Story so far….
A clone of SAMAEL who renamed himself Abaddon escaped the NEST secret base along with other numerous lesser clones and attacked New York. Ben and his comrades united and fought the clone army and succeeded, forcing Abaddon to flee. The group was taken cared of by an unknown intelligence agency called DIED and Emilio dubbed their group the Death Dealers.
Chapter XVIII: Ang Gatilyo ng Puso
By: Balderic
Ultima Headquarters
“Death Dealers!? You seriously called yourselves the Death Dealers!? What are you? An 80s rock band?” nakangiti at hinde makapaniwala ang director ng Ultima habang kausap si Mindy sa loob ng opisina nya. Isang linggo din ang lumipas simula nang mangyari ang kaguluhan sa New York. Nagbunyi ang mga tao nang mapigilan ang pag atake ng mga Samael clones. At sa ginawang press release ay ipinalabas sa publiko ng DIED ang mga taong nagligtas sa kanila. Tinawag silang Death Dealers. Naging trending sa social media at internet ang naturang grupo. Nagsilabasan ang mga teorya at mga kwento tungkol sa kanila. Na leak din ang impormasyon tungkol sa Nest at isa ito sa mga napag usapan din.
“Look, it’s not me who thought of it. Emilio Delgado happened to blurt it out. It’s not my fault.” Sagot ni Mindy na halatang iritado.
“You know, I’ve seen and heard different types of group names in the past. The Zehn Schwerter? The Silent Eight? Drake? And now this. The Death Dealers. A group of assassins, operatives and mercenaries who has done what? Destroy New York?”
“I don’t care what you think Director. It’s not on me. I didn’t pick the name nor I acknowledge myself a member. We were taken. We unified to escape Nest. And when the clones broke lose, we helped the people. What more do you want? A fuckin’ shoutout like hey, we’re actually action junkies who loved shooting and beating people. And hey, if you didn’t know, I happen to have a director who’s a total dork and loves Heaven or Hell drama!”
“Okay that’s enough Mindy Bond. Get out.”
Tumalikod si Mindy at binuksan ang pinto ng upisina.
“And for the record. That show was awesome!” dagdag ng Director bago umalis si Mindy.
Lumabas si Mindy at bumiyahe sakay ang kotse nya. Dumating sya sa isang military instillation na may malaking medical center. Dito, binisita nya ang isang kasamahan. Lumapit sya sa isang nurse.
“Is he awake?”
“Yeah, he just had his lunch.”
“Can I see him?”
“Sure. You just sign the visitor’s logbook here.” Pinasa ng nurse ang logbook at nag sign in si Mindy. Pumasok ito sa kwarto ng pasyente.
Napangiti ang pasyente ng makita sya.
“How are you?” tanong ni Mindy.
“Better now that you’re here love.” Sagot naman ni Delta. Naka recover ito matapos mabugbog ni Abaddon.
“Can you move?”
“Yeah a little bit. Both my arms are too weak and I still can’t control my legs.”
“Yeah well your spine took a hard hit. You’re lucky to be alive.”
“Not as lucky as the others. How are you doing?”
“I’m fine Delta.” Ngumiti si Mindy ng bahagya at umupo ito sa gilid ng kama. Hinawakan nya ang kamay ni Delta at binuhat ito at hinalikan saka nilagay sa pisngi nya.
“You know, it’s funny, I’ve been trying to figure out the reason why Nest was creating these clones. I thought they were re creating Samael to take his empire back. But the truth is, Nest was just going to use his image for their own personal goals. SAMAEL created his empire to unite the world but HE was eventually defeated and now, HIS own people are using HIM not to unite the world but to corrupt it. The funny part is that I actually kinda see SAMAEL’S point of view and I understood HIM.”
Nagkatinginan si Mindy at Delta.
“For the most part.” Dagdag pa ni Delta.
“The Samael clone is still out there. We have to stop him before he creates more problem.” Wika ni Mindy.
“Where’s Ben?”
“He’s still in New York. DIED took him for a debrief and he is recovering too.”
“DIED?”
“It’s uh…an american intelligence directive. They wanted to follow through with Nest. They had an intelligence breach and they’re looking for a team to hunt down Abaddon.”
“I heard about it when Ultima came here. I am not sure my agency is up for me to join in the fun but I gotta tell you, I want in.”
“Not with that body you’re not.” Napa ngiti si Mindy.
“oh come on. I can do it.”
“You should rest.” Tumayo si Mindy at nakangiti itong hinalikan sa labi si Delta bago ito umalis. Napatingin sa may bintana si Delta na may ngiti sa labi.
———-
By: Balderic
New York
Animo’y natigil ang panahon nang makita ni Ashley si Ben na nakatayo sa labas ng hospital at may mga benda sa katawan. Hinde agad nakasalita si Ashley.
“Tititigan mo nalang ba ako buong araw?” tanong ni Ben.
“Anong ginagawa mo dito Ben? At anong nangyari sayo?”
“Alam mo naman siguro ang nangyaring kaguluhan sa downtown kamakailan di ba?”
“Of course. It’s been the talk of the town. Wait, kasama ka ba doon?”
“Um well, kinda. Alam mo naman, parte ng misyon.”
Nalungkot si Ashley sa kalagayan ng ex nya. Nilapitan nya ito at niyakap.
“Kumain ka na ba? Break ko now eh.”
“Um saan tayo?”
“Dyan lang sa corner. May filipino restaurant dyan. Tara.”
Pumasok ang dalawa sa isang maliit na pinoy restaurant at umorder si Ben ng pares beef at dalawang extra garlic rice. Si Ashley naman ay umorder lang ng adobong manok.
“kamusta ka na dito Ashley? Mukhang nangayayat ka ah.” Pansin ni Ben.
“Well nagtatrabaho na ako ngayon Ben kaya normal lang ito. Stress lang ito. Ikaw kamusta ka na? Ang tagal mong hinde nagparamdam ah.”
“Mahabang kwento Ash. Pero ang masasabi ko lang ay may bagong panganib ngayon. Isang kalaban ang lumitaw na siguradong gagawa ng kaguluhan sa mundo.”
“Totoo ba yung narinig kong may clones daw si SAMAEL?” pabulong na tanong ni Ashley. Uminom ng softdrinks si Ben at tumango.
“Isang highly advanced clone na may bagong kapangyarihan. Sa totoo lang hinde ko alam kung matatalo ko ang nilalang na ito eh.”
Hinawakan ni Ashley ang kamay ni Ben at tinignan ito sa mga mata.
“Nagawa mong matalo si SAMAEL, Ben. I’m sure magagawa mo ulit iyon.”
“Heh, hinde ako ang tumalo kay SAMAEL, Ash. Si Gabriel yun.”
“pero kasama ka nya di ba?”
“Yep and now he’s dead. At wala akong nagawa.” Napayuko si Ben. Hinimas ni Ashley ang pisngi ni Ben. Hinalikan naman ni Ben ang palad ng ex nya.
“Ben, naniniwala ako sa kakayahan mo. Alam kong kaya mong harapin ang ano mang pagsubok na dinadaanan mo. Hinde man ikaw ang pinakamalakas na tao sa buong mundo, isa ka parin sa mga taong kayang tumayo at prumotekta ng milyon milyong tao. I’m sure makakahanap ka ng paraan.”
Napa iling si Ben. Bigla itong napa ngiti.
“Nagsimula lang ang lahat nung niligtas ko ang Dad mo. Ngayon, nandito na ako at di ko na maintindihan ang takbo ng mundo.”
“May dahilan kung bakit nag krus ang landas ninyo ni Dad. Ganun din kay Gabriel at sa akin.”
Napaluha si Ben. Pinawi ni Ashley ang luha ng ex nya.
“sising sisi ako Ash. Sana ikaw nalang ang pinili ko. Sana iniwan ko nalang ang lahat at nagsama nalang tayo. At least tahimik pa siguro ang buhay natin.”
“Alam kong masakit Ben. Ako man ay nasaktan nung umalis ka. Pero naiintindihan ko na din kung bakit kailangan mong magpakalayo. Gets ko Ben. I know. If di ka sumama sa labanan noon, baka wala na ang mundong ito. Baka wala na ako at ang anak mo.”
Napatigil si Ben at tinignan si Ashley.
“Gusto mo makita?”
Matapos kumain ang dalawa, hinintay ni Ben matapos ang shift ni Ashley para samahan ito na makita ang anak nya. Paglabas ni Ashley ay may kasama itong negro. Dito ipinakilala ni Ashley si Dr. Jones kay Ben.
“Ben this is Dr. Jones. He’s um..” nag aalangan si Ashley.
“His boyfriend.” Nakangiti si Dr. Jones at inalay ang kamay kay Ben.
“I’m Ben.” Nakipag kamay naman si Ben at tila nilunok ang katotohanang may iba na si Ashley.
“You’re Bailey’s father right? Ben Sandobal. How could I forget.” Nakangiting wika ni Jones.
“That’s me.”
“Well, let’s go meet your boy.”
Nakisakay si Ben sa kotse ni Jones kasama si Ashley. Papunta ang mga ito sa eskwelahan kung saan pinag aaral si Bailey. Sinundo ni Ashley si Bailey at tumatakbo ang bata at niyakap ang ina. Nasa labas naman ng kotse si Jones at Ben. Napatingin si Jones kay Ben.
“This is the first time you seen him?”
“Yes.” Bahagyang napangiti si Ben habang nakikita ang sariling anak.
“Bailey is a good kid. He mostly keeps to himself but he’s smart. One of the best in his class.” Wika ni Jones. Ngiti lang ang naisagot ni Ben.
Lumapit si Ben sa anak at lumuhod sa harapan nito.
“Hello Bailey.”
“Hi.” Nahihiyang sagot ng bata. Napatingin sandali si Ben kay Ashley at bumalik ang titig nya sa anak.
“I know you don’t recognize me Bailey. But I can tell you, that I love you and I care about you so much.”
“Why?”
“Well, that’s because I am your father.”
Napatingin kay Ben si Bailey at nagtago ito sa likod ng ina nya.
“Is it true mommy?”
“Yes baby. Ben is your real dad.”
Nahihiya na sumilip si Bailey kay Ben. Nakangiti at kumaway lang si Ben sa kanya. Naiintindihan naman nito na malayo ang loob sa kanya ng anak dahil ilang taon din itong nawala.
“Masasanay din sya Ben.” Wika ni Ashley. Tumango naman si Ben at napa buntong hininga. Binigyan ni Ashley ng pagkakataon na magkasama si Ben at Bailey pag dating nila sa tinutuluyan ni Ben.
Nagpaalam si Ashley at sumama ito sandali kay Dr. Jones para lumabas. Si Ben naman ay naiwan kasama si Bailey sa loob ng apartment.
Gabi na nang makabalik si Ashley pero hinde na nito kasama si Jones. Sinalubong sya ni Ben.
“kumain ka na ba? May dala akong take out.”
“Nag sandwich lang ako kanina. Si Bailey nakatulog na pala. Nandun sya sa kwarto nya. Dumating din yung katulong mo kanina at naglinis sa apartment.”
“Kamusta naman ang bonding nyong mag ama?”
“Um okay naman. Makwento pala itong si Bailey. Akala ko tahimik lang. Ang dami nyang favorite shows, cartoons, at mga gustong puntahan pag laki nya. Ang dami nya ding tanong sa akin kung ano trabaho ko at saan ako nagpupupunta hehe.”
“Ganun ba. Ano naman sabi mo?”
“Well na kwento ko na din sa kanya ang lahat sa abot ng makakaya ko. Ayoko masyadong maglihim sa kanya. Ikaw kamusta naman date nyo ni Dr. Jones?”
Tinignan ni Ashley si Ben at tila binabasa ang mukha nito kung nagseselos ba ito.
“Okay naman. Dinala nya ako sa isang exclusive restaurant. As usual gentleman naman sya.”
“Nakikita ko naman na mabait si Dr. Jones. I think he’s a good choice.”
Bahagyang ngumiti si Ashley at niyakap si Ben. Niyakap din ito ng binata.
“Sige Ash, di na ako magtatagal.”
“Ben, okay lang ba na dito ka nalang magpalipas ng gabi. Gusto ko lang sana na makatulog ang anak natin na katabi ang ama nya kahit minsan lang.”
“Ah eh. Sige. Hehe.”
Tinabihan ni Ben ang anak sa kwarto. Sa unang pagkakataon ay magkasama silang tatlo sa iisang bubong at iisang kama. Nasa gitna nila si Bailey at nang makaramdam ang bata na katabi nito ang ama ay niyakap nya ito. Hinde napigilan ni Ben ang mapaluha habang nakangiti. Maging si Ashley din ay na iyak sa tuwa. Hinalikan ni Ben sa ulo ang anak nito at nahimbing ito. Hinde agad natulog si Ashley at pinagmamasdan ang mag ama. Napa isip ito ng malalim. What if sila ni Ben nga ang nagkatuluyan. Subalit talagang malupit ang tadhana dahil ni minsan ay hinde napagbigyan ang halinginan ni Ashley na magkaroon ng kaligayan kapiling ang tunay nyang pamilya.
Maaga palang ay nagpaalam na si Ben at hinde nito ginising pa ang anak at si Ashley. Hinalikan nito sa nuo ang mag ina bago lumabas ng bahay. Walang kamalay-malay si Ben na may isang kotse na nakatambay sa labas ng apartment at kinukunan ng picture si Ben.
———-
By: Balderic
Dalawang araw ang lumipas nang lumisan si Ben ay biglang sinalubong si Ashley ng ilang media reporters nang ito ay sinusundo ang kanyang anak.
“Is it true that you are Ben Sandobal’s wife?” tanong ng isa.
“The man who was behind the secret operations of Cerberus and the Valkyries, how does it feel to be the mother of his child?”
“Reports say that Ben Sandobal has been spotted in your home. Are you two coming back together?”
“Come on show us some smile sugar!”
“Hey baby, have you tried modelling?”
Hinde pinansin ni Ashley ang mga ito at sumakay na sa kotse ni Dr. Jones. Nilapitan naman ng mga reporter ang butihing doktor.
“Look guys, just leave her alone okay. She’s just trying to live her life in peace.” Pakiusap ni Jones.
“But she’s the so called girlfriend of one of the most famous war heroes in the world. Ben Sandobal not only helped pave the way for a new world order but he also also saved millions of people not just from the wat but during the attacks in this city.”
“Whatever he did, I’m sure he didn’t want her to be a part of it. So save your questions for Ben Sandobal.”
“I can’t believe she’s dating a nigger!”
“who said that!?”
Galit na napa iling si Jones at sumakay na ito sa kotse. Agad nya pinaharurot ang sasakyan.
Sa headquarters naman ng DIED, binagsak ni Director Matthews ang isang dyaryo.
“Look at this.”
“What is it?” pinulot ni Ben ang dyaryo mula sa lamesa at binuklat.
“What do you think? You’ve been compromised. Now your girlfriend is all over the headlines. I thought you would be much more careful than that. You know, I’ve been following your exploits in Cerberus and man you kick ass. No, I’m serious man. You’re a rockstar among us. You lead a team of hot babes doing the most dangerous missions armed with the most deadliest skills. Man that sure was fire. Until SAMAEL fucks it all up.”
Tahimik lang si Ben na tinitignan ang naka ngiti at bilib na bilib na director ng DIED. Pumasok sa opisina si Emilio.
“Sorry I’m late amigos.”
“You’re still here?” tanong ni Ben.
“Yes of course I’m here. These americanos took me in and treated me like a prodigal son coming home. They don’t do that in my country. You know what they do there? They use you and treat you like a basura. So I made up my mind. I’m here and I’m ready to blow shit up hahaha.” Umiling lang si Ben at napahimas sa nuo.
“What do you got for me Jorge?”
“My name is not Jorge. It’s Emilio….EMIL…YOOOO.. Klaro?”
“whatever. So what’s you got?”
“Well the rehabilitation of Furion is doing well. He’s probably ready to do another mission.”
“Furion is alive?” gulat ni Ben.
“Si. Furion is like a hard penyata. He won’t break no matter how hard you try but if you use your brain and good looks, well amigo, you will break that tight shell and taste all the goodies inside.” Sabay kindat nito. Tila nandidiri naman si Dir Matthews at parang tulala.
“Seriously Emilio. How is he holding up?” pahabol ni Ben.
“Remember how he got infected by the nanites right? DIED analyzed them and with their help, they managed to stabilize those microscopic things and now Furion can actually use them for his own benefit. You can’t believe what he can do with it. He’s like a superhero. He hits that concrete wall during training and it got pulverized in an instant. BOOM! It’s gone.”
“Not bad huh.” Nakangiting singit ni Matthews at nakatitig ito kay Ben na tila pinagmamayabang ang kanilang nagawa para kay Furion.
“So what’s your play here Mr. Matthews?” Tanong ni Ben.
Pumasok si Ashari at nasa likod nya si Wulong, Sandra at Athena. Napatayo si Ben nang makita ang grupo.
“We are building a team of people with extra ordinary and deadly skills and abilities to go on missions for the benefit of mankind.” Wika ni Ashari.
“The Death Dealers?” tanong ni Ben.
“The Death Dealers. Shit that still gives me goosebumps. Test groups suggests it’s too grim but I stick to it. The name fits the players. Can you believe they wanna name you guys The Freedom Fighters? Seriously. It sounds like a bad Saturday morning cartoons.”
…