Episode 7

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Previously on "Gladiators." The alliance of Gaines and Mandy prepared to do battle with the alliance of York and Mcnamara. But our soldiers located their spot, and prepared to ambush all four. Reverend Clarence convinced Jamal to accept his offer of baptism, but is this a trick on the minister's part? The ladies alliance found Jeffrey and put an end to the child molester's life. But with the soldiers already firing on them, they seemed to quickly turn their guns on each other. Who will be the next Gladiator to fall? And who will be the last survivor? Watch and see.

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1:35

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Sarah, Reese, and Lindsay all pointed their guns at each other. Because Lindsay and Reese still didn't trust each other, they had their guns aimed at each other. Sarah wanted to believe in her new friends, but if one shot the other, Sarah planned to kill that woman immediately after. Noone fired just yet, including the unseen sniper. Sarah knew someone either had to fire or put their gun down, either way someone had to be first. Sarah was first.

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Sarah: By my account there are still six others besides ourselves. We can work together, at least until there's noone else left.

Lindsay: You have a point. Others are working together, there is still strength in numbers.

Reese: Put yours down first.

Lindsay: Okay.

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Lindsay knew it was a risk, but she put her gun down. After some hesitation, so did Reese. The women did not know why the unseen sniper hadn't fired again, but decided not to take foolish chances and left the park area. By this point it was already starting to rain. As they left Sarah checked her smartphone, and it had a text about the Underground. It also said how they should go to reverend Clarence's church, although it did not say that he was a member of the Underground. She soon shared her message with her friends, all three had the same message on their phones.

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Reese: You think this is legitimate, or a trap?

Sarah: Not sure.

Lindsay: I've heard of this Underground, they're opposed to stuff like this, and they help get refugees to Canada and Mexico.

Reese: It could also be a trick. Maybe the good reverend isn't quite the pacifist he claims to be.

Sarah: I trust him, but how could the Underground know the numbers for these phones?

Lindsay: Hackers maybe.

Sarah: Maybe. I'd like to survive this, if possible I also want to avoid killing all of you.

Lindsay: I'd like that too, maybe if I know my baby will be safe until he can be sent for.

Sarah: It's a risk all right, but I think it's worth taking.

Reese: Yeah maybe. So who goes and talks to the reverend?

Lindsay: I'll go.

Reese: I still don't trust you alone.

Sarah: I'll go talk to him, that way you two can keep an eye on each other.

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1;44

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While they made this decision, the four gladiators in the old office building tried to avoid the soldiers. Barnes and the others had the area completely surrounded. Alan and Mcnamara saw from their phones that Jeffrey was dead, but that still left five gladiators outside this building. They could more easily avoid the soldiers while Barnes and his team killed everyone in here. Then Mcnamara had an idea, it was risky, but seemed like their best option at the moment.

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1:53

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Jamal's mother arrived at the church. She had always prayed for this day, when her son would finally renounce his sinful ways and let Jesus into his heart. It might be too late for Jamal to save his life, but not too late to save his soul. The sniper watched from a distance. This sniper had much less of a problem killing on holy ground, or killing the minister. All that mattered was collecting the bounty. The sniper knew that Jeffrey had fallen, which meant he had lost the bet. But he could still collect the bonus for killing two gladiators, one of whom had earned immunity once.

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2:00

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The reverend prepared to baptize Jamal with water. Because Jamal was an adult, he could speak for himself.

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Clarence: Do you renounce Satan?

Jamal: I do renounce him.

Clarence: And all his works, and all his empty promises.

Jamal: I do renounce him.

Clarence: Then I baptize you Jamal, in the name of the father, and the son, and the holy ghost. Go Jamal, and sin no more.

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After Clarence poured this water on Jamal, they hugged, then Jamal hugged his mother. Clarence checked his phone, and saw the same message that the others had seen.

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Clarence: This is interesting. I just received a text, supposedly from the Underground.

Jamal: I got the same one, it says to come here actually.

Mother: Reverend, are you a part of the Underground?

Clarence: I wish I were, but no.

Jamal: So why would they say to come here?

Clarence: That's a good question, but to be honest I don't know that either.

Jamal: Maybe it's a trap, or a bomb. We have to get out of here.

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Jamal brought his mother and the reverend outside, and the sniper began firing on them. Jamal protected his mother, kept her safe, and saw where the sniper was hiding. Clarence agreed to provide a distraction while Jamal got away, and rushed to the sniper's spot. They fought, Jamal knocked the sniper unconsciouss and brought him back to the church.

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2:10

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Colonel Mcnamara and Alan York moved as covertly as possible. They found Barnes, surrounded by two other soldiers. As quickly as they could, the two gladiators killed the two soldiers, and took Barnes hostage.

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Barnes: You can't use me as leverage to get out of the game. But if you do kill me, that would just make the other soldiers more determined to kill you.

Mcnamara; We know, all we want is a clear exit route, and an hour head start.

Barnes: That is acceptable.

York: Give us your walkie.

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Barnes complied, and Mcnamara spoke with Barnes' right-hand, Nick Mancuso.

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Mcnamara: We have taken major Barnes hostage.

Mancuso: Who am I speaking with?

Mcnamara: Colonel Mcnamara, and Alan York. Whether or not you kill Mandy and Gaines is not our concern. But you let us go, and you can have your superior officer back.

Mancuso: Very well. I'll even give you a head start, however long it takes us to eliminate Gaines and Mandy.

Mcnamara: Agreed.

Mancuso: I'll alert the others to let you go. But if you kill him, we will come after you immediately.

Mcnamara: Understood.

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2:16

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The sniper had been tied to a chair, then Jamal woke him up. Jamal was not happy to be letting this man live right now.

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Jamal: You fired on us, nearly killed my mother. I've recently been born again, I know God really frowns upon murder, but can you give me one good reason why I shouldn't take that chance right now?

Sniper: I didn't try to kill your mother, just you.

Jamal: Is that supposed to make me feel better? Did you send us this text, about coming to this church?

Sniper: No, I just followed her here.

Jamal: So who did send it?

Sniper: How the hell would I know? I don't have friends in the Underground.

Jamal: So this is legitimate?

Sniper: I don't know. There are rumors, but who knows how true they are.

Jamal: What kind of rumors?

Sniper: A little twist to this reality show. That Barnes was authorized to make a deal with one, and only one gladiator. That gladiator leads the others into a trap, and we spare him or her. Even protect that person if the heat gets to be too much.

Jamal: Which one is it?

Sniper: Barnes is the only one authorized to make that deal, and he didn't share it with me. For all I know it's just a rumor.

Jamal: Sixteen desperate people, could be any of us.

Sniper: I doubt it's you or the reverend.

Jamal: Why not?

Sniper: Because I sent Barnes a text, telling him I was following you to this church, he didn't order me not to fire on either of you.

Jamal: But you have no idea who the collaborator is?

Sniper: If there is a collaborator, their identity is on a need to know basis. I didn't need to know.

Jamal: I believe you, unfortunately. So what do we do with you now?

Sniper: You want to kill me Jamal, just do it. I won't beg for my life.

Clarence: Jamal, you made a promise to God.

Jamal: Allah will forgive me after what you did to my mother.

Mother: Please Jamal, don't kill in my name.

Jamal: Your lucky my mother's in a forgiving mood. You hurt her again, I won't be able to control myself.

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2:22

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While Jamal let the sniper outside in the pouring rain, Mcnamara and York were allowed to escape. Between the rain, and not knowing how long it would take them to eliminate Mandy and Gaines, they ran to their car and quickly drove away. Barnes returned to his men, frustrated over this setback. Still, he planned to take his frustrations out on the remaining two gladiators.

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2:25

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The sniper had been released, but had no intention of just walking away. He was already making plans to reenter the church and murder Jamal, Clarence, and if neccessary Jamal's mother. But he had the bad luck of being spotted by Sarah. She recognized him as a soldier from his uniform, and she knew that she had a bigger price on her head than others. So Sarah quickly shot this guy in the head, killing him instantly. Five days ago she would never have considered just killing a man without hesitation. Now, it was becoming easier, almost like a reflex. She went into the church and asked Clarence about the text message.

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2:34

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The soldiers had Gaines and Mandy cornered in one small area. But it was clear that these gladiators would go down fighting, kill a few soldiers in the process. Barnes offered them a compromise. Whether it was to spare the lives of his men, to provide entertainment for the television, or to make sure noone collected the bounties on them, thus saving the network money, was anyone's guess.

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Barnes: Here's the deal. You two come out, unarmed. You then pay russian roulette. Whoever wins, gets a 15 minute head start. Otherwise, we kill you both.

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Gaines and Mandy looked at each other. They both knew that their alliance would have to end soon, this was just sooner than they would have preferred. Still, at least one would get out of here alive. They came out. Barnes took his gun, with five chambers. He put a live bullet in one, and empty cartridges in the other four. He spun it around, and snapped it shut. Noone had any idea which chamber had the real bullet. Each would put the gun to their head, and pull the trigger, twice. If they were both still alive after four, Barnes would spin it again. The other soldiers looked on, thankful to at least have this entertainment. Some had guarded Jamal and Tyler during their fight, now they got to see this again. Gaines went first and pulled the trigger, click. Mandy went next, click. Gaines then went again, and survived. Mandy knew if she survived this, Barnes would have to spin it again, she hoped to annoy him a little bit. But no such luck. Mandy put the gun to her head, pulled the trigger, and died instantly. Gaines was sad to see his friend dead, but also relieved that he had survived. Barnes was a man of his word, he told Gaines he could go.

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Barnes: Okay Gaines, you have a 15 minute head start, starting now.

Gaines: Before this is over, I will kill you.

Barnes: 14 minutes, 45 seconds, better get going.

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As much as Gaines hated Barnes, he valued his own life right now, so he fled.

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The following is an excerpt from Mandy's last recorded statement.

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Mandy: It's always been survival of the fittest for me. My mother tried to abort me and failed, I've always been on my own. Others can look after their interests, and I'll look after mine. I like Gaines, maybe he even has a little crush on me, and I am not above exploiting him if it comes down to it. Call me selfish if you want, but I plan to live through this. If I don't, so be it.