Disclaimer: I don't own RD

Right well here's the next chapter, enjoy... DAMNIT (Tini just ate my sandwhich and i'm not kidding!)

Fight Countdown

The 4 contestants entered the cargo bay, Lister and Rimmer with slight smirks on their faces. Cat, Kira (and Dani) wearing "Feline Fighter" T-shirts.

Cat placed his partner's blanket covered creation on the floor and turned round to take Dani out of Kira's rucksack. He placed her on a box carefully as Kryten shuffled in carrying a cushion and Talkie. Kryten continued to maintain that he did not want to be there but was duty bound as Miss Dani had to be cared for during the time that her parents had taken leave of their better judgement.

Lister's smirk changed to a frown as he placed his robot opposite "Feline Fighter" This was because he was sure Talkie was giving him the eye, something that was totally absurd as Talkie didn't actually have eyes.

"Toast haters reveal your robots." Talkie announced dramatically as the two teams pulled off the sheets hiding their creations.

"Feline Fighter" was a semi circled/half barrelled design, made with some lightweight scrap titanium.

On its roof was the axe that was attached using a simple alloy connector system and the chaises was from a medi bay trolley.

Cat had insisted in painting the robot completely black, adding afterwards a decorative design of white tiger stripes. Kira supported this aesthetic remodelling, mostly because he had used flame resistant paint.

In comparison the "Sir Smegalot" bot was a lot more spectacular. Lister had stripped away the claw and optical receivers amongst other stuff, leaving the arm itself in place. He'd done a botching job on the wiring, connecting the bazookoid via the arm to the Skutter's central system. He had also polished away the rust so it shined as good as new, and cut a hole in its side where he did some more botching to reattach the claw. Lister for effect had then placed a samurai sword that they'd found on some derelict in the Skutter's claw, and as an extra touch added a holder for the sword. Finally he had got some spray paint and scrawled the words "Sir Smegalot" Along the side in red."

Cat and Kira looked at their opponent then tuned to their own robot. "You think I should have given it another coat of paint?" Cat asked as Kira handed him the controls they had altered from an old remote controlled car.

"Its fine love – Aesthetically perfect. You just use for fantastic driving skills and let's kick bottom." Cat smiled at Kira, kissing her lightly on the cheek as she brushed past him.

Cat had found from the quick practise they had had that the controls were simple, easier than the controls of Starbug, Definitely easier than him picking out his several daily outfits.

The couple busied themselves with moving some boxes to make the border of the "ring" as Lister and Rimmer stood in a corner engaged in a heated discussion…

What do you mean it's still got its core programming?" Rimmer hissed.

"I forgot ok? It's probably been changed anyway – It looked alright." Lister protested.

"Well all hail Swami Lister – The Future Telling Swamp Monster from the Deep." Rimmer said sarcastically as he rolled his eyes, lowering his voice so as to avoid Cat's keen hearing picking up the conversation – Not that he was even thinking of tuning in.

"Well if you'd given me some help we might have had time to test it."

"You haven't tested it?" Rimmer cried as quietly as possible.

"Rimmer you thought the skutter was a good idea!"

"Well I for one don't fancy being killed by a deranged skutter thank you very much."

"Rimmer you're already dead! And your light bee is tougher than the meat in the school beef burgers – If anyone's gonna die it's going to be us!" Lister pointed out shaking his head.

"Thanks Listy! That really cheered me up!" Rimmer whispered sincerely.

"So – Do you trust my technological expertise or not?"

"Would you like the full or edited version?" Rimmer replied solemnly.
"Errr full."

"Not smegging likely!"

"Well what was the 'edited' version then?" Rimmer returned this question with a snort and a nostril flare.

"Your trust in me is never ending huh Rimmer?" Lister teased as they took their places to begin the match.

"3." Came talkie's irritating voice.

"Errr Listy? – Where are the controls?"

"2."

"Smeg - I forgot!"

"1."

"WHAT?"