Speaking of crystals, I supposedly won 10K for an honorable mention, and I haven't seen any crystals. It's been a week. Is there something I have to do to get them?

I'm happy with a runner-up prize, seeing how this was my first try ever at a writing contest. It's a lot better than those gold boxes that I can never catch...

We found ourselves in a dead-end alley. I waited for the Germans to turn the corner and gun us down. All we heard was the scream of an incoming artillery shell, and a shuddering blast from around the corner. Then, silence. "That was an 88 round," Boris said absently. "Fritz was betrayed by his own artillery," I nodded. "Just like you betrayed the Motherland!" "I love Mother Russia," he answered heatedly, "but this 'Soviet Union' is not my Motherland! Hitler is a better speaker than Stalin, but they're both crazy and they're both bad. Why should I care who wins this useless war? Why shouldn't I try to make a decent deal for myself?" "Boris, you betrayed me, too! We've endured awful food and sleepless nights; we've gone through mud and snow and more mud; we've been shot at and shelled and strafed... how could you do this to me? You were a hero once. Why can't you be a hero again?" "I could be a hero again," he said slowly, "if someone gave me a good reason. Right now, I'm all out of reasons." I heard something above me; I aimed my pistol quickly and fired. A German sniper slumped halfway out a third-story window. His rifle fell to the ground in front of us. I picked it up, then handed my pistol to Boris. "This city is no place for an unarmed man. But I'll be right behind you, so don't try anything. We're returning to our lines, and when we do, you will -" "Handehoch!" A German officer with a pistol had turned the corner and gotten the drop on us. I put down the rifle and raised my hands as he'd ordered. "Major Thoma," Boris said evenly. "Sergeant Boris," the major said in accented Russian. "I thought we had a deal! Now I find you with your old friends again. But that's the trouble with traitors - they can't decide whose side they're on." He aimed his pistol at Boris' chest. "The German Army has found a solution to that problem." He fired... ...just as I leaped in front of my old friend. The pain was indescribable. I couldn't breathe; I couldn't stay on my feet. As I slumped to the ground, I heard my pistol snap, and I heard a gasp and a thud from the German's direction. I couldn't see what was happening. My eyesight was going gray and hazy. Then I saw Boris' pale, unshaven face right in front of mine. "You took that bullet... for me?" I wanted to tell him to return to our lines and fight for the Motherland. I wanted to tell him to be a hero again, for both of us, because my heroic days were done. But all I could say were five short words. "Earn this, Boris. Earn it." For me, the war was over.

DO NOT WANT! It makes it harder than ever for casual players to stay competitive, because they're unlikely to reach the top of the scoreboard. It penalizes the guy who guards the flag and helps his team win, but doesn't run up his own score, now that he can't dart out and grab a blue box now and then. The only winners under this new rule are the top scorers, and they've already got plenty of rewards. Change it back, please!