Codename: Alpha Zero

Chapter 32

ROGER

I badly wanted to go with the Pentagon and rescue Bernia. She's not just my comrade, she is a very important person to me.

Biglang pumasok sina Victor, Troy, at Zedon sa kwarto. Halos gumapang na sila sa sahig. I can't help them since I cannot get up from the bed. Napuruhan ako noong huling laban namin.

I looked at the door and waited for Bernia. But no one else came in. Napatingin ako sa tatlong kasama ko.

"Where is Bernia?" I asked. "Nahuli ba nila siya?"

"No," si Zedon ang sumagot.

"Nasaan siya?" wala nang sumagot sa pangalawang tanong ko. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng kaba. "T-Tell me where she is," nag-aalangang sabi ko.

"They got her," Troy answered. Kumuyom ang kamao niya. "Dahil 'yon sa pesteng Zero na 'yon! He killed her! In front of our faces!"

Natigilan ako. Hindi agad nag-process sa isip ko ang sinabi niya. He killed her. Bernia, one of the best fighter of Omega.

"No, that's impossible," I can't believe it. "Hindi pwedeng gano'n lang kadaling mapapatay si Bernia. She's a strong woman."

"That's what we believe, too," Zedon said. Hawak niya ang balikat niya at mukhang may tama siya ng baril. "But that Zero, he is a monster. Maybe we messed up with the wrong people."

"Maybe we messed up with the wrong people."

I remembered Bernia saying those same words half a year ago. That was the time when the Alpha Fleet is messing our negotiations more than they ever did. Sa akin niya lang sinabi iyon nang personal kaming nagkausap.

-*-*-

"I really hate that group calling themselves Alpha Fleet!" I shouted.

We are on our way to one of our contacts. Nakarating na kasi ang order nilang mga baril. These guns are high-end.

Napatingin ako kay Bernia na kasama ko sa kotse ko. Tulala siya sa bintana. Napapadalas na siyang ganiyan. Bigla na lang mapapalalim ang iniisip.

"Hey, I'm talking to you," I tried to get her attention but I failed. Sobrang lalim siguro ng iniisip niya.

Kung hindi ko pa siya kalabitin sa balikat ay hindi ko pa makukuha ang atensyon niya.

"You know, maybe we messed up with the wrong people," she said out of nowhere.

Napakunot ang noo ko. "Huh? What do you mean?"

She looked at me directly in the eyes. She is serious. "The Alpha Fleet. I know na hindi sila pipityuging grupo."

"They are just kids," I replied. "What harm can they do to us?"

"Don't compare the age, Babe. Compare the skills. Isipin mo, kayang-kaya nilang makipagsabayan sa atin sa murang edad nila. What if tumanda pa sila?"

"Kaya nga ngayon pa lang dadalhin na natin sila sa hukay. Wait, are you scared of them?"

"No. Hindi mo talaga naiintindihan! It's just that, what if they found something very important to them that they want to protect? They will get stronger-"

"Just like that Amethy Hermes?" I finsihed what she wanted to say. "You're taking her words too much."

"Whatever. Hindi niyo kasi naiintindihan."

"Don't worry, Babe," I carressed her arm. Nagsasalitan ang tingin ko sa kaniya at sa daan since I am driving. "We will finish this battle fast. Then we'll quit the Omega and start a new life. I promise you that."