Lines In The Sand

**Lines In The Sand**is the sixth episode of the second season of Rimba Racer.

## Summary

Meika's friends await her explanation, with Meelo being angry over her breaking into his private room while the others are more calm. However, Meika is unable to bring herself to confess, and flees the room. Meelo then reveals that King's black box has been hidden in that room, but is relieved to find that it's safe. Remembering seeing her talking to King, Sonny mentions it to the others, and Tag and Miles decide to check with King. Tamira runs into Vyxx in the hall, and after making some jokes about her and Meelo reveals she is aware of their previous break-in at RGP Headquarters, prompting Tamira to call Riq.

After Tag spins off several wild theories about why Meika could be helping King, Miles suggest the more reasonable explanation that she's being blackmailed. The two enter King's office to confront him, but King then reveals that Meika isn't in his employ, but that of his bosses, the Ringmasters. Stunned, Tag and Miles realize that they need to contact Riq as well. Meika enters an elevator only to be joined by Pike, who tries to act friendly but is quickly shut down by the upset Meika. After confirming that she accomplished her mission-without admitting to being discovered-Meika becomes furious with Pike when he questions how long she's going to hold an unknown incident from their past against him.

Following a furious tirade against Pike, Meika shoves him out of the elevator and right in front of Torres and several newspeople, including Dira. This soon leads to news gossip that a romance has developed and soured between the two, which spins out over a week in which Sonny is unable to locate Meika. Meelo succeeds in finding the device Meika planted, but is baffled by its size. He and Sonny are then called to a meeting in Tag's garage, where they are introduced to Riq, whom Tamira smuggled aboard the Ark.

Riq debriefs Sonny and Meelo on the Ringmasters situation, and the group soon realize that Meika has been working against them for some time. Sonny, upon realizing that his friends have been keeping so much from him, is understandably upset. However, when Tamira brings up Vyxx, Riq reveals that he's gotten information about her and the other rookies through his network of contacts. All three, as it turns out, are dangerous figures in the criminal underworld, leading Tag and his friends to wonder just what they've gotten themselves into.

The next RGP race takes place at the Mezatali Ruins, an ancient racing facility that has been repurposed by RGP Engineering. Meika finally reappears in position for the race, and is the first of several racers to pull ahead of Krom, who had first position based on his recent victory. Meelo treats Meika with hostility on the track, but the competitors soon have other worries as a massive stone platform turns into a maze that the racers must travel through in order to reach the exit from the temple. The shifting barriers prove a daunting obstacle for all competitors, and several of them are forced to employ their cars' special features.

Meelo continues to race aggressively against Meika, but is nearly sent flying off the platform as a result. Meika then runs into Sonny, but no words pass between the estranged friends even after Sonny blasts through a wall on both of their behalves. Pike ends up taking first place, and despite some fierce antagonism from Vyxx Tamira comes in right behind him. In a reversal from the last race, Krom is the only racer not to finish, having gotten himself lost in the labyrinth after falling into last place.

As Riq prepares to leave after the race, Tag laments that he and his father are being forced to part again. Riq notes that they won't be able to have a real life together until the Ringmasters have been dealt with, and encourages Tag to pursue Meika as a means of getting to her bosses. Sonny speaks to Meika on one of the Ark's balconies, recalling their first RGP race at the Rock Quarry, which he was reminded of during the most recent event. However, Sonny questions whether Meika has ever truly been his friend, or has just been spying on him, revealing that she's aware of her allegiance to the Ringmasters. Feeling betrayed by her lies, Sonny tells Meika to stay away from him and his real friends before storming off.