Societas Custodes Series 1: Nieves Arquillano Vista-Avenged

4

"Good job for the new binoculars, Kill," Gian patted him on the back. Sa tabi niya ito nakaupo kaya pasimple niya lang itong tinanguan.

Tipid lamang na ngumiti si Kill nang sunod-sunod na rin siyang pinuri ng High Command. Even Knight looked very satisfied with his product.

He can finally relax on his seat. He had been anxious for his latest invention. Ilang buwan siyang hindi nakapag-field mission dahil pokus siya masyado sa pagtapos ng special binoculars na ginawa niya. Pinagtuunan niya talaga ng pansin kung paano niya maiincorporate ang night vision, zooming in and out, automatic spotting sa kalaban sa pamamagitan ng pagprogram dito sa pagkakakilanlan ng bawat miyembro ng Societas Custodes, at ang layo ng aabutin ng vision ng device.

It was a complicated and challenging process dahilan para makahinga siya ng maluwag ngayon dahil matagumpay niya itong natapos.

"That's one thing I like about you," panimula ni Knight. "You are a genius and the ace to our brotherhood."

Kill smirked at him. "Right, kaya pala ako lang mag-isa," pabiro niyang reklamo.

Although it's true, masaya naman siya. At mas panatag siya dahil alam niyang walang ibang makakapagkopya ng mga obra niya dahil tanging siya lamang ang may alam. That's why it takes him months to finish a new device before they manufacture it in bulks.

Nailing ang kausap niya ngunit umusli naman ang gilid ng labi at kumawala pa ang maiksing tawa. Kill shook his head and took his folder instead to review some parts of their prior discussion.

"Europe and Asia will receive the first batch," Intel Hermosisima said after a few deliberation. Mas marami kasing kaso na naassign sa dalawang kontinente kaya nakuha niya kaagad ang punto nito. "Commander Hermes Zapanta, I will be expecting you in the HQ next month. Same goes with you, Commander Psyche Ward."

"Copy that, Intel," sabay na tugon ng dalawang Commander.

Si Commander Ward lamang ang nasa HQ since may pinakarecent siyang misyon sa bansa. The other commander is communicating through the huge screen in front along with the other High Command members who are abroad at the moment. At siyempre, ang Grandmaster din.

Gian discussed more about the next batch to get the new technology. Satisfied naman ang lahat sa desisyon nito. Kill is happy, too. Well, it is his product. His invention. But, there's this void in him that cannot be fulfilled by those type of accomplishments. For him, he will only be truly accomplished once he gets to avenge his parents.

Kaya naman nang matapos ang pagpupulong ay nagpaiwan siya at humingi ng pagkakataong makausap ang kanilang pinuno mag-isa.

Knight gave him a suspicious look pero dahil hindi naman tumanggi si Grandmaster at pinaluguran siya nito, wala rin itong nagawa. Sa huli ay umalis silang lahat, at ang mga miyembro na naka-conference call ay ibinaba na ang linya.

Kill leaned his butt on the huge table, sa may kabisera, kaharap ang malaking LED screen. Itinukod niya ang mga kamay sa magkabilang gilid.

"Is anything amiss, Specialist Vista?"

Direkta niya itong sinagot, "General."

James Alcover immediately caught up with his concern. It's not about the brotherhood, ot his duty in Societas Custodes; but something personal.

Kahit hindi nakikita ni Kill ang mukha ng kausap dahil naka-block ang kamera nito sa screen, alam niya na nakuha nito ang gusto niyang iparating. He heard him sigh, which gave it away for him.

"Arquillano," he acknowledged.

Umigting ang panga ni Kill.

"I hope... you won't misunderstand this informal approach of mine, General." Ilang taon na rin kasi ang nakalipas at pakiramdam niya ay nauubusan na siya ng oras kahit pa abala siya sa mga misyon na napupunta sa kanya at sa mga ginagawa niyang technolohiya sa loob ng kanyang laboratory. "Hindi ko na kasi mahanap kung saan pa ako patungo habang nandito ako. I let you use my buildings as the Brotherhood's hideouts and headquarters. I let you use my intelligence to craft your high-end resources. Pero nandito po ako in the first place because when you recruited me, you told me that you will help me find the culprit that night many years ago."