Revolution Heist I

Chapter 14 - The Riddle

DAVID

I'm walking. Pabilis nang pabilis. I need to talk to the HRD right away. If this is my only way of helping Anna adjust to the secret society, I have to do it.

Nasa isang mahabang hallway ako. I am inside of one of Spade Society's biggest bases here in the Philippines. Dito ko rin mahahanap si HRD Victor Nixon. It is obvious na ayaw niya sa pagiging matananungin ni Anna. But I have to earn Nixon's trust as I also get Anna's.

This is a weird hallway. A white wall, and a few brown doors. Pero ang pinaka nakakaakit ay ang black door with golden decorations na nasa pinakadulo ng hallway. Doon nakabase ang lahat ng mga HRD na malapit dito. Pero hindi siya iisang kwarto lamang. Puno pa siya ng maraming blurred glass walls. Parang isang typical office. In fact, that is the purpose of this building. To pretend that it's a normal office. But all floors are owned by the Spades Society. Iba't ibang companies na pagmamay-ari ng iba't ibang tinatawag na Lord of Spades. Ganoon ka kumplikado ang grupo na ito. Na may iisang layunin. But unfortunately, I'm starting to lose their one true purpose.

I'm a few steps aways from the door I always admired. Dating HRD ang Dad ko kaya mabibigyan ako ng access na makapasok dito. My dad was one of the best HRDs in the country. So great that they trust the whole Peralta family. Because of his greatness, he was forced to go to Italy to continue his missions. That was 3 years ago. He never came back. He still sends me letters and cool gadgets, but only my Mom returns after her missions. I pretend na kasama niya si Dad I still bring him in my made up stories.

Binuksan ko ang pinto at ang unang bumungad sa akin ay ang mababangong amoy na bagong furnitures. I remember the amazing smell and view in here. But I no longer know most of the people here. They're other dead, replaced or moved to different stations. Nonetheless, I still have to find Nixon.

It's been 5 minutes. I still can't find him. Ang daming naglalakad at hindi ko matukoy kung sino ang nasa loob ng mga salamin dahil blurred ang mga ito. I have to find Diane, the office's secretary.

Si Diane ang isa sa mga taong pinagkakatiwalaan ko sa Society. Siya ang una kong nakilala noong una kong punta rito. She always wears a black suit and black pants, like a secret agent in disguise.

Pumunta ako sa gitna ng office, kung saan sila mapupuntahan, pero walang iisang tao doon. What happened to this place? Three years pa lang ang nakakalipas pero parang hindi pa ako nakakapunta rito.

Pagtalikod ko ay bumangga ako sa isang nakaitim na suit din. Pag-angat ko ng ulo ko ay nakita ko na kung sino iyon.

"Good morning, David. Follow me to the office."

"I know you're only looking for me." Sabi ni Nixon sabay upo sa kanyang magarang upuan.

This used to be my father's office. I had some memories here.

"Good morning sir, I have a que-"

"Wait up." Biglang sabat ni Nixon. "I can only give you 3 answers. It means 3 questions only."

I forgot the 3 question rule here in the office. I am only a trainee which means the rule applies to me. I can't wait to finish the heist.

"Okay, sir." Huminga ako ng malalim. "First question. What happened to Ms. Diane? The secretary here?"

Uminom muna si Nixon ng mabangong kape mula sa baso niya bago nagsalita. "I'm sorry to tell you, but she's fired."

Gosh, I have 2 questions left. But I really want to know.

"W-why?" Nagdalawang-isip pa ako kung itatanong ko. "I thought you can never be fired in the Society."

"Since you're not technically an employee here, you don't get to know these other rules. Once you join the Spades Society, you must devote your life and soul into it. You will become a top secret saviour of the land thus you must ensure to prioritize work over other things. Unfortunately for Diane, she was sentenced to spend 30 years of her life in a private island owned by the Society. It will act as her prison. She was lucky enough not to get the death sentence." Uminom ulit siya sa magara niyang baso.

I came here for Anna, not for Diane. But I really need to know this.

"A-anong nilabag niyang batas?" Napalagay ang mga kamay ko sa bulsa sa sobrang lamig ng aircon dito.

Itinigil ni Nixon ang pagsusulat niya at tumingin sa akin. I felt a little scared since an HRD is staring at me. But I remember, I am David Peralta and I can bring down this man alone.

"Diane unfortunately violated Commandment D, Section 5, a rule to not marry, start a family with someone who is outside the Society. Ms. Diane was caught several times by our local Royal Executors."

Hindi ako makapaniwala. Diane would never do that! She is one of the most loyal people here on earth and I know that for sure. This is probably a scheme done by someone here. Is someone trying to bring down people my Father trusted? Ilang HRD na kilala ko ang nawala, and now Diane?

"Just for extra information, a new secretary is coming next week. Hope you can meet her." Ngumiti siya sa akin at biglang bumalik sa poker face niya. "I am glad to answer three of your questions, you may now leave my office."

I am still shocked that Diane is now in prison and I didn't even say goodbye. Biglang may pumasok sa isip ko. Anna!

Lumapit ako ng bahagya kay Nixon. Am I disturbing him? Doesn't matter. I'm like Anna now. I need answers.

"S-sir Nixon?" Ngayon na lang ulit ako kinabahan sa buong buhay ko. This is not a normal me.

"Yes?" Hindi pa rin siya nakatingin sa akin.

Huminga muna ako ng malalim. " I really need to ask a request. It's for Anna."

Kahit hindi pa rin siya tumitingin, nakita kong lumaki nang bahagya ang kanyang mga mata. As if nagulat siya sa mga sinabi ko. Bigla naman siyang napangiti na parang may naisip siyang plano.

"I know what you want, David." May kinuha siya sa isang drawer niya at ipinatong sa dulo ng lamesa. It's a brown envelope with a golden stamp in the middle with a logo of a spade. Why does everything have to be gold? "If you want Anna to know everything quickly, solve this riddle first. I will only give you a week. If not, Anna will not survive here."

Now he is threatening me. He wants to start a game. I am starting to think na pinapalayo niya ako rito para hindi ako makasali sa gulo. I think he knew my real purpose of going here is for Anna and he knows I am coming here. So he made this riddle. I took the envelope and left his office.

Sa pagbalik ko sa common area, I opened the riddle I have to solve in 168 hours. Binasa ko ito:

"The Heist begins in 1942. If not, when will it bee?"

I am not sure if the word 'bee' was intentional or not. But this is going to be important for Anna. Kapag hindi ko nasabi sa kanya ang lahat, she might die asking.

If it is a game he wants to play, it's a game he will receive.

***

Why is Diane so important for David?