Mork engages fellow Orkan, Xerko in a Holitacker
A Holitacker is a, formalized, non violent/lethal binding duel that superior alien races, with advanced mental gifts, Orkan's included, participate in both to resolve disputes and on a judged, competitive basis.
About Holitackers[]
A Holitacker is first introduced during Mork's first mission to Earth in the 1950s (My Favorite Orkan). Pitched as a method of Mork resolving his dispute with Arthur Fonzarelli over whether he can take Richie Cunningham with him back to Ork to complete his mission to bring back a human specimen.
Presented as a binding mental duel of wills, it takes place in Arnold's, is at first seemingly easily won by Mork with the use of his finger to freeze Fonzie in place, until gradually he manages to overcome his paralysis. The outcome of the duel is declared a draw, and Mork agrees to return to Ork without Richie, though for both Richie and the Fonz it is left in the air as to whether the encounter ever happened at all.
The next time this method of dueling is spoken of, it becomes clear that participating in a Holitacker is something that is normally a formalized affair, complete with Umpires, and can be taken part in, in a competitive fashion (Mork's Greatest Hit). There are, according to Mork, lots of Rules including:
- No Farging below the Smegba's.
- You have to keep a least two legs inside the Force Field
- You lose points for actually striking your opponent.
Indicating there are two ways to win. Either by direct forfeit by stepping through the Forcefield, or on points as adjudicated by the Umpire. Mork exels in the dueling process, telling Mindy that he's s never lost a Holitacker, except one on Serius, where the Umpire was a Pekingese you couldn't trust. .
The Holitacker's 'intensity' as a proper duel is called into question however (Mork vs The Necrotons), when Mork issues a formal challenge to a Holitacker to Captain Nirvana of the Necroton Black Army. in a bid to rescue Mindy from her. The Necrotons having kidnapped Mindy in an effort lure Mork to them, so they can extract the information they want from the Orkan. Nirvana however, laughs a Holitacker off as 'sissy stuff' and issues her own challenge, 'The Battle of The Rose'.
An actual Holitacker takes place, after the arrival of Xerko to Earth from Ork (There's a New Mork in Town). The strapping Orkan having decided he wants Mork's job, and Mindy, issues a formal challenge to the duel to take both from him.
While there is no umpire, both opponents dress formally tor the duel, and the competitive set up is revealed, with the forcefields set up at either end of the apartment, the stipulation being that if either opponent is driven through it breaking the forcefield they automatically default the challenge. While the duel is considered to be non-violent still, there are 'mental weapons' that can be deployed. The challenger, picks the weapons they will use, in Xerkio's case they are the Invisible Swords of Cletus, Again while the weapons and the battle is non-violent, the Swords of Cletus do actual damage, wrecking much of Mindy's apartment, though whether they would actually cause damage to an opponent is not ascertained (and unlikely given the rules). Xerko ultimately loses the duel to Mork after having the rug literally pulled out from under him, and being forced back through the perimeter Forcefield (resulting in his being netted).
Summary of Rules / Event[]
- Formal duel with three ways to win, on points, via instant forfeit through stepping through the perimeter forcefields or via submission.
- Normally refereed by Umpire
- Non violent / mental weaponry used only
- Choice of method of engagement decided by challenger (e.g. finger; swords of Cletus)
- Set of Perimeter Forcefields in use, the participants must keep two legs at least inside the perimeter throughout the duration of the duel. Failure to do so leads to instant loss of the duel.
- No 'farging between the Smegba's'
- Striking the opponent physically costs you points.