SECRET MOVE

Final Chapter

Athena Grace Flac

Nagising ako na nasa Hospital na. Someone was holding my hand and I felt it. I moved my fingers slightly, and she squeezed back, her touch warm and comforting.

"Athena? Thank goodness your awake."

"Sharpay... what happened?" I asked, my voice raspy from disuse.

"You lost consciousness. Pinag-alala mo ako."

"Sorry," I mumbled, my voice still weak.

"You're not going to believe this... we succeeded! We got the key back" Masayang binalita saakin ni Sharpay.

I managed a weak smile and tried to move, but my body felt heavy and unresponsive.  Sharpay told me to rest and get better.

Nag-kwento si Sharpay nang mga nangyari during the mission. Nalaman ko na nahuli na ang mga rogue agent at natunton ng Delta Intelligence team ang hideout nila kung saan nila ginagawa ang mga illegal na operations.

Kahit ang mga dealers nila sa ibat-ibang bansa ay na locate din at kasalukuyan ngayon nasa custody na ng Intelligence para imbistigahan. Kahapon, nakalaya na ang mga kasamahan namin at nakauwi na din daw sa kani-kanilang pamilya. Masaya ako para sa kanila at masaya ako para saamin ni Sharpay dahil pwede na kaming bumalik sa normal na mga buhay namin.

Ang kwento ni Sharpay, ang iba sa mga ka-workmates namin ay nag -quit na sa job, marahil natakot sila pero ang iba nag desisyon na magpatuloy sa pag wowork under Echo Division.

Jade told Sharpay that he was trying to persuade our other coworkers who had decided to quit. Jade believed that people like them, with their unique skills in computers, should be working to protect the country.

"You should get better soon, Athena. Do you know that the Chief General of Intelligence wants to meet you?" Sharpay said.

"Really?  Oh my god!  The Chief General?" I exclaimed in disbelief.

"Alam mo bang nalaman namin na nasira mo ang explosive device na naka-linked sa laptop ng rogue agent? At dahil doon marami kang buhay na naligtas kaya gusto ka makilala ni Chief General Lèandre."

"Sharpay, I couldn't have done it without you.  While I was decoding, I remembered everything you taught me, and that gave me the courage to do it.  Thank you, Sharpay," I said.

Pinilit ko muli na umupo at inalalayan naman ako ni Sharpay. Niyakap ko sya ng mahigpit and Sharpay hugged me back too.

*****

A few days later, I was finally discharged from Albany Hospital.  Jade and Sergeant Candy picked us up and drove us to Intelligence Headquarters for our meeting with Chief General Lèandre.

Nang makarating kami doon ay sobrang kinakabahan ako. Everyone seemed to be looking at us, and I felt like I was under a microscope.  The headquarters was incredible, though. Sleek, modern, and inspiring. Parang ang sarap mag work sa ganitong lugar.