MHIAMB Fanshot #11

BLACK ORGANIZATION AND THE CIPHERS

MHIAMB Fanshot #11

[September 11, 2018]

KATANA's NARRATION

One loud shot and the tortured intruder we caught ran out of breathe. Ibinaba ko ang baril na ginamit ko sa pagpapaputok. He was helpless and pitiful on that electric chair. We were merciless and anyone could see the excruciating pain he has been through judging by his state. But I couldn't feel any remorse. I was gritting my teeth with my null eyes still looking at his dead body. Ramdam ko pa rin ang panginginig ng kalamnan ko at ang matinding paghawak ko sa aking baril.

  "Kat." Narinig ko ang nag-aalalang pagtawag ni Kuya Trigger sa gilid ko.

  That's when I turned to them. They were all looking at me. Hindi ako umimik at marahang inilapag ang baril sa mesa ng mga patalim saka walang imik na naglakad para lumabas ng torture room ng headquarters ng Black Organization. Pero hindi pa ako nakakalabas, bigla akong nakarinig ng sunud-sunod na pagbeep.

  I turned to go back. Everyone looked for where the beep comes from. And we all ended up looking at the dead's guy body. I met Kuya Trigger's glance when we realized what it was. A planted screen on the dead guy's body. I shifted my gaze to Kuya Caliber. He gave me the look and I nodded. That was when he approached the dead guy.

  We remained standing, looking for what the beeping was. Dahan-dahang naglakad si Kuya Caliber patungo sa lalaki. Tanging ang bawat hakbang lang nya ang maririnig sa loob. Everyone was probably held their breath. Until my brother carefully raise the dead guy's shirt, revealing the screen where the beeping comes from.

  I was sure that I wasn't the only one who was surprised. May screen sa loob mismo ng tyan ng lalaki. It was a real fucking screen. And right now, there was a blinking line there saying 'DEATH IS COMING'.

  "That's a screen threat." Biglang nagsalita si Raven kaya nabaling sa kaniya ang atensyon namin. "A screen planted to someone's body and would be activated with the message if the body's heart stopped beating."

  Ibinalik ko ulit ang tingin sa screen sa tiyan ng lalaki. My brows furrowed upon noticing something. Kuya Trigger probably noticed that too. Dahil lumapit sya at itinuro ang ibaba ng linyang 'death is coming'.

  There was a "-US" under the first line. Who are they?

   Days passed. There were a lot of things to do in business both in legal and illegal. We have decided to ignore the screen threat. Threats are normal for the kind of us. For a mafia group like ours. Everything doesn't need attention. And that US was considered as just one of a hundred. Until one day.

  Lahat kami, sa parehong oras at araw, ay nakatanggap ng panibagong death threat mula sa US. The thing is, we woke up with the death threat. Embossed on a blade, stitched on a red ribbon, compiled in a code. In different ways. The thing was, each of us received the same line--death is coming--but in different language. Mine was Spanish. And to make everything worse, the death threat managed to be inside our house. How could they sneak in? That's the question.

  Especially Roswell Residence. We were always sure of its security. But how? How did the US manage to sneak in? And none of us was alarmed. We even checked everything and we found no indication of hacking and forcefully opened locks. Just how fucking good are they? We couldn't ignore this anymore. Not when we knew their capability. So tonight, a meeting would be held in Black Organization Headquarters.

  Binuksan ko na ang pinto ng driver's seat ng spare car ko. The moment I went inside, I noticed the unusual aroma of my car. This is familiar. I was about to turn my head at the backseat when somebody from my behind suddenly covered my mouth with a napkin. It took me only one inhale before everything went black.

  Damn. Probably US again...

  "Katana? Katana, can you hear me?"

  Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang talukap ng mga mata ko. Sumalubong sa akin ang nag-aalalang mukha nina Kuya Trigger at Kuya Caliber. Dahan-dahan akong umupo mula sa pagkakahiga. Napahawak ako sa ulo ko nang maramdaman ang biglaang kirot. Despite of that, I managed to look around. That's when I realized the whole Black Organization is already gathered.

  "What happened?" Tanong ko.

  Kinuha ni Kuya Caliber ang wrist ko at ipinakita ito sa akin. I took a glimpse on it and saw a mark. It was a simple number 14. He showed me his and the mark on his wrist was #7. I looked at him, confused. He explained. What happened to me happened to the rest of them. The sudden fall into unconsciousness. And all was US doing. They woke up earlier than I and since the situation seemed to be more alarming, they still decided to proceed onto the meeting. Even if it's already midnight. They checked me knowing what happened and bring me with them.

  "Strife, have you found any mafia group under the acronym US?" Asked Kuya Trigger.

  Raven showed us his laptop. There were four opened tabs. All flashed a history of different mafia groups under US. To make everything short, wala nang active na US group sa kasalukuyan. The last one was disbanded a decade ago. It was Underground Society.

  "Baka katulad din nila tayo. Restarting in secret." Lindsay's idea. She has a point. Black Organization restarted after years.

  "Pwede ring bago sila." Si Grayson.

  "Eh kung bago sila, ba't tayo pa ang una nilang babanggain? Alam ng lahat ang laki ng pangalan ng Black Organization, mag-isip ka nga." Iritableng pagkontra ni Amber.

  "There was no history of war between Black Organization and Underground Society." Pagsingit ni Kayden saka itinaas ang hawak nyang libro, mukhang history.

  I was left biting my thumb. US... who could they be? And why would they go through the troubles just to mark us these numbers? Nagkaroon ng katahimikan sa loob ng mahabang mesa ng conference room ng Black Organization. It was a long silence leaving everyone into deductions until a ring of phone startled us. It was Cody's.

  "Haha! Wengya, chillax lang kayo. Mukhang chix ko 'to." Sabi nya saka sinagot ang tawag sa telepono. He seemed to be listening until he suddenly stood up and slapped the table. "ANO?! Amputs. Sige, sige, erpat. Papunta na kami." Mabilis nyang ibinaba ang telepono at binigyan kami ng tingin. "Naaksidente si ermat."

  Fuck.

  We hurried. The others decided to check on their parents and the others decided to visit Tita Meisha in the hospital. I was with the latter. Apparently, almost everyone was there. Mom's wasn't there though eventhough she's one of the first persons who would be so worried. Hindi rin naman na ako nagtagal at umuwi. At home, I found Mom and Dad in the living room. She was putting make-up on him. Pft. It's rare for Dad to let Mom do whatever she wants especially make-up. Kadalasan, he does that only if he needs to. I wonder what's he's up to this time.

  "Katanaaaaa! Kamusta si Meisha?" Mom hurriedly ran to me. "Ayaw akong payagan ni Zeke pumunta! Huhuhu. Gusto ko pa naman sanang ma-check talaga kahit vital signs lang ni Meisha eh. Baka malala sya eh di ako din sana nagsurgery diba?"

  I chuckled. "Mom, you're a pediatrician."

  After a short conversation with my mother, I went upstairs and asked for update from Black Organization. According to Raven, he has already found a possible party covered up by a mafia group under the name US. And that party would be tonight. Based on Cody's update as well, the accident of Tita Meisha was also caused by US. Who? Who are they? And to think, it was Tita Meisha that they managed to attack.

  A party. That's where we will know who they are.

---

  I turned to the window in my side and take a look on the vast hall where the party we're going to attend would be held. Just a few minutes and Azure stopped the car. Sabay kaming lumabas. Unfortunately, we were paired. And confusing enough, this party is open only for couples. I couldn't be with Kuya Trigger and Kuya Caliber, bukod sa naka-print ang mga pangalan namin sa dyaryo ay magkakalapit pa ang mukha namin. Due to the circumstances, I was paired with Azure. Tantrums wouldn't do any good so I have to endure the night with him.

  Nakasukbit ang braso ko sa braso niya nang pumasok kami sa loob ng party. Conventionally, this party is just a surface for an illegal transaction of two mafia groups. And Black Organization would play the third party. This party was organized by a mafia group we are hunting. A mafia group under the acronym US. Just a few days ago, there were a lot of incidents on us caused by US. We received the same death threats written in different language from them in our very own house despite of its tight security. Tita Meisha even got into an accident. We couldn't ignore them now. We have to hunt them.

  There were no longer US based on Raven's research. However, this party is the most possible surface cover that has been organized by a potential group for US.

  "Katanababes, baka naman maadik ka na sa amoy ko sa sobrang kapit mo." Malaki ang ngising sabi ni Azure nang makapasok kami sa main hall.

  Tumaas ang isang sulok ng labi ko sa sinabi nya. I gave him a strong kick on his knee even if I'm in gown. Agad syang tumiklop at napahawak sa tuhod nya. He was cursing because of pain and I ignored him by leaving. He hurriedly ran after me. Psh.

  "Wengya, di ka naman mabiro, Katanababes." Sabi nya habang hinihimas-himas ang tuhod.

  Hinawakan ko ang receiver ko at naupo sa isang table. "Azure and I are in position." I updated.

  [Lindsay and Trigger are in position] Kuya Trigger.

  [Amber and Duke are in position] Duke.

  [Mikaela and Grayson are in position] Grayson.

  [Emerald and Caliber are in position] Kuya Caliber.

  [Duchess and Kayden are in position] Kayden.

  [Masakit man sa kagwapuhan ko pero kami ng partner kong si Raven ay nakaposisyon na din] Cody's voice followed by chuckles.

  Azure teased him. "Maniwala ka na kasi. Mas bagay kasi talaga ako kay Katanababes kesa sayo. Pwe."

  I didn't pay attention to them and kept my eyes moving around the party. Cody and Raven were in disguised as the party's guards. As I've said, this mask party is open only for couples. Suspicious for a party that is meant to cover up a transaction, yes. From my spot, I could already see my brother and Lindsay on my left then Amber and Duke on my right. In my 3 o`clock were Grayson and Mikaela.

  After seeing the rest of the pairs, tiningnan ko naman ang mga businessmen na tingin namin ay syang makikipagtransact sa US. I couldn't stare so I just keep on glancing. Just not so long, tumayo ang isa sa mga binabantayan kong businessman. The moment they turned, I stood up and pulled Azure. Walking fast, held my receiver and updated.

  "Target #2, moved. Followed by Azure and Katana." I lowered my gaze to be unsuspicious.

  [Target #3, moved. Followed by Duke and Amber] Ang update naman ni Duke.

  [Target #1, moved. Followed by Grayson and Mikaela] Then, Mikaela.

  Our target all moved then it's for sure. The illegal transaction in which we are the third party would start. Mabilis ang mga lakad na sumunod kami ni Azure sa Target #2. From my lowered gaze, I could still see the businessman through my peripheral vision speaking. Damn, I couldn't hear him. And I couldn't focus of mouth-reading because Azure keep on talking. He was talking about his so-called handsomeness and I totally ran out of patience.

  Inunahan ko na sa pinakaposibleng dadaanan nya ang target at nang may madaanan kaming pader, I wasted no time and pushed his back onto it and pulled his tie harshly.

  "W-Whoa!" Nervously he met my glare.

  "Shut up, will you?" Inis at may diin kong sabi sa kaniya. A few seconds after and I realized I was attracting the target's attention.

  Good thing, Azure wasn't as dumb as I think he is because he realized the same thing. Nagulat nalang ako nang bigla nalang nya akong i-half-bend by my waist, yung parang ending ng sayaw. In my surprise, napahawak ako sa balikat niya.

  He grinned. "Babes naman, kung gusto mo, pwede naman tayong kumuha ng kwarto." Saka nya tinaas-baba ang dalawang kilay. That makes me unsure if is he acting or not. Nevertheless, I had to fake a smile and held him by his nape. Out of annoyance, napapadiin ang hawak ko sa leeg nya. Mukha din syang nasasaktan pero nananatiling nakangiti. Moron!

  I heard chuckles from the target's group, probably because of us. Nang malagpasan na nila kami, mabilis pa sa alas kwatrong binitawan ko si Azure at binigyan ng isang malakas na hand jab sa sikmura. One last glare and I left him wincing from pain. Nauna na naman akong maglakad at hawak ang tiyang sumunod naman sya sa akin.

  "A-Amputs, Katanababes naman!"

  "Sshh." Saway ko nang tuluyan na kaming makababa sa isang hagdan. A basement under the dance floor of the party.

  Madilim ang paligid. May iilang bumbilya lang ang nagbibigay ng kaunting liwanag sa paligid. I held my receiver and updated them our current situation. After that, the signal was cut. According to their responses, three pairs are here in the basement by following the three targets. Azure and I, Amber and Duke and lastly, Grayson and Mikaela.

  Dahan-dahan kaming pumasok sa loob, sa pinakapuso ng transaction. There were a lot of unused broken things and tall posts which makes it easy for Azure and I to hide. We decided to position ourselves behind a tall post in which the targets' backs are facing us. Malaki naman ang poste kaya hindi namin kailangang magsiksikan ni Azure para magtago ng maayos.

  "Katanababes, nakita na ng kagwapuhan ko si Lewis. Ayon oh." Tinuro nya ang poste sa kanan namin kung nasaan si Mikaela.

  Lumingon ako sa kaliwa. "And there's Amber." Sabi ko. Why are they alone?

  "Nasaan naman si Boul at Lionhart, Katanababes?" Tanong ni Azure.

  "Do shut up, dear. Don't ask me question you know I can't answer." Sagot ko saka dahan-dahang kinuha mula sa knee-pad na nasa ilalim ng gown ko ang isang baril saka ito ikinasa. Emergency.

  "Fifty-thousand dollars and a case of the drug A-R4. The deal was clear and crystal, Ms. Aborde." Sabi ni Target #2 sa babaeng kaharap nya, mukhang si Target #1 named Trixia Eunice Aborde. Of course, we checked their profiles.

  "This is not fair, Mr. Trillion. Hindi pwedeng kalahati lang ang ibabayad nyo ngayon. You know how this thing works." Trixia replied strongly.

  "Alpha Resco is known for this matter, Miss Trixia Aborde. You do not fret." Nakangiting sagot naman ni Mr. Trillion.

  "I will not allow this---!"

  "Anong ginagawa mo dito?!"

  Lahat kami ay napalingon sa pinagmulan ng ikatlong boses. I couldn't help but bite my lower lip upon seeing Amber and Boulstridge. What the hell are they making a scene here?

  "A-Amber, I thought you were Mik---" Hahawakan sana ni Grayson sa braso si Amber nang iwaksi ni Amber ang braso nya.

  "Wag mo nga akong mahawak-hawakan." She was about to leave when she realized the scene they made. All of us were looking at them. She gulped.

  Nagulat nalang kami sa sunod na nangyari. Grayson pulled her and pinned her to the wall to kiss her! A couple quarrel is always the best way to divert the attention of the targets. That has always been told in every undercover mission we had. But for this case, I don't know. Amber didn't kiss him back. Instead, she pushed him hard. To make everything worse, there were tears on her eyes as she looked at him with those kind of eyes--filled of anger, guilt, pain and sadness. Grayson just like the rest of the Black Organization here was astonished. If because of what he did or because of her reaction, only he knows.

  "I.. I'm sorry.." Grayson, couldn't look at Amber straight to her crying eyes.

  Amber remained silent. She couldn't stop her tears but she tried to brush them away. With glaring yet crying eyes, she made her hand land on Grayson's face. Grayson knew and yet he did not avoid it. Nanatiling nakatingin sa isang side ang ulo nya matapos maramdaman ang malakas na sampal ni Amber. That was hard, we knew.

  Meanwhile, I saw from my peripheral vision that Duke wanted to approach them but Mikaela stopped him. On my side, Azure who was gritting his teeth was about to leave my side and go to Amber probably to comfort her or go to Grayson probably to punch him. Either way, I did what Mikaela did. Iniharang ko ang braso ko sa dadaanan nya. He looked at me and that was one of the rarest times when he didn't look at me as the Azure who likes me but the Azure who loves his sister.

  "Do not worsen the situation. We are still under a task, Lamperouge." Civil and formal, authoritative and as Roswell, I replied. Calling him by his surname was emphasized.

  "Please lang, hindi ko kaya." Sa nanginginig na boses, 'yon lang ang nagawang sabihin ni Amber. Grayson gulped but did not reply. That's when Amber brushed her tears for the last time and turned her back to him. Hawak ang magkabilang dulo ng suot nyang gown ay patakbo syang umakyat sa dance floor.

  Grayson was stunned but just a few seconds and he followed her. The place was in silence until we heard a can fall onto the ground. Napalingon ako sa direksyon nina Mikaela at Duke at sigurado akong doon 'yon nagmula. As if a paused video played, sumigaw naman si Trixia Aborde mula sa gitna ng transaction.

  "You have hidden men in here, sonofabitch!" She was pertaining to us and probably to Mikaela and Duke.

  "Just give us the deal. Or else." He snapped his finger and his men draw their guns against Trixia's group who did the same thing. "We are gonna get it by force."

  Trixia gritted her teeth and ordered. "Kill the hidden men first!"

  Doon kumilos ang mga tao ni Trixia and we knew we had no choice but to expose ourselves and fight. Ibinaba ko ang half-mask ko. Gano'n din ang ginawa nina Azure saka kinasa ang mga baril na meron kami. We had the advantage because of our spots. We fired them in a way that we wouldn't kill them but we would not also let them follow us.

  I ran after shooting them on their knees. Azure ran alongside me. But before we could even reach the stairs, armed men already blocked our ways. Dammit. Mabilis kong ikinasa ang baril ko at pinaputukan sila sa ulo. They fall dead but another two came in. Azure suddenly blocked my view.

  "Hayaan mong protektahan kita, ba---"

  Naiinis kong ipinanghawi ang baril sa ulo nya. "Get the fuck out of my way, stupid!" Saka ko sinipa ang papasugod na kalaban.

  "Pero baby, kailangan mo kagwapuhan ko tulad nito!" He then pulled me to my knees to make me duck from a bullet fired by Trixia. Napalingon ako sa tinamaan ng iniwasan naming bala at nakitang ang kalaban ko ang tinamaan non.

  "Tss. I could handle myself though." Pabulong kong sagot saka muling tumayo kasabay ng pagtutok ng baril kay Trixia na nakatutok din ang baril sa akin. Azure pointed his gun to Trixia but Trixia's man pointed his gun to him.

  "Whose side are you?" Matapang na tanong nya. Mula rito ay nakikita ko ang pakikipaglaban pa nina Mikaela at Duke sa mga natitirang kalaban.

  "You should know every identity in your transaction to avoid the change of game."

  I didn't wait for her response and made a high-kick. Tinamaan ko ang baril nya na agad namang tumilapon. Azure also dealt with his opponent. Trixia, knowing she no longer has weapons attacked me with a punch. Sinalo ko ang kamay nya saka iyon pinilipit. But she jumped in circle dahilan para hindi sya maapektuhan ng atake ko. The moment she laid her feet on her floor, gumawa naman sya ng sipa papunta sa tagiliran ko. This time, I made sure of my move. Sinalo ko ang paa nya saka sya hinila pabagsak sa semento at dinagaanan ang binti nya sa ibabaw ng dibdib nya. She yelled from pain.

  "You should've chose a weaker opponent." Sabi ko bago tuluyang alisan sya ng malay.

  Pagtayong-pagtayo ko ay sinalubong naman ako ng papalapit na sina Duke, Mikaela at Azure. I turned to Mikaela and Duke to ask.

  "What happened? Duke and Amber were the ones paired." Referring to the scene earlier.

  Mikaela held her gown. "Nagpalit kami ng suot ni Amber kaya akala ni Grayson ako sya."

  My brows furrowed. "Why?" Don't tell me it was just because she didn't like a girly tube-gown because I really am going to smack her.

  Mikaela looked away. Inakbayan ni Duke si Mikaela at sumagot. "Nahuhulog kay Mikaela yung gown. Pfft." Him trying not to laugh.

  Azure bursted out in laughter. "Flatche----!" Hindi pa nya natatapos ang sasabihin ay tumilapon na sya dahil sa malakas na suntok ni Mikaela. Pft.

  Sabay-sabay kaming umakyat na galing sa basement. From the hallway, we could hear scream and clattering. No one among us asked because our question was answered the moment we stepped out of the hallway. It was a chaos. Doon lang din ulit nagkaroon ng signal ang suot kong receiver.

  [This is an ambush!] Kuya Trigger's voice. [US knew we're coming and they waited for us!]

  Halos sabay-sabay kaming napamura. I immediately took my other pistol from my knee pad and joined the chaos as the other three did. Napaiwas ako nang biglang may lumilipad na upuan ang napunta sa direksyon ko. I looked at from where it came from and saw Cody. He winked and I frowned.

  Some already attacked me and I was alert enough to counterattack. We all can't afford to be caught-off guard at this moment. There were a lot of men lying dead and I saw some of us already wounded. Damn. I hit another guy who was about to approach me by my elbow and followed it with a kick and a sharp shot.

  Everything were a bit of blurry and fast. I had my momentum in killing. My peach gown turned into red as time goes. I was losing my stamina. We were the rats and we were outnumbered. My back meet others' from time to time to rely on each other to shoot around. It later transpired to me that the hall is a battle ground created only for us. For the fucking group named US to see us dance in blades and bullets. The rage is starting to be build inside me. When I lost my ammunition, I was hyper to rely on blades. I threw those like cards. Lethal cards. I slashed those like swords. Dangerous swords.

  It took us only a few moments to finally end the mess. Lahat kami ay pagod at hinihingal. I was on my knees, using a sword to stay on ground. There was no word from us. We were all taking our time to breathe when Kuya Trigger's phone suddenly rang. Later after the call, he walked out of the hall in rage.

  "MOM'S FUCKING ABDUCTED!" Mabilis pa sa alas kwatrong napatayo kami lahat para sumunod. I would fucking kill whoever is behind this bullcrap!

  Hindi ko na hinayaang si Azure ang magdrive sa kotse namin. I occupied the driver's seat. Hindi pa nya naisasarado ang passenger seat ay pinaharurot ko na ang sasakyan.

  "Katanababes, kumalma ka, wengya!" Nakakapit na sa handle na hawak nya.

  I paid him no attention. Instead, mas inapakan ko pa ang speed para mas higit na paharurutin ang sasakyan. I couldn't take this. We were bluffed. They lured us into that party to get a chance to abduct Mom. We were fucking fooled. But I have to calm down. I knew I have to calm down. Rage won't do me any good. I learned that, I was taught that.

  Hindi ko na inayos ang pagpapark ng kotse at agad na bumaba sa kotse pagdating sa bahay. Halos kasunuran ko lang sina Kuya Trigger at Kuya Caliber. We arrived in the messy living room. Halos lahat ng gamit, hinalukay. Dad was also there. But he was quiet. He didn't even throw us a look.

  Kuya Caliber remained quiet but he punched the sofa which was the nearest to him. He was almost crying. Emerald came near him and held his hand. This time, he didn't refuse and just let her.

   "DAMN!" Kuya Trigger couldn't help but punch the wall in anger. Namumula na ang mukha nya sa galit. Sa sarili at sa US. If there is someone who would blame himself the most, it is probably Kuya Trigger. All the decision of Black Organization is up to him. He is the leader. And I know, he's so much pressured. I thought of approaching him but Lindsay already did.

  I was gritting my teeth and clenching my fist in silence. A few minutes and I heaved a sigh. "We have to plan." Malakas ang boses na sabi ko dahilan para mapalingon sila sa akin.

  Tiningala ako ni Dad. Sa isang tingin lang ay masasabi kong nag-iigting din ang mga panga nya sa galit ngunit mas piniling manahimik. Nilingon nya si Kuya Trigger na nakasandal pa rin ang noo sa pader.

  "Son, what is your plan?" Seryoso, kalmado ngunit may diin ang bawat bigkas ng salita ni Dad. Inalis nya ang tingin kay Kuya Trigger at pinagdikit ang kamay. "It is us." All of us looked at him. "It is us that took your Mom." Seryosong saad nya.

  Kumunot ang noo ko at si Duchess na ang naunang magtanong ng sya ring tanong ng iba. "Anong ibig nyong sabihin, Tito?"

  May kinuha si Dad mula sa mesa at iniabot yun sa akin. I took it and realized that it was a note. A line in red.

  'DEATH IS COMING -US'

  Tiningnan ko naman si Dad at nagsalita. "We already did some research. US is an acronym, Dad. A group. A new group probably." Nilingon ko si Kuya Trigger. "Kuya, we have to plan."

  Doon lang sya bumaling sa amin. And for the first time, I saw him frustrated. Really frustrated. "This is all my fault! Dammit." Sinuntok na naman nya ang couch. "How would you trust my decision if I already failed in this?" He gave us a look through his frustrated eyes. And before we could even response, umalis na sya. All we could do was follow him by look. He needed time.

  Nilingon ko si Lindsay. She did the same way to me. I gave her a nod, the cue. She also nodded and immediately ran after my brother. Kuya Trigger and I share the same feelings right now. All our words must all be irrational and subjective. Lindsay is the closest person to him except us and I know she could calm him down and convince him.

  Everyone went home. We have to calm down ourselves first to process and rationally analyze everything. And we have to wait for our leader's move.

  It was midnight and I wore my agent outfit. I know my brother. I trust him. His words might be later. Hindi nya hahayaang pangibabawan sya ng emosyon nya ngayong kailangan siya ni Mom.

  That US...

  How good are they? And to think that it was Dad who was with Mom when she was abducted. Dad couldn't detail his story yet. He must be in rage as well. He's probably still planning on his own just like how he is.

  My phone vibrated and I checked it out. As I have been waiting, it was Kuya Trigger. A meeting NOW in Black Organization Headquarters. Mabilis akong tumayo at kinuha ang lahat ng kailangan ko. I used my motorcycle and made my way to the Headquarters.

  The headquarters was in silence. The weird thing is that every lights were on. I carefully walked with my gun prepared on my hands. Nang makapasok sa conference room, itinaas ko ang tutok ng baril ko.

  "Whoa, whoa!"

  "Wengya!"

  "Chill, Kat!"

  Ibinaba ko agad nang makitang nauna na pala sila sa akin. But that wasn't caught my attention. It was the whole room. As messy as our living room earlier. And there was a graffiti on the wall. Just the same note from US. Death is coming in capslock. To make it worse, nasa tatlong upuan sina Tita Fauzia, Tita Amesyl at Tito Jacob. Base sa hitsura nila, mukhang katatanggal lang ng tali sa kanila na nagkalat sa sahig. Kuya Trigger noticed my look and explained.

  "We arrived here and found them tied in the chair. That position. Socks on their head."

  Napaupo ako sa isa sa mga upuan. I asked them if were they alright and they said they are. This is getting more complicated.

  "Ano bang nangyayari? Pwede bang may isa sa inyo na mag explain sa akin?!" Tita Amesyl yelled.

  Azure and Amber came near him. That's also when I knew that Tito Kaizer has also been abducted.

  "Do you have a lead?" Tanong ko kay Raven.

  "Nothing." He was typing on his laptop. "And like the threats we received, there was no indication of hacking and forcefully opened doors inside the whole headquarters." Dagdag nya.

  Binaling ko ang tingin kina Tita Fauzia. "What about you, Tita?"

  "Hindi naman nila kami kinausap." Sagot ni Tita. "We were forcefully put in here without any explanation."

  "May iba pa bang nakakapasok dito bukod sa inyo?" Tanong naman ni Tito Jacob. We answered no. "Masasabi kong mataas ang security ng Headquarters nyo, Katana. Hindi ito yung tipong mapapasok nang hindi hinahack o pinipilit buksan." Aniya.

  "Wala bang..." Tita Fauzia cleared her throat. "Okay, I was in this field, kiddos. Hindi sa sinasuggest ko pero pinakaposibleng... merong double agent sainyo."

  There was a long silence in the room. Probably everyone thought of someone. Checking each other's history recently. Looking for alibis. I slapped the table to break the ice.

  "No. There is and will never be a double-agent in us." I said firmly. "And putting you in here so flawlessly is a very obvious detail. A double-agent won't do that. More importantly, the question right now is why and not who." Tumayo ako at nilapitan sila. I paced back and forth. "Andrei Lewis is an easy target to abduct but why choose Jacob Lee and Fauzia Lee who were expert in this ground?" Tinuro ko sina Tita Amesyl. "And why would they choose Tita Amesyl to leave instead of Tito Kaizer if Tita Amesyl is easier to abduct?" Nang sulyapan ko ang iba, masasabi kong pati sila ay napapatanong na. "Moreover, why did they go through a lot of trouble just to bring Tito Jacob and Tita Fauzia here without doing literally nothing?" My own question bugged me. Why? And an old code popped up of my head.

  "Counting code!" Sabay-sabay naming sabi nina Kuya Trigger, Kuya Caliber at Raven. We smiled at each other. Binalingan ko sina Tita Fauzia.

  Ang linya nila ay nauuna si Tita Fauzia, sunod si Tita Amesyl at si Tito Jacob. Three person. One syllable per person. And since they used a person, what is the obvious yet unique fact about a person? It's their name. Three persons. Three counts. Three syllables. All by their names.

Fauzia Lee
Amesyl Lamperouge
Jacob Lee

Ang unang syllable sa pangalan ni Tita Fauzia ay Fa. As for Tita Amesyl, dahil pangalawa sya, we have to take her name's second syllable which is Me. Then there's Tito Jacob. We had to use his full name because the first wouldn't make sense. It's Lee.

  "Famelee." Naibulong ko sa sarili ko. I bit my thumb. "It doesn't make sense."

  "It does." Kontra ni Raven. Nilingon ko sya at hinarap nya sa amin ang laptop niya. There a picture of an abandoned building is flashed. "Familee. An old hotel ten years ago kasabay ng US na mawala sa industriya. It's only thirty minutes away from here."

  "MOVE!" Agad na sabi ni Kuya Trigger. Everyone moved and prepared their weapons. "We'll follow the Basic Plan A5-F6!"

  Like the others, I prepared my weapons. I took my favorite pistols. Right now, one thing is already for sure. Because of everything US already done, we are well-aware that they are playing games with us. For a second then, we forgot the presence of the first generation in the room. Naibalik lang namin ang atensyon sa kanila nang....

  "SASAMA AKO!"

  We all turned to Tita Amesyl. Sinusubukan syang pigilan nina Amber at Azure pero ayaw nyang magpapigil sa pagkuha ng mga machine gun na nakalapag sa mesa. At mayroon na din syang suot na vest. Oh, great.

  "Anong tinitingin-tingin nyo?! Gusto nyong ipakita ko sainyong marunong akong bumaril?!" Nagulat kami nang ikasa nya ang hawak nyang baril.

  "W-Wengya, mama naman!" Hindi magkandaugaga sina Azure at Amber sa pag-alalay kay Tita Amesyl.

  "Hmm. Looks like someone's worried about her husband." Tita Fauzia who already had a gun commented.

"M-M-Manahimik ka! Baka gusto mong sampulan kita nito?!"

  In the end, we all chuckled. Kuya Trigger nodded and told Amber and Azure that Tita Amesyl would be under their protection. Pare-parehas silang nakahinga ng maluwag.

  Exactly 3 o`clock in the morning. Nakaposisyon na kami sa labas ng abandoned building. I was preparing my gun when I heard the cue from Kuya Trigger.

  [First team, in]

  Mula sa gilid ng building, lambitin ng isang rope ay pumasok sina Tito Jacob at Tita Fauzia sa pangalawang floor sa kaliwa. Sa kanan naman ay sina Amber at Duke. Pagkapasok nila ay pinapasok naman ni Kuya Trigger ang pangalawa, pangatlo at pang-apat.

  When everyone managed to be in position inside the abandoned building, we started to give an update.

  "I'm on position." Sabi ko habang iniikot ang tingin sa lugar habang isinusunod ang tutok ng baril.

  Lights on. 

  Napatingala ako nang may malaking spot light ang tumutok sa pwesto ko. Ganoon din sa iba. Isa-isang nabuksan ang spotlight sa lugar, ipinapakita ang eksaktong lokasyon namin. Kasabay niyon ay ang pagbaba ng lahat ng pwedeng exit sa buong lugar. Holy shit, are we ambushed for the second time around?

  Isang babae ang naglakad sa pinakagitna ng malawak na hall. She was in black see-through outfit. Itinaas nya ang isang mic saka nagsalita na parang isang emcee.

  "Black Organization First 14! I am Maria Elizea!" Itinaas pa nya ang kamay nya. "Welcome to the final battleground!"

  Saka may dalawang malaking hawla ang nag-advance sa unahan. May telang tumatakip doon. Lumapit si Elizea at parehas na hinila ang mga tela. It revealed Mom and Tito Kaizer. When they saw what is happening, they both groaned.

  "Mga anak!" Mom...

  "KAIZER!" Tita Amesyl's scream was the loudest. She wanted to run but Azure and Amber stopped her. She can't.

  Suddenly, all of the lights started blinking in red. The second thing that happened is that there was an explosion between Tito Kaizer and Mom's cage. Parehas silang tumalsik palayo. Mom yelled in pain. Damn, I can't see this!

  "Every wound from Black Organization would be slash to these two. Goodluck." Yun lang at umalis na si Elizea. Damn.

  Tatakbo na sana ako papunta kina Mom nang humarang ang ilang mga armed men. I took out my gun and shot them but they dodged and immediately attacked me. I made a high-kick. Sinalo nya ang paa ko kaya't paikot na tumalon ako. Hinablot ko sa kamay ng lalaki ang hawak nyang isang blade saka yun iwinasiwas sa leeg nya bago kami sabay na tuluyang bumagsak.

  Pagkabagsak na pagkabagsak ko ay gumulong ako dahil sa lumipad na patalim sa direksyon ko. Two guys attacked. I gained my posture and created a momentum. To make distractions, I threw them my pin and advanced to attack. Sabay silang umatake. I lowered my head and made them hit each other before I ran away and make my last two shots on their heads.

  Black Organization started to make our own momentum. The cement was splashed by blood and death. The bodies of the assassins were left lying down. None of them use guns. All they ever had were blade, making the place more bloody.

  I heard my Mom's yell. Napalingon ako at nakitang may panibagong maliit na bomba na naman ang sumabog sa gilid ng kulungan nya. That means one of us got wounded. Because of being distracted by Mom, tumalsik ako sa sahig pagkatapos makatanggap ng isang malakas na suntok.

  Mabilis kong iginilid ang ulo ko bago pa ako tamaan ng isang blade na itinapon ng sumuntok sa akin. Patalon akong tumayo at umikot saka sya binigyan ng sipa. Bluff. Then I ducked to reward him with a punch on his stomach. Napaatras sya. Kinuha ko ulit ang baril ko at pinaputukan na sya.

  From time to time, their number seemed to be increasing. We are all losing our stamina but never our will. I attacked and attacked. We all did. Until we were pushed into our limit. We all broke down.

  For some reason, the assassins all stopped attacking. On my estimation, there are still at least 80 of them alive. They left us on our knees in the battleground. I was panting. I was bathed in blood. The sword I am holding was the only thing that keeps me up. I am really really tired.

  Bumalik ulit si Elizea sa gitna. Nagkaroon ng spotlight sa pwesto nya saka sya nagsalita sa mic. "Game over, Black Organization."

  Nagulat kami nang ma-project sa malalaking walls na nakapalibot sa amin ang ilang pictures. Una, 'yon ay collaged picture ng mga death threats na natanggap namin sa iba't ibang language. Pangalawang picture, yung wrist marks namin na puro numbers. Pangatlong picture, Tita Meisha's accident. Pang-apat na picture, the mask party open only for couples. Panglimang picture, the counting code in the form of Tita Fauzia, Tita Amesyl and Tito Jacob.

  Then Raven suddenly speak. "These are codes meant for us to solve. I realized what the first one is. Una, anu-anong language ang mga death threats? Recite by order. Pagkasunud-sunod based sa mga mark na natanggap natin. I was marked 1 and the death threat I received was in Portuguese."

  "I'm #2. It was Latin." Kuya Trigger.

  "#3. Albanian." Mikaela.

  "I'm #4. Yidish." Duchess.

  "#5. Welsh." Amber.

  "I'm #6. Indian."

  "#7. Turkish." Kuya Caliber.

  "#8. Hiligaynon."

  "#9. Russian."

  "#10. Osvalkia."

  "#11. Osvalkia as well."

  "#13. Thai."

  "I'm the last one. Spanish." Ako.

  We didn't Raven's explanation to analyze. Ang unang letra ng bawat language namin kung pagsusunud-sunurin base sa mga marka sa amin ay bubuo ng sentence saying... play with roots.

  The second photo. Kuya Trigger stood up. "Tita Meisha got into an accident. We are well aware that she was not the type of woman who would end up in a simple accident. And Mom wasn't there. Why?" He paused but answered himself. "Because she's a doctor. She would know if Tita Meisha's accident is true or not. And Dad stopped her from going by letting her make fun of him. Something rare to offer to Mom."

  The party. This time, Kuya Caliber stood up. "Having a party that would serve as cover to a transaction is usual. But this party was open only for couples. We knew it was organized by US. But we didn't think they were revealing their identity in that simple matter. A party open only for couples because US are couples." Everything's getting clearer to everyone. The code has always been there.

  It was my turn to stand up for the photo about the counting code in Black Organization headquarters. "Hostaged Tita Fauzia, Tita Amesyl and Tito Jacob. They were there to confuse us. And to test our trust to each other. You see, they were the ones who tried to make us think if is there a double agent among us. And the fact that the counting code reveals Famelee doesn't just rely on this abandoned building. It also meant family. The people behind US is family. Our family, in fact." This time, I was able to plaster a smile.

  Nagkaroon ng katahimikan bago may bagong tinutukan ang spotlight. Nang lingunin namin ay nakita namin ang ilan sa mga assassin kanina. But on this case, they don't have their masks on. Nasa unahan si Dad. He gave us a smile.

  "Lastly, the very codename US. Because the death threats were always in capital letters, you already jumped into the conclusion that US is an acronym. Besides, I read it as "us" instead of "US"."

  "Oh, Dad.." Napapailing nalang ngunit nakangiting sabi ni Kuya Trigger.

  "You did a good job, son. All of you did." He raise his hands. "Black Organization is in good hands."

  "Wait po, future dad. What about them po?" Tinuro ni Emerald yung mga napatay naming tao.

  Tita Meisha smiled. "Oh. Don't mind them. You didn't kill innocents. We partnered up with a group against Black Organization. Same with the masked party." She shrugged. "Two birds in one stone."

  Everyone sighed in relief and laughed in freedom. Everyone was in joy except Tita Amesyl. She attacked Tito Kaizer because apparently, she didn't know anything. I looked at Mom and she was released. She didn't know anything the whole time. That was why she was the one abducted. I couldn't help but smile upon realizing everything. Our parents have the weirdest way to teach us a lesson.

  And for the first time ever since we occupied spaces in Black Organization, we lost in a battle. And it was against our parents.

  Kuya Trigger came near me. I asked him if he's now alright. He smiled at me and handed me a coke-in-can. "We lost but I feel good."

  "It's our parents. What do we expect?" Sabi kong natatawa habang binubuksan ang coke-in-can.

  Uminom sya sa hawak nyang coke-in-can saka ngumiti sa kawalan. "This would be the first and last time we would lose to them."

  "Cheers?" Itinaas ko ang coke in can.

  Inilapit nya ang kaniya. "Cheers."