AQUA OLYMPICS
6th Event - Pursuit
(All characters copyright their respective owners)
Author's Note: Greetings, everyone. Brian here again. You know, I find
it unusually interesting that the last time my site was working was when
I last posted an Author's Note to this series. Well, things come full
circle, I guess. I'm just glad to have things back to normal. Ah, we're
up to the Pursuit. This one's one of my favorites, and if the event
looks familiar to you, it should. One of my personal inspirations when
we were looking for events for this was American Gladiators, still one
of my favorite shows of all time. This event, however, was one of the
international events, never done here in the States. Still, it was
worthy to be used here, and you'll see it's not the only event that made
the cut. Trevor can certainly vouch for that... hehehe...OK, I've said
too much already. Enjoy this chapter, and as always, Stay Way Past Cool!
Brian: "We are beginning the 2nd half of these games with a high speed
race that is also an underwater chase. Pursuit is the next event for
these competitors."
Trevor: "Correct, Brian. Competitors will be competing against each
other in 5 2 man heats. Best time or greatest distance reached
determines the placing. Robert, can you explain the rules of this
event?"
Robert: "Each competitor will be in full gear for this event, and have
a flag attached to their waist. A pace robot will be trailing them to
get the flag. Lose the flag, lose the event. Along the way they have to
deal with obstacles such as a coral slalom and an ink patch that reduces
visibility to nothing. Fastest time through wins, or in the event no one
makes it, furthest distance gets the gold."
Brian: "And coming down into the water are the first two looking to set
a great time against the pace robot, as we see Tummi and Cubbi, the two
gummis, suiting up."
Trevor: "This screams emotional content, folks. The two gummis lining
up against each other. Cubbi's the easy fave over Tummi in this heat
though... and there's goes the gun, and this event is underway!"
Robert: "And Cubbi takes off quickly, zooming right into the first
obstacle, the cave tunnel. Tummi follows along, more slowly as if trying
to pace himself. And there's the pace robot starting after them."
Brian: "Dark inside the tunnel, but Cubbi's not too hampered yet, it
seems. Tummi's now seeing the bot behind him and is picking it up for
the entrance himself."
Trevor: "Cubbi's keeping up strong as he exits the tunnel and is now
entering the coral slalom, while Tummi's struggling just to keep ahead
the pace robot and he starts to close on the end of the cave. Cubbi's
weaving through the coral very nicely though, already halfway through
that."
Robert: "And the pace robot's caught up to Tummi and took his flag.
That's all she wrote for him. Cubbi's about through the coral, but he
seems to be laboring slightly. He might've gone out too hard too fast
here."
Brian: "Indeed, he's slowing up a little as he gets out and is moving
into the bars. Having no problem on the ascents, but swimming down under
the low bars, you can see he's a bit slower than he was a minute ago."
Trevor: "Yeah, but he's still going very fast, leaving the pace robot
very far behind, as it's still in the middle stages of the slalom. We
can see Tummi getting out of the pool now, shaking his head. He didn't
even get into the slalom before the robot got him. Cubbi's getting close
to the start of the ink tunnel."
Robert: "And he plunges into it without slowing down, trying to get
through it. Ouch! I heard that as he contacted a wall. That's gotta
hurt."
Brian: "I just suddenly remembered, those ink tunnels aren't straight,
right? Well, Cubbi just got reminded, too. And now this is gonna cost
him some valuable time against the pacebot."
Trevor: "Yes, and the pace robot is preparing to enter the ink area.
Cubbi's recovering though, and he's starting to get through the area...
he's feeling the walls. He's clearly learned something from the maze...
(Wait a few moments) Wow, he's actually almost out of there! He's about
to enter the final obstacle."
Robert: "But this is where he'll have the most problems. That
forcefield he just passed through cut off his tanks. He won't be able to
take another breath while in the area."
Brian: "And he's slowing up real quick in there. You know that his
small stature means he's got a short hold. He's pushing hard, but I
don't know, can he hold all the way through?"
Trevor: "Well, to be honest... I'm not too confident in his chances.
He's trying his best, but he's only halfway through, and he's
practicially screaming for air... (Wait a few moments) Forget it, it's
over... he's had it, he's drowned in the tunnel. Tough break for the
kid."
Robert: "And Cubbi goes down only feet from the finish line. That's
going to be hard to swallow for the young cub, but for now he's in the
lead as the next heat gets ready."
Brian: "Cubbi's total distance has been marked at 285 meters on this
300 meter course, 30 meters each obstacle, 10 meters in between. This
is what the other competitors will be based on if no one finishes. Up
next, Simon and Theodore. Your thoughts, Trevor."
Trevor: "Right now, my thoughts are why did they put Simon and Theodore
against each other in two events in a row. Anyway, They're ready to jump
in.. and there they go. Simon's going a bit faster than Theodore, and
he's trying to put some distance between them."
Robert: "Well, it's the luck of the draw Trevor, you can never be sure
what's going to come up in the matches. Theo is trying to keep up with
Simon's pace, but it doesn't look like he'll be able to as the pace
robot is released now."
Brian: "Into the tunnel Simon goes. He's squinting in there to get a
good feel around, and it's really only having a limited effect, but
working. Theo's crawling in, but you can tell that he's not too thrilled
about this cave."
Trevor: "Hmm.... is he claustrophobic in this cave, I wonder... anyway,
the pace robots are making their way too. Simon, going at a somewhat
moderate pace for the time being, and Theo's trying to fight to pick it
up... oh, god, he's got his eyes closed.. open them, kid!"
Robert: "Oh man, I can't look.... (wait a moment) Ooh, but I heard
that. Was that Theo's skull hitting the wall?"
Brian: "Open your eyes, Robert, that was actually Simon hitting the
coral! Theo, surprisingly is still making his way through the cave, but
very luckily."
Trevor: "Yes, Simon went too fast and slammed into coral while turning.
He's recovering, and is continuing through the coral, about 2/3 through.
Theo's getting close to the end of the cave, but the pace robot is
gaining."
Robert: "And Theo makes it through the cave. But just as he's reaching
the coral, his flag gets snatched, Touigh break there."
Brian: "He didn't get much farther than Tummi there. Simon, meanwhile,
having a little more trouble with the coral as he escapes. His lankiness
cost him in the turns there. Now approaching the bars, and here's
another spot he might be in trouble for."
Trevor: "Up, and down, but never around, as they say. Anyway, we see
Theo getting out of the pool, upset with himself. Simon is still going
through the bars with some difficulty, and as a result, the pace bot has
made up ground."
Robert: "And Simon's finally made it through the bars, but he knows the
pacebot's right behind him. He quickly swims forward the 10 feet leading
to the next section, the inky passage. Think he'll make Cubbi's mistake,
Brian?"
Brian: "Not at all. He's now at the passage, and he's slowly making his
way in. Not a time for that, Simon. He's figuring on a careful approach,
but with the bot right on his heels, I don't know."
Trevor: "Exactly.... the bot goes in.... and... (Wait a few moments) it
finally steals his flag. Nowhere close to where Cubbi got to. Too bad
for both chipmunks, but neither will place well here."
Robert: "Simon looks disgusted, muttering to himself as he pulls
himself out of the water. Can't say I blame him though. Well, our 3rd
heat features 1 of the favorites to medal here: Louie, teamed with Bingo
for this heat."
Brian: "We're sure to see two quick runs from both of them. First let's
review where everyone's reached. Cubbi's lead holding with 285 meters,
Simon in 2nd with 195 meters, Theo way back with 65, and Tummi last with
60."
Trevor: "They go! And they're in the cave in a hurry, zooming right
through the cave, neck and neck. They're both almost through the cave
already and the pace bot's just been released!"
Robert: "And it's side by side as they enter the coral slalom. But
Bingo's tail got caught up! He's free now, but that cost him a few
precious seconds."
Brian: "Louie in the meantime is burning up the course. He's well ahead
of his pacebot as he escapes the coral in quick fashion. Bingo's not out
of the trap and making his way through as well. But he's gonna have to
pick it up to avoid getting tagged."
Trevor: "This is just another example of Bingo's bad luck kicking in.
If he didn't get his tail caught, he'd still be neck and neck with
Louie. He is coming to the end of the slalom, though, as Louie is a
third through the bars."
Robert: "And Bingo is picking it up, gaining some ground on Louie. He's
cut Louie's lead by half now as Louie finishes with the bars and moves
onto the ink-darkened section."
Brian: "And that should prove no challenge for either of these two.
They've got a 6th sense when it comes to that sort of thing, I'd
imagine. Bingo's finishing up on the bars now, and is about to head in
himself. And Louie just popped out! He's almost home, boys!"
Trevor: "Louie has entered the airless stretch, this should be no
problem for him, and he's streaking through with no problem. And... he's
there in 2:30! Bingo, unfortunely, has run into a few probs in the
ink... I can sense him cursing himself out in his mind in there."
Robert: "But here he is, going at full speed. Doesn't look like he got
a full breath before hitting the airless stretch though, but at his
speed it shouldn't matter."
Brian: "We'll see... he's pushing at it hard, but I can see that he's
losing his pace quickly from trying to hold his breath."
Trevor: "He's slowed down some, guys, but he still crosses the line at
a most respectable 2:57. Still, as he comes out, he's unhappy with
himself with his performance... he expected to do better, guys."
Robert: "I know he did, but that time might hold up to get him a medal,
especially with only two finishers thus far. We'll have to wait and see
however as the next heat's ready to begin with Plucky and Monty."
Brian: "And as we start this heat, I can't help but have a feeling
about Monty based on that last heat. We'll see as the boys get started.
A good one, both approach the cave quickly, but Plucky's taking it a
little quicker."
Trevor: "Not a surprise, Plucky IS the same species as our current
leader, so we can expect a strong run at a medal from the duck. Monty's
still handling the cave well enough as the pacebot is released. Plucky
is closing on the slalom, folks."
Robert: "And as Plucky enters the slalom, Monty joins him only seconds
later. They're both doing well....oh no! Monty's antlers got caught up!
It's bad too, I don't think he'll get out before he gets caught."
Brian: "Remember I said I had a feeling about Monty? That was it.
Monty's antlers were gonna be more of a problem than Bingo's tail was.
He's trying to yank himself out, and it's working, but it's really
slowing him up, and the pacebot's almost there."
Trevor: "Correction, Brian, the pacebot is there. out comes that little
robotic arm... Monty sees it and I swear he thinks it's going to suck
out his brain or something. But it only does what it's supposed to, and
snatches the flag. Now Monty can take his time getting out at least.
How's Plucky doing, Robert?"
Robert: "He's past the coral and entering the darkness now. I notice he
closed his eyes before he got there. Not even going to try to see his
way through, smart thinking."
Brian: "Not that it matters, he's got a mask on. Anyway, he's just
going on feeling, and... Yes, he's through, with the airlock to go! Can
he make it through in time?"
Trevor: "By the way, folks, Robert meant Plucky was past the bars. But
anyway... he's going as fast as he can.... but no! Crosses at 2:42,
really not that close, when you think about it."
Robert: "So I did, sorry about the mixup folks. Plucky's time puts him
in 2nd for now, while Monty's disappointing mark of 75 meters has him
well out of it."
Brian: "Which now brings us to our final faceoff between Alvin and
Buster. These two are both capable of posting in the medal column, but
one would feel that Alvin's gonna have the better shot. Your thoughts,
Trevor."
Trevor: "I tend to agree, Brian. Right now, Bingo's time of 2:57 is the
one on the medal bubble right now. But we'll have to see, as they just
went into the course! Alvin's grabbed a slight lead, as he's well into
the cave, while Buster isn't doing so bad himself. Robert?"
Robert: "They both are doing very well and pushing a quick pace. The
cave was nothing for them as they now enter the coral slalom, both
looking very good at the moment."
Brian: "And both handling it well. Alvin's getting a slight edge here,
it seems, but look at Buster. He's weaving through while flapping his
ears in all kinds of directions. I think he's trying to avoid getting
tangled like Monty and Bingo did before. But it's costing him a little
time."
Trevor: "Well, better than getting caught like they did. And Alvin's
now entering the bars. His smallish frame is a tremendous asset on this
course. Buster himself is now entering the bars himself, trying to make
up time."
Robert: "They're both pushing a record pace here...oh no! They've both
missed one of the bars! They realize it at the same time and go back to
avoid the time penalty, but the time they just wasted might cost them."
Brian: "The next to last high bar for Alvin, and the high bar before
that for Buster, they both passed below it. You're supposed to go over.
In either case, they're back on track, Alvin now REALLY trying to move
to the ink in a hurry."
Trevor: "He better slow down as he gets in there, and try to remember
whatever he learned from the Maze. Buster's a little more composed
looking, but is he too relaxed? We'll see as he heads into the darkness
a few seconds after Alvin."
Robert: "Oops, Alvin hit the wall, we can hear that, but it didn't even
slow him down for more than a second or two while Buster is slowly
closing the gap. I don't think he has enough time though."
Brian: "Both are well ahead of the pacebots, so there's no worry there.
However, with the clock at 2:20, it's clear both are out of the running
for gold. Alvin's out first in 2:25 from the ink tunnel, Buster... what
do you see, Trevor?"
Trevor: "I see Buster about to come out... oh, he hit a wall! This is
slowing him down good... Alvin's in the airless stretch though, and in
good position to take a medal here. Robert?"
Robert: "Yes he is....oh no! I think he forgot this was airless. He's
bactracked so he can get a breath and not drown, but this might just
have cost him as Buster makes his way out of the ink."
Brian: "It hurts him because it just stopped all of his momentum up to
this point, and it'll hurt his push in the chamber. He's giving it his
all, but you can see that Buster is hitting it with a bit more force."
Trevor: "They're both hitting it at the same time now... But it looks
like Alvin's getting a bit more back in him. Buster's losing more steam
from the airless conditions, and he's dropping back, likely out of medal
contention."
Robert: "Buster's trying desperately to catch up....but Alvin crosses
the finish line first in a time of....2:56? And Buster's time
is....2:58? I believe that's the closest heat we've had, isn't it
Brian?"
Brian: "Even if it's not, you can't get it any closer, just one second
seperates third, fourth and fifth place! But Louie takes the gold,
Plucky the silver, and Alvin just beats Bingo out for the bronze."
Trevor: "Yes, indeed, folks, and we'll have the post event interviews,
right after this break."
Interviews
Trevor: "And we're back for the interviews, and there's Louie. Hey,
Louie! you've finally broken your gold drought! Especially after
finishing out of the medals last time, how does this one feel?"
Louie: "It feels great. I knew I had it in me, I'm just glad I was
finally able to prove it."
Brian: "Now you did a lot of fast weaving and charging through the
obstacles in the Pursuit in order to post such a fast time. Now, how
much of that is gonna change when we get to the Assault next?"
Louie: "Well, I suppose it's just gonna be... wait a minute, (points at
Trevor), you're the one that's gonna shoot at us! I'm not tell you my
strategy! Nothing personal, though." (He leaves)
Robert: "Well, he's got a good point there Trevor. And here comes
Alvin. Hey Alvin, come here a second. You got bronze this event by a
difference of only one second. Any thoughts on that?"
Alvin: "Well, I know that everyone else just got lucky to only lose to
me by one second. But if it wasn't for my little mistake on that last
obstacle, I'd have that (points at Louie's medal) around my neck."
Trevor: "Well, that's why he has it, and you don't. Now that we're over
halfway through these games, what are your general thoughts for the rest
of these?"
Alvin: "I'm going to dominate them, of course. No way that beaver's
getting any more medals if I can help it."
Brian: "That's true, Alvin, but you have to admit, the competition has
been really fierce so far, and in this next event, it's not so much your
keeping anyone from winning as it is Trevor, sort of."
Trevor: "Thank you, Brian. Now then, shall we talk to our silver
medalist, Plucky? Plucky! Over here! Your best result up to this point,
Mr. Duck. Your thoughts?"
Plucky: "Well, I could have done better, but at least us ducks went
one-two this time. And who knows? Maybe next time it will be the other
way around. Boy would I like to get my hands on a gold medal."
Brian: "Well, we'll see, won't we. Now I'm curious about your skill in
this next event, since it's one of my favorites. Just how good of a
marksman are you?"
Plucky: "Well, I admit I'm not very experienced with a gun, but i'll
certainly try. However, I'm not going to say any more in the prescence
of the very one who'll blasting away at us. Excuse me, gentlemen... " He
leaves too
Trevor: "You know, guys, I'm enjoying this respect."
Robert: "Well, that's all for the medal winners, but wait a
minute....Bingo, can you come over and join us? Whoa, easy, I know
you're upset and all, but don't take it out on us."
Bingo: "Well, how would you feel if you lost by a second like I did?
I'll bet anything that Alvin or anyone else couldn't do that again!"
Trevor: "Kid, I've had worse happen to me while I was in the league,
and I know better than anyone here the best thing for you here is to
just calm down and prepare yourself for the next event. Besides, it
could be worse, trust me."
Bingo: "Oh really? Then tell me, what's worse than missing out on a
medal by just one second, huh?"
Brian: "Hey, it's happened to all of us, we've all been there. Maybe
not here, but somewhere. But you have to put this behind you. How do you
plan to rebound?"
Trevor: "Besides, look no further than what happened to Cubbi this very
event. But anyway, intriguing question from Brian. How do you plan to
answer?"
Bingo: "How else? By winning a gold and shoving it down that arrogant
chipmunk's throat. Excuse me."
Brian: "(Passes a creeped-out look to Trevor and Robert) And... we'll
be back for the Assault right after this. (Mouths to the others: "What's
his problem?")"
(To be continued in event 7, Assault...)
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