Philippines: Year 2302 - Helena's Downfall

Chapter 22: The Hidden Chronicle (Ang Nakatagong Salaysay)

"Every tale has its endings, but every ending lies a hidden message."

-E.M. Priel

After Credit:

November 18, 2300 - Manila - 4:45 AM - -5°C

"President Kyon Lin Il, it's nice to see you."

Matalim ang pagkakatitig ni Johan mula sa kanyang hologram screen. Nakatambad pa sa paligid niya ang iba pang mga hologram screen kung saan pinapakita ang iba't ibang statistics at mga numero maging ang mga pangyayari sa loob at labas ng Malakanyang. Patuloy pa rin sa pagsira ng bakal na pader ang iba't bang pwersa ng mga bansa. Patuloy rin si Helena sa pagwawala at sa pagsuntok sa bakal na pader na hinaharangan ng mga prototype mula sa conference hall ng Malakanyang.

"Mr. Johan Klein. You still have the guts to contact me after this tragedy that you did. What would be your concern? Do you want me to issue you a monument for your death?" tanong naman ng North Korean president.

Nakaitim siyang uniporme ng sundalo at tila isang sumbrero ng heneral at puting kapa naman ang suot sa kanyang likod. May itim siyang bigote at tila guhit lamang ito pababa sa kanyang baba.

Natawa naman si Johan sa sinabi ng Communist president. Napapikit pa siya at tila hinawi ang kanyang buhok paalis sa nagdurugo niyang noo.

"Do you want to play a game, Mr. President? A game of war? A game of chess where we are in a tag team play. Let's just say that I am the king and you'll be my knight?" tanong ng binata. Matalim pa rin ang kanyang tingin sa North Korean President.

"And what would be a king's move if he is already facing his death?"

"I want you to make an agreement with MEMO. I want them to invade the Philippines."

Napataas naman ng kanang kilay ang North Korean President.

"And how will it benefit our country?" tanong niya.

"The Philippines will be under the European Union. You will have an agreement with them. You will be given artillery, weapons, guns, name it. You will have a secret agreement with them. To be your allied country for defense against the force of the Philippines," wika naman ni Johan.

"HAHAHAHA!" Malakas na tawa naman ang ibinigay ni Kyon Lin Il.

"You're selling your own country in exchange for your life? Are you really that desperate or insane?"

"Do you want to play this game of war, Mr. Kyon? Because I fear that you might lose." Napatigil naman ang presidente at napatingin sa kanyang kausap.

"Where are you right now? I bet you're not here to join the war against me. You sent your general to join them. For what cause? What loyalty would you share to this world if you are not here? Aren't you afraid of being the next target? What if I control the whole North Korea to create a war so massive that every nation will beg to stop it? What if they fight back? Would you like to be the next China, wherein the Great Wall becomes the Great Crater of China?"

Bahagyang yumuko ang binata ngunit galit at matalim pa rin ang tingin.

"W-what do you want then?" Tila natakot naman ang kausap ni Johan at nagsimula nang makinig sa kanya.

"North Korea will agree to be the right hand of MEMO or should I say, the European Government."

"But MEMO is just a company, not a country. What do you mean?" pagtataka naman ng presidente.

"You're wrong, Mr. President. MEMO will rise again after I accept my death. Would you like to be controlled by the MCM program? If they exist, the program too shall exist," paliwanag naman ni Johan. Tila pinapaikot niya ang kausap para sa kanyang malaking plano.

"What would I do then?" tanong naman niya.

"You will deceive them. Make them believe that your forces rallied with their union. You will get your reward. Your weapons, artilleries and arms. Spare a few soldiers if you can for a short war. Then have your revenge against Europe. When I rise back from the dead, I will reach out to you, and together, we will play a game against the world," paliwanag ni Johan. Napangiti naman ang North Korean President sa kanyang sinabi.

"Together? Haha. How will I be so sure that your plan will work? And how can I assure your loyalty to our agreement in this?" paniniguro naman ng North Korean President.

"MEMO will still reveal their true form in the name of Europe. They will hide themselves in the sympathy of this world when this ends. That's why I'm doing this. If I betray our agreement, you will still have your reward. You will share the Philippines with Europe," wika ni Johan habang tusong nakangiti.

"I would love to play it, Mr. Johan Klein. Tell me, how would I know if the game has started?" tanong naman niya.

"When the MCM program revealed itself, you will secretly join the others in searching it. You will blame the European Union instead of searching it in the Philippines. You will know if I'm alive if the forces of the one searching for the program has been revealed in the Philippines," paliwanag ni Johan.

"Then, Mr. Klein, you can count me on it. But please, don't trust me. Because my mind can play tricks on me sometimes," paalala niya. Ngumiti siya at agad naman siyang nawala sa video call.

"I understand, Mr. President. Because I can play tricks myself."

Napangiti si Johan. Humarap siya sa isa pang panel ng hologram screen kung saan nandoon pa at nakikinig si Edward Vitore. Ngumiti ang binata. Isang strawberry ice cream cone ang hawak niya at kanyang dinidilaan. Napangiti naman si Johan sa kanyang nakikita.

"Nasa plano na ang lahat, Edward. Ang gagawin mo na lang ay sundin ang lahat ng ibinilin ko. Maglalaro tayo."

Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ni Edward at tila nanginginig pa ang itim sa bilog ng kanyang mata habang nakatitig sa binata. Patuloy namang hinimas ni Johan ang isang itim na fiber glass na helmet na gamit ng mga prototype.

"G-GUSTONG-GUSTO KO NG MGA PAGSABOG!"

Tila nasasabik naman si Edward sa plano ng binata. Muli niyang dinilaan ang kanyang strawberry ice cream cone. Napangiti na lamang si Johan.