Lucas hesitated. A part of him urged him to go ahead with the mission at any cost possible, and yet there was another feeling. With surprise he realized that he actually felt eager to play, and not just to play, but to go for the win.

His feet made the decision for him as they headed over to where Nathan was still waiting. An electric tingle of excitement rushed up and down Lucas' back. He had never had this feeling before and he had to admit...he liked it.

"Let's go!" Nathan told Lucas as soon as he was in ear shot.

Lucas found himself following the flow of boys headed to dorm three's lounge. There was yelling the whole way, the noise getting louder as they got closer to where the equipment was waiting for them. When they entered their lounge they found guys on tables handing out an assortment of paintball guns, masks, and gloves.

"Epic," Nathan exclaimed as he took a paintball gun that bore a similar resemblance to a shot gun.

Lucas went for one that looked more like a Glock 9MM police were usually issued with. The smaller size will make it easier to move. Lucas noted as he weighed the gun. His fingers curled around it, feeling the familiar grip. It was almost like a real gun, except not as heavy.

Someone handed him a pile of red strips of cloth. Lucas took one before passing them off to Nathan. He looked around to see guys tying the cloth in various visible places. Dorm colors, Lucas realized. He tried his own around his upper arm, carful to not make it too tight as not to cause discomfort. He saw Nathan tying his around his upped right leg.

"Here."

Lucas looked up just in time to catch the mask that was tossed at him.

Brian stood there, his own mask and gloves in one hand and a gun, which looked similar to Lucas', in the other. Tucked under one arm there were three sheets of paper.

'Alright!" Nathan exclaimed. "Looks like the crew is all here."

Brian nodded to the papers under his arm. "Help?"

Nathan responded by grabbing them. Seeing that they were blank, he looked at Brian expectantly.

"I brought the paper, someone else should get the pen," Brian told him.

Just then, Lucas saw another guy finishing up with a sharpie. He reached out and snagged it from him before any of the other guys could. He had barely turned when Nathan already took it from his fingers.

Nathan looked around the crowded room. Shaking his head he turned to Lucas. "Turn around." He motioned with his hands.

Lucas paused before doing as he was told. Seconds later he felt Nathan press the paper on his back. "Alright, shall we go with code names?" he asked.

"Is that even allowed?" Lucas couldn't help but wonder.

"Didn't say it wasn't," Nathan replied as he began to write away. "Alright, Brian will be the Reaper."

"Who told you to call me that?"

Nathan ignored him as he finished writing. He handed the sheet to Brian who, after hesitating for a moment, snatched it from him.

"Doomsday for Lucas," Nathan continued to use Lucas' back as his table.

"Doomsday?" Lucas asked. Someone bumped into him while rushing past with a paper held high.

"Strikes fear into the heart, right?" Nathan replied.

Lucas heard Brian snort.

"Then that leaves Terminator for me," Nathan finished.

Lucas felt the pressure from his back disappear.

"That makes us team RDT."

Lucas turned to find Nathan holding out the paper.

"Very creative," Brian said dryly.

"Who's the top kill?" Lucas asked.

Nathan's eyes widened. "Ah...I forgot that was on one."

Lucas turned his paper around. The back was blank. He saw Nathan turn his too only to find it had nothing on it. Both guys turned to shoot Brian a look. The guy held up his paper and turned it around to reveal the letters TOP written boldly on the back.

"Awe, I wanted to be the top," Nathan groaned.

"Looks like I'm the MVP." Brian put his mask on. The visor was still up. "That means you're both covering my back."

Lucas cocked his head to the side. "So you're to be the damsel in distress?"

Brian looked horrified at the comparison.

Nathan chuckled. "I like the sound of that one. Except...it's not a very pretty damsel."

Brian shot him a glare and Nathan quickly pulled on his own mask.

"So...do we have a game plan?" Lucas asked as he put on his gloves.

"Win," Nathan replied cheerfully. All around them the other guys of dorm three had split into their groups of three and were in deep discussion. A few seemed to have teamed up with other groups.

"Stick together. That way we can watch each other's backs easier," Brian said. "We shouldn't go for protecting the top, it would just make it obvious. If we all face the same amount of risk no one will be able to guess who it is."

Lucas didn't reply as he reached for his helmet.

"How about we join another group?" Nathan suggested.

"Too many people will cause us to be easier targets and slow us down," Lucas replied as he pulled on his own mask.

"He's right," Brian nodded.

Nathan grabbed a roll of duct tape that was going around. He took Lucas' name tag and began to stick it to his back for him.

"It's better if we start off as three. We can cover all directions that way and move fast." Brian held his gun up. "Either of you have any experience?" he asked.

"Gone a few times before," Nathan replied as he finished up with the name tag and then handed the tape to Lucas so he could do his.

Brian looked at Lucas.

"I used to go all the time," Lucas told him. The excitement he felt was incredible. He wasn't going to hold back much. He taped the name tag onto Nathan's back.

Brian grinned. "Good." He flipped his visor down. "Then let's win this thing."

"Well said." Lucas nodded.

There was the blaring of an air horn signaling the ten minutes were up. All around, guys rushing for the hallway, yelling as they went. As Brian's name tag wasn't yet on, Lucas proceeded to quickly do his. By the time he was done most of the guys had already left the room.

"Come on." Nathan was waiting at the door, motioning for the other two to hurry up.

Brian and Lucas exchanged glances. Brian grinned, his eyes reflecting Lucas' own excitement.

"Let's do this," Brian told him as he held out a fist.

Lucas froze. He wasn't sure how to react. Mimic him, his mind told him. He slowly raised his own hand, forming a fist. He was surprised where Brian bumped it. Must be some sort of encouragement thing, Lucas noted as the other guy headed for the door.

Shaking his head, Lucas followed, holding his gun firmly. Nathan seems to be the less experienced... he noted as he watched both buys from behind. The way they walked and held their guns revealed a lot. Brian looks more confident...he knows what he's doing. Lucas felt satisfied at that. He'll most likely be a good partner to work with if we run into a situation.

They went into the hallway to find that it was already nearly empty.

"Shoot...looks like everyone else is going to have a head start with finding targets," Nathan murmured.

There was a yell from somewhere ahead followed by another. Feet pounded.

Lucas exchanged glances with the other two. "Where too?"

"Dorm two," Brian replied as he pushed his way into the lead and began to job down the hallway.

"Yes sir!" Nathan yelled in response as he and Lucas jogged after him.

Lucas shot a glance around at the walls. "Thinking about it, won't they have a lot of cleaning up to do with all the paint?" he asked Nathan.

"Washable walls," Nathan replied. "Look what I found," he added as he held out something that looked a like a grenade. "There's apparently only one per dorm. So it's a limited addition." He grinned. "It's bound to get us out of a bind."

Lucas wasn't about to ask who he had bribed to get it.

The boys were near the end of the hallway where there was a pounding of feet.

Lucas instantly raised his gun and ducked into the doorway of the room nearest to him. Brian did the same, yet Nathan would have continued if Brian didn't grab him and pull him back.

Two guys came around, the blue cloths they wore identifying them as being from another dorm. The moments they came into view, Lucas instantly dropped to one knee. His breathing calmed and his hand steadily help the gun in his hands as he took aim. It all happened in a split second.

The guys caught sight of them just then. Letting out a yell they raised their own guns and proceeded to shoot. It was too late as Lucas had already squeezed the trigger in two quick successions. Two paintballs flew, hitting both guys straight in the chest. If it was a life and death situation both boys would have been dead.

There was a moment of silence.

Both Brian, whose gun was also raised, and Nathan, turned to stare at him.

Lucas shrugged.

"Come on!" The guys who had been hit groaned.

"Out!" Nathan jumped up and rushed towards them, ready to claim their name tags.

"Nice," Brian told Lucas.

Nathan grabbed the name tags off the two guys when Lucas saw the gun barrel peak around the corner. He opened his mouth in warning, but Brian beat him to it.

"Duck!" he yelled.

Nathan responded by grabbing one of the two guys Lucas had shot, and pushing him in front of him as cover.

As a result, the guy got hit two more times. "Hey!" he yelled in protest while his friend ducked out of the way of fire.

Lucas raised his gun, already calculating where the guy behind the gun was exactly. The height of the barrel told him everything he needed to know. He was about to make a run for it, but Brian was already on the move. The guy ran in zigzags as more paint bullets flew. Lucas stayed where he was, opting to watch.

Brian passed Nathan and then rolled across the ground once, coming up at an angle where he could see the shooter. He shot the moment he was upright; the loud groan of protest signaling that his aim had been true.

"Holy cow, you're like a ninja!" Nathan exclaimed as he finally let go of the guy he was using as a cover.

Lucas walked up to Brian. "Nice." He returned the compliment.

"So you can do more than study," Nathan noted. He took the paper from the guy who had been shot.

"Let's keep moving," Brian replied.

They headed for the door leading to the large lounge. There were yells coming from behind it.

Nathan peaked through the glass when a paintball smacked against it.

"Whoa!" the boy slid down against the door. "There's a shootout going on in there. I'd say at least twenty people are hacking it out." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the grenade from earlier. "How about we give them a little present?"

"You might hit our own guys," Brian warned.

"A sacrifice that will be remembered." Nathan grinned evilly.

Brian looked at Lucas who shrugged.

"Alright boys." Nathan got to his feet. "I say we throw it and run for the couch closest to us for cover."

"Someone's there," Brian informed him as he peaked through the window. "And they're not our dorm."

Nathan shrugged. "Then you and Doomsday take them out while we run."

"You sure we'll have enough time?" Brian asked.

"Yup."

"Alright." Brian nodded to the door. "Guess we have to trust Mr. Terminator on this one."

"Sorry boys, but this is for the greater good." Nathan turned and got ready. "On the count of three."

Lucas and Brian moved into position, both crouching slightly, ready to run.

"One," Nathan began. "Two."

His hand went for the door.

"Three!"

The doors burst open and the three boys charged into the room. The noise of yelling hit them and paint whizzed around in all directions. Time seemed to slow down as Lucas and his roommates ran. Lucas' brain was already taking in every detail it could.

Someone had taken to standing on the table, yelling as he turned circles and shot in all directions. Paint splattered on his chest seconds later, taking him out. Someone was crawling along the edge of the room, trying to go unseen as he looked for a better position. Another was under the table. There were four guys in one corner, covering each other as they took turns to shoot. Every couch and chair had someone behind them.

The grenade won't take everyone out, the information flashed through Lucas' mind as he and Brian raised their guns and simultaneously shot the guys behind the couch they were aiming for. Lucas moved his shoulder to the right, luckily avoiding a bullet that whizzed past him and splattered all over the wall behind. But it should take out at least half.

Brian had thrown himself to his knees, skidding the last few feet to their destination behind the couch and pushing the guys they had shot mercilessly out of the way. Nathan had pushed the button on the grenade and thrown it. Seeing the gun aimed at him, Lucas grabbed the boy and pushed him to the ground, resulting in them both falling right behind the couch.

Time seemed to return as they landed on the ground.

"Grenade!" someone yelled. It was too late.

There was a loud splattering sound followed by groans and cursing from all around.

"You serious?" Someone yelled.

Nathan grinned as he re-adjusted his mask.

Brian turned and shot a thumb up.

"You think they're all dead?" Nathan asked.

"Where's the jerk!" someone yelled.

Brian shot a glance around the corner

A second later the couch they were behind was bombarded by bullets.

"Nope!" Brian yelled as he pulled his head back just in time.

"Great." Nathan clutched his gun as the bullets continued without fail.

"Are the couches washable too?" Lucas asked as he watched paint splatter against the wall and paintings on it. He was sure the couch was covered.

"They'll just buy new ones," Brian replied as he calmly sat with his gun.

Nathan looked between the two of them, as though not believing that they could be talking about such issues while in the situation they were in.

"Sounds expensive," Lucas noted.

"Probably is," Brian replied.

"You two have lost it." Nathan declared. "We need to get out of this. If we don't move they'll get us!"

Lucas looked over to see that Brian was watching him expectantly.

"I'd say there's about half still left," Lucas noted.

Brian nodded in agreement. "Perhaps ten or so."

A bullet whizzed past.

"That's great to know," Nathan replied. "What I want to know is how do we get out of this? Everyone seems to be aiming for us."

"Don't blame them. We did throw a grenade after all," Lucas said.

"I'd be pretty mad too." Brian agreed.

"So...any ideas?" Nathan asked.

"In this type of situation, there's only one thing to do," Lucas replied calmly as lifted his gun.

Both Nathan and Brian turned to look at him.

"We do the unexpected."

Nathan and Brian still waited for an answer.

A grin spread across Lucas' face. The adrenaline was kicking in. "Improvise."

"I like the way you think," Brian noted.

"So...we just go for it?" Nathan was catching on.

"May the strongest survive," Brian replied.

"They better be ready." Nathan put held his gun with both hands.

Lucas and Brian's eyes met and an understanding passed between them.

"Nathan, cover us," Lucas said.

"What...?" before he could finish the sentence both Lucas and Brian were in motion, each taking the opposite side.

Lucas dived out, rolling on the ground once to throw the shooters off. His mind was already telling him where to aim the gun from what he had seen earlier and his hands moved it in the direction even before his sight could follow. He took out the two guys under the table in an instant. A moment later he hit a guy crouching against the wall. Not once did he stop moving. Stopping meant he would be an easy target.

He dodged, grabbing a pillow on the way and lifting it just in time above his chest to stop a bullet. Paint splattered on the pillow before he threw it right at the person who had shot. It did its job, blocking the boy's view for a split second. It was all Lucas needed to shoot him right on his visor.

He ran along the edge of the room, shooting another round at someone else before ducking behind a smaller couch. He paused only for a moment, waiting for a few bullets to whizz by before he stood. In one smooth motion he put a hand on the couch and leapt over the front, opting for this instead of either of the sides as him coming head on was less expected. He sprinted right for a table nearby. Without pausing he shot another guy before whirling around and hitting another.

He saw Brian was running right towards him, seeming to have had the same idea to head for the center of the room. His eyes met with Lucas' and the two boys head right for each other, shooting all the while.

They reached each other, spinning around so they were back to back. Without a word to each other, they turned in a circle, going for the places where they knew the remaining guys were. The whole event took but a minute before the shooting stopped.

Both Brian and Lucas ceased shooting, neither wanting to waste bullets.

There was utter silence.

"Dang," someone muttered.

It was then that Lucas noted the stares he and Brian were getting.

"Yeah!" Nathan stood up from where he had been shooting with the cover of the couch. He raised his gun into the air. "RDT is invincible!"

It was at that moment that the paint hit him right in the chest. His eyes went wide, staring at Lucas and Brian before he began to crumple to the floor in slow motion.

Brian and Lucas were both on the move. Turning in a smooth motion, they both riddled the player that had entered the room with paint. The guy stared at them in disbelief before letting out a groan.

"Nathan!" Brian yelled.

He and Lucas rushed to where their roommate had fallen.

Nathan was lying behind the couch, one hand clutching his chest.

"I...I'm hit," he gurgled as his hand came away from his chest. It was covered in paint.

"You okay?" Brian asked.

"A sniper...he got me." Nathan replied. He grabbed Lucas' arm. "It's s...so cold."

Brian shot a glance up at the door, looking for any newcomers. All around, guys were taking off their name tags.

"I'm afraid I won't make it...Reaper," Nathan whispered.

Brian turned to look at him. "Here..." he pressed his gun towards Brian. "My gun."

Lucas was baffled at this behavior.

"I...want you to have it." It sounded as though the words took great effort for Nathan to say.

"I don't want it," Brian replied dryly.

Nathan didn't seem to be put off in the least. "It was an honor to have served with you."

Slowly, he reached a hand for the ceiling. "I see..."

Lucas turned to Brian. "We should probably get going." He pushed Nathan's hand from him.

"Yup," Brian agreed as he and Lucas got up.

"Hey!" Nathan protested as the two guys walked away. He sat up. "You can't leave me. I'm not done dying yet!"

Brian and Lucas exchanged glances. Then, they simultaneously whirled around, raising their guns in the process. They each shot, hitting Nathan right in the chest.

"You dead yet?" Brian called.

Nathan looked down at his chest before looking back up. "Come on!" he protested. "That's mutiny!"

"Not if you're already dead," Brian pointed out.

Lucas couldn't help but grin.

"Alright," Brian turned to him. "How are you looking with amo?"

Lucas checked the compartment. "Still got a few."

"Me too." Brian glanced at the clock in the far end of the room. "It's already been twenty minutes and there's still a lot to go. I'm thinking we should split up. One in dorm two and the other in one. That way we can cover more ground," Brian suggested. "We'll meet up back here when done and take on the rest."

Lucas nodded in agreement. He liked that Brian didn't mention the 'if we survive' part. It showed his confidence.

"Hello?" Nathan called. He had gotten to his feet.

"Collect the name tags," Lucas yelled back.

He shot a glance at Brian. He hadn't seen much of the boy as he was always out studying. His impression had been that he wasn't interested in anything other than grades. Yet, now he saw him in a new light. He couldn't explain it, but it was as if the two boys could read each other's minds. It was the kind of connection that was needed when going on a mission; the connection that ensured an unbeatable team.

At the same time, Lucas felt suspicion crawl through him. Possible operative identified, his mind warned. At the same time he felt his heart sink. If that was the case then had he been too rash? Was he being too careless? Should I tone it down a bit?

"So, which dorm do you want?" Brian asked.

"Whatever's left," Lucas replied smoothly.

"Alright boys, pay up!" Nathan yelled behind then as he began to collect name tags.

"I'll do two. I have a grudge to settle," Brian told him.

"Sounds good," Lucas replied.

Brian nodded and then turned to head off. Lucas watched him for a moment before doing the same. He walked toward dorm one's door. He lifted the gun in his hands and drew it closer to his chest.

Reaching the door he paused before opening it a crack. He peaked through just in time to see someone get shot in the chest. However, the shooter took the name tag and disappeared down the hallway. The victim walked towards and exit and was gone, leaving the hallway abandoned.

Lucas opened the door and slipped in, careful to close the door so that it didn't make a sound. His senses were at their peak, ready to pick up anything out of the ordinary.

His eyes scanned the hallway. Placing bugs would be a waste, the last ones were fried. That was the only thought of his mission before it flew right out of his head, his mind returning to the game. Most likely there are people camped out in rooms, waiting to pick intruders off. He paused by a door that was open a crack.

He put a hand on it but pause. There was a mirror to one side. And in it he caught a reflection of something that looked suspiciously like the barrel of a gun.

One hostility spotted...however, there could be two more. He changed his angle slightly, yet the mirror gave no more away. I can't see a color...he could be from my dorm. Lucas noted. He hesitated, debating on his course of action.

That was when the door from the lounge burst open. Lucas dropped to a knee instantly, turning and shooting at the intruder in a second. He aimed for the leg first to catch the person by surprise, and only when he saw the yellow armband a second later, did he go for the kill shot to the head.

The guy who had been hit let out a groan. "You've got to be kidding me!"

Lucas saw the shape in the mirror shift and yet make no move to come out. He doesn't want to reveal himself. Getting up, Lucas went to the guy he shot and took his name tag.

"Jeeze, the party outside better be fun," the guy muttered.

"Hey," Lucas said before the guy could leave. He nodded to the gun he was holding. It was similar to his own. "Can I have that?"

The guy shrugged and handed it over before turning back to the lounge.

Lucas took a moment to check the bullets. Turning, he walked back towards the room with the cracked door. This time he made no move to keep silent. He let out a sudden yell and charged the door. Kicking it open, he dropped, Sliding inside on his knees with both guns raised. Bullets flew the moment he entered, yet they weren't on target, the shooter panicking at the sudden and loud entrance.

Lucas stayed calm, carefully aiming as he slid. His first gun, shot the guy he had seen in the mirror right on his visor, blocking his vision. The second was aimed at the spot right behind the door and he pulled the trigger at the same time. It hit a guy who was hiding there in the chest. They both had on green armbands.

So they weren't from my dorm, Lucas thought. It had been a lucky guess.

"I told Bruce he should stay to cover the other side," one of the guys complained.

"Nice shot man." The other ignored him as he handed his name tag to Lucas.

Lucas caught sight of the words 'TOP' written on the back. The other guy handed his over grudgingly too.

"Thanks." Lucas headed for the door.

"I wouldn't bother going too far down this side." The voice stopped him.

Lucas shot a questioning look at the guy who had spoken.

"Don't know why, but they blocked our lounge off. It's off limits."

The information alerted Lucas at once. "We can't go there?" he asked.

"Nope." The guy shrugged. "It's stupid if you ask me. The whole dorm is supposed to be available." He walked past. "Good luck." He added.

Both guys disappeared from the room. Lucas followed, this new information running through his head. He entered the hallway. The two guys were already on their way out. Shooting a glance at the door to the lounge, Lucas paused.

Should I go out and cover another dorm? He wondered. His gaze turned to the other end of the hallway. Why would they block off then lounge? He tucked the name tags he had collected into a pocket. His eyes rose, catching sight of the vent above. An idea formed in his mind.

If they don't want anyone in there...they'll most likely have someone watching the door. The vents should lead there. Curiosity filled him at what he would find. His gaze returned to the lounge. He was torn, unsure of which to choose.

Options (are all invalid as the next chapter is being written)

a) Check a few more rooms and return to the lounge.

b) Use the vent and check out why the lounge is blocked off.

c) Joker