Truly Madly Deeply Zombie [Completed]

Chapter 85 - Phillip

POV Herschel

Time: 10:10 AM (Tuesday)

After our lunch, I contacted Captain Hermoso and advised him of our arrival in Alexius Island. Sinalubong naman nila kami at pinapasok sa loob ng two-storey office building ng Alexius Island.

"Captain, we docked in Aquinas Island and we can't seem to find anyone there," panimula ko habang nasa visitor area kami kasama si Captain Hermoso.

Walang kahit sinong tao ang nandito sa Alexius Island. It seems kaming lima lang ang narito at ang officers na kasama ni Captain Hermoso.

"Aquinas Island has fallen. We abandoned it a few days ago as per General Regalado's command," malungkot na sabi niya sa akin.

Fallen? Aquinas Island symbolizes strength and is another term for fortress. This is a nightmare!

"Where's my dad? Hindi namin siya matawagan kahit si Stella. Even Herschel's father Hercules Rivera, we can't contact him," nag-aalalang tanong ni JC sa kanya.

"Hindi ko alam, but they are probably on board on one of our Cruiser ships. We received an emergency message from the general a few days to abandon Aquinas Island as soon as possible as it is no longer safe. All of our men and the remaining survivors are now using all of naval our fleets. Ako lang at ang tatlo kong tao ang andito sa Alexius Island. Another three officers are also in Albertus Island."

"Captain, we know that Aquinas Island is safe. Kung compromised ang isang floor, they can just easily lock it. Why did the general order to leave it?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Che, hindi ko din alam. Matagal na ako sa Aldridge Navy Team and Aquinas Island is our final sanctuary. Maraming mga theories about the emergency evacuation, pero no one dared to speak their mind. We trust General Regalado and if he thinks that leaving the island will save us from the walkers, we will follow him."

"What theories are you referring to?"

"Theories from younger cadets like a humongous zombie escaped from Floor 23. Parang conspiracy theories. Alam mo naman ang mga kabataan ngayon. Di maiiwasan ang mag-isip ng kung ano ano."

Habang nagpapart time job noon ako sa Aquinas Island, marami ako naririnig na theories about sa Floor 23. One weird theory is meron daw mga alagang mermaid ang military team ng Aquinas Island at nasa fish tanks daw ito sa loob ng Floor 23.

"How about you, captain? What do you think happened?" tanong ko kay Captain Hermoso dahil mukhang hindi siya satisfied sa mga nangyayari.

"I really don't know, Che. I am not in the position to question their order. I am just here to follow. Matagal ko na kilala si Jorge at may tiwala ako sa ama ni JC, pero tulad niyo, something is off and I can't explain it."

"Captain, we can contact all of your naval Cruiser ships to find him. We need to find my father!" nag-aalalang sabi ni JC.

"Honestly, no one knows where he is right now. He is coordinating only with the Navy Admiral and Airforce Marshal by phone alone. He is just also relaying his order to his Lieutenant General. Our main priority is the safety of the civilian and all of our soldiers. Jorge told us not to worry about him, but I never saw him during the evacuation."

By phone? This is weirder than I thought. The General should be visible at times like this...

"Our friend, Lieutenant Harold Greer is in Aquinas Island. Sigurado ako na andoon din si General Regalado. We need to go there!" sabi ni JC with confirmation.

I have a feeling that JC is right. Kahit nag utos si General Regalado ng mass evacuation, I think he is still staying in the island for a mysterious reason.

"I can hear you, son, but the island is deemed dangerous right now. I can't let you go to Aquinas Island. If you want to stay here, I will allow you to do so. But please, leave Aquinas Island for now until we have a better understanding of what is really happening in there. Che, you should speak to your mother. I already advised her na andito ka."

Bakas sa mukha ng matandang captain ang pag-aalala. I know Phillip, isa siya sa mga kaibigan ng father ko at ni General Regalado. He probably volunteered to stay here in Alexius Island hoping that the general would return.

Bumalik sa yacht si Sav, Kio, JC at Sienna. I stayed with Captain Hermoso to speak with him privately. There are things that he is not telling us. Matagal na kaibigan ng ama ko si Captain Hermoso. His son is also a good friend of mine sa RAD Team.

"Cap, nasaan ang daddy? You are one of his closest friends. You should know about his whereabouts. Do you think he is with the general?" tanong ko kay Captain Hermoso habang naglalakad kami sa dalampasigan ng Alexius Island.

"Hindi ko rin alam, Che. Your mother boarded a huge naval aircraft carrier ship, together with the Research and Development Team pero hindi kasama si Hercules. May pakiramdam ako na magkasama sila ngayon ni Jorge. Tama si JC, they are still in Aquinas Island."

"Probably in Floor 23?"

"I am afraid, yes. I can't discuss this sa harap ni JC dahil alam ko na pipilitin niya bumalik sa Aquinas Island. Lieutenant Harold Greer is probably with them. He is finest IT Tech in the army and the general trusts that kid."

"How about Stella?"

"She's nowhere to be found. Malamang kasama ni Jorge."

"Cap, I don't mean to pry, but is she---"

"Yes, Che. Your parents introduced Stella to the general few years after mamatay ng mommy ni JC. Kahit malayo ang agwat ng edad nila, Stella fell in love with Jorge and the rest is history. Walang nakakaalam ng relasyon nila kundi kami ni Hercules at ng mommy mo. I can assure you, Stella is good officer. She is professional and will put the general on her priority list."

"Why do you think they are in Floor 23?"

"Che, I am afraid that they are being held as prisoners or hostages."

"Captain, is that for real? Who is the person intelligent enough to outsmart my father and General Regalado?"

"The one who started this chaos... Doctor RE..."