly modified externally, pulling out from the parking lot directly in front of the police building. The radio in Rokaici and Hakaida's car suddenly begins to transmit.]
RADIO: Be advised, armed robbery in progress in the northwest district. Backup units are being requested. Three suspect vehicles reported in the area, gang activity suspected.
Hakaida: This is unit 15, responding immediately. [Clicks off receiver] Hang on to your badge, Roki!
[Hakaida spins the Cressida around and dumps the clutch into 2nd gear. The installed turbo inside hisses like an angry cat, sending thousands of RPMS of forced induction through the engine, and the scorched bumper exhaust lights up like a jet engine. Rokaici and Hakaida weave through downtown traffic as they approach the inner loop ramp.]
Rokaici: [braced and ready, tags his shotgun off safety mode] Looks like our theories will be put to the test tonight. [grabs radio receiver] This is unit 15, requesting permission to use mobile camera.
RADIO: Unit 15, request approved.
[Rokaici presses a button on the passenger side officer dash. CAMERA cuts to rear trunk lid of Cressida, which opens up horizontally as a mini-camera jet flies out. The cam-jet flies in formation with the car as it cuts through evening traffic on the loop line, strobing red and blue lights. The police car disappears in evening traffic.]
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[Ace Wasachi is standing outside of his yellow NSX at the Inner Loop's northwest parking area, Daishin Five. He is silent. It literally took him less than 10 minutes to arrive here, where the rest of his team waits for the first wave of racers to arrive. The Speed Box emblem adorned 4 other cars in the parking area, including a black Supra, a blue R33 GT-R, a red Lancer Evolution 5 with a twin turbo setup, and a second NSX in silver. \par \par Just as he turns back to his car, Ace hears the sounds of a few AE86 cars pull in, followed by a Chaser. CAMERA follows cars as they pull into adjacent parking places. Ace walks over to one of the AE86 cars. As he does, the driver lowers his window. CAMERA cuts to directly over the AE86.]
Driver: So, are you still interested?
Ace: It depends on what you're bringing to the table. You understood the terms of our deal.
Driver: Perhaps I should make my proposition to someone else.
Ace: Not a smart move, pal. We already know about all you've been up to, and the feudal racers won't be pleased to hear about your escapades.
Driver: So foolish of you to think you could possibly try. In any case, your reward will come soon enough. You must first be willing to demonstrate your capabilities. I don't spend my time with just anyone.
Ace: [Stretches] You'll have it then! Speed Box is a second-tier group. Every single member has proved themselves countless times. You will see masters at work.
Driver: Let's hope I do. For your sake.
[Ace walks back to his car, window of driver's car rolls back up. CAMERA on Ace as he walks back.]
[Driver thinking] You have no idea what you are in for, do you?
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1st Gear: Redline
Next Shift
Continue on to Chapter 2
The Limit Gear background
Episode One's Cast of Characters
The Wangan Way