JL entered their unit while holding the bulletproof equipment he ordered from the Pride office. Tomorrow’s the day and they’re stuffed with preparations.
The team is now in the stadium, executing their dry-run. Their staff installed hidden cameras in the said area. While practicing, Student Spy Guzman entered the stadium with an army bag in his shoulder. He approached Lt.Col. Peredo, “These guns will be used later by our generals. For safety purposes, every member of your team should have a 2mm Kolibri just in case a raid will be done” he said and handed over the bag.
Lt.Col. Peredo examined the content. There are shotguns inside but there is only one sniper. “Do we need a sniper? Who’ll use it?” he asked. Student Spy Guzman presented himself, “I can’t let them see me as a traitor even if I’m safe in your troupe”
Lt.Col. Peredo asked for updates, “How is it going?”. Student Spy Guzman answered, “They’re still into it. We should be careful with PVT JL also, Elijah Abucay is offended with your representative’s words”. Lt.Col. Peredo nodded; he called the attention of his team right after practicing. He handed the Kolibris to each team member. “You will use that for self-defense only. Just in case you’re alone and you have to protect yourself” he said.
It is really happening, it’s queer for them to feel the real thrill of the battle. Lt.Col. Peredo added, “We’ll have Major Gomez and the other generals as our allies. Tonight, I want you guys to stay inside the camp. I don’t want anyone to get dispatched again”
It’s not that they’re scared to face the opponent; they’re thrilled because they might lose a member. The day ended quickly, they overthought about the plan, they’re anxious and they’re desperate to survive. The team locked themselves in their rooms as soon as the sun disappeared. Darkness filled the sky, it’s a cold rainy night. There are no stars, even clouds in the night sky. Zaydi wandered around, “The sky is contrasting with our mood, it’s a bed weather yet I can’t sleep” he said.
Olivia and Silas kept themselves busy while playing Game of the Generals, they know that game will make them more anxious because of they’re playing with officials. It’s strategical and they can’t zone out. This game will be played at the competition and it will prove their sharpness in conducting a successful plan on survival.
The tension disappeared when Silas’ flag reached Olivia’s baseline. Olivia glanced at her cousin, “You got me there. Should you play tomorrow instead of me?” she asked. Silas answered, “It’s an honor being your replacement, Olivia. But I can’t do that. That’s your forte, I just got lucky this time” he said.
Meanwhile, DK is facing at his phone screen with a wide smile. He’s talking to a random girl he met few years ago. They got some catching-up to do, they talked about future, and more.
JL entered the room with silence. He’s already used to it; he always meddle with DK’s relationshits but he never dared to know the girls his cousin is dating. He cringed when the two exchanged affectionate words with each other. DK said “I love you” easily without meaning it. It’s really the reality of life, it’s easy to say but it’s hard to show.
The team woke up feeling heavy, today is the day. They changed into their camo suits and went to the stadium to fix their places. All generals and officials involved were already plotting their locations for tonight’s crime.
The stadium, the Pride grounds, and the roads were filled with their posters. The website is also stuffed with the Pride issues.
Zaydi glanced at his smartwatch, “Five more hours, team” he informed. Everyone is now busy preparing costumes, memorizing introductions, and tidying. Their make-up artist started grooming the team from their uniforms, to their faces. Their uniforms are now carrying the medal they had last battle; carrying responsibilities and duty.
“Prideus II: Last Team Standing” the theme is posted in every corner of the stadium. Their biggest tarpaulins are posted there too.
The team went outside, they saw their opponents. Unlike the Abucays, Team Vasquez greeted them with sincerity, they even shared snacks with them. Few hours passed and darkness reigned the sky again. They are already nervous about what’s going to happen. Just like what they planned, the four younger members locked themselves inside their dressing room. It’s one hour before the battle starts.
Silas brought out his Kolibri, he charged it with bullets. He did the same for his teammates.
He uttered, “Charge this up only if you’re in danger. For the first time, these major guns are entrusted with us. Be mindful before you aim” he reminded his younger teammates. It’s hard for them to face this kind of trouble, and they can’t be too aggressive in shooting. Zaydi is uncertain about what’s happening outside until they heard Student Spy Guzman’s signal.
The ATTK insisted on going outside. He’s not going as planned. He went outside the stadium even when he’s not needed outside. The others stopped him but Silas ignored and said, “Let him be, we’ll not be at fault if something happens. And, if you go too, the plan will fail”
On the other side, officials surrounded the area while wearing dark uniforms to adapt the darkness in the area. Bulletproof equipment is also passed to them. Student Spy Guzman placed himself on top of the stadium to see what’s going on behind the wall. A few minutes later, a car parked outside. He immediately radioed, “A car parked outside the grounds. It stopped behind the wall”.
The officials heard the alert, they immediately charged up their guns and started aiming at different angles.
DK stood outside, waiting for a signal. He acted normally, but deep inside he thinks that he can’t trust anyone. It’s a life and death situation for him. He already knows that someone is now present behind the wall they are talking about.
The culprit got out of the car while carrying an army bag. He dropped the bag first inside before climbing the wall. The officials were down there, seeing the army bag, it is obviously a gun because of the heavy thud it caused. A man jumped from the wall; he’s wearing something that makes him unrecognizable.
The officials surrounded him without noticing. They’re just hiding few meters away from the man. The man opened his army bag and took out a sniper stand with the gun itself. He charged some bullets inside and practiced aiming.
He went closer and saw DK standing at the stadium’s entrance. The officials are ready to shoot at the moment but Lt.Col. Peredo didn’t signal anything. They were all shocked when Zaydi went outside and approached DK. “Come inside” Zaydi said.
DK smiled at him. He held his cousin’s shoulder and said, “If anything happens, Zaydi don’t look back” after that, he pushed Zaydi inside as hard as he can.
A loud bang is heard outside the stadium. Just like what his cousin said, Zaydi never looked back. Instead, he retreated back to their room. The people inside were shocked when two more gunshots are heard.
Student Spy Guzman aimed at the suspect’s arm when he saw that the opponent is now ready to fire away. But before it could shoot, Student Spy Guzman held back the trigger and released a bullet that targeted the opponent’s area.
The suspect looked at his side and released two bullets to attack Student Spy Guzman. Lt.Col. Peredo radioed, “ATTR Dior Tiueco… retreat”. He shouted “Fire!” to command the officials surrounding the suspect.
The suspect is quick, but he got shot. They captured him and made him face criminal charges. Truly, it is Hebrews from the opponent’s side.