REGIME (English Version)

Chapter 12 - Poor Execution

- Alright guys, this little earpiece will help us communicate from a distance. Don't take it off, okay?

- Thanks, Drake, did you make this? - I took the earpieces from Drake's hand and asked.

- Yep, haha... taught myself - Drake says with a not-so-modest tone.
Ruby enters the room and asks:

- So, are you ready?

- Yeah, it's almost time.

- Then let's go, we don't want to waste time. What's this?

- Earpieces for us to communicate from a distance, they're super comfortable. - Drake hands the earpieces to Ruby.

- Oh, thanks... - Robert, who was sitting on a bench, leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, asks:

- Are we going to put the plan of splitting up into action?

- Yes. You and I are going to the Louie's room to prevent him from leaving until Ruby completes the cargo mission.

- I'm already heading to the location, I'll talk to you through the earpiece - Ruby was leaving in a hurry. She seemed nervous, so I grabbed her arm.

- Hey... calm down, okay? Relax.

- Ugh... it's tough.

- Don't worry - I put my hands on her face to calm her down, and she responds by putting her hands on mine.

- Thank you, Tom... but... I can't stop thinking about the last mission.

- Just because it failed once doesn't mean it will fail every time... and now you have me. Any support you need, just let me know.

- And us! - Drake interrupts, then we laugh.

- That's right... take care... and take this... just to be sure - I handed my gun to Ruby, then after she stored it, we hugged and said goodbye.

- Daaang... is it just me or is there something going on between you and the redhead, Tommy?

- Since when do I let you call me that, Drake?

- Haha sorry... I just... I don't know... sorry

- I'm kidding, kid - I ruffle his hair to break the tension. Despite not having much age difference, Drake didn't seem very mature for an 18-year-old. I mean, maybe it's unfair to judge him like that since I grew up in the forest and in abandoned buildings playing on the edges of survival. Anyway, I liked Drake and this time we spent together planning the big day brought us closer. But I couldn't say the same about Robert, he was always there just contributing to the mission and quiet with his arms crossed, I tried several times to engage with the guy but had no chance.

- So, can we go now? - I lean to see what Drake was typing so much on the computer.

- Alright, I've gained access to the fat guy's messages, if anyone sends him a message, it'll come to this phone here. - Drake said showing me the phone in his hand.

- Alright, so there's 10 minutes left for Ruby to meet up with the cargo truck, are you sure you showed her the right place?

- Don't worry, she has the map on her phone.

- Hey, Thomas. I think we better go now.

- You're right, let's do it. - I respond to Robert who had stood up. Then we left there with Robert's motorcycle and arrived at Louie's building to hide and know if he leaves from there.

- Something's wrong. - Robert says after looking at the window.

- What's up?

- Louie should be here, but the window is closed.

- What do you mean?

- He never leaves the window closed.

- Maybe it was too windy, I don't know...

- No man, this is serious. Louie never closes the window while he's working in the office. He left there for some reason.

- Damn, I don't know, did he go to the bathroom?

- You don't seem to be taking this seriously.

- What do you want me to do then?

- Let's go check if he's there.

- Are you crazy? What are we going to say if he's there?

- We won't attract attention. Come on - Robert went ahead of me and crossed the dirt road that led to the small building where Louie worked. When we got there, we found the door half-open. I was a little behind gesturing for Robert not to enter the room, but he ignored me and sneaked in and peered slowly, then entered with a knife in hand, making sure there was no one.

- Yeah, he's not here. - Robert says when he realizes the room was empty. After he confirmed that there was no one in the room, I entered and asked Robert:

- If he's not here and it's not by chance, he probably already suspected something.

- He wanted us to know. - Robert says as he looks at the computer screen. Then I approached and saw that there was a message exchange between Louie and someone from the Regency. They said: "He's there, they're planning something. Treat him well until we arrive. Pretend you don't know anything."

"The girl. She's one of us."

- "He's there"? Who is he talking about? - Robert wonders.

- Damn it! We need to go after Ruby, this is an ambush.

I ran out of there while trying to contact Ruby through the earpiece, but there was no signal.

- Shit... Drake... Drake, are you listening?

- Wow! It's working!

- Listen to me, Drake, you need to talk to Ruby, I can't reach her. - I say as I reach the entrance of the building.

- What's wrong?

- The government, they already knew everything! It was a setup to get Ruby!

- What do you mean?!

- I don't know either, just tell her we're on our way! - When I hung up the call, there was interference in my ear and I heard Ruby talking, but the signal was very bad.