SDF - Round 2 - Part 1

Now this, this he could get used to.

Sitting below a skylight, watching the world go by as he rode the high of victory, he could not be more content.

Never in his life had he felt so powerful. For once in his life, he’d beaten the odds. He’d taken down Monkeyboy singlehandedly in a head to head contest. And best of all, while lady luck had surely been on his side, his win could be put down to his own skill, intellect and ingenuity. It was a new, beautiful feeling. Power. He was powerful. Why, with his newfound zapping skills, he could kill every one of those stupid bipedal creatures down there.

For the sixth time that morning, Karl grinned like a loon as he fantasised about one-upping every auditionee. The surprise on their faces would be exquisite. None had expected such power from a mere lizard!

He chuckled. What a difference a day had made. He could hardly wait to get his hands on his next opponent. If all he had to contend with were electricity-vulnerable fleshbags, he would win the contest for sure!

Karl smirked to himself, delighted with this revelation. But then his smile faded.

Yesterday had showed him that life wasn’t as simple as that.

Karl frowned. The fact that he had been called to the weasel-thingy’s personal office for a meeting had not been lost on him. Underneath the faux formality and friendliness of that meeting, the air had sparked with an unspoken proposition.

Work with me and I’ll make it worth your while.

The weasel saw him either as a potential asset or a threat. Both prospects might have made the gecko feel powerful, but he’d be stupid to ignore the fact that this was potentially dangerous. After all, even if he did succeed in the contest, he couldn’t guarantee that the weasel wouldn’t dispatch him himself. If his motives for taking part in the contest were ever uncovered, it was fair to say he would become too much of a liability to keep around.

If he was going to get out of here with his systems online and uncover the truth about the studio to the world, he needed to play his hand right. Whether the weasel’s offer was genuine or just a handy way of keeping Karl under control, he didn’t know, but he’d have to play his part.

Karl sighed. Winston was right about one thing at least - he needed to make friends.

Loathe though he was to admit it, there was far more to ‘winning’ this thing than defeating all his opponents. Against the odds, he would have to confound Winston to escape the studio, deftly evading all of the talent agents and cameras he had at his disposal.

Consequently, to expose the Spiral Down, achieve glory and get babes, he couldn’t work completely alone. He’d need to keep people sweet, perhaps even make a few allies, to watch his back if things got tough. After all, if everyone hated him, they’d probably enjoy watching him perish at Winston’s hands.

The gecko grimaced. ‘Well, I’m bliddy screwed.’

As far as Karl could discern, there were two things required for a friendship to form. First, an individual had to like spending time with you. Second, you had to like spending time with that person.

Unfortunately for Karl, he was an irredeemable asshole and he hated pretty much everyone.

Karl felt his willpower dry up. Despite spending over a year Outside, he hadn’t ever found a soul who’d enjoyed his company. Or valued him beyond being a scientific discovery or a source of expensive parts. Heck, even the Scientist hated him, despite the many hours they had spent together (and he’d even paid the sod!). He wasn’t sure he was even capable of creating a mutually beneficial relationship.  

But it was that or suicidally take on Winston without backup, so he’d have to ruddy try.

Sighing loudly, Karl regretfully left the warm patch of sunlight and begun to make his way towards the cafeteria, followed discretely by his eternally-present smelly accomplice,

As he entered the room, the smell of bagels, waffles and bacon reached his sensors and he was hit by a wave of self-loathing. He looked at all the competitors eating breakfast about him and hoped they all choked.

Scanning the surroundings, Karl quickly discerned that there were seven individuals, scattered around the room in groups about him. One duo, an insect and suited monkey, sat as far away from the other competitors as possible, hunched over coffee with grim looks on their faces. In the next furthest corner, the stupid pink thing was looking forlorn as her deer friend gave her an intense pep talk. Meanwhile, in the centre of the room, a worse for wear trio dominated the canteen with loud conversation and raucous chuckling, failing to notice the gecko in front of them.

‘... and then Panzen here said “I’ll leave you here in the dark, then.” and I knew then that I could trust this guy to maintain the snark levels here throughout the rest of the competition on my behalf. So, I honourably surrendered and exited the battlefield with my pride intact.’

Panzen chuckled, ‘Right, that’s exactly how it happened. I didn’t have to pick you up off the floor and carry you to the door.’

Ian smirked, ‘That’s right.’

The duo lapsed into good humoured banter, giving eachother a playful shove every now and again. Karl watched them from the floor, unsure of how to proceed.

‘Well, that sounds like quite the battle.’ A large, wrinkly looking dinosaur said politely, ‘And you were both able to leave the prop room on good terms, that says a lot about your characters. You have my respect.’

Ian smiled, ‘What can I say? Panzen certainly gave me some wounds I won’t forget in a hurry...’ The wolverine thumped the ugly creature beside her, who visibly choked on his breakfast. ‘But in the end, he gave only as good as he got. It was a good, honourable fight.’

Despite himself, Karl sniggered. Ha, honourable!

‘Ooh, hello!’ The dark-furred creature exclaimed, ‘Where did you come from?’

Karl looked up to see the entire group’s staring down at him and instantly felt even smaller than normal.

‘Greetings.’ The dinosaur smiled at him, eyes warm, ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Phildegard Ripley and this is Ian and Panzen.’

‘Karl.’ The gecko offered in response, nodding his head.

‘Well, Karl, you’re welcome join us for breakfast, if you like.’

‘Yeah, Short-stuff, grab a pew!’ Ian grinned, reaching down towards him. Before Karl could protest, the over-excited wolverine had swept him up and plonked him down on the table top.

Karl was about to make a biting remark, but he bit his tongue. Thankfully, he was quickly distracted by the intimidating sight of the dinosaur up close. His expression was kind, but ruddy hell, he was huge and his missing eye was hideous!

‘So,’ The dinosaur asked kindly, clearly aware of Karl’s wary glances, ‘What brings you here today, Karl? Are you staff, perhaps?’

‘Pfft,’ Karl chuckled, ‘Nah, I’m here for the contest.’

‘Ah, I thought you were a little small for a talent agent.’ Panzen smirked.

‘Very observant of you.’ Karl bit back sharply, ‘I never thought I’d see someone with such a ruddy unfortunate face pursue a career in showbiz, but here we are.’

Three frowning faces immediately greeted the gecko.

Great job, Karl. Gold star!

‘Now, now.’ Phil said easily, ‘Panzen’s joke may have been ill-advised, but there’s no need for insults. Yes, we’ve all been in the wars, there’s little point making breakfast a battlefield too.’

Karl felt is CPU grow hot with anger and shame, falling quiet as his companions drifted back into conversation.

How dare this old lizard scold him like he was a friggin child? How dare the smelly, wrinkly past-it relic tell him what to do? If he were being himself right now, he wouldn’t let that slide.

And then the gecko realised that he was stood on a metal table.

Hiding a smirk, he silently summoned his electric powers.

Moments later, Karl felt a pang of satisfaction as his companions jerked out of their seats.

Panzen and Ian lept from their seats, protesting loudly. But then, the dinosaur gave out a pained cry, his hand flying to the bandages on his chest. Ian and Panzen looked alarmed and moved to help the dinosaur, but he raised a hand to stop them.

‘Don’t worry, I’m quite alright. I just moved a little too suddenly for my poor old bones. I’ll be fine in a moment.’ Panting wildly, he collapsed back down onto the bench.

Ian frowned at him in concern, ‘That insect and baboon sure did a number on you, didn’t they? I didn’t think they looked like the vicious types...’'

‘Needs must.’ The dinosaur responded firmly, still catching his breath ‘We’re all liable to act out of character when backed into a corner. I don’t blame them.’

Wow, if that’s his attitude, how the heck has he lived this long? He’s just begging to be screwed over.

‘Well,’ Ian said after a moment, grinning, ‘At least you’ll make a kickass villain with those wounds. There’s a good market for old, battle-scarred outlaws, you know.’

Karl quickly cut the power supply to his voicebox to keep himself from cackling. Yes, the market is wide open for past it and one-eyed, infirm dinosaurs. Did the wolverine-thingy realise how daft she sounded?

‘That’s very kind of you to say, Ian.’ Phildegard smiled wryly, ‘But after that adventure, I’m quite ready for a comfortable sofa and a cup of herbal tea.’ Phil smiled warmly.

‘Yeah, I think all of us can empathise with that. Oh well, who needs hopes and dre-’ The wolverine trailed off, smile fading.

The room fell deathly silent. Everyone’s eyes fixed were on something behind Karl. The gecko turned round and his gaze immediately fell on a familiar face.

Monkeyboy.