Machines
Day 10
Clank, Cyrax, Dark Samus, Megatron, Mighty Gazelle, Monty, Rocket, Sektor, and Silver Sonic
Leaving off from last time, Sektor needs to talk with Cyrax, and for once Gazelle, but about what?
"I just spoke with Samus. We both agree that Megatron's becoming too much to handle. If we lose again, he WILL be leaving." Sektor explains. "I assume you two will join the rest of us."
The relief on Gazelle is obvious. "…If we're honest: THANK F*CK. Glad I wasn't the only one getting sick of that douche."
The red lin Kuei just nods. "For once we can agree….Cyrax?"
"If we get together, his demise is inevitable." Cyrax says with a flat tone. "Once he's gone, our team will get back on track."
Gazelle chuckles. "We've been on the track the whole time, there's just no more room in the back."
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Crickets. "Not your taste, huh?"
"With how much of a stressor he is, this isn't a laughing matter." Sektor responds.
"I'm just done with this day." Millions can relate, Cyrax.
"Alright cool. I'll just have to come back with something better."
The call to axe Megatron could have been stopped, but after recent events, it could be the death nail.
Sektor: Megatron's done himself no favors. Thanks to his argument with Silver Sonic, there's no chance to hold the majority at merge. I'd say that if he's gone we could get together again but: Cyrax may be an issue. I caught him speaking about the initiative, but I'll fight him on that later. Gazelle being there only confirms that he'll need to be dealt with. The more you try converting one of us, the more you will be targeted.
Sektor versus Gazelle may be on hold because of Megatron, but it's not dead.
Man
Day 11
Brandon, Chun-Li, Daisy, Drax, Rick, and Ulala
It's a cloudy day outside, another challenge on the horizon. Nobody forgot about the miscommunication yesterday, especially not Drax.
Instead of letting it fester, he heads towards the raft, where Brandon's at and takes it to him directly.
Brandon spots him. "Whaddya want?"
"You should try better today. Nobody wants to leave because of a weak performance." Killing it.
"Gee…thanks."
Drax doesn't notice his displeasure. "It was a seriously pathetic performance. But one thing that always helps me is tough love, and I must bestow that onto you."
"Yay…"
Brandon huffs. "Mate I don't need it, I'll do fine."
"That's absurd, I had to carry you."
"That was one time.."
"You and the rabbit also fumbled the sandbags."
"...ok. Two times. But I've been trying and we've come close three times now!" Brandon exclaims. "I'm not a weak link. You, or Daisy can rag on me all ya want." Daisy was told when to stop. Drax..just doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. It's to both their detriments.
"If you don't want us to tell you that you are weak, then just try harder."
Brandon's tone rises. "How encouraging! You're such a great thinker!"
Drax..pats him on the back. "That's the spirit we need. See you at the challenge." The Kylosian just leaves, completely missing the sarcasm in his voice. Once he's out of view, Brandon glares.
"What a f*cking idiot…"
The guardian's number one on Brandon's hitlist. He still doesn't seem to get what makes him so ticked.
Drax: He wasn't happy but since he has faith in us, we should excel. No gators will distract us this time.
As the destroyer heads back to camp, he comes across Rick who has more of a stride this time. After Ulala's talk, his crushed optimism is building itself back up.
"Mornin' Drax. Ready to kick some ass?"
"Ready for the whole war. Ulala said you've been shaking up, so it's good to see you aren't cowering on a log anymore. You are as important to this team as everyone else."
Rick chuckles. "I was shaken up but getting the supports gotten me back on my feet. It's about time we get back on ours."
The two share mutual smiles. After the rough couple of days, it has to feel good for them to feel some sort of happiness.
Rick: That lady has a point. If we think we can't win, we won't.
Speaking of said lady, she's not in the next scene. Instead, the second person to approach Brandon today is Daisy. She sees him muttering to himself and decides to see what's up,
"Why the long face?"
"..take a guess."
…
"He speaks before he thinks."
"I know he doesn't mean to but..he's got guts to call me the weakest link, when he could get distracted by a fly." Brandon explains. "Yeah he's great physically but he's dragging me down."
The princess steps closer. "Did you tell him off?"
"Nope, not dealing with it."
"Well the next time he tries that, don't let him talk down to you. Drax seems good at heart but with how he talks to people, he sounds like a douchebag." Daisy advises. "Even if you bomb that challenge, you tell him how you feel."
"Will he even listen though?"
"You don't know if you don't try. If he comes for your throat, we'll have your back game or not. I've had enough egos for a month."
Daisy: I'm so fed up with these people causing trouble! It's every day on this team! Yeah I'm the same woman who called him weak to his face, but what Chun said stuck with me….her 'emotions' talk won't work on Drax, he'll probably get defensive. Sorry bud.
Immunity Challenge
Day 11
"Come on in!"
The machines enter first as per usual. They've still been winning, but one machine would like to see that come to an end.
Dark Samus: Megatron's outlived his usefulness. Sektor's looking like a prime tool for my game, so we need to be rid of that Decepticon on a loss…unless he cleans up his act. But his stubbornness has shown to be his downfall.
They come to a stop, and the six of Man enter next. They still look as cold as ice, and come to a stop. With both tribes on their mats, Jeff breaks down what's coming next.
"Man, Machine, welcome to your next challenge. Immunity is back up for grabs." Jeff opens. "For today's challenge, you're gonna race up and over an obstacle, to a pile of large sandbags. You'll empty the sandbags until you find one bag containing a ball. Once you have the ball, you'll lift a heavy ladder, climb it, then throw a rope down to your team below so they can raise a bridge. Everyone will race across the bridge to the finish, where one tribe member will have to navigate the ball through a snake maze."
Well if it isn't 'A Bridge You Must Cross', from Survivor: 44.
"First team to complete the snake maze, wins immunity and lives to see another day."
That's cool, but the Sitout situation needs addressed again.
"Since Man has six..machines, you'll need to sit three out." The machines huddle together. Sektor, Rocket, and Gazelle sat out last time, so they'd have to make some changes again.
"I'll pop a squat." Monty says.
"We need speed, strength, and smarts. We have enough of that as is, so I'll sacrifice my spot." Dark Samus adds, complimenting her team…or is she? Is she being genuine? Is she downplaying herself on purpose? Only she knows.
"You'll be fine without me this time." Cyrax says, sitting out for the first time.
The machines break their huddle and let the host know what's up. "I'm out." Monty says.
"As am I." (Dark Samus)
"I'll be sitting out too." (Cyrax)
"Alright you three, head to the Sitout bench." Those three walk on back, and Jeff focuses on the twelve actually participating. "I'll give you a moment to prepare, and we'll get started…"
Sitting Out: Montgomery Gator, Dark Samus, and Cyrax
Both tribes are ready to lunge over those wooden steps, and run down that net to the sandbags.
"Immunity on the line. Survivors ready?"
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"GO!"
The teams take off. It's pretty even, with the only two slacking behind being Rick and Brandon. The other four of Man are keeping up with these machines.
When they get to the net though, Sektor just jumps down and heads for the sandbags, saving himself time. Megatron follows suit, and everyone else goes down the net like normal.
"It doesn't matter how fast or strong you are, you NEED to get that ball first to have any advantage!" Jeff warns.
After a while, the teams dig up their sandbags, and it's down to which one finds their ball first. Sektor is on another level as he tosses the sand aside like it's dirt, and finds the smaller bag. Without a word he runs towards the ladder and beckons his team over. "There's no time to waste!"
His fellow machines run over, but on the other team Brandon pulls out a small bag! "I found it!" He shouts…but he doesn't feel a ball from the outside.
Drax doesn't know. "Excellent Brandon, now we can just—"
"Neeevermind…"
The guardian is dumbfounded. "Why give our hopes up?"
"Look I thought I found it, but I didn't ok?! I'm not a superhero like all of you!"
The machines already have Sektor up top, throwing their rope down. Monty, on the sidelines, hears the commotion and decides to stir shit as usual. "JUST KISS ALREADY!"
"WHAT?!" Drax shouts, getting a look at Brandon again. "He's not my type! He's so scrawny I could use him as a straw!"
"You're the best!" Brandon says with a vicious dose of sarcasm.
Daisy just has enough. "Can you two shut the hell up and dig?! We don't got all day!" The Irishman goes silent and gets back to his mission.
On the machines side, they've raised the bridge. The animatronic's feeling hot and boasts to the raccoon. "Shit-stirring pays off ya now!"
"It's also gonna get you targeted!"
Rocket races up the course, but Monty's not done talking on the bench. "By YOU? That's so bad for ya game it's not even funny!"
"Oh no, not me. Just five pissed off people with nothing to lose. Six if you keep pushin' your luck."
We get more from Rocket in his confessional.
Rocket: This dude loves annoying people, can't stop won't stop. Thinks he's sabotaging Drax, but he's dragging himself down with him.
Monty makes a smart decision, and decides to shut up for now. When they come to the snake maze, it's all about who they choose.
Rocket campaigns for Sektor. "Y'know, if Cyrax is a beast then you should be too. You've been our MVP."
"As you wish."
Sektor heads to their last obstacle. It's all about patience and timing. Watch where the ball goes, and how you lift it. One wrong roll can blow a whole lead.
Man finally gets it together as their bridge is already raised. Ulala has their ball, and they all slide down that wall and reach the maze. Sektor's already starting, and is doing ok with himself. "Ok, who's taking this?" The reporter asks.
"If it's a game of patience, I've got this." Chun says, and she's given the ball.
"Man and Machine are on the same level, and it's time to see who's winning round seven!"
Chun isn't a chump when it comes to these type of challenges, so she's able to keep up with Sektor. When the ball rolls a little too far right, the two balance it out to keep it on the snake. When that ball leaves the snake, it means a great deal.
"Slow and steady wins in the snake maze." Jeff remarks.
Cyrax looks on at their approaches, and gets a confessional talking about who he thinks has it.
Cyrax: Anytime Chun-Li has faced a Lin Kuei it's been close but she's come up short every time. It will may stay the same here, because Sektor's just as capable as I am. It's not overconfidence, I just know what's about to happen.
We'll see if his prediction holds up, as they gets ever so close to the hole. It's a nail biter, as both are inches away. In the end….
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Sektor BARELY gets in first!
"MACHINES WIN IMMUNITY!"
Sektor lets the maze go as the sitouts rejoin with their tribe. Another close call for the team, but that lead benefitted Sektor..a lead he actually made himself. If they were just a few seconds late, then Man would be taking home the win.
It's a good moment for him, but others on the team are thrilled for a different reason…
Like Megatron.
Megatron: As long as the machines stomp them out, I will live. After everyone's outburst I'll need protection every round from now on.
In Silver Sonic's confessional, he has no faith in him.
Silver Sonic: If you need protection every round, there is a slim chance to reach the end. Megatron's not the strongest here, so his fate is sealed, and whether it's at swap or at merge..I'LL be the one to call that shot. He just set himself up.
Both tribes meet up with Jeff. Man has the stench of another loss, some can argue it's getting embarrassing at this point. They've got strong people, but maybe the machines are just..absolutely broken together.
Jeff doesn't shy away. "Machines, you are by far the strongest tribe we have. Congratulations, and enjoy the fishing gear waiting for you at camp. Good night." The intact machines leave, and that just leaves him with the Man tribe. Again.
"I saw what happened out there. This team is nothing short of a mess. If you can't get it together, the machines are going to eat you alive. By the end of tonight, you'll lose half your tribe. Do you want to get destroyed?…just think about that." Jeff is unloading, but it seems to be out of actual concern rather than malice. "Head back to camp. I'll see you tonight."
The six left leave the challenge area, and head back. The pill to swallow only gets smaller with every hit they take. There's nothing they can do now but send someone else packing, and hope for a change down the line.
Man
Day 11
Brandon, Chun-Li, Daisy, Drax, Rick Grimes, and Ulala
They all arrive at camp. Somebody else is leaving, it's inevitable.
Rick doesn't want the camp going through a Great Depression. "Like someone told me, keep hope alive…" he says, giving Ulala a smirk. She smiles back, but that moments interrupted when Drax reflects over what happened.
"..HE will never leave us alone." he vents. "Turned a bad situation into an even worse one."
"You're the one who yelled at me…"
"Then—-"
Daisy cuts them off before anything can break. "STOP….Drax, we need to talk."
Cut to Drax having to defend himself to the women on the team.
"Is this talk a warming? I know I shout but I shouldn't be going home before Brandon. He cannot keep up with us." Drax says.
Daisy just keeps it real. "Yeah he's been a problem but you KEEP letting that gator screw you. He's done it everytime, and he's gonna keep doing it until it sends you home."
"He just has a mystical way of pissing me off. That accent..that smirk..those stupid glasses.."
Chin interjects. "He doesn't matter now. If you can't control yourself it'll be hard for anyone to trust you. They'll see you snap at any moment and cut you just as fast. THAT'S what he wants. Don't entertain him."
Drax pauses for a minute, but then it clicks. "Ohhh…that bastards trying to bait me! If he wants to kill me, then I'll do the best I can to hold it together. But if he gets personal, there's no guarantee I won't decimate him in a…"
They all look disapprovingly.
"…a dance battle." he finishes.
"..not what I meant." Chun responds. "But as long as you don't repeat history, that'll do."
Cut to her confessional.
Chun-Li: I don't like scorning people, but Drax NEEDS to hear it. His strength can only carry him so far before he's a pain to everyone around him. He's upset Brandon, he's having issues with Monty..who's next?
Elsewhere, Brandon jumps on the 'anti-Drax' train and comes to Rick about it.
"That guy's unpredictable. He basically screwed us over because of a grudge! It cost us time." Brandon recalls. "I say he's had enough chances.."
"He didn't need to put you down like that either." Rick points out. "Very disrespectful."
"Yeah! And I know I'm not the strongest but me eyes are gonna be on the prize. We can't get the prize if we don't win these challenges! He only has his eyes on Monty. If he messed up twice, he'll do it a third I betcha."
"That's not good…"
"It's shite is what it is. If there's no swap, he'll just keep gettin triggered till we lose. I won't let the others get to me." Brandon promises.
"Good point."
It seems like Rick's giving him two-three word answers. Is he actually into booting Drax? Or does he have some other intent?
He explains in confessional.
Rick: Drax can snap at any moment. That's a liability…but he's not the only one at fault. Brandon cost us time not just at the reward, but today. Grabbed an empty bag. It's like I said yesterday, one of them is going to go. Who?
Rick and Chun-Li meet up to see who's going next. They both have the most connections on the team, and can be considered the main decision makers.
"There's no getting out of it. Who are you leaning to?" The sheriff asks.
"Drax. He's strong but we don't know what he's going to do next. We could be in a good spot and he could blow it up just cause he got baited again." She explains. "You know what happens when you're on his bad side.."
"I know from experience that people can eat others from the inside." Rick notes. "Drax's hostility can lead to that."
"We can critique him once and there's a chance he'll flip over. He could have better connections over there." The street fighter responds.
"Yeah..but Brandon's no saint." Rick says, throwing his name on the table. "He's blown his fair share too. If we're bein' honest, it's not best to keep him for strategy either."
"Is he on your bad side?"
"I don't hate the kid but he'll come for us when he gets the chance, he's scraping by. Drax has more trust in us."
Chun takes that point in. "Well whichever way we cut it, there's still going to be a problem."
"Then that'll make our next loss easier to handle."
It's not going to be an easy vote. Both guys have their strengths, but also big weaknesses that can affect how people move forward. It's all about strength and trust. Who will walk out alive? Who will be the fourth person taken out?
Find out right now….
Tribal Council
Night 11
The six tribe members enter the Tribal Council set for a third time. Jeff's waiting for them in his usual spot at the podium, watching the downfall of this team that even has capable people. They've got their torches in hand and hit the fire pit, where they light them up.
"Dip your torches in the fire. Fire represents your life, once it's gone…so are you."
They take a seat on the stumps provided and set their torches in the holes they need to be. Jeff knows for a fact that matters have gotten worse, actively dogging on them for how they can't make anything happen. He officially kicks off this Tribal Council.
"What I said at the challenge stands true. It's been eleven days, and no tribe has had a rougher start than this." Make them feel better, Jeff. "The way I see it, this is not a strength issue. It's communication. You have come close, but you lose time at the worst moments."
"I am one of the people at fault." Drax admits. "It was brought to my attention that the robot on the other team was trying to bait me."
"I'm glad you're up to speed." Jeff loves shading people today. "But you chose to entertain him."
"He has such a punchable face..but I was told to resist these urges. It was like group therapy." Drax says.
"I wouldn't say therapy, they were just scolding you."
"Then they did it in a calm way."
Jeff tilts his head. "Well if you know you're a target, there's gotta be someone else who knows. In these past two challenges there's been a couple common denominators. You…and Brandon."
The guy let's out a sigh. "Outta all the days, this has been one of 'em."
"Have you and Drax been around campaigning?"
"It's all we can do."
At least it's obvious even to them. It's not obvious who's voting for them, so Jeff spins it on the four safe. "Ulala, what are you voting based off of?"
"I want a good team, not a crazy one."
"Rick?" Jeff asks.
"If we vote Brandon, it's about strength. If we vote Drax, it's about worries."
The host looks at the group, and everyone seems content except for the two on the line. "If that's a sentiment everyone has, there's no need to ask anymore questions…unless someone wants to speak up."
Drax clears his throat, striking fear into his five castmates..just praying he won't say anything stupid,
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"May the best man win, Brandon McDonough." He offers his hand and the kid just stares at it. "There's nothing to be scared of, I will not bite."
Brandon just scoots away from him. "Nah I'm good."
"Suit yourself."
They turn back to the host, some tension in the air.
"Let's see which one of you's getting the boot. It is time to vote. Brandon, you're up first."
The guy heads to the voting booth, ready to put down that D-R-A-X.
Brandon: You've been and will continue to be a burden. Get on outta here mate. (Drax)
Drax: You had a bad start, and now you'll have a bad ending. (Brandon)
After voting's finished, the eight head back to their stumps. Jeff knows what time it is. "I'll tally the votes…" he goes to retrieve the voting urn. Brandon and Drax watch with intent as the host leaves. Once Jeff fetches it, he heads back to the podium with that urn, and places it there.
"If anyone has a hidden immunity idol or advantage they'd like to play, now would be the time to do so." Everyone looks around, but nobody steps up to make a play. The host moves on. "I'll read the votes…" he removes the lid, and pulls those six pieces of parchment out.
He orders them up for the sake of being dramatic, and gets to reading. "First vote…"
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"Drax."
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"Brandon."
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"Brandon."
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"Brandon."
The kid picks his bag up. "Well f*ck me."
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"Fourth person voted out of Man versus Machine…Brandon. Bring me your torch."
The guy gets up and snags that torch. "I've got the worst luck ever."
"Your ability to scrape by is admirable." Drax being nice? "But you need to work on your fitness."
"I need to get people who actually want to play the f*ckin game with me." Brandon shows some salt as he sets his torch down infront of the host.
"What a bad run."
"Brandon…the tribe has spoken."
SNUFF…
"Time for you to go."
He leaves the Tribal Council area without another word. If someone wasn't evacuated, he may have left third, but that event was a blessing for him and a curse for a certain machine. Once he leaves, Jeff turns back to the FIVE people left on this team.
"If you want to go five in a row, keep doing what you're doing. If you want to win? Change it up. Head back to camp, have a good night." Jeff closes.
The five grab their torches and leave the Tribal set. There's another long day ahead, but that doesn't mean it has to be the same.
A twist may be on the way.
Voting:
Brandon— Drax, Chun-Li, Daisy, Rick, and Ulala
Drax— Brandon
Confessional Count:
16– Rick Grimes ( + 3)
15– Daisy ( + 3)
14– Montgomery Gator ( + 4), Chun-Li ( + 2)
13– Megatron ( + 2)
12– Drax the Destroyer ( + 3)
11– Cyrax ( + 4), Sektor ( + 3), Rocket Raccoon ( + 1)
10– Clank ( + 3), Silver Sonic ( + 3), Ulala ( + 2)
9– Dark Samus ( + 2), Mighty Gazelle ( + 1)
Eliminated:
9– Brandon ( + 1)
4– Nabbit, Sackboy
3– Porky
Drax and Brandon's bickering during the challenges lead to this. Brandon was thrown under by Porky, Nabbit, and Drax, that's not a good experience. Just unfortunate. Anyways, Drax lives to see another day but with his personality who knows how much longer he'll last. He has that connection with Rocket, but then again, how far can that get him?
The machines got loads of content this time around. We dove into Cyrax's confliction with Sektor, Megatron damaging himself, Silver Sonic's background, Clank's kindness, and more. With Episode 5 looming, both tribes will get more development. Imagine if there's a swap? That'll definitely change something.
Episode 5's coming soon, Ticket out, I'll see you next time!