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Chapter 13: Hell!
By DC Green | 02 November 2010 |
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Page 1 of 3
 The plan seemed perfect. My twin sister Annie did such a good job of impersonating me so she could compete in the Cosmic Surf War on Planet Hell, she even fooled our ma. After Annie’s Round Four victory over Bi-Robot, a commentator gushed: ‘Zack Carver is surfing better than ever. Why, even his interview technique has improved!’ I grumbled. Stupid, observant commentator. Annie ripped all the way to the final. On the opposite side of the draw, Darth Staker took a different path: a bloody path of murdering every surfer he faced, including Sharkina and local Doris Grrng. Vid-droids showed Ripaquikbong manager Daphne Grrng, roaring fire. Watching the final from my hospital bed, I felt more nervous than when I had to surf against Darth myself. ‘She’ll be fine,’ Catbird gulped beside me. ‘Sure,’ I croaked. And so it seemed. Annie’s first lava tube ride earned a blistering 9.75. Long before she flicked out, the commentators’ adjective-well babbled dry. Darth’s first ride scored 7.75. On Annie’s second wave, Darth pulled his materialisation drop-in trick. Annie appeared ready. Trapped against the flaming foam-ball, she braced behind her omnium shield. Darth grated, ‘Living metal… obey your master!’ Annie gasped. Her shield liquefied. Darth’s hand transformed into a whirring chainsaw. I screamed at the holo-TV. ‘Not again! NO!’ I wanted to click off the holo-TV! I couldn’t click off the holo-TV!! Darth’s chainsaw hand coiled, ready to strike. Annie leaned back. Darth leaned forward. Annie leaned wayyy back. The lava tube thundered around them. Behind her back, Annie’s hand formed a fist. She uppercut with such speed, Darth had no time to react. Slo-mo replays showed both her lava-suit and knuckle-skin splitting open at the moment of impact. Her knuckle-bones drove Darth’s jaw-plate north. His processing centre clicked and whirred. Annie grimaced, and regained her balance. Metal eyes glazed, Darth tumbled into the fiery foamball. |