Post by C.J. Gates on Sept 11, 2013 9:57:39 GMT -4
"There once was a time when this weeks match would have been seen as odd.
"There one was a time when Biggs and I were the bitterest of enemies, doing everything we could to one up the other. Half a year was built on he and I doing battle and half a year was spent with the two of us waging war. We through everything we had at one another and came out clean on the other side.
"Which is probably why I enjoy tag team wrestling with him so much. After all the battles we went through, each of us knows how the other one ticks. Each of us knows what it would take to keep us down, and we know when we're not going to stay down. We've gone through so much as opponents, that now, it seems natural to go through it all as partners.
"Of course, the new found friendship helps. I say new found, but we've been friends ever since our last meeting. Not that it matters. All I will say about it is that with us being friends, it allows me and Biggs to see things on the same level. Where before he saw things with disgust and hatred, now we can both see the injustice.
"The injustice of the Black Hand being paramount right now.
"Of course, there is still the question of my health, but if everything goes well, I will be there to stand beside Biggs in this weeks fight. After all that they've done to him, it's high time they were taught a lesson, and what better person to fight the Black Hand this week then the White Knight of APW.
"I say my health is a question, because as of right now, it is not one hundred percent. As of right now, I am still hoping that I get cleared. I'm cleared to fly, so I will be at the show one way or another, but whether or not I am allowed to compete, well, that will have to be seen once I get to the arena.
"I feel good though and I feel that I will be able to get the band back together, and I will be able to proudly fight as once half of the Space Cowboys.
"I'll be able to help Biggs against the Black Hand.
"I'll be able to right my own ship, struck down when I bashed my head violently off the barricade at Shockwave. Instant pain was all I felt then, but I've been able to move past it. Hell, I probably would have been at Overdrive last week, if the dreaded concussion factors weren't there. I've seen what those can do to someone. My best friend, Biggs, he suffered through a few of them and it cost him time in the ring.
"Time I can't afford to lose, not when there are people like Michael Jennings, Chris Madison and Tommy Knox running around.
"This is when the White Knight could be useful."
"Hows the noggin?" Vincent James asks as he sits down in a chair across from C.J. Gates, who is seated behind his desk. "Feeling any better this week?"
"I feel much better," Gates answers. "Last week was touch and go because of some dizziness, but it went away quick enough. At least, now I can go to Overdrive."
"But you can't compete?"
"I might not be able to," Gates says. "All depends how things go when I get there."
"Ah, well, hopefully you're able," James says. "Would be a shame to be unable to help Biggs."
"I don't think it will be a problem. The health thing. I feel fine and feel like I should be able to compete. I mean, I want to compete, so I hope I'm able to."
"A special week?"
Gates shrugs. "It's one of those matches where you're facing guys who are the worst of the worst. They're the ones that are running roughshod around Overdrive attacking anyone and everyone they please."
"Knox and Niobe?"
"The Black Hand," Gates says. "So, kind of. They're all part of the same band of misfits, and they're all trying to assert themselves as the toughest of the tough. It's kind of funny to watch, because in my experience, the only time people attacked in numbers like that, was when they weren't capable of doing it on their own."
"You never know," James starts, "that could be the case here."
"Oh, it probably is," Gates admits. "I mean, if we were to look at those involved one by one, we could see that everyone in that little group has a deficiency that is no doubt holding them back from being a solo threat."
"But you could say that about a lot of people. A lot of teams."
"Except the Space Cowboys."
James nods. "I guess that's true."
"Of course it is. With Biggs and I, we've both been successful as a tag team. Me with the Exchange Rate, and Biggs with the Axis of Awesome. Then we both went on to have successful singles runs, both of us having held the coveted Undisputed title. With the others, aside from Knox recently winning the Overdrive title, none of them have done too much in their time here in APW."
"That doesn't mean they're useless though," James reminds his friend. Gates nods and smirks.
"You're right," Gates says. "And I'm not going to overlook these two at all. Knox and Niobe have both shown flashes, and when they finally manage to put this little pack of dogs mentality behind them, they will realize those flashes."
"Just not now?"
"Just not now."
"Well, you'll have your hands full," James says, "that's for sure. Especially with the way the Black Hand has been treating Biggs over the past month and change."
"Tell me about it," Gates says. "It's sickening to watch the way that group operates, but their the sort that won't exactly listen to reason. So you've got to deal with them the way they deal with things. You've got to take the fight to their door."
"Which is what you and Biggs are going to do?"
"Exactly," Gates nods. "I don't know how Knox and Niobe are as a team, or if their team is just something that happened out of convenience. I don't know if they can rely on one another or if they are just there. But Biggs and I, we know we can rely on each other and we know we have each others back. There won't be a moment when Biggs drops off the apron because he doesn't want to fight, and there won't be a moment where I'm sitting on the apron watching him get worked over.
"We know each other well enough to know when we're going to need help," Gates continues. "And we will be able to know when we don't. That's the bonus of the partnership, of the friendship. It's not something we just threw together on a whim. This is something that makes sense. Something that has substance behind it."
"And theirs isn't?"
"Well, see, I don't know," Gates says. "I was so caught up trying to get myself ready for the title shots I had, that I didn't immediately study all the newcomers to Overdrive. Now that I've got them in my sights, though, I'm going to give it everything I have. I am going to make sure I learn everything their is about them so that I am ready. And who knows, maybe I will realize that their is substance to Knox and Niobe, something more then a man and a woman coming together. Something more then attraction."
"I can bet that it's at least something built on two people having a similar goal."
"True, but how deep does that go?" Gates asks. "At some point, does it end because someone does something that the other person didn't like? Does it end when one person feels like they've done enough to pull the weight?"
"It might," James admits.
"Exactly," Gates says. "But these are problems that Biggs and I don't have to deal with because of everything we've been through, because of how similar we are. Sure, Biggs might not be the example of purity, but he's still got the eye for good, and he's still trying to do all that he can to make sure that evil like the Black Hand doesn't triumph."
"Well, hopefully it all goes well," James says. "And hopefully you don't re-aggravate something. It would suck if they took you out so that you couldn't compete."
"I don't think I have to worry about that," Gates says. "I could have gone to Overdrive last week, but I didn't want to end up missing six months to a year. It was precautionary more or less. It's not like I;ve already got half a concussion and I'm walking into a bear trap."
"Well, be careful," James advises. "Last thing you want is to get injured further. Level One already did a number on you at Shockwave."
"I know," Gates says as he touches the back of his head. "Trust me, I know."
"Just making sure," James says with a smile.
It's then that the door to the office opens up and in walks a woman with short dark hair and holding a few papers in her hand. She is looking down at the papers as she enters.
"Mr. Gates," she says, "I've got a few-" she pauses as she looks up and sees Vincent James sitting in the chair. Both he and Gates are looking at her, and she smiles slightly, blushing. "Sorry, I didn't know you were in a meeting."
"That's quite alright," Gates responds.
"I've just got some papers here for you to sign," she says as she walks forward and hands them to Gates. She smiles again before turning and quickly exiting the office. After she leaves, James looks from the now closed door to Gates with a smile on his face.
"You sly dog you," James says.
"What?"
"Looks like you've got yourself some eye candy out there," James says. "And by the way she was acting, maybe a bit more."
"She's just my new secretary," Gates says. "I needed some help around the office with a few things, and figured I'd hire someone."
"Who happens to be female. And attractive."
"You're getting off track," Gates says.
"And you're changing the subject."
Gates shakes his head. "I'm just trying to stay focused on the match coming up."
"I know," James says with a smile.
"Seriously," Gates says. "I don't want to let Biggs down. And I definitely don't want to let the Black Hand get the upper hand."
"Fair enough," James says as he gets up. "I'm going to head out, though. Do you want me to send her in for a performance review or something?"
Gates smiles. "You're a piece of work."
"Just trying to make sure you have some fun."
"Fun.
"I don't think that is what this week will be called. Sure, I get a chance to team up with my friend, but I also have to do so against two people that spend their time making the lives of others hell. I get to take on two people who's idea of fun probably consists of giving swirlies and wedgies above everything else.
"But that's to be expected. I mean, it's not like these two have done anything to really endear themselves to the fans or to anyone really. They've pretty much come in and made their own rules, and marched to the beat of their own drum.
"Or at least, since the Black Hand formed that is true. Tommy Knox kind of went out on his own and staked a claim to the Overdrive title. Now that he has it, he's fallen back in with his comrades and back to their pack, attacking in numbers because they can't do it one on one. Though that's probably a bit harsh for Knox, seeing as how he's won the title in the bunch. It's more then the other three can say, and more then his tag team partner can say.
"So maybe Knox is the one to worry about in this equation. Forget about Niobe Martin and just look at the champion. Just look at the man with the gold around his waist. Look at the man who seems to have it all. At least right now. After all, there weren't many people who can say they've beaten Evan Envi for the title. There aren't many people who can say they've beaten Evan Envi, but Knox can lay claim to it.
"Just like I can.
"Sure, I didn't win the title, but when Envi and I were put toe to toe, I managed to come out with the win. I know that doesn't mean anything now, but I figured it was just worth noting that Knox wasn't the first one to slay the giant. Neither was I, but I don't want him to get confident that he did something that few others have. Not everyone can claim it, but a few men can.
"Niobe, meanwhile, she has been quiet in her time. I've heard her name around APW for awhile, but never anything outstanding. Never anything that really catches my ear. That's not to say she's not talented, it just shows me that she hasn't been put in high leverage situations. Or maybe she has and hasn't made the most of them.
"But that doesn't mean she's worthless or a push over. That doesn't mean that I can walk in and walk out a winner. I know that regardless of how little success she's had, she is still a competitor on the APW stage. She went from Meltdown to Overdrive, which has to mean something to those that think she has nothing. I mean, that alone has me going back to see what kind of carnage she might have put together over there.
"Because I don't believe that she's nothing. I don't believe that she's a pushover. I believe that she has talent and that she is going to show it when it matters most. It might not be until she's given an excellent chance, but I'm sure it's going to happen. The one thing I don't want, is for it to happen here.
"I mean, I don't usually look for a win, but in this case, the Black Hand needs to be shown that they can't just run around Overdrive however they please. They can't just turn this into their own playground. There are rules that even they must follow, and if Biggs and I have to teach them that this week then so be it, we will. But the one thing I'm sure both of us will not do, is take these two lightly.
"We are going to give them everything we've got and then some.
"We're going to go big, and send them home."
"There one was a time when Biggs and I were the bitterest of enemies, doing everything we could to one up the other. Half a year was built on he and I doing battle and half a year was spent with the two of us waging war. We through everything we had at one another and came out clean on the other side.
"Which is probably why I enjoy tag team wrestling with him so much. After all the battles we went through, each of us knows how the other one ticks. Each of us knows what it would take to keep us down, and we know when we're not going to stay down. We've gone through so much as opponents, that now, it seems natural to go through it all as partners.
"Of course, the new found friendship helps. I say new found, but we've been friends ever since our last meeting. Not that it matters. All I will say about it is that with us being friends, it allows me and Biggs to see things on the same level. Where before he saw things with disgust and hatred, now we can both see the injustice.
"The injustice of the Black Hand being paramount right now.
"Of course, there is still the question of my health, but if everything goes well, I will be there to stand beside Biggs in this weeks fight. After all that they've done to him, it's high time they were taught a lesson, and what better person to fight the Black Hand this week then the White Knight of APW.
"I say my health is a question, because as of right now, it is not one hundred percent. As of right now, I am still hoping that I get cleared. I'm cleared to fly, so I will be at the show one way or another, but whether or not I am allowed to compete, well, that will have to be seen once I get to the arena.
"I feel good though and I feel that I will be able to get the band back together, and I will be able to proudly fight as once half of the Space Cowboys.
"I'll be able to help Biggs against the Black Hand.
"I'll be able to right my own ship, struck down when I bashed my head violently off the barricade at Shockwave. Instant pain was all I felt then, but I've been able to move past it. Hell, I probably would have been at Overdrive last week, if the dreaded concussion factors weren't there. I've seen what those can do to someone. My best friend, Biggs, he suffered through a few of them and it cost him time in the ring.
"Time I can't afford to lose, not when there are people like Michael Jennings, Chris Madison and Tommy Knox running around.
"This is when the White Knight could be useful."
--------------------------------------------
"Hows the noggin?" Vincent James asks as he sits down in a chair across from C.J. Gates, who is seated behind his desk. "Feeling any better this week?"
"I feel much better," Gates answers. "Last week was touch and go because of some dizziness, but it went away quick enough. At least, now I can go to Overdrive."
"But you can't compete?"
"I might not be able to," Gates says. "All depends how things go when I get there."
"Ah, well, hopefully you're able," James says. "Would be a shame to be unable to help Biggs."
"I don't think it will be a problem. The health thing. I feel fine and feel like I should be able to compete. I mean, I want to compete, so I hope I'm able to."
"A special week?"
Gates shrugs. "It's one of those matches where you're facing guys who are the worst of the worst. They're the ones that are running roughshod around Overdrive attacking anyone and everyone they please."
"Knox and Niobe?"
"The Black Hand," Gates says. "So, kind of. They're all part of the same band of misfits, and they're all trying to assert themselves as the toughest of the tough. It's kind of funny to watch, because in my experience, the only time people attacked in numbers like that, was when they weren't capable of doing it on their own."
"You never know," James starts, "that could be the case here."
"Oh, it probably is," Gates admits. "I mean, if we were to look at those involved one by one, we could see that everyone in that little group has a deficiency that is no doubt holding them back from being a solo threat."
"But you could say that about a lot of people. A lot of teams."
"Except the Space Cowboys."
James nods. "I guess that's true."
"Of course it is. With Biggs and I, we've both been successful as a tag team. Me with the Exchange Rate, and Biggs with the Axis of Awesome. Then we both went on to have successful singles runs, both of us having held the coveted Undisputed title. With the others, aside from Knox recently winning the Overdrive title, none of them have done too much in their time here in APW."
"That doesn't mean they're useless though," James reminds his friend. Gates nods and smirks.
"You're right," Gates says. "And I'm not going to overlook these two at all. Knox and Niobe have both shown flashes, and when they finally manage to put this little pack of dogs mentality behind them, they will realize those flashes."
"Just not now?"
"Just not now."
"Well, you'll have your hands full," James says, "that's for sure. Especially with the way the Black Hand has been treating Biggs over the past month and change."
"Tell me about it," Gates says. "It's sickening to watch the way that group operates, but their the sort that won't exactly listen to reason. So you've got to deal with them the way they deal with things. You've got to take the fight to their door."
"Which is what you and Biggs are going to do?"
"Exactly," Gates nods. "I don't know how Knox and Niobe are as a team, or if their team is just something that happened out of convenience. I don't know if they can rely on one another or if they are just there. But Biggs and I, we know we can rely on each other and we know we have each others back. There won't be a moment when Biggs drops off the apron because he doesn't want to fight, and there won't be a moment where I'm sitting on the apron watching him get worked over.
"We know each other well enough to know when we're going to need help," Gates continues. "And we will be able to know when we don't. That's the bonus of the partnership, of the friendship. It's not something we just threw together on a whim. This is something that makes sense. Something that has substance behind it."
"And theirs isn't?"
"Well, see, I don't know," Gates says. "I was so caught up trying to get myself ready for the title shots I had, that I didn't immediately study all the newcomers to Overdrive. Now that I've got them in my sights, though, I'm going to give it everything I have. I am going to make sure I learn everything their is about them so that I am ready. And who knows, maybe I will realize that their is substance to Knox and Niobe, something more then a man and a woman coming together. Something more then attraction."
"I can bet that it's at least something built on two people having a similar goal."
"True, but how deep does that go?" Gates asks. "At some point, does it end because someone does something that the other person didn't like? Does it end when one person feels like they've done enough to pull the weight?"
"It might," James admits.
"Exactly," Gates says. "But these are problems that Biggs and I don't have to deal with because of everything we've been through, because of how similar we are. Sure, Biggs might not be the example of purity, but he's still got the eye for good, and he's still trying to do all that he can to make sure that evil like the Black Hand doesn't triumph."
"Well, hopefully it all goes well," James says. "And hopefully you don't re-aggravate something. It would suck if they took you out so that you couldn't compete."
"I don't think I have to worry about that," Gates says. "I could have gone to Overdrive last week, but I didn't want to end up missing six months to a year. It was precautionary more or less. It's not like I;ve already got half a concussion and I'm walking into a bear trap."
"Well, be careful," James advises. "Last thing you want is to get injured further. Level One already did a number on you at Shockwave."
"I know," Gates says as he touches the back of his head. "Trust me, I know."
"Just making sure," James says with a smile.
It's then that the door to the office opens up and in walks a woman with short dark hair and holding a few papers in her hand. She is looking down at the papers as she enters.
"Mr. Gates," she says, "I've got a few-" she pauses as she looks up and sees Vincent James sitting in the chair. Both he and Gates are looking at her, and she smiles slightly, blushing. "Sorry, I didn't know you were in a meeting."
"That's quite alright," Gates responds.
"I've just got some papers here for you to sign," she says as she walks forward and hands them to Gates. She smiles again before turning and quickly exiting the office. After she leaves, James looks from the now closed door to Gates with a smile on his face.
"You sly dog you," James says.
"What?"
"Looks like you've got yourself some eye candy out there," James says. "And by the way she was acting, maybe a bit more."
"She's just my new secretary," Gates says. "I needed some help around the office with a few things, and figured I'd hire someone."
"Who happens to be female. And attractive."
"You're getting off track," Gates says.
"And you're changing the subject."
Gates shakes his head. "I'm just trying to stay focused on the match coming up."
"I know," James says with a smile.
"Seriously," Gates says. "I don't want to let Biggs down. And I definitely don't want to let the Black Hand get the upper hand."
"Fair enough," James says as he gets up. "I'm going to head out, though. Do you want me to send her in for a performance review or something?"
Gates smiles. "You're a piece of work."
"Just trying to make sure you have some fun."
--------------------------------------------
"Fun.
"I don't think that is what this week will be called. Sure, I get a chance to team up with my friend, but I also have to do so against two people that spend their time making the lives of others hell. I get to take on two people who's idea of fun probably consists of giving swirlies and wedgies above everything else.
"But that's to be expected. I mean, it's not like these two have done anything to really endear themselves to the fans or to anyone really. They've pretty much come in and made their own rules, and marched to the beat of their own drum.
"Or at least, since the Black Hand formed that is true. Tommy Knox kind of went out on his own and staked a claim to the Overdrive title. Now that he has it, he's fallen back in with his comrades and back to their pack, attacking in numbers because they can't do it one on one. Though that's probably a bit harsh for Knox, seeing as how he's won the title in the bunch. It's more then the other three can say, and more then his tag team partner can say.
"So maybe Knox is the one to worry about in this equation. Forget about Niobe Martin and just look at the champion. Just look at the man with the gold around his waist. Look at the man who seems to have it all. At least right now. After all, there weren't many people who can say they've beaten Evan Envi for the title. There aren't many people who can say they've beaten Evan Envi, but Knox can lay claim to it.
"Just like I can.
"Sure, I didn't win the title, but when Envi and I were put toe to toe, I managed to come out with the win. I know that doesn't mean anything now, but I figured it was just worth noting that Knox wasn't the first one to slay the giant. Neither was I, but I don't want him to get confident that he did something that few others have. Not everyone can claim it, but a few men can.
"Niobe, meanwhile, she has been quiet in her time. I've heard her name around APW for awhile, but never anything outstanding. Never anything that really catches my ear. That's not to say she's not talented, it just shows me that she hasn't been put in high leverage situations. Or maybe she has and hasn't made the most of them.
"But that doesn't mean she's worthless or a push over. That doesn't mean that I can walk in and walk out a winner. I know that regardless of how little success she's had, she is still a competitor on the APW stage. She went from Meltdown to Overdrive, which has to mean something to those that think she has nothing. I mean, that alone has me going back to see what kind of carnage she might have put together over there.
"Because I don't believe that she's nothing. I don't believe that she's a pushover. I believe that she has talent and that she is going to show it when it matters most. It might not be until she's given an excellent chance, but I'm sure it's going to happen. The one thing I don't want, is for it to happen here.
"I mean, I don't usually look for a win, but in this case, the Black Hand needs to be shown that they can't just run around Overdrive however they please. They can't just turn this into their own playground. There are rules that even they must follow, and if Biggs and I have to teach them that this week then so be it, we will. But the one thing I'm sure both of us will not do, is take these two lightly.
"We are going to give them everything we've got and then some.
"We're going to go big, and send them home."
