The Moon Hiding at Dawn

Chapter 7: The First Eclipse

Despite the wariness shrouding the night, we still don't have absolute control of the situation since, for one, all participants are humans and have their own consciousness and, for another, we clearly stated that warfare at any time is permissible except for that brief night transition and the rule regarding targeting non-combatants who had their armor temporarily removed. 

That resulted to us having shifting sleep schedules so that we could continue monitoring the field and springing into action in case something significant happens. I was part of the first batch of shifts so I slept pretty much at a late time already. I'm used to sleeping late for that matter anyways.

 When I woke up, the sun was already rising.

Dawn broke without a single crossfire. We had nothing to worry about since the contestants are at the very least exercising prudence by knowing that rest is an essential part of the battle.

The numbers flashed once again: CoB 900, CoL 450, CoE 700, CoS 600. All others are at their positions. Apparently, I was the last one to wake up at that point as well. Only counting those with early shifts that is. 

All combatants are ready and armed in their respective camps. With what happened last night though, I would understand why all are reluctant to enter the main building. Everyone had the same mind: split into two groups, flank each side. The only thing different this time around? Strategy. CoB now used tables as shields to be handle by vanguard lane. CoL, who retrieved all equipment they could find, assembled a hundred decoys in their base. It was realistic that we needed second looks to confirm that they're decoys. CoE seem to have played too much games. Now they are imitating squads and formations you'd only usually see in a police special unit or perhaps the special forces. CoS, on the other hand, uses the bait strategy having a large flank wait miles behind a front team.

The plans were like my personal view on communism. Good in theory, sucked at practice. This is precisely because of the involvement of the "human element" which meant that not everyone would follow the same line of thought as the herd and not everyone would be able to do their task to their maximum efficiency.

Reality hits. No college actually committed to their strategies. Once an exchange starts, most lost their wits and went haywire. That disrupted all dynamics they have initially planned. The clumsy exchange of gunshots lasted the whole morning that even some of us slept through it. I figured it would be no use tracking all of them at the moment so I rested my eyes from the constant flash from the screens.

I was fidgeting with a pen thinking of a lot of stuff. By a lot of stuff, I meant how Kallen hasn't been pestering me in any way this time. It just seems... uncharacteristic. She would normally be poking her nose around some stories and would be bombarding me with it. I mean, that applied even on busy days before.

Why am I even getting bothered by this?

"A penny for your thoughts?"

I glanced to see Nina behind me, offering me a can of soda.

"I'll take the penny. The thoughts, however, aren't really that important." I smiled, taking the soda can and popping a drink.

"Very well. Sleep for a while. That will help set your mind at ease." She said.

By the looks of it, I have no reason or room for protest so I slumped in a comfortable place: a linear assembly of chairs which turned to be my makeshift bed. I closed my eyes and forced myself to sleep.

Dusk has fallen by the time I woke up. I went with the others who were sitting and waiting for the action in the main building. I was surprised to see Randy watching as well.