Chapter 19: Art of War and Revenge
David elaborated on a straightforward plan: choose an area of the field that was defensible with concealed flanks.
One person—for example, Howard, who was the fastest runner or most likely to draw fire—would act as 'bait,' deliberately exposing himself, feigning a desperate retreat, and luring the enemy's main force into a pre-set 'kill zone.'
The other four would lie in ambush in concealed positions on the flanks, patiently waiting.
When the enemy was drawn in by the bait, entered the ambush zone with their formation scattered and attention focused on the pursuit,
the ambushing team would simultaneously launch a surprise attack from the flanks and rear, coordinating with the bait to catch the opponent completely off guard.
"The key to this tactic," David emphasized, "is that the bait must be convincing and draw their attention. The ambush team must have absolute patience—they can't expose themselves prematurely without the signal.
The entire operation's success depends on strict discipline and timing. We don't need to compete with them in marksmanship or athleticism; we compete in patience and calculation."
This plan sounded far more reliable than 'scattered assault' or 'optimal path,' and it fully utilized their strengths as analytical thinkers who excelled at planning and waiting, while avoiding their physical weaknesses.
Leonard and the others nodded repeatedly. Even Sheldon, uncharacteristically, didn't immediately object but fell into thought, apparently verifying the plan's feasibility with his internal logic models.
"It's like... setting a scientific trap and waiting for the experimental subjects to trigger it," Sheldon finally commented, which was probably the highest praise he could give.
"Exactly!" David laughed. "Now, what we need is training. Lots of training. Mainly practicing patience in ambush, timing coordination, and the bait's escape route and acting skills."
In the following days, every time work ended, the five-person team entered an intense 'combat preparation' mode.
David personally participated in training while serving as tactical coach, guiding positioning, ambush timing, and the bait's performance.
Howard diligently practiced 'desperate escape,' Raj overcame his nervousness to learn stealth, Leonard learned to command, and Sheldon, in his own way, recorded data and 'optimized' procedures.
They even found a similar corner on campus, using traffic cones as cover, repeatedly rehearsing the process of baiting, ambushing, and attacking.
A week later, Leonard officially issued a rematch challenge to Kyle Bernstein.
The opponent gladly accepted, clearly expecting another easy victory.
On game day, the same simulated urban ruins arena.
Before the match began, both teams faced off in the staging area.
"Kyle Bernstein and his Warriors" looked at Leonard's team, their faces filled with undisguised contempt and excitement at the prospect of 'crushing' them again.
Kyle, the freckle-faced, arrogant-eyed team leader, was first to provoke. He deliberately spoke loudly to his teammates, "Hey guys, look who it is! Isn't this the 'Nerd Herd' we absolutely destroyed last week?" He specifically drew out 'Nerd Herd.'
Another slightly bigger kid pointed at Howard and mocked, "Hey, short stuff, you wearing a helmet this time? You're definitely gonna need one today! Is that tight jumpsuit for aerodynamics when you run away?" This made them burst into laughter.
Howard's face turned purple with rage. He jumped up and retorted, "Shut your mouths, you little punks! Last time I went easy on you, didn't want to make you cry! Today I'm gonna light every single one of you up so bad you'll be finding paint in places you didn't know existed!"
Sheldon then interjected, "According to my calculations, your probability of victory has significantly decreased to below thirty percent. Prepare to face the consequences of underestimating superior intellect."
At this moment, Raj, who'd been somewhat nervous, seemed encouraged by his teammates. He took a deep breath and suddenly, in heavily accented English, shouted at the opposing team, "I swear on my honor, you disrespectful miscreants!
May your arrogance be your downfall! May your overconfidence blind you like staring into the sun! May your team's coordination crumble like a house of cards in a hurricane! May your aim be as accurate as a blindfolded archer, and may your tactical awareness be as sharp as a butter knife!"
The trash talk was creative and surprisingly vicious without being overtly offensive, leaving Kyle's team momentarily confused about how to respond.
Leonard looked slightly alarmed. "Woah, Raj... that's pretty intense! We're just playing paintball, not declaring war!"
However, Sheldon's face showed appreciation. "Actually, Leonard, Raj's verbal assault was strategically sound. He attacked their confidence, coordination, and skill—the three pillars of their previous victory. Psychologically destabilizing opponents before engagement is a valid tactical approach. Well done, Raj."
The trash talk segment ended with the referee's intervention. Game on!
David's team executed their tactics precisely. Howard, as bait, dramatically exposed himself, provoked, then feigned panic and 'fled' along the predetermined route.
Kyle's team, as expected, underestimated them and eagerly gave chase, their formation gradually disorganizing.
David, Leonard, Raj, and Sheldon, ambushing behind flank containers and broken walls, waited patiently.
When most of the enemy entered the kill zone with their attention completely focused on Howard, Leonard gave the signal!
All four appeared simultaneously, aiming calmly! Paintballs fired precisely!
"Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!"
"Ow!"
"Behind us! Flanks!"
"It's an ambush!"
Kyle's team instantly fell into chaos! They'd completely failed to anticipate the devastating strike from the rear flanks.
David and Leonard's marksmanship was accurate, quickly 'eliminating' two players.
Raj and Sheldon also tagged their targets.
Simultaneously, Howard spun around, forming a pincer attack with the ambush team!
In seconds, Kyle's team was completely eliminated! All five were covered in fresh paint, staring dumbfounded at the five calm, composed 'nerds' opposite them.
Kyle looked at the paint covering his gear, incredulous. "This... how did you...?"
Leonard stepped forward with a smile. "Intelligence beats aggression, Mr. Bernstein. Good game."
On the way back, the five were elated and extremely excited.
"We are now Caltech's premier paintball team!" Raj excitedly announced, then a thought flashed through his mind. "Hey! We should capitalize on this momentum! Let's challenge the Physics grad student team!
Or those arrogant guys from the Engineering department! Imagine—we'll systematically defeat them one by one, establishing complete tactical dominance across campus! We'll make the name 'Strategic Strike Force' echo throughout Caltech!"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone nodded approvingly at his much-improved and appropriate choice of words.
Howard grinned. "Now that's more like it, Raj. See? You can express excitement without making it weird."
Raj smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, I'm learning."
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