The Tantalum Contract is an annual all-day airsoft game set in the fictional African nation of Ubinda. Large tantalum deposits, a rare metal vital for the production of cell phones, have been discovered in Ubinda's jungle highlands. The players sign up for one of three private security firms:

• Anglo/Sino Security (A-SS)
• Global Resource Defense Enterprises (GRDe)
• Kiev-Afrikaner Secure Holdings (KASH)

Each firm was hired to provide the tactical force for a rival mining cartel, each staking claims to the tantalum rights. The government is corrupt. The companies are ruthless. The rewards are lucrative. And the players...are expendable.

Each firm was given a list of of 9 identical missions which they could attempt for points during the game. The missions included controlling the mine (via a team coded electronic timer box), recording a pistol kill on video, and interviewing an enemy player before they bled out. Each team was also given a VIP balloon that they had to defend from being taken out.

The game started out in the Eastern regions of Delta, Rabbit Run and the Eastern Outpost. GRDe got an early start charging into the field and taking the mine and strong defensive positions. KASH was able to take advantage of A-SS disorganized defense, taking out their 1st VIP and sending a second team past A-SS's respawn and deep to the back of GRDe's HQ to take out their VIP.

While KASH was occupied with those deep penetration missions, they left their VIP undefended allowing A-SS an opportunity for revenge. Dozer called out to Mr. Spank on the radio, "This is Dozer to KASH leader. Your VIP has something to tell you–" the message ended with the sound of gunfire.

GRDe forces accumulated the most time on the mine control box during both periods of Phase 1. In defending the mine, Primer personally was taken out by Mr. Spank. who in turn was taken out by GRDe forces. The exchange was caught on Primer's helmet cam.

Phase 2 took the three mercenary firms to the western highlands. 3 new VIPs were issued to the teams to defend. ASS, the team trailing in points, was given first choice on their HQ position and chose the Ponderosa village, KASH chose the jungle village, with GRDe's HQ in the refinery fields between them.

KASH trekked their way through the Badland marshes in an unexpected flanking maneuver which allowed them capture the mine and hold it for the duration of the phase. The more rugged terrain and the hot and humid summer weather made Phase 2 much more physically challenging. Dozer and a number of other players took themselves out of the game due to heat exhaustion.

At the end of the day all the players were treated to fresh pizza at staging. KASH won the game with 250pts, GRDe came a close second with 225pts and A-SS came in last with 125pts. It was no coincidence that the team with the most pre-game planning and communication on their secure boards were also the teams that scored the highest.

The game was again held at Paintball Sports International (PSI) in New York's Hudson Valley, 70 miles north of New York City. The proceeds of the event were donated to the USO and the African charity organization, Friends of Turkana.

Thanks to Evike.com for donating the raffle prizes and providing each player with a complimentary red 'dead' rag. Thanks to Popular Airsoft for running the mock-ads for the contractor firms prior to the game. Thanks to the team commanders, Primer, Dozer and Mr. Spank for providing leadership and great video interviews. And thanks to all the players came out from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to make the event possible.

AAR BY MOJO

All in all, we fulfilled the contract with Van De Bier fairly well. I expect payment from Van De Beir Corp shortly, to the usual off shore account. They should put Roman in for a bonus. Those Russians are bat-shit crazy.

I had a great time and, aside from a very few disputes over hit calls, dead rags and out-of-bounds, I believe everyone else did, too. My fat ass feels like it got run over by a Mack truck. Twice. I haven't been this sore since the High Rock Challenge in 2009. I definitely need to get my out-of-shape carcass back in training.

Thanks to Moondog and the volunteers for making this a great event. Thanks to Spank for showing me what poor shape I'm in. Thanks to Sinner for all the assistance and suggestions. It was great meeting and playing with Cev, Viper, Jbird and Willus. I know I'm forgetting someone. I'll definitely be looking for your callsigns at future games.

I thought the Corporation webpages with secure planning forums was a nice touch. Moondog does a good job with the background stories for these games. It adds to the atmosphere. I've heard some people complain about "LARP-softers" but, screw 'em. Speaking for myself, it adds to my enjoyment of the day.