Codename: Alpha Zero

Chapter 37

MINA

"I'm sorry but I can't give you the Intel."

Nagulat kaming lahat sa sagot ni Mr. Fraigh. He can't give us the Intel? But we would only borrow it! Hindi naman kailangang ibigay niya sa amin iyon dahil isa lang naman ang paggagamitan namin.

"Dad, you must be joking," Farrhein said. But I think he is wrong. Sobrang seryoso kasi ng mukha ni Mr. Fraigh and I don't think he's the kind of man who will joke at a time like this.

"I can't give you the Intel," Mr. Fraigh repeated. "That would be delivered to the Philippine Force later, and I don't think you can finish using it for just hours if you will borrow it."

He's right. We can't finish using it for hours. Una sa lahat, hindi pa namin nakikita si Ceidrick.

"We already found him, Dad," Farrhein replied. "We know where he is."

"May I know who this person is?" Mr. Fraigh asked.

"Ceidrick Reid po," this time, si Ate Mincy na ang sumagot. "He is one of the original Pentagon. Naging underground fighter din siya carrying a name––"

"Bone," Mr. Fraigh finished Ate Mincy's words. Nagulat pa ako dahil alam niya kung sino ang target namin. "I know him. The fighter who never loses. Nagkita na kami dati."

Napakunot muli ang noo ko. Mr. Fraigh is really full of surprises. He is unpredictable. Just like the Decade.

"Paano niyo po siya nakilala?" Lucy asked.

"Well, I make a living on underground fights years ago," Mr. Fraigh answered, touching the bridge of his glasses. "Dahil nga maraming sakim sa pera, I've been hired to make devices that will assure their wins. Walang nakakatalo sa iisang fighter doon dahil sa mga device ko. But then someone named Bone challenged my fighter. Guess what? Natalo niya ito even when that fighter is cheating. That's how strong he is."

"Baka mamaya mahina lang talaga ang fighter niyo?" Wally said. "Or maybe he got overconfident dahil sa mga devices niyo?"

Umiling si Mr. Fraigh. "That could be a reason but I guess it is not. My fighter is a champion even when I am still not working for a certain person. Kumbaga, I just gave him a maintenance to reassure his undisputable champion title."

"Let's go," biglang sabi ni Farrhein. "We need to think of another plan."

"You don't have plan B yet?" parang disappointed si Mr. Fraigh sa narinig niya.

"Because I am too sure that my plan will work," Farrhein replied.

"And did it worked? By the way I'm looking at it, I can say that your plan failed. How accurate can you be, son?" mukhang sinesermonan na siya ng tatay niya.

Napatingin ako kay Marsh. I gave him a meaningful look but he just simply shook his head. Siguro family matters na kasi papunta ang usapan ng mag-ama kaya ayaw niyang makialam.

"Look, I'm not like you or greater than you when it comes to plans and strategies. Yet," Farrhein sighed before continuing. "Pinilit mo lang naman akong sumali dito, after all."

My eyes widen in surprise. So napilitan lang pala si Farrhein na sumali sa Alpha Fleet? But I can see his dedication to the group.

"You gladly accepted that proposal, right? I just made a path for you––"

"Let's just cut this conversation," Farrhein said. "Kung wala na kaming mapapala dito, then we will go now."

Tumalikod na siya at umalis na. Isa-isang sumunod ang Decade sa kaniya. I followed them too because of the awkwardness I am feeling right now. Alam mo 'yong feeling na nakikikain ka sa kaibigan mo tapos bigla silang nag-away ng magulang niya? That's what I'm feeling right now.