Code 365 Project Memory

Datum 21 : Midnight Appointment

Napabalikwas ako ng aking tingin nang mapansin ang pink hologram floor map ng kinaroroonan naming building.

I found myself staring on it as I gave a single tap on the said hologram. Agad nitong idinisplay ang bird's eye view ng buong hospital.

Lights of the hologram reflected through my eyes. Hindi ko parin magawang isipin na with a single blink of an eye ay magagawang muling maalala ni kuya Von ang eksaktong kinaroroonan ng mga buildings sa prison settlement na aming pinanggalingan.

We've never been there before. Maliban nalang kung—

"Hey."

Napatigil ang aking malalim na pagiisip nang makarinig ako ng isang pamilyar na boses mula saaking tabi. Nanlaki ang aking mga mata saaking nakita.

"Gabing gabi na. Mukhang hindi ka makatulog, Ielvy."

I just stood there frozen at agad na napako ang aking tingin kay Howard mula saaking gawing tabi. Hawak hawak niya mula sakanyang magkabilang kamay ang dalawang paper cups na naglalaman ng kape.

"Care for some Coffee?"

Stella's Point Of View

"A mission?"

Kumawala ang matinding gulat nang marinig ko ang rason sa kung bakit niya ako pinatawag sa kalaliman ng gabi.

She then took a sip on her coffee mug as she let the steam run through her face. Agad siyang napatingin saakin kalakip ng kanyang seryosong mukha.

"Yes. And I'm sure you are quite aware regarding the latest incident that happened over Great Britain if I am not mistaken."

Mariin niyang inilapag ang kanyang mug at komportableng napaupo sa sofa. Hindi ko maiwasang kabahan sa kanyang mga susunod na sasabihin.

"Do you fully understand what could possibly happen if may mangyaring masama sa sunod na hari ng Britanya, Stella?"

Napayuko ako ng aking tingin saaking hawak na baso. At this moment, unti unti nang lumilinaw ang lahat saakin.

Kasama ng aking pagbalik, isang panibagong responsibilidad ang muling ipapataw saaking mga balikat.

Hindi parin nagbabago ang EAF. Like vultures on the dead desert, they will take advantage on whatsoever they might come across their ways.

This time, pleading help on us for the retrieval of their lost successor. Kung sa bagay, Hindi ko rin naman sila magawang sisihin as Xavierheld plays a major role on the Union Treaty.

"Yes. I'm indeed aware of it, Admiral." Tipid kong sagot. Panandalian siyang napapikit as she leaned through and reached for her mug.

"The EAF needs our help Stella. They had conducted a massive search forces for the safe retrieval of the heir, but still, it's not enough. Hindi isang ordinaryong grupo ang dumakip sa nasabing sunod na hari. That's why, they needed our intelligence."

She then paused and laid her pleading eyes on me.

"And you, are only one capable of handling this mission."

Napahigpit ako ng aking hawak sa mug nang marinig ko ang kanyang pahayag. Hindi nga ako ng kamali saaking inakala.

A sudden midnight appointment for a planned mission. How ironic.

"But, being reunited again towards Xavierheld Military's arms, doesn't mean that you have to deal with it alone. Hindi ka magiging mag isa sa misyon na ito, Stella. I won't let you do that. Camaraderie is a thing here, and I know you are fully aware of it."