Dead City

Tetrahedron

"Ah! Damn it. Please captain, tell us where the f**k are you right now." Nagaalalang sambit ni Ian habang may pinipindot siya sakaniyang laptop.

"Vice-captain, what do we do?" Tanong ni Dylan.

Pagkarating naming lahat dito ay balak ng tapusin ni Hans ang ginagawa nila kanina tulad ng inutos sakaniya ni Theo ngunit pinigilan siya nila Ian dahil wala pa rin daw si Theo. Nag-antay kami ng labing limang minuto ngunit wala pa rin talaga siya.

"Please let us wait a little more, vice-captain." Ani ni Gale.

"Remember our captain's golden rule "No one must be left behind" which means even the one who made that rule mustn't left behind." Dagdag niya.

"We can't." Sabi ni Hans.

"Let's finish this." He ordered. Hindi agad gumalaw sila Mia ngunit nagsalita ulit siya.

"We've been together for more than a decade. He has faith on us to get through without him. Now, have a little faith on him just like he has on us." Sabi niya, ngunit dahil dito ay nakita ko ang pagaliwalas ng bahagya ng kanilang mga mukha.

Hindi man magsalita si Hans ay nakikita ko pa rin sa kaniyang mukha ang pagaalala kay Theo.

"Ian!" Tawag ni Giz sakaniya habang siya'y nakatingin sa hawak niyang tablet.

"I've located your captain. He's heading to the south."

"South? That's-- why is he heading to the south?" Tanong ni Gale.

"Damn it." Pagmura ni Ian.

South. Ano bang meron sa timog?

"He's heading to the building-- no. He's heading to the bank." Sambit ni Giz.

"Bank?" Tanong ko.

Why is he heading to the bank? What will he do?

"Oh shit." Pagmura ko nang may mapagtanto ako.

"The government wants to eliminate this team because probably they know that you guys have the two ETP's."

"Then if that's what they want, there's two chances; first is they want it to use to locate the other ETP or, the second is they already have the other ETP. And they probably want the two ETP's to locate the tetrahedron." Aniko kaya sila napatingin lahat saakin.

"If they already got the other ETP, then that means they're the one who stole it from our headquarters?" Tanong ni Mia.

"We don't know it yet for sure." Owen said.

"Because our headquarters is protected. And one unusual move can trigger the alarm immediately and we'll gonna be notified. But it happened late." He added.

"Then are you saying that one of us working in the headquarters is a real traitor?" Tanong ni Mia.

"I told you, we don't know it yet. Probably there is, probably there is not. Maybe who stole the ETP from us is really good. We don't know yet." Aniya.

"I have question. If you guys have the three ETP's before, why didn't use it to find the tetrahedron?" Tanong ko.

"Yeah. I have that same question in my mind. Why didn't you?" Tanong din ni Eula sakanila.

"They're trying to experiment something using the ETP's. And in the midst of that, they're trying to figure out how to use them in order to keep the earth from alien invasion, since it all came outside of Earth. The ETP's are complex, it needs a thorough examination." Dylan said.

"However, when they finally figured out how to use the ETP's to keep the earth safe from alien invasion, which is finding the tetrahedron, one unfortunate event happened. The head of the researchers died from an illness, so the process paused. And captain said to us that we must keep the other, the main or the prototype ETP because he get the feeling that something is off, so we managed to get the other ETP which we gave to Ian."

Ibig sabihin, yung pinakita saamin ni Ian na parang lampara ay yung main o prototype na ETP.

"And when they're, the researchers, were finally ready to resume their work the other ETP was stolen, which happened when Ian and you guys arrived."

"The tetrahedron can't activate if the ETP's aren't complete, because the ETP's are the power while the tetrahedron is the key to use the ETP's power." Dagdag ni Owen.

"Then even if the culprit may have got all three of the ETP's and found the tetrahedron, they still can't activate it since they don't know how. Only the professionals who were studying it knows it, is that it?" Paglinaw ko.

"No. Our professionals didn't also know how to use it. They don't know how to use the tetrahedron nor use the three ETP's to activate the tetrahedron. We don't even know if it needs to first activate manually or if you just put the three ETP's together with tetrahedron it will activate already. They just know that in order to use the whole power of the three ETP's, they need the tetrahedron. Without the tetrahedron ETP's power is nothing, and the hope of humanity is gone." Sagot ni Owen.

"Remember, when they have just finally figured out about the existence of the tetrahedron, the other ETP we have were stolen, so they didn't even have the chance to examine it in depth or find the tetrahedron using the three ETP's. They didn't even have the chance to execute what they've discovered." Ani rin Dylan.

"Oh! I think I get it now." Sabi ni Hans na mukhang hindi nakikisama sa usapan kanina.

"Ahm... guys. They've located us." Ani ni Gale kaya kami lahat napatingin sakaniya.

"Okay. Change of plan." Wika ni Hans.

"Gale, grab the other ETP and go with Owen. You two will gonna be in the air, so use your picks." He ordered.

"Roger." Anila atsaka naghanda.

"Gizelle, can you take care of the other ETP? Mia will go with you."

"Ah--.... okay. You can count on me." Tugon ni Giz.

"Thank you."

"Mia. You'll be down here on the road."

"Roger." Sagot ni Mia.

"And you, Ian. You'll go with Dylan."

"What are we gonna do?" Tanong nila Dylan.

"Ian, try to locate the tetrahedron while watching Gale and Gizelle."

"Roger." Tugon ni Ian.

"Dylan, watch Mia on the road but don't be too close."

"Roger."

"Gizelle, can you also please be our map?"

"Yes. No problem."

"Thank you again."

"Gale, focus on trying to conceal our location from intruders. Try to conceal all of us on the satellites."

"Roger, vice-captain." Sagot naman ni Gale.

"Where are we going?" Tanong ni Owen.

"We're going to meet captain. I think the bank is where the other ETP is located, or probably information to find the other ETP or tetrahedron. But we must get rid of those jerks who still pursuing us first." Madiin niyang sabi.

"Roger." Anilang lahat.

"Wait, Vice-Captain. How about secluding this city?" Tanong ni Dylan. Hindi naman agad sumagot si Hans.

"Let us take care of that. Just focus on what I've said you to do."

"Roger, Vice-Captain." Sambit niya.

"What about us?" Tanong ni Tin na kasama si Irish.

May bendaheng nakapalibot sa kanang hita ni Irish samantalang si Kurt ay sa kaniyang kaliwang braso. Ngayon ko lang din napansin na may mga gasgas din pala si Tin tulad nila Mia.

"We'll ride a car. And we're gonna split into two, which means we will gonna be a three-man squad."

"Kurt, would you lead them?" Tanong niya kay Kurt kaya rin siya agad tumango.

"I'll get Irish and Eula. Irish seems to be injured and I think Eula's communication skills will I'm gonna be needing soon." Wika ni Hans.

Kinuha na niya si Irish atsaka inalalayan, samantalang kami ni Tin ay nagpunta kay Kurt.

"Everybody. This is my only rule right now...." sambit niya kaya kami lahat napatingin sakaniya.

"Stay alive." He said and we all part ways.

Habang tumatakbo kami upang maghanap ng sasakyan ay may mga humahabol saaming aliens. Hangga't maaari ay sinusubukan naming hindi gamitin ang aming armas dahil hindi namin alam kung sa mga aliens ba kami matatakot o sa mga taong nais kaming patayin.

Nang makakita si Kurt ay agad kaming sumakay dito atsaka niya pinaandar.

"We're in the car." Sambit ko na halos kasabay lang ni Eula upang marinig ni Giz.

"Okay. Just go straight to the south." Rinig kong sabi niya.

"Guys. A little help. We've got many tails." Rinig ko namang wika ni Mia.

Bigla naman namin silang nakita nang dumaan sila saaming harapan. Nakita rin namin sakanilang likuran ang mga aliens at mga taong nakasunod sakanila. Pati mga helicopter ay nakasunod rin sakanila.

"I'm sorry. I'm trying my best to remove us from the satellite. But it seems like these people who are operating is good." Gale said.

"Guys!" Ulit ni Mia.

"Agent Kenny, where the hell are you?" Tanong ni Hans.

"We're right behind them. I couldn't get through. There are so many of them." Tugon ni Dylan.

"We're gonna follow them." Sambit ko at hindi na hinintay si Hans na magsalita at sinabi na agad kay Kurt na sundan sila Mia.

"Damn it." Pagmura ni Kurt.

"Let's switch. I can't shoot. I don't know how." Aniko sakaniya. Tinignan niya muna ako ng ilang segundo bago tumango.

"Tin. Hold our guns for a sec." Sabi namin sakaniya na nasa back seat. Pagkabigay namin nito ay nagmadali kami ni Kurt na magpalitan.

Pagkapalit namin ay tinapakan ko agad ang gas upang kami ay bumilis.

"Gilid ka, Tin." Aniya kay Tin kaya niya rin ito ginawa. Nagpunta si Kurt sa likod atsaka silang dalawa bumaril habang ako'y nagmamaneho.

Napatingin ako sa mga buildings na nadadaanan namin at nakita ang mga parking lots at mga establisyimento ng mga nagbebenta ng sasakyan. Okay, I've got an idea.

"Dylan. This is Dahlia. Do you hear me?"

"Yeah." Tugon niya.

"Get to the other street."

"Ahm--.... well...."

"Just please do it. I've got a plan."

"Okay. Roger." Aniya.

"Thank you." I said.

"Giz. Can you hear me?"

"Yep."

"Okay. I need you to watch us carefully, especially Mia and Dylan."

"Okay. For what?"

"Listen." Aniko.

"Okay." Tugon niya.

"Ian. Do you hear me?"

"Yes, Dah."

"I need you to hack those cars in the parking lots and in establishments and use it to try to stop those who are following us. Can you do that?"

"Well... yes. If they're automatic. But if they're manuals, I can't."

"They're not. Manuals are so old fashioned. Hack those cars and stop these guys."

"Okay. Got it."

"But first, can you try to see if you can hack those guy's vehicles who are following us? See if you can hack them."

"They're manuals. That type of cars and motorcycles are manuals." Wika ni Mia.

"Ah... I see." Sambit ko.

"Ok. You can hack the CCTV's here on the streets as well. Just to give you eyes on us. Do you hear me, Ian?"

"Yes, I hear you, Dah. Got it. I'll do that."

"Giz, instruct Dylan and Mia on our way to the south. I'll be following you guys."

"Baka magkawala-wala kami dahil sa planong gagawin namin." Paliwanag ko.

"I got it." Tugon ni Giz.

"s**t!" Pagmura nila Kurt at Tin.

"They're desperate already. Damn it." Ani ni Tin.

Napayuko kaming tatlo nang bumaril ang mga taong humahabol saamin.

"Ian!" Tawag ko.

"Wait." Sagot niya agad.

"Anytime, Ian. Anytime." I said.

"Okay. Done!" Aniya.

Napatingin ako sa mga nagtataasang building at nakita ang mga sasakyan kung paano nagsisilaglagan pababa.

"Fuck." Madiin kong mura at mas binilisan ang pagmamaneho upang hindi kami matamaan ng mga ito.

Nagsibasag din ang mga glass walls dahil sa pag andar ng mga bagong modelo ng sasakyan.

Pagtingin ko sa side mirror ay nakita ko ang sobrang daming sasakyan na kinokontrol ni Ian na nasa likuran ng mga humahabol saamin.

"Get them behind us, Ian. Not behind those people who are following us."

"I can't. There are no streets to detour them." Wika niya.

"There's street ahead. I can see it." Sabi naman ni Mia.

"Okay. Then we wait."

"Damn it." Pagmura ko ulit.

"I'm sorry." He said.

"But I do have some good news." Sabi niya agad.

"Ride faster, Dah. There are cars moving from your front. I'm gonna sandwich them."

Pagkasabi niya nito ay nakita ko agad ang mga sinasabi niyang sasakyan na galing saaming harapan. Binilisan ko ang pagpapatakbo.

Nakita at naramdaman namin ang pagsabog saaming likuran nang magsalpukan ang mga sasakyan na galing saaming harapan at ng mga humahabol saamin sa likod.

"Mia. Watch out on your right! The street!" Rinig kong malakas na sabi ni Giz.

Nakita ko naman ang biglang pagdating ng mga kalaban galing dito.

"Shit." Pagmura ni Mia at mabilis tinapakan ang preno kaya ko rin ito ginawa.

"No, no, no. Wait." Sabay na sabi nila Ian at Giz.

"Left. This building. You can get through this." Sambit ni Giz.

"Dah. To your left as well. That building has glass walls. You can get thought that." Ani ni Ian saakin.

"Okay. Copy that." Tugon namin ni Mia at sabay kaming kumaliwa.

"Hold on!" Sabi ko sakanila Kurt at Tin bago kami makapasok sa building.

Pagkalabas namin ay umikot kami at papunta na kami ngayon sa timog.

Agad kaming napatingin sa itaas nang makarinig kami ng malakas na pagsabog. Dito namin nakita ang isang helicopter na nabalot sa apoy at pababa ng pababa hanggang sa tumama ito sa sahig atsaka ulit sumabog.

"Thanks Ian." Sambit ni Gale.

"No worries." Tugon niya.

"s**t, s**t, s**t, s**t! Guys! Guys! Missile incoming. Mia locked on." Sunod sunod at tarantang wika ni Gale.

"s**t!" Pagmura namin ng sabay sabay.

Nasa likuran ko sila Mia.

"Dahlia! Let's both turn on that open space ahead. I'm gonna give you Gizelle."

"Okay. But how about you?"

"I've got an idea. Just get Gizelle and get out here."

"Copy that." I said.

Pagkarating namin sa may intersection ay agad binuksan nila Kurt and pintuan ng sasakyan at ganon din si Gizelle. Umikot kaming dalawa ni Mia kaya ngayon ay nakaharap na siya sa mga kalaban samantalang ako'y nakaharap sa timog. Mabilis na bumaba si Gizelle atsaka pumasok dito sa sasakyan.

"Are you okay?" Tanong sakaniya nila Tin.

"Yeah."

"Stay alive." I said to Mia.

"I will. You too. Now go." She said.

Pinaandar ko na ang sasakyan at nakita ko sa side mirror ang pagandar niya rin ng kaniyang sasakyan. Nakita ko rin ang missile na sinasabi ni Gale na papunta sakaniya.

Bago pa ito tuluyang tumama sa sasakyan kung nasaan siya'y agad siyang lumabas atsaka tumakbo palayo habang ito'y umaandar.

"Fuck." Rinig kong mura niya.

Sa pagsabog ng sasakyan na nasa likuran niya'y tumilapon din siya, ngunit may biglang kumuha sakaniya habang siya'y nasa ere pa lang.

"Hyde?"

"It's okay. I've got you."

Nakita ko sila Stone, Brian at yung isa niyang miyembro na nakasakay din sa kani-kanilang pick na nakasunod saamin. Nakahinga naman ako dito ng maluwag kahit papano.

"Dylan? Where are you?" Tanong ko.

"We're on the other street. Don't worry we're both fine." Sagot ni Ian.

"Good."

"I've concealed us!" Sambit ni Gale.

Narinig ko naman ang boses ni Eula na sinasabi kung ano ang nangyayari.

Malakas ang kutob kong kay Hans niya ito sinasabi. Marahil ay nawala nanaman ang koneksyon niya saamin.

"But they're fine. Mia's fine. She's with captain Stone." Wika ni Eula.