The beats of the song began and the four of us flipped backwards, then froze, then did a quick dance move.

My song started. We had made a CD mix so we got parts of songs to each piece.

I hit the ground and did my dance. I really only saw the whirl of spot lights and a sea of faces. I heard clapping, Wows, and laughter mixed with the pulsing beat of my music, so it wasn't too stupid then.

At the end of my song I flipped backwards over Delta and Glory as they both somersaulted forward and twisted themselves together on their heads and jerked back in their break dance move.

"The only good thing out of this whole stupid show is that I get to grab ya." He muttered.

I stepped on his toe on the next turn.

Delta and Glory finished and Cannon twirled me.

Whether either of us admitted it or not, Cannon was a good dancer.

He twirled me again, leaned me back, grabbed me on the waist and threw me up. I flipped cleanly and landed in his arms. He caught me, twirled me again, grabbed me by both arms and swung my body. He switched hands twice, letting me spin while he spun me.

We both moved into line and did the last dance movie before turning around, and looking over our shoulder on the last beat.

Everyone applauded.

I couldn't tell if it was going to win. The applause all seemed the same too me. I was still dizzy from all that spinning!

"I hate this place." Cannon muttered as we walked off the stage and a group of comedians took it.

"Quit sulking, that was the first time you two nailed the flip with chemistry." Delta teased.

"Guess we did, eh Beautiful?"

"Sit on it." I was still sweating from the Hip-hop routine.

We went to our seats and sat down.

We were doing the show at the mess hall, we all sat on our benches. Midnight Sky smirked at me from across the table.

"Didn't know you could move like that Baby doll." He said to me.

"What's your act, wise cracks."

"You gonna tango with Lightning there, kid?" Cannon asked Midnight.

#&&%$#&(%#&(()(&%$##$%&((&%$#!#$%&(&%&

They didn't tango.

They told the history of SITs in a fast beat rap.

"Cuz Agents are da teacher

And life is the test

Ya gotta keep up

With a bullet proof vest

Crime ain't got no Time

When you workin' with the rhyme.

Can you tell me who da top?

S.I.T's! Who da one?"

It was an awesome rap. I even had to clap. It was impressive with Quickie did a segment about the Assassin terrorist in a quick motion where I could barely understand at the high speed he went at.

"We can't beat that. It was a suck-up with a cool edge!" Glory whispered.

The four took their seats and Lightning and Cannon were having a staring contest, both shooting daggers at each other. If looks could kill, they'd both be dead.

Others went up. Singing, no other dance routines. Comedians, skits, impersonations, improv.

Surprisingly, I actually had a good time watching it all.

Last was California. That being Dusk's team. She did a fantastic job singing "Hit The Road Jack." With the boys doing the background. It was simple, but really cute.

"While we decide, have fun! The stage is open for some good fun!"

The tables were pushed to the side a guy jumped on stage and grabbed the mike. He pushed a CD into the player and began singing to the song.

"I like that ol' time rock, n Roll."

'Don't try and take me to a disco

You won' even get out on the floor

In ten minutes I'll be out through the door

Give me that ol' time rock n roll."

Happily I clapped along with everyone else.

Some kids started showing off and doing some dancing. Some danced with each other. I saw some people watching Spunk, the punk edge Mexican girl, doing some dances with another guy.

I looked up at the empty score board in anticipation. From the last few days, we'd pulled a lead of 4000. Nebraska is 3500. And they're in second. A 500 point lead is huge. And we were expecting another 1000 because after several attempts, none with success, Agent One offered 1000 for whoever could snipe out the terrorists hiding on Doom Mountain, as it's been nicknamed.

Dusk got the mike under popular demand from her cabin She looked shy, but her cheeks burned with pleasure.

Her eyes scouted me in the crowd and we grinned at each other. Dusk can sing, as I saw from here show. I can't sing well, but I can put on a show. Which of course I value more. I may not be on key, but no one is bored when I hop on stage.

I smiled. Dusk took in a breath and pushed some bright red hair from her cheek

The CD was popped in

"What I like about you?

You hold me tight

Tell me I'm the only one

Wanna come over tonight?

Yeah.

Keep on whispering in my ear!

Tell me All the Things that I want to hear

'cuz it's true!

That's what I like about you!"

Of course, it's a popular song. So soon everyone was singing the chorus and

bumping hips in a grin.

I formed in with the circle and people took turns dancing inside it.

"Hi." Midnight Sky was next to me.

"There are four other girls you could dance with." I replied coldly.

"One is singing and the others aren't nearly as appealing as you."

"Don't you mean under guarded?" Cannon asked. He grabbed my shoulder and yanked me through the crowd before Midnight Sky could reply.

"What kind of name is Midnight Sky anyway?"

Suddenly the scoreboard came to life.

Nebraska

1st

Delaware

2nd

Washington

3rd

I looked at the guys.

"They won." I whispered. With the second prize of 1000, third is 500.

I calculated the score in my mind. "Nebraska 5000, us 4500. And Delaware is tied with us now."

"Not good. We better get the snipe team on Doom Mountain tomorrow." I muttered.

"We will." Glory sighed.

"We better

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I woke groggily. The party had ran late last night. We'd left early to be ready for the ascent, but several were loud as they walked back last night.

I changed quickly and brushed my hair out into a pony tail. I looked out the curtain slowly to see Cannon on his bed brushing his hair back and Glory's bed was empty. He was probably in the bathroom.

"Hey Beautiful." He said, not looking behind him.

I didn't reply.

He pushed the coal black hair behind his ears and turned around.

"Mornin'." I said distantly. I picked up Maxell and started to play PacMan.

"Nervous?"

"Duh. Our pride hangs on this!"

"I know, but chill, it's the first Saturday of a month long journey." He tried to sound inspiring.

"If you were going for poetic it was more like pathetic." I shot back.

"Are you sad because I didn't-"

"Keep any perverted notions to yourself Cannon, sir."

"Yeah you wanna-be-pimp." Delta laughed, eyes still shut from bed.

"You're just jealous because-"

"NO fighting when our lives are going to depend on each other on that mountain. There are safety agents there, but this isn't a drill." Glory came out of the bathroom and threw Delta's uniform shirt at him. "Get dressed. We pack down breakfast and are out of that place before Midnight Sky vaporizes his breakfast!"

I scratched my ear and shrugged. "I'm not hungry. Let's go in for roll, pack and extra big lunch and go strait to the chopper."