Defying Terror

Chapter XXXII

Slater J. Tross, O.L.C

August 22nd, 2030, 8:50 pm

I have been awaiting the capture-the-flag game all week, as has practically everyone else around here. It was the mystery of it that intrigued us. We were told nothing about it besides the basic rules of the game. If we ever attempted to ask another officer about what else the test comprised of, we were just told that it was a surprise and we had to wait.

What could be so interesting and secretive that they aren't obligated to tell us what goes into this game? It's capture-the-flag for crying out loud. We've all played it before. There's one flag in the center of the fake forest in the backyard and we have to fight each other for it. The first team to return the neutral flag to their end wins. It's easy. It's nothing we don't already know, but there is something below the officer's words that raises my curiosity.

The capacity for the capture-the-flag game is sixty-four per game. Each team has thirty-two members all trying to return the flag to the marked point where they started. Standing here now, beside Hal and CJ, with twenty-nine others makes it seem like the woods are going to be quite crowded. We're going to be bumping into people and tackling our teammates all night.

Oh yeah. Did I mention we're doing this at night so it's dark and we can't see each other? I learned that just now, too. The only thing lit up on the whole playing area is the flag, glowing white at the center of the field. Once a person from either team gets a hold of it, it changes color depending on the team that picked it up. The moment it is captured on either end, it turns to gold. I had the opportunity to observe the game from the group before us. The color of the secured flag is marvelous.

There is a shining light over the door to the headquarters, and it's the only way that we can see one another. Rain is tumbling down from the bleak, dim expanse above our heads. The wind is at its worst tonight, tugging at my shirt and trying to drag me into the ocean in the west. The leaves on the false trees are whirling around as if they were real. No matter how poor the weather conditions are, we were told earlier that we must compete in order to be ranked.

"All right, everyone!" Sergeant Lee shouts over the howl of the hurricane. He spits out some of the rain as our team forms a huddle around him. I wrap one of my arms over CJ's shoulders and the other around a stranger. We're getting ready to go to war for each other once the clock strikes nine. And hopefully, we'll fight for each other after Saturday, too. That's the ultimate goal of all of this.

Lee is our leader for this game, while Corporal Porter watches over the other team across the woods. I don't trust him at all, but I'll have to go along with it if I want a chance at making it into immediate duty. I've been able to accept the fact that he doesn't trust me either, and that's okay with me. I just have to impress him here, and he might change his mind.

"You all know what to do. Go get that flag and bring it back here. If you're flanking, move at a curve. Don't go straight and then turn at an angle, you'll be taking up way too much time. Make sure you know where you are at all times. It's hard to determine exactly where but sense your surroundings as best as you can. Communication is key. If you are going straight for the flag, make sure you tell each other where you are so you aren't mistaken for an enemy. Remember, you are team red. You guys got all that?"

"Yes, sir!" We yell all at once. CJ looks at me, and I can sense a grin on his face. We're all ready to go.

"We start in sixty. Line up behind the line. When you hear the horn, you run." Lee starts for the outside of the circle we created around him. "Let's go, guys! I want to see that gold flag on this side."

The thirty-two of us disperse and clump together back at where our leader told us to. I take my place beside my two closest friends, who are ordered to go directly to the flag. After the minute is up, they'll sprint straight ahead. Me, on the other hand, I was told to flank the opposition on the outside in order to catch anyone who is ready to defend their territory. My job is to make sure no one attacks our runner by trying to sneak around the hot spot around the middle.