Steel Hearts

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - Challenged or Threatened?

North Luzon Command.

Camp Gen. Servillano Aquino, Tarlac.

Today marks the 1st day to start to carry out the orders given to me by the DND secretary --- to spearhead the tests for Catherina's insane invention. This is probably the assignment that I hate the most in my life. I used to love having missions, but this one is different. It felt like I was just here because I need to comply. It was just an act of following orders, and it felt unfulfilling.

Sana ay iba nalang ang napili para sa misyong ito dahil sa totoo lang ay wala akong gana na gaingang ang trabaho ko kapag sila ang pinaguusapan. Pero wala akong pagpipilian. Kailangan kong gampanan ang tungkulin ko para sa bayan. Hindi ko pwedeng unahin ang pansarili kong kagustuhan kahit pa anong gawain ko. Kulang ang salitang inis para ilarawan kung gaano ako hindi komportable.

Napairap ako sa kawalan nang magsimulang bumaba ang air vehicle na sumundo sa kanila mula sa Trinity Laboratories. Pagkalapag na pagkalapag ng chopper na naglululan sa lima dito sa kampo, ay kumunot agad ang aking noo. I always hated their aura. Their mere presence feels suffocating. The thought of being around them for a long time sounds like pure torture to me.

At first, the committee wanted them to have a welcome ceremony but I disagreed. Iyong mga trainees nga namin, walang welcome party. Sila pa? They aren't special people to prepare a ceremony for them. They're here to undergo my training and tests. They should not be given any special treatment, because they do not deserve that. I am just being fair because this is what every trainee undergoes. They're not here to be babies. 

Each one of them wears the same military uniform as us, NAF personnels. I hate how they wear it wthout prestige. But there was something with the way they carry themselves. The posture, the stride, the faces --- it’s all catchy.

They weren't made to fit in the crowd. They are really engineered to stand out from the rest. That was the goal of that Fuente-b***h -- to make them look so overrated so that they could be distinguished from the rest. Una pa lang ay iyon na ang nais ni Catherina. Dahil gusto nyang magpasikat sa lahat, ginawa nyang angat ang mga robot na ito.

As they reached the saluting distance, they gave me their salutes and I rendered it back kahit labag sa loob ko. Humanay sila sa isang tuwid na linya gaya nang sa squad formation.

"Gentlemen, alam kong kilala nyo na ako but I will still introduce myself." I spoke when the engine of the chopper died. "I am Lieutenant Rilea Oridala, Philippine Marines. And I will be your main officer here in the camp dahil sa akin kayo inassign ng DND secretary."

They stayed in attention while hearing me out.

"You will follow only my commands and orders. Am I understood?"

"Yes, lieutenant." They answered in unison.

"Good." I replied. "Let's start with bringing your things to the barracks. Pagtapos noon, I want all of you to change to athletic uniform. We will proceed to sparring in the gym. Am I clear?"

"Yes, lieutenant."

Blah, blah, yes lieutenant. I really hate being a Tac-O. Ang boring ng trabahong puro yes ng yes lang ang sagot. Lalo pa kung puro kinaiinisan mo ang kasama mo. All the luck in this world has really left me. Now I miss Marawi days.

"Tiwalag." Command ko at agad silang kumalas sa pagkakahanay.

I was about to march away when I remembered one thing. Hinanap ng mata ko ang may ranggong kapitan upang bilinan ito na mag-take charge.

When my gaze found his light hazelbrown eyes, I was stupefied. There was something in him that I can't quite decipher. It was so weird because I want to keep looking at him. Ever since our first meeting, I had this odd impression of him. Probably because he is one of the things I hate.

"You are the squadleader of this robots, right? Make sure all my orders are followed." Saad ko sa isang masungit na tono.

His brown hair was blown to a mess by the wind of the open field but it fitted his face. He looked as handsome as he is when it is fixed. Kahit siguro pagsuotin ko sya ng basahan ay ganito pa rin sya kagwapo.

"With all due respect Lieutenant, we aren't robots. We are GAICS." He responded.

My mouth fell to a sarcastic smile. I pushed back the strand of my stray hair at the back of my ears. I folded my arms across my chest hastily. The nerve of this guy.

"Yeah?" Mataray kong sabi, sarcasm filling my tone. Tinaas ko ang aking kilay. "And does that make any difference? Hindi ba, parehas lamang iyon?"

His face was emotionless like the rest of his team as he processed my words but his eyes were speaking. There was a hint of familiarity that I am feeling. Parang nakita ko na sya noon pero malabo namang mangyari.

"Robots are useless turds of metals with a speech similar to a five month old alien." He said with his voice so full of masculinity. Baritone. No hint of any stutters. "Are we in anyway, close to looking like them?"

The way his thin, pink lips part when he speaks. The way his damn brown eyes flutter its lashes as he blinks. It makes me question if he really is not a human at all. His reflexes are so natural! That b***h has really exceeded beyond my expectations. She is really a genius.

Itinaas ko ang kilay ko sa kanyang sarkasmo. Can't believe even robots have programs of sarcasm in them. Sabagay. Ano nga bang aasahan ko mula sa lumikha sa mga ito? They must have inherited the attitude of their maker. After all, a bad tree only produces bad fruits. What do I expect?

But I'm Rilea Oridala and I don't simply let such attitude get away. Not when it's me. No one, even a robot of a hundred times greater IQ.

I smiled and inched towards this guy, my eyes challenging him.

His height towered over me. Niyuyuko nya ang kanyang ulo para tignan ako samantalang tinitingala ko sya. He's tall, I must admit. But no one's too tall for me.

"Spar with me, and we'll see if you're just another piece of metal from the junkshop, or not... Captain." Pabulong kong banta bago ko sya talikuran at lumakad palayo.

Hindi ko na hinintay pa ang sagot nya sa hamon ko. Lalabanan nya ako sa ayaw nya at sa gusto at sisiguraduhin kong kakalawangin ang mga turnilyo nya sa akin. Hindi nya ako pwedeng almahan dahil trabaho nyang sundin lahat ng sasabihin ko sa kanila kahit pa technically, ay mas mataas ang ranggo nya sa akin.

Dumiretso ako sa barracks ko at nag-bihis nang athletic uniform. Unang araw pa lamang ay masusubukan ko na sila. Sumisidhi ang inis ko at namamayani iyon. Hindi ko maimagine kung papaano ako sa susunod pang 364 days kasama ang mga robot na iyon.

Badtrip akong lumakad patungong gym. Simangot akong pumasok sa eksena nang mga nag-eehersisyong kasamahan ko dito sa kampo. Natanaw ko naman ang limang imbensyon ni Catherina na nakaupo sa ring, hinihintay ang pagdating ko.

I felt giddy as I grabbed a wrap for my fists.

Nilapitan ko sila habang binabalot ko ang aking mga kamay. Natanaw ko na lahat sila ay may mga wraps na at handa nang lumaban, kaya naman ipinag-utos ko na maglatag sila nang mga mats sa sahig para sa aming sparring session.

Makaraan iyon ay agad na tumawag ako ng apat na random personnels na nandito sa gym. Talagang pinili ko yung malalaki ang built at batak sa training. Itinapat ko sila isa-isa sa bawat trainee ko at in-assign na maging spar mates nila.

Sa huli, ako naman ang tumapat sa Kapitan. Ano ngang pangalan nito? Chaos? Oo, Chaos nga. Isang malaking kaguluhan sa buhay kong nananahimik.

"At the ready stance." I commanded as I postured myself as well. "Fight!"

Nagsimula ang dwelo nang bawat magkapareho pero hindi ko na sila napagmasdan.

My encounter with Chaos initiated as well. We went on circles around the rubber mat laid on the floor. Nakataas ang dalawa naming kamao sa ere, naghihintayan ng galaw ng bawat isa. Nagbabasa nang bawat paghinga at galaw ng mata. Guards at the ready.

"So what's the rule of winning?" Tanong nya.

I was estimating the distance as I studied his cadence.

"Whoever takes the other one down," iginiya ko ang sahig. "Sya ang panalo."

Tumango sya at ngumiti ng tipid. I hate his smile. Napapakulo ang dugo ko! Like how can he even smile now?! Am I saying something funny? Nakakatawa ba ako? He should be intimidated dahil hindi ako nagbibiro. Gagawin ko talagang pang-junkshop ang mga bakal nya kung hindi sya titigil sa ganyang asta sa akin.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko. Una na akong umatake pero nasalag nya ang pinakawalan kong right-hand jab. Nagbitaw ako sumunod ng jab-hook-straight combination at side kick pero magaling syang umilag at dumepensa.

Kung ano-anong fighting techniques at styles na ang ginamit ko pero hindi man lang ako makatama. Hindi pa sya umaatake ay hingal na ako sa galing nyang dumepensa. Ni paghabol sa hininga ay hindi ko sya makitaan.

Oo nga pala, hindi sya tao.

Nang sugurin ko sya para sa mas malapitang atake ay hinila nya ang braso ko, pinaikot iyon nang mabilis at saka ako ikinulong sa kanyang bisig. Yakap nya ako mula sa likod habang ang isang braso nya'y naka-lock sa leeg ko.

Dammit.

Pinipilit kong kumawala mula sa headlock nya pero matigas ang kanyang pwersa para labanan.

"Bakit ka ba galit na galit sa amin?" Ramdam ko ang hininga nya sa aking tainga. Ang lapit nya sa akin. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang katawan nya sa katawan ko.

Pilit akong kumakawala sa kanya dahil hindi talaga ako komportable na malapit sa lalaki, kahit pa isang robot sya. I am allergic to boys.

"Because... I see your kind... as a challenge." Hingal kong utas habang nanlalaban sa kanyang hawak.

He chuckled lightly and I almost admired how his voice sounded.

"A challenge, huh? You don't seem challenged, Lieutenant." He cooed in my ear, maintaining his baritone voice. "You are threatened."

That's it. That's the end of the rope. He pulled my last straw. I bit my lip in rage. That's the cue of the beast inside that's holding back. Nagngalit ang bagang ko sa inutas nya kaya napasigaw ako sa galit.

"Who do you think you are to threaten me?" I said in gritted teeth.

Iniumang ko palikod ang aking binti at saka tinadyakan ang kanyang alak-alakan nang malakas. Isinunod ko ang sarili ko sa isang malakas na tumba patalikod upang maitulak sya ng pwersa ko. Napamaang naman sya at napahiga kami pareho sa sahig ---- ako nasa ibabaw, sya nasa ilalim.

Malakas ang bagsak nya at nasaktan rin ako sa ginawa ko pero hindi sya nakabawi sa move kong iyon.

Marahas kong hinawi ang kanyang braso sa aking leeg. Hinarap ko sya at saka dinungaw nang may ngiti ng nantutuyang tagumpay.

"Paano ba yan? Panalo ako." Pang-asar ko syang nginisian. "Robot."

Hindi nya ako sinagot at ibinato lang nya ang isang malalim at nakapupunit na titig. Nahihipnotisa ako kaya itinukod ko ang dalawa kong kamay sa magkabilang gilid. Tatayo na dapat ako nang bigla nya muli akong higitin payakap sa kanya at tinitigang maigi. This time, nang may ngiti sa kanyang labi. His eyes... they are even more hypnotizing at this distance.

I felt like my face burns with this unidentified feeling.

"Ano bang ginagawa mo? Bitiwan mo ako!" Alma ko sa kanya.

He chuckled at my reaction while I blaze in anger. What’s wrong with this guy?

"Ang sungit mo! Suplada." He commented.

Damn his stare. Damn his laugh. He looks so alive up close! He looks so damn real that he can fool anyone who has no idea about their existence. Ang husay nila manlinlang. Kahit sino ay pwede nilang lokohin.

"I'm a GAICS, lieutenant." He said, his breath wafting to my face. "The next time you tell me I'm a robot..."

He mockingly inched his face even closer. Malapad pa rin ang kanyang ngisi samantalang pulang pula na malamang sa galit at inis ang aking mukha. Nag-iinit ang aking pisngi sa di maipaliwanag na dahilan. Pinipilit kong itulak palayo ang katawan ko sa kanya pero inaasar nya ako lalo sa paglapit nya sa akin.

"I'll kiss you." He whispered.

Now, I'm threatened.

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