Atari and Epic Games own everything.


Chapter 1: The Rookie
I remember looking at the flyer in my hand. "Action! Excitement! Join the Unreal Tournament!" It sounded incredible, and such an opportunity to make some easy money. Put me in a manmade arena with a bunch of miners and convicts and blast each other with stun bullets, piece of cake for a marine like myself. I thought I needed the change, I was already revered for displays of bravery in the final world war, and I knew nobody would ever dare go to war with my country again. I was so full of pride back then. I was a decorated marine in the NEG armed forces… but I wanted something new, something that would be a challenge, I knew I would get that in the tournament, what I didn't know was I was going to bite off more than I could chew.

I remember how cocky I was as I walked into the Liandri headquarters and signed up for the tournament. I thought I was invincible, that nobody could touch me… the arrogance of youth, it gets us into more trouble than we would ever know. I remember how impressed the recruiters were with my credentials and they immediately assigned me to one of the most elite teams, the Dark Phalanx. I was so excited, I was going to be on the same team as the legendary Eagle. He was a fan favorite in every aspect of the phrase. Women flocked to him, men sat in awe of his abilities… he was invincible, or so I thought at the time.

I remember the following week when I finally got the call to join them in a tournament match, "Team Deathmatch". This was my chance to either make a huge splash and prove to the world I was the real thing, or I would flop and they would never give me so much as a hello afterwards. I remember how my hands shook as I slid on my grey and black combat gear. I slowly zipped up the front and secured my chest plate. I tightened my belt for the first time and stared down at the stun blasters that sat peacefully in the holsters. Then in he came. Eagle himself walked into the locker room and began to prepare himself for our match.
"You the rookie?" Eagle asked as he took his shirt off and unzipped his pants. I nodded in stunned awe that he was speaking to me. He stepped into his combat gear and began to fasten and snap it into place. I extended my hand to him and smiled like an idiot.
"Jordan Thomas." I said, I think my voice cracked from excitement. "It's an honour to meet you, Eagle." Eagle smirked and shook his head.
"I'm only Eagle in the arena, please, call me Bjorn." I stared in amazement as he took my hand and shook it. "So what's your name for the arena kid?" I didn't know what to reply, I just stuttered like a fool. "Didn't think that far ahead did you?" He spoke kindly to me, like he actually cared… who am I kidding, I was just another rookie that he had to baby sit. He looked me over then nodded. "How about Hawk? Ya like that?" Hawk… what a stupid name, but I didn't think so at the time. I nodded and adopted the name Hawk. A muffled voice rang out from the arena. "Looks like our match is coming up, let's go kick some ass kid."

I stood beside Bjorn, I wouldn't admit then that I was shaking, but I was trembling. The excitement was incredible. It was Bjorn, myself, and two other rookies. The rookie that did the best would become a permanent member of the Dark Phalanx… and I would die before I let someone else get that spot. I remember they led in a scraggily group of cons from a local prison and lined them up. Armed soldiers removed their handcuffs and handed them weak stun weapons, no match for our blasters, but then again this wasn't supposed to be a fair fight. The cons immediately scattered about the arena.
"Stay together team." Bjorn ordered as the timer counted down. "If we stick together they won't get a single point, and I want a shut-out, do I make myself clear?" We all nodded and followed him into the arena as the buzzer screamed throughout the building.


Looks like the action is gonna start. Things seem to be going well for Jordan right now, read on.