In the Dragon's Tail

Chapter 1 - Five in the Morning, Manila Time

It was only five in the morning, Manila time, but eyes were already looking at me as I walked to my room. From a distance I could see my secretary peering through the blinds while talking on the phone - when our eyes met, she immediately stopped her conversation and went back to her desk. I opened the door to my office with a heavy push.

"Morning, Ara," I greeted enthusiastically. "I heard you've been spreading gossip about me being involved with a married lady. Care to tell me who that is?" I jokingly asked her.

She frowned and brushed the fringe of hair on her face towards the back of her ear. "I don't know. Maybe your secretary?" she said. She really does have a retort against whatever I say. "Instead of worrying about such foolish things, sir, this is what you should be worrying about."

She stood up and handed me a thick manila envelope sealed with red wax on the flap. My stomach churned with panic, but I couldn't deny that I was also looking forward to it.

"It's time to take the sheep to the slaughter, huh? Well then, I'll just put my things inside, then I'll go straight up. If anything arrives for me, just take it, or just send it to my email."

She went back to her seat. "Yes, sir."

I entered my room and placed my messenger bag on the table. I sat for a moment in my chair and sighed. I glanced at my mobile and saw that I had received four missed calls. I got even more worried. It's unusual for them to look for me, especially this early morning. My stomach churned again; I think it's time to cut down on coffee and cigarettes.

I left the room and went straight to the elevator going up to the Director-General's office, but my mind was wandering. The moment the door opened, my direct supervisor, our Chief-of-Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Relleta, appeared in front of me. He was so surprised to see me that he muttered a quick curse.

"Where have you been? I was about to come down to pick you up!" he asked angrily.

"Just calm down, hey. I just arrived. I hadn't checked my phone since I was driving. Why am I even needed at this time of the day anyway? I wonder if I did something wrong, or if I haven't done something."

"Isn't that even more of a reason for you to hurry? We have been waiting for you all this time!"

He opened the narrow door to the anteroom where Shay, the Director-General's secretary, is stationed. She looked up from her laptop and urgently pressed the intercom.

"He's here, sir," she said into the mic while smiling at me.

"Alright. Have him wait," said the voice from the intercom.

"Okay." She stood up from his seat in front of the window, shaded by the curtains from the sunlight. She beamed and giggled modestly. "You know you're dead meat, right? We've been waiting for you all morning."

"Does the old man even sleep? Wait a minute, what the hell is going on? Isn't this supposed to be just a regular mission briefing?"

Shay and Relleta looked at each other, and their grin grew even wider. "You'll find out why inside."

Static crackled from the intercom, and the voice spoke again on the speaker.

"Okay, Shay, let them in."