π 𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 || 𝙼𝚆𝙸𝙸 𝚡 𝙼𝙰𝙻𝙴!𝙵𝙸𝙻𝙸𝙿𝙸𝙽𝙾 𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙳𝙴𝚁

•|| CHAPTER TWO - LIMBAS-1 ||•

09/22/20XX
17:30
[REDACTED], Philippines
[Last/Name] "Limbas-2" [REDACTED]

The mission went successfully.

After Limbas-2's careful overwatch, his team— without casualties except the six enemies they eliminated together— were able to gather atleast a fraction of their intended amount of information, but it was still significant nonetheless.

Now, Limbas-2 sat across his leader, Limbas-1, the General of his squad.

"Another great mission thanks to you, Limbas-2." He congratulated firstly, before standing up. "Arturo would be very proud."

Limbas-2 nods. He was calm, just like always. It was not the first time he's heard that praise.

"Ang ginagawa ko ay hindi lamang para sa aking ama, Heneral," Limbas-2 looks up once more, "..it's to make sure our children grow in a safer place."
("The things I do are not only for my father's approval, General.")

"Alam ko." The General smiled as he went around the table to pat [Last/Name]'s back. The man stays silent for a moment before he speaks once more.
("I know.")

"A task force in America needs your help."

Limbas-2 raises an eyebrow. Sure, it wasn't the first time another country asked for their help and he was sent to represent, but never specifically his help.

"Ako?"
("Me?")

The General simply nods.

Limbas-2 blinks, before sighing. "Okay sir. I'll start packing right away." He nodded, trying to stand up but the General keeps him sitting down, a sign that he wasn't done talking.

"Para sa iyong mga anak, wag kang mamatay sa labas ng pinas, dahil hindi namin makukuha ang iyong bangkay."
("For your children's sake, don't die outside of the Philippines, we won't be able to retrieve your corpse.")

Limbas-2 chuckles lowly, eyes glinting with amusement. "Kailan ba kita binigo, General?"
("When have I ever let you down, General?")

General Martinez grins, taking his hand off Limbas-2's shoulder. "Hindi kailanman."
("Never.")

Limbas-2 returns his smile with one of his own as he stood up.

"A helicopter is arriving here at approximately oh-six-hundred tomorrow. So be on standby there at oh-five-thirty. The landing zone is on the main building." The general informs, facing Limbas-2. "Your rides gonna take three hours."

"Copy sir." Limbas-2 nods as he salutes his general, who salutes him right back.

Then, their arms drop to their sides, as well as their professional faces. Their eyes now glinting with familiarity and fondness instead of professionalism.

Usually a sign that their conversation from here on out wasn't going to be an order, nor a debrief. Just a casual human-to-human interaction. Their ranks didn't matter at this point forward.

"Tandaan mo ang sinabi ko sa iyo noong bagong rekrut ka pa lang." Martinez reminds, gently punching [Last/Name]'s shoulder. "Huwag kailanman magduda sa iyong sarili, kundi, hindi mo maaabot ang iyong layunin."

("Remember what i told you when you were only a fresh recruit." "Never doubt yourself, or else you will never reach your goal.")

[Last/Name] grins, gently nudging Martinez. "Wag kang mag-alala boss. Nakaukit sa utak ko ang bawat salita mo." He said, tapping his head.
("Don't worry boss. Every word you say are engraved in my brain.")

"I thought you didn't have a brain?" Martinez teased, tilting his head.

[Last/Name] mocked offense. "Aray." ("Ouch.") He huffed dramatically. "I'm gonna pack." He playfully grumbled and rolled his eyes as he opened the door, but paused when Martinez called his first name.

"Ingat ka doon, anak." Martinez smiled, his hardened gaze softened.
("Be careful out there, son.")

Limbas-2 chuckles. Maybe the general should learn to take his own advice.

"Ako pa."
("It's me we're talking about.")

Martinez simply laughs, waving his hand dismissively at [Last/Name] so he can atleast rest before his ride.

==

Chapter finished: 10/10/2025 02:45
Chapter published: 10/12/2025 00:10

A/N: my notes app is tweaking so I have to directly write the chapters here. I'm worried it'll suddenly disappear or something cause it has happened before 😭😭

P.S: To my Filipino readers, specifically the ones in Davao Oriental, I hope you guys are doing okay because we are getting hit with back to back earthquakes 💔

Remember to stay calm even if everyone starts panicking, do not lose yourself in the moment, and if possible, contact emergency and stay away from power poles, transformers, and buildings that can possibly collapse. Stay safe friends 🙏

[751 words.]