It was Price's idea. Something that started to ensure that the soldiers under his command weren't going to put their emotions in the way of missions, and continues to make sure they haven't gone soft. Once every three years, twenty people are set loose in a random location two hours before sunset and given until the sun goes down to hide and prepare before the 141 go out hunting.

Even with the test being about putting emotions aside, Soap knows for a fact that everyone in the program signed up for it for the rewards. Whether it was poor parents trying to win thousands to support their families or death row inmates trying to win their freedom, it's a small comfort to know that everyone is there and willing to put their lives on the line.

Each participant is equipped with a body camera to ensure that survivors aren't intentionally spared, something that tripped Gaz up once or twice, if memory serves correctly.

Besides, it's not like nobody survives. A few years ago, this single mother managed to evade everyone for the whole night and got 50k to help give her kid that needed a surgery, and the same year that Gaz joined, some serial killer on death row managed to use the other participants' corpses as cover. There's probably more, but those two specifically stuck with Soap. The pride he felt when he shook that mother's hand, and the shame and sheer disdain he felt watching that murderer walk away, are emotions he thinks about. Not often, but enough.

Tonight, the winter breeze carries a chill that Soap tries in vain to dislodge, jumping from one foot to the other in anticipation, eyes locked on the setting sun despite what his mum used to tell him about looking directly at the giant ball of gas in the sky, even if it's covered by angry-looking clouds.

Soap knows that his excitement over this event is probably unhealthy, but nothing gets his blood pumping like a good chase, and if it means that he gets to take out some of humanity's worst, that's just icing on the cake.

The last dregs of sunlight trickle away, and Soap takes a deep breath, cracking his knuckles. "Showtime," he says, trying in vain to keep the glee out of his voice as he steps out into the forest.