Chapter 1: Briefing
Sancha Torralba
I punched the bag using my full force. I sighed, and continue doing shadow boxing. I was alone in this old gym, freely exposing all my frustrations. Hindi ko inalintana ang pawis na patuloy lumalabas sa katawan ko. I need this. I fucking need this.
How long have I been in this job? Hindi ko na maalala. Ilang taon na ang lumipas pero hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako makakuha ng magandang case. Bobo ba talaga ako? But I fucking aced the exams and trainings, only to be caged in an office? I can't believe this!
I should have joined arm forces instead. At least I get to experience real fights. Naka ilang tours na sana ako ngayon? I never expect I would be stuck on this motherfucking desk job. I specialize in counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence but they put me in to be a fucking analyst.
Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Henry. Isa sa ka-trabaho ko. He is a total nerd. All of them are. Except for me. I wasn't made for this bullshit. He's an alumni of University of Cambridge. Some also came from MIT, Stanford, all just to have a decent desk job.
"The boss wants to see you,"
I removed my gloves and throw it somewhere. Nag shower muna ako bago nag bihis ng office uniform. Pag balik ko sa office, ganon pa rin ang routine. Lahat nakatutok sa computer at pinagaaralan ang reports na natatanggap nila mula sa agents nila. Dumiretso na agad ako sa office ng boss para alamin ang pakay niya.
I remember how I used to murder him on my head during my first months of working here. Wala siyang ibang pinagawa noon sa akin kundi maging utusan niya lang.
"Good morning, sir. Ah, you asked for me?"
He nodded. His old english face looked extremely worn out. I understand though. There are lots of sensitive case and he's been dealing with all of that for the past decades. He's on senior years, about to retire soon.
He handed me a blue folder. The emblem of ours are printed on the middle. Secret Intelligence Service or what everybody calls—the MI6. My ass.
When I saw the front page, my nerves tremble immediately. It was a mix of confusion and excitement. I mean, is this gonna be it finally? Ayoko umasa. Baka nanghihingi lang ng advise 'to.
I read the whole pages. I saw names, reported cases, black and white pictures. This is a report from one of our agents. Mayroon na rin signature ng analyst sa last page. Ibig sabihin, nasuri na ang mga 'to.
"Based on report, this has been analyzed by our specialists. Do you want my second opinion, sir?"
He scoffed. "Don't mock me Torralba. That's above your pay-grade. You know what that is."
Right. I know this. Ayoko lang mag assume? Confidential files like this can't exist on my level's naked eyes. I don't have the clearance to read confidential files.
"You have been in this agency for five years. Despite your high evaluation scores, you were put in that desk. This would be your first ever mission. You accept it or not?"
Ngumisi ako. "I don't have a choice, right? I saw the files. If I said no, I won't be seeing the sunrise tomorrow, will I?"
"I guess so. Follow me."
Sinundan ko siya papunta sa 8th floor. Oh dear, I have never been there! Iyong may mga security access lang ang nakakarating dito. This is really above my pay grade. Napansin ko ang tinginan ng mga ka-trabaho ko. I couldn't hide my smirk. I don't belong in those desks, racist assholes.
They made me run the tests again. I took Psychological and Lie Detector test. The results will decide if I'm capable to be an agent.
The results came out, I passed it. Time for the briefing. Kumain muna ako ng tanghalian. Bumalik ako sa 8th floor ng alas-tres ng hapon.
"Counter-intelligence?"
Wait, does that mean I will be nothing but a spy?
"This is a long term mission, Torralba. Your mission is to gather information on our subject: Prime Aragon. His details are on that folder."
Binasa ko ulit ang details ng subject ko. Kumunot ang noo ko. What the fuck is this?
"College student? Are you kidding me? This is babysitting."
"College student except that kid is one of the most dangerous in today's underground society. He may look young to you but it isn't his age you should be considering. It's what on his brain."
I read alleged reports about him. He conquer the largest mafia group in Italy by manipulating. How the hell is this even true?
"We tried to gather as much information but this was the farthest details we got. Even the CIA knew little about this kid. It's possible that someone or somebody is blocking his sensitive information."
"Can't this be done by our cyber team? We can spy him through our satellite."
Ngumisi ito. "He's better than our cyber team, masking all his digital footprint. Our team can't even pass his first firewall."
Nalaglag ang panga ko. Hindi ako makapaniwala. We have the best computer geeks! And they can't knock on his main door? Wow! But he's just a kid.
"Is he a threat?"
"No, not yet." he sighed. "But what he has done to Infernum Mafia, even though it helped us, makes him a liability. If he's capable to destroy a powerful mafia, what next could he possibly be in?"
"We need to monitor Prime Aragon. If he's planning on something, we need to know it first. I assume you know this since you specialize in both counter terrorism and intelligence?" one of the chief asked.
"Yes, sir!"
"You will be up on air by 17:00. Pack your things. Here's your black and green passport. Black for the diplomat, green for the cover up."
Kinuha ko ang green na passport. My fake name is on this. I had the complete documents of my new identity.
When I read the papers.. what a name.
"Do you have any questions?"
"Why me, sir?"
"You're from the Philippines." as simply as he answered.
Right. Of course. Ano pa bang ibang rason diba? Hindi sila pwedeng kumuha ng foreign agent kasi kahina-hinala 'yun.
I sighed. I left that place because I thought my future will be in this country. Guess not.
