S:1 E:11
Adrift in Subspace
Gene realizes too late that he’s made a mistake to set the Outlaw Star’s course the way he has. The maneuver ultimately gains the crew some spots in the rankings, but Jim feels the stress. Because each ship needs an hour’s maintenance after the first checkpoint, the Outlaw Star makes port. Gene takes the time to seek out the pilots of the El Dorado, failing to get the answers he needs but lighting an appropriate fire. Race officials warn of a huge ether storm that will make things difficult for the race participants. Lady Aisha of the Ctarl Ctarl has worked her way into the race and plans some mischief. The Outlaw Star makes some course corrections to pass through the third checkpoint but then receives a distress call from the Ctarl Ctarl racing ship. Gene confronts some of his past just to effect a rescue of…a surprise guest. Gene briefs Lady Aisha on his plans to waylay the McDougall brothers and the El Dorado. Aisha’s comments about the Outlaw Star, Melfina’s state of dress, and Gilliam are classic. While Aisha takes a nap, Jim, Gilliam, and Melfina form a sub-ether bubble in preparation for going to lightspeed. Unfortunately, someone has fired missiles at the Outlaw Star. Conditions on the ship go from bad to worse, but the integrity of the ship’s hull is never breached. Gene effects a restart, and Gilliam works out the ship’s position. Some of the ship’s neutron reactors are inoperable. It seems that the crew’s hopes for winning the race dim, until Aisha delivers a pep talk. Gene determines that the Outlaw Star can enter the ether stream and ride it to the finish line. In grappler mode, Gene deploys two ether sails that boost its speed to unbelievable levels. The Outlaw Star looks to make third place, but is beaten out by a challenger. Jim and Aisha pose in Fred’s winners costumes and make quite a splash (since the Outlaw Star finished first in the Privateer Class). Gene receives a com cube from the El Dorado. What news will it contain?, Outlaw Star encounters Aisha Clanclan as it tries to evade other ships.
