Project LOKI ③

Chapter 43: The Last of Augustus XIII (The Trump Card)

Tumango ako. "How about Jamie or Maggie?"

"Jamie is a good actress, and I'm sure it's a piece of cake for her to play along," Alistair commented. "But maybe, not this time. We need her reactions to be genuine. As for Maggie and the others, we can't tell them. Mas kaunti ang nakakaalam sa plano natin, mas mabuti."

Bigla akong kinabahan. The decision to exclude Jamie or Maggie from our plan might have some consequences later.

"Tomorrow, we will act according to the script but we need to make it genuine," Alistair said. "We need to think and act as if the situation was real. We will not talk about it until the drama is over. Only in this way can we prevent Augustus from telling Loki about the truth."

"A-Are you sure about that? Do you think that's the best solution to this problem?"

"You have to talk to Loki this afternoon, after your meeting with Luthor. Then tomorrow, all hell will break loose in Clark High."

Alistair laid out the foundation of the plan. Mukhang magiging maayos naman ang takbo ng drama namin, pero kailangan kong masiguro ang cooperation ng magkapatid.

That's why when I met with Luthor yesterday afternoon...

"Luthor, you have to fall."

Tinitigan muna ako ni Luthor at hinayaang mamayani ang katahimikan sa rooftop. He must be surprised to hear me say those words.

"I assume that you're not literally asking me to fall from here?" Luthor quipped.

"Alistair and I came up with a plan on how we can prevent Augustus from telling your brother the truth," I explained. "I want you to be part of it, but promise me na hindi mo i-e-entertain na gawan ng masama si Augustus. Trust me, we can make this work."

"I am listening," he nodded.

"Kailangan nating gumawa ng drama bukas." Bahagya kong hininaan ang aking boses. Instinctively, napatingin ako sa likuran, baka kasi may nakikinig. Gaya ng sinabi ni Alistair, walang ibang tao ang dapat na makatunog sa balak namin. "After ng meeting natin ngayon, sasabihan ko si Loki tungkol sa plano. I will ask him to act if he's furious at you."

"And?"

I paused. Pinag-isipan ko muna kung paano sasabihin ang susunod. "We need to make the drama authentic. He might get violent. Kaya kailangan mong maghanda."

Luthor sighed. "So should I prepare to get punched in the face?"

"Not only once," I added. "Maybe twice? Basta kailangan mong masugatan. Kailangan makita o marinig ni Augustus na sinugod ka ni Loki. That's the only way we can make him believe that I told your brother about the notebook."

"I don't mind getting my face bruised," Luthor said. "It is unfortunate, but for the sake of your plan, I'm willing to let my brother unleash his rage on him. But are you certain that this is gonna work?"

"As long as we manage to convince Augustus," sabi ko. "If we do, your secret is still safe by tomorrow. By the way, anong oras ka usually pumapasok?"

"6:45 in the morning."

That meant kailangan naming pumasok nang mas maaga para may enough time na mag-prepare.

"Saan ka naman unang pumupunta pagkapasok mo sa school?" sunod kong tanong.

"I check my locker first thing in the morning," Luthor answered. "I assume these details are relevant to the plan?"

"Of course," I nodded. Wala nang iba pang dahilan kung bakit ko itatanong ang mga 'yon. "Uhm... there's something else."