Lunch ended all too soon. Zim came and got them, and they all filled out. The excitement that had permeated the air just a few seconds ago dried up like morning dew in the desert. Nervousness dominated as they walked through the hexagonal corridors to the shooting range.

When they had all suited up in the shock vests, they stepped out of the locker rooms to the viewing area. The room had changed drastically. There were the same couple of benches before a large oblong window. But instead of targets being displayed or enemies, there was a random assortment of crates littered about the floor. They got a couple seconds to study the environment before Zim called the first pair out. They were to go in the order Zim had chosen from the hat.

Robert and Jason both stood up. Zim fiddled with some controls. Robert's vest lit up red, and Jason's blue. It was not a bright light that would give away their position, but it would make it so that if they were exposed, it would be obvious.

"First to three critical hits. The ones that shock you." Zim laid out the rules. That was it; he made no stipulations. Sevs nodded slightly. Some things were in his favor. First, he got to sit and plan while everyone else had their turn. Also, he got to break the non-existent rules. That was one of the things he was best at.

The first fight kicked off as soon as they were set. A circle glowing with its color marked the starting points. Once they stood within their respective circles, Zim yelled, "Start!"

Jason quickly aimed at Robert and got a quick shot off. Robert, however, was expecting this and was already diving for cover, he was just in time. Robert popped up, exposing his head, and fired at Jason, who hadn't moved. Jason was hit but not before he could hit Robert's head in return. In the first couple of seconds, they were each down a point. What followed was a hilarious to watch game of cat and mouse.

Robert crept clockwise, keeping his head down and rolling between boxes. First, making sure Jason never saw him. Then, keeping his gaze on the spot where he saw Jason, Robert made his way over, doing his best to be quiet.

It was good that the viewing area was soundproof because the combatants would have heard an uproarious amount of laughter, taunts, jibes, and insults thrown their way. Nevertheless, Sevs was sure even Zim cracked a smile. He caught a glimpse of it out the corner of his eyes in the reflection on the viewing window.

The source of their mirth was right in front of them. Even as Robert crept towards the spot Jason had been in, he started to be blocked by the boxes. Jason was doing the exact same thing. Except he was right in front of the viewing window. They watched him circle. It took almost two minutes, and they had swapped places. Nothing had happened. Even Zim struggled not to laugh; Sevs could see his shoulder trembling under his suit. Though that might have just as well been rage. Bexy had fallen off the bench and was sobbing on her side.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

They got to each other's starting places within seconds of each other. First, they each whipped their heads around, checking all angles. Then, before waiting very long, they continued their circle.

The laughter had died down when the two had reached their original starting places. Zim was clearly no longer amused at this point.

Soshal slid next to Sevs. "Do you think they planned this as a joke or something?"

Bexy picked herself off the ground and sat back down on the bench on Sevs's other side. "No, I don't think they did."

"They can't be this bad at it, can they?" Bexy asked. "They got to be playing with us."

"Yeah, I bet that is what's going on. Why don't you think so, Sevs?" Soshal conured.

"A couple reasons. One, they didn't talk to each other between when this was announced and now; at least, I didn't see them. Two, because while both are a bit dense, I don't think they would be willing to risk that." Sevs nodded to Zim as he spoke. Zim's face was starting to get red. Any hint of a grin was no longer on his face.

"It's down to two options from his point of view," Sevs said as he nodded at Zim. "Either they are not taking this seriously, or they are cowards. I'm not sure what he would think would be worse."

After the two combatants had waited about five minutes and were about to continue to their original starting points again, Zim decided he had had enough. He walked over to the comms, where he could use the loudspeaker to communicate with the combatants. He pressed the button and shouted at Robert and Jason. "If I see either of you crouching in the next ten seconds, I will shock you each until you piss yourself."

Both Jason and Robert stood up at that. Both looking at the glass. Before scanning the area, their eyes met, and as Jason took aim, Robert dashed towards him. Jason lowered his gun and took a half-second to aim. Robert was no slouch, even if he couldn't match Jason's aim. Two weeks of training wasn't much in the real world, but it could do a decent amount with skills in play. So as soon as Jason's barrel came up, Robert hit a baseball slide, avoiding the first shot. He popped right up, nearly losing no momentum, and continued his charge. Jason reset and fired again. This time it hit Robert's chest, but he knew he was too close. Jason didn't have time for another shot. The butt of Robert's rifle came up, catching Jason on the chin and sending him flying. Robert kicked the gun away and fired point-blank into Jason's chest. Waited for the second for the training gun to recharge before firing again.

In victory, he leaped on top of one of the crates to shout his accomplishments, and Jason rubbed his chin. However, as Robert landed, the ship shook violently, throwing him to the floor.