The light burns green, and the three Khylosian ships... creep forward. Despite constant promises to the contrary, khosee-Huel knows better than to ignite several large fusion drives in close proximity to important delegates from across the solar system. No, she instead trusts in her own skill and the power of the ships to catch up in short order. And, she thinks with a hungry grin, no on can match the endurance of a fully-stocked Khylokian sanguimancer.
During the Race -- The Space-Kelp Cluster
As the three ships approach the maze, now at true travel speeds and with all crew alive thanks to empower sanguimancy, their leader frowns at the message and drones. No one would issue so helpful a message to competitors... Over their private channel, she hails the two smaller vessels.
"It's obviously a trap. Eki Orkatan, interference. Mutual mist if you have to, for the honor of the Bloodlord. Uyu Ungke, with me. Both of you, eyes peeled for tricks. Let's show these 'stroid slugs how to fly."
Eki Orkatan wastes no time in peeling away from the trio, buzzing past custodial units in tight spirals as though trying to draw fire and bait a chase. The other two ships glide into the labyrinth at, frankly, suicidal speeds.
During the Race -- Parrot's Perch
Surprising no one, Eki Orkatan perishes in a brief flash of nuclear energy after hitting the edge of the Blue Zone at a truly staggering velocity. The other two ships of the Reign of Blood slow down considerably (requiring an unfortunately large series of fusion blasts), and khosee-Huel comms the Glic ship.
"What's with the brakes? This is a race! How do you ships even take off in this? It's unnatural!"
During the Race -- Warzone 1
Still trailing a bit, the Khylokians receive the signal from the Lilin and promptly disregard it. Why would someone transmit the secret to surviving to their foes? No, this is clearly a ruse by the canny Naqi'a to peel back the stealth such small craft operate under. Sometimes, a simple generative intelligence is all it takes to create a safe route through an active warzone.
The Ring of Blood
The ring of blood is the Khylokian's checkpoint. It is as far from Ophon as possible while still being in nominal Khylokian territory. It is more than a mere ring - it is a massive flat disc of blood, oriented parallel to the orbital plane. The shortest path from the previous leg to the ring is through a small cluster of asteroids, perfect for an ambush. Well, not an ambush. It's pretty well advertised. There are raiders here, ready to take potshots.