Robot Jox Page #3

What, they don't teach anatomy

in "tubie" school?

I just wanted to see

if you were different.

And you found out

boys and girls are different.

I mean, for being a champion.

But there's nothing special

about your body.

Thanks.

So, what makes you different?

Luck.

That's circular. Anyone who survives

Oh, I don't know.

They say you make your own luck.

That just means the person with

the most confidence is more likely to win.

Maybe, maybe not.

You know those pictures

on the wall at the bar?

Now those were some confident

sons of b*tches.

Maybe what they needed

was a little dose of fear.

- Fear?

- Yeah. You heard of it?

Yes, but I don't see how that could help.

Caution, yes, but not fear.

Yeah.

That's what I used to tell myself

before my first one.

I'm not afraid

of a goddamn thing. Huh.

Enjoy it while you can.

- I won't be afraid.

- Keep telling yourself that, kid.

I was bred not to have fear.

Okay, so you're not human.

I am human,

but I was bred for a purpose.

You. You just happened.

Yeah, that's what Daddy used to say.

That's why you quit.

You ran out of courage.

You don't know anything about it.

Rather than face Alexander again,

you took refuge in a technicality.

Ten fights is 10 fights.

Nine fights and one draw.

What do you know about it?

Huh? What do you know about it?

It isn't over until somebody wins!

This is over.

I wanted to learn the secret

of the great Achilles...

but you just talk

about luck and fear.

There's nothing you can teach me,

except how to lose.

You know, she thinks she's got

a shot at fighting Alexander.

Sure. All the rest of the team gets

hit by a truck, she'd be number one.

You think?

Good on paper, but she's a woman.

No chance.

Yeah. Guess not.

Why'd you do that?

Well, they're the future,

whether we like it or not.

If they're the future,

I'm glad I'm history.

All right, hit the showers!

Hey, that wasn't so bad.

Hey, a light workout.

They do make the locker room

What's this?

Oh, my team,

we all used to wear 'em.

Thought maybe you could use it.

I know you don't believe in luck...

but it got me through 10 fights.

I'm sorry. I don't have anything

to give to you in return.

It's a present.

Just say thanks.

Thanks.

Guess, this is good-bye,

jock buddy.

Yeah.

You take care of yourself,

you hear?

You too.

Crash and burn.

That's just for jox.

- Kate.

- Jim, good to see you!

Don't let the air in.

- It's gotten worse than before?

- Oh, they say it's better.

- My turn.

- Just not used to it.

My turn!

Hey, Tommy!

But it's just UncleJim again.

I'm not fighting anymore.

- Ah, can I still call you Achilles?

- Yeah, you can.

Go get your daddy, Tommy.

Dad, Achilles is here.

Look at you.

Oh, we're just doing our part.

And besides, with six kids,

you get three bedrooms.

- Jimbo!

- Philly!

We thought you bought it last time.

Yeah. Well, crash and burn

suddenly takes on a new meaning.

Yeah. Well, you're safe now.

Listen, honey, why don't you giveJim

a beer. I'll be with you in a minute.

Yes. Come on, come on.

Hey, hey, hey, hey?

Now what did I tell you kids?

I want quiet in here.

I want everyone indoors playing.

So, how's the reading business?

Ah, well, it's a little slow.

Hello?

You tell that chickenshit Achilles

that he can take his goddamn robot...

- and shove it up his ass!

- Up yours too.

We've been getting some calls like that.

About me?

They don't know anything about it.

Putting your life on the line.

Yeah, fans.

We're having real meat tonight.

To celebrate.

Part of the test is that I don't give

too many instructions.

This is the rattle room.

It shakes.

You gotta try and get to the top

without breaking your neck.

The first one to make it

through the red doorway... wins.

That's it?

That's it.

As soon as you hear the buzzer,

you try and make it to the top...

and stay alive.

- So, after a grueling barrage of tests

- Achilles? UncleJim. Wake up.

You told me to wake you if they said

who was gonna fight. It's coming on.

... and face the Confed

killing machine, Alexander.

A truly historical event.

The first female robojox, Athena.

She has only a fighting name,

fight fans...

having been genetically engineered

just to fight in the games.

And so, tomorrow will be

her big day.

Joining me now in the studio

is Professor Laplace...

creator of the GenJox program

which drew genetically

How about that, UncleJim.

You said she'd never make it.

Professor, is Athena

more than human?

- You will fight him?

- That's right.

And in return?

All I want is there won't be

any bleacher bums. Clear the area.

Well, that won't be too difficult.

In fact, we already thought about getting

rid of the spectators anyway after

Why did you decide to come back?

Do we have a deal?

Indeed we do.

- Achilles.

- Hey, Doc.

Good to have you back.

Just got the countdown sheet.

No new weapons briefing?

I was wondering about that myself.

No new weapons.

The briefing's on tape.

You screen it before the fight tomorrow,

in the cockpit.

Hold it! My boy doesn't get a computer

simulation, just goes at it cold?

Exactly.

- That don't make sense.

- Security measure.

The ultimate security measure.

No one, not even the engineers

that installed the individual units...

know the exact nature

of these weapons.

No one but me.

Sounds like too good a secret.

What if I don't know how to use 'em?

It's really quite simple.

Yeah, well, a knife is simple,

usin' it ain't.

You both will just have to trust me.

We've lost more matches

to security leaks...

than through any superior skills

on the part of our opponent.

This time, there'll be no leaks.

Also, this does conform

to the original, sir.

I don't know about you, I trust thatJap

about as far as I can throw him.

- Yeah?

- That green laser, for instance?

Only him and me knew all the specs.

I sure as hell didn't tell nobody.

Hey, the doc's weird,

but he ain't no spy.

I don't know.

Hey, hey, hey, buddy?

Athena. Hey

Come on, 10 more minutes.

That's it.

Work hard! Work hard!

Hey, the boy's back.

Drinks on the house!

You wanna start out with A

or you just wanna pick it up with T?

Just a beer.

I'm in training.

- Yeah?

- We know why you came back.

Do tell.

You planned to fight all along.

You pretended to retire

so they'd offer you more money!

- Well, you think what you want.

- So, why did you come back?

Needed the exercise.

I never thought that I would say this.

But I'm glad to see you,

very glad.

Wish I could say the same.

You're making my beer curdle.

And you.

You make my drink taste like blood.

Set the windshield and the battle screen

to maximum opacity.

Now, turn the yellow knob

all the way to the right.

Howdy, Doc.

Good evening, Tex.

Something I can do for you?

Well, hell. I just don't know why you

left me out of that weapons briefing.

If you think there's something out of line

or you think I'm some kind of a security

Look at this, Tex.

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