Eyes of Morte

"Jacques, you need to understand." Jacques looked at Director Smith with defying eyes. He then shook his head once. "But what can we do about it? You must understand what problem our company is facing. We can't even afford to fund another research, what more an expedition? We lack sponsors. What do you want me to do? Fund it myself?" Jacques understood that their pharmaceutical company was going through recession. But he knew that this project will make a difference. It will not only help their company rise but it will help the world in general. Can you imagine a world with a cure for various cancers? This was the research he'd been dreaming of since he became a biologist. Lily of the Moon is a flower that could cure different cancers. He just discovered about it in an ancient book he accidentally found the past month. After he read it, he did some research with his team and found out vital details about the plant which they could not take for granted. It only blooms every other century and they discovered that the plant actually grows in sss rainforest, and will bloom exactly this year, later this month. That's why if they won't retrieve it this year, they will not have any chance again, unless they would still be around after a century. "But this is an important expedition, Director. Can't you see how important this plant is? It could be the key to various cancers. We should take advantage of this," Jacques insisted. Director Smith massaged the bridge of his nose. "I know, Jacq. I know. But I'm no superman. I can't just send you off to sss with no support, can I?" Jacques clenched his teeth. "I can..." he trailed off. "You can what? You'll support your team yourself? That's hard, Jacq. Plus, you know the Chairman won't approve that. We want the plant but we can't let you do the expedition without proper support. What if something happens to your team along the way? Who will be responsible for that? Company." "Hey, Jacq! Hey, Director!" The two men's eyes drifted to Eunice who just entered the office. She's a junior biologist and under Jacques' supervision. "We're still talking about something, Miss Linton. Would you mind if—" "Of course, Director. I clearly know what you two are talking about, Sir. That's why I'm here to deliver the good news." Jacques' forehead creased in confusion. Eunice smiled at him brightly as if she just won ten digits in lottery. "We got a sponsor for our expedition!" Jacques was shocked. "What? Are you serious? Who?" "WIC Company. I just received their email saying that they want to sponsor our expedition and even the research! I'm so happy!" "That's good!" Director Smith exclaimed. "Now, Jacq, we don't have a problem anymore." Jacques couldn't believe it. If ever this expedition would be succesful, this would be his big break in more or less a decade of being in the industry. Aside from that, the idea that the project could save thousands or even millions of lives is overwhelming. He couldn't wait. "WIC Company will also send a representative to go with us, Jacq. She will document our expedition," Eunice went on. Jacques finally snapped out of his reverie. "That's fine. Anyone in their company is welcome. And wait, you mentioned WIC company, right? I'm not familiar with the name. Can you tell me some background? I want to report this to the chairman myself." "WIC Company is into Advertising. Though I heard it's just a branch of a conglomerate." Jacques nodded. "Must be big." "So when do we exactly start the expedition? I'm just so excited about it, you know. Not to mention, I'm also waiting for a project like this to happen." "Tell the others to sort out everything this week. Will be leaving this weekend." Eunice's jaw dropped. "Oh my! Can't believe it's actually happening! I'll tell them now!" Jacques smiled and also went out to talk to the chairman. "Hi, Jacq! Congrats!" some of his colleagues congratulated. News has wings, of course. Sometimes he wonders what is faster, news or light. If it was a normal day, Jacques won't have time to think about those trivial things, but since today happened to be a happy day, he just let himself. The Chairman was very happy with the news, but Jacques' excitement was on different level. During the whole week, he finished all his pending works so by weekend, he has nothing to think about but their expedition. Same as what his team did. They took his advice that's why by Friday, everyone of them went home only thinking what to pack for the trip and nothing else. "Jacq, this is Miss Katherine, WIC Company's representative. She is the daughter of WIC Director and is a professional documenter," Eunice introduced the blue eyed woman to Jacques the day before they were set to leave. Katherine has long brown hair waving down his back. With decent clothes and a camera, her looks could really pass as professional photographer or documenter. "Nice to meet you, Miss Katherine." Jacques smiled politely as they shook hand. "Likewise, Mr. Houstion," she replied subtly. "Introduce yourself to her, team," Jacques told the others. "I'm Mark, chemical engineer." "Karen, scientist." "Ellie, senior biologist." "And I'm Jorge." "My pleasure to meet you all." Katherine gave them a friendly smile. "You may just call me Katherine." However, Jacques noticed something that caught his attention. Katherine's necklace has a small rectangular gold pendant with little letters carved in it. What's strange was the word it formed. It says... Morte, an Italian word which means death.