The game started to the booms of pyrotechnic detonations, and loads of energetic Allied players diving headlong onto the paint tipped spear of the German occupied beach. The Germans positioned on the bank had a clear advantage from the onset, raining paint long range with a disgusting accuracy. It wasn't long before "artillery strikes" in the form of white smoke began pummeling our trenches, and forcing us to make the long walk back to our re-spawn location. Our German forces did not back down easily however, holding pressure on the wound in the middle of the field from both flanks. By half time, the smurf colored armbands had failed to push up to the two airplane hanger objectives and we all broke for lunch.Both teams returned to the field, and this time it was our turn to push, but not from the beach. We started with our entire force, about 90 strong in a small funnel shaped corner of the field, above the airfields we had defended earlier in the day. It was during this second half that I really started to see the quality of our team. I had instructed them that this second half of the game would involve a lot of running, dying, and quick re-spawns if we were going to be victorious. They obliged my request with unquestioning devotion, charging like madmen(and women) screaming ferocious battle cries at the entrenched opposition. This time, artillery fire came from inland positions, peppering bunkers on either side of the valley as we tried to escape from our continually flanked position. The Allies were determined to hold every inch they had gained over lunch and repaid us for every welt we had dished out in the morning.
Push after push lead us to the center of the field and the possibility of claiming one last objective before the time would run out. The insanity that ensued in those last three minutes is hard to describe. A roiling mass of German and Allied players collapsed on a tower holding a solitary flag, the air thick with smoke and paint falling like a monsoon rain. German players attempted to climb the towers staircase in mad delirium but were overcome by the deluge of paint. Time seemed to stop as I watched as one player clamber up the paint slick stairs, diving into the protection of the spire. Paint exploded overhead as he frantically pulled the flag loose of its bonds and threw it towards his comrades on the ground. It passed from one flag carrier to another, like the Olympic torch headed to its final destination. Time was up, and we had captured one last objective.
The event was an outstanding success from a players perspective. Stephen and his field staff were fantastic, and while this event is sure to grow in the future, the foundation of this game is proving to be very solid. My hat is off to everyone at Prairie Storm, and to all the players that ran beside me (even those who ran towards me!) for making this an event that far exceeded my expectations. This game will be a consistent entry in my calendar in the future, and hope that I have the chance to play as a General again. I hope to see you there next year slinging paint with the rest of us.
http://prairiestormpaintball.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Prairie-Storm-Paintball
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