(DECEMBER 2010)

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RICH MUTATIO

Adrian instantly sent Kevin, Arnold, and Saul's unit to guard the borders while he and Petra's guarded their flag.

"Brianna Berenson! Sam Soren! Grant Michaels!" Adrian listed. "They're their fastest, so keep an eye on them. Especially Grant!"

Grant chuckled boastfully. "I'm honoured to have eyes kept on me."

I pulled my hood up. "Hoods on. Don't let them see your face."

My team put on their hoods and began building a snow wall on the sidelines and endline of our territory.

Now that we've eliminated the chance of getting attacked from the back and sides, we'll be able to put all our strength and focus on defending the border.

I glanced at the other team who was copying our strategy.

The walkies went off with Adrian's voice, "Do you mind if we borrow this trick? Over."

"We can't really stop you, can we? And it isn't against the rules to copy your enemy. So let me propose something: Let's make a rule that we're not allowed to break each other's builds. Over."

"That sounds fair. Over."

"Mr Cranston, can we make that a rule?"

The gym teacher shot a look at Mr Darley and Mrs Delilah, who nodded with approval. "I don't see why not. Whoever breaks this rule will automatically go to jail."

Once we were done with the walls, we began piling snow in various areas within our territory that everyone hid behind. Except for me, who remained in the open, standing beside our flag.

"We've both closed off the playing area with our forts. It appears that we've encountered a stalemate, Rich. Over."

The letter said we lost Capture the Flag because of two factors. The first factor was the injuries we sustained during Hardpoint, but we've eliminated that. The second factor was because of these radios, the other team knew who was where and was able to send out efficient counters.

But I'm sure we eliminated that factor too.

"What now, Captain Insomnia?" Grant asked.

"We've created a blind spot," I told my team. "White Men Can't Jump, Let my People Go!, and Batman's Favourite Word, head into the forest."

Adrian looked confused. "Who the hell are those?"

"But our walls are in the way," Seymour argued.

"Put a hole in it," I ordered. "Knocking down your own builds isn't against the rules. Go!"

Seymour tackled the eastern wall, making an opening for him, Moses, and Justice to jump through.

"We can't keep our eyes on them," Kevin said. "These damn forts are getting in the way."

"While the enemy is distracted, Le Monke, jump onto the western wall and run along it."

Illiana hopped onto the fort and ran along the top before hopping onto a branch and disappearing into the forest.

"Mr Clean Jr., Feminism, and Quickie, escape using the hole that White Men Can't Jump made!"

Sam, Brianna, and Grant did as they were ordered.

"The guy in yellow is Grant!" Adrian screamed. "Arnold, your unit is the fastest, break down a part of our wall and capture those three!"

Petra patched up their hole after Arnold followed his orders.

"We've gotten rid of their fastest," I stated. "Reverse Admiral Ahkbar, Christopher Colombus' Destination, My Love, and Lucky Charms, make an opening on the western wall!"

Mallory punched out an opening.

"Why couldn't we choose our own code names?!" she complained as she, Zoey, Lauren, and Emilia went through.

Ryle pointed at them. "The tall one is Mallory!"

"Don't talk!" I reminded her. "They'll figure out who you are."

"She's a pest," Adrian said. "Petra, Saul, go out into no man's land and guard both sides. Kevin, guard the border. My unit, follow me, we'll take out Mallory and her squad."

Adrian's unit broke down a part of their wall and disappeared.

"Anti-Torture Method," I said, "scream and discombobulate the enemy."

"How do you want me to—" Jessie asked before accidentally biting her tongue and letting out an ear-piercing scream.

"Million Dollar Arm, Pop Culture Reference, Train Tracks, and She Won The Gene Game, run to the forest using any exit!"

Once Hunter, Carrie, Annie, and Penny disappeared, Arnold returned with Justice and Moses in tow, placing them in jail. He took their walkies before heading back into the forest.

"Charmin Ultra Strong, Bodacious C, Candace's BFF," I said. "Come and help me guard the flag. The rest of you, stay hidden."

Conan, Charlie, and Stacy did as they were told.

Kevin ordered two of his men to attack us from the side. The closest person to them was Kayla and they were on our territory.

"Bootleg Mia Wallace," I whispered. "Two guys. 11:00."

Kayla got up and charged at them, but once they saw her, they retreated, escaping using the hole Mallory made.

Kayla gritted her teeth. "They escaped..."

"No, they didn't!" Grant reassured as he and Sam kicked them inside.

They landed beside Kayla and she tapped them, sending them to jail.

Grant and Sam made it onto our side just as Saul's unit stopped at the exit. "Go around! Don't go into their territory."

Grant and Sam ran for the exit Seymour made but were tackled by Petra once they got out and were taken to their side to be put to jail.

I told them to not make it obvious, but now they're just putting on a show. Hopefully, it doesn't take ages for these guys to let themselves be captured.