"You're up, rookie," said Gaz, slapping a hand on my shoulder as he handed me the marker. I took it with a nod, feeling the weight of the unspoken expectations in the air. It was my first week with Task Force 141, and the guys had decided to welcome me with a little friendly competition.

"You've got ten seconds to get to cover," Soap warned, glancing at his watch. "And remember, it's just a game." But the glint in his eye told me he was as competitive as they come. I took a deep breath and sprinted out of the starting area, my heart racing like it was on a real mission. The paintball field stretched before me, a labyrinth of wooden barriers and fake brick walls.

I heard the crack of a paintball flying by my ear and instinctively ducked. Ghost was already in position, his gun at the ready, a smug grin on his face. "You're dead last," he called out. I smirked. "Not for long." I dashed behind a barricade, the adrenaline pumping through my veins. This was my kind of challenge.

Roach was the first to spot me, his eyes widening as I emerged from behind the cover. He aimed, but I was faster, tagging him with a burst of paint before he could react. His yelp echoed through the field as he dropped his gun. "Good one, newbie," he said, walking off to respawn.