Do Not Touch Me!

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The morning of my first mission came faster than I thought. The two months of silence had gone by like a blur, and now, everything I trained for will be tested—not in simulations, not in mock trials, but in reality. A reality that promised blood, betrayal, and perhaps even death.

Nasa isang private hangar kami ng RAGE ngayon, ang tinaguriang Iron Dome, isang underground base na nakatago sa labas ng siyudad ng Erevos. Wala ito sa mapa, at kahit anong satellite imaging, hindi ito makikita—camouflaged by cloaking technology na gawa mismo ng mga Cardinal scientists. Inside, the air reeked of cold steel, jet fuel, and the faint hum of machines.

Kasama ko ngayon sina Athanasius, Portgas, at Viveron. The Cardinals. My so-called "family." They had already been briefed on the mission earlier, but now it was my turn to officially join their ranks. Nakasuot ako ng bagong uniform—black tactical suit na may manipis ngunit matibay na armor plates, and over it, I wore my signature gloves. Hindi ko na magawang alisin ang mga ito; they had become part of my second skin, my shield against the world.

"You nervous?" tanong ni Viveron habang tinatanggal niya ang gum sa bibig at tinapon sa maliit na papel.

"Yes," sagot ko, blunt and honest. Hindi ko kayang magpanggap ngayon.

"Good," she said with a smirk. "The moment you stop feeling nervous, that's when you're dead. Fear sharpens you, Morana. Tandaan mo 'yan."

Portgas, who had been oiling his weapons silently, looked up for a moment. "Kung ayaw mong mamatay agad, just follow the plan."

Athanasius, who was reviewing the mission files on his holo-tablet, lifted his gaze toward me. His emerald eyes met mine, calm and steady. "Trust us, Morana. We're not just teammates, we're your shield. And this mission... this is not just a test. It's a declaration. RAGE is watching, the underground is watching, and whether you like it or not—you're about to announce yourself to the world."

Napalunok ako. Hindi biro ang bigat ng misyon na ito.

MISSION BRIEF

Target: Hannibal Orfeo – isang notorious underground arms dealer at leader ng sindikatong tinatawag na Cerberus Fang. He operates in Velmora, a port city na kilala sa illegal trade, smuggling, at kung anu-anong black market dealings.

Objective: Infiltrate Hannibal's private gala under the guise of a foreign dignitary's daughter. Gather intel on his new weapons deal rumored to involve bioweapons. Eliminate him if necessary.

Assignment: Ako ang magiging pangunahing bait. Seduction, infiltration, and poison. The femme fatale role Achilles drilled into my skull. Athanasius leads the unit. Portgas provides firepower in case things go south. Viveron handles the surveillance, hacking, and comms from a distance.

Inayos ko ang sarili ko sa salamin. My disguise for tonight: a long crimson silk gown na bumagay sa kulay ng aking balat, a slit running high up my thigh for both allure and hidden access to the blade strapped there. My hair was styled in cascading waves, my lips painted a dangerous shade of scarlet.

Tumingin ako kay Athanasius. He was already suited up, but not in combat gear—rather, in a tailored black tuxedo, the perfect partner for my role. He looked every bit the charming nobleman. If I didn't know better, I would've thought we were attending a real gala together.

"You ready?" he asked softly.

"I don't think I'll ever be ready," I admitted.

He smiled faintly. "Then you're ready enough."

Our journey to Velmora was swift. A stealth jet brought us directly above the coastal waters before docking in an abandoned cargo port na ginawang safehouse ng RAGE. From there, we switched to luxury cars provided by one of RAGE's front companies.

The city of Velmora was alive, kahit gabi na. Neon lights painted the skyline, and the streets pulsed with a chaotic mix of music, gambling, and deals whispered in shadows. It was a city that thrived on corruption, where morality was nothing but a forgotten word.

As we approached the gala venue—a grandiose estate sitting by the cliffs overlooking the sea—I felt my heartbeat quicken. Dozens of high-profile figures, smugglers, politicians, mercenaries, and even foreign diplomats were already arriving. Security was tight, armed guards standing at every corner, but the opulence of the event masked the danger beneath.

"Remember, once you're inside, you're Morana La Vey, daughter of Count Adrien La Vey from the European underground aristocracy," Viveron's voice echoed through my earpiece. "I've forged the documents, IDs, and even a fake lineage. No one will doubt you unless you slip. So don't slip."

"Copy," I whispered.

Portgas stayed in the shadows, disguised as a chauffeur. Viveron operated from a remote van, her monitors glowing with surveillance feeds. Athanasius, however, was by my side, his arm linked with mine, playing the role of my escort.

As we entered the estate, the first thing that hit me was the extravagance. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, exotic wines flowed like water, and laughter echoed against the marble halls. Yet beneath it all, I could feel the predatory gazes, the hidden weapons, the tension masked by civility.

The moment Hannibal Orfeo appeared, the room seemed to darken.

He was a massive man, towering over most, his skin weathered like leather, scars running across his face as if each one carried a story of survival. His eyes were cold, predatory, and calculating. Sa tabi niya, dalawang babae na halatang hindi naroon by choice.

When his gaze fell on me, I knew my role had begun.

"Countess La Vey," he greeted, his voice a low growl, though there was an odd charm to it. "Or should I say, the flower of the La Vey bloodline." He reached for my hand, and I let him. He kissed the back of my gloved fingers, his lips lingering just a second too long. "Enchanté."

"Mr. Orfeo," I said with a polite smile, masking the tension in my throat. "I've heard so much about you."

"And I about you," he smirked. "Come, let us drink. Tonight, perhaps, we forge alliances... or destroy them."

Athanasius subtly squeezed my arm, a reminder that he was there. A reminder to stay calm.

The night unfolded with conversations, exchanges, and veiled threats hidden beneath flowery words. Hannibal seemed intrigued by me, his eyes never straying far. I played my part well—laughing at his jokes, brushing his arm lightly, letting my presence be a lure.

Meanwhile, Viveron whispered updates in my ear. "I've hacked into his private servers. He's negotiating a deal with Black Sun, a rival syndicate. And Morana... they're not just selling guns. They're selling a prototype biochemical weapon—something similar to what you were cured with. Only this time, it's weaponized."

My heart skipped a beat.

"You need to confirm where the shipment is stored," Athanasius murmured under his breath while sipping wine. "If we get that intel, RAGE can intercept. Hannibal must not release that weapon to the black market."

So I leaned closer to Hannibal, lowering my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "I hear whispers about a storm brewing. About a weapon that could change the balance of power. Surely, you wouldn't keep such secrets from a friend?"

He chuckled darkly. "Ah, you are dangerous, Countess. Beauty with curiosity. I like that." His eyes glinted as he leaned closer. "But some secrets are worth more than lives. Perhaps, if you entertain me tonight, I might tell you."

I forced a smile, though bile rose in my throat.

"Morana," Athanasius' voice in my earpiece was tight, controlled. "Careful. Don't push too hard yet."

But I knew this was my chance. If seduction was my role, then I had to play it, even if it meant walking on the edge of a knife.

Hours passed. Music played, people danced, alliances shifted in the shadows. Hannibal grew more intoxicated, more careless. I guided him toward the balcony overlooking the crashing waves below.

"Tell me, Hannibal," I purred, brushing my fingers lightly on his arm. "Where do you keep such dangerous treasures? Surely, not in plain sight."

He smirked, his breath heavy with alcohol. "In the catacombs beneath this very estate. Guarded by my most loyal men. But even if you knew... you'd never leave alive." He laughed heartily.

That was all I needed.

Viveron's voice came sharp in my ear. "Got it. I've marked the location. Now, Morana, get out."

But before I could move, Hannibal's hand gripped my wrist tightly. His eyes suddenly cleared, sharp and suspicious. "Who sent you?" he hissed.

My blood ran cold.

Athanasius was at my side in an instant, his hand reaching for his concealed weapon. But before any of us could react, the sound of gunfire erupted inside the estate. Screams echoed as chaos broke out—an attack, but not from us.

"Black Sun operatives!" Viveron's voice shouted in panic through the comms. "They're here for the weapon!"

Hannibal shoved me away, drawing his own gun, barking orders to his guards. Athanasius pulled me back, his eyes blazing. "Move! Now!"

The gala erupted into a battlefield.