Drops of Divine

Chapter XXVI

Chapter XXVI

"CHANGE your clothes," kunot-noong turan ko. "We're gonna be live in the quarters of special forces. Be professional, Sergeant Roche."

"Copy that, Captain." Nakanguso siyang nagpalit ng damit saka nakaupo sa tabi ko. "Balot na balot ka naman."

Napatingin ako sa suot na white blouse, white trousers at black coat. "May pupuntahan ako after this."

"Parang sa korte ka yata pupunta."

"Kapag hindi ka nanahimik, doon kita dadalhin."

Natawa na lang siya at binuksan na ang projector kung saan nakakonekta ang skype namin. Isang ring lamang ay sinagot na namin ang tawag mula sa France. Naroon sa paligid ang mga kasamahan sa trabaho at sumaludo sa akin.

"Hi, guys!" kaway ni Plum. "Tu me manques!" (I miss you)

Nag-flying kiss pa siya kaya napailing ako. Sabi nang maging professional pero mahilig talaga siyang ihalo ang kalokohan sa trabaho.

"Ikaw naman, Captain!" yugyog niya sa akin. "Mag-hi ka! Masyado kang seryoso."

Agad din kaming tumayo nang dumating si General Marchand at sumaludo sa kaniya. Tumango siya at naupo sa gitna kaya naupo na ulit kami.

"Tu vas bien, Capitaine Gilbert?" (Are you doing well, Captain Gilbert?) he asked.

"Oui, General," (Yes, General) I replied. "But not my mission. I haven't find the boss of Omega."

"Take your time." He glanced at Plum. "Et vous, Sergent Roche?" (What about you, Sergeant Roche?)

"The drug lord was arrested and my last mission here was successfully accomplished. I killed 18 French terrorists, 4 injured and arrested."

"Excellent, but that's not your last. You'll stay there with Captain Gilbert to help her find the Omega."

Matamis siyang ngumiti. "Noted, General."

"Feel na feel mo naman," bulong ko at sumeryoso rin nang muling tignan ang heneral. "Thank you for granting my request. This means a lot to me." Saka ko inangat ang pinadala niyang insignia ng lower rank. Hindi ko pwedeng ipakita ang totoong insignia ko rito sa Pilipinas, malalagot ako sa French law.

"This is my first time to allow a Captain to handle lower rank insignia just for her personal reason. Take care of it or you'll be punished once you came back here."

"Duly noted, General."

"In next two weeks, half of the special operations unit will arrive in the Philippines for your back up operators in capturing the boss of Omega."

"But I'm not sure if my investigation has progress in that particular time."

"Someone sent a tip in our quarters that Omega has a hideout in the slums of Tondo. It might be a hoax but we need to make sure of it."

"Are you saying that we'll raid it?" Plum muttered. "Just me and Captain Gilbert only?"

He nodded. "I believe you can do it."

Hindi makapaniwala si Plum dahil masyado iyong delikado pero sumang-ayon ako. Kailangan dahil kapag sumuway, makakarating agad 'yon sa General of the Armies at ayaw kong humantong sa gano'n. Never pa akong naparusahan kaya gusto kong i-maintain ang record na 'yon.