Lin Lan finished listening to Enterprise's explanation and felt a sense of relief.
He thought to himself, "Of course, those spectators swapping out cars couldn't possibly be outsiders. They must be the Manjuu team creating the atmosphere."
But then another problem arose.
"When did I ever agree to Akashi using Manjuu as the audience?" Lin Lan muttered softly. How could he possibly have agreed to Akashi's plan through a screen?
Putting that aside, Lin Lan still had a question: why did Enterprise and Essex both show a shy blush on their faces as soon as the racing competition in the port area was mentioned?
After thinking it over, he decided it would be better to ask about it later tonight if there was a chance.
Maury had already gone ahead and opened the main gate of the racetrack. The group entered the spacious racetrack area.
Two Manjuu who were watering the greenery noticed their arrival, put away the hoses, and hopped over to them.
Lin Lan walked to the side of the track and looked around again, but didn't see a single racing car.
He asked curiously, "Enterprise, where did all the racing cars go?"
"They're in the underground garage here. Racing cars need careful maintenance before the race, so this time Essex and I won't be racing with cars.
We'll compete using our own motorcycles instead," Enterprise explained.
After saying this, Enterprise looked at her little escort ship Maury and Maury's journalist sister Gridley and instructed them:
"Maury, you take the Commander and Anchorage to the stands. Gridley, you and the Manjuu take charge of the racetrack's broadcasting system."
The two little destroyers from Eagle Union had no objections.
Gridley hung the camera around her neck and led the two Manjuu toward the race control tower, while Maury gave Lin Lan a cute smile, took his hand, and walked toward the stands.
As Lin Lan led Anchorage, Hammann, and Eldridge up to the stands, Enterprise and the nervous Essex walked side by side toward the starting line of the track.
"Essex, same as always. Two laps decide the winner," Enterprise said.
The sea breeze blew Enterprise's long hair as she smiled confidently and said to Essex,
"Don't hesitate at all. If you want to surpass me, then show me and the Commander the results of your hard work."
Hearing Enterprise's words, Essex took a deep breath.
Enterprise was right. Since she had made up her mind to come here today, she absolutely could not get stage fright or be nervous.
Facing the strong and confident senior Enterprise, she had to give her all if she wanted a chance to win.
With this thought, the fighting spirit ignited in Essex's amber eyes as she seriously looked at her long-admired senior and said, "I will do my best to surpass you, Senior Enterprise."
Receiving Essex's affirmation, a faint smile appeared on Enterprise's face.
She knew all too well that this Essex-class flagship had always taken her as a goal to surpass.
Whether it was battle style, combat habits, even clothing and hobbies, Essex had been closely watching her, learning from her example.
Although Enterprise wasn't opposed to Essex's almost obsessive way of emulating her, the problem was that Essex was Essex, not a second version of Enterprise.
If things continued like this, even if Essex surpassed her, she would never truly feel a sense of accomplishment.
And the Commander was exactly the most important person who could help Essex resolve this mental burden.
Only the Commander, who was so precious to Essex, could truly help her overcome this inner knot.
"But sorry, Essex, as your senior, I'm a bit selfish too. I want to earn more praise from the Commander," Enterprise said with a smile, silently in her heart.
"And as respect for your silent efforts to catch up with me, I will also be ruthless and give it my all."
After Lin Lan sat down high up in the stands, he saw that Enterprise and Essex at the starting line had already taken out their motorcycles from their rigging spaces and were doing final adjustments and preparations.
At the same time, Gridley had turned on the large live broadcast screen, and Lin Lan could clearly see Enterprise and Essex's movements and their sleek competition motorcycles that looked just like professional racers' bikes.
These motorcycles were different from normal commuting bikes. Riders could lay their entire body flat on the bike and perform almost ground-hugging drifts.
At this moment, Lin Lan was holding Eldridge in his arms, with Anchorage, Hammann, and Maury sitting beside him. The huge spacious stands only had these five people.
"Teacher, Enterprise, Essex, riding motorcycles looks so cool!"
Anchorage happily waved her hand when she saw the two already removed their helmets and put on professional racer-style windproof helmets.
"Commander, who do you think will win?" Maury asked.
Hearing Maury's question, Lin Lan stared at the two beautiful motorcyclists already mounted on their bikes, stroked his chin, and after a moment of thought said,
"I feel it will probably be Enterprise, but Essex might cause an upset, so I can't say for sure."
"Hmph, it's definitely Enterprise who will win! Enterprise often patrols the island on her bike," Hammann said confidently, giving Lin Lan a scornful look after his answer.
"That's true. I'm not rooting for Essex either. After all, that's Enterprise, haha," Maury, as Enterprise's little escort, naturally agreed with Hammann, showing a bright smile.
Hearing the two little cuties, Lin Lan stroked Eldridge in his arms, thought for a moment, then suddenly laughed and said, "Since that's the case, Hammann, how about we make a bet?"
"Huh? A bet? What does this silly Commander want to bet with Hammann about?" Hammann asked with a puzzled look.
Seeing Hammann's confused gaze, Lin Lan smiled faintly:
"I bet Essex will win this time. If I win, you have to unconditionally agree to one condition of mine.
But if Enterprise wins, I will unconditionally agree to one of your conditions. How about it? Do you dare to bet?"
Hearing Lin Lan's words, both Hammann and Maury were stunned.
Had the Commander suddenly gone crazy to dare to make such a bet?
Seeing the surprise on the two Eagle Union girls' faces, Lin Lan smiled and explained:
"In a race like this, there has to be some suspense. Otherwise, it's no fun. So I bet on Essex winning. Hammann, don't miss this chance."
His words successfully piqued Hammann's interest, but she still stared seriously into Lin Lan's eyes and said,
"You big silly Commander, I'll give you one more chance. Do you really want to bet with Hammann like this?"
"If you lose, Hammann won't let you off easily!"
Lin Lan chuckled. Although Hammann was a little tsundere, she had a sharp tongue but a soft heart and was now repeatedly making sure with him.
"I'm sure. Don't worry, Hammann. I'm the Commander. When I say something, I do it."
After staring at him for a while and confirming he was serious, Hammann seemed to remember something.
Her face instantly flushed red. She turned her head away, huffed softly, and said coquettishly:
"Since you're the one who asked for it, you pervert, then I reluctantly agree!"
Seeing this, Maury seemed to have realized something and mischievously looked at Lin Lan, teasing him:
"As expected of the Commander, you really like this kind of thing~"
"?"
Lin Lan looked at the two girls in confusion and was instantly baffled.
What kind of 'thing' do I like?! I told you, I just simply want to see Essex become a dark horse this time.
How did you two even interpret it like that?!
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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