The Games Villains Play (5 page)

             
It is your decision whether to take me or not, I will not be offended either way.  As my peace offering, I have done research into who I believe you can trust.  Granted, you need to be able to trust me first in order for this list to be any good, but you are welcome to ask your brother about that.  He had given my
friends and
I
a set of simulation games to remember last year, and whether I am on his team or not, I want to repay the favor.

             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
Your
Prometheus,
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
Duke

Donny looked at the second page, and on one side of the page was a long list of names with their respective year and ability, and a title at the top saying “Those Who Want to Be on The Winning Team”.  Turning the paper over, there was a much shorter list of names, again with year and ability listed, but this time with a title saying “Those Who Want to Be on
Your
Winning Team”.

Donny looked around to see if he could tell who sent the letter, but of course, he
could not
.  He laughed a little to himself. 
Looks like I’ve got friends I didn’t even know about.
Donny thought to himself.

DONNY ARRIVED AT
the try-outs with paper and pen in his hand.  He had poured over the list that he had received from Duke, and he decided he could trust this guy, as the lists matched many of his own suspicions.  He also did some research of his own to learn what he could about Duke, and discovered that a fellow Prometheus, who Duke was seen with quite often
and who had been on the green team with Duke and Jay the previous year, had been placed on the ‘do not trust’ list.  Donny felt like if Duke was willing to be honest about his friend, he could probably be trusted with the res
t of his information as well. 

Donny thought about what he had so far.  He had one Hermes, two Prometheus (he was convinced by the letter to take Duke, although he had
not
made his offer official yet), one with all the abilities, and himself, with none.  Since the teams are comprised of 21
students
total, he had 16 left to choose.  Donny sat down with the rest of his Advanced Strategic Leadership class, and watched as those wishing to try ou
t poured into the track area. 

Donny was amazed at the sheer number of students who had come out.  He looked around at many familiar faces, as well as many unfamiliar ones.  Each student had a large sticker on the back of their shirt with their name and class year on it, so the team captains can keep track of those of whom they wish to make offers.  Donny watched the stream of people onto the track and the field in the cente
r until the stream died down. 

Just before the events started, Donny noticed one more person walk into the track space.  The late arrival looked over the tops of the heads of the crowd, and tried to figure out where he should go.  Donny kept watching this person, unbelieving of who it was, until they noticed Donny and held up an arm to wave. 
It is! 
Donny almost exclaimed,
it’s Lenny!
  Donny laughed and
gave a small wave back at him.

“Yeah right,” Donny heard one of his classmates say.  “There’s no way tha
t oaf is getting onto my team.”

He heard his classmates laugh, and realized immediately that they too had noticed Lenny walk in late.  Donny thought for a moment. 
He’s strong, loyal, he’ll listen to what he’s told, he
certainly won’t backtalk, and his heart is in the right place…I’ll take my chances with him.
  Before the try-outs had even begun, Do
nny had chosen his first Titan.

Try outs consisted of each of the team captains standing up one by one and making a request for the group to do some task.  They would all watch as the task was completed, taking notes frantically.  Donny made no notes except for when he wrote down a name, and requested no tasks.  He was content just to watch, as the students did their best to show what they could do, and as his classmates snickered and joked about the “pathetic first years” who were trying out.  As much as Donny wanted to deny it, they were
not
completely wrong.  Compared to the older students, the first years, and often the second years as well, were far behind the rest.  Even so, Donny disliked his fellow team leaders more an
d more as the event progressed.

Donny’s list was shaping up fast.  It was much easier to pick players once he had found those from Duke’s list.  Some were experienced players, and some were not, but Donny was alright with having new players on his team, and in
many respects it would be nice.

At one point towards the end of the try outs, after many of the students had decided they had shown what they could show and left, one of the team leaders who had previously been bragging that he had his team already picked out asked those that were left to line up and one by one state why they wanted to be on a team.  At this point it was mostly first year students left, and Donny knew he was doing this so they could have more to laugh about.  They started, but Donny felt like he was the only one actually listening.  One by one they went down the line and each person said their piece.  Then it got to Lenny, who was still there trying out as well, and it was silent.  Lenny turned to the next boy in line, but he clearly did
not
get the message tha
t Lenny was not going to speak.

Donny’s classmate that had made the speech request of the students stood up.  “Hey, I said to tell me why you want to be on a team, what, have you been at this school so long you’ve forgotten what the game
s are for?” the boy called out.

Snickers and small laughs came from many of the other team leaders.  “He doesn’t want to talk, leave him alone
,”
Donny said, just loud enough for
the other team leaders to hear.

“Stay out of this shrimp, don’t tell me
what to do
,”
The boy replied.

“Yeah, bug off Na
poleon,” another student added.

“I’m sorry, I guess I misunderstood,” the boy called out again, “I thought that tree in the middle of the field was someone who wanted to try out.  Don’t worry tree, you can always try o
ut again in another ten years.”

“Leave him alone!  H
e didn’t do anything to you!” 

Donny sat there facing the student with his mouth still open.  It took him a moment to realize the statement that he was going to say had actuall
y come from somewhere else. 

“Who said that?” his classmate, no longer laug
hing, called down to the track.

“I did,” a small boy said stepping forward.  He was clearly frightened, despite the confidence he showed a moment earlier when he stood up for Len
ny.

“Well, thank you for making this easier on us, that’s one more person we don’t have to cons
ider.  You can be on your way.”

The boy turned to leave, but Donny sprang up and called out to stop him.  “Hey,
hold on!  What’s your name?” 

The boy stopped and turned back to face them.
  “My name is Juan Pablo, sir.”

“Well, Juan Pablo,” Donny called down to him, “I want to make sure you understand what he means.  You’re one more person they don’t have to consider, because I’m taking you onto my
team.  The bravery you just showed, and the willingness to stand up for your teammates, is exactly what we need on … Napoleon’s army.”  Donny looked over at his classmates on these final words,
then
sat down to the sound of the surprised murmurs coming from the track below.  To Donny’s ears the murmurs were like applause, and despite the clear change he made in the eyes of his classmates from an irritated dislike to a wrathful
hate, he relished the moment. 

Donny knew as he walked away from the track that his strategy of flying under the radar was now completely blown.  He had the most powerful player in the school on his roster, and he would be making offers to a few key veterans who had been on the winning red team the year previously.  Many more of his players would be coming from the previous year’s green team, which had come in at a narrow second.  Team members aside, Donny had also just thrown down a challenge to the other captains.  He had stood up in contradiction to them, and metaphorically spat in the face of the power they so thoroughly enjoyed.  Indirectly, he also made a statement by accepting Juan Pablo, a second year with no real merit to his ability.  By Juan’s physique, Donny could tell he was probably a Hermes, but thinking back he did
not
recall noticing Juan during the activities for the Hermes group.  On top of that he had decided to take Lenny, and Michael too may prove a difficult player to handle due to his lack of experience.  Donny hoped he was ready for what he was throwing himself into.

CHAPTER 4

JAY, MICHAEL, AND
Zahrah
got together the next morning for their usual breakfast before classes.  None of them had gone to the try outs the night before, having already accepted positions on Donny’s team, but with the forming of the simulation game teams being the favorite topic of conversation around the school, it did
not
take long for word to spread to them about what had taken place the night before at the try outs.  Jay was worried about Donny; despite his small size and lack of abilities, h
e was making some big enemies.

Jay knew Donny often came to breakfast around that time as well, most of the time joining Jay and his friends for the meal, so he focused his mind on a wide blanket reading to see if he could identify Donny anywhere around.  This was unnecessary, as Donny had already spot
ted him and was coming his way.

“He
y guys,” Donny said cheerfully.

“Hey, how’s it going?” Jay asked, not wanting to jump right into the question that was begging to be asked, the question regarding what he could possibly have
been thinking the night before.

“Great, sorry I can’t stop to talk or eat with you guys, I have to go make the rest of my offers.  I just wanted to let you three know that there will be a practice tonight at 1800 hours.  We are meeting outside th
e arena
,”
Donny said casually.

“Are we going to expect anyone new there tonight, or will it just be the same five of us?”  Michael asked.  Despite the strong block Donny was pushing, the knowledge that this would be a surprising and unusual practice still slipped through, and both Michael and Jay picked up on it immediately.

“Oh yeah, the whole team
will be there
,”
Donny replied.

The three of them looked at each other in surprise.  “Donny,” Jay began, “typically you give people some time to decide if they want to accept a position on your team or another.  Don’t you think this is a little fast?  What if you don’t he
ar people’s decisions in time?”

“I don’t plan to hear people’s decisions in time.  I’m giving out sheets of paper to those who I’m offering places, and I’m telling them to think it over and come to practice tonight if they wish to join us.  If they can’t decide by then I’ve got other players I can ask
,”
Donny replied, looking ar
ound the cafeteria as he spoke.

“But Donny, I…”

“Sorry Jay, but I have to go, some people I need to give invitations to are getting ready to leave.  I’ll catch you guys later though!”  Donny turned and walked briskly away.  The three of them watched in disbelief as they saw Donny approach a table of first year Hermes
students,
and give sheets of paper to three of them.  Jay had a moment of fear, wondering if he, Michael, and
Zahrah
would be the oldest members on the team.  His fear was eased slightly when he saw Donny walk up to a sixth year Prometheus who had played for the red team the year before and hand him a sheet.  Jay thought how it was almost comical to watch, little Donny offering
a place on his team
to someone many years his elder, and the joy the older boy received from the invitation.  Jay wondered if he would be as excited if he had seen who received th
e invitations right before him.

“Qui
te a brother you’ve got there.”

Jay turned to see Duke placing a tray at their table.  Jay was glad to see his old friend, but then Jay suddenly remembered the promise he had made to Duke not to play for a team that Duke was not on.

“Don’t worry
,”
Duke said with a smile, holding up a sheet of paper.  Sure enough it was one of Donny’s acceptance letters.  Jay relaxed; he was glad he did
not
have the problem of Duke being on a different team from him.  Duke continued, “I look forward to seeing what your brother has in store for us.  He’s accepting quite a diverse group of people, with the oldest and youngest people in the school already on the team, himself being the youngest of course.  He’s got the oldest and youngest, the most powerful and the least powerful, hardened veterans an
d fresh off the plane newbies.”

“Personally I would have gone just with the old powerful
veterans
,”
Michael chimed in.

“You do realize that wouldn’t include you, right?”  Duke replied with a smirk.  “Anyway, don’t pass judgment just yet, I’ve been watching who he’s been accepting, and I think we hav
e a team of winners this year.”

“You did see him give three acceptances to first years, didn’t you?” Michael asked, a little perturbed
by Duke’s know-it-all attitude.

“They’ll serve their purpose.”  Then without another word Duke dug into his food.  Jay was amazed at Duke’s confidence.  Jay had known his brother his whole life, and had seen Donny accomplish things well beyond his years.  How is it that Duke, who hardly knew Donny at all, had more trust in Donny’s ability to lead this team?

DONNY HAD ARRIVED
at the arena half an hour before practice was to start.  He wanted to make sure he was the first person there, in order that nobody would arrive to find the place
empty, or for people to start accumulating and get the wrong idea as to the nature of the team.  Despite his attempt, he was not the first one there.  He arrived at the arena to find Lenny sitting next to the door.  As soon as Lenny saw Donny approaching he jumped to his feet with a big smile on his face.  The look on Lenny’s face said that he had something he wanted to say, but as usual no words came out, so Donny initiated th
e conversation instead.

“Hey Lenny, you certainly arrived early.”  Donny tried to remain serious, but Lenny’s excitement forced a smile to his
face despite his best efforts.

“We didn’t want to be la
te,” Lenny replied hurriedly. 

“We?”
Donny asked.  He did
not
know what surprised him more, the sudden realization that Lenny actually could talk if he wanted to, or that multiple people had arrived to practice with Lenny, and were apparently hiding somewhere nearby, as when Donny looked around there was nobody else anywhere in sight.  “W
here is the rest of this ‘we’?”

“They went inside to see the arena.  I wasn’t sure if we could go in yet, so I… well, they… decided I could wait ou
t here for you.  Can we go in?”

Donny thought of who could potentially have come with Lenny for the meeting.  He realized it had to have been the first years inside the arena, because most of the upper class students would have seen the arena before.  Another clue was the fact that Lenny, for some reason Donny had yet to figure out, only seemed comfortable around first year students.  “Sure Lenny, go ahead in, I’m going to wait out here fo
r the rest of the team though.”

Lenny hesitated for a moment,
then
decided to take Donny’s permission and go into the arena.  Donny took a look inside while the door was open, and sure enough there was a group of first years, running about, playing some sort of game amongst themselves.  Donny was glad they accepted his offer; they had the energy and excitement he was looking for.

Donny waited around outside the arena for the rest of the team to arrive.  The next person to arrive was Duke.  Donny found it almost hard to believe that Duke was really a sixth year student.  Despite his physical appearance, Duke still had the excitement and enthusiasm of a first year, but with the added benefit of experience and a clear, u
ntapped leadership potential. 

Duke greeted Donny with his hand outstretched.  “Good evening captain,” Duke greeted him, evidently enjoying the use of the word captain in reference to Donny, “I expected to see an overexcited group of firs
t years here waiting with you.”

“They’re inside explo
ring the arena,” Donny replied.

“Smart move, concealing the additional forces to make sure the main players are willing to stick around.  First practice and you are
already thinking on your feet.”

Donny thought about correcting Duke, and letting him know that it was actually not a plan, but rather a convenient coincidence, but he decided to keep these thoughts in his head. 
Whether Duke saw these thoughts
or not, he made no sign of it.

Jay, Michael, and
Zahrah
were the 29
th
, 30
th
, and 31
st
students to arrive to practice.  Donny could see confusion and almost panic in his brother’s eyes at the number of students there to practice.  “Donny,” Jay began quietly, “the team is only supposed to be 21 people total, including
yourself
; there are too many people here already
, and more are still arriving.”

“Don’t worry bro, I’ve got this under control
,”
Donny assured him.  Unsure how to respond, Jay remained
silent.

By the time practice was ready to begin, there were 36 students there.  Donny took a quick look into the arena to make sure all the first years had made their way back out, then he turned to the crowd to begin.  “
Hello teammates
,”
Donny began.

“Hello Napoleon!”  Lenny declared.  Whether meant as a joke or not, laughter erupted, and Lenny
hung his head in embarrassment.

“Yes,” Donny continued with a laugh, “I guess I am becoming known as Napoleon.  Whether that is a complement or an insult seems to be up to those who state it, but I will accept the name either way. 
Now on to business.
  I can see from some of your faces that you are surprised to see so many here.  I understand that the rules state only 21 may
compete
on a team, and this rule will be followed here.  There is no rule, however, that states that only 21 students may be
on
a team.  With that in mind, I have accepted two groups.  I accepted 20 students to join me on the team which will compete, and I accepted an additional 24 students to form a second practice team.  The paper I gave you states which of these teams you have been accepted to, so there should not be any confusion as to which team you are on.  For this first practice I will be splitting you up into two groups, and we will hold a simulation game of our own.  This will be more of a chance for me to see who works well together, as well as getting yo
u all familiar with the arena.”

A hand went up from the crowd.  Donny felt a little odd being the one of whom questions are being asked, but he knew he had to get used to the role, as he was their leader.  He pointed to
the person with their hand up.

“Are we allowed to use the arena?” They asked.  It was a fifth year student who had previously played for the green team who asked the question.  “I thought we were supposed to use the pra
ctice rooms for our practices.”

Donny did
not
know the answer to this question, but he kept his uncertainty hidden behind a screen of false confidence.  “I have not been told that it is off limits for practices, and they keep
the doors unlocked, so we will use it until I am instructed otherwise
,”
Donny responded with finality.  Another hand went up, a
nd Donny allowed them to speak.

“What is
our team color?”  They asked. 

This was a question Donny was hoping not to encounter.  The instructor for Advanced Strategic Leadership had asked them two weeks earlier to inform him of the color they wished for their team.  The rest of the students already had colors in mind, many of whom had wanted to keep the color under which they had played previously.  Donny, having never played for a team before, had to give this considerable thought.  When he finally chose a color, he wrote it on a slip of paper and handed it to the professor, who merely snorted and put it aside.  He had hoped for some confirmation that the color would be acceptable, but the teacher did not supply this for him.  Donny decided the lack of response must be confirmation enough, so he responded with the name he had chosen.  “Our team color is Jade
.”

Donny had chosen this color based on his desire to further his statement that this would not be just another team.  He also wanted to allude to the previous year’s green team, which had gone from the bottom ranked team to almost winning the simulation games the year before.  Donny would soon discover that the other captains were claiming he chose the name to mock them and show off that he had Decathlon on his team, stating that the first two letters were taken from the first two letters of Jay’s real name, and the last two were taken from the first two letters of his hero name, Decathlon.  Donny was surprised when he heard this, as he had not realized that connec
tion, but it did not worry him.

For the time being, Donny was ready to begin his practice.  He split the teams up as best he could, with one team led by Duke with 18 total students, and the other led by a former member of the red team named Flash, a sixth year Hermes, with 17 total students, including Jay.  Donny
himself sat out of the event, and walked around the arena watching it unfold.  They played a game of capture the flag, having to play multiple games as the first few ended quicker than Donny had hoped.  Flash’s team won the first three quickly, but Duke soon began setting up defenses specifically against Jay, and once he did that the games took longer, until Jay could get past the defenses.  Donny found it interesting that despite there being many other strong players on Flash’s team, they were not being us
ed.  Donny made a note of this.