Ethereal Phantasm

CHAPTER XIV

LAIRE'S POINT OF VIEW

It wasn't that long when I started the engine. I swallowed, somehow a little doubtful about everything. Jacques has been quiet also, which is making the situation more intense than it's ever been.

"Well, it's all or nothing," I mumbled under my breath as the ship started flying.

Tila naka-auto pilot ito at ang tanging manual lamang ay ang pag-andar at pagpatay ng engine. As soon as we started flying, wala na akong masyadong pinindot pa. Parang alam na nito kung saan papunta at kung anong gagawin.

Tahimik ang buong byahe. Although he was by my side, it looks like he was thinking carefully. His eyes were fixated in front of us until we reached the space.

Hindi nagtagal ay tanaw ko ang malaking spaceship kung saan ako lumaki. The ship that we are currently riding is slowly entering the spaceship. My heart beats faster, an indication that my system is currently nervous and unwell about the situation.

As soon as the ship landed, Jacques and I went out. May iilang mga medic na nag-inspect sa amin. They asked our names and interviewed us for a while.

"My squadmates are ambushed and dead, including my Lieutenant," I said in a formal tone, maintaining a straight and stern expression.

It went on like that. They checked my files and confirmed that my squadmates are undetectable, including our leader. Nagkaroon din ng quick check-up. I was a bit uneasy dahil baka mapansin nilang presko pa ang sugat kung saan inilagay ni Jacques ang microchip. To my relief, they assumed that it must be because I was wounded by the constant ambush and combats I encountered on land.

Hindi kagaya sa mga military base sa baba, mas mahigpit ang seguridad nila rito sa taas. They warned us that we are not allowed to stay here for long. Isang linggo lang ang binigay sa amin.

Great. That's enough.

I bathed myself and was given another pair of military shirt and pants. I roamed my eyes around the area. Maraming sundalo ang narito. As expected, this is a place of security. They were double times stricter and formal.

"Jacques!" I called him and waved my hand as soon as I found him inside. Napalingon siya sa 'kin. "I've been thinking about-"

"Shh," bigla niyang saad. I stopped talking. He pointed his ears, implying that they're listening.

Right.

Natikom ang bibig ko roon. I took a deep sigh and cleared my throat before talking once more. Though, before I could, he suddenly interupted me.

"Aren't you hungry?" Jacques asked in a casual tone habang palinga-linga. My brows furrowed.

"No," I answered in my usual firm tone.

"We should eat," saad niya.

I felt his arms around my shoulder, trying to push me as we started walking. To my surprise, he was tapping my shoulder with a little to no pressure on every tap, as if he was carefully doing what he can to avoid suspicion.

It is a Morse Code.

"Stay awake tonight." That's what the code says before he pulled his arm away from my shoulder. Napatingin ako sa kaniya.

"There's the canteen," Jacques uttered in a nonchalant tone and started walking faster than me. Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako bago siya sundan.