Code 365 Project Memory

Datum 21 : Midnight Appointment

Napangiti ang dalagang admiral sakanyang pahayag. Napatingin ako ng seryoso as I waited for her expanded and emphasized statements.

"With this mission I'm about to hand over, I will let detainee Von Devi to accompany you, Stella." She said na lubos na nagpagulat sakin at muntik ko nang mabitawan ang aking hawak na mainit na kape.

"Vo..Von.. Von Devi?!!! You mean... Si Vaughn?!" I exclaimed at agad na kusang tinakpan ng aking kamay ang aking nanginginig na bibig.

Tama ba ang aking narinig?

"Yes Stella, you heard it right. Von Devi or should I say, Vaughn Meinhardt will be your partner on this mission. The both of you will part of the Xavierheld Intelligence na ipapadala sa Earth."

Confusion started to cloud my mind. Hindi ko lubos na maintindihan ang kanyang mga pinagsasabi sakin. Me and this guy on a dangerous mission? But how come? How come—

"I know na lubos mong ikinagulat ang aking statement Stella. But first, bago kumawala ang pagdududa saiyong bibig, ay maagap na ipaliwanang ko sayo ang mga dahilan. First of all, alam naman natin ang situwasyon na kinalalagyan ni Vaughn ngayon, Stella."

She paused momentarily as he took another sip on her mug.

"He is indeed soaked on boiling water. Sangkot siya at ang kanyang dalawa pang kasamahan sa iilang mga seryosong krimen bago pa siya muling makatungtong dito. He was also involved sa incident sa prison settlement a couple of weeks ago. The incident had brought multiple charges against them na nagkapatong-patong na leaving me no choice but to make a very hard decision."

"The officials, after the said incident, had let me decide the final disposition for the three of them since galing din sila saamin and the case itself was only a localized incident. Luckily only few officials had seen the identity of the three detainees."

"You see, Stella, after the war, lahat ng mga personnel and officials ng Mor's Prison Settlement, as well as the Xavierheld Military ay napalitan and na reshuffle. Only few including us remained. Kaya kung iisipin mo ng maigi, bale wala lang sakanila nang makita nila si Vaughn. Not a single reaction was seen on them. This is because they aren't familiar with Captain Vaughn Meinhardt's appearance. Which I consider a main advantage for us."

"A general meeting among us and the officials from the Mor's Prison Settlement was conducted, and I had given the decision that the three of them shall be sent again patungong Galactic Prisons. "

She then paused and anxiously looked on her mug. Nakaramdam ako ng kakaibang alanganin sakanyang biglaang ikinilos.

She's the admiral of the Xavierheld Military, but how come nakakakita ako ng bakas ng kaba sakanyang mukha?

"The officials then believed and were convinced that the three of them will be sent there within 2 days, where in fact it was not done upon my orders." She confessed leaving me staring at her blankly.

"But—"

"This is why I want you to listen and accept my dangerous decision for you Stella. Since most of our men and officials are new, and aren't familiar of Vaughn, I will secretly enlist Von Devi on my lair."

Natigilan ako saaking narinig mula sakanya. To enlist a fugitive on the Xavierheld Military? But Haven't Admiral Maris had gone too far for this? To the point na ilalagay niya sa piligro ang kanyang sarili at ang kanyang position?

"Vaughn shall not stay here on Xavierheld Military Base for a long period of time as it can be dangerous for me and for him. Once they will find out, my position will be at stake, and Vaughn shall be executed immediately."

Nagulantang ako saaking mga narinig. Ganito ba ka desidido ang admiral upang maibalik si Vaughn? This is way too perilous.

"365 days. That's the only time allotted for this mission Stella. Restore back Vaughn's Memory within 365 days or less. If you will fail, The Xavierheld Military will not have any choice but to silence him for good."

Umugong ang isang kakaiba at panandaliang katahimiakang bumalot saaming dalawa. Hindi parin natitinag ang tingin ang dalagang admiral saakin.

Napaka delikado ng kanyang pasya kung tutuusin. Napaka delikado para sa isang makapangyarihang admiral na hawak ang buong military sector.

She's that powerful enough that it's the first time that a high official will enlist a convicted person inside the military.

The odds can be controlled through her hands just for the sake of few individuals.

Saan ba nakuha ni Admiral Maris ang kanyang katapangan?

"If you are worried about the leakage of this deal and mission, I must assure that you don't have to, Stella. Reports regarding the three of them still remain in the hands of Howard and Melrey, thus making it possible for me to retrieve and white wash information regarding Vaughn and his companions. I myself will silence him if this deal leaks out Stella."

Nagsisimula nang manlamig ang aking mga kamay saaking mga narining mula sa kanya. Admiral is damn serious about this matter.

"Natatakot din ako Stella." She then said as she gently held my hands. Ramdam ko ang lamig ng kanyang mga dating confident na mga kamay. I looked through her eyes.

"Why are you doing this, Admiral?" hindi ko na nagawa pang mapigilan ang aking pagtatanong.

"I'm doing this not only for you, but for the betterment of Xavierheld." Matipid niyang sagot.

Napatigingala ako sakanya. Hindi ko akalaing magagawang gamitin ni Admiral Maris ang kanyang kapangyarihan sa ganitong paraan.

Hindi ko masasabi kung nasa panig ba ng isang malaking kamalian ang kanyang naging pasya o nasa tugatog ng kabutihan.

Sa ngayon nalilito akong lubos. But still, at the end of the day, ginampanan parin niya ang pagiging ina ng Xavierheld Military, bagay na lubos kong hinahangaan sakanya.

If Vaughn's memory will be fully restored, it will be an advantage for the Xavierheld Military as the late top pilot will return back.

Hindi natin masasabi kung hanggang saan ang katahimikang natatamasa ng Earth at Xavierheld. Anything could happen, especially sa mga oras na ito na nawawala ang isa sa mga haligi ng EAF.

Bawat minutong nasasayang ay katumbas ang unti unting pagpudpod ng kapangyarihan ng EAF. Bagay na lubos na makakaapketo sa Xavierheld.

It's time. Ito na ang tamang oras. ito na ang aking pagkakataon.

Pagkakataong muling ibalik ang kanyang alaala at ang nasira naming pagkakataon, at the same time, panatilihin ang katahimikan sa EAF at Xavierheld.

May the odds be in our favor. Bahala na.

Kusa akong humarap sa dalagang admiral. With my hands, I held her hands tightly as I gazed seriously yet determined through her eyes.

"Count me in, Admiral."

*** To be Continued

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VAUGHN'S PREVIEW SCENE

Huh?! What on Earth?! Seriously? Why would you have to do this to us? Bakit kailangan nyo pa akong ilayo sakanila?

They are still minors. They need me for I am their brother!

Next on Code 365 Project Memory : Datum 22: Forced Enlistment

"Stella? You mean that flat chested brunette with emerald eyes? You got to be kidding me!"

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