Dead City

Trump Card

Habang nasa biyahe kami ay naisipan kong buksan ang aking cellphone. Nagpasalamat naman ako't binuksan ko ito dahil may mensahe pala akong natanggap galing sa mga detective na naghahanap sa pamilya ko.

Why is it open? Did someone opened this when I was unconscious? Is it Athena? Nevermind. I should contact them right now as they might think I used them or so.

After I send them message regarding the text I have received from them, they called me immediately and said about what they want in return. They thought I have used them just like I thought. Gladly I manage to connect to them as soon as possible because they are threatening me. They told me they will look for me and let me pay my debt to them. It gives me shiver down my spine knowing they'll be looking for me.

Now that I saw the tomb of my brother and father, part of me is relieved but the other part is still not believing. I don't know. Maybe because I still don't trust them fully, that they probably fabricated it so they'll get what they want in return. I mean, they do have some evidence that support and prove their legitimacy, but I still couldn't help myself not to give them a doubt. Or maybe, I don't really like proving what I thought they'd be, my father and brother be, even though I said otherwise.

Alright. I decided to hold onto the evidence they've send me. My brother and father are dead. They are dead. I already have the evidence. Right now, I am worrying and thinking on how will I get the documents they want me to get in the headquarters of the government.

"We're almost there." Sambit ni Owen na nagpabalik saakin sa kasalukuyan.

"I can't believe they're in the same place as you two, captain." Owen said to Theo.

What does he mean?

"Now, what she said to me about releasing my teammates made sense to me." Theo uttered.

She? Who's "she"?

Wait. I think I know. I heard the Lady who have kidn*pped us told us about it when we we're in the cellar. So that means... is this the place they've kept us? Then that also means... we're not far from Captain Stone and Brian's location all those time.

Tumigil sila Mia kaya rin kami lahat tumigil. Napatingin naman ako sa paligid atsaka ito pinapakiramdaman.

"It's too silent." Athena said, but no one of us bothered to break the silence.

It is indeed too silent that it's so suspicious.

Nakita ko sila Calum at Philip na naglalakad papunta dito sa sasakyan namin habang tinitignan ang paligid. Pagkarating nila'y kumatok sila sa bintana kaya ito binuksan ni Theo.

"What's going on? Why'd we stopped?" Tanong ni Philip. Hindi naman agad sumagot si Theo at nakatingin lang sa harapan.

"You see that building over there? That's where Stone and Brian are." Wika ni Theo at tinukoy ang gusali sa harapan namin. Medyo malayo kami sa mismong gusali ngunit malinaw ito sa amin.

"What are we gonna do, then?" Tanong naman ni Calum.

"Call Hans and Gin." Sabi ni Theo sakanila kaya rin nila ito ginawa.

Pagkarating nila Hans ay sinabi ni Theo na silang apat nila Calum ang papasok sa loob. Sabi niya ay kailangan niyang pumasok dahil alam niya ang mga daan na pwede nilang magamit.

Nag antay kami ng ilang minuto dito sa labas habang sila ay nasa loob. Nakaka-kaba ito dahil wala kaming komunikasyon sakanila kaya't hindi namin alam kung ano ang nangyayari sakanila doon.

Maya't-maya ay nakita namin sila na tumatakbo papunta dito. Kasama na nila sila Captain Stone at Brian. Ngunit pansin kong may tama yata si Stone sa kaliwa niyang braso dahil nakahawak siya dito at hirap niya itong maigalaw. Si Brian naman ay halos paika-ika dahil sa kanang binti niya. Sila Calum at Hans ay naka-alalay sakaniya, samantalang sina Theo at Gin ay tinitignan ang paligid.

Pagkarating nila ay mabilis pinasok nila Gin sila Stone at Brian dito sa sasakyan namin atsaka din sila nagpunta sa mga sasakyan nila at kami ay umalis.

"Argh!" Pagdaing ni Stone. Kitang-kita ko naman ang pag-agos ng dugo niya galing sa tama niya sa braso.

"Tch. That's what you get jumping on to me." Theo said to Stone and light his cigarette that looks like the cigarette Felix is using all the time. Binuksan niya rin ng bahagya ang bintana.

Pansin kong naninigarilyo siya sa tuwing kailangan niyang mag isip ng sobrang lalim.

"I did it to save your head from this bullet, you idiot!" Tugon ni Stone atsaka ulit napadaing.

"Do you have a cloth or something to wrap this wound?" Tanong niya kaya inabot ni Athena yung parang metal box na malapit sakaniya habang nagmamaneho.

"Let me help you." Aniko nang makita ko siyang hirap itong binabalot.

"When you two escaped, they've tortured us. They thought we know your hideout. They also thought we know about the codes." Stone said to Theo.

"I suppose they're an independent and not working under the government, but rather, working with the government on finding the ETPs and tetrahedron for their own gain."

"They plan to work with the government till they have what they want. After they got it, they will bring them into submission."

"During our time there, we have learned that the government are almost done with the "codes" that can give them the location of the tetrahedron. The only thing left is the codes which you guys have stolen from them." Sabi naman ni Brian.

"That's when we realized that they're so desperate already. Because they only have one ace. It's the ETP." Brian added.

"They're not knowledgeable as you guys are regarding this matter, and they know it, that's why they are afraid that you guys might ruin their plan. In order for them to achieve their goals, they wanted to eliminate the threat, which is us. Because they know that even without the codes, we'll still gonna find another way to find the location of the tetrahedron and put an end to this." Wika ni Stone.

So that means, they don't know that using the ETPs they could locate the tetrahedron and not just depend on the codes. Shame on them. They already have all the answers, and yet, they still cannot realize it.

"Also. We have learned that one of your friends are in the hands of the government. We heard that the military will kept her captive and use her skills into eliminating you guys. As I've said to you when we're still inside the building, we have a nanochip- a tracking device, that is inside our necks. Which means, they probably on the move and are tracking us now." Said by Stone.

Brian sigh to break our silence.

"You look, different. But in a good different." He said to me.

"The last time I saw you is when we're in the bank, right? Your hair is still dark."

"Oh, ahm... yeah." I said awkwardly.

"We needed to change our hair color since we have been exposed. Keeping a low profile is quite the opposite of what my hair is saying, but it still changes my appearance."

"You look good." He said while looking straight to my eyes. I suddenly felt my cheeks down to my neck became hot.

"Ahh.. haha."

Shit. What am I supposed to say? It seems like all words are gone.

I glances at Theo who's still not talking. It looks like he's in a deep thought. I wonder what he's thinking.

"We need to plan as soon as possible. Perhaps, right now. Because there's a high chance that they will corner us soon." Stone muttered but still clear to us to hear.

I suddenly got an idea but it's so risky.

Perhaps we could make it look like they've cornered us. We'll gonna use ourselves as a bait. Because just like us, our enemies doesn't want someone with no value to them. They wanted the most valuable among us. And, the only people I can think of are Ian and Theo.

If we make it look like they won, it will make everything turn into our advantage once they bite our bait. If they cornered us, we'll surrender Ian and Theo to them, to look like they've won. Afterall, they always wanted to bring this group into submission. While doing so, some of us are on the move to infiltrate the government's headquarters. Some are assigned to rescue Giz, some are assigned to locating the tetrahedron, some are assigned on handling the battle, and some are assigned to get back Ian and Theo.

I know that once we succeeded in infiltrating and getting information as well as getting back the ETPs from the government, they will never gonna let go of Ian and Theo as they are the only left trump card they've got. So, in order for us to get back Ian and Theo, we should assigned someone who are so good at efficiency and moves stealthily. Gin and Calum are the people on my mind, based on the information I got about them.

"Hey. Do you listening to what I am saying?" Pagtapik ng bahagya ni Brian saaking balikat.

"You look so lost in your thoughts. What's in your mind?" He curiously asked. Before I even answered, Stone speaks.

"You kinda look like Theo when he is so deep in his thoughts, planning some devilish yet effective move." Stone said to me while staring at me like he's studying me.

This makes me uncomfortable that I wanted him and Brian to turn their backs at me.

"Come on. Let us hear what your thoughts. I know it will be good idea." Brian said to me.

Wala naman na akong nagawa dahil pinilit na nila ako ni Stone.

After I said my ideas, they just look at me with bafflement yet amazed. Suddenly, Theo burst into laughter while in the passenger seat that made us shocked. Even Stone and Owen are so shocked that you can clearly see it in their faces.

"What the f**k are you laughing for?" Tanong ni Stone sakaniya na halata pa rin sakaniyang mukha na hindi ito inasahan. He looks like he is so caught off guard.

Did I say something funny? Am I joke to him? Why is he laughing? What is he laughing for? Are my ideas stupid? Am I stupid? s**t. I shouldn't spoke earlier. I shouldn't have said it. Damn.

"You're too smart that all I could do is laugh. You made me so speechless, Dahlia." Theo said and then turn around to meet my eyes.

I don't know what I should be feeling. I felt a mix of relief, grateful, and uncomfortable at the same time.

I should answer him something. Something to ease this uncomfortable feeling I have. I must answer him.

"Thanks, I guess?" I awkwardly and uncomfortably answered. He, then, chuckled.

"Damn." Stone silently cursed.

"How do we know that they will not gonna kill Ian and Theo if they've got them? I mean, when we're in the process of performing our said move after the enemies bite out bait, how are you so sure that they will not gonna kill their "trump card" left? How are you sure that they will bite our bait in the first place?" Brian suddenly asked. Tumigil naman na din si Theo sa pagtawa ngunit nakatingin pa rin saamin, o tamang sabihin na saakin.

This might probably look like we're talking on each other using our eyes.

"Ahm... As I've said earlier, they are the only trump card left. They are more likely choose to sacrifice their other pieces in exchange to save the last possible piece they think that will make them win. Afterall, using either, the codes or using those two important people, is quite a pain. But, there is a slight certainty that they will gonna find the tetrahedron by extracting information from Ian and Theo themselves. Therefore, there is a higher possibility that they'll bite our bait." I answered, cutting our staring battle.

"It's like playing a chess. They are willing to sacrifice their queen, and their men in order to capture the opponent's King themselves. It will gonna be the battle between two kings, but the thing is we have the advantage, not unless they manage to turn the table, somehow. That's why I told you it's so risky." I added.

"Yes. Okay. But, what if they see through our plan? I mean, what if they chose not to bite our bait, probably because they think of another plan or since they know that it will take a lot of effort to make Ian and Theo speak? Like, as if these two will spill anything about the tetrahedron." Brian asks again.

"It's just a what if, alright? I don't mean anything bad. I just wanted to make sure we see every possibilities that might happen." He added. Nabalot naman kami ng nakakabinging katahimikan ng ilang saglit bago ito basagin ni Athena.

"I don't mean to intervene, but, I think they'll gonna bite your bait." Athena stated.

"How do you say so?" Tanong ni Brian.

"You only need to play something and make them prove about something in their minds." She said.

"Huh?" Tanong namin sakaniya.

"In simple words, you need to get in the game, Dahlia. You guys need to make them believe that Theo has a weakness. A very weakness that he sure can't refuse anything in order to protect it. A weakness which the enemies will most probably use to make Theo speak. And that weakness is you, Dahlia."

"Every man's weakness is woman. You could take advantage of the times where everyone saw you two are always together. It will gonna be easy to make them believe that you're his lover and he can risk everything just to protect you." She explained that made me speechless.

I don't know but my heart is beating so fast. But, feelings aside, I think it's a great idea. However, how about Ian?

"That's a great idea. But how about Ian?" Tanong ko, na sinagot din ni Owen. Napatingin naman ako kay Ian na nakatutok sakaniyang laptop.

"If General Diaz speaks, he'll definitely tell them about his father. Ian is quite weak and sensitive when it comes to his father." Owen stated.

"That's so risky." Sambit ni Stone.

"Yes, I know. It's just my opinion." I answered.

"But even if we do other way, eventually, we'll gonna come face-to-face to their mastermind, their King." Sabi naman ni Owen kaya ako tumango.

"Alright, then. All we should do now is utilized our cards." Wika ni Theo atsaka na binalik ang tingin sa daan. Bumalik na rin siya sa dati, tahimik. Pati ang sigarilyo niya ay naubos na.

"What the f**k is your plan? Don't expect us to read your mind." Ani ni Stone.

"She might synchronised into the way of your thinking, but not us, Theo. What's the plan?" Medyo may kadiinang tanong ni Stone sakaniya.

"We need more heads." Wala sa sariling sabi ni Theo.

"What?!" Halos iritang tanong ni Stone.

"I said we need more heads. We need more people. We need more resources. Because the government knows us all already. So we need people who they don't know yet." Wika niya habang diretso pa rin ang tingin sa daan.

"Alright. Consider it done. I have friends we can ask for assistance." Stone replied.

"We'll gonna go with Dahlia and Athena's opinion, for the most part. Because we need fresh perspectives." Theo said.

"I know that their mastermind or the advisor of the mastermind on the other side is General Diaz. I, of all people, is the one who knows how to figure out his plan and how his mind works well. And vice versa. So I needed new perspectives."

"The only difference we have is I am willing to accept fresh and different ways in order to win, while he, he doesn't let anyone alter his plan. His plan is all well and cautiously made."

"So what's his plan? What's his goal? Did you figured it all out?" Tanong ni Stone sakaniya ngunit hindi siya agad sumagot.

"Yes. But not yet." Theo uttered.

"What do you mean?" Stone asked.

"We both trying to figure out what's each of us are planning. He seems observing me for my next move."

"And to answer your question, yes, I figured out some of his plan. But I don't know yet his goal." Theo said to Stone.

I'm kinda thinking that General Diaz is using the Government for his own gain. It seems like he's manipulating the Government, and by this, he can gain control on the Government's assets, like the military.

He seemed to use the desire of the Government, that is to get the ETPs and the tetrahedron, and eventually gain control of the world as well as the aliens that are invading the Earth, in order to achieved whatever his goal is.

"Holy s**t!" Malakas na pagmura ni Ian kaya kami lahat nabigla sakaniya.

"s**t, s**t, s**t, s**t!" Mabilis at sunod-sunod niyang mura na animo'y natataranta.

"Captain. missile incoming!" Taranta niyang sabi kay Theo.

"What?!" Sabay na tanong ni Theo at Stone sakaniya. Agad naman kaming tumingin sa paligid ngunit wala kaming makitang kahit anong missile na papalapit.

"Inform the others." Mabilis na utos ni Theo kay Ian.

"Owen, let's exchange." Sabi niya naman kaya sila mabilis nagpalit ng pwesto. Agad siyang may pinagpipindot sa kabilang laptop ni Ian, samantalang si Ian ay may pinagpipindot din sa kaniyang laptop.

"Brian, drive." Utos ni Stone kay Brian.

"But your.... wounds." Halos pabulong kong sabi.

"My lady, may I?" Kalmadong tanong ni Brian kay Athena. Pagkatapos nilang magpalit ng pwesto ay may kinuha si Athena dito sa likuran ng inuupuan namin.

"What is that?" Tanong ko.

"A radio-something." She answered.

"s**t! I can't connect to them. Some shits are trying to destroy us." Ian stated.

"Here. It might probably help you with some way." Pagabot ni Athena kay Stone.

"Thank you." Ani ni Stone atsaka ito ikinabit sa mga laptops ni Ian.

"Yes! There's signal!" Ian exclaimed.

"It helped." Nakangiting sabi ni Stone kay Athena at tinukoy ang naging reaksyon ni Ian.

"Be slower." Wika ni Owen kay Brian. Naintindihan naman ito ni Brian kaya siya tumango.

Nang makapantay kami sakanila Dylan, binuksan agad ni Owen ang bintana at ganon din ang ginawa ni Dylan.

"There's a missile incoming. Warn Hans in the back." Aniya.

"Wait!" Mabilis na pagpigil ni Stone nang papabilisin na sana ni Brian ang sasakyan.

"We have chips in our necks. I think the enemies are using us to track us with their missile." Stone said.

"What do we do then?" Asked Brian.

"Target lock! We've been locked!" Sambit ni Ian.

"Electricity." I said.

"Good idea." Ani ni Stone saakin atsaka ngumiti ng maliit.

"Dylan! You go warn Mia." Malakas niyang sabi sa may bintana ni Owen kaya sila tumango atsaka na nauna.

"Let's go to Hans." Utos niya kay Brian kaya rin siya tumango. Nang makapantay kami sa sasakyan nila Hans ay binuksan nila ang kanilang mga bintana.

"What's happening, captain?" Tanong ni Philip.

"Let's exchange cars, now!" Malakas na sabi ni Stone nang mabuksan niya ang bintana malapit sakaniya.

"You guys all go here. Brian and I will go to your car!" He added.

Kahit medyo halata sa mukha nila ang kalituhan, sumunod pa rin sila. Binuksan namin ni Stone ang pinto ng sasakyan namin tulad nila Calum. Nakahawak si Stone sa sasakyan nila Hans at ganon din si Calum sa sasakyan namin. Ginagawa nila ito upang madiretso ang pagitan namin sa isa't-isa.

Naunang nagpunta dito si Tin at sumunod sila Philip at Antonio. Mabilis naman nagpalitan si Stone at Calum ng pwesto, mabilis din nilang binalik ang hawak sa sasakyan ng bawat isa.

Nakipag palitan si Owen kay Brian atsaka na rin nagpunta sa kabilang sasakyan. Pagkapunta niya doon ay narinig ko ang pagkuha niya ng manibela kay Hans. Nang nakapunta dito si Hans ay silang dalawa ni Stone at Brian na lang ang nasa sasakyan nila Hans kanina.

Agad kaming napayuko nang may biglang sumabog sa malapit sa tuktok namin. Kasunod ng pagpindot ni Theo sa laptop ni Ian ay ang pagsabog nanaman ng kung ano malapit saamin.

"Agent Mendoza, get back to your work before. I'll deal with the missiles." Ma-awtoridad na utos ni Theo kay Ian.

"Roger, Captain." Mabilis na tugon ni Ian.

Ibig sabihin ay mga missiles ang mga sumasabog.

Napayuko kami ulit nang may sumabog na dalawang magkasunod malapit saamin.

"Speed up." Sambit ni Hans kay Owen nang makaupo siya sa passenger seat. Nakita ko naman ang pagngiti ni Owen sakaniya. Bigla ko naman naalala na siraulo pa lang siyang magmaneho.

"Alright. Buckle up everyone! This will gonna be a thrilling ride." Owen stated.

"Oh, s**t!" Rinig kong wika ni Philip atsaka napahawak sa kung saan.

"You've got to be f*****g kidding me. Not you again." Rinig ko ring sambit ni Calum kahit na mahina ito atsaka rin humawak sa kung saan.

Pagtapak niya sa gas ay mabilis namin nalagpasan sila Stone, Dylan at Mia. Napakapit din ako sa kung saan dahil sa bilis niyang magmaneho.

"He's a lot crazier than they've said to me." Hindi makapaniwalang sabi ni Athena habang nakahawak rin.

"Shit." Malutong na mura ni Theo at mabilis na napatingin sa likuran namin.

Nakita ko naman sa likuran na pinaggitnahan nila Dylan at Mia ang sinasakyan nila Stone. Agad na kumabog ang dibdib ko nang makitang binuksan nila ang magkabilang pinto ng sasakyan nila Brian. Hinila nila papasok sa kani-kanilang sasakyan ang walang malay na Brian at Stone.

Did they electrecuted themselves using their car's engine that's why they're unconscious? Damn. The car is higher voltage than I thought it would be.

"s**t. Drive fast, damn it!" Madiing sabi ni Theo sa hangin habang nakatingin pa rin sa likuran.

Nagtaka naman ako kaya ko sinundan ang tinitignan niya. Sa likuran nila Mia ay ang papalapit na missile.

Mabilis siyang bumalik sa laptop niya atsaka mabilis na pumindot dito. Kung gaano kabilis ang pagpapatakbo ni Owen ng sasakyan ay ganon din kabilis ang daliri niya sa pagpindot sa laptop.

"Owen. I need you to do something very cruicial. I've put our car locked on the missile incoming. I need you to escape it." Kalmadong sabi ni Theo.

"What?!" Hindi makapaniwala at natarantang tanong ni Owen.

"Now! It's coming." Utos ni Theo.

"Argh, captain! You've got to be shittin' me." Reklamo niya.

"There are a lot lives here." Sambit niya matapos niyang mas pabilisin ang sasakyan.

"Yes, indeed. So better be cautious." Sabi ni Hans sakaniya.

"Oh, yeah? That helped a lot, vice captain. Thanks." Sarkastiko niyang sabi atsaka napairap. Napatawa naman ng bahagya si Hans dahil dito.

"Yes!" Malakas na sabi ni Ian atsaka napatawa kaya kami napalingon sakaniya. Mabilis naman siyang napasandal dahil sa bilis ng sasakyan.

"What the f... What's happening? What did I missed?" Nagtatakang tanong niya.

"Nothing. So, how's your work?" Pagiiba ni Theo.

"I've secured and locked our connection, so, nothing will ever bother it." Nakangiti niyang sabi. Tumango naman dito si Theo habang diretso pa rin sa pagpindot ng kung ano-ano sa laptop.

Magtatanong pa lang si Ian nang mabilis na pinaikot ni Owen ang sasakyan paikot dito sa mataas na gusali. Nakita naman namin ang mabilis na pagtama ng missle sa tuktok nito.

"Work done, captain." Owen said and leaves a deep sigh of relief.

"You could've just warned us on your sharper than my mother's knife curve." Pagdaing ni Philip habang nakahawak sakaniyang ulo.

"Damn. I think my ribs are broken." Wika rin ni Calum habang nakahawak sakaniyang tagiliran.

"Good job. You didn't killed us all." Sabi ni Hans sakaniya atsaka bahagyang natawa.

"I think I'm gonna puke." Sambit ni Tin. Mabilis binuksan nila Athena at Antonio ang pinto atsaka lumabas si Tin upang sumuka.

"What are you still doing, captain?" Tanong ni Ian kay Theo ngunit napatigil tulad namin.

Nakita namin ang maraming magkakasunod na missiles na dumaan sa tuktok namin papunta sa kung saan.

"Wh-what are those? What are those for?" Utal na tanong ni Ian.

"To make them taste their own medicine." Seryosong sagot ni Theo. Agad naman tumaas ang mga balahibo ko dahil dito.

"B-but, where did those came from? The missiles? That's a lot." Tanong ulit ni Ian.

"Russians?" Philip said with a questioning tone.

"Russians." Pagtango ng bahagya ni Theo bilang tugon.

"How?"

"It doesn't matter, Agent Mendoza."