"Road Trip!" This was the first thing I heard out of my teammates' mouths when I mentioned that the first game of the MXS Prophecies Series was going to be held in Georgia, near Atlanta. It was going to be a long ride, but a big paintball game is what we live for. Nine members of my team spoke up to go, but as things happen, only 5 members of Air Assault would take the journey into what would be one of the greatest games we had ever played in.

This first game of the MXS series is based on the last days of Atlantis. A quick history lesson from Edgar Cayce tells us of two ancient civilizations: the Atlantians and the Lemurians in conflict for control over weather itself. The final battle which ensued ended Atlantis. With this background of events in mind, we would have to see if history would repeat itself or would Atlantis survive this time.

Arriving at the hosting field, Wildfire, temperature was perfect for paintball, low 70's and not a cloud in the sky. One of the first things we flat land players noticed was real HILLS! Being from Florida, the only hills we have are man made and usually have cars on them crossing water. This was going to be great. The field was picture perfect: a large Valley with one side very steep and the other side gently rising up to the edge of the playing field with a large village resting in the middle of the rise. The valley floor, which was the main playing area, was crisscrossed with dry steam beds and assorted trees with a main trail leading to both bases that resided at the ends of the valley. Playing paintball here was going to be like playing at a national park with bunkers.

Checking in at registration, we were informed that the total number of players was close to 225 and we would be playing on the side of the Atlantians. Our side included teams like Moist Donuts, over 35 players strong and one of everybody's favorites, Blitzkrieg. For over five years I had played against Blitzkrieg at many scenario games, this would definitely be a first playing together.

The game story line was outlined and rules read before the noon kick off of the game. Chrono speed for this event would be 280 fps for daytime and 250 fps for night. Rule highlights included (1) no full auto at night, a rule I personally like, (2) field paint only, which in this case was Diablo that shot fine the whole game and (3) players were told to police their own sides for cheating and wiping. Rule 3 keeps everyone honest making the game great. Player attitudes as a whole seemed great for this event and cries of players echoed all game long saying "Good Shot" and "Way to Play".

Play started with a loud boom at noon and we hooked up with a medic, code name "Ferret", from team Blitzkrieg. Along with his duties to save the wounded, he was also a major role player for this game. Duties for the team were to include escorting Ferret from various meetings to all out harassment of the Lemurians, a job Air Assault excels at. Our first mission was to make our way to Yucatan, a large open area on the top of the steep valley side. We were to scout the area for crystals, meet with some Half-breeds and see what information they may have. The Half-breeds were being played by the Mayberry Marauders, a large, well-known team from our home state of Florida. The meeting between Ferret and the Half-breeds lead no where and we separated with neither side gaining anything. We made our way back to the base still without encountering any Lemurians but hearing multiple large battles happening close to the enemies base. It seemed the tide of war was already on our side.

Our second major mission out was to make our way back to Yucatan and follow the field tape line to the Lemurian base. My trigger finger was itching now. Our little group would finally be bringing the fight to the enemy. Picking up the tape-line at Upper Poseidia, which was at the top of the steep valley wall, we made our way down the slope and across the valley to the Nole River. This is an active stream that created a channel around 8 feet wide down the middle of the valley about 3 feet deep. Anywhere from 3 to 5 feet of the channel bottom had water running in it. There were multiple bridges along it's length, but we were crossing close to the tape line and none were to be found in this area. The main trail, Bimini Road, followed closely along the opposite side of the stream with a few scattered bunkers and large trees. As we cleared the brush on our side of the stream, we noticed that a small group of Lemurians had taken up residence among the barriers and were not going anywhere soon. Our plan was simple, fire them up then jump into the stream channel and use it for cover. Exiting the brush with a scream and surprise on our side, we eliminated 5 of the 7 Lemurians before we even jumped into the stream. With a quick count of three, once again our guns sounded like a roar only to find the remaining players had retreated toward their base. We quickly followed and pushed our way to the Lemurian base, which would prove to be a big mistake. Thinking we had momentum, we pushed to the edge of the Lemurian strong hold and found the only cover to be a small ditch running the flank of the base. With time running close to insertion and our medic getting tired from running from player to player, things were looking bad. Suddenly, I was tagged in the head along with one other member of our small assault squad by a few well-placed shots. As we made our way to the exit, we saw our badly needed reinforcements join the line. From what I could see, the extra 20 players would make the difference, if they could reach the main control center before the next re-insertion. As with most 24 hour games, re-insertion of players happens on the hour and half-hour and the 2:00 insertion was taking the field. We made it out just in time to return with this insertion, but the long walk back to our base was the doom of our little attack. By the time our players checked in with our base and started back to the fight at the Lemurian base, the push had stalled. All we could do was reinforce our positions we had captured with the push, but the enemy base would survive under this siege for the next hour of play.

The remaining of the daytime play kept the Lemurians confined to only about one quarter of the field. Starting the dinner break, our points lead felt huge because of the domination of the Atlantians play, but checking in with the General at the dinner break, we found the Lemurians were not as far behind as we had lead ourselves to believe. To our surprise, neither side was doing much trading and negotiating with the role players was almost non-existent. Both sides seemed to be holding out for the best deals. Even though we ruled the field, the Lemurians had been able to run most of their missions, which is how points are gained and scenario games are won. We would need a different strategy if we wanted to change history and night play would be our chance.

Player’s chronoed in at 250 fps during the dinner break and night play started at 8:00 sharp. Both sides showed a large number of players entering the field. With no moon out, it was very dark. I mean black. Small flashlights could be seen moving in the trees as players made their way to the bases, but any other light was non-existent. Play would be slow and cautious around the many natural pitfalls and dry stream beds. Our plan would be to head toward the Icalia, the small village that occupied the rise opposite of the Yucatan. We would hold tight and stop any enemy movement along the Bimini road leading to our base. Our team mates the Moist Donuts had a different plan. A few of their players lead by Joe, one of the funniest players I have ever met, would take up a position near the Lemurian insertion and cry out they had been captured and needed help. When the Lemurians moved in to assist, they would "open up" on them. Most players at our based laughed it off and figured it was doomed to failure, but said to try what you want.

We made it to Incalia with zero resistance and took up residence in our home for the next hour or so. No shots were heard anywhere on the field, but shouts of the Donuts started about 5 minutes after our arrival. I began to laugh to myself at how foolish it sounded when suddenly the sound of guns rang out and cut the silence. I could not believe it had worked. I would have to wait till we left the field to find out for sure.

Another 30 minutes went by without a single player making to our position so we decided to move deeper into Lemurian territory and see if we could assault the base. With a small force of around 8 players, we figured we could deal with any force we would come across. Once again, this was not even close to the case. As we made our way to the tape line and advanced toward the back side of the Lemurian base, one shot rang out. "Hit!" was the cry from our side. Immediately two more shots followed by "Hit! Hit!". Two more of our team were out. Three shots three hits, that_s good shooting and could only mean one thing. "Snipers!" was the cry as we all went for cover. Another shot and I found myself saying hit. As I rose up, the remaining team opened fire wildly. Before I took 5 steps, another called hit. These snipers were doing one hell of a job. By the time I made it off the field, the whole assault group was out and no sniper had been tagged. As I talked with my now "dead" team mates, no one was even sure which direction the shots had come from. In ten years of play and countless 24 hour games, this was the best ambush I had ever seen. We never found out who the snipers were (not even sure if it was one or more), and if you are reading this all I can say is great job. Pray you never run into these guys at a game near you. They were that good.

Off the field, as we were licking our wounds, Joe from the Moist Donuts came running up screaming "We did it!". The Donuts plan had worked and as the Lemurians came running to free their "captured" team mates, Joe and the boys opened up. They took out 7 players who all complained that the tactic was unfair, but the judges agreed with the Donuts and they were eliminated. Being fooled at a scenario game is just part of the fun.

Hooking up with Ferret an hour or so later, we found he had another meeting with the Half-breeds, but once again, nothing had been gained. I was beginning to wonder what it was going to take to gain an advantage. We were in possession of a few crystals, but nothing really big. With midnight upon us, we were beat and turned in for the night. We would see everyone in the morning and hopefully start fresh.

Morning play was greeted with a heavy overcast and the smell of rain in the air. It seemed the elements were following the game as close as the players. Chronoing in at the day speed of 280, we entered the field to find Viper still running security for the base and Ferret waiting on us for our next mission. We were to meet with Lemurians at a point deep in their territory. If things went well, we would get the remaining crystals we needed for our Pyramid and Atlantis would survive.

Heading down the Bimini road, we encountered a large Lemurian force. They were not in the mood for talking and the first battle of the day started close to Incalia. The odds were in favor of the Lemurians, and all we could do was hold our position. Ferret radioed back to base and asked for help along the Nole river. With luck the Lemurians would be caught in a cross fire and we would be able to make our meeting. Half our force we had started with had been eliminated and things looked very bad. Ferret decided to make a break alone to the tape line and see if he could make the meeting we so badly needed. I last looked and saw him disappear over the ridge with our hopes going with him.

Suddenly a large roar of guns sounded from the river. Our side had made the push beyond the Lemurians and had come up behind them. Victory was ours. Braking away to follow Ferret and assist him if we could, we ran into another large force of Lemurians who were trying to flank us while we had been in the village. The fight was over in minutes. The large, freshly inserted group simply out gunned us. We walked off the field with all hopes gone. Surely Ferret had run into this large force and been eliminated.

Making our way off the field, the weather which had been so great, showed it_s ugly side. We figured it was a sign that Atlantis was lost for sure. There was a large exodus from the field of both sides due to the rain. Looking around staging though, Ferret was now where to be found. Had he made it past the Lemurians and completed the meeting? No one seemed to know.

Heading to our campsite, we started the cleaning up and packing our gear. "Going somewhere?" asked Ferret who appeared from nowhere. He quickly showed us he had all the crystals and needed an escort to out pyramid. packing for home would have to wait. Drenched to the bone, we made the 11:00 insertion and made our way to the pyramid. Ferret quickly unlocked the door and inserted the crystals. Mission accomplished. We now felt victory was in our hands. Making our way to the base, we found our side had fewer the 50 players still on the filed. Things took a turn for the bad. We would need to hold off the Lemurians who seemed to have most of their players still playing. We quickly moved out to Incalia were the Lemurians were making their way down Bimini road. We took up positions and the stalemate insued. As our players ran out of air and ammo, we would use them as decoys and have them run and draw fire so others could advance.

This worked very well and hundreds of rounds were spent shooting at our players who just ran yelling to draw fire. High noon came quickly and the game was done. All players seemed to be actually happy. We Atlantians felt we had the game in the bag. There was no way we could lose. But things are not always as they seem.

With the game over, we made our way to the large canopy to hear the final score and enjoy the prize drawings. The score was a surprise to all. The Lemurians had pulled it off with a score of 478 to the Atlantians 405. What an upset. The deciding factor had been the missions.