(DECEMBER 2010)

---

RICH MUTATIO

That's our game.

We tackled the pole with enough force to knock Ryle off the top.

Brianna grabbed Adrian by the jacket. "We may be weaker in every aspect, but it only takes one of us to reach the top of the pole. After that, it's basically game over."

Ryle hopped back on his feet, attempting to rip Justice off who was hugging the top of the pole.

"Ryle, don't," Adrian said. "He's too high up. Just focus on supporting the pole. I'll take care of these weaklings, and with half of them being girls, that'll be easy."

"Easy?" Brianna asked. "Both genders stand on equal ground."

"Good to know. I don't have to hold back." Adrian twisted her hand, pushing her off. He hopped to the top of the pole, booting Justice in the face and knocking him off too.

He then spun around the pole, using it as a pivot to deliver a kick to Illiana's head. But Mallory hopped in between them, blocking the blow with her arm and knocking her to the ground as well.

Mallory spat. "This punk knows martial arts too?"

"Capoeira to be more specific," Adrian spat. "I was saving this reveal for Capture the Flag, but you guys are pulling my punches."

"Are you guys okay?" I asked.

"We're fine," Mallory replied. "Worry about taking down that pole!"

"Your sole focus should be on me," Adrian said while balancing on top of the pole. "We're dancing on the same stage, so I hope you're prepared to get kicked off."

I glanced back and noticed that Saul, Arnold, and some of Petra's unit making their way here. While distracted by the reinforcements, I received a kick to the face that knocked me to the ground.

"You're a good leader, Adrian, I respect you for that," I said. "As long as your orders are obeyed, your team can't lose. We'll never be that type of team, and that's because--" I turned to face the opponent's pole with a knee on the ground. "I'm not the only one making the decisions!"

Relief washed over me when a flurry of footsteps hopped on my back and familiar faces crashed against the enemy pole. Charlie, Howard, Carrie, Stacy, Emilia and Kayla launched themselves off me and, with their additional numbers, we were able to overwhelm their defence.

"No!" Adrian cursed. "Where the hell are these guys coming from?"

"Hold on," Ryle said. "This is their defence unit. Which means... they only have four people left on their pole?!"