The horn sounded once more and the score was tied at three apiece. Robert panted as he tried to soothe the pain in his chest. His vision was blurred and he had difficulty following the blue streak that was zipping around him. He saw his target reappear behind Matthew who was slowly spinning as he floated towards him with his back turned.

  Matthew had his basket up as the sphere was coming towards him. He was setting up a whip shot that would most likely be aimed at Robert's head. Robert set his magnet on full attract and pointed it at his opponent's back. Matthew yelped as he began to accelerate backward; quickly moving away from the ball. He didn't have the leverage to use his own magnet against Robert and he flew helplessly. Robert put out an arm and let Matthew collide with it; the resulting impact put his own body in a spin. At the 180 degree mark he scooped the still floating puck into his basket and shot it out at his white circle at the full 360. It flew in a graceful line where it hit it's mark dead in the center with a resounding gong. The crowd cheered Robert's name and a '4' appeared on the scoreboard as he took the lead one more time.

  "Oh, you're going to pay for that!"

  "Come get some white boy!"

  Robert's target reappeared to his side and both men began to scramble for the ball. Matthew was traveling towards it at a slightly faster rate, having just pushed off the wall after being pulled into it. He was rotating slowly and was pedaling his legs to compensate and straighten out his flight. Robert was still in his spin and he perked his ears when he heard the energy sphere hit the wall behind him. He struggled to speed up his turn and he bent his neck to look behind him; the ball was arching near and he pointed his magnet to bring it in.

  Robert heard Ramirez's warning a split second before Matthew's basket connected with his chin. He felt something snap and stars filled his vision; his mind replayed the sunrise he had seen earlier and he couldn't help but be lost in it's beauty. Matthew pulled the puck in closer and swiped at it with his basket hand on it's return swing from Robert's face. It grazed his target and the red circle flashed.

  The crowd was on their feet and stamping their boots. Alexander's face reappeared.

  "MATCH POINT. NEXT WARRIOR TO SCORE WINS THE MATCH. THIS IS SO EXCITING. I ... I CAN'T WATCH!" His face faded away.

  Matthew looked at Robert and smiled, he was still reeling from the last blow and floating near the wall of the court; his back facing him. Another red circle appeared on the wall near him and began to float upward. The sphere hit one of the far ends of the capsule and began to spin towards him. Matthew set his magnet on full attract and dragged it into his basket. He pulled back his arm and launched his final shot.

  He flinched as he saw Robert push slightly off the wall and point his own magnet towards the ball. It began to curve away from it's intended target and collided with the wall in front of Robert where Matthew could not see; there was a white flash and the horn sounded. The sound from the audience was deafening, the scoreboard began to flash and Alexander reappeared.

  "WHAT? WHAT HAPPENED? OH MY GOD! ROBERT HAS SCORED THE FINAL POINT AND TAKEN THE MATCH! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOU'RE NEW CHAMPION : 'RAVISHING' ROBERT 'RUDE'!"

  Robert tucked in his legs and spun in a ball as he floated happily through the air in his victory pose.

  "CENTRALIZING GRAVITY AND RETURNING FLOOR."

  Matthew, dejected, began to float towards the center of the tube; his body righted itself automatically and he stretched out his legs as the floor began to rematerialize beneath him and Robert. He got back his bearings and walked over to the new champion, slapping his shoulder.

  "Congratulations stud, you've earned it you slick, tricky bastard."

  "Thanks man. It's about time and I have to say it was an honor to finally kick your ass." Robert smiled, a trickle of blood had coated his front teeth red.

  "You got somethin' ...," Matthew pointed at his own teeth and Robert quickly licked his clean.

  The capsule opened and Ramirez rushed in, jumping onto Robert and almost knocking him to the ground.

  "That's right, that's my boy. Congratulations lover, I'm proud of you," she turned to Matthew, "and I'm sorry for you, of course."

  "Of course, I accept your condolences." Matthew looked back at Robert, "next time I take back my title."

  Robert grinned and reached out. They gave each other a hug and Matthew walked off of the court with his head hung in shame. Vanessa was waiting for him with a concerned look.

  "I don't know why you guys do this to yourselves."

  "For the same reason you keep coming to watch," he leaned in towards her, the sweat on his face pungent and dripping, "you love it!"

  "Are you okay darlin'?"

  "I'll live. I've got to get clean and suit up for the mission. Thanks for the concern though."

  "It's my job, don't think anything of it." Matthew laughed and the door to the holodeck opened for him. Vanessa moved over to the new champion who was rubbing his jaw. "And how about you? Do you need medical attention?"

  "An aspirin wouldn't hurt."

  "Nothing so primitive, come on you two. Might has well fix you before the show starts."

  The Captain and Krista were waiting by the exit as everyone else was shuffling out. The holocrowd was still cheering.

  "Good job Rob. Hell of a match. Better than the last one by a long shot."

  "At least this time I didn't break any bones. I think."

  "I can't wait to see your next bout."

  "I can."

  "Get yourself cleaned up and be on the bridge in forty-five minutes. Ramirez, prepare yourself and prep the team; be in the shuttle bay by the same time."

  "Yes sir."

  He turned and walked out; Krista winked and followed him.

  Robert kissed Ramirez on the cheek and they walked out together as the crowd disappeared behind them and the holodeck shut itself down.

-     -     -

On to Page 3

-     -     -

Back to Necronomicon Index