c h a p t e r 8

VANCE.

"BE ONE of the Gorgons, and these lame people could live."

Ryde couldn't able to react upon hearing Verity's irrational condition. Colt was flabbergasted behind him. Her brows narrowed and she slowly glanced at my gaze, as she gave me a puzzled look. She's maybe wondering who's the woman in front of us.

I shrugged my shoulders. I'm not in the right position to tell someone else's story.

But this woman. Verity.

I knew it from our first encounter. Her past relationship with Ryde was never a worthy alibi to help us. She did that for her own motive.

I stepped forward and break the silence that is quite swallowing us. "This is your main plan all along, Verity?" I asked her, provocatively.

Ryde, on my left side, didn't intervene. He stayed silent, but as I had a glimpse of his gaze, I can see in his eyes that he's contemplating our situation. That was the same exact look he plastered on his face, the last time we got in trouble at Dezvouz Town.

Verity didn't answer my question. She diverted her attention and put some stuff on her black jeans' pockets. She somehow ignored my presence. Pretending she never heard what I said.

"Wow, you also got an attitude?" I scoffed and slowly nod my head. "Bakit? May referral bonus ka bang makukuha kapag ni-recruit mo si Ryde?" I rhetorically asked her.

I felt someone's hand on my right shoulder. I immediately stepped back when I saw Ryde behind me.

"Let me talk to her," He mumbled.

"What are you really up to, Locke?" Ryde cornered Verity as he pinned his hand against the wall. Napatingala si Verity sa mukha ni Ryde at ngumisi.

Hindi nagawang makasagot ni Verity dahil biglang nagsalita si Colt malapit sa pintuan.

"Sandali lang, Ryde," saad niya at humakbang papalapit. "Who is she?" walang prenong tanong niya.

Agad na napalingon si Ryde sa gawi ni Colt at mariing pumikit.

"Your team is quite problematic, Harrison," Verity said and smirked.

"Shut your mouth, you red-headed freak!" Colt retorted as she pointed at her.

I flinched to what I heard. Colt is fuming mad, her veins can be visibly seen from her neck. 

Inalis ni Ryde ang pakakapatong ng kamay niya sa dingding at umayos nang tayo saka kami hinarap.

"I need to talk to her," Ryde said, firmly.

"Why, Ryde? We barely know her, yet, you trust her that much?" She retorted back and glared at him.

Sang-ayon ako sa kanya. Walang rason si Ryde para pagkatiwalaan pa si Verity. Her real color was exposed.

"Alright," he uttered as he fixated his gaze at Colt. He pressed his lips hardly and took a deep breath. "Verity and I used to work together," he continued.

"They're ex-lovers," I added to his statement.

Sabay silang napagawi sa kinatatayuan ko. Ryde cleared his throat and turned back to Colt's direction. I never heard Colt sighing that deep before.

A voice interrupted us. "Decide now, Harrison,"

Ryde looked upon where the voice came from. "I don't think I can do that."

The woman frowned and slowly blinked her eyes. "Why?" she stepped forward towards Ryde.

"Because we're on a mission, Verity."

What? He's going to expose our mission? Hindi 'yon pwedeng mangyari! Disclosing that classified information to her could put us at stake. Hindi ako papayag na mapupunta lang sa wala ang lahat ng sakit sa katawan na napala ko sa misyon na 'to!

I intervened. "Hey, Ryde! Why are you telling her that?" my eyes squinted as I raised my voice.

Ryde abruptly replied, "We need to trust her."

Agad kong iniwas ang tingin at namaywang. Anong kahibangan 'to? Magtitiwala kami sa babaeng 'yan? She clearly said we're lame. How can I trust someone who just degraded me?

Colt gestured her right wrist hitting her right temple as she tilted her head sideways. "Nabingi na yata ako sa pagkakalublob sa 'kin sa tubig," she said, sarcastically.

"She could help us. . ." His eyes pleaded.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine," I scowled.

I don't think this is a good idea. Dealing with Verity is not easy as what I thought. Her tactics are different. I hope Ryde can outsmart that woman.

Colt and I have no choice but to step back to give them the right space to talk. Hindi kami gaanong lumayo sa pwesto nila. Tamang naririnig lang namin mula sa pwesto namin ni Colt ang pag-uusap ng dalawa.

Ryde approached her spot. "I'm working under Commander Atalia," he began his narrative.

Verity listened to him keenly, as she crossed her arms against her chest. She slightly tilt her head to her left side.

"We're tasked to retrieve the prisoners who has been escaped from National Prison Camp," Ryde added.

"Oh, those idiots?" Verity queried.

I see how Ryde flinched upon learning that Verity knows what we're up to. She's a terrible actress. Ang galing magpanggap na walang alam. Nakakainis.

"Some of them became part of the Gorgons." she leaned her face closer to Ryde. "But most of those prisoners ended up becoming lots for the auction house," she said.

Nagkapalitan kami ng tingin ni Colt sa narinig. Akmang tatayo na sana ako para pigilan si Ryde sa pakikipag-usap sa babaeng kaharap niya nang biglang tumunog ang earpice ko.

"Illicit Task Force, where are you at?" I heard Jake from the other line. Naririnig ko rin ang sunod-sunod niyang paghinga na tila hinihingal siya.

Agad kong ni-press ang earpiece para masagot siya. "This is Nine-two-five, we have a situation. Verity is blocking our way," I reported.

"Wait, what? Akala ko ba kakampi natin siya dahil kay Harrison?" naguguluhang niyang tanong pabalik.

"Well, she's more than a disappointment, Jake. Tinulongan niya tayong makatakas kasi gusto niyang isali si Ryde na maging isa sa Gorgons," paliwanag ko at agad kong narinig ang malutong na tawa ni Jake.

Bakit siya natatawa?

"Iba talaga kapag matinik sa chicks, hinahabol," saad niya.

Hindi ko na naiwasang mapailing. "Magpa-seminar tayo kay Ryde--"

"Jake, this is serious. He disclosed our mission to Verity!" I cut him off.

Wala na akong panahon makipagsabayan sa kalokohan nito ni Jake. Any minute by now, Ryde might join her.

"Darn you, Harrison," he muttered as he clicked his tongue. "Fine, we'll stay here for the meantime." he paused. "Jade's still unconscious at my back. Report to me if something happens. Roger that, Vance?"

"Copy that, Jake," I replied.

As soon as Jake's voice vanished from my earpiece, I looked at Ryde and Verity's direction.

Hindi na ako nakapagpigil kaya lumapit na ako sa gawi nila. Sumunod naman si Colt na kanina pa tahimik. Napukaw ang atensyon naming dalawa nang makita naming parang nag-aaway na sila. Pareho nang nagtataasan ang tono ng mga boses nila.

"I will never accept your offer!" Ryde said, vehemently.

"After risking my life, just to make you safe?" the woman exclaimed as she fought his threatening glares.

Tinalikuran siya ni Ryde. Para akong nanonood nang away mag-asawa.

Sumandal na rin si Colt sa hamba ng pintuan. Ilang metro lang naman ang layo sa 'min nila Ryde, kaya malaya kaming panoorin sila. Ihinilig ko na rin ang katawan ko sa kabilang bahagi ng pintuan. Magkatapat na kami ngayon ni Colt.

"It doesn't work that way, Verity." Ryde faced her again. "You can't use me again. . . this time."

Again? What does it mean? Mukhang matindi ang rason kung bakit sila naghiwalay. May gamitan pa lang nangyari.

Hindi ko inaasahang makita mula sa peripheral vision ko ang paghikab ni Colt. "Away na 'yan? Pang-kindergarten ang level," walang gana niyang komento.

Gusto kong tumawa sa sinabi niya, pero pinigilan ko ang sarili ko kahit na mapangiti. Baka isipin ng babaeng 'yan, naaaliw ako sa kanya.

Nabalik ang atensyon ko sa dalawa nang muli kong marinig si Ryde na magsalita. Pero this time, hindi ako makapaniwala sa sinabi niya.

"Truth be told, I lied. . ." he said as he looked down at the ground.

"W-what do you mean?" Verity asked him, her breaking voice is evident.

Ryde looked back at her gaze. "Everything that I told you was fraud. Loving you is the last thing you could expect from me--"

Ryde received a pretty hard slap on his face.

I want to interfere. Damn it. We've wasting our time! Maaaring magising ang mga lalaking sumalubong sa 'min kanina ano mang oras!

Akmang hahakbang na ako nang biglang may humila sa laylayan ng suot kong jacket.

Napalingon ako kay Colt at agad na bumaba ang tingin ko sa kamay niya. She pinched the part of my cloth to stop me.

"What are you doing?" I asked her as I rose my left brow.

She removed her finger off my cloth and fixed her posture. She cleared her throat. Without looking at my eyes, she said, "Let him provoke her."

I had no choice but follow her pointless suggestion. Nag-iingay na 'yong dalawa, pero nakatanga lang kami rito?

Nang mabalik ang gawi ako sa pwesto ng dalawa, halos malaglag ang panga ko sa nakita.

Their proximity is like an inevitable magnet that is about to meet. Ryde start cupping her face. As he tilted his head, he slowly leaned forward to inch the gap between them.

You gotta be kidding me, Ryde! This is terribly insane! May panahon ka pang gawin 'yan? Si Verity naman, dahan-dahang pumikit at hinintay na lumapat ang labi ni Ryde.

Pero hindi ko inaasahan ang paghinto ni Ryde sa tangkang paglapit kay Verity. Imbis na halik ang ibigay sa kaharap, buong pwersa niya itong sinikmuraan gamit ang kanang kamao.

What the actual fuck?

I thought. . . he's about to kiss her?

Colt and I hurriedly come towards them. Verity curled up on the ground.

"Screw y-you! Asshole!" she moaned and start to squeeze her body even more.

"Ryde, are you nuts?" I asked him but he ignored me.

Mabilis siyang kumilos para kunin ang nylon cable ties sa loob ng sling bag na suot niya. Sinumulan niyang talian ang mga kamay ni Verity sa likod nito.

"Ayan ang napapala ng hindi maka-move on sa ex," komento ni Colt sa gilid ko at sunod-sunod na umiling.

Pambihira, akala mo hindi kapwa babae ang nasaktan. Hindi nakasagot si Verity sa pang-iinsulto ng katabi ko. Napuruhan yata ni Ryde.

Banas ako kay Verity, pero ayoko sanang umabot sa ganito na magkakasakitan sila ni Ryde. Not on her defence, but she's still a woman. Iba ang bigat ng kamay ng lalaki kapag tumama sa kalamnan ng babae, sigurado ako masakit 'yon.

Nang matapos nang matalian ni Ryde si Verity, agad siyang tumayo at ibinalik sa bag ang natirang nylon cable ties na ginamit. Inayos niya ang pwesto ni Verity na hanggang ngayon ay nanghihina pa rin. Pinaupo niya ito at isinandal sa pader.

"This is why you can't work with me," Ryde said as he fixated his eyes at her, "You're letting your emotions to rule within you." Ryde touched her chin, "For the last eight years we had, I can ably spot your weakness Verity. . ." he leaned closer to her left ear. "And that's me," he whispered, confidently.

Hindi na nagawang sumagot pa ni Verity dahil agad na tinakpan ni Ryde ang bibig niya ng masking tape.

Agad akong luminga sa paligid dahil marami na kaming naubos na oras. Mabuti na lang at hindi pa bumabalik ang malay ng mga lalaking nakuryente sa strap tasers ni Verity.

Nang umayos nang tayo si Ryde ay agad namang tumunog ang suot niyang smart watch. Teka, si Atalia na ba 'yan?

Matapos pindutin ni Ryde ang screen ng relo niya ay narinig namin ang boses ni Commander Atalia. "Illicit Task Force, use the west route. Your service is waiting you there."

Ayon lang ang narinig namin at hindi na nasundan pa. Tahimik kaming naghintay ni Colt sa desisyon ni Ryde kung susundin pa namin ang utos ni Atalia. Pinagtaluhan na nila Jake ito. Baka magkagulo ulit sila.

Tiningnan kami ni Ryde saka humawak sa suot niyang earpiece.

"Seven-o-seven, change of plans. Let's assemble to the west route," Ryde commanded him.

Agad ko namang narinig mula sa earpiece ko ang boses ni Jake. "Harrison, hindi nga p'wede-"

"With the help of Atalia, everything is possible Jake," he affirmed.

I heard Jake scoffed from the other line. "Ay, may pakialam pa pala sa 'tin 'yong manggagamit na 'yon?"

"Jake your language," he warned him.

"I'm not taking it back. Seven-o-seven and Seven-o-six, heading now to the west route." with that, Jake lost from the line.

Wala na kaming sinayang na oras at agad na kumilos papunta sa dapat naming tagpuan.

Pilit na pinatayo ni Ryde si Verity at pinalakad habang mariing hawak sa braso. Iika-ika namang naglakad si Verity.

"Ryde, I'm really impressed how you distracted her awhile ago, but you're obviously harassing her right now. I don't think you could go that far," I said as I walked beside them.

"Don't worry about her, she's brutally trained and she can bear a pain more than what you thought," he casually answered.

Oh, damn! I almost forgot. They both worked as assassins. Well, then, good for her. I guess?

⚜⚜⚜

WE FINALLY reached the west route. As soon as the Illicit Task Force united, I can't help but let out a deep relieving sigh.

Finally, we're complete.

Nakabalik na rin ang malay ni Jade. Agad siyang nilapitan ni Colt. Suot-suot pa rin niya ng hospital gown at halos mamuti pa lalo dahil sa pamumutla.

"You okay, Jade?" Colt asked her.

Hindi pa siguro tuluyang nakakabalik ang lakas niya. Tanging pagtango lang ang naitugon niya kay Colt.

Bumungad naman sa amin ang malaking pinto na binubuksan gamit ang tila manibela na may thread. Hugis bilog ang daanan at gawa sa makapal na bakal.

Kinakailangan naming magtulong nina Ryde para buong pwersang buksan iyon. Nang matapos naming mabuksan ay hindi ko maiwasang mapapikit dahil sa nakakasilaw na liwanag na sumalubong sa 'min.

Isa-isa kaming pumasok sa loob ng service na sinabi sa 'min ni Commander Atalia. Ryde dragged Verity inside.

This service looks like a submarine, but way more high technology. Hindi ko masabing submarine nga talaga ang ipinadala ni Atalia. Maliwanag kasi rito sa loob. May malawak na desk para sa navigation. Pero walang nag-o-operate. Auto navigated ba 'to?

Narinig ko ang mabigat na pagsara ng pinto palabas nang hilain pababa ni Ryde ang pabilog na pintuan na kahawig ng binuksan namin kanina.

Nagawi ang tingin ko sa loob at hindi ko maiwasan na mapaawang ang aking labi. May dalawang double deck sa dulo sa magkabilaang gilid.

Napukaw ang atensyon ko nang bigla kong narinig ang boses ni Atalia.

Sa taas ng navigation desk, lumitaw sa screen si Commander at nagsimulang magpaliwanag sa 'min.

Masasabi kong nag-auto navigate na ang service dahil halos mawalan ako ng balanse sa pagkakatayo nang maramdaman ko ang pag-andar ng sinasakyan namin.

"This is pre-recorded video," panimula ni Commander Atalia. As usual she's wearing her coat. "Your next move will be crucial but you have to do it whatever it takes," pagpapatuloy niya.

Nagsimula akong maglakad sa loob at nilapag ko sa isa sa mga higaan ang dala kong bag.

Habang nakikinig kay Atalia na nagpapaliwag sa harap, nahagip ng mata ko ang fridge sa kanto ng double deck.

Huling kain namin nina Ryde, no'ng sa hotel pa. Agad kong binuksan iyon. Damn! Ang daming pagkain! Kailangan na kailangan namin 'to.

Agad akong kumuha ng dalawang bote ng tubig at inabot ang isa kay Colt na nakaupo sa babang gawi ng double deck. Nabigla ako sa ginawa ko pero hindi ko naman na pwedeng bawiin.

Tinanggap naman niya agad at tipid na sumagot ng, "Salamat."

Vance, ano bang ginagawa mo? You're creeping the shit out of me. That's not your usual approach to her. The heck is happening to you?

Mabilis akong lumayo kay Colt at muli nang nakinig kay Atalia. Ni-pause pala ni Ryde ang pre-recorded video dahil nag-ayos pa siya ng sarili.

Muling ni-play ni Ryde nang makapag-ayos siya.

"I want to commend your Illicit Commander for keeping his responsibility among his team," Atalia said, she paused for about seconds, then she continued, "Now that you hold the key to find the person behind Vipers, I believe you will accomplish your mission in no time."

"Teka, paano niya nalaman ang tungkol sa Vipers?" imik ni Jake habang kumakain ng mansanas sa tabi ni Jade.

Kumuha na rin pala siya ng pagkain mula sa fridge.

"Her whole team can probably hear our conversation from here," Jade answered her twin.

"Ano? Wala tayong privacy?" iritableng reklamo ni Jake at kumagat sa hawak na prutas.

"They injected a micro chip on us, remember?" Colt joined their conversation as she munched her own food.

Napailing na lang si Jake at muling tumuon sa harap. At gano'n na lang ang pagsinghap ko matapos marinig ang mga sumunod na sinabi ni Atalia.

"To Verity Locke, your cooperation is highly appreciated."

Lahat kami ay napalingon sa pwesto ni Verity. Sa lapag siya nakaupo at matalim kaming tiningnan pabalik.

"Prisoner Double-o-two, if the subject decline to expose her knowledge prior to the Vipers, you know the right thing to do." Atalia paused. "You've done it countless time as your job. There's no difference of doing that, this time."