Good.
That’s what matters.
Mysk is dragged past me, still smiling like a man who doesn’t understand the concept of consequences.
Or maybe he does.
Maybe he just doesn’t care.
Either way?—
He’s not my problem anymore.
The arena shifts around me as more personnel flood in, sealing off damaged sections, setting up containment barriers, ushering the last remaining contestants toward the exits.
The cameras are still here.
Of course they are.
Hovering overhead, recording everything.
The aftermath.
The wreckage.
The man who almost got everyone killed being hauled away in restraints.
I catch a glimpse of one of the large holo screens flickering back to life.
Captain Photonic appears, his usual theatrical composure cracked just enough to let something real show through.
“Citizens of the galaxy,” he says, voice steadier than I expect, “today’s final event has been… compromised.”
That’s one way to put it.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances and confirmed external interference, the Galactic Extreme Challenge finale is hereby declared?—”
He pauses.
The word hangs in the air.
“No contest.”
The crowd reacts immediately.
A wave of noise rolling through the stadium—confusion, disappointment, disbelief.
“No contest?” I repeat under my breath.
All of this.
Everything we just went through.
And it ends like that.
No winner.
No prize.
