Last Clear Shot

Chapter 20

THIRD PERSON'S POV

Light Reaction Regiment (LRR), Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

Nasa training field si James ng naturang headquarters. Nakikipag lokohan sa ilang tauhan nya. Katatapos lang ng mahabang drill nila.

"Capt. Chavez, Sir. Pinapatawag ka ni Col. Ramirez sa opisina nya, ASAP daw Sir." ani Sgt. Esqueta.

Nakabalik na rin si Sgt. Esqueta sa trabaho na mukhang hindi na-operahan sa tiyan.

"Patay Sir. Mukhang nag report yung babaeng iniwanan mo sa hotel kagabi ah." loko PFC Lagdameo.

"Ulol! Yung syota mo ang kasama ko kagabi at hindi kami nag hotel. Nag kwek kwek lang kami. You know? Quick quick?" pang aasar ni James sabay alis.

Iniwanan ni James ang grupo na nagtatawanan.

Tumuloy si James sa opisina ng CO na si Col. Joseph Ramirez.

Kumatok ito ng tatlong beses.

"Come in." ani Col. Ramirez.

Agad na nag salute si James pagkapasok.

"Carry on! Have a seat!" anang Colonel.

Umupo naman si James sa upuang nasa harap ng desk ng Colonel.

"Kumusta ang drill ng mga tao mo?"

"Okay naman Sir. Mukhang nasa kondisyon na ulit ang lahat." sagot niya.

"Good to hear that Captain. You think they are all ready for another mission?" muling tanong ng Colonel.

"I think so Sir. Some were even asking as to when the next mission would be, Sir."

"How about you? Are you ready for the next one?"

"Yes Sir. I believe, that's the point of being a soldier. You go from one mission to another."

"Good because we will have another one. Gen. Aragon of General Headquarters called me a while ago informing me that we will have a huge mission. By huge mission, he meant you and your men will join a battalion for a top secret mission. Do you know what top-secret mission is?" Col. Ramirez is intently staring at James.

"Yes Sir!"

"And what is it?"

"It's something where soldiers are being sent to an unknown place to fight against unknown enemies while funeral homes and flag-makers are increasing their production in anticipation of prospective mass of customers, Sir!"

Natawa si Col. Ramirez.

"That's bullshit! But you know I really admire how you see your death and making mockery out of it. Kaya pati si kamatayan ayaw ka ng patulan eh. Baka pati sya masiraan ng bait sa pagka sira ulo mo. Anyway, you're right. For now, the place of assignment is unknown and so are the identities and details of your enemies. You'll know few days or few weeks maybe before the actual deployment, because really, this is a top-secret mission and we should avoid any leakage of news regarding this. You'll be handling a company and so we will be aiming for 80 to 100 men, 150 at most."

"That's really huge Sir. Mukhang malakihang mission nga to. Ilang companies ba kami Sir?"

"Seven companies and we are aiming 500 to 800 men in this battalion."

"Mukhang kukulangin tayo sa tao natin dito Sir para sa isang company. May mga kagagaling lang sa misyon at sugatan pa yung iba."

"That is why I want you to do the headcount. Bilangin mo kung sino yung mga able-bodied men at kukuha ka sa General headquarters para sa kakulangan. You have to gather at least 80 men all in all. Kung makaka 100 ka, mas maige at mas maige lalo kung 150 men because I'm telling you, you'll be needing more men the most. Do you have any idea why?"