Post by Un Autre Monde on Dec 24, 2008 19:30:36 GMT -5
Friends...Romans...Countrymen...Yes, the time has finally come. Although I won't be online much tomorrow due to Christmas celebrations, I have written this wooty final some time in advance and present it here, in all its glory, as my Christmas present to all on the FRA. Enjoy.
THE CHEVRON CHAMPIONSHIP, FINAL BATTLE
RIPPER vs. DARKESTAR
*The scene: backstage with the roboteers about to go on. The time: Now*
Joey: Well, it's just before the final, and to state what would be extremely obvious if you were actually watching this on TV but isn't for those reading this text based post, I'm here with both machines and the teams, just before they enter the arena and retire to the cherry pickers for the grand final.
Shane, Jonno, how do you feel about the battle?
Shane: It's gonna be tough, but we should do quite well, should get Darkestar out of the arena quickly.
Joey: Really, you're that confident?
Shane: Of course!
Jonno: Yeah! In theory at least. *laughs* It's...tension's always high before a final, need to hope my nerves hold out, Darkestar's a good machine but we should be alright if we flip it enough.
Shane: Yeah, try and break something or if the opportunity arises, flip 'em out of the ring.
Joey: That sounds like as good a plan as any to me...best of luck guys, hope it's a good fight.
Jonno: Thanks very much.
Joey: Team Doomfo-well, Alex...have you been able to repair Darkestar from the semi final?
Alex: Yeah...the blade itself was actually okay, the pulley was a bit mangled though, but new pulley, new belt, bash the supports back into shape, almost good as new.
Joey: That's good...so, Ripper. Any tactics?
Alex: Uh...just hit it really. Hit it with the blade, push it around, see what happens.
Joey: Nothing too detailed then?
Alex: There might be, there might be....I'm not saying it in front of the opposition though *laughs* but in all seriousness, it should be a good fight, two great robots and it'll be good to watch.
Joey: Good to watch...how about to drive in?
Alex: Ah...absolutely terrifying to be honest, heh. I'll try my best though.
Joey: Hope those nerves hold out then, good luck to you Alex.
Alex: Thanks.
*both teams shake hands before John and Shane lead the way into the arena, pushing the robots on trolleys*
FROM NOTTINGHAM, RIPPER!
The first machine into the arena, as the team wave to the assembled crowd, they coasted through the Gauntlet and Snooker before Tempest, Baldur Gamma, and earlier in the grand final Macduff The Fourth and the Door Stops tasted the camera tracks after flying from the edge of their front scoop, the full pressure flipping Ripper proving too much for all its opponents so far.
FROM GEDDINGTON, DARKESTAR!
And its opponent, Darkestar, Alex nodding in acknowledgement and raising a hand to the crowd, his machine ended the Gauntlet in the pit but won the Sumo against Shunt easily, before vanquishing Nitro-Gene in a judges' decision despite being on fire...pitting Envy, assisting the Door Stops in pitting Exertion and after a long fight, sending SoR Hex the same way from it's front spiked scoop and flywheel.
The roboteers leave the arena and climb into the cherry pickers, which rise up ominously before they and the music stop, and the aura in the arena doms to leave the two finalists, silhouetted against the bright spotlights skining down on them, almost alone in the deathly silent arena, waiting, tension high, for the announcement...
ROBOTEERS, STAND BY
Booth 1, left hand side: Shane Swan, John Findlay
Booth 2, right hand side: Alex Holt
3
2
1
ACTIVATE
The lighting abruptly changes in the arena as the spotlights leave the two finalists to herald a curtain of blue light bathing the arena, robots and hazards in its glow. It would be almost ethereal if you didn't know the true purpose of this occasion was to unleash what remains of the fury inside these two machines, to determine one winner after nine months and thirty six machines have been reduced to just two.
And it's Ripper with the impetus to move first, the right wheel first and then both as it accelerates up past the pit, while across the warzone its foe, Darkestar, moves slightly slower out of the starting square, still relatively fast though, with the triangular blade on the front beginning to rotate as the belt drive takes it up to top speed. Darkestar reaches the centre of the arena and skids around, the front weapon a blur as it almost warns Ripper away with the disc, but Ripper keeps on going, moving in an arc across and around the side of Darkestar, which turns, Alex trying to keep the weapon facing his opponent, as the two machines continue in their paths with Ripper circling Darkestar turning...this is all very nice for robot ballet, but it's time for them to kill each other, and it's Ripper who finally breaks the deadlock and makes a sharp turn to home in with the scoop on the corner of Darkestar! Alex's reaction isn't quick enough, as the left track rides up on the scoop and Ripper applies the throttle, pushing Darkestar in towards the flame pit...
FLIP! Darkestar is flung across and into the arena side barrier, crashing down almost on the flame pit as the pyrotechnics flare up, as Alex drives across the burning grid with Ripper following, the flipper coming down to sit in its normal position. Darkestar turns around to face Ripper, the blade getting up to speed again after slowing down during its airtime, and comes in on the approaching opponent, aiming to clatter Ripper with the weapon and try to do damage...up in the control box, Shane says something to Jonno, and Ripper pauses before powering on one side to get corner on to Darkestar, the scoop not getting underneath the main weapons module of Darkestar but managing to turn the approach away slightly and avoid being hit, but Darkestar is now on the drive, pushing Ripper acorss the arena. Ripper breaks Darkestar's hold on it and wrenches its front scoop out of the gap between Darkestar's weapon frame and track, and comes back in on Darkestar's broadside, not getting in underneath, but the button is pressed by Shane nonetheless!
FLIP! The flipper catches on the side bars and flicks Darkestar up in the air, tumbling over onto its back with the weapon module bouncing slightly as it hits the floor again, as Alex slams down on the sticks to reverse Darkestar out of trouble...almost into the patrol zone, but as MAtilda charges with tusks lowered Darkestar comes out of the edge, driving up towards a flipper lowering Ripper, which backs off slightly before coming in again, hoping for a third flip. Now more confident, the two machines charge headlong at each other, not having yet found out whether the prongs on Darkestar or the scoop of Ripper is the lower, and the two machines meet...and it's the former, Ripper's scoop riding up on the prongs and into the path of the triangular flywheel!
CRASH! The flywheel catches on the scoop and sends the flipper flying up without the aid of the ram, knocking Ripper backwards as it does so, sparks from steel on steel littering the arena floor as Ripper turns to get away for another offensive...the faster accelerating Darkestar gets in again though, the flywheel still rotating as it catches on the side!
CRASH! Fewer sparks are raised than before, but the kinetic energy is still there as the top armour is caught by the weapon point and bent upwards slightly fron the force, the paint on the side badly scratched as Ripper is flicked into the air, teetering for a moment before slowly crashing down onto its back. Shane looks unconcerned up in the driver's box though, pressing the button and Ripper jumps up in the air as the flipper extends, landing it back on its wheels as Jonno controls his machine away amidst a trail of expelled CO2, driving down towards the flame pit to avoid the charge of Darkestar, which turns, the blade beginning to spin up once more. Alex applies the throttle once more, driving his machine up towards Ripper, which shifts forwards a bit before coming out to do likewise, and the two machines accelerate towards each other...a crash would be imminent but Ripper suddenly brakes and turns, getting the scoop in at the side of Darkestar's front prongs again and piling on the amps, Darkestar powering back, as the two machines push with the balde of Darkestar mere inches from the Hardox body of Ripper, but no contact between them, as it's 36v Bosch to 36v Bosch, tracks to go kart wheels, pushing and pushing...and the tracks are winning, scraping the paint from the arena floor as the side tracks edge Ripper backwards, up towards the top of the arena...slowly at first, but then faster, almost as if Ripper had stopped resisting the onslaught of its opponent...
FLIP! And that's why! The Hardox flipper yawns open again as it flicks Darkestar over again, catching on the tracks and sending Alex's machine back into its 'correct' orientation, as Ripper comes back in on the broadside on Darkestar, the flipper lowering and jamming on the polycarbonate side armour of its opponent, and attempts a push once more...the tracked machine turns though, the whirring disc coming ever closer to Ripper's armour, and Ripper backs away, before Jonno goes in again, aiming for the tracks to toss Darkestar up and over again...Darkestar seems to have anticipated this though, turning just before impact, and the two machines meet diagonally...
CRASH! The flipper of Ripper shoots up again as the button is pressed, but a second too early and the exposed front of the machine is caught by the flywheel of Darkestar, at full speed flicking Ripper, in something of a role reversal, up and over onto its back! Darkestar comes in to further its dominance here, driving into the back of the inverted Ripper and beginning the push, as the two machines move across to the left hand side of the arena. Ripper's flipper fires just as it gets wedged in against the arena wall, popping the yellow and green machine to rise in the air, nose up, like some sort of mechanical dolphin as Darkestar's spikes and the inactive weapon reverse away from the scene, and Ripper teeters in its vertical pose for a second before the flipper begins to retract and Ripper bounces down...on its back again...
Shane leans up, looking a bit worried, as Jonno whispers something to him and Ripper's flipper fires again...the robot rises off the arena floor as before, but bouncing back down, the vast front weapon seems to lack the pressure to self right Ripper, Darkestar and Alex waiting with baited breath as Ripper attempts again to self right, but the power's not there, combined with the orientation of the robot the bungees are pulling the robot back down as opposed to pulling the flipper up. Alex almost hesitantly spins the weapon up once more, rotating his machine as he wonders if he should allow himself a victory dance, but the spin of Darkestar quickens as the arena lights flash, a potlight flickering on Ripper as the house robots' attention is drawn by the stricken Ripper, still flicking itself up in the air but with decreasing power each time, as Dead Metal is first on the scene, Jonno shaking his head up in the control booth as the pincers close around the side of his machine, the saw coming down and creating a stream of sparks from the Hardox armour, until the ram fires once again to jolt the house robot away, but Sir Killalot looms above the beached machine now...towering over Ripper as it brings the right arm down.
Killalot shifts a bit, bringing the claw in on the flipper arm, and closes...slicing with little effort into through the three and a quarter millimetre wearplate steel on the arm, before hoisting 100kgs of Ripper into the air by the arm, turning with his trophy towards the pit, Ripper dangling from the end of the house robot's mighty claw for all to see...but the flipper ram fires again, not connecting with the arm but giving the robot enough of a shock to cause it to fall off the arm, bouncing down to the ground on its wheels! And it may be beaten, but Ripper seems to have some unfinished business left...Jonno immediately turns towards Shunt, which comes in to try and regain control of the situation, and jams the scoop in underneath the approaching house robot, which rides up on the front slope of Ripper, the axe jabbing at thin air...Shane shouts something across the platform to Alex, who seems to get it, turning and driving Darkestar, somewhat tired, up towards the scene, beating Matilda to it, getting the front prongs in on the beached Shunt, and pushing, with Ripper straining in the other direction...the flipper fires, jolting the house robot, and it tumbles off the wedge and onto its side, rolling over onto its top as the fibreglass armour begins to detach from the body! Killalot seems irritated by all of this, driving in on the scene and scratching the top armour of Ripper with the lance, but Ripper backs up, and Darkestar is at hand to jam the front spikes in underneath the tracks of the house robot, hindering its mobility, and Ripper dodges Matilda to come in with the scoop...Killalot tries to push back against the two machines, but although it's invincible to one...it seems that two, working together, might just be too much for the house robot, and the tracks slip and slide on the arena floor as Killalot is edged backwards, backwards, slowly, surely...the pit is looming, and one track of the house machine drops in, as a burst of flame illuminates the arena from the Sargeant behind Ripper, before the final push sends the 300 kilo house machine toppling over the edge, hitting the tyres as a great cheer emerges from both roboteers and crowd!
Jonno raises an arm in the air in triumph over the house robot, Alex holding his transmitter up across the wall as a broad grin forms on his face, but Dead Metal is in position behind Ripper, clamping onto the rear of the machine once more, and Shane wipes his brow as the real roboteers realise their fun may be over. The flipper of Ripper lifts up in the air once more, but the tired batteries cannot provide enough power to hold off the thrust of the house robot, as Ripper is gently forced over the edge, fitting almost perfectly in the gap created between Killalot's exposed base and the edge of the arena, and the grip is finally released to leave Ripper enveloped by the smokescreen that billows from the pit, defeated, battered, and yet up in the control pod the team are smiling, Shane clapping his opponent as Jonno sets his controls down, Alex meanwhile leaning back and taking a moment to absorb some of what has happened...his machine, Darkestar, standing next to the flipped Shunt battered, tired and the weapon barely spinning, but victorious nonetheless - the first winner of the Chevron Championship!
CEASE
Joey: What a battle that was - bashing and flipping from both robots, but Ripper was stuck and couldn't self right, ended up in the pit but that didn't stop them both attacking the house robots once the main result was decided! *gesturing* Come up for a few words guys.
*both cherry pickers rise to the top, and the roboteers join Joey on the platform via some stairs. Much handshaking occurs between everyone*
Joey: Well...Shane, Jonno...it was going to be easy, you were going to flip them until they broke...
Jonno: Yeah, that was the plan, just...it even worked the first few minutes of the fight!
Joey: It did, but then, over there, something went wrong?
Shane: It did...the first time we tried to self right, the wall was jamming the flipper, so most of the power went on breaking it free, and then I just don't think we had the pressure left to properly get back over.
Joey: Shame really, was even until then.
Jonno: Yep. Ah well.
Joey: After you were immobilised though, and the house robots came in, you had a little bit of a go at them, it seems...
Shane: Just a bit, yep *laughs*
Jonno: Indeed, we got picked up in the air, and I thought we were going to go on the flame pit, so I said that to Shane, operated the flipper and we came down, and I couldn't really ignore the house robots...could I?
Shane: Got Alex in on the act as well, they were coming for us so we followed suit, and we made a complete mess of your house robots, flipped all over the place!
Joey: It doesn't matter, they're not my house robots! *laughs* Will you be back next time to defend second place?
Jonno: Oh yeah, we'll be back and we're gonna win!
Joey: Thanks, I'll look forward to it, you've been great competitors...give it up guys, runners up, RIPPER!
Shane: Thank you very much.
*much cheering from the crowd*
Joey: Well, well, well...
Alex: Three holes in the ground.
Joey: Oi you! *laughs* You've won the Chevron Championship, well done!
*cheering*
Alex: Indeed I have, it was tough but I came through.
Joey: Yeah, it looked it, Ripper seemed on top at the start but you managed to overcome it eventually...some good driving there.
Alex: Bit of good driving, bit more of luck really...I was hoping I could get them to self right onto the barrier, but that didn't work, turned out not to be necessary. Was a good fight though, bit tiring but I enjoyed it.
Joey: It was...and you joined in the war on the house robots later on as well, bit of belligerance there?
Alex: Belligerant? Moi? *laughs* No, I thought Ripper might get seriously battered if they attacked too much, and Shane shouted across for some help so it was the least I could do, got to take the big bad out as well.
Joey: That was actually really satisfying to watch. It's been brilliant having you here, you're a worthy winner...have you enjoyed your time here with Darkestar and the other machines?
Alex: Definitely. You can bet I'll be defending the title next year.
Joey: That's good to hear...please ladies and gentlemen, a round of applause for Alex Holt and DARKESTAR!
*more cheering; a trophy is brought out and Alex raises his arms in the air, transmitter in one hand and the trophy in the other, as everyone else applauds*
Joey: Well, it's been a long journey, often high, often low, and most often extremely delayed
, but ultimately enjoyable. I hope you've all enjoyed reading it, and it shall return in the next few weeks for another series. More robots, more teams, more heats, more delays, should be fun.
I'd like to thank everyone who's read, entered, commented and particularly voted for it in this years' awards, it means a lot to me and I'm glad it's brought some pleasure to you all. So until next year, congrats to Alex, congratulations and commiserations to Shane and Jonno and well done to everyone else, and remember the obligatory:
We don't like losing
We don't like draws
We've found a winner, on Robot Wars!
And, in the usual style of this summary, allow me to present the result:
Darkestar wins by immobilising Ripper and then they both attack the house robots
Goodnight, and Merry Christmas one and all. Thankyou.
THE CHEVRON CHAMPIONSHIP, FINAL BATTLE
RIPPER vs. DARKESTAR
*The scene: backstage with the roboteers about to go on. The time: Now*
Joey: Well, it's just before the final, and to state what would be extremely obvious if you were actually watching this on TV but isn't for those reading this text based post, I'm here with both machines and the teams, just before they enter the arena and retire to the cherry pickers for the grand final.
Shane, Jonno, how do you feel about the battle?
Shane: It's gonna be tough, but we should do quite well, should get Darkestar out of the arena quickly.
Joey: Really, you're that confident?
Shane: Of course!
Jonno: Yeah! In theory at least. *laughs* It's...tension's always high before a final, need to hope my nerves hold out, Darkestar's a good machine but we should be alright if we flip it enough.
Shane: Yeah, try and break something or if the opportunity arises, flip 'em out of the ring.
Joey: That sounds like as good a plan as any to me...best of luck guys, hope it's a good fight.
Jonno: Thanks very much.
Joey: Team Doomfo-well, Alex...have you been able to repair Darkestar from the semi final?
Alex: Yeah...the blade itself was actually okay, the pulley was a bit mangled though, but new pulley, new belt, bash the supports back into shape, almost good as new.
Joey: That's good...so, Ripper. Any tactics?
Alex: Uh...just hit it really. Hit it with the blade, push it around, see what happens.
Joey: Nothing too detailed then?
Alex: There might be, there might be....I'm not saying it in front of the opposition though *laughs* but in all seriousness, it should be a good fight, two great robots and it'll be good to watch.
Joey: Good to watch...how about to drive in?
Alex: Ah...absolutely terrifying to be honest, heh. I'll try my best though.
Joey: Hope those nerves hold out then, good luck to you Alex.
Alex: Thanks.
*both teams shake hands before John and Shane lead the way into the arena, pushing the robots on trolleys*
FROM NOTTINGHAM, RIPPER!
The first machine into the arena, as the team wave to the assembled crowd, they coasted through the Gauntlet and Snooker before Tempest, Baldur Gamma, and earlier in the grand final Macduff The Fourth and the Door Stops tasted the camera tracks after flying from the edge of their front scoop, the full pressure flipping Ripper proving too much for all its opponents so far.
FROM GEDDINGTON, DARKESTAR!
And its opponent, Darkestar, Alex nodding in acknowledgement and raising a hand to the crowd, his machine ended the Gauntlet in the pit but won the Sumo against Shunt easily, before vanquishing Nitro-Gene in a judges' decision despite being on fire...pitting Envy, assisting the Door Stops in pitting Exertion and after a long fight, sending SoR Hex the same way from it's front spiked scoop and flywheel.
The roboteers leave the arena and climb into the cherry pickers, which rise up ominously before they and the music stop, and the aura in the arena doms to leave the two finalists, silhouetted against the bright spotlights skining down on them, almost alone in the deathly silent arena, waiting, tension high, for the announcement...
ROBOTEERS, STAND BY
Booth 1, left hand side: Shane Swan, John Findlay
Booth 2, right hand side: Alex Holt
3
2
1
ACTIVATE
The lighting abruptly changes in the arena as the spotlights leave the two finalists to herald a curtain of blue light bathing the arena, robots and hazards in its glow. It would be almost ethereal if you didn't know the true purpose of this occasion was to unleash what remains of the fury inside these two machines, to determine one winner after nine months and thirty six machines have been reduced to just two.
And it's Ripper with the impetus to move first, the right wheel first and then both as it accelerates up past the pit, while across the warzone its foe, Darkestar, moves slightly slower out of the starting square, still relatively fast though, with the triangular blade on the front beginning to rotate as the belt drive takes it up to top speed. Darkestar reaches the centre of the arena and skids around, the front weapon a blur as it almost warns Ripper away with the disc, but Ripper keeps on going, moving in an arc across and around the side of Darkestar, which turns, Alex trying to keep the weapon facing his opponent, as the two machines continue in their paths with Ripper circling Darkestar turning...this is all very nice for robot ballet, but it's time for them to kill each other, and it's Ripper who finally breaks the deadlock and makes a sharp turn to home in with the scoop on the corner of Darkestar! Alex's reaction isn't quick enough, as the left track rides up on the scoop and Ripper applies the throttle, pushing Darkestar in towards the flame pit...
FLIP! Darkestar is flung across and into the arena side barrier, crashing down almost on the flame pit as the pyrotechnics flare up, as Alex drives across the burning grid with Ripper following, the flipper coming down to sit in its normal position. Darkestar turns around to face Ripper, the blade getting up to speed again after slowing down during its airtime, and comes in on the approaching opponent, aiming to clatter Ripper with the weapon and try to do damage...up in the control box, Shane says something to Jonno, and Ripper pauses before powering on one side to get corner on to Darkestar, the scoop not getting underneath the main weapons module of Darkestar but managing to turn the approach away slightly and avoid being hit, but Darkestar is now on the drive, pushing Ripper acorss the arena. Ripper breaks Darkestar's hold on it and wrenches its front scoop out of the gap between Darkestar's weapon frame and track, and comes back in on Darkestar's broadside, not getting in underneath, but the button is pressed by Shane nonetheless!
FLIP! The flipper catches on the side bars and flicks Darkestar up in the air, tumbling over onto its back with the weapon module bouncing slightly as it hits the floor again, as Alex slams down on the sticks to reverse Darkestar out of trouble...almost into the patrol zone, but as MAtilda charges with tusks lowered Darkestar comes out of the edge, driving up towards a flipper lowering Ripper, which backs off slightly before coming in again, hoping for a third flip. Now more confident, the two machines charge headlong at each other, not having yet found out whether the prongs on Darkestar or the scoop of Ripper is the lower, and the two machines meet...and it's the former, Ripper's scoop riding up on the prongs and into the path of the triangular flywheel!
CRASH! The flywheel catches on the scoop and sends the flipper flying up without the aid of the ram, knocking Ripper backwards as it does so, sparks from steel on steel littering the arena floor as Ripper turns to get away for another offensive...the faster accelerating Darkestar gets in again though, the flywheel still rotating as it catches on the side!
CRASH! Fewer sparks are raised than before, but the kinetic energy is still there as the top armour is caught by the weapon point and bent upwards slightly fron the force, the paint on the side badly scratched as Ripper is flicked into the air, teetering for a moment before slowly crashing down onto its back. Shane looks unconcerned up in the driver's box though, pressing the button and Ripper jumps up in the air as the flipper extends, landing it back on its wheels as Jonno controls his machine away amidst a trail of expelled CO2, driving down towards the flame pit to avoid the charge of Darkestar, which turns, the blade beginning to spin up once more. Alex applies the throttle once more, driving his machine up towards Ripper, which shifts forwards a bit before coming out to do likewise, and the two machines accelerate towards each other...a crash would be imminent but Ripper suddenly brakes and turns, getting the scoop in at the side of Darkestar's front prongs again and piling on the amps, Darkestar powering back, as the two machines push with the balde of Darkestar mere inches from the Hardox body of Ripper, but no contact between them, as it's 36v Bosch to 36v Bosch, tracks to go kart wheels, pushing and pushing...and the tracks are winning, scraping the paint from the arena floor as the side tracks edge Ripper backwards, up towards the top of the arena...slowly at first, but then faster, almost as if Ripper had stopped resisting the onslaught of its opponent...
FLIP! And that's why! The Hardox flipper yawns open again as it flicks Darkestar over again, catching on the tracks and sending Alex's machine back into its 'correct' orientation, as Ripper comes back in on the broadside on Darkestar, the flipper lowering and jamming on the polycarbonate side armour of its opponent, and attempts a push once more...the tracked machine turns though, the whirring disc coming ever closer to Ripper's armour, and Ripper backs away, before Jonno goes in again, aiming for the tracks to toss Darkestar up and over again...Darkestar seems to have anticipated this though, turning just before impact, and the two machines meet diagonally...
CRASH! The flipper of Ripper shoots up again as the button is pressed, but a second too early and the exposed front of the machine is caught by the flywheel of Darkestar, at full speed flicking Ripper, in something of a role reversal, up and over onto its back! Darkestar comes in to further its dominance here, driving into the back of the inverted Ripper and beginning the push, as the two machines move across to the left hand side of the arena. Ripper's flipper fires just as it gets wedged in against the arena wall, popping the yellow and green machine to rise in the air, nose up, like some sort of mechanical dolphin as Darkestar's spikes and the inactive weapon reverse away from the scene, and Ripper teeters in its vertical pose for a second before the flipper begins to retract and Ripper bounces down...on its back again...
Shane leans up, looking a bit worried, as Jonno whispers something to him and Ripper's flipper fires again...the robot rises off the arena floor as before, but bouncing back down, the vast front weapon seems to lack the pressure to self right Ripper, Darkestar and Alex waiting with baited breath as Ripper attempts again to self right, but the power's not there, combined with the orientation of the robot the bungees are pulling the robot back down as opposed to pulling the flipper up. Alex almost hesitantly spins the weapon up once more, rotating his machine as he wonders if he should allow himself a victory dance, but the spin of Darkestar quickens as the arena lights flash, a potlight flickering on Ripper as the house robots' attention is drawn by the stricken Ripper, still flicking itself up in the air but with decreasing power each time, as Dead Metal is first on the scene, Jonno shaking his head up in the control booth as the pincers close around the side of his machine, the saw coming down and creating a stream of sparks from the Hardox armour, until the ram fires once again to jolt the house robot away, but Sir Killalot looms above the beached machine now...towering over Ripper as it brings the right arm down.
Killalot shifts a bit, bringing the claw in on the flipper arm, and closes...slicing with little effort into through the three and a quarter millimetre wearplate steel on the arm, before hoisting 100kgs of Ripper into the air by the arm, turning with his trophy towards the pit, Ripper dangling from the end of the house robot's mighty claw for all to see...but the flipper ram fires again, not connecting with the arm but giving the robot enough of a shock to cause it to fall off the arm, bouncing down to the ground on its wheels! And it may be beaten, but Ripper seems to have some unfinished business left...Jonno immediately turns towards Shunt, which comes in to try and regain control of the situation, and jams the scoop in underneath the approaching house robot, which rides up on the front slope of Ripper, the axe jabbing at thin air...Shane shouts something across the platform to Alex, who seems to get it, turning and driving Darkestar, somewhat tired, up towards the scene, beating Matilda to it, getting the front prongs in on the beached Shunt, and pushing, with Ripper straining in the other direction...the flipper fires, jolting the house robot, and it tumbles off the wedge and onto its side, rolling over onto its top as the fibreglass armour begins to detach from the body! Killalot seems irritated by all of this, driving in on the scene and scratching the top armour of Ripper with the lance, but Ripper backs up, and Darkestar is at hand to jam the front spikes in underneath the tracks of the house robot, hindering its mobility, and Ripper dodges Matilda to come in with the scoop...Killalot tries to push back against the two machines, but although it's invincible to one...it seems that two, working together, might just be too much for the house robot, and the tracks slip and slide on the arena floor as Killalot is edged backwards, backwards, slowly, surely...the pit is looming, and one track of the house machine drops in, as a burst of flame illuminates the arena from the Sargeant behind Ripper, before the final push sends the 300 kilo house machine toppling over the edge, hitting the tyres as a great cheer emerges from both roboteers and crowd!
Jonno raises an arm in the air in triumph over the house robot, Alex holding his transmitter up across the wall as a broad grin forms on his face, but Dead Metal is in position behind Ripper, clamping onto the rear of the machine once more, and Shane wipes his brow as the real roboteers realise their fun may be over. The flipper of Ripper lifts up in the air once more, but the tired batteries cannot provide enough power to hold off the thrust of the house robot, as Ripper is gently forced over the edge, fitting almost perfectly in the gap created between Killalot's exposed base and the edge of the arena, and the grip is finally released to leave Ripper enveloped by the smokescreen that billows from the pit, defeated, battered, and yet up in the control pod the team are smiling, Shane clapping his opponent as Jonno sets his controls down, Alex meanwhile leaning back and taking a moment to absorb some of what has happened...his machine, Darkestar, standing next to the flipped Shunt battered, tired and the weapon barely spinning, but victorious nonetheless - the first winner of the Chevron Championship!
CEASE
Joey: What a battle that was - bashing and flipping from both robots, but Ripper was stuck and couldn't self right, ended up in the pit but that didn't stop them both attacking the house robots once the main result was decided! *gesturing* Come up for a few words guys.
*both cherry pickers rise to the top, and the roboteers join Joey on the platform via some stairs. Much handshaking occurs between everyone*
Joey: Well...Shane, Jonno...it was going to be easy, you were going to flip them until they broke...
Jonno: Yeah, that was the plan, just...it even worked the first few minutes of the fight!
Joey: It did, but then, over there, something went wrong?
Shane: It did...the first time we tried to self right, the wall was jamming the flipper, so most of the power went on breaking it free, and then I just don't think we had the pressure left to properly get back over.
Joey: Shame really, was even until then.
Jonno: Yep. Ah well.
Joey: After you were immobilised though, and the house robots came in, you had a little bit of a go at them, it seems...
Shane: Just a bit, yep *laughs*
Jonno: Indeed, we got picked up in the air, and I thought we were going to go on the flame pit, so I said that to Shane, operated the flipper and we came down, and I couldn't really ignore the house robots...could I?
Shane: Got Alex in on the act as well, they were coming for us so we followed suit, and we made a complete mess of your house robots, flipped all over the place!
Joey: It doesn't matter, they're not my house robots! *laughs* Will you be back next time to defend second place?
Jonno: Oh yeah, we'll be back and we're gonna win!
Joey: Thanks, I'll look forward to it, you've been great competitors...give it up guys, runners up, RIPPER!
Shane: Thank you very much.
*much cheering from the crowd*
Joey: Well, well, well...
Alex: Three holes in the ground.
Joey: Oi you! *laughs* You've won the Chevron Championship, well done!
*cheering*
Alex: Indeed I have, it was tough but I came through.
Joey: Yeah, it looked it, Ripper seemed on top at the start but you managed to overcome it eventually...some good driving there.
Alex: Bit of good driving, bit more of luck really...I was hoping I could get them to self right onto the barrier, but that didn't work, turned out not to be necessary. Was a good fight though, bit tiring but I enjoyed it.
Joey: It was...and you joined in the war on the house robots later on as well, bit of belligerance there?
Alex: Belligerant? Moi? *laughs* No, I thought Ripper might get seriously battered if they attacked too much, and Shane shouted across for some help so it was the least I could do, got to take the big bad out as well.
Joey: That was actually really satisfying to watch. It's been brilliant having you here, you're a worthy winner...have you enjoyed your time here with Darkestar and the other machines?
Alex: Definitely. You can bet I'll be defending the title next year.
Joey: That's good to hear...please ladies and gentlemen, a round of applause for Alex Holt and DARKESTAR!
*more cheering; a trophy is brought out and Alex raises his arms in the air, transmitter in one hand and the trophy in the other, as everyone else applauds*
Joey: Well, it's been a long journey, often high, often low, and most often extremely delayed
, but ultimately enjoyable. I hope you've all enjoyed reading it, and it shall return in the next few weeks for another series. More robots, more teams, more heats, more delays, should be fun.I'd like to thank everyone who's read, entered, commented and particularly voted for it in this years' awards, it means a lot to me and I'm glad it's brought some pleasure to you all. So until next year, congrats to Alex, congratulations and commiserations to Shane and Jonno and well done to everyone else, and remember the obligatory:
We don't like losing
We don't like draws
We've found a winner, on Robot Wars!
And, in the usual style of this summary, allow me to present the result:
Darkestar wins by immobilising Ripper and then they both attack the house robots
Goodnight, and Merry Christmas one and all. Thankyou.