Chapter 2

Chapter Two

1012 Hours, June 4, 2563 [Military Calendar]/

Theta Uradis System, Madilion UNSC Military

Complex, Planet Madilion, Johnson Cadet Academy

    Jake paced about the room, Anderson Cooper. Why him? We are going to die! Mallory grabbed his right shoulder and turned him around to face him. She slapped him as hard as she could and he stumbled back.

    "Ow!" He yelled, "What the hell Ma-" she kissed him to shut him up. Jake, shocked, kissed her back; Cinna and Mallory's cadet stood by awkwardly. They pulled apart and looked into each others eyes. Jake turned to look at the first years, Mallory noticed them too.

    "Sorry," she said.

    "Okay, I think we can do this," Jake said unconfidently.

    "Good," Cinna responded. "I guess."

    Jake turned to Mallory and gave her one more hug, "Jake, just be careful."

    He headed to the locker room with Cinna. Inside they walked to the benches at the end of the room and sat. They waited until the room was clear and Cinna stood up. "So," Cinna said. "Anderson Cooper?"

    Jake looked up at him, "Yeah, he was on my squad last year; let me tell you, he was the strongest guy I've ever seen. On one of missions last year we were supposed to destroy a pylon guarded by an elite and few grunts. That took no time at all, but we found a door that lead to a secret underground base. I took Mallory and Anderson with me and found twelve elite zealots and a sea of grunts mining and guarding this base.

    "See, they were mining a piece of forerunner technology. When we got there, there was a prison and marines were held inside it. We took out a few elites and opened the cage. A elite came back with a few dead marines and sounded the alarm;he made the one mistake you never make. You don't turn your back on Anderson. He ran up to the thing, spin it around and crushed its armor in."

    "S**t," Cinna trailed in thought and started to think about how the match would go. "So, will I be on your team this year?"

    "No," Jake said. "Uh, sorry. I should have said maybe. Depends on how good you are." Jake picked up a DMR and started inspect it. "First years are required to be here for the first three months, by that time we will be gone and on a mission. Third years are gone for most of their whole year. " Bells rang to get everyone to their CTF rooms. "Time to go." Jake grabbed a pistol and headed out, Cinna grabbed an Assault Rifle and went after him.

    

     The rooms are symmetrical, the flag is on each side in an open space. One crate,to the left and trees and a ramp to the right. The ramp lead up to a series of walkways up higher in the room. There are ramps leading to a platform in the middle. The middle is an open space visible on all sides, with an exposed underside for easier travel. Jake and Cinna are red team.

     "Welcome to the begining of the school year CTF Tournament. Get the enemy flag and bring it back to your base. The prize this year is the same as always, win and you will be guaranteed a graduatin' spot. Good luck," the Lieutenant's voice clicked off, and he lights brightened. Jake was waiting for the countdown to end. Cinna looked at him with nervous eyes, Jake just stood with his DMR lowered.

    Every time there is a training exercise there is always a voice over, Jake thought. Where is it?

    "Capture the Flag," said a deep raspy voice. "Begin."

     "Head to the middle," Jake said. "I am going to head up, maybe take them by surprise." He spirited for the ramp, and headed up. Cinna ran to the bottom middle and held his rifle up, looking left and right. There was a thud and he turned around, he saw the rugged face of Anderson Cooper. He charged Cinna and he froze. Right before he got to him, Cooper fell; Cinna looked up and saw Jake, they nodded and took off. "Ben, heading your way. He jumping down from top left middle." Cinna turned around and saw stumble as he jumped down. Cinna held up his rifle and unleashed a full magazine onto him; he fell stunned and Cinna headed to their flag. Jake got to the blue side and jumped off the platform, landed into a roll and got up; he grabbed the flag.

    "Enemy flag taken," he heard the announcer say. Cinna caught up to Jake.

    "Cinna," Jake said. "Take the flag, I'm gonna head over to the other side and flank them." He gave Cinna the flag, grabbed his DMR, and headed up the ramp.

    Cinna looked around, waiting for them to double team him. He had his pistol out and started to walk to his side.  A shot whizzed by his head and he ducked for cover. He let the flag go next to him and started to shoot him. He looked over and saw Ben reloading his weapon and started to fire at him again. Cinna crouched behind a crate and waited for Jake's help.

    Jake ran straight to the other side; he was tackled by Anderson who had his pistol aimed at Jake's chest. He pulled the trigger and a bolt of pain shot through Jake's body. Anderson go up and started to head for Cinna. Jake counted, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. He pulled himself up and looked around, he saw Anderson, then directly down the barrel of his pistol. He pulled the trigger again and Jake fell stunned, he counted again, 10, 9, 8, 7.

    "Flag dropped," the announcer said. 6, Jake continued. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. He sprang up, grabbed his DMR, and headed down the ramp to red base.

    He grabbed Ben by his arm and flipped him, then hit him in the chest and kicked him across the base. He turned to Anderson and reloaded.

    "Jake Matthews," boomed his God like voice. "I am glad to see you here. I hope I'm on your squad this year."

    "Sure, if I win this."

    "Now you know I'm not going to throw the game," he reloaded his Assault rifle and aimed it Jake. "We can do this like men, or savages." He tossed his rifle and pulled out his pistol and shot Jake down. He grabbed the flag.

    "Your flag taken," Cooper walked over to pick up his rifle and placed it on the back of his armor. Jake sprang up and shot at Cooper, and he ran for cover. Jake emptied a magazine and missed all fourteen shots; he grabbed for a new mag, "S**t, I'm out." He tossed it aside and pulled out his pistol and shot at Anderson's hiding place. "Out again? Ah he'll," he ran for cover behind a crate.

    Anderson grabbed rolled to the side and looked around. He saw Jake's shadow and ran over to the crate. He placed his foot on the crate, raised his foot up, and slammed it on the crate. It and Jake were sent tumbling forward, he rolled and came out sliding on his helmet. Anderson dropped the flag, ran up to Jake and picked up by his chest plating. He dragged him to the nearest wall and slammed him into it. His armor absorbed most of the shock but he got stuck into the wall. Anderson shot him in the chest and ran for the flag. Jake's stunned body started to slide out of the wall. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. His eyes shot open, he landed on his hands and knees, looked up and ran for Anderson. He was halfway across the map, but Jake tackled him and spun him around. The flag and his pistol slid on the ground and Jake punched him a few times. He kicked him off of his body and ran straight for the pistol.

    Jake shook his head and blinked for a second, he couldn't see straight for a second. Anderson ran over to Jake and place the barrel of the pistol to his chest. He pulled the trigger and there was a clicking sound, the gun was empty. Jake grabbed his hand spun it around and twisted it. Anderson let out a cry of pain and his hand opened up, Jake slammed his elbow back and hit an unprotected armor piece. Snap! Anderson let out a roar as his rib was broken, grabbed Jake by the back of is armor, and slung him across the room. Jake rolled a few times and caught himself. He ran straight for Anderson, who swung his left fist Jake blocked it and ducked when his right fist swung. He tried to kick Jake, but he flipped back onto his hands hen pushed back on his feet. He slammed his fist into Cooper's stomach, grabbed his left shoulder, and slammed him to the ground. Jake pulled a magazine off of Coopers belt, grabbed the pistol and pulled the trigger.

    "Jake," whinnied Cinna. "How are you?"

    Jake put he flag back onto its post and shot Anderson again. "Good, just finished with Anderson," he sprinted to his position.

    "Good, good. Now if it wouldn't be much trouble," he voice changed from whinny to angry. "Could you get your a*s over here and Help ME?!?!" Jake kicked Ben in his back and shot him.

    "Relax," he said. "I'm here."

    "Thanks," Cinna nodded and hey ran back to base.

    "Your flag taken," Jake stopped and tapped Cinna on the shoulder. "Give me the flag I have an idea."

    "You going to tell me what it is?" Cinna asks.

    "No, just be at the flag stand," he took the flag and headed to the base. Anderson was there and started to rush Jake. Jake threw the flag, like a spear, straight him. He dropped the flag and rolled to the side. When he got up and was welcomed to Jake's fist in his face; he hit the ground hard and Jake ran for the flag. When he got in the base Cinna was there waiting for him, and they put the flags in at a the same time. The lights dimmed and the announcer's voice came on. "Game over, Red Team wins."

    They cheered and Jake gave Cinna a high five. They walked out of the room and looked around, everyone was there watching their game. Was everyone done? We were last?

    A crowd of cheers, and angry competitors, Jake saw his friends and pushed through the crowd to get to them. When he got to his friends Mallory grabbed him by the left shoulder and pulled him for a kiss. Everyone cheered and they pulled apart, she hugged him, "I told you so," she whispered. They pull apart and she locks her arm with his left and the rest of his friends came to congratulate him.

    Hank was last to congratulate him. He tapped Jake's right shoulder and he turned his head, "Nice job Matthews," he said. "I didn't think you'd make it at the end, but I'm glad I bet on you. I almost lost four hundred credits."

    "Thanks buddy," Jake said sarcastically.

    "Oh," he said. "I'm glad your okay too bud."

    "Yeah, yeah, yeah," he muttered. "So Mallory did you win?" She looked at him and he saw her eyes grow sad, he understood and kissed her head. He looked around and their faces grew sad too. "Everyone lost? Damn," he looked over at Cinna, who was chatting with some of his friends. He walked to Cinna and placed his hand on his shoulder and whispered, "Welcome, brother." He continued and headed to the end off the hall.

    Cinna's eyes followed him and faced changed. He couldn't speak, but smiled from ear to ear, he looked at his friends. "Guys," he finally got out. "I...I...can't believe it but, I'm part of his..team..." His voice fell and they start to congratulate him; he stares off in the distance and thinks about his year, and how amazing it's going to be.