Chapter 6

Carl's team teleports to a garage where they meet mechanic Hedy to prepare for Heat Two of the race. They learn the next race will be 10 kilometers on asphalt with rolling hills, torrential rain, and hail, featuring two random paths with gatekeeper monsters—and crucially, Donut the cat must drive this time. After reviewing upgrade options with Hedy, they select the Spider Legs upgrade for enhanced mobility.

The truck teleports to a dark garage with Hedy the mechanic waiting. Hedy explains the upcoming race parameters: 10 kilometers with asphalt roads and rolling hills, two possible paths assigned randomly, each with a gatekeeper monster to defeat, torrential rain and giant hail as environmental hazards, and a 3-hour time limit. The GPS voice mockingly notes that a cat will be driving. Carl realizes they have 10 hours before the race and discusses options: hiring mercenaries, getting upgrades, or rigging a solution for Donut to drive. Hedy produces a tablet with upgrade choices and explains the racing rules. She recommends a mobility upgrade since later races will require terrain adaptability. The three primary options are Retractable Spider Legs, a Hover Upgrade (with engine upgrade and 2x speed but no vertical climb), and an All-Terrain-Tire Upgrade (with vertical climb but 25% speed reduction). After reviewing the thousand-plus available upgrades—including offensive weapons like spike barrels, flamethrowers, and wall-planting devices—Carl realizes crawler-versus-crawler combat is inevitable and fears potential conflicts with teams like Imani and Elle's. He selects the Spider Legs upgrade. Meanwhile, Mongo and Rend discover the truck's freezer and create chaos playing with frozen food in the garage. Mordecai sends a message warning them to put Rend away before entering the safe room.