Chapter 4: Suspicions

Jordan

“COLONEL MARIANO, Private Campbell from Platoon Seven reporting!” matigas kong sambit sabay salute. Nag-salute din pabalik ang matikas na lalaking nasa harapan ko.

“Private Campbell. I will be speaking on behalf of our General who is busy as of the moment.”

“Understood, Sir!” Sumunod ako sa kaniya sa mini living area kung saan may dalawang maroon sofa ang magkaharap at napagigitnaan ng wooden rectangular table. Umupo naman ako nang sinenyasan niya akong umupo sa tapat niya.

I was summoned to the Colonel’s office on Saturday morning. Ano kayang kailangan nila? Summoning me on weekends? More than that, it’s ordered by our General, the highest-ranking soldier in FEAR. Mukhang sobrang importante nito.

“Itinaas na sa ‘min na may bago raw kayong recruit sa platoon niyo. How is she doing?”

“With all due respect, Sir...hindi ba dapat ang Lieutenant ang nagbibigay ng reports sa bawat platoon? I believe that a Private-ranked soldier like me has no right to report platoon information to the higher-ups. Besides, I’m not the one who recruited her; it’s our Captain.”

“We’re very much aware of that. Captain W is in charge of her. Pero ngayon, binibigyan ka na namin ng permiso na magsalita tungkol sa platoon niyo.”

“Well, kahapon lang siya ipinakilala sa amin ni Captain.”

“This girl is my recruit. After I defeated her in a fight, she insists to be my mentor. Apparently, this girl already lost her talisman power, and she wants our help.”

“That’s what he said,” pagpapatuloy ko. “Since kahapon ko lang siya nakilala nang personal, wala pa po akong masiyadong masasabi bukod sa parang aso’t pusa sila ng Captain. They look like a married couple headed for divorce. The girl looks fragile and weak. She doesn’t pose any harm.”

“Be wary of that girl, Jordan. Women like that are the most dangerous. That’s why the General summoned you here. You have an important mission only exclusive to you.”

Nanlaki ang mata kong napatingin kay Colonel nang marinig ito. Only exclusive to me? This might be my lucky day! Baka ma-promote pa akong Corporal kapag nagampanan ko ‘to.

I cleared my throat and gulped heavily. “What is it, Sir?”

“We did a background check on that girl. Blanko lahat. Para bang nilinis niya ito nang bahagya bago makipagsapalaran sa ‘tin. Humingi na rin kami ng tulong sa Military Intelligence natin, pero gano’n din ang naging resulta. Rather odd, isn’t it?”

Ang weird na pati ang military intelligence ay wala ring mahanap. Halos lahat ng taong gusto nilang makuhanan ng impormasyon ay nahahanapan nila.

“I don’t know if this girl is a pure genius who hid her identity, or she is just stupid enough to laze around the house all her life, causing her background to be that clean.”

“I hope it is the latter. Otherwise...”

Nag-iba ang timpla sa mukha nito, tila may bakas ng pag-aalala at pangangamba.

“Alam mo na ba ang tungkol sa talisman niya?”

“Hindi pa po, Sir.”

“Like Carlton, she has two abilities. First is Camouflage. From the word itself, she can disguise herself as invisible to the public. Second is the Death Palm. She can destroy anything and everything through physical contact, including humans. I hear your body will explode to pieces if she ever activates it.”

So ang ibig sabihin, may control siya sa kung sino ang pasasabugin niya? She can use it as a threat to someone she already touched. That is a very dangerous talisman out there.

“Naiintindihan mo na ba ang pinupunto ko ngayon, Campbell?”

“Assassin. Judging from her power, there’s a huge possibility that that woman is an assassin.” Ngumiti si Colonel na parang sinasabi na “Nadali mo!”

“Her power is not marked as a threat as of now dahil napatunayang nawala nga ito. At ang Research Division ang mag-ha-handle sa talisman niya, kaya hawak natin ang ability niya. Pero hindi natatapos ang lahat do’n. She may be powerless, but who knows if she has something up her sleeve. Pinagkatiwala ni President Archibald ang kaligtasan ng Greendale sa kamay ng FEAR. Hindi natin siya puwedeng biguin.”

Napayuko ako at napaisip.

Well, If it’s used properly, she can turn herself invisible and touch the enemies beforehand, then activate it of her own will. That is what you call the perfect assassination and infiltration. Having two abilities that are best when combined together is very rare. Unlike my talisman which takes the element of water. I can make and shape things with my water ability. Sa ngayon, pinag-aaralan ko pa ang bawat forms na gusto kong palakasin.

In her case, she can kill almost anyone who stumbles upon her without exerting much effort. Hindi na nakapagtataka kung pag-aagawan siya ng iba’t-ibang organization. How the hell did Captain W found someone who has this kind of ability? Ngayon naiintindihan ko na kung bakit ayaw niya kaming pasamahin sa pag-recruit sa kaniya. It was too dangerous, indeed.

“Alam naming lahat na isang henyo ang kapitan niyo. Magaling siyang umunawa ng isang tao sa kabila ng personalidad niya. Bago niya pa gawin ang isang bagay, mayroon na siyang nakatakdang plano para rito. Pero hindi ibig sabihin no’n ay bulag kaming magtitiwala sa kaniya. Sa kabila ng pagtitiwala ay may kalakip na pag-iingat. Hindi natin alam kung ano talaga ang habol ng babaeng iyon.”

Itinuloy pa niya, “Bantayan mo ang bawat kilos niya, Campbell. Huwag kang pahahalata. Naniniwala ang Heneral na ikaw ang babagay sa misyong ito. Bukod sa malapit ka sa mga babae, magkaedad pa kayo. Miyembro ka ng Student Council sa Greendale, kaya siguraduhin mong magiging kaklase mo siya. Hangga’t maaari ay walang ibang makakaalam nito sa loob ng platoon ninyo. See if that girl is trustworthy.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Kung mapagtanto mo man na isa nga siyang espiya o ahente mula sa ibang organisayon, fire her immediately and let us know as early as possible. I will give you this badge that will make your actions and orders absolute. But remember, you will only use that for this mission. Ikaw ang matatanggal kapag ginamit mo iyan sa ibang bagay, lalo kung kasamaan.” Iniabot niya sa ‘kin ang silver badge na may logo ng FEAR.

“Lastly...” Nag-ibang muli ang timpla ng mukha nito. Lalo ang kaniyang itim na matang matalim kung makatitig. “Kung mas malala pa sa una ang malalaman mo tungkol sa babaeng iyon, at may maramdaman kang palatandaan ng kadiliman sa kaniyang puso...”

Kumuha siya ng isang pistol at inilapag sa mesa.

Tumayo ako at kinuha ang mabigat na baril nang walang pag-aalinlangan tsaka nag-salute.  

“Understood, Sir.”

***

 “JORDAN! PU-PUWEDE bang sabay tayong kumain mamayang lunch? Ta-tayong dalawa lang sana,” sambit ng kaklase kong si Ella pagkaupo ko pa lang sa upuan ko sa classroom. Namumula pa ito at pautal-utal ang boses.

“Sorry, may gagawin kasi ako mamayang lunch. You know, Student Council affairs.” Ngumiti ako.

Kitang-kita naman sa mukha niya ang pagkadismaya sa narinig, pero ngumiti pa rin ito nang pilit at sinabing, “O-okay lang! You’re the Vice President, after all. Busy talaga, hehe! Maybe next time?”

Tumayo ako at lumapit nang bahagya pa sa kaniya. I tucked her brown, soft hair in her ears and held her unnatural cheeks full of makeup. “Don’t worry, my cute little kitten. Babawi ako kapag puwede na,” I said, then flashed my killer smile that every girl loves. Mas lalong namula ang mukha nito at tila natulala sa kawalan.

I really don’t like rejecting girls and seeing their disappointed faces. But now, there’s an exception.

Nawala ang atensyon ko sa kaniya nang marinig ang pagbukas ng pinto sa silid. “Class, pick up the trashes and go back to your respective seats. Kaaga-aga, ang dugyot na agad ng room!” It’s Mrs. Panganiban, our very strict homeroom teacher. May katandaan na rin ito kaya understandable ang ugali.

Nang makarating na ito sa tapat ng teacher’s table, humalukipkip ang magkabilang braso niya. “May bago kayong magiging classmate. She’s a transferee. Be nice to her, okay?”

Tumingin si Ma’am sa pinto at sumenyas sa labas. Kaagad na bumukas ito kasabay ng pagpasok ng liwanag. Nakita ko ang maliit na pigura ng isang babaeng may mamula-mulang buhok, or should I say, Scarlet? Nasa likod pa niya ang araw na tila kasisinag pa lamang. Mukha siyang anghel na bumaba sa langit.

Yes, she is the exception I am talking about. This petite girl that has the eyes of an emerald, it almost reminded me of the loveliness of nature in springtime. Her skin looks like it’s never been exposed to the sunlight. It is very ironic as her hair depicts blazing fire coming from the sun.

“M-my name is Origin. I am an official human being and I will be your classmate starting today. P-Pleased to meet you,” sambit nito na akala mo nagtutula lang sa harapan.

Official human being? What’s that? Hindi ko mapigilang matawa nang kaunti nang marinig iyon. Pati ang mga kaklase namin ay rinig ang mahihinang pagtawa.

Isa lang ang masasabi ko, sa paraan ng pananalita niya at kung paano niya i-presenta ang sarili niya, halatang hindi siya sanay sa pakikihalubilo sa mga tao. Kung pagmamasdan siyang mabuti, parang hindi niya magagawa ang mga suspetiya sa kaniya ng mga higher-ups.

“She may be powerless, but who knows if she has something up her sleeve.”

That isn’t impossible, though. Maraming hawak na impormasyon ang organisasyon namin lalo sa iba’t-ibang talisman users sa buong mundo. Malakas din ang koneksyon namin sa gobyerno, pulis at detective agencies. In short, malaking advantage ang mapalapit at lalo na makapasok sa FEAR. At hindi lang ‘yon, may access pa siya sa Greendale na pagmamay-ari ng prominenteng tao sa mundo ng talisman users. It is the spot that any members of a criminal organization would not let go of easily.

So you mean to say, someone who doesn’t know how to introduce herself properly and even stutters in front of people is good enough to outsmart someone like Captain W and the Military Intelligence? This Origin who even failed her entrance exam here? Kun’di dahil sa ‘ming Student Council, hindi naman siya makakapasok dito.

Then, is she an assassin attempting to assassinate someone here? Hindi rin imposible. Assassins are a group of complicated people. Kung ito nga ang totoo, kailangan kong mag-doble ingat. Someone who takes the lives of innocent people doesn’t have a place here.

Sana hindi totoo ang lahat ng paratang sa kaniya. She is very pretty and sexy, but at the same time, she’s cute. It makes me want to take care of her. Her attitude pretty much reminded me of our Student Council President slash Captain. A human being that you can compare to a doll. Their physical looks are indeed beautiful but are devoid of human emotions.

Origin

“PANIGURADO AKONG sasabihan ka ng teacher niyo na magpakilala sa klase. And you can’t say no. You shall do what you are told to and introduce yourself. Tell them your name and your hobby..no, I already know what your hobby is and you obviously can’t tell anyone. Just add your positive traits and say that you are pleased to meet them.”

That W! Bakit ba ako nakinig sa kaniya? Tumatawa na tuloy ang mga ‘to! May nakakatawa ba do’n? Hays, kasalanan ko rin. Bakit ba ako nakikinig sa taong hindi rin naman marunong makihalubilo sa iba?

I retained my calm composure habang papunta sa upuan na itinuro ng teacher namin. Sa pinakalikuran at sa dulong kaliwa kung saan malapit sa ‘kin ang back door ng silid.

“Class President,” pagtawag niya pagkatapos itaas ang salamin nito sa mata.

“Yes, Ma’am?” Tumayo naman ang isang babaeng may itim na buhok na naka low pigtails.

“Ikaw na ang bahalang gumabay kay Ms. Origin, okay?”

“Yes po!” sagot nito at umupo. Nasa gitna siya banda. Pagkaupo niya, tumingin siya sa ‘kin at kumaway na may kasamang ngiti. Ugh, plastik. Ngumiti rin ako na feel ko ay pilit lang din. Kailangan kong mag-iba ng personality dito para hindi sila mag-suspetiya sa ‘kin. Dito masusubok ang acting skills ko!

“Class, may meeting ako ngayon sa faculty. Gawin niyo muna ang assignments niyo sa ibang subjects, okay? Behave!” sambit nito bago lumisan ng silid.

Anyway, I need to act normal here and make friends so that they won’t suspect me. In that way, I can gather more intel. These people with me in this very same room are no more than tools who will help me succeed. After I get what I want, I will make sure that all of them will ro-

“Hello! Biruin mo ‘yon, magkaklase pala tayo!” Napatingin ako sa kaliwa ko nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses.

It’s him! The white-haired boy in the Student Council! Nakangiti pa siya sa ‘kin. Sh*t, so he’s really my classmate? Mukhang inutusan itong bantayan ako ah. I need to be extra mindful of my actions.

“H-hello! N-nice!” Nag-thumbs up ako sabay ngiti. Para bang naparalisado ang lalaking ito at hindi na gumalaw. He’s just staring at me like an empty space while retaining his smile. Awkwardness came in and I don’t know what to do. F*ck, I only know how to kill. I’ve never had training on how to communicate effectively with human beings! Help me, Master Adamman!

“Hahahaha! I really like you, my pancake!”

Nagtinginan sa akin ang mga babae sa room nang sabihin niya iyon. Is it just me or this room felt like it was suddenly attacked by a blizzard?

“Pancake? Did he just call her my pancake?!”

“That transferee! Kararating lang niya rito pero may call sign na sila ni Jordan?!”

I kept on hearing them mutter.

“P-pancake?” tanong ko.

“Yeah. Because you’re as flat as a pancake,” nakangiti niya pang sagot na akala mo ico-compliment ako. Aba buwiset ‘to ah! Talagang sinusubukan mo ang pasensya ko?!

“But who cares? I love flat girls the most, and you just happened to be my type,” dagdag pa niya na lalong nagpataas ng tensyon dito sa room.

“T-thank you for taking a liking on a flat g-girl like me.” Urghh! Tapak na tapak na ang pride ko! Pasalamat ka at may kailangan pa ako sa inyo. Yari ka sa ‘kin ‘pag natapos ko ang misyon ko, you snow white guy!

“Stop teasing her, Jordie! Vice President ka pa naman ng Student Council. You’re leaving bad impression!” May sumingit sa likuran namin. The class president. Nagkasalubong kami ng tingin at nginitian niya akong muli. “Hello! I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Jane!”

She stretched out her right hand. I responded to that friendly gesture and shook hands with her. Her hands are small and a little bit rough. I sense an extreme coldness in them. Parang kamay ng mga bangkay na pinaslang ko noon.

“Since wala naman si Ma’am, why don’t we take this one hour of free time on touring you to Greendale’s hidden heritage?”

“Greendale’s hidden..heritage?”

Bingo! Mukhang malaki-laking impormasyon agad ang makukuha ko sa first day ko rito! You are not useless after all, class pres!

“Hoy, ako ang magtu-tour sa kaniya, you nerd! Magbasa ka na lang ng libro mo d’yan!”

“Excuse me, ako ang inatasan ni Ma’am para i-guide siya, bleeeh!” Dumila ito. Bigla niyang kinuha ang kamay ko at hinatak ako palabas ng room. “Let’s go, Origin!”

“Come back here, nerd!” rinig ko pang sigaw ni Joseph pero nagpatuloy lang kami sa pagtakbo.

Greendale’s hidden heritage, huh? Sounds fascinating.