Ever since I started doing missions with Sarah, I have often had to do the heavy lifting in combat and conversation. She's often so quiet and deep in thought I swear she has narration in her head. Nothing gets under my skin quite like dead air, and when it's at its worst, I tend to blurt things out, even if they're the most obvious. However, the beauty of being on a team is that someone else can do that for me.

"So what the heck are we going to do? Cause I don't bout you guys but I don't like us out here being sitting ducks." Zoey said with absolute bluntness.

Élise, after fiddling with her guns, also agreed.

"Yeah, not only is this not a flattering angle. But we fired a few too many paintballs."

"Pfft, speak for yourself, Élise. I still got more than enough firepower to blow that bitch Alexandria to kingdom come."

Hearing Lexa's name finally snapped me out of my funk as my brain started whirring. Sarah's influence couldn't help but come through as I opened up.

"I don't think Lexa did this. This is familiar but this definitely isn't her style."

"Um, sorry to interrupt but didn't she specifically also say she was trying new strategies for this game?," Antonia said shakingly.

"Yeah, sure, Lexa can adapt on the fly, but she's also ... direct in a way. She likes pouring on pressure whenever she can help it. Even if she didn't lead her team on the frontlines, she'd do something much bigger on the sidelines than just take out two people, especially without even announcing it when she would've had our comm-links in sight. This just doesn't feel like her."

Jared then threw out a suggestion.

"You're saying there's someone new who got into the game? Possibly, either way though one thing's clear, we got to make a move fast. I don't all of us being here all at once. What do you think, Sharmeen?"

Shammeer height-shadowed us all with her worry as she got smashed into reality.

"Right, um, we need to move and strategize right. We have tooo ..."

She then fell silent while biting her thumb, forcing me to pick up where she left off.

"Move for now. We still have the numbers advantage, but it's better to restock at the armory if the enemy has our comm links and Élise, Jared, and I are low on ammo. Zoey, Joe, and Henry have their background sighs and moans.

"I know, I know it's not the greatest move, but if we get some nice toys out of this it'll be worth it. Course I'm more than happy to put it to a vote."

Despite half the team's resistance, the plan went unopposed as we promptly marched towards our destination. Between strides, though, I couldn't help but peel back towards the back of the line where Sharmeen straggled behind.

"Thank you," she said softly, out of earshot to the rest.

"Don't thank me just yet, all I'm doing is just reciting stuff other people would do in the same spot."

Shammer eyes then wavered.

"Right, I sometimes forget how many other people you've worked with."

Knowing where that rabbit hole was gonna go, I immediately nudged her.

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"I'm talking about you, ya dummy. Just because we're two people down doesn't mean you get to count yourself out too. We're going to need you soon enough anyway."

"Why's that?"

Lexa's competitive grin at the grocery store then played through my head.

"Cause I know no matter how this game ends, it isn't going to go like last time. When we face Lexa, don't you dare hold back; she won't do the same for you."

The sudden shift in tone completely threw Shammeer off.

"Is that a joke? You're making it sound like we're going to war."

"When it comes to Lexa, there is no difference."

The ominous proclamation shunned us both into silence as we walked towards the most dangerous place of any paintball field: the armory. Laying on the outskirts of the arena, the armory is a cabin-like structure that holds both team's entire ordinance and even weapons we can't usually carry on our person.

At their worst, the armory's bounty can restock your ammo for another fun round; at best, they're game changers, which can turn a man into an army. Like the brush blades, the strategies involving the armory have significantly evolved.

With temporary agreements, blatant sabotage, or intricate diversions, the armory quickly transformed from a safe haven to the ultimate joker's wild. Anything could happen once we entered those halls. Anyone could be on the chopping block. Either way, our only guarantee was that we needed to have the element of surprise.

"45 minutes have passed, and the game's flow has settled a little. The dynamic duo that constitutes the Fatal Femmes are nowhere to be seen, like me when I broke my पापा's prized vase. Still, the tension is palpable as they all dive towards the armory!"

"All" was a bit of a strong word, especially since Jared decided to play lookout. Even with low ammo, I trust his aim to cover us. Forcing me to tote around the borderline useless sniper rifle and a mini side arm as the rest of us strolled in like the magnificent seven. Despite being in a rush, we didn't dare take our movements lightly.

Being a friend of the Paladin paid its way forward ultimately as we moved through the dark, shallow hallways, quiet as mice. Unfortunately, we could still stay as quiet as Sarah. I'm sure Sharmeen and Zoey will chew him out later, but in this precarious situation, we could give hushed screams as Joe happened to press on a creaking floorboard.

"Oops."

Every ounce of secrecy vanished instantly as another voice entered the fray.

"I was wondering when you'd all be here."

Henry, quick shot that he was immediately fired aimlessly into the ether. Only for the ether to respond.

Anxiety is not a good look for you, Henry; being that hasty with your trigger finger could be dangerous in the field."

"Oh, trust me I'll show you fucking dangerous!" Henry said as he went in with literal guns blazing.

With our formation shattered, we all called for him back. Antonia moved before all of us, vaulting over me to save Henry. Unfortunately, it was too late for him as he passed a pivotal tripwire. Sharmeen and Zoey's reflexes took over for the rest of us, realizing they couldn't do anything more for our comrades as several unmanned paint rifles rained down upon us like a monsoon.

Poor bastards didn't know what hit them as they got consumed in the red deluge. We were left to fend for ourselves as we got back up to the house. Shammer's height and Zoey's toned strength provided a bit of leverage, but we were losing ground fast and getting more nicks of red. So, I forced myself to retake charge.

"Can I see that shield for a second Zoey?"

When I felt the strap wrapped around my hand, I instantly knew what to do as I pushed through every scarlet slug. Some had me buckle and bend, but I never broke. Leading me to persevere until I got within range and delivered a powerful swipe that blew off the rifles like a month-old dust bunnies. There was no rest ahead of my weariness, though, as Lexa's again sparked from a hidden comm link.

"Impressive show of strength as always James. Though I do wonder how well you and your teammates fare against the next wave."

Élise then spoke out the obvious question.

"What the fuck is the next wave?"

"I'm glad you asked dear, Élise."

The light bulbs suddenly flared, showing at least through my heavily dilating pupils that I charged us into the main armory room. Yet the most dangerous weapon was the woman inside as before I could catch a second wind. Lexa jumped out of my blindside with a shotgun in hand. If I hadn't placed my shield between us, I would've lost as her momentum and technique pressed into me like a rhinoceros.

I tried holding strong through sheer strength, but my balance and weight were all out of whack as she finished her charge with a point-blank blast. Burgundy buckshot blanketed my barrier as I got launched into a large weapon rack, forcing various bayonets to rain down on me. Instantly, I got put into the backfoot as Lexa didn't hesitate on the remaining four.

Sharmeen tried her best to lead the frontline defense, but her height and inexperience made her an easy target for Lexa to throw her weapon like a bola. It cracked across our leader's face, delaying my team's reactions just enough for Lexa to pounce on them like a lioness while catching her weapon. The difference in experience then became clearer the day as Lexa spun her shotgun like a baton to smack Joe's pistol away.

A black bullet hits Zoey right in the shoulder, keeping her stunned long enough for Lexa to slam the shotgun in Joe's gut before doing a one-armed shoulder flip straight into her. Leaving Élise to fumble through her rifle to get a few decent shots off, but her lack of ammunition bit her in the ass as Lexa's charge went unabated.

She spun Élise into a painful arm lock in seconds by leaning into her right shoulder. Only to then wholly shift gears and sweep the Dealer off her feet to get struck down like a lightning bolt. In less than a minute, Lexa took out the entire squad by herself as she pumped her shotgun towards the downed Élise.

"Impressive display Dogs, I'll give you that. James certainly has brought your team up well. Even if there's definitely much room for improvement."

She then aimed the barrel straight into my teammate's struggling body.

"Though I'm sure it'll come in due time when you gain more experience. Like your first defeat."

Lexa never pressed the trigger, though, as in the mother of all gambles, I threw my useless sniper rifle to send her weapon flying into the ether. Utterly unfazed, Lexa kicked Élise in the stomach, stunning her long enough to face me.

"Now I think you always had a nasty habit of calling victory before it actually happens?"

Lexa chuckled as she rolled up her sleeves. Exposing toned arms are sturdier than a tree trunk.

"Because when I enter the field. Victory seems to have a nasty habit of becoming certain."

I then put myself in a boxing stance, bracing myself for the fight ahead while saying.

"Let's test that theory then."