Do Not Touch Me!

Chapter 5: Attack of CALM

Chapter 5: Attack of CALM

I had more questions in my mind. Maybe what they said was right—the more you know, the more you'll ask. Bumuntong-hininga ako at sumandal nang bahagya sa berindilya ng beranda ng aking kuwadra. Yumuko ako at pinagmasdan ang bughaw na karagatan. The waves were calm, but in the small distortion, there were sparkles from the sunlight. The yacht seemed to pierce its way against the tides as well.

When I finally had enough of the sea, I went back inside my cabin.

"Ladies and gentlemen who are on board, we are about to arrive at the Metropolitan Port in five minutes." The voice of Viveron blasted from the speakers around the yacht. As if on cue, I heard the sound of footsteps from the hallway outside my room. Lumabas na rin ako para sumilip kung ano ang ganap. Doon ko naman nakita sina Athanasius pati ang ibang mga kasama.

"What's going on?"

"Going to the sundeck." Aniya. "You should come as well, it has been a tradition for the family. Every time we are near the capital, we usually go outside to watch the city view. It never gets old."

Tumango na lang ako at pumasok muli sa kuwarto upang isuot ang aking gloves at iba pang mga aksesoriya na bigay ni Dr. Achilles. After that, I went outside to see Athanasius who seemed to be waiting. "Akala ko nauna ka na sa labas."

He smiled, "we'll go together." After that, we started walking. I do not why but I felt safe to be beside him, even though he is the son of Dr. Achilles, of the head of RAGE, the organization that has given me life, in exchange of my freedom.

Marami akong natutunan kay Viveron kanina at alam kong mas marami pa akong matutuklasan sa hinaharap. I want to know who this Mary is, the woman I replaced.

What was she like? What was her power? What happened to her? But most importantly—why was she replaced?

I have so many questions in my head, however, I reserved them all for the future.

Athanasius and I walked side by side, however, there was a safe distance between us. I was careful not to shorten the gap between us as well. Nang nasa labas kami ay agad kong napansin ang ibang mga miyembro. Sayuri was on her bohemian dress and she was with Shinigami who was only wearing his floral shorts. On the other hand, Portgas and Sunhell were looking at the city as they reclined on the railing of the sundeck. Mula sa gilid naman ay biglang nagkaroon ng ilaw mula sa mga projector—then, there came the hologram of Viveron.

There were seven of us on the deck and we were all looking at the same majestic view—the Metropolitan City. The skyscrapers seem to touch the heaven and beyond, may mga barko rin sa paligid. The place seems to glow because of the warm rays of sunlight. "Isn't it beautiful? I can never get used to this." Athanasius said to me.

I smiled, "yes..."

"Sadly, that is the only beautiful thing about the city." Sayuri rolled her eyes after speaking her mind. She took a sip of her lemon juice afterward and when she was finished, she retreated to the interior of the yacht.

Habang palapit kami nang palapit sa siyudad ay mas lalong lumalaki ang mga gusali. Nakita ko na rin nang malinaw ang daungan ng mga barko. Pagkatapos ay muli kong natanaw si Sayuri na lumabas upang sumali muli sa amin, puno na naman ang baso niya ng lemon juice. Seems like she just went to the kitchen to refill her glass.

"Sayuri, you said that the view of the city is the only beautiful thing about it. I disagree." Tinaasan naman ako ni Sayuri ng kilay dahil sa aking sinabi, after that, I looked at the city once more and smiled, "I think the city is beautiful too because there are people like us who will protect its peace."

Naging tahimik silang lahat. Tumingin ako kay Athanasius and he just stared at me. After that, he smiled, as if mesmerized by my own thoughts.

"No choice." This time, Sunhell spoke. He was still very limited on talking, however, I got what he wanted to say—we have no choice but to protect the place. Because we were agents of RAGE.

When the yacht was finally anchored at the port, we all took our exit. Agad naman kaming sinalubong ng isang puting van kung saan may tatak ito ng pulang sunflower, the logo of RAGE, the same design with my earrings.

Sumakay kaming lahat. Kumunot ang noo ko nang napansin na walang taong nakaupo sa driver's seat. "Don't worry, this van is controlled by Viveron. Hindi na kailangan ng driver." Portgas said, as if noticing my strange look.

Tumango naman ako. Nang nakasakay na ang lahat ay agad na umandar muli ang van at tumakbo. "We're going to the Sub-HQ of RAGE." Athanasius announced, "we're going to have the whole day as a rest day, however, tonight—we will receive again our first mission together." Receive again. First mission. Ah, they used to have missions before, but with the old member I replaced. This is why he said first mission together. I already got that.

Ang isa lang sa mga pinagtataka ko ay kung bakit kailangan nilang itago sa akin ang katotohanan na ito? I thought we were already family? But then and again, it was also me who decided not to consider them as one. For that way, it'd be easier.

Sa buong biyahe ay nakatanaw lang ako sa labas ng bintana. The scenery was like painted in blurred lines because of the speed of the van. I was the only member at the back of the van. I know they were just being cautious because my touch was lethal. Si Athanasius ang nasa may passenger's seat sa harap. Nakita ko naman ang kaniyang pagsilip minsan sa rearview mirror ng van, at sa mga sandaling iyon, magtatama ang aming mga mata. I'd be amazed again by his emerald eyes. They were beautiful orbs.

"Warning—there are five cars trailing us." Lahat kami ay biglang nagising ang diwa nang mag-anunsyo si Viveron. Sa gitna ng van ay biglang nagkaroon ng hologram kung saan pinapakita ang mapa ng daan. Ang kulay bughaw na bilog ay kami samantalang ang limang mga pula naman ay ang mga sumusunod sa amin.

Kumunot ang aking noo, "why are they following us?"

"They're CALM—Central Axis-Leferel Movement, the enemy of RAGE, the organization we work for." Paliwanag ni Shinigami. Ngunit mas lalo lang akong naguluhan.

"They're the only ones who know of our existence and that's why they come after us, to take us—dead or live, and examine our DNAs. They cannot publicize our existence though because it will also risk their chances of capturing us since if more organizations know of us, more will also come after us." This time, it was Athanasius who spoke. Kumuyom ang kaniyang kamao, "I wonder how they managed to get the information that we've arrived the city."

"There must be a spy at RAGE." Portgas announced, nakita ko naman ang pagkunot ng kaniyang noo na tila naiinis siya. I also thought of the same. That is the only possible thing given the perfect timing of these enemies who call themselves as CALM.

"What's the plan, Viveron?" This time, Sayuri asked. "We can't let them know of our hidden quarter here. That'll put a stake on us."

"The plan is simple, destroy them. I have taken full control of the surveillance of the city in order to avoid exposure."

"Now that sounds like a plan." Ngumisi si Portgas. Pagkatapos ay binuksan niya ang pinto ng van at tumalon palabas. Nanlaki ang aking mga mata dahil sa kaniyang ginawa. Matapos ang ilang sandali ay bahagya namang bumagal ang takbo ng van hanggang sa ito ay tuluyan nang tumigil. Lahat ay agad na lumabas at ako ay sumunod.

Tumingin ako sa dako kung saan bumagsak si Portgas, he was at least twenty meters away from us. Mula sa binagsakan niyang semento ay nakita ko ang malaking bitak doon. Nakatalikod siya sa amin at nakaharap sa limang mga sasakyan na sumusunod sa amin.

"Code Red. The city is under attack. Everyone, please do not panic and evacuate indoors. The police are currently apprehending the terrorists. Stay safe. Repeating the announcement—Code Red. The city is under attack." Narinig ko ang boses ni Viveron umalingawngaw sa buong siyudad. Nakita ko naman agad ang pagtakbo ng mga tao sa paligid papasok sa mga gusali. In an instant, the place was already vacated.

"Time to kick some ass." Ngumisi si Sayuri, nagkatinginan naman sila ni Shinigami. "Here." May binato siyang kulay berde kay Shinigami. Tiningnan ko kung ano iyon at nakita ang isang bomba. It was a timed-bomb. "One for you and one for me." She grinned.

They set the time to only ten seconds. After that, they pressed the start button—and the bomb started counting down. 10. 9. 8. And as the bomb ticked to its explosion, Shinigami and Sayuri suddenly vanished. The city air hit my face and when I looked forward, Shinigami and Sayuri were already beside Portgas who positioned himself by placing both hands in front of his chest.

Kasabay noon ay ang paglapit ng mga sasakyan sa kanila. Binato naman agad nina Shinigami at Sayuri ang kanilang hawak na mga bomba. A few seconds later, they detonated and there were two explosions. Two cars were already gone. Now, there are only three left. Shinigami and Sayuri vanished from their position again and this time, they were already beside me. I am still amazed by their speed. It seems like nothing can ever defeat this group of superhumans.

"That was easy." Sayuri chuckled darkly.

Ako naman ay muling pinagmasdan si Portgas who was still on his position, may isang itim na kotse ang diretso lamang sa kaniya na tila nais siyang banggain. "Portgas! You might die—" I stopped when the car hit him, however, he remained on his spot and the hood of the car was smashed into pieces. Nalaglag ang panga ko dahil sa aking nakita. After that, he grabbed the bumper of the car, raised the car as if it weighed nothing, and then he threw it towards the other car behind. Another explosion. Now, there was only one car—it was a van.

Lumingon si Portgas sa akin at ngumisi, "and you were saying?"

Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako bilang sagot. This group is really something.

Agad na tumigil ang van sa tabi ng mga sumabog na kotse at may mga lumabas na mga armadong lalake. Nakasuot sila ng puting uniporme, tila mga sundalo ang kanilang mga galaw.

"They never learn." Umiling si Athanasius.

"Fools." Bulong naman ni Sunhell. Tumango lamang ako. They knew this was already futile, so why is it that CALM is still doing this? Just to get our DNA? That's it?

Matapos ang ilang sandali ay naglakad na si Athanasius palapit kay Portgas, sumunod naman ang iba pang mga miyembro. Bumuntong-hininga ako at sumunod din ngunit nakatago lamang ako sa likod nila. What do I know of combat? I am a mere civilian, or I guess I no longer are. However, my power is not like them—I am only good for close combat, and I am only good if I touch their skin. I am completely useless at times like this.

"Tsk. Sira na ang damit ko. Bago pa naman ito." Lumabi si Portgas. And like he said, may mga punit na sa kaniyang damit, it must be because of the force and impact of collision from the car he bumped with.

"You can just buy a new one, idiot." Sayuri rolled her eyes.

"So, Viveron, how many are there?" Athanasius asked.

The hologram of Viveron came out of the ring that Athanasius wore, "ten." After that, the hologram disappeared.

"Let's get on with this already. I want to rest." Kunot-noong saad ni Shinigami, halata ang inis sa kaniyang mukha. "Sayuri and I will kill the rest." And with that, they both disappeared like a wind, agad na silang nasa harap ng mga kalaban. They fought in unison, like karate masters. Tatlo agad ang humandusay sa kalsada. That leaves seven.

"Retreat! The enemy is holding a weapon specifically designed for Sayuri and Shinigami! I just had scanned their weaponry, they are holding the Anti-Cheetah Radio, a device that emits radio waves which weakens their enhanced cells. Thus, the deterioration of speed. If that is activated, Sayuri and Shinigami will be rendered useless and they may be disturbed."

Nakita ko naman ang gulat sa mukha ni Athanasius. "So, they have already developed such weapon. That's why they were confident."

Agad naman na sumugod sina Portgas at Sunhell upang tulungan sina Shinigami at Sayuri, they were about to retreat as instructed by Viveron, however, I saw three of the soldiers to click the device they held. Nothing came out, nothing affected us, ngunit napansin agad namin na naapektuhan sina Shinigami at Sayuri. Nanghina sila at napaluhod. Their speed was already gone, as if they were neutralized.

Nakita ko ang pagngisi ng isa sa mga sundalo, pagkatapos ay may tinutok itong baril kay Sayuri. "This is what you get for being over-confident." The white soldier chuckled darkly, then he pulled the trigger. The sound of gunshot blasted, then there was silence. The whole world seemed to slow down. And my knees weakened, as if they were rendered like jellies, and I fell on the cold ground as well, not being able to believe what I just witnessed.

Sayuri laid on the ground, bathed in her own blood, with Shinigami, screaming for his sister's life.