I Enjoy Shooting at My Friends

Anyone can become a cosmic warrior in a Photon battle

As the Alpha Green and Alpha Red armies prepare to do battle, a female voice intones, "Welcome Photon warriors." Neon lights begin pulsating, and eerie, pounding synthesizer music envelops the room. Then, after a countdown ("Five-four-three-two-one"), the two sides engage in combat, seeking to hunt down and zap their opponents with ray guns. Following a 6½-minute cosmic Shootout, the soldiers are told that their "strategic maneuvers" have been completed. Fire ceases, and the teams file out. In the lobby, two Photonites shed their gear and revert to Tom Hoy, 25, and Kelli Saul, 22, both of Denver. Says Hoy of life...

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