On May 5-6, 7th Syndicate was proud to participate in Fledgling Scenarios’ 26 hour scenario event “Battlefield Time”.  With roughly 250 players in attendance, it was a huge event and promised to be exciting and entertaining for everyone.  7th Syndicate joined the German side; our goal was to retrieve technology from the present so that it could be used in the past to make Germany an economic superpower.  Opposing us was a stubborn group of American citizens bent on preventing our nefarious scheme. 

The German side was led by JackRock of Blacklight Company; Ash from 7th Syndicate was named his XO for the campaign.  Along with Blacklight Company and 7th Syndicate, other teams of note included the Dead Muppet Squad, headed by their captain Rolf, who was named the 3rd for the scenario, as well as Nephilim, Section 8, and Silent Legion.     The American forces were led by Gahdfather, and he called on the aid of teams like Shadow Company, the Renegades, the Mazy Lorons, the Sun Spiders, and Sit Rep Red to carry out his commands.  Blacklight Company employed their new tank in the name of the German assault, while the Americans had a tank of their own as well.

7th Syndicate was called on frequently to either complete a mission directly or provide support to other groups which had been dispatched on missions of their own.  It is with great pride that we can report that we completed every mission we were assigned; and nearly every mission we were called on to support was successful as well.

The contest was an evenly matched one, with each team making dramatic pushes up the field, only to be driven back by stubborn counter attacks by the other team.  At times each team held a large majority of the playing field, but aided by their tank support, each team was able to regain lost ground soon after it had been taken.  The see-saw battle continued right up until the end, with the German side enjoying a slight advantage going into the final battle.

The final battle ended in glory for the German side, as the German commanders pushed their troops repeatedly forward in large waves, forcing their way up the field.  In the end, the German forces retained control of their precious time machine, and the victory fell to the German cause!

It was a tremendous pleasure to work again with the Dead Muppet Squad, and we were very pleased when JackRock awarded them the Most Valuable Team award for the scenario.  We look forward to continuing to develop a relationship with DMS, and hope to fight our way to victory with them many more times in the future!  As always, running with BLC was fantastic; we always enjoy the chance to jump into the fray with everyone who is a part of BLC.  Much thanks to JackRock for his leadership on the field, and much thanks to every member of BLC for making the weekend an enjoyable one once again!  It was great to get the chance to play with the other teams on the German side as well, and we look forward to the next opportunity to run with you all!

7th Syndicate also wants to take a moment to recognize the superb efforts of 2 of the American teams.  First we want to recognize Shadow Company; it was always a scary realization anytime we saw that Shadow Company was the team on the other side of the bunker.  Stoney, Oh G, and the rest of Shadow Company were definitely deserving of the MVT award for the American side, and it was an honor to have fought against them all weekend long.  Secondly, though we wish we could have battled on the same side as the Mazy Lorons, we have to say it was a lot of fun to continually run into Slayer and the rest of his crew.  Hopefully next time you Mazy Lorons will sign up for the good guys!

On Saturday, April 21st, 7th Syndicate joined a large contingent of Colorado paintball players outside of Deckers to play in a BlackLight Company sponsored rec day.  We played a series of games, starting with a straight 2 team elimination style game, followed by several SPPL format games.  7th Syndicate joined forces with several players from Shadow Company to anchor the red team's forces.

The day was lots of fun, and it seemed that everyone involved had a great time.  Our team strategy remained the same from game to game; Shadow Company's men, led by Stoney and Oh G, repeatedly were sent to capture the swing base, while 7th Syndicate wreaked havoc in the middle of the field, buying time for the swing base to build up valuable points.  Our strategy proved sound, as the red team went undefeated on the day, with a couple of games decided by only a few points, while a couple of games were decided by a more lopsided margin of victory.

BlackLight Company hosted another game at the Fortress this weekend.  The turnout was great again, with players from BLC, the Dirt Hogs, Shadow Company, and Silent Legion in attendance.  7th Syndicate had 6 players in attendance, and we were assigned to the yellow team for the morning scenario.

The game was a multi-stage scenario.  The first stage involved locating and destroying the opposing team's base.  To destroy the base, a team needed to locate it in the forest, open an ammo can within the base, and detonate a smoke grenade inside the canister.  Until a base was destroyed, all players were able to respawn 10 minutes after being eliminated.  After a team's base was destroyed, however, players were eliminated from the game if they took a hit.  The second stage of the game involved hunting down and eliminating the opposing team's general.  The team to permanently eliminate the opposing team's general first was declared the winner.

The game began badly for 7th Syndicate and the rest of the yellow team.  Having left a sizable defensive force near the base to play defense, 7th Syndicate moved into the trees along the field's left tape line, hoping to work up field and locate the enemy base.  The red team had employed a similar strategy, however, and we encountered an opposing force that outnumbered our small group 2 to 1.  With the added advantage of being uphill from us, the red team was able to quickly turn back our best efforts at gaining ground.  Though we did manage to slow their advance, the end result was inevitable, and we were forced to retreat and regroup.

Thinking we had likely located the general direction of the red base, we decided it would be wise to attempt to flank the red force to our right, thereby avoiding enemy contact and sneaking in behind what we believed was the majority of their team.  Hoping that we would find the base relatively undefended, we pressed out into a wide circle, avoiding enemy contact and making our way as quickly as possible into the enemy side of the field.  Knowing we had left a significant defensive force in reserve to protect our base, our only concern was moving fast enough to eliminate the enemy base and cause their players to become vulnerable as they attacked our base.

After a long circuitous route, we finally encountered some enemy resistance.  As we pressed forward, we quickly realized that we had indeed located the enemy base.  Encouraged by our discovery, we doubled our efforts and quickly eliminated all of the red defenders, including a sniper who was perched on a rock outcropping above the red base, and the red team's general who was hiding nearby.  Planting the smoke grenade, we radioed to the rest of the team that the red base had been destroyed.  Knowing that the red general would immediately respawn, we ran quickly back down the field, hoping to find him as he ran for his other comrades.  We chased him right into another group of yellow players, and he was quickly eliminated.  Victorious, we made our way back to the staging area to meet up with the rest of the players. 

The day's victory was marred by news that Monk's daughter was in a medical emergency back in Denver.  Hearing that news, Monk and Ash quickly loaded their gear and returned to Denver, while the rest of the team remained at the game to play in the rest of the day's activities.  We are relieved to report that Monk's daughter is doing just fine.

Thanks again to BLC for putting forth another great effort in organizing the game!  It was great fun as always, and we can't wait for the next one!  It is always encouraging to see so many strong players from the community coming together to share in good times.  Well done to everyone involved!

This weekend 7th Syndicate hosted our first invitational game in the forested area of Rampart Range.  We are pleased to announce that the turnout was excellent (19 players overall), and with the exception of one unfortunate overshooting incident (sorry again, Rover), the day was a blast for everyone.  We want to thank everyone who came out to play this weekend.  It was an honor to share the field with a group of outstanding and sportsmanlike players.  We look forward to the next invitational game in the near future!

7th Syndicate participated in a scenario event this weekend hosted by Silent Legion in the mountains West of Colorado Springs.  The scenario was designed to be a tactical military simulation involving a force from the United States and a second force from Libya.  Roughly 50 players participated in the event, including seven members of 7th Syndicate.

The scenario was limited to a single objective:  both sides were attempting to search for a crashed Libyan satellite which had fallen from the sky into the mountains of Colorado.  The two forces were divided into two 12 man squads each, with a squad leader in charge of each squad and a platoon sergeant in command of the entire force.  Once a team located the fallen satellite (which was hidden in the woods on a field roughly 2 miles long by 1 mile wide), that team would need to transport the satellite back to their command center.  As soon as the satellite was recovered, the game was over and the recovering team named the victor.

7th Syndicate signed up to participate as members of the Libyan force for the scenario.  Ash was named platoon sergeant of the Libyan force, and Monk acted as the squad leader for the Libyan 1st squad.  Other members of the Libyan force included several members of the Dirt Hogs, with their CO Kodiak acting as squad leader for the 2nd squad, as well as a strong group of players from Estes Park known as EP Crossfire.  The American force consisted of players from Silent Legion, as well as a group of players known as Team Intensity, among others. 

The start of the scenario was called in over the radio, and Ash directed the Libyan force to move quickly up the field, banking on the hope that the satellite was unlikely to be too near the Libyan base.  Kodiak took his squad up the left side of the field, while Monk and Ash lead the 1st squad down the center, sending a small scout force into the trees on the right hand side of the field to cover that flank.  The game rules required that the squad remain close together with the exception of two players from each squad designated as scouts.  No player was allowed to move more than 100 yards away from the main body of his squad. 

After encountering enemy resistance all over the field, the Libyan force continued to make their way forward, taking ground as best they could and working hard to both suppress the enemy and make a concerted effort to locate the fallen satellite.  After roughly 90 minutes of hard fighting, the news came in over the radio that the 2nd squad had located the downed satellite on the left side of the field and were working their way back towards the base.  Ash and Monk rallied the 1st squad, sending them into a fighting retreat designed to slow the enemy and rendezvous with the retreating 2nd squad.  Knowing that the Americans had been informed of the satellite's discovery, the Libyans worked quickly to make their way back towards the base, knowing that an American counter attack could come at any moment. 

1st squad managed to rendezvous with 2nd squad, and as one large group the Libyan force returned the satellite to their base camp.  We are proud of the fact that within two hours, 7th Syndicate and the rest of the Libyan forces had located, isolated, and retrieved the lone objective of the game, and we were able to return to the staging area victorious.  Every participating 7th Syndicate player deserves commendation, as do all of the other Libyan players who were involved in the victory!  The fact that we completed the mission objective so quickly and efficiently speaks volumes about the caliber of player on the Libyan side.  It was great to work again with the Dirt Hogs, and it was also a privilege to meet the players from Parker and from EP Crossfire; we look forward to playing with you all again soon!

BlackLight Company put on an excellent scenario game this weekend at Tunka's Fortress field outside of Nederland, Colorado.  About 60 players in all showed up for the day, and Blacklight Company did an excellent job of hosting the day's events.

7th Syndicate brought eight players to the event, and we were proud to be a part of the winning team during all three of the day's games.  The yellow team supplied stiff competition, bolstered by the efforts of The Renegades, Omega 1, and La Migra.  On the red team, 7th Syndicate was joined by Shadow Company and a smattering of BLC players as well.

The first two games were short ones; the first was a modified CTF game, and the second involved using GPS units to seek out a hidden supply box and then transport it back to base.  Ash took command of the red squad at the start of the day, which helped to streamline the communication and objectives for the team.  After coming up with a game plan, the red team was able to meet its objectives quickly and decisively, with 7th Syndicate and Shadow company leading the way.  Every 7th Syndicate team member played a vital role in both of the games, and in the end both games ended with decisive red victories.

After lunch, the third game of the day was a 3 hour scenario that BLC dubbed "Aces are Wild."  The game was well designed, and the rules were complicated but not confusing.  Most impressive was BLC's organization, referees, and communication during the game.  With complicated rules we feared that there could be confusion and frustration, but everyone running the game did an excellent job of preventing such problems.

The game started with Ash sending Shadow Company up to the fortress to take and hold that vital position.  While Shadow Company moved out, 7th Syndicate remained near the red base intending to work on capturing the Yellow team's base and controlling the POW stations that housed dead players.  The plan worked beautifully, and soon 7th Syndicate owned the entire center of the field, with Shadow company returning from a successful mission to reinforce the area after their objectives were complete.

The game ended with an excellent firefight; the yellow team fought bravely to retake their captured base, but the red team managed to hold on until time expired.  The game's final tally was Red team 3780 points, Yellow 1740.

Commendations go out to all of the 7th Syndicate players.  Crombie did what he does best, roving the field and striking deep into enemy territory to flush out and eradicate the enemy players.  Mesh and Slim were incredibly effective at using the "Poison Satchel" to free POWs and take the enemy base, and they could always be counted on to fill a gap in the red team's lines.  Monk's ability to hold his position and even drive the enemy back while facing superior numbers was impressive, and he was always able to make the right call if Ash was somewhere else.  Cat led an important strike force that managed to recapture the red team's base and consolidate our territory in the middle of the field.  Rover had to leave early, but his suppressing fire and GPS skills were vital to the early stages of the game.  Ash continually adapted his commands to the situation, and managed to coordinate with Shadow Company to best utilize the red team's forces.  Well done, 7th Syndicate!

All of 7th Syndicate's players agreed that the best thing about the day  was the level of integrity, sportsmanship, and friendliness displayed by all of the players who attended the event.  It was refreshing to see so many Colorado players who all wanted nothing more than to play together and have a good time.  It seemed that everyone left the field that day with smiles on their faces, regardless of winning or losing, and that is more important than anything else.  Kudos to BLC (especially Auger and Skid, who did a great job of running things) and everyone who attended; it was most certainly one of the most enjoyable events that any 7th Syndicate player has ever had the pleasure of attending!  We can't wait for the next one!

Earth Ender, a 26-hour scenario game put on by Fledgling Scenarios, took place in Agate, Colorado April 1st and 2nd.  It was the biggest scenario paintball game ever to be played in Colorado.  7th Syndicate joined ranks with the Separatists during the game.  Working closely with the Separatist Commander, Katuil (XO of the Dirt Hogs), we knew we would be called upon early and often to help our side to victory.

The weekend started with the Separatists dominating the field of play.  Working with teams such as BlackLight Company, the Dead Muppets, and the Special Ops Factory Team (including their fearsome tank, the Razorback), 7th Syndicate and the rest of the Separatist team soon owned a large majority of the field.  It seemed that we were in for a lopsided victory, but the Government players soon began to scratch and claw their way back into the game.

As we expected, 7th Syndicate was called upon frequently by Katuil and his XO, Psycho, to carry out missions ranging from patrols to sniper insertions to demolition jobs.  It is with great pride that we are able to report that with the exception of one ill-fated mission at the lake land bridge, we were able to return to base victorious from every mission we were sent on.

Though we were all exhausted and battered after the long weekend, we were thrilled to be a part of the event, and even more thrilled to be named the Separatist's Most Valuable Team.  Though the Separatists were narrowly defeated by the Government in the end, we can look back at the weekend with confidence, knowing that we left it all on the field; It was an honor and a privilege to serve with all of the other Separatist players, as well as to have been defeated by such an admirable group of opponents.  We look forward to our next opportunity to join the best of Colorado paintball community on the paintball field!

7th Syndicate Awarded Separatist's "Most Valuable Team"

The 7th Syndicate is very humbled to report that we earned our first Scenario Team Award this weekend at Earth Ender. Considering the caliber of players and teams on the field, we all feel very honored to have received this accolade. Special thanks to Katuil and Psycho for their leadership of the Separatists. We look forward to serving alongside you again.