Task Force Trilogy #1: Bullet

Chapter 23

HUMAMPAS ang hangin sa mukha ko habang pinapanood ko ang mga nadadaanan namin. There are medics inside the truck and how they are attending to our injuries. Nakahinga man ako na nakuha na kami ng Task Force pero grabe ang iniwang pinsala ng pagpapasabog ng Guerilla.

"Sir, Senior Master Sergeant Zaza Juan." Pagpapakilala ng isang sergeant. She's included in that list. "The General wants to inform you that an immediate meeting will be conducted after you arrive at the HQ and after you become stable with your injury."

"Is that even immediate, sergeant? Then don't wait for me if it's immediate." Valente strictly replied.

"But the General needs you. Ikaw po ang pinaka-kailangan sa meeting." The female sergeant pushed. Seryoso ang mukha niya at mabilis na sumulyap sa akin.

"Who's included in that meeting, may I ask?"

"The general did not mention, but he specifically told me that you're the most needed, the crucial one."

"Alright."

Nagpatuloy ang biyahe. They checked my stitches and I had to keep quiet while enduring it to avoid alerting Valente. Noong unang mapa-aray ako ay nataranta siya at muntik nang mataasan ang medic na nag-aasikaso sa akin kanina. He seems a little bit agitated inside, but still calm and composed. He's straightly sitting beside me.

"You okay?" He whispered.

Tumango ako. "Ikaw?"

"Fine---"

Naputol ang sanang sasabihin ni Valente nang biglang tumigil ang sasakyan. The driver stepped on the break so hard, that I almost fell onto the other side. Mabuti at nahawakan ni Valente ang beywang ko at inalalayan niya akong makaupo ulit.

The soldiers became alert as one sergeant pulled up from the passenger's seat and went out of the truck. Pinanood ko rin ang pagbaba ng ibang sundalo pero nang agad nilang itaas ang mga baril ay naalerto at kinabahan ako.

"Hands in the air! Put down your weapon!"

"Stay here. I'll check." Mabilis na sabi sa akin ni Valente at dahan-dahan siyang bumaba ng truck. I bit my lower lip but I stopped myself from disobeying him.

Ang tanging nagagawa ko lang ay marinig ang mga nangyayari sa labas.

"Put down your weapon and hands in the air! Or else, we'll shoot!"

"Okay, okay!" A shout from a man.

"Handcuff that man! Move!"

"Jeez---ouch! No need to be hard on me. I'm an ally!"

"Ally my ass. You have that fucking badge, man. You're a Guerilla member. In short, you're an enemy. Check him. His pockets, everything. Dapat ay walang kahit anong dala o laman. Pati loob ng bunganga, tingnan niyo. Baka nandiyan ang bomba."

"Goddamn it. Believe me! I'm here, a whistleblower!"

"A whistleblower, really? Wala ka na bang ibang maipapalusot? If I'd known better, you're another spy sent by your fucking organization. Dapa!"

"You have all his weapons?"

"Yes, lieutenant. Just a coin and a pistol. Wala na pong iba."

"You sure?"

"Hey, hey! Iba na ang nakakapa mo eh! That's my cock, dude! Gusto niyo maghubad pa ako rito para lang masiguro niyo na wala na talaga akong ibang dala?! I ran away from our camp! I'm here to be an informant!"

"We don't need one."

"Well, you need one. Hindi niyo agad makikita ang mga espiya na hinahanap ninyo. They're too clever and they're too good at pretending. Baka hindi niyo alam, nasa tabi niyo na pala ang kalaban."