Heaven Or Hell Episode 3 (Act Ii)

Act II: Pursuing the Shadow
By: Balderic

“I may look gentle but I am not one. If you are willing to be my apprentice then I only have two rules. Obey and Listen! Cause after your preliminary training with me, if you do what I ask of you, I promise you that you will survive. Every mission we take in the future will be one step to the grave, that’s why it is very important to stick to your basic training. Remember your SOP’s and you will do fine. You get me? “

“Yes, Marasigan-san…um I mean Sir! “ ugh this is embarrassing….he’s looking straight to my eyes. I wanna look away but I can’t! Oh no! He stopped talking! He’s just looking at me. What is it? What’s wrong? Crap! He is walking towards me.

“Trainee Ashura, why are you blushing? Are you feeling well? “

“Huh!? Your eyes… “

“My eyes? “

“I mean, I… I’m fine sir! “ oh no! I can’t help it! I’m totally blushing! I have no idea! Now he probably thinks I’m a dork!

“Since you will be stuck with me temporarily, I will carve you into a better agent trainee Ashura. Your father have high expectations of you. I am sure he is proud to see you here serving for the world! You will survive! You will! “

I will….master….

—-

Sunog ang kalahati ng gusali ng main headquarters ng STING. Dumating na rin ang mga bombero at mga sundalo pati pulis sa paligid. Makikitang sumakay ng dalawang chopper ang mga members ng DRAKE at mabilis na tumakas.

“Agent Ashura! Agent Ashura! Wake up! Wake up dammit! “ gumapang palapit si Byron kay Yumiko at inuuga ang likod nito. Hinde na gumagalaw si Yumiko. Kinapa ni Byron ang pulso sa leeg ni Yumiko. Wala syang makapang pulso.

“Dammit! Uughh!! “ umupo si Byron at binuhat ang katawan ni Yumiko. Pinatihaya nya sa kanyang kandungan ang magandang agent. Naka pikit na si Yumiko at patuloy na dumadaloy ang dugo sa tyan nya.

“Heeeelp!!! Somebody!!! Anybody!!! Fucccckk!!!! “ napapaluha si Byron sa pangyayari. Tingin nyang isa syang inutil na agent at bigo syang tulungan si Yumiko. Ang babaemg tinuturing nyang idulo simula pa nung pumasok sya sa ahensya.

—-

Samantala sa loob naman ng chopper ay nakatitig lang si Himeko sa labas. Tanaw nya ang nasusunog na STING building. Tahimik sya at mukhang malalim ang iniisip.

“How are you feeling? “ tanong ni Cifer Black sa headset na dala ni Himeko. Nareport na sa kanya ang mga pangyayari.

“I’m fine master.”

“It is unfortunate that this has to end with your hands Himeko. She is your little sister afterall.”

“I taught her a lesson. That is all master.”

“A lesson indeed. I am proud of you Himeko. Now return to me immediately and give me the Phantom Drive.”

“Yes master.”

“Do not think of it too much Himeko. Cause that sacrifice will not be forgotten once we achieve our main goal. Now that the Phantom Drive is ours, we will be able to start our true operation. Assemble the Four Sin Kings , we have much to discuss.”

—-

Tokyo, Japan 3 days later

“Tok tok tok! ” “Agent Marasigan open up. This is Director Yanagi.” Sinubukang pihitin ni Aoi ang doorknob ng kwarto ni Gabriel at bukas pala ito. Pumasok sya sa loob.

Nakita nyang naka tihaya lang si Gabriel at humihilik. Nagkalat sa loob ng kwarto ang ilang bote ng alak at basag ang salamin sa dingding. Naka benda naman ang kanang kamay ni Gabriel na mukhang nasugatan ito. At may ilang mga papel at mga gamit rin ang nagkalat sa loob ng silid. Lumapit si Aoi kay Gabriel at ginising ito.

“Wake uh… .aahh!! “ pagkakahawak palang ni Aoi sa braso ni Gabriel ay bigla itong gumalaw at pinindown sa kama si Aoi. Napasinghap ng hangin ang babae na ngayon ay naka tihaya at nakapatong sa kanya si Gabriel na mukhang tulala at walang buhay ang mga mata. Nagkatitigan sila ng ilang segundo. Dahan dahang bumaba ang mukha ni Gabriel sa mukha ni Aoi. Ilang sintemetro na lang ang pagitan kanilang mga labi. Napalunok ng laway si Aoi. Ramdam na nya ang init ng hininga ni Gabriel na amoy alak at yosi.

“What… do you want? “ medyo magaspang ang boses ni Gabriel.

“You have been locked in here for days. Main headquarters is looking for you two days ago. They needed you now agent Marasigan.”

“They can handle themselves. My mission is not over yet. I will face Cifer Black.”

“In your state? No you won’t. You have new orders agent Marasigan. I suggest you follow them.” Tumayo si Aoi at inayos ang sarili. Umupo naman si Gabriel at nakayuko. Halatang may hangover pa ito.

“I know you grieve on your ex partner’s loss but a lot of people died there too. You are an agent of STING, agent Marasigan. You know the consequences of our work. Remember, that we are needed now more than ever. DRAKE has the Phantom Drive and we have no idea what they are planning. Now, the new team that will handle your old case will come here later. And you will be have your ride to Germany this evening. Prep up.”

“I told you….I only have one mission. To find Cifer Black and kill him! “

“Wake up Agent Marasigan! Do not force me to suspend you.”

Lumapit si Gabriel kay Aoi. Hinawakan nito ang bewang at leeg ni Aoi at hinila palapit sa kanya sabay binigyan ng mainit na halik sa labi.
“Ummnnhh!!! Hhmmnnhh…” gulat si Aoi sa ginawa ni Gabriel sa kanya. Tinulak nya palayo si Gabriel subalit gumalaw na ang kanyang dila sa loob ng bibig ni Aoi at napa pikit na lang ito.

Di nagtagal ay lumaban ito ng halikan kay Gabriel. Nakipag espadahan ito ng dila sa kanya kahit amoy alak pa ito. Subalit na tauhan si Aoi.

“Pak! “ sinampal nya si Gabriel at napa atras ito.

“That’s it. Until further notice, you are suspended Agent Marasigan.”

Lumabas si Aoi at iniwan si Gabriel na tulala. Napa buntong hininga si Gabriel at dinampot ang isang bote ng alak sa sahig na may laman pa. Tinungga nya ito at humiga ulit sa kama.

—-

France

Sa isang mansion, nasa dining room ang isang grupo. Mahaba ang lamesa sa gitna ng silid. May mga naka upo sa magkanilang gilid nito at nasa dulo naman may isang naka upo, si Cifer Black.

“Good evening my Four Sin Kings. Lucilla Entegra, Grim Glendajar, Lin-Lin Slozar, and Wristler Primo Honshou.” Pag bati ni Cifer sa apat na panauhin nyang naka upo rin sa gilid ng lamesa.

“Good evening sir.” Sabay na bati ng apat.

Ang Four Sin Kings ay ang special na mga tauhan ni Cifer. Binubuo sila ng apat na taong may kanya kanyang katangian na tumutugma sa seven deadly sins. At itong apat na membro ay malaki ang parte sa pagpapalakas ng organization ni Cifer.

Si Lucilla Entegra, isang magandang 25 year old na Romanian fashion Icon. Sya ang personify ng Lust at Envy. Isang babaeng may misteryosong nakaraan at maraming kaso ng pag patay at pang aabuso.

Si Grim Glendajar, isang 40 years old na matabang bumbay at isang corrupt businessman. Sya naman ang personification ng Greed at Glutonny. Isang taong kilala sa pag tatake over ng mga maliliit na kompanya at mga ari arian, isa ring hayok sa laman at may ilang dosenang kaso ng panggagahasa sa India na nalusutan dahil sa pera.

Si Lin-lin Slozar, ay isang 18 year old na dalaga at isang computer expert. Sa porma ng katawan nya ay maipagkakaila mo syang katorse dahil maamo ang mukha, medyo pandak at payat. Maganda naman sya at may suot pa na glasses. Sya ang personify ng Sloth. Isang babaeng walang ginawa kundi ang magbabad sa computer. Kilalang hacker at isa sa mga nakatunggali na dati ni Alexander.

At si Wristler Primo Honshou, isang 35 years old na negro. Ang tinaguriang Black Death ng southern Africa. Isang warrior assassin na kinakatakutan sa underworld. Malupit sa larangan ng pakikidigma at pakikipaglaban. Sya ang personification ng Wrath at Pride.

“it will be just a matter of time before we can fully use the completed Phantom Drive. And when that happens, we will start the Operation Hellstorm.” Wika ni Cifer.

“Um sir? What about that Gabriel fellow you asked me to search?” tanong ni Lin-lin.

“He is not a threat anymore. Our main focus is the Operation Hellstorm.”

“According to my sources, STING will send in a team to pursue us. Good thing, I already know who they are. My source already sent me their records and quite frankly they are good but I am not impressed just yet. Now that their main Headquarters is ashes and a lot of their assets are out of commission, we have a lot of time to properly plan out our operation.” Wika naman ni Grim.

“Sir can I excuse myself? “ tanong naman ni Lin-lin kay Cifer.

“What is it? “

“I just wanna grab some candies.” Naka ngiti ito na parang inosenteng dalagita.

“This is an important meeting Lin-lin, stay put.” Wika naman ni Wristler.

“But the candies… “

“Grab them later! And what’s with that red hair? Its an eyesore! “

“Its strawberry pink you dufos! You’re just jelous cause you’re bald! Bleeh!! “ pang iinis ni Lin-lin kay Wristler.

“You pipsquek! “ tumayo si Wristler.

“Okay enough. Let’s have a break. Lin-lin go grab me a soda too.” Sagot naman ni Cifer na kalmado lang ang boses.

“Sure mister B! “ umalis na naka ngiti si Lin-lin.

“Seriously sir, why would you have her as a member of our inner circle?”

“Don’t be too grumpy Wristler. Just relax, and settle down.”

“Yes sir.”

—-

Tokyo, Japan

Binuksan ng isang apprentice ang pinto ng kwarto ni Gabriel. Nakita nya itong naka suot ng formal attire at mukhang malinis.

“Sir, Director Yanagi wants you to report to her office immediately.”

“okay, thanks Fred.”

“I’m sorry about what happened to agent Ashura, sir. I was shocked. She was….like our little sister here.” Sa Japan Branch unang sumabak sa training si Yumiko nung ma recruit ito ni Gabriel.

“Yes, she was special. Thank you.” Malungkot na sagot ni Gabriel habang inaayos ang kurbata nya.

Lumabas sya ng barracks building at pumasok naman sa headquarters. Nasa isang malaking compound lamang ang lahat ng buildings ng STING. Alam ng karamihan ang nangyaring pag suspende kay Gabriel at di ito maiwasang pag usapan ng mga tauhan sa Japan branch. At sa bawat silid at hallway na madaanan ni Gabriel ay kapansin pansin ang awkward silence ng mga tao doon at ang mailang ilang bulungan. Hinde naman ito pinansin ni Gabriel at dumiretso lang sya sa opisina ni Aoi. Pag pasok nya doon ay may nakita na syang dalawang taong naka tayo at kaharap si Aoi.

“Oh agent Marasigan you’re here. I would like to introduce you to this two agents. Class S Agent Bond and his sister Class B Agent Bond.” Pagpakilala ni Aoi sa dalawang amerikanong agents.

“The legend himself, just call me Bond, Kentucky Bond.” Nakipag kamay sya kay Gabriel at kumindat pa.

“Kentucky? That’s unfortunate, I was expecting the name James.”

“well, um…. This is my sister Mindy.” Sabay turo sa katabi nyang dalaga na ngumunguya ng bubblegum.

“What’s up fuck face? “ bati ni Mindy kay Gabriel. Napa iling na lang si Gabriel at tumingin kay Aoi. Nag shrug nalang si Aoi sa dalawang weirdong agents.

“So, you guys are gonna take up my investigation on the DRAKE organization.”

“That’s right sugartops! “ sagot naman ni Ken.

Medyo may angas si Kentucky Bond, naka suot ng black toxido at naka brush up ang brown na buhok. May tangkad na 5’9 at fit ang katawan. Kilala sa pagiging mister swabe ng ahensya.

Si Mindy Bond naman ay ang nakababatang kapatid ni Ken, blond ang buhok at payat. Kapansin pansin ang medyo lolita na porma. May kapandakan sa taas na 5’4 at mapagkakamalang bata. Mapula ang mga lips at medyo goth ang suot na damit at skirt. Kilala sa pagiging matinik sa dual handgun nya at expert rin sa ibat ibang klaseng armas.

“You two already read my reports right? So what do you want from me now? “ tanong ni Gabriel. Nagkatinginan ang dalawa.

“Well, we wanted you to be our third man.” Sagot naman ni Ken.

“Sorry guys but I’m suspended.”

“That will not be a problem.” Wika naman ni Aoi. Nagpapahiwatig na pinapayagan netong sumama na si Gabriel sa mission nina Ken. Umangat ang mga kilay ni Gabriel at nasurpresa ito.

“You mean, I’m not suspended anymore? That was fast. What gives? “

“This two requested to director Krauss that you will be needed in pursuing Cifer and his croonies. That is the reason why they are here. They also sent me your updated orders. From here on out, you will lead this two on a mission to retrieve the Phantom Drive and assist in capturing the DRAKE leader Cifer Black.”

“Okay, fare enough.” Kumbinseidong sagot ni Gabriel.

“I would like to brief you on the latest occurences on our status sir.” Wika ni Ken kay Gabriel.

Pumasok sila sa isang demo room at nilatag ang projector. Nagsimula ng mag discuss si Ken.
“As you know, DRAKE has the last piece of the Phantom Drive and I am pretty sure it will be operational soon. Now, our first objective is to retrieve at least 1 piece of the Phantom Drive to stop them from continuing their unknown operation. Since it is impossible to tract them of their whereabouts, good thing Alexander Ford installed a tracing program inside the software of the Phantom Drive that we got. Don’t worry, it is still undetected by the enemies. Now the last signal of the Phantom Drive that we recorded a couple of hours ago was in France. It hasn’t moved since.”

“It’s also possible that the rest of the Phantom Dri