Twas a cold moring, frost was clinging to the few unbroken windows in the abandoned settlement. A normal man would see his uncontolled breath before him in a telltale cloud of warm vapor - but then a normal man would be dead. No more exercises, this one was for real. Damir's red glove gripped the hilt of his sword for comfort. His training had prepared him to infiltrate and fight unseen by the enemy, but inexperience let his focus stray from the team. In his excitement for battle Damir had made a rookie mistake and was now alone. "No use trying to find them," he thought - for he knew it would be futile in this light fog. Unlike him, the rest of his team were veteran Shadow Walkers and they wern't likely to reveal their positions for the sake of his incompetance. He thought back to his sensei's teachings, "when one is all that is left of four, the one must fight as four." He must carry on with the mission. A wisp of an odor passed his covered nostrils, and he moved toward a low wall and crouched. Carefully, he moved the cloth cover and sniffed at the frigid air. The smell was stronger, and a bit rancid - but definitely fried chicken. A quick scan revealed little of interest in the ruins, save a beat up dumpster across the street. "Rats don't cook," he mused as he slowly drew his blade and began moving forward along the wall. Just as he stepped out into the open street, the bright morning sun broke through the haze and outlined his darkened form. In a split second of hesitation he could almost feel the crosshairs on his forehead. Luckily there was no bullets forthcoming as he flattened himself on the ground. But he knew that his luck was running thin as he heard the faint click of a rifle safety somewhere up ahead. "Feel your enemy..." his sensei words echoed in his mind. "Find his fear, and use it - or your blade will be worthless!" He scrambled forward knowing that his enemy was near at hand - right behind that dumpster if his instincts could be trusted. A mere two meters from the dumpster his answer came in the flash of a rifle aimed at his chest. He heard no sound, as the blast had rendered him temporarily deaf. It seemed almost that the flashing light was pounding his ribcage and tearing at his flesh. But pain was not an option as he gave out a battle cry. His last few steps seemed like slow motion. He didn't even remember swinging his blade, it just flowed forward as if it were running beside him and needed to pass. As if it was a race to see which of them would make first contact with the rifleman. His opponent was spun as first the blade, then Damir's charging body slammed into him. The blade continued it's circular path as the young Shadow Walker spun to defend from the counter attack. The Free Marine had fallen to one knee and tried to raise his his rifle to no avial. His body felt weak and paralyzed as the poison took hold. With his sword held high over head, Damir paused as thier eyes met. His oponent was already dead, it was only merciful to end it quick. His blade now crimson with victory, put the poor soul to rest. As wiped the blood from the sword, another appeared at his throat. "Damir, you've been careless," came the familar voice from behind. His heart sank back into his chest as he relaxed once again. The veteran, Kiroshi continued, "Not only did he fire his weapon, but you got his blood all over this fine meal". Damir turned to face them, "and what about you guys?" Two of them held up two fingers, Kiroshi held up three. He thought better of challenging thier claims. Trying to sound unphased, Damir suggested "What do you say we get out of here, before a Guardian shows up?" Kiroshi smiled in agreement and patted him on the head as they moved out. Despite his mistakes, he was now one of them. A blooded warrior, and a true Shadow Walker.

The preceeding was an account of the first known On-Line Chat Room Demo Game. Certain elements were added for dramatic flair, but the details of the engagement were maintained.

While Damir played the part of the Shadow Walker, his Free Marine opponent remains nameless (to protect his budding ego). I served as Moderator and Instructor.

Note: No chickens were harmed in the running of this demo.

Happy Hunting!