As I started open firing on the Captain's orders, I realized that the many numbers that I had walked here with had also started open firing, and I knew that they weren't on my team!
So, what was the explanation for this?
Obviously the Captain!
He must have made them join our team after holding the other team's flags hostage!
Such a brilliant move! One befitting of a genius!
The Captain was obviously the greatest!
But now, there was a problem.
The other team was breaching up to the higher floors, where our flag was, and we could do nothing about it.
After all, we were stuck here on the lower floors.
But, the Captain told us all to leave it to him, so I would place my trust in him.
I mean, if I couldn't place my trust in him, somebody that had materialized miracle after miracle, then who could I place my trust in?
Sitting back and relaxing, I waited for my Captain to start his show.
...
"Everyone, take the item out and put it on." I ordered, setting into motion the final phase of the plan.
"Roger." Said the 7 remaining lackeys, all at the same time.
Slipping into my own item, I then blended into the crowd that had stormed the tower.
Running up the stairs, we pushed up further and faster as time went on.
Finally, we all reached the 69th floor where everything was barred.
Using the same physics involved with a Newton's Cradle, we all pushed in a wave-like manner, generating enough force to break through the door and all the furniture on the other side.
Pouring into the 69th floor like water invading a sand castle's moat, we all tensed as we started hearing gunshots in front of us.
Using my senses to pick out where the opposing team's members were, I quickly shot the two campers and then we continued moving.
Honestly, I was a little surprised at how easy this was, but, I mean, when you think about it, I was just going up against a bunch of kids, so it wasn't like I was discovering the theory of relativity or something.
Breaching more and more of the upper floors, we continued to speed up, trying to catch up to Number 1's team.
But, of course, whenever we felt like we could catch up with them, we would be slowed down by some guys he had left back to camp, and so, our process was slowed down.
"Captain! They're breaching the stairwell to the roof!"
"Hold them off for as long as you can, leave when you feel like you're on the verge of being overwhelmed."
"Roger that, Captain."
Hearing this, I continued up until we reached the topmost floor, the same floor that the other team was on.
"Captain, we're pulling back now!"
"Got it."
Taking my attention off the intercoms, I continued engaging in the gunfight with the members of Number 1's team as they kept us from getting to the stairwell.
I mean, Number 1 was probably searching for the flag right about now, but, I didn't think he'd find it in this short amount of time.
I heard some more chatter over the intercoms as they guys that had been in the stairwell exited onto the roof and had then rappelled down the same way the others had when the challenge had just started.
Hearing that they were safe, I took out a grenade and pulled the pin, throwing it into the midst of the enemy soldiers.
"BOOOM!"
Seeing body parts flying everywhere, I didn't hesitate and drove my body through the fire, ending up in the stairwell.
Using my item, which was actually just a simple brown cloak, I was able to get through the smoke.
Seeing my 7 teammates right on my tail, I climbed up the last flight of stairs, only to be met with the triumphant face of Number 1, as he stood there, holding our flag.
The eyes of my teammates went wide as they realized that we had been too late, and mine did too.
After all, I really did think that the plan was perfect, I didn't know how Number 1 had beat me to it!
"I have your flag, I win!" He said, whilst waving it in front of our faces like a jerk.
Then, we heard the familiar voice of the robotic lady as she announced,
"The test, "Capture the Banner", is now over, teleporting all numbers to the assembly hall."
I could only stare in shock at Number 1's gloating face as we were all engulfed by a blue light, finding ourselves back in our seats at the theater.
"Congratulations to all of you for making it through this test." Said Axim, as he swept his eyes hungrily over all of us children.
"We know that it has been a hard week for you guys, living in such harsh conditions, so we've decided to give you a week of rest."
"You may all go to the lounge, arcades, or restaurants in the facility, as they are now open."
Hearing this, none of the children did anything to show their happiness, after all, they were too well trained.
"Well, except for those that have lost. Numbers that were on the losing team will be forced to stay only on their bunk for the entirety of the week."
I could literally feel the motion, as it caused a wave of air to hit us numbers in the Box, as everyone, including me, tensed.
"With that done and said, I will now release the scores."
A pure, absolute silence descended on the room as not even the tiniest sound from an item of cloth brushing on a chair could be heard.
"The winning team is..."
"..."
Axim, the Minder, let the tension build as all our hearts started pumping and our blood rushed to our heads, causing us to feel an unhealthy amount of nausea at how anxious we were.
"Number 212's, with a perfect score of 10/10 flags captured."
Hearing this, everybody froze, as they tried to process this information.
After all, by the end of the challenge, there had only been two teams left, and so, as most of the numbers were on our team, they all couldn't believe that they had won.
Who would, after seeing their flag being touched by the leader of the other team with their own eyes?
But, unknown to most, up here in the Top 10 Seating Box, I drew the attention of the others as I took off my cloak.
Letting my long hair cascade down my shoulders, I then looked over to one of the others sitting in the box.
As if pulling his own skin off his face, he took off his mask and showed everyone the reason why we had won.
After all, there he was, the man himself, Number 212, Valens, Ashen, the boy who had done the impossible.
I smiled at him as he smiled back because, our play, our performance, was now completed, perfectly even.
We had been able to fool everyone, including our own teammates.
Number 1 could only stare at me dumbly, as he alternated his eyes between me and Ashen, not being able to believe his own eyes.
Of course, the question that he had in his mind, alongside everyone else was, "How the hell did he do it?"