Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Close Encounters of a Shady Kind[Part 2]

Two weeks Later -


He was crouching low behind some bushes. This was an ultra-realistic environment. The latest graphic cards' processing power could now crunch out billion of shaded pixels per second, thus the line between virtual environments and real environments was fast diminishing. This was a different gameplay. It was only one frag this time. Whoever got the first shot at the opponent was the winner. The arena was almost limitless and stealth was of utmost importance. He knew that Silent Warrior had let down his guard. He was tired now. Patience pays, and he was glad that this was one virtue that he did not lack. It was dark now. The transform and lighting effects was mindblowing. Even the shadows of the trees billowed with the wind. The moon was out and just threw enough light on the arena, almost teasing the opponents.

His moment was now coming close. Beads of perspiration glistened on his forehead in the moonlight. He had to show himself sooner or later. He waited, this would be his retribution, and he would execute his vengeance in fine style. Dressed all in black, he was almost invisible, blending in with the shadows seamlessly.

And then... there it was, the silhouette of his enemy, the one and only. He silently picked up his gun, drew the beads and squeezed the trigger. Thrice, in quick succession. The silhouette went down; the rag doll physics was excellent, thanks to the physics engine.

Wait a minute... Quake 3 did not have a Rag doll physics engine. Why didn't Silent warrior explode into pieces of flesh and blood? Where was the 'You win!' text? Slowly, it dawned upon him; just as slowly as the sun rising over the horizon. This was no arena. This was real life. There were no frags and respawning. There was only one life and death. He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. Well, this time he had won, and in that too in what style. He had made his mark. Now, he would never be challenged by the Silent Warrior again. As well, he would no longer pose a threat anyway, now that he had been conquered...

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