Do Not Touch Me!

Chapter 9: The First Mission

Chapter 9: The First Mission

We lived the same and usual routine for a week in the mansion. Magkakasama kami lagi tuwing almusal at hapunan, habang ang lunch naman namin ay optional lang. I don't usually eat lunch, that is why I often spend that free time in my own room. Kahit din nakikipag-usap sila sa akin, limitado pa rin ang aming interactions. There is still this precaution that they have whenever I am around, and I do not blame them for it. It was only natural, given the fact that I was a walking Grim Ripper. A little touch meant their end.

As for my progress with my training, I can last for several hours already without being hit by dummy robots that can electrocute me. The amount of being hit has been reduced as time went by, laking improvement ito sabi ni Viveron, and somehow, I was improving at an abnormal rate. According to her, the virus may have played a role in it, but whatever she say, I am glad that I can feel and see the improvements of mine. I became more alert and agile, and my reaction speed is not that bad as well.

But I guess I can dodge easily the attacks because the dummies are following a certain pattern and algorithm, and somehow, I have adapted that. It must also have something to do with muscle memory. I guess part of battles is also finding out the patterns of your enemy, and acting accordingly.

"Mary, you have already learned the basic dodging skills and mastered it as well. Along with it is an incredible increase in your stamina and reaction time. This means we can already proceed to the next part of your training, and that is self-defense. You shall learn basic martial art techniques, and all sorts. You will not be needing a weapon too since you are a weapon in yourself already, but there will be certain circumstances that you will need to hide your lethal touch, which is why we shall still master a specific weapon of your choice. Since you are more of a front-line, long range weapons like guns are not recommended."

"A dagger," I said the first weapon that came into my mind, "I think that will best suit me. Comparing to a sword, a dagger can be small in size, and it will be easier to hide such weapon on my body."

"Fair point, we shall have you master the art of using a dagger, then... But for now, we shall focus on self-defense techniques. Of course, no real live human will be here to train you, and again, we shall be using dummy robots that were designed with a system that makes them as replacements for teachers." Viveron stated and I nodded. "Anyway, we shall officially start tomorrow. We will be ending earlier today than expected, since rest is also part of a training."

"Alright," I smiled. Lumabas na ako sa aking training room at nasa lobby na ako ng underground traininf arena. I looked at the signages of my the cubicle where my squadmates are at, and in glowing neon colors were their codename and the statement training in progress. I looked at the television at the edge of the room containing footage of their trainings, and realized they were also having a hard time with their routines that were designed by Viveron.

Still, this was necessary for our survival. Hindi sapat na may kakayahan kaming kakaiba. We still needed to fortify our strength and condition our body. Kaya namin ginagawa ito. It was for our own safety as well, that is why I was taking my training seriously, because I knew my life and future depended on it. I also did not want to disappoint RAGE. I am quite indebted to them for giving me a chance to live again, and for saving me from the brink of death. Kahit ito man ang kapalit, I will find a way later on to return my body to normal. I am sure there is a way to revert things back... Once I have paid Dr. Achilles and this secret organization.

"Attention to all Seven Deadly Sins members, there is a summon from Dr. Achilles. You are all commanded to go to the Control Center of the Dunkirk Mansion. This is an urgent matter. Repeating the announcement... Attention to all Seven Deadly Sins members, there is a summon from Dr. Achilles. You are all commanded to go to the Control Center of the Dunkirk Mansion. This is an urgent matter. Thank you," it was Viveron's voice that blasted across the speakers.

Kasabay nito ay sabay na bumukas ang mga pinto ng kuwarto kung saan naroroon ang mga kasama ko, at sabay silang lumabas.

"We will probably be briefed now for our first mission," ngumisi si Sayuri. Halatang excited na ito. "I have been waiting for this. Usually, it takes months until we are given a mission," she added.

"Anyway, let's go." Athanasius stated, tumango ang lahat at naglakad na. Sumunod naman ako. We ascended from the underground part of the mansion. With a safe parameter and distance, I followed them all while watching their back. I am always at their back, and the last one. Hindi ko sila pwedeng sabayan dahil delikado. Despite of the protective gears that I am wearing, I still remain cautious to make sure I do not do any harm unto them.

"Anyway, Mary, the Central Government usually notifies RAGE in cases of circumstances that are beyond their control. You can say we are all the trump card of the government, that is why we must remain a secret—and we do the dirty work for them, of course, this is to maintain peace and orderliness. However, a private organization called CALM has been hunting us down and there is no way to track them." Shinigami explained, "you have already encountered CALM last week." I nodded.

So, they leave the hardest job to us, then? Then our missions must be tough, since like Shinigami has declared, it would be things that are beyond our control.

Sa mga sandaling, hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang aking mararamdaman. We were doing this for the country, does that make us heroes, rather than murderers? I guess if it was for the good... Our intentions are pure, and even though I barely know everyone I was with, I know our actions will be for the common good. Sometimes, a sacrifice is needed to achieve your desired goals and aspirations. The same is with peace. I believe we exist for that reason.

Tumungo na kami sa Control Center ng mansion. Pabilog na silid ito kung saan may pitong mga swivel chair na nakaharap sa malaking screen na umiilaw. It must be a television. From static gray, there came colors, revealing a man now in white cloak. It was Dr. Achilles.

"Before we start, let us have a roll call." Dr. Achilles stated, "if your codename is stated, press the red button at the side of your chair." He commanded. Isa-isa niyang sinabi ang aming codename, and when it was my turn I did as he told. It must be a version of an attendance check. "Everyone is complete... Now, we commence with the main purpose of this meeting."

Tahimik ang lahat, but I can already feel the deep excitement that they are having right now. It seems like they were longing for it.

"Is it a mission? Our first mission again as a complete squad?" Portgas asked, and it seems like a slip of the tongue when he said again, but little did they know that I know a speck of the truth already. That I was a replacement of a girl that hold the same name.

"Indeed," Dr. Achilles replied, "this time, we shall deal with human trafficking criminals who are abducting women and selling them in illegal auctions that are being conducted at on sea."

"On sea?" I whispered.

"Do not tell me it is the Argentine Cruiseline who are involved?" Athanasius scowled.

"Indeed, it is them. A lot of missing women has been reported lately around the region, and most of these women are teenagers, and are attractive. Along with it, Viveron accessed a private space in the web, an underground website, and has learned that these missing women are on a cruise ship and are being sold there. The auction shall take place a week from now in one of the Argentine's cruise ship. There is no way finding out, and it is said that people from Argentine are still on the search for women who shall be illegally sold."

"Anyway, since we have a newcomer as well, I shall add a few details. The Argentine family is also part of the CALM. You can say they are sponsors of it, and they are protected in return. Destroying the Argentine family will deal a heavy blow towards CALM, since that means their marine transportation shall be limited now, given the fact that aerial and land are controlled mostly by RAGE and the Central Government, in general." Dr. Achilles mentioned.

"It will be like hitting two birds with one stone. We save the ladies, and we take away one of the most powerful sponsors of RAGE." I said while I was deep in my thoughts and everyone agreed.

"But how will we know the ship?" Kumunot ang noo ni Sunhell.

"Simple, one of the ladies must have themselves be abducted by the Argentine." Ngumisi si Dr. Achilles at saka siya tumingin sa akin, "the role shall fit perfectly with Mary."

"The problem is her poison," Athanasius seems against it, and he looked at me with worried expression.

"Do not worry, I have invented a full-body transparent gear, so that whenever she will be touched, there will be no direct contact at all." Dr. Achilles said, "we have trackers, and we know where the enemy shall go tomorrow. I am sure the enemy will immediately be delighted and captivated by Mary. Once Mary is on-board the ship, we will be able to track her through her earrings too and that is the time we will commence our attack."

"What about me?" Sayuri hissed.

"The rest of you shall be waiting until we know where the enemy is. We must annihilate the Argentine now to deal a heavy blow to CALM, and if possible, take a prisoner for interrogation and information extraction."

They continued to talk, habang ako naman ay na-stuck sa katotohanan na gagamitin akong bait para sa mga kalaban, I felt like I was a worm stuck in a fish's hook, and thrown into the dangerous waters. But I was unusually calm, as if I was confident that nothing bad will happen to me. Because I have lethal touch,

"Alright, let's do it." I declared. There is no other choice. This is something only I can do. I am sure the girls that were abducted must be pretty traumatized now. The thought of innocent people being taken away for greed does not taste well for me.

So, this shall be my first mission.

Nothing can go wrong, right?

Ang gagawin ko lang ay magpapakidnap para dalhin ako sa kung saan gaganapin ang auction, and my team will track me and save me along with the rest of the girls that were kidnapped. It sounds like a plan to me.

"Anyway, that is all. If there are any questions, I have already sent the files to the leader, Athanasius... Failure is not an option. Lauda finem." Dr. Achilles stated.

" Lauda finem," the rest replied, and the screen turned black.

I sighed after. Who would have thought that my looks will play another role as well with missions like this? I looked at Sayuri who was pouting, it seems like she wanted to be the one who would be abducted. If only we can switch places, I would do anything to trade.

I sighed.