Jack was making the final preparations before the game started. He was making sure his team of eight would be able to defeat the opposing team in this battle.

"John, did you get the extra ammo?" Jack asked him.

"Yes sir, got it right here with me!" John shouted over the sound of the Warthog's gunning their engines.

Jack nodded at him and told him to get outside. The object of the game was to capture the other team's flag and safely return it to their base. Once a soldier's shield is depleted, and they take what would be a fatal shot, they are transported to their base to restart.

Jack looked at the clock to see how much longer until it started. Five minutes.

"Damn!" Jack yelled.

He checked his weapons, and when satisfied, slipped a clip into his MA5B Assault Rifle and followed suit with his pistol. The clock continued the count down. The winning team of this battle would get to experience real combat with the Covenant, so tensions were running high. Jack, the Red Team Leader, was nervous about the fight. Joe, the Blue Team Leader, was a tough opponent and was a deadly sniper.

Finally, when the clock read one minute, Jack stepped out of the base, and climbed into the side seat of a Warthog, an all terrain vehicle. Mark was the driver and Jack was confident in the youngsters abilities. He had seen his drive before. Jack took a moment to take in his surroundings.

They were enclosed in a large area where rock surrounded them. The peak of the rock was hundreds of feet high. The sky was blue and not a cloud polluted it. The ground was covered with grass in some areas, and in others dirt. The Blue Base was a half mile away, and the walls seemed to call to the soldiers. Suddenly, a loud bell shrieked in the distance, signaling the beginning of the battle.

Mark gunned the engine, put the vehicle in drive, and floored it. The scenery was flashing by, making it almost impossible to shoot accurately. The Warthog continued to gain speed and a hell-storm of automatic fire filled the air. Bullets pinged off the Warthog's side as it was nearing the base.

"Slow the hell down soldier!" Jack yelled.

Mark understood, and just it time, Jack saw the danger. A enemy soldier was taking aim at them with a rocket launcher.

"Get out! Now!" Jack yelled.

They piled out of the Warthog just as the rocket impacted and sent the explosion sent them sprawling.

"Everyone all right!" Jack shouted over the battle.

Mark nodded his head while the guy that had been manning the gunned shook his head.

"My shield is down to about fifty percent." Perry said calmly.

Jack nodded his head at the soldier and spotted two enemy soldiers on the approach. He held up his assault riffle and fired off a few rounds at them. They rolled and returned the gesture.

"Stay low!" Jack said. The battle was raging on, becoming more intense each passing minute.