"Sa oras na 9:03 AM, nasaksihan ng mga dumalo sa hearing ng kaso ni Alfredo Babasa ang assasination sa head judge na si Frederick Mercado."
Oras na. Hindi na 'to oras para maduwag o umatras. Sa totoo lang ay mabilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Hindi dahil sa kaba kundi sa tuwa.
"Ayon sa mga nakasaksi, sasabihin na ng head judge ang magiging verdict sa kaso nang makita na lang na tumalsik pakanan ang katawan ng dating judge."
I just finished my bath at dahil wala namang ibang tao sa bahay na ito ay walang hiya akong lumabas ng banyo nang naka-undergarments.
It's all because I was thrilled. At the same time, I'm nervous. I just have the guts to do it because I'm just in my own room. Perhaps, I must call this as my own house. Ako lang ang mag-isa rito kaya kahit anong sigaw ko ay solong-solo ko ang buong bahay.
Saka ako pumunta sa close upang ilabas ang mga isusuot ko. Cropped jacket, long sleeves necktie and short pleated skirt.
"The guards lost track of the culprit. Wala rin na-recover na kahit ano. Pero sa kabila n'un, we assure you that the situation is under control."
"Hindi pa namin alam kung ano ang dahilan kung bakit pinatay ang head judge. May mga tsimis na kumakalat ngunit iimbestigahan pa namin ang puno't dulo ng krimen na ito."
Slowly, I wore my clothes as I listened to the news. The news was interesting. But what's happening now is still unknown. While I tried my best to deduce the possible motives, wala ring basehan yun kung wala rin makakalap na impormasyon. Besides, hindi basta-basta hula ang trabaho ng mga pulis. They need a solid prove in order to convince them to move and investigate.
Nonetheless, it's time to move.
Ganito talaga kapag nagiging alagad ka ng batas. Parang nakalubog na ang isa mong paa sa hukay. Gagawin mo ang lahat para sa kapayapaan. Kahit ibuwis mo man ang buhay mo.
Pulis, abogado, sundalo, mga politiko. Lahat 'yan, lumalaban para magkaroon ng kapayapaan at pagkapantay-pantay. Kung pwede lang magkasundo ang lahat ng mga tao, hindi na kailangan ng mga ganoong tao. Hindi na kailangan ipagbawal ang paggamit ng baril sa publiko o magkaroon ng demandahan. If we can be free from the bad guys and there twisted ideologies, mapapanatili natin ang upbeat at malayang buhay na tinatamasa ng lahat.
At iyon...ang gusto kong mangyari. Kahit ano ay gagawin ko. Para sa Fonross. Kahit buhay ko pa ang kapalit. Gagawin ko 'to para sa kapayapaan.
It's alright. We're gonna keep going. We can do this. I clapped my cheeks, hard enough to wake me up.
I felt my vibration from my skirt. It seems na nandito na ang susundo sakin.
I left my room as I clamped a pin on my left breast. He could have just sent a message, but he bothered a call just to notify me. Did he missed me that much?
My house is just a log cabin slightly near from the city. Kaya abot pa ang signal and internet sa bahay na 'to. I've been leaving alone for quite a while now due to some circumstances. It's lonely. But I'm used to it. Besides, it's the consequences of being a member of the police force.
Pagkalabas ko ng cabin ay bumungad sa'kin ang mga puno at huni ng mga ibon. Nakakaginhawa ng pakiramdam. Talagang ramdam mo ang ganda ng kalikasan.
Ngunit sa kabila n'un ay walang iba pang nakatira dito maliban sa'kin. Ni mga kapitabahay ay wala. Nakakaboring din kasi minsan. Wala akong ibang makausap. Salamat na lang siguro sa Wi-Fi at nagkakaroon ako ng access sa social media.
"Hello, this is you're greatest detective of all time. Nakabihis ka na ba?" he said nonchalantly.
I ignored his moniker to himself and replied, "Yeps. You're just in time. I'm on my way now."
"I'll be waiting, princess."
I couldn't help but snicker. Princess niya mukha niya. If I were a princess, I should be leaving in the main house than a log cabin.
The ground below me was just a plain dusty soil. Mapapagkamalan na nga itong abandoned property o kaya isang daan papuntang lugar ng isang tribo. Kung hindi lang talaga sa circumstances ko ay hinding-hindi ako titira sa lugar na 'to.
Matapos ang ilang minutong paglalakad ay tanaw ko na ang isang black na sports car. Gano'n na rin ang highway na bihira ko lang makita. Nakasandal sa sports car ang isang taong nakasuot ng leather jacket at maong pants. He has slim finger and wearing this hat that are commonly used in detective novels.
"It's been a while, Princess." The guy approached me, his right hand holding his hat. He seems lowering his hat slightly, a gesture of respect. Sa
"Haven't I told you? Don't act formally in front of—" Sa 'di inaasahang pagkakataon ay may tumamang sumbrero sa ulo. Instinctively, I leaped to left. Ibinato ko pabalik ang sumbrero nang mapansin kong may dadapong kamao sa mukha ko. Right hand. Pwedeng pigilan..
I was about to use my left hand to fend off his fist, but he switched gears and use his left. I have no choice but to lower my body rightwards. Once his fist hit the air, I raised my right hand and punched him. Or that was supposed to be. Using my right hand as a faint, I did a sweep kick. He lost his balance, landing butt first.
"Still sharp as ever, eh." He groaned in pain.
"Bahala ka dyan! Kasalanan mo 'yan." I giggled. Tinulungan ko namang tumayo. "I'm not bragging, pero alam mo namang lampa ka, 'di ba?"
"Ang sakit namang magsalita. Pautakan na lang oh." We giggled. Kung tutuusin ay hindi naman talaga siya lampa. Nautakan ko lang ngayon.
"Anyway, are you ready to go? Baka hindi ka makapag-drive dahil sa tama sa pwet mo."
"Meh, wala 'to. Iupo ko lang 'to, solve na ko. Anyway, let's keep going. Hinihintay ka na sa opisina niya.." Pumasok na siya sa kotse. I did the same thing.
"Baka naman usong i-briefing ako sa magiging agenda." I put my seatbelt on. Pagkatapos n'un ay pinaandar na niya ang kotse.
"Unfortunately, hindi ko rin alam kung ano. My thoughts? It's highly classified."
"For real? 'Di nga? Papaniwalaan kita dyan ah. Bilang self-proclaimed detective of all time, anong hula mo sa tingin mo ang magiging topic?"
"It is a capital mistake to assume something without any evidence. That's how my line of work works."
"Ay. Sayang naman." I pouted.
"You can consider na possibility na gusto niya lang makita ang kaniyang unica hija."
"If that was family matters, he wouldn't summon me right at the headquarters. I wonder what's going on. Grabe naman kung kailangan pa kami magkaroon ng confidential chat."
"Saka ka na mag-isip kapag nakausap . Malalaman mo rin' yan kapag nakarating na tayo."
Ang taong nagmamaneho ng kotse ngayon ay walang iba kundi si Gregor Henderson. A detective who solved tens, if not hundreds, of cases in his young age. He's considered a prodigy due to his achievements in his career. And by young age, I mean within my age, 17 years old.
Malinis ang record niya at talagang pinagkakatiwalaan siya ng mga pulis. Sa sobrang tiwala ay pati mabibigat na kaso na halos aabot na sa tinatawag na gray area ay pinapagkatiwala sa kaniya. A complete genius if you ask me. His deduction skills were top-notch. Just give him the data and he could deduce everything from a blink of an eye.
Despite of being a full-fledged detective, mapapansin mo pa ring may itsura siya. Lalo't ang nagbuhat dito ay ang matangos niyang ilong at ang sharp looking eyes niya. Siguradong pinagkakaguluhan siya sa campus nila kung madalas lang siyang mag-ayos. Ganoon sigurado ang influence ng mga binabasa nila.
Nanahimik na kami pareho. It's a raging...calm. I was expecting this already, but I couldn't help it. . It's boring. Paano kaya siya nasasanay dito? Kahit ako na laging mag-isa sa cabin ay hindi sanay sa sobrang tahimik na lugar. Binuksan ko ang radyo para mawala ang awkwardness. Pero pati yata ito ay walang gana sa kaniya. Naka-poker face lang siya habang nakatingin sa harapan.
Maybe I should ask him about his cases. I'm sick of this atmosphere already. "Anyway, Gregor. musta ang mga kasong iniimbestigahan so far?"
"Agh. If you just know kung ano." He frowned. FInally, gumalaw na ang facial muscles niya.
"Huwag mong sabihing 'yung assassination sa judge ang iniimbestigahan mo," I guessed.
"Exactly." He sighed.
I yelped in response. It was only a guess, but he seemed displeased basing on his face. His sigh also summarized how displeased Gregor was.
"I won't blame you. The details were all classified, but telling you will be nothing since you're a responsible folk," he continued, "Ayon sa autopsy, tagos sa utak ang tama ng bala, causing his body to knock back. Na-recover naman sa scene ang isang .50 BMG bullet. If I have a guess, the sniper used an M82A3 Barret. An overkill kung tutuusin."
I furrowed my brows. As at the same time I realized, he suddenly spoke. "You should be aware that it can be used for anti-tank sniper rifles. Thus, why I said it's overkill. A simple .338 Lapua Magnum is enough for a headshot."
"But so far, walang lead, tama?" I rest my elbow on my thigh.
He shook his head hesitantly. "We investigated the buildings within one and a half kilometer radius, but we have no leads. Nagtanong na rin kami sa mga tao d'on kung may nakita silang kakaiba ngunit lahat sila ay 'di napansin or pinansin. Planado ang escape route at ang kinakatakot ko, baka maging cold case 'to."
"So we have no choice huh. And ideas for the motives?" The hitman must be a professional and clever. I love those types of characters, but it's annoying to deal with them in real life.
"I do have guesses. Pero mahirap i-clarify kung ano."
I sighed. "Mukhang masama ang magiging kutob ko sa kaso mo ah."
"I can handle it on my own. Maghanda ka na lang sa sasabihin ng chief."
Sigh. Iba talaga kapag siya ang naghahandle ng kaso. Ayaw niyang pinapakialaman. Nagiging strikto at introverted. Well, he's an introvert himself so I couldn't blame him. Baka makasagabal lang ako sa magiging progress ng kaso.
Before I know it, nakarating na kami sa capital. The jungle of buildings, the swarm of the animals called people...and the cold reality that seems normal to anyone. It feels home from me, but for them, it's hell. I couldn't help but pity the child workers and the beggars. I wanted to help them....but what I'm doing is for the greater good. Ito muna ang priority ko.
Mabuti na lang at hindi masyadong traffic gaya ng inaasahan. Alas-onse na kami nakarating sa main hallway papunta sa destinasyon namin.
Matapos ang mahigit isang oras na pagkaupo ay sumalubong sa'min ang isang familiar na gusali. Lahat ng ito ay may mga kulay na asul at puti. Gaya ng inaasahan ay may mga pulis na nakabantay sa buong kampo. Bantay-sarado ito ng mga pulis at halos halata ang pagkakalagay ng mga CCTV.
Welcome to Fonross National Police Main Headquarters. Dito ang opisina ng mga higher ups sa police force. Matatanaw dito ang mga uniform blue and white buildings. Bantay-sarado ang buong compound at kalat ang mga CCTV sa loob.
The car slowly decelerated, halting our car with a barrier. Matapos kaming ma-recognize ay umandar na ulit ang kotse hanggang sa makarating kami sa reserved parking lot.
Lumabas na ako ng kotse at tumungo sa pinaka-sentrong bahagi ng compound. Kailangan pa ng inspection bago makapasok sa loob ng gusali. Pagkatapos kong dumaan dito ay binati ako ng lamig ng aircon. The interior walls were a mix of navy blue and white. May mga pulis din na naglalakad paroo't parito. Siguradong lunch time nila ngayon.
Agad akong pumunta sa lobby at kinausap ang babaeng nagmamando sa reception desk. She seems to be a Staff Sergeant. "Excuse me, is the Police General currently present?"
He immediately used a telephone for a call. "Good afternoon, sir. May naghahanap po sa inyo." She paused for a while.
"A teenage girl. Probably around eighteen years old." She nodded, acknowledging an order from the general. Then she ended the call. "Follow me."
I did what I was told. Sinundan ko siya habang inoobserbahan ang mga nakakasalubong naming pulis. It's an honor to be with them, especially if you're summoned by the general himself.
The office of the Police General must be at the third floor, fourth room to the left kung tama ang pagkakaalala ko.
Pagkarating namin sa tapat nito ay kumatok muna ang staff sergeant. "Staff Sergeant Mylene Rodriguez, sir. Nandito na po ang gustong kumausap sa inyo."
"Come in." A relaxed voice echoed from the other side of the door. Nagpasalamat muna ako sa kasama kong Staff Sergeant bago ako pumasok sa loob.
Kumpara sa labas, purong gray ang mga pader ng kwartong ito. Their was a large window pane beyond the chief's table.
And then there's the person who summoned me was sitting in a swivel chair. He spun it around, revealing a face of a man with a white-haired goutie. Mapapansin a agad ang dignified nitong aura, as expected sa isang taong nasa mataas na posisyon.
"Good afternoon, Police General Mariano Aguinaldo," I greeted, fixing my posture.
Ang nasa harapan ko ay walang iba kundi si Police General Mariano Aguinaldo, and head ng Fonross National Police...and also my father.
He still maintained his authoritative aura, making a child scared. Bilang in-charge ay hindi pwedeng i-lower niya ang guard sa kahit anong oras. Until his lips curved upwards, softening his expression.
"How are you, my dear? It's been a while since I saw you." He approached me with a hug.
"I'm still alive as always. Though a bit lonely because I have to be stuck at that log cabin." Nakipagbeso naman ako sa kaniya.
"I apologize if you have to isolate yourself from the city. Alam mo naman ang trabaho namin. Lalo na sa posisyon ko."
"Ano ba, Dad! Ayos lang! Sanay naman na ko. Wala naman akong magagawa. Alam ko namang lagi kang busy. Besides, alagad kayo ng batas, may mga sakripisyong kailangang gawin para sa bayan." I assured.
"Pagiging alagad ng batas...huh," he muttered. His feet drove him to the windows, bathing himself at the afternoon sun. I felt something...off. Or probably it's just me overthinking.
"You're right. What we're doing is for our country." He smiled. But I feel something off. Hindi ko lang maipaliwanag kung ano.
"Yeps, many policemen are dying everyday for the sake of peace and order. It would be bad if they all went in vain. But...you haven't summoned me here because of common chitchat, Police Chief." I emphasized the phrase Police General with the same cheerful tone.
As much as I would like chit-chating with him, he summoned me here. If he would spend his quality time with me, he could have went to the log cabin or drove me to the main residence.
"Seems you're quite impatient sometimes. Kindly take a seat, please." His intimidating aura went on again. He sat on his swivel chair as I did the same.
That's right. We're talking about business here. It's only something I only could do.
"Before I tell you the gathered information, let me inquire you about something first. Do you think that this country's justice system was right in absolute? That whenever the judge declared his verdict, it is the right one?"
I couldn't help but raise a brow. Why would he ask something theoritical? "Yes. Or at least, that's what I like to believe."
Bigla siyang nanahimik. He clasped his fingers together, his eyes. "Your answer is somehow conflicting, is it not?"
"May mga pagkakataon kasi na fe-frame lang sila o kaya ay namamanipula ang ebidensiya kaya di ko masasabing a hundred percent siyang perfect."
May mga pagkakataong namamali ang verdict ng mga judge. Tao rin naman sila at nagkakamali. Hindi naman sila mga diyos na omniscient. Ngunit kada desisyon nila, palabanan din ito sa kung gaano katibay ang ebidensiya.
Kung idadagdag pa ang mga morals nila, 'yun ang isa pang paraan para i-guide ang magiging desisyon ng isang judge.
"Napanood mo ba sa balita ang nangyari kay Judge Babasa, tama? The same case na nabalita sa media kani-kanina lang?"
I nodded in response. "Henderson have told me the developments of the case."
"That saved time to explain the details. We'll talk about the investigation at the murder itself first. Na-interview ng mga pulis ang mga katrabaho, kamag-anak at kaibigan ng dating judge dahil posible niyang ikuwento ito sa iba. Apparently, it's highly likely na non-guilty ang magiging verdict ng judge."
I couldn't hide my surprise. Wait...why did...how did the suspect was found innocent? Calm down. Calm down. Hindi naman sa walang karapatang lumaban ang suspect. Kaya nandyan ang mga abugado para depensahan ang suspect.
"How? The case filed to the suspect was reclusion perpetua. How did he..."
"Ano ba ang alam mo sa kaso ni Alfredo Babasa?"
"Natagpuang patay at hubo't hubad ang isang babae sa isang damuhan. Nakapagtamo siya ng apat na saksak sa katawan. Nakalibing sa lupa malapit sa bahay na nirerentahan ng suspek ang isang kutsilyo. Ayon sa kaniya ay girlfriend niya ang biktima. At 'yun lang ang alam ko. What's the connection?"
Ang mga napapakinggan ko lang sa media ang alam ko. Kung may mga bagay pa kong hindi alam ay nasa discretion na yun ng mga pulis.
"Thinking backwards, if you were the culprit, will you be dumb enough to bury your evidences near your residence?"
I thought of it for a while. Kung ako ang papatay sa sarili kong boyfriend ay ililibing ko ang murder weapon malayo sa bahay ko. Pwede ko ring ibato na lang 'to sa malapit na ilog para walang makakita.
But why would the suspect will bury the knife near his residence? I snapped my fingers as I realized something.
"So may ibang tao ang gumawa? Who exactly?" I concluded, creasing my forehead.
"Let me address this for a while," he replied, shutting me up. Probably I should let him speak for a moment.
"Ayon sa nangyaring hearing, nagkaroon ng pagtatalo ang magkasintahang sina Alfredo Babasa at ang namatay na bikitimang nagngangalang Michel Xanders. Dahil ito sa sobrang pagstrikto at sobrang pagseselos ng biktima. Nagsasawa na ang suspek sa pinaggagawa ng girlfriend niya ngunit may tendency na mag-suicide siya."
"And that was the said motivation for the culprit to kill?" I replied. The Police Chief nodded. "So who's the real killer?"
"It's his twin brother, George Babasa."
"Wait what? The victim has a twin brother?" I couldn't help but stood up in surprise. Nagkatinginan lang kami ng Police Chief. Unti-unti akong naupo habang iniisip ang posibleng dahilan. The scenario was quite predictable.
"Jowa?" I muttered the single word that got through my brain.
"That summarizes everything," he uttered as he sighed.
"And how it became connected to the assassination of the judge?" I couldn't help but ask. Pakiramdam ko ay may nawawala eh.
"May mga iba't ibang tsismis na kumakalat. Sinasabing involved daw siya sa drug trafficking. May iba naman na sinasabing involved din siya sa child trafficking. Iyon lang ang anggulo na pwede naming tingnan sa ngayon. If that were true..."
The police chief's voice trailed off. Kahit ako ay hindi ko rin alam ang iisipin. Should I say the judge deserves to die because of his sketchy acts? Or should I grief because of his excellence?
No. Wala pang pruweba kung totoo pa ang allegations. I exhaled.
"I appreciate the rough sketch and connection between those two cases. Now back on the murder to the judge, do you have any ideas about the whereabouts of the sniper?"
"About that...this is where we need your assistance. I want you to infiltrate a certain institution."
"Huh?" A certain...institution? Hindi ko maiwasang matameme sa sinabi niya. "Institution?"
It may sound stupid, pero may napansin ako sa mata ng kaharap ko. He's serious. His eyes were enough to tell me something.
"Base sa intel ng Democratic Bureau of Investigations, may isang institution na nagte-train ng mga assassins. Classified ang mga impormasyon na malalaman mo kaya sana huwag mo 'tong ipagsabi." He handled me a single folder. I skimmed the contents, hoping I could absorb some of the contents.
Nang binuklat ko na sa kabilang page ang folder, sandamakmak pang text ang kailangan ko pang basahin. Ngunit ang umagaw ng attention ko ay ang isang nakadapang lalaki na naliligo sa sarili niyang dugo. The victim was wearing a terno of gray suit and slacks.
Gray.
I tightened my grip as I tried to handle my emotions. It reminded me of something I don't want to look back anymore. Something I hate. Something I don't want to remember ever again.
"Shadowscale...Academy," As I muttered those words, my mind snapped back to reality. I sighed and turned it to the next page. "Quite an emo name for me. If you're asking for an impression, it's obvious na pumapatay sila ng tao for their gains. But...the word scale. Scales ng isda??"
"Probably scales that means balance and justice. Pero napansin mo naman siguro na madalas na target nila ay either mga nakatakas na kriminal or mga government officials na sinasabing corrupt, tama?"
I nodded. "Paano kayo nakakuha ng impormasyon tungkol sa phantom school na 'to? Hindi ba dapat may mas naunang mag-infiltrate sa akin? Alam ba 'to ng presidente?"
"We already did it once. Unfortunately, he failed. The last president barely managed to negotiate to their favor. Apart from that, hindi ko pa alam."
"Then I'm in." Before I knew it, those words escaped my mouth.
"Pardon?" he asked. He must be surprised to my declaration.
"If you need more insider's information at the academy, I guess kailangan niyo ko para malaman ang susunod galaw ng kalaban. Besides, that will be a great help for my career someday."
"Your planning to join the police force, am I right? Aaminin kong malalaman mo ang perspective ng isang kriminal, pero sigurado ka ba?"
"I do. But let me ask you something. You're not planning to wage war, aren't you?"
Kung ano man ang isang bagay na valuable sa isang gera, walang iba kundi ay ang information about sa kalaban. At ang effective means para magsimula ng gera ay simulan ito unannounced, through information gathering.
"Why would we? And even we entertain the idea, marami ang mga malalagas sa partido natin. We couldn't afford to do such a thing."
He's right. Hindi nga doable kung magkaroon ng gera sa pagitan ng Shadowscale Academy at ng gobyerno. Bukod pa rito, mahirap kontrolin ang media sa kung anong impormasyon lang ang pwedeng isapubliko.
"Now it's my time to ask you a question. The operation you're doing will be dangerous. You're going to be an assassin. Ibig sabihin, posible kang mapatay at mahuli ng mga pulis. Ayos lang ba sa'yo 'yun?"
I gulped. The thought of being killed by the assassins will be considered honorable. At least for me. But being killed by the police I would work with in the future?
So that's why it was considered dangerous huh? When I entered that phantom academy, there's no turning back. I would be considered as an assassin. That means I would taint my hands for the sake of this country.
I'm scared. I'm scared to the day when I need to point my gun at them. Sure, I'm not planning to kill them. But what if...
My hands turned onto fists. We'll figure it out when I got there. But for now...
"I'll still do it. Even I need to fight our own police force."
"The required documents would be sent to you later. When you've reached the Shadowscale Academy's land, there's no turning back. Bukod d'on, wala kang maasahang outside information kaya wala kang magagawa kundi mag-adlib."
"Noted." That's all I could reply.
"You may leave. May appointment pa kong kailangang i-entertain."
I stood up and did a salute before I leave. Just I was turning the knob, I heard something.
"Don't die. Okay?"
It wasn't an instruction from the police chief of the police force. It was a plead from a father who watches her daughter fly on her own.
Right. It was the time when I have no choice but to learn things independently. Napaaga lang siguro ang sa'kin. I nodded in response, finally turning the knob and left.
I bit my lip as I felt my eyes starting to wet themselves. Habang nilalayo ako ng aking mga paa sa kaniyang opisina, isang kataga ang pumasok sa aking utak habang unti-unti kong tinatanggap ang lahat. In order to defeat the one you hate, you need to be one of them. It is a common strategy from simple video games through war strategies and tactics.
As much as I hate to deal with the devil, I have no choice but to comply for the sake of my countrymen. As much as I hate leaving home and venture this dark path, I have the duty to do so.
I'm sure my dad was as scared as I do. But we have a duty to fulfill. And I'm willing to do it for the sake of the future.
Even it kills me.
That is...if they can manage to kill me.