Chapter 40
"I'll go get Alys and Lance." Tumango sa akin si Pedro.
Pedro's eyes went behind me, kung saan makikita niya ang bag ko na nakaayos na. Inayos ko na ito at nasa plano ko nang yayain siya pabalik.
This vacation isn't working at all.
Hindi na ito ulit nagsalita.
"I'll just fix my things."
Naghiwalay kami at nagmadali akong pumunta sa kwarto ni Alys at Lance. Pumupungas pa si Lance nang buksan ang pintuan.
"Mag-ayos na kayo ni Alys, Lance. We need to go, I received a call from UASA. There will be an earthquake that will occur in the indian ocean, malapit tayo sa dagat."
"W-What?! I told you Lance! Hindi safe dito!" gising na rin pala si Alys.
"Come on pack things up, Alys. I'll just coordinate with the operations manager of this resort, hindi pwedeng tayo lang ang lumikas." Tinapik ko ang balikat ni Lance.
"Give me 30 minutes, I'll come back." Tatakbo na sana ako nang marinig ko ang tawag ng pinsan ko.
"Behati!" natigil ako.
Lumabas ito sa kanyang kwarto at halos tumalon ito sa katawan ko. Mahigpit niya akong niyakap.
"You are so brave, cousin. This world deserves you, I'm so proud of you. We'll be waiting. I love you couz."
"I love you more, Alys." Yumakap ako nang mahigpit sa kaya bago ako kumawala.
Ramdam ko na nasa likuran ko na si Pedro. Sabay kaming tumango sa isa't-isa bago kami nagsimulang tumakbo.
"You talk to the manager, if he didn't listen just give me the signal Lieutenant."
"What is your plan?"
"Desperate plan, they can't just listen with our words Behati. Lalo na at mula tayo sa ibang bansa." I can agree with him.
But we need to risk, risking is part of our lives.
"I have my license as an UASA," ito lamang ang kaya kong iharap sa kanila.
"Shit, I forgot to get Lance's number! You told me that he has a relative from Thai Meteorological Department, right? We can coordinate with them. I need to go back."
"Alright," nagpatuloy ako sa pagtakbo.
"Lieutenant!" nang lumingon ako ay may ibinato ito sa akin na maliit na woki toki.
"Radio me ba-- Lieutenant,"
"Copy,"
Buong akala ko ay iniwan na nito ang trabaho. He brought a woki toki, isa sa bagay na importante sa amin sa tuwing may mission.
I went to the highest floor of the hotel where the head office was located. Sumalubong sa elevator ang receptionist desk na prenteng nakaupo dito.
Kung alam lang nila ang posibilidad na mangyayari.
"Hey, can I talk to your manager?" bahagya pa akong humihingal dahil sa pagtakbo.
This isn't right at all, I don't have my time limit, hindi ko alam kung ilang oras, minuto o segundo ang hinahabol ko.
"Do you have an appointment Ma'am?" she opened her computer.
"This is urgent, I really need to talk to him." Her eyebrows narrowed.
"Ma'am, we have our strict policy. You need to ask for an appointment first, besides he is in his meeting right now." Her voice sounds irritated.
How about the other guest? Kung may urgent concern sila, kailangan pa rin ng appointment?
I took a deep breath. I can't just burst out and tell to this woman that any moment there will be a tsunami that will happen.
Hindi ako nakipagtalo sa receptionist at nagtungo ako sa harap ng elevator. I turned on the woki-toki to hear Pedro's current position.
Bukas na ito at kasalukuyan siyang may kausap.
"This is Commander Armstrong of Universal Aeronautics and Space Administration, may I talk with Director General Sangsom?"
Hindi muna ako nagsalita at pinili kong pakinggan ang kanilang magiging usapan. Tama si Pedro, they won't trust our words.
Ang tagal na tahimik ang woki-toki bago may sumagot kay Pedro.
"Director Sangsom speaking, who is this?"
"Commander Armstrong of UASA. This is urgent Director, but have you got our message from our headquarters?"
Tumango ako sa tanong ni Pedro. Did UASA inform the Thai Meteorological Department?
"Message about?" I heard Pedro's curse.
Bakit hindi nagbigay nang mensahe ang UASA? Hindi ko na pinakinggan muli ang usapan nila at tumawag ako kay Commander Jensen.
"Commander,"
"Where are you now?"
"Still at the resort. Did UASA message Thai Department? It seems that they are blind about the upcoming event sir."
Natahimik ang kabilang linya.
"Commander?"
"Behati, you're aware of the UASA's present situation right? Our satellites are malfunctioning, we can't give the complete details about the captured data and it might end up as a bluff, this might ruin the name of our organization. I'm sorry Behati, we are just receiving orders. I hope you won't do another ruckus, just leave the place immediately and stay alive. For assurance."
Humigpit ang hawak ko sa telepono. Why UASA is still holding their almighty name? Kalamidad na ito, buhay ng tao ang pinag-uusapan dito.
What if the captured data was right? Papaano ang mga tao dito? Alam ko na kung papaano mamanipulahin ng UASA ang mangyayari. They will blame Thai Meteorological Department at palalabasin ng mga itong mahina ang sistema nito at hindi nakagawang makakonekta sa aming organisasyon na maagang nagbigay ng abiso.
"I know what happened in Myanmar sir and air war wasn't really part of my job, I am willing to accept any punishment for that. But this sir? This is part of UASA's duty."
"Your duty is to obey with their rules Behati. Can't you understand? I've been blocking your relationship with Armstrong para hindi ka matanggal! Kahit si Commander Mitts ay gumagawa ng paraan para maitago ang relasyon niyo. Stop being stubborn, Monzanto. Yes, I liked you but I like you more as a pilot. Kailangan ka ng UASA, tumigil ka sa pagsuway. Leave the area and be alive! Dahil sa paglipad mo sa Project Mars, mas maraming buhay ka na maililigtas." Mahabang sabi nito.
Bahagya akong natigilan, hindi siya ang nagbigay ng impormasyon sa UASA. Then who?
"Lieutenant? Still there?"
"Commander,"
"Listen Behati, I heard this before from you. But we can't give information without detailed basis, lalo na at may pangalan tayo." Napapikit ako sa sinabi niya.
"Commander Jensen, yes talking without basis is a pure hypocrisy. But once that we saw even the weakest basis about the risk of life, godlord! That's beyond detailed information." I heard him sigh.
"You are disobeying again, Monzanto."
"I'm afraid yes, Commander. Besides, I can't weigh my ability to help by just comparing the headcounts of people. Everybody deserves to survive. I'll go now." Pinatay ko ang tawag.
Lalong kumunot ang noo ng babae nang makita niyang paparating akong muli sa kanyang reception desk.
"Ma'am please, don't let me ask the guards." Hindi ako sumagot sa kanya at itinaas ko sa harapan niya ang id ko.
"This is Flight Lieutenant Behati Azalea Monzanto of Universal Aeronatics and Space Administration. I badly need to talk with your boss, there's an upcoming disaster and I need him to announce it all over the resorts."
Sa haba ng sinabi ko ay parang hindi ako nito naintindihan. Is she aware of UASA?
"Guards!" napailing na lamang ako sa ginawa ng receptionist.
I stayed in front of her while hearing the heavy footsteps from the security guards. I don't like to waste time, but I don't have any choice but to fight with them.
I turned my back in front of the receptionist. The guards are now approaching, since I don't have enough time to wait for them I quickly ran with my full speed.
They got alerted but they are not expecting my next step. I threw all my weight with both of my arms abruptly clinging it against the neck of the first security guard, choking him. The force and speed went into my legs landing on the second security guard's chest making him knocked down. And since the other one is gasping for air, I easily slammed him against the floor.
I immediately stand up. Nakayuko na ang receptionist at nagmamakaawa ito sa akin na huwag ko siyang saktan.
"Where's the meeting area?"
With her shaking fingers she pointed the last door from the left.
"Thanks, evacuate immediately. Wake them up, too."
I ran fast and I cursed when the I reached the door. Fuck! It's damn lock.
Hindi ko ito mabubuksan kaya naghanap ako ng bagay na maaari kong gamitin. My eyes went on the fire extinguisher.
Agad ko itong kinuha at walang pasabi kong sinira ang pintuan. I went inside the meeting room with numbers of suited men, all eyes on me.
"What the—"
"Who are you?!"
Pumunta ako sa gitna at malakas kong inilapag sa lamesa ang fire extinguisher na hawak ko. Inilabas ko ang id ko at iginala ko ang aking mga mata sa karamihan ng mga lalaking nakatitig sa akin.
"This is Lieutenant Monzanto from UASA, I want to talk with the manager. This is a serious matter."
"W-What? Bullshit! You ruined my meeting for what? Did you ask for an appointment?! This is damn important more than your bullshit words!" pakiramdam ko ay lahat ng dugo ko sa aking katawan ay nagtungo na sa aking ulo.
Marahas kong ibinato ang fire extinguisher patungo sa kanya. But I didn't let it hit him. Pinadaan ko lamang.
"Yes, tsunami is bullshit. It's about to ruin your business or even your lives."
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VentreCanard