Survival

DIEZ

DIEZ

"We need you Flight Lieutenant Hyacinth Solijon,"

That voice belongs to Commander Sylvester. He is the Flight Commander in my Fleet. It seems like I can't do both, working on the patent and fighting off the terrorists. 

"Corporal Yifan will escort you to the base. I'm afraid you have to let go of that research and let Archie, Mandy and Euro finish that along with the international team scientists and virologists," Commander said over the line, I smile and accept it. The patent will be in good hands with these three. 

"Copy, Commander," I said in my diplomatic voice. Now I have to shut my emotions or it will get the best of me and cause casualties to my fellow fighters. 

"Guys, you heard it from the Commander right? I entrust you the success rate of this patent and save humanity from this virus," I said with a proud smile plaster on my face. I believe in them, it will be the matter of time they will complete it and ready to the public. 

"We will and you, be safe on your risky odyssey. Come back in one piece," Archie said and Mandy hug me tightly.

"You better come back alive! If not I'm gonna kill you!," Mandy squeaked. I chuckled at her antics while on the other hand, I'm afraid I can't fulfill that promise.

"You can't kill a dead person, Mandy," I jokingly said but I felt warm on my shoulder. She cried. Now its hard for me to let go of this group. Archie and Euro give warm hugs that results into group hug. 

After minutes of drama, I prepare myself and some things to bring. I felt my dog tag's cold metal on my skin. Now I'm debating whether I'll give it to someone or I'll keep it to myself.

"You better come home alive and breathing," a masculine said out of the cold silence. Euro.

"I don't make promises Mr. Valdez," I said in a matter of fact tone. I don't want them to hope that I'll make it. This war is life and death situation. 

"Then do me a favor," he said and that's where I face him and I regret why I abruptly turn to face him and now the gap between us less than an inch. 

"Don't die," he said while he look at me straight into the eyes. That favor is the same as their promise. I just smiled at him.

"Then do me also a favor," I smirked at him. He raised his left eyebrow.

"What it will be?," he inquire.

"Finish and complete the patent of the vaccine. Don't let it   hand it over to someone who is suspicious," I said that to me but what he replied was he kissed the tip of my nose. I can feel my cheeks are burning. 

"As you wish," he smiled then hugged me. I also hugged him back. I whisper to him.

"There's something I should give it to you," then I took it off my dog tag and I hooked it on his necklace. 

"Whether I'll go M.I.A. or K.I.A.," and with that I left him on his roots.

I quickly took my bag and Corporal Yifan just arrived. We exchange greetings and he motioned me to follow. A chopper will be mean of transportation to the base.

After  the flight of the chopper that seems like eternal to me, come to an end and we landed on the base. I see many jet fighters preparing for the anticipated battle. At the far away, where the commanders are discussing, I saw Commander Sylvester. I walk towards him and I salute him.

"Don't do something risky up in the clouds," he warned. I just sheepishly smiled. 

"I won't unless it is necessary, Commander," I told him. I saw how his eyes shift down to my neck.

"Where's your dog tag?," he asked. It's the rule here, before we head out to the battlefield, we must take off our dog tag so that we can't be recognized by the enemy whether we surrender it to out commander or to someone whom you trust to.

"I already gave it to someone, Commander," I told him the truth, there's no point in lying. I saw how his lips turn into thin line and his face becomes serious.

"Is that so? Okay then, prepare yourself. Your plane is right over there," he pointed the plane that I'll be   maneuvering soon. 

"Yes commander. I'll be going now-,"

"Let's stay like this for a moment, okay?," he plead. We are hugging at the air base, many soldiers just pass us and they saw like nothing and proceed with their business.

"We'll survive this war, no matter what it takes," he said and his hug become more tight and I hug him back.

"We will survive,"