Fast[u]r

CHAPTER THREE: IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT

"O-K. You have one min-ute un-til Cap-ture the Flag: Con-struc-tion Site be-gins," the robot voice said (yet again expressionless). A countdown of 60 seconds then appeared on the hologram monitor.

"OK guys," Moose bursted, "let's test the headsets! L... Jonathan... wire us up!"

L and Jonathan quickly and surreptitiously wired everyone one by one. They put in the earpiece, and taped on the talking wire. Earpiece, wire. Earpiece, wire. Earpiece, wire. Earpiece, wire. Earpiece, wire. Earpiece, wire. Earpiece, wire. (L and Jonathan had to put on each others headsets.)

"K, back in the closets to test the headsets," said L.

"Why do we have to test the headsets in the closets, again?" asked Tim.

"Because," answered Jonathan, "If we talk out here, we don't know if we are hearing from the headsets, or from sound waves."

"Got it," replied Tim. No one knew for sure if he truly got it.

Everyone then hurried back into their closets, for they only had roughly 40 seconds left before the scenario began.

"OK, test test. One two. Thingermabobber. Thinger, mabobber," tested L. "Jonathan, you there?"

"Yeah," Jonathan replied, "Moose, how 'bout you?"

"Loud and clear, L and J. Loud and clear," Moose answered.

"Tim?" Jonathan asked.

"Heeeerrrrrrreeeeee," Tim slowly replied, for only reasons Tim himself would understand.

"Great," L exclaimed, "Oscar?"

"Are you ready fo dis?!?!" Oscar sang, " NA NA NA BAM BAM BA BA DAH BA DAH BA, BUM BUM BA DAH BA BA BA, BUM BUM BA DAH BA DAH BA-"

"That's great Oscar," interrupted L.

"Jakyos?" asked Jonathan.

"No singing for me," remarked Jakyos.

"Even better," said Jonathan.

"Zak?" asked L.

A moment of silence went over the headsets. And another. And another. And another.

"Zak?!?!" screamed L and Jonathan simultaneously.

"Zak, come out NOW so we can fix your headset!!!" screamed L at the top of his lungs.

From then on, it seemed as though everything was in slow motion.

Everyone ran out of their closets to see a devastating 13 seconds left on the clock.

L ran towards Zak, accidentally dropping his backpack on the way. This meant that somehow, Jonathan must put on Zak's headset from all the way across the room.

They all took the slightest moment to look at each other... looking hard... and they had their plan.

Tim unzipped the backpack while Jonathan took it off... Jonathan then grabbed the headset, and gave it to Oscar.

11 seconds.

Oscar threw the headset across the room. Flying. Soaring. Falling.

10 seconds.

Jakyos then dives across the room and catches the descending headset. In the same motion Jakyos does a 180° and throws the headset to L, milliseconds before his back hits the ground. Tucking his chin in, Jakyos avoids any serious injury. He lands on the ground. Bruised elbow. Twisted ankle. Everyone stares in shock... until Jakyos stands up and wipes off his shoulders.

6 seconds.

L puts the headset up to Zaks nose at first, smushing Zak's face. He then makes the quick adjustment and starts to set up the earpiece.

4 seconds.

When L finishes the earpiece, he notices something is wrong. Something is missing. Zak notices it, too... everyone notices it... they don't have the tape for the talking wire.

Everyone stops. Not knowing what to do. Somewhat spent... given up.

2 seconds.

On the spur of the moment, at the other side of the room, Moose reaches into the bag and grabs the tape. At the same time, he is sharing that same glare with Zak, as everyone did before. Looking... looking hard... and they had their plan.

1 second.

Moose and Zak dive towards one another, Zak holding the headset up to his face, Moose with his tape in his hand.

They were going to crash, and they knew it. Everyone knew it.

At the last moment, Moose pulled out, but not yet ripped off, a piece of tape, and Zak let go of his headset. Moose slapped on the piece of tape, and Zak secured it. Moose then put his hand on the floor, which lowered him to the ground, avoiding the predicted crash. Synchronously, Moose ripped off the piece of tape.

0 seconds.

Bleep! Bleep! Bleep! "Your sce-nar-i-o be-gins now," the robot voice said on the speakers.

Fist bumps all around.