Okay, the long awaited dispute, Brad versus Nikita in a death duel (okay, maybe not to the DEATH, but who cares!) Anyway, here we go!
Chapter 8- Battle of the Jackal and Fox (Brad vs. Nikita)
[This is Brad. Mobilizing Shadow Fox…] Brad said as the Hovercargo opened its door, and launched his zoid out of it.
[This is Nikita] Came Nikita's voice nervously. [I'm all set…]
The Jackal roared at his nervousness as it was launched out of the Hovercargo. Don't worry 'bout nothin' Master…you'll do fine!
"I dunno Jackal…I heard the Shadow Fox can fire at basically any angle…" He said, looking at Brad's zoid, particularly the 30mm A-Z Special Laser Vulcan gun.
I have an idea…do ya have a CD with ya?
"Yeah, I always carry one around, seeing as music helps me calm down…why?"
I was designed with a stereo in my cockpit, so you can play it…
"But why'd they design you like that?"
Beats me. It made something like a shrug. I think it has somethin' to do with my combat system…just do it, alright?
"Okay, whatever…" He said, putting the CD into the now exposed CD tray in the cockpit.
The Jackal roared in delight. Ah…Black Sabbath…nice choice.
"Thanks. Alright, lets do it!" He shouted, readying his fingers on the triggers.
Up in the sky, both warriors saw the twinkle of the Judge Capsule, and it slammed into the ground with the force of a megaton bomb, shaking the ground underfoot.
"Battle approved! Battle approved! The Shadow Fox versus the Black Jackal. Exhibition match, battle mode zero one zero two! Both pilots will fight until one is knocked over, NOT a system freeze. If the battle is not decided within a time limit of 30 minutes, the winner will be decided by point value. Ready…"
Both pilots readied their weapons. "FIGHT!!"
[Yer goin' down, kid!] Brad shouted as he charged the Jackal head-on.
[Not that easily, Brad!] He shouted as he also charged head-on.
Both zoids roared at the challenge, and the Shadow Fox opened fire, kicking up the dust at the feet of the Jackal.
Nikita zigzagged the Jackal out of the way of the bullets, making sure they didn't catch his feet. He calmly targeted the Fox in his sights, and opened fire with the rifles above his head. He caught the Fox five times in the side, but failed to knock it over as he rushed by it.
[Nice try!] Brad shouted as he chased after the Jackal. [But not good enough!] He charged him and rammed his zoid into the back of the fleeing Jackal repeatedly.
[Hey, cut that out!] Nikita shouted at him. He hit another button on his triggers, and smoke blew out behind him, stopping the Shadow Fox in its tracks.
Brad only smirked when the smoke had been discharged. Well, I'll give the kid SOME credit…
[Hey, I've got a riddle for ya kid…] He said, turning on the infrared scanners.
[What is it?]
[How long do you think you'll be safe while I'm trapped in this fog?] He asked, searching the area around him for the Jackal.
[Umm….] Nikita remained silent, desperately trying to think of an answer.
He spotted a small heat source to his immediate left. Gotcha! Brad smirked, and began to move through the smoke towards the heat source.
[Times up, kid!] He whooped in delight as he dived out for the heat source.
Brad's feeling of pride left in an instant and was suddenly replaced by a sour, unsettling feeling in the bottom of his stomach.
Nikita was facing him, and his rifles were aimed right at him.
He knew all along! He played me for a fool!
[Wave "Bye bye" to your chances, Brad!] He said as he fired the rifles, catching the Shadow Fox in midair, and hitting it over six times before letting it fall to the ground on its side.
"Battle over! Battle over!" The Judge said, flailing its arms wildly. "The winner is…the Black Jackal!"
"Alright!! I did it!" Nikita whooped, opening the cockpit and standing up. "I'm the greatest!" He started doing a very ridiculous dance in his cockpit, causing everyone watching to sigh in exasperation.
His victory dance was interrupted when a random shell hit home right next to his zoid, causing him to close the cockpit, and begin shouting obscenities a mile a minute as he secured himself in the crash belts.
"Brad! What the hell's your problem?!" He exclaimed, targeting the Shadow Fox in his crosshairs. Lousy stuck-up sonofa…
"Kid, that wasn't me…" Brad said calmly, raising the Shadow Fox to its feet.
Another round hit home at the feet of the Black Jackal, causing Nikita to look toward his immediate left. He only saw a blur of white as something left the battlefield. What the hell was that? He thought briefly.
"Oh no you don't! He said, rushing his zoid over to where he thought the blur had been. When he finally reached it, however, there was nothing there.
[Didja find anything, Nikita?] Doc asked curiously.
[That's a negative. There's nothing here…now.] He said as he turned the zoid back toward the Hovercargo. [I'm headin' back…]
He silently piloted the Jackal back to the Hovercargo, but still couldn't shake the feeling that something was out there…somewhere…
* * *
Kayla sighed to herself as she piloted the White Panther back to the Whale King in Romeo City.
This zoid has incredible speed AND maneuverability! And the pure power it possesses! How could my father have not thought of me using this sooner?!
The Panther let out a soft growl, and Kayla nodded. "Yeah, that's the zoid alright…I think its called the Black Jackal…I wonder who the pilot is?"
It let out a howl. "Yeah, I hope we meet it in combat soon, too…"
That way I can prove I am the greatest warrior in the world!
WOW! MAJOR SUGAR RUSH TODAY! THREE CHAPTERS IN ONE DAY!! WAHOO!! GO ME!!!! I'M #1! I'M #1!